INTRODUCTION:
This Surah consists of 52 verses, 861 sentences 3,434 letters and 7 Ruku's.
It takes its name from v. 35 in which mention has been made of Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham). But it does not mean that it contains the life story of Prophet Abraham. The name is merely a symbol like the names of many other surahs, i.e., the Surah in which Abraham's mention has been made.
It appears from the tone of the Surah that it belongs to that group of the Surahs which were revealed during the last stage of the Makkan period. For instance, v. 13 ("The disbelievers warned their Messengers, 'you shall have to return to our community or we will assuredly expel you from our land'") clearly indicates that the persecution of the Muslims was at its worst at the time of the revelation of this Surah, and the people of Makkah were bent on expelling the Believers from there like the disbelievers of the former Prophets. That is why in v. 14 they have been warned, "We will destroy these evil doers," and the Believers have been comforted as were the believers before them, "and after them settle you in the land" Likewise the stern warning contained in the concluding portion (vv. 43-52 also confirms that the Surah relates to the last stage of the Makkan Period.
This Surah is an admonition and a warning to the disbelievers who were rejecting the Message of the Holy Prophet and devising cunning schemes to defeat his Mission. But warning, reproof, censure and reproach dominate admonition. This is because a good deal of admonition had already been made in the preceding Surahs, but in spite of this their obduracy, enmity, antagonism, mischief, persecution etc. had rather increased.
Major issue, Devine Laws and Guidance
1. Allah never sent a Rasool for the guidance of a nation except one who spoke the language of those people.
2. If every human being becomes a disbeliever, it makes no difference to Allah.
3. Allah has based the creation of the heavens and the earth on Truth.
4. Shaitan has no power except to seduce human beings.
5. Greeting in paradise will be "Assalam-u-Alaikum" which means: "peace be upon you."
6. A quotation from the prayers of the Prophet Ibrahim which the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) made a part of Muslims' daily Salah (prayers).
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.
14 : 1
1. Alif-lam-ra kitabun anzalnahu ilayka litukhrija alnnasa mina alththulumati ila alnnoori bi-ithni rabbihim ila sirati alAAazeezi alhameedi
Alif-Lām-Rā. This is a Scripture which We have revealed to you (O Mohammed) so that you may bring mankind out of darkness into light by the leave of their Lord and to the path of Him who is the most Exalted and Praiseworthy.
14 : 2
2. Allahi allathee lahu ma fee alssamawati wama fee al-ardi wawaylun lilkafireena min AAathabin shadeedin
Allah, to Whom belongs whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on the earth! But damnation on the disbelievers of an opprobrious retribution!
14 : 3
3. Allatheena yastahibboona alhayata alddunya AAala al-akhirati wayasuddoona AAan sabeeli Allahi wayabghoonaha AAiwajan ola-ika fee dalalin baAAeedin
Those who cherish the life of this world in preference to the Hereafter and obstruct men from the path of Allah and endeavour to make it sinuous are irretrievably lost!
14 : 4
4. Wama arsalna min rasoolin illa bilisani qawmihi liyubayyina lahum fayudillu Allahu man yashao wayahdee man yashao wahuwa alAAazeezu alhakeemu
And We never sent a messenger except him that spoke the language of his people so that he delivered to them Our message with clarity. Then Allah sends astray whom He will and gives guidance to whom He will; and He is the most Exalted and Wise!
(The verse contains a powerful argument against translating Scriptures of Allah in languages other than the language in which they were revealed so that the text does not change from one translation to the other, influenced by the perspective of the person carrying out the translation, as it happened in the case of the Torah and the Gospel, now changed beyond recognition. No doubt, If the readers of Scriptures do not understand the meaning of what they are reading because of linguistic limitations, it defeats the very purpose of reading them, which justifies their reliance on translations, but only to a limited extent. No translation can ever do justice to the Divine Word of Allah, regardless of how accomplished and fluent they be.
Ever since Islam extended beyond the frontiers of the country in which it had taken birth, the need for translating the Qur'aan in languages of countries to which it spread had been strongly felt and well responded; but no translator of the Qur'aan has ever dared to add or remove from it a single word, regardless of the constraints of translation, lest the meaning and the spirit of the revelations become tainted, most of them preferring to rendering a transliteration rather than a translation, even if it be at the expense of literary standards, which clearly come next to accuracy and lucidity.
The advice to readers of this translator is, if you have not been able to learn how to read and understand the Scripture of Allah in its original language, you are not only missing out on an glorious experience, but are also doing your heart, your mind and your soul an injustice! The electrifying pulses which this amazing Book generates and the phenomenal peaks of elation to which its verses carry its reader is like being out there in the midst of a storm, the flares of lightning flashing around you, the rolls of clouds swallowing you and the rumble of thunder overwhelming you! No one, least of all this humble translator, can achieve even a tiny fraction of the emotional and spiritual turbulence it achieves, so do not let the opportunity slip away from your hands!)
14 : 5
5. Walaqad arsalna moosa bi-ayatina an akhrij qawmaka mina alththulumati ila alnnoori wathakkirhum bi-ayyami Allahi inna fee thalika laayatin likulli sabbarin shakoorin
And verily We sent Moses to his people with Our portents saying : 'Lead your people out of darkness into light and remind them of the days of Allah!' There are clear signs in this for those who are forbearing and the grateful!
(There are several interpretations to the words the days of Allah, some commentators contending that they refer to Benefactions of Allah; others that they refer to all momentous events which make manifest the universal hegemony of Allah; or that they are the days on which Allah sent His special blessings upon mankind, such us the parting of the ocean to let the Children of Israel cross it, or sending Manna and Quail for them from Paradise, or the Resurrection of Jesus, or the Ascension of our Prophet to heaven to witness the Marvels of Divinity)
14 : 6
6. Wa-ith qala moosa liqawmihi othkuroo niAAmata Allahi AAalaykum ith anjakum min ali firAAawna yasoomoonakum soo-a alAAathabi wayuthabbihoona abnaakum wayastahyoona nisaakum wafee thalikum balaon min rabbikum AAatheemun
When Moses said to his people : 'Reflect upon the favours of Allah on you when He delivered you from Pharaoh's war-lords who were inflicting upon you a great torment by slaying your sons and sparing your daughters. That by itself was a tremendous trial from your Lord!' (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 which We have revealed unto you (O Muhammad SAW) in order that you might lead mankind out of darkness (of disbelief and polytheism) into light (of belief in the Oneness of Allāh and Islāmic Monotheism) by their Lord's Leave to the Path of the All-Mighty, the Owner of all Praise.
2. Allāh to Whom belongs all that is in the heavens and all that is in the earth! And woe unto the disbelievers from a severe torment.
3. Those who prefer the life of this world instead of the Hereafter, and hinder (men) from the Path of Allāh (i.e.Islām) and seek crookedness therein - They are far astray.
4. And We sent not a Messenger except with the language of his people, in order that he might make (the Message) clear for them. Then Allāh misleads whom He wills and guides whom He wills. And He is the All-Mighty, the All-Wise.
5. And indeed We sent Mūsa (Moses) with Our Ayāt (signs, proofs, and evidences) (saying): "Bring out your people from darkness into light, and make them remember the annals of Allāh. Truly, therein are evidences, proofs and signs for every patient, thankful (person)."
6. And (remember) when Mūsa (Moses) said to his people: "Call to mind Allāh's Favour to you, when He delivered you from Fir'aun's (Pharaoh) people who were afflicting you with horrible torment, and were slaughtering your sons and letting your women alive, and in it was a tremendous trial from your Lord."
014.001
YUSUFALI: A. L. R. A
Book which We have revealed unto thee, in order that thou mightest lead mankind
out of the depths of darkness into light - by the leave of their Lord - to the
Way of (Him) the Exalted in power, worthy of all praise!-
PICKTHAL: Alif. Lam.
Ra. (This is) a Scripture which We have revealed unto thee (Muhammad) that
thereby thou mayst bring forth mankind from darkness unto light, by the
permission of their Lord, unto the path of the Mighty, the Owner of Praise,
SHAKIR: Alif Lam Ra.
(This is) a Book which We have revealed to you that you may bring forth men, by
their Lord's permission from utter darkness into light-- to the way of the
Mighty, the Praised One,
014.002
YUSUFALI: Of Allah, to
Whom do belong all things in the heavens and on earth! But alas for the
Unbelievers for a terrible penalty (their Unfaith will bring them)!-
PICKTHAL: Allah, unto
Whom belongeth whatsoever is in the heavens and whatsoever is in the earth. and
woe unto the disbelievers from an awful doom;
SHAKIR: (Of) Allah,
Whose is whatever is in the heavens and whatever Is in the earth; and woe to the
unbelievers on account of the severe chastisement,
014.003
YUSUFALI: Those who
love the life of this world more than the Hereafter, who hinder (men) from the
Path of Allah and seek therein something crooked: they are astray by a long
distance.
PICKTHAL: Those who
love the life of the world more than the Hereafter, and debar (men) from the way
of Allah and would have it crooked: such are far astray.
SHAKIR: (To) those who
love this world's life more than the hereafter, and turn away from Allah's path
and desire to make it crooked; these are in a great error.
