042 Ash-Shura

‘Ayyn Sīn Qāf[1].

Translation notes: [1] See footnote 2:1.

This is how Allah, the Al-Mighty, the All-Wise, sends revelation to you [O Prophet] and to those before you.

To him belongs all that is in the heavens and all that is on earth, and He is the Most High, the Most Great.

The heavens almost burst apart above them[2], and the angels glorify the praises of their Lord and seek forgiveness for those on earth. Indeed, Allah is the All-Forgiving, the Most Merciful.

Translation notes: [2] i.e., from the grandeur of Allah Almighty and in awe of Him.

As for those who take others as protectors besides Him, Allah is Watchful over them, and you[3] are not a keeper over them.

Translation notes: [3] O Prophet (ﷺ).

Thus We have revealed to you an Arabic Qur’an, so that you may warn the Mother Town[4] and all those around it[5], and warn them of the Day of Gathering, about which there is no doubt; one party will be in Paradise and the other in the Blaze.

Translation notes: [4] “The Mother Town” is an honorary title of Makkah for its great religious significance where Allah’s first house of worship was ever built on earth, and perhaps for its central location on earth as well. [MDCI] [5] i.e., and then all other people.

If Allah had willed, He would have made all of them a single community, but He admits to His mercy whom He wills[6], and the wrongdoers will have no protector or helper.

Translation notes: [6] i.e., those of His slaves who desire His guidance and His acceptance of them.

How do they take protectors besides Him? While Allah alone is the Protector, for He gives life to the dead, and He is Most Capable of all things.

Whatever you may differ about, it is for Allah to judge. Such is Allah, my Lord; in Whom I put my trust, and to Whom I turn[7],

Translation notes: [7] In repentance and remembering Him.

the Originator of the heavens and earth. He has given you spouses of your own kind, and pairs of livestock; by which He causes you to multiply. There is nothing like unto Him[8], and He is the All-Hearing, the All-Seeing.

Translation notes: [8] In His essence, His attributes, or His deeds.

To Him belong the keys of the heavens and earth; He extends provision to whom He wills or restricts it. Indeed, He is All-Knowing of all things.

He has prescribed for you [believers] the same religion which He enjoined upon Noah, and that which We have revealed to you [O Prophet] and that which We enjoined upon Abraham, Moses, and Jesus[9]: “You should uphold the religion and make no divisions therein.” What you are calling the polytheists to is very hard for them. Allah chooses for Himself whom He wills and guides to Himself who turns to Him.

Translation notes: [9] This verse is naming the five greatest prophets of Allah (the prophets of the firm resolve): Noah, Abraham, Moses, Jesus, and Muhammad. See also 33:7.

They did not become divided except after the knowledge had come to them[10], out of envious rivalry between them. Were it not for a prior decree from your Lord until an appointed term[11], a decisive judgment would already have been passed between them. Indeed, those who inherited the Scripture[12] after them are in disquieting doubt about it.

Translation notes: [10] No community split into factions except after receiving the knowledge given to them by their prophet, out of transgression and obstinacy towards the truth. [11] That He will delay their punishment to the judgment Day. [12] i.e., the Jews and the Christians.

Therefore call to that [religion, O Prophet] and keep to the straight path as you are commanded, and do not follow their desires, and say, “I believe in every Scripture that Allah has sent down, and I have been commanded to judge fairly among you. Allah is our Lord and your Lord. We have our deeds and you have your deeds[13]. Let there be no [further] argument between us and you[14]; Allah will bring us together, and to Him is the final return.”

Translation notes: [13] i.e., the consequences thereof. [14] Since the truth and falsehood have become clear, but those who refuse the truth do so only out of obstinacy or pursuing worldly interests.

As for those who argue about [the religion of] Allah after it has been accepted [by many][15], their argument carries no weight with their Lord; they have incurred [His] wrath, and for them there will be severe punishment.

Translation notes: [15] In an attempt to turn the believers away from His religion.

It is Allah Who has sent down the Book with the truth and justice. How could you know that perhaps the Hour is near?

Those who disbelieve in it seek to hasten it[16], but those who believe are apprehensive about it and know that it is the truth. Indeed, those who dispute concerning the Hour have gone far astray.

Translation notes: [16] They challenged the Prophet (ﷺ) to bring the Hour on them immediately without delay.

Allah is Kind to His slaves; He gives provision to whom He wills, and He is the All-Powerful, the All-Mighty.

Whoever seeks the harvest of the Hereafter, We will increase for him his harvest; and whoever seeks the harvest of this world, We will give him thereof, but in the Hereafter he will have no share.

Or do they have partners who have prescribed for them a religion that is not sanctioned by Allah? If it had not been for a prior decisive decree, the matter would have been judged between them. And for the wrongdoers there will surely be a painful punishment.

