THE QURAN - Synopsis

THE QURAN.

Abstract.

THE NATURE OF ALLAH.

Allah is the one true God, the sole Creator and Lord of all worlds. He is the Most Compassionate, Most Merciful, the Ever-Living, and All-Sustaining. He is the First and the Last, the Originator of heavens and earth, possessing absolute authority over them. His knowledge is perfect and encompasses all things, both seen and unseen, including the secrets of hearts. He is All-Powerful, All-Wise, All-Hearing, and All-Seeing. Nothing in creation is like Him. He has no offspring, mate, or partners, and is Self-Sufficient, needing nothing from His creation. All praise and glorification are due to Him. His command is absolute; when He decrees a matter, He says, "Be," and it is. He has taken mercy upon Himself, and His mercy encompasses everything. He guides whomever He wills and leaves others to stray. All matters return to Him for judgment, which is swift and just. He is the ultimate Protector and Helper.

REVELATION AND SCRIPTURE.

Allah reveals His guidance through messengers, sending down scriptures as a light and a standard for humanity. He revealed the Torah to Moses and the Gospel to Jesus, and ultimately the Quran to Muhammad, confirming and superseding previous revelations. The Quran is a clear, perfectly explained book in the Arabic language, containing no crookedness. It serves as a reminder, a warning, a guide, and a mercy for believers. Its divine origin is proven by its inimitability; humans and jinn together could not produce its like. Allah has guaranteed its preservation. Those who deny or ridicule its verses face severe punishment. It is not poetry or magic, but the word of the Lord of all worlds, delivered by the trustworthy spirit, Gabriel.

PROPHETS AND MESSENGERS.

Allah sent messengers to every community to warn them and call them to worship Him alone. He chose Adam, Noah, Abraham, and the families of Imran and Jacob, favoring them above others. Prophets, including Moses, Jesus, Ishmael, Job, Jonah, Solomon, David, Lot, and Muhammad, were all human beings who received revelation. They did not possess treasures, know the unseen, or claim divinity. Their duty was only to deliver the message clearly. They were often rejected, mocked, and persecuted by their people, with some being unjustly killed. However, Allah's promise is that His messengers and their followers will always prevail. Muhammad is the final messenger, sent as a mercy to all worlds. Abraham is presented as an upright role model, who was neither a Jew nor a Christian, but a submitted monotheist.

CORE BELIEFS AND THE HEREAFTER.

True faith is belief in Allah, His angels, His books, His messengers, and the Last Day. All souls will taste death, and the Hour of Judgment is inevitable and its knowledge rests with Allah alone. On that Day, the earth and mountains will be crushed, the sky will split open, and all will be resurrected to stand before Allah. Deeds will be weighed on scales of justice; no soul will be wronged. Each person will receive a record of their deeds. The believers will receive it in their right hand, rejoice, and enter Paradise. The wicked will receive it in their left hand, lament their fate, and be cast into Hell. No ransom, intercession, or friendship will avail on that Day, except by Allah's permission. This worldly life is a fleeting enjoyment and a test, whereas the Hereafter is the eternal home.

HUMANKIND: CREATION, PURPOSE, AND DIVISIONS.

Allah created humanity from a single soul, Adam, from clay, and then from a sperm-drop. Humanity's purpose is to worship Allah. Humans are given free will to choose between gratitude and ingratitude. Those who believe and do good are promised forgiveness and the finest reward: Gardens of Bliss with pure spouses, where they will reside forever, enjoying whatever they desire. Their faces will be bright, and they will have no fear or grief.

Disbelievers, who deny Allah's signs and the Hereafter, are driven by arrogance, falsehood, and blind following of their ancestors. Their deeds will be rendered void, and they are promised a severe and humiliating punishment in Hell. They will be dragged on their faces, given boiling water and pus to drink, and their skin will be replaced as it burns. They will have no helpers and will remain there forever, filled with regret.

Hypocrites are those who profess belief but conceal disbelief. They seek to deceive Allah and the believers, spread discord, and avoid struggle. They are cowards who ally with disbelievers and rejoice in the believers' misfortunes. They are promised the lowest depths of the Fire.

DIVINE LAW AND GUIDANCE.

Allah has ordained a way of life, with laws for guidance. The foremost command is to worship Him alone, associating no partners with Him. Devotion is shown through prayer, charity (alms-tax), fasting, and pilgrimage to the Sacred House in Mecca. Believers must establish justice, even against themselves or their kin. Righteousness includes kindness to parents, relatives, orphans, and the poor.

Dietary laws forbid carrion, blood, swine, and that which is slaughtered in another's name. Intoxicants and gambling are great evils. Rulings are provided for marriage, dowry, and divorce, emphasizing honorable treatment. Inheritance laws detail the specific shares for relatives. The law of retaliation is prescribed for murder, though pardoning and accepting blood-money is a mercy. Fighting is permitted in self-defense against aggressors and persecution, but transgressing limits is forbidden. Oaths must be honored, and promises fulfilled.

STORIES OF PAST NATIONS.

The Quran recounts stories of past peoples as lessons. The people of Noah were drowned in a flood for rejecting him. Ad and Thamud were destroyed by a furious wind and a mighty blast for their arrogance. Pharaoh and his armies were drowned for persecuting Moses and the Israelites, who were then delivered. The people of Lot were destroyed by a rain of brimstone for their shameful deeds. The people of Shu'aib were overtaken by an earthquake for their dishonesty. These societies were destroyed for their wrongdoing after messengers came to them with clear proofs.

SATAN AND EVIL.

Satan (Iblis) is a sworn enemy to humanity. He was one of the jinn who, out of arrogance, refused to prostrate to Adam when commanded by Allah. He was cursed and vowed to mislead humanity by tempting them with false hopes and inciting evil, indecency, and discord. He has no authority over true believers who put their trust in Allah. Believers are commanded to seek refuge in Allah from Satan's whispers and not to follow his footsteps. 

Synopsis of The Quran. 

Surah 1. The Opening (Al Fatihah).

A Prayer for Guidance.

In the name of Allah, the Most Compassionate, Most Merciful. All praise is for Allah, Lord of all worlds—the Most Compassionate, Most Merciful, and Master of the Day of Judgment. It is You alone we worship, and You alone we ask for help. Guide us along the Straight Path: the path of those You have blessed, not of those You are displeased with, nor of those who are astray.

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Surah 2. The Cow (Al Baqarah).

The Nature of Faith and Unbelief.

This Book, the Quran, is a guide free of any doubt for those who are mindful of Allah. The truly guided are the believers who have faith in the unseen, establish prayer, and donate from what has been provided to them. They believe in the revelations sent to the Prophet Muhammad and those before him, and they hold a firm conviction in the Hereafter. It is these who are guided by their Lord and who will be successful.

In contrast, for those who persist in disbelief, warnings are futile, for they will never believe. Allah has sealed their hearts and their hearing, and a veil covers their sight, with a tremendous punishment awaiting them.

Then there are the hypocrites, who claim to believe in Allah and the Last Day but are not true believers. They seek to deceive Allah and the faithful, yet they only deceive themselves without perceiving it. A sickness lies in their hearts, which Allah allows to increase, leading to a painful punishment for their deceptions. When told not to spread corruption, they assert they are merely peacemakers, though they are the true corruptors. When asked to believe as others do, they label the faithful as fools, while they themselves are the true fools. They profess belief when among believers, but when with their evil associates, they confess they were only mocking. Allah will turn their mockery against them, leaving them to wander blindly in their defiance, for they have made a profitless trade of guidance for misguidance.

Parables of Hypocrisy.

The example of the hypocrites is like one who kindles a fire; once it lights up the surroundings, Allah takes away their light, leaving them in darkness, unable to see. They are deaf, dumb, and blind, unable to return to the right path. Another parable is of those caught in a great storm from the sky, filled with darkness, thunder, and lightning. They thrust their fingers into their ears at each thunderclap, fearing death, but Allah’s power encompasses all disbelievers. The lightning almost snatches away their sight; they walk in its flashes of light but stand still when darkness returns. If Allah willed, He could remove their hearing and sight, for His power is absolute.

The Call to Monotheism.

All of humanity is called to worship their Lord, who created them and those who came before. It is He who made the earth a stable settlement and the sky a canopy, sending down rain to provide fruits for sustenance. Therefore, one must not knowingly set up equals to Allah in worship. If there is any doubt about the divine origin of this revelation, a challenge is issued: produce a single chapter like it, calling upon any helpers besides Allah. But this can never be done. Thus, one should fear the Fire, fueled by people and stones, prepared for those who disbelieve.

Divine Justice and Wisdom.

Good news is given to those who believe and perform good deeds: they will be rewarded with Gardens under which rivers flow. In these gardens, they will receive fruits that look familiar but taste wondrously different, and they will have pure companions, residing there forever. Allah is not reluctant to present a parable, whether of a mosquito or something even smaller. Believers recognize such parables as truth from their Lord, while disbelievers question their purpose. Through these tests, Allah allows many to stray and guides many, though only the rebellious are truly lost—those who violate Allah’s covenant, sever the ties He commanded to be maintained, and spread corruption on earth.

The Story of Adam.

The creation story begins with a reminder not to deny Allah, who gives life, causes death, and will bring all back for the final return. When the Lord informed the angels that He would place a successive authority on earth, they questioned if it would be one who would cause corruption and shed blood. Allah replied, "I know what you do not know." He taught Adam the names of all things and challenged the angels to name them; they could not, admitting their knowledge was limited to what He had taught them. After Adam demonstrated his knowledge, Allah commanded the angels to prostrate to him. All obeyed except Iblis (Satan), who refused out of arrogance and thus became unfaithful.

Adam and his wife were placed in Paradise with the freedom to eat from its bounties, but they were warned not to approach a particular tree. Satan deceived them, causing their expulsion from that state of bliss. They were sent down to earth as adversaries to one another, given a temporary residence and provision. Adam received words of prayer from his Lord, who accepted his repentance. It was decreed that guidance would come from Allah; whoever followed it would have no fear or grief, but those who disbelieved would reside in the Fire forever.

The Covenant with the Children of Israel.

The Children of Israel are called to remember Allah's favors and to fulfill their covenant. They are urged to believe in the revelations that confirm their own scriptures and not to trade them for a fleeting gain. They are admonished for preaching righteousness while failing to practice it, and are told to seek help through patience and prayer.

A long list of divine favors is recounted to them: their honor above other nations; their deliverance from Pharaoh's brutal persecution; the parting of the sea for their escape and the drowning of their enemies; forgiveness for their worship of the golden calf; the revelation of the Torah to Moses; a method of repentance for their great sin; and forgiveness for their insolent demand to see Allah. They were also provided with manna, quails, and shade in the wilderness, as well as twelve springs of water gushing from a rock. Despite these blessings, they complained about their divine food and asked for common produce. For their persistent disobedience, rejection of signs, and unjust killing of prophets, they were struck with disgrace and misery.

It is affirmed that believers—whether originally Jews, Christians, or Sabians—who truly have faith in Allah and the Last Day and do good will have their reward without fear or grief. However, the Israelites are reminded of how they broke their covenant at the mountain and how their Sabbath-breakers were turned into disgraced apes as a lesson.

The story of the cow, from which this chapter takes its name, is told. When a man was murdered, Moses was commanded to have the people sacrifice a cow. They responded with endless questions about its age, color, and characteristics, slaughtering it only with great reluctance. When a piece of the cow was struck against the dead man, he was brought back to life by Allah’s power. Yet, even after such a clear sign, their hearts remained as hard as rock.

Israel's Rejection of Truth.

The Israelites are further condemned for knowingly corrupting the word of Allah after hearing it. Among them were the illiterate who relied on hearsay and speculation. Woe is pronounced upon those who alter scripture with their own hands for personal gain. They falsely claimed the Fire of Hell would only touch them for a limited time, but eternal punishment is for those engrossed in sin.

They repeatedly violated their covenants not to shed each other's blood or expel one another, believing in parts of their scripture while rejecting others. They rejected a succession of prophets, including Jesus, who came with clear proofs and the support of the holy spirit, killing some and dismissing others out of arrogance. Though they once prayed for a prophet to bring them victory, they rejected him when he arrived.

Magic, Abrogation, and Abraham's True Faith.

The Israelites are also criticized for following satanic magic during the reign of Solomon, who never disbelieved, but the devils did. They were tested by two angels in Babylon, Harut and Marut, who taught magic but warned it was a trial. Yet, they learned what would harm them, selling their share in the Hereafter.

Guidance is offered to believers on proper conduct and speech. The principle of abrogation is explained: Allah replaces any verse with one that is better or similar, for He has power over all things. Many People of the Book wish to turn believers back to disbelief out of envy, but believers are advised to pardon them and remain steadfast in prayer and charity.

The exclusive claims to Paradise by Jews and Christians are dismissed as mere desires; salvation is for anyone who submits to Allah and does good. The story then turns to Abraham, who, with his son Ishmael, raised the foundations of the Sacred House (the Ka'ba) in Mecca. They prayed for Allah to accept their work, make their descendants a nation submissive to Him, and raise a messenger from among them. The true faith is the monotheistic path of Abraham, the upright, which was also the final advice of Jacob to his sons.

The New Direction of Prayer and Rulings for the Community.

The change in the direction of prayer (Qibla) from Jerusalem to the Sacred Mosque in Mecca is addressed. This change served as a test to distinguish the true followers from those who would turn back. Believers are commanded to turn their faces toward the Sacred Mosque wherever they are.

Believers are instructed to seek comfort in patience and prayer, and to understand that those martyred in Allah’s cause are not dead but alive. They will face tests of fear, hunger, and loss, but good news is for the patient who, in adversity, affirm their return to Allah.

A host of laws and social guidelines are then laid out. These include rulings on the pilgrimage ritual at Safa and Marwah; dietary laws forbidding carrion, blood, pork, and meat not sacrificed in Allah’s name; and a strong definition of true righteousness, which encompasses faith, charity, prayer, keeping pledges, and patience. Laws of retaliation for murder, with concessions for blood-money, and the importance of making bequests are prescribed. The rules of fasting in Ramadan are detailed, with allowances for the sick and travelers, and the permissibility of intimacy with spouses during the nights of the fast. Fighting is permitted in self-defense against aggressors, with strict rules of engagement, particularly around the Sacred Mosque. Detailed rites of the Hajj pilgrimage are provided, along with further social laws concerning intoxicating drinks, gambling, marriage to non-believers, menstruation, oaths, and the complexities of divorce, including waiting periods, child nursing, and the rights of widows.

The Story of Saul and David.

The narrative shifts to the Israelites after Moses, who demanded a king to lead them in battle. Allah appointed Saul, but they objected due to his lack of wealth. The sign of his kingship was the return of the Ark of the Covenant. Saul tested his army’s discipline at a river; only a few remained faithful. This small force, trusting in Allah, faced the mighty army of Goliath. They prayed for perseverance and were victorious when David killed Goliath. David was then granted kingship and wisdom.

The Throne Verse and Proofs of Resurrection.

The chapter culminates with powerful declarations of faith. Believers are urged to donate before the Day of Judgment, when friendship and intercession will be of no avail. The majestic Throne Verse (Ayat al-Kursi) proclaims Allah’s absolute sovereignty: He is the Ever-Living, the All-Sustaining, whom neither slumber nor sleep overtakes, and His knowledge encompasses all things.

There is no compulsion in religion, for truth has been made distinct from falsehood. Proofs of resurrection are given through three stories: Abraham's debate with a king who claimed power over life and death; the man who was made to die for a century and was then revived by Allah; and Abraham's request to see how Allah brings the dead to life, which was demonstrated with four birds.

Charity, Interest, and Concluding Prayers.

The importance of sincere charity is illustrated with parables, contrasting the fruitful reward of giving for Allah’s pleasure with the wasted effort of giving for show or with hurtful reminders. The prohibition of interest (riba) is sternly reiterated, and kindness in collecting debts is encouraged. The chapter concludes with detailed instructions on documenting debts and the testimony required. It ends with an affirmation of the core articles of faith held by the Messenger and the believers, followed by a heartfelt prayer for forgiveness, mercy, and victory over the disbelievers.

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Surah 3. The Family of  Imran.

The Nature of Revelation.

Allah, the Ever-Living and All-Sustaining, has revealed the Book in truth, confirming the Torah and the Gospel that came before it as guidance for humanity. Within the Quran, some verses are precise and foundational, while others are more elusive. Those with deviant hearts pursue the elusive verses to create doubt, but only Allah knows their full meaning. The well-grounded in knowledge affirm their belief in the entire Book, recognizing it is all from their Lord. They pray for their hearts not to deviate after receiving guidance.

The wealth and children of disbelievers will offer no protection against Allah; they are fuel for the Fire, sharing a fate like that of Pharaoh's people. Worldly desires—such as spouses, children, wealth, and land—are fleeting pleasures, but the finest destination is with Allah. For the mindful, there are Gardens of eternal bliss, pure companions, and Allah's pleasure.

The Oneness of God and Islam.

Allah Himself, the angels, and people of knowledge bear witness that there is no god worthy of worship except Him, the Maintainer of justice. The only true way in the sight of Allah is Islam (submission to Him). Those who received the Scripture only disputed out of envy after knowledge had come to them. If they argue, the Prophet is to state that he and his followers have submitted to Allah. Those who deny Allah's signs, kill prophets unjustly, and murder those who advocate for justice will face a painful punishment. Their deeds are wasted in this life and the next.

The Stories of Zachariah, Mary, and Jesus.

Allah chose Adam, Noah, the family of Abraham, and the family of ’Imrân above all others. The wife of ’Imrân dedicated the child in her womb to Allah's service. When she gave birth to a girl, Mary, she sought Allah's protection for her and her offspring from Satan. Mary was accepted graciously and placed under the care of Zachariah. Whenever he visited her sanctuary, he found her miraculously supplied with provisions.

Inspired by this, Zachariah, though old and with a barren wife, prayed for a righteous heir. The angels announced the coming of a son, John, who would be a great leader, chaste, and a prophet, confirming the Word of Allah. As a sign, Zachariah was unable to speak for three days, communicating only through gestures.

The angels declared to Mary that Allah had chosen and purified her above all women of the world. They gave her the good news of a Word from Him, the Messiah, Jesus, son of Mary. He would be honored in this world and the Hereafter, would speak to people in infancy and adulthood, and would be among the righteous. Mary questioned how she could have a child when no man had touched her, and the angel replied that Allah creates what He wills; when He decrees a matter, He simply says, "Be!" and it is.

Jesus was sent as a messenger to the Children of Israel, with signs from his Lord. By Allah's will, he fashioned a bird from clay and breathed life into it, healed the blind and the leper, and raised the dead. He confirmed the Torah and legalized some of what had been forbidden. He called his people to be mindful of Allah and to worship Him alone on the Straight Path. When he sensed disbelief, his disciples affirmed their submission to Allah. The disbelievers plotted against Jesus, but Allah planned as well, and He is the best of planners. Allah informed Jesus that He would take him, raise him to Himself, and clear him of the disbelievers' falsehoods.

Debates with Christians and Jews.

The creation of Jesus is likened to that of Adam, who was created from dust and then brought into being by Allah's command, "Be!" Those who dispute this truth after knowledge has come are invited to a mutual curse upon the liars. The People of the Book are called to common terms: to worship none but Allah, associate no partners with Him, and not take one another as lords besides Him.

Abraham was neither a Jew nor a Christian, as the Torah and Gospel were revealed long after him. He was upright, a submitter to Allah, and not a polytheist. The people with the best claim to Abraham are his true followers, the Prophet Muhammad, and the believers. Some of the People of the Book wish to mislead believers, mixing truth with falsehood and knowingly concealing the truth. They are warned against breaking Allah's covenant for a fleeting gain.

No prophet whom Allah blessed with scripture and wisdom would ever command people to worship him instead of Allah. Rather, he would call them to be devoted servants of the Lord. Allah took a covenant with all prophets that they would believe in and support any messenger who came after them confirming their message.

The Only Accepted Path and Divine Justice.

Whoever seeks a religion other than Islam (submission), it will never be accepted, and they will be among the losers in the Hereafter. Allah will not guide a people who disbelieve after having believed and witnessed the truth. Their reward is condemnation from Allah, the angels, and all of humanity, with an eternal punishment in Hell that will not be lightened, unless they repent and mend their ways.

Believers will not attain true righteousness until they donate from what they cherish. All food was lawful for the Children of Israel except what Jacob made unlawful for himself before the Torah's revelation. Pilgrimage to the Sacred House in Mecca (Bakkah) is an obligation for all who are able.

Guidance for the Muslim Community.

Believers are warned not to yield to a faction of the People of the Book who would turn them back to disbelief. They are urged to be mindful of Allah, hold firmly to His rope, and remain united, remembering how Allah joined their hearts when they were enemies. They should be a community that calls to goodness, encourages right, and forbids wrong.

On the Day of Judgment, some faces will be bright and others gloomy. The bright-faced will be in Allah's mercy forever, while the gloomy-faced will be questioned about their disbelief. Muslims are described as the best community raised for humanity, for they encourage good, forbid evil, and believe in Allah.

Believers are advised not to form close associations with those who desire their suffering. If believers are patient and mindful, the schemes of their enemies will not harm them.

Lessons from the Battle of Uhud.

The narrative recalls the Battle of Uhud, where two groups of believers were about to falter before Allah reassured them. Victory at the Battle of Badr is mentioned as a reminder that Allah's help made them victorious when they were outnumbered. Allah's reinforcement with angels is a sign of victory, which comes from Him alone.

Muhammad is but a messenger, and if he were to die or be killed, believers should not turn back on their heels. Every soul dies only by Allah’s will at a predestined time. The steadfastness of past prophets and their followers, who never faltered despite their losses, is presented as an example. Their prayer was for forgiveness and victory, and Allah granted them the reward of this world and the Hereafter.

The believers' setback at Uhud occurred after their courage weakened and they disputed a command. Some desired worldly gain while others sought the Hereafter. Their retreat in panic, while the Messenger called to them from behind, was a test. Those who fled were made to slip by Satan because of their misdeeds, but Allah pardoned them. It is Allah who gives life and causes death, and it is better to die in His cause than to accumulate worldly wealth. The Prophet's leniency towards the believers is a mercy from Allah. He is instructed to pardon them, seek forgiveness for them, and consult them in affairs.

Concluding Admonitions.

The stingy who withhold Allah's bounties are warned that their hoarded wealth will be hung around their necks on the Day of Judgment. Allah has heard the blasphemous claim of those who said, "Allah is poor; we are rich," and has recorded it along with their killing of the prophets. Every soul will taste death and receive its full reward on the Day of Judgment. Believers will be tested in their wealth and themselves, and they will hear hurtful words, but if they are patient and mindful, that is a matter of great resolve.

