21. Al-Anbiya'
In the Name of Allah, the Most
Beneficent, the Most Merciful.
1. Draws near for
mankind their reckoning, while they turn away in heedlessness.
2. Comes not unto
them an admonition (a chapter of the Qur'an) from their
Lord as a recent revelation but they listen to it while they play,
3. With their hearts
occupied (with evil things) those who do wrong, conceal their
private counsels, (saying): "Is this (Muhammad ) more than a human being like
you? Will you submit to magic while you see it?"
4. He (Muhammad ) said: "My Lord knows (every)
word (spoken) in the heavens and on earth. And He is the All-Hearer,
the All-Knower."
5. Nay, they say:"These
(revelations of the Qur'an which are inspired to Muhammad
) are mixed up false dreams! Nay,
he has invented it! Nay, he is a poet! Let him then bring us
an Ayah (sign as a proof) like the ones (Prophets)
that were sent before (with signs)!"
6. Not one of the
towns (populations), of those which We destroyed, believed before
them (though We sent them signs), will they then believe?
7. And We sent not
before you (O Muhammad )
but men to whom We inspired, so ask the people of the Reminder
[Scriptures - the Taurat (Torah), the Injeel (Gospel)] if
you do not know.
8. And We did not
create them (the Messengers, with) bodies that ate not food, nor
were they immortals,
9. Then We fulfilled
to them the promise, and We saved them and those whom We willed,
but We destroyed Al-Musrifun (i.e. extravagants in
oppression, polytheism and in sin).
10. Indeed, We have
sent down for you (O mankind) a Book, (the Qur'an) in which
there is Dhikrukum, (your Reminder or an honour for you
i.e. honour for the one who follows the teaching of the Qur'an
and acts on its orders). Will you not then understand?
11. How many a town
(community), that were wrong-doers, have We destroyed, and raised
up after them another people!
12. Then, when they
perceived (saw) Our Torment (coming), behold, they (tried to)
flee from it.
13. Flee not, but
return to that wherein you lived a luxurious life, and to your
homes, in order that you may be questioned.
14. They cried: "Woe
to us! Certainly! We have been Zalimun (polytheists,
wrong-doers and disbelievers in the Oneness of Allah, etc.)."
15. And that cry
of theirs ceased not, till We made them as a field that is reaped,
extinct (dead).
16. We created not
the heavens and the earth and all that is between them for a (mere)
play .
17. Had We intended
to take a pastime (i.e. a wife or a son, etc.), We could surely
have taken it from Us, if We were going to do (that).
18. Nay, We fling
(send down) the truth (this Qur'an) against the falsehood
(disbelief), so it destroys it, and behold, it (falsehood) is
vanished. And woe to you for that (lie) which you ascribe (to
Us) (against Allah by uttering that Allah has a wife
and a son).
19. To Him belongs
whosoever is in the heavens and on earth. And those who are near
Him (i.e. the angels) are not too proud to worship Him, nor are
they weary (of His worship).
20. They (i.e. the
angels) glorify His Praises night and day, (and) they never slacken
(to do so).
21. Or have they
taken (for worship) aliha (gods) from the earth who
raise the dead?
22. Had there been
therein (in the heavens and the earth) gods besides Allah,
then verily both would have been ruined. Glorified be Allah,
the Lord of the Throne, (High is He) above what they attribute
to Him!
23. He cannot be
questioned as to what He does, while they will be questioned.
24. Or have they
taken for worship (other) aliha (gods) besides Him?
Say: "Bring your proof:" This (the Qur'an) is
the Reminder for those with me and the Reminder for those before
me. But most of them know not the Truth, so they are averse.
25. And We did not
send any Messenger before you (O Muhammad ) but We inspired him (saying):
La ilaha illa Ana [none has the right to be
worshipped but I (Allah)], so worship Me (Alone and none
else)."
26. And they say:
"The Most Beneficent (Allah) has begotten a son (or
children)." Glory to Him! They [those whom they call children
of Allah i.e. the angels, 'Iesa (Jesus) son of Maryam (Mary),
'Uzair (Ezra), etc.], are but honoured slaves.
27. They speak not
until He has spoken, and they act on His Command.
28. He knows what
is before them, and what is behind them, and they cannot intercede
except for him with whom He is pleased. And they stand in awe
for fear of Him.
