SURAH 64
INTRODUCTION:
This Surah consists of 18 verses, 241 sentences, 1,070 letters and 2 Ruku’s
It takes its name from the sentence Dhalika yaum-ut taghabun of verse 9, thereby implying that it is the Surah in which the word at taghahun has occurred.
Muqatil and Kalbi say that it was partly revealed at Makkah and partly at Madinah. Hadrat Abdullah bin Abbas and Ata bin Yasar say that vv. 1-13 were revealed at Makkah and vv. 14-18 at Madinah. But the majority of commentators regard the whole of the surah as a Madinan Revelation. Although there is no internal evidence to help determine its exact period of revelation, yet a study of its subject matter shows that it might probably have been sent down at an early stage at Madinah. That is why it partly resembles the Makkah surahs and partly the Madinan Surahs.
The theme of this surah is invitation to the Faith and obedience (to Allah) and the teaching of good morals. The sequence followed is that the first four verses are addressed to all men; verses 5-10 to those men who do not believe in the invitation of the Quran; and verses 11-18 to those who accept and believe in this invitation. In the verses addressed to all men, they have been made aware in a few brief sentences of the four fundamental truths:
First, that the universe in which they live is not Godless, but its Creator, Master and Ruler is an All Powerful God, and everything in it testifies to His being most Perfect and absolutely faultless.
Second, that the universe is not without purpose and wisdom, but its Creator has created it with truth; no one should be under the delusion that it is a mock show, which began without a purpose and will come to an end without a purpose.
Third, that the excellent form that God has created you with and the choice that He has given you to choose between belief and unbelief is not a useless and meaningless activity so that it may be of no consequence whether you choose belief or unbelief. In fact, God is watching as to how you exercise your choice.
Fourth, that you have not been created irresponsible and un-answerable. You have to return ultimately to your Creator, and have to meet the Being who is aware of everything in the universe, from Whom nothing is hidden, to Whom even the innermost thoughts of the minds are known.
After stating these four fundamental truths about the Universe and Man, the address turns to the people who adopted the way of unbelief, and their attention is drawn to a phenomenon which has persisted throughout human history, namely that nation after nation has arisen and ultimately gone to its doom. Man by his intellect and reason has been explaining this phenomenon in a thousand ways, but Allah tells the real truth and declares that the fundamental causes of the destruction of the nations were only two.
Fifth, that they refused to believe in the Messengers whom He sent for their guidance, with the result that Allah too left them to themselves, and they invented their own philosophies of life and went on groping their way from one error to another.
Second, that they also rejected the doctrine of Hereafter, and thought this worldly life to be an end in itself, and that there was no life hereafter when they would have to render an account of their deeds before God. This corrupted their whole attitude towards life, and their impure morals and character so polluted the world that eventually the scourge of God itself had to descend and eliminate them from the scene.
After stating these two instructive truths of human history, the deniers of the message of Truth have been admonished to wake up and believe in Allah, His Messenger and the Light of Guidance that Allah has sent in the form of the Quran if they want to avoid the fate met by the former peoples. Besides, they have been warned that the Day shall eventually come when all the former and the latter generations will be collected at one place and the fraud and embezzlement committed by each will be exposed before all mankind. Then the fate of each man will be decided finally on the basis as to who had adopted the path of the Faith and righteousness and who had followed the way of disbelief and denial of the Truth. The first group shall deserve eternal Paradise and the second shall be doomed to everlasting Hell. Then, addressing those who adopt the way of the Faith, a few important instructions have been given:
First, that whatever affliction befalls a person in the world, it befalls him by Allah's leave. Whoever in this state of affliction remains steadfast to the Faith, Allah blesses his heart with guidance; otherwise although the affliction of the one who in confusion or bewilderment turns away from the path of the Faith, cannot be averted except by Allah's leave, yet he becomes involved in another, the greatest affliction of all, namely that his heart is deprived of the guidance of Allah.