The Quran concludes with a description of people of reason, who remember Allah while standing, sitting, or lying down, and reflect on the creation of the heavens and the earth. They pray, "Our Lord, You have not created this without purpose. Protect us from the torment of the Fire." Their Lord responds to their prayers, promising that the deeds of no one, male or female, will be lost. Those who emigrated, were expelled, persecuted, fought, and were martyred for His sake will have their sins forgiven and be admitted into Gardens of eternal bliss.

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Surah 4. Women (An Nisa).

Rights of Orphans and Women.

Humanity is called to be mindful of their Lord, who created them from a single soul and from it, its mate, spreading from them countless men and women. Guardians are commanded to give orphans their property when they reach maturity and not to consume it unjustly, for that is a great sin. If one fears not being able to deal justly with orphan girls in marriage, they may marry other women of their choice—two, three, or four—but if they fear they cannot maintain justice among them, then they should marry only one or what their right hands possess.

Women must be given their dowries graciously. If they willingly waive a portion of it, it may be enjoyed freely. The incapable should not be entrusted with wealth, but should be provided for and spoken to kindly. Orphans' competence must be tested before their wealth is returned to them. A guardian who is well-off should take no compensation, but one who is poor may take a reasonable provision.

Laws of Inheritance.

A detailed legal framework for inheritance is established. Men and women both have an obligatory share in what their parents and close relatives leave. For children, the male's share is twice that of the female. Specific shares are designated for parents, spouses, and siblings based on the presence of children or other heirs. These laws are presented as the limits set by Allah; obeying them leads to Paradise, while disobeying them leads to a humiliating punishment in Hell.

Marriage and Family Law.

Those who commit illegal intercourse are to be disciplined. Allah accepts the repentance of those who commit evil in ignorance and repent soon after, but not of those who persist in sin until death or who die as disbelievers. It is forbidden to inherit women against their will or to mistreat them to reclaim part of their dowry. They must be treated fairly.

A list of women unlawful for marriage is provided, including mothers, daughters, sisters, aunts, foster-relatives, mothers-in-law, stepdaughters, daughters-in-law, and marrying two sisters simultaneously. Married women are also forbidden, except for female captives. If one cannot afford to marry a free believing woman, they may marry a believing bondwoman with her owner's permission.

Justice, Kindness, and Social Conduct.

Believers are forbidden from devouring one another’s wealth illegally and from killing one another. If major sins are avoided, lesser misdeeds will be absolved. Men are established as the caretakers of women, as they are tasked with supporting them financially. Righteous women are devoutly obedient. A process for marital reconciliation is outlined, starting with advice, followed by separation in bed, and gentle discipline if ill-conduct persists. If a split is feared, mediators from both families should be appointed.

A broad command for kindness is given: worship Allah alone and be good to parents, relatives, orphans, the poor, neighbors near and far, companions, travelers, and bondspeople. Allah dislikes the arrogant, the boastful, and the stingy.

The Stance on Disbelievers and Hypocrites.

Believers are instructed not to approach prayer while intoxicated or in a state of major impurity without first purifying themselves. If water is not available, purification with clean earth is permitted. The hypocrisy of some Jews is exposed; they take words out of context to mock the faith. They are warned to believe in the new revelation before they are condemned like the Sabbath-breakers.

The gravest sin is associating others with Allah in worship, which He will not forgive, though He may forgive lesser sins for whom He wills. Those who believe in idols and false gods and claim disbelievers are better guided have been condemned by Allah.

Believers are commanded to return trusts to their rightful owners and to judge with fairness. Obedience is due to Allah, the Messenger, and those in authority. Any disputes should be referred back to Allah and His Messenger. The hypocrites, however, claim to believe but seek the judgment of false authorities. When disaster strikes them due to their own deeds, they swear they intended only goodwill. Allah knows what is in their hearts, and they are to be cautioned with profound advice. True belief is not attained until they accept the Prophet as the judge in their disputes and submit to his decisions wholeheartedly.

Warfare, Emigration, and Prayer in Fear.

Believers are urged to take precautions and march forth in defense of the oppressed. Fighting in Allah's cause is for those who would sacrifice this life for the Hereafter. Those who cower from battle, fearing people as they should fear Allah, are reprimanded. Death is inescapable and will come at its divinely appointed time, even in fortified towers. Whatever good befalls a person is from Allah, and whatever evil is from their own self.

Obeying the Messenger is obeying Allah. Those who spread rumors of security or fear are told to refer such matters to the Messenger and those in authority for validation. The Prophet is told to fight in the cause of Allah, for he is accountable only for himself, and to motivate the believers.

Hypocrites are divided into two groups, and believers are told not to take them as allies unless they emigrate in Allah's cause. If they turn away and become hostile, they are to be fought. An exception is made for those allied with a people with whom there is a treaty, or those who approach with no desire to fight.

Rules for unintentional killing of a believer are set: freeing a believing slave and paying blood-money, with variations based on the victim's alliances. The punishment for intentionally killing a believer is Hell forever, with Allah's displeasure and condemnation. When fighting, believers must be sure of who they fight and not reject a greeting of peace for worldly gain.

The status of those who strive with their wealth and lives is higher than those who stay behind, though Allah has promised good to all. Angels will question the souls of those who wronged themselves by not emigrating from lands of oppression, asking if Allah's earth was not spacious enough. Exceptions are made for the truly helpless. Shortening prayers is permissible when traveling, especially in fear of an attack. Instructions are given for performing prayer in a state of fear, with one group praying while the other stands guard.

Justice, Falsehood, and Satan's Influence.

The Prophet is reminded that the Book was revealed to him to judge between people by what Allah has shown him. He must not be an advocate for the deceitful, and he must seek Allah's forgiveness. Whoever commits a sin and blames an innocent person bears the guilt of slander and blatant sin.

Most secret talks hold no good, except those encouraging charity, kindness, or reconciliation. Whoever defies the Messenger after guidance has become clear and follows a path other than the believers' will be left to their choice and then burned in Hell. Satan was cursed by Allah and vowed to take a portion of His servants, mislead them, delude them with empty hopes, and order them to alter Allah's creation.

The way of Abraham, the upright, is the best faith to follow. Allah chose him as a close friend. Justice must be maintained for female orphans. If a woman fears neglect from her husband, they may seek a fair settlement. While emotional justice between multiple wives is unattainable, a husband must not completely incline towards one, leaving another in suspense.

Final Admonitions and Clarifications.

The chapter closes by clarifying the Islamic stance on Jesus. The People of the Book are told not to go to extremes in their faith. The Messiah, Jesus, son of Mary, was a messenger of Allah and His Word delivered to Mary, and a spirit from Him. They are commanded to believe in Allah and His messengers and not to speak of a "Trinity." Allah is One God, far above having a son. The Messiah would never be too proud to be a servant of Allah, nor would the nearest angels.

A final ruling on inheritance is given for those who die without direct descendants or ascendants (kalalah). If a man dies childless and leaves a sister, she inherits half; if she dies childless, he inherits all. If there are two sisters, they inherit two-thirds. If there are brothers and sisters, the male's share is twice that of the female. Allah makes this clear so that believers do not go astray.

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Surah 5. The Spread Table (Al Maidah).

Fulfilling Covenants and Dietary Laws.

Believers are commanded to honor their obligations. All grazing livestock is lawful for consumption, except what is specifically announced and what is hunted during the state of pilgrimage. The rituals of Allah, the sacred months, and sacrificial animals must not be violated. Believers should cooperate in goodness and righteousness, not in sin and transgression.

Forbidden foods include carrion, blood, pork, and animals slaughtered in a name other than Allah's; those killed by strangling, beating, falling, being gored, or partly eaten by a predator (unless properly slaughtered); and what is sacrificed on altars. Drawing lots for decisions is also forbidden. On this day, Allah has perfected the religion, completed His favor, and chosen Islam as the way of life. The food of the People of the Book is permissible, and so is marriage to their chaste women, provided their dowries are paid.

Purification and Justice.

Instructions for purification before prayer are given: washing the face, hands up to the elbows, wiping the head, and washing the feet to the ankles. A full bath is required after a state of major impurity. If water is unavailable, purification with clean earth (tayammum) is permitted.

Believers must stand firm for Allah and bear true testimony. The hatred of a people should not lead to injustice. One must always be just, as it is closer to righteousness. Allah's covenant with the Children of Israel is recalled, where He appointed twelve leaders and promised forgiveness and Paradise if they established prayer, paid alms, believed in His messengers, and lent a good loan to Allah. However, for breaking their covenant, they were condemned and their hearts were hardened. They distorted the scriptures and neglected a part of their commands. A similar covenant was taken from Christians, but they too neglected a portion of it, leading to hostility and enmity among them until the Day of Judgment.

The True Nature of Jesus.

The Prophet has come to the People of the Book, revealing much of what they had hidden. Those who claim that Allah is the Messiah, son of Mary, have fallen into disbelief. The Messiah himself, his mother, and everyone on earth could be destroyed by Allah if He willed. The Jews and Christians claim to be Allah's children and beloved, but they are human like any other, subject to His punishment and forgiveness.

The Israelites' Defiance.

Moses reminded his people of Allah's favors and commanded them to enter the Holy Land destined for them. They refused, citing the powerful people dwelling there, and insolently told Moses, "Go—both you and your Lord—and fight; we are staying right here!" For this rebellion, the land was forbidden to them for forty years, during which they wandered in the wilderness.

The Story of Adam's Two Sons.

The story of Adam's two sons, Abel and Cain, is related. Both offered a sacrifice, but only Abel's was accepted. Consumed by jealousy, Cain killed his brother and became one of the losers. Allah then sent a crow that dug the earth to show Cain how to bury his brother's corpse, filling him with regret. From this, the decree was ordained for the Children of Israel: whoever takes a life—unless for murder or spreading mischief—it is as if they have killed all of humanity, and whoever saves a life, it is as if they have saved all of humanity.

Laws on Terrorism, Theft, and Judgment.

The penalty for those who wage war against Allah and His Messenger and spread mischief is death, crucifixion, the cutting off of hands and feet on opposite sides, or exile. As for thieves, both male and female, their hands are to be cut off as a deterrent punishment from Allah. However, repentance and reform can lead to Allah's forgiveness.

The Prophet is advised not to be grieved by those who race to disbelief. The Jews who eagerly listen to falsehood and distort scripture are warned. When they come for judgment, the Prophet may either judge between them with justice or turn away. They are questioned as to why they seek his judgment when they have the Torah, which contains Allah's judgment, yet they turn away from it. It is affirmed that the Torah, the Gospel, and the Quran were all revealed with guidance and light, and those who do not judge by what Allah has revealed are categorized as disbelievers, wrongdoers, or rebels.

Alliances and True Faith.

Believers are warned not to take Jews and Christians as guardians, for they are guardians of one another. The only true guardians are Allah, His Messenger, and fellow believers who establish prayer and give charity with humility. It is Allah’s party that will ultimately prevail. Making a mockery of the faith is condemned, as is the consumption of forbidden gains by rabbis and scholars who do not forbid sinful speech.

The Jewish claim that Allah's hand is tied is refuted; rather, His hands are outstretched, and He gives as He pleases. Whenever they ignite the fire of war, Allah extinguishes it. If the People of the Book had kept the faith, they would have been showered with provisions.

The Messenger's duty is only to convey the message, and Allah will protect him. It is reiterated that those who say Allah is the Messiah, or one in a Trinity, have disbelieved. The Messiah was no more than a messenger, and both he and his mother ate food, a sign of their humanity. The disbelievers among the Children of Israel were condemned through the words of David and Jesus for their disobedience and transgressions.

The most bitter enemies of the believers are the Jews and the polytheists, while the most gracious are the Christians, because among them are priests and monks who are not arrogant. When they hear the revelation, their eyes overflow with tears as they recognize the truth.

Oaths, Prohibitions, and Pilgrimage.

Believers are instructed not to forbid the good things Allah has made lawful. Thoughtless oaths are not held against a person, but deliberate oaths must be fulfilled or expiated by feeding or clothing ten poor people, freeing a slave, or fasting for three days. Intoxicants, gambling, idols, and drawing lots are evils of Satan's handiwork and must be shunned.

Hunting game is forbidden while on pilgrimage. If one does so intentionally, the penalty is to offer a domestic animal equivalent to the game killed, or to feed the poor, or to fast. Hunting and eating seafood, however, is lawful. The Ka'bah, the Sacred House, has been made a sanctuary for all people.

Jesus's Testimony on Judgment Day.

The chapter concludes with a scene from the Day of Judgment. Allah will remind Jesus of His favors upon him and his mother, including his miracles performed by Allah's will. The disciples' request for a table spread with food from heaven is recounted; Allah granted it but warned of a severe punishment for any who would disbelieve afterward.

Finally, Allah will ask Jesus if he ever told people to worship him and his mother as gods besides Allah. Jesus will respond in glorification, "Glory be to You! It was not for me to say what I had no right to say... I only told them what You commanded me: 'Worship Allah, my Lord and your Lord.'" He will affirm that he was a witness over them only while he was among them, and after he was taken, Allah was the Watcher over them. On that Day, only the truthful will benefit from their truthfulness. They will have Gardens of eternal bliss, with Allah pleased with them and they with Him. That is the ultimate triumph.

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Surah 6. Cattle (Al-Anam).

The Oneness and Power of the Creator.

All praise belongs to Allah, who created the heavens and the earth and made darkness and light, yet disbelievers set up equals to Him. He created humanity from clay and appointed a term for life and another for resurrection, yet people continue to doubt. He is the only true God in the heavens and on earth, knowing all that is concealed and revealed. The disbelievers turn away from every sign from their Lord, and they will soon face the consequences of their ridicule.

They are reminded of the many generations destroyed before them, who were more established in the land and blessed with rain and rivers, yet were destroyed for their sins. Even if a revelation were sent on parchment for them to touch, the disbelievers would still dismiss it as magic. They demand to see an angel, but had an angel been sent, the matter would have been settled at once, and they would have been given no more time.

Allah's Sovereignty and Justice.

To Allah belongs everything in the heavens and the earth. He has decreed mercy upon Himself and will gather all for the Day of Judgment. He reigns supreme over His creation. To take any guardian other than Allah, the Originator of all, is a grave error. If Allah touches one with harm, none can remove it but Him; if He touches one with good, He has power over all things. The Quran has been revealed as a warning, and the Prophet rejects the association of any other gods with the one true God.

Those who fabricate lies against Allah or deny His signs are the greatest wrongdoers and will never succeed. On the Day of Judgment, when the polytheists are asked where their claimed associate-gods are, their only response will be to swear they were never polytheists. Some pretend to listen to the Quran, but Allah has placed veils over their hearts and deafness in their ears, so they cannot comprehend it. They dismiss it as ancient fables, turning others away from it and ruining only themselves. If they could see themselves before the Fire, they would cry to be sent back to become believers, but even then, they would revert to their forbidden ways, for they are liars.

The Reality of the Hereafter.

Those who deny the meeting with Allah are the true losers. When the Hour comes upon them suddenly, they will cry out in woe, bearing their sins on their backs. This worldly life is but play and amusement; the home of the Hereafter is far better for the mindful. The Prophet is told that the wrongdoers do not deny his honesty, but they deny the signs of Allah. Messengers before him were also rejected but endured patiently until Allah's help arrived.

If their denial is unbearable, the Prophet is reminded that only Allah can guide them. Only the attentive will respond to the call; as for the dead, Allah will raise them up. The disbelievers demand a special sign, but Allah has the power to send one. All living beings on earth and birds in the sky are communities like humanity, and all will be gathered to their Lord. Those who deny the signs are deaf and dumb, lost in darkness. When affliction strikes, people call upon Allah alone, but as soon as He rescues them, they return to associating others with Him.

The Story of Abraham's Search for Truth.

The story of Abraham is recounted. He said to his father, Azar, that taking idols as gods was a clear error. Allah showed Abraham the wonders of the heavens and earth to strengthen his faith. When night fell, he saw a star and said, "This is my Lord," but when it set, he rejected things that set. He did the same with the moon and the sun. When the sun set, he declared his rejection of all that his people associated with Allah and turned his face to the One who originated the heavens and the earth.

He debated with his people, unafraid of their idols, stating that only Allah holds power. It is the faithful who do not tarnish their faith with falsehood who are truly secure and guided. This was the argument Allah gave to Abraham. Allah blessed him with Isaac and Jacob and guided a lineage of prophets after him, including Noah, David, Solomon, Job, Joseph, Moses, Aaron, Zachariah, John, Jesus, and Elias.

The Nature of Revelation and Prohibited Foods.

The pagans wrongly claimed that Allah had revealed nothing to any human. The Prophet challenges them, asking who revealed the Book of Moses. This Quran is a blessed Book confirming what came before, a warning to Mecca and all around it. The greatest wrongdoer is one who invents a lie about Allah or claims to have received revelation when none was given.

Believers are commanded to eat of that over which Allah's name has been pronounced. It is forbidden to eat meat over which Allah's name was not mentioned, as that is an act of disobedience. The devils whisper to their allies to argue about this, and to obey them is to become a polytheist.

Divine Will and Human Responsibility.

Allah opens the heart of whomever He wills to guide to Islam, and makes the chest of whomever He wills to leave astray tight and constricted. The pagans will argue that if Allah had willed, they would not have been polytheists. The Prophet is to tell them that Allah has the most conclusive argument and could have guided all of humanity if He had willed.

Allah’s commandments are then recited: associate nothing with Him; honor parents; do not kill children for fear of poverty; avoid indecencies; do not kill any soul which Allah has made sacred except by right; do not approach the wealth of an orphan except to improve it; give full measure and weight with justice; be just in speech, even with a close relative; and fulfill the covenant with Allah. This is His straight path, and all other paths lead away from it.

Allah's Bounties and Man's Ingratitude.

The pagans assign to Allah a share of the crops and cattle He created, giving another share to their associate-gods, judging unfairly. Their evil associates have made the killing of their own children appealing to them. They falsely reserve certain cattle and crops, exempt some from labor, and slaughter others not in Allah's name—all lies against Him.

It is He who produces gardens, palm trees, and crops of diverse tastes. Believers should eat of their fruit and pay the dues at harvest but not be wasteful. From cattle, some are for labor and some for food. Believers should eat what Allah has provided and not follow Satan. A detailed refutation is given of their arbitrary prohibitions concerning livestock. The only things forbidden are carrion, flowing blood, pork, and that which is sacrificed to other than Allah, with an exception for necessity.

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Surah 7. The Heights (Al Araf).

The Nature of Prophecy and Human Response.

A Book has been sent down to the Prophet to serve as a warning and a reminder, so he should feel no anxiety about it. Humanity is commanded to follow what is revealed from their Lord and not take other guardians. Many societies have been destroyed by Allah's torment, which came upon them by night or during their midday rest. Their only cry was the admission, "We have indeed been wrongdoers."

On the Day of Judgment, both those who received the message and the messengers themselves will be questioned. Deeds will be weighed justly. Those whose scale is heavy with good deeds will be successful, while those whose scale is light will have doomed themselves for denying the signs.

The Story of Adam, Eve, and Satan.

Allah created and shaped humanity, then commanded the angels to prostrate to Adam. All obeyed except Iblis (Satan), who refused out of arrogance, claiming he was better as he was created from fire while Adam was from clay. For his pride, he was cast out of Paradise. He asked for respite until the Day of Resurrection, which was granted. He then vowed to lie in ambush for humanity on the Straight Path, approaching them from all sides to make most of them ungrateful.

Adam and his wife were told to dwell in Paradise but were warned against a specific tree. Satan tempted them, seeking to expose their nakedness, swearing he was a sincere advisor. When they tasted the fruit of the tree, their nakedness became apparent, and they began to cover themselves with leaves. Their Lord called out to them, reminding them of His warning. They repented, and Allah told them to descend to earth as enemies to one another, where they would live, die, and be resurrected.

Humanity is warned not to let Satan deceive them as he did their parents. The best clothing is righteousness. When people commit shameful deeds, they should not claim it is a command from Allah, for He never commands what is shameful.

The People of Paradise, Hell, and the Heights.

For each community, there is an appointed term that can neither be advanced nor delayed. Those who shun evil after receiving the messengers' revelations will have no fear or grief, but those who deny them will be residents of the Fire.

On Judgment Day, evil leaders and their followers will be gathered in Hell, cursing one another. The followers will ask for a double punishment for their leaders who misled them. Those who denied the revelations with arrogance will find the gates of heaven closed to them and will not enter Paradise until a camel passes through the eye of a needle. In contrast, believers who do good will reside in Paradise forever, with all bitterness removed from their hearts.

A barrier will exist between Paradise and Hell, and on its heights will be people who recognize the residents of both by their appearance. They will greet the people of Paradise but will not have yet entered, and when they look toward Hell, they will pray not to be joined with the wrongdoers. The residents of the Fire will beg for water or provisions from Paradise, but will be told that Allah has forbidden both to the disbelievers.

The Stories of the Prophets and Their Peoples.

The stories of past prophets are recounted as lessons:

• Noah: He called his people to worship Allah alone, but the chiefs dismissed him as misguided. He reminded them he was a messenger from the Lord of all worlds. They rejected him, so Allah saved him and his followers in the Ark and drowned the deniers.

• Hud: He was sent to the people of ’Ad, calling them to worship Allah. The disbelieving chiefs called him a fool and a liar. He reminded them of Allah's favors, but they demanded he bring the threatened punishment. Allah saved Hud and his followers by His mercy and uprooted the deniers.

• Salih: He was sent to the people of Thamud with a clear sign: Allah's she-camel. He warned them not to harm her, but the arrogant chiefs killed her, defying their Lord. An overwhelming earthquake struck them, and they fell lifeless in their homes.

• Lot: He rebuked his people for their shameful act of lusting after men instead of women. Their only response was to demand his expulsion. Allah saved him and his family, except his wife, and rained down brimstone upon the wicked.

• Shu’aib: He was sent to the people of Midian, calling them to worship Allah and to be just in measure and weight. The arrogant chiefs threatened to expel him and his followers unless they returned to their faith. An earthquake struck them, and they perished as if they had never lived there.

Moses and Pharaoh.

After these prophets, Moses was sent with signs to Pharaoh and his chiefs, who wrongfully rejected them. Moses declared he was a messenger from the Lord of all worlds and demanded that the Children of Israel be allowed to leave with him. He threw down his staff, which became a real snake, and drew out his hand, which shone white. Pharaoh's chiefs dismissed him as a skilled magician.

Pharaoh's magicians were gathered to challenge Moses. They cast their ropes and staffs, which appeared to slither by magic. Then Moses threw his staff, which devoured their illusions. The truth prevailed, and the magicians fell in prostration, believing in the Lord of Moses and Aaron. Enraged, Pharaoh threatened to crucify them, but they remained steadfast, praying for perseverance and to die as submitters.

Pharaoh's people were afflicted with famine and a shortage of crops. When prosperity came, they took credit; in adversity, they blamed Moses. They were then plagued with floods, locusts, lice, frogs, and blood, but they persisted in arrogance. They would plead with Moses to pray for them, promising to believe, but would break their promise as soon as the torment was lifted. Ultimately, Allah inflicted punishment, drowning them in the sea.