29. And if any of
them should say: "Verily, I am an ilah (a god)
besides Him (Allah)," such a one We should recompense
with Hell. Thus We recompense the Zalimun (polytheists
and wrong-doers, etc.).
30. Have not those
who disbelieve known that the heavens and the earth were joined
together as one united piece, then We parted them? And We have
made from water every living thing. Will they not then believe?
31. And We have placed
on the earth firm mountains, lest it should shake with them, and
We placed therein broad highways for them to pass through, that
they may be guided.
32. And We have made
the heaven a roof, safe and well guarded. Yet they turn away from
its signs (i.e. sun, moon, winds, clouds, etc.).
33. And He it is
Who has created the night and the day, and the sun and the moon,
each in an orbit floating.
34. And We granted
not to any human being immortality before you (O Muhammad ), then if you die, would they
live forever?
35. Everyone is going
to taste death, and We shall make a trial of you with evil and
with good, and to Us you will be returned.
36. And when those
who disbelieve (in the Oneness of Allah) see you (O Muhammad
), they take you not except for
mockery (saying): "Is this the one who talks (badly) about
your gods?" While they disbelieve at the mention of the Most
Beneficent (Allah). [Tafsir. Al-Qurtubi].
37. Man is created
of haste, I will show you My Ayat (torments, proofs,
evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.).So ask Me
not to hasten (them).
38. And they say:
"When will this promise (come to pass), if you are truthful."
39. If only those
who disbelieved knew (the time) when they will not be able to
ward off the Fire from their faces, nor from their backs; and
they will not be helped.
40. Nay, it (the
Fire or the Day of Resurrection) will come upon them all of a
sudden and will perplex them, and they will have no power to avert
it, nor will they get respite.
41. Indeed (many)
Messengers were mocked before you (O Muhammad ), but the scoffers were surrounded
by that, whereat they used to mock.
42. Say: "Who
can guard and protect you in the night or in the day from the
(punishment of the) Most Beneficent (Allah)?" Nay,
but they turn away from the remembrance of their Lord.
43. Or have they
aliha (gods) who can guard them from Us? They have
no power to help themselves, nor can they be protected from Us
(i.e. from Our Torment).
44. Nay, We gave
the luxuries of this life to these men and their fathers until
the period grew long for them. See they not that We gradually
reduce the land (in their control) from its outlying borders?
Is it then they who will overcome.
45. Say (O Muhammad
): "I warn you only by the
revelation (from Allah and not by the opinion of the religious
scholars and others). But the deaf (who follow the religious scholars
and others blindly) will not hear the call, (even) when they are
warned [(i.e. one should follow only the Qur'an and the
Sunnah (legal ways, orders, acts of worship, statements
of Prophet Muhammad
, as the Companions of the Prophet
did)].
46. And if a breath
(minor calamity) of the Torment of your Lord touches them, they
will surely cry: "Woe unto us! Indeed we have been Zalimun
(polytheists and wrong-doers, etc.).
47. And We shall
set up balances of justice on the Day of Resurrection, then none
will be dealt with unjustly in anything. And if there be the weight
of a mustard seed, We will bring it. And Sufficient are We as
Reckoners.
48. And indeed We
granted to Musa (Moses) and Harun (Aaron) the
criterion (of right and wrong), and a shining light [i.e. the
Taurat (Torah)] and a Reminder for Al-Muttaqun
(the pious - see V.2:2).
49. Those who fear
their Lord without seeing Him, while they are afraid of the Hour.
50. And this is a
blessed Reminder (the Qur'an) which We have sent down, will
you then (dare to) deny it?
51. And indeed We
bestowed aforetime on Ibrahim (Abraham) his (portion of)
guidance, and We were Well-Acquainted with him (as to his Belief
in the Oneness of Allah, etc.).
52. When he said
to his father and his people: "What are these images, to
which you are devoted?"
53. They said:"We
found our fathers worshipping them."
54. He said: "Indeed
you and your fathers have been in manifest error."
55. They said: "Have
you brought us the truth, or are you one of those who play about?"
56. He said: "Nay,
your Lord is the Lord of the heavens and the earth, Who created
them and of that I am one of the witnesses.
57. "And by
Allah, I shall plot a plan (to destroy) your idols after
you have gone away and turned your backs."
58. So he broke them
to pieces, (all) except the biggest of them, that they might turn
to it.
59. They said: "Who
has done this to our aliha (gods)? He must indeed
be one of the wrong-doers."