Secondly, that the believer is not required to affirm the faith with the tongue only, but after the affirmation of the Faith he should practically obey Allah and His Messenger. If he turns away from obedience he would himself be responsible for his loss, for the Holy Messenger of Allah (upon whom be His peace) has become absolved from the responsibility after having delivered the message of Truth.
Thirdly, that the believer should place his trust in Allah alone and not in his own power or some other power of the world.
Fourthly, that the worldly goods and children are a great trial and temptation for the believer, for it is their love which generally distracts man from the path of faith and obedience. Therefore, the believers have to beware some of their children, and wives lest they become robbers for them on the Way of God directly or indirectly; and they should spend their wealth for the sake of God so that their self remains safe against the temptations of Satan.
Fifthly, that every man is responsible only to the extent of his power and ability. Allah does not demand that man should exert himself beyond his power and ability. However, the believer should try his best to live in fear of God as far as possible, and should see that he does not transgress the bounds set by Allah in his speech, conduct and dealings through his own negligence.
Maududi
THE HOLY QUR'AAN
SURAH 64
Bismi Allahi alrrahmani alrraheemi
Section 1.
64 : 1
1. Yusabbihu lillahi ma fee alssamawati wama fee al-ardi lahu almulku walahu alhamdu wahuwa AAala kulli shay-in qadeerun
Whatever is there in the heavens and upon the earth hallows the name of Allah. His is the kingdom, His the glory, and His the power over all things!
64 : 2
2. Huwa allathee khalaqakum faminkum kafirun waminkum mu/minun waAllahu bima taAAmaloona baseerun
He it is Who has created you and yet one of you is a disbeliever and one of you a believer! And Allah is watchful of that which you do!
64 : 3
3. Khalaqa alssamawati waal-arda bialhaqqi wasawwarakum faahsana suwarakum wa-ilayhi almaseeru
He created the heavens and the earth with Truth and He moulded your features and made them winsome and to Him is the returning!
64 : 4
4. YaAAlamu ma fee alssamawati waal-ardi wayaAAlamu ma tusirroona wama tuAAlinoona waAllahu AAaleemun bithati alssudoori
He knows all that is in the heavens and all that is on the earth and He knows that which you conceal and that which you reveal and Allah is aware of what lies in the human heart!
64 : 5
5. Alam ya/tikum nabao allatheena kafaroo min qablu fathaqoo wabala amrihim walahum AAathabun aleemun
Has not the news reached you about those who disbelieved in the past and tasted the bitter outcome of their folly? And for them awaits a grievous punishment!
64 : 6
6. Thalika bi-annahu kanat ta/teehim rusuluhum bialbayyinati faqaloo abasharun yahdoonana fakafaroo watawallaw waistaghna Allahu waAllahu ghaniyyun hameedun
That was because successive messengers brought to them Our clear portents, but to each they said : 'Are we to be guided by mortals?' and they disbelieved and turned away, so Allah too became indifferent to them! Allah has no need of them, for Allah is Affluent and Praiseworthy!
64 : 7
7. ZaAAama allatheena kafaroo an lan yubAAathoo qul bala warabbee latubAAathunna thumma latunabbaonna bima AAamiltum wathalika AAala Allahi yaseerun
Those who disbelieve contend that they would never be raised again! So say to them (Mohammed) : 'Yes, indeed! By my Lord, you shall verily be raised again and then you will be told all that which you used to do! And that is easy for Allah.
64 : 8
8. Faaminoo biAllahi warasoolihi waalnnoori allathee anzalna waAllahu bima taAAmaloona khabeerun
So believe in Allah and in His messenger and in the Light which We have revealed to you! And Allah is aware of all that which you do!