The Israelites After Deliverance.

After crossing the sea, the Israelites came upon a people worshipping idols and demanded that Moses make a god for them like theirs. Moses rebuked their ignorance.

Allah appointed forty nights for Moses on the mountain. In his absence, his people fashioned a golden calf from their jewelry and worshipped it. When Moses returned, furious and sorrowful, he confronted his brother Aaron, who pleaded that the people had overpowered him. Moses prayed for forgiveness for himself and his brother.

Moses chose seventy men for an appointment with Allah, but when an earthquake seized them, he pleaded for mercy. Allah's mercy encompasses all things and is ordained for those who are mindful, pay charity, and believe in His revelations. The coming of the unlettered Prophet, Muhammad, is foretold in their Torah and Gospel, as one who would command good, forbid evil, and relieve them of their burdens.

The Covenants and Allah's Beautiful Names.

The covenant taken with all of humanity is recalled, when Allah brought forth descendants from the loins of the children of Adam and made them testify, "Am I not your Lord?" They all replied, "Yes, You are!" This was so no one could claim ignorance on the Day of Judgment.

The parable is told of a scholar to whom Allah gave His signs, but who abandoned them and was led astray by Satan, clinging to worldly life like a panting dog. Many jinn and humans have been destined for Hell, for they have hearts with which they do not understand, eyes with which they do not see, and ears with which they do not hear. They are like cattle, or even less guided.

Allah has the Most Beautiful Names, so He should be called upon by them.

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Surah 8. Spoils of War (Al Anfal).

The True Believers and the Battle of Badr.

The distribution of the spoils of war is a matter for Allah and His Messenger. True believers are those whose hearts tremble at the mention of Allah, whose faith increases when His revelations are recited, and who put their trust in their Lord. They establish prayer and donate from their provisions.

The narrative recalls the Battle of Badr, when a group of believers was reluctant to fight, as if being driven to death. Allah had promised victory over one of two enemy parties, and though the believers wished for the unarmed caravan, Allah willed to establish the truth and uproot the disbelievers. When they cried out for help, Allah responded that He would reinforce them with a thousand angels. Victory comes only from Allah. He caused drowsiness to overcome them as a sign of serenity and sent down rain to purify them and make their steps firm.

Divine Intervention and Conduct in Battle.

Allah revealed to the angels to make the believers stand firm, and that He would cast terror into the hearts of the disbelievers. The believers are commanded to strike their necks and fingertips. When facing the enemy in battle, they must never turn their backs and flee.

It was not the believers who killed the enemy, but Allah. It was not the Prophet who threw the handful of sand, but Allah, to grant the believers a great favor. If the Meccans sought a judgment, it had now come. If they cease their hostility, it is better for them; if they persist, Allah's forces will persist, for Allah is with the believers.

Obedience, Betrayal, and Pagan Plots.

Believers are commanded to obey Allah and His Messenger and not to be like those who say "we hear" but do not listen. The worst of beings are the willfully deaf and dumb. They must respond to the call of Allah and His Messenger, which gives them life, knowing that Allah stands between a person and their heart. They are warned against a trial that will not only affect the wrongdoers among them. They are reminded of their past weakness, when they were few and oppressed, and how Allah sheltered and strengthened them. They must not betray Allah, the Messenger, or their trusts. Their wealth and children are a test, and the great reward is with Allah.

The conspiracy of the disbelievers to capture, kill, or exile the Prophet is recounted. They planned, but Allah also planned, and He is the best of planners. When the Quran is recited to them, they dismiss it as ancient fables and arrogantly challenge Allah to rain down stones upon them if it is the truth. But Allah would not punish them while the Prophet was in their midst, nor while they might seek forgiveness.

The disbelievers spend their wealth to hinder others from Allah's path, but their spending will end in regret, and they will be defeated. Believers are to fight them until there is no more persecution and all devotion is for Allah alone.

Distribution of Spoils and Rules of War.

One-fifth of all spoils of war are for Allah, the Messenger, his relatives, orphans, the poor, and needy travelers. The events of Badr are recalled again: how Allah made the enemy appear few in the believers' eyes, and the believers few in the enemy's eyes, to bring about what He had destined.

When facing an enemy, believers must stand firm, remember Allah often, obey Him and His Messenger, and not dispute, lest they lose courage. They must not be like the pagans who marched out arrogantly to show off. Satan made their deeds appealing to them, promising them victory, but fled when he saw the two forces meet, for he saw the angels and feared Allah.

The hypocrites and the weak in faith dismissed the believers as deluded. The angels are described as taking the souls of the disbelievers by beating their faces and backs. The worst of beings in Allah's sight are those who persist in disbelief and repeatedly violate their treaties. If the enemy is inclined towards peace, the Prophet is to make peace and put his trust in Allah. Believers must prepare what they can of military power to deter the enemies of Allah.

Captives of War and True Allegiance.

It is not fitting for a prophet to take captives until he has thoroughly subdued the land. Some believers had settled for the fleeting gains of this world (by preferring to take ransom), while Allah's aim was the Hereafter. The Prophet is told to inform the captives that if Allah finds goodness in their hearts, He will give them better than what was taken and forgive them.

True allegiance is defined. Those who believed, emigrated, and strove in Allah's cause with their wealth and lives, and those who gave them shelter and aid—they are guardians of one another. As for believers who did not emigrate, there is no obligation of guardianship until they do so, though they must be helped if they are persecuted for their faith, except against a people with whom there is a treaty. The disbelievers are guardians of one another. Blood relatives are entitled to inherit from one another as ordained by Allah.

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Surah 9. Repentance (Aat Tawbah).

Ultimatum to the Polytheists.

A declaration of disassociation is made by Allah and His Messenger to the polytheists with whom the believers had treaties. They are granted a grace period of four months to travel freely, but are warned that they cannot escape Allah and will be disgraced. On the day of the great pilgrimage, it is announced that Allah and His Messenger are free from any obligation to the polytheists. If they repent, it is better for them; if they turn away, they will face a painful punishment. An exception is made for those polytheists who have honored their treaties without fault and have not supported any enemy; their treaty must be honored until its term ends.

Once the sacred months have passed, the polytheists who violated their treaties are to be fought wherever they are found, captured, and besieged. However, if they repent, establish prayer, and pay the alms-tax, they are to be set free. If any polytheist seeks protection, it must be granted so they may hear the Word of Allah and then be escorted to a place of safety.

These polytheists are treacherous; if they were to gain the upper hand, they would have no respect for kinship or treaty. They flatter with their tongues while their hearts are in denial. They have traded Allah's revelations for a fleeting gain, hindering others from His path. But if they repent, they become brothers in faith. If they break their oaths and attack the faith, the leaders of disbelief must be fought.

The Call to Fight and the Maintenance of Mosques.

Believers are asked why they would not fight a people who have broken their oaths, conspired to expel the Messenger, and initiated hostilities. Allah is more deserving of fear. By fighting them, Allah will punish them at the believers' hands and soothe the hearts of the faithful.

The maintenance of Allah's mosques is not for the polytheists who openly profess disbelief. It is only for those who believe in Allah and the Last Day, establish prayer, pay alms-tax, and fear none but Allah. Providing water to pilgrims and maintaining the Sacred Mosque are not equal to believing in Allah and the Last Day and striving in His cause. Those who have believed, emigrated, and striven with their wealth and lives are of a greater rank with Allah and will be triumphant.

Believers are warned not to take their parents and siblings as trusted allies if they choose disbelief over faith. If worldly attachments are more beloved than Allah, His Messenger, and striving in His way, they should wait for Allah's judgment.

Victory from Allah and the Sanctity of the Ka'bah.

Allah granted victory on many battlefields, including the Battle of Hunain. There, the believers' pride in their great numbers was of no advantage, and the vast earth seemed to close in on them as they retreated. Then Allah sent down His serenity and unseen forces, punishing the disbelievers.

Polytheists are declared spiritually impure and are not to approach the Sacred Mosque after that year. If believers fear poverty from the loss of trade, Allah will enrich them from His bounty.

Fighting the People of the Book and Exposing False Beliefs.

Believers are commanded to fight those among the People of the Book who do not truly believe in Allah or the Last Day, do not comply with the prohibitions of Allah and His Messenger, and do not embrace the religion of truth, until they pay the compensatory tax (jizyah) willingly and in submission.

The false claims of the Jews that "Ezra is the son of Allah" and of the Christians that "the Messiah is the son of Allah" are condemned as baseless assertions that parrot earlier disbelievers. They have taken their rabbis, monks, and the Messiah as lords besides Allah, though they were commanded to worship only One God. They wish to extinguish Allah's light with their mouths, but Allah will perfect His light. He sent His Messenger with guidance and the religion of truth to make it prevail over all others.

Many rabbis and monks wrongfully consume people's wealth and hinder others from Allah's path. Those who hoard gold and silver without spending it in Allah's cause are warned of a painful torment, where their treasures will be heated in the Fire of Hell and used to brand their foreheads, sides, and backs.

The Sacred Months and the Battle of Tabuk.

The number of months with Allah is twelve, four of which are sacred. Believers must not wrong themselves during these months and should fight the polytheists collectively as they fight collectively.

The believers are reprimanded for their reluctance when called to march forth for the Battle of Tabuk. They are asked if they prefer the life of this world over the Hereafter. If they do not march forth, Allah will afflict them with a painful punishment and replace them with another people.

If the believers do not support the Prophet, Allah has already supported him, as when he was one of two in the cave during the migration from Mecca, and he reassured his companion, "Do not worry; Allah is certainly with us." Allah sent down His serenity upon him and supported him with unseen forces.

The Excuses of the Hypocrites.

The hypocrites' false excuses are exposed. Had the journey been short and the gain immediate, they would have followed. They swear they would have joined if they were able, but Allah knows they are lying. The Prophet is gently reproached for granting them permission to stay behind before the truthful could be distinguished from the liars.

Those who truly believe in Allah and the Last Day do not ask for exemption from striving. Only those whose hearts are in doubt do so. Had the hypocrites intended to march, they would have prepared for it, but Allah disliked their participation and let them lag behind. Had they gone, they would have only been a source of trouble and discord.

Some offered the excuse of not wanting to be exposed to temptation. They are told they have already fallen into temptation, and Hell will engulf the disbelievers. They grieve when a blessing befalls the Prophet and rejoice at a disaster. Their donations, whether willing or unwilling, will not be accepted because they have lost faith, come to prayer half-heartedly, and donate resentfully. Their wealth and children are a means by which Allah torments them in this world. They swear they are with the believers but are not.

Alms, Blasphemy, and the Fate of Past Nations.

Some hypocrites are critical of the Prophet's distribution of alms. The recipients of the alms-tax (zakat) are specified: the poor, the needy, administrators, those whose hearts are to be reconciled, for freeing slaves, for those in debt, for Allah’s cause, and for needy travelers.

Others hurt the Prophet by saying he listens to anyone. He is told to say that he listens to what is best for them. Those who hurt the Messenger of Allah will have a painful punishment. They swear to please the believers, but it is Allah and His Messenger they should seek to please. The hypocrites fear a chapter will be revealed exposing what is in their hearts. When questioned about their mockery, they claim they were only joking. They are told, "Make no excuses! You have lost faith after your belief."

Allah has promised the hypocrites and disbelievers the Fire of Hell forever. They are like those before them who were mightier and had more wealth and children, but who were destroyed. The stories of Noah, 'Ad, Thamud, Abraham, Midian, and Lot are recalled as warnings.

Believers vs. Hypocrites and the Mosque of Harm.

True believers, men and women, are guardians of one another. They encourage good, forbid evil, establish prayer, pay alms, and obey Allah and His Messenger. Allah has promised them Gardens of eternal bliss and, above all, His pleasure.

The Prophet is commanded to strive against the disbelievers and hypocrites and be firm with them. The hypocrites swear they said nothing blasphemous, but they did. They resent that Allah and His Messenger have enriched them.

There are also those hypocrites who established a "Mosque of Harm" to cause division, promote disbelief, and serve as a base for those who fought against Allah and His Messenger. The Prophet is forbidden from ever praying in it. A mosque founded on righteousness from the first day is more worthy.

The Ultimate Bargain and Seeking Forgiveness.

Allah has purchased from the believers their lives and wealth in exchange for Paradise. They fight in His cause, killing and being killed—a true promise in the Torah, the Gospel, and the Quran. Those who repent, worship, praise, fast, bow, prostrate, encourage good, forbid evil, and observe Allah's limits are the ones who will triumph.

It is not proper for the Prophet and the believers to seek forgiveness for polytheists, even close relatives, after it has become clear they are bound for Hell. Abraham's prayer for his father was only the fulfillment of a promise; when it became clear his father was an enemy of Allah, he disassociated from him.

Allah has turned in mercy to the Prophet, the Emigrants, and the Helpers who stood by him in the difficult time of the Tabuk expedition. He also turned in mercy to the three who remained behind and were boycotted until they realized there was no refuge from Allah except in Him. It was not proper for the people of Medina to stay behind the Messenger or to prefer their own lives over his. Their every sacrifice in Allah's cause is recorded as a good deed.

It is not necessary for all believers to march forth at once. A party from each group should remain behind to gain religious knowledge to enlighten their people upon their return. Believers are to fight the disbelievers near them and let them find firmness. The chapter concludes with the arrival of a messenger who is deeply concerned for the believers' welfare, full of grace and mercy. If they turn away, the Prophet is to say, "Allah is sufficient for me. There is no god but Him. In Him I put my trust. And He is the Lord of the Mighty Throne."

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Surah 10. Jonah (Yunus).

The Creator and His Signs.

This Book is rich in wisdom, revealed to a man from among the people to warn humanity and give good news to believers. Surely, the Lord is Allah who created the heavens and the earth in six Days and then established Himself on the Throne, conducting all affairs. To Him is the final return of all. He made the sun a radiant source and the moon a reflected light, ordaining their phases to mark the years. In the alternation of night and day and all of creation are signs for those who are mindful.

Those who do not expect to meet Allah, content with the worldly life, will have the Fire as their home. But believers who do good will be guided by their Lord to Gardens of Bliss.

Human Ingratitude and the Pagan Demands.

If Allah were to hasten evil for people as they seek to hasten good, they would be doomed. When hardship touches a person, they cry out to Allah, but when it is relieved, they go on as if they had never called upon Him. When Allah's clear revelations are recited, those who do not expect to meet Him demand a different Quran or changes to it. The Prophet is to respond that he only follows what is revealed to him and cannot change it on his own.

The pagans worship idols that can neither harm nor benefit them, claiming they are intercessors with Allah. Humanity was once one community of believers but then they differed. When they are given a taste of mercy after hardship, they plot against Allah's revelations. He enables them to travel by land and sea, but when they are on ships caught in a storm, they call upon Him in sincere devotion, promising gratitude if saved. Yet as soon as He rescues them, they transgress unjustly. This worldly life is like rain that nourishes plants, which then wither and are mown down. Allah invites all to the Home of Peace.

Judgment Day and the Uselessness of Idols.

On the Day of Judgment, all will be gathered. The polytheists' associate-gods will deny ever being worshipped, professing their unawareness. Every soul will face the consequences of its deeds and be returned to their true Master, and their fabricated gods will fail them.

The pagans are questioned: Who provides for you, owns your hearing and sight, brings the living from the dead, and conducts every affair? They will admit it is Allah. Who, then, is more worthy of being followed? The Quran could not have been produced by anyone other than Allah; it is a confirmation of previous scriptures. The challenge is issued to produce a single chapter like it.

The Stories of Past Prophets.

The story of Noah is related: he put his trust in Allah and challenged his people and their associate-gods to carry out their plot against him without delay. They rejected him, so he and his followers were saved in the Ark, while the deniers were drowned. After him, other messengers were sent, but their peoples would not believe in what they had already rejected.

Moses and Aaron were sent to Pharaoh, who arrogantly dismissed their signs as magic. Moses affirmed that Allah establishes the truth with His words. Only a few youths from his people believed in Moses, fearing persecution. Moses prayed for the destruction of Pharaoh's wealth and the hardening of his heart. As Pharaoh and his army pursued the Israelites across the sea, he cried out in belief as he was drowning, but it was too late. His body was preserved as a sign for later generations.

The Children of Israel were settled in a blessed land, but they did not differ until knowledge came to them. If anyone is in doubt of these stories, they should ask those who read the scripture before them.

The People of Jonah and the Nature of Faith.

The only society that believed before seeing the torment and benefited from its faith was the people of Jonah. When they believed, the torment of disgrace was lifted from them.

Had the Lord willed, all people on earth would have believed. But no one can be forced to become a believer; a soul can only believe by Allah's leave. The Prophet's duty is only to convey the message. All are called to have faith, to be steadfast, and to not be among the polytheists. Whatever good one does is for their own benefit, and whatever evil is to their own loss. The Prophet is to follow what is revealed to him and be patient until Allah judges, for He is the Best of Judges.

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Surah 11. Hud.

The Message of Worship and Repentance.

This is a Book whose verses are perfected and fully explained, from the All-Wise, All-Aware. Its message is to worship none but Allah and to seek His forgiveness and repent to Him. He will grant a good provision for an appointed term. The disbelievers try to hide what is in their hearts from Him, but He knows all that they conceal and reveal. There is no creature on earth whose provision is not guaranteed by Allah. He created the heavens and the earth in six Days to test which of His servants is best in deeds.

When people are given a taste of mercy and it is taken away, they become desperate and ungrateful. When given prosperity after adversity, they become prideful, except for those who are patient and do good, who will have forgiveness and a great reward. The Prophet is told not to be distressed by the pagans' demands for a treasure or an angel, for he is only a warner. They are challenged to produce ten fabricated chapters like those in the Quran if they claim it is his own work.

The Fate of Disbelievers and Believers.

Those who desire only this worldly life will be paid in full for their deeds here, but in the Hereafter, they will have nothing but the Fire. They are contrasted with the believers who stand on clear proof from their Lord, backed by the Quran. The greatest wrongdoers are those who fabricate lies against Allah; they will be brought before their Lord, and witnesses will testify against them. They will have no protector besides Allah, and their punishment will be multiplied.

The Story of Noah and the Flood.

Noah was sent to his people with a clear warning to worship none but Allah. The disbelieving chiefs dismissed him as a mere human followed by the lowest of people. Noah argued that he stood on clear proof and a mercy from his Lord, and that he would not dismiss the believers. They challenged him to bring the punishment he threatened.

It was revealed to Noah that no more of his people would believe. He was commanded to build the Ark under Allah's watchful eyes. As he built it, the chiefs of his people mocked him. When the flood came, Noah was told to take a pair of every species, his family (except those already doomed), and the few who believed. The Ark sailed through waves like mountains. Noah called out to his son to come aboard, but his son sought refuge on a mountain and was drowned. The Ark came to rest on Mount Judi. Noah pleaded for his son, but Allah replied that his son was of unrighteous conduct and not of his true family.

The Peoples of Hud, Salih, Abraham, and Lot.

• Hud and the People of 'Ad: Hud called his people to worship Allah and seek forgiveness. They accused him of being possessed and challenged him. He put his trust in Allah and declared his rejection of their idols. When Allah's command came, Hud and his followers were rescued, while the people of 'Ad were followed by a curse for denying the signs and disobeying the messengers.

• Salih and the People of Thamud: Salih called his people to worship Allah and repent. They had high hopes for him but were in doubt of his message. He presented the she-camel as a sign and warned them not to harm her. They killed her, and he warned them of their impending doom in three days. A mighty blast overtook them, and they fell lifeless in their homes.

• Abraham and the Angels: Messenger-angels came to Abraham with good news of a son. They did not eat the roasted calf he offered, making him fearful. They reassured him and told him they were sent against the people of Lot. His wife laughed, and she was given the good news of Isaac, and after him, Jacob. Abraham pleaded with the angels for the people of Lot, but was told that the decree had already come.

• Lot and His People: When the angels came to Lot as handsome guests, he was distressed. The men of his city, used to shameful deeds, rushed to his house. He pleaded with them, offering his daughters for marriage, but they knew what they truly desired. The angels reassured Lot, telling him to travel with his family in the night and not look back, except for his wife, who was doomed. The cities were turned upside down and rained upon with stones of baked clay.

The People of Shu'aib and Moses.

• Shu'aib and the People of Midian: Shu'aib called his people to worship Allah and not give short measure or weight. They sarcastically questioned if his prayer commanded them to abandon their forefathers' worship. He argued that he stood on clear proof and sought only reform. They threatened to stone him, but a mighty blast overtook them, and they fell lifeless.

• Moses and Pharaoh: Moses was sent to Pharaoh, who followed his own misguided commands. He will lead his people into the Fire on the Day of Judgment. They were followed by a curse in this life and the next.

The chapter concludes by reminding the Prophet that these are stories to reassure his heart. He is to be steadfast, along with those who repent with him, establish prayer at both ends of the day and in the early night, and be patient. And to Allah all matters are returned.

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Surah 12. Joseph (Yusuf).

Joseph's Dream and His Brothers' Envy.

This is the best of stories, related through the Quran. It begins when young Joseph told his father, Jacob, of a dream in which eleven stars, the sun, and the moon prostrated to him. Jacob advised him not to tell his brothers, lest they plot against him, for Satan is a sworn enemy to mankind. Jacob foresaw that Joseph would be chosen by his Lord, taught the interpretation of dreams, and have His favor perfected upon him and the descendants of Jacob, like his forefathers Abraham and Isaac.

Joseph's half-brothers, consumed with jealousy that Joseph and his younger brother Benjamin were more beloved to their father, conspired against him. One suggested killing him, but another proposed throwing him into a well to be found by travelers, so they could later repent and be righteous.

Deception and Joseph's Journey to Egypt.

They deceptively asked their father to let Joseph go out with them to play, promising to watch over him. Despite Jacob's sadness and fear that a wolf might devour him, they took Joseph, threw him into the bottom of a well, and were inspired that he would one day remind them of this deed when they did not recognize him. They returned to their father in the evening, weeping, with Joseph's shirt stained with false blood, claiming a wolf had eaten him. Jacob, seeing through their lie, declared that he would endure with beautiful patience and seek Allah's help.

Travelers found Joseph in the well and sold him for a cheap price in Egypt. The Egyptian chief who bought him told his wife to take good care of him, hoping he might be useful or that they could adopt him. Thus, Allah established Joseph in the land to teach him the interpretation of events.

The Temptation and Imprisonment.

When Joseph reached maturity, he was given wisdom and knowledge. The wife of his master tried to seduce him. She locked the doors and called him to her, but he sought refuge in Allah, refusing to betray his master. She advanced toward him, but he resisted, having seen a sign from his Lord. As they raced to the door, she tore his shirt from the back. Her husband was at the door. She accused Joseph of trying to violate her, but Joseph defended himself, stating that she had tried to seduce him. A witness from her household proposed a test: if his shirt was torn from the front, she was truthful; if from the back, he was.

