INTRODUCTION:
This Surah consists of 93 verses, 1,317 sentences, 4,799 letters and 7 Ruku's.
Name
It takes its name from the phrase wadin-naml which occurs in verse 18, implying that it is a Surah in which the story of An-Naml (the Ant) has been related.
The subject matter and the style bear full resemblance with the Surahs of the middle Makkan period and this is supported by traditions as well. According to Ibn Abbas and Jabir bin Zaid, "First the Surah Ash Shuaraa was sent down, then the Surah An Naml and then Al-Qasas."
The Surah consists of two discourses, the first from the beginning of the Surah to the end of verse 58, and the second from verse 59 to the end of the Surah. The theme of the first discourse is that only those people can benefit from the guidance of the Quran and become worthy of the good promises made in it, who accept the realities which this Book presents as the basic realities of the universe, and then follow up their belief with obedience and submission in their practical lives as well. But the greatest hindrance for man to follow this way is the denial of the Hereafter. For it makes him irresponsible, selfish and given to worldly life, which in turn makes it impossible for him to submit himself before God and to accept the moral restrictions on his lusts and desires. After this introduction three types of character have been presented.
The first type is characterised by Pharoah and the chiefs of Thamud and the rebels of the people of Lot, who were all heedless of the accountability of the Hereafter and had consequently become the slaves of the world. These people did not believe even after seeing the miracles. Rather they turned against those who invited them to goodness and piety. They persisted in their evil ways which are held in abhorrence by every sensible person. They did not heed the admonition even until a moment before they were overtaken by the scourge of Allah.
The second type of character is of the Prophet Solomon (peace be upon him), who had been blessed by God with wealth and kingdom and grandeur to an extent undreamt of by the chiefs of the disbelievers of Makkah. But, since he regarded himself as answerable before God and had the feeling that whatever he had was only due to Allah's bounty, he had adopted the attitude of obediance before Him and there was no tinge of vanity in his character.
The third type is of the queen of Sheba, who ruled over a most wealthy and well known people in the history of Arabia. She possessed all those means of life, which could cause a person to become vain and conceited. Her wealth and possessions far exceeded the wealth and possessions of the Quraish. Then she professed shirk, which was not only an ancestral way of life with her, but she had to follow it in order to maintain her position as a ruler. Therefore, it was much more difficult for her to give up shirk and adopt the way of tauhid than it could be for a common mushrik. But when the Truth became evident to her, nothing could stop her from accepting it. Her deviation was, in fact, due to her being born and brought up in a polytheistic environment and not because of her being a slave to her lusts and desires. Her conscience was not devoid of the sense of accountability before God.
In the second discourse, at the outset, attention has been drawn to some of the most glaring and visible realities of the universe, and the disbelievers of Makkah have been asked one question after the other to the effect: "Do these realities testify to the creed of shirk which you are following, or to the truth of tauhid to which the Quran invites you?" After this the real malady of the disbelievers has been pointed out, saying, "The thing which has blinded them and made them insensitive to every glaring reality is their denial of the Hereafter. This same thing has rendered every matter and affair of life non-serious for them. For, when according to them, everything has to become dust ultimately, and the whole struggle of life is purposeless and without an object before it, the truth and falsehood are equal and alike. Therefore, the question whether one's system of life is based on the right or wrong foundations, becomes meaningless for him."
But the discourse, as outlined above, is not meant to dissuade the Prophet and the Muslims from calling the obdurate and heedless people to the way of tauhid; it is, in fact, intended to arouse them from their slumber. That is why in vv. 67-93 certain things have been said repeatedly in order to produce in the people a sense of the Hereafter, to warn them of the consequences of being heedless of it, and to convince them of its coining, like an eye witness of something, who convinces the other person of it, who has not seen it.
In conclusion, the real invitation of the Quran, that is, the invitation to serve One Allah alone, has been presented in a concise but forceful manner, and the people warned that accepting it would be to their own advantage and rejecting it to their own disadvantage. For if they deferred their faith until they saw those Signs of God after the appearance of which they would be left with no choice but to believe and submit, they should bear in mind the fact that that would be the time of judgement and believing then would be of no avail.
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.
27 : 1
1. Ta-seen tilka ayatu alqur-ani wakitabin mubeenin
TâSîn. These are revelations of the Qur'aan, a Scripture which makes plain -
27 : 2
2. Hudan wabushra lilmu/mineena
And gives guidance and good tidings to the believers -
27 : 3
3. Allatheena yuqeemoona alssalata wayu/toona alzzakata wahum bial-akhirati hum yooqinoona
And to those who establish worship and give to the deserving their dues and believe in the Hereafter.
27 : 4
4. Inna allatheena la yu/minoona bial-akhirati zayyanna lahum aAAmalahum fahum yaAAmahoona
And verily as for those who believe not in the Hereafter, we have deliberately made their wicked deeds seem fair to them so that they remain forever at bay!
27 : 5
5. Ola-ika allatheena lahum soo-o alAAathabi wahum fee al-akhirati humu al-akhsaroona
These are the people for whom awaits a severe castigation and in the Hereafter they will be the biggest losers.
27 : 6
6. Wa-innaka latulaqqa alqur-ana min ladun hakeemin AAaleemin
And verily you (O Mohammed) are being taught this Qur'aan by a profoundly Wise and the most Erudite of teachers!
27 : 7
7. Ith qala moosa li-ahlihi innee anastu naran saateekum minha bikhabarin aw ateekum bishihabin qabasin laAAallakum tastaloona
(Remember)
when Moses
said to his wife : 'I notice a fire in the distance. I will soon bring you news
about what it is or bring a live torch from it so that you keep warm.'
(This incident, as has been elucidated in the preceding Surahs, bears an important message regarding how Allah manipulates the course of events to fit into the plans He has already devised for mankind.
Moses sets out from Midian along with his heavily pregnant wife to go to Egypt and see his mother.
In order to avoid the risks of running into hostile elements on the main highway, he chooses a less conspicuous and perilous route to travel which takes him to the vicinity of Mount Sinai on which a momentous drama is destined to unfold.
It is a dark and bitterly cold night, festered by the noises of nocturnal beings. A blizzard is in progress, which has concealed everything from sight. Moses and his family have no idea whether they are going the right way or have strayed away into wilderness; there is no one around to guide them nor or they in possession of any aids to determine the right course, - a plight very similar to the plight of those who have gone astray from the right path and are groping around in the voids of ignorance for guidance and directions.
At a time like that, his wife goes into labour. There is an urgent need for some light and some warmth, - the light of ‘guidance’ and the warmth of ‘faith‘, - as it were!
In desperation, Moses comes out of the tent and looks around intently for something or anything that could alleviate that darkness and warm up the tent.
Somewhere in the distance, piercing through the thick layers of darkness, he notices a curious glare almost as if waiting for him to be explored.
Without realizing that it is, in fact, the Light of Allah shining through the pitch darkness of ignorance, he heads towards it.
His message to his household is : ‘Wait here! I will bring some tidings or some light!’
And
that is precisely what he brings with him when he returns from the Mount :
tidings, not just for his wife and his household but for the Children of Israel
suffering a worse plight than them at the hands of the Egyptians; and the Light
of knowledge that was to combat the forces of darkness through the coming
centuries - the very first Divine revelation, heralding the arrival of two more,
for the benefit of all mankind).
27 : 8
8. Falamma jaaha noodiya an boorika man fee alnnari waman hawlaha wasubhana Allahi rabbi alAAalameena
Then, as he approached the fire, he heard a voice saying : 'Blessed is he who stands by the fire and blessed are they who surround it! And glorified be Allah, the Lord of the Worlds!
27 : 9
9. Ya moosa innahu ana Allahu alAAazeezu alhakeemu
'O Moses! I am None other than Allah, the Meritorious and the Wise!
27 : 10
10. Waalqi AAasaka falamma raaha tahtazzu kaannaha jannun walla mudbiran walam yuAAaqqib ya moosa la takhaf innee la yakhafu ladayya almursaloona
'And throw down your staff!' But when he did and saw it come to life as though it were an illusion, he turned round and started to flee without looking back! Then (it was said to him) : 'O Moses! Fear not, for verily My messengers have no reason to fear in My presence
27 : 11
11. Illa man thalama thumma baddala husnan baAAda soo-in fa-innee ghafoorun raheemun
'Except him who has perpetrated evil; but afterwards, if he exchanges the evil deed with a good deed, then verily I am Magnanimous and Merciful!
27 : 12
12. Waadkhil yadaka fee jaybika takhruj baydaa min ghayri soo-in fee tisAAi ayatin ila firAAawna waqawmihi innahum kanoo qawman fasiqeena
'And slip your hand inside your robe and then draw it out. It will come forth lucent, though not from any disease! This would be one of nine tokens for Pharaoh and his warlords. Verily they are a degenerate folk!
27 : 13
13. Falamma jaat-hum ayatuna mubsiratan qaloo hatha sihrun mubeenun
But when Our tokens were displayed to them, they said : 'This is mere sorcery!'
27 : 14
14. Wajahadoo biha waistayqanat-ha anfusuhum thulman waAAuluwwan faonthur kayfa kana AAaqibatu almufsideena
And they vituperated them, even though their hearts were convinced, out of sheer spite and defiance! So behold the final outcome for those who defied! (R)
OTHER TRANSLATIONS BY MUHSIN, YUSUFALI, PICKTHAL AND SHAKIR:
MUHSIN:
1. TâSîn.
[These letters are one of the miracles of the Qur'ân, and none but Allâh (Alone) knows their meanings]. These are the Verses of the Qur'ân, and (it is) a Book (that makes things) clear;
2. A guide (to the Right Path); and glad tidings for the believers [who believe in the Oneness of Allâh (i.e. Islâmic Monotheism)].
3. Those who perform AsSalât (IqâmatasSalât) and give Zakât and they believe with certainty in the Hereafter (resurrection, recompense of their good and bad deeds, Paradise and Hell, etc.).
4. Verily, those who believe not in the Hereafter, We have made their deeds fair-seeming to them, so they wander about blindly.
5. They are those for whom there will be an evil torment (in this world). And in the Hereafter they will be the greatest losers.
6. And verily, you (O Muhammad SAW) are receiving the Qur'ân from the One, All-Wise, All-Knowing.
7. (Remember) when Mûsa (Moses) said to his household: "Verily! I have seen a fire, I will bring you from there some information, or I will bring you a burning brand, that you may warm yourselves."
8. But when he came to it, he was called: "Blessed is whosoever is in the fire, and whosoever is round about it! And glorified be Allâh, the Lord of the 'Alamîn (mankind, jinns and all that exists).
9. "O Mûsa (Moses)! Verily! It is I, Allâh, the All-Mighty, the All-Wise.
10. "And throw down your stick!" But when he saw it moving as if it were a snake, he turned in flight, and did not look back. (It was said): "O Mûsa (Moses)! Fear not, verily! The Messengers fear not in front of Me.
11. "Except him who has done wrong and afterwards has changed evil for good, then surely, I am Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.
12. "And put your hand into your bosom, it will come forth white without hurt. (These are) among the nine signs (you will take) to Fir'aun (Pharaoh) and his people, they are a people who are the Fâsiqûn (rebellious, disobedient to Allâh).
13. But when Our Ayât (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.) came to them, clear to see, they said: "This is a manifest magic."
14. And they belied them (those Ayât) wrongfully and arrogantly, though their ownselves were convinced thereof [i.e. those (Ayât) are from Allâh, and Mûsa (Moses) is the Messenger of Allâh in truth, but they disliked to obey Mûsa (Moses), and hated to believe in his Message of Monotheism]. So see what was the end of the Mufsidûn (disbelievers, disobedient to Allâh, evil-doers, liars.).
027.001
YUSUFALI: These are
verses of the Qur'an,-a book that makes (things) clear;
PICKTHAL: Ta. Sin.