014.004
YUSUFALI: We sent not
a messenger except (to teach) in the language of his (own) people, in order to
make (things) clear to them. Now Allah leaves straying those whom He pleases and
guides whom He pleases: and He is Exalted in power, full of Wisdom.
PICKTHAL: And We never
sent a messenger save with the language of his folk, that he might make (the
message) clear for them. Then Allah sendeth whom He will astray, and guideth
whom He will. He is the Mighty, the Wise.
SHAKIR: And We did not
send any messenger but with the language of his people, so that he might explain
to them clearly; then Allah makes whom He pleases err and He guides whom He
pleases and He is the Mighty, the Wise.
014.005
YUSUFALI: We sent
Moses with Our signs (and the command). "Bring out thy people from the depths of
darkness into light, and teach them to remember the Days of Allah." Verily in
this there are Signs for such as are firmly patient and constant,- grateful and
appreciative.
PICKTHAL: We verily
sent Moses with Our revelations, saying: Bring thy people forth from darkness
unto light. And remind them of the days of Allah. Lo! therein are revelations
for each steadfast, thankful (heart).
SHAKIR: And certainly
We sent Musa with Our communications, saying: Bring forth your people from utter
darkness into light and remind them of the days of Allah; most surely there are
signs in this for every patient, grateful one.
014.006
YUSUFALI: Remember!
Moses said to his people: "Call to mind the favour of Allah to you when He
delivered you from the people of Pharaoh: they set you hard tasks and
punishments, slaughtered your sons, and let your women-folk live: therein was a
tremendous trial from your Lord."
PICKTHAL: And (remind
them) how Moses said unto his people: Remember Allah's favour unto you when He
delivered you from Pharaoh's folk who were afflicting you with dreadful torment,
and were slaying your sons and sparing your women; that was a tremendous trial
from your Lord.
SHAKIR: And when Musa
said to his people: Call to mind Allah's favor to you when He delivered you from
Firon's people, who subjected you to severe torment, and slew your sons and
spared your women; and in this there was a great trial from your Lord.
14 : 7
7. Wa-ith taaththana rabbukum la-in shakartum laazeedannakum wala-in kafartum inna AAathabee lashadeedun
And when your Lord proclaimed : If you are thankful, I shall give you more; but if you are thankless, then beware that My retribution is severe!
(Gratitude results in an increase in Divine Benefactions; gratitude reminds us of our Lord Who bestows His Grace on whom He will without any stint; gratitude reminds us of how copious and generous our Lord is; gratitude turns us away from greed and teaches us contentment; gratitude reminds us of how small we are and how great is He who hears us and responds to us; gratitude makes us realize how often we have relied upon Him and how much we have received from Him! As opposed to this, ingratitude is the quickest way of falling out of His Grace and meriting His retribution, - a point which is highlighted in the verse with a crisp emphasis).
14 : 8
8. Waqala moosa in takfuroo antum waman fee al-ardi jameeAAan fa-inna Allaha laghaniyyun hameedun
And Moses said : 'If you and all the others who inhabit the earth become ungrateful, it matters not to Allah, for He is rich in adulation!'
14 : 9
9. Alam ya/tikum nabao allatheena min qablikum qawmi noohin waAAadin wathamooda waallatheena min baAAdihim la yaAAlamuhum illa Allahu jaat-hum rusuluhum bialbayyinati faraddoo aydiyahum fee afwahihim waqaloo inna kafarna bima orsiltum bihi wa-inna lafee shakkin mimma tadAAoonana ilayhi mureebun
Have not the news reached you about those who were before you, - the folks of Noah and of Ad and of Thamud and of others who succeeded them, - about whom no one knows save Allah? To each of them came their messengers with definitive portents, but they slapped their palms on their mouths and said : 'We disbelieve in that with which you have been sent and we are in grave doubt about that towards which you beckon us!
14 : 10
10. Qalat rusuluhum afee Allahi shakkun fatiri alssamawati waal-ardi yadAAookum liyaghfira lakum min thunoobikum wayu-akhkhirakum ila ajalin musamman qaloo in antum illa basharun mithluna tureedoona an tasuddoona AAamma kana yaAAbudu abaona fa/toona bisultanin mubeenin
Their messengers said : 'Are you in doubt concerning Allah, the Creator of the heavens and the earth? He is calling you so that He may remit some of your sins and reprieve you for an appointed term!' But they said : 'You are but a mortal like us and yet you aim to prevent us from worshipping those whom our forefathers worshipped! Then bring us a clear portent of your prophethood!'
14 : 11
11. Qalat lahum rusuluhum in nahnu illa basharun mithlukum walakinna Allaha yamunnu AAala man yashao min AAibadihi wama kana lana an na/tiyakum bisultanin illa bi-ithni Allahi waAAala Allahi falyatawakkali almu/minoona
Their messengers said to them : 'It is true that we are mortals like yourselves, but Allah bestows His grace on whom He will of His slaves. It is not up to us to reveal for you portents except by the consent of Allah! In Allah let the believers put their trust!'
14 : 12
12. Wama lana alla natawakkala AAala Allahi waqad hadana subulana walanasbiranna AAala ma athaytumoona waAAala Allahi falyatawakkali almutawakkiloona
Why should we not put our trust in Allah when He has evinced for us the paths we follow? As for the distress you cause us, we shall surely endure it with fortitude. In Allah let the trusting put their trust! (R)
OTHER
TRANSLATIONS BY MUHSIN, YUSUFALI, PICKTHAL AND SHAKIR:
MUHSIN:
7. And (remember) when your Lord proclaimed: "If you give thanks (by accepting Faith and worshipping none but Allāh), I will give you more (of My Blessings), but if you are thankless (i.e. disbelievers), verily! My Punishment is indeed severe."
8. And Mūsa (Moses) said: "If you disbelieve, you and all on earth together, then verily! Allāh is Rich (Free of all wants), Owner of all Praise."
9. Has not the news reached you, of those before you, the people of Nūh (Noah), and 'Ad, and Thamud? And those after them? None knows them but Allāh. To them came their Messengers with clear proofs, but they put their hands in their mouths (biting them from anger) and said: "Verily, we disbelieve in that with which you have been sent, and we are really in grave doubt as to that to which you invite us (i.e. Islāmic Monotheism)."
10. Their Messengers said: "What! Can there be a doubt about Allāh, the Creator of the heavens and the earth? He calls you (to Monotheism and to be obedient to Allāh) that He may forgive you of your sins and give you respite for a term appointed." They said: "You are no more than human beings like us! You wish to turn us away from what our fathers used to worship. Then bring us a clear authority i.e. a clear proof of what you say)."
11. Their Messengers said to them: "We are no more than human beings like you, but Allāh bestows His Grace to whom He wills of His slaves. It is not ours to bring you an authority (proof) except by the Permission of Allāh. And in Allāh (Alone) let the believers put their trust.
12. "And why should we not put our trust in Allāh while He indeed has guided us our ways. And we shall certainly bear with patience all the hurt you may cause us, and in Allāh (Alone) let those who trust, put their trust."
014.007
YUSUFALI: And
remember! your Lord caused to be declared (publicly): "If ye are grateful, I
will add more (favours) unto you; But if ye show ingratitude, truly My
punishment is terrible indeed."
PICKTHAL: And when
your Lord proclaimed: If ye give thanks, I will give you more; but if ye are
thankless, lo! My punishment is dire.
SHAKIR: And when your
Lord made it known: If you are grateful, I would certainly give to you more, and
if you are ungrateful, My chastisement is truly severe.
014.008
YUSUFALI: And Moses
said: "If ye show ingratitude, ye and all on earth together, yet is Allah free
of all wants, worthy of all praise.
PICKTHAL: And Moses
said: Though ye and all who are in the earth prove thankless, lo! Allah verily
is Absolute, Owner of Praise.
SHAKIR: And Musa said:
If you are ungrateful, you and those on earth all together, most surely Allah is
Self-sufficient, Praised;
014.009
YUSUFALI: Has not the
story reached you, (O people!), of those who (went) before you? - of the people
of Noah, and 'Ad, and Thamud? - And of those who (came) after them? None knows
them but Allah. To them came messengers with Clear (Signs); but they put their
hands up to their mouths, and said: "We do deny (the mission) on which ye have
been sent, and we are really in suspicious (disquieting) doubt as to that to
which ye invite us."
PICKTHAL: Hath not the
history of those before you reached you: the folk of Noah, and (the tribes of)
A'ad and Thamud, and those after them? None save Allah knoweth them. Their
messengers came unto them with clear proofs, but they thrust their hands into
their mouths, and said: Lo! we disbelieve in that wherewith ye have been sent,
and lo! we are in grave doubt concerning that to which ye call us.
SHAKIR: Has not the
account reached you of those before you, of the people of Nuh and Ad and Samood,
and those after them? None knows them but Allah. Their messengers come to them
with clear arguments, but they thrust their hands into their mouths and said:
Surely we deny that with which you are sent, and most surely we are in serious
doubt as to that to which you invite us.
014.010
YUSUFALI: Their
messengers said: "Is there a doubt about Allah, The Creator of the heavens and
the earth? It is He Who invites you, in order that He may forgive you your sins
and give you respite for a term appointed!" They said: "Ah! ye are no more than
human, like ourselves! Ye wish to turn us away from the (gods) our fathers used
to worship: then bring us some clear authority."
