014 Ibrahim

Allah, to Whom belongs all that is in the heavens and all that is on earth. And woe to the disbelievers from a severe punishment!

Those who prefer the life of this world to the Hereafter and prevent [people] from Allah’s way, seeking to make it crooked[2]; it is they who have gone far astray.

Translation notes: [2] i.e., showing it as defective and imperfect.

We did not send any messenger but in the language of his people to make things clear for them. Allah causes to stray whom He wills[3] and guides whom He wills, and He is the All-Mighty, the All-Wise.

Translation notes: [3] i.e., those who refuse His guidance.

We sent Moses with Our signs [saying], “Bring your people out of the depths of darkness into the light, and remind them of Allah’s days[4]. Indeed, there are signs in this for every patient and grateful person.

Translation notes: [4] i.e., days of favors upon the Children of Israel, or days of destruction of the former nations.

And [remember] when Moses said to his people, “Remember Allah’s favor upon you when He saved you from Pharaoh’s people who were inflicting upon you the worst torment, slaughtering your sons and keeping your women alive; that was a great trial from your Lord.

And [remember] when your Lord declared, ‘If you are grateful, I will surely give you more; but if you are ungrateful, My punishment is severe indeed.’”

And Moses said, “If you and all those who are on earth were to disbelieve, indeed Allah is Self-Sufficient, Praiseworthy.”

Have there not come to you the stories of those who came before you – the people of Noah, ‘Ād and Thamūd, and those who came after them? No one knows them except Allah. Their messengers came to them with clear proofs, but they shoved their hands into their mouths[5] and said, “We disbelieve in what you are sent with, and we surely doubt what you are calling us to.”

Translation notes: [5] as a gesture of denial and rejection.

Their messengers said, “Can there be any doubt about Allah, the Creator of the heavens and earth? He calls you so that He may forgive some of your sins, and give you respite for an appointed term.” They said, “You are but humans like us! You want to turn us away from what our forefathers used to worship; then bring us a clear proof.”

Their messengers said to them, “We are no more than human beings like you, but it is Allah Who bestows His favor upon whom He wills of His slaves. It is not for us to bring you proof except with Allah’s permission, and in Allah let the believers put their trust.

Why should we not put our trust in Allah, and it is He Who has guided us to our ways? We will surely be patient against whatever harm you cause us. And in Allah let the faithful put their trust.”

The disbelievers said to their messengers, “We will surely drive you out of our land unless you return to our religion.” Their Lord then inspired them, “We will certainly destroy the wrongdoers,

and We will make you dwell in the land after them. This is for those who fear standing before Me[6], and who fear My warning.”

Translation notes: [6] i.e., for account.

[The messengers] sought victory, and every obstinate tyrant was doomed.

Hell awaits him, and he will be made to drink of oozing pus,

which he will arduously sip but can hardly swallow it, and death will come to him from every direction, yet he will not die. And ahead of him will be a harsh punishment.

The deeds of those who disbelieve[7] in their Lord are like ashes that are blown away by the wind on a stormy day. They will gain nothing from what they did; that is the farthest misguidance.

Translation notes: [7] i.e., their good deeds, as they were not based on solid ground of faith.

Do you not see that Allah has created the heavens and earth for a true purpose? If He wills, He can take you away and replace you with a new creation[8].

Translation notes: [8] “If you turn away, He will replace you with other people, then they will not be like you.” See 47:38.

That is not difficult for Allah.

All will appear before Allah, then those who were weak will say to those who were arrogant, “We were your followers; can you avail us anything against the punishment of Allah?” They will say, “If Allah had guided us, we would have guided you. It is all the same for us whether we cry or suffer patiently, we have no escape[9].”

Translation notes: [9] The pain of these disbelievers is not only physical, but also psychological.

Satan will say when the matter is finally decided, “Allah gave you a true promise; I also gave you a promise, but I betrayed you[10]. I had no authority over you, except that I called you and you responded to me[11]. So do not blame me, but blame yourselves. I cannot rescue you, nor can you rescue me. I deny your previous association of me with Allah. Indeed, for the wrongdoers there will be a painful punishment.”

Translation notes: [10] “Satan makes no promises to them except delusion!” See 4:120. [11] By obeying me instead of Him during life on earth.

Those who believe and do righteous deeds will be admitted to gardens under which rivers flow, abiding therein forever, by the permission of their Lord. Their greeting therein will be, “Peace!”

Do you not see how Allah compares a good word[12] to a good tree[13]? Its root is firm and its branches reach the sky[14],

Translation notes: [12] i.e., the testimony of faith. [13] i.e., the palm tree. [14] i.e., Its foundation is firm in the heart and its branches, the good deeds, are high up in the sky, being constantly raised to Allah.

yielding its fruit all the times[15], by the permission of its Lord. Allah makes such comparisons for people, so that they may take heed.

Translation notes: [15] i.e., day and night, summer and winter; likewise is the testimony of faith, it never ceases to yield good deeds all the time.

But an evil word[16] is like an evil tree[17], uprooted from the surface of the earth, having no stability.

Translation notes: [16] i.e., the word of disbelief and polytheism. [17] i.e., the tree of colocynth; it has no stable root and its stalks are so feeble; such is disbelief which is shaky in the heart, and their deeds are not raised to benefit them in the Hereafter.

