INTRODUCTION:
This Surah consists of 118 verses, 1,840 sentences, 4,802 letters and 6 Ruku's.
It takes its name Al-Muminun from the first verse.
Both its style and theme indicate that it was revealed during the middle stage of Prophethood at Makkah. Reading between the lines, one feels that a bitter conflict had begun between the Holy Prophet and the disbelievers of Makkah, though the persecution by them had not yet become tyrannical. It appears that the surah was sent down during the climax of the "Famine" in Makkah (vv. 75-76), which according to authentic traditions occurred during the middle stage of Prophethood. Moreover, according to a tradition related by 'Urwah bin Zubair, Hadrat Umar who had embraced Islam by that time, said, "This Surah was revealed in my presence and I myself observed the state of the Holy Prophet during its revelation. When the revelation ended, the Holy Prophet remarked, 'On this occasion ten such verses have been sent down to me that the one who measures up to them, will most surely go to Paradise'. Then he recited the initial verses of the surah." (Ahmad, Tirmizi, Nasai, Hakim).
The central theme of the sura is to invite the people to accept and follow the Message of the Holy Prophet and the whole Sura revolves round this theme.
1. Characteristics of a true believers.
2. Stages of human creation.
3. The story of Prophet Nuh (pbuh) and the great flood.
4. The story of Hud (pbuh) and the blast of destruction.
5. The fact that Allah has not charged any soul with more than it can bear.
6. Guidance to repel evil with good and to seek the protection of Allah against the temptations of Shaitan.
7. The fact that on the Day of Judgement it will appear as if the life of this world was less than one day.
Maududi
IMPORTANT: Please
note that the Digest is based upon these outstanding translations and they have
been reproduced here for the benefit of serious readers of the Qur’aan; the
copyrights of these works are held by their respective authors/publishers from
whom they can be purchased by anyone interested in acquiring them and we
ardently hope that no offence will be taken by their inclusion.
Bismi Allahi alrrahmani alrraheemi
Section 1.
23 : 1
1. Qad aflaha almu/minoona
Verily triumphant are the believers, -
23 : 2
2. Allatheena hum fee salatihim khashiAAoona
Who concentrate in worship, -
(Worship is not about going through the motions of arriving at the mosque, abandoning our footwear at the entrance, performing wudu, covering our heads and joining the rows of other worshippers behind the Imam, our minds at large, our thoughts still focussed on the shop we have left behind; how often are the cash registers ringing; how much money is going in and coming out; what is in stock and what is out of stock; or on that interview we are going to attend later in the afternoon; what would be asked in it and how it ought to be answered; not even on the baby we have left behind on her death-bed, fighting for her life! The discipline of Salaatin Islam is total surrender, total absorption, total focus and total isolation. We must relinquish our share in the world which we have left behind on the other side of the walls of the mosque, dissociate ourselves with every concern and every tie and every bond that keeps us pinned to it and become engrossed in our spiritual bonds with our Lord.
Of
course, once our solemn duty is done, there is plenty of time left to reflect
over those concerns we left behind and include them in our supplications as much
as we want to and as often we would like to : the shopkeeper to increase his
takings and enhance his provision; the anxious applicant for success in the
interview; the bereaved father for a speedy recovery of his sick child, firmly
believing that Allah is always there to share every concern of those who
prostrated before Him and reaffirmed their allegiance to Him with a clean body
and clean soul, and to bless them with His infinite Mercy!)
23 : 3
3. Waallatheena hum AAani allaghwi muAAridoona
Who do not engage in wanton speech, -
23 : 4
4. Waallatheena hum lilzzakati faAAiloona
Who give to the deserving their dues, -
23 : 5
5. Waallatheena hum lifuroojihim hafithoona
Who guard their modesty -
23 : 6
6. Illa AAala azwajihim aw ma malakat aymanuhum fa-innahum ghayru maloomeena
Except in front of their wives or the lawful Bondmaids who belong to them, in which case they are not culpable.
23 : 7
7. Famani ibtagha waraa thalika faola-ika humu alAAadoona
But whoever craves beyond that, they surely are culpable;
23 : 8
8. Waallatheena hum li-amanatihim waAAahdihim raAAoona
And who honour their trusts and keep their pledges, -
23 : 9
9. Waallatheena hum AAala salawatihim yuhafithoona
And who safeguard their worship, -
23 : 10
10. Ola-ika humu alwarithoona
These are the heirs!
23 : 11
11. Allatheena yarithoona alfirdawsa hum feeha khalidoona
To them belongs the legacy of Paradise and in it will they abide forever.
23 : 12
12. Walaqad khalaqna al-insana min sulalatin min teenin
Verily We created man from a substance of the earth;
23 : 13
13. Thumma jaAAalnahu nutfatan fee qararin makeenin
Then lodged him as a drop of seed inside a safe repository;
23 : 14
14. Thumma khalaqna alnnutfata AAalaqatan fakhalaqna alAAalaqata mudghatan fakhalaqna almudghata AAithaman fakasawna alAAithama lahman thumma ansha/nahu khalqan akhara fatabaraka Allahu ahsanu alkhaliqeena
And then We evolved the drop into a clot of blood and the clot into a lump of flesh and We added to it bones and then wrapped around the bones more flesh and finally developed it into another font. So blessed be Allah, the greatest of all Creators!
23 : 15
15. Thumma innakum baAAda thalika lamayyitoona
Then verily, even after all that, you shall be consigned to death!
23 : 16
16. Thumma innakum yawma alqiyamati tubAAathoona
Then verily, on the Day of Resurrection, you shall be raised again!
23 : 17
17. Walaqad khalaqna fawqakum sabAAa tara-iqa wama kunna AAani alkhalqi ghafileena
We have created above you seven celestial pathways and never are We indifferent
to our Creation!
(The
seven ‘Celestial pathways’ refer to the seven
heavens occupied by the Lord Himself along with all the celestial beings who
serve Him night and day, and the Prophets
Whom He caused to ascend to Him such as Idris and
Jesus and the martyrs who never die
but are given a provision in heaven until the Day of Judgement, across which the
angels go up and down).
23 : 18
18. Waanzalna mina alssama-i maan biqadarin faaskannahu fee al-ardi wa-inna AAala thahabin bihi laqadiroona
We send down from the sky precise quantities of water and cause it to be
retained upon the earth - and verily We are also able to suspend it!
(A
subtle reminder to mankind that He who blesses us with timely rainfall and
conserves it in rivers, springs, ponds and wells also has the power to suspend
that rainfall should He so choose, sometimes by way of reminders, sometimes by
way of punishment, sometimes by way of tests and sometimes to prove how
He can cause the earth to die and then bring it back
to life so that we are under no illusions regarding His ability to
inflict death upon us as well and then bring us back to life, - a lesson which
the idolaters of Mecca were in dire need of learning and believing, with all
those vociferous repudiations they were making about
the concept of after-life).
23 : 19
19. Faansha/na lakum bihi jannatin min nakheelin waaAAnabin lakum feeha fawakihu katheeratun waminha ta/kuloona
Then We produce from it gardens for you of date palms and grapes wherein is a profusion of fruit which you eat.
23 : 20
20. Washajaratan takhruju min toori saynaa tanbutu bialdduhni wasibghin lilakileena
And a tree that grows on Mount Sinai, which yields oil and a delicious palate for those who relish it.
23 : 21
21. Wa-inna lakum fee al-anAAami laAAibratan nusqeekum mimma fee butooniha walakum feeha manafiAAu katheeratun waminha ta/kuloona
And verily there is a lesson for you to learn from your cattle : We give you as a beverage of that which is inside their bellies and you use them in many other ways and from them comes your sustenance too!
23 : 22
22. WaAAalayha waAAala alfulki tuhmaloona
And on them and on the ships you are transported! (R)
OTHER TRANSLATIONS BY MUHSIN, YUSUFALI, PICKTHAL AND SHAKIR:
MUHSIN:
1. Successful indeed are the believers.
2. Those who offer their Salât (prayers) with all solemnity and full submissiveness.
3. And those who turn away from Al-Laghw (dirty, false, evil vain talk, falsehood, and all that Allâh has forbidden).
4. And those who pay the Zakât .
5. And those who guard their chastity (i.e. private parts, from illegal sexual acts)
6. Except from their wives or (the captives and slaves) that their right hands possess, for then, they are free from blame;
7. But whoever seeks beyond that, then those are the transgressors;
8. Those who are faithfully true to their Amanât (all the duties which Allâh has ordained, honesty, moral responsibility and trusts etc.)[] and to their covenants;
9. And those who strictly guard their (five compulsory congregational) Salawât (prayers) (at their fixed stated hours).[]
10. These are indeed the inheritors.
11. Who shall inherit the Firdaus (Paradise). They shall dwell therein forever.
12. And indeed We created man (Adam) out of an extract of clay (water and earth).
13. Thereafter We made him (the offspring of Adam) as a Nutfah (mixed drops of the male and female sexual discharge) (and lodged it) in a safe lodging (womb of the woman).
14. Then We made the Nutfah into a clot (a piece of thick coagulated blood), then We made the clot into a little lump of flesh, then We made out of that little lump of flesh bones, then We clothed the bones with flesh, and then We brought it forth as another creation. So blessed be Allâh, the Best of creators.[]
15. After that, surely, you will die.
16. Then (again), surely, you will be resurrected on the Day of Resurrection.
17. And indeed We have created above you seven heavens (one over the other), and We are never unaware of the creation.
18. And We sent down from the sky water (rain) in (due) measure, and We gave it lodging in the earth, and verily, We are Able to take it away.
19. Then We brought forth for you therewith gardens of date-palms and grapes, wherein is much fruit for you, and whereof you eat.
20. And a tree (olive) that springs forth from Mount Sinai, that grows oil, and (it is a) relish for the eaters.
21. And Verily! In the cattle there is indeed a lesson for you. We give you to drink (milk) of that which is in their bellies. And there are, in them, numerous (other) benefits for you, and of them you eat.
22. And on them, and on ships you are carried.
023.001
YUSUFALI: The
believers must (eventually) win through,-
PICKTHAL: Successful
indeed are the believers
SHAKIR: Successful
indeed are the believers,
023.002
YUSUFALI: Those who
humble themselves in their prayers;
PICKTHAL: Who are
humble in their prayers,
SHAKIR: Who are humble
in their prayers,
023.003
YUSUFALI: Who avoid
vain talk;
PICKTHAL: And who shun
vain conversation,
SHAKIR: And who keep
aloof from what is vain,
023.004
YUSUFALI: Who are
active in deeds of charity;
PICKTHAL: And who are
payers of the poor-due;
SHAKIR: And who are
givers of poor-rate,
023.005
YUSUFALI: Who abstain
from sex,
PICKTHAL: And who
guard their modesty -
SHAKIR: And who guard
their private parts,
023.006
YUSUFALI: Except with
those joined to them in the marriage bond, or (the captives) whom their right
hands possess,- for (in their case) they are free from blame,
PICKTHAL: Save from
their wives or the (slaves) that their right hands possess, for then they are
not blameworthy,
SHAKIR: Except before
their mates or those whom their right hands possess, for they surely are not
blameable,
023.007
YUSUFALI: But those
whose desires exceed those limits are transgressors;-
PICKTHAL: But whoso
craveth beyond that, such are transgressors -
SHAKIR: But whoever
seeks to go beyond that, these are they that exceed the limits;
023.008
YUSUFALI: Those who
faithfully observe their trusts and their covenants;
PICKTHAL: And who are
shepherds of their pledge and their covenant,
SHAKIR: And those who
are keepers of their trusts and their covenant,
023.009
YUSUFALI: And who
(strictly) guard their prayers;-
PICKTHAL: And who pay
heed to their prayers.