When her husband saw the shirt torn from the back, he recognized his wife's cunning. News of the incident spread among the women of the city, who gossiped about the chief's wife. To silence them, she invited them to a banquet, gave each a knife, and then called Joseph to appear. Stunned by his beauty, the women cut their hands and declared he was a noble angel. She then confessed her attempt and threatened that if he did not comply, he would be imprisoned and disgraced. Joseph prayed, choosing prison over succumbing to their desires. So his Lord answered him, and despite seeing the proofs of his innocence, the authorities imprisoned him for a time.

Dreams in Prison and the King's Vision.

Two servants were imprisoned with Joseph. One dreamt of pressing wine, and the other of carrying bread on his head from which birds ate. Joseph, before interpreting their dreams, took the opportunity to call them to the worship of the one true God, shunning the faith of those who disbelieve. He explained that one would be freed and serve wine to his master, while the other would be crucified. He asked the one to be freed to mention him to his master, but Satan made the man forget, and Joseph remained in prison for several more years.

Later, the King of Egypt had a dream of seven fat cows being eaten by seven skinny ones, and seven green ears of grain and seven dry ones. His chiefs could not interpret it. The servant from the prison then remembered Joseph and was sent to him. Joseph interpreted the dream to mean seven years of good harvest followed by seven years of severe famine. He advised them to plant diligently for seven years, storing the harvest in the ear, except for a little to eat. The famine would consume what they had saved, except for a small amount for seed. After that, a year of abundance and rain would come.

Joseph's Innocence and Rise to Power.

Impressed, the King summoned Joseph. But Joseph refused to leave prison until his innocence was publicly established. The King questioned the women who had cut their hands. They proclaimed his innocence. The chief's wife then confessed, "Now the truth has come to light. It was I who tried to seduce him, and he is surely truthful."

The King, recognizing Joseph's integrity, brought him into his exclusive service. Joseph proposed, "Put me in charge of the storehouses of the land, for I am truly reliable and adept." Thus, Allah established Joseph in a position of power, to settle wherever he pleased.

The Brothers' Return and Joseph's Plan.

During the famine, Joseph's brothers came to Egypt seeking supplies. He recognized them, but they did not recognize him. After providing for them, he demanded they bring their youngest brother, Benjamin, on their next visit, or they would receive no more grain. He secretly had their payment returned to their saddlebags.

When they returned to their father and found their money, they pleaded with Jacob to send Benjamin with them. Jacob was reluctant, but agreed after they gave him a solemn oath by Allah to bring him back safely. He advised them to enter the city from different gates.

In Egypt, Joseph took Benjamin aside and revealed his identity. He then had the royal cup placed in Benjamin's bag. A herald then accused the caravan of being thieves. The brothers denied it. When the cup was found in Benjamin's bag, they declared the punishment, according to their own law, was the enslavement of the culprit. Joseph's plan, inspired by Allah, allowed him to keep his brother under the King's law. The other brothers, trying to distance themselves, mentioned that Benjamin's full brother (Joseph) had also stolen before. They pleaded with Joseph to take one of them instead, as their father was very old, but he refused.

Jacob's Grief and Joseph's Revelation.

The eldest brother, bound by his oath, refused to return to his father without Benjamin and stayed behind. The others returned to Jacob with the bad news. Jacob cried out, "No! Your souls have tempted you to do something evil. I will have beautiful patience." His grief for Joseph and now Benjamin was so intense that his eyes turned white, though he suppressed his sorrow. He sent his sons back to Egypt to search for Joseph and his brother, telling them never to lose hope in Allah's mercy.

When they returned to Joseph, humbled and with little money, they begged for charity. Joseph then revealed himself: "Do you remember what you did to Joseph and his brother in your ignorance?" Shocked, they asked, "Are you really Joseph?" He confirmed his identity and that Allah had been gracious to them. He forgave them, saying, "There is no blame on you today. May Allah forgive you!" He gave them his shirt to cast over their father's face, which would restore his sight, and instructed them to return with their entire family.

The Dream's Fulfillment and Joseph's Prayer.

As the caravan left Egypt, Jacob, back in his homeland, sensed the smell of Joseph, though those around him thought him deluded. When the shirt was cast over his face, his sight returned. He told his children he knew from Allah what they did not know and promised to pray for their forgiveness.

When the family arrived in Egypt, Joseph received his parents graciously. He raised them to the throne, and they, along with his eleven brothers, fell down in prostration to him. Joseph said, "O my dear father! This is the interpretation of my old dream. My Lord has made it come true." He acknowledged Allah's kindness in freeing him from prison and reuniting his family after Satan had caused rivalry.

Joseph then prayed to his Lord, thanking Him for the authority and knowledge He had granted, and asking to die as one who submits and to be joined with the righteous.

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Surah 13. Thunder (AR Rad).

The Truth and Allah's Might.

The revelation sent to the Prophet is the truth, yet most people do not believe. It is Allah who raised the heavens without visible pillars, established Himself on the Throne, and subjected the sun and moon to their orbits. He spread out the earth, placed mountains and rivers upon it, and created all fruits in pairs. He covers the day with the night. In all of this are signs for those who reflect.

If anything should amaze, it is the disbelievers' question: "When we are dust, will we be raised as a new creation?" They disbelieve in their Lord and will have shackles around their necks as residents of the Fire.

Divine Knowledge, Power, and Justice.

Allah knows what every female bears in the womb; with Him, everything is determined with precision. It is the same to Him whether one speaks secretly or openly. For each person, there are successive angels protecting them by Allah's command. Allah does not change a people's state of favor until they change their state of faith. When He wills to torment a people, it cannot be averted.

It is He who shows lightning, inspiring both hope and fear, and produces heavy clouds. The thunder glorifies His praises, as do the angels in awe. He sends thunderbolts upon whomever He wills. Calling upon Him alone is the truth, while the idols the pagans invoke can never respond.

Everything in the heavens and the earth prostrates to Allah, willingly or unwillingly. Who is the Lord of all? Allah. Can the blind and the sighted be equal? Or darkness and light? Allah is the Creator of all things, the One, the Supreme. A parable is set forth: He sends down rain, and the currents carry rising foam, similar to the slag from melting metal. The worthless residue is cast away, but what benefits people remains. This is how Allah compares truth and falsehood.

The Reward of the Faithful and the Wicked.

Those who respond to their Lord's call will have the finest reward. As for those who do not, even if they possessed everything on earth twice over, they would offer it as ransom, but they will face a strict judgment in Hell. Only people of reason are mindful. They are those who honor their covenant with Allah, maintain the ties He commanded, fear their Lord, and are patient seeking His pleasure. They establish prayer, donate secretly and openly, and respond to evil with good. They will enter the Gardens of Eternity with their righteous family members, greeted by angels with peace.

In contrast, those who violate Allah's covenant, sever ties, and spread corruption will be condemned to the worst abode. Allah gives provisions in abundance or in measure to whomever He wills. The disbelievers are deluded by worldly life, which is but a fleeting enjoyment compared to the Hereafter. Hearts find comfort only in the remembrance of Allah.

The Unwavering Message.

The Prophet has been sent to a community, just as messengers were sent before, to recite the revelation. Yet they deny the Most Compassionate. If a recitation could move mountains, split the earth, or make the dead speak, it would be this Quran. Disasters will continue to afflict the disbelievers for their deeds until Allah's promise comes to pass. Messengers before were also ridiculed, but the disbelievers were given respite and then seized.

The pagans' falsehoods have been made appealing to them. They are asked to name their associate-gods, which are but empty words. For them is punishment in this life, and a far worse one in the Hereafter. Paradise is described as a garden with flowing rivers, eternal fruit, and shade. Those who were given the Scripture rejoice at the Quran, while some factions deny parts of it. The Prophet is commanded to worship Allah alone and follow the authority revealed in Arabic. Every destined matter has a set time, and with Allah is the Master Record. His duty is only to deliver the message; the judgment is Allah's.

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Surah 14. Abraham (Ibrahim).

The Unified Message of the Prophets.

This Book has been revealed to lead people out of darkness and into light, to the path of the Almighty. Woe to the disbelievers, who favor this worldly life over the Hereafter and strive to make Allah's way appear crooked. No messenger has been sent except in the language of his own people to make the message clear.

Moses was sent with signs to lead his people from darkness to light and to remind them of Allah's favors, such as their rescue from Pharaoh's brutal persecution. Their Lord proclaimed that if they were grateful, He would give them more, but if they were ungrateful, His punishment would be severe.

The stories of past peoples—of Noah, 'Ad, Thamud, and others—are a reminder. Their messengers came with clear proofs, but they rejected them, questioning how mere humans could be their guides and demanding compelling proof. The messengers affirmed that they were human, but favored by Allah, and that believers should put their trust in Him. The disbelievers threatened their messengers with expulsion, but their Lord revealed that He would destroy the wrongdoers and make the believers reside in the land after them.

The Parable of Deeds and Satan's Deception.

The deeds of those who disbelieve are like ashes blown away by the wind on a stormy day; they gain nothing from their efforts. Allah created the heavens and the earth for a reason and can replace a disbelieving people with a new creation.

On the Day of Judgment, all will appear before Allah. The lowly followers will appeal to their arrogant leaders for help, but the leaders will reply that they had no power, as they themselves were misguided. After the judgment, Satan will declare that Allah's promise was true, while his own promise was a lie. He had no authority over them; he only called them, and they responded. He will tell them to blame themselves, for he cannot save them, nor can they save him, and he denounces their past association of him with Allah.

The Word of Faith and the Bounties of Allah.

A good word is compared to a good tree, its root firm and its branches in the sky, yielding fruit in every season. An evil word is like an evil tree, uprooted and with no stability. Allah makes the believers steadfast with the firm word of faith in this life and the Hereafter.

The disbelievers meet Allah's favors with ingratitude, leading their people to doom in Hell. They set up equals to Allah to mislead others. They are told to enjoy themselves for a little while, for their destination is the Fire. In contrast, believing servants are told to establish prayer and donate from their provisions before a Day when there is no ransom or friendship.

Allah's bounties are countless: He created the heavens and the earth, sends rain to produce fruit, and has subjected ships and rivers, the sun and moon, and the day and night for humanity's benefit. Yet, humankind is truly unfair and ungrateful.

Abraham's Prayer for Mecca.

Abraham prayed to his Lord to make the city of Mecca secure and to keep him and his children from idol worship. He prayed, "My Lord! They have caused many to go astray." He settled some of his offspring in the barren valley near the Sacred House so they might establish prayer. He asked Allah to make people's hearts incline towards them, to provide them with fruits, and to accept his prayers. He concluded by asking for forgiveness for himself, his parents, and all believers on the Day of Judgment.

The Final Judgment.

The Prophet is told not to think that Allah is unaware of what the wrongdoers do. He only delays their punishment until a Day when their eyes will stare in horror, rushing forth with hearts void. They will cry for a little more time to respond to His call and follow the messengers, but will be reminded that they once swore they would never be removed to the next life. They devised plots, but their plotting was not enough to challenge Allah.

On the Day the earth and heavens are changed, all will appear before Allah, the One, the Supreme. The wicked will be bound in chains, with garments of tar and faces covered in flames. This Quran is a sufficient message for humanity, a warning that there is only One God, so that people of reason may be mindful.

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Surah 15. The Stone Valley (Al Hijr).

The Inevitability of Truth and Judgment.

These are the verses of the clear Quran. The day will come when disbelievers will wish they had submitted to Allah. They are to be left to eat, enjoy, and be diverted by false hope, for they will soon know. No society is destroyed before its destined term.

The pagans mock the Prophet, calling him insane and demanding that he bring angels if he is truthful. But angels are sent only for a just cause, and then the disbelievers' end would not be delayed. It is Allah who has revealed the Reminder (the Quran), and it is He who will preserve it. Messengers before were also mocked, and this is how disbelief steeps into the hearts of the wicked. Even if a gate to heaven were opened for them, they would claim their eyes were dazzled and they were bewitched.

The Majesty of Creation.

Allah has placed constellations in the sky, adorned for all to see, and protected from every accursed devil. A devil who eavesdrops is pursued by a visible flare. He spread out the earth, placed firm mountains upon it, and caused everything to grow in perfect balance, providing sustenance for all. He sends fertilizing winds and rain from the sky, whose reserves He alone holds. It is He who gives life and causes death and is the Eternal Successor.

The Story of Adam and Iblis.

Man was created from sounding clay and molded from black mud, while the jinn were created from smokeless fire. When Allah fashioned Adam and breathed into him from His spirit, He commanded the angels to prostrate. All did so except Iblis, who refused, deeming himself superior. For his defiance, he was cursed until the Day of Judgment.

Satan was granted respite until the appointed Day. He then vowed to tempt and mislead all of humanity, except for Allah's chosen servants. Allah declared that Satan would have no authority over His true servants, but Hell would be the destined place for him and his deviant followers.

Paradise, Punishment, and the Prophets.

The righteous will be in Gardens and springs, entering in peace and security, with all bitterness removed from their hearts. They will recline on thrones, face to face, with no fatigue, and will never be asked to leave. The Prophet is told to inform Allah's servants that He is the All-Forgiving, Most Merciful, and that His torment is the most painful.

The stories of past prophets serve as warnings:

• Abraham's Guests: Angels visited Abraham as guests, giving him the good news of a knowledgeable son despite his old age. They then revealed their mission to destroy the wicked people of Lot.

• Lot's People: The angels arrived at Lot's city, and the sinful men came rejoicing, demanding his guests. Lot pleaded with them, but they were unyielding. The angels told Lot to leave with his family in the night, for the city would be uprooted in the morning.

• The People of Shu'aib and Salih: The residents of the Forest (people of Shu'aib) and the residents of the Stone Valley (people of Salih) were also wrongdoers who rejected their messengers and were destroyed. Their ruins still lie on a well-known road as a sign for those who believe.

Consolation and Command for the Prophet.

The heavens and earth were not created except for a purpose, and the Hour is certain to come. The Prophet is told to forgive graciously. His Lord is the Master Creator, All-Knowing. He has been granted the seven often-repeated verses (Al-Fatihah) and the great Quran. He should not crave the fleeting pleasures given to some disbelievers, nor grieve for them, but be gracious to the believers.

He is to proclaim his clear warning and turn away from the polytheists. Allah is sufficient for him against the mockers who set up other gods with Him. Allah knows the Prophet's heart is distressed by what they say. He is commanded to glorify the praises of his Lord, be among those who prostrate, and worship his Lord until the inevitable (death) comes his way.

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Surah 16. Bees (An Nahl).

The Bounties of the Creator.

The command of Allah is at hand, so do not seek to hasten it. He sends down angels with revelation to warn that there is no god but Him. He created the heavens and earth for a purpose. He created humans from a sperm-drop, yet they openly challenge Him. He created cattle for warmth, food, and other benefits, and they are a source of beauty. He created horses, mules, and donkeys for transport and adornment.

It is upon Allah to show the Straight Way. He sends down rain, from which there is drink and pasture for cattle. With it, He produces crops, olives, palms, grapevines, and all types of fruit. He has subjected the day and night, the sun and moon, and the stars for humanity's benefit. He created all things on earth in varying colors. He subjected the sea, from which we eat tender seafood and extract ornaments. He placed firm mountains on the earth, as well as rivers and pathways.

Can the One who creates be equal to those who do not? If one tried to count Allah's blessings, they could never be numbered. The idols invoked besides Allah create nothing; they are themselves created. They are dead, not alive, and do not know when they will be resurrected. Your God is One God.

The Fate of the Arrogant and the Righteous.

When the arrogant are asked what their Lord has revealed, they say, "Ancient fables!" They will bear their full burdens on the Day of Judgment, along with some of the burdens of those they misled. Those before them plotted, but Allah struck at the foundation of their structures, and the torment came from where they did not expect. On the Day of Judgment, He will humiliate them.

In contrast, when the righteous are asked what their Lord has revealed, they say, "All the best!" For those who do good in this world, there is goodness, and the Home of the Hereafter is far better. They will enter Gardens of Eternity, with rivers flowing beneath, where they will have all they desire.

The Unified Message and the Resurrection.

Allah has sent a messenger to every community, proclaiming, "Worship Allah and shun false gods." Some were guided, others were destined to stray. The polytheists swear that Allah will not raise the dead. But it is a true promise, so that He may make clear what they disputed and so the disbelievers know they were liars. When Allah wills something, He says, "Be!" and it is.

Those who emigrated for Allah's cause after being persecuted will be blessed with a good home in this world, and the reward of the Hereafter is greater. They are the ones who were patient and trusted in their Lord. Messengers before were also mere men inspired by Allah. The Quran was sent down to the Prophet to explain what was revealed and to encourage reflection.

The Signs of Submission in Nature.

The shadows of all things Allah has created incline in submission to Him. Everything in the heavens and the earth bows down to Allah, as do the angels, who are not proud. Allah has commanded not to take two gods, for there is only One God. All blessings are from Him. When hardship touches people, they cry to Him, but when He removes it, some of them return to associating others with Him.

They attribute daughters to Allah, the very thing they despise for themselves. When one of them is given news of a baby girl, his face darkens with suppressed rage, and he debates whether to keep her in disgrace or bury her alive. Evil is their judgment.

Allah's Justice and Mercy.

If Allah were to punish people immediately for their wrongdoing, not a single creature would be left on earth. But He delays them for an appointed term. Messengers were sent to communities before, but Satan made their misdeeds appealing to them.

Lessons are found in cattle, from which pure milk is produced. From fruits, both intoxicants and wholesome provisions are derived. The Lord inspired the bees to build their homes in mountains and trees and to feed from all fruits. From their bellies comes a drink of varying colors, in which there is healing for people. Allah creates humans and then causes them to die, with some reaching the most feeble age.

Parables are set forth to show the powerlessness of idols compared to the Almighty Allah. A slave who owns nothing is not equal to a free man who donates freely. A dumb man who is a burden is not equal to one who commands justice.

Adherence to Covenants and the Truth.

Believers must honor their covenant with Allah and not break their oaths. They should not be like a woman who unravels her firmly spun yarn. They must not trade Allah's covenant for a fleeting gain, for what is with Allah is everlasting.

Whoever does good, male or female, and is a believer, will be blessed with a good life and rewarded according to the best of their deeds. When reciting the Quran, one should seek refuge in Allah from the accursed Satan.

The Prophet is not a fabricator. The holy spirit (Gabriel) brought the Quran down with the truth to reassure the believers. The claim that a human teaches him is false, for the man they allude to speaks a foreign tongue, while the Quran is in eloquent Arabic.

Whoever disbelieves after having believed—except one who is forced while their heart is firm in faith—will face Allah's condemnation and a tremendous punishment. This is because they prefer this world over the Hereafter. As for those who emigrated after being persecuted, then strove and persevered, the Lord is Forgiving and Merciful.

The Example of Abraham and the Call to Wisdom.

An ungrateful society that was once safe and prosperous was made to taste hunger and fear. Believers are told to eat the lawful good things Allah has provided. Forbidden foods are reiterated, with exceptions for necessity.

The Prophet is instructed to follow the faith of Abraham, the upright monotheist. Honoring the Sabbath was ordained for those who disputed about it. The chapter concludes with the command to invite all to the way of the Lord with wisdom and kind advice, and to debate only in the best manner. If one retaliates, it should be equivalent to the harm suffered, but patience is better. The Prophet's patience is only with Allah's help, and he should not grieve over the disbelievers or be distressed by their schemes. Allah is with those who are righteous and do good.

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Surah 17. The Night Journey (Al Isra).

The Night Journey and a Warning to Israel.

Glory be to Allah, who took His servant, Muhammad, by night from the Sacred Mosque in Mecca to the Farthest Mosque in Jerusalem, whose surroundings are blessed, to show him some of His signs. Moses was also given the Scripture as a guide for the Children of Israel. They were warned in the Scripture that they would cause corruption in the land twice and become extremely arrogant.

When the first warning came to pass, mighty servants of Allah were sent against them, ravaging their homes. After their repentance, they were given the upper hand again. When the second warning came, their enemies disgraced them, entered their temple as they had the first time, and utterly destroyed all they could. Perhaps the Lord will have mercy if they repent, but if they return to sin, He will return to punishment. Hell is a confinement for the disbelievers.

The Quran's Guidance and Human Haste.

The Quran guides to what is most upright and gives good news of a great reward to the believers. Humans, in their haste, often pray for evil just as they pray for good. The night and day are two signs; the night is for rest, and the day is bright for seeking the Lord's bounty.

Every person's destiny is bound to their neck, and on the Day of Judgment, a record will be brought forth which they will find wide open. They will be told to read their own record, for they are sufficient as their own accountant. Whoever is guided, it is for their own good; whoever strays, it is to their own loss. No one will bear another's burden, and no people are punished until a messenger has been sent to them.

The Commandments of Righteous Living.

A series of divine commandments are laid out:

• Worship none but Allah.

• Honor your parents, especially in their old age, speaking to them with respect and praying for mercy upon them.

• Give close relatives, the poor, and travelers their due, but do not spend wastefully.

• Do not be tight-fisted nor excessively open-handed, but spend in moderation.

• Do not kill your children for fear of poverty.

• Do not approach adultery, for it is a shameful deed.

• Do not take a life, which Allah has made sacred, except by right. If one is killed unjustly, their heir is given authority, but they should not be excessive in retaliation.

• Do not approach the property of an orphan except to improve it.

• Fulfill your pledges.

• Give full measure and weigh with an even balance.

• Do not pursue what you have no knowledge of.

• Do not walk on the earth with arrogance.

The violation of these commandments is detestable to the Lord.

The Oneness of Allah and the Folly of Polytheism.

The pagan claim that Allah has taken angels as daughters is an outrageous falsehood. If there were other gods besides Him, they would have sought a way to challenge the Lord of the Throne. The seven heavens, the earth, and all within them glorify Him.

When the Prophet recites the Quran, a hidden barrier is placed between him and those who do not believe in the Hereafter. Veils are on their hearts and deafness in their ears. When Allah is mentioned alone, they turn away in aversion, calling the Prophet a bewitched man.

The Certainty of Resurrection.

The disbelievers mockingly ask if they will be resurrected after being reduced to bones and ashes. The Prophet is to tell them yes, even if they were to become stones or iron, the One who created them the first time will bring them back. On that Day, they will respond to His call by praising Him, thinking they had remained in the world only a short while.

The Prophet is to tell the believers to speak only what is best, as Satan seeks to sow discord. The idols they invoke besides Allah have no power to remove or transfer harm. Nothing prevents Allah from sending the demanded signs except that they were always denied by earlier peoples. The Night Journey and the cursed tree of Zaqqum mentioned in the Quran were a test for the people.

Satan's Vow and Human Ingratitude.

When the angels were commanded to prostrate to Adam, all did so except Iblis, who arrogantly questioned prostrating to one created from mud. He vowed to take hold of Adam's descendants, except for a few. Allah warned that Hell would be the reward for him and his followers, but that he would have no authority over His true servants.

