43

الزخرف

Az-Zukhruf

Makkah · 89 verses

About this surah

Name

It is derived from the word zukhruf-an which occurs in verse 33 of this Surah.

Period of Revelation

It could not be known from any authentic tradition, but a study of its subject matter shows that this Surah also was sent down in the same period in which the Surahs Al-Mumin, As-Sajdah and Ash-Shura, were sent down. It appears that the revelation of this series of the Surahs began when the disbelievers of Makkah were planning to put an end to the Holy Prophet's life. Day and night they were holding consultations in their assemblies as how to eliminate him, and even an attack on his life also had been made as has been clearly referred to in vv. 79-80.

Theme and Topics

In this Surah a forceful and severe criticism has been made of the Quraish and the common Arabs creeds and superstitions of ignorance in which they persisted, and their stubbornness has been exposed in a firm and effective way, so that every member of the society, who was reasonable in some degree, should be made to consider the evils in which the community was involved and its tyrannical treatment of the person who was trying to redeem it.

The discourse starts in a way as if to say: "You, by means of your mischiefs, want that the revelation of this Book should be stopped, but Allah has never withheld the appointment of His Prophets and the revelation of His Books because of the mischief of the people, but has destroyed the wicked people, who obstructed the way of His guidance. The same He will do again. A little further in vv. 41-43 and 79-80 the same thing has been reiterated. Though the people who were plotting against his life are meant, the Holy Prophet has been addressed to the effect: "whether you remain alive or not, We will certainly punish the wicked," and the people themselves have been plainly warned to the effect: "If you have decided to take an action against Our Prophet, We too will take a decisive action."

Then, it has been told what is the reality of the religion that the people are following so devotedly and what are the arguments on whose strength they are resisting Muhammad (upon whom be Allah's peace and Blessings).

They themselves admit that the Creator of the earth and heavens and of themselves and their deities is only Allah. They also know and admit that the blessings they are benefiting from, have been bestowed by Allah; yet they insist on making others associates of Allah in His Godhead.

They regard the servants as the children of Allah, and that too daughters, whom they regard as disgraceful for themselves.

They believe that the angels are goddesses; they have carved their images as females; they adorn them with female dresses and ornaments, and call them daughters of Allah: they worship them and invoke them for the fulfillment of their needs. How did they know that the angels were female?

When they are rebuked for these superstitions, they present the pretense of destiny and say :"Had Allah disapproved of these our practices, we could not have worshiped these images, whereas the means of finding out whether Allah had approved of something or not, are His Books and not those things which are happening in the world according to His Will. For under His Will not only idol worship but crimes like theft and adultery, robbery. murder, etc. also are being committed. Can this argument be used to justify as right and proper this commission of every crime and evil is the world?

When it is asked: Have you any other authority, apart from this wrong argument, for the polytheism of yours? They reply, "The same has been the practice since the time of our forefathers." In other words, this in their opinion is a strong enough argument for a creed's being right and true, whereas the Prophet Abraham, descent from whom is the only basis of their pride and distinction, had rejected the religion of his elders and left his home, and he had discarded every such blind imitation of his forefathers, which did not have the support of any rational argument. Then, if these people had to follow their elders only, for this also they selected their most ignorant elders and abandoned their most illustrious elders like the Prophets Abraham and Ishmael (on whom be peace).

When they are asked: "Has ever a Prophet or a Book sent down by God also given this teaching that others beside Allah too are worthy of worship? they present this practice of the Christians as an argument that they took Jesus son of Mary as son of God and worshiped him; whereas the question was not this whether the community of a Prophet had committed shirk or not, but this whether a Prophet had himself taught shirk. Jesus son of Mary had never said that he was son of God and that the people should worship him. His own was the same teaching which every other Prophet had given "My Lord as well as your Lord is Allah: so worship Him alone."

They were disinclined to believe in the Prophethood of the Holy Prophet because he was neither a rich man nor a person of high worldly position and rank. They said "Had Allah willed to appoint a prophet among us, He would have appointed one of the great men of' our two cities (Makkah and Taif). On that very basis, Pharaoh also had looked down upon the Prophet Moses and said: "If Allah, the King of the heavens, had to send a messenger to me, the king of the earth, He would have sent him with bracelets of gold and a company of angels in attendance. Where from has this mendicant appeared I am superior to him, for the kingdom of Egypt belongs to me, and the canals of the River Nile are flowing under my control. What is the status of this man as against me? He has neither wealth nor authority."

Thus, after criticizing each practice of ignorance of the disbelievers and rejecting it with rational arguments, it has been pointed out: "Neither has God any offspring, nor are there separate gods of the earth and heavens, nor is there any intercessor who may be able to protect from His punishment those who adopt deviation knowingly. Allah is far above this that He should have children. He alone is the God of the whole Universe: all others are His servants and not associates in His attributes and powers, and only such men can intercede with Him, who are themselves followers of the Truth and they also can intercede only for those who may have adopted obedience of the Truth in the world."

بِسۡمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحۡمَٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ

  1. 43:1حمٓHa, Meem.Ha Mim: two letters that ask you to pay attention.A pause before the surah beginsRead more
  2. 43:2وَٱلۡكِتَٰبِ ٱلۡمُبِينِBy the clear Book,Sworn by the Book that is clear.Why Allah swears by the clear BookRead more
  3. 43:3إِنَّا جَعَلۡنَٰهُ قُرۡءَٰنًا عَرَبِيّٗا لَّعَلَّكُمۡ تَعۡقِلُونَIndeed, We have made it an Arabic Qur'an that you might understand.Sent in a language they knew, so they would think.The Quran is meant to be understood and ponderedRead more
  4. 43:4وَإِنَّهُۥ فِيٓ أُمِّ ٱلۡكِتَٰبِ لَدَيۡنَا لَعَلِيٌّ حَكِيمٌAnd indeed it is, in the Mother of the Book with Us, exalted and full of wisdom.Honored with Allah before it ever reached you.The Quran's high place in the Mother of the BookRead more
  5. 43:5أَفَنَضۡرِبُ عَنكُمُ ٱلذِّكۡرَ صَفۡحًا أَن كُنتُمۡ قَوۡمٗا مُّسۡرِفِينَThen should We turn the message away, disregarding you, because you are a transgressing people?They turned away, and the reminder kept coming.Mercy that does not give up on peopleRead more
  6. 43:6وَكَمۡ أَرۡسَلۡنَا مِن نَّبِيّٖ فِي ٱلۡأَوَّلِينَAnd how many a prophet We sent among the former peoples,You are not the first to be sent.Comfort for the Prophet: many came beforeRead more
  7. 43:7وَمَا يَأۡتِيهِم مِّن نَّبِيٍّ إِلَّا كَانُواْ بِهِۦ يَسۡتَهۡزِءُونَBut there would not come to them a prophet except that they used to ridicule him.Every prophet was mocked. Mockery proves nothing.Ridicule is the old reply to truthRead more
  8. 43:8فَأَهۡلَكۡنَآ أَشَدَّ مِنۡهُم بَطۡشٗا وَمَضَىٰ مَثَلُ ٱلۡأَوَّلِينَAnd We destroyed greater than them in [striking] power, and the example of the former peoples has preceded.Stronger people fell before. Their story is a lesson.Power did not protect those who mockedRead more
  9. 43:9وَلَئِن سَأَلۡتَهُم مَّنۡ خَلَقَ ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَٱلۡأَرۡضَ لَيَقُولُنَّ خَلَقَهُنَّ ٱلۡعَزِيزُ ٱلۡعَلِيمُAnd if you should ask them, "Who has created the heavens and the earth?" they would surely say, "They were created by the Exalted in Might, the Knowing."They knew who created everything, then served others.Admitting the Creator but not living by itRead more
  10. 43:10ٱلَّذِي جَعَلَ لَكُمُ ٱلۡأَرۡضَ مَهۡدٗا وَجَعَلَ لَكُمۡ فِيهَا سُبُلٗا لَّعَلَّكُمۡ تَهۡتَدُونَ[The one] who has made for you the earth a bed and made for you upon it roads that you might be guidedA steady earth and roads to find your way.The ground under you is a giftRead more
  11. 43:11وَٱلَّذِي نَزَّلَ مِنَ ٱلسَّمَآءِ مَآءَۢ بِقَدَرٖ فَأَنشَرۡنَا بِهِۦ بَلۡدَةٗ مَّيۡتٗاۚ كَذَٰلِكَ تُخۡرَجُونَAnd who sends down rain from the sky in measured amounts, and We revive thereby a dead land - thus will you be brought forth -Rain revives dead land. So will you be raised.The measured rain and the coming resurrectionRead more
  12. 43:12وَٱلَّذِي خَلَقَ ٱلۡأَزۡوَٰجَ كُلَّهَا وَجَعَلَ لَكُم مِّنَ ٱلۡفُلۡكِ وَٱلۡأَنۡعَٰمِ مَا تَرۡكَبُونَAnd who created the species, all of them, and has made for you of ships and animals those which you mount.Pairs of everything, and the rides that carry you.Creation in pairs, ships and animals made easyRead more
  13. 43:13لِتَسۡتَوُۥاْ عَلَىٰ ظُهُورِهِۦ ثُمَّ تَذۡكُرُواْ نِعۡمَةَ رَبِّكُمۡ إِذَا ٱسۡتَوَيۡتُمۡ عَلَيۡهِ وَتَقُولُواْ سُبۡحَٰنَ ٱلَّذِي سَخَّرَ لَنَا هَٰذَا وَمَا كُنَّا لَهُۥ مُقۡرِنِينَThat you may settle yourselves upon their backs and then remember the favor of your Lord when you have settled upon them and say. "Exalted is He who has subjected this to us, and we could not have [otherwise] subdued it.When you sit on your ride, remember who made it yours.The words to say when you set offRead more