64 : 9
9. Yawma yajmaAAukum liyawmi aljamAAi thalika yawmu alttaghabuni waman yu/min biAllahi wayaAAmal salihan yukaffir AAanhu sayyi-atihi wayudkhilhu jannatin tajree min tahtiha al-anharu khalideena feeha abadan thalika alfawzu alAAatheemu
The Day when He would assemble you together for the Day of Assembling, that will be the day of mutual disillusionment! And whoever believes in Allah and performs seemly deeds, He will remit his sins and enter him into Gardens underneath which rivers flow, therein to abide forever. That indeed is the Ultimate triumph!
64 : 10
10. Waallatheena kafaroo wakaththaboo bi-ayatina ola-ika as-habu alnnari khalideena feeha wabi/sa almaseeru
But those who disbelieve and refute Our revelations, they belong to the Fire, and they will abide therein forever. That indeed is an awesome destination! (R)
Section 2.
64 : 11
11. Ma asaba min museebatin illa bi-ithni Allahi waman yu/min biAllahi yahdi qalbahu waAllahu bikulli shay-in AAaleemun
Never does a catastrophe befall other than by Allah's leave; and whoever believes in Allah, He will give guidance to his heart! And Allah is cognizant of all things.
64 : 12
12. WaateeAAoo Allaha waateeAAoo alrrasoola fa-in tawallaytum fa-innama AAala rasoolina albalaghu almubeenu
Obey Allah and obey His messenger; but if you turn away, the responsibility of Our messenger is only to deliver the message with clarity.
64 : 13
13. Allahu la ilaha illa huwa waAAala Allahi falyatawakkali almu/minoona
Allah! There is no God save Him and hence let the believers put their trust in Allah alone!
* * *
Context of Revelation : The following verses were revealed with reference to the wives and children of believers who persuaded their men not to emigrate to Madina with the Prophet. However, when they eventually did emigrate, they realized that they were at a disadvantage in religious knowledge to those who had accompanied the Prophet. It distressed them to such an extent that they punished their families by cutting down on their household budgets, but restraint and lenity was urged by means of this revelation.
64 : 14
14. Ya ayyuha allatheena amanoo inna min azwajikum waawladikum AAaduwwan lakum faihtharoohum wa-in taAAfoo watasfahoo wataghfiroo fa-inna Allaha ghafoorun raheemun
O those of you who believe! Verily among your wives and your children are some who are enemies to you, so beware of them. But if you forgive them and disregard them and relent towards them, verily Allah too is Magnanimous and Merciful!
64 : 15
15. Innama amwalukum waawladukum fitnatun waAllahu AAindahu ajrun AAatheemun
Whilst your earthly possessions and your children are merely a test for you, the real reward which Allah has kept for you is much more bounteous!
* * *
64 : 16
16. Faittaqoo Allaha ma istataAAtum waismaAAoo waateeAAoo waanfiqoo khayran li-anfusikum waman yooqa shuhha nafsihi faola-ika humu almuflihoona
So discharge your duty to Allah to the best of your ability and heed and obey and give alms for the good of your own souls! And whoever protects himself from the temptations of his own heart, he is the one who attains redemption!
64 : 17
17. In tuqridoo Allaha qardan hasanan yudaAAifhu lakum wayaghfir lakum waAllahu shakoorun haleemun
If you lend Allah a munificent loan, He will double its reward for you and He will forgive you your sins, for Allah is Considerate and Benevolent,
64 : 18
18. AAalimu alghaybi waalshshahadati alAAazeezu alhakeemu
Aware of the hidden and of the exposed, the Meritorious and the Sagacious! (R)
MUHSIN
1. Whatsoever is in the heavens and whatsoever is on the earth glorifies Allâh. His is the dominion, and to Him belong all the praises and thanks, and He is Able to do all things.
2. He it is Who created you, then some of you are disbelievers and some of you are believers. And Allâh is All-Seer of what you do.
3. He has created the heavens and the earth with truth, and He shaped you and made good your shapes, and to Him is the final Return.
4. He knows what is in the heavens and on earth, and He knows what you conceal and what you reveal. And Allâh is the All-Knower of what is in the breasts (of men).