You will see the wrongdoers apprehensive about what they have earned, which will inevitably befall them. But those who believe and do righteous deeds will be in meadows of the Gardens. They will have whatever they wish with their Lord; that is the great bounty.

That is the glad tidings that Allah gives to His slaves who believe and do righteous deeds. Say, “I do not ask you any reward for it, except kindness because of our kinship[17].” Whoever does a good deed, We will increase its merit for him. Indeed, Allah is All-Forgiving, Most Appreciative.

Translation notes: [17] Or true love for Allah by pursuing deeds that bring you close to Allah, or showing love and respect to the immediate household of the Prophet (ﷺ).

Or do they say, “He has fabricated lies about Allah[18]!”? But if Allah willed, He could seal up your heart[19]. Allah wipes out falsehood and establishes the truth by His Words. Indeed, He is All-Knowing of what is in the hearts.

Translation notes: [18] While they are certain of his truthfulness and honesty. [19] Allah could seal up the whole message by sealing up his heart; then he would not understand anything, so the whole message would then stop if He so willed.

It is He Who accepts repentance from His slaves and pardons sins, and He knows all what you do.

He responds to [the supplication of] those who believe and do righteous deeds and increases their reward out of His bounty. But for the disbelievers, there will be a severe punishment.

If Allah were to give abundant provision to [all] His slaves, they would transgress on earth; but He sends down what He wills in due measure. Indeed, He is All-Aware and All-Seeing of His slaves.

It is He Who sends down rain after they have lost hope, and spreads His mercy. He is the Guardian, the Praiseworthy.

Among His signs is the creation of the heavens and earth, and what He spread between them of all living creatures. And He is Most Capable of bringing them together whenever He wills.

Whatever calamity befalls you is because of what your own hands have earned, and He overlooks much.

You cannot escape [Him] on earth, and you do not have besides Allah any protector or helper.

And among His signs are the ships, sailing in the sea like mountains.

If He wills, He can still the wind, leaving the ships motionless on its surface. Indeed, there are signs in this for everyone who is steadfast and grateful.

Or He can capsize them[20] for what they committed, but He pardons much,

Translation notes: [20] i.e., He could sink the ships by violent winds.

then those who dispute concerning Our signs will know that they have no escape.

Whatever you have been given is but a short enjoyment of the life of this world, but what is with Allah is better and more lasting for those who believe and put their trust in their Lord;

and those who avoid major sins and shameful deeds, and when they are angered, they forgive;

and those who respond to their Lord and establish prayer, and conduct their affairs by mutual consultation, and spend out of what We have provided for them;

and those who retaliate fairly when oppressed[21].

Translation notes: [21] Restoring their rights to preserve their honor and dignity, especially if the oppressor does not deserve remission, or it does not serve any interest.

The retribution of harm is its equivalent harm, but whoever pardons and seeks reconciliation, his reward is with Allah. Indeed, He does not like the wrongdoers.

But whoever retaliates after being wronged, there is no blame on them.

Blame is only on those who wrong people and transgress in the land without right. For such there will be a painful punishment.

But whoever observes patience and forgives, it is indeed a matter of great resolve[22].

Translation notes: [22] On the part of those seeking Allah’s reward; none can be guided to this except those whom Allah blessed with great merit.

Whoever Allah causes to stray, he will have no protector thereafter. You will see the wrongdoers, when they see the punishment, saying, “Is there any way to go back?”

You will see them exposed to the Fire in a state of abject humiliation, looking with a stealthy glance. Those who believed will say, “The real losers are those who have lost themselves and their families on the Day of Resurrection.” Indeed, the wrongdoers will suffer an everlasting punishment.

They will have no protectors to help them against Allah; whoever Allah causes to stray, there is no way [to guidance] for him.

Respond to your Lord before there comes from Allah a Day that cannot be averted. On that Day you will have no refuge, nor will you be able to deny [your sins].

But if they turn away, We have not sent you as their keeper; your duty is only to convey the message. If We give man a taste of Our mercy, he exults in it; but when a calamity befalls them because of what their hands have sent forth, then man becomes totally ungrateful.

To Allah belongs the dominion of the heavens and earth. He creates what He wills; He grants females to whom He wills and grants males to whom He wills,

or grants them males and females; and He leaves whom He wills barren. Indeed, He is All-Knowing, Most Capable.

It is not for a human being that Allah should speak to him except through revelation or from behind a veil, or by sending an angel-messenger to reveal what He wills by His permission. Indeed, He is Most High, All-Wise.

Likewise, We have revealed to you a revelation by Our command. You knew nothing of the Scripture or matters of faith, but We have made it [i.e., the Qur’an] a light by which We guide whom We will of Our slaves. And you are truly leading people to a straight path,

the path of Allah, to Whom belongs all that is in the heavens and all that is on earth. Indeed, to Allah return all matters.