040 Ghafir

The revelation of this Book is from Allah, the All-Mighty, the All-Knowing,

the Forgiver of sin and Accepter of repentance, the Severe in punishment and Infinite in bounty. None has the right to be worshiped except Him. To Him is the final return.

None disputes against the signs of Allah except those who disbelieve, so do not be deceived by their movements in the land.

Before them, the people of Noah rejected and so did [other] parties after them. Every nation plotted against its messenger to seize him and falsely argued to refute the truth with falsehood, so I seized them. How [horrible] was My punishment!

Thus the decree of your Lord was passed against those who disbelieve, that they will be the people of the Fire.

Those [angels] who bear the Throne and those around it glorify their Lord with His praise and believe in Him, and seek forgiveness for those who believe, [saying], “Our Lord, Your mercy and knowledge encompass everything, so forgive those who repent and follow Your way, and protect them from the punishment of the Blazing Fire.

Our Lord, admit them to the Gardens of Eternity which You have promised them, and the righteous from among their parents, their spouses and their offspring. Indeed, it is You Who are the All-Mighty, the All-Wise.

And protect them from the evil consequences [of their sins]. For whoever You protect from the evil consequences on that Day, You have surely bestowed mercy upon him. That is the supreme triumph.”

Those who disbelieve will be addressed[2], “Allah’s abhorrence of you when you were called to believe but you disbelieved was greater than your abhorrence of yourselves [Today].”

Translation notes: [2] On the Day of Judgment.

They will say, “Our Lord, You have caused us to die twice[3] and brought us to life twice. Now we acknowledge our sins; is there any way out?”

Translation notes: [3] You created us from nothing, then gave us life in the wombs of our mothers, then caused us to die, and finally resurrected us after our death. See 2:28.

[They will be told], “This is because when Allah was invoked alone, you disbelieved, but when others were associated with Him, you believed. The judgment belongs to Allah, the Most High, the All-Great.”

It is He Who shows you His signs and sends down for you provision from the sky, but none will take heed except those who turn to Him.

So call upon Allah with sincere devotion to Him, even if the disbelievers may dislike it.

He is Exalted in Rank, Lord of the Throne. He sends down the revelation by His command to whom He wills of His slaves, in order to warn of the Day of Meeting,

the Day when they will be brought forth, nothing about them will be hidden from Allah. [He will say], “To whom does the dominion belong this Day[4]? To Allah, the One, the Subjugator!

Translation notes: [4] The Prophet (ﷺ) said that everyone and everything that has ever existed will die on that Day, except for Allah, the Eternal. He will then ask, “To who belongs all authority this Day? Where are the kings of the world? I am the King.” Since no one will be there to answer, Allah will answer Himself, “To Allah, the One, the Supreme!” [Sahih Muslim].

Today every soul will be recompensed for what it has earned; no injustice Today! Allah is swift in reckoning.”

Warn them of the approaching Day, when hearts will be at the throats, full of distress. The wrongdoers will have no close friend or intercessor whose word may be heeded.

He knows the sneaky glances of the eyes and what the hearts conceal.

Allah judges with justice, whereas those whom they invoke besides Him cannot judge at all. Indeed, it is Allah Who is the All-Hearing, the All-Seeing.

Have they not traveled in the land to see what was the end of those who came before them? They were far superior in strength and left more impressive marks in the land, but Allah seized them for their sins, and they had none to protect them from Allah.

That was because their messengers came to them with clear proofs, but they disbelieved; so Allah seized them. He is indeed All-Powerful and Severe in punishment.

We sent Moses with Our signs and compelling proof

to Pharaoh, Hāmān and Korah, but they said, “A magician! An utter liar!”

When he came to them with the truth from Us, they said, “Kill the sons of those who believe with him and keep their women alive.” However, the plots of the disbelievers are always bound to fail.

Pharaoh said, “Let me kill Moses, and let him call upon his Lord! For I fear that he may change your religion or spread corruption[5] in the land.”

Translation notes: [5] i.e., dissension, civil strife, and killing.

Moses said, “I seek refuge with my Lord and your Lord from every arrogant person who does not believe in the Day of Reckoning.”

A believing man from the house of Pharaoh, who was concealing his faith, said, “Would you kill a man[6] simply because he says: ‘My Lord is Allah,’ even though he has come to you with clear proofs from your Lord? If he is a liar, he will suffer the consequences of his lie, but if he is truthful, some of what he is threatening you with will befall you. Surely Allah does not guide anyone who is a transgressor and an utter liar.

