38

ص

Sad

Makkah · 88 verses

About this surah

Name

The Surah takes its name from the alphabetic letter Suad with which it begins.

Period of Revelation

As will be explained below, according to some traditions this Surah was sent down in the period when the Holy Prophet had started calling the people openly to Islam in Makkah, and this had caused great alarm among the chiefs of the Quraish. If this be true, its period of revelation would be about the 4th year of the Prophethood. According to some other traditions, it was sent down after Hadrat Umar's embracing Islam, and this happened, as is well known, after the migration to Habash. Another chain of the traditions shows that the event which occasioned the revelation of this Surah took place during the last illness of Abu Talib. If this be correct, the period of its revelation would be the 10th or 11th year of the Prophethood.

Historical Background

Here is a resume of the traditions related by Imam Ahmad, Nasa'i, Tirmidhi, Ibn Jarir, Ibn Abi Shaibah, Ibn Abu Hatim, Muhammad bin Ishaq and others:

When Abu Talib fell ill, and the Quraish chiefs knew that his end was near, they held consultations and decided to approach the old chief with the request that he should solve the dispute between them and his nephew. For they feared that if Abu Talib died and then they subjected Muhammad (upon whom be Allah's peace) to a harsh treatment, after his death, the Arabs would taunt them, saying, "They were afraid of the old chief as long as he lived now that he is dead they have started maltreating his nephew." At least 25 of the Quraish chiefs including Abu Jahl, Abu Sufyan, Umayyah bin Khalaf, As bin Wa'il, Aswad bin al-Muttalib, 'Uqbah bin Abi Mu'ait, Utbah and Shaibah went to Abu Talib. First, they put before him their complaints against the Holy Prophet as usual, then said, "We have come to present before you a just request and it is this : let your nephew leave us to our religion, and we shall leave him to his. He may worship whomever he may please: we shall not stand in his way in this matter; but he should not condemn our gods, and should not try to force us to give them up. Please tell him to make terms with us on this condition". Abu Talib called the Holy Prophet and said, "Dear nephew, these people of your tribe have come to me with a request. They want you to agree with them on a just matter so as to put an end to your dispute with them." Then he told him about the request of the chiefs of the Quraish. The Holy Prophet replied, "Dear uncle: I shall request them to agree upon a thing which, if they accept, will enable them to conquer the whole of Arabia and subject the non-Arab world to their domination. "Hearing this the people were first confounded; they did not know how they should turn down such a proposal. Then, after they had considered the matter, they replied: "You speak of one word: we are prepared to repeat ten others like it, but please tell us what it is." The Holy Prophet said: La ilaha ill-Allah. At this they got up all together and left the place saying what Allah has narrated in the initial part of this Surah.

Ibn Sa'd in his Tabaqat has related this event just as cited above, but, according to him, this did not happen during Abu Talibs last illness but at the time when the Holy Prophet had started preaching Islam openly, and the news of the conversion of one person or the other was being heard almost daily in Makkah. In those days the Quraish chiefs had led several deputations to Abu Talib and had asked him to stop Muhammad (upon whom be Allah's peace and blessings) from preaching his message, and it was with one of those deputations that this conversation had taken place.

Zamakhshari, Razi, Nisaburi ond some other commentators say that this deputation went to Abu Talib at the time then the chiefs of the Quraish had been upset at Hadrat Umar's embracing Islam; but no reference to its basis is available in any book of the traditions, nor have these commentators cited the source of their this information. However, if it be true, it is understand able. For the unbelieving Quraish had already been bewildered to see that the person who had arisen from among themselves with the message of Islam had no parallel in the entire tribe as regarded nobility, purity of character, wisdom and seriousness. Moreover, his right hand man and chief supporter was a man like Abu Bakr, who was well known in and around Makkah as a gentle, righteous and brilliant man. Now when they might have seen that a brave and resolute man like Umar also had joined them, they must have felt that the danger was growing and becoming intolerable.

Subject Matter and Topics

The Surah begins with a review of the aforesaid meeting. Making the dialogue between the Holy Prophet and the disbelievers the basis, Allah says that the actual reason with those people for their denial is not any defect in the message of Islam but their own arrogance, jealousy and insistence on following the blind. They are not prepared to believe in a man from their own clan as a Prophet of God and follow him. They want to persist in the ideas of ignorance which they have found their ancestors following. And when a person exposes their this ignorance and presents the truth before them, they are alarmed and regard it as an oddity, rather as a novel and impossible thing. For them the concept of Tauhid and the Hereafter is not only an unacceptable creed but also a concept which only deserves to be ridiculed and mocked.

Then, Allah, both in the initial part of the Surah and in its last sentences, has precisely warned the disbelievers, as if to say, "The man whom you are ridiculing today and whose guidance you reject will soon overpower you,and the time is not far when in this very city of Makkah, where you are persecuting him, he will overwhelm you completely."

