|
AL-ARAF (THE HEIGHTS)
Total Verses: 206
Revealed At: Makka
Name
This surah takes its name from vv. 46-47 in which mention of A'araf occurs.
Period of Revelation
A study of its contents clearly shows that the period of its revelation is about the same as that of
Al-an'am, i.e., the last year of the Holy Prophet's life at Makkah, but it cannot be asserted with
certainty which of these two was sent down earlier. Anyhow the manner of its admonition clearly
indicates that it belongs to the same period. As both have the same historical background the
reader should keep in view the preface to Al-an'am.
Topics of Discussion - Subject : Invitation to the Divine Message
The principal subject of this surah is "invitation to the Divine Message sent down to
Muhammad" (Allah's peace be upon him), which is couched in a warning. This is because the
Messenger had spent a long time in admonishing the people of Makkah without any tangible effect
on them. Nay, they had turned a deaf ear to his message and become so obdurate and
antagonistic that, in accordance with the Divine Design, the Messenger was going to be
commanded to leave them and turn to other people. That is why they are being admonished to
accept the Message but, at the same time, they are being warned in strong terms of the
consequences that followed the wrong attitude of the former people towards their Messengers.
Now that the Holy Prophet was going to migrate from Makkah the concluding portion of the
address has been directed towards the people of the Book with whom he was going to come into
contact. This meant that the time of migration was coming near and the "invitation" was going to
be extended to mankind in general, and was not to be confined to his own people in particular as
before. During the course of the address to the Jews, the consequences of their hypocritical
conduct towards Prophethood have also been pointed out clearly, for they professed to believe in
Prophet Moses but in practice opposed his teachings, disobeyed him and worshipped falsehood and
consequently were afflicted with ignominy and disgrace.
At the end of the surah, some instructions have been given to the Holy Prophet and his followers
for carrying out the work of the propagation of Islam with wisdom. The most important of these is
that they should show patience and exercise restraint in answer to the provocations of their
opponents. Above all, they have been advised that under stress of the excitement of feeling, they
should not take any wrung step that might harm their cause.
In the name of Allah, the Compassionate, the Merciful.
007.001
Alif, Lam, Mim, Sad.
007.002
A Book revealed unto thee,- So let thy heart be oppressed no
more by any difficulty on that account,- that with it thou mightest warn
(the erring) and teach the Believers).
007.003
Follow (O men!) the revelation given unto you from your Lord,
and follow not, as friends or protectors, other than Him. Little it is ye
remember of admonition.
007.004
How many towns have We destroyed (for their sins)? Our
punishment took them on a sudden by night or while they slept for their
afternoon rest.
007.005
When (thus) Our punishment took them, no cry did they utter
but this: "Indeed we did wrong."
007.006
Then shall we question those to whom Our message was sent and
those by whom We sent it.
007.007
And verily, We shall recount their whole story with knowledge,
for We were never absent (at any time or place).
007.008
The balance that day will be true (to nicety): those whose
scale (of good) will be heavy, will prosper:
007.009
Those whose scale will be light, will be their souls in
perdition, for that they wrongfully treated Our signs.
007.010
It is We Who have placed you with authority on earth, and
provided you therein with means for the fulfilment of your life: small are
the thanks that ye give!
007.011
It is We Who created you and gave you shape; then We bade the
angels prostrate to Adam, and they prostrate; not so Iblis; He refused to
be of those who prostrate.
007.012
(Allah) said: "What prevented thee from prostrating when I
commanded thee?" He said: "I am better than he: Thou didst create me from
fire, and him from clay."
007.013
(Allah) said: "Get thee down from this: it is not for thee to be
arrogant here: get out, for thou art of the meanest (of creatures)."
007.014
He said: "Give me respite till the day they are raised up."
007.015
(Allah) said: "Be thou among those who have respite."
007.016
He said: "Because thou hast thrown me out of the way, lo! I
will lie in wait for them on thy straight way:
007.017
"Then will I assault them from before them and behind them,
from their right and their left: Nor wilt thou find, in most of them,
gratitude (for thy mercies)."
007.018
(Allah) said: "Get out from this, disgraced and expelled. If any
of them follow thee,- Hell will I fill with you all.
007.019
"O Adam! dwell thou and thy wife in the Garden, and enjoy (its
good things) as ye wish: but approach not this tree, or ye run into harm
and transgression."
007.020
Then began Satan to whisper suggestions to them, bringing
openly before their minds all their shame that was hidden from them
(before): he said: "Your Lord only forbade you this tree, lest ye should
become angels or such beings as live for ever."
007.021
And he swore to them both, that he was their sincere adviser.