These are revelations of the Qur'an and a Scripture that maketh plain;
SHAKIR: Ta Sin! These
are the verses of the Quran and the Book that makes (things) clear
027.002
YUSUFALI: A guide: and
glad tidings for the believers,-
PICKTHAL: A guidance
and good tidings for believers
SHAKIR: A guidance and
good news for the believers,
027.003
YUSUFALI: Those who
establish regular prayers and give in regular charity, and also have (full)
assurance of the hereafter.
PICKTHAL: Who
establish worship and pay the poor-due and are sure of the Hereafter.
SHAKIR: Who keep up
prayer and pay the poor-rate, and of the hereafter, they are sure.
027.004
YUSUFALI: As to those
who believe not in the Hereafter, We have made their deeds pleasing in their
eyes; and so they wander about in distraction.
PICKTHAL: Lo! as for
those who believe not in the Hereafter, We have made their works fairseeming
unto them so that they are all astray.
SHAKIR: As to those
who do not believe in the hereafter, We have surely made their deeds
fair-seeming to them, but they blindly wander on.
027.005
YUSUFALI: Such are
they for whom a grievous Penalty is (waiting); and in the Hereafter theirs will
be the greatest loss.
PICKTHAL: Those are
they for whom is the worst of punishment, and in the Hereafter they will be the
greatest losers.
SHAKIR: These are they
who shall have an evil punishment, and in the hereafter they shall be the
greatest losers.
027.006
YUSUFALI: As to thee,
the Qur'an is bestowed upon thee from the presence of one who is wise and
all-knowing.
PICKTHAL: Lo! as for
thee (Muhammad), thou verily receivest the Qur'an from the presence of One Wise,
Aware.
SHAKIR: And most
surely you are made to receive the Quran from the Wise, the Knowing Allah.
027.007
YUSUFALI: Behold!
Moses said to his family: "I perceive a fire; soon will I bring you from there
some information, or I will bring you a burning brand to light our fuel, that ye
may warm yourselves.
PICKTHAL: (Remember)
when Moses said unto his household: Lo! I spy afar off a fire; I will bring you
tidings thence, or bring to you a borrowed flame that ye may warm yourselves.
SHAKIR: When Musa said
to his family: Surely I see fire; I will bring to you from it some news, or I
will bring to you therefrom a burning firebrand so that you may warm yourselves.
027.008
YUSUFALI: But when he
came to the (fire), a voice was heard: "Blessed are those in the fire and those
around: and glory to Allah, the Lord of the worlds.
PICKTHAL: But when he
reached it, he was called, saying: Blessed is Whosoever is in the fire and
Whosoever is round about it! And Glorified be Allah, the Lord of the Worlds!
SHAKIR: So when he
came to it a voice was uttered saying: Blessed is Whoever is in the fire and
whatever is about it; and glory be to Allah, the Lord of the worlds;
027.009
YUSUFALI: "O Moses!
verily, I am Allah, the exalted in might, the wise!....
PICKTHAL: O Moses! Lo!
it is I, Allah, the Mighty, the Wise.
SHAKIR: O Musa! surely
I am Allah, the Mighty, the Wise;
027.010
YUSUFALI: "Now do thou
throw thy rod!" But when he saw it moving (of its own accord)as if it had been a
snake, he turned back in retreat, and retraced not his steps: "O Moses!" (it was
said), "Fear not: truly, in My presence, those called as messengers have no
fear,-
PICKTHAL: And throw
down thy staff! But when he saw it writhing as it were a demon, he turned to
flee headlong; (but it was said unto him): O Moses! Fear not! the emissaries
fear not in My presence,
SHAKIR: And cast down
your staff. So when he saw it in motion as if it were a serpent, he turned back
retreating and did not return: O Musa! fear not; surely the messengers shall not
fear in My presence;
027.011
YUSUFALI: "But if any
have done wrong and have thereafter substituted good to take the place of evil,
truly, I am Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.
PICKTHAL: Save him who
hath done wrong and afterward hath changed evil for good. And lo! I am
Forgiving, Merciful.
SHAKIR: Neither he who
has been unjust, then he does good instead after evil, for surely I am the
Forgiving, the Merciful:
027.012
YUSUFALI: "Now put thy
hand into thy bosom, and it will come forth white without stain (or harm):
(these are) among the nine Signs (thou wilt take) to Pharaoh and his people: for
they are a people rebellious in transgression."
PICKTHAL: And put thy
hand into the bosom of thy robe, it will come forth white but unhurt. (This will
be one) among nine tokens unto Pharaoh and his people Lo! they were ever
evil-living folk.
SHAKIR: And enter your
hand into the opening of your bosom, it shall come forth white without evil;
among nine signs to Firon and his people, surely they are a transgressing
people.
027.013
YUSUFALI: But when Our
Signs came to them, that should have opened their eyes, they said: "This is
sorcery manifest!"
PICKTHAL: But when Our
tokens came unto them, plain to see, they said: This is mere magic,
SHAKIR: So when Our
clear signs came to them, they said: This is clear enchantment.
027.014
YUSUFALI: And they
rejected those Signs in iniquity and arrogance, though their souls were
convinced thereof: so see what was the end of those who acted corruptly!
PICKTHAL: And they
denied them, though their souls acknowledged them, for spite and arrogance. Then
see the nature of the consequence for the wrong-doers!
SHAKIR: And they
denied them unjustly and proudly while their soul had been convinced of them;
consider, then how was the end of the mischief-makers.
27 : 15
15. Walaqad atayna dawooda wasulaymana AAilman waqala alhamdu lillahi allathee faddalana AAala katheerin min AAibadihi almu/mineena
And verily
We gave knowledge to David and Solomon and they said : 'Glory be to Allah who
has preferred us above His other believing slaves!'
(Besides the Kingdom bestowed on David, which devolved on his son Solomon after his demise, Allah also blessed them both with two unique gifts : David was given the ability to make people hear when the mountains, together with all the flora and fauna that grew on them joined him as he hymned the Glory of Allah contained in the Psalms in his rich voice; and to Solomon He gave the ability to communicate with animals, control the elements and command the servitude of Jinn who worked for him, diving for pearls in the ocean and constructing mammoth building projects he undertook in the name of Allah to bring glory to his vast empire.
It is yet another unique occurrence that Solomon inherited from his father not only his kingdom but also Prophethood, never granted to anyone else before).
27 : 16
16. Wawaritha sulaymanu dawooda waqala ya ayyuha alnnasu AAullimna mantiqa alttayri waooteena min kulli shay-in inna hatha lahuwa alfadlu almubeenu
And Solomon succeeded David. And he said : 'O mankind! We have been taught the language of birds and have been given everything in abundance! This is an exclusive favour to us from our Lord!'
27 : 17
17. Wahushira lisulaymana junooduhu mina aljinni waal-insi waalttayri fahum yoozaAAoona
And there were assembled for Solomon massive armies of Jinn and humankind and birds and they set out on a campaign trail -
27 : 18
18. Hatta itha ataw AAala wadi alnnamli qalat namlatun ya ayyuha alnnamlu odkhuloo masakinakum la yahtimannakum sulaymanu wajunooduhu wahum la yashAAuroona
Until when they reached the Valley of the Ants and their queen said to her colony : 'O ants! Take shelter in your ant holes lest the mighty armies of Solomon trampled upon you, even if it be inadvertently.'
27 : 19
19. Fatabassama dahikan min qawliha waqala rabbi awziAAnee an ashkura niAAmataka allatee anAAamta AAalayya waAAala walidayya waan aAAmala salihan tardahu waadkhilnee birahmatika fee AAibadika alssaliheena
And
Solomon smiled at her words and said : 'My Lord!
Give me the proclivity to thank you for the favours which You have done me and
my parents, and do only such deeds as are pleasing to You, and include me among
Your righteous slaves!'
(The ant said this because she knew that Solomon was too kind and compassionate a king to knowingly let his army trample upon the fragile and defenceless ants, and that, should it happen, it would only be in error.
It is said that the wind delivered her message of warning to her colony to Solomon while he was at least three miles away from the valley, on account which he ordered his troops to wait until the ants had sufficient time to crawl into their ant-hills!
The
thanks-giving prayer of Solomon, offered by him at the time, is another of
those eclectic prayers contained in the Qur'aan suitable for all occasions
whenever we wish to give thanks to our Lord for His Grace, for His blessings and
for His benefactions, extensively used by Muslims in most of their canonical
prayers).
27 : 20
20. Watafaqqada alttayra faqala ma liya la ara alhudhuda am kana mina algha-ibeena
And then taking stock of the birds he said : 'How is it that I see no sign of the hoopoe, or is he of those who have absconded?
27 : 21
21. LaoAAaththibannahu AAathaban shadeedan aw laathbahannahu aw laya/tiyannee bisultanin mubeenin
'Verily I shall visit upon him a severe punishment or slay him unless he produces a justifiable reason for his conduct!'
27 : 22
22. Famakatha ghayra baAAeedin faqala ahattu bima lam tuhit bihi waji/tuka min saba-in binaba-in yaqeenin
Before long he arrived and said : 'I have witnessed that which you have not seen and I bring you factual tidings from the kingdom of Sheba!
27 : 23
23. Innee wajadtu imraatan tamlikuhum waootiyat min kulli shay-in walaha AAarshun AAatheemun
'I found a
woman to be the queen of that realm and she has been given everything in
abundance and she occupies a magnificent Throne!
(Queen
of Sheba according to Christian documentation's, but known as Bilquis in Arabian
traditions, who hailed from Yemen and may have ruled over Abyssinia).
27 : 24
24. Wajadtuha waqawmaha yasjudoona lilshshamsi min dooni Allahi wazayyana lahumu alshshaytanu aAAmalahum fasaddahum AAani alssabeeli fahum la yahtadoona
'And I saw her and her people worship the sun instead of Allah! And Satan makes their evil deeds seem fair to them and has prevented them from the righteous path so that they remain forever stranded on the path of error -
27 : 25
25. Alla yasjudoo lillahi allathee yukhriju alkhabaa fee alssamawati waal-ardi wayaAAlamu ma tukhfoona wama tuAAlinoona
'So that they do not worship Allah Who brings forth whatever is hidden in the heavens and on the earth and Who knows that which you conceal and that which you reveal!'
27 : 26
26. Allahu la ilaha illa huwa rabbu alAAarshi alAAatheemi
Allah! There is no God save Him, Lord of the Celestial Throne!
(It should be noted that the Qur'aan makes use of every opportunity to emphasize that no one else is entitled to be worshipped except Allah because He alone knows what is in the heavens and upon the earth and has undisputed authority over everything, - not the moon, not the stars, not the sun nor the stones; He brings forth rain from the sky only when He wants, where He wants and by how much He wants; He causes the earth to soak up the rain and produce its yield when He wants, where He wants and how by much He wants! And man, despite his prowess and ingenuity; despite the progress which he has made in the field of irrigation; despite the fertilizers he has invented; despite the new ideas he has injected in agriculture and farming such as genetic modification, continues to remain hopelessly at the mercy of the only True Provider who provides for us everything we need.
This
irrefutable fact of life is clearly brought to light in verse 25, through the
medium of the hoopoe).
27 : 27
27. Qala sananthuru asadaqta am kunta mina alkathibeena
(Solomon) said : 'We shall see whether you are speaking the truth or you are of those who lie!
27 : 28
28. Ithhab bikitabee hatha faalqih ilayhim thumma tawalla AAanhum faonthur matha yarjiAAoona
'Go back with this letter from me, deliver it to them and then wait and see what reply they give.'
27 : 29
29. Qalat ya ayyuha almalao innee olqiya ilayya kitabun kareemun
Upon reading the letter, the Queen of Sheba said : 'O chieftains! There has been sent to me a wondrous communication;
27 : 30
30. Innahu min sulaymana wa-innahu bismi Allahi alrrahmani alrraheemi
'It is from Solomon and begins with words : 'In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful!
27 : 31
31. Alla taAAloo AAalayya wa/toonee muslimeena
'Exalt not yourselves above me but come to me as those who surrender!' (R)
OTHER TRANSLATIONS BY MUHSIN, YUSUFALI, PICKTHAL AND SHAKIR:
MUHSIN:
15. And indeed We gave knowledge to Dawûd (David) and Sulaimân (Solomon), and they both said: "All the praises and thanks be to Allâh, Who has preferred us above many of His believing slaves!"