SHAKIR: And those who
keep a guard on their prayers;
023.010
YUSUFALI: These will
be the heirs,
PICKTHAL: These are
the heirs
SHAKIR: These are they
who are the heirs,
023.011
YUSUFALI: Who will
inherit Paradise: they will dwell therein (for ever).
PICKTHAL: Who will
inherit paradise. There they will abide.
SHAKIR: Who shall
inherit the Paradise; they shall abide therein.
023.012
YUSUFALI: Man We did
create from a quintessence (of clay);
PICKTHAL: Verily We
created man from a product of wet earth;
SHAKIR: And certainly
We created man of an extract of clay,
023.013
YUSUFALI: Then We
placed him as (a drop of) sperm in a place of rest, firmly fixed;
PICKTHAL: Then placed
him as a drop (of seed) in a safe lodging;
SHAKIR: Then We made
him a small seed in a firm resting-place,
023.014
YUSUFALI: Then We made
the sperm into a clot of congealed blood; then of that clot We made a (foetus)
lump; then we made out of that lump bones and clothed the bones with flesh; then
we developed out of it another creature. So blessed be Allah, the best to
create!
PICKTHAL: Then
fashioned We the drop a clot, then fashioned We the clot a little lump, then
fashioned We the little lump bones, then clothed the bones with flesh, and then
produced it as another creation. So blessed be Allah, the Best of creators!
SHAKIR: Then We made
the seed a clot, then We made the clot a lump of flesh, then We made (in) the
lump of flesh bones, then We clothed the bones with flesh, then We caused it to
grow into another creation, so blessed be Allah, the best of the creators.
023.015
YUSUFALI: After that,
at length ye will die
PICKTHAL: Then lo!
after that ye surely die.
SHAKIR: Then after
that you will most surely die.
023.016
YUSUFALI: Again, on
the Day of Judgment, will ye be raised up.
PICKTHAL: Then lo! on
the Day of Resurrection ye are raised (again).
SHAKIR: Then surely on
the day of resurrection you shall be raised.
023.017
YUSUFALI: And We have
made, above you, seven tracts; and We are never unmindful of (our) Creation.
PICKTHAL: And We have
created above you seven paths, and We are never unmindful of creation.
SHAKIR: And certainly
We made above you seven heavens; and never are We heedless of creation.
023.018
YUSUFALI: And We send
down water from the sky according to (due) measure, and We cause it to soak in
the soil; and We certainly are able to drain it off (with ease).
PICKTHAL: And we send
down from the sky water in measure, and We give it lodging in the earth, and lo!
We are Able to withdraw it.
SHAKIR: And We send
down water from the cloud according to a measure, then We cause it to settle in
the earth, and most surely We are able to carry it away.
023.019
YUSUFALI: With it We
grow for you gardens of date-palms and vines: in them have ye abundant fruits:
and of them ye eat (and have enjoyment),-
PICKTHAL: Then We
produce for you therewith gardens of date-palms and grapes, wherein is much
fruit for you and whereof ye eat;
SHAKIR: Then We cause
to grow thereby gardens of palm trees and grapes for you; you have in them many
fruits and from them do you eat;
023.020
YUSUFALI: Also a tree
springing out of Mount Sinai, which produces oil, and relish for those who use
it for food.
PICKTHAL: And a tree
that springeth forth from Mount Sinai that groweth oil and relish for the
eaters.
SHAKIR: And a tree
that grows out of Mount Sinai which produces oil and a condiment for those who
eat.
023.021
YUSUFALI: And in
cattle (too) ye have an instructive example: from within their bodies We produce
(milk) for you to drink; there are, in them, (besides), numerous (other)
benefits for you; and of their (meat) ye eat;
PICKTHAL: And lo! in
the cattle there is verily a lesson for you. We give you to drink of that which
is in their bellies, and many uses have ye in them, and of them do ye eat;
SHAKIR: And most
surely there is a lesson for you in the cattle: We make you to drink of what is
in their bellies, and you have in them many advantages and of them you eat,
023.022
YUSUFALI: An on them,
as well as in slips, ye side.
PICKTHAL: And on them
and on the ship ye are carried.
SHAKIR: And on them
and on the ships you are borne.
23 : 23
23. Walaqad arsalna noohan ila qawmihi faqala ya qawmi oAAbudoo Allaha ma lakum min ilahin ghayruhu afala tattaqoona
And verily We sent Noah to his people and he said to them : 'O my people! Worship Allah, for there is no other God for you save Him! Will you not revere Him?'
23 : 24
24. Faqala almalao allatheena kafaroo min qawmihi ma hatha illa basharun mithlukum yureedu an yatafaddala AAalaykum walaw shaa Allahu laanzala mala-ikatan ma samiAAna bihatha fee aba-ina al-awwaleena
But the
leaders of his folk who were disbelievers said : 'He is nothing but a mortal
like you who is aspiring to become your leader! Had Allah willed, He surely
could have sent down His angels. We heard of no such thing even during the times
of our forefathers!
(The
disbelieving leaders of Noah's folks said the same thing which the disbelieving
folk of Mecca were saying to the Prophet that only Angels could be the
messengers of Allah, conveniently forgetting the fact that, if ordinary
mortals were not good enough to do the job of Angels, then how could
idols whom they worship be good enough to do the job of Gods??)
23 : 25
25. In huwa illa rajulun bihi jinnatun fatarabbasoo bihi hatta heenin
'He is nothing but just a man fraught with madness, so let us watch him for a while!'
23 : 26
26. Qala rabbi onsurnee bima kaththabooni
He said : 'My Lord! Help me because they are refuting me.'
23 : 27
27. Faawhayna ilayhi ani isnaAAi alfulka bi-aAAyunina wawahyina fa-itha jaa amruna wafara alttannooru faosluk feeha min kullin zawjayni ithnayni waahlaka illa man sabaqa AAalayhi alqawlu minhum wala tukhatibnee fee allatheena thalamoo innahum mughraqoona
Then We inspired in him saying : 'Build the Ark in front of Our eyes and under Our guidance and when Our command comes and the oven gushes water, board on it two spouses of every species and your entire household except those about whom a decision has already been taken! And plead not with Me on behalf of those who have perpetrated evil, for they indeed are destined to be drowned!
23 : 28
28. Fa-itha istawayta anta waman maAAaka AAala alfulki faquli alhamdu lillahi allathee najjana mina alqawmi alththalimeena
And when you are safely on board the Ark - you and whoever is with you - say : 'Praise be to Allah Who has delivered us from the clutches of those evil folk!'
23 : 29
29. Waqul rabbi anzilnee munzalan mubarakan waanta khayru almunzileena
And say : 'My Lord! Guide me on to a propitious shore, for you are the most skilful of all the navigators!'
23 : 30
30. Inna fee thalika laayatin wa-in kunna lamubtaleena
Verily herein are many portents and verily We are constantly subjecting mankind to stringent tests!
23 : 31
31. Thumma ansha/na min baAAdihim qarnan akhareena
Then, after they were extinct, We brought into being another generation -
23 : 32
32. Faarsalna feehim rasoolan minhum ani oAAbudoo Allaha ma lakum min ilahin ghayruhu afala tattaqoona
And to them We sent a messenger chosen from their own ranks saying : 'Worship Allah, for there is no other God for you save Him! Will you not revere Him? (R)
(The reference here is to tribe of Aad and their Prophet Huud)
OTHER
TRANSLATIONS BY MUHSIN, YUSUFALI, PICKTHAL AND SHAKIR:
MUHSIN:
23. And indeed We sent Nûh (Noah) to his people, and he said: "O my people! Worship Allâh! You have no other Ilâh (God) but Him (Islâmic Monotheism). Will you not then be afraid (of Him i.e. of His Punishment because of worshipping others besides Him)?"
24. But the chiefs of those who disbelieved among his people said: "He is no more than a human being like you, he seeks to make himself superior to you. Had Allâh willed, He surely could have sent down angels; never did we hear such a thing among our fathers of old.
25. "He is only a man in whom is madness, so wait for him a while."
26. [Nûh (Noah)] said: "O my Lord! Help me because they deny me."
27. So We inspired him (saying): "Construct the ship under Our Eyes and under Our Revelation (guidance). Then, when Our Command comes, and the oven gushes forth water, take on board of each kind two (male and female), and your family, except those thereof against whom the Word has already gone forth. And address Me not in favour of those who have done wrong. Verily, they are to be drowned.
28. And when you have embarked on the ship, you and whoever is with you, then say: "All the praises and thanks be to Allâh, Who has saved us from the people who are Zâlimûn (i.e. oppressors, wrong-doers, polytheists, those who join others in worship with Allâh, etc.).
29. And say: "My Lord! Cause me to land at a blessed landing-place, for You are the Best of those who bring to land."
30. Verily, in this [what We did as regards drowning of the people of Nûh (Noah)], there are indeed Ayât (proofs, evidences, lessons, signs, etc. for men to understand), for sure We are ever putting (men) to the test.
31. Then, after them, We created another generation.
32. And We sent to them a Messenger from among themselves (saying): "Worship Allâh! You have no other Ilâh (God) but Him. Will you not then be afraid (of Him i.e. of His Punishment because of worshipping others besides Him)?"
023.023
YUSUFALI: (Further, We
sent a long line of prophets for your instruction). We sent Noah to his people:
He said, "O my people! worship Allah! Ye have no other god but Him. Will ye not
fear (Him)?"
PICKTHAL: And We
verily sent Noah unto his folk, and he said: O my people! Serve Allah. Ye have
no other Allah save Him. Will ye not ward off (evil)?
SHAKIR: And certainly
We sent Nuh to his people, and he said: O my people! serve Allah, you have no
god other than Him; will you not then guard (against evil)?
023.024
YUSUFALI: The chiefs
of the Unbelievers among his people said: "He is no more than a man like
yourselves: his wish is to assert his superiority over you: if Allah had wished
(to send messengers), He could have sent down angels; never did we hear such a
thing (as he says), among our ancestors of old."
PICKTHAL: But the
chieftains of his folk, who disbelieved, said: This is only a mortal like you
who would make himself superior to you. Had Allah willed, He surely could have
sent down angels. We heard not of this in the case of our fathers of old.
SHAKIR: And the chiefs
of those who disbelieved from among his people said: He is nothing but a mortal
like yourselves who desires that he may have superiority over you, and if Allah
had pleased, He could certainly have sent down angels. We have not heard of this
among our fathers of yore:
023.025
YUSUFALI: (And some
said): "He is only a man possessed: wait (and have patience) with him for a
time."
PICKTHAL: He is only a
man in whom is a madness, so watch him for a while.
SHAKIR: He is only a
madman, so bear with him for a time.
023.026
YUSUFALI: (Noah) said:
"O my Lord! help me: for that they accuse me of falsehood!"