007.022
So by deceit he brought about their fall: when they tasted of
the tree, their shame became manifest to them, and they began to sew
together the leaves of the garden over their bodies. And their Lord called
unto them: "Did I not forbid you that tree, and tell you that Satan was an
avowed enemy unto you?"
007.023
They said: "Our Lord! We have wronged our own souls: If thou
forgive us not and bestow not upon us Thy Mercy, we shall certainly be lost."
007.024
(Allah) said: "Get ye down. With enmity between yourselves. On
earth will be your dwelling-place and your means of livelihood,- for a
time."
007.025
He said: "Therein shall ye live, and therein shall ye die; but
from it shall ye be taken out (at last)."
007.026
O ye Children of Adam! We have bestowed raiment upon you to
cover your shame, as well as to be an adornment to you. But the raiment of
righteousness,- that is the best. Such are among the Signs of Allah, that
they may receive admonition!
007.027
O ye Children of Adam! Let not Satan seduce you, in the same
manner as He got your parents out of the Garden, stripping them of their
raiment, to expose their shame: for he and his tribe watch you from a
position where ye cannot see them: We made the evil ones friends (only) to
those without faith.
007.028
When they do aught that is shameful, they say: "We found our
fathers doing so"; and "Allah commanded us thus": Say: "Nay, Allah never
commands what is shameful: do ye say of Allah what ye know not?"
007.029
Say: "My Lord hath commanded justice; and that ye set your
whole selves (to Him) at every time and place of prayer, and call upon Him,
making your devotion sincere as in His sight: such as He created you in the
beginning, so shall ye return."
007.030
Some He hath guided: Others have (by their choice) deserved
the loss of their way; in that they took the evil ones, in preference to
Allah, for their friends and protectors, and think that they receive guidance.
007.031
O Children of Adam! wear your beautiful apparel at every time
and place of prayer: eat and drink: But waste not by excess, for Allah loveth
not the wasters.
007.032
Say: Who hath forbidden the beautiful (gifts) of Allah, which He
hath produced for His servants, and the things, clean and pure, (which He
hath provided) for sustenance? Say: They are, in the life of this world,
for those who believe, (and) purely for them on the Day of Judgment. Thus
do We explain the signs in detail for those who understand.
007.033
Say: the things that my Lord hath indeed forbidden are:
shameful deeds, whether open or secret; sins and trespasses against truth
or reason; assigning of partners to Allah, for which He hath given no
authority; and saying things about Allah of which ye have no knowledge.
007.034
To every people is a term appointed: when their term is
reached, not an hour can they cause delay, nor (an hour) can they advance
(it in anticipation).
007.035
O ye Children of Adam! whenever there come to you messengers
from amongst you, rehearsing My signs unto you,- those who are righteous
and mend (their lives),- on them shall be no fear nor shall they grieve.
(against evil) and act aright-- they shall have no fear
nor shall they grieve.
007.036
But those who reject Our signs and treat them with arrogance,-
they are companions of the Fire, to dwell therein (for ever).
007.037
Who is more unjust than one who invents a lie against Allah or
rejects His Signs? For such, their portion appointed must reach them from
the Book (of decrees): until, when our messengers (of death) arrive and
take their souls, they say: "Where are the things that ye used to invoke
besides Allah?" They will reply, "They have left us in the lurch," And they
will bear witness against themselves, that they had rejected Allah.
007.038
He will say: "Enter ye in the company of the peoples who
passed away before you - men and jinns, - into the Fire." Every time a new
people enters, it curses its sister-people (that went before), until they
follow each other, all into the Fire. Saith the last about the first: "Our
Lord! it is these that misled us: so give them a double penalty in the
Fire." He will say: "Doubled for all" : but this ye do not understand.
007.039
Then the first will say to the last: "See then! No advantage
have ye over us; so taste ye of the penalty for all that ye did !"
007.040
To those who reject Our signs and treat them with arrogance,
no opening will there be of the gates of heaven, nor will they enter the
garden, until the camel can pass through the eye of the needle: Such is Our
reward for those in sin.
007.041
For them there is Hell, as a couch (below) and folds and folds
of covering above: such is Our requital of those who do wrong.
007.042
But those who believe and work righteousness,- no burden do We
place on any soul, but that which it can bear,- they will be Companions of
the Garden, therein to dwell (for ever).
007.043
And We shall remove from their hearts any lurking sense of
injury;- beneath them will be rivers flowing;- and they shall say: "Praise
be to Allah, who hath guided us to this (felicity): never could we have found
guidance, had it not been for the guidance of Allah: indeed it was the truth,
that the messengers of our Lord brought unto us." And they shall hear the
cry: "Behold! the garden before you! Ye have been made its inheritors, for
your deeds (of righteousness)."