16. And Sulaimân (Solomon) inherited (the knowledge of) Dawûd (David). He said: "O mankind! We have been taught the language of birds, and on us have been bestowed all things. This, verily, is an evident grace (from Allâh)."
17. And there were gathered before Sulaimân (Solomon) his hosts of jinns and men, and birds, and they all were set in battle order (marching forwards).
18. Till, when they came to the valley of the ants, one of the ants said: "O ants! Enter your dwellings, lest Sulaimân (Solomon) and his hosts crush you, while they perceive not."
19. So he [Sulaimân (Solomon)] smiled, amused at her speech[] and said: "My Lord! Inspire and bestow upon me the power and ability that I may be grateful for Your Favours which You have bestowed on me and on my parents, and that I may do righteous good deeds that will please You, and admit me by Your Mercy among Your righteous slaves."
20. He inspected the birds, and said: "What is the matter that I see not the hoopoe? Or is he among the absentees?
21. "I will surely punish him with a severe torment, or slaughter him, unless he brings me a clear reason."
22. But the hoopoe stayed not long, he (came up and) said: "I have grasped (the knowledge of a thing) which you have not grasped and I have come to you from Saba' (Sheba) with true news.
23. "I found a woman ruling over them, and she has been given all things that could be possessed by any ruler of the earth, and she has a great throne.
24. "I found her and her people worshipping the sun instead of Allâh, and Shaitân (Satan) has made their deeds fair-seeming to them, and has barred them from (Allâh's) Way, so they have no guidance,"
25. Al-Lâ (this word has two interpretations) (A) [As Shaitân (Satan) has barred them from Allâh's Way] so that they do not worship (prostrate before) Allâh, or (B) So that they may worship (prostrate before) Allâh, Who brings to light what is hidden in the heavens and the earth, and knows what you conceal and what you reveal. [Tafsir At-Tabarî, Vol. 19, Page 149]
26. Allâh, Lâ ilâha illa Huwa (none has the right to be worshipped but He), the Lord of the Supreme Throne!
27. [Sulaimân (Solomon)] said: "We shall see whether you speak the truth or you are (one) of the liars.
28. "Go you with this letter of mine, and deliver it to them, then draw back from them, and see what (answer) they return."
29. She said: "O chiefs! Verily! Here is delivered to me a noble letter,
30. "Verily! It is from Sulaimân (Solomon), and verily! It (reads): In the Name of Allâh, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful;
31. "Be you not exalted against me, but come to me as Muslims (true believers who submit to Allâh with full submission)' "
027.015
YUSUFALI: We gave (in
the past) knowledge to David and Solomon: And they both said: "Praise be to
Allah, Who has favoured us above many of his servants who believe!"
PICKTHAL: And We
verily gave knowledge unto David and Solomon, and they said: Praise be to Allah,
Who hath preferred us above many of His believing slaves!
SHAKIR: And certainly
We gave knowledge to Dawood and Sulaiman, and they both said: Praise be to
Allah, Who has made us to excel many of His believing servants.
027.016
YUSUFALI: And Solomon
was David's heir. He said: "O ye people! We have been taught the speech of
birds, and on us has been bestowed (a little) of all things: this is indeed
Grace manifest (from Allah.)"
PICKTHAL: And Solomon
was David's heir. And he said: O mankind! Lo! we have been taught the language
of birds, and have been given (abundance) of all things. This surely is evident
favour.
SHAKIR: And Sulaiman
was Dawood's heir, and he said: O men! we have been taught the language of
birds, and we have been given all things; most surely this is manifest grace.
027.017
YUSUFALI: And before
Solomon were marshalled his hosts,- of Jinns and men and birds, and they were
all kept in order and ranks.
PICKTHAL: And there
were gathered together unto Solomon his armies of the jinn and humankind, and of
the birds, and they were set in battle order;
SHAKIR: And his hosts
of the jinn and the men and the birds were gathered to him, and they were formed
into groups.
027.018
YUSUFALI: At length,
when they came to a (lowly) valley of ants, one of the ants said: "O ye ants,
get into your habitations, lest Solomon and his hosts crush you (under foot)
without knowing it."
PICKTHAL: Till, when
they reached the Valley of the Ants, an ant exclaimed: O ants! Enter your
dwellings lest Solomon and his armies crush you, unperceiving.
SHAKIR: Until when
they came to the valley of the Naml, a Namlite said: O Naml! enter your houses,
(that) Sulaiman and his hosts may not crush you while they do not know.
027.019
YUSUFALI: So he
smiled, amused at her speech; and he said: "O my Lord! so order me that I may be
grateful for Thy favours, which thou hast bestowed on me and on my parents, and
that I may work the righteousness that will please Thee: And admit me, by Thy
Grace, to the ranks of Thy righteous Servants."
PICKTHAL: And
(Solomon) smiled, laughing at her speech, and said: My Lord, arouse me to be
thankful for Thy favour wherewith Thou hast favoured me and my parents, and to
do good that shall be pleasing unto Thee, and include me in (the number of) Thy
righteous slaves.
SHAKIR: So he smiled,
wondering at her word, and said: My Lord! grant me that I should be grateful for
Thy favor which Thou hast bestowed on me and on my parents, and that I should do
good such as Thou art pleased with, and make me enter, by Thy mercy, into Thy
servants, the good ones.
027.020
YUSUFALI: And he took
a muster of the Birds; and he said: "Why is it I see not the Hoopoe? Or is he
among the absentees?
PICKTHAL: And he
sought among the birds and said: How is it that I see not the hoopoe, or is he
among the absent?
SHAKIR: And he
reviewed the birds, then said: How is it I see not the hoopoe or is it that he
is of the absentees?
027.021
YUSUFALI: "I will
certainly punish him with a severe penalty, or execute him, unless he bring me a
clear reason (for absence)."
PICKTHAL: I verily
will punish him with hard punishment or I verily will slay him, or he verily
shall bring me a plain excuse.
SHAKIR: I will most
certainly punish him with a severe punishment, or kill him, or he shall bring to
me a clear plea.
027.022
YUSUFALI: But the
Hoopoe tarried not far: he (came up and) said: "I have compassed (territory)
which thou hast not compassed, and I have come to thee from Saba with tidings
true.
PICKTHAL: But he was
not long in coming, and he said: I have found out (a thing) that thou
apprehendest not, and I come unto thee from Sheba with sure tidings.
SHAKIR: And he tarried
not long, then said: I comprehend that which you do not comprehend and I have
brought to you a sure information from Sheba.
027.023
YUSUFALI: "I found
(there) a woman ruling over them and provided with every requisite; and she has
a magnificent throne.
PICKTHAL: Lo! I found
a woman ruling over them, and she hath been given (abundance) of all things, and
hers is a mighty throne.
SHAKIR: Surely I found
a woman ruling over them, and she has been given abundance and she has a mighty
throne:
027.024
YUSUFALI: "I found her
and her people worshipping the sun besides Allah: Satan has made their deeds
seem pleasing in their eyes, and has kept them away from the Path,- so they
receive no guidance,-
PICKTHAL: I found her
and her people worshipping the sun instead of Allah; and Satan maketh their
works fairseeming unto them, and debarreth them from the way (of Truth), so that
they go not aright;
SHAKIR: I found her
and her people adoring the sun instead of Allah, and the Shaitan has made their
deeds fair-seeming to them and thus turned them from the way, so they do not go
aright
027.025
YUSUFALI: "(Kept them
away from the Path), that they should not worship Allah, Who brings to light
what is hidden in the heavens and the earth, and knows what ye hide and what ye
reveal.
PICKTHAL: So that they
worship not Allah, Who bringeth forth the hidden in the heavens and the earth,
and knoweth what ye hide and what ye proclaim,
SHAKIR: That they do
not make obeisance to Allah, Who brings forth what is hidden in the heavens and
the earth and knows what you hide and what you make manifest:
027.026
YUSUFALI: "Allah!-
there is no god but He!- Lord of the Throne Supreme!"
PICKTHAL: Allah; there
is no Allah save Him, the Lord of the Tremendous Throne.
SHAKIR: Allah, there
is no god but He: He is the Lord of mighty power.
027.027
YUSUFALI: (Solomon)
said: "Soon shall we see whether thou hast told the truth or lied!
PICKTHAL: (Solomon)
said: We shall see whether thou speakest truth or whether thou art of the liars.
SHAKIR: He said: We
will see whether you have told the truth or whether you are of the liars:
027.028
YUSUFALI: "Go thou,
with this letter of mine, and deliver it to them: then draw back from them, and
(wait to) see what answer they return"...
PICKTHAL: Go with this
my letter and throw it down unto them; then turn away and see what (answer) they
return,
SHAKIR: Take this my
letter and hand it over to them, then turn away from them and see what (answer)
they return.
027.029
YUSUFALI: (The queen)
said: "Ye chiefs! here is delivered to me - a letter worthy of respect.
PICKTHAL: (The Queen
of Sheba) said (when she received the letter): O chieftains! Lo! there hath been
thrown unto me a noble letter.
SHAKIR: She said: O
chief! surely an honorable letter has been delivered to me
027.030
YUSUFALI: "It is from
Solomon, and is (as follows): 'In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most
Merciful:
PICKTHAL: Lo! it is
from Solomon, and lo! it is: In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful;
SHAKIR: Surely it is
from Sulaiman, and surely it is in the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the
Merciful;
027.031
YUSUFALI: "'Be ye not
arrogant against me, but come to me in submission (to the true Religion).'"
PICKTHAL: Exalt not
yourselves against me, but come unto me as those who surrender.
SHAKIR: Saying: exalt
not yourselves against me and come to me in submission.
27 : 32
32. Qalat ya ayyuha almalao aftoonee fee amree ma kuntu qatiAAatan amran hatta tashhadoona
She said : 'O chieftains! Advise me in this regard, for I never make any summary decisions without you being by my side!'
27 : 33
33. Qaloo nahnu oloo quwwatin waoloo ba/sin shadeedin waal-amru ilayki faonthuree matha ta/mureena
They said
: 'We are men of muscle and fierce warriors, but in this regard the choice
belongs to you so you decide!'
(A
clear indication from them to her that, if she decided not to respond to the
invitation of Solomon with acquiescence but chose to defy him, she could, as
always, rely on their backing and support; they were strong; they were brave;
they were valiant; they were loyal to her and were well equipped and experienced
in the skills of warfare, all of which could be hers for the asking; but should
she decide not to wage war but accept the status of a vassal, then it would have
to be her will and her decision, which they would respect with equal zeal).
27 : 34
34. Qalat inna almulooka itha dakhaloo qaryatan afsadooha wajaAAaloo aAAizzata ahliha athillatan wakathalika yafAAaloona
She said : 'Verily when emperors conquer townships they pillage them and hold the honourable citizens living therein to ransom! This they are sure to do!
27 : 35
35. Wa-innee mursilatun ilayhim bihadiyyatin fanathiratun bima yarjiAAu almursaloona
'So I will
send him a gift through my emissary first and see what response they bring
back!'
(The queen had two reasons for choosing this course of action : one was, obviously, the ravages of warfare, such as bloodshed, pillage and humiliation; but the other was to test whether Solomon too, like most other conquerors, was motivated by earthly ambitions of acquiring territory, expanding his empire and helping himself to the Spoils, or was he in reality, - according to the reputation which preceded him, - a prophet first and only then an empire builder.
It is said that the lavish gifts she sent to him consisted of 500 well trained and athletic slaves and 500 captivating courtesans clad in glamorous costumes, together with 500 bricks of solid gold and many more tempting treasures.
The hoopoe, who was ordered by Solomon to bring him back a response from her to his communication, watched the elaborate preparations being made by her, flew back to him and reported everything).