  14. 43:14وَإِنَّآ إِلَىٰ رَبِّنَا لَمُنقَلِبُونَAnd indeed we, to our Lord, will [surely] return."Every trip points to the final one home.To our Lord we will returnRead more
  15. 43:15وَجَعَلُواْ لَهُۥ مِنۡ عِبَادِهِۦ جُزۡءًاۚ إِنَّ ٱلۡإِنسَٰنَ لَكَفُورٞ مُّبِينٌBut they have attributed to Him from His servants a portion. Indeed, man is clearly ungrateful.They gave His servants a share in Him.Turning creatures into partners of the CreatorRead more
  16. 43:16أَمِ ٱتَّخَذَ مِمَّا يَخۡلُقُ بَنَاتٖ وَأَصۡفَىٰكُم بِٱلۡبَنِينَOr has He taken, out of what He has created, daughters and chosen you for [having] sons?Daughters for Him, sons for you? An unfair split.Giving Allah what you yourself rejectedRead more
  17. 43:17وَإِذَا بُشِّرَ أَحَدُهُم بِمَا ضَرَبَ لِلرَّحۡمَٰنِ مَثَلٗا ظَلَّ وَجۡهُهُۥ مُسۡوَدّٗا وَهُوَ كَظِيمٌAnd when one of them is given good tidings of that which he attributes to the Most Merciful in comparison, his face becomes dark, and he suppresses grief.His face darkened at news of a baby girl.The double standard exposedRead more
  18. 43:18أَوَمَن يُنَشَّؤُاْ فِي ٱلۡحِلۡيَةِ وَهُوَ فِي ٱلۡخِصَامِ غَيۡرُ مُبِينٖSo is one brought up in ornaments while being during conflict unevident [attributed to Allah]?Their own view of girls undid their own claim.Arguing against them with their own logicRead more
  19. 43:19وَجَعَلُواْ ٱلۡمَلَـٰٓئِكَةَ ٱلَّذِينَ هُمۡ عِبَٰدُ ٱلرَّحۡمَٰنِ إِنَٰثًاۚ أَشَهِدُواْ خَلۡقَهُمۡۚ سَتُكۡتَبُ شَهَٰدَتُهُمۡ وَيُسۡـَٔلُونَAnd they have made the angels, who are servants of the Most Merciful, females. Did they witness their creation? Their testimony will be recorded, and they will be questioned.Were you there when they were created?Claims about the unseen will be questionedRead more
  20. 43:20وَقَالُواْ لَوۡ شَآءَ ٱلرَّحۡمَٰنُ مَا عَبَدۡنَٰهُمۗ مَّا لَهُم بِذَٰلِكَ مِنۡ عِلۡمٍۖ إِنۡ هُمۡ إِلَّا يَخۡرُصُونَAnd they said, "If the Most Merciful had willed, we would not have worshipped them." They have of that no knowledge. They are not but falsifying.If Allah did not want it, I would not do it.Using His decree as an excuseRead more
  21. 43:21أَمۡ ءَاتَيۡنَٰهُمۡ كِتَٰبٗا مِّن قَبۡلِهِۦ فَهُم بِهِۦ مُسۡتَمۡسِكُونَOr have We given them a book before the Qur'an to which they are adhering?Where is your book for this?Beliefs with no source behind themRead more
  22. 43:22بَلۡ قَالُوٓاْ إِنَّا وَجَدۡنَآ ءَابَآءَنَا عَلَىٰٓ أُمَّةٖ وَإِنَّا عَلَىٰٓ ءَاثَٰرِهِم مُّهۡتَدُونَRather, they say, "Indeed, we found our fathers upon a religion, and we are in their footsteps [rightly] guided."We found our fathers doing it. That was all.Tradition as the only argumentRead more
  23. 43:23وَكَذَٰلِكَ مَآ أَرۡسَلۡنَا مِن قَبۡلِكَ فِي قَرۡيَةٖ مِّن نَّذِيرٍ إِلَّا قَالَ مُتۡرَفُوهَآ إِنَّا وَجَدۡنَآ ءَابَآءَنَا عَلَىٰٓ أُمَّةٖ وَإِنَّا عَلَىٰٓ ءَاثَٰرِهِم مُّقۡتَدُونَAnd similarly, We did not send before you any warner into a city except that its affluent said, "Indeed, we found our fathers upon a religion, and we are, in their footsteps, following."The comfortable always said the same thing.Why the affluent clung to the old wayRead more
  24. 43:24۞قَٰلَ أَوَلَوۡ جِئۡتُكُم بِأَهۡدَىٰ مِمَّا وَجَدتُّمۡ عَلَيۡهِ ءَابَآءَكُمۡۖ قَالُوٓاْ إِنَّا بِمَآ أُرۡسِلۡتُم بِهِۦ كَٰفِرُونَ[Each warner] said, "Even if I brought you better guidance than that [religion] upon which you found your fathers?" They said, "Indeed we, in that with which you were sent, are disbelievers."Even if I bring you something better?When better guidance is still refusedRead more
  25. 43:25فَٱنتَقَمۡنَا مِنۡهُمۡۖ فَٱنظُرۡ كَيۡفَ كَانَ عَٰقِبَةُ ٱلۡمُكَذِّبِينَSo we took retribution from them; then see how was the end of the deniers.See how the deniers ended.The end of stubborn rejectionRead more