007.044
The Companions of the Garden will call out to the Companions
of the Fire: "We have indeed found the promises of our Lord to us true:
Have you also found Your Lord's promises true?" They shall say, "Yes"; but
a crier shall proclaim between them: "The curse of Allah is on the
wrong-doers;-
007.045
"Those who would hinder (men) from the path of Allah and would
seek in it something crooked: they were those who denied the Hereafter."
007.046
Between them shall be a veil, and on the heights will be men
who would know every one by his marks: they will call out to the Companions
of the Garden, "peace on you": they will not have entered, but they will
have an assurance (thereof).
007.047
When their eyes shall be turned towards the Companions of the
Fire, they will say: "Our Lord! send us not to the company of the wrong-doers."
007.048
The men on the heights will call to certain men whom they will
know from their marks, saying: "Of what profit to you were your hoards and
your arrogant ways?
007.049
"Behold! are these not the men whom you swore that Allah with
His Mercy would never bless? Enter ye the Garden: no fear shall be on you,
nor shall ye grieve."
007.050
The Companions of the Fire will call to the Companions of the
Garden: "Pour down to us water or anything that Allah doth provide for your
sustenance." They will say: "Both these things hath Allah forbidden to those
who rejected Him."
007.051
"Such as took their religion to be mere amusement and play,
and were deceived by the life of the world." That day shall We forget them
as they forgot the meeting of this day of theirs, and as they were wont to
reject Our signs.
007.052
For We had certainly sent unto them a Book, based on
knowledge, which We explained in detail,- a guide and a mercy to all who
believe.
007.053
Do they just wait for the final fulfilment of the event? On
the day the event is finally fulfilled, those who disregarded it before
will say: "The messengers of our Lord did indeed bring true (tidings). Have
we no intercessors now to intercede on our behalf? Or could we be sent
back? then should we behave differently from our behaviour in the past." In
fact they will have lost their souls, and the things they invented will
leave them in the lurch.
007.054
Your Guardian-Lord is Allah, Who created the heavens and the
earth in six days, and is firmly established on the throne (of authority):
He draweth the night as a veil o'er the day, each seeking the other in
rapid succession: He created the sun, the moon, and the stars, (all)
governed by laws under His command. Is it not His to create and to govern?
Blessed be Allah, the Cherisher and Sustainer of the worlds!
007.055
Call on your Lord with humility and in private: for Allah loveth
not those who trespass beyond bounds.
007.056
Do no mischief on the earth, after it hath been set in order,
but call on Him with fear and longing (in your hearts): for the Mercy of
Allah is (always) near to those who do good.
007.057
It is He Who sendeth the winds like heralds of glad tidings,
going before His mercy: when they have carried the heavy-laden clouds, We
drive them to a land that is dead, make rain to descend thereon, and
produce every kind of harvest therewith: thus shall We raise up the dead:
perchance ye may remember.
007.058
From the land that is clean and good, by the will of its
Cherisher, springs up produce, (rich) after its kind: but from the land
that is bad, springs up nothing but that which is niggardly: thus do we
explain the signs by various (symbols) to those who are grateful.
007.059
We sent Noah to his people. He said: "O my people! worship
Allah! ye have no other god but Him. I fear for you the punishment of a
dreadful day!
007.060
The leaders of his people said: "Ah! we see thee evidently
wandering (in mind)."
007.061
He said: "O my people! No wandering is there in my (mind): on
the contrary I am a messenger from the Lord and Cherisher of the worlds!
007.062
"I but fulfil towards you the duties of my Lord's mission:
Sincere is my advice to you, and I know from Allah something that ye know
not.
007.063
"Do ye wonder that there hath come to you a message from your
Lord, through a man of your own people, to warn you,- so that ye may fear
Allah and haply receive His Mercy?"
007.064
But they rejected him, and We delivered him, and those with
him, in the Ark: but We overwhelmed in the flood those who rejected Our
signs. They were indeed a blind people!
007.065
To the 'Ad people, (We sent) Hud, one of their (own) brethren:
He said: O my people! worship Allah! ye have no other god but Him will ye not
fear (Allah)?"
007.066
The leaders of the Unbelievers among his people said: "Ah! we
see thou art an imbecile!" and "We think thou art a liar!"
007.067
He said: "O my people! I am no imbecile, but (I am) a messenger
from the Lord and Cherisher of the worlds!
007.068
"I but fulfil towards you the duties of my Lord's mission: I
am to you a sincere and trustworthy adviser.
007.069
"Do ye wonder that there hath come to you a message from your
Lord through a man of your own people, to warn you? call in remembrance
that He made you inheritors after the people of Noah, and gave you a
stature tall among the nations. Call in remembrance the benefits (ye have
received) from Allah: that so ye may prosper."