27 : 36
36. Falamma jaa sulaymana qala atumiddoonani bimalin fama ataniya Allahu khayrun mimma atakum bal antum bihadiyyatikum tafrahoona
When her emissary gave Solomon her gifts, he said : 'Is it riches with which you tempt me when whatever Allah has given me is better than what He has given you? Nay! It is you and not me who cherish material gifts!
27 : 37
37. IrjiAA ilayhim falana/tiyannahum bijunoodin la qibala lahum biha walanukhrijannahum minha athillatan wahum saghiroona
'Go back to them! Verily we will confront them with an army, which they will not be able to overcome and we will drive them out of the city in shame, and with disgrace!
(Solomon, as she expected, returned her gifts together with the message that he who has been blessed by Allah not only with a powerful kingdom; enviable treasures; the unique ability to communicate with animals; command the elements and command the loyalty of the mighty jinn, but also with the office of Prophethood, was not there to be bought with flesh and gold, and that, unless she came to him surrendered to his Lord, - in other words, as a Muslim - she could expect to face him in the battlefield.
Now Bilquis, convinced that Solomon was in every respect first and foremost the Prophet he was reputed to be and only then the warrior and the empire builder, dared not pick up the gauntlet he threw at her and decided to accept his invitation to go to him as a vassal rather than an enemy. But before setting out from her palace in her full pomp and glory, she took the precaution of locking away the throne on which she sat and ruled her folk - and of which she was very proud - in one of its concealed and inaccessible chambers.
Upon coming to know that she was on her way to meet him, Solomon also made his own preparations to welcome her by getting the Jinn to build a magnificent mansion with bricks of gold and silver and then array it with a collage of ornamental designs, including an assemblage of glamorous birds from the wild and corral fish from the sea.
His preparations also included two acid tests for her, which are described in the next few verses).
27 : 38
38. Qala ya ayyuha almalao ayyukum ya/teenee biAAarshiha qabla an ya/toonee muslimeena
He said :
'O chiefs! Which one of you would bring me the throne of Sheba before she comes
to me as a vassal?'
(Having
heard that, besides being unique and priceless, it was also her pride and joy,
he wanted to get it slightly disguised and see whether or not she recognized it
when offered to her in his mansion).
27 : 39
39. Qala AAifreetun mina aljinni ana ateeka bihi qabla an taqooma min maqamika wa-inne AAalayhi laqawiyyun ameenun
A mighty
Jinn said : 'I will bring you the throne before you wind up the Court! And
verily I am strong and trustworthy enough to accomplish this task!'
(It is said that Solomon wound up the Royal Court by midday, and when the Jinn offered to bring the throne before he retired, the sun was not too far from reaching the apex of the sky)
27 : 40
40. Qala allathee AAindahu AAilmun mina alkitabi ana ateeka bihi qabla an yartadda ilayka tarfuka falamma raahu mustaqirran AAindahu qala hatha min fadli rabbee liyabluwanee aashkuru am akfuru waman shakara fa-innama yashkuru linafsihi waman kafara fa-inna rabbee ghaniyyun kareemun
But one
human who had knowledge of the Scripture said : 'I shall bring it to you within
the time your gaze returns to you!' And when he saw the throne set before him,
he said : 'This is a bounty from my Lord so that He may try me whether I give
Him thanks or be ungrateful! Whoever gives thanks,
he gives thanks for the good of his own soul and whoever is ungrateful, it is to
his own detriment, for my Lord is Unconstrained and Affluent!
(He was one of his ministers who had learnt from his father David the beautiful names of Allah and was a man of letters and of great wisdom. He suggested to him that, being a Prophet in his own right as well as the son of a Prophet who had received a Scripture of Allah, - the Psalms - his prayer alone would suffice to bring him the throne Of Sheba within the batting of an eyelid. Solomon accepted the advice given by him instead of the offer made by the Jinn, and by the Grace of Allah, the throne materialized in front of his eyes as soon as he finished praying
The
occasion, once again, is utilized to bring home the point that whatever Allah
bestows upon His slaves is a test to see whether they express their gratitude to
Him or pocket His Benefactions and pretend as though no give-and-take had
transpired between Him and them; and also that, whoever expresses gratitude to
Him, he does so for the good of his own soul; and whoever fails to acknowledge,
it would always be to his own detriment. As for Allah, He neither has the need
of, nor dependence upon our compliments or our endorsements).
27 : 41
41. Qala nakkiroo laha AAarshaha nanthur atahtadee am takoonu mina allatheena la yahtadoona
He said : 'Disguise her throne for her so that we may see whether she recognizes the truth or is of those that are lost!'
27 : 42
42. Falamma jaat qeela ahakatha AAarshuki qalat kaannahu huwa waooteena alAAilma min qabliha wakunna muslimeena
And when she arrived, it was said to her : 'Is your throne similar to this?' She said : 'As if they are the same!' And (Solomon) said : 'Knowledge was given to us before it was given to her and we surrendered to Allah -
27 : 43
43. Wasaddaha ma kanat taAAbudu min dooni Allahi innaha kanat min qawmin kafireena
Whereas
she was hindered from surrendering to Allah by the gods whom she used to worship
in His place, for she does hail from a line of disbelieving folk!'
(In the first of these tests Bilquis failed because she could not recognize her own throne when it was presented to her slightly disguised which proved that since she hailed from a disbelieving stock and offered worship to a false deity, her judgement was impaired, her knowledge was limited and her perspective totally flawed)
27 : 44
44. Qeela laha odkhulee alssarha falamma raat-hu hasibat-hu lujjatan wakashafat AAan saqayha qala innahu sarhun mumarradun min qawareera qalat rabbi innee thalamtu nafsee waaslamtu maAAa sulaymana lillahi rabbi alAAalameena
It was
said to her : 'Enter the hall!' And when she saw its gleam, she mistook it for a
pool of water and bared her feet! (Solomon) said : 'This is an opulent
surface made of glass!' She said : 'My Lord! I have wronged my soul! Now I
surrender along with Solomon to Allah, the Lord of the Worlds! (R)
(And in the second of these tests too she failed because, when she was asked to step on the floor inside the mansion which was made of glass and polished to a gleaming lustre, she mistook it for water and lifted the hem of her dress above her ankles lest it soaked, proving how susceptible she was to appearances.
When this is pointed out to her by Solomon, she readily accepts that she had been in the wrong, renounces the false deity to whom she used to offer worship in conformity with her misguided lineage and surrenders to the Lord of the Worlds along with Solomon).
OTHER TRANSLATIONS BY MUHSIN, YUSUFALI, PICKTHAL AND SHAKIR:
MUHSIN:
32. She said: "O chiefs! Advise me in (this) case of mine. I decide no case till you are present with me."
33. They said: "We have great strength, and great ability for war, but it is for you to command; so think over what you will command."
34. She said: "Verily! Kings, when they enter a town (country), they despoil it, and make the most honourable amongst its people low. And thus they do.
35. "But verily! I am going to send him a present, and see with what (answer) the messengers return."
36. So when (the messengers with the present) came to Sulaimân (Solomon), he said: "Will you help me in wealth? What Allâh has given me is better than that which He has given you! Nay, you rejoice in your gift!"
37. [Then Sulaimân (Solomon) said to the chief of her messengers who brought the present]: "Go back to them. We verily shall come to them with hosts that they cannot resist, and we shall drive them out from there in disgrace, and they will be abased."
38. He said: "O chiefs! Which of you can bring me her throne before they come to me surrendering themselves in obedience?"
39. An Ifrît (strong) from the jinns said: "I will bring it to you before you rise from your place (council). And verily, I am indeed strong, and trustworthy for such work."
40. One with whom was knowledge of the Scripture said: "I will bring it to you within the twinkling of an eye!" then when [Sulaimân (Solomon)] saw it placed before him, he said: "This is by the Grace of my Lord to test me whether I am grateful or ungrateful! And whoever is grateful, truly, his gratitude is for (the good of) his ownself, and whoever is ungrateful, (he is ungrateful only for the loss of his ownself). Certainly! My Lord is Rich (Free of all wants), Bountiful."
41. He said: "Disguise her throne for her that we may see whether she will be guided (to recognise her throne), or she will be one of those not guided."
42. So when she came, it was said (to her): "Is your throne like this?" She said: "(It is) as though it were the very same." And [Sulaimân (Solomon) said]: "Knowledge was bestowed on us before her, and we were submitted to Allâh (in Islâm as Muslims before her)."
43. And that which she used to worship besides Allâh has prevented her (from Islâm), for she was of a disbelieving people.
44. It was said to her: "Enter As-Sarh" [(a glass surface with water underneath it) or a palace], but when she saw it, she thought it was a pool, and she (tucked up her clothes) uncovering her legs, Sulaimân (Solomon) said: "Verily, it is Sarh [(a glass surface with water underneath it) or a palace] paved smooth with slab of glass." She said: "My Lord! Verily, I have wronged myself, and I submit (in Islâm, together with Sulaimân (Solomon), to Allâh, the Lord of the 'Alamîn (mankind, jinns and all that exists)."
027.032
YUSUFALI: She said:
"Ye chiefs! advise me in (this) my affair: no affair have I decided except in
your presence."
PICKTHAL: She said: O
chieftains! Pronounce for me in my case. I decide no case till ye are present
with me.
SHAKIR: She said: O
chiefs! give me advice respecting my affair: I never decide an affair until you
are in my presence.
027.033
YUSUFALI: They said:
"We are endued with strength, and given to vehement war: but the command is with
thee; so consider what thou wilt command."
PICKTHAL: They said:
We are lords of might and lords of great prowess, but it is for thee to command;
so consider what thou wilt command.
SHAKIR: They said: We
are possessors of strength and possessors of mighty prowess, and the command is
yours, therefore see what you will command.
027.034
YUSUFALI: She said:
"Kings, when they enter a country, despoil it, and make the noblest of its
people its meanest thus do they behave.
PICKTHAL: She said:
Lo! kings, when they enter a township, ruin it and make the honour of its people
shame. Thus will they do.
SHAKIR: She said:
Surely the kings, when they enter a town, ruin it and make the noblest of its
people to be low, and thus they (always) do;
027.035
YUSUFALI: "But I am
going to send him a present, and (wait) to see with what (answer) return (my)
ambassadors."
PICKTHAL: But lo! I am
going to send a present unto them, and to see with what (answer) the messengers
return.
SHAKIR: And surely I
am going to send a present to them, and shall wait to see what (answer) do the
messengers bring back.
027.036
YUSUFALI: Now when
(the embassy) came to Solomon, he said: "Will ye give me abundance in wealth?
But that which Allah has given me is better than that which He has given you!
Nay it is ye who rejoice in your gift!
PICKTHAL: So when (the
envoy) came unto Solomon, (the King) said: What! Would ye help me with wealth?
But that which Allah hath given me is better than that which He hath given you.
Nay it is ye (and not I) who exult in your gift.
SHAKIR: So when he
came to Sulaiman, he said: What! will you help me with wealth? But what Allah
has given me is better than what He has given you. Nay, you are exultant because
of your present;
027.037
YUSUFALI: "Go back to
them, and be sure we shall come to them with such hosts as they will never be
able to meet: We shall expel them from there in disgrace, and they will feel
humbled (indeed)."
PICKTHAL: Return unto
them. We verily shall come unto them with hosts that they cannot resist, and we
shall drive them out from thence with shame, and they will be abased.
SHAKIR: Go back to
them, so we will most certainly come to them with hosts which they shall have no
power to oppose, and we will most certainly expel them therefrom in abasement,
and they shall be in a state of ignominy.
027.038
YUSUFALI: He said (to
his own men): "Ye chiefs! which of you can bring me her throne before they come
to me in submission?"
PICKTHAL: He said: O
chiefs! Which of you will bring me her throne before they come unto me,
surrendering?
SHAKIR: He said: O
chiefs! which of you can bring to me her throne before they come to me in
submission?
027.039
YUSUFALI: Said an
'Ifrit, of the Jinns: "I will bring it to thee before thou rise from thy
council: indeed I have full strength for the purpose, and may be trusted."
PICKTHAL: A stalwart
of the jinn said: I will bring it thee before thou canst rise from thy place.
Lo! I verily am strong and trusty for such work.