60. They said: "We
heard a young man talking (against) them who is called Ibrahim
(Abraham)."
61. They said: "Then
bring him before the eyes of the people, that they may testify."
62. They said: "Are
you the one who has done this to our gods, O Ibrahim (Abraham)?"
63. [Ibrahim
(Abraham)] said: "Nay, this one, the biggest of them (idols)
did it. Ask them, if they can speak!"
64. So they turned
to themselves and said: "Verily, you are the Zalimun
(polytheists and wrong-doers)."
65. Then they turned
to themselves (their first thought and said): "Indeed you
[Ibrahim (Abraham)] know well that these (idols) speak not!"
66. [Ibrahim
(Abraham)] said: "Do you then worship besides Allah,
things that can neither profit you, nor harm you?
67. "Fie upon
you, and upon that which you worship besides Allah! Have
you then no sense?"
68. They said: "Burn
him and help your aliha (gods), if you will be doing."
69. We (Allah)
said: "O fire! Be you coolness and safety for Ibrahim
(Abraham)!"
70. And they wanted
to harm him, but We made them the worst losers.
71. And We rescued
him and Lout (Lot) to the land which We have blessed for the 'Alamin
(mankind and jinns).
72. And We bestowed
upon him Ishaque (Isaac), and (a grandson) Ya'qub
(Jacob). Each one We made righteous.
73. And We made them
leaders, guiding (mankind) by Our Command, and We inspired in
them the doing of good deeds, performing Salat (Iqamat-as-Salat),
and the giving of Zakat and of Us (Alone) they were
worshippers.
74. And (remember)
Lout (Lot), We gave him Hukman (right judgement of the
affairs and Prophethood) and (religious) knowledge, and We saved
him from the town (folk) who practised Al-Khaba'ith
(evil, wicked and filthy deeds, etc.). Verily, they were a people
given to evil, and were Fasiqun (rebellious,
disobedient, to Allah).
75. And We admitted
him to Our Mercy, truly, he was of the righteous.
76. And (remember)
Nuh (Noah), when he cried (to Us) aforetime. We listened
to his invocation and saved him and his family from great distress.
77. We helped him
against people who denied Our Ayat (proofs, evidences,
verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.). Verily, they were
a people given to evil. So We drowned them all.
78. And (remember)
Dawud (David) and Sulaiman (Solomon), when they gave
judgement in the case of the field in which the sheep of certain
people had pastured at night and We were witness to their judgement.
79. And We made Sulaiman
(Solomon) to understand (the case), and to each of them We gave
Hukman (right judgement of the affairs and Prophethood)
and knowledge. And We subjected the mountains and the birds to
glorify Our Praises along with Dawud (David), And it was
We Who were the doers (of all these things).
80. And We taught
him the making of metal coats of mail (for battles), to protect
you in your fighting. Are you then grateful?
81. And to Sulaiman
(Solomon) (We subjected) the wind strongly raging, running by
his command towards the land which We had blessed. And of everything
We are the All-Knower.
82. And of the Shayatin
(devils) (from the jinns) were some who dived for him, and did
other work besides that; and it was We Who guarded them.
83. And (remember)
Ayub (Job), when he cried to his Lord: "Verily, distress
has seized me, and You are the Most Merciful of all those who
show mercy."
84. So We answered
his call, and We removed the distress that was on him, and We
restored his family to him (that he had lost), and the like thereof
along with them, as a mercy from Ourselves and a Reminder for
all who worship Us.
85. And (remember)
Isma'il (Ishmael), and Idris (Enoch) and Dhul-Kifl (Isaiah),
all were from among As-Sabirin (the patient ones,
etc.).
86. And We admitted
them to Our Mercy. Verily, they were of the righteous.
87. And (remember)
Dhan-Nun (Jonah), when he went off in anger, and
imagined that We shall not punish him (i.e. the calamites which
had befallen him)! But he cried through the darkness (saying):
La ilaha illa Anta [none has the right to be
worshipped but You (O Allah)], Glorified (and Exalted) are
You [above all that (evil) they associate with You]. Truly, I
have been of the wrong-doers."
88. So We answered
his call, and delivered him from the distress. And thus We do
deliver the believers (who believe in the Oneness of Allah,
abstain from evil and work righteousness).
89. And (remember)
Zakariya (Zachariah), when he cried to his Lord: "O My Lord!