PICKTHAL: He said: My
Lord! Help me because they deny me.
SHAKIR: He said: O my
Lord! help me against their calling me a liar.
023.027
YUSUFALI: So We
inspired him (with this message): "Construct the Ark within Our sight and under
Our guidance: then when comes Our Command, and the fountains of the earth gush
forth, take thou on board pairs of every species, male and female, and thy
family- except those of them against whom the Word has already gone forth: And
address Me not in favour of the wrong-doers; for they shall be drowned (in the
Flood).
PICKTHAL: Then We
inspired in him, saying: Make the ship under Our eyes and Our inspiration. Then,
when Our command cometh and the oven gusheth water, introduce therein of every
(kind) two spouses, and thy household save him thereof against whom the Word
hath already gone forth. And plead not with Me on behalf of those who have done
wrong. Lo! they will be drowned.
SHAKIR: So We revealed
to him, saying: Make the ark before Our eyes and (according to) Our revelation;
and when Our command is given and the valley overflows, take into it of every
kind a pair, two, and your followers, except those among them against whom the
word has gone forth, and do not speak to Me in respect of those who are unjust;
surely they shall be drowned.
023.028
YUSUFALI: And when
thou hast embarked on the Ark - thou and those with thee,- say: "Praise be to
Allah, Who has saved us from the people who do wrong."
PICKTHAL: And when
thou art on board the ship, thou and whoso is with thee, then say: Praise be to
Allah Who hath saved us from the wrongdoing folk!
SHAKIR: And when you
are firmly seated, you and those with you, in the ark, say: All praise is due to
Allah who delivered us from the unjust people:
023.029
YUSUFALI: And say: "O
my Lord! enable me to disembark with thy blessing: for Thou art the Best to
enable (us) to disembark."
PICKTHAL: And say: My
Lord! Cause me to land at a blessed landing-place, for Thou art Best of all who
bring to land.
SHAKIR: And say: O my
Lord! cause me to disembark a blessed alighting, and Thou art the best to cause
to alight.
023.030
YUSUFALI: Verily in
this there are Signs (for men to understand); (thus) do We try (men).
PICKTHAL: Lo! herein
verily are portents, for lo! We are ever putting (mankind) to the test.
SHAKIR: Most surely
there are signs in this, and most surely We are ever trying (men).
023.031
YUSUFALI: Then We
raised after them another generation.
PICKTHAL: Then, after
them, We brought forth another generation;
SHAKIR: Then We raised
up after them another generation.
023.032
YUSUFALI: And We sent
to them a messenger from among themselves, (saying), "Worship Allah! ye have no
other god but Him. Will ye not fear (Him)?"
PICKTHAL: And we sent
among them a messenger of their own, saying: Serve Allah, Ye have no other Allah
save Him. Will ye not ward off (evil)?
SHAKIR: So We sent
among them a messenger from among them, saying: Serve Allah, you have no god
other than Him; will you not then guard (against evil)?
23 : 33
33. Waqala almalao min qawmihi allatheena kafaroo wakaththaboo biliqa-i al-akhirati waatrafnahum fee alhayati alddunya ma hatha illa basharun mithlukum ya/kulu mimma ta/kuloona minhu wayashrabu mimma tashraboona
And the
leaders of his people who were disbelievers and refuted the meeting in the
Hereafter and yet We had given them some comforts in the life of this world said
: 'He is nothing but a mortal like you who eats what you eat and drinks what you
drink!
(Here
too there is an echo of criticisms and imputations which the Meccan idolaters
used levelled against the Prophet that he could not possibly be a messenger
appointed by Allah to deliver his message because he had married so many women,
had conjugal relations with them, made them pregnant, brought forth children,
clad himself in customary robes, grew a beard, combed his hair, applied perfume,
ate his food, visited the closet, went to the market and bought things and did
everything which the rest of them did! So what was so special about him that
made him the path-finder and them the followers; him the mentor and them the
pupils and him the deliverer and them the delivered, as though the credentials
of Prophethood lay in what he ate and how he dressed rather than the pearls of
wisdom that came out of his mouth whenever he spoke; the aura of distinction
which surrounded him wherever he went; the knowledge that was his without his
having even sought it; but above all, the glorious verses of the Qur'aan which
he recited to them without having received even a day's schooling in his entire
life; a reticent book-keeper at home but a rousing orator in the mosque, a
gentle husband at home but a fierce warrior in battle, a generous friend of the
humble supplicant but a formidable adversary to the enemies of Allah!)
23 : 34
34. Wala-in ataAAtum basharan mithlakum innakum ithan lakhasiroona
'If you subjugate yourselves to a mortal similar to you, then verily you shall be the forfeited!
23 : 35
35. AyaAAidukum annakum itha mittum wakuntum turaban waAAithaman annakum mukhrajoona
‘He promises you that, after you are dead and have turned into dust and bones, you will be raised again!
23 : 36
36. Hayhata hayhata lima tooAAadoona
'How far-fetched and how very far-fetched is that which he promises you!
23 : 37
37. In hiya illa hayatuna alddunya namootu wanahya wama nahnu bimabAAootheena
'Nothing
else is factual save the life of this world in which we live and we die and are
never raised again!
(An unworthy, an unacceptable and an untenable point of view adapted by those who are inescapably tied down to the comforts of this life; the millionaires who pile their wealth on golden pedestals and worship it; the kings who decline to give up their crowns at any cost and the king makers who refuse to be denuded of their influence even to the slightest extent; the tycoons who are so preoccupied with amassing and hoarding their wealth that they seldom have the time to look at anything else, hardly ever waking up to face the fact that material affluence is no more than just a stage prop belonging to the theatre of life which must remain on the stage for the next show; that the players might change, but the show goes on for as long as life lasts upon earth; that no matter how convincing a performance we have put in when it was our turn to play, we still have to exit the stage empty-handed, leaving the show to go on.
To the
infidels of Mecca, the only things that mattered were that, one day they were
there and another day they would be gone, which was the long and short of their
existence, - an existence beyond which they perceived nothing; towards which
they stored nothing and from which they expected nothing)
23 : 38
38. In huwa illa rajulun iftara AAala Allahi kathiban wama nahnu lahu bimu/mineena
He is only a man who has come up with this pretext about Allah so we would never believe him at any cost!'
23 : 39
39. Qala rabbi onsurnee bima kaththabooni
He said : 'My Lord! Help me because they are refuting me!'
23 : 40
40. Qala AAamma qaleelin layusbihunna nadimeena
He (Allah) said : 'In a little while, the dawn will break to see them repentant!
23 : 41
41. Faakhathat-humu alssayhatu bialhaqqi fajaAAalnahum ghuthaan fabuAAdan lilqawmi alththalimeena
So the Awesome Scream, which they deserved, overwhelmed them and We reduced them to a heap of trash blown around by the gusts! Good riddance to the evil mongers!
23 : 42
42. Thumma ansha/na min baAAdihim quroonan akhareena
Then, after they were extinct, We brought forth more generations.
23 : 43
43. Ma tasbiqu min ommatin ajalaha wama yasta/khiroona
No nation passes away before its term has not come to an end or lasts longer than that which is stipulated for it!
23 : 44
44. Thumma arsalna rusulana tatra kulla ma jaa ommatan rasooluha kaththaboohu faatbaAAna baAAdahum baAAdan wajaAAalnahum ahadeetha fabuAAdan liqawmin la yu/minoona
After that We sent Our messengers in succession. Whenever a messenger came to his community, he was invariably refuted, so We caused them to follow one another in Our opprobrium and turned them all into examples. So Good riddance to the folks who do not believe!
23 : 45
45. Thumma arsalna moosa waakhahu haroona bi-ayatina wasultanin mubeenin
Then We sent Moses and his brother Aaron with Our signs and clear credentials -
23 : 46
46. Ila firAAawna wamala-ihi faistakbaroo wakanoo qawman AAaleena
To Pharaoh and his warlords, but they scorned them because they were a folk given to oppression!
23 : 47
47. Faqaloo anu/minu libasharayni mithlina waqawmuhuma lana AAabidoona
They said : 'Are we to believe two mortals like us whilst their folk are already under our subjugation?'
23 : 48
48. Fakaththaboohuma fakanoo mina almuhlakeena
So they vituperated them and became a part of those who were annihilated.
23 : 49
49. Walaqad atayna moosa alkitaba laAAallahum yahtadoona
And We gave Moses the Scripture so that perchance they may achieve guidance!
23 : 50
50. WajaAAalna ibna maryama waommahu ayatan waawaynahuma ila rabwatin thati qararin wamaAAeenin
And We made the son of Mary and his mother a portent and gave them refuge on a height where there was an abode for them midst green pastures and water springs. (R)
OTHER TRANSLATIONS BY MUHSIN, YUSUFALI, PICKTHAL AND SHAKIR:
MUHSIN:
33. And the chiefs of his people, who disbelieved and denied the Meeting in the Hereafter, and to whom We had given the luxuries and comforts of this life, said: "He is no more than a human being like you, he eats of that which you eat, and drinks of what you drink.
34. "If you were to obey a human being like yourselves, then verily! You indeed would be losers.
35. "Does he promise you that when you have died and have become dust and bones, you shall come out alive (resurrected)?
36. "Far, very far is that which you are promised.
37. "There is nothing but our life of this world! We die and we live! And we are not going to be resurrected!
38. "He is only a man who has invented a lie against Allâh, but we are not going to believe in him."
39. He said: "O my Lord! Help me because they deny me."
40. (Allâh) said: "In a little while, they are sure to be regretful."
41. So As-Saîhah (torment - awful cry, etc.) overtook them with justice, and We made them as rubbish of dead plants. So away with the people who are Zâlimûn (polytheists, wrong-doers, disbelievers in the Oneness of Allâh, disobedient to His Messengers, etc.).
42. Then, after them, We created other generations.
43. No nation can anticipate their term, nor can they delay it.
44. Then We sent Our Messengers in succession, every time there came to a nation their Messenger, they denied him, so We made them follow one another (to destruction), and We made them as Ahadîth (the true stories for mankind to learn a lesson from them). So away with a people who believe not.
45. Then We sent Mûsa (Moses) and his brother Hârûn (Aaron), with Our Ayât (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.) and manifest authority,
46. To Fir'aun (Pharaoh) and his chiefs, but they behaved insolently and they were people self-exalting (by disobeying their Lord, and exalting themselves over and above the Messenger of Allâh).
47. They said: "Shall we believe in two men like ourselves, and their people are obedient to us with humility (and we use them to serve us as we like)."
48. So they denied them both [Mûsa (Moses) and Hârûn (Aaron)] and became of those who were destroyed.
49. And indeed We gave Mûsa (Moses) the Scripture, that they may be guided.
50. And We made the son of Maryam (Mary) and his mother as a sign, And We gave them refuge on high ground, a place of rest, security and flowing streams.
023.033
YUSUFALI: And the
chiefs of his people, who disbelieved and denied the Meeting in the Hereafter,
and on whom We had bestowed the good things of this life, said: "He is no more
than a man like yourselves: he eats of that of which ye eat, and drinks of what
ye drink.
PICKTHAL: And the
chieftains of his folk, who disbelieved and denied the meeting of the Hereafter,
and whom We had made soft in the life of the world, said: This is only a mortal
like you, who eateth of that whereof ye eat and drinketh of that ye drink.