PICKTHAL: Their
messengers said: Can there be doubt concerning Allah, the Creator of the heavens
and the earth? He calleth you that He may forgive you your sins and reprieve you
unto an appointed term. They said: Ye are but mortals like us, who would fain
turn us away from what our fathers used to worship. Then bring some clear
warrant.
SHAKIR: Their
messengers said: Is there doubt about Allah, the Maker of the heavens and the
earth? He invites you to forgive you your faults and to respite you till an
appointed term. They said: You are nothing but mortals like us; you wish to turn
us away from what our fathers used to worship; bring us therefore some clear
authority.
014.011
YUSUFALI: Their
messengers said to them: "True, we are human like yourselves, but Allah doth
grant His grace to such of his servants as He pleases. It is not for us to bring
you an authority except as Allah permits. And on Allah let all men of faith put
their trust.
PICKTHAL: Their
messengers said unto them: We are but mortals like you, but Allah giveth grace
unto whom He will of His slaves. It is not ours to bring you a warrant unless by
the permission of Allah. In Allah let believers put their trust!
SHAKIR: Their
messengers said to them: We are nothing but mortals like yourselves, but Allah
bestows (His) favors on whom He pleases of His servants, and it is not for us
that we should bring you an authority except by Allah's permission; and on Allah
should the believers rely.
014.012
YUSUFALI: "No reason
have we why we should not put our trust on Allah. Indeed He Has guided us to the
Ways we (follow). We shall certainly bear with patience all the hurt you may
cause us. For those who put their trust should put their trust on Allah."
PICKTHAL: How should
we not put our trust in Allah when He hath shown us our ways? We surely will
endure the hurt ye do us. In Allah let the trusting put their trust.
SHAKIR: And what
reason have we that we should not rely on Allah? And He has indeed guided us in
our ways; and certainly we would bear with patience your persecution of us; and
on Allah should the reliant rely.
14 : 13
13. Waqala allatheena kafaroo lirusulihim lanukhrijannakum min ardina aw lataAAoodunna fee millatina faawha ilayhim rabbuhum lanuhlikanna alththalimeena
And the disbelievers said to their messengers : 'Verily we shall drive you out of our land unless you return to our religious persuasions!' But their Lord inspired them saying : 'Verily We shall destroy the recusants -
14 : 14
14. Walanuskinannakumu al-arda min baAAdihim thalika liman khafa maqamee wakhafa waAAeedi
'And verily We shall enable you to abide in their land after they have gone!' This is for him who fears Me and heeds My threats of retribution!'
(There is a Hadith of the Blessed Prophet according to which he who seeks to destroy his neighbourhood capitulates to the same neighbourhood when Allah will make his neighbour the owner of his house one day!)
14 : 15
15. Waistaftahoo wakhaba kullu jabbarin AAaneedin
And each time they sought help from their Lord, every arrogant tyrant was humbled before them!
14 : 16
16. Min wara-ihi jahannamu wayusqa min ma-in sadeedin
Hell lies ahead of him wherein he will be given a festering drink -
14 : 17
17. YatajarraAAuhu wala yakadu yuseeghuhu waya/teehi almawtu min kulli makanin wama huwa bimayyitin wamin wara-ihi AAathabun ghaleethun
Which he will sip but not swallow! And death will tantalize him from every side and yet he will not be able to die, for a harsher doom awaits him!
14 : 18
18. Mathalu allatheena kafaroo birabbihim aAAmaluhum karamadin ishtaddat bihi alrreehu fee yawmin AAasifin la yaqdiroona mimma kasaboo AAala shay-in thalika huwa alddalalu albaAAeedu
The likeness of those who refute their Lord is : their toils are like a heap of ash upon which blows a gust of wind one stormy day, and none of which they had earned is left behind! And that, indeed, is a perpetual quandary!
(As in many other verses before, the significance of being a believer is brought home to those who refuse to believe that, for a man to cement his righteous deeds and benefit from their outcome, he needs to be a believer first and foremost, for without its solid plinth, the edifice of righteousness stands on shaky ground and will topple in the fierce winds of sinfulness and solecism. The parable used in the verse is that, every virtuous deed performed, every portion of wealth spent in almsgiving, every pillow lent to bring comfort to a weary head, every morsel of bread put in a hungry mouth, every fast observed, every tear dried, every tile used for sheltering the destitutes and every brick laid towards constructing Allah's sanctuaries is all like a heap of ashes piled up in the midst of storms which gets blown away the moment a gust of wind arrives and whirls it into the vacuous nullity of oblivion, unless a protective rampart has been built around it with impervious slabs of faith).
14 : 19
19. Alam tara anna Allaha khalaqa alssamawati waal-arda bialhaqqi in yasha/ yuthhibkum waya/ti bikhalqin jadeedin
See you not that Allah created the heavens and the earth in truth? If He will, He can remove you and bring in a new creation in your place -
14 : 20
20. Wama thalika AAala Allahi biAAazeezin
Which is not such a difficult task for Him to accomplish!
14 : 21
21. Wabarazoo lillahi jameeAAan faqala aldduAAafao lillatheena istakbaroo inna kunna lakum tabaAAan fahal antum mughnoona AAanna min AAathabi Allahi min shay-in qaloo law hadana Allahu lahadaynakum sawaon AAalayna ajaziAAna am sabarna ma lana min maheesin
All mankind will assemble before Allah! And those who were meek on earth will say to those who were disdainful : 'We were your followers! Can you then avert from us a fraction of Allah's castigation?' They will say : 'If Allah had guided us, we would have guided you! Now, whether we defy or surrender, it is one and the same thing : there is no place for us hide!' (R)
(A brief but effective sketch of the state of affairs on the Day of Resurrection. When the Trumpet is blown and Mother earth evicts her bowels, mankind will come rushing out of their graves and assemble before Allah, - those who strayed away from the righteous path and those who sent them astray, their priests, their leaders, their friends, their consorts, their pathfinders and torch-bearers! As the moment of truth stares them straight in their eye and the former beseech the latter to lessen their torment and turn off the heat, they will hear a damning confession from their leaders to the effect that they were never fit to guide because they themselves were not guided; they were never fit to lead because they knew not how to lead; they were never able to show them the way as they were wearing the blindfold of ignorance; they had no idea which way to turn because they were unfamiliar with the captions on the sign-boards; they were in no position to take them past the doldrums because they neither knew how to steer the ship nor to navigate the direction!).
OTHER
TRANSLATIONS BY MUHSIN, YUSUFALI, PICKTHAL AND SHAKIR:
MUHSIN:
13. And those who disbelieved, said to their Messengers: "Surely, we shall drive you out of our land, or you shall return to our religion." So their Lord inspired them: "Truly, We shall destroy the Zālimūn (polytheists, disbelievers and wrong-doers.).
14. "And indeed, We shall make you dwell in the land after them. This is for him who fears standing before Me (on the Day of Resurrection or fears My Punishment) and also fears My Threat."
15. But they (the Messengers) sought victory and help [from their Lord (Allāh)], and every obstinate, arrogant dictator (who refuses to believe in the Oneness of Allāh) was brought to a complete loss and destruction.
16. In front of him (every obstinate, arrogant dictator) is Hell, and he will be made to drink boiling, festering water.
17. He will sip it unwillingly, and he will find a great difficulty to swallow it down his throat[], and death will come to him from every side, yet he will not die and in front of him, will be a great torment.
18. The parable of those who disbelieve in their Lord is that their works are as ashes, on which the wind blows furiously on a stormy day, they shall not be able to get aught of what they have earned. That is the straying, far away (from the Right Path).
19. Do you not see that Allāh has created the heavens and the earth with truth? If He will, He can remove you and bring (in your place) a new creation!
20. And for Allāh that is not hard or difficult (i.e. very easy for Allāh).
21. And they all shall appear before Allāh (on the Day of Resurrection) then the weak will say to those who were arrogant (chiefs): "Verily, we were following you; can you avail us anything from Allāh's Torment?" They will say: "Had Allāh guided us, we would have guided you. It makes no difference to us (now) whether we rage, or bear (these torments) with patience, there is no place of refuge for us."
014.013
YUSUFALI: And the
Unbelievers said to their messengers: "Be sure we shall drive you out of our
land, or ye shall return to our religion." But their Lord inspired (this
Message) to them: "Verily We shall cause the wrong-doers to perish!
PICKTHAL: And those
who disbelieved said unto their messengers: Verily we will drive you out from
our land, unless ye return to our religion. Then their Lord inspired them,
(saying): Verily we shall destroy the wrong-doers,
SHAKIR: And those who
disbelieved said to their messengers: We will most certainly drive you forth
from our land, or else you shall come back into our religion. So their Lord
revealed to them: Most certainly We will destroy the unjust.
014.014
YUSUFALI: "And verily
We shall cause you to abide in the land, and succeed them. This for such as fear
the Time when they shall stand before My tribunal,- such as fear the punishment
denounced."
PICKTHAL: And verily
We shall make you to dwell in the land after them. This is for him who feareth
My Majesty and feareth My threats.
SHAKIR: And most
certainly We will settle you in the land after them; this is for him who fears
standing in My presence and who fears My threat.