Allah keeps those who believe steadfast with the firm Word [of faith] in the life of this world[18] and in the Hereafter. But Allah causes to stray the wrongdoers[19]; Allah does whatever He wills.

Translation notes: [18] When questioned in their graves by the angels. [19] For doing wrong to themselves and others, Allah casts doubts and blindness in their hearts and does not guide them to say what is truthful in this life or in the grave.

Did you not see those who exchanged Allah’s blessings with disbelief[20], and led their people to the abode of ruin[21]?

Translation notes: [20] They met Allah’s blessings with denial instead of gratitude. [21] i.e., the Hellfire.

In Hell they will burn; what an evil place to settle in!

They set up rivals to Allah to mislead people from His way. Say, “Enjoy yourselves for a while! Your destination will be the Fire.”

Tell My slaves who believe to establish prayer and spend from what We have provided for them, secretly and openly, before there comes a Day when there will be no bargaining or friendship[22].

Translation notes: [22] As everyone will have enough affairs and busied away with their own record; nothing will avail a person except his good deeds.

It is Allah Who has created the heavens and earth and sent down rain from the sky, producing therewith fruits as provision for you. He has made the ships for your service to sail through the sea by His command and has made for you the rivers.

He has made the sun and the moon for your service, both constant in their courses, and has made for you the night and the day[23].

Translation notes: [23] i.e., the day in which people go about their living and the night during which they get rest.

And He gave you of all that you have asked for[24]. If you try to count the blessings of Allah, you cannot count them[25]. Indeed, mankind is truly unjust and ungrateful.

Translation notes: [24] It is not only these grand favors that Allah grants people, but their prayers are also answered, be they uttered or merely wished for. [25] If a person were to ever try to count Allah’s blessings on him, he would never be able to count them, let alone be duly grateful for them.

And [remember] when Abraham said, “My Lord, make this city [of Makkah] secure and save me and my children from worshiping idols.

My Lord, they[26] have led many people astray. So whoever follows me, he belongs to me; and whoever disobeys me, then You are All-Forgiving, Most Merciful.

Translation notes: [26] i.e., idols.

Our Lord, I have settled some of my offspring in a barren valley near Your Sacred House, our Lord, so that they may establish prayer[27]. So make the people’s hearts incline towards them, and provide for them fruits, so that they may be grateful.

Translation notes: [27] Prayer is specifically mentioned here because it is the best, most comprehensive act of worship and that it is key to all good.

Our Lord, You know what we conceal and what we reveal. Nothing is hidden from Allah on earth or in heaven.

All praise be to Allah Who has granted me in old age Ishmael and Isaac[28]. Indeed, my Lord is the All-Hearing of prayers.

Translation notes: [28] This is a practical demonstration of Abraham’s gratitude to Allah for His blessings.

My Lord, make me steadfast in prayer and those of my offspring. Our Lord, accept my supplication.

Our Lord, forgive me, my parents, and the believers on the Day when the reckoning will take place.”

Never think that Allah is unaware of what the wrongdoers do[29]; He only delays them for a Day when eyes will stare [in horror][30] –

Translation notes: [29] It serves both as comfort to the oppressed and as a warning to the oppressors. [30] Because of the horrifying sights they see, they will be unblinkingly staring upwards in horror.

rushing forward with their heads raised up, eyes not blinking[31] and hearts void[32].

Translation notes: [31] This is their state at the time of resurrection from the graves. [32] Their terror-struck hearts are empty; perceiving nothing.

Warn people of the Day when the punishment will come upon them, and the wrongdoers will say, “Our Lord, give us a little more time, so that we may respond to Your call and follow the messengers!” [They will be told], “Did you not swear before that you would never cease to exist?”

You lived[33] in the dwellings of those who wronged themselves, and it became clear to you how We dealt with them, and We gave you examples.”

Translation notes: [33] As Qurayshites would pass by the ruined dwellings of the destroyed nations; on their way to Yemen, they would pass by the dwellings of the ‘Ād tribe, and on their way to the Levant, they would pass by the dwellings of the Thamūd tribe, using them as resting posts.

They hatched their plot[34], but their plot was known to Allah; even if their plot were such that would move mountains[35].

Translation notes: [34] i.e., to kill the Prophet (ﷺ). [35] But due to its feebleness, their plotting was never to remove mountains.

Never think that Allah will fail in His promise to His messengers[36]. Allah is All-Mighty, Capable of Retribution.

Translation notes: [36] i.e., that they would be given victory both in this life and in the Hereafter.

The Day when the earth will be changed to another earth and so will the heavens[37], and all will appear before Allah, the One, the Subjugator[38].

Translation notes: [37] Many exegetes who talk about what befalls the heavens and earth on that Day, opines that the replacement here is of the characteristics (al-sifāt), not of the quintessence (al-dhāt). [38] Allah’s revenge will be on the Day of Judgment.

On that Day you will see the wicked bound together in chains[39],

Translation notes: [39] i.e., their hands and feet will be chained to their necks. See 40:70-72.

their garments will be of pitch and their faces covered with Fire.

So that Allah may recompense every soul for what it did. Allah is swift in reckoning.

This [Qur’an] is a message for all mankind, so that they may be warned thereby and know that He is One God, and so that the people of understanding may take heed.