015 Al-Hijr

The disbelievers will soon[2] wish that they were Muslims.

Translation notes: [2] On the Judgment Day or upon their death.

Let them eat and enjoy themselves and be diverted with false hope; they will come to know.

We never destroyed any town except that it had a destined time.

No nation can advance its appointed time, nor can they delay it.

They say, “O you to whom the Reminder has been sent down, You are surely insane[3]!

Translation notes: [3] These deriding remarks were very hard on the Prophet (ﷺ), and Allah consoles him in this surah.

Why do you not bring us the angels, if you are truthful?”

We do not send down the angels except for a just cause, and then [the disbelievers] would be granted no respite[4].

Translation notes: [4] i.e., then they would be destroyed on the spot.

It is We Who have sent down the Reminder[5], and it is We Who will preserve it[6].

Translation notes: [5] As a reminder for people. [6] From distortion, alteration, addition, and omission. More than 1400 years have elapsed and not a single word of this Qur’an has been changed, although enemies have tried their utmost.

We did send messengers before you among the factions of early peoples.

No messenger came to them except that they ridiculed him.

This is how We let this [denial] enter the hearts of the wicked[7].

Translation notes: [7] For they rebelled against the Truth and did not submit to it.

They will not believe in it, although the examples of the earlier people are well established.

Even if We were to open for them a gateway to the heaven, through which they kept ascending,

they would still say, “Our eyes have been dazzled; rather, we have been bewitched.”

We have placed constellations in the heaven and adorned it for the onlookers,

and We have guarded it from every accursed devil,

except the one who manages to eavesdrop, he will then be pursued by a visible burning flame.

As for the earth, We have spread it out and placed therein firm mountains, and caused to grow therein everything in due proportion.

And We have made therein for you means of sustenance and for those[8] whom you do not provide.

Translation notes: [8] i.e., the children, servants, and livestock that one is blessed with.

There is nothing except that We have its treasuries, and We do not send it down except in a determined measure.

And We send fertilizing winds[9], and send down rain from the sky for you to drink, and it is not you who could store it.

Translation notes: [9] Causing precipitation in rainclouds or carrying pollen.

Indeed, it is We Who give life and cause death, and We are the Inheritors [of all things].

We surely know those of you who have gone before and those who are yet to come.

It is your Lord Who will gather them together. He is All-Wise, All-Knowing.

We have created man from sounding clay, made of aging mud[10].

Translation notes: [10] Salsāl: clay left to ferment and turn hard so that it clinks when tapped on. Hama’: transformed or blackened clay. Masnūn: the smell of which has turned foul or left for some time.

And the jinn[11] We created before that, from smokeless fire.

Translation notes: [11] The jinn: They are the creatures of Allah, who are different from humans. There are some among them who are righteous, while others are wicked. They are not humans or a species of humans.

And [remember] when your Lord said to the angels, “I am going to create a human being from sounding clay, made of aging mud.

When I have shaped him and breathed into him of My spirit[12], then fall down before him in prostration.”

Translation notes: [12] The spirit which Allah created for that body, not His own Spirit (as some mistakenly believe). Allah attributed it to Himself as a sign of honoring him, as in nāqat Allah (the she-camel of Allah).

Thereupon, all of the angels fell down in prostration,

except for Iblīs, who refused to be with those who prostrated[13].

Translation notes: [13] See 18:50.

Allah said, “O Iblīs, what is the matter with you that you were not with those who prostrated?”

He said, “I am not such to prostrate before a human whom You created from sounding clay, made of aging mud.[14]”

Translation notes: [14] He said: “I am better than him; You created me from fire and created him from clay.” See 7:12.

He said, “Then get out of here[15], for you are accursed,

Translation notes: [15] i.e., from the heaven.

and the curse will be upon you until the Day of Judgment.”

Iblīs said, “My Lord, then grant me respite until the Day they are resurrected.”

Allah said, “You are of those who are granted respite[16],

Translation notes: [16] As a trial; to sift out His obedient servants from those who obey Iblīs.

until the Day of the Appointed Time[17].”

Translation notes: [17] i.e., the Day of Judgment.

He said, “My Lord, since You have sent me astray[18], I will surely make [sins] alluring to them on earth and mislead them all,

Translation notes: [18] Satan set the record for being the first to use predestination (al-qadar) as a pretext for disobeying Allah’s command (al-’amr).

except for Your chosen slaves among them.”

Allah said, “This is a straight path leading to Me.

You will have no authority over My slaves, except the deviants who follow you.

And Hell is certainly the promised place for them, all together.

It has seven gates[19]; each gate will have its allotted share of them.”

Translation notes: [19] The doors of Hell are plenty; according to the crime.

The righteous will be in gardens and springs.

“Enter in peace and safety[20]!”

Translation notes: [20] i.e., safe from all ills, troubles, and all that might put a dent in their happiness.

We will remove all ill feelings from their hearts[21]; like brothers, seated on couches facing one another.

Translation notes: [21] This is in perfection of their bliss, by having no ill-will whatsoever.

No fatigue will ever touch them therein[22], nor will they ever be made to leave.

Translation notes: [22] i.e., untainted by drawbacks of toil or uneasiness about the future.

Inform My slaves that I am indeed the All-Forgiving, the Most Merciful,

and that My punishment is the most painful punishment.

And inform them about the guests of Abraham.

When they entered upon him and said, “Peace!” He said, “We are afraid of you[23].”

Translation notes: [23] When he saw that their hands did not reach the roasted calf he presented to them.

They said, “Do not be afraid; We give you glad tidings of a knowledgeable boy[24].”