014.015
YUSUFALI: But they
sought victory and decision (there and then), and frustration was the lot of
every powerful obstinate transgressor.
PICKTHAL: And they
sought help (from their Lord) and every froward potentate was bought to naught;
SHAKIR: And they asked
for judgment and every insolent opposer was disappointed:
014.016
YUSUFALI: In front of
such a one is Hell, and he is given, for drink, boiling fetid water.
PICKTHAL: Hell is
before him, and he is made to drink a festering water,
SHAKIR: Hell is before
him and he shall be given to drink of festering water:
014.017
YUSUFALI: In gulps
will he sip it, but never will he be near swallowing it down his throat: death
will come to him from every quarter, yet will he not die: and in front of him
will be a chastisement unrelenting.
PICKTHAL: Which he
sippeth but can hardly swallow, and death cometh unto him from every side while
yet he cannot die, and before him is a harsh doom.
SHAKIR: He will drink
it little by little and will not be able to swallow it agreeably, and death will
come to him from every quarter, but he shall not die; and there shall be
vehement chastisement before him.
014.018
YUSUFALI: The parable
of those who reject their Lord is that their works are as ashes, on which the
wind blows furiously on a tempestuous day: No power have they over aught that
they have earned: that is the straying far, far (from the goal).
PICKTHAL: A similitude
of those who disbelieve in their Lord: Their works are as ashes which the wind
bloweth hard upon a stormy day. They have no control of aught that they have
earned. That is the extreme failure.
SHAKIR: The parable of
those who disbelieve in their Lord: their actions are like ashes on which the
wind blows hard on a stormy day; they shall not have power over any thing out of
what they have earned; this is the great error.
014.019
YUSUFALI: Seest thou
not that Allah created the heavens and the earth in Truth? If He so will, He can
remove you and put (in your place) a new creation?
PICKTHAL: Hast thou
not seen that Allah hath created the heavens and the earth with truth? If He
will, He can remove you and bring (in) some new creation;
SHAKIR: Do you not see
that Allah created the heavens and the earth with truth? If He please He will
take you off and bring a new creation,
014.020
YUSUFALI: Nor is that
for Allah any great matter.
PICKTHAL: And that is
no great matter for Allah.
SHAKIR: And this is
not difficult for Allah.
014.021
YUSUFALI: They will
all be marshalled before Allah together: then will the weak say to those who
were arrogant, "For us, we but followed you; can ye then avail us to all against
the wrath of Allah?" They will reply, "If we had received the Guidance of Allah,
we should have given it to you: to us it makes no difference (now) whether we
rage, or bear (these torments) with patience: for ourselves there is no way of
escape."
PICKTHAL: They all
come forth unto their Lord. Then those who were despised say unto those who were
scornful: We were unto you a following, can ye then avert from us aught of
Allah's doom? They say: Had Allah guided us, we should have guided you. Whether
we rage or patiently endure is (now) all one for us; we have no place of refuge.
SHAKIR: And they shall
all come forth before Allah, then the weak shall say to those who were proud:
Surely we were your followers, can you therefore avert from us any part of the
chastisement of Allah? They would say: If Allah had guided us, we too would have
guided you; it is the same to us whether we are impatient (now) or patient,
there is no place for us to fly to.
14 : 22
22. Waqala alshshaytanu lamma qudiya al-amru inna Allaha waAAadakum waAAda alhaqqi wawaAAadtukum faakhlaftukum wama kana liya AAalaykum min sultanin illa an daAAawtukum faistajabtum lee fala taloomoonee waloomoo anfusakum ma ana bimusrikhikum wama antum bimusrikhiyya innee kafartu bima ashraktumooni min qablu inna alththalimeena lahum AAathabun aleemun
And Satan says after the event has been adjudicated : 'The promise which Allah had made to you was a promise of truth while that which I made to you I flouted it. I had no control over you except that I called you and you responded! So do not blame me but blame yourselves! There is no way in which I can help you, nor is there a way in which you can help me! I abhorred it when you made me a partner of Allah, for I knew that the prospects for the sinful are grim!'
14 : 23
23. Waodkhila allatheena amanoo waAAamiloo alssalihati jannatin tajree min tahtiha al-anharu khalideena feeha bi-ithni rabbihim tahiyyatuhum feeha salamun
And those who believe and perform righteous deeds will enter Gardens underneath which rivers flow! They shall abide there forever by their Lord's consent, and there their greetings will be : 'May peace be on you!'
14 : 24
24. Alam tara kayfa daraba Allahu mathalan kalimatan tayyibatan kashajaratin tayyibatin asluha thabitun wafarAAuha fee alssama/-i
See you not how Allah likens seemly expressions to a healthy tree which has its roots firm in the ground and its branches reaching out to the heavens -
14 : 25
25. Tu/tee okulaha kulla heenin bi-ithni rabbiha wayadribu Allahu al-amthala lilnnasi laAAallahum yatathakkaroona
Yielding fruits every season by the will of its Lord? And thus Allah sets out examples for mankind so that they may introspect!
14 : 26
26. Wamathalu kalimatin khabeethatin kashajaratin khabeethatin ijtuththat min fawqi al-ardi ma laha min qararin
The semblance of vile utterances is like a sickly tree which has its roots severed at the bottom and hence is devoid of stability!
(The parallels set out in the above verses are seemly expressions in sharp contrast to vile expressions, the former taken to mean here Divine Words, or words acknowledging Faith which the believers utter at the time of embracing Islam, or at any other time to reiterate their faith and to reinforce it, and vile utterances to mean the whisperings of Satan tempting men into sinfulness and deflecting them from their resolve.
Whereas a seemly expression is like a healthy tree which has its roots spread in the ground, its evergreen branches reaching out for the heavens, its yield unhampered by the changes in the seasons, its fruit sweet in taste and rich in nourishment and its strength impervious to age, the vile whispering of the devil is likened to a tree which has opposite attributes; its roots are too weak to penetrate because of the shallow ground in which it grows, its trunk swamped by suckers; its structure stunted; its leaf sallow and its yield pungent and unreliable.
A prime example of the healthy tree is to be seen in the date palm, firm, robust, massive, constant in yield, rich in nourishment, impervious to changes in seasons and, against the back-drop of the azure sky, it is also pleasing to the eye of the beholder).
14 : 27
27. Yuthabbitu Allahu allatheena amanoo bialqawli alththabiti fee alhayati alddunya wafee al-akhirati wayudillu Allahu alththalimeena wayafAAalu Allahu ma yasha/o
Allah ensures that the believers stand firm by their word in the life of this world and in the Hereafter. Allah sends the recusants astray and Allah does whatever He will! (R)
(The flame Allah ignites in the heart of the believers keeps him in the glare of light through this life as well as in the Hereafter.
In this life, no matter how things get for him; how many blows of adversity he sustains; how many ordeals he has to face and to what limit his strength of endurance is tested by changing circumstances, he never succumbs to them because his faith in his Lord is firm; his courage unshakeable, his ability to absorb the shocks deep-seated and his resilience exemplary. He remains resolute, takes on the challenges whirled at him by fate and never lets them get him down.
In the Hereafter, a sample of which begins as soon as he is laid to rest in a solitary grave and the sound of footfalls of family who bade him farewell dies down, two angels arrive from Allah to take stock of him. When they ask him who is his Lord, what is his religion and what does he have to say about the Prophet who guided him, the believer passes that test with flying colours by replying that his Lord is Allah, his religion Islam and Mohammed, the Prophet who guided him, was a messenger of Allah and a mortal.
The angels widen the dimensions of his grave, which lights up and a refreshing breeze laden with fragrance of celestial blooms permeates the surroundings.
On the other hand, when the same questions are asked of a disbeliever, his lips begin to falter, his voice chokes and his courage fails. He cannot say his Lord is Allah because he never admitted to it whilst he lived and breathed; he cannot say his religion was Islam because he had never surrendered, nor can he say Mohammed was the Prophet of Allah who guided him because he never accepted him and never paid attention to the guidance he gave him. So, the angels will cause the dimensions of his grave to close in on him from every side until his bones begin to crush; a blistering heat blowing from the doors of hell enters and begins to singe his body and he is lashed with heavy chains made of metal!)
OTHER
TRANSLATIONS BY MUHSIN, YUSUFALI, PICKTHAL AND SHAKIR:
MUHSIN:
22. And Shaitān (Satan) will say when the matter has been decided:
"Verily, Allāh promised you a promise of truth. And I too promised you, but I
betrayed you. I had no authority over you except that I called you, so you
responded to me. So blame me not, but blame yourselves. I cannot help you, nor
can you help me. I deny your former act in associating me (Satan) as a partner
with Allāh (by obeying me in the life of the world). Verily, there is a painful
torment for the Zālimūn (polytheists and wrong-doers, etc.)."
23. And those who believed (in the Oneness of Allāh and His Messengers and whatever they brought) and did righteous deeds, will be made to enter Gardens under which rivers flow, - to dwell therein forever (i.e.in Paradise), with the permission of their Lord. Their greeting therein will be: Salām (peace!)[].
24. See you not how Allāh sets forth a parable? - A goodly word as a goodly tree, whose root is firmly fixed, and its branches (reach) to the sky (i.e. very high).