Then describing nine of the Prophets, one after the other, with greater details of the story of the Prophets David and Solomon; Allah has emphasized the point that His Law of Justice is impartial and objective, that only the right attitude of man is acceptable to Him, that He calls to account and punishes every wrongdoer who. ever he be, and that He likes only those people who do not persist in wrongdoing but repent as soon as they are warned of it, and pass their life in the world keeping in mind their accountability in the Hereafter.

After this, the final end that the obedient servants and the disobedient people will meet in the Hereafter, has been depicted, and two things have been especially impressed on the disbelievers:(1) That the leaders and guides whom the ignorant people are following blindly in the world, on the way of deviation, will have reached Hell even before their followers in the Hereafter, and the two groups will be cursing each other there; and (2) that the disbelievers will be amazed to see that there is no trace whatever in Hell of the believers whom they used to regard as contemptible in the world and will themselves be involved in its torment.

In conclusion, mention has been made of the story of Adam and Iblis (Satan), which is meant to tell the disbelieving Quraish that the same arrogance and vanity which was preventing them from bowing before Muhammad (upon whom be Allah's peace) had prevented Iblis also from bowing before Adam. Iblis felt jealous of the high rank God had given to Adam and became accursed when he disobeyed His Command. Likewise, "You, O people of Quraish, are feeling jealous of the high rank God has bestowed on Muhammad (upon whom be Allah's peace) and are not prepared to obey him whom God has appointed His messenger. Therefore, you will be doomed ultimately to the same fate as will be met by Satan."

بِسۡمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحۡمَٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ

  1. 38:1صٓۚ وَٱلۡقُرۡءَانِ ذِي ٱلذِّكۡرِSad. By the Qur'an containing reminder...Sad. Then an oath by a Book full of reminding.Pausing before a surah about stubborn prideRead more
  2. 38:2بَلِ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْ فِي عِزَّةٖ وَشِقَاقٖBut those who disbelieve are in pride and dissension.The reminder was there. Pride stood in the way.Why a clear message still gets rejectedRead more
  3. 38:3كَمۡ أَهۡلَكۡنَا مِن قَبۡلِهِم مِّن قَرۡنٖ فَنَادَواْ وَّلَاتَ حِينَ مَنَاصٖHow many a generation have We destroyed before them, and they [then] called out; but it was not a time for escape.They cried out when the door had already closed.Turning back while there is still timeRead more
  4. 38:4وَعَجِبُوٓاْ أَن جَآءَهُم مُّنذِرٞ مِّنۡهُمۡۖ وَقَالَ ٱلۡكَٰفِرُونَ هَٰذَا سَٰحِرٞ كَذَّابٌAnd they wonder that there has come to them a warner from among themselves. And the disbelievers say, "This is a magician and a liar.A warner from among them, so they called him a liar.When the messenger is too familiar to hearRead more
  5. 38:5أَجَعَلَ ٱلۡأٓلِهَةَ إِلَٰهٗا وَٰحِدًاۖ إِنَّ هَٰذَا لَشَيۡءٌ عُجَابٞHas he made the gods [only] one God? Indeed, this is a curious thing."One God sounded strange to people raised on many.The shock of a single word: La ilaha illallahRead more
  6. 38:6وَٱنطَلَقَ ٱلۡمَلَأُ مِنۡهُمۡ أَنِ ٱمۡشُواْ وَٱصۡبِرُواْ عَلَىٰٓ ءَالِهَتِكُمۡۖ إِنَّ هَٰذَا لَشَيۡءٞ يُرَادُAnd the eminent among them went forth, [saying], "Continue, and be patient over [the defense of] your gods. Indeed, this is a thing intended.The chiefs walked out telling everyone: hold on to your gods.Patience used in the wrong directionRead more
  7. 38:7مَا سَمِعۡنَا بِهَٰذَا فِي ٱلۡمِلَّةِ ٱلۡأٓخِرَةِ إِنۡ هَٰذَآ إِلَّا ٱخۡتِلَٰقٌWe have not heard of this in the latest religion. This is not but a fabrication.We never heard this before, so it must be made up.Using unfamiliarity as proof of falsehoodRead more
  8. 38:8أَءُنزِلَ عَلَيۡهِ ٱلذِّكۡرُ مِنۢ بَيۡنِنَاۚ بَلۡ هُمۡ فِي شَكّٖ مِّن ذِكۡرِيۚ بَل لَّمَّا يَذُوقُواْ عَذَابِHas the message been revealed to him out of [all of] us?" Rather, they are in doubt about My message. Rather, they have not yet tasted My punishment.Why him and not us? The question behind the doubt.Envy dressed up as skepticismRead more
  9. 38:9أَمۡ عِندَهُمۡ خَزَآئِنُ رَحۡمَةِ رَبِّكَ ٱلۡعَزِيزِ ٱلۡوَهَّابِOr do they have the depositories of the mercy of your Lord, the Exalted in Might, the Bestower?Do they hold the keys to your Lord's mercy?The Mighty, the Bestower gives as He willsRead more
  10. 38:10أَمۡ لَهُم مُّلۡكُ ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَٱلۡأَرۡضِ وَمَا بَيۡنَهُمَاۖ فَلۡيَرۡتَقُواْ فِي ٱلۡأَسۡبَٰبِOr is theirs the dominion of the heavens and the earth and what is between them? Then let them ascend through [any] ways of access.If the heavens are theirs, let them climb up and run them.A challenge that exposes empty authorityRead more
  11. 38:11جُندٞ مَّا هُنَالِكَ مَهۡزُومٞ مِّنَ ٱلۡأَحۡزَابِ[They are but] soldiers [who will be] defeated there among the companies [of disbelievers].Just one more army that will be defeated.The loud opposition is smaller than it looksRead more
  12. 38:12كَذَّبَتۡ قَبۡلَهُمۡ قَوۡمُ نُوحٖ وَعَادٞ وَفِرۡعَوۡنُ ذُو ٱلۡأَوۡتَادِThe people of Noah denied before them, and [the tribe of] 'Aad and Pharaoh, the owner of stakes,Nuh's people, Ad, and Pharaoh of the stakes denied too.Others had more power and still fellRead more
  13. 38:13وَثَمُودُ وَقَوۡمُ لُوطٖ وَأَصۡحَٰبُ لۡـَٔيۡكَةِۚ أُوْلَـٰٓئِكَ ٱلۡأَحۡزَابُAnd [the tribe of] Thamud and the people of Lot and the companions of the thicket. Those are the companies.Thamud, Lut's people, the Thicket dwellers: those were the Confederates.A long line of people who chose the same wayRead more
  14. 38:14إِن كُلٌّ إِلَّا كَذَّبَ ٱلرُّسُلَ فَحَقَّ عِقَابِEach of them denied the messengers, so My penalty was justified.Every one of them denied the messengers, so the penalty was just.The common thread behind every fallen nationRead more