Leave me not single (childless), though You are the Best of the
inheritors."
90. So We answered
his call, and We bestowed upon him Yahya (John), and cured his
wife (to bear a child) for him. Verily, they used to hasten on
to do good deeds, and they used to call on Us with hope and fear,
and used to humble themselves before Us.
91. And (remember)
she who guarded her chastity [Virgin Maryam (Mary)], We breathed
into (the sleeves of) her (shirt or garment) [through Our Ruh
Jibrael (Gabriel)],
and We made her and her son ['Iesa (Jesus)] a sign for Al-'Alamin
(the mankind and jinns).
92. Truly! This,
your Ummah [Sharia or religion (Islamic Monotheism)]
is one religion, and I am your Lord, therefore worship Me (Alone).
[Tafsir Ibn Kathir]
93. But they have
broken up and differed as regards their religion among themselves.
(And) they all shall return to Us.
94. So whoever does
righteous good deeds while he is a believer (in the Oneness of
Allah Islamic Monotheism), his efforts will not be
rejected. Verily! We record it in his Book of deeds.
95. And a ban is
laid on every town (population) which We have destroyed that they
shall not return (to this world again, nor repent to Us).
96. Until, when Ya'juj
and Ma'juj (Gog and Magog)
are let loose (from their barrier), and they swiftly swarm from
every mound.
97. And the true
promise (Day of Resurrection) shall draw near (of fulfillment).
Then (when mankind is resurrected from their graves), you shall
see the eyes of the disbelievers fixedly stare in horror. (They
will say): "Woe to us! We were indeed heedless of this; nay,
but we were Zalimun (polytheists and wrong-doers,
etc.)."
98. Certainly! You
(disbelievers) and that which you are worshipping now besides
Allah, are (but) fuel for Hell! (Surely), you will enter
it.
99. Had these (idols,
etc.) been aliha (gods), they would not have entered
there (Hell), and all of them will abide therein.
100. Therein breathing
out with deep sighs and roaring will be their portion, and therein
they will hear not.
101. Verily those
for whom the good has preceded from Us, they will be removed far
therefrom (Hell) [e.g. 'Iesa (Jesus), son of Maryam (Mary); 'Uzair
(Ezra), etc.].
102. They shall not
hear the slightest sound of it (Hell), while they abide in that
which their ownselves desire.
103. The greatest
terror (on the Day of Resurrection) will not grieve them, and
the angels will meet them, (with the greeting): "This is
your Day which you were promised."
104. And (remember)
the Day when We shall roll up the heavens like a scroll rolled
up for books, as We began the first creation, We shall repeat
it, (it is) a promise binding upon Us. Truly, We shall do it.
105. And indeed We
have written in Zabur (Psalms) [i.e. all the revealed Holy
Books the Taurat (Torah), the Injeel (Gospel), the Qur'an]
after (We have already written in) Al-Lauh Al-Mahfuz
(the Book, that is in the heaven with Allah), that My righteous
slaves shall inherit the land (i.e. the land of Paradise).
106. Verily, in this
(the Qur'an) there is a plain Message for people who worship
Allah (i.e. the true, real believers of Islamic
Monotheism who act practically on the Qur'an and the Sunnah
legal ways of the Prophet ).
107. And We have
sent you (O Muhammad )
not but as a mercy for the 'Alamin (mankind, jinns
and all that exists).
108. Say (O Muhammad
): "It is revealed to me that
your Ilah (God) is only one Ilah (God
- Allah). Will you then submit to His Will (become Muslims
and stop worshipping others besides Allah)?"
109. But if they
(disbelievers, idolaters, Jews, Christians, polytheists, etc.)
turn away (from Islamic Monotheism) say (to them O Muhammad
): "I give you a notice (of
war as) to be known to us all alike. And I know not whether that
which you are promised (i.e. the torment or the Day of Resurrection)
is near or far."
110. (Say O Muhammad
) Verily, He (Allah) knows
that which is spoken aloud (openly) and that which you conceal.
111. And I know not,
perhaps it may be a trial for you, and an enjoyment for a while.
112. He (Muhammad
) said:"My Lord! Judge You
in truth! Our Lord is the Most Beneficent, Whose Help is to be
sought against that which you attribute (unto Allah that
He has offspring, and unto Muhammad
that he is a sorcerer, and unto the Qur'an that it is poetry,
etc.)!"
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