007.070
They said: "Comest thou to us, that we may worship Allah alone,
and give up the cult of our fathers? bring us what thou threatenest us
with, if so be that thou tellest the truth!"
007.071
He said: "Punishment and wrath have already come upon you from
your Lord: dispute ye with me over names which ye have devised - ye and
your fathers,- without authority from Allah? then wait: I am amongst you,
also waiting."
007.072
We saved him and those who adhered to him. By Our mercy, and
We cut off the roots of those who rejected Our signs and did not believe.
007.073
To the Thamud people (We sent) Salih, one of their own brethren: He said:
"O my people! worship Allah: ye have no other god but Him.
Now hath come unto you a clear (Sign) from your Lord! This she-camel of
Allah is a Sign unto you: So leave her to graze in Allah's earth, and let her
come to no harm, or ye shall be seized with a grievous punishment.
007.074
"And remember how He made you inheritors after the 'Ad people
and gave you habitations in the land: ye build for yourselves palaces and
castles in (open) plains, and care out homes in the mountains; so bring to
remembrance the benefits (ye have received) from Allah, and refrain from evil
and mischief on the earth."
007.075
The leaders of the arrogant party among his people said to
those who were reckoned powerless - those among them who believed: "know ye
indeed that Salih is a messenger from his Lord?" They said: "We do indeed
believe in the revelation which hath been sent through him."
007.076
The Arrogant party said: "For our part, we reject what ye
believe in."
007.077
Then they ham-strung the she-camel, and insolently defied the
order of their Lord, saying: "O Salih! bring about thy threats, if thou art
a messenger (of Allah)!"
007.078
So the earthquake took them unawares, and they lay prostrate
in their homes in the morning!
007.079
So Salih left them, saying: "O my people! I did indeed convey
to you the message for which I was sent by my Lord: I gave you good
counsel, but ye love not good counsellors!"
007.080
We also (sent) Lut: He said to his people: "Do ye commit
lewdness such as no people in creation (ever) committed before you?
007.081
"For ye practise your lusts on men in preference to women : ye
are indeed a people transgressing beyond bounds."
007.082
And his people gave no answer but this: they said, "Drive them
out of your city: these are indeed men who want to be clean and pure!"
007.083
But we saved him and his family, except his wife: she was of
those who legged behind.
007.084
And we rained down on them a shower (of brimstone): Then see
what was the end of those who indulged in sin and crime!
007.085
To the Madyan people We sent Shu'aib, one of their own
brethren: he said: "O my people! worship Allah; Ye have no other god but Him.
Now hath come unto you a clear (Sign) from your Lord! Give just measure and
weight, nor withhold from the people the things that are their due; and do
no mischief on the earth after it has been set in order: that will be best
for you, if ye have Faith.
007.086
"And squat not on every road, breathing threats, hindering
from the path of Allah those who believe in Him, and seeking in it something
crooked; But remember how ye were little, and He gave you increase. And
hold in your mind's eye what was the end of those who did mischief.
007.087
"And if there is a party among you who believes in the message
with which I have been sent, and a party which does not believe, hold
yourselves in patience until Allah doth decide between us: for He is the best
to decide.
007.088
The leaders, the arrogant party among his people, said: "O
Shu'aib! we shall certainly drive thee out of our city - (thee) and those
who believe with thee; or else ye (thou and they) shall have to return to
our ways and religion." He said: "What! even though we do detest (them)?
007.089
"We should indeed invent a lie against Allah, if we returned to
your ways after Allah hath rescued us therefrom; nor could we by any manner
of means return thereto unless it be as in the will and plan of Allah, Our
Lord. Our Lord can reach out to the utmost recesses of things by His
knowledge. In the Allah is our trust. our Lord! decide Thou between us and
our people in truth, for Thou art the best to decide."
007.090
The leaders, the unbelievers among his people, said: "If ye
follow Shu'aib, be sure then ye are ruined!"
007.091
But the earthquake took them unawares, and they lay prostrate
in their homes before the morning!
007.092
The men who reject Shu'aib became as if they had never been in
the homes where they had flourished: the men who rejected Shu'aib - it was
they who were ruined!
007.093
So Shu'aib left them, saying: "O my people! I did indeed
convey to you the messages for which I was sent by my Lord: I gave you good
counsel, but how shall I lament over a people who refuse to believe!"
007.094
Whenever We sent a prophet to a town, We took up its people in
suffering and adversity, in order that they might learn humility.
007.095
Then We changed their suffering into prosperity, until they
grew and multiplied, and began to say: "Our fathers (too) were touched by
suffering and affluence" ... Behold! We called them to account of a sudden,
while they realised not (their peril).
007.096
If the people of the towns had but believed and feared Allah, We
should indeed have opened out to them (All kinds of) blessings from heaven
and earth; but they rejected (the truth), and We brought them to book for
their misdeeds.