  15. 38:15وَمَا يَنظُرُ هَـٰٓؤُلَآءِ إِلَّا صَيۡحَةٗ وَٰحِدَةٗ مَّا لَهَا مِن فَوَاقٖAnd these [disbelievers] await not but one blast [of the Horn]; for it there will be no delay.They wait for only one blast, and it will not pause.The Hour arrives suddenly, without delayRead more
  16. 38:16وَقَالُواْ رَبَّنَا عَجِّل لَّنَا قِطَّنَا قَبۡلَ يَوۡمِ ٱلۡحِسَابِAnd they say, "Our Lord, hasten for us our share [of the punishment] before the Day of Account"Bring it on now, they said, mocking the Day of Account.Asking for consequences as a jokeRead more
  17. 38:17ٱصۡبِرۡ عَلَىٰ مَا يَقُولُونَ وَٱذۡكُرۡ عَبۡدَنَا دَاوُۥدَ ذَا ٱلۡأَيۡدِۖ إِنَّهُۥٓ أَوَّابٌBe patient over what they say and remember Our servant, David, the possessor of strength; indeed, he was one who repeatedly turned back [to Allah].Be patient with their words, and remember Dawud, who kept returning.Strength that turns back to Allah again and againRead more
  18. 38:18إِنَّا سَخَّرۡنَا ٱلۡجِبَالَ مَعَهُۥ يُسَبِّحۡنَ بِٱلۡعَشِيِّ وَٱلۡإِشۡرَاقِIndeed, We subjected the mountains [to praise] with him, exalting [Allah] in the [late] afternoon and [after] sunrise.The mountains praised Allah with him, morning and evening.When your remembrance joins all of creationRead more
  19. 38:19وَٱلطَّيۡرَ مَحۡشُورَةٗۖ كُلّٞ لَّهُۥٓ أَوَّابٞAnd the birds were assembled, all with him repeating [praises].Even the birds gathered and joined his praise.A sincere voice draws others inRead more
  20. 38:20وَشَدَدۡنَا مُلۡكَهُۥ وَءَاتَيۡنَٰهُ ٱلۡحِكۡمَةَ وَفَصۡلَ ٱلۡخِطَابِAnd We strengthened his kingdom and gave him wisdom and discernment in speech.A strong kingdom, wisdom, and clear judgement in speech.The gifts that made Dawud a just rulerRead more
  21. 38:21۞وَهَلۡ أَتَىٰكَ نَبَؤُاْ ٱلۡخَصۡمِ إِذۡ تَسَوَّرُواْ ٱلۡمِحۡرَابَAnd has there come to you the news of the adversaries, when they climbed over the wall of [his] prayer chamber -Two disputants climbed the wall into his private chamber.A test that came without warningRead more
  22. 38:22إِذۡ دَخَلُواْ عَلَىٰ دَاوُۥدَ فَفَزِعَ مِنۡهُمۡۖ قَالُواْ لَا تَخَفۡۖ خَصۡمَانِ بَغَىٰ بَعۡضُنَا عَلَىٰ بَعۡضٖ فَٱحۡكُم بَيۡنَنَا بِٱلۡحَقِّ وَلَا تُشۡطِطۡ وَٱهۡدِنَآ إِلَىٰ سَوَآءِ ٱلصِّرَٰطِWhen they entered upon David and he was alarmed by them? They said, "Fear not. [We are] two adversaries, one of whom has wronged the other, so judge between us with truth and do not exceed [it] and guide us to the sound path.Do not fear: judge between us with truth.A frightened judge still asked to be fairRead more
  23. 38:23إِنَّ هَٰذَآ أَخِي لَهُۥ تِسۡعٞ وَتِسۡعُونَ نَعۡجَةٗ وَلِيَ نَعۡجَةٞ وَٰحِدَةٞ فَقَالَ أَكۡفِلۡنِيهَا وَعَزَّنِي فِي ٱلۡخِطَابِIndeed this, my brother, has ninety-nine ewes, and I have one ewe; so he said, 'Entrust her to me,' and he overpowered me in speech."Ninety-nine ewes, and he still wanted my one.When having more makes someone want everythingRead more
  24. 38:24قَالَ لَقَدۡ ظَلَمَكَ بِسُؤَالِ نَعۡجَتِكَ إِلَىٰ نِعَاجِهِۦۖ وَإِنَّ كَثِيرٗا مِّنَ ٱلۡخُلَطَآءِ لَيَبۡغِي بَعۡضُهُمۡ عَلَىٰ بَعۡضٍ إِلَّا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ وَعَمِلُواْ ٱلصَّـٰلِحَٰتِ وَقَلِيلٞ مَّا هُمۡۗ وَظَنَّ دَاوُۥدُ أَنَّمَا فَتَنَّـٰهُ فَٱسۡتَغۡفَرَ رَبَّهُۥ وَخَرَّۤ رَاكِعٗاۤ وَأَنَابَ۩[David] said, "He has certainly wronged you in demanding your ewe [in addition] to his ewes. And indeed, many associates oppress one another, except for those who believe and do righteous deeds - and few are they." And David became certain that We had tried him, and he asked forgiveness of his Lord and fell down bowing [in prostration] and turned in repentance [to Allah].He judged the case, then realized he was the one tested.Dawud fell in prostration and turned backRead more
  25. 38:25فَغَفَرۡنَا لَهُۥ ذَٰلِكَۖ وَإِنَّ لَهُۥ عِندَنَا لَزُلۡفَىٰ وَحُسۡنَ مَـَٔابٖSo We forgave him that; and indeed, for him is nearness to Us and a good place of return.So We forgave him, and gave him nearness and a good return.Repentance that ends in closenessRead more