SHAKIR: And the chiefs
of his people who disbelieved and called the meeting of the hereafter a lie, and
whom We had given plenty to enjoy in this world's life, said: This is nothing
but a mortal like yourselves, eating of what you eat from and drinking of what
you drink.
023.034
YUSUFALI: "If ye obey
a man like yourselves, behold, it is certain ye will be lost.
PICKTHAL: If ye were
to obey a mortal like yourselves, then, lo! ye surely would be losers.
SHAKIR: And if you
obey a mortal like yourselves, then most surely you will be losers:
023.035
YUSUFALI: "Does he
promise that when ye die and become dust and bones, ye shall be brought forth
(again)?
PICKTHAL: Doth he
promise you that you, when ye are dead and have become dust and bones, will
(again) be brought forth?
SHAKIR: What! does he
threaten you that when you are dead and become dust and bones that you shall
then be brought forth?
023.036
YUSUFALI: "Far, very
far is that which ye are promised!
PICKTHAL: Begone,
begone, with that which ye are promised!
SHAKIR: Far, far is
that which you are threatened with.
023.037
YUSUFALI: "There is
nothing but our life in this world! We shall die and we live! But we shall never
be raised up again!
PICKTHAL: There is
naught but our life of the world; we die and we live, and we shall not be raised
(again).
SHAKIR: There is
naught but our life in this world; we die and we live and we shall not be raised
again.
023.038
YUSUFALI: "He is only
a man who invents a lie against Allah, but we are not the ones to believe in
him!"
PICKTHAL: He is only a
man who hath invented a lie about Allah. We are not going to put faith in him.
SHAKIR: He is naught
but a man who has forged a lie against Allah, and we are not going to believe in
him.
023.039
YUSUFALI: (The
prophet) said: "O my Lord! help me: for that they accuse me of falsehood."
PICKTHAL: He said: My
Lord! Help me because they deny me.
SHAKIR: He said: O my
Lord! help me against their calling me a liar.
023.040
YUSUFALI: (Allah)
said: "In but a little while, they are sure to be sorry!"
PICKTHAL: He said: In
a little while they surely will become repentant.
SHAKIR: He said: In a
little while they will most certainly be repenting.
023.041
YUSUFALI: Then the
Blast overtook them with justice, and We made them as rubbish of dead leaves
(floating on the stream of Time)! So away with the people who do wrong!
PICKTHAL: So the
(Awful) Cry overtook them rightfully, and We made them like as wreckage (that a
torrent hurleth). A far removal for wrongdoing folk!
SHAKIR: So the
punishment overtook them in justice, and We made them as rubbish; so away with
the unjust people.
023.042
YUSUFALI: Then We
raised after them other generations.
PICKTHAL: Then after
them We brought forth other generations.
SHAKIR: Then We raised
after them other generations.
023.043
YUSUFALI: No people
can hasten their term, nor can they delay (it).
PICKTHAL: No nation
can outstrip its term, nor yet postpone it.
SHAKIR: No people can
hasten on their doom nor can they postpone (it).
023.044
YUSUFALI: Then sent We
our messengers in succession: every time there came to a people their messenger,
they accused him of falsehood: so We made them follow each other (in
punishment): We made them as a tale (that is told): So away with a people that
will not believe!
PICKTHAL: Then We sent
our messengers one after another. Whenever its messenger came unto a nation they
denied him; so We caused them to follow one another (to disaster) and We made
them bywords. A far removal for folk who believe not!
SHAKIR: Then We sent
Our messengers one after another; whenever there came to a people their
messenger, they called him a liar, so We made some of them follow others and We
made them stories; so away with a people who do not believe!
023.045
YUSUFALI: Then We sent
Moses and his brother Aaron, with Our Signs and authority manifest,
PICKTHAL: Then We sent
Moses and his brother Aaron with Our tokens and a clear warrant
SHAKIR: Then We sent
Musa and his brother Haroun, with Our communications and a clear authority,
023.046
YUSUFALI: To Pharaoh
and his Chiefs: But these behaved insolently: they were an arrogant people.
PICKTHAL: Unto Pharaoh
and his chiefs, but they scorned (them) and they were despotic folk.
SHAKIR: To Firon and
his chiefs, but they behaved haughtily and they were an insolent people.
023.047
YUSUFALI: They said:
"Shall we believe in two men like ourselves? And their people are subject to
us!"
PICKTHAL: And they
said: Shall we put faith in two mortals like ourselves, and whose folk are
servile unto us?
SHAKIR: And they said:
What! shall we believe in two mortals like ourselves while their people serve
us?
023.048
YUSUFALI: So they
accused them of falsehood, and they became of those who were destroyed.
PICKTHAL: So they
denied them, and became of those who were destroyed.
SHAKIR: So they
rejected them and became of those who were destroyed.
023.049
YUSUFALI: And We gave
Moses the Book, in order that they might receive guidance.
PICKTHAL: And We
verily gave Moses the Scripture, that haply they might go aright.
SHAKIR: And certainly
We gave Musa the Book that they may follow a right direction.
023.050
YUSUFALI: And We made
the son of Mary and his mother as a Sign: We gave them both shelter on high
ground, affording rest and security and furnished with springs.
PICKTHAL: And We made
the son of Mary and his mother a portent, and We gave them refuge on a height, a
place of flocks and watersprings.
SHAKIR: And We made
the son of Marium and his mother a sign, and We gave them a shelter on a lofty
ground having meadows and springs.
23 : 51
51. Ya ayyuha alrrusulu kuloo mina alttayyibati waiAAmaloo salihan innee bima taAAmaloona AAaleemun
O you Messengers! Eat of the clean things which We have given you and perform righteous deeds for verily I am aware of what you do!
23 : 52
52. Wa-inna hathihi ommatukum ommatan wahidatan waana rabbukum faittaqooni
And verily your religion is the same religion for all and I am your Lord so revere Me!
23 : 53
53. FataqattaAAoo amrahum baynahum zuburan kullu hizbin bima ladayhim farihoona
But the people cleaved the religion into fragments and each group is content with the tenets which they have chosen.
23 : 54
54. Fatharhum fee ghamratihim hatta heenin
So (O Mohammed) let them remain sunk in their stupor for a while!
23 : 55
55. Ayahsaboona annama numidduhum bihi min malin wabaneena
Think they that, by blessing them with affluence and progeny -
23 : 56
56. NusariAAu lahum fee alkhayrati bal la yashAAuroona
We rush towards them the good things in life? Nay! They do not glean!
(The verse forces us into deeper thought by reminding us that, if Allah blesses us with wealth and children, they are not necessarily good things. Wealth corrupts, and excessive wealth corrupts excessively. For, how many wealthy men have we not known who abused their affluence towards leading a life of sin, debauchery, deceit, mendacity, vice and immorality, treason and transgression! How many sons have we not witnessed who plotted against their fathers, conspired with their enemies, stole from them, committed murder in order to lay their hands upon their wealth in a haste rather than wait until it was given to them by the Law, by the Shariyyah and by way of their birth-right! How many daughters have we not heard about who forsook their parents in preference to strangers, who brought upon them opprobrium by their sinful deeds and plunged them into disgrace!
The
verse echoes a stringent warning to all of us that we should take our blessings
with a pinch of salt and desist from revelling in them to such an extent that we
forget Him who gave them to us and forget that He who gave them to us can also
take them away from us because nothing in life is permanent; life itself is not
permanent; the wealth which we cherish is not permanent; the children we care
for are not permanent and the wives whom we love and respect are not permanent!)
23 : 57
57. Inna allatheena hum min khashyati rabbihim mushfiqoona
Verily those who are in awe from fear of their Lord, -
23 : 58
58. Waallatheena hum bi-ayati rabbihim yu/minoona
And those who believe in the revelations of their Lord, -
23 : 59
59. Waallatheena hum birabbihim la yushrikoona
And those who refrain from ascribing partners to their Lord, -
23 : 60
60. Waallatheena yu/toona ma ataw waquloobuhum wajilatun annahum ila rabbihim rajiAAoona
And those who give whatever they can afford with nervous hearts in the knowledge that they must return one day to their Lord! -
23 : 61
61. Ola-ika yusariAAoona fee alkhayrati wahum laha sabiqoona
These are the people towards whom the good things in life are rushed, and they
shall win them all!
(The
believer does good and is yet fearful of Allah whereas the disbeliever does evil
and yet has no fear of Allah! Each time a believer feeds a morsel to the hungry
suppliant, he waits with a bated breath until his Lord is pleased with him, but
the disbeliever bangs the door in the face of the suppliant and does not even
feel remorse for what he has done!)
23 : 62
62. Wala nukallifu nafsan illa wusAAaha waladayna kitabun yantiqu bialhaqqi wahum la yuthlamoona
And We do not load any soul with a burden more than what it can carry, and with Us is a Record which bears out the truth and they will not be wronged!
23 : 63
63. Bal quloobuhum fee ghamratin min hatha walahum aAAmalun min dooni thalika hum laha AAamiloona
Nay, their hearts are oblivious to the (Qur'aan) and their deeds are different from the deeds of the believers.
23 : 64
64. Hatta itha akhathna mutrafeehim bialAAathabi itha hum yaj-aroona
Until the moment We seize the affluent among them in the grip of Our castigation when they come to their senses and begin to implore!
23 : 65
65. La taj-aroo alyawma innakum minna la tunsaroona
Implore not this day for you shall get no help from Us!
23 : 66
66. Qad kanat ayatee tutla AAalaykum fakuntum AAala aAAqabikum tankisoona
My revelations were recited to you but you used to turn round on your heels and go away -
23 : 67
67. Mustakbireena bihi samiran tahjuroona
Out of sheer contempt! And yet you babbled together throughout the night!
(The
reference here is to the idolaters of Mecca who used to turn their faces away
when the verses of the Qur'aan were recited to them and yet congregate at the
Holy House and spend the entire night denigrating the revelations of Allah and
traducing the Prophet with all sorts of mean imputations).
23 : 68
68. Afalam yaddabbaroo alqawla am jaahum ma lam ya/ti abaahumu al-awwaleena
Have they not pondered over the message? Or has anything new come to them that
did not come to their forefathers in the past?
(The
Meccan idolaters used to behave as though the arrival of a Prophet in their
midst was something unheard of which never happened before in the past during
the times of their forefathers, either)
23 : 69
69. Am lam yaAArifoo rasoolahum fahum lahu munkiroona
Or do they not recognize their messenger because of which they are rejecting
him?
(The
Prophet who was born in their country and had spent his entire life till then in
their midst! They knew well the family and the tribe in which he was born; they
knew what he did for a living; they knew how truthful he was, how trustworthy,
how honest, how well behaved, how loyal, how generous, how considerate, how
physically clean and morally flawless; but above all how amazing it was that,
despite his illiteracy, he offered to them a Book which has no parallel, and yet
they were unable to recognize in him the signs of a true Prophet of Allah and
relegated him to the ranks of poets and sorcerers!).
23 : 70
70. Am yaqooloona bihi jinnatun bal jaahum bialhaqqi waaktharuhum lilhaqqi karihoona
Or say they : 'He is bewitched?' Nay, he brings them the truth whereas most of them despise the truth!