007.097
Did the people of the towns feel secure against the coming of
Our wrath by night while they were asleep?
007.098
Or else did they feel secure against its coming in broad
daylight while they played about (care-free)?
007.099
Did they then feel secure against the plan of Allah?- but no one
can feel secure from the Plan of Allah, except those (doomed) to ruin!
007.100
To those who inherit the earth in succession to its (previous)
possessors, is it not a guiding, (lesson) that, if We so willed, We could
punish them (too) for their sins, and seal up their hearts so that they
could not hear?
007.101
Such were the towns whose story We (thus) relate unto thee:
There came indeed to them their messengers with clear (signs): But they
would not believe what they had rejected before. Thus doth Allah seal up the
hearts of those who reject faith.
007.102
Most of them We found not men (true) to their covenant: but
most of them We found rebellious and disobedient.
007.103
Then after them We sent Moses with Our signs to Pharaoh and
his chiefs, but they wrongfully rejected them: So see what was the end of
those who made mischief.
007.104
Moses said: "O Pharaoh! I am a messenger from the Lord of the
worlds,-
007.105
One for whom it is right to say nothing but truth about Allah.
Now have I come unto you (people), from your Lord, with a clear (Sign): So
let the Children of Israel depart along with me."
007.106
(Pharaoh) said: "If indeed thou hast come with a Sign, show it
forth,- if thou tellest the truth."
007.107
Then (Moses) threw his rod, and behold! it was a serpent,
plain (for all to see)!
007.108
And he drew out his hand, and behold! it was white to all beholders!
007.109
Said the Chiefs of the people of Pharaoh: "This is indeed a
sorcerer well-versed.
007.110
"His plan is to get you out of your land: then what is it ye counsel?"
007.111
They said: "Keep him and his brother in suspense (for a
while); and send to the cities men to collect-
007.112
And bring up to thee all (our) sorcerers well-versed."
007.113
So there came the sorcerers to Pharaoh: They said, "of course
we shall have a (suitable) reward if we win!"
007.114
He said: "Yea, (and more),- for ye shall in that case be
(raised to posts) nearest (to my person)."
007.115
They said: "O Moses! wilt thou throw (first), or shall we have
the (first) throw?"
007.116
Said Moses: "Throw ye (first)." So when they threw, they
bewitched the eyes of the people, and struck terror into them: for they
showed a great (feat of) magic.
007.117
We put it into Moses's mind by inspiration: "Throw (now) thy
rod":and behold! it swallows up straight away all the falsehoods which
they fake!
007.118
Thus truth was confirmed, and all that they did was made of no effect.
007.119
So the (great ones) were vanquished there and then, and were
made to look small.
007.120
But the sorcerers fell down prostrate in adoration.
007.121
Saying: "We believe in the Lord of the Worlds,-
007.122
"The Lord of Moses and Aaron."
007.123
Said Pharaoh: "Believe ye in Him before I give you permission?
Surely this is a trick which ye have planned in the city to drive out its
people: but soon shall ye know (the consequences).
007.124
"Be sure I will cut off your hands and your feet on apposite
sides, and I will cause you all to die on the cross."
007.125
They said: "For us, We are but sent back unto our Lord:
007.126
"But thou dost wreak thy vengeance on us simply because we
believed in the Signs of our Lord when they reached us! Our Lord! pour out
on us patience and constancy, and take our souls unto thee as Muslims (who
bow to thy will)!
007.127
Said the chiefs of Pharaoh's people: "Wilt thou leave Moses
and his people, to spread mischief in the land, and to abandon thee and thy
gods?" He said: "Their male children will we slay; (only) their females
will we save alive; and we have over them (power) irresistible."
007.128
Said Moses to his people: "Pray for help from Allah, and (wait)
in patience and constancy: for the earth is Allah's, to give as a heritage to
such of His servants as He pleaseth; and the end is (best) for the righteous.
007.129
They said: "We have had (nothing but) trouble, both before and
after thou camest to us." He said: "It may be that your Lord will destroy
your enemy and make you inheritors in the earth; that so He may try you by
your deeds."
007.130
We punished the people of Pharaoh with years (of droughts) and
shortness of crops; that they might receive admonition.
007.131
But when good (times) came, they said, "This is due to us;"
When gripped by calamity, they ascribed it to evil omens connected with
Moses and those with him! Behold! in truth the omens of evil are theirs in
Allah's sight, but most of them do not understand!
007.132
They said (to Moses): "Whatever be the Signs thou bringest, to
work therewith thy sorcery on us, we shall never believe in thee.