When people are in hardship at sea, they call upon Allah alone, but when He delivers them to shore, they turn away. Humankind is ever ungrateful.

Finality of Judgment and the Quran's Truth.

On the Day of Judgment, every people will be summoned with their leader. Those given their record in their right hand will read it happily, while those who were blind to the truth in this world will be blind in the Hereafter.

The pagans almost lured the Prophet away from the revelation, but Allah made him steadfast. Had he inclined to them, he would have faced a double punishment. The Quran is sent down in truth. Those with knowledge from before recognize it and fall in prostration when it is recited. The Prophet is told to call upon Allah or the Most Compassionate; to Him belong the most beautiful names. He should not be too loud or too silent in his prayer, but seek a middle way. He is to declare: "All praise is for Allah, Who has never had any offspring, nor a partner in His kingdom, nor is He weak, needing a protector."

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Surah 18. The Cave (Al Kahf).

The Message of the Quran and the People of the Cave.

All praise is for Allah who revealed the Book to His servant, a perfectly upright guide to warn of a severe torment and give good news of a fine, eternal reward to the believers. It is also a warning to those who claim Allah has offspring, an outrageous lie of which they have no knowledge. The Prophet is told not to grieve himself to death over their disbelief.

The story of the People of the Cave is presented as one of Allah's wonders. A group of youths who believed in their Lord took refuge in a cave to escape the polytheism of their people. They prayed for mercy and guidance. Allah caused them to fall into a deep sleep for many years. Then He awakened them to show which of two groups could better estimate their length of stay. The sun would incline away from their cave as it rose and set, while they lay in its open space. One would think them awake, though they were asleep, and Allah turned them from side to side, with their dog at the entrance.

When awakened, they questioned each other about how long they had slept. Unsure, they sent one of them with silver coins to the city to discreetly buy pure food. Through this, they were discovered, so that their people would know that Allah's promise of resurrection is true. After their death, a place of worship was built over them. There are debates about their number—three, five, or seven—but their Lord knows best. One should never say they will do something tomorrow without adding, "if Allah so wills." They remained in their cave for three hundred years, plus nine.

The Parable of the Two Gardens.

An example is given of two men. One, a disbeliever, was given two gardens of grapevines, surrounded by palm trees and filled with crops, with a river flowing between them. He boasted to his poor, believing companion that he was superior in wealth and manpower. He entered his garden, wronging himself, convinced it would never perish and denying the Hour.

His believing companion rebuked him for his disbelief in the One who created him. He advised him that upon entering his garden, he should have said, "This is what Allah has willed! There is no power except with Allah!" The believer warned that his Lord could grant him something better and send a thunderbolt upon the arrogant man's garden, turning it into barren waste. And so it happened: the man's produce was ruined, and he was left wringing his hands in regret, wishing he had never associated anyone with his Lord.

The Fleeting Nature of this World and the Hereafter.

This worldly life is like rain that nourishes plants, which then wither into chaff scattered by the wind. Wealth and children are adornments of this life, but everlasting good deeds are better in reward and hope. On the Day of Judgment, the mountains will be blown away, the earth laid bare, and all will be gathered. The record of deeds will be opened, and the wicked will be in fear.

The Story of Moses and Al-Khidr.

Moses embarked on a journey with his young assistant to find a servant of Allah who possessed special knowledge. After a long journey, they realized they had forgotten their salted fish at the junction of the two seas, where it had miraculously slipped into the water. This was the sign they were looking for.

They retraced their steps and found a servant of Allah, Al-Khidr, who had been granted mercy and knowledge. Moses asked to follow him to learn, but Al-Khidr warned that Moses would not be able to have patience with him. Moses promised he would be patient. They agreed that Moses would not question any action until Al-Khidr explained it.

They set out and boarded a ship, which Al-Khidr then damaged. Moses protested, and was reminded of his promise. Next, they met a boy, whom Al-Khidr killed. Moses again protested this horrible act and was reminded again. He agreed that if he questioned a third time, they would part ways. Finally, they came to a town where the people refused them hospitality. They found a wall about to collapse, and Al-Khidr repaired it. Moses questioned why he did not take a fee.

Al-Khidr then explained his actions. He damaged the ship because a tyrant king was seizing every good ship by force. He killed the boy because his parents were believers, and it was feared the boy would grow up to burden them with defiance and disbelief; their Lord would give them a more righteous child in his place. He repaired the wall because it belonged to two orphan boys, and beneath it was a treasure left by their righteous father. Their Lord willed that they should reach maturity and retrieve it. Al-Khidr affirmed that he did not do these things of his own accord.

The Story of Dhul-Qarnain.

The Prophet is asked about Dhul-Qarnain. He was a righteous ruler established in the land and given the means to all things. He traveled to the setting point of the sun, where he found a people whom he judged justly. He then traveled to the rising point of the sun, where he found a people with no shelter from it.

Finally, he traveled between two mountains, where he found a people who could hardly understand speech. They pleaded with him to build a barrier to protect them from the corruption of Gog and Magog. With their help, he built a mighty barrier of iron blocks, pouring molten copper over it, making it impossible for the enemy to scale or tunnel through. He declared it a mercy from his Lord, which would be leveled when his Lord's promise came to pass.

The Fate of the Disbelievers and Believers.

On that Day, the wicked will see the Fire and know they are bound for it. Do the disbelievers think they can take Allah's servants as lords instead of Him? They are the greatest losers in their deeds—those whose efforts are in vain in this life, yet they think they are doing good. They reject the signs of their Lord, and their deeds will have no weight on Judgment Day.

In contrast, those who believe and do good will have the Gardens of Paradise as their home, where they will abide forever. The Prophet is to declare that he is only a man like them, to whom it has been revealed that their God is One God. Whoever hopes to meet their Lord should do good deeds and associate no one in the worship of their Lord.

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Surah 19. Mary (Mariam).

The Miraculous Birth of John the Baptist.

The story recalls the mercy of the Lord to His servant Zachariah. When he was old, his bones brittle, and his wife barren, he cried out to his Lord in private, fearing for the faith of his relatives after him and asking for a righteous heir. The angels announced the good news of a son named John, a name never given before. Zachariah marveled at how this could be, and the angel replied that it was easy for his Lord. As a sign, he was unable to speak to people for three nights, though he was healthy. John was granted wisdom as a child, was pure, compassionate, God-fearing, and kind to his parents.

The Annunciation and Birth of Jesus.

The story of Mary is recounted. She withdrew from her family to a place in the east, where the angel Gabriel appeared to her as a man. Frightened, she sought refuge in the Most Compassionate. He announced he was a messenger from her Lord to bless her with a pure son. She wondered how this could be, as no man had touched her. He replied that it was a decreed matter, easy for her Lord, and that the child would be a sign for humanity and a mercy.

She conceived and withdrew to a remote place. The pains of labor drove her to the trunk of a palm tree, where she cried out in despair, wishing she had died and been forgotten. A voice reassured her from below, telling her not to grieve, for her Lord had provided a stream at her feet. She was told to shake the palm tree, and fresh, ripe dates would fall. She was to eat, drink, and be at ease, vowing silence to any who might question her.

The Infant Jesus Speaks.

When she returned to her people carrying the baby, they were shocked, accusing her of a horrible thing and questioning her chastity. She pointed to the infant. They exclaimed, "How can we talk to an infant in the cradle?" The baby Jesus declared, "I am truly a servant of Allah. He has destined me to be given the Scripture and to be a prophet. He has made me a blessing... and bid me to establish prayer and give charity... and to be kind to my mother." He proclaimed, "Peace be upon me the day I was born, the day I die, and the day I will be raised back to life!"

This is the word of truth about Jesus, son of Mary, about which people dispute. It is not for Allah to take a son. Glory be to Him! When He decrees a matter, He says, "Be!" and it is. Jesus also declared that Allah is his Lord and their Lord, so they should worship Him alone.

The Stories of Other Prophets.

The stories of other prophets are mentioned as examples of Allah's favor:

• Abraham: He was a man of truth who gently questioned his father's worship of idols that could not hear, see, or benefit him. He warned his father against worshipping Satan. His father threatened to stone him, but Abraham responded with peace, promising to pray for his forgiveness. After he distanced himself from them, Allah granted him Isaac and Jacob.

• Moses: He was a chosen messenger and prophet, with whom Allah spoke directly on Mount Tur.

• Ishmael: He was a man of his word, a messenger who urged his people to prayer and charity.

• Enoch: He was a man of truth and a prophet, elevated to an honorable status.

These were prophets whom Allah blessed. When His revelations were recited, they fell in prostration, weeping. But they were succeeded by generations who neglected prayer and followed their lusts.

The Deniers of Resurrection and the Reality of Judgment.

Some people mockingly ask if they will be raised to life again after they die. They are reminded that Allah created them before when they were nothing. By the Lord, they and the devils will be gathered and set around Hell on their knees. The most defiant will be dragged out first. None will escape passing over Hell. The devout will be delivered, while the wrongdoers will be left there.

The disbelievers mock the believers, asking which group is better in status. They are reminded of the many generations destroyed before them who were superior in luxury. When faced with their threatened punishment—either worldly torment or the Hour—they will realize who is worse in position.

The claim that the Most Compassionate has offspring is an outrageous falsehood, by which the heavens are about to burst, the earth to split, and the mountains to crumble. It does not befit Allah's majesty to have children; all in the heavens and earth are His servants and will return to Him alone on the Day of Judgment. As for believers who do good, the Most Compassionate will bless them with genuine love.

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Surah 20. ta. ha.

Moses's Encounter with Allah.

The Quran was not revealed to cause distress but as a reminder to those in awe of Allah, the Creator of the earth and the high heavens. The story of Moses begins when he saw a fire and approached it, hoping to find guidance or a torch. He was called from the sacred valley of Tuwa: "It is truly I. I am your Lord! So take off your sandals... I have chosen you."

He was commanded to worship Allah alone, establish prayer for His remembrance, and was warned that the Hour is sure to come. Allah asked what was in his right hand. Moses replied it was his staff, which he used for support and for his sheep. Commanded to throw it down, it became a slithering serpent. Allah reassured him, telling him to take it without fear and it would return to its former state. As another sign, he was told to put his hand under his armpit, and it would come out shining white, unblemished. He was then commanded to go to Pharaoh, who had transgressed.

Moses prayed for his heart to be uplifted, his task made easy, and the impediment removed from his tongue so people might understand him. He asked for his brother, Aaron, to be his helper. Allah granted all his requests, reminding him of past favors: how He inspired Moses's mother to place him in a chest in the river, ensuring his rescue by Pharaoh's household, and how He reunited him with his mother.

Confrontation with Pharaoh.

Moses and Aaron were told to go to Pharaoh and speak to him gently. They were to say they were messengers from his Lord and to demand that he let the Children of Israel go without oppression. Pharaoh arrogantly asked, "Who then is the Lord of you two?" Moses replied, "Our Lord is the One who has given everything its form, then guided it." Pharaoh questioned the fate of previous peoples, and Moses said that knowledge was with his Lord in a Record.

Allah showed Pharaoh all His signs, but he denied them, calling Moses a magician who wanted to drive them from their land. Pharaoh gathered his most skilled magicians for a contest on the Day of the Festival. Moses warned them not to fabricate a lie against Allah. The magicians cast their ropes and staffs, which appeared to move by magic. Moses concealed his fear, but Allah reassured him that he would prevail. He cast his staff, and it swallowed their illusions.

The magicians fell in prostration, believing in the Lord of Aaron and Moses. Pharaoh, enraged, threatened to crucify them, accusing them of conspiracy. They replied that their return was to their Lord, and that His punishment was more severe and lasting than Pharaoh's. They had believed so that their Lord might forgive them.

The Exodus and the Golden Calf.

Allah inspired Moses to leave with His servants at night and to strike a dry path through the sea. Pharaoh pursued them with his army, but the waters overwhelmed and drowned them. Allah had saved the Children of Israel and appointed a meeting with them on the right side of Mount Tur, sending down manna and quails.

But in Moses's absence, a man called the Samiri led the people astray. He molded an idol of a calf from their jewelry, which made a lowing sound, and they proclaimed it their god. When Moses returned, furious and sorrowful, he confronted his people. They claimed they were burdened with the Egyptians' jewelry and had thrown it into the fire, from which the Samiri produced the calf. Aaron had warned them, but they refused to listen until Moses returned.

Moses questioned the Samiri, who claimed he saw what others did not and took a handful of dust from the messenger-angel's track, which he cast onto the calf. Moses banished him, decreeing that for the rest of his life he would cry, "Do not touch me!" The idol was burned and its ashes scattered into the sea.

The Quran and the Story of Adam.

The Quran is a Reminder from Allah. Whoever turns from it will bear a heavy burden on the Day of Judgment, when the Trumpet is blown. The mountains will be wiped out, leaving the earth level and bare. All will follow the caller, their voices hushed before the Most Compassionate. All faces will be humbled before the Ever-Living, All-Sustaining.

The Quran was revealed in Arabic with varied warnings. The Prophet is told not to rush to recite a revelation before it is fully conveyed, and to pray, "My Lord, increase me in knowledge."

Allah made a covenant with Adam, but he forgot. When the angels were told to prostrate to Adam, all did except Iblis. Adam was warned that Satan was an enemy to him and his wife and not to let him drive them from Paradise. Satan whispered to him about the Tree of Immortality. They both ate from it, their nakedness was exposed, and they began to cover themselves with leaves. Adam disobeyed his Lord. Then his Lord chose him, accepted his repentance, and guided him.

They were told to descend from Paradise as enemies to one another. Whoever follows Allah's guidance will not go astray, but whoever turns away from His Reminder will have a miserable life and be raised blind on the Day of Judgment. The Prophet is advised to be patient with what the deniers say, to glorify his Lord's praises at specific times, and not to crave the fleeting splendors of this world given to the disbelievers.

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Surah 21. The Prophets (Al Anbiya).

The Heedlessness of Humanity.

The time of people's judgment has drawn near, yet they are heedlessly turning away. They listen to every new reminder from their Lord jokingly, with distracted hearts. The evildoers secretly conspire, dismissing the Prophet as a mere human and his message as witchcraft or confused dreams. They demand a tangible sign like the prophets of old. But no society destroyed before them believed even after receiving signs.

Messengers sent before were also mere men. They were not given supernatural bodies that did not need food, nor were they immortal. Allah fulfilled His promise to them, saving them and destroying the transgressors.

The heavens and earth were not created for sport. Had there been other gods in them besides Allah, both realms would have been corrupted. He cannot be questioned about what He does, but all others will be questioned. The pagans' idols are nothing. The angels are but honored servants who act only at Allah's command and tremble in awe of Him.

The Miracles of Creation and the Stories of Prophets.

The disbelievers are asked: do they not realize that the heavens and earth were once one mass, which Allah split apart? And that He created every living thing from water? He placed firm mountains on the earth, made the sky a protected canopy, and created the day, night, sun, and moon, each traveling in an orbit. Every soul will taste death.

When the disbelievers see the Prophet, they only make fun of him. Humanity is made of haste. The Prophet is told to warn them with the revelation.

The stories of past prophets are recounted to provide lessons:

• Abraham: He questioned his father's and his people's devotion to statues. He declared that their Lord is the Lord of the heavens and the earth. He smashed their idols, except the largest one, to challenge their beliefs. They questioned him, and he sarcastically suggested they ask the largest idol. They admitted the idols could not speak, yet they decided to burn Abraham. Allah commanded the fire, "Be cool and safe for Abraham." He was delivered, along with Lot, to a blessed land. He was granted Isaac and Jacob.

• Lot: He was given wisdom and knowledge and delivered from a society engrossed in shameful practices.

• Noah: He cried out to Allah, who delivered him and his family from the great distress and drowned those who rejected the signs.

• David and Solomon: They passed judgment regarding crops ruined by sheep. Solomon was guided to a fairer settlement. The mountains and birds were subjected to hymn praises with David. Solomon was taught the art of making armor. The raging winds were subjected to him, as were some jinn who dived for him and performed other duties.

• Job: He cried out to his Lord when touched with adversity. Allah answered his prayer, removed his hardship, and gave him back his family, twice as many, as a mercy and a lesson.

• Ishmael, Enoch, and Dhul-Kifl: They were all steadfast and admitted into Allah's mercy.

• Jonah (The Man of the Whale): He stormed off in a rage, thinking Allah would not restrain him. In the darkness of the whale's belly, he cried out, "There is no god but You. Glory be to You! I have certainly done wrong." Allah answered his prayer and rescued him.

• Zachariah: He cried out not to be left childless. Allah answered him, granted him John, and made his wife fertile.

• Mary: She guarded her chastity, and Allah breathed into her through His angel, making her and her son a sign for all peoples.

The Unity of Religion and the Final Judgment.

This religion of the prophets is one religion, and Allah is the one Lord. Yet people have divided it into sects. Whoever does good and is a believer, their striving will not be denied. It is impossible for a destroyed society to rise again until Gog and Magog have broken loose, ushering in the True Promise. Then, the disbelievers will stare in horror, admitting their wrongdoing.

The disbelievers and what they worship will be fuel for Hell. But those for whom Allah has destined the finest reward will be kept far from it, delighting forever in what their souls desire. The Supreme Horror will not disturb them. On that Day, the heavens will be rolled up like a scroll.

The Prophet has been sent only as a mercy for the whole world. His message is that God is One God. If the people turn away, he is to warn them that he does not know if their promised punishment is near or far.

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Surah 22. The Pilgrimage (Al-Hajj).

The Terror of the Hour and the Power of Resurrection.

Humanity is called to fear their Lord, for the violent quaking of the Hour is a dreadful thing. On that Day, every nursing mother will abandon her infant, every pregnant woman will miscarry, and people will appear as if drunk, not from wine, but from the severity of Allah's torment.

Yet some dispute about Allah without knowledge, following every rebellious devil. If people are in doubt about the Resurrection, they are reminded of their own creation: from dust, then a sperm-drop, then a clinging clot, then a lump of flesh. Allah brings them forth as infants to reach their prime, with some dying young and others reaching the most feeble age. Just as He sends rain upon a lifeless earth and it stirs to life, producing pleasant plants, so too will He resurrect the dead.

Some worship Allah on the verge of faith: content if good befalls them, but relapsing into disbelief if tried. They call upon that which can neither harm nor benefit them. In contrast, Allah will admit those who believe and do good into Gardens with flowing rivers.

The Sacred House and the Rites of Pilgrimage.

The disbelievers hinder others from the way of Allah and from the Sacred Mosque in Mecca, which was appointed for all people, residents and visitors alike. Whoever intends to deviate there will taste a painful punishment.

The site of the House was assigned to Abraham with the command not to associate anything with Allah and to purify it for those who circle it, stand, bow, and prostrate in prayer. He was to call all people to the pilgrimage. They will come from every distant path to obtain benefits and pronounce Allah's name over the sacrificial animals He has provided. They are to eat from their meat and feed the poor, groom themselves, fulfill their vows, and circle the Ancient House.

Believers must honor the rituals of Allah, which stems from the piety of the heart. Sacrificial animals are among the symbols of Allah. Their meat and blood do not reach Allah, but piety does. He has subjected them so that believers may proclaim His greatness.

Permission to Fight and the Fate of Past Nations.

Permission to fight back is granted to those who are being fought, for they have been wronged. They are those who were expelled from their homes for no reason other than saying, "Our Lord is Allah." Had Allah not repelled the aggression of some by means of others, monasteries, churches, synagogues, and mosques would have been destroyed. Allah will certainly help those who stand up for Him.

If the Prophet is denied, so were the people of Noah, 'Ad, Thamud, Abraham, and Lot before him. Many societies were destroyed for their wrongdoing, leaving their homes in ruin. It is not the eyes that are blind, but the hearts in the chests. They challenge the Prophet to hasten the torment, but a day with the Lord is like a thousand years by human counting.

Satan's Influence and Allah's Sovereignty.

Whenever a messenger or prophet recited revelation, Satan would influence people's understanding, but Allah would eliminate Satan's influence and establish His revelations. This serves as a trial for those with sick or hardened hearts. Those with knowledge know it is the truth and their hearts submit to it.

The disbelievers will persist in doubt until the Hour surprises them. On that Day, all authority belongs to Allah. Believers will be in Gardens of Bliss, while disbelievers will suffer a humiliating punishment. Those who emigrate in Allah's cause and are martyred or die will be granted an excellent provision.

Allah's power is manifest: He merges night into day, sends rain to make the earth green, and subjects all that is on earth, including ships, for humanity's benefit. He holds the sky from falling. He gives life, causes death, and will bring all back to life. For every community, a code of life was appointed. The Prophet is on the Right Guidance and should not let them dispute with him.

The pagans worship idols for which Allah has sent no authority. When His revelations are recited, rage is seen on their faces. The challenge of the fly is presented: all the idols they invoke could never create a fly, even if they combined their efforts. And if a fly snatched something from them, they could not retrieve it. Powerless are the seeker and the sought.

The chapter concludes with a call to believers: bow down, prostrate, worship your Lord, and do good to be successful. Strive for Allah's cause as He deserves. He has chosen you and laid no hardship in the religion of your father Abraham. He named you "those who submit" (Muslims) in earlier scriptures and in this Quran, so that the Messenger may be a witness over you and you over humanity. Establish prayer, pay alms-tax, and hold fast to Allah. He is the best Guardian and the best Helper.

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Surah 23. The Believers (Al-Mumin).

The Qualities of Successful Believers.

Successful indeed are the believers. They are those who are humble in their prayers, avoid idle talk, and pay the alms-tax. They guard their chastity, except with their wives or what their right hands possess. They are true to their trusts and covenants and are observant of their prayers. These are the ones who will be awarded Paradise to abide in forever.

The Miraculous Stages of Human Creation.

Humankind was created from an extract of clay, then placed as a sperm-drop in a secure place. This drop was developed into a clinging clot, then a lump of flesh, then bones, which were then clothed with flesh. Then it was brought forth as a new creation. Blessed is Allah, the Best of Creators. After that, all will die, and on the Day of Judgment, all will be resurrected.

Allah created seven levels of heaven and is never unmindful of His creation. He sends down rain in perfect measure, producing gardens of palms and grapevines, as well as olive trees from Mount Sinai. In cattle, too, there is a lesson: from their bellies comes milk to drink, and they provide many other benefits.

The Stories of Noah and Other Prophets.

Noah was sent to his people, calling them to worship Allah alone. The disbelieving chiefs dismissed him as a mere human seeking superiority and called him insane. Noah prayed for help against their denial. Allah inspired him to build the Ark. When the flood came, he took on board a pair of every species and his family, except those doomed. They were saved, while the wrongdoers were drowned.

After them, another generation was raised and a messenger sent. The chiefs, spoiled by worldly luxury, made the same arguments, dismissing him as a human like them and denying the resurrection as impossible fables. The messenger prayed for help, and a mighty blast overtook them with justice.