23 : 71
71. Walawi ittabaAAa alhaqqu ahwaahum lafasadati alssamawatu waal-ardu waman feehinna bal ataynahum bithikrihim fahum AAan thikrihim muAAridoona
And if the Truth had based itself upon their desires, verily the heavens and the
earth and all that is in between them would have become tainted! Nay, We have
brought to them their Reminder but from the Reminder have they
turned their faces away!
(If the truth was based upon the whims and fancies of unworthy recusants; if the universe was taken over by hands that never arrayed their backyards with a garden of roses; never done anything creative and looked at it with pride; never dealt a impartial hand to anyone except themselves; never knew how to disentangle the tangled! Imagine what would have been its state; the sun would have risen from the west and set in the east; the moon would have set the earth ablaze and turned it into ashes; the stars would have strayed away from their trajectories and collided with one another; cosmos in the universe would have gone and yielded to chaos).
23 : 72
72. Am tas-aluhum kharjan fakharaju rabbika khayrun wahuwa khayru alrraziqeena
Or do you ask of them (O Mohammed) remuneration? But the provision of your Lord is more propitious than any other, for He is the most generous of providers!
23 : 73
73. Wa-innaka latadAAoohum ila siratin mustaqeemin
And verily it is to the righteous path that you beckon them!
23 : 74
74. Wa-inna allatheena la yu/minoona bial-akhirati AAani alssirati lanakiboona
And those who do not believe in the Hereafter, verily they have strayed away from the righteous path!
23 : 75
75. Walaw rahimnahum wakashafna ma bihim min durrin lalajjoo fee tughyanihim yaAAmahoona
And even if We take pity on them and relieve them of the troubles in which they are caught up, they would still blindly wander away in their intransigence!
23 : 76
76. Walaqad akhathnahum bialAAathabi fama istakanoo lirabbihim wama yatadarraAAoona
Though We have seized them in the grip of Our retribution, they neither surrender to their Lord nor do they pray -
(The
reference in verses 75 and 76 is to the prolonged drought, which the Meccans
were forced to suffer by Allah on account of their relentless persecution of the
Prophet and the believers. When their suffering reached its peek and they were
forced to eat even street dogs for their survival, Abu Sufian met the Prophet on
their behalf and urged him to pray to Allah for lenity and deliverance from
their plight. These verses were revealed when he agreed and prayed for their
deliverance)
23 : 77
77. Hatta itha fatahna AAalayhim baban tha AAathabin shadeedin itha hum feehi mublisoona
Until, when We throw open the gates of a worse castigation on them, they then
give in out of sheer despair! (R)
(Opinions of commentators are divided about ‘the gates of a worse castigation’, some opining that it refers to the drought, some that it refers to the bloodshed in the Battle of Badr and some that it refers to the agony of death or to the Judgement Day)
OTHER
TRANSLATIONS BY MUHSIN, YUSUFALI, PICKTHAL AND SHAKIR:
MUHSIN:
51. O (you) Messengers! Eat of the Taiyibât [all kinds of Halâl (legal) foods which Allâh has made legal (meat of slaughtered eatable animals, milk products, fats, vegetables, fruits, etc.], and do righteous deeds. Verily! I am Well-Acquainted with what you do.
52. And verily! This your religion (of Islâmic Monotheism) is one religion, and I am your Lord, so keep your duty to Me.
53. But they (men) have broken their religion among them into sects[], each group rejoicing in its belief.
54. So leave them in their error for a time.
55. Do they think that We enlarge them in wealth and children,
56. We hasten unto them with good things (in this worldly life so that they will have no share of good things in the Hereafter)? Nay, but they perceive not.
57. Verily! Those who live in awe for fear of their Lord;
58. And those who believe in the Ayât (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.) of their Lord,
59. And those who join not anyone (in worship) as partners with their Lord;
60. And those who give that (their charity) which they give (and also do other good deeds) with their hearts full of fear (whether their alms and charities, etc., have been accepted or not)[], because they are sure to return to their Lord (for reckoning).
61. It is these who race for the good deeds, and they are foremost in them [e.g. offering the compulsory Salât (prayers) in their (early) stated, fixed times and so on].
62. And We tax not any person except according to his capacity, and with Us is a Record which speaks the truth, and they will not be wronged.
63. Nay, but their hearts are covered (blind) from understanding this (the Qur'ân), and they have other (evil) deeds, besides, which they are doing.
64. Until, when We grasp those of them who lead a luxurious life with punishment, behold! They make humble invocation with a loud voice.
65. Invoke not loudly this day! Certainly, you shall not be helped by Us.
66. Indeed My Verses used to be recited to you, but you used to turn back on your heels (denying them, and with hatred to listen to them).
67. In pride (they Quraish pagans and polytheists of Makkah used to feel proud that they are the dwellers of Makkah sanctuary Haram), talking evil about it (the Qur'ân) by night.
68. Have they not pondered over the Word (of Allâh, i.e. what is sent down to the Prophet SAW), or has there come to them what had not come to their fathers of old?
69. Or is it that they did not recognize their Messenger (Muhammad SAW) so they deny him?
70. Or say they: "There is madness in him?" Nay, but he brought them the truth [i.e. "(A) Tauhîd: Worshipping Allâh Alone in all aspects (B) The Qur'ân (C) The religion of Islâm,"] but most of them (the disbelievers) are averse to the truth.
71. And if the truth had been in accordance with their desires, verily, the heavens and the earth, and whosoever is therein would have been corrupted! Nay, We have brought them their reminder, but they turn away from their reminder.
72. Or is it that you (O Muhammad SAW) ask them for some wages? But the recompense of your Lord is better, and He is the Best of those who give sustenance.
73. And certainly, you (O Muhammad SAW) call them to a Straight Path (true religion Islâmic Monotheism).
74. And verily, those who believe not in the Hereafter are indeed deviating far astray from the Path (true religion Islâmic Monotheism).
75. And though We had mercy on them and removed the distress which is on them, still they would obstinately persist in their transgression, wandering blindly.
76. And indeed We seized them with punishment, but they humbled not themselves to their Lord, nor did they invoke (Allâh) with submission to Him.
77. Until, when We open for them the gate of severe punishment, then lo! They will be plunged into destruction with deep regrets, sorrows and in despair.
023.051
YUSUFALI: O ye
messengers! enjoy (all) things good and pure, and work righteousness: for I am
well-acquainted with (all) that ye do.
PICKTHAL: O ye
messengers! Eat of the good things, and do right. Lo! I am Aware of what ye do.
SHAKIR: O messengers!
eat of the good things and do good; surely I know what you do.
023.052
YUSUFALI: And verily
this Brotherhood of yours is a single Brotherhood, and I am your Lord and
Cherisher: therefore fear Me (and no other).
PICKTHAL: And lo! this
your religion is one religion and I am your Lord, so keep your duty unto Me.
SHAKIR: And surely
this your religion is one religion and I am your Lord, therefore be careful (of
your duty) to Me.
023.053
YUSUFALI: But people
have cut off their affair (of unity), between them, into sects: each party
rejoices in that which is with itself.
PICKTHAL: But they
(mankind) have broken their religion among them into sects, each group rejoicing
in its tenets.
SHAKIR: But they cut
off their religion among themselves into sects, each part rejoicing in that
which is with them.
023.054
YUSUFALI: But leave
them in their confused ignorance for a time.
PICKTHAL: So leave
them in their error till a time.
SHAKIR: Therefore
leave them in their overwhelming ignorance till
023.055
YUSUFALI: Do they
think that because We have granted them abundance of wealth and sons,
PICKTHAL: Think they
that in the wealth and sons wherewith We provide them
SHAKIR: Do they think
that by what We aid them with of wealth and children,
023.056
YUSUFALI: We would
hasten them on in every good? Nay, they do not understand.
PICKTHAL: We hasten
unto them with good things? Nay, but they perceive not.
SHAKIR: We are
hastening to them of good things? Nay, they do not perceive.
023.057
YUSUFALI: Verily those
who live in awe for fear of their Lord;
PICKTHAL: Lo! those
who go in awe for fear of their Lord.
SHAKIR: Surely they
who from fear of their Lord are cautious,
023.058
YUSUFALI: Those who
believe in the Signs of their Lord;
PICKTHAL: And those
who believe in the revelations of their Lord,
SHAKIR: And those who
believe in the communications of their Lord,
023.059
YUSUFALI: Those who
join not (in worship) partners with their Lord;
PICKTHAL: And those
who ascribe not partners unto their Lord,
SHAKIR: And those who
do not associate (aught) with their Lord,
023.060
YUSUFALI: And those
who dispense their charity with their hearts full of fear, because they will
return to their Lord;-
PICKTHAL: And those
who give that which they give with hearts afraid because they are about to
return unto their Lord,
SHAKIR: And those who
give what they give (in alms) while their hearts are full of fear that to their
Lord they must return,
023.061
YUSUFALI: It is these
who hasten in every good work, and these who are foremost in them.
PICKTHAL: These race
for the good things, and they shall win them in the race.
SHAKIR: These hasten
to good things and they are foremost in (attaining) them.
023.062
YUSUFALI: On no soul
do We place a burden greater than it can bear: before Us is a record which
clearly shows the truth: they will never be wronged.
PICKTHAL: And we task
not any soul beyond its scope, and with Us is a Record which speaketh the truth,
and they will not be wronged.
SHAKIR: And We do not
lay on any soul a burden except to the extent of its ability, and with Us is a
book which speaks the truth, and they shall not be dealt with unjustly.
023.063
YUSUFALI: But their
hearts are in confused ignorance of this; and there are, besides that, deeds of
theirs, which they will (continue) to do,-
PICKTHAL: Nay, but
their hearts are in ignorance of this (Qur'an), and they have other works,
besides, which they are doing;
SHAKIR: Nay, their
hearts are in overwhelming ignorance with respect to it and they have besides
this other deeds which they do.
023.064
YUSUFALI: Until, when
We seize in Punishment those of them who received the good things of this world,
behold, they will groan in supplication!
PICKTHAL: Till when We
grasp their luxurious ones with the punishment, behold! they supplicate.
SHAKIR: Until when We
overtake those who lead easy lives among them with punishment, lo! they cry for
succor.
023.065
YUSUFALI: (It will be
said): "Groan not in supplication this day: for ye shall certainly not be helped
by Us.
PICKTHAL: Supplicate
not this day! Assuredly ye will not be helped by Us.
SHAKIR: Cry not for
succor this day; surely you shall not be given help from Us.
023.066
YUSUFALI: "My Signs
used to be rehearsed to you, but ye used to turn back on your heels-
PICKTHAL: My
revelations were recited unto you, but ye used to turn back on your heels,
SHAKIR: My
communications were indeed recited to you, but you used to turn back on your
heels,
023.067
YUSUFALI: "In
arrogance: talking nonsense about the (Qur'an), like one telling fables by
night."
PICKTHAL: In scorn
thereof. Nightly did ye rave together.
SHAKIR: In arrogance;
talking nonsense about the Quran, and left him like one telling fables by night.
023.068
YUSUFALI: Do they not
ponder over the Word (of Allah), or has anything (new) come to them that did not
come to their fathers of old?
PICKTHAL: Have they
not pondered the Word, or hath that come unto them which came not unto their
fathers of old?