25. Giving its fruit at all times, by the Leave of its Lord and Allāh sets forth parables for mankind in order that they may remember.
26. And the parable of an evil word is that of an evil tree uprooted from the surface of earth having no stability.
27. Allāh will keep firm those who believe, with the word that stands firm in this world (i.e. they will keep on worshipping Allāh Alone and none else), and in the Hereafter.[] And Allāh will cause to go astray those who are Zālimūn (polytheists and wrong-doers, etc.), and Allāh does what He wills.[]
014.022
YUSUFALI: And Satan
will say when the matter is decided: "It was Allah Who gave you a promise of
Truth: I too promised, but I failed in my promise to you. I had no authority
over you except to call you but ye listened to me: then reproach not me, but
reproach your own souls. I cannot listen to your cries, nor can ye listen to
mine. I reject your former act in associating me with Allah. For wrong-doers
there must be a grievous penalty."
PICKTHAL: And Satan
saith, when the matter hath been decided: Lo! Allah promised you a promise of
truth; and I promised you, then failed you. And I had no power over you save
that I called unto you and ye obeyed me. So blame not, but blame yourselves. I
cannot help you, nor can ye help me, Lo! I disbelieved in that which ye before
ascribed to me. Lo! for wrong-doers is a painful doom.
SHAKIR: And the
Shaitan shall say after the affair is decided: Surely Allah promised you the
promise of truth, and I gave you promises, then failed to keep them to you, and
I had no authority over you, except that I called you and you obeyed me,
therefore do not blame me but blame yourselves: I cannot be your aider (now) nor
can you be my aiders; surely I disbelieved in your associating me with Allah
before; surely it is the unjust that shall have the painful punishment.
014.023
YUSUFALI: But those
who believe and work righteousness will be admitted to gardens beneath which
rivers flow,- to dwell therein for aye with the leave of their Lord. Their
greeting therein will be: "Peace!"
PICKTHAL: And those
who believed and did good works are made to enter Gardens underneath which
rivers flow, therein abiding by permission of their Lord, their greeting
therein: Peace!
SHAKIR: And those who
believe and do good are made to enter gardens, beneath which rivers flow, to
abide in them by their Lord's permission; their greeting therein is, Peace.
014.024
YUSUFALI: Seest thou
not how Allah sets forth a parable? - A goodly word like a goodly tree, whose
root is firmly fixed, and its branches (reach) to the heavens,- of its Lord. So
Allah sets forth parables for men, in order that they may receive admonition.
PICKTHAL: Seest thou
not how Allah coineth a similitude: A goodly saying, as a goodly tree, its root
set firm, its branches reaching into heaven,
SHAKIR: Have you not
considered how Allah sets forth a parable of a good word (being) like a good
tree, whose root is firm and whose branches are in heaven,
014.025
YUSUFALI: It brings
forth its fruit at all times, by the leave of its Lord. So Allah sets forth
parables for men, in order that they may receive admonition.
PICKTHAL: Giving its
fruit at every season by permission of its Lord? Allah coineth the similitudes
for mankind in order that they may reflect.
SHAKIR: Yielding its
fruit in every season by the permission of its Lord? And Allah sets forth
parables for men that they may be mindful.
014.026
YUSUFALI: And the
parable of an evil Word is that of an evil tree: It is torn up by the root from
the surface of the earth: it has no stability.
PICKTHAL: And the
similitude of a bad saying is as a bad tree, uprooted from upon the earth,
possessing no stability.
SHAKIR: And the
parable of an evil word is as an evil tree pulled up from the earth's surface;
it has no stability.
014.027
YUSUFALI: Allah will
establish in strength those who believe, with the word that stands firm, in this
world and in the Hereafter; but Allah will leave, to stray, those who do wrong:
Allah doeth what He willeth.
PICKTHAL: Allah
confirmeth those who believe by a firm saying in the life of the world and in
the Hereafter, and Allah sendeth wrong-doers astray. And Allah doeth what He
will.
SHAKIR: Allah confirms
those who believe with the sure word in this world's life and in the hereafter,
and Allah causes the unjust to go astray, and Allah does what He pleases.
14 : 28
28. Alam tara ila allatheena baddaloo niAAmata Allahi kufran waahalloo qawmahum dara albawari
Seen you not how those who trade away Allah's Grace in return for ingratitude lead their folk to the Abode of Nihility -
14 : 29
29. Jahannama yaslawnaha wabi/sa alqararu
Inside hell in which they too will enter - an abject destination?
(There is a Hadith according to which the verse was aimed at the Tribe of Quraish who did not appreciate the greatest of Allah's benefactions to mankind sent to them in the form of the Last Prophet of Allah, rejected him, denigrated the message he brought, incited their fellow disbelievers to rise in arms against him, subjected him to all sorts of affronts, physically tortured him and those who believed along with him and spared no scruples about forcing him out of his home and his motherland. For the atrocities they committed and the wrongdoing they encouraged in their compatriots and partners in crime, they merit nothing but the abysmal Abode of Nullity in the Hereafter, and a lasting place in the torment of hell-fire in which they will burn and burn all over again without respite, begging for death to come and put them out of their misery, but without any success!
How awful a destination to aspire for; how opprobrious the deeds that took them there and how rueful the decree of fate that will keep them pinned to it, - their affiliation to the idols made of stone, their aversion towards Allah, the only real Lord of the Worlds and their intransigence in refusing to deflect from their nefarious stance!)
14 : 30
30. WajaAAaloo lillahi andadan liyudilloo AAan sabeelihi qul tamattaAAoo fa-inna maseerakum ila alnnari
And they set up equals to Allah so that they may deflect others from His path! Say to them : 'Enjoy whilst it lasts, for verily your ultimate destination will be the Fire!'
14 : 31
31. Qul liAAibadiya allatheena amanoo yuqeemoo alssalata wayunfiqoo mimma razaqnahum sirran waAAalaniyatan min qabli an ya/tiya yawmun la bayAAun feehi wala khilalun
Tell My bondsmen who have believed that they shall establish worship and spend in charity some of what We have given them, openly or discreetly, before the arrival of a Day when neither business nor goodwill shall ensue!
14 : 32
32. Allahu allathee khalaqa alssamawati waal-arda waanzala mina alssama-i maan faakhraja bihi mina alththamarati rizqan lakum wasakhkhara lakumu alfulka litajriya fee albahri bi-amrihi wasakhkhara lakumu al-anhara
It is Allah who has created the heavens and the earth; and He causes rain to descend from the sky so that you may grow fruits to eat; and has made the ships to be of service to you so that you may sail across the seas by His command; and has made of service to you the rivers;
14 : 33
33. Wasakhkhara lakumu alshshamsa waalqamara da-ibayni wasakhkhara lakumu allayla waalnnahara
And has made the sun and the moon too of service to you by constraining them to orbit within their set trajectories; and has made of service to you the night and the day!
14 : 34
34. Waatakum min kulli ma saaltumoohu wa-in taAAuddoo niAAmata Allahi la tuhsooha inna al-insana lathaloomun kaffarun
And has given you whatever you asked of Him! If you were to count the blessings of Allah, you cannot reckon them! Verily man is invidious and ungrateful! (R)
(The exhortation introduced in verse 31, asking His bondsmen to be reminded that, if they truly believed in Him, they should establish the Prayer and share the wealth He has bestowed on them with those who deserved to be helped, is taken to its climax in verses 32 to 34 by enumerating the countless benefactions they have already received from Him in return : the copious earth underneath their feet; the vast heaven above their heads; the timely rain that transforms the earth into a constant source of sustenance; the magnificent orb of the sun which appears every day without fail and floods their surroundings with light; the changing faces of the tranquil moon which helps them to keep track of time; the twinkling stars that shine through the quiet night giving them directions for their journeys; the slim crescent; the portentous eclipse; the magnificent constellations; the bright days in which to work; the tranquil nights in which to repose; every plant that grows from earth; every bloom that is brought by the Spring and taken back by the Fall; every tiny bud of the jasmine that flowers on it bines; every beast that roams the wilderness; every bird that graces the sky; every fish that swims in the water; every new-born baby that arrives into the lap of its mother; every kid, every cub, every chic and every kitten born, - each an incomparable and inimitable marvel in its own right, - they are all Benefactions of Allah to us, - indeed, so many, that if we begin to count them on our fingers, we could soon run out of numbers!)
OTHER
TRANSLATIONS BY MUHSIN, YUSUFALI, PICKTHAL AND SHAKIR:
MUHSIN:
28. Have you not seen those who have changed the Blessings of Allāh into
disbelief (by denying Prophet Muhammad
SAW
and his Message of Islām), and caused their people to dwell in the house of
destruction?
29. Hell, in which they will burn, - and what an evil place to settle in!
30. And they set up rivals to Allāh, to mislead (men) from His Path! Say: "Enjoy (your brief life)! But certainly, your destination is the (Hell) Fire!"
31. Say (O Muhammad SAW) to 'Ibādī (My slaves) who have believed, that they should perform As-Salāt (Iqāmat-as-Salāt), and spend in charity out of the sustenance We have given them, secretly and openly, before the coming of a Day on which there will be neither mutual bargaining nor befriending.