Allah sent His messengers in succession. Whenever a messenger came to a people, they denied him, so Allah destroyed them one after another. Moses and Aaron were sent with signs to Pharaoh, who behaved arrogantly and rejected them. The son of Mary and his mother were made a sign and given refuge on high ground. The messengers were told to eat from what is good and lawful and to act righteously. This religion is one religion, but people have divided it into sects.

The Arrogance of the Disbelievers.

Do the disbelievers think that because Allah provides them with wealth and children, He is hastening to grant them good? No, they are unaware. True believers are those who tremble in awe of their Lord, believe in His revelations, associate none with Him, and give with fearful hearts, knowing they will return to Him.

The hearts of the disbelievers are oblivious to this. When their elite are seized with torment, they cry for help, but are told it is too late. They are asked why they do not contemplate the Word of Allah, or if they failed to recognize their Messenger, or if they think he is insane. The truth has come to them, but most are resentful of it. Had the truth followed their desires, the heavens and earth would have been corrupted.

Even if Allah had mercy on them and removed their affliction, they would persist in their transgression. Allah has created hearing, sight, and intellect, yet they are hardly thankful. They deny resurrection, calling it ancient fables.

The Prophet is to ask them: To whom belong the earth, the seven heavens, and the Mighty Throne? In whose hands is the authority over all things? They will reply, "Allah." Then how are they so deluded? Allah has never had any offspring, nor is there any god besides Him.

The Inevitable Judgment.

The Prophet is told to seek refuge in Allah from the temptations of the devils. When death comes to a disbeliever, they will cry to be sent back to do good, but it is a useless appeal. A barrier will be behind them until they are resurrected.

When the Trumpet is blown, there will be no kinship between them. Those whose scale is heavy with good deeds will be successful. Those whose scale is light will have doomed themselves to Hell forever, their faces burned by the Fire. They will confess their ill-fate took hold of them, but will be told to be despised in Hell and never to plead again. They are reminded of how they used to mock the believers who prayed for mercy. The believers are now the triumphant.

When asked how many years they remained on earth, they will reply, "A day or part of a day." They will be told they remained only for a little while. Were they created without purpose, never to be returned to their Lord? Exalted is Allah, the True King, the Lord of the Honourable Throne. Whoever invokes another god besides Allah will find their penalty with their Lord. The disbelievers will never succeed. The Prophet is to pray, "My Lord! Forgive and have mercy, for You are the best of those who show mercy."

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Surah 24. The Light (An-Nur).

Punishments for Sexual Misconduct and False Accusations.

This is a chapter whose rulings are made obligatory. Female and male fornicators are to be given one hundred lashes each. Pity should not prevent the enforcement of Allah's law, and a group of believers should witness the punishment. A male fornicator should only marry a female fornicator or an idolatress, and a female fornicator only a fornicator or an idolater; such unions are forbidden to believers.

Those who accuse chaste women of adultery but fail to produce four witnesses are to be given eighty lashes, and their testimony is never to be accepted again, for they are rebellious. An exception is made for those who repent and mend their ways.

If a husband accuses his wife but has no witnesses except himself, he must swear four times by Allah that he is telling the truth, and a fifth time that Allah's condemnation be upon him if he is lying. The punishment is averted from her if she swears four times that he is lying, and a fifth time that Allah's displeasure be upon her if he is telling the truth.

The Slander Against 'Aishah and Social Responsibility.

The story of the slander against the Prophet's wife, 'Aishah, is addressed. Those who came up with the outrageous slander were a group from among the community. This event is not bad for the believers; rather, it is good. Each person involved will be punished according to their share of the sin, and the mastermind will suffer a tremendous punishment.

When the believers heard the rumor, they should have thought well of one another and declared it a clear slander. The accusers should have produced four witnesses. Since they did not, they are liars in Allah's sight. Had it not been for Allah's grace, a great punishment would have afflicted those who plunged into the affair. They passed it from tongue to tongue, saying what they had no knowledge of, taking it lightly while it is extremely serious to Allah.

Those who love to see indecency spread among believers will have a painful punishment in this life and the next. Believers are warned not to follow the footsteps of Satan. The virtuous and affluent should not swear to stop giving to their relatives, the needy, and emigrants; they should pardon and forgive, so that they might be forgiven by Allah. Those who accuse chaste, unsuspecting, believing women are cursed in this life and the Hereafter. On the Day of Judgment, their own tongues, hands, and feet will testify against them.

Wicked women are for wicked men, and virtuous women are for virtuous men. The virtuous are innocent of what the wicked say and will have forgiveness and an honorable provision.

Etiquette of Privacy and Modesty.

Believers must not enter houses other than their own without asking permission and greeting the occupants. If no one is home, they should not enter. If asked to leave, they should do so.

Believing men are told to lower their gaze and guard their chastity. Believing women are also told to lower their gaze, guard their chastity, and not reveal their adornments except what normally appears. They should draw their veils over their chests and not reveal their hidden adornments except to their husbands and a specified list of close male relatives (mahram), fellow women, bondswomen, male attendants with no desire, or young children. They should not stomp their feet to draw attention to their hidden adornments.

Guardians are to marry off the single among them. Those who cannot afford to marry should keep themselves chaste until Allah enriches them. Bondspeople desiring a deed of emancipation should be granted one if goodness is found in them. Slave girls should not be forced into prostitution for worldly gain.

The Parable of Light and the Qualities of Believers.

Allah is the Light of the heavens and the earth. His light is like a niche in which there is a lamp, the lamp in a crystal like a shining star, lit from a blessed olive tree. Light upon light. Allah guides whomever He wills to His light.

This light shines in houses of worship where Allah's name is mentioned and He is glorified morning and evening by men whom neither trade nor selling distracts from the remembrance of Allah, performing prayer, and paying alms. They fear a Day when hearts and eyes will tremble.

The deeds of the disbelievers are like a mirage in a desert, which the thirsty perceive as water but find to be nothing. Or they are like darkness in a deep sea, covered by waves upon waves, topped by dark clouds. Whoever Allah does not bless with light will have no light.

Submission of Creation and Obedience to the Messenger.

All in the heavens and the earth glorify Allah, even the birds in flight. Each knows its manner of prayer. Allah drives the clouds, joins them, and brings forth rain. He sends down hail from mountains of clouds. He alternates the night and day. He created every living creature from water.

When the hypocrites are called to Allah and His Messenger for judgment, they turn away. But if the truth is in their favor, they come in submission. The only response of true believers is to say, "We hear and we obey." Whoever obeys Allah and His Messenger, fears Him, and is mindful of Him will be triumphant.

The hypocrites swear they will march forth if commanded, but Allah knows their falsity. The Messenger's duty is only to deliver the message clearly. Allah has promised those who believe and do good that He will make them successors in the land, establish their faith, and change their fear into security, provided they worship Him alone.

Rules for the Household and Community.

Those in one's possession and children who have not reached puberty must ask for permission to enter at three times of privacy: before the dawn prayer, at noon when outer clothes are removed, and after the evening prayer. When children reach puberty, they must seek permission at all times. Elderly women past the age of marriage may set aside their outer garments without revealing their adornments, though it is better for them to be modest.

There are no restrictions on the blind, disabled, or sick, nor on believers eating from the homes of a list of specified relatives or friends. When entering houses, they should greet one another with a blessed greeting from Allah.

True believers, when with the Prophet on a public matter, do not leave without his permission. Believers should not treat the Messenger's summons as they would one another's. Those who disobey his orders are warned of affliction or painful torment.

Surah 25. Al-Furqan (The Standard).

The Sovereignty and Nature of God.

Blessed is Allah, who sent down the Quran—the Standard for judging right from wrong—to His servant, Muhammad, so he could be a warner to all of humanity. To Allah alone belongs the kingdom of the heavens and the earth. He has never had a child, nor does He have any partner in His dominion. He is the Creator of all things, ordaining each with precise measure. Despite this, people have taken other gods who cannot create anything but are themselves created. These false deities cannot protect or benefit themselves, nor do they have any control over life, death, or resurrection.

Refutation of Claims Against the Quran and the Prophet.

The disbelievers assert that the Quran is a fabrication that Muhammad made up with the help of others, a claim that is entirely unjust and untrue. They also dismiss the revelations as ancient fables that have been written down and rehearsed to him day and night. In response, the Prophet is told to declare that the Quran has been revealed by the One who knows every secret in the heavens and the earth, and that He is All-Forgiving and Most Merciful.

The mockers also question the nature of the Prophet, saying, "What kind of messenger is this who eats food and walks through the marketplaces for a living?" They demand that an angel should have been sent down with him as a co-warner, or that a treasure should have been given to him, or that he should have a garden to eat from. These wrongdoers tell the believers they are merely following a man who is bewitched. They have become so lost in their name-calling that they cannot find the right path. Yet, blessed is Allah who, if He willed, could grant the Prophet far better than what they propose, such as gardens with flowing rivers and magnificent palaces.

Judgment, Torment, and Regret.

In truth, the deniers reject the coming of the Final Hour, for which a blazing Fire has been prepared. When this Fire sees them from a distance, they will hear it fuming and growling. They will be thrown, chained together, into a narrow space within it, where they will cry out for complete destruction. However, they will be told to cry not just once, but many times over. In contrast, the Garden of Eternity has been promised to the righteous as their reward and ultimate home, where they will have everything they desire forever—a binding promise from their Lord.

On the Day of Judgment, Allah will gather the polytheists along with the idols they worshipped. He will ask the idols if they misled the people, but they will respond, "Glory be to You! It was not right for us to take any lords besides You. You allowed them and their forefathers to enjoy life for so long that they forgot Your remembrance and became a doomed people." The doomed will then be told that their gods have denied their claims, leaving them with no way to avoid punishment or find help.

Those who do not expect to meet their Lord arrogantly demand that angels be sent down to them, or that they should see their Lord directly. But on the Day they do see the angels, there will be no good news for the wicked. Their good deeds will be turned into scattered dust, while the inhabitants of Paradise will enjoy the finest settlement. On that Day, the heavens will burst with clouds, and angels will descend in ranks. True authority will belong only to the Most Compassionate, and it will be a difficult day for the disbelievers. The wrongdoer will bite his nails in regret, wishing he had followed the Messenger and had never taken a corrupting friend who led him away from the truth, for Satan has always been a betrayer of humanity.

Historical Warnings and Divine Signs.

The Prophet cried out that his people had neglected the Quran. Just as every prophet before him had enemies from among the wicked, Allah is a sufficient guide and helper. When disbelievers questioned why the Quran was not revealed all at once, the answer was that it came in stages to strengthen the Prophet’s heart and provide the best refutation for their arguments. Historical examples of destruction are given as a warning: the people of Moses and Aaron who denied the signs were annihilated, and the people of Noah were drowned for rejecting the messengers, becoming an example for all humanity. The peoples of ‘Ad, Thamud, and the city of Sodom were also destroyed. The Meccans pass by these ruins, yet they do not learn, for they do not expect a resurrection. They continue to mock the Prophet, preferring their idols, and are more astray than cattle.

In contrast to their denial, the signs of Allah’s power are evident. He extends the shade and uses the sun as its guide. He made the night for cover and sleep for rest, and the day for rising. He sends winds and pure rain to give life to dead land and provide water for countless creatures. He merges fresh and salt water, placing a barrier between them. He creates human beings from a humble liquid and establishes bonds of kinship and marriage. Yet, the disbeliever collaborates against their Lord.

Qualities of the Righteous Servants.

The Prophet is instructed to trust in the Ever-Living God who never dies. He is to ask for no reward, but to invite all who wish to follow the way to their Lord. The true servants of the Most Compassionate are those who walk with humility and respond to the foolish with words of peace. They spend their nights in prayer, prostrating before their Lord. They pray to be saved from the unrelenting punishment of Hell, which is an evil place to reside.

They are moderate in their spending, neither wasteful nor stingy. They worship Allah alone, do not commit murder unjustly, and do not commit fornication. Those who do these major sins will face a multiplied punishment on the Day of Judgment, but for those who repent, believe, and do good deeds, Allah will change their evil deeds into good ones, for He is All-Forgiving. They do not bear false witness, and when they encounter falsehood, they pass by it with dignity. When reminded of their Lord’s revelations, they are not deaf or blind to them. They pray for righteous spouses and children who will be a joy to them, and to be made models for the righteous. These are the ones who will be rewarded with elevated mansions in Paradise, where they will be greeted with peace and will live forever.

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Surah 26. Ash Shuara (The Poets).

The Prophet's Concern and the Nature of Revelation.

These are the verses of the clear Book. The Prophet Muhammad is so consumed with sorrow over his people's disbelief that he might grieve himself to death. If Allah willed, He could send a compelling sign from the heavens that would force them into submission. Yet, whenever a new reminder comes to them from the Most Compassionate, they turn away. They have denied the truth and will soon face the consequences of their ridicule. A sign for them is the earth itself, where Allah has caused countless types of fine plants to grow, yet most of them refuse to believe. Your Lord is indeed the Almighty, the Most Merciful.

The Story of Moses and Pharaoh.

Remember when the Lord called to Moses, instructing him to go to the wrongdoing people of Pharaoh and ask if they would not fear Allah. Moses expressed his fear of being rejected, of his heart being broken and his tongue being tied, and requested that his brother Aaron be sent with him. He also feared being killed due to a charge against him. Allah reassured him, telling both him and Aaron to go with His signs, for He would be with them, listening. They were to command Pharaoh to let the Children of Israel go.

Pharaoh confronted Moses, reminding him that he was raised among them as a child and then committed a crime, showing ingratitude. Moses replied that he had acted while lacking guidance and fled in fear. It was then that his Lord granted him wisdom and made him a messenger. He challenged Pharaoh, asking how this could be considered a favor when it was built on the enslavement of the Children of Israel. When Pharaoh mockingly asked, "And what is 'the Lord of all worlds'?", Moses declared that He is the Lord of the heavens, the earth, and everything in between; the Lord of their forefathers and the Lord of the east and the west. Pharaoh dismissed Moses as insane.

Pharaoh threatened Moses with imprisonment if he took any god other than him. Moses responded by offering clear proof. He threw down his staff, and it became a real snake. He drew out his hand, and it shone white for all to see. Pharaoh accused him of being a skilled magician seeking to drive them from their land and asked his chiefs for counsel. They advised him to gather every skilled magician in the land for a confrontation.

On the appointed day, the magicians assembled, asking Pharaoh for a reward if they were victorious. He promised them wealth and a position close to him. Moses challenged them to cast their magic first. They cast their ropes and staffs, which appeared as snakes, and declared that by Pharaoh's might they would prevail. Then Moses threw his staff, and it swallowed their illusions. The magicians, recognizing the truth, fell down in prostration, declaring their belief in the Lord of all worlds, the Lord of Moses and Aaron. Enraged, Pharaoh accused them of conspiring with Moses and threatened to cut off their hands and feet on opposite sides and crucify them all. The magicians responded that this was no harm, for they would return to their Lord, hoping for forgiveness as they were the first to believe.

Allah inspired Moses to leave with his servants by night, for they would be pursued. Pharaoh sent mobilizers to all cities, dismissing the Israelites as a mere handful of people who had enraged them. Thus, Allah lured the tyrants out of their gardens, springs, treasures, and splendid homes, which were then awarded to the Children of Israel. Pharaoh’s army pursued them at sunrise. When the two groups faced each other by the sea, Moses’s companions cried out in fear of being overtaken. Moses reassured them that his Lord was with him and would guide him. Allah inspired Moses to strike the sea with his staff, and it parted, with each side like a huge mountain. Moses and his people were saved, while the pursuers were drawn in and drowned. Surely in this is a sign, yet most of them would not believe. Your Lord is indeed the Almighty, Most Merciful.

The Call of Abraham.

Relate the story of Abraham, who questioned his father and his people about the idols they worshipped with full devotion. He asked if these idols could hear, benefit, or harm them. They admitted the idols could not, but said they were merely following the ways of their forefathers. Abraham declared these idols enemies to him, and that he worshipped only the Lord of all worlds—the One who created and guides him, provides food and drink, heals him when he is sick, will cause him to die and then bring him back to life, and who he hopes will forgive his flaws on Judgment Day.

Abraham prayed to his Lord for wisdom, to be joined with the righteous, to be granted honorable mention among later generations, and to be among those awarded the Garden of Bliss. He asked for his father’s forgiveness, acknowledging his misguidance, and prayed not to be disgraced on the Day of Resurrection, when neither wealth nor children will be of any benefit, and only those who come to Allah with a pure heart will be saved. On that Day, Paradise will be brought near for the God-fearing, and Hellfire will be displayed for the deviant. They will be asked where their false gods are and if they can help them. The idols, the deviant, and all the soldiers of Iblis (Satan) will be hurled into Hell, where they will argue with their idols, admitting they were clearly mistaken to equate them with the Lord of all worlds. They were led astray by the wicked and now have no intercessor or close friend. If only they had a second chance, they would be believers. Surely in this is a sign, yet most of them would not believe. And your Lord is certainly the Almighty, Most Merciful.

Stories of Other Prophets and Their Peoples.

The narratives continue with other prophets who were rejected. The people of Noah rejected him when he called them to fear Allah and obey him, asking for no reward. They argued they could not believe in him when he was followed only by the lowest of people. Noah responded that he had no knowledge of their deeds and that their judgment was with his Lord. He refused to expel the believers, stating he was only a clear warner. They threatened to stone him if he did not stop, so Noah prayed to his Lord for a decisive judgment. Allah saved him and his followers in the loaded Ark and then drowned the rest.

The people of ‘Ad rejected their brother Hud, who called them to fear Allah and obey him. He condemned their vanity in building landmarks on high places and castles as if they would live forever, and their viciousness when they attacked others. He reminded them of the blessings Allah had given them—cattle, children, gardens, and springs—and warned them of a tremendous day of torment. They were indifferent to his warnings, calling his message a mere tradition of their predecessors and denying they would ever be punished. So they rejected him, and Allah destroyed them.

The people of Thamud rejected their brother Salih, who called them to fear Allah and obey Him. He questioned if they thought they would be left secure forever amid their gardens, springs, crops, and palm trees, carving homes from mountains with great skill. He warned them not to follow the transgressors who spread corruption. They dismissed him as bewitched and, being only a human like them, demanded a sign. Salih presented a she-camel, designating a specific day for her to drink and a day for them, warning them not to harm her lest they face a great torment. But they killed her and became regretful. The punishment overtook them.

The people of Lot rejected him when he called them to fear Allah and obey him. He rebuked them for lusting after men instead of the wives their Lord created for them, calling them a transgressing people. They threatened to expel him if he did not desist. Lot declared his despise for their shameful practice and prayed to be saved. Allah saved him and his family, except for an old woman (his wife) who was among the doomed. Then He destroyed the rest, raining down brimstone upon them.

The residents of the Forest rejected Shu’aib, who called them to fear Allah and obey him. He commanded them to give full measure, weigh with an even balance, and not defraud people of their property or spread corruption. They dismissed him as bewitched and a liar, and challenged him to make pieces of the sky fall on them if he was truthful. They rejected him, and so they were overtaken by the torment of the day of the deadly cloud.

In each of these stories lies a sign, yet most of the people would not believe. And in each instance, it is affirmed that your Lord is the Almighty, the Most Merciful.

The Divine Origin of the Quran.

This Quran is a revelation from the Lord of all worlds, brought down by the trustworthy spirit, Gabriel, into the Prophet's heart so that he may be a warner in a clear Arabic tongue. Its coming was foretold in the scriptures of those before. It should be a sufficient proof for the deniers that the knowledgeable among the Children of Israel recognize it. Yet, even if it had been revealed to a non-Arab who recited it fluently, they would still not believe. This is how denial enters the hearts of the wicked, who will not believe until they see the painful punishment that will take them by surprise. Then they will ask for more time, but to no avail.

Allah has never destroyed a society without first sending warners to remind them, for He is never unjust. This Quran was not brought down by devils; it is not for them to do so, nor could they, as they are barred from even overhearing it.

Advice to the Prophet and a Warning to Poets.

The Prophet is commanded not to call upon any other god besides Allah, lest he be among the punished. He is to warn his closest relatives and be gracious to the believers who follow him. If they disobey, he should declare himself free of their actions and put his trust in the Almighty, Most Merciful, who sees him when he prays at night and witnesses his movements among fellow worshippers. He alone is the All-Hearing, All-Knowing.

Devils descend upon every sinful liar who gives an ear to half-truths and passes on lies. As for poets, they are followed merely by deviants, for they rant in every field and say what they do not do. The exception is for those poets who believe, do good deeds, remember Allah often, and poetically defend the believers after they have been wronged. The wrongdoers will soon discover what evil end awaits them.

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Surah 27. An Naml (The Ants).

The Quran's Guidance.

These are the verses of the Quran, the clear Book, which serves as a guide and brings good news to the believers. These are the ones who establish prayer, give alms-tax, and hold a firm faith in the Hereafter. For those who do not believe in the Hereafter, their evil deeds are made to seem appealing, causing them to wander blindly. They will suffer a dreadful torment and will be the greatest losers in the life to come. The Prophet Muhammad is indeed receiving this Quran from the One who is All-Wise and All-Knowing.

The Call of Moses.

Remember when Moses, spotting a fire, told his family he would bring back directions or a burning torch for warmth. When he approached it, a voice called out, "Blessed is the one at the fire and those around it! Glory be to Allah, Lord of all worlds. O Moses! It is I, Allah, the Almighty, All-Wise." Allah commanded him to throw down his staff. When Moses saw it slithering like a snake, he fled in fear. Allah reassured him, telling him that messengers should have no fear in His presence, except those who do wrong but later repent, for Allah is All-Forgiving. As another sign, he was told to put his hand into his collar, and it emerged shining white and unblemished. These were two of nine signs for Pharaoh and his rebellious people. When these enlightening signs came to them, they dismissed them as pure magic. Though their hearts were convinced of the truth, they denied the signs out of arrogance and wrongdoing. See what became of the corruptors.

The Kingdom of David and Solomon.

Knowledge was granted to David and Solomon, and they praised Allah for privileging them over many of his faithful servants. Solomon succeeded David and announced, "O people! We have been taught the language of birds and have been given all we need. This is a great privilege." Solomon’s forces, consisting of jinn, humans, and birds, were assembled for him in perfect order.

As they approached a valley of ants, one ant warned the others to enter their homes to avoid being crushed unknowingly by Solomon and his armies. Solomon smiled in amusement at her words and prayed, thanking his Lord for the favors bestowed upon him and his parents. He asked to be inspired to do good deeds that please Allah and to be admitted by His mercy into the company of the righteous.

Solomon and the Hoopoe.