SHAKIR: Is it then
that they do not ponder over what is said, or is it that there has come to them
that which did not come to their fathers of old?
023.069
YUSUFALI: Or do they
not recognise their Messenger, that they deny him?
PICKTHAL: Or know they
not their messenger, and so reject him?
SHAKIR: Or is it that
they have not recognized their Messenger, so that they deny him?
023.070
YUSUFALI: Or do they
say, "He is possessed"? Nay, he has brought them the Truth, but most of them
hate the Truth.
PICKTHAL: Or say they:
There is a madness in him? Nay, but he bringeth them the Truth; and most of them
are haters of the Truth.
SHAKIR: Or do they
say: There is madness in him? Nay! he has brought them the truth, and most of
them are averse from the truth.
023.071
YUSUFALI: If the Truth
had been in accord with their desires, truly the heavens and the earth, and all
beings therein would have been in confusion and corruption! Nay, We have sent
them their admonition, but they turn away from their admonition.
PICKTHAL: And if the
Truth had followed their desires, verily the heavens and the earth and whosoever
is therein had been corrupted. Nay, We have brought them their Reminder, but
from their Reminder they now turn away.
SHAKIR: And should the
truth follow their low desires, surely the heavens and the earth and all those
who are therein would have perished. Nay! We have brought to them their
reminder, but from their reminder they turn aside.
023.072
YUSUFALI: Or is it
that thou askest them for some recompense? But the recompense of thy Lord is
best: He is the Best of those who give sustenance.
PICKTHAL: Or dost thou
ask of them (O Muhammad) any tribute? But the bounty of thy Lord is better, for
He is Best of all who make provision.
SHAKIR: Or is it that
you ask them a recompense? But the recompense of your Lord is best, and He is
the best of those who provide sustenance.
023.073
YUSUFALI: But verily
thou callest them to the Straight Way;
PICKTHAL: And lo! thou
summonest them indeed unto a straight path.
SHAKIR: And most
surely you invite them to a right way.
023.074
YUSUFALI: And verily
those who believe not in the Hereafter are deviating from that Way.
PICKTHAL: And lo!
those who believe not in the Hereafter are indeed astray from the path.
SHAKIR: And most
surely those who do not believe in the hereafter are deviating from the way.
023.075
YUSUFALI: If We had
mercy on them and removed the distress which is on them, they would obstinately
persist in their transgression, wandering in distraction to and fro.
PICKTHAL: Though We
had mercy on them and relieved them of the harm afflicting them, they still
would wander blindly on in their contumacy.
SHAKIR: And if We show
mercy to them and remove the distress they have, they would persist in their
inordinacy, blindly wandering on.
023.076
YUSUFALI: We inflicted
Punishment on them, but they humbled not themselves to their Lord, nor do they
submissively entreat (Him)!-
PICKTHAL: Already have
We grasped them with punishment, but they humble not themselves unto their Lord,
nor do they pray,
SHAKIR: And already We
overtook them with chastisement, but they were not submissive to their Lord, nor
do they humble themselves.
023.077
YUSUFALI: Until We
open on them a gate leading to a severe Punishment: then Lo! they will be
plunged in despair therein!
PICKTHAL: Until, when
We open for them the gate of extreme punishment, behold! they are aghast
thereat.
SHAKIR: Until when We
open upon them a door of severe chastisement, lo! they are in despair at it.
23 : 78
78. Wahuwa allathee anshaa lakumu alssamAAa waal-absara waal-af-idata qaleelan ma tashkuroona
He it is who has provided you with your ears and your eyes and your hearts and
yet you are so stingy in acknowledging your gratitude!
(We are
blessed with ears and eyes and hearts not just to be able to listen to good
music, or to watch the television or to keep our sweethearts in, but to listen
to the word of Allah, to observe His portents scattered all around us and to
absorb inside the deeper chambers of our mind whatever we hear and see with
them).
23 : 79
79. Wahuwa allathee tharaakum fee al-ardi wa-ilayhi tuhsharoona
And He it is who has proliferated you on the earth and to Him must you return one Day!
23 : 80
80. Wahuwa allathee yuhyee wayumeetu walahu ikhtilafu allayli waalnnahari afala taAAqiloona
And He it is who gives life and causes death and by His command is the sequence
of nights and days! Have you then no sense of perception?
(And
the sharp contrast between them, one being bright and the other dark; one being
hot and the other cool; one being progressively longer than the other; one meant
for exertions to make a living and the other for recuperation to recover from
the exertions; one meant for exposure and the other for privacy).
23 : 81
81. Bal qaloo mithla ma qala al-awwaloona
Nay! They say the same things which their predecessors used to say in the past!
23 : 82
82. Qaloo a-itha mitna wakunna turaban waAAithaman a-inna lamabAAoothoona
They said : 'When we are dead and have turned into dust and fossils, are we to be raised all over again?
23 : 83
83. Laqad wuAAidna nahnu waabaona hatha min qablu in hatha illa asateeru al-awwaleena
'We were already promised this, - we and our forefathers! Verily this is nothing but just tales from the bygone past!'
23 : 84
84. Qul limani al-ardu waman feeha in kuntum taAAlamoona
Say to them : 'To whom belongs the earth together with its constituents, if you have the knowledge?
23 : 85
85. Sayaqooloona lillahi qul afala tathakkaroona
They will say : 'To Allah!' Say : Why then do you not introspect?'
23 : 86
86. Qul man rabbu alssamawati alssabAAi warabbu alAAarshi alAAatheemi
Say : 'Who is the Lord of the seven heavens and Lord of the Transcendent Throne?'
23 : 87
87. Sayaqooloona lillahi qul afala tattaqoona
They will say : 'Such glory can only be Allah's!' Say : 'Why then do you not revere Him?"
23 : 88
88. Qul man biyadihi malakootu kulli shay-in wahuwa yujeeru wala yujaru AAalayhi in kuntum taAAlamoona
Say : 'In whose hands lies the control over all things, and He protects everyone while no one can protect anyone against Him - if you have the knowledge?
23 : 89
89. Sayaqooloona lillahi qul faanna tusharoona
They will say : 'Such glory can only be Allah's!' Say: 'Why then are you deluded?’
23 : 90
90. Bal ataynahum bialhaqqi wa-innahum lakathiboona
Nay, We brought them the truth but they verily are the mendacious!
23 : 91
91. Ma ittakhatha Allahu min waladin wama kana maAAahu min ilahin ithan lathahaba kullu ilahin bima khalaqa walaAAala baAAduhum AAala baAAdin subhana Allahi AAamma yasifoona
Allah has not chosen for Himself a son nor is there another god besides Him.
For, if such be the case, each god would have backed his own creation and each
would have attempted to excel the other! Exalted be Allah above the blasphemy
they impute -
(If two
kings cannot rule the same kingdom without clashing; if two commanders cannot
split their command without throwing the army into disarray; if two captains
cannot join hands and sail the ship safely to the shore; if even two chefs
cannot come to terms with sharing one kitchen, how could there be two or more
than two gods running the complex universe with mutual co-operation and a
combined effort? Not even in the mythologies of the Greeks and the Indians,
filled with bizarre stories of more than one god laying claims to Divinity was
such a thing possible; their gods were constantly at loggerheads with one
another; they waged mighty wars against each other or plotted to overthrow or to
excel their rivals by hook or by crook.
23 : 92
92. AAalimi alghaybi waalshshahadati fataAAala AAamma yushrikoona
He who is as much aware of the invisible as He is of the visible! May He transcend above the partners they ascribe to Him! (R)
OTHER
TRANSLATIONS BY MUHSIN, YUSUFALI, PICKTHAL AND SHAKIR:
MUHSIN:
78. It is He, Who has created for you (the sense of) hearing (ears), sight (eyes), and hearts (understanding). Little thanks you give.
79. And it is He Who has created you on the earth, and to Him you shall be gathered back.
80. And it is He Who gives life and causes death, and His is the alternation of night and day. Will you not then understand?
81. Nay, but they say the like of what the men of old said.
82. They said: "When we are dead and have become dust and bones, shall we be resurrected indeed?
83. "Verily, this we have been promised, we and our fathers before (us)! This is only the tales of the ancients!"
84. Say: "Whose is the earth and whosoever is therein? If you know!"
85. They will say: "It is Allâh's!" Say: "Will you not then remember?"
86. Say: "Who is (the) Lord of the seven heavens, and (the) Lord of the Great Throne?"
87. They will say: "Allâh." Say: "Will you not then fear Allâh (believe in His Oneness, obey Him, believe in the Resurrection and Recompense for each and every good or bad deed)."
88. Say "In Whose Hand is the sovereignty of everything (i.e. treasures of each and everything)? And He protects (all), while against Whom there is no protector, (i.e. if Allâh saves anyone none can punish or harm him, and if Allâh punishes or harms anyone none can save him), if you know." [Tafsir Al-Qurtubî, Vol. 12, Page 145]
89. They will say: "(All that belongs) to Allâh." Say: "How then are you deceived and turn away from the truth?"
90. Nay, but We have brought them the truth (Islâmic Monotheism), and verily, they (disbelievers) are liars.
91. No son (or offspring or children) did Allâh beget, nor is there any ilâh (god) along with Him; (if there had been many gods), behold, each god would have taken away what he had created, and some would have tried to overcome others! Glorified be Allâh above all that they attribute to Him!
92. All-Knower of the unseen and the seen! Exalted be He over all that they associate as partners to Him!
023.078
YUSUFALI: It is He Who
has created for you (the faculties of) hearing, sight, feeling and
understanding: little thanks it is ye give!
PICKTHAL: He it is Who
hath created for you ears and eyes and hearts. Small thanks give ye!
SHAKIR: And He it is
Who made for you the ears and the eyes and the hearts; little is it that you
give thanks.
023.079
YUSUFALI: And He has
multiplied you through the earth, and to Him shall ye be gathered back.
PICKTHAL: And He it is
Who hath sown you broadcast in the earth, and unto Him ye will be gathered.
SHAKIR: And He it is
Who multiplied you in the earth, and to Him you shall be gathered.
023.080
YUSUFALI: It is He Who
gives life and death, and to Him (is due) the alternation of Night and Day: will
ye not then understand?
PICKTHAL: And He it is
Who giveth life and causeth death, and His is the difference of night and day.
Have ye then no sense?
SHAKIR: And He it is
Who gives life and causes death, and (in) His (control) is the alternation of
the night and the day; do you not then understand?
023.081
YUSUFALI: On the
contrary they say things similar to what the ancients said.
PICKTHAL: Nay, but
they say the like of that which said the men of old;
SHAKIR: Nay, they say
the like of what the ancients said:
023.082
YUSUFALI: They say:
"What! when we die and become dust and bones, could we really be raised up
again?
PICKTHAL: They say:
When we are dead and have become (mere) dust and bones, shall we then, forsooth,
be raised again?
SHAKIR: They say:
What! When we are dead and become dust and bones, shall we then be raised?
023.083
YUSUFALI: "Such things
have been promised to us and to our fathers before! they are nothing but tales
of the ancients!"
PICKTHAL: We were
already promised this, we and our forefathers. Lo! this is naught but fables of
the men of old.
SHAKIR: Certainly we
are promised this, and (so were) our fathers aforetime; this is naught but
stories of those of old.