007.133
So We sent (plagues) on them: Wholesale death, Locusts, Lice,
Frogs, And Blood: Signs openly self-explained: but they were steeped in
arrogance,- a people given to sin.
007.134
Every time the penalty fell on them, they said: "O Moses! on
your behalf call on thy Lord in virtue of his promise to thee: If thou wilt
remove the penalty from us, we shall truly believe in thee, and we shall
send away the Children of Israel with thee."
007.135
But every time We removed the penalty from them according to a
fixed term which they had to fulfil,- Behold! they broke their word!
007.136
So We exacted retribution from them: We drowned them in the
sea, because they rejected Our Signs and failed to take warning from them.
007.137
And We made a people, considered weak (and of no account),
inheritors of lands in both east and west, - lands whereon We sent down Our
blessings. The fair promise of thy Lord was fulfilled for the Children of
Israel, because they had patience and constancy, and We levelled to the
ground the great works and fine buildings which Pharaoh and his people
erected (with such pride).
007.138
We took the Children of Israel (with safety) across the sea.
They came upon a people devoted entirely to some idols they had. They said:
"O Moses! fashion for us a god like unto the gods they have." He said:
"Surely ye are a people without knowledge.
007.139
"As to these folk,- the cult they are in is (but) a fragment
of a ruin, and vain is the (worship) which they practise."
007.140
He said: "Shall I seek for you a god other than the (true)
Allah, when it is Allah Who hath endowed you with gifts above the nations?"
007.141
And remember We rescued you from Pharaoh's people, who
afflicted you with the worst of penalties, who slew your male children and
saved alive your females: in that was a momentous trial from your Lord.
007.142
We appointed for Moses thirty nights, and completed (the
period) with ten (more): thus was completed the term (of communion) with
his Lord, forty nights. And Moses had charged his brother Aaron (before he
went up): "Act for me amongst my people: Do right, and follow not the way
of those who do mischief."
007.143
When Moses came to the place appointed by Us, and his Lord
addressed him, He said: "O my Lord! show (Thyself) to me, that I may look
upon thee." Allah said: "By no means canst thou see Me (direct); But look
upon the mount; if it abide in its place, then shalt thou see Me." When his
Lord manifested His glory on the Mount, He made it as dust. And Moses fell
down in a swoon. When he recovered his senses he said: "Glory be to Thee!
to Thee I turn in repentance, and I am the first to believe."
007.144
(Allah) said: "O Moses! I have chosen thee above (other) men, by
the mission I (have given thee) and the words I (have spoken to thee): take
then the (revelation) which I give thee, and be of those who give thanks."
007.145
And We ordained laws for him in the tablets in all matters,
both commanding and explaining all things, (and said): "Take and hold these
with firmness, and enjoin thy people to hold fast by the best in the
precepts: soon shall I show you the homes of the wicked,- (How they lie desolate)."
007.146
Those who behave arrogantly on the earth in defiance of right
- them will I turn away from My signs: Even if they see all the signs, they
will not believe in them; and if they see the way of right conduct, they
will not adopt it as the way; but if they see the way of error, that is the
way they will adopt. For they have rejected our signs, and failed to take
warning from them.
007.147
Those who reject Our signs and the meeting in the Hereafter,-
vain are their deeds: Can they expect to be rewarded except as they have wrought?
007.148
The people of Moses made, in his absence, out of their
ornaments, the image of calf, (for worship): it seemed to low: did they not
see that it could neither speak to them, nor show them the way? They took
it for worship and they did wrong.
007.149
When they repented, and saw that they had erred, they said:
"If our Lord have not mercy upon us and forgive us, we shall indeed be of
those who perish."
007.150
When Moses came back to his people, angry and grieved, he
said: "Evil it is that ye have done in my place in my absence: did ye make
haste to bring on the judgment of your Lord?" He put down the tablets,
seized his brother by (the hair of) his head, and dragged him to him. Aaron
said: "Son of my mother! the people did indeed reckon me as naught, and
went near to slaying me! Make not the enemies rejoice over my misfortune,
nor count thou me amongst the people of sin."
007.151
Moses prayed: "O my Lord! forgive me and my brother! admit us
to Thy mercy! for Thou art the Most Merciful of those who show mercy!"
007.152
Those who took the calf (for worship) will indeed be
overwhelmed with wrath from their Lord, and with shame in this life: thus
do We recompense those who invent (falsehoods).
007.153
But those who do wrong but repent thereafter and (truly)
believe,- verily thy Lord is thereafter Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.
007.154
When the anger of Moses was appeased, he took up the tablets:
in the writing thereon was guidance and Mercy for such as fear their Lord.