  26. 43:26وَإِذۡ قَالَ إِبۡرَٰهِيمُ لِأَبِيهِ وَقَوۡمِهِۦٓ إِنَّنِي بَرَآءٞ مِّمَّا تَعۡبُدُونَAnd [mention, O Muhammad], when Abraham said to his father and his people, "Indeed, I am disassociated from that which you worshipIbrahim broke with his father's way, out loud.The ancestor they claimed did not follow traditionRead more
  27. 43:27إِلَّا ٱلَّذِي فَطَرَنِي فَإِنَّهُۥ سَيَهۡدِينِExcept for He who created me; and indeed, He will guide me."Except the One who made me. He will guide me.Leaving the false with trust in the trueRead more
  28. 43:28وَجَعَلَهَا كَلِمَةَۢ بَاقِيَةٗ فِي عَقِبِهِۦ لَعَلَّهُمۡ يَرۡجِعُونَAnd he made it a word remaining among his descendants that they might return [to it].He left one word behind for his children.La ilaha illallah as a family inheritanceRead more
  29. 43:29بَلۡ مَتَّعۡتُ هَـٰٓؤُلَآءِ وَءَابَآءَهُمۡ حَتَّىٰ جَآءَهُمُ ٱلۡحَقُّ وَرَسُولٞ مُّبِينٞHowever, I gave enjoyment to these [people of Makkah] and their fathers until there came to them the truth and a clear Messenger.A long, easy life, until the truth arrived.Enjoyment was a delay, not approvalRead more
  30. 43:30وَلَمَّا جَآءَهُمُ ٱلۡحَقُّ قَالُواْ هَٰذَا سِحۡرٞ وَإِنَّا بِهِۦ كَٰفِرُونَBut when the truth came to them, they said, "This is magic, and indeed we are, concerning it, disbelievers."When truth came, they called it magic.Labelling the truth to avoid facing itRead more
  31. 43:31وَقَالُواْ لَوۡلَا نُزِّلَ هَٰذَا ٱلۡقُرۡءَانُ عَلَىٰ رَجُلٖ مِّنَ ٱلۡقَرۡيَتَيۡنِ عَظِيمٍAnd they said, "Why was this Qur'an not sent down upon a great man from [one of] the two cities?"Why not a big man from the two cities?Judging the message by the status of the messengerRead more
  32. 43:32أَهُمۡ يَقۡسِمُونَ رَحۡمَتَ رَبِّكَۚ نَحۡنُ قَسَمۡنَا بَيۡنَهُم مَّعِيشَتَهُمۡ فِي ٱلۡحَيَوٰةِ ٱلدُّنۡيَاۚ وَرَفَعۡنَا بَعۡضَهُمۡ فَوۡقَ بَعۡضٖ دَرَجَٰتٖ لِّيَتَّخِذَ بَعۡضُهُم بَعۡضٗا سُخۡرِيّٗاۗ وَرَحۡمَتُ رَبِّكَ خَيۡرٞ مِّمَّا يَجۡمَعُونَDo they distribute the mercy of your Lord? It is We who have apportioned among them their livelihood in the life of this world and have raised some of them above others in degrees [of rank] that they may make use of one another for service. But the mercy of your Lord is better than whatever they accumulate.Do they hand out your Lord's mercy?Different ranks, shared need, and a better mercyRead more
  33. 43:33وَلَوۡلَآ أَن يَكُونَ ٱلنَّاسُ أُمَّةٗ وَٰحِدَةٗ لَّجَعَلۡنَا لِمَن يَكۡفُرُ بِٱلرَّحۡمَٰنِ لِبُيُوتِهِمۡ سُقُفٗا مِّن فِضَّةٖ وَمَعَارِجَ عَلَيۡهَا يَظۡهَرُونَAnd if it were not that the people would become one community [of disbelievers], We would have made for those who disbelieve in the Most Merciful - for their houses - ceilings and stairways of silver upon which to mountSilver roofs would mean nothing to Allah.Wealth is not a sign of His loveRead more
  34. 43:34وَلِبُيُوتِهِمۡ أَبۡوَٰبٗا وَسُرُرًا عَلَيۡهَا يَتَّكِـُٔونَAnd for their houses - doors and couches [of silver] upon which to reclineSilver doors, silver couches, and still nothing.Luxury that weighs nothing with AllahRead more
  35. 43:35وَزُخۡرُفٗاۚ وَإِن كُلُّ ذَٰلِكَ لَمَّا مَتَٰعُ ٱلۡحَيَوٰةِ ٱلدُّنۡيَاۚ وَٱلۡأٓخِرَةُ عِندَ رَبِّكَ لِلۡمُتَّقِينَAnd gold ornament. But all that is not but the enjoyment of worldly life. And the Hereafter with your Lord is for the righteous.Gold is brief. The Hereafter is for the mindful.What is kept for those with taqwaRead more
  36. 43:36وَمَن يَعۡشُ عَن ذِكۡرِ ٱلرَّحۡمَٰنِ نُقَيِّضۡ لَهُۥ شَيۡطَٰنٗا فَهُوَ لَهُۥ قَرِينٞAnd whoever is blinded from remembrance of the Most Merciful - We appoint for him a devil, and he is to him a companion.Turn away from His remembrance, and a devil moves in.Blindness of the heart invites a bad companionRead more
  37. 43:37وَإِنَّهُمۡ لَيَصُدُّونَهُمۡ عَنِ ٱلسَّبِيلِ وَيَحۡسَبُونَ أَنَّهُم مُّهۡتَدُونَAnd indeed, the devils avert them from the way [of guidance] while they think that they are [rightly] guidedPulled off the path, while sure they are guided.The danger of feeling right while going wrongRead more