32. Allāh is He Who has created the heavens and the earth and sends down water (rain) from the sky, and thereby brought forth fruits as provision for you; and He has made the ships to be of service to you, that they may sail through the sea by His Command; and He has made rivers (also) to be of service to you.
33. And He has made the sun and the moon, both constantly pursuing their courses, to be of service to you; and He has made the night and the day, to be of service to you.
34.
And He
gave you of all that you asked for, and if you count the Blessings of Allāh,
never will you be able to count them. Verily! Man is indeed an extreme
wrong-doer, - a disbeliever (an extreme ingrate, denies Allāh's Blessings by
disbelief, and by worshipping others besides Allāh, and by disobeying Allāh and
His Prophet Muhammad
SAW).
014.028
YUSUFALI: Hast thou
not turned thy vision to those who have changed the favour of Allah. Into
blasphemy and caused their people to descend to the House of Perdition?-
PICKTHAL: Hast thou
not seen those who gave the grace of Allah in exchange for thanklessness and led
their people down to the Abode of Loss,
SHAKIR: Have you not
seen those who have changed Allah's favor for ungratefulness and made their
people to alight into the abode of perdition
014.029
YUSUFALI: Into Hell?
They will burn therein,- an evil place to stay in!
PICKTHAL: (Even to)
hell? They are exposed thereto. A hapless end!
SHAKIR: (Into j hell?
They shall enter into it and an evil place it is to settle in.
014.030
YUSUFALI: And they set
up (idols) as equal to Allah, to mislead (men) from the Path! Say: "Enjoy (your
brief power)! But verily ye are making straightway for Hell!"
PICKTHAL: And they set
up rivals to Allah that they may mislead (men) from His way. Say: Enjoy life
(while ye may) for lo! your journey's end will be the Fire.
SHAKIR: And they set
up equals with Allah that they may lead (people) astray from His path. Say:
Enjoy yourselves, for surely your return is to the fire.
014.031
YUSUFALI: Speak to my
servants who have believed, that they may establish regular prayers, and spend
(in charity) out of the sustenance we have given them, secretly and openly,
before the coming of a Day in which there will be neither mutual bargaining nor
befriending.
PICKTHAL: Tell My
bondmen who believe to establish worship and spend of that which We have given
them, secretly and publicly, before a day cometh wherein there will be neither
traffick nor befriending.
SHAKIR: Say to My
servants who believe that they should keep up prayer and spend out of what We
have given them secretly and openly before the coming of the day in which there
shall be no bartering nor mutual befriending.
014.032
YUSUFALI: It is Allah
Who hath created the heavens and the earth and sendeth down rain from the skies,
and with it bringeth out fruits wherewith to feed you; it is He Who hath made
the ships subject to you, that they may sail through the sea by His command; and
the rivers (also) hath He made subject to you.
PICKTHAL: Allah is He
Who created the heavens and the earth, and causeth water to descend from the
sky, thereby producing fruits as food for you, and maketh the ships to be of
service unto you, that they may run upon the sea at His command, and hath made
of service unto you the rivers;
SHAKIR: Allah is He
Who created the heavens and the earth and sent down water from the clouds, then
brought forth with it fruits as a sustenance for you, and He has made the ships
subservient to you, that they might run their course in the sea by His command,
and He has made the rivers subservient to you.
014.033
YUSUFALI: And He hath
made subject to you the sun and the moon, both diligently pursuing their
courses; and the night and the day hath he (also) made subject to you.
PICKTHAL: And maketh
the sun and the moon, constant in their courses, to be of service unto you, and
hath made of service unto you the night and the day.
SHAKIR: And He has
made subservient to you the sun and the moon pursuing their courses, and He has
made subservient to you the night and the day.
014.034
YUSUFALI: And He
giveth you of all that ye ask for. But if ye count the favours of Allah, never
will ye be able to number them. Verily, man is given up to injustice and
ingratitude.
PICKTHAL: And He
giveth you of all ye ask of Him, and if ye would count the bounty of Allah ye
cannot reckon it. Lo! man is verily a wrong-doer, an ingrate.
SHAKIR: And He gives
you of all that you ask Him; and if you count Allah's favors, you will not be
able to number them; most surely man is very unjust, very ungrateful.
14 : 35
35. Wa-ith qala ibraheemu rabbi ijAAal hatha albalada aminan waojnubnee wabaniyya an naAAbuda al-asnama
When Abraham said : 'My Lord! Make this territory secure and protect me and my seed from idol worship!
(Verses 35 to 41 contain another famous prayer of Abraham. In the above verse, his invocation is on his own behalf because of which it is addressed as My Lord and refers to Mecca, imploring Him to make it a safe haven for the whole of mankind. His plea was granted by Allah, the evidence of which is manifest all around it to this day. Not only is the Mother of cities a focal point for all Muslims across the world, it also plays host to millions of pilgrims every year on a grand scale as it used to even during the lifetime of the Blessed Prophet. It has survived many religious wars and no one ever succeeded in subjugating it. The presence of Ka'ba on its soil has made it sacrosanct on account of which no bloodshed is permitted within its perimeters and persecution in any shape or form is strictly forbidden. Of course, the endless reserves of oil and natural gasses present underneath its hostile surface is an added bonus by which Allah has made good his promise to the keepers of His holy sanctuaries that He will bless them with affluence and comforts of the life of this world as well, beyond their wildest imagination!
Although all messengers of Allah are inherently free of sin, Abraham's plea to protect him and his sons from idolatry was a mark of his humility and virtuosity).
14 : 36
36. Rabbi innahunna adlalna katheeran mina alnnasi faman tabiAAanee fa-innahu minnee waman AAasanee fa-innaka ghafoorun raheemun
'My Lord! Verily they have sent many of mankind astray. So whoever is with me, he is of me; but whoever forsakes my side, verily you are Magnanimous and Merciful!
14 : 37
37. Rabbana innee askantu min thurriyyatee biwadin ghayri thee zarAAin AAinda baytika almuharrami rabbana liyuqeemoo alssalata faijAAal af-idatan mina alnnasi tahwee ilayhim waorzuqhum mina alththamarati laAAallahum yashkuroona
'Our Lord! I have settled some of my descendants in an arid valley in the vicinity of your Sacred House - Our Lord - so that they may establish Prayer! So, incline the hearts of a few men towards them and provide them with fruit so that they give You thanks.
(In the above verse, the prayer of Abraham continues, but it now includes his offspring too on account of which it is addressed as Our Lord! and has a significant bearing on an aspect of early Islamic history :
Prophet Ishmael from whom the Arab nation sprang, resulting in the birth of our Prophet and the revelation of the Holy Qur'aan to him which has transformed the course of history, was the eldest son of Abraham, born to his first wife Hajar in Syria. However, since his second wife Sarah was without a child, she became jealous of her and insisted that her husband sent her and her son away and settled them elsewhere. So, Abraham brought them to a desolate valley where Mecca is now situated and left them there. Surrounded by tall mountains and covered by miles and miles of sand dunes without water in sight, it was a hauntingly isolated and hostile region. Perplexed by her pitiful plight, straddled with the responsibility of bringing up an infant as well and beleaguered by all sorts of premonitions, she begged her husband not to forsake her and the child in a remote and fearsome terrain like that.
But it was not the first time Allah had put the mettle of Abraham through a stringent test and it was not going to be the last either! It being the master plan of Allah that one side of his sons settled in Syria from whom emerged Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses and Jesus, with Jerusalem at the heart of the religions they preached, and the other came to Arabia from whom the Last Prophet of Allah emerged, with Mecca at the heart of the religion he preached, it was inevitable that his family split up at that stage, even though apparently because of the selfishness of a jealous second wife, but in truth because of the Providence of Allah. Hence, when Hajar demanded of him to tell her if he was being so harsh and unjust to her and her infant son because he was obeying the command of Allah, he did say yes, it was.
After he left her there and went away, she sat alone on a smouldering boulder, sweat pouring down her face, tears trickling down her eyes and random gusts of wind tossing around her dishevelled hair, with no one to watch over them save Allah and His angels, scared, hungry, parched, alone, aloof, unarmed and unprepared even to defend herself against the marauding wild life that was rampant all around her, suckling her baby from a breast which contained no more nourishment for him! On her scaled lips the name of Allah, in her pounding heart the responsibility which she owed to her infant as her mother, and on her shivering body an old garment to protect her from the pincer sharp rays of the merciless son, she spent hours fobbing off her fears and surrendered to the will of Allah.
At a time like that, when her baby wailed aloud for attention, for milk, for a drop of water to quench his growing thirst, she knew not what to do. Laying him down on the sweltering sand dune, she picked up an empty pail which her husband left behind and ran up and down the mountains of As-Safa and Al-Marvah in desperation in search of water, a tradition which is observed to this day by Muslims performing their pilgrimage, to remember the agony of a mother who could almost see the death of her own child dancing naked in front of her dazed eyes! No doubt, Ishmael did not fall victim to the elements and die; Allah did take care of them; from the sacred spot on which Ishmael's tiny feet pounded the earth screaming for his mother, there came gushing forth a cool spring, now known as Zam-Zam, the healing powers of which are well known to all Muslims; and from the loins of Ishmael did emerge a new nation as Allah had planned and produced the Prophet for whom the world waited with a bated breath!