007.155
And Moses chose seventy of his people for Our place of
meeting: when they were seized with violent quaking, he prayed: "O my Lord!
if it had been Thy will Thou couldst have destroyed, long before, both them
and me: wouldst Thou destroy us for the deeds of the foolish ones among us?
this is no more than Thy trial: by it Thou causest whom Thou wilt to stray,
and Thou leadest whom Thou wilt into the right path. Thou art our
Protector: so forgive us and give us Thy mercy; for Thou art the best of
those who forgive.
007.156
"And ordain for us that which is good, in this life and in the
Hereafter: for we have turned unto Thee." He said: "With My punishment I
visit whom I will; but My mercy extendeth to all things. That (mercy) I
shall ordain for those who do right, and practise regular charity, and
those who believe in Our signs;-
007.157
"Those who follow the messenger, the unlettered Prophet, whom
they find mentioned in their own (scriptures),- in the law and the Gospel;-
for he commands them what is just and forbids them what is evil; he allows
them as lawful what is good (and pure) and prohibits them from what is bad
(and impure); He releases them from their heavy burdens and from the yokes
that are upon them. So it is those who believe in him, honour him, help
him, and follow the light which is sent down with him,- it is they who will
prosper."
007.158
Say: "O men! I am sent unto you all, as the Messenger of Allah, to
Whom belongeth the dominion of the heavens and the earth: there is no god
but He: it is He That giveth both life and death. So believe in Allah and His
Messenger, the Unlettered Prophet, who believeth in Allah and His words: follow
him that (so) ye may be guided."
007.159
Of the people of Moses there is a section who guide and do
justice in the light of truth.
007.160
We divided them into twelve tribes or nations. We directed
Moses by inspiration, when his (thirsty) people asked him for water:
"Strike the rock with thy staff": out of it there gushed forth twelve
springs: Each group knew its own place for water. We gave them the shade
of clouds, and sent down to them manna and quails, (saying): "Eat of the
good things We have provided for you": (but they rebelled); to Us they did
no harm, but they harmed their own souls.
007.161
And remember it was said to them: "Dwell in this town and eat
therein as ye wish, but say the word of humility and enter the gate in a
posture of humility: We shall forgive you your faults; We shall increase
(the portion of) those who do good."
007.162
But the transgressors among them changed the word from that
which had been given them so we sent on them a plague from heaven. For that
they repeatedly transgressed.
007.163
Ask them concerning the town standing close by the sea.
Behold! they transgressed in the matter of the Sabbath. For on the day of
their Sabbath their fish did come to them, openly holding up their heads,
but on the day they had no Sabbath, they came not: thus did We make a trial
of them, for they were given to transgression.
007.164
When some of them said: "Why do ye preach to a people whom Allah
will destroy or visit with a terrible punishment?"- said the preachers:" To
discharge our duty to your Lord, and perchance they may fear Him."
007.165
When they disregarded the warnings that had been given them,
We rescued those who forbade Evil; but We visited the wrong-doers with a
grievous punishment because they were given to transgression.
007.166
When in their insolence they transgressed (all) prohibitions,
We said to them: "Be ye apes, despised and rejected."
007.167
Behold! thy Lord did declare that He would send against them,
to the Day of Judgment, those who would afflict them with grievous penalty.
Thy Lord is quick in retribution, but He is also Oft-forgiving, Most
Merciful.
007.168
We broke them up into sections on this earth. There are among
them some that are the righteous, and some that are the opposite. We have
tried them with both prosperity and adversity: In order that they might
turn (to us).
007.169
After them succeeded an (evil) generation: They inherited the
Book, but they chose (for themselves) the vanities of this world, saying
(for excuse): "(Everything) will be forgiven us." (Even so), if similar
vanities came their way, they would (again) seize them. Was not the
covenant of the Book taken from them, that they would not ascribe to Allah
anything but the truth? and they study what is in the Book. But best for
the righteous is the home in the Hereafter. Will ye not understand?
007.170
As to those who hold fast by the Book and establish regular
prayer,- never shall We suffer the reward of the righteous to perish.
007.171
When We shook the Mount over them, as if it had been a canopy,
and they thought it was going to fall on them (We said): "Hold firmly to
what We have given you, and bring (ever) to remembrance what is therein;
perchance ye may fear Allah."
007.172
When thy Lord drew forth from the Children of Adam - from
their loins - their descendants, and made them testify concerning
themselves, (saying): "Am I not your Lord (who cherishes and sustains
you)?"- They said: "Yea! We do testify!" (This), lest ye should say on the
Day of Judgment: "Of this we were never mindful":
007.173
Or lest ye should say: "Our fathers before us may have taken
false gods, but we are (their) descendants after them: wilt Thou then
destroy us because of the deeds of men who were futile?"
007.174
Thus do We explain the signs in detail; and perchance they may
turn (unto Us).
