الٓرۚ تِلۡكَ ءَايَـٰتُ ٱلۡكِتَـٰبِ ٱلۡحَكِيمِ
Alif, Lam, Ra. These are the verses of the wise Book.
In the Name of Allah, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful.
(1. Alif-Lam-Ra. These are the verses of the Book (the Qur'an) Al-Hakim.) (2. Is it a wonder for mankind that We have sent Our revelation to a man from among themselves (saying): "Warn mankind, and give good news to those who believe that they shall have with their Lord the rewards of their good deeds'' (But) the disbelievers say: "This is indeed an evident sorcerer!'') The isolated letters in the beginning of this Surah, as well as in others, have been previously discussed at the beginning of Surat Al-Baqarah. Allah said:
(These are the verses of the Book (the Qur'an) Al-Hakim.) This indicates that these are verses of the Qur'an, in which the wisdom of judgment is clear.
أَكَانَ لِلنَّاسِ عَجَبًا أَنۡ أَوۡحَيۡنَآ إِلَىٰ رَجُلٍ۬ مِّنۡہُمۡ أَنۡ أَنذِرِ ٱلنَّاسَ وَبَشِّرِ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوٓاْ أَنَّ لَهُمۡ قَدَمَ صِدۡقٍ عِندَ رَبِّہِمۡۗ قَالَ ٱلۡڪَـٰفِرُونَ إِنَّ هَـٰذَا لَسَـٰحِرٌ۬ مُّبِينٌ
Have the people been amazed that We revealed [revelation] to a man from among them, [saying], "Warn mankind and give good tidings to those who believe that they will have a [firm] precedence of honor with their Lord"? [But] the disbelievers say, "Indeed, this is an obvious magician."
In the Name of Allah, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful.
(1. Alif-Lam-Ra. These are the verses of the Book (the Qur'an) Al-Hakim.) (2. Is it a wonder for mankind that We have sent Our revelation to a man from among themselves (saying): "Warn mankind, and give good news to those who believe that they shall have with their Lord the rewards of their good deeds'' (But) the disbelievers say: "This is indeed an evident sorcerer!'') The isolated letters in the beginning of this Surah, as well as in others, have been previously discussed at the beginning of Surat Al-Baqarah. Allah said:
(These are the verses of the Book (the Qur'an) Al-Hakim.) This indicates that these are verses of the Qur'an, in which the wisdom of judgment is clear.
إِنَّ رَبَّكُمُ ٱللَّهُ ٱلَّذِى خَلَقَ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٲتِ وَٱلۡأَرۡضَ فِى سِتَّةِ أَيَّامٍ۬ ثُمَّ ٱسۡتَوَىٰ عَلَى ٱلۡعَرۡشِۖ يُدَبِّرُ ٱلۡأَمۡرَۖ مَا مِن شَفِيعٍ إِلَّا مِنۢ بَعۡدِ إِذۡنِهِۦۚ ذَٲلِڪُمُ ٱللَّهُ رَبُّڪُمۡ فَٱعۡبُدُوهُۚ أَفَلَا تَذَكَّرُونَ
Indeed, your Lord is Allah, who created the heavens and the earth in six days and then established Himself above the Throne, arranging the matter [of His creation]. There is no intercessor except after His permission. That is Allah, your Lord, so worship Him. Then will you not remember?
Allah rebukes the attitude of the disbelievers with the words
(Is it a wonder for mankind...) They have always found it strange that Allah would send Messengers to them from among mankind. Allah also tells us about other people from previous nations who said,
(Shall mere men guide us) (64:6) Hud and Salih said to their people:
(Do you wonder that there has come to you a reminder from your Lord through a man from among you.) (7:63) Allah also told us what the disbelievers from Quraysh said:
(Has he made the gods into one God Verily, this is a curious thing!) (38:5) Ad-Dahhak reported Ibn `Abbas that he said: "When Allah sent Muhammad as a Messenger, most of the Arabs denied him and his message and said: Allah is greater than sending a human Messenger like Muhammad. '' Ibn `Abbas said, "So Allah revealed:
(Is it a wonder for mankind...)'' Allah's statement;
(that they shall have with their Lord the rewards of their good deeds) Scholars have differed over the meaning of the reward for the good deeds in this Ayah:
(and give good news to those who believe that they shall have with their Lord the rewards of their good deeds.) `Ali bin Abi Talhah reported that Ibn `Abbas said about this Ayah, "Eternal happiness has been written for them.'' Al-`Awfi reported that Ibn `Abbas said: "It is the good reward for what they have done.'' Mujahid said: "It is their good deeds - their prayers, fasting, charity, and glorification.'' He then said, "And Muhammad will intercede for them.'' Allah said:
((But) the disbelievers say: "This is indeed an evident sorcerer!'') This means that the disbelievers said this although Allah has sent a Messenger from among themselves to them, a man of their own race as a bearer of good news and as a warner. But they are the liars in saying that.