  26. 38:26يَٰدَاوُۥدُ إِنَّا جَعَلۡنَٰكَ خَلِيفَةٗ فِي ٱلۡأَرۡضِ فَٱحۡكُم بَيۡنَ ٱلنَّاسِ بِٱلۡحَقِّ وَلَا تَتَّبِعِ ٱلۡهَوَىٰ فَيُضِلَّكَ عَن سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِۚ إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ يَضِلُّونَ عَن سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ لَهُمۡ عَذَابٞ شَدِيدُۢ بِمَا نَسُواْ يَوۡمَ ٱلۡحِسَابِ[We said], "O David, indeed We have made you a successor upon the earth, so judge between the people in truth and do not follow [your own] desire, as it will lead you astray from the way of Allah." Indeed, those who go astray from the way of Allah will have a severe punishment for having forgotten the Day of Account.Judge with truth and do not follow your desire.Advice to anyone given authorityRead more
  27. 38:27وَمَا خَلَقۡنَا ٱلسَّمَآءَ وَٱلۡأَرۡضَ وَمَا بَيۡنَهُمَا بَٰطِلٗاۚ ذَٰلِكَ ظَنُّ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْۚ فَوَيۡلٞ لِّلَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْ مِنَ ٱلنَّارِAnd We did not create the heaven and the earth and that between them aimlessly. That is the assumption of those who disbelieve, so woe to those who disbelieve from the Fire.None of this was created without purpose.The heavens and earth point to a returnRead more
  28. 38:28أَمۡ نَجۡعَلُ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ وَعَمِلُواْ ٱلصَّـٰلِحَٰتِ كَٱلۡمُفۡسِدِينَ فِي ٱلۡأَرۡضِ أَمۡ نَجۡعَلُ ٱلۡمُتَّقِينَ كَٱلۡفُجَّارِOr should we treat those who believe and do righteous deeds like corrupters in the land? Or should We treat those who fear Allah like the wicked?Would Allah treat the doers of good like the corrupters?Justice needs another worldRead more
  29. 38:29كِتَٰبٌ أَنزَلۡنَٰهُ إِلَيۡكَ مُبَٰرَكٞ لِّيَدَّبَّرُوٓاْ ءَايَٰتِهِۦ وَلِيَتَذَكَّرَ أُوْلُواْ ٱلۡأَلۡبَٰبِ[This is] a blessed Book which We have revealed to you, [O Muhammad], that they might reflect upon its verses and that those of understanding would be reminded.A blessed Book, sent down to be pondered.Reading to reflect, not just to finishRead more
  30. 38:30وَوَهَبۡنَا لِدَاوُۥدَ سُلَيۡمَٰنَۚ نِعۡمَ ٱلۡعَبۡدُ إِنَّهُۥٓ أَوَّابٌAnd to David We gave Solomon. An excellent servant, indeed he was one repeatedly turning back [to Allah].Dawud was given Sulayman: an excellent servant, always turning back.A son praised for repentance, not his crownRead more
  31. 38:31إِذۡ عُرِضَ عَلَيۡهِ بِٱلۡعَشِيِّ ٱلصَّـٰفِنَٰتُ ٱلۡجِيَادُ[Mention] when there were exhibited before him in the afternoon the poised [standing] racehorses.In the afternoon, his finest horses were paraded before him.Good things that fill the eyeRead more
  32. 38:32فَقَالَ إِنِّيٓ أَحۡبَبۡتُ حُبَّ ٱلۡخَيۡرِ عَن ذِكۡرِ رَبِّي حَتَّىٰ تَوَارَتۡ بِٱلۡحِجَابِAnd he said, "Indeed, I gave preference to the love of good [things] over the remembrance of my Lord until the sun disappeared into the curtain [of darkness]."Loving the good made him miss remembering his Lord.Distraction until the sun had setRead more
  33. 38:33رُدُّوهَا عَلَيَّۖ فَطَفِقَ مَسۡحَۢا بِٱلسُّوقِ وَٱلۡأَعۡنَاقِ[He said], "Return them to me," and set about striking [their] legs and necks.Bring them back, he said, and dealt with what distracted him.Two scholarly readings of what he didRead more
  34. 38:34وَلَقَدۡ فَتَنَّا سُلَيۡمَٰنَ وَأَلۡقَيۡنَا عَلَىٰ كُرۡسِيِّهِۦ جَسَدٗا ثُمَّ أَنَابَAnd We certainly tried Solomon and placed on his throne a body; then he returned.We tested Sulayman, then he turned back.Even a prophet-king was testedRead more
  35. 38:35قَالَ رَبِّ ٱغۡفِرۡ لِي وَهَبۡ لِي مُلۡكٗا لَّا يَنۢبَغِي لِأَحَدٖ مِّنۢ بَعۡدِيٓۖ إِنَّكَ أَنتَ ٱلۡوَهَّابُHe said, "My Lord, forgive me and grant me a kingdom such as will not belong to anyone after me. Indeed, You are the Bestower."Forgive me first, then give me a kingdom like no other.A dua that starts with forgivenessRead more
  36. 38:36فَسَخَّرۡنَا لَهُ ٱلرِّيحَ تَجۡرِي بِأَمۡرِهِۦ رُخَآءً حَيۡثُ أَصَابَSo We subjected to him the wind blowing by his command, gently, wherever he directed,The wind was made to run gently at his command.What he let go was replaced with betterRead more
  37. 38:37وَٱلشَّيَٰطِينَ كُلَّ بَنَّآءٖ وَغَوَّاصٖAnd [also] the devils [of jinn] - every builder and diverBuilders and divers among the jinn worked for him.Power over what others could not reachRead more
  38. 38:38وَءَاخَرِينَ مُقَرَّنِينَ فِي ٱلۡأَصۡفَادِAnd others bound together in shackles.And others bound together in chains.Rebellion was restrained, not rewardedRead more