SHAKIR: One audacious
among the jinn said: I will bring it to you before you rise up from your place;
and most surely I am strong (and) trusty for it.
027.040
YUSUFALI: Said one who
had knowledge of the Book: "I will bring it to thee within the twinkling of an
eye!" Then when (Solomon) saw it placed firmly before him, he said: "This is by
the Grace of my Lord!- to test me whether I am grateful or ungrateful! and if
any is grateful, truly his gratitude is (a gain) for his own soul; but if any is
ungrateful, truly my Lord is Free of all Needs, Supreme in Honour !"
PICKTHAL: One with
whom was knowledge of the Scripture said: I will bring it thee before thy gaze
returneth unto thee. And when he saw it set in his presence, (Solomon) said:
This is of the bounty of my Lord, that He may try me whether I give thanks or am
ungrateful. Whosoever giveth thanks he only giveth thanks for (the good of) his
own soul; and whosoever is ungrateful (is ungrateful only to his own soul's
hurt). For lo! my Lord is Absolute in independence, Bountiful.
SHAKIR: One who had
the knowledge of the Book said: I will bring it to you in the twinkling of an
eye. Then when he saw it settled beside him, he said: This is of the grace of my
Lord that He may try me whether I am grateful or ungrateful; and whoever is
grateful, he is grateful only for his own soul, and whoever is ungrateful, then
surely my Lord is Self-sufficient, Honored.
027.041
YUSUFALI: He said:
"Transform her throne out of all recognition by her: let us see whether she is
guided (to the truth) or is one of those who receive no guidance."
PICKTHAL: He said:
Disguise her throne for her that we may see whether she will go aright or be of
those not rightly guided.
SHAKIR: He said: Alter
her throne for her, we will see whether she follows the right way or is of those
who do not go aright.
027.042
YUSUFALI: So when she
arrived, she was asked, "Is this thy throne?" She said, "It was just like this;
and knowledge was bestowed on us in advance of this, and we have submitted to
Allah (in Islam)."
PICKTHAL: So, when she
came, it was said (unto her): Is thy throne like this? She said: (It is) as
though it were the very one. And (Solomon said): We were given the knowledge
before her and we had surrendered (to Allah).
SHAKIR: So when she
came, it was said: Is your throne like this? She said: It is as it were the
same, and we were given the knowledge before it, and we were submissive.
027.043
YUSUFALI: And he
diverted her from the worship of others besides Allah: for she was (sprung) of a
people that had no faith.
PICKTHAL: And (all)
that she was wont to worship instead of Allah hindered her, for she came of
disbelieving folk.
SHAKIR: And what she
worshipped besides Allah prevented her, surely she was of an unbelieving people.
027.044
YUSUFALI: She was
asked to enter the lofty Palace: but when she saw it, she thought it was a lake
of water, and she (tucked up her skirts), uncovering her legs. He said: "This is
but a palace paved smooth with slabs of glass." She said: "O my Lord! I have
indeed wronged my soul: I do (now) submit (in Islam), with Solomon, to the Lord
of the Worlds."
PICKTHAL: It was said
unto her: Enter the hall. And when she saw it she deemed it a pool and bared her
legs. (Solomon) said: Lo! it is a hall, made smooth, of glass. She said: My
Lord! Lo! I have wronged myself, and I surrender with Solomon unto Allah, the
Lord of the Worlds.
SHAKIR: It was said to
her: Enter the palace; but when she saw it she deemed it to be a great expanse
of water, and bared her legs. He said: Surely it is a palace made smooth with
glass. She said: My Lord! surely I have been unjust to myself, and I submit with
Sulaiman to Allah, the Lord of the worlds.
27 : 45
45. Walaqad arsalna ila thamooda akhahum salihan ani oAAbudoo Allaha fa-itha hum fareeqani yakhtasimoona
And verily We sent to the tribe of Thamud one of their own brother Saleh and he said to them : 'Worship Allah!' But that split them into two opposing factions!
(Of
believers and disbelievers, each insisting that they were right and the others
were wrong; the disbelievers also challenging Saleh to bring upon them the
chastisement of which he was warning them, sooner rather than later)
27 : 46
46. Qala ya qawmi lima tastaAAjiloona bialssayyi-ati qabla alhasanati lawla tastaghfiroona Allaha laAAallakum turhamoona
He said : 'O my people! Why do you hasten on the bad rather than the good? Why would you not seek forgiveness of Allah so that you may receive His mercy?
27 : 47
47. Qaloo ittayyarna bika wabiman maAAaka qala ta-irukum AAinda Allahi bal antum qawmun tuftanoona
They said
: 'We consider you and those with you a bad omen for us!' He said : 'You deem
that which has come to you from Allah a bad omen? Nay, but you are people who
have been put on trial by Him!
(When
they were made to taste the flavour of punishment at the outset with a somewhat
prolonged drought, enough for them to feel the pinch, they lost no time in
apportioning blame on Saleh and his followers, accusing them of bringing them
bad luck and of being ill-omened).
27 : 48
48. Wakana fee almadeenati tisAAatu rahtin yufsidoona fee al-ardi wala yuslihoona
And there
were nine people in their township who were at the route of all evil and had no
intentions of reforming themselves.
(These
were the same nine people who had been instrumental in crippling the she camel
mentioned before, now out to seek vengeance on Saleh by plotting to massacre his
entire household and the believers who had rallied to his side, until they were
stoned to death by invisible angels at the behest of Allah).
27 : 49
49. Qaloo taqasamoo biAllahi lanubayyitannahu waahlahu thumma lanaqoolanna liwaliyyihi ma shahidna mahlika ahlihi wa-inna lasadiqoona
They said : 'Let us swear on Allah in front of one another that we attack him and his household at night and later on say to his friends : 'We did not witness any slaying of his household and we are speaking the truth!'
27 : 50
50. Wamakaroo makran wamakarna makran wahum la yashAAuroona
Thus they hatched a plot but We too hatched a plot and took them unawares!
27 : 51
51. Faonthur kayfa kana AAaqibatu makrihim anna dammarnahum waqawmahum ajmaAAeena
So, behold the outcome of their plotting, for We destroyed them in their entirety, they and all their folk!
27 : 52
52. Fatilka buyootuhum khawiyatan bima thalamoo inna fee thalika laayatan liqawmin yaAAlamoona
Somewhere there lie their dwellings, crumbled in the debris of their ruins because of their evil deeds! Verily herein is a portent for those who have knowledge!
27: 53
53. Waanjayna allatheena amanoo wakanoo yattaqoona
And We saved those who believed and used to ward off evil!
27 : 54
54. Walootan ith qala liqawmihi ata/toona alfahishata waantum tubsiroona
And Lot! When he said to his people : 'Commit you abominations, though you are in full possession of your senses?
27 : 55
55. A-innakum lata/toona alrrijala shahwatan min dooni alnnisa-i bal antum qawmun tajhaloona
'Lust you
after men, turning away from your women? Nay, you are a depraved lot!'
(The
strongest proscription of homosexuality among men and lesbianism among women,
making it clear that women were created for men and men were created for women
and not the other way round).
27 : 56
56. Fama kana jawaba qawmihi illa an qaloo akhrijoo ala lootin min qaryatikum innahum onasun yatatahharoona
His folk had no answer for him except saying : 'Let us get rid of the household of Lot from our midst, for they are trying to preach to us how to lead a chaste life!'
27 : 57
57. Faanjaynahu waahlahu illa imraatahu qaddarnaha mina alghabireena
So We saved him and his entire household except his wife whom We left out, for she was destined to be of those that were left out.
27 : 58
58. Waamtarna AAalayhim mataran fasaa mataru almunthareena
And We sent upon them a devastating torrent of stones. What a fearsome downpour it was for a folk who had been forewarned! (R)
OTHER TRANSLATIONS BY MUHSIN, YUSUFALI, PICKTHAL AND SHAKIR:
MUHSIN:
45. And indeed We sent to Thamûd their brother Sâlih (Saleh), saying: "Worship Allâh (Alone and none else). Then look! They became two parties (believers and disbelievers) quarreling with each other."
46. He said: "O my people! Why do you seek to hasten the evil (torment) before the good (Allâh's Mercy)? Why seek you not the Forgiveness of Allâh, that you may receive mercy?"
47. They said: "We augur ill omen from you and those with you." He said: "Your ill omen is with Allâh; nay, but you are a people that are being tested."
48. And there were in the city nine men (from the sons of their chiefs), who made mischief in the land, and would not reform.
49. They said: "Swear one to another by Allâh that we shall make a secret night attack on him and his household, and afterwards we will surely say to his near relatives: 'We witnessed not the destruction of his household, and verily! We are telling the truth.'"
50. So they plotted a plot, and We planned a plan, while they perceived not.
51. Then see how was the end of their plot! Verily! We destroyed them and their nation, all together.
52. These are their houses in utter ruin, for they did wrong. Verily, in this is indeed an Ayâh (a lesson or a sign) for people who know.
53. And We saved those who believed, and used to fear Allâh, and keep their duty to Him.
54. And (remember) Lout (Lot)! When he said to his people[] . Do you commit AlFâhishah (evil, great sin, every kind of unlawful sexual intercourse, sodomy, etc.) while you see (one another doing evil without any screen, etc.)?"
55. "Do you approach men in your lusts rather than women? Nay, but you are a people who behave senselessly."
56. There was no other answer given by his people except that they said: "Drive out the family of Lout (Lot) from your city. Verily, these are men who want to be clean and pure!"
57. So We saved him and his family, except his wife. We destined her to be of those who remained behind.
58. And We rained down on them a rain (of stones). So evil was the rain of those who were warned.
027.045
YUSUFALI: We sent
(aforetime), to the Thamud, their brother Salih, saying, "Serve Allah": But
behold, they became two factions quarrelling with each other.
PICKTHAL: And We
verily sent unto Thamud their brother Salih, saying: Worship Allah. And lo! they
(then became two parties quarrelling.
SHAKIR: And certainly
We sent to Samood their brother Salih, saying: Serve Allah; and lo! they became
two sects quarrelling with each other.
027.046
YUSUFALI: He said: "O
my people! why ask ye to hasten on the evil in preference to the good? If only
ye ask Allah for forgiveness, ye may hope to receive mercy.
PICKTHAL: He said: O
my people! Why will ye hasten on the evil rather than the good? Why will ye not
ask pardon of Allah, that ye may receive mercy.
SHAKIR: He said: O my
people! why do you seek to hasten on the evil before the good? Why do you not
ask forgiveness of Allah so that you may be dealt with mercifully?
027.047
YUSUFALI: They said:
"Ill omen do we augur from thee and those that are with thee". He said: "Your
ill omen is with Allah; yea, ye are a people under trial."
PICKTHAL: They said:
We augur evil of thee and those with thee. He said: Your evil augury is with
Allah. Nay, but ye are folk that are being tested.
SHAKIR: They said: We
have met with ill luck on account of you and on account of those with you. He
said: The cause of your evil fortune is with Allah; nay, you are a people who
are tried.
027.048
YUSUFALI: There were
in the city nine men of a family, who made mischief in the land, and would not
reform.
PICKTHAL: And there
were in the city nine persons who made mischief in the land and reformed not.
SHAKIR: And there were
in the city nine persons who made mischief in the land and did not act aright.
027.049
YUSUFALI: They said:
"Swear a mutual oath by Allah that we shall make a secret night attack on him
and his people, and that we shall then say to his heir (when he seeks
vengeance): 'We were not present at the slaughter of his people, and we are
positively telling the truth.'"
PICKTHAL: They said:
Swear one to another by Allah that we verily will attack him and his household
by night, and afterward we will surely say unto his friend: We witnessed not the
destruction of his household. And lo! we are truthtellers.
SHAKIR: They said:
Swear to each other by Allah that we will certainly make a sudden attack on him
and his family by night, then we will say to his heir: We did not witness the
destruction of his family, and we are most surely truthful.
027.050
YUSUFALI: They plotted
and planned, but We too planned, even while they perceived it not.