The prayer of Abraham contained in verse 37 is said to have been offered by him soon after he returned to Syria from Arabia, his thoughts centred around the hapless infant and his lonely mother whom he had left in the middle of nowhere at the behest of his Lord!)
14 : 38
38. Rabbana innaka taAAlamu ma nukhfee wama nuAAlinu wama yakhfa AAala Allahi min shay-in fee al-ardi wala fee alssama/-i
'Our Lord! You are aware of that which we conceal and of that which we reveal and there is nothing upon the earth or in the heavens that is hidden from Allah!
14 : 39
39. Alhamdu lillahi allathee wahaba lee AAala alkibari ismaAAeela wa-ishaqa inna rabbee lasameeAAu aldduAAa/-i
'Praise be to Allah Who has given me Ishmael and Isaac despite my senility! Verily my Lord is receptive to my invocation!
(Even after the departure of Hajar and Ishmael, since his second wife Sarah continued to be childless and both were growing old without any children, he had prayed to Allah to bless him with one more son, which was answered with greetings about the birth of a son to him conveyed by the Archangel, which has been covered in the Previous Surah. In this prayer he acknowledges his gratitude to the Lord for blessing him with Isaac and Ishmael, both of whom were born in his old age and gives Him thanks).
14 : 40
40. Rabbi ijAAalnee muqeema alssalati wamin thurriyyatee rabbana wtaqabbal duAAa/-i
'My Lord! Make me and my descendants resolute in establishing worship to you and - Our Lord! - Accept this (humble) prayer!
14 : 41
41. Rabbana ighfir lee waliwalidayya walilmu/mineena yawma yaqoomu alhisabu
'O Our Lord! Forgive me and my parents and my fellow believers on the Day when the accounts are to be rendered!' (R)
(His prayer contained in verses 39 and 40 to make him and his descendants resolute in worship was offered because he was made aware by Allah that not all his descendants were going to be believers and that many of them would revert to idol worship in the tradition of their predecessors, which also came true, a prime example of this being the Tribe of Quraish in Mecca who became the most ruthless enemies of the Prophet and the religion which he preached.
Many commentators opine that 'my parents' included in the prayer may not refer to his real parents but to his first parents Adam and Eve who sinned and were cast away from Paradise, praying for the redemption of whose souls being a prime responsibility of all 'Children of Adam').
OTHER
TRANSLATIONS BY MUHSIN, YUSUFALI, PICKTHAL AND SHAKIR:
MUHSIN:
35. And (remember) when Ibrāhim (Abraham) said: "O my Lord! Make this city (Makkah) one of peace and security, and keep me and my sons away from worshipping idols.
36. "O my Lord! They have indeed led astray many among mankind. But whoso follows me, he verily is of me. And whoso disobeys me, - still You are indeed Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.
37. "O our Lord! I have made some of my offspring to dwell in an uncultivable valley by Your Sacred House (the Ka'bah at Makkah); in order, O our Lord, that they may perform As-Salāt (Iqāmat-as-Salāt), so fill some hearts among men with love towards them, and (O Allāh) provide them with fruits so that they may give thanks.[]
38. "O our Lord! Certainly, You know what we conceal and what we reveal. Nothing on the earth or in the heaven is hidden from Allāh.
39. "All the praises and thanks be to Allāh, Who has given me in old age Ismā'il (Ishmael) and Ishāque (Isaac). Verily! My Lord is indeed the All-Hearer of invocations.
40. "O my Lord! Make me one who performs As-Salāt (Iqāmat-as-Salāt), and (also) from my offspring, our Lord! And accept my invocation.
41. "Our Lord! Forgive me and my parents, and (all) the believers on the Day when the reckoning will be established."
014.035
YUSUFALI: Remember
Abraham said: "O my Lord! make this city one of peace and security: and preserve
me and my sons from worshipping idols.
PICKTHAL: And when
Abraham said: My Lord! Make safe this territory, and preserve me and my sons
from serving idols.
SHAKIR: And when
Ibrahim said: My Lord! make this city secure, and save me and my sons from
worshipping idols:
014.036
YUSUFALI: "O my Lord!
they have indeed led astray many among mankind; He then who follows my (ways) is
of me, and he that disobeys me,- but Thou art indeed Oft-forgiving, Most
Merciful.
PICKTHAL: My Lord! Lo!
they have led many of mankind astray. But whoso followeth me, he verily is of
me. And whoso disobeyeth me - Still Thou art Forgiving, Merciful.
SHAKIR: My Lord!
surely they have led many men astray; then whoever follows me, he is surely of
me, and whoever disobeys me, Thou surely arc Forgiving, Merciful:
014.037
YUSUFALI: "O our Lord!
I have made some of my offspring to dwell in a valley without cultivation, by
Thy Sacred House; in order, O our Lord, that they may establish regular Prayer:
so fill the hearts of some among men with love towards them, and feed them with
fruits: so that they may give thanks.
PICKTHAL: Our Lord!
Lo! I have settled some of my posterity in an uncultivable valley near unto Thy
holy House, our Lord! that they may establish proper worship; so incline some
hearts of men that they may yearn toward them, and provide Thou them with fruits
in order that they may be thankful.
SHAKIR: O our Lord!
surely I have settled a part of my offspring in a valley unproductive of fruit
near Thy Sacred House, our Lord! that they may keep up prayer; therefore make
the hearts of some people yearn towards them and provide them with fruits; haply
they may be grateful:
014.038
YUSUFALI: "O our Lord!
truly Thou dost know what we conceal and what we reveal: for nothing whatever is
hidden from Allah, whether on earth or in heaven.
PICKTHAL: Our Lord!
Lo! Thou knowest that which we hide and that which we proclaim. Nothing in the
earth or in the heaven is hidden from Allah.
SHAKIR: O our Lord!
Surely Thou knowest what we hide and what we make public, and nothing in the
earth nor any thing in heaven is hidden from Allah:
014.039
YUSUFALI: "Praise be
to Allah, Who hath granted unto me in old age Isma'il and Isaac: for truly my
Lord is He, the Hearer of Prayer!
PICKTHAL: Praise be to
Allah Who hath given me, in my old age, Ishmael and Isaac! Lo! my Lord is indeed
the Hearer of Prayer.
SHAKIR: Praise be to
Allah, Who has given me in old age Ismail and Ishaq; most surely my Lord is the
Hearer of prayer:
014.040
YUSUFALI: O my Lord!
make me one who establishes regular Prayer, and also (raise such) among my
offspring O our Lord! and accept Thou my Prayer.
PICKTHAL: My Lord!
Make me to establish proper worship, and some of my posterity (also); our Lord!
and accept my prayer.
SHAKIR: My Lord! make
me keep up prayer and from my offspring (too), O our Lord, and accept my prayer:
014.041
YUSUFALI: "O our Lord!
cover (us) with Thy Forgiveness - me, my parents, and (all) Believers, on the
Day that the Reckoning will be established!
PICKTHAL: Our Lord!
Forgive me and my parents and believers on the day when the account is cast.
SHAKIR: O our Lord!
grant me protection and my parents and the believers on the day when the
reckoning shall come to pass!
14 : 42
42. Wala tahsabanna Allaha ghafilan AAamma yaAAmalu alththalimoona innama yu-akhkhiruhum liyawmin tashkhasu feehi al-absaru
Never assume that Allah is unaware of what the wicked do! He gives them but a loose rope until the Day when all eyes will be dazed out of terror -
14 : 43
43. MuhtiAAeena muqniAAee ruoosihim la yartaddu ilayhim tarfuhum waaf-idatuhum hawa/on
As they come rushing out of their graves in sudden panic, their heads raised towards the sky and their eyelids no longer flapping and their hearts devoid of strength!
14 : 44
44. Waanthiri alnnasa yawma ya/teehimu alAAathabu fayaqoolu allatheena thalamoo rabbana akhkhirna ila ajalin qareebin nujib daAAwataka wanattabiAAi alrrusula awa lam takoonoo aqsamtum min qablu ma lakum min zawalin
So warn mankind of the Day when Divine Chastisement will land on them! Then will the recusants say : 'O our Lord! Reprieve us for a short while! We will respond to your call and obey your messengers!' (But they would be reminded) : 'Did you not swear once before : 'There would be no deterioration for us?'
14 : 45
45. Wasakantum fee masakini allatheena thalamoo anfusahum watabayyana lakum kayfa faAAalna bihim wadarabna lakumu al-amthala
And you dwelt in the dwellings of those who had wronged themselves in the past and you saw how We dispensed with them and made examples out of them for you!
14 : 46
46. Waqad makaroo makrahum waAAinda Allahi makruhum wa-in kana makruhum litazoola minhu aljibalu
Verily they did hatch the best of their plots, but their plots are within Allah's means and they were not so formidable as to budge the mountains!
14 : 47
47. Fala tahsabanna Allaha mukhlifa waAAdihi rusulahu inna Allaha AAazeezun thoo intiqamin
Never assume that Allah will break His promise to His Messengers. Verily Allah is Mighty and Vindictive!
14 : 48
48. Yawma tubaddalu al-ardu ghayra al-ardi waalssamawatu wabarazoo lillahi alwahidi alqahhari
On the Day when the earth will be changed into something other than the earth and the heavens will be changed likewise, mankind will pour forth before Allah, the One, the Omnipotent!