Translation notes: [6] i.e., Moses.

O my people, the authority is yours today, being dominant in the land. But who would help us against Allah’s punishment, if it came upon us?” Pharaoh said, “I am only telling you what I think is right, and I am only guiding you to the right way.”

The man who believed said, “O my people, I fear for you [a fate] like the day of the enemy forces[7],

Translation notes: [7] i.e., the day of punishment upon those who rejected their prophets in the past.

like the fate of the people of Noah, ‘Ād and Thamūd, and those who came after them. And Allah does not want injustice for [His] slaves.

O my people, I fear for you the Day of crying out to one another[8],

Translation notes: [8] i.e., on the Day of Judgment; the wicked will cry out in terror, and the angels will call out the results of each person's judgment.

the Day when you will turn your backs fleeing; having none to protect you from Allah. Whoever Allah causes to stray, he will have no guide.

Joseph came to you[9] before with clear proofs, but you never ceased to doubt what he brought you. Then when he died, you said, ‘Allah will never send a messenger after him.’ This is how Allah causes to stray anyone who transgresses and is given to much doubting,

Translation notes: [9] i.e., to your ancestors, for Joseph (عليه السلام) died over 400 hundred years before Moses (عليه السلام).

those who argue against Allah’s signs with no proof given to them. How loathsome is that to Allah and to those who believe! This is how Allah seals the heart of every arrogant tyrant.”

Pharaoh said, “O Hāmān, build a tower for me so that I may reach the pathways[10] –

Translation notes: [10] i.e., means of ascent.

the pathways to the heavens so that I have a look at the God of Moses, for I think he is a liar.” This is how Pharaoh’s evil deeds were made appealing to him and he was hindered from the [right] way, and the plan of Pharaoh led only to ruin.

The man who believed said, “O my people, follow me, I will guide you to the right way.

O my people, the life of this world is only a brief enjoyment, whereas the Hereafter is the permanent abode.

Whoever does an evil deed will only be recompensed with the like thereof, but whoever does a righteous deed, whether male or female, and he is a believer – it is they who will enter Paradise, wherein they will be given provision without measure.

O my people, how is it that I call you to salvation while you call me to the Fire?

You call me to disbelieve in Allah and associate with Him what I have no knowledge of, while I call you to the All-Mighty, the Most Forgiving.

There is no doubt that those [gods] to whom you call me are not worthy of calling upon, neither in this world nor in the Hereafter. Our return is to Allah, and it is the transgressors who are the people of the Fire.

You will remember what I am telling you, and I entrust my affairs to Allah. Allah is All-Seeing of [His] slaves.”

So Allah protected him from the evil that they plotted, and the people of Pharaoh were overwhelmed by an evil punishment:

the Fire, which they will be exposed to [in their graves] morning and evening[11], and on the Day when the Hour takes place [it will be said], “Admit the people of Pharaoh into the most severe punishment.”

Translation notes: [11] From the time they die until the Day of Resurrection when they will be driven into the fire.

[Imagine] when they will argue in the Fire: the weak will say to those who were arrogant, “We were your followers, can you then relieve us of a portion of the Fire?”

Those who were arrogant will say, “We are all in it. Allah has already passed judgment among [His] slaves.”

Those who are in the Fire will say to the keepers of Hell, “Pray to your Lord to lighten for us the punishment for just one day.”

They will say, “Did your messengers not come to you with clear proofs?” They will say, “Yes.” They will say, “Then keep praying! The prayer of the disbelievers is only in vain.”

We will surely help Our messengers and those who believe in the life of this world and on the Day when the witnesses will come forward,

the Day when the excuses of the wrongdoers will be of no benefit to them; and they will be cursed and for them there will be the worst abode[12].

Translation notes: [12] i.e., the Hellfire.

We gave Moses guidance, and made the Children of Israel inherit the Scripture,

as a guide and a reminder to people of understanding.

So be patient, for Allah’s promise is true. Seek forgiveness for your sin[13], and glorify your Lord with His praise evening and morning.