  39. 38:39هَٰذَا عَطَآؤُنَا فَٱمۡنُنۡ أَوۡ أَمۡسِكۡ بِغَيۡرِ حِسَابٖ[We said], "This is Our gift, so grant or withhold without account."This is Our gift: give or hold back, no account asked.A freedom given, and a choice the Prophet ﷺ madeRead more
  40. 38:40وَإِنَّ لَهُۥ عِندَنَا لَزُلۡفَىٰ وَحُسۡنَ مَـَٔابٖAnd indeed, for him is nearness to Us and a good place of return.And for him: nearness to Us and a good return.Worldly power did not cost him the HereafterRead more
  41. 38:41وَٱذۡكُرۡ عَبۡدَنَآ أَيُّوبَ إِذۡ نَادَىٰ رَبَّهُۥٓ أَنِّي مَسَّنِيَ ٱلشَّيۡطَٰنُ بِنُصۡبٖ وَعَذَابٍAnd remember Our servant Job, when he called to his Lord, "Indeed, Satan has touched me with hardship and torment."After years of loss, Ayyub called out to his Lord.Naming the pain to the One who can lift itRead more
  42. 38:42ٱرۡكُضۡ بِرِجۡلِكَۖ هَٰذَا مُغۡتَسَلُۢ بَارِدٞ وَشَرَابٞ[So he was told], "Strike [the ground] with your foot; this is a [spring for] a cool bath and drink."Strike the ground with your foot: cool water to wash and drink.Relief came from right under his feetRead more
  43. 38:43وَوَهَبۡنَا لَهُۥٓ أَهۡلَهُۥ وَمِثۡلَهُم مَّعَهُمۡ رَحۡمَةٗ مِّنَّا وَذِكۡرَىٰ لِأُوْلِي ٱلۡأَلۡبَٰبِAnd We granted him his family and a like [number] with them as mercy from Us and a reminder for those of understanding.His family given back, and as many again, as mercy.Patience that ends in more than was lostRead more
  44. 38:44وَخُذۡ بِيَدِكَ ضِغۡثٗا فَٱضۡرِب بِّهِۦ وَلَا تَحۡنَثۡۗ إِنَّا وَجَدۡنَٰهُ صَابِرٗاۚ نِّعۡمَ ٱلۡعَبۡدُ إِنَّهُۥٓ أَوَّابٞ[We said], "And take in your hand a bunch [of grass] and strike with it and do not break your oath." Indeed, We found him patient, an excellent servant. Indeed, he was one repeatedly turning back [to Allah].A way out of a hasty oath, and praise for his patience.Allah did not let her kindness be repaid with harmRead more
  45. 38:45وَٱذۡكُرۡ عِبَٰدَنَآ إِبۡرَٰهِيمَ وَإِسۡحَٰقَ وَيَعۡقُوبَ أُوْلِي ٱلۡأَيۡدِي وَٱلۡأَبۡصَٰرِAnd remember Our servants, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob - those of strength and [religious] vision.Ibrahim, Ishaq and Yaqub: people of strength and vision.Strong hands in worship, clear eyes in faithRead more
  46. 38:46إِنَّآ أَخۡلَصۡنَٰهُم بِخَالِصَةٖ ذِكۡرَى ٱلدَّارِIndeed, We chose them for an exclusive quality: remembrance of the home [of the Hereafter].Chosen for one quality: remembering the final Home.What set the prophets apartRead more
  47. 38:47وَإِنَّهُمۡ عِندَنَا لَمِنَ ٱلۡمُصۡطَفَيۡنَ ٱلۡأَخۡيَارِAnd indeed they are, to Us, among the chosen and outstanding.With Us, they are among the chosen and the best.Whose opinion of you matters mostRead more
  48. 38:48وَٱذۡكُرۡ إِسۡمَٰعِيلَ وَٱلۡيَسَعَ وَذَا ٱلۡكِفۡلِۖ وَكُلّٞ مِّنَ ٱلۡأَخۡيَارِAnd remember Ishmael, Elisha and Dhul-Kifl, and all are among the outstanding.Remember Ismail, Al-Yasa and Dhul-Kifl: all among the best.Some names are short in the Quran but great with AllahRead more
  49. 38:49هَٰذَا ذِكۡرٞۚ وَإِنَّ لِلۡمُتَّقِينَ لَحُسۡنَ مَـَٔابٖThis is a reminder. And indeed, for the righteous is a good place of returnThis is a reminder, and the righteous have a good return.After the prophets' stories, the destinationRead more
  50. 38:50جَنَّـٰتِ عَدۡنٖ مُّفَتَّحَةٗ لَّهُمُ ٱلۡأَبۡوَٰبُGardens of perpetual residence, whose doors will be opened to them.Gardens of Adn, their doors already open for them.A welcome, not a locked gateRead more
  51. 38:51مُتَّكِـِٔينَ فِيهَا يَدۡعُونَ فِيهَا بِفَٰكِهَةٖ كَثِيرَةٖ وَشَرَابٖReclining within them, they will call therein for abundant fruit and drink.Reclining, they call for fruit and drink in abundance.Rest after a life of effortRead more
  52. 38:52۞وَعِندَهُمۡ قَٰصِرَٰتُ ٱلطَّرۡفِ أَتۡرَابٌAnd with them will be women limiting [their] glances and of equal age.Beside them, faithful companions of equal age.Companionship without betrayalRead more
  53. 38:53هَٰذَا مَا تُوعَدُونَ لِيَوۡمِ ٱلۡحِسَابِThis is what you, [the righteous], are promised for the Day of Account.This is what you are promised for the Day of Account.The same Day they mocked is the Day you hope forRead more