PICKTHAL: So they
plotted a plot: and We plotted a plot, while they perceived not.
SHAKIR: And they
planned a plan, and We planned a plan while they perceived not.
027.051
YUSUFALI: Then see
what was the end of their plot!- this, that We destroyed them and their people,
all (of them).
PICKTHAL: Then see the
nature of the consequence of their plotting, for lo! We destroyed them and their
people, every one.
SHAKIR: See, then, how
was the end of their plan that We destroyed them and their people, all (of
them).
027.052
YUSUFALI: Now such
were their houses, - in utter ruin, - because they practised wrong-doing. Verily
in this is a Sign for people of knowledge.
PICKTHAL: See, yonder
are their dwellings empty and in ruins because they did wrong. Lo! herein is
indeed a portent for a people who have knowledge.
SHAKIR: So those are
their houses fallen down because they were unjust, most surely there is a sign
in this for a people who know.
027.053
YUSUFALI: And We saved
those who believed and practised righteousness.
PICKTHAL: And we saved
those who believed and used to ward off (evil).
SHAKIR: .And We
delivered those who believed and who guarded (against evil).
027.054
YUSUFALI: (We also
sent) Lut (as a messenger): behold, He said to his people, "Do ye do what is
shameful though ye see (its iniquity)?
PICKTHAL: And Lot!
when he said unto his folk: Will ye commit abomination knowingly?
SHAKIR: And (We sent)
Lut, when he said to his people: What! do you commit indecency while you see?
027.055
YUSUFALI: Would ye
really approach men in your lusts rather than women? Nay, ye are a people
(grossly) ignorant!
PICKTHAL: Must ye
needs lust after men instead of women? Nay, but ye are folk who act senselessly.
SHAKIR: What! do you
indeed approach men lustfully rather than women? Nay, you are a people who act
ignorantly.
027.056
YUSUFALI: But his
people gave no other answer but this: they said, "Drive out the followers of Lut
from your city: these are indeed men who want to be clean and pure!"
PICKTHAL: But the
answer of his folk was naught save that they said: Expel the household of Lot
from your township, for they (forsooth) are folk who would keep clean!
SHAKIR: But the answer
of his people was no other except that they ~s said: Turn out Lut's followers
from your town; surely they are a people who would keep pure!
027.057
YUSUFALI: But We saved
him and his family, except his wife; her We destined to be of those who lagged
behind.
PICKTHAL: Then We
saved him and his household save his wife; We destined her to be of those who
stayed behind.
SHAKIR: But We
delivered him and his followers except his wife; We ordained her to be of those
who remained behind.
027.058
YUSUFALI: And We
rained down on them a shower (of brimstone): and evil was the shower on those
who were admonished (but heeded not)!
PICKTHAL: And We
rained a rain upon them. Dreadful is the rain of those who have been warned.
SHAKIR: And We rained
on them a rain, and evil was the rain of those who had been warned.
27 : 59
59. Quli alhamdu lillahi wasalamun AAala AAibadihi allatheena istafa allahu khayrun amma yushrikoona
Say (O Mohammed) : 'Praise be to Allah and peace be upon His bondsmen whom He has chosen! Who is better? Allah or the false deities they associate with Him?
27 : 60
60. Amman khalaqa alssamawati waal-arda waanzala lakum mina alssama-i maan faanbatna bihi hada-iqa thata bahjatin ma kana lakum an tunbitoo shajaraha a-ilahun maAAa Allahi bal hum qawmun yaAAdiloona
Or Who created the heavens and the earth and Who sends down water from the sky for you with which We cause to grow picturesque gardens, the trees which is are not in your power to grow? Can there be another God besides Allah? Nay, but there are people who ascribe equals to Him!
27 : 61
61. Amman jaAAala al-arda qararan wajaAAala khilalaha anharan wajaAAala laha rawasiya wajaAAala bayna albahrayni hajizan a-ilahun maAAa Allahi bal aktharuhum la yaAAlamoona
Or Who created the earth for habitation and has placed upon its surface rivers and balanced it with firm hills and has set a barrier between the two seas? Can there be another God besides Allah? Nay, but most of them know not!
27 : 62
62. Amman yujeebu almudtarra itha daAAahu wayakshifu alssoo-a wayajAAalukum khulafaa al-ardi a-ilahun maAAa Allahi qaleelan ma tathakkaroona
Or Who responds to the helpless if they cry to Him and expunges evil and has made you His regents in the earth? Can there any be another God besides Allah? Little do they remember!
27 : 63
63. Amman yahdeekum fee thulumati albarri waalbahri waman yursilu alrriyaha bushran bayna yaday rahmatihi a-ilahun maAAa Allahi taAAala Allahu AAamma yushrikoona
Or Who shows you the way in the darkness of the land and of the sea and sends the winds as harbingers heralding His mercy? Can there be another God beside Allah? May He transcend beyond their idolatry!
27 : 64
64. Amman yabdao alkhalqa thumma yuAAeeduhu waman yarzuqukum mina alssama-i waal-ardi a-ilahun maAAa Allahi qul hatoo burhanakum in kuntum sadiqeena
Or Who produces creation and then reproduces it and provides for you from the heavens and from the earth? Can there be another God besides Allah? Say : 'Then bring your proof, if you are truthful!'
27 : 65
65. Qul la yaAAlamu man fee alssamawati waal-ardi alghayba illa Allahu wama yashAAuroona ayyana yubAAathoona
Say (O Mohammed) : 'None in the heavens nor on the earth knows that which is hidden in them save Allah, nor do they know when they will be raised again!'
27 : 66
66. Bali iddaraka AAilmuhum fee al-akhirati bal hum fee shakkin minha bal hum minha AAamoona
As a matter of fact, does their knowledge extend to the Hereafter? Nay, but they
are in doubt concerning it; nay, they are blind to it! (R)
(Verses 60 to 66 contain a series of comparisons and contrasts between the true Lord of the Worlds, Who is the Omnipotent, the Omnipresent and the Ubiquitous of all and other ‘home-grown’, ‘hand-made’, impotent, unworthy, untenable false deities who are placed on the pedestal of Divinity and worshipped in the place of Allah).
OTHER TRANSLATIONS BY MUHSIN, YUSUFALI, PICKTHAL AND SHAKIR:
MUHSIN:
59. Say (O Muhammad SAW): "Praise and thanks be to Allâh, and peace be on His slaves whom He has chosen (for His Message)! Is Allâh better, or (all) that you ascribe as partners (to Him)?" (Of course, Allâh is Better)[].
60. Is not He (better than your gods) Who created the heavens and the earth, and sends down for you water (rain) from the sky, whereby We cause to grow wonderful gardens full of beauty and delight? It is not in your ability to cause the growth of their trees. Is there any ilâh (god) with Allâh? Nay, but they are a people who ascribe equals (to Him)!
61. Is not He (better than your gods) Who has made the earth as a fixed abode, and has placed rivers in its midst, and has placed firm mountains therein, and has set a barrier between the two seas (of salt and sweet water).Is there any ilâh (god) with Allâh? Nay, but most of them know not.
62. Is not He (better than your gods) Who responds to the distressed one, when he calls Him, and Who removes the evil, and makes you inheritors of the earth, generations after generations. Is there any ilâh (god) with Allâh? Little is that you remember!
63. Is not He (better than your gods) Who guides you in the darkness of the land and the sea, and Who sends the winds as heralds of glad tidings, going before His Mercy (rain)? Is there any ilâh (god) with Allâh? High Exalted be Allâh above all that they associate as partners (to Him)!
64. Is not He (better than your so-called gods) Who originates creation, and shall thereafter repeat it, and Who provides for you from heaven and earth? Is there any ilâh (god) with Allâh? Say, "Bring forth your proofs, if you are truthful."
65. Say: "None in the heavens and the earth knows the Ghaib (unseen) except Allâh, nor can they perceive when they shall be resurrected."
66. Nay, they have no knowledge of the Hereafter. Nay, they are in doubt about it. Nay, they are blind about it
027.059
YUSUFALI: Say: Praise
be to Allah, and Peace on his servants whom He has chosen (for his Message).
(Who) is better?- Allah or the false gods they associate (with Him)?
PICKTHAL: Say (O
Muhammad): Praise be to Allah, and peace be on His slaves whom He hath chosen!
Is Allah best, or (all) that ye ascribe as partners (unto Him)?
SHAKIR: Say: Praise be
to Allah and peace on His servants whom He has chosen: is Allah better, or what
they associate (with Him)?
027.060
YUSUFALI: Or, Who has
created the heavens and the earth, and Who sends you down rain from the sky?
Yea, with it We cause to grow well-planted orchards full of beauty of delight:
it is not in your power to cause the growth of the trees in them. (Can there be
another) god besides Allah? Nay, they are a people who swerve from justice.
PICKTHAL: Is not He
(best) Who created the heavens and the earth, and sendeth down for you water
from the sky wherewith We cause to spring forth joyous orchards, whose trees it
never hath been yours to cause to grow. Is there any Allah beside Allah? Nay,
but they are folk who ascribe equals (unto Him)!
SHAKIR: Nay, He Who
created the heavens and the earth, and sent down for you water from the cloud;
then We cause to grow thereby beautiful gardens; it is not possible for you that
you should make the trees thereof to grow. Is there a god with Allah? Nay! they
are people who deviate.
027.061
YUSUFALI: Or, Who has
made the earth firm to live in; made rivers in its midst; set thereon mountains
immovable; and made a separating bar between the two bodies of flowing water?
(can there be another) god besides Allah? Nay, most of them know not.
PICKTHAL: Is not He
(best) Who made the earth a fixed abode, and placed rivers in the folds thereof,
and placed firm hills therein, and hath set a barrier between the two seas? Is
there any Allah beside Allah? Nay, but most of them know not!
SHAKIR: Or, Who made
the earth a restingplace, and made in it rivers, and raised on it mountains and
placed between the two seas a barrier. Is there a god with Allah? Nay! most of
them do not know!
027.062
YUSUFALI: Or, Who
listens to the (soul) distressed when it calls on Him, and Who relieves its
suffering, and makes you (mankind) inheritors of the earth? (Can there be
another) god besides Allah? Little it is that ye heed!
PICKTHAL: Is not He
(best) Who answereth the wronged one when he crieth unto Him and removeth the
evil, and hath made you viceroys of the earth? Is there any Allah beside Allah?
Little do they reflect!
SHAKIR: Or, Who
answers the distressed one when he calls upon Him and removes the evil, and He
will make you successors in the earth. Is there a god with Allah? Little is it
that you mind!
027.063
YUSUFALI: Or, Who
guides you through the depths of darkness on land and sea, and Who sends the
winds as heralds of glad tidings, going before His Mercy? (Can there be another)
god besides Allah?- High is Allah above what they associate with Him!
PICKTHAL: Is not He
(best) Who guideth you in the darkness of the land and the sea, He Who sendeth
the winds as heralds of His mercy? Is there any Allah beside Allah? High Exalted
be Allah from all that they ascribe as partner (unto Him)!
SHAKIR: Or, Who guides
you in utter darkness of the land and the sea, and Who sends the winds as good
news before His mercy. Is there a god with Allah? Exalted by Allah above what
they associate (with Him).
027.064
YUSUFALI: Or, Who
originates creation, then repeats it, and who gives you sustenance from heaven
and earth? (Can there be another) god besides Allah? Say, "Bring forth your
argument, if ye are telling the truth!"
PICKTHAL: Is not He
(best) Who produceth creation, then reproduceth it, and Who provideth for you
from the heaven and the earth? Is there any Allah beside Allah? Say: Bring your
proof, if ye are truthful!
SHAKIR: Or, Who
originates the creation, then reproduces it and Who gives you sustenance from
the heaven and the earth. Is there a god With Allah? Say: Bring your proof if
you are truthful.
027.065
YUSUFALI: Say: None in
the heavens or on earth, except Allah, knows what is hidden: nor can they
perceive when they shall be raised up (for Judgment).
PICKTHAL: Say (O
Muhammad): None in the heavens and the earth knoweth the Unseen save Allah; and
they know not when they will be raised (again).