5. Has not the news reached you of those who disbelieved aforetime? And so they tasted the evil result of their disbelief, and theirs will be a painful torment.
6. That was because there came to them their Messengers with clear proofs (signs), but they said: "Shall mere men guide us?" So they disbelieved and turned away (from the truth), and Allâh was not in need (of them). And Allâh is Rich (Free of all wants), Worthy of all praise.
7. The disbelievers pretend that they will never be resurrected (for the Account). Say (O Muhammad SAW): "Yes! By my Lord, you will certainly be resurrected, then you will be informed of (and recompensed for) what you did, and that is easy for Allâh.
8. Therefore, believe in Allâh and His Messenger (Muhammad SAW), and in the Light (this Qur'ân) which We have sent down. And Allâh is All-Aware of what you do.
9. (And remember) the Day when He will gather you (all) on the Day of Gathering, that will be the Day of mutual loss and gain (i.e. loss for the disbelievers as they will enter the Hell-fire and gain for the believers as they will enter Paradise). And whosoever believes in Allâh and performs righteous good deeds, He will remit from him his sins, and will admit him to Gardens under which rivers flow (Paradise) to dwell therein forever, that will be the great success.
10. But those who disbelieved (in the Oneness of Allâh - Islâmic Monotheism) and denied Our Ayât (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.), they will be the dwellers of the Fire, to dwell therein forever. And worst indeed is that destination[].
11. No calamity befalls, but with the Leave [i.e. decision and Qadar (Divine Preordainments)] of Allâh, and whosoever believes in Allâh, He guides his heart [to the true Faith with certainty, i.e. what has befallen him was already written for him by Allâh from the Qadar (Divine Preordainments)], and Allâh is the All-Knower of everything.
12. Obey Allâh, and obey the Messenger (Muhammad SAW), but if you turn away, then the duty of Our Messenger is only to convey (the Message) clearly.
13. Allâh! Lâ ilâha illa Huwa (none has the right to be worshipped but He), and in Allâh (Alone), therefore, let the believers put their trust.
14. O you who believe! Verily, among your wives and your children there are enemies for you (i.e. may stop you from the obedience of Allâh), therefore beware of them! But if you pardon (them) and overlook, and forgive (their faults), then verily, Allâh is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.
15. Your wealth and your children are only a trial, whereas Allâh! With Him is a great reward (Paradise).
16. So keep your duty to Allâh and fear Him as much as you can; listen and obey; and spend in charity, that is better for yourselves. And whosoever is saved from his own covetousness, then they are the successful ones.
17. If you lend to Allâh a goodly loan (i.e. spend in Allâh's Cause) He will double it for you, and will forgive you. And Allâh is Most Ready to appreciate and to reward, Most Forbearing,
18. All-Knower of the unseen and seen, the All-Mighty, the All-Wise.
064.001
YUSUFALI:
Whatever is in the heavens and on earth, doth declare the Praises and Glory of
Allah: to Him belongs dominion, and to Him belongs praise: and He has power over
all things.
PICKTHAL:
All that is in the heavens and all that is in the earth glorifieth Allah; unto
Him belongeth Sovereignty and unto Him belongeth praise, and He is Able to do
all things.
SHAKIR:
Whatever is in the heavens and whatever is in the earth declares the glory of
Allah; to Him belongs the kingdom, and to Him is due (all) praise, and He has
power over all things.
064.002
YUSUFALI:
It is He Who has created you; and of you are some that are Unbelievers, and some
that are Believers: and Allah sees well all that ye do.
PICKTHAL:
He it is Who created you, but one of you is a disbeliever and one of you is a
believer, and Allah is Seer of what ye do.
SHAKIR:
He it is Who created you, but one of you is an unbeliever and another of you is
a believer; and Allah sees what you do.
064.003
YUSUFALI:
He has created the heavens and the earth in just proportions, and has given you
shape, and made your shapes beautiful: and to Him is the final Goal.