  38. 43:38حَتَّىٰٓ إِذَا جَآءَنَا قَالَ يَٰلَيۡتَ بَيۡنِي وَبَيۡنَكَ بُعۡدَ ٱلۡمَشۡرِقَيۡنِ فَبِئۡسَ ٱلۡقَرِينُUntil, when he comes to Us [at Judgement], he says [to his companion], "Oh, I wish there was between me and you the distance between the east and west - how wretched a companion."I wish you were as far from me as east from west.Regretting a companion on the DayRead more
  39. 43:39وَلَن يَنفَعَكُمُ ٱلۡيَوۡمَ إِذ ظَّلَمۡتُمۡ أَنَّكُمۡ فِي ٱلۡعَذَابِ مُشۡتَرِكُونَAnd never will it benefit you that Day, when you have wronged, that you are [all] sharing in the punishment.Sharing the blame will not lighten it.Company in wrongdoing is no comfort laterRead more
  40. 43:40أَفَأَنتَ تُسۡمِعُ ٱلصُّمَّ أَوۡ تَهۡدِي ٱلۡعُمۡيَ وَمَن كَانَ فِي ضَلَٰلٖ مُّبِينٖThen will you make the deaf hear, [O Muhammad], or guide the blind or he who is in clear error?You cannot make the deaf hear. That is not your job.Guidance belongs to Allah, the message to youRead more
  41. 43:41فَإِمَّا نَذۡهَبَنَّ بِكَ فَإِنَّا مِنۡهُم مُّنتَقِمُونَAnd whether [or not] We take you away [in death], indeed, We will take retribution upon them.Even after you are gone, justice will come.The outcome does not depend on the Prophet's lifetimeRead more
  42. 43:42أَوۡ نُرِيَنَّكَ ٱلَّذِي وَعَدۡنَٰهُمۡ فَإِنَّا عَلَيۡهِم مُّقۡتَدِرُونَOr whether [or not] We show you that which We have promised them, indeed, We are Perfect in Ability.Or We will show you. We are able to do both.Allah's full control over the outcomeRead more
  43. 43:43فَٱسۡتَمۡسِكۡ بِٱلَّذِيٓ أُوحِيَ إِلَيۡكَۖ إِنَّكَ عَلَىٰ صِرَٰطٖ مُّسۡتَقِيمٖSo adhere to that which is revealed to you. Indeed, you are on a straight path.Hold tight to what was revealed. You are on the path.Steadiness under pressureRead more
  44. 43:44وَإِنَّهُۥ لَذِكۡرٞ لَّكَ وَلِقَوۡمِكَۖ وَسَوۡفَ تُسۡـَٔلُونَAnd indeed, it is a remembrance for you and your people, and you [all] are going to be questioned.An honor for you, and you will be asked about it.The Quran as both privilege and responsibilityRead more
  45. 43:45وَسۡـَٔلۡ مَنۡ أَرۡسَلۡنَا مِن قَبۡلِكَ مِن رُّسُلِنَآ أَجَعَلۡنَا مِن دُونِ ٱلرَّحۡمَٰنِ ءَالِهَةٗ يُعۡبَدُونَAnd ask those We sent before you of Our messengers; have We made besides the Most Merciful deities to be worshipped?Ask every messenger. They all said the same.One message across all prophetsRead more
  46. 43:46وَلَقَدۡ أَرۡسَلۡنَا مُوسَىٰ بِـَٔايَٰتِنَآ إِلَىٰ فِرۡعَوۡنَ وَمَلَإِيْهِۦ فَقَالَ إِنِّي رَسُولُ رَبِّ ٱلۡعَٰلَمِينَAnd certainly did We send Moses with Our signs to Pharaoh and his establishment, and he said, "Indeed, I am the messenger of the Lord of the worlds."Musa walked into Pharaoh's court with one sentence.I am a messenger of the Lord of the worldsRead more
  47. 43:47فَلَمَّا جَآءَهُم بِـَٔايَٰتِنَآ إِذَا هُم مِّنۡهَا يَضۡحَكُونَBut when he brought them Our signs, at once they laughed at them.Clear signs, and at once they laughed.Laughter as a shield against the truthRead more
  48. 43:48وَمَا نُرِيهِم مِّنۡ ءَايَةٍ إِلَّا هِيَ أَكۡبَرُ مِنۡ أُخۡتِهَاۖ وَأَخَذۡنَٰهُم بِٱلۡعَذَابِ لَعَلَّهُمۡ يَرۡجِعُونَAnd We showed them not a sign except that it was greater than its sister, and We seized them with affliction that perhaps they might return [to faith].Each sign bigger than the last, so they might return.Hardship as a call to come backRead more
  49. 43:49وَقَالُواْ يَـٰٓأَيُّهَ ٱلسَّاحِرُ ٱدۡعُ لَنَا رَبَّكَ بِمَا عَهِدَ عِندَكَ إِنَّنَا لَمُهۡتَدُونَAnd they said [to Moses], "O magician, invoke for us your Lord by what He has promised you. Indeed, we will be guided."Please pray for us. We promise we will change.Promises made only in desperationRead more
