021 Al-Anbiyaa

Whenever new revelation comes to them from their Lord, they listen to it in jest,

with their hearts heedless. The wrongdoers whisper to one another in secret, “Is this but a human being just like yourselves? Will you then follow his magic, although you openly see?”

He said, “My Lord knows every word spoken in the heavens and earth, for He is the All-Hearing, the All-Knowing.”

Yet they say, “This [Qur’an] is a set of jumbled dreams! Rather, he has fabricated it! Rather, he is a poet! So let him bring us a sign just as the earlier messengers were sent with[1].”

Translation notes: [1] Such as the staff of Moses (عليه السلام), the camel of Salih (عليه السلام) and the like.

Not a single town We destroyed before them had believed[2]. Will they then believe?

Translation notes: [2] Although they witnessed signs and miracles.

We did not send before you [O Prophet] except men to whom We gave a revelation, so [O people] ask the People of the Scriptures if you do not know.

We did not give them bodies that needed no food[3], nor were they immortal.

Translation notes: [3] Such as the angels.

Then We fulfilled Our promise to them: We saved them[4] and those whom We willed, and destroyed those who transgressed all bounds.

Translation notes: [4] After they conveyed the message.

We have sent down to you [O people] a Book in which there is honor for you[5]. Do you not then understand?

Translation notes: [5] As you have been mentioned and addressed in the Qur’an, or there is a reminder for you in it.

[Imagine] how many towns of wrongdoers We have destroyed[6], and raised after them another people!

Translation notes: [6] i.e., who were persisting in wrongdoing.

When they sensed Our punishment, they started running away from it.

“Do not run away, but return to your luxuries and dwellings[7], perhaps you will be questioned.”

Translation notes: [7] This is said to them in sarcasm and ridicule.

They said, “Woe to us! We were indeed wrongdoers.”

They kept crying this out loud until We mowed them down, lifeless[8].

Translation notes: [8] i.e., extinguished like ashes.

We did not create the heavens and earth and all that is between them for fun.

If We had wished for a pastime[9], We could have had it from Our own, if We were to do so.

Translation notes: [9] Such as a wife or a child.

Rather, We hurl the truth at falsehood, and it crushes it[10], so it vanishes. Woe to you for what you falsely ascribe [to Allah][11]!

Translation notes: [10] Lit. "strikes its brain," disabling or killing it. [11] Claiming that He has a son, a wife, or a partner.

To Him belongs all those who are in the heavens and earth. Those [angels] who are with Him are not too proud to worship Him, nor do they ever grow weary.

They glorify Him day and night tirelessly.

Or have they taken gods from the earth who [cannot even] resurrect the dead?

If there had been gods besides Allah in the heavens and earth, both realms would have fallen in disorder. Glory be to Allah – Lord of the Throne – far above what they ascribe [to Him].

He cannot be questioned for what He does, but they will be questioned.

Or have they taken other gods besides Him? Say, “Bring your proof. Here is the Book of those who are with me, and the Book of those who came before me[12].” Yet most of them do not know the truth, so they turn away.

Translation notes: [12] The Prophet (ﷺ) is addressed to challenge the pagans to produce their proof for the existence of other gods; whereas, the Qur’an, the Torah, and the Gospel are in agreement that there is no god but Allah alone.

“We never sent before you [O Prophet] any messenger without revealing to him that none has the right to be worshiped except Me, so worship Me.”

They say, “The Most Compassionate has begotten offspring!”[13] Glory be to Him! In fact, those [angels] are His honored slaves.

Translation notes: [13] The pagans claimed that angels are the daughters of Allah.

They do not speak before He speaks, and they only do as He commands.

He knows what is ahead of them and what is behind them[14]. They cannot intercede except for whom He pleases, and they are fearful in awe of Him.

Translation notes: [14] See footnote 2:255.

If anyone of them were to say, “I am god besides Him,” We would punish him with Hell. This is how We punish the wrongdoers.

Are the disbelievers not aware that the heavens and earth were joined together and then We split them apart? We created from water every living thing. Will they not then believe?

We have set on the earth firm mountains so it does not shake with them, and We have made therein broad pathways so that they may find their way.

And We have made the sky a well-protected canopy, yet they turn away from its signs[15].

Translation notes: [15] Such as the sun and the moon.

It is He Who created the night and the day, the sun and the moon – each floating in its orbit.

We did not grant immortality to any human being before you [O Prophet]. So if you die, will they live forever?

Every soul will taste death; We test you with bad and good as a trial, then to Us you will all be returned.

When the disbelievers see you, they only take you in ridicule, [saying], “Is this the one who speaks ill of your gods?” while they reject even the mention of the Most Compassionate.

Man is created of haste. I will show you My signs, so do not ask Me to hasten them.

They say, “When will this promise come to pass, if you are truthful?”

If only the disbelievers knew the moment when they would be unable to ward the Fire off their faces or their backs, nor would they be helped[16].