PICKTHAL:
He created the heavens and the earth with truth, and He shaped you and made good
your shapes, and unto Him is the journeying.
SHAKIR:
He created the heavens and the earth with truth, and He formed you, then made
goodly your forms, and to Him is the ultimate resort.
064.004
YUSUFALI:
He knows what is in the heavens and on earth; and He knows what ye conceal and
what ye reveal: yea, Allah knows well the (secrets) of (all) hearts.
PICKTHAL:
He knoweth all that is in the heavens and the earth, and He knoweth what ye
conceal and what ye publish. And Allah is Aware of what is in the breasts (of
men).
SHAKIR:
He knows what is in the heavens and the earth, and He knows what you hide and
what you manifest;and Allah is Cognizant of what is in the hearts.
064.005
YUSUFALI:
Has not the story reached you, of those who rejected Faith aforetime? So they
tasted the evil result of their conduct; and they had a grievous Penalty.
PICKTHAL:
Hath not the story reached you of those who disbelieved of old and so did taste
the ill-effects of their conduct, and theirs will be a painful doom.
SHAKIR:
Has there not come to you the story of those who disbelieved before, then tasted
the evil result of their conduct, and they had a painful punishment?
064.006
YUSUFALI:
That was because there came to them messengers with Clear Signs, but they said:
"Shall (mere) human beings direct us?" So they rejected (the Message) and turned
away. But Allah can do without (them): and Allah is free of all needs, worthy of
all praise.
PICKTHAL:
That was because their messengers (from Allah) kept coming unto them with clear
proofs (of Allah's Sovereignty), but they said: Shall mere mortals guide us? So
they disbelieved and turned away, and Allah was independent (of them). Allah is
Absolute, Owner of Praise.
SHAKIR:
That is because there came to them their messengers with clear arguments, but
they said: Shall mortals guide us? So they disbelieved and turned back, and
Allah does not stand in need (of anything), and Allah is Self-sufficient,
Praised.
064.007
YUSUFALI:
The Unbelievers think that they will not be raised up (for Judgment). Say: "Yea,
By my Lord, Ye shall surely be raised up: then shall ye be told (the truth) of
all that ye did. And that is easy for Allah."
PICKTHAL:
Those who disbelieve assert that they will not be raised again. Say (unto them,
O Muhammad): Yea, verily, by my Lord! ye will be raised again and then ye will
be informed of what ye did; and that is easy for Allah.
SHAKIR:
Those who disbelieve think that they shall never be raised. Say: Aye! by my
Lord! you shall most certainly be raised, then you shall most certainly be
informed of what you did; and that is easy to Allah.
064.008
YUSUFALI:
Believe, therefore, in Allah and His Messenger, and in the Light which we have
sent down. And Allah is well acquainted with all that ye do.
PICKTHAL:
So believe in Allah and His messenger and the light which We have revealed. And
Allah is Informed of what ye do.
SHAKIR:
Therefore believe in Allah and His Messenger and the Light which We have
revealed; and Allah is Aware of what you do.
064.009
YUSUFALI:
The Day that He assembles you (all) for a Day of Assembly,- that will be a Day
of mutual loss and gain (among you), and those who believe in Allah and work
righteousness,- He will remove from them their ills, and He will admit them to
Gardens beneath which Rivers flow, to dwell therein for ever: that will be the
Supreme Achievement.
PICKTHAL:
The day when He shall gather you unto the Day of Assembling, that will be a day
of mutual disillusion. And whoso believeth in Allah and doeth right, He will
remit from him his evil deeds and will bring him unto Gardens underneath which
rivers flow, therein to abide for ever. That is the supreme triumph.
SHAKIR:
On the day that He will gather you for the day of gathering, that is the day of
loss and gain; and whoever believes in Allah and does good, He will remove from
him his evil and cause him to enter gardens beneath which rivers flow, to abide
therein forever; that is the great achievement.