  50. 43:50فَلَمَّا كَشَفۡنَا عَنۡهُمُ ٱلۡعَذَابَ إِذَا هُمۡ يَنكُثُونَBut when We removed from them the affliction, at once they broke their word.The torment lifted, and the promise vanished.Breaking your word once relief comesRead more
  51. 43:51وَنَادَىٰ فِرۡعَوۡنُ فِي قَوۡمِهِۦ قَالَ يَٰقَوۡمِ أَلَيۡسَ لِي مُلۡكُ مِصۡرَ وَهَٰذِهِ ٱلۡأَنۡهَٰرُ تَجۡرِي مِن تَحۡتِيٓۚ أَفَلَا تُبۡصِرُونَAnd Pharaoh called out among his people; he said, "O my people, does not the kingdom of Egypt belong to me, and these rivers flowing beneath me; then do you not see?Is Egypt not mine? Look at my rivers.Pharaoh's proof was his propertyRead more
  52. 43:52أَمۡ أَنَا۠ خَيۡرٞ مِّنۡ هَٰذَا ٱلَّذِي هُوَ مَهِينٞ وَلَا يَكَادُ يُبِينُOr am I [not] better than this one who is insignificant and hardly makes himself clear?Mocking the messenger to dodge the message.Pharaoh attacks Musa's speech and statusRead more
  53. 43:53فَلَوۡلَآ أُلۡقِيَ عَلَيۡهِ أَسۡوِرَةٞ مِّن ذَهَبٍ أَوۡ جَآءَ مَعَهُ ٱلۡمَلَـٰٓئِكَةُ مُقۡتَرِنِينَThen why have there not been placed upon him bracelets of gold or come with him the angels in conjunction?"Where are his gold bracelets? Where are his angels?Judging by outward showRead more
  54. 43:54فَٱسۡتَخَفَّ قَوۡمَهُۥ فَأَطَاعُوهُۚ إِنَّهُمۡ كَانُواْ قَوۡمٗا فَٰسِقِينَSo he bluffed his people, and they obeyed him. Indeed, they were [themselves] a people defiantly disobedient [of Allah].He made his people light-minded, and they obeyed.Being led because you let yourself be fooledRead more
  55. 43:55فَلَمَّآ ءَاسَفُونَا ٱنتَقَمۡنَا مِنۡهُمۡ فَأَغۡرَقۡنَٰهُمۡ أَجۡمَعِينَAnd when they angered Us, We took retribution from them and drowned them all.When they provoked Him, all of them drowned.Getting what you want while persisting in sinRead more
  56. 43:56فَجَعَلۡنَٰهُمۡ سَلَفٗا وَمَثَلٗا لِّلۡأٓخِرِينَAnd We made them a precedent and an example for the later peoples.Made into a precedent for everyone after them.Their story is a lesson to later peopleRead more
  57. 43:57۞وَلَمَّا ضُرِبَ ٱبۡنُ مَرۡيَمَ مَثَلًا إِذَا قَوۡمُكَ مِنۡهُ يَصِدُّونَAnd when the son of Mary was presented as an example, immediately your people laughed aloud.They heard the name of Isa and laughed.Grabbing a clever point to escape the messageRead more
  58. 43:58وَقَالُوٓاْ ءَأَٰلِهَتُنَا خَيۡرٌ أَمۡ هُوَۚ مَا ضَرَبُوهُ لَكَ إِلَّا جَدَلَۢاۚ بَلۡ هُمۡ قَوۡمٌ خَصِمُونَAnd they said, "Are your gods better, or is he?" They did not present the comparison except for [mere] argument. But, [in fact], they are a people prone to dispute.They argued to win, not to understand.When debate becomes a hobbyRead more
  59. 43:59إِنۡ هُوَ إِلَّا عَبۡدٌ أَنۡعَمۡنَا عَلَيۡهِ وَجَعَلۡنَٰهُ مَثَلٗا لِّبَنِيٓ إِسۡرَـٰٓءِيلَJesus was not but a servant upon whom We bestowed favor, and We made him an example for the Children of Israel.Isa was a servant, honored by Allah's favor.His true status with AllahRead more
  60. 43:60وَلَوۡ نَشَآءُ لَجَعَلۡنَا مِنكُم مَّلَـٰٓئِكَةٗ فِي ٱلۡأَرۡضِ يَخۡلُفُونَAnd if We willed, We could have made [instead] of you angels succeeding [one another] on the earth.He could replace us all with angels.Allah does not need anyoneRead more
  61. 43:61وَإِنَّهُۥ لَعِلۡمٞ لِّلسَّاعَةِ فَلَا تَمۡتَرُنَّ بِهَا وَٱتَّبِعُونِۚ هَٰذَا صِرَٰطٞ مُّسۡتَقِيمٞAnd indeed, Jesus will be [a sign for] knowledge of the Hour, so be not in doubt of it, and follow Me. This is a straight path.A sign of the Hour, so do not doubt it.Isa as knowledge of the coming HourRead more
  62. 43:62وَلَا يَصُدَّنَّكُمُ ٱلشَّيۡطَٰنُۖ إِنَّهُۥ لَكُمۡ عَدُوّٞ مُّبِينٞAnd never let Satan avert you. Indeed, he is to you a clear enemy.Do not let Satan block you. He is a clear enemy.Knowing who is pushing you off the pathRead more