14 : 49
49. Watara almujrimeena yawma-ithin muqarraneena fee al-asfadi
And you will see the sinful on that Day shackled to one another in a common chain!
14: 50
50. Sarabeeluhum min qatranin wataghsha wujoohahumu alnnaru
Their bodies wrapped in black rags and their faces covered by ferocious flames -
14 : 51
51. Liyajziya Allahu kulla nafsin ma kasabat inna Allaha sareeAAu alhisabi
So that Allah may repay each soul with the equivalent of what it has earned! Verily it does not take long for Allah to settle the scores!
14 : 52
52. Hatha balaghun lilnnasi waliyuntharoo bihi waliyaAAlamoo annama huwa ilahun wahidun waliyaththakkara oloo al-albabi
This is a clear message which must inevitably be delivered to mankind so that they are duly warned and so that they know there is only one God and so that those who are vigilant may heed the admonition! (R)
(With the exception of verses 42 and 47 in which impermeable reassurances are given to the persecuted that their persecutors would never go un-avenged even if they are being given a loose rope, nor would the messengers of Allah be forsaken by their most Mighty and Powerful Stalwart of all, the rest of the above verses contain a graphic and eerie description of the state of Affairs on the Day of Resurrection! When the Trumpet is blown, mankind will emerge from their graves wearing the cerements in which their bodies were wrapped when their mortal remains were committed to the earth, caught up in a maddening rush, struck by awe, trembling from fear, their heads stiff, their eyes dazed, their teeth clamped, their limbs contrite, their pleas for reprieve ignored, their excuses swept aside, reminding them point blank that they were given every opportunity to reform themselves but they wasted them; they were enabled to dwell in the dwellings of those who fell victim to Divine castigation but they never drew any worthwhile lessons from them; they already were reprieved from punishment in the life this world so that they could make better preparations for their life in the Hereafter but they trifled with it!
On that Day, when the face of the earth mangles beyond recognition and the heavens no longer seem tranquil, they will pour forth in their multitudes to meet their Maker, the sinners shackled together in chains that will not relax their hold on them, their white cerements covered by soot and their faces singed from heat, surrendered to the inevitability of being paid back in full for whatever they had done in their lives, good in return for good and evil in return for evil, without any haranguing, without any shortfalls and without any injustice, - a Decree by the Lord of the Worlds which can neither be reversed, nor altered nor averted, nor commuted.
OTHER
TRANSLATIONS BY MUHSIN, YUSUFALI, PICKTHAL AND SHAKIR:
MUHSIN:
42. Consider not that Allāh is unaware of that which the Zālimūn (polytheists, wrong-doers, etc.) do, but He gives them respite up to a Day when the eyes will stare in horror.
43. (They will be) hastening forward with necks outstretched, their heads raised up (towards the sky), their gaze returning not towards them and their hearts empty (from thinking because of extreme fear).
44. And warn (O Muhammad SAW) mankind of the Day when the torment will come unto them; then the wrong-doers will say: "Our Lord! Respite us for a little while, we will answer Your Call and follow the Messengers!" (It will be said): "Had you not sworn aforetime that you would not leave (the world for the Hereafter).
45. "And you dwelt in the dwellings of men who wronged themselves, and it was clear to you how We had dealt with them. And We put forth (many) parables for you."
46. Indeed, they planned their plot, and their plot was with Allāh, though their plot was a great (one, still) it would never be able to remove the mountains (real mountains or the Islāmic law) from their places (as it is of no importance) [Tafsir Ibn Kathir, Vol. 2, Page 597]. [It is said by some interpreters regarding this Verse that the Quraish pagans plotted against Prophet Muhammad SAW to kill him but they failed and were unable to carry out their plot which they plotted].
47. So think not that Allāh will fail to keep His Promise to His Messengers. Certainly, Allāh is All-Mighty, - All-Able of Retribution.
48. On the Day when the earth will be changed to another earth and so will be the heavens, and they (all creatures) will appear before Allāh, the One, the Irresistible.
49. And you will see the Mujrimūn (criminals, disbelievers in the Oneness of Allāh Islāmic Monotheism, polytheists, disobedient to Allāh, etc.) that Day bound together in fetters; [Muqarranūn in fetters; mean:- with their hands and feet tied to their necks with chains.]
50. Their garments will be of pitch, and fire will cover their faces.
51. That Allāh may requite each person according to what he has earned. Truly, Allāh is Swift at reckoning.
52. This (Qur'ān) is a Message for mankind (and a clear proof against them), in order that they may be warned thereby, and that they may know that He is the only One Ilāh (God - Allāh) - (none has the right to be worshipped but Allāh), and that men of understanding may take heed.
014.042
YUSUFALI: Think not
that Allah doth not heed the deeds of those who do wrong. He but giveth them
respite against a Day when the eyes will fixedly stare in horror,-
PICKTHAL: Deem not
that Allah is unaware of what the wicked do. He but giveth them a respite till a
day when eyes will stare (in terror),
SHAKIR: And do not
think Allah to be heedless of what the unjust do; He only respites them to a day
on which the eyes shall be fixedly open,
014.043
YUSUFALI: They running
forward with necks outstretched, their heads uplifted, their gaze returning not
towards them, and their hearts a (gaping) void!
PICKTHAL: As they come
hurrying on in fear, their heads upraised, their gaze returning not to them, and
their hearts as air.
SHAKIR: Hastening
forward, their heads upraised, their eyes not reverting to them and their hearts
vacant.
014.044
YUSUFALI: So warn
mankind of the Day when the Wrath will reach them: then will the wrong-doers
say: "Our Lord! respite us (if only) for a short term: we will answer Thy call,
and follow the messengers!" "What! were ye not wont to swear aforetime that ye
should suffer no decline?
PICKTHAL: And warn
mankind of a day when the doom will come upon them, and those who did wrong will
say: Our Lord! Reprieve us for a little while. We will obey Thy call and will
follow the messengers. (It will be answered): Did ye not swear before that there
would be no end for you?
SHAKIR: And warn
people of the day when the chastisement shall come to them, then those who were
unjust will say: O our Lord! respite us to a near term, (so) we shall respond to
Thy call and follow the messengers. What! did you not swear before (that) there
will be no passing away for you!
014.045
YUSUFALI: "And ye
dwelt in the dwellings of men who wronged their own souls; ye were clearly shown
how We dealt with them; and We put forth (many) parables in your behoof!"
PICKTHAL: And (have ye
not) dwelt in the dwellings of those who wronged themselves (of old) and (hath
it not) become plain to you how We dealt with them and made examples for you?
SHAKIR: And you dwell
in the abodes of those who were unjust to themselves, and it is clear to you how
We dealt with them and We have made (them) examples to you.
014.046
YUSUFALI: Mighty
indeed were the plots which they made, but their plots were (well) within the
sight of Allah, even though they were such as to shake the hills!
PICKTHAL: Verily they
have plotted their plot, and their plot is with Allah, though their plot were
one whereby the mountains should be moved.
SHAKIR: And they have
indeed planned their plan, but their plan is with Allah, though their plan was
such that the mountains should pass away thereby.
014.047
YUSUFALI: Never think
that Allah would fail his messengers in His promise: for Allah is Exalted in
power, - the Lord of Retribution.
PICKTHAL: So think not
that Allah will fail to keep His promise to His messengers. Lo! Allah is Mighty,
Able to Requite (the wrong).
SHAKIR: Therefore do
not think Allah (to be one) failing in His promise to His messengers; surely
Allah is Mighty, the Lord of Retribution.
014.048
YUSUFALI: One day the
earth will be changed to a different earth, and so will be the heavens, and
(men) will be marshalled forth, before Allah, the One, the Irresistible;
PICKTHAL: On the day
when the earth will be changed to other than the earth, and the heavens (also
will be changed) and they will come forth unto Allah, the One, the Almighty,
SHAKIR: On the day
when the earth shall be changed into a different earth, and the heavens (as
well), and they shall come forth before Allah, the One, the Supreme.
014.049
YUSUFALI: And thou
wilt see the sinners that day bound together in fetters;-
PICKTHAL: Thou wilt
see the guilty on that day linked together in chains,
SHAKIR: And you will
see the guilty on that day linked together in chains.
014.050
YUSUFALI: Their
garments of liquid pitch, and their faces covered with Fire;
PICKTHAL: Their
raiment of pitch, and the Fire covering their faces,
SHAKIR: Their shirts
made of pitch and the fire covering their faces
014.051
YUSUFALI: That Allah
may requite each soul according to its deserts; and verily Allah is swift in
calling to account.
PICKTHAL: That Allah
may repay each soul what it hath earned. Lo! Allah is swift at reckoning.
SHAKIR: That Allah may
requite each soul (according to) what it has earned; surely Allah is swift in
reckoning.
014.052
YUSUFALI: Here is a
Message for mankind: Let them take warning therefrom, and let them know that He
is (no other than) One Allah: let men of understanding take heed.
PICKTHAL: This is a
clear message for mankind in order that they may be warned thereby, and that
they may know that He is only One Allah, and that men of understanding may take
heed.
SHAKIR: This is a
sufficient exposition for the people and that they may be warned thereby, and
that they may know that He is One Allah and that those possessed of
understanding may mind.