(3. "Surely, your Lord is Allah Who created the heavens and the earth in six Days and then rose over (Istawa) the Throne, arranging the affair (of all things). No intercessor (can plead with Him) except after He permits. That is Allah, your Lord; so worship Him (alone). Then, will you not remember)
إِلَيۡهِ مَرۡجِعُكُمۡ جَمِيعً۬اۖ وَعۡدَ ٱللَّهِ حَقًّاۚ إِنَّهُ ۥ يَبۡدَؤُاْ ٱلۡخَلۡقَ ثُمَّ يُعِيدُهُ ۥ لِيَجۡزِىَ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ وَعَمِلُواْ ٱلصَّـٰلِحَـٰتِ بِٱلۡقِسۡطِۚ وَٱلَّذِينَ ڪَفَرُواْ لَهُمۡ شَرَابٌ۬ مِّنۡ حَمِيمٍ۬ وَعَذَابٌ أَلِيمُۢ بِمَا كَانُواْ يَكۡفُرُونَ
To Him is your return all together. [It is] the promise of Allah [which is] truth. Indeed, He begins the [process of] creation and then repeats it that He may reward those who have believed and done righteous deeds, in justice. But those who disbelieved will have a drink of scalding water and a painful punishment for what they used to deny.
Allah tells us that He is the Lord of the entire existence. He tells us that He created the heavens and the earth in six days. It was said: "Like these days (meaning our worldly days).'' It was also said: "Every day is like a thousand years of what we reckon.'' Later, this will be discussed further.
(and then rose over (Istawa) the Throne.)'' The Throne is the greatest of the creatures and is like a ceiling for them. Allah's statement:
(arranging the affair (of all things).) means that He controls the affairs of the creatures.
(Not even the weight of a speck of dust escapes His Knowledge in the heavens or in the earth.) (34:3) No affair distract' Him from other affairs. No matter troubles Him. The persistent requests of His creatures do not annoy Him. He governs big things as He governs small things everywhere, on the mountains, in the oceans, in populated areas, or in wastelands.
(And no moving creature is there on earth but its provision is due from Allah.) (11:6)
(Not a leaf falls, but He knows it. There is not a grain in the darkness of the earth nor anything fresh or dry, but is written in a Clear Record.) (6:59) Ad-Darawardi narrated from Sa`d bin Ishaq bin Ka`b bin `Ujrah that he said: "When this Ayah was revealed,
(Surely, your Lord is Allah Who created the heavens and the earth) they met a great caravan whom they thought should be Arabs. They said to them: `Who are you' They replied: `We are Jinns. We left Al-Madinah because of this Ayah.''' This was recorded by Ibn Abi Hatim. Allah said:
(No intercessor (can plead with Him) except after He permits.) This is similar to what is in the following Ayat:
(Who is he that can intercede with Him except with His permission) (2:255) and,
(And there are many angels in the heavens, whose intercession will avail nothing except after Allah has given leave for whom He wills and is pleased with.)(53:26), and;
(Intercession with Him profits not except for him whom He permits.)(34:23). Allah then said:
(That is Allah, your Lord; so worship Him (alone). Then, will you not remember) meaning worship Him alone with no partners.
(Then will you not remember) meaning "O idolaters, you worship gods with Allah while you know that He alone is the Creator,'' as He said:
(And if you ask them who created them, they will surely say: "Allah.'')(43:87),
("Say: "Who is (the) Lord of the seven heavens, and (the) Lord of the Great Throne They will say: "Allah.'' Say: "Will you not then have Taqwa'') (23:86-87), Similar is mentioned in the Ayah before this Ayah and after it.
(4. To Him is the return of all of you. The promise of Allah is true. It is He Who begins the creation and then will repeat it, that He may reward with justice those who believed and did deeds of righteousness. But those who disbelieved will have a drink of boiling fluids and painful torment because they used to disbelieve.)