Translation notes: [24] i.e., Isaac; of great religious knowledge.

He said, “Do you give me glad tidings despite my old age? What glad tidings are you giving me?”

They said, “We have given you glad tidings in truth, so do not be of those who despair[25].”

Translation notes: [25] Abraham (عليه السلام) might have shown signs of doubt at believing such news.

He said, “Who would despair of his Lord’s mercy except those who are misguided[26]?”

Translation notes: [26] Abraham’s (عليه السلام) reply disproves the assumption that he was despondent of Allah’s Mercy.

He said, “So, what is your mission, O messengers?”

They said, “We have been sent to a wicked people[27],

Translation notes: [27] i.e., the people of the prophet Lot (عليه السلام).

except the household of Lot; we will surely save them all,

except his wife[28]; We have decreed that she will be among those who stay behind.”

Translation notes: [28] For she has collaborated with the evildoers.

When the messengers came to the household of Lot[29],

Translation notes: [29] Details of the first three nations destroyed are given in this and the following verses, which were en route of the famous trading journeys of the Qurayshites: the people of Prophet Lot, those of the thicket (the people of Shu‘ayb), and those of Hegra (Madā’in Sālih).

he said, “You are unfamiliar people.”

They said, “We have come to you with that [punishment][30] which they have doubted.

Translation notes: [30] i.e., the divine punishment.

We have come to you with the truth, and we are certainly truthful.

So travel with your household in the dark of night and go behind them; none of you should look back[31], and keep going to where you are commanded.”

Translation notes: [31] To be more persistent in their walk and strike some distance before dawn, or not to be frightened and traumatized by catching sight of the horrific punishment of their folks.

We conveyed this decree to him that these [people] will be exterminated by early morning.”

The people of the city came [to Lot] rejoicing[32].

Translation notes: [32] At the news of his visitors.

Lot said, “These are my guests, so do not bring shame on me.

Fear Allah and do not disgrace me.”

They said, “Did we not forbid you from [protecting] people?”

He said, “These are my daughters [to marry], if you must[33].”

Translation notes: [33] i.e., the women of my community or my own daughters in a lawful marriage.

By your life [O prophet], they were wandering blindly in their intoxication [of lust][34].

Translation notes: [34] Admonition is of no use, no matter how reasonable it is, when someone is drunk in their lust.

So they were seized by the blast at sunrise,

and We turned their cities upside down[35] and rained down on them stones of baked clay.

Translation notes: [35] Their nature was twisted, so their punishment was of its like.

Indeed, there are signs in this for those who discern[36].

Translation notes: [36] i.e., those who look deeply into signifying signs.

And their place is located by a known route[37].

Translation notes: [37] i.e., on the highway to the Levant, where the Dead Sea is now.

Indeed, there are signs in this for the believers.

And the people of the Forest[38] were wrongdoers.

Translation notes: [38] i.e., the people of the thicket, i.e. the people of Prophet Shu‘ayb (عليه السلام) who lived in Madian, not far from the people of Lot.

So We punished them in retribution, and both [places][39] are by a clear highway.

Translation notes: [39] i.e., both the dwellings of the people of Prophet Lot (عليه السلام) and Prophet Shu‘ayb (عليه السلام).

Surely the people of Al-Hijr[40] also rejected the messengers.

Translation notes: [40] i.e., Thamūd: the people of Prophet Sālih (عليه السلام).

We gave them Our signs, but they kept turning away from them.

They carved houses in the mountains, feeling secure[41].

Translation notes: [41] These mountainous strongholds gave them a false sense of security against any consequences.

So they were seized by the blast early in the morning.

Nothing of what they earned was of any avail to them.

We have not created the heavens and earth and all that is between them except for a true purpose. The Hour is certainly coming, so bear with them graciously[42].

Translation notes: [42] This final passage puts things into perspective, addressing the Prophet (ﷺ) - that all people, including those who tormented him, will be justly held accountable for their deeds, and asking him to overlook their taunts and not censure them for it.

Indeed, your Lord is the Absolute Creator, the All-Knowing.

We have surely given you the seven oft-repeated verses[43] and the great Qur’an.

Translation notes: [43] i.e., Seven of al-Mathāni (seven repeatedly recited verses), referring to Surat al-Fātihah.

Do not look longingly at the pleasures We have given certain classes[44] of them[45], nor grieve over them[46], but lower your wing [in humility] to the believers[47].

Translation notes: [44] Azwāj: literally means pairs; here it means those who are alike in prosperity, as not all of them were rich and prosperous. [45] So as to test them therein. [46] The Prophet (ﷺ) felt sad that they would not believe and save themselves from Hellfire. [47] The favor of the Qur’an far surpasses all other favors and worldly gains.

And say, “I am indeed a clear warner.” –

just as We sent down [punishment] upon those who divided [their religion][48],

Translation notes: [48] i.e., the People of the Book, who accepted some portions of the Torah and rejected some.

those who split the Qur’an into different portions[49].

Translation notes: [49] i.e., calling it magic, divination, or poetry.

By your Lord, We will surely question them all

concerning what they used to do.

Then proclaim what you are commanded, and turn away from those who associate partners with Allah.

We will surely suffice you against the mockers[50],

Translation notes: [50] For this command will be tough, Allah gave him assurance.

those who set up beside Allah another god; they will come to know.

We know that you are distressed by what they say.

So glorify your Lord with praise and be among those who prostrate [to Him][51],

Translation notes: [51] The remedy is in resorting to Allah Almighty.

and worship your Lord until the certainty [of death] comes to you.