Translation notes: [16] The completion of the sentence is "...they would not be asking for the punishment."

Rather, it will come upon them suddenly and stun them; they will not be able to avert it, nor will they be given respite.

Indeed, there were messengers before you who were ridiculed, but those who mocked them were encompassed by what they used to ridicule.

Say, “Who can protect you by night and by day against the Most Compassionate?” Yet they turn away from the admonition of their Lord.

Do they have gods who can defend them against Us? They cannot even help themselves, nor will they be protected from Us.

Nevertheless, We have provided for them and their forefathers luxuries which they enjoyed for a long time. Do they not see that We gradually reduce the land from its outlying sides?[17] Is it they who will then prevail?

Translation notes: [17] See footnote 13:41.

Say, “I only warn you by divine revelation.” But the deaf cannot hear the call when they are warned.

If a mere breath of your Lord’s torment were to touch them, they would surely say, “Woe to us! We were indeed wrongdoers.”

We will place the scales of justice on the Day of Resurrection, and no soul will be wronged in the least. Even if a deed is the weight of a mustard seed[18], We will bring it forth. Sufficient are We as Reckoners.

Translation notes: [18] i.e., as small or insignificant as a mustard seed.

We certainly gave Moses and Aaron the Criterion, shining light and admonition[19] for the righteous,

Translation notes: [19] These are Torah’s three qualities.

those who fear their Lord without seeing Him[20], and are apprehensive of the Hour.

Translation notes: [20] Or when they are in private and not seen by others.

And this [Qur’an] is a blessed reminder which We have sent down. Are you still denying it[21]?

Translation notes: [21] i.e., pretending ignorance or refusing to acknowledge it?

Indeed, We had given Abraham sound judgment before[22], for We know him well.

Translation notes: [22] i.e., before Moses, or in his early youth.

When he said to his father and his people, “What are these statues to which you are so devoted?”

They said, “We found our forefathers worshiping them.”

He said, “Indeed, you and your forefathers were clearly misguided.”

They said, “Have you come to us with the truth, or are you joking?”

He said, “Nay, your Lord is the Lord of the heavens and earth, Who created them, and I am one of those who bear witness to it.

By Allah, I will surely plot against your idols after you have turned and gone away.”

So he broke them into pieces, except the biggest of them, so that they might come back to it.

They said, “Who has done this to our gods? He is indeed one of the wrongdoers.”

They said, “We heard a young man, speaking ill of them, who is called Abraham.”

They said, “Bring him then before the eyes of the people, so that they may witness [his trial][23].”

Translation notes: [23] Or his confession about what he did.

They said, “Are you the one who did this to our gods, O Abraham?”

He said, “Rather, it was this biggest one who did it. So ask them, if they can speak!”

So they turned back to one another, and said, “Indeed, it is you who are the wrongdoers.”

Then they turned to their obstinacy[24], [saying], “You already know that they cannot speak.”

Translation notes: [24] After first admitting their error.

Abraham said, “Do you then worship besides Allah that which can neither benefit nor harm you in the least?

Fie upon you[25] and upon all that you worship besides Allah! Do you not have any sense?”

Translation notes: [25] An expression of anger and displeasure.

They said, “Burn him and avenge your gods if you must do something.”

We said, “O fire, be cool and safe for Abraham.”[26]

Translation notes: [26] It is reported in an authentic Hadīth that Abraham said, while being thrown into the fire, “Allah is sufficient for us and He is the best Protector.”

They plotted to harm him, but We made them the worst losers.

And We saved him and Lot [and brought him] to the land[27] that we have blessed for all people.

Translation notes: [27] i.e., the Levant. Abraham and his nephew, Lot, were saved from their enemy Nimrod and his people, as they migrated from the land of Babel, Iraq to Jerusalem.

And We gave him Isaac, and then Jacob, a grandson, and We made all of them righteous.

And We made them leaders, guiding people by Our command, and We inspired them to do righteous deeds, establish prayer and give zakah[28]; and they were Our true worshipers.

Translation notes: [28] The term "zakah" denotes purification and growth.

To Lot We gave sound judgment and knowledge, and We saved him from the town that was engrossed in shameful practices. They were Indeed an evil and rebellious people.

And We admitted him to Our mercy, for he was one of the righteous.

And [remember] Noah, when he called out[29] to Us before, so We responded to him and saved him and his household[30] from the great distress.

Translation notes: [29] i.e., supplicated against his people who had persisted in denial. [30] i.e., the believers of his household.

And We helped him against the people who rejected Our signs. They were indeed evil people, so We drowned them all.

And [remember] David and Solomon, when they passed judgment about the tillage into which some people’s sheep had strayed at night[31], and We were witnesses to their judgment.

Translation notes: [31] Destroying the crops and eating therefrom.

We made Solomon understand it[32], although We gave each of them sound judgment and knowledge. We subjected the mountains and birds to glorify Allah along with David. It was We Who did all this.