هُوَ ٱلَّذِى جَعَلَ ٱلشَّمۡسَ ضِيَآءً۬ وَٱلۡقَمَرَ نُورً۬ا وَقَدَّرَهُ ۥ مَنَازِلَ لِتَعۡلَمُواْ عَدَدَ ٱلسِّنِينَ وَٱلۡحِسَابَۚ مَا خَلَقَ ٱللَّهُ ذَٲلِكَ إِلَّا بِٱلۡحَقِّۚ يُفَصِّلُ ٱلۡأَيَـٰتِ لِقَوۡمٍ۬ يَعۡلَمُونَ
It is He who made the sun a shining light and the moon a derived light and determined for it phases – that you may know the number of years and account [of time]. Allah has not created this except in truth. He details the signs for a people who know.
Allah tells us that the return of the creatures on the Day of Resurrection is to Him. He will not leave anyone of them without bringing everyone into being as He brought them in the beginning. Then Allah states that He is going to bring all the creatures into being.
(And He it is Who originates the creation, then He will repeat it (after it has perished); and this is easier for Him.) (30:27),
(that He may reward with justice those who believed and did deeds of righteousness.) meaning, the reward will be with justice and complete recompense.
(But those who disbelieved will have a drink of boiling fluids and painful torment because they used to disbelieve.) meaning, because of their disbelief they will be punished on the Day of Resurrection by different forms of torment, such as fierce hot winds, boiling water, and the shadow of black smoke.
(This is so! Then let them taste it; a boiling fluid and dirty wound discharges. And other (torments) of similar kind all together!) (38: 57-58)
(This is the Hell which the criminals denied. They will go between it (Hell) and the fierce boiling water!) (55:43-44)
(5. It is He Who made the sun a shining thing and the moon as a light and measured out for it stages that you might know the number of years and the reckoning. Allah did not create this but in truth. He explains the Ayat in detail for people who have knowledge.) (6. Verily, in the alternation of the night and the day and in all that Allah has created in the heavens and the earth are Ayat for those who have Taqwa.)
إِنَّ فِى ٱخۡتِلَـٰفِ ٱلَّيۡلِ وَٱلنَّہَارِ وَمَا خَلَقَ ٱللَّهُ فِى ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٲتِ وَٱلۡأَرۡضِ لَأَيَـٰتٍ۬ لِّقَوۡمٍ۬ يَتَّقُونَ
Indeed, in the alternation of the night and the day and [in] what Allah has created in the heavens and the earth are signs for a people who fear Allah.
Allah tells us that the return of the creatures on the Day of Resurrection is to Him. He will not leave anyone of them without bringing everyone into being as He brought them in the beginning. Then Allah states that He is going to bring all the creatures into being.
(And He it is Who originates the creation, then He will repeat it (after it has perished); and this is easier for Him.) (30:27),
(that He may reward with justice those who believed and did deeds of righteousness.) meaning, the reward will be with justice and complete recompense.
(But those who disbelieved will have a drink of boiling fluids and painful torment because they used to disbelieve.) meaning, because of their disbelief they will be punished on the Day of Resurrection by different forms of torment, such as fierce hot winds, boiling water, and the shadow of black smoke.
(This is so! Then let them taste it; a boiling fluid and dirty wound discharges. And other (torments) of similar kind all together!) (38: 57-58)
(This is the Hell which the criminals denied. They will go between it (Hell) and the fierce boiling water!) (55:43-44)
(5. It is He Who made the sun a shining thing and the moon as a light and measured out for it stages that you might know the number of years and the reckoning. Allah did not create this but in truth. He explains the Ayat in detail for people who have knowledge.) (6. Verily, in the alternation of the night and the day and in all that Allah has created in the heavens and the earth are Ayat for those who have Taqwa.)
إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ لَا يَرۡجُونَ لِقَآءَنَا وَرَضُواْ بِٱلۡحَيَوٰةِ ٱلدُّنۡيَا وَٱطۡمَأَنُّواْ بِہَا وَٱلَّذِينَ هُمۡ عَنۡ ءَايَـٰتِنَا غَـٰفِلُونَ
Indeed, those who do not expect the meeting with Us and are satisfied with the life of this world and feel secure therein and those who are heedless of Our signs –
Allah tells us about the signs He created that are indicative of His complete power and great might. He made the rays that come forth from the bright sun as the source of light, and made the beams that come forth from the moon as light. He made them of two different natures so they would not be confused with one another. Allah made the dominion of the sun in the daytime and the moon in the night. He ordained phases for the moon, where it starts small then its light increases until it completes a full moon. Then it begins to decrease until it returns to its first phase at the conclusion of the month. Allah said:
(And the moon, We have measured for it mansions (to traverse) till it returns like the old dried curved date stalk. It is not for the sun to overtake the moon, nor does the night outstrip the day. They all float, each in an orbit.) (36:39-40) And He said:
(And the sun and the moon for counting) And in this Ayah He said:
(and measured) that is the moon, Allah said:
(And measured out for it stages that you might know the number of years and the reckoning. '') The days are revealed by the action of the sun, and the months and the years by the moon. Allah then stated
(Allah did not create this but in truth.) He didn't create that for amusement but with great wisdom and perfect reasoning. With a similar meaning, Allah said:
(And We created not the heaven and the earth and all that is between them without purpose! That is the consideration of those who disbelieve! Then woe to those who disbelieve from the Fire!) (38:27) He also said:
("Did you think that We had created you in play (without any purpose), and that you would not be brought back to Us'' So Exalted be Allah, the True King: None has the right to be worshipped but He, the Lord of the Supreme Throne!) (23:115-116) Allah said:
(He explains the Ayat in detail for people who have knowledge.) In other words, He explained the signs and proofs for people who know. Allah further stated:
(Verily, in the alternation of the night and the day) The day and the night alternate, when one arrives, the other goes, and so on, with no errors. This is similar to the meaning indicated in the following Ayat:
(He brings the night as a cover over the day, seeking it rapidly...).
(It is not for the sun to overtake the moon.) (36:40), and
((He is the) Cleaver of the daybreak. He has appointed the night for resting). (6:96) Allah continued:
(and in all that Allah has created in the heavens and the earth) meaning the signs that indicate His greatness. This is similar to Allah's statements:
(And how many a sign in the heavens and the earth...) (12:105),
("Say: "Behold all that is in the heavens and the earth,'' but neither Ayat nor warners benefit those who believe not.) (10:101)
(See they not what is before them and what is behind them, of the heaven and the earth.) (34:9).
(Verily, in the creation of the heavens and the earth, and in the alternation of night and day, there are indeed signs for men of understanding.) (3:190) means intelligent men. Allah said here,
(Ayat for those who have Taqwa.) meaning fear Allah's punishment, wrath and torment.
(7. Verily, those who hope not for their meeting with Us, but are pleased and satisfied with the life of the present world, and those who are heedless of Our Ayat,) (8. Those, their abode will be the Fire, because of what they used to earn.)
أُوْلَـٰٓٮِٕكَ مَأۡوَٮٰهُمُ ٱلنَّارُ بِمَا ڪَانُواْ يَكۡسِبُونَ
For those their refuge will be the Fire because of what they used to earn.
Allah tells us about the signs He created that are indicative of His complete power and great might. He made the rays that come forth from the bright sun as the source of light, and made the beams that come forth from the moon as light. He made them of two different natures so they would not be confused with one another. Allah made the dominion of the sun in the daytime and the moon in the night. He ordained phases for the moon, where it starts small then its light increases until it completes a full moon. Then it begins to decrease until it returns to its first phase at the conclusion of the month. Allah said:
(And the moon, We have measured for it mansions (to traverse) till it returns like the old dried curved date stalk. It is not for the sun to overtake the moon, nor does the night outstrip the day. They all float, each in an orbit.) (36:39-40) And He said:
(And the sun and the moon for counting) And in this Ayah He said:
(and measured) that is the moon, Allah said:
(And measured out for it stages that you might know the number of years and the reckoning. '') The days are revealed by the action of the sun, and the months and the years by the moon. Allah then stated
(Allah did not create this but in truth.) He didn't create that for amusement but with great wisdom and perfect reasoning. With a similar meaning, Allah said:
(And We created not the heaven and the earth and all that is between them without purpose! That is the consideration of those who disbelieve! Then woe to those who disbelieve from the Fire!) (38:27) He also said:
("Did you think that We had created you in play (without any purpose), and that you would not be brought back to Us'' So Exalted be Allah, the True King: None has the right to be worshipped but He, the Lord of the Supreme Throne!) (23:115-116) Allah said:
(He explains the Ayat in detail for people who have knowledge.) In other words, He explained the signs and proofs for people who know. Allah further stated:
(Verily, in the alternation of the night and the day) The day and the night alternate, when one arrives, the other goes, and so on, with no errors. This is similar to the meaning indicated in the following Ayat:
(He brings the night as a cover over the day, seeking it rapidly...).