023.084
YUSUFALI: Say: "To
whom belong the earth and all beings therein? (say) if ye know!"
PICKTHAL: Say: Unto
Whom (belongeth) the earth and whosoever is therein, if ye have knowledge?
SHAKIR: Say: Whose is
the earth, and whoever is therein, if you know?
023.085
YUSUFALI: They will
say, "To Allah!" say: "Yet will ye not receive admonition?"
PICKTHAL: They will
say: Unto Allah. Say: Will ye not then remember?
SHAKIR: They will say:
Allah's. Say: Will you not then mind?
023.086
YUSUFALI: Say: "Who is
the Lord of the seven heavens, and the Lord of the Throne (of Glory) Supreme?"
PICKTHAL: Say: Who is
Lord of the seven heavens, and Lord of the Tremendous Throne?
SHAKIR: Say: Who is
the Lord of the seven heavens and the Lord of the mighty dominion?
023.087
YUSUFALI: They will
say, "(They belong) to Allah." Say: "Will ye not then be filled with awe?"
PICKTHAL: They will
say: Unto Allah (all that belongeth). Say: Will ye not then keep duty (unto
Him)?
SHAKIR: They will say:
(This is) Allah's. Say: Will you not then guard (against evil)?
023.088
YUSUFALI: Say: "Who is
it in whose hands is the governance of all things,- who protects (all), but is
not protected (of any)? (say) if ye know."
PICKTHAL: Say: In
Whose hand is the dominion over all things and He protecteth, while against Him
there is no protection, if ye have knowledge?
SHAKIR: Say: Who is it
in Whose hand is the kingdom of all things and Who gives succor, but against Him
Succor is not given, if you do but know?
023.089
YUSUFALI: They will
say, "(It belongs) to Allah." Say: "Then how are ye deluded?"
PICKTHAL: They will
say: Unto Allah (all that belongeth). Say: How then are ye bewitched?
SHAKIR: They will say:
(This is) Allah's. Say: From whence are you then deceived?
023.090
YUSUFALI: We have sent
them the Truth: but they indeed practise falsehood!
PICKTHAL: Nay, but We
have brought them the Truth, and lo! they are liars.
SHAKIR: Nay! We have
brought to them the truth, and most surely they are liars.
023.091
YUSUFALI: No son did
Allah beget, nor is there any god along with Him: (if there were many gods),
behold, each god would have taken away what he had created, and some would have
lorded it over others! Glory to Allah! (He is free) from the (sort of) things
they attribute to Him!
PICKTHAL: Allah hath
not chosen any son, nor is there any god along with Him; else would each god
have assuredly championed that which he created, and some of them would
assuredly have overcome others. Glorified be Allah above all that they allege.
SHAKIR: Never did
Allah take to Himself a son, and never was there with him any (other) god-- in
that case would each god have certainly taken away what he created, and some of
them would certainly have overpowered others; glory be to Allah above what they
describe!
023.092
YUSUFALI: He knows
what is hidden and what is open: too high is He for the partners they attribute
to Him!
PICKTHAL: Knower of
the Invisible and the Visible! and Exalted be He over all that they ascribe as
partners (unto Him)!
SHAKIR: The Knower of
the unseen and the seen, so may He be exalted above what they associate (with
Him).
23 : 93
93. Qul rabbi imma turiyannee ma yooAAadoona
Say : 'My Lord! If you were to show me but a glimpse of that which is promised to them -
23 : 94
94. Rabbi fala tajAAalnee fee alqawmi alththalimeena
'Then my Lord! Include me not with the sinful!'
23 : 95
95. Wa-inna AAala an nuriyaka ma naAAiduhum laqadiroona
And verily
We do possess the power to show you that which has been promised to them!
(While
the prayer contained in verses 93 and 94 is intended for to the Prophet, the
rest of us can also benefit from it by incorporating it in our routine Salaat
and invoke Allah not to include us among those for whom His chastisement is set
aside. Besides this, it also contains a reminder to the disbelievers that, If He
wished to make that chastisement manifest to the believers, He has the power and
the ability to do so).
23 : 96
96. IdfaAA biallatee hiya ahsanu alssayyi-ata nahnu aAAlamu bima yasifoona
Repel the worst of evil with that which is the best and beware that We are aware
of whatever they concoct!
(This
verse has many a deeper connotation : apart from repelling turpitude with
virtue, it also means defeating the evils of polytheism with the power of
monotheism; or defeating the evils of solecism and sinfulness by establishing
virtue and righteousness; or defeating the evils of transgression by means of
tolerance and forgiveness).
23 : 97
97. Waqul rabbi aAAoothu bika min hamazati alshshayateeni
And say : ‘My Lord! I seek refuge in you from the temptations of the Evil Ones.
23 : 98
98. WaaAAoothu bika rabbi an yahdurooni
'And I seek refuge in you, my Lord, lest they surround me!’
23 : 99
99. Hatta itha jaa ahadahumu almawtu qala rabbi irjiAAooni
Until when the moment of death approaches one of them and he says : 'My Lord! Send me back -
23 : 100
100. LaAAallee aAAmalu salihan feema taraktu kalla innaha kalimatun huwa qa-iluha wamin wara-ihim barzakhun ila yawmi yubAAathoona
'So that I
may earn a little good by means of that which I have left behind!' Nay, but it
merely is a word that he utters with his mouth! Besides, there is a barrier of
time between their death and the Day they are raised again!
(The
Arabic word Barzaq used here means a barrier, or a partition, which has
led certain commentators to say that it refers to the interval which
prevails between the moment of death and the moment of Resurrection; and others
to say that death itself is the barrier as no one dies twice in the same span of
life; once we have crossed this barrier and emerged on the other side, there is
no question of our being allowed to return to this side again and cross the
point of no return for the second time. It reiterates the oft-repeated
admonition to the disbelievers that, if they feel remorse, they should repent at
once).
23 : 101
101. Fa-itha nufikha fee alssoori fala ansaba baynahum yawma-ithin wala yatasaaloona
And when the Trumpet is blown, there will be no blood bonds between them on that Day nor would they ask about each other!
23 : 102
102. Faman thaqulat mawazeenuhu faola-ika humu almuflihoona
Then those whose scales tilt in their favour shall attain redemption -
23 : 103
103. Waman khaffat mawazeenuhu faola-ika allatheena khasiroo anfusahum fee jahannama khalidoona
Those whose scales tilt against them will loose their souls and abide in hell forever!
23 : 104
104. Talfahu wujoohahumu alnnaru wahum feeha kalihoona
The flames
will scorch their faces and will make them look utterly grotesque!
(According to a Hadith, the flames will cause the upper lip to cover the upper
part of the face as far as half the head and the lower lip to cover the lower
part of the body as far as the belly-button, - which paints a pretty sordid
picture of what grotesque truly implies)
23 : 105
105. Alam takun ayatee tutla AAalaykum fakuntum biha tukaththiboona
(It will be said) : 'Were not my revelations recited to you which you kept refuting?'
23 : 106
106. Qaloo rabbana ghalabat AAalayna shiqwatuna wakunna qawman dalleena
They say : 'Our Lord! Our ill luck took the better of us and we were a misguided folk!
23 : 107
107. Rabbana akhrijna minha fa-in AAudna fa-inna thalimoona
'Our Lord! Deliver us from this! And if we revert to apostasy once again, we will surely be of the sinful!'
23 : 108
108. Qala ikhsaoo feeha wala tukallimooni
He will say : 'Hush up and speak not to me!'
* * *
Context of Revelation : The following verses were revealed regarding the disbelievers of Mecca who were sparing no scruples in mocking the Prophet's closest associates
23 : 109
109. Innahu kana fareequn min AAibadee yaqooloona rabbana amanna faighfir lana wairhamna waanta khayru alrrahimeena
Verily there was a group amongst my slaves who used to say : 'O our Lord! We are believers so forgive us and have mercy on us, for you are the most profuse in mercy!'
23 : 110
110. Faittakhathtumoohum sikhriyyan hatta ansawkum thikree wakuntum minhum tadhakoona
But you turned them into a laughing stock and became so preoccupied with laughing at them that it caused you to forget remembering Me!
23 : 111
111. Innee jazaytuhumu alyawma bima sabaroo annahum humu alfa-izoona
This day I have rewarded them for their patience and have made them triumphant over you!
* * *
23 : 112
112. Qala kam labithtum fee al-ardi AAadada sineena
He will say (to the disbelievers) : 'For how long has your sojourn on earth lasted, in terms of years?'
23 : 113
113. Qaloo labithna yawman aw baAAda yawmin fais-ali alAAaddeena
They will say : 'We lasted for a day or a part of it! Ask of those who keep count!
23 : 114
114. Qala in labithtum illa qaleelan law annakum kuntum taAAlamoona
He will say : 'You lasted for but a very short while, if only you knew!
23 : 115
115. Afahasibtum annama khalaqnakum AAabathan waannakum ilayna la turjaAAoona
Deemed you
then that We created you for no purpose and that you would not be returned to
Us?
(The question asked takes us back once again to the genesis as contended by the Qur'aan and discussed at length in Surah 2. When Allah decided to create Man, what did He say to the Angels? Did He say that He was going to create a toy with a will and a mind of his own and place him on earth to amuse Himself? Did He say that the earth, laden with one marvel upon the other, is nonetheless short of the one which would excel the others and hence it needed to be provided with? When He banished Adam and Eve from Paradise, did He say to them that, all they needed to do for regaining their lost Paradise was to live on earth for an appointed term and come back?
The answer to all these questions is ‘No!’. Allah created Adam to act as His Regent on earth; He wanted his progeny to produce from their loins a new font in their own images and populate the earth so that they could take control of the planet, rule the beasts, subjugate the elements, sail across oceans, fly in the sky, conquer space, bring forth astounding and unheard of innovations, sing, dance, compete, communicate in many languages, learn to adapt themselves to all sorts of climatic conditions and much more, with the use of that one amazing, extra-ordinary and complex ingredient called the human brain, given only to him by Allah!
But man was not blessed with this unique accolade without any strings attached. Though a master in his own right, he was required to subjugate himself to the Master who ruled above him, pay Him a toll, as it were, in recognition of His overriding sovereignty, abide by His commandments, follow His rules, remain within the boundaries imposed on him by His messengers and His Scriptures, play everything by His rules and then face a trial, either for a punishment or for a reward.
It was,
therefore, utterly foolish on part of a handful of Meccan idolaters, by
comparison to the countless multitudes that throng the earth, to think that
Allah created them for no purpose and gave them a whole large chunk of the
desert to occupy, to benefit from and to rule over!)
23 : 116
116. FataAAala Allahu almaliku alhaqqu la ilaha illa huwa rabbu alAAarshi alkareemi
The most exalted of all is Allah, the true King! There is no God save Him, the Lord of the Throne of Grace!
23 : 117
117. Waman yadAAu maAAa Allahi ilahan akhara la burhana lahu bihi fa-innama hisabuhu AAinda rabbihi innahu la yuflihu alkafiroona
And He who worships another god alongside Allah of which he has no proof, He will be held to account before his Lord! Verily the disbelievers would not succeed!