SHAKIR: Say: No one in
the heavens and the earth knows the unseen but Allah; and they do not know when
they shall be raised.
027.066
YUSUFALI: Still less
can their knowledge comprehend the Hereafter: Nay, they are in doubt and
uncertainty thereanent; nay, they are blind thereunto!
PICKTHAL: Nay, but
doth their knowledge reach to the Hereafter? Nay, for they are in doubt
concerning it. Nay, for they cannot see it.
SHAKIR: Nay, their
knowledge respecting the hereafter is slight and hasty; nay, they are in doubt
about it; nay, they are quite blind to
27 : 67
67. Waqala allatheena kafaroo a-itha kunna turaban waabaona a-inna lamukhrajoona
And those who disbelieve say : 'When we turn into dust like our forefathers have, are we to be raised again?'
27 : 68
68. Laqad wuAAidna hatha nahnu waabaona min qablu in hatha illa asateeru al-awwaleena
Verily this is a promise which was given to us, and to our fathers before us! This is nothing but just tall tales from a bygone past!
27 : 69
69. Qul seeroo fee al-ardi faonthuroo kayfa kana AAaqibatu almujrimeena
Say to them (O Mohammed) : 'Travel around the earth and see for yourselves what befell those who sinned!'
27 : 70
70. Wala tahzan AAalayhim wala takun fee dayqin mimma yamkuroona
But grieve not for them nor distress yourself because of that which they conspire in your regard.
27 : 71
71. Wayaqooloona mata hatha alwaAAdu in kuntum sadiqeena
And then they say : 'When will this promise come to pass, if you are truthful?
27 : 72
72. Qul AAasa an yakoona radifa lakum baAAdu allathee tastaAAjiloona
Say to them :'It may be that some of what you hasten on might already be lurking right behind you!'
27 : 73
73. Wa-inna rabbaka lathoo fadlin AAala alnnasi walakinna aktharahum la yashkuroona
And verily your Lord is full of compassion towards mankind, but most of them are ungrateful!
27 : 74
74. Wa-inna rabbaka layaAAlamu ma tukinnu sudooruhum wama yuAAlinoona
And verily your Lord knows that which they conceal inside their bosoms as well as that which they reveal.
27 : 75
75. Wama min gha-ibatin fee alssama-i waal-ardi illa fee kitabin mubeenin
And whatever is hidden in the heavens and upon the earth, everything is recorded in a clear Book.
27 : 76
76. Inna hatha alqur-ana yaqussu AAala banee isra-eela akthara allathee hum feehi yakhtalifoona
Verily this Qur'aan does explicate to the Children of Israel every issue over which they digress -
27 : 77
77. Wa-innahu lahudan warahmatun lilmu/mineena
And it surely is a Guidance and a Mercy for those who believe!
27 : 78
78. Inna rabbaka yaqdee baynahum bihukmihi wahuwa alAAazeezu alAAaleemu
Verily your Lord will adjudicate between them according to His wisdom, and He indeed is the most Meritorious and Erudite!
27 : 79
79. Fatawakkal AAala Allahi innaka AAala alhaqqi almubeeni
And hence (O Mohammed) put your trust in Allah, for verily you do stand on the plinth of Truth!
27 : 80
80. Innaka la tusmiAAu almawta wala tusmiAAu alssumma aldduAAaa itha wallaw mudbireena
Verily neither the dead will respond to you when you address them, nor will the deaf hear you when you call them, - once they have turned their backs!
27 : 81
81. Wama anta bihadee alAAumyi AAan dalalatihim in tusmiAAu illa man yu/minu bi-ayatina fahum muslimoona
Nor can you bring the blind out of their solecism, for your words will only be heeded by those who believe in Our revelations and surrender!
27 : 82
82. Wa-itha waqaAAa alqawlu AAalayhim akhrajna lahum dabbatan mina al-ardi tukallimuhum anna alnnasa kanoo bi-ayatina la yooqinoona
When the
culmination of Our word concerning them becomes imminent, We shall bring forth
an earthly beast to communicate with them, for mankind had not had any faith in
Our revelations! (R)
(Opinions of commentators are sharply divided regarding the identity of this beast who would be raised from earth when everything else fails and mankind becomes inextricably embroiled in solecism and sinfulness, signalling the end of life on earth. Some say that it would be a grotesque animal of super-human proportions; some say a gigantic fowl, or an insect, or even a fellow human but different from the rest of the humans, who would communicate with others in every language without any difficulty, about matters of faith and about God.
Looking at the way events are shaping up upon the earth with regards to space exploration and weapons of mass destruction, it might even be one of the alien invaders, a new font to replace the humankind which has, indeed, been promised by Allah on many an occasion in the Qur'aan, capable of communicating in all languages and declaring their take-over of planet earth so that it is ‘depopulated’ and then ‘repopulated’ with their own ’font’).
OTHER TRANSLATIONS BY MUHSIN, YUSUFALI, PICKTHAL AND SHAKIR:
MUHSIN:
67. And those who disbelieve say: "When we have become dust, we and our fathers, shall we really be brought forth (again)?
68. "Indeed we were promised this, we and our forefathers before, Verily, these are nothing but tales of ancients."
69. Say to them (O Muhammad SAW) "Travel in the land and see how has been the end of the criminals (those who denied Allâh's Messengers and disobeyed Allâh)."
70. And grieve you not for them, nor be straitened (in distress) because of what they plot.
71. And they (the disbelievers in the Oneness of Allâh) say: "When (will) this promise (be fulfilled), if you are truthful?"
72. Say: "Perhaps that which you wish to hasten on, may be close behind you.
73. "Verily, your Lord is full of Grace for mankind, yet most of them do not give thanks."
74. And verily, your Lord knows what their breasts conceal and what they reveal.
75. And there is nothing hidden in the heaven and the earth, but is in a Clear Book (i.e. Al-Lauh Al-Mahfûz).
76. Verily, this Qur'ân narrates to the Children of Israel most of that about which they differ.
77. And truly, it (this Qur'ân) is a guide and a mercy to the believers.
78. Verily, your Lord will decide between them (various sects) by His Judgement. And He is the All-Mighty, the All-Knowing.
79. So put your trust in Allâh; surely, you (O Muhammad SAW) are on manifest truth.
80. Verily, you cannot make the dead to hear (i.e. benefit them and similarly the disbelievers), nor can you make the deaf to hear the call, when they flee, turning their backs.
81. Nor can you lead the blind out of their error, you can only make to hear those who believe in Our Ayât (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.), and who have submitted (themselves to Allâh in Islâm as Muslims).
82. And when the Word (of torment) is fulfilled against them, We shall bring out from the earth a beast[] to them, which will speak to them because mankind believed not with certainty in Our Ayât (Verses of the Qur'ân and Prophet Muhammad SAW).
027.067
YUSUFALI: The
Unbelievers say: "What! when we become dust,- we and our fathers,- shall we
really be raised (from the dead)?
PICKTHAL: Yet those
who disbelieve say: When we have become dust like our fathers, shall we verily
be brought forth (again)?
SHAKIR: And those who
disbelieve say: What! when we have become dust and our fathers (too), shall we
certainly be brought forth?
027.068
YUSUFALI: "It is true
we were promised this,- we and our fathers before (us): these are nothing but
tales of the ancients."
PICKTHAL: We were
promised this, forsooth, we and our fathers. (All) this is naught but fables of
the men of old.
SHAKIR: We have
certainly been promised this, we and our fathers before; these are naught but
stories of the ancients
027.069
YUSUFALI: Say: "Go ye
through the earth and see what has been the end of those guilty (of sin)."
PICKTHAL: Say (unto
them, O Muhammad): Travel in the land and see the nature of the sequel for the
guilty!
SHAKIR: Say: Travel in
the earth, then see how was the end of the guilty.
027.070
YUSUFALI: But grieve
not over them, nor distress thyself because of their plots.
PICKTHAL: And grieve
thou not for them, nor be in distress because of what they plot (against thee).
SHAKIR: And grieve not
for them and be not distressed because of what they plan.
027.071
YUSUFALI: They also
say: "When will this promise (come to pass)? (Say) if ye are truthful."
PICKTHAL: And they
say: When (will) this promise (be fulfilled), if ye are truthful?
SHAKIR: And they say:
When will this threat come to pass, if you are truthful?
027.072
YUSUFALI: Say: "It may
be that some of the events which ye wish to hasten on may be (close) in your
pursuit!"
PICKTHAL: Say: It may
be that a part of that which ye would hasten on is close behind you.
SHAKIR: Say: Maybe
there may have drawn near to you somewhat of that which you seek to hasten on.
027.073
YUSUFALI: But verily
thy Lord is full of grace to mankind: Yet most of them are ungrateful.
PICKTHAL: Lo! thy Lord
is full of bounty for mankind, but most of them do not give thanks.
SHAKIR: And surely
your Lord is the Lord of grace to men, but most of them are not grateful.
027.074
YUSUFALI: And verily
thy Lord knoweth all that their hearts do hide. As well as all that they reveal.
PICKTHAL: Lo! thy Lord
knoweth surely all that their bosoms hide, and all that they proclaim.
SHAKIR: And most
surely your Lord knows what their breasts conceal and what they manifest.
027.075
YUSUFALI: Nor is there
aught of the unseen, in heaven or earth, but is (recorded) in a clear record.
PICKTHAL: And there is
nothing hidden in the heaven or the earth but it is in a clear Record.
SHAKIR: And there is
nothing concealed in the heaven and the earth but it is in a clear book.
027.076
YUSUFALI: Verily this
Qur'an doth explain to the Children of Israel most of the matters in which they
disagree.
PICKTHAL: Lo! this
Qur'an narrateth unto the Children of Israel most of that concerning which they
differ.
SHAKIR: Surely this
Quran declares to the children of Israel most of what they differ in.
027.077
YUSUFALI: And it
certainly is a Guide and a Mercy to those who believe.
PICKTHAL: And lo! it
is a guidance and a mercy for believers.
SHAKIR: And most
surely it is a guidance and a mercy for the believers.
027.078
YUSUFALI: Verily thy
Lord will decide between them by His Decree: and He is Exalted in Might,
All-Knowing.
PICKTHAL: Lo! thy Lord
will judge between them of His wisdom, and He is the Mighty, the Wise.
SHAKIR: Surely your
Lord will judge between them by his judgment, and He is the Mighty, the knowing.
027.079
YUSUFALI: So put thy
trust in Allah: for thou art on (the path of) manifest Truth.
PICKTHAL: Therefor (O
Muhammad) put thy trust in Allah, for thou (standest) on the plain Truth.
SHAKIR: Therefore rely
on Allah; surely you are on the clear truth.
027.080
YUSUFALI: Truly thou
canst not cause the dead to listen, nor canst thou cause the deaf to hear the
call, (especially) when they turn back in retreat.
PICKTHAL: Lo! thou
canst not make the dead to hear, nor canst thou make the deaf to hear the call
when they have turned to flee;
SHAKIR: Surely you do
not make the dead to hear, and you do not make the deaf to hear the call when
they go back retreating.
027.081
YUSUFALI: Nor canst
thou be a guide to the blind, (to prevent them) from straying: only those wilt
thou get to listen who believe in Our Signs, and they will bow in Islam.
PICKTHAL: Nor canst
thou lead the blind out of their error. Thou canst make none to hear, save those
who believe Our revelations and who have surrendered.
SHAKIR: Nor can you be
a guide to the blind out of their error; you cannot make to bear (any one)
except those who believe in Our communications, so they submit.
027.082
YUSUFALI: And when the
Word is fulfilled against them (the unjust), we shall produce from the earth a
beast to (face) them: He will speak to them, for that mankind did not believe
with assurance in Our Signs.
PICKTHAL: And when the
word is fulfilled concerning them, We shall bring forth a beast of the earth to
speak unto them because mankind had not faith in Our revelations.
SHAKIR: And when the
word shall come to pass against them, We shall bring forth for them a creature
from the earth that shall i wound them, because people did not believe in Our
communications.