One day, while inspecting his birds, Solomon noticed the hoopoe was absent. He declared he would punish or even slaughter the bird unless it brought a compelling excuse. Soon, the hoopoe returned, saying, "I have discovered something you do not know. I come from Sheba with sure news." The bird reported finding a woman ruling over the people, who had been given everything she needed and possessed a magnificent throne. However, she and her people were prostrating to the sun instead of Allah, as Satan had made their deeds seem appealing, leaving them unguided. They did not prostrate to Allah, who brings forth all that is hidden and knows what is concealed and revealed. He is Allah, the Lord of the Mighty Throne, and there is no god but Him.

Solomon decided to test the hoopoe’s claim, sending a letter with the bird to the queen. The queen announced to her chiefs that a noble letter had been delivered from Solomon, which read: "In the Name of Allah, the Most Compassionate, Most Merciful. Do not be arrogant, but come to me in full submission to Allah." She asked her chiefs for advice, and they proclaimed their strength but left the decision to her. She reasoned that kings ruin lands and debase nobles when they invade, and decided to send a gift to Solomon to see what response her envoys would receive.

When the envoy arrived, Solomon dismissed the offer of wealth, stating that what Allah had granted him was far greater. He declared, "It is you who rejoice in receiving gifts!" He sent the envoy back with a warning: he would mobilize forces they could never resist and drive them out in disgrace.

The Queen of Sheba's Submission.

Solomon then asked his chiefs which of them could bring him the queen's throne before she and her people arrived in submission. A mighty jinn offered to bring it before the council ended, but one who had knowledge of the Scripture said he could bring it in the blink of an eye. When Solomon saw the throne placed before him, he exclaimed that it was by the grace of his Lord, a test of his gratitude. He ordered the throne to be disguised to see if the queen would recognize it.

When the queen arrived, she was asked if her throne was like this one. She replied that it looked the same and that they had already received knowledge of Solomon's prophethood and had submitted. She had been hindered by her worship of idols, as she came from a disbelieving people. She was then told to enter the palace. Seeing its crystal-paved hall, she mistook it for a body of water and bared her legs. Solomon clarified that it was just a palace paved with crystal. At that moment, she declared, "My Lord! I have wronged my soul. Now I submit myself, along with Solomon, to Allah, the Lord of all worlds."

The Stories of Salih and Lot.

To the people of Thamud, their brother Salih was sent, proclaiming, "Worship Allah." They immediately split into two opposing factions. Salih urged the disbelievers to seek grace rather than hasten torment, but they considered him and his followers a bad omen. He replied that their omens were destined by Allah and that they were merely being tested. In the city, nine elite men spread corruption. They conspired to attack Salih and his family by night and then deny any knowledge of the murder. They made a plan, but Allah also made a plan while they were unaware. The consequence was their utter destruction, along with all their people, leaving their homes in ruins as a lesson. Allah delivered those who were faithful.

And remember Lot, who rebuked his people for their shameful and ignorant lust for men instead of women. Their only response was to demand the expulsion of Lot and his followers for wishing to remain chaste. So Allah delivered Lot and his family, except for his wife, who was destined to be among the doomed. A rain of brimstone was poured upon the rest, a terrible fate for those who had been warned.

Allah, the True Creator and Provider.

The Prophet is told to praise Allah and ask the disbelievers which is better: Allah or the gods they associate with Him? Who created the heavens and the earth, sends down rain to grow delightful gardens, made the earth a place of settlement with rivers and mountains, and set a barrier between fresh and saltwater? Is it another god besides Allah? No, but most of them do not know.

Who responds to the distressed when they call, relieves their affliction, and makes people successors on earth? Who guides people in the darkness of land and sea and sends winds as a herald of His mercy? Who originates creation, resurrects it, and provides from the heavens and earth? Is there any god besides Allah? If they claim so, they must bring their proof.

Final Warnings and Assurances.

None in the heavens or on earth knows the unseen except Allah, nor do they know when they will be resurrected. The disbelievers are blind to the Hereafter, asking if they will be brought back to life after being reduced to dust, dismissing it as ancient fables. They are told to travel the land and see the fate of the wicked. The Prophet should not grieve over them or their schemes, for their punishment may be close at hand. The Lord is bountiful, though most are ungrateful, and He knows all that is concealed and revealed, all of which is in a perfect Record.

This Quran clarifies most of what the Children of Israel differ over and is a guide and mercy for believers. The Lord will judge between them with justice. The Prophet is told to trust in Allah, for he is on the path of clear truth. He cannot make the dead, the deaf, or the blind hear or see the truth. Only those who believe in Allah's revelations and submit can be made to hear.

When the decree of the Hour comes, a beast will emerge from the earth, declaring that people had no sure faith. On that Day, deniers from every community will be gathered. The decree of torment will be justified, leaving them speechless. Do they not see the signs in the night made for rest and the day made bright? On the Day the Trumpet is blown, all in the heavens and earth will be horrified, except those Allah wills to spare. The mountains, which seem fixed, will travel like clouds—the design of Allah, who has perfected everything. Whoever comes with a good deed will be rewarded with better, secure from the horror of that Day. Whoever comes with an evil deed will be hurled into the Fire. People are rewarded only for what they used to do.

The Prophet is commanded to worship only the Lord of Mecca, to whom all things belong, and to be one of those who submit and recite the Quran. Whoever is guided is guided for their own good, and whoever strays is met with the warning, "I am only a warner." All praise is for Allah, who will show His signs, which they will recognize. And the Lord is never unaware of what people do.

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Surah 28. Al Qasas (The Whole Story).

Pharaoh's Tyranny and the Birth of Moses.

These are the verses of the clear Book. We narrate in truth the story of Moses and Pharaoh for those who believe. Pharaoh had elevated himself in the land, dividing its people into factions. He persecuted one group, the Israelites, slaughtering their sons while sparing their women, for he was a corruptor. It was Allah’s will to favor the oppressed, to make them models of faith and successors in the land, and to show Pharaoh, his chief minister Haman, and their soldiers the very thing they feared.

We inspired the mother of Moses to nurse her baby, but when she feared for his life, to place him in the river without fear or grief, for We promised to return him to her and make him a messenger. Pharaoh’s people found the baby, who was destined to become their enemy and a source of grief. Pharaoh, Haman, and their soldiers were indeed sinful. Pharaoh's wife pleaded with him not to kill the baby, suggesting he might be useful or they could adopt him, unaware of what was to come. Moses's mother's heart ached so much she almost revealed his identity, but We reassured her heart so she would have faith in Allah's promise. She told his sister to follow him from a distance. We had made him refuse all wet nurses, so his sister suggested a family that could raise him. Thus, We returned him to his mother, to ease her heart and so she would know Allah's promise is true, though most people do not know.

Moses's Youth, Escape, and Marriage.

When Moses reached maturity, We gave him wisdom and knowledge. One day, he entered the city unnoticed and found two men fighting, one an Israelite and the other an enemy. The Israelite called for help, and Moses punched the enemy, unintentionally killing him. He cried out that this was Satan’s work and pleaded, "My Lord, I have wronged my soul, so forgive me." Allah forgave him. Moses pledged never again to side with the wicked. The next day, fearful and watchful, he saw the same Israelite crying out for help again. Moses rebuked him as a troublemaker, but as he was about to strike their foe, the man cried, "Do you intend to kill me as you killed a man yesterday? You only want to be a tyrant!"

A man rushed from the far end of the city to warn Moses that the chiefs were conspiring to kill him, advising him to flee. So Moses left, fearful and praying for deliverance from the wrongdoing people. As he headed toward Midian, he trusted his Lord to guide him. At the well of Midian, he found shepherds watering their flocks and saw two women holding their herd back. They explained that they could not water their animals until the shepherds were done, as their father was a very old man. Moses watered their herd for them, then withdrew to the shade and prayed, "My Lord, I am in desperate need of whatever You may provide."

One of the women returned, walking bashfully, and said her father invited him to reward him. When Moses told the old man his story, he was told, "Have no fear, you are safe." One of the daughters suggested hiring him, for the best to employ is one who is strong and trustworthy. The father proposed that Moses marry one of his daughters, provided he work for him for eight years, with ten years being a favor. Moses agreed, stating that whichever term he fulfilled, there would be no further obligation, and called Allah as a witness.

The Prophetic Call and Confrontation with Pharaoh.

After completing the term, Moses was traveling with his family when he saw a fire on the side of Mount Tur. He told his family to wait while he sought directions or a torch. When he approached, a voice from a bush in the sacred ground called out, "O Moses! It is I, Allah, the Lord of all worlds. Throw down your staff!" When he saw it slithering like a snake, he fled. Allah reassured him, "Draw near and have no fear. You are perfectly secure." He was told to put his hand in his collar, and it would emerge shining white, and to cross his arms to calm his fears. These were two proofs from his Lord for Pharaoh and his rebellious chiefs.

Moses appealed to his Lord, expressing fear of being killed for the man he had slain. He asked that his more eloquent brother, Aaron, be sent with him as a helper. Allah responded that He would assist him with his brother and grant them both authority so they could not be harmed. When Moses presented the clear signs to Pharaoh, they were dismissed as conjured magic, something their forefathers had never heard of. Moses replied that his Lord knows best who comes with guidance. Pharaoh declared to his chiefs that he knew of no other god for them but himself and commanded Haman to build a high tower so he could look at the God of Moses, whom he was sure was a liar.

Pharaoh and his soldiers behaved arrogantly, thinking they would never be returned to Allah. So Allah seized them and cast them into the sea. They were made leaders who invited others to the Fire, and on the Day of Judgment, they will not be helped. A curse followed them in this world, and on that Day, they will be outcasts.

Revelation and Pagan Objections.

After destroying earlier nations, We gave Moses the Scripture as an insight, guide, and mercy for the people. The Prophet Muhammad was not present on the western side of the mountain when We entrusted the Commandments to Moses, nor was he living among the people of Midian. This revelation is sent as a mercy from your Lord to warn a people who had no warner before, so they might not say an affliction befell them without a messenger having been sent.

When the truth came to them, they demanded that Muhammad be given signs like those given to Moses, though they had denied Moses's signs earlier. They claimed both scriptures were works of magic supporting each other. The Prophet is told to challenge them: "Bring a scripture from Allah which is a better guide than these two, if you are truthful." If they fail to respond, know they only follow their desires, and who is more astray than one who does so without guidance from Allah?

Some to whom We gave the Scripture before believe in the Quran. When it is recited, they affirm it is the truth from their Lord, as they had already submitted before it came. They will receive a double reward for their perseverance, for responding to evil with good, and for donating from what We have provided. When they hear slander, they turn away, saying "Peace," wanting nothing to do with the ignorant.

Guidance, Excuses, and Divine Justice.

The Prophet cannot guide whoever he likes; only Allah guides whom He wills. The pagans excuse their disbelief by saying that if they followed the guidance, they would be snatched from their land. Have We not established for them a safe haven in Mecca, to which all kinds of fruits are brought as provision? We have destroyed many societies spoiled by comfortable living, and their residences remain uninhabited. Allah alone is the Successor.

Whatever you have been given is a fleeting enjoyment of this world; what is with Allah is better and more lasting. Can one who has a fine promise from Allah be like one who enjoys this life but will be brought for punishment on Judgment Day? On that Day, Allah will ask where their associate-gods are. The misleaders will confess they caused their followers to deviate as they themselves were deviant, and they will disassociate from them, claiming it was not them the people worshipped. The disbelievers will call on their associate-gods, but they will not respond. They will face the punishment and wish they had been guided. When asked what response they gave to the messengers, they will be dumbstruck. But those who repent, believe, and do good may hope to be among the successful.

Allah's Absolute Authority and the Arrogance of Korah.

Your Lord creates and chooses as He wills; the choice is not theirs. He is Allah, there is no god but Him. All praise and authority belong to Him, and to Him all will return. If Allah were to make the night or day perpetual, what god other than Him could bring sunlight or a night to rest? It is from His mercy that He made the day and night for you to seek His bounty and be grateful.

Korah, from the people of Moses, was arrogant. We granted him treasures so vast their keys would burden strong men. His people advised him not to be prideful, but to seek the reward of the Hereafter with his wealth, without forgetting his share of this world, and to be good to others as Allah has been good to him. He arrogantly replied that his wealth was due to his own knowledge. Did he not know Allah had destroyed generations before him who were more powerful and had accumulated more? He paraded his glamour, and those who desired worldly life wished for his fortune. But those with knowledge said Allah's reward is better for those who believe and do good.

Then We caused the earth to swallow Korah and his home. He had no one to help him. Those who had envied him the day before realized it is Allah who gives provisions to whom He wills and that the disbelievers never succeed. That eternal home in the Hereafter is reserved for those who seek neither tyranny nor corruption. The ultimate outcome belongs to the righteous.

Final Advice to the Prophet.

The One who ordained the Quran for you will bring you back home to Mecca. You never expected this Book, but it is a mercy from your Lord. So never side with the disbelievers, nor let them turn you from Allah's revelations. Invite all to your Lord and never be a polytheist. Do not invoke any other god with Allah. There is no god but Him. Everything will perish except His Face. All authority is His, and to Him, you will all be returned.

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Surah 29. Al Ankabut  (The Spider).

The Test of Faith.

Do people think they will be left alone to say, "We believe," without being tested? We certainly tested those before them, and in this way, Allah distinguishes the truthful from the liars. The evildoers should not think they can escape Us; their judgment is wrong. Whoever hopes for the meeting with Allah should know that His appointed time will come. Whoever strives in Allah’s cause does so for their own good, for Allah is not in need of His creation. For those who believe and do good, We will absolve their sins and reward them for the best of their deeds.

We have commanded people to honor their parents. But if parents urge one to associate with Allah that which is unknown, they should not be obeyed. All will return to Allah, who will inform them of their deeds. Those who believe and do good will be admitted into the company of the righteous.

The Hypocrites and Deniers.

There are some who claim to believe in Allah, but when they suffer for His cause, they equate human persecution with Allah’s punishment. When victory comes from your Lord, they declare they were always with the believers. Allah knows what is in the hearts of all. He will distinguish between true believers and hypocrites. The disbelievers tell the believers to follow their way and that they will bear their sins, but they are lying and would never do so. They will carry their own burdens and other burdens along with them and will be questioned on Judgment Day about their fabrications.

Stories of the Prophets.

We sent Noah to his people, and he remained among them for 950 years. The Flood overtook them while they persisted in wrongdoing. We delivered him and those in the Ark, making it a sign for all people.

Abraham told his people to worship and fear Allah, for that was better for them. He called their idols mere fabrications that could not provide for them and urged them to seek provision from Allah alone. He warned them that if they persisted in denial, other communities had done so before them, and the messenger’s duty is only to deliver the message clearly. Have they not seen how Allah originates and resurrects creation? This is easy for Allah. The Prophet is told to tell them to travel the land and see how creation began, and that Allah will bring it into being again. He punishes and shows mercy to whom He wills, and none can escape Him. Those who disbelieve in Allah's signs and the meeting with Him have no hope in His mercy and will face a painful punishment.

The only response from Abraham's people was to demand his death by killing or burning, but Allah saved him from the fire. In this are signs for believers. Abraham declared that their idols were only a means of harmony in this worldly life, but on Judgment Day, they would disown and curse one another, with the Fire as their home. Lot believed in him, and Abraham emigrated in obedience to his Lord. We blessed Abraham with Isaac and Jacob, reserving prophethood and revelation for his descendants, and he will be among the righteous in the Hereafter.

Lot rebuked his people for their shameful lust for men, for abusing travelers, and for practicing open immorality. Their only response was to mockingly demand Allah’s punishment. Lot prayed for help against the people of corruption. When Our angels came to Abraham with the good news of Isaac's birth, they also informed him of their mission to destroy the people of Sodom. Abraham expressed concern for Lot, but the angels said they knew who was there and would save him and his family, except his wife, who was doomed. When the angels came to Lot, he was distressed, but they reassured him. They brought down a punishment from heaven upon the rebellious city, leaving its ruins as a clear lesson for people of understanding.

We sent Shu'aib to the people of Midian, who told them to worship Allah and hope for the Last Day, and not to spread corruption. They rejected him, so an earthquake struck them, and they fell lifeless in their homes. The people of ‘Ad and Thamud met a similar fate, as is clear from their ruins. Satan made their evil deeds seem appealing, hindering them from the right way, though they were capable of reason. Korah, Pharaoh, and Haman were also destroyed; Moses had come to them with clear proofs, but they behaved arrogantly and could not escape Us. We seized each people for their sin: some with a storm of stones, some with a mighty blast, some We caused the earth to swallow, and some We drowned. Allah did not wrong them; they wronged themselves.

The Frailty of False Protectors.

The parable of those who take protectors other than Allah is like that of a spider spinning a shelter—the flimsiest of all shelters. Allah knows that whatever they invoke besides Him is nothing. He is the Almighty, All-Wise. These parables are for humanity, but only people of knowledge will understand them. Allah created the heavens and the earth for a purpose, a sign for people of faith.

Advice to the Prophet and Believers.

The Prophet is commanded to recite the Book and establish prayer, for genuine prayer deters one from indecency. The remembrance of Allah is an even greater deterrent. Believers should not argue with the People of the Book except gracefully, unless they act wrongfully, and should say, "We believe in what was revealed to us and to you. Our God and your God is One, and to Him we submit." We have revealed this Book to you, and the faithful among the People of the Book believe in it, as do some pagan Arabs. Only the stubborn disbelieve. The Prophet could not read or write before this revelation; otherwise, the people of falsehood would have been suspicious. This Quran is a set of clear revelations preserved in the hearts of those with knowledge.

The pagans demand signs from his Lord. The Prophet is to say that signs are only with Allah and that he is only a clear warner. Is it not enough that We have sent down the Book, which is recited to them? It is a mercy and a reminder for those who believe. Allah is a sufficient witness between the Prophet and them. Those who believe in falsehood and disbelieve in Allah are the true losers.

They challenge the Prophet to hasten the punishment. Had it not been for a set time, it would have come at once. Hell will certainly encompass the disbelievers on the Day the punishment overwhelms them from above and below. To the persecuted believers, Allah says, "O My believing servants! My earth is truly spacious, so worship Me alone." Every soul will taste death and return to Us. Those who believe and do good will be housed in mansions in Paradise, under which rivers flow—an excellent reward for those who patiently endure and trust in their Lord.

Final Arguments and Warnings.

Many creatures cannot secure their own provisions; it is Allah who provides for them and for you. If you ask the polytheists who created the heavens and earth and subjected the sun and moon, they will say, "Allah!" How then are they deluded? Allah gives provisions to whom He wills. If you ask who sends rain from the sky to give life to the earth, they will say, "Allah!" Yet, if they are on a ship in a storm, they cry out to Allah alone, but as soon as He delivers them to shore, they return to polytheism. Let them be ungrateful; they will soon know. Have they not seen how We have made Mecca a safe haven while people around them are snatched away? How can they believe in falsehood and deny Allah’s favors? Who does more wrong than one who fabricates lies against Allah or rejects the truth? Hell is a fitting home for the disbelievers. As for those who struggle in Our cause, We will surely guide them. And Allah is certainly with the good-doers.

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Surah 30. Ar Rum (The Romans).

A Prophecy of Victory.

The Romans have been defeated in a nearby land. Yet, following their defeat, they will triumph within three to nine years. The entire matter rests with Allah, both before and after this victory. On that day of Roman triumph, the believers will rejoice in the victory willed by Allah. He gives victory to whomever He wills, for He is the Almighty, Most Merciful. This is the promise of Allah, and He never fails in His promise, though most people do not know. They are only aware of the worldly affairs of this life, remaining oblivious to the Hereafter.

Call to Reflection and Warning.

Have they not reflected upon themselves? Allah created the heavens, the earth, and everything in between only for a specific purpose and for an appointed term. Yet, most people deny the meeting with their Lord. Have they not traveled the land to see the end of those who were destroyed before them? Those people were superior in might, cultivating and developing the land more than the Meccans ever have. Their messengers came with clear proofs. Allah never wronged them; they wronged themselves. The end of the evildoers was most evil because they denied and mocked the signs of Allah.

Judgment and the Signs of Allah.

It is Allah who originates creation and will resurrect it, and to Him, all will return. On the Day the Hour arrives, the wicked will be dumbstruck. They will have no intercessors from their false gods, whom they will then deny. On that Day, people will be split into two groups: those who believed and did good will rejoice in a Garden, while those who disbelieved and denied the signs and the Hereafter will be confined in punishment. So glorify Allah in the evening and morning, and in the afternoon and at noon, for all praise is for Him in the heavens and the earth. He brings the living from the dead and the dead from the living, and He gives life to the earth after its death. So too will you be brought forth from the grave.

Among His signs is that He created you from dust, and you became human beings spreading over the earth. He created spouses for you from among yourselves to find comfort in, placing compassion and mercy between you—a sign for people who reflect. The creation of the heavens and earth, and the diversity of your languages and colors, are signs for those with knowledge. Your sleep by night and day, and your seeking of His bounty, are signs for those who listen. He shows you lightning, inspiring hope and fear, and sends rain from the sky to revive the earth—signs for people who understand. The heavens and the earth persist by His command, and when He calls you from the earth, you will instantly come forth. All in the heavens and earth are subject to His will. He originates creation and will resurrect it, which is even easier for Him.

The Folly of Polytheism and Human Nature.

Allah sets forth an example from your own lives: would you allow your bondservants to be equal partners in your wealth? This is how He makes the signs clear. But wrongdoers follow their desires without knowledge. Who can guide those Allah has left to stray? So be steadfast in the upright faith—the natural way of Allah instilled in all people. Always turn to Him, be mindful of Him, establish prayer, and do not be among the polytheists who have divided their faith into sects.

When people are touched by hardship, they cry out to their Lord. But as soon as He shows them mercy, a group of them associates others with Him, becoming ungrateful. Or have We sent them an authority that attests to their polytheism? If We give people a taste of mercy, they become prideful, but if evil afflicts them due to their own deeds, they fall into despair. Do they not see that Allah gives provisions to whomever He wills?

Guidance on Morality and Faith.

Give your relatives their due, as well as the poor and the traveler. This is best for those who seek Allah's pleasure. Loans given for interest at the expense of others will not increase with Allah, but charity given to seek His pleasure will have its reward multiplied. It is Allah who created you, provides for you, will cause you to die, and will bring you back to life. Can any of your associate-gods do any of this?

Corruption has spread on land and sea because of what people's hands have done, so Allah may let them taste the consequences of some of their deeds, hoping they might return. Travel the land and see the end of those before you, most of whom were polytheists. Be steadfast in the Upright Faith before a Day comes that cannot be averted. On that Day, those who disbelieved will bear their disbelief, and those who did good will have prepared eternal homes for themselves.

Further Signs and Final Admonitions.

Another of His signs is that He sends the winds with good news of rain, so you may taste His mercy, ships may sail by His command, and you may seek His bounty and be grateful. We sent messengers before you, and they came with clear proofs. Then We punished the wicked, for it is Our duty to help the believers. It is Allah who sends winds to form clouds, spreading them as He wills, from which rain falls, causing joy to His servants who had lost hope. See the impact of Allah’s mercy, how He gives life to the earth after its death. Surely He can raise the dead. But if We send a harsh wind that withers their crops, they deny past favors.