(It is not for the sun to overtake the moon.) (36:40), and
((He is the) Cleaver of the daybreak. He has appointed the night for resting). (6:96) Allah continued:
(and in all that Allah has created in the heavens and the earth) meaning the signs that indicate His greatness. This is similar to Allah's statements:
(And how many a sign in the heavens and the earth...) (12:105),
("Say: "Behold all that is in the heavens and the earth,'' but neither Ayat nor warners benefit those who believe not.) (10:101)
(See they not what is before them and what is behind them, of the heaven and the earth.) (34:9).
(Verily, in the creation of the heavens and the earth, and in the alternation of night and day, there are indeed signs for men of understanding.) (3:190) means intelligent men. Allah said here,
(Ayat for those who have Taqwa.) meaning fear Allah's punishment, wrath and torment.
(7. Verily, those who hope not for their meeting with Us, but are pleased and satisfied with the life of the present world, and those who are heedless of Our Ayat,) (8. Those, their abode will be the Fire, because of what they used to earn.)
إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ وَعَمِلُواْ ٱلصَّـٰلِحَـٰتِ يَہۡدِيهِمۡ رَبُّہُم بِإِيمَـٰنِہِمۡۖ تَجۡرِى مِن تَحۡتِہِمُ ٱلۡأَنۡهَـٰرُ فِى جَنَّـٰتِ ٱلنَّعِيمِ
Indeed, those who have believed and done righteous deeds – their Lord will guide them because of their faith. Beneath them rivers will flow in the Gardens of Pleasure.
Allah describes the state of the wretched who disbelieved in the meeting with Allah on the Day of Resurrection and did not look forward to it, who were well-pleased with the life of this world and at rest in it. Al-Hasan said: "They adorned it and praised it until they were well pleased with it. Whereas they were heedless of Allah's signs in the universe, they did not contemplate them. They were also heedless of Allah's Laws, for they didn't abide by them. Their abode on the Day of Return is Fire, a reward for what they have earned in their worldly life from among their sins and crimes. That is beside their disbelief in Allah, His Messenger and the Last Day.''
(9. Verily, those who believe and do deeds of righteousness, their Lord will guide them through their faith; under them will flow rivers in the Gardens of delight (Paradise).) (10. Their way of request therein will be: "Glory to You, O Allah!'' and "Salam'' (peace, safety from evil) will be their greetings therein! And the close of their request will be: "All praise is due to Allah, the Lord of all that exists.'')
دَعۡوَٮٰهُمۡ فِيہَا سُبۡحَـٰنَكَ ٱللَّهُمَّ وَتَحِيَّتُہُمۡ فِيہَا سَلَـٰمٌ۬ۚ وَءَاخِرُ دَعۡوَٮٰهُمۡ أَنِ ٱلۡحَمۡدُ لِلَّهِ رَبِّ ٱلۡعَـٰلَمِينَ
Their call therein will be, "Exalted are You, O Allah," and their greeting therein will be, "Peace." And the last of their call will be, "Praise to Allah, Lord of the worlds!”
Allah describes the state of the wretched who disbelieved in the meeting with Allah on the Day of Resurrection and did not look forward to it, who were well-pleased with the life of this world and at rest in it. Al-Hasan said: "They adorned it and praised it until they were well pleased with it. Whereas they were heedless of Allah's signs in the universe, they did not contemplate them. They were also heedless of Allah's Laws, for they didn't abide by them. Their abode on the Day of Return is Fire, a reward for what they have earned in their worldly life from among their sins and crimes. That is beside their disbelief in Allah, His Messenger and the Last Day.''
(9. Verily, those who believe and do deeds of righteousness, their Lord will guide them through their faith; under them will flow rivers in the Gardens of delight (Paradise).) (10. Their way of request therein will be: "Glory to You, O Allah!'' and "Salam'' (peace, safety from evil) will be their greetings therein! And the close of their request will be: "All praise is due to Allah, the Lord of all that exists.'')