007.175
Relate to them the story of the man to whom We sent Our signs,
but he passed them by: so Satan followed him up, and he went astray.
007.176
If it had been Our will, We should have elevated him with Our
signs; but he inclined to the earth, and followed his own vain desires. His
similitude is that of a dog: if you attack him, he lolls out his tongue, or
if you leave him alone, he (still) lolls out his tongue. That is the
similitude of those who reject Our signs; So relate the story; perchance
they may reflect.
007.177
Evil as an example are people who reject Our signs and wrong
their own souls.
007.178
Whom Allah doth guide,- he is on the right path: whom He rejects
from His guidance,- such are the persons who perish.
007.179
Many are the Jinns and men we have made for Hell: They have
hearts wherewith they understand not, eyes wherewith they see not, and ears
wherewith they hear not. They are like cattle,- nay more misguided: for
they are heedless (of warning).
007.180
The most beautiful names belong to Allah: so call on him by
them; but shun such men as use profanity in his names: for what they do,
they will soon be requited.
007.181
Of those We have created are people who direct (others) with
truth. And dispense justice therewith.
007.182
Those who reject Our signs, We shall gradually visit with
punishment, in ways they perceive not;
007.183
Respite will I grant unto them: for My scheme is strong (and
unfailing).
007.184
Do they not reflect? Their companion is not seized with
madness: he is but a perspicuous warner.
007.185
Do they see nothing in the government of the heavens and the
earth and all that Allah hath created? (Do they not see) that it may well be
that their terms is nigh drawing to an end? In what message after this will
they then believe?
007.186
To such as Allah rejects from His guidance, there can be no
guide: He will leave them in their trespasses, wandering in distraction.
007.187
They ask thee about the (final) Hour - when will be its
appointed time? Say: "The knowledge thereof is with my Lord (alone): None
but He can reveal as to when it will occur. Heavy were its burden through
the heavens and the earth. Only, all of a sudden will it come to you." They
ask thee as if thou Wert eager in search thereof: Say: "The knowledge
thereof is with Allah (alone), but most men know not."
007.188
Say: "I have no power over any good or harm to myself except
as Allah willeth. If I had knowledge of the unseen, I should have multiplied
all good, and no evil should have touched me: I am but a warner, and a
bringer of glad tidings to those who have faith."
007.189
It is He Who created you from a single person, and made his
mate of like nature, in order that he might dwell with her (in love). When
they are united, she bears a light burden and carries it about (unnoticed).
When she grows heavy, they both pray to Allah their Lord, (saying): "If Thou
givest us a goodly child, we vow we shall (ever) be grateful."
007.190
But when He giveth them a goodly child, they ascribe to others
a share in the gift they have received: but Allah is exalted high above the
partners they ascribe to Him.
007.191
Do they indeed ascribe to Him as partners things that can
create nothing, but are themselves created?
007.192
No aid can they give them, nor can they aid themselves!
007.193
If ye call them to guidance, they will not obey: For you it is
the same whether ye call them or ye hold your peace!
007.194
Verily those whom ye call upon besides Allah are servants like
unto you: Call upon them, and let them listen to your prayer, if ye are
(indeed) truthful!
007.195
Have they feet to walk with? Or hands to lay hold with? Or
eyes to see with? Or ears to hear with? Say: "Call your 'god-partners',
scheme (your worst) against me, and give me no respite!
007.196
"For my Protector is Allah, Who revealed the Book (from time to
time), and He will choose and befriend the righteous.
007.197
"But those ye call upon besides Him, are unable to help you,
and indeed to help themselves."
007.198
If thou callest them to guidance, they hear not. Thou wilt see
them looking at thee, but they see not.
007.199
Hold to forgiveness; command what is right; But turn away from
the ignorant.
007.200
If a suggestion from Satan assail thy (mind), seek refuge with
Allah; for He heareth and knoweth (all things).
007.201
Those who fear Allah, when a thought of evil from Satan assaults
them, bring Allah to remembrance, when lo! they see (aright)!
007.202
But their brethren (the evil ones) plunge them deeper into
error, and never relax (their efforts).
007.203
If thou bring them not a revelation, they say: "Why hast thou
not got it together?" Say: "I but follow what is revealed to me from my
Lord: this is (nothing but) lights from your Lord, and Guidance, and mercy,
for any who have faith."
007.204
When the Qur'an is read, listen to it with attention, and hold
your peace: that ye may receive Mercy.
007.205
And do thou (O reader!) Bring thy Lord to remembrance in thy
(very) soul, with humility and in reverence, without loudness in words, in
the mornings and evenings; and be not thou of those who are unheedful.
007.206
Those who are near to thy Lord, disdain not to do Him worship:
They celebrate His praises, and prostrate before Him.
|