Translation notes: [32] A man’s flock of sheep strayed into another man’s tillage. When the two men came to David for judgment, he ruled that the shepherd must give his sheep in compensation for the damage. Nonetheless, Solomon suggested that the sheep be kept with the owner of the tillage, so he may benefit from their milk and wool, while the shepherd should work on the land to restore it to its former state. Thus, the farmer would take back his tillage in perfect condition, and the sheep would be returned to its owner. David was impressed by his son’s insightful and fair judgment and approved it.

And We taught him[33] the art of making coats of mail for you to protect yourselves in your battle. Will you then be grateful?

Translation notes: [33] i.e., David apart from Solomon.

And to Solomon [We subjected] the raging wind, to blow by his command to the land We had blessed. It is We Who have full knowledge of everything.

And among the devils [We subjected] those who dived for him[34] and performed other duties. It is We Who were watching over them[35].

Translation notes: [34] Bringing him pearls. [35] Preventing any disobedience from Solomon's instructions and protecting him from being harmed by them.

And [remember] Job, when he cried out to his Lord, “I have been struck by adversity[36], and You are the Most Merciful of those who show mercy.”

Translation notes: [36] i.e., loss of health, wealth, and children.

So We responded to him and relieved his adversity, and We restored to him his family, twice as many, as a mercy from Us and as a reminder for Our worshipers.

And [remember] Ishmael, Idrīs and Dhul-Kifl[37]; they were all steadfast.

Translation notes: [37] Idrīs (Enoch); Dhul-Kifl (Ezekiel, or Isaiah).

And We admitted them to Our mercy, for they were truly righteous.

And [remember] the Man of the Whale [i.e., Jonah] when he departed in anger[38], thinking that We would not take him to task. Then he cried out in the depths of darkness[39], “None has the right to be worshiped except You. Glory be to You! I have certainly done wrong”.

Translation notes: [38] Due to the disbelief of his people. [39] The darkness of the night, the sea, and the whale's belly.

So We answered his prayer and rescued him from distress. This is how We rescue the believers.

And [remember] Zachariah, when he cried out to his Lord, “My Lord, do not leave me childless, for You are the Best of Inheritors.”

So We answered his prayer and gave him John, and made his wife fertile. They used to hasten in doing good deeds and used to call upon Us with hope and fear, and they were humble before Us.

And [remember Mary] who guarded her chastity; We breathed in her [garment] through Our Spirit [Gabriel] and made her and her son a sign for all people.

Indeed, this religion of yours is one religion, and I am your Lord, so worship Me alone.

But people have divided themselves into sects, yet they will all return to Us.

Whoever does righteous deeds while he is a believer, his efforts will not be denied[40], for We are recording them all.

Translation notes: [40] i.e., He will not be deprived of his due reward.

It is not possible for any town that We have destroyed to ever come back [to this world][41],

Translation notes: [41] To repent to Allah.

until when Gog and Magog are let loose, swarming swiftly from every mound,

when the True Promise[42] draws near, the eyes of those who disbelieved will stare in horror, [saying], “Woe to us! We were indeed heedless of this; nay, we were wrongdoers.”

Translation notes: [42] i.e., the Hereafter.

Indeed, you and all that you worship besides Allah will be the fuel for Hell; you will surely enter it.

If these [idols] had truly been gods, they would not have entered it. But they will all abide therein forever.

They will groan therein with anguish, and they will not be able to hear anything.

But those for whom We have decreed the finest reward, they will be far away from it.

They will not hear its slightest hissing, and they will abide forever in whatever their souls desire.

They will not be grieved by the Greatest Terror[43], and the angels will receive them [saying], “This is your Day that you were promised”.

Translation notes: [43] i.e., the events of the Day of Resurrection.

On the Day when We roll up the heavens like a scroll of records. Just as We originated the first creation, so We will bring it back. That is Our binding promise, which We will surely do.

We have written in the Psalms[44] after the Preserved Record[45], that the land will be inherited by My righteous slaves.

Translation notes: [44] i.e., the Scriptures. [45] i.e., after inscribing it in al-Lawh al-Mahfūz.

Indeed, there is a message in this [Qur’an] for devoted worshipers.

We have not sent you [O Prophet] except as a mercy to the worlds.

Say, “It is only revealed to me that your God is only One God; will you then submit to Him?

But if they turn away, say, “I have proclaimed the message to you all alike[46], and I do not know whether what you are warned of[47] is near or far.

Translation notes: [46] i.e., We and you know that there is no peace between us. [47] i.e., the punishment.

Indeed, He knows what is said openly and knows what you conceal.

I do not know; perhaps this [delay][48] is a test for you[49] and an enjoyment for a while.”

Translation notes: [48] i.e., this postponement of punishment. [49] To increase sin.

[The Prophet] said, “My Lord, judge [between us] in truth. Our Lord is the Most Compassionate Whose help is to be sought against what you describe[50].”

Translation notes: [50] i.e., of lies and disbelief.