  54. 38:54إِنَّ هَٰذَا لَرِزۡقُنَا مَا لَهُۥ مِن نَّفَادٍIndeed, this is Our provision; for it there is no depletion.Our provision, which never runs out.What lasts versus what drains awayRead more
  55. 38:55هَٰذَاۚ وَإِنَّ لِلطَّـٰغِينَ لَشَرَّ مَـَٔابٖThis [is so]. But indeed, for the transgressors is an evil place of return -That is one end. The transgressors have an evil return.Two destinations placed side by sideRead more
  56. 38:56جَهَنَّمَ يَصۡلَوۡنَهَا فَبِئۡسَ ٱلۡمِهَادُHell, which they will [enter to] burn, and wretched is the resting place.Hell, which they enter, and a wretched place to rest.The opposite of the reclining in ParadiseRead more
  57. 38:57هَٰذَا فَلۡيَذُوقُوهُ حَمِيمٞ وَغَسَّاقٞThis - so let them taste it - is scalding water and [foul] purulence.Extreme heat and extreme cold: let them taste it.The opposite of the drinks in ParadiseRead more
  58. 38:58وَءَاخَرُ مِن شَكۡلِهِۦٓ أَزۡوَٰجٌAnd other [punishments] of its type [in various] kinds.And other punishments of the same kind, in pairs.Opposites that bring no reliefRead more
  59. 38:59هَٰذَا فَوۡجٞ مُّقۡتَحِمٞ مَّعَكُمۡ لَا مَرۡحَبَۢا بِهِمۡۚ إِنَّهُمۡ صَالُواْ ٱلنَّارِ[Its inhabitants will say], "This is a company bursting in with you. No welcome for them. Indeed, they will burn in the Fire."Here comes another crowd with you. No welcome for them.Those who walked together turn on each otherRead more
  60. 38:60قَالُواْ بَلۡ أَنتُمۡ لَا مَرۡحَبَۢا بِكُمۡۖ أَنتُمۡ قَدَّمۡتُمُوهُ لَنَاۖ فَبِئۡسَ ٱلۡقَرَارُThey will say, "Nor you! No welcome for you. You, [our leaders], brought this upon us, and wretched is the settlement."No welcome for you! You brought this on us.Followers blame those who led themRead more
  61. 38:61قَالُواْ رَبَّنَا مَن قَدَّمَ لَنَا هَٰذَا فَزِدۡهُ عَذَابٗا ضِعۡفٗا فِي ٱلنَّارِThey will say, "Our Lord, whoever brought this upon us - increase for him double punishment in the Fire."Our Lord, double the punishment of whoever led us here.Blaming others brings no reliefRead more
  62. 38:62وَقَالُواْ مَا لَنَا لَا نَرَىٰ رِجَالٗا كُنَّا نَعُدُّهُم مِّنَ ٱلۡأَشۡرَارِAnd they will say, "Why do we not see men whom we used to count among the worst?Where are the men we used to call the worst?The people they looked down on are missingRead more
  63. 38:63أَتَّخَذۡنَٰهُمۡ سِخۡرِيًّا أَمۡ زَاغَتۡ عَنۡهُمُ ٱلۡأَبۡصَٰرُIs it [because] we took them in ridicule, or has [our] vision turned away from them?"Did we only mock them, or are our eyes missing them?Wishful thinking at the very endRead more
  64. 38:64إِنَّ ذَٰلِكَ لَحَقّٞ تَخَاصُمُ أَهۡلِ ٱلنَّارِIndeed, that is truth - the quarreling of the people of the Fire.That quarrel of the people of the Fire is true.A real scene told in advanceRead more
  65. 38:65قُلۡ إِنَّمَآ أَنَا۠ مُنذِرٞۖ وَمَا مِنۡ إِلَٰهٍ إِلَّا ٱللَّهُ ٱلۡوَٰحِدُ ٱلۡقَهَّارُSay, [O Muhammad], "I am only a warner, and there is not any deity except Allah, the One, the Prevailing.Only a warner, and no god but Allah, the One.The Prophet ﷺ states plainly who he isRead more
  66. 38:66رَبُّ ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَٱلۡأَرۡضِ وَمَا بَيۡنَهُمَا ٱلۡعَزِيزُ ٱلۡغَفَّـٰرُLord of the heavens and the earth and whatever is between them, the Exalted in Might, the Perpetual Forgiver."Lord of the heavens and earth, the Mighty, the Ever-Forgiving.Power and forgiveness in the same breathRead more
  67. 38:67قُلۡ هُوَ نَبَؤٌاْ عَظِيمٌSay, "It is great newsSay: it is great news.The message is the biggest headline there isRead more
  68. 38:68أَنتُمۡ عَنۡهُ مُعۡرِضُونَFrom which you turn away.Great news, and you turn away from it.Neglect is a quieter kind of rejectionRead more
  69. 38:69مَا كَانَ لِيَ مِنۡ عِلۡمِۭ بِٱلۡمَلَإِ ٱلۡأَعۡلَىٰٓ إِذۡ يَخۡتَصِمُونَI had no knowledge of the exalted assembly [of angels] when they were disputing [the creation of Adam].I had no knowledge of the assembly on high.The story he could only know by revelationRead more
  70. 38:70إِن يُوحَىٰٓ إِلَيَّ إِلَّآ أَنَّمَآ أَنَا۠ نَذِيرٞ مُّبِينٌIt has not been revealed to me except that I am a clear warner."All that is revealed to me: I am a clear warner.Clear about his role, nothing addedRead more