  63. 43:63وَلَمَّا جَآءَ عِيسَىٰ بِٱلۡبَيِّنَٰتِ قَالَ قَدۡ جِئۡتُكُم بِٱلۡحِكۡمَةِ وَلِأُبَيِّنَ لَكُم بَعۡضَ ٱلَّذِي تَخۡتَلِفُونَ فِيهِۖ فَٱتَّقُواْ ٱللَّهَ وَأَطِيعُونِAnd when Jesus brought clear proofs, he said, "I have come to you with wisdom and to make clear to you some of that over which you differ, so fear Allah and obey me.Isa came with wisdom to clear up their disputes.A prophet's message: clarity, taqwa, obedienceRead more
  64. 43:64إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ هُوَ رَبِّي وَرَبُّكُمۡ فَٱعۡبُدُوهُۚ هَٰذَا صِرَٰطٞ مُّسۡتَقِيمٞIndeed, Allah is my Lord and your Lord, so worship Him. This is a straight path."My Lord and your Lord. Worship Him.Isa's own words point away from himselfRead more
  65. 43:65فَٱخۡتَلَفَ ٱلۡأَحۡزَابُ مِنۢ بَيۡنِهِمۡۖ فَوَيۡلٞ لِّلَّذِينَ ظَلَمُواْ مِنۡ عَذَابِ يَوۡمٍ أَلِيمٍBut the denominations from among them differed [and separated], so woe to those who have wronged from the punishment of a painful Day.One clear message, and still they split apart.Division after clarityRead more
  66. 43:66هَلۡ يَنظُرُونَ إِلَّا ٱلسَّاعَةَ أَن تَأۡتِيَهُم بَغۡتَةٗ وَهُمۡ لَا يَشۡعُرُونَAre they waiting except for the Hour to come upon them suddenly while they perceive not?The Hour comes suddenly, while people are not looking.Unprepared for what is certainRead more
  67. 43:67ٱلۡأَخِلَّآءُ يَوۡمَئِذِۭ بَعۡضُهُمۡ لِبَعۡضٍ عَدُوٌّ إِلَّا ٱلۡمُتَّقِينَClose friends, that Day, will be enemies to each other, except for the righteousBest friends become enemies, except friends in taqwa.Which friendships survive the DayRead more
  68. 43:68يَٰعِبَادِ لَا خَوۡفٌ عَلَيۡكُمُ ٱلۡيَوۡمَ وَلَآ أَنتُمۡ تَحۡزَنُونَ[To whom Allah will say], "O My servants, no fear will there be concerning you this Day, nor will you grieve,My servants, no fear on you today, no grief.The call that everyone hopes is for themRead more
  69. 43:69ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ بِـَٔايَٰتِنَا وَكَانُواْ مُسۡلِمِينَ[You] who believed in Our verses and were Muslims.Who believed in Our signs and submitted.The description that decides who the call is forRead more
  70. 43:70ٱدۡخُلُواْ ٱلۡجَنَّةَ أَنتُمۡ وَأَزۡوَٰجُكُمۡ تُحۡبَرُونَEnter Paradise, you and your kinds, delighted."Enter Paradise, you and your spouses, full of joy.Entering together, in delightRead more
  71. 43:71يُطَافُ عَلَيۡهِم بِصِحَافٖ مِّن ذَهَبٖ وَأَكۡوَابٖۖ وَفِيهَا مَا تَشۡتَهِيهِ ٱلۡأَنفُسُ وَتَلَذُّ ٱلۡأَعۡيُنُۖ وَأَنتُمۡ فِيهَا خَٰلِدُونَCirculated among them will be plates and vessels of gold. And therein is whatever the souls desire and [what] delights the eyes, and you will abide therein eternally.Whatever the soul wants and the eyes delight in.Gold vessels and lasting delightRead more
  72. 43:72وَتِلۡكَ ٱلۡجَنَّةُ ٱلَّتِيٓ أُورِثۡتُمُوهَا بِمَا كُنتُمۡ تَعۡمَلُونَAnd that is Paradise which you are made to inherit for what you used to do.You inherit it for what you used to do.Mercy opens the door, deeds set the rankRead more
  73. 43:73لَكُمۡ فِيهَا فَٰكِهَةٞ كَثِيرَةٞ مِّنۡهَا تَأۡكُلُونَFor you therein is much fruit from which you will eat.Fruit in plenty, to eat as you wish.The finishing touch of blessingRead more
  74. 43:74إِنَّ ٱلۡمُجۡرِمِينَ فِي عَذَابِ جَهَنَّمَ خَٰلِدُونَIndeed, the criminals will be in the punishment of Hell, abiding eternally.The other side of the picture: lasting punishment.The criminals' abode, set against the GardenRead more
  75. 43:75لَا يُفَتَّرُ عَنۡهُمۡ وَهُمۡ فِيهِ مُبۡلِسُونَIt will not be allowed to subside for them, and they, therein, are in despair.No break from it, and no hope left there.Despair is what awaits rejectionRead more
  76. 43:76وَمَا ظَلَمۡنَٰهُمۡ وَلَٰكِن كَانُواْ هُمُ ٱلظَّـٰلِمِينَAnd We did not wrong them, but it was they who were the wrongdoers.We did not wrong them. They wronged themselves.Allah is never unjustRead more