064.010
YUSUFALI:
But those who reject Faith and treat Our Signs as falsehoods, they will be
Companions of the Fire, to dwell therein for aye: and evil is that Goal.
PICKTHAL:
But those who disbelieve and deny Our revelations, such are owners of the Fire;
they will abide therein - a hapless journey's end!
SHAKIR:
And (as for) those who disbelieve and reject Our communications, they are the
inmates of the fire, to abide therein and evil is the resort.
064.011
YUSUFALI:
No kind of calamity can occur, except by the leave of Allah: and if any one
believes in Allah, (Allah) guides his heart (aright): for Allah knows all
things.
PICKTHAL:
No calamity befalleth save by Allah's leave. And whosoever believeth in Allah,
He guideth his heart. And Allah is Knower of all things.
SHAKIR:
No affliction comes about but by Allah's permission; and whoever believes in
Allah, He guides aright his heart; and Allah is Cognizant of all things.
064.012
YUSUFALI:
So obey Allah, and obey His Messenger: but if ye turn back, the duty of Our
Messenger is but to proclaim (the Message) clearly and openly.
PICKTHAL:
Obey Allah and obey His messenger; but if ye turn away, then the duty of Our
messenger is only to convey (the message) plainly.
SHAKIR:
And obey Allah and obey the Messenger, but if you turn back, then upon Our
Messenger devolves only the clear delivery (of the message).
064.013
YUSUFALI:
Allah! There is no god but He: and on Allah, therefore, let the Believers put
their trust.
PICKTHAL:
Allah! There is no Allah save Him. In Allah, therefore, let believers put their
trust.
SHAKIR:
Allah, there is no god but He; and upon Allah, then, let the believers rely.
064.014
YUSUFALI:
O ye who believe! Truly, among your wives and your children are (some that are)
enemies to yourselves: so beware of them! But if ye forgive and overlook, and
cover up (their faults), verily Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.
PICKTHAL:
O ye who believe! Lo! among your wives and your children there are enemies for
you, therefor beware of them. And if ye efface and overlook and forgive, then
lo! Allah is Forgiving, Merciful.
SHAKIR:
O you who believe! surely from among your wives and your children there is an
enemy to you; therefore beware of them; and if you pardon and forbear and
forgive, then surely Allah is Forgiving, Merciful.
064.015
YUSUFALI:
Your riches and your children may be but a trial: but in the Presence of Allah,
is the highest, Reward.
PICKTHAL:
Your wealth and your children are only a temptation, whereas Allah! with Him is
an immense reward.
SHAKIR:
Your possessions and your children are only a trial, and Allah it is with Whom
is a great reward.
064.016
YUSUFALI:
So fear Allah as much as ye can; listen and obey and spend in charity for the
benefit of your own soul and those saved from the covetousness of their own
souls,- they are the ones that achieve prosperity.
PICKTHAL:
So keep your duty to Allah as best ye can, and listen, and obey, and spend; that
is better for your souls. And whoso is saved from his own greed, such are the
successful.
SHAKIR:
Therefore be careful of (your duty to) Allah as much as you can, and hear and
obey and spend, it is better for your souls; and whoever is saved from the
greediness of his soul, these it is that are the successful.
064.017
YUSUFALI:
If ye loan to Allah, a beautiful loan, He will double it to your (credit), and
He will grant you Forgiveness: for Allah is most Ready to appreciate (service),
Most Forbearing,-
PICKTHAL:
If ye lend unto Allah a goodly loan, He will double it for you and will forgive
you, for Allah is Responsive, Clement,
SHAKIR:
If you set apart for Allah a goodly portion, He will double it for you and
forgive you; and Allah is the Multiplier (of rewards), Forbearing,
064.018
YUSUFALI:
Knower of what is open, Exalted in Might, Full of Wisdom.
PICKTHAL:
Knower of the Invisible and the Visible, the Mighty, the Wise.
SHAKIR:
The Knower of the unseen and the seen, the Mighty, the Wise.