  71. 38:71إِذۡ قَالَ رَبُّكَ لِلۡمَلَـٰٓئِكَةِ إِنِّي خَٰلِقُۢ بَشَرٗا مِّن طِينٖ[So mention] when your Lord said to the angels, "Indeed, I am going to create a human being from clay.Your Lord told the angels: I will create a human from clay.The start of the story behind the disputeRead more
  72. 38:72فَإِذَا سَوَّيۡتُهُۥ وَنَفَخۡتُ فِيهِ مِن رُّوحِي فَقَعُواْ لَهُۥ سَٰجِدِينَSo when I have proportioned him and breathed into him of My [created] soul, then fall down to him in prostration."When I have shaped him and breathed in the soul, bow down.Honor came with the soul from AllahRead more
  73. 38:73فَسَجَدَ ٱلۡمَلَـٰٓئِكَةُ كُلُّهُمۡ أَجۡمَعُونَSo the angels prostrated - all of them entirely.The angels prostrated, all of them together.Obedience without argumentRead more
  74. 38:74إِلَّآ إِبۡلِيسَ ٱسۡتَكۡبَرَ وَكَانَ مِنَ ٱلۡكَٰفِرِينَExcept Iblees; he was arrogant and became among the disbelievers.Except Iblis: he was arrogant and became a disbeliever.One refusal, and its rootRead more
  75. 38:75قَالَ يَـٰٓإِبۡلِيسُ مَا مَنَعَكَ أَن تَسۡجُدَ لِمَا خَلَقۡتُ بِيَدَيَّۖ أَسۡتَكۡبَرۡتَ أَمۡ كُنتَ مِنَ ٱلۡعَالِينَ[Allah] said, "O Iblees, what prevented you from prostrating to that which I created with My hands? Were you arrogant [then], or were you [already] among the haughty?"What stopped you from bowing to the one I honored?Allah asks Iblis to name his reasonRead more
  76. 38:76قَالَ أَنَا۠ خَيۡرٞ مِّنۡهُ خَلَقۡتَنِي مِن نَّارٖ وَخَلَقۡتَهُۥ مِن طِينٖHe said, "I am better than him. You created me from fire and created him from clay."I am better than him: fire versus clay.The oldest argument of prideRead more
  77. 38:77قَالَ فَٱخۡرُجۡ مِنۡهَا فَإِنَّكَ رَجِيمٞ[Allah] said, "Then get out of Paradise, for indeed, you are expelled.Get out from here, for you are cast out.Pride cost Iblis his placeRead more
  78. 38:78وَإِنَّ عَلَيۡكَ لَعۡنَتِيٓ إِلَىٰ يَوۡمِ ٱلدِّينِAnd indeed, upon you is My curse until the Day of Recompense."My curse is on you until the Day of Recompense.Despair of mercy, by his own choiceRead more
  79. 38:79قَالَ رَبِّ فَأَنظِرۡنِيٓ إِلَىٰ يَوۡمِ يُبۡعَثُونَHe said, "My Lord, then reprieve me until the Day they are resurrected."My Lord, give me respite until they are raised.He asked for time, not forgivenessRead more
  80. 38:80قَالَ فَإِنَّكَ مِنَ ٱلۡمُنظَرِينَ[Allah] said, "So indeed, you are of those reprievedYou are among those given respite.The Forbearing does not hasten to punishRead more
  81. 38:81إِلَىٰ يَوۡمِ ٱلۡوَقۡتِ ٱلۡمَعۡلُومِUntil the Day of the time well-known."Until the Day of the appointed time.Even the respite has an endRead more
  82. 38:82قَالَ فَبِعِزَّتِكَ لَأُغۡوِيَنَّهُمۡ أَجۡمَعِينَ[Iblees] said, "By your might, I will surely mislead them allBy Your might, I will mislead them all.The enemy announced his planRead more
  83. 38:83إِلَّا عِبَادَكَ مِنۡهُمُ ٱلۡمُخۡلَصِينَExcept, among them, Your chosen servants."Except Your sincere servants among them.The ones he admits he cannot reachRead more
  84. 38:84قَالَ فَٱلۡحَقُّ وَٱلۡحَقَّ أَقُولُ[Allah] said, "The truth [is My oath], and the truth I say -The truth, and the truth is what I say.Allah's reply to Iblis's oathRead more
  85. 38:85لَأَمۡلَأَنَّ جَهَنَّمَ مِنكَ وَمِمَّن تَبِعَكَ مِنۡهُمۡ أَجۡمَعِينَ[That] I will surely fill Hell with you and those of them that follow you all together."I will fill Hell with you and those who follow you.Following him is a choice with an endRead more
  86. 38:86قُلۡ مَآ أَسۡـَٔلُكُمۡ عَلَيۡهِ مِنۡ أَجۡرٖ وَمَآ أَنَا۠ مِنَ ٱلۡمُتَكَلِّفِينَSay, [O Muhammad], "I do not ask you for the Qur'an any payment, and I am not of the pretentiousI ask no payment, and I do not pretend.A message offered freely, without additionsRead more
  87. 38:87إِنۡ هُوَ إِلَّا ذِكۡرٞ لِّلۡعَٰلَمِينَIt is but a reminder to the worlds.It is only a reminder for all the worlds.The surah opened with a reminder and closes with oneRead more
  88. 38:88وَلَتَعۡلَمُنَّ نَبَأَهُۥ بَعۡدَ حِينِۭAnd you will surely know [the truth of] its information after a time."And you will surely know its truth after a while.Every person will see it confirmedRead more