Translation notes: [13] Like all other prophets and messengers, Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) was infallible of sins, especially concerning what they conveyed from Allah. However, flaws or mistakes could happen with prophets, like all other human beings. The examples include the Prophet’s response to the blind man (80:1-10); Jonah’s departure from his people without Allah’s permission (21:87-88); and David’s suspicion and fear of the two men who scaled the wall of his chamber (38:21-25). If the Prophet (ﷺ) himself is urged to seek Allah’s forgiveness, then the believers are far more in need of seeking Allah’s forgiveness.

Those who argue against the verses of Allah without any proof given to them, there is nothing in their hearts but a quest for dominance which they will never attain. So seek refuge with Allah, for He is the All-Hearing, the All-Seeing.

The creation of the heavens and earth is far greater than the creation of mankind, but most people do not know.

The blind and the seeing are not equal, nor are those who believe and do righteous deeds [equal] to those who do evil. Little do you take heed!

Indeed, the Hour is coming; there is no doubt about it, but most people do not believe.

Your Lord says, “Call upon Me; I will respond to you. Those who are too proud to worship Me will enter Hell, utterly debased.”

It is Allah Who has made the night for you to rest therein and the day bright. Indeed, Allah is the Most Bountiful to people, but most people are ungrateful.

Such is Allah, your Lord, the Creator of everything; none has the right to be worshiped except Him. How are you then deluded?

This is how those who rejected Allah’s signs were deluded.

It is Allah Who has made the earth a dwelling place for you and the sky a canopy. He shaped you and perfected your form, and provided you with good things. Such is Allah, your Lord; Blessed is Allah, Lord of the worlds.

He is the Ever-Living[14]; none has the right to be worshiped except Him. So call upon Him with sincere devotion to Him. All praise be to Allah, the Lord of the worlds.

Translation notes: [14] Whose Life has no beginning and no end, and upon Whom all living beings depend.

Say [O Prophet], “I have been forbidden to worship those whom you worship besides Allah since the clear proofs have come to me from my Lord, and I have been commanded to submit to the Lord of the worlds.”

It is He Who created you from dust[15], then from a sperm drop[16], then from a clinging clot[17]. Then He brings you out as an infant, so that you may reach your age of full strength, then you become old, even though some of you may die earlier – and so that you may reach an appointed term[18], and so that you may understand.

Translation notes: [15] i.e., your father Adam. [16] i.e., the union of male and female gametes, sperm and egg; the zygote. [17] Which resembles a leech. [18] That is decreed for your death.

It is He Who gives life and causes death. When He decrees a matter, He only says to it, “Be,” and it is.

Do you not see those who dispute concerning the signs of Allah, how can they be turned away?

those who reject the Book and what We sent Our messengers with. They will soon come to know,

when the shackles will be around their necks, and with chains they will be dragged

into the scalding water, then they will be burned in the Fire.

Then it will be said to them, “Where are those whom you used to associate as partners

with Allah?” They will say, “We have lost them; rather, we never used to call upon anything before.” This is how Allah causes the disbelievers to stray.

[They will be told], “This is because you used to rejoice on earth wrongfully, and you used to exult [arrogantly].

Enter the gates of Hell, abiding therein forever. Terrible is indeed the abode of the arrogant!”

So be patient [O Prophet]. Allah’s promise is true; whether We show you some of what We threaten them with, or cause you to die [before that], to Us they will be returned.

We have sent messengers before you; of them are some whose stories We have told you, and some We have not. It was not for a messenger to bring a sign except with Allah’s permission. But when the decree of Allah comes, judgment will be passed with justice, thereupon the people of falsehood will be in utter loss.

Allah is the One Who made the livestock for you, so that you may ride some and eat others,

and you may have other benefits[19] from them, and by them you may fulfill your heartfelt need [to reach distant places], and on them and on the ships you are carried.

Translation notes: [19] i.e., their milk, wool, and hide.

And He shows you His signs; so which of the signs of Allah will you deny?

Have they not traveled through the land to see what was the end of those who came before them? They were more in number and far superior in strength, and more impressive in marks that they left behind in the land, but all what they had earned was of no avail to them.

When their messengers came to them with clear proofs, they exulted in whatever knowledge they had[20], and they were overwhelmed by what they used to ridicule.

Translation notes: [20] By ridiculing the divine knowledge brought to them by Allah’s messengers.

But when they saw Our punishment, they said, “We believe in Allah alone, and we reject what we used to associate with Him.”

But their faith was of no benefit to them when they saw Our punishment. This has always been Allah’s way with His slaves; whereupon the disbelievers were in utter loss.