You cannot make the dead, the deaf, or the blind hear or see the truth. You can only make hear those who believe in Our revelations and submit. It is Allah who created you in weakness, then gave you strength, then returned you to weakness and old age. He creates what He wills. On the Day the Hour arrives, the wicked will swear they stayed in the world no more than an hour. Those with knowledge and faith will tell them they stayed, as destined by Allah, until the Day of Resurrection, but they did not know. On that Day, their excuses will not benefit them.

We have set forth every kind of lesson in this Quran. But no matter what sign you bring, the disbelievers will call it falsehood. This is how Allah seals the hearts of those unwilling to know. So be patient, for Allah's promise is true, and do not be disturbed by those with no sure faith.

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Surah 31. Luqman.

Guidance for the Good-Doers.

These are the verses of the Book of Wisdom, a guide and a mercy for the good-doers—those who establish prayer, pay alms-tax, and have certain faith in the Hereafter. They are guided by their Lord and are the ones who will be successful. In contrast, some people employ theatrics and distractions to lead others away from Allah’s path without knowledge, making a mockery of it. They will suffer a humiliating punishment. When Allah's revelations are recited to them, they turn away arrogantly as if they are deaf. They should be given news of a painful punishment. However, those who believe and do good will have the Gardens of Bliss, where they will reside forever. This is the true promise of Allah, the Almighty, All-Wise.

The Creation and the Folly of Polytheism.

Allah created the heavens without visible pillars, placed firm mountains on the earth to keep it from shaking, and scattered all types of creatures throughout it. He sends down rain from the sky, causing every kind of fine plant to grow. This is Allah’s creation. Now, show Me what those other "gods" have created. The wrongdoers are clearly astray.

The Wisdom of Luqman.

We blessed Luqman with wisdom, instructing him to be grateful to Allah, for gratitude benefits one's own soul, and ingratitude does not affect Allah, who is Self-Sufficient and Praiseworthy. Luqman advised his son, "O my dear son! Never associate anything with Allah in worship, for that is the worst of all wrongs."

We have commanded people to honor their parents; their mothers carry them through hardship upon hardship, and their weaning takes two years. So be grateful to Me and to your parents. But if they pressure you to associate with Me that which you have no knowledge of, do not obey them. Still, keep their company in this world with courtesy and follow the way of those who turn to Me.

Luqman continued, "O my dear son! Even a deed the weight of a mustard seed, hidden in a rock or in the heavens or the earth, Allah will bring it forth. He is Most Subtle, All-Aware. Establish prayer, encourage good and forbid evil, and be patient with whatever befalls you. This is a matter of true resolve. Do not be arrogant or walk pridefully, for Allah dislikes the arrogant and boastful. Be moderate in your pace and lower your voice, for the ugliest of voices is the braying of a donkey."

Allah's Favors and Human Ingratitude.

Do you not see that Allah has subjected to you everything in the heavens and on the earth and has lavished upon you His favors, both seen and unseen? Yet some people dispute about Allah without knowledge, guidance, or an enlightening scripture. When told to follow what Allah has revealed, they insist on following their forefathers' ways, even if Satan is inviting them to the torment of the Blaze. Whoever submits themselves fully to Allah and is a good-doer has grasped the firmest hand-hold.

If someone disbelieves, do not let it grieve you. Their return is to Us, and We will inform them of what they did. We allow them enjoyment for a little while, then We will force them into a harsh torment. If you ask them who created the heavens and the earth, they will say, "Allah." To Allah belongs everything in the heavens and the earth. If all the trees on earth were pens and the ocean were ink, refilled by seven more oceans, the Words of Allah would not be exhausted. The creation and resurrection of you all is as simple for Him as that of a single soul. Do you not see how Allah merges night into day and has subjected the sun and the moon, each orbiting for an appointed term? This is because Allah alone is the Truth, and what they invoke besides Him is falsehood.

A Final Warning.

Do you not see the ships sailing through the sea by Allah’s grace, as one of His signs? This is a sign for those who are steadfast and grateful. When they are overwhelmed by waves like mountains, they cry out to Allah in sincere devotion. But when He delivers them to shore, only some remain grateful. No one rejects Our signs except the deceitful and ungrateful.

O humanity! Be mindful of your Lord and fear a Day when no parent can benefit their child, nor a child their parent. Allah’s promise is true, so do not be deceived by this worldly life or by the Chief Deceiver (Satan). Indeed, Allah alone has knowledge of the Hour. He sends down the rain and knows what is in the wombs. No soul knows what it will earn tomorrow, and no soul knows in what land it will die. Surely Allah is All-Knowing, All-Aware.

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Surah 32. As Sajdah (The Prostration).

The Divine Origin of the Quran.

The revelation of this Book is, beyond any doubt, from the Lord of all worlds. The deniers claim that Muhammad has fabricated it. On the contrary, it is the truth from your Lord, sent to warn a people to whom no warner had come before, so that they may be guided.

Allah's Creation and Dominion.

It is Allah who created the heavens, the earth, and everything between them in six Days, and then established Himself on the Throne. You have no protector or intercessor besides Him. Will you not be mindful? He governs every affair from the heavens to the earth, and on a Day whose length is a thousand years by your count, all will ascend to Him. He is the Knower of the seen and the unseen—the Almighty, Most Merciful.

He perfected everything He created, originating humankind from clay. Then He made his descendants from the extract of a humble fluid, fashioned them, and breathed into them a spirit of His own creation. He gave you hearing, sight, and intellect, yet you offer little thanks. Still, they mockingly ask if they will be raised as a new creation after disintegrating into the earth. In fact, they deny the meeting with their Lord. The Angel of Death, who is in charge of you, will take your soul, and then to your Lord you will all be returned.

The Fate of the Wicked and the Reward of Believers.

If only you could see the wicked on that Day, hanging their heads in shame before their Lord, crying, "Our Lord! We have now seen and heard. Send us back, and we will do good deeds, for we now have sure faith!" Had We willed, We could have imposed guidance on every soul, but My word has come to pass: "I will surely fill Hell with jinn and humans all together." They will be told to taste the torment for neglecting this Day; We too will neglect them and they will taste the torment of eternity for their deeds.

The only true believers in Our revelations are those who, when reminded, fall into prostration, glorify their Lord, and are not proud. They abandon their beds to invoke their Lord with hope and fear and donate from what We have provided. No soul can imagine the delights stored for them as a reward. Can a believer be equal to a rebellious person? They are not equal. Those who believe and do good will have the Gardens of Eternal Residence. But for the rebellious, the Fire will be their home. Whenever they try to escape, they will be forced back and told, "Taste the torment of the Fire, which you used to deny." We will make them taste a minor torment in this life before the major torment of the Hereafter, so perhaps they will repent. Who does more wrong than one who is reminded of Allah’s revelations and then turns away? We will surely inflict punishment upon the wicked.

Previous Revelations and Final Warnings.

We gave the Scripture to Moses, so have no doubt, O Prophet, that you too are receiving revelations. We made it a guide for the Children of Israel and raised from among them leaders who guided by Our command when they patiently endured and firmly believed in Our signs. Your Lord will judge between them on the Day of Judgment regarding their differences. Is it not clear to the deniers how many peoples We destroyed before them, whose ruins they still pass by? Surely in this are signs. Will they not listen? Do they not see how We drive rain to parched land, producing crops for them and their cattle to eat? Will they not see?

They mockingly ask, "When is this Day of Decision, if you speak the truth?" Say to them, "On the Day of Decision, it will not benefit the disbelievers to believe then, nor will they be granted any delay." So turn away from them and wait; they too are waiting.

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Surah 33. Al Ahzab (The Enemy Alliance).

Divine Orders and Social Rulings.

O Prophet! Always be mindful of Allah and do not yield to the disbelievers and hypocrites. Follow what is revealed to you from your Lord, who is All-Aware of what you do. Put your trust in Allah, for He is a sufficient Trustee.

Allah has not placed two hearts in any person's chest. He does not regard your wives as your real mothers, even if you declare them so through the practice of zihar. Nor does He regard your adopted children as your real children. These are baseless assertions. Allah declares the truth and guides to the right way. Let adopted children keep their family names, as this is more just in Allah's sight. If their fathers are unknown, they are your fellow believers and associates. There is no blame for mistakes, only for intentional acts. Allah is All-Forgiving.

The Prophet has a stronger affinity to the believers than they have to themselves, and his wives are their mothers. Blood relatives are more entitled to inheritance than other believers, unless you wish to show kindness through a bequest. This is decreed in the Record. Remember the solemn covenant We took from the prophets—from Noah, Abraham, Moses, Jesus, and you, O Prophet—so that these men of truth could be questioned about their delivery of the message. A painful punishment is prepared for the disbelievers.

The Battle of the Trench.

O believers! Remember Allah’s favor when enemy forces besieged you in Medina. We sent against them a bitter wind and unseen forces. Your eyes grew wild in horror, your hearts jumped into your throats, and you entertained conflicting thoughts about Allah. The believers were tested and violently shaken. The hypocrites and those with sickness in their hearts claimed that Allah and His Messenger had promised nothing but delusion. A group of them urged the people of Yathrib (Medina) to retreat, while others sought permission to leave, falsely claiming their homes were vulnerable. Had the city been sacked, they would have abandoned their faith with little hesitation. They had pledged to Allah never to retreat, and a pledge to Allah must be answered for. Fleeing will not save them from their appointed death.

Allah knows those who discourage others from fighting, who hardly participate themselves, and are unwilling to assist. When danger comes, they stare with eyes rolling in fear, but once it passes, they lash out with sharp tongues, greedy for worldly gains. Such people have not truly believed, so Allah has voided their deeds. They thought the enemy alliance would never withdraw, and if the enemy were to return, the hypocrites would wish they were away in the desert, only asking for news about the battle.

The Prophet as a Model and the Believers' Stance.

In the Messenger of Allah, you have an excellent example for anyone who hopes in Allah and the Last Day. When the believers saw the enemy alliance, they said, "This is what Allah and His Messenger promised us," and it only increased their faith and submission. Among them are men true to their pledge to Allah; some have fulfilled it with their lives, while others await their turn, never changing their commitment. This is so Allah may reward the faithful and punish the hypocrites, or turn to them in mercy.

Allah drove back the disbelievers in their rage, empty-handed, and He spared the believers from fighting. He brought down the People of the Book who supported the alliance from their strongholds, casting horror into their hearts. The believers killed some and took others captive, and Allah caused you to take over their lands, homes, and wealth.

Guidance for the Prophet's Wives.

O Prophet! Say to your wives, "If you desire this worldly life, come, and I will compensate you and let you go graciously. But if you desire Allah, His Messenger, and the Hereafter, a great reward is prepared for those who do good." O wives of the Prophet! If any of you commits a blatant misconduct, her punishment will be doubled. Whoever devoutly obeys Allah and His Messenger and does good will receive double the reward and an honorable provision. You are not like other women. If you are mindful of Allah, do not be overly effeminate in speech, lest those with sickness in their hearts be tempted. Settle in your homes, do not display yourselves as in the days of pre-Islamic ignorance, establish prayer, pay alms, and obey Allah and His Messenger. Allah intends to keep evil away from you, O members of the Prophet's family, and purify you completely.

Reward for the Righteous and the Marriage of Zaid.

For all believing, devout, truthful, patient, humble, charitable, and chaste men and women who remember Allah often, He has prepared forgiveness and a great reward. It is not for a believer to have any choice in a matter decreed by Allah and His Messenger.

Remember when you, O Prophet, told Zaid, whom Allah and you had favored, to keep his wife and fear Allah. You concealed within yourself what Allah was going to reveal (your future marriage to her), fearing people’s reactions, whereas Allah is more worthy of your consideration. When Zaid divorced his wife, We gave her to you in marriage to remove any blame on believers for marrying the ex-wives of their adopted sons. Allah's command is binding. There is no blame on the Prophet for what Allah has ordained. Muhammad is not the father of any of your men, but he is the Messenger of Allah and the seal of the prophets.

Etiquette and Rulings Concerning the Prophet.

O believers! Remember Allah often and glorify Him morning and evening. We have sent you, O Prophet, as a witness, a bearer of good news, and a warner. Give good news to the believers of a great bounty from Allah. Do not yield to the disbelievers and hypocrites; overlook their annoyances and trust in Allah.

If you marry believing women and divorce them before consummation, they have no waiting period. Compensate them and let them go graciously. Lawful for the Prophet are his wives to whom he has paid their dowries, bondwomen granted by Allah, and the daughters of his paternal and maternal uncles and aunts who emigrated with him. Also lawful is a believing woman who offers herself to the Prophet if he wishes to marry her—a ruling exclusive to him. It is up to the Prophet to delay or receive any of his wives as he pleases. It is not lawful for him to marry more women after this, nor to replace any of his current wives.

O believers! Do not enter the Prophet's homes without permission for a meal, and do not linger. This annoys the Prophet, though he is too shy to say so. When you ask his wives for something, do so from behind a barrier. This is purer for all your hearts. It is not right to annoy the Messenger of Allah or to ever marry his wives after him. Allah and His angels shower blessings upon the Prophet. O believers, invoke Allah's blessings upon him and greet him with peace.

Final Commands and Warnings.

Those who offend Allah and His Messenger are condemned in this world and the Hereafter. Those who abuse believing men and women unjustifiably bear the guilt of slander. O Prophet! Ask your wives, daughters, and believing women to draw their cloaks over their bodies so they may be recognized as virtuous and not be harassed.

If the hypocrites and rumormongers in Medina do not stop, We will incite you against them. They are condemned and will be seized and killed wherever they are found. People ask about the Hour; its knowledge is with Allah alone. The doomed will be in a blazing Fire forever. On the Day their faces are flipped in the Fire, they will regret obeying their leaders who led them astray, and they will ask for a double punishment for them.

O believers! Do not be like those who slandered Moses, but Allah cleared him. Be mindful of Allah and speak what is right. We offered the Trust (of free will and accountability) to the heavens, the earth, and the mountains, but they declined to bear it. Humanity assumed it, for they are wrongful and ignorant. This is so Allah may punish the hypocrites and polytheists, and turn in mercy to the believers. Allah is All-Forgiving, Most Merciful.

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Surah 34. Saba.

Allah's Absolute Knowledge and Power.

All praise is for Allah, to whom belongs everything in the heavens and on the earth. He is the All-Wise, All-Aware. He knows whatever enters the earth and emerges from it, and what descends from the sky and ascends to it. He is the Most Merciful, All-Forgiving. The disbelievers claim the Hour will never come. The Prophet is to swear by his Lord, the Knower of the unseen, that it will certainly come. Not even an atom's weight is hidden from Him; everything is recorded in a perfect Record. This is so He may reward the believers with forgiveness and an honorable provision, while those who strive to discredit His revelations will suffer an agonizing torment. Those with knowledge see that what is revealed to the Prophet is the truth.

The Arrogance of the Deniers.

The disbelievers mockingly ask one another, "Shall we show you a man who claims you will be a new creation after being utterly disintegrated?" They question if he has fabricated a lie or is insane. In reality, those who deny the Hereafter are bound for torment and have strayed far. Do they not see the heavens and earth surrounding them? If Allah willed, He could cause the earth to swallow them or pieces of the sky to fall on them. This is a sign for every servant who turns to Him.

The Favors to David and Solomon.

We granted David a great privilege, commanding the mountains and birds to echo his hymns, and We made iron moldable for him to create armor. We ordered his family to work righteousness, for Allah sees all they do.

To Solomon, We subjected the wind, which traveled a month's journey in a morning. We caused a stream of molten copper to flow for him and subjected some jinn to work under his command. Any jinn who deviated from Our command was made to taste the torment of the blaze. They built for him whatever he desired: sanctuaries, statues, large basins, and fixed cooking pots. We commanded the family of David to work gratefully, for only a few of Allah's servants are truly grateful. When We decreed Solomon’s death, nothing revealed it to the jinn except termites eating his staff. When he collapsed, the jinn realized that if they had truly known the unseen, they would not have remained in such humiliating servitude.

The Ingratitude of Sheba.

The tribe of Sheba had a sign in their homeland: two orchards, one on the right and one on the left. They were told to eat from their Lord’s provision and be grateful. But they turned away. So We sent a devastating flood and replaced their lush orchards with two others that produced bitter fruit and thorny trees. This was their reward for their ingratitude. We punish in this way only the ungrateful. We had also placed towns between them and the blessed cities, with moderate travel distances, so they could travel safely day and night. But they wronged themselves by asking their Lord to make their journeys longer. So We reduced them to cautionary tales and scattered them completely. In this are lessons for the steadfast and grateful. Indeed, Iblis’s assumption about them came true; they all followed him except a group of true believers. He had no authority over them, but this was a test to distinguish believers from doubters.

The Helplessness of Idols and the Day of Judgment.

Tell the polytheists to call upon their so-called gods. They do not possess even an atom's weight in the heavens or earth, nor do they have any share in governing them. No intercession benefits with Allah except by those He permits. When the dread of Judgment Day is lifted from their hearts, they will ask the angels what their Lord has said, and the angels will reply, "The truth!"

Ask them who provides for them from the heavens and the earth. Say, "Allah! And certainly, one of our two groups is rightly guided while the other is clearly astray." On Judgment Day, the Lord will gather all and judge with truth. The disbelievers will be detained before their Lord, blaming one another. The lowly followers will accuse their arrogant leaders of leading them astray, but the leaders will respond that the followers were wicked on their own. The followers will retort that it was the leaders' plotting day and night that caused them to disbelieve. They will all hide their remorse upon seeing the torment.

Wealth, Children, and True Proximity to Allah.

Whenever We sent a warner to a society, its elite would reject the message, boasting of their superior wealth and children and claiming they would never be punished. The Prophet is to say that it is the Lord who gives provisions, abundantly or sparingly, to whomever He wills. It is not wealth or children that bring one closer to Allah, but faith and good deeds. Those who believe and do good will have a multiplied reward and will be secure in elevated mansions. Those who strive to discredit Our revelations will be confined in punishment. Whatever is spent in charity, Allah will compensate for it, for He is the Best Provider.

On the Day of Gathering, Allah will ask the angels if the polytheists used to worship them. The angels will reply, "Glory be to You! Our loyalty is to You. In fact, they followed the temptations of evil jinn." On that Day, neither group can benefit or harm the other. The wrongdoers will be told to taste the Fire they used to deny. When Our clear revelations are recited, the deniers call it magic and a fabricated lie, even though We never gave them scriptures to study or sent a warner before you. Those before them also denied the truth, and these Meccans have not attained even a tenth of what We gave their predecessors. Yet when they denied My messengers, My response was severe.

A Final Call to Reflection.

The Prophet is instructed to advise the people to do one thing: stand up for Allah, individually or in pairs, and reflect. Their fellow man, Muhammad, is not insane; he is a warner of a severe punishment. His reward is only from Allah, who is a Witness over all things. He hurls truth against falsehood. The truth has come, and falsehood will vanish. If he is astray, the loss is his own, but if he is guided, it is by his Lord's revelation. He is All-Hearing, Ever-Near.

If only you could see the deniers on Judgment Day, horrified with no escape, seized from a nearby place. They will cry, "We now believe!" But how can they attain faith from a place so far off from the world, when they had rejected it before? They will be sealed off from all they desire, just as their counterparts were before them, for they were all in alarming doubt.

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Surah 35. Fatir (The Originator).

The Power of the Originator.

All praise is for Allah, the Originator of the heavens and the earth, who made angels His messengers with two, three, or four wings. He increases in creation whatever He wills, for He is Most Capable of everything. Whatever mercy Allah grants, none can withhold, and whatever He withholds, none but He can release. He is the Almighty, All-Wise. O humanity! Remember Allah's favors. Is there any creator other than Allah who provides for you from the heavens and the earth? There is no god but Him. How then can you be so deluded?

Reassurance and Warnings.

If the people reject you, O Prophet, know that messengers before you were also rejected. To Allah all matters will return. O humanity! Allah’s promise is true. Do not let this worldly life deceive you, nor let the Chief Deceiver (Satan) deceive you about Allah. Satan is your enemy, so treat him as one. He invites his followers only to become inmates of the Blaze. The disbelievers will have a severe punishment, while those who believe and do good will have forgiveness and a great reward. Can one whose evil deeds are made to seem appealing be like one who is rightly guided? Allah leaves to stray and guides whomever He wills. Do not grieve yourself to death over them.

Signs of Allah's Might.

It is Allah who sends the winds that stir up clouds, which He drives to a lifeless land, reviving the earth after its death. Similar is the Resurrection. All honor and power belong to Allah. Good words ascend to Him, and righteous deeds are raised up by Him. Those who plot evil will suffer severely, and their plotting is doomed. Allah created you from dust, then from a sperm-drop, then made you in pairs. No female conceives or delivers without His knowledge. The two bodies of water are not alike: one is fresh and pleasant, the other salty and bitter. Yet from both, you eat tender seafood and extract ornaments. You see ships plowing through them to seek His bounty and give thanks. He merges night into day and day into night, and has subjected the sun and the moon, each orbiting for an appointed term. That is Allah, your Lord. The idols you invoke besides Him do not possess even the skin of a date stone. If you call them, they cannot hear, and if they heard, they could not respond. On Judgment Day, they will disown your worship of them.

Accountability and Guidance.

O humanity! It is you who need Allah, but Allah is the Self-Sufficient, Praiseworthy. If He willed, He could eliminate you and bring a new creation. No burdened soul will bear another's burden. You can only warn those who stand in awe of their Lord without seeing Him and who establish prayer. The blind and the seeing are not equal, nor are darkness and light, nor scorching heat and cool shade, nor the living and the dead. Allah makes whoever He wills hear, but you cannot make those in the graves hear. You are only a warner. We have sent you with the truth, and there is no community that has not had a warner.

Do you not see that Allah sends down rain, bringing forth fruits of different colors? And in the mountains are streaks of varying shades of white, red, and raven black. People, living beings, and cattle are also of various colors. Of all Allah’s servants, only the knowledgeable are truly in awe of Him.

The Reward of the Faithful and the Fate of Disbelievers.

Those who recite the Book of Allah, establish prayer, and donate secretly and openly can hope for an exchange that will never fail. He will reward them in full and increase them from His grace. The Book We have revealed to you is the truth, confirming what came before. We granted the Book to chosen servants: some wrong themselves, some follow a middle course, and some are foremost in good deeds by Allah’s will. They will enter the Gardens of Eternity, adorned with gold and pearls, wearing silk. They will praise Allah, who has kept sorrow from them.

As for the disbelievers, they will have the Fire of Hell, where they will neither be allowed to die nor have their torment lightened. They will scream, "Our Lord! Take us out, and we will do good." They will be asked, "Did We not give you long enough lives to be mindful? And the warner came to you." The wrongdoers will have no helper.

Allah is the Knower