23 : 118
118. Waqul rabbi ighfir wairham waanta khayru alrrahimeena
And say (O Mohammed) : 'My Lord! Forgive and have mercy, for you are profound in mercy!’ (R)
OTHER
TRANSLATIONS BY MUHSIN, YUSUFALI, PICKTHAL AND SHAKIR:
MUHSIN:
93. Say (O Muhammad SAW): " My Lord! If You would show me that with which they are threatened (torment),
94. "My Lord! Then (save me from Your Punishment), and put me not amongst the people who are the Zâlimûn (polytheists and wrong-doing)."
95. And indeed We are Able to show you (O Muhammad SAW) that with which We have threatened them.
96. Repel evil with that which is better. We are Best-Acquainted with the things they utter.
97. And say: "My Lord! I seek refuge with You from the whisperings (suggestions) of the Shayâtin (devils).
98. "And I seek refuge with You, My Lord! lest they may attend (or come near) me."
99. Until, when death comes to one of them (those who join partners with Allâh), he says: "My Lord! Send me back,
100. "So that I may do good in that which I have left behind!" No! It is but a word that he speaks, and behind them is Barzakh (a barrier) until the Day when they will be resurrected.
101. Then, when the Trumpet is blown, there will be no kinship among them that Day, nor will they ask of one another.
102. Then, those whose scales (of good deeds) are heavy, - these, they are the successful.
103. And those whose scales (of good deeds) are light, they are those who lose their ownselves, in Hell will they abide.
104. The Fire will burn their faces, and therein they will grin, with displaced lips (disfigured).
105. "Were not My Verses (this Qur'ân) recited to you, and then you used to deny them?"
106. They will say: "Our Lord! Our wretchedness overcame us, and we were (an) erring people.
107. "Our Lord! Bring us out of this; if ever we return (to evil), then indeed we shall be Zâlimûn: (polytheists, oppressors, unjust, and wrong-doers, etc.)."
108. He (Allâh) will say: "Remain you in it with ignominy! And speak you not to Me!"
109. Verily! There was a party of My slaves, who used to say: "Our Lord! We believe, so forgive us, and have mercy on us, for You are the Best of all who show mercy!"
110. But you took them for a laughingstock, so much so that they made you forget My Remembrance while you used to laugh at them!
111. Verily! I have rewarded them this Day for their patience, they are indeed the ones that are successful.
112. He (Allâh) will say: "What number of years did you stay on earth?"
113. They will say: "We stayed a day or part of a day. Ask of those who keep account."
114. He (Allâh) will say: "You stayed not but a little, if you had only known!
115. "Did you think that We had created you in play (without any purpose), and that you would not be brought back to Us?"
116. So Exalted be Allâh, the True King, Lâ ilâha illa Huwa (none has the right to be worshipped but He), the Lord of the Supreme Throne!
117. And whoever invokes (or worships), besides Allâh, any other ilâh (god), of whom he has no proof, then his reckoning is only with his Lord. Surely! Al-Kâfirûn (the disbelievers in Allâh and in the Oneness of Allâh, polytheists, pagans, idolaters, etc.) will not be successful.
118. And say (O Muhammad SAW): "My Lord! Forgive and have mercy, for You are the Best of those who show mercy!"
023.093
YUSUFALI: Say: "O my
Lord! if Thou wilt show me (in my lifetime) that which they are warned against,-
PICKTHAL: Say: My
Lord! If Thou shouldst show me that which they are promised.
SHAKIR: Say: O my
Lord! if Thou shouldst make me see what they are threatened with:
023.094
YUSUFALI: "Then, O my
Lord! put me not amongst the people who do wrong!"
PICKTHAL: My Lord!
then set me not among the wrongdoing folk.
SHAKIR: My Lord! then
place me not with the unjust.
023.095
YUSUFALI: And We are
certainly able to show thee (in fulfilment) that against which they are warned.
PICKTHAL: And verily
We are Able to show thee that which We have promised them.
SHAKIR: And most
surely We are well able to make you see what We threaten them with.
023.096
YUSUFALI: Repel evil
with that which is best: We are well acquainted with the things they say.
PICKTHAL: Repel evil
with that which is better. We are Best Aware of that which they allege.
SHAKIR: Repel evil by
what is best; We know best what they describe.
023.097
YUSUFALI: And say "O
my Lord! I seek refuge with Thee from the suggestions of the Evil Ones.
PICKTHAL: And say: My
Lord! I seek refuge in Thee from suggestions of the evil ones,
SHAKIR: And say: O my
Lord! I seek refuge in Thee from the evil suggestions of the Shaitans;
023.098
YUSUFALI: "And I seek
refuge with Thee O my Lord! lest they should come near me."
PICKTHAL: And I seek
refuge in Thee, my Lord, lest they be present with me,
SHAKIR: And I seek
refuge in Thee! O my Lord! from their presence.
023.099
YUSUFALI: (In
Falsehood will they be) Until, when death comes to one of them, he says: "O my
Lord! send me back (to life),-
PICKTHAL: Until, when
death cometh unto one of them, he saith: My Lord! Send me back,
SHAKIR: Until when
death overtakes one of them, he says: Send me back, my Lord, send me back;
023.100
YUSUFALI: "In order
that I may work righteousness in the things I neglected." - "By no means! It is
but a word he says."- Before them is a Partition till the Day they are raised
up.
PICKTHAL: That I may
do right in that which I have left behind! But nay! It is but a word that he
speaketh; and behind them is a barrier until the day when they are raised.
SHAKIR: Haply I may do
good in that which I have left. By no means! it is a (mere) word that he speaks;
and before them is a barrier until the day they are raised.
023.101
YUSUFALI: Then when
the Trumpet is blown, there will be no more relationships between them that Day,
nor will one ask after another!
PICKTHAL: And when the
trumpet is blown there will be no kinship among them that day, nor will they ask
of one another.
SHAKIR: So when the
trumpet is blown, there shall be no ties of relationship between them on that
day, nor shall they ask of each other.
023.102
YUSUFALI: Then those
whose balance (of good deeds) is heavy,- they will attain salvation:
PICKTHAL: Then those
whose scales are heavy, they are the successful.
SHAKIR: Then as for
him whose good deeds are preponderant, these are the successful.
023.103
YUSUFALI: But those
whose balance is light, will be those who have lost their souls, in Hell will
they abide.
PICKTHAL: And those
whose scales are light are those who lose their souls, in hell abiding.
SHAKIR: And as for him
whose good deeds are light, these are they who shall have lost their souls,
abiding in hell
023.104
YUSUFALI: The Fire
will burn their faces, and they will therein grin, with their lips displaced.
PICKTHAL: The fire
burneth their faces, and they are glum therein.
SHAKIR: The fire shall
scorch their faces, and they therein shall be in severe affliction.
023.105
YUSUFALI: "Were not My
Signs rehearsed to you, and ye did but treat them as falsehood?"
PICKTHAL: (It will be
said): Were not My revelations recited unto you, and then ye used to deny them?
SHAKIR: Were not My
communications recited to you? But you used to reject them.
023.106
YUSUFALI: They will
say: "our Lord! Our misfortune overwhelmed us, and we became a people astray!
PICKTHAL: They will
say: Our Lord! Our evil fortune conquered us, and we were erring folk.
SHAKIR: They shall
say: O our Lord! our adversity overcame us and we were an erring people:
023.107
YUSUFALI: "Our Lord!
bring us out of this: if ever we return (to Evil), then shall we be wrong-doers
indeed!"
PICKTHAL: Our Lord!
Oh, bring us forth from hence! If we return (to evil) then indeed we shall be
wrong-doers.
SHAKIR: O our Lord!
Take us out of it; then if we return (to evil) surely we shall be unjust.
023.108
YUSUFALI: He will say:
"Be ye driven into it (with ignominy)! And speak ye not to Me!
PICKTHAL: He saith:
Begone therein, and speak not unto Me.
SHAKIR: He shall say:
Go away into it and speak nat to Me;
023.109
YUSUFALI: "A part of
My servants there was, who used to pray 'our Lord! we believe; then do Thou
forgive us, and have mercy upon us: For Thou art the Best of those who show
mercy!"
PICKTHAL: Lo! there
was a party of My slaves who said: Our Lord! We believe, therefor forgive us and
have mercy on us for Thou art Best of all who show mercy;
SHAKIR: Surely there
was a party of My servants who said: O OUI . Lord! we believe, so do Thou
forgive us and have mercy on us, and Thou art the best of the Merciful ones.
023.110
YUSUFALI: "But ye
treated them with ridicule, so much so that (ridicule of) them made you forget
My Message while ye were laughing at them!
PICKTHAL: But ye chose
them for a laughing-stock until they caused you to forget remembrance of Me,
while ye laughed at them.
SHAKIR: But you took
them for a mockery until they made you forget My remembrance and you used to
laugh at them.
023.111
YUSUFALI: "I have
rewarded them this Day for their patience and constancy: they are indeed the
ones that have achieved Bliss..."
PICKTHAL: Lo! I have
rewarded them this day forasmuch as they were steadfast in that they, even they,
are the triumphant.
SHAKIR: Surely I have
rewarded them this day because they were patient, that they are the achievers.
023.112
YUSUFALI: He will say:
"What number of years did ye stay on earth?"
PICKTHAL: He will say:
How long tarried ye in the earth, counting by years?
SHAKIR: He will say:
How many years did you tarry in the earth?
023.113
YUSUFALI: They will
say: "We stayed a day or part of a day: but ask those who keep account."
PICKTHAL: They will
say: We tarried by a day or part of a day. Ask of those who keep count!
SHAKIR: They will say:
We tarried a day or part of a day, but ask those who keep account.
023.114
YUSUFALI: He will say:
"Ye stayed not but a little,- if ye had only known!
PICKTHAL: He will say:
Ye tarried but a little if ye only knew.
SHAKIR: He will say:
You did tarry but a little-- had you but known (it):
023.115
YUSUFALI: "Did ye then
think that We had created you in jest, and that ye would not be brought back to
Us (for account)?"
PICKTHAL: Deemed ye
then that We had created you for naught, and that ye would not be returned unto
Us?
SHAKIR: What! did you
then think that We had created you in vain and that you shall not be returned to
Us?
023.116
YUSUFALI: Therefore
exalted be Allah, the King, the Reality: there is no god but He, the Lord of the
Throne of Honour!
PICKTHAL: Now Allah be
Exalted, the True King! There is no Allah save Him, the Lord of the Throne of
Grace.
SHAKIR: So exalted be
Allah, the True King; no god is there but He, the Lord of the honorable
dominion.
023.117
YUSUFALI: If anyone
invokes, besides Allah, Any other god, he has no authority therefor; and his
reckoning will be only with his Lord! and verily the Unbelievers will fail to
win through!
PICKTHAL: He who
crieth unto any other god along with Allah hath no proof thereof. His reckoning
is only with his Lord. Lo! disbelievers will not be successful.
SHAKIR: And whoever
invokes with Allah another god-- he has no proof of this-- his reckoning is only
with his Lord; surely the unbelievers shall not be successful.
023.118
YUSUFALI: So say: "O
my Lord! grant Thou forgiveness and mercy for Thou art the Best of those who
show mercy!"
PICKTHAL: And (O
Muhammad) say: My Lord! Forgive and have mercy, for Thou art Best of all who
show mercy.
SHAKIR: And say: O my
Lord! forgive and have mercy, and Thou art the best of the Merciful ones.