  77. 43:77وَنَادَوۡاْ يَٰمَٰلِكُ لِيَقۡضِ عَلَيۡنَا رَبُّكَۖ قَالَ إِنَّكُم مَّـٰكِثُونَAnd they will call, "O Malik, let your Lord put an end to us!" He will say, "Indeed, you will remain."They ask for an end, and are told: you will remain.No way out once it is too lateRead more
  78. 43:78لَقَدۡ جِئۡنَٰكُم بِٱلۡحَقِّ وَلَٰكِنَّ أَكۡثَرَكُمۡ لِلۡحَقِّ كَٰرِهُونَWe had certainly brought you the truth, but most of you, to the truth, were averse.The truth was brought. Most of them hated it.Not a lack of truth, but dislike for itRead more
  79. 43:79أَمۡ أَبۡرَمُوٓاْ أَمۡرٗا فَإِنَّا مُبۡرِمُونَOr have they devised [some] affair? But indeed, We are devising [a plan].They made a plan. So did Allah.Plots against the truth backfireRead more
  80. 43:80أَمۡ يَحۡسَبُونَ أَنَّا لَا نَسۡمَعُ سِرَّهُمۡ وَنَجۡوَىٰهُمۚ بَلَىٰ وَرُسُلُنَا لَدَيۡهِمۡ يَكۡتُبُونَOr do they think that We hear not their secrets and their private conversations? Yes, [We do], and Our messengers are with them recording.Your whispers are heard, and the angels are writing.No conversation is truly privateRead more
  81. 43:81قُلۡ إِن كَانَ لِلرَّحۡمَٰنِ وَلَدٞ فَأَنَا۠ أَوَّلُ ٱلۡعَٰبِدِينَSay, [O Muhammad], "If the Most Merciful had a son, then I would be the first of [his] worshippers."If He had a son, I would be first to worship.A servant's readiness, not a possibilityRead more
  82. 43:82سُبۡحَٰنَ رَبِّ ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَٱلۡأَرۡضِ رَبِّ ٱلۡعَرۡشِ عَمَّا يَصِفُونَExalted is the Lord of the heavens and the earth, Lord of the Throne, above what they describe.Glory to the Lord of the Throne, above their claims.Exalting Allah above every false descriptionRead more
  83. 43:83فَذَرۡهُمۡ يَخُوضُواْ وَيَلۡعَبُواْ حَتَّىٰ يُلَٰقُواْ يَوۡمَهُمُ ٱلَّذِي يُوعَدُونَSo leave them to converse vainly and amuse themselves until they meet their Day which they are promised.Let them talk and play until their Day comes.Leaving the stubborn to their playRead more
  84. 43:84وَهُوَ ٱلَّذِي فِي ٱلسَّمَآءِ إِلَٰهٞ وَفِي ٱلۡأَرۡضِ إِلَٰهٞۚ وَهُوَ ٱلۡحَكِيمُ ٱلۡعَلِيمُAnd it is Allah who is [the only] deity in the heaven, and on the earth [the only] deity. And He is the Wise, the Knowing.God in the heavens, and God on the earth.One God for every placeRead more
  85. 43:85وَتَبَارَكَ ٱلَّذِي لَهُۥ مُلۡكُ ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَٱلۡأَرۡضِ وَمَا بَيۡنَهُمَا وَعِندَهُۥ عِلۡمُ ٱلسَّاعَةِ وَإِلَيۡهِ تُرۡجَعُونَAnd blessed is He to whom belongs the dominion of the heavens and the earth and whatever is between them and with whom is knowledge of the Hour and to whom you will be returned.He owns it all, knows the Hour, and you return to Him.Three facts that frame a lifeRead more
  86. 43:86وَلَا يَمۡلِكُ ٱلَّذِينَ يَدۡعُونَ مِن دُونِهِ ٱلشَّفَٰعَةَ إِلَّا مَن شَهِدَ بِٱلۡحَقِّ وَهُمۡ يَعۡلَمُونَAnd those they invoke besides Him do not possess [power of] intercession; but only those who testify to the truth [can benefit], and they know.False gods cannot intercede. Truth's witnesses can.Who can speak for you on the DayRead more
  87. 43:87وَلَئِن سَأَلۡتَهُم مَّنۡ خَلَقَهُمۡ لَيَقُولُنَّ ٱللَّهُۖ فَأَنَّىٰ يُؤۡفَكُونَAnd if you asked them who created them, they would surely say, "Allah." So how are they deluded?Ask who made them, they say Allah. Then why turn away?Knowing the answer and not living by itRead more
  88. 43:88وَقِيلِهِۦ يَٰرَبِّ إِنَّ هَـٰٓؤُلَآءِ قَوۡمٞ لَّا يُؤۡمِنُونَAnd [Allah acknowledges] his saying, "O my Lord, indeed these are a people who do not believe."O my Lord, these people will not believe.The Prophet ﷺ takes his pain to AllahRead more
  89. 43:89فَٱصۡفَحۡ عَنۡهُمۡ وَقُلۡ سَلَٰمٞۚ فَسَوۡفَ يَعۡلَمُونَSo turn aside from them and say, "Peace." But they are going to know.Turn aside and say: peace.The surah's last word on how to respondRead more