27 : 83
83. Wayawma nahshuru min kulli ommatin fawjan mimman yukaththibu bi-ayatina fahum yoozaAAoona
And (remind them of) the Day when We shall raise from every generation a group who had repudiated Our revelations, - and they will be lined up -
27 : 84
84. Hatta itha jaoo qala akaththabtum bi-ayatee walam tuheetoo biha AAilman ammatha kuntum taAAmaloona
Until they all stand before their Lord when He will ask them : 'Did you refute My revelations because your knowledge was not profound enough to encompass them? Or, what was it that you used to do?'
27 : 85
85. WawaqaAAa alqawlu AAalayhim bima thalamoo fahum la yantiqoona
And the word concerning them would surely come to pass because of their sins and they will have no say in it!
27 : 86
86. Alam yaraw anna jaAAalna allayla liyaskunoo feehi waalnnahara mubsiran inna fee thalika laayatin liqawmin yu/minoona
See they not how We have made the night dark so that they may relax and the day
bright so that they may see? Verily there are clear portents in this for
those who believe.
(The
revolution of nights and days are mentioned in this particular context for
several reasons that become apparent to us if we introspect a little. Firstly,
it establishes that in the same way as Allah has the power to take away the
night and replace it with the day and vice versa, He also has the power to
replace life with death and vice versa. Secondly, in the same way as the dark
night is created for us to recoup from the rigours of the day, and then is
followed by a bright day for us to toil for our sustenance, we are given life to
exert ourselves in performing righteous deeds so that we may benefit from them
and are rewarded in the Hereafter. In other words,
just as we reap the benefits of the day during the night and reap the benefits
of the night during the day, we are rewarded
or punished in one life towards what we did in the other)
27 : 87
87. Wayawma yunfakhu fee alssoori fafaziAAa man fee alssamawati waman fee al-ardi illa man shaa Allahu wakullun atawhu dakhireena
And (remind them of) the day when the Trumpet will be blown and all those
who are in the heavens and on the earth will be struck by awe save those whom
Allah will be pleased to spare. And they all shall gather before Him with
humility!
(According to most commentators, when the trumpet is blown by Israfil for the first time, it would be to signal the end of human life on earth; and when it is blown for the second time, it would be to raise the dead from wherever they be, whether in the womb of earth or at the bottom of the oceans or as ashes dispersed in the wind, although there are other commentators who say that the second blowing means blowing of the soul in the bodies so that the dead are raised to face their Trial.
The exceptions mentioned in the latter part of the verse are taken by some commentators to be a reference to the martyrs who never die in the sane way as the rest of us do, and by others to Angels Gabriel, Michael, Israel and Israfil, who would be the only ones to stay back on earth after everyone else returns to Allah).
27 : 88
88. Watara aljibala tahsabuha jamidatan wahiya tamurru marra alssahabi sunAAa Allahi allathee atqana kulla shay-in innahu khabeerun bima tafAAaloona
And you will see the mountains which had once seemed solid to you float like the flux of passing clouds! Such is the doing of Allah who perfected everything! Verily He is informed of what you do!
27 : 89
89. Man jaa bialhasanati falahu khayrun minha wahum min fazaAAin yawma-ithin aminoona
Whoever brings with him a good deed will be given a reward better than its worth! And such of them shall be spared the awesomeness of that Day!
27 : 90
90. Waman jaa bialssayyi-ati fakubbat wujoohuhum fee alnnari hal tujzawna illa ma kuntum taAAmaloona
But whoever brings an evil deed, such of them shall be flung face downwards in the Fire! Can you expect to be requited for anything other than what you used to do?
27 : 91
91. Innama omirtu an aAAbuda rabba hathihi albaldati allathee harramaha walahu kullu shay-in waomirtu an akoona mina almuslimeena
Say (O Mohammed) : 'I am commanded to worship only the Lord of this City,
Him Who has sanctified it and to Whom belong all things and I am commanded to be
of those who surrender to Him!
(The ‘City’ is a reference to Mecca which has already been eulogized in the
Qur'aan as Mother of cities, not only because of its geographic location
at the axis of the earth but also its past association with so many of Allah's
Prophets, besides being the birth place of our blessed Prophet where he received
the Last Revelation and where the
Holy House and the Most Hallowed Mosque stand,
attracting pilgrims from all over the world)
27 : 92
92. Waan atluwa alqur-ana famani ihtada fa-innama yahtadee linafsihi waman dalla faqul innama ana mina almunthireena
'And to recite the Qur'aan! And whoever ameliorates himself through it, he does so for the good of his own soul; but as for him who goes astray in spite of it, say to him : 'I am only a warner!'
27 : 93
93. Waquli alhamdu lillahi sayureekum ayatihi fataAArifoonaha wama rabbuka bighafilin AAamma taAAmaloona
And say : 'Praise be to Allah who shall show you His portents in such a way that you shall recognize them without doubts! And your Lord is never unaware of what you do!' (R)
OTHER TRANSLATIONS BY MUHSIN, YUSUFALI, PICKTHAL AND SHAKIR:
MUHSIN:
83. And (remember) the Day when We shall gather out of every nation a troop of those who denied Our Ayât (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.), and (then) they (all) shall be gathered (and driven to the place of reckoning),
84. Till, when they come (before their Lord at the place of reckoning), He will say: "Did you deny My Ayât (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.) when you comprehended them not in knowledge, or what (else) was it that you used to do?"
85. And the Word (of torment) will be fulfilled against them, because they have done wrong, and they will be unable to speak (in order to defend themselves).
86. See they not that We have made the night for them to rest therein, and the day sight-giving? Verily, in this are Ayât (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.) for the people who believe.
87. And (remember) the Day on which the Trumpet will be blown and all who are in the heavens and all who are on the earth, will be terrified except him whom Allâh will (exempt). And all shall come to Him humbled.
88. And you will see the mountains and think them solid, but they shall pass away as the passing away of the clouds. The Work of Allâh, Who perfected all things, verily! He is Well-Acquainted with what you do.
89. Whoever brings a good deed (i.e. Belief in the Oneness of Allâh along with every deed of righteousness), will have better than its worth, and they will be safe from the terror on that Day.
90. And whoever brings an evil (deed) (i.e. Shirk polytheism, disbelief in the Oneness of Allâh and every evil sinful deed), they will be cast down (prone) on their faces in the Fire. (And it will be said to them) "Are you being recompensed anything except what you used to do?"
91. I (Muhammad SAW) have been commanded only to worship the Lord of this city (Makkah), Him Who has sanctified it and His is everything. And I am commanded to be from among the Muslims (those who submit to Allâh in Islâm)[].
92. And to recite the Qur'ân, so whosoever receives guidance, receives it for the good of his ownself, and whosoever goes astray, say (to him): "I am only one of the warners."
93. And say [(O Muhammad SAW) to these polytheists and pagans etc.]: "All the praises and thanks be to Allâh. He will show you His Ayât (signs, in yourselves, and in the universe or punishments, etc.), and you shall recognise them. And your Lord is not unaware of what you do."
027.083
YUSUFALI: One day We
shall gather together from every people a troop of those who reject our Signs,
and they shall be kept in ranks,-
PICKTHAL: And (remind
them of) the Day when We shall gather out of every nation a host of those who
denied Our revelations, and they will be set in array;
SHAKIR: And on the day
when We will gather from every nation a party from among those who rejected Our
communications, then they shall be formed into groups.
027.084
YUSUFALI: Until, when
they come (before the Judgment-seat), (Allah) will say: "Did ye reject My Signs,
though ye comprehended them not in knowledge, or what was it ye did?"
PICKTHAL: Till, when
they come (before their Lord), He will say: Did ye deny My revelations when ye
could not compass them in knowledge, or what was it that ye did?
SHAKIR: Until when
they come, He will say: Did you reject My communications while you had no
comprehensive knowledge of them? Or what was it that you did?
027.085
YUSUFALI: And the Word
will be fulfilled against them, because of their wrong-doing, and they will be
unable to speak (in plea).
PICKTHAL: And the Word
will be fulfilled concerning them because they have done wrong, and they will
not speak.
SHAKIR: And the word
shall come to pass against them because they were unjust, so they shall not
speak.
027.086
YUSUFALI: See they not
that We have made the Night for them to rest in and the Day to give them light?
Verily in this are Signs for any people that believe!
PICKTHAL: Have they
not seen how We have appointed the night that they may rest therein, and the day
sight-giving? Lo! therein verily are portents for a people who believe.
SHAKIR: Do they not
consider that We have made the night that. they may rest therein, and the day to
give light? Most surely there are signs in this for a people who believe.
027.087
YUSUFALI: And the Day
that the Trumpet will be sounded - then will be smitten with terror those who
are in the heavens, and those who are on earth, except such as Allah will please
(to exempt): and all shall come to His (Presence) as beings conscious of their
lowliness.
PICKTHAL: And (remind
them of) the Day when the Trumpet will be blown, and all who are in the heavens
and the earth will start in fear, save him whom Allah willeth. And all come unto
Him, humbled.
SHAKIR: And on the day
when the trumpet shall be blown, then those who are in the heavens and those who
are in the earth shall be terrified except such as Allah please, and all shall
come to him abased.
027.088
YUSUFALI: Thou seest
the mountains and thinkest them firmly fixed: but they shall pass away as the
clouds pass away: (such is) the artistry of Allah, who disposes of all things in
perfect order: for he is well acquainted with all that ye do.
PICKTHAL: And thou
seest the hills thou deemest solid flying with the flight of clouds: the doing
of Allah Who perfecteth all things. Lo! He is Informed of what ye do.
SHAKIR: And you see
the mountains, you think them to be solid, and they shall pass away as the
passing away of the cloud-- the handiwork of Allah Who has made every thing
thoroughly; surely He is Aware of what you do.
027.089
YUSUFALI: If any do
good, good will (accrue) to them therefrom; and they will be secure from terror
that Day.
PICKTHAL: Whoso
bringeth a good deed will have better than its worth; and such are safe from
fear that Day.
SHAKIR: Whoever brings
good, he shall have better than it; and they shall be secure from terror on the
day.
027.090
YUSUFALI: And if any
do evil, their faces will be thrown headlong into the Fire: "Do ye receive a
reward other than that which ye have earned by your deeds?"
PICKTHAL: And whoso
bringeth an ill-deed, such will be flung down on their faces in the Fire. Are ye
rewarded aught save what ye did?
SHAKIR: And whoever
brings evil, these shall be thrown down on their faces into the fire; shall you
be rewarded (for) aught except what you did?
027.091
YUSUFALI: For me, I
have been commanded to serve the Lord of this city, Him Who has sanctified it
and to Whom (belong) all things: and I am commanded to be of those who bow in
Islam to Allah's Will,-
PICKTHAL: (Say): I
(Muhammad) am commanded only to serve the Lord of this land which He hath
hallowed, and unto Whom all things belong. And I am commanded to be of those who
surrender (unto Him),
SHAKIR: I am commanded
only that I should serve the Lord of this city, Who has made it sacred, and His
are all things; and I am commanded that I should be of these who submit;
027.092
YUSUFALI: And to
rehearse the Qur'an: and if any accept guidance, they do it for the good of
their own souls, and if any stray, say: "I am only a Warner".
PICKTHAL: And to
recite the Qur'an. And whoso goeth right, goeth right only for (the good of) his
own soul; and as for him who goeth astray - (Unto him) say: Lo! I am only a
warner.
SHAKIR: And that I
should recite the Quran. Therefore whoever goes aright, he goes aright for his
own soul, and whoever goes ' astray, then say: I am only one of the warners.
027.093
YUSUFALI: And say:
"Praise be to Allah, Who will soon show you His Signs, so that ye shall know
them"; and thy Lord is not unmindful of all that ye do.
PICKTHAL: And say:
Praise be to Allah Who will show you His portents so that ye shall know them.
And thy Lord is not unaware of what ye (mortals) do.
SHAKIR: And say:
Praise be to Allah, He will show you His signs so that you shall recognize them;
nor is your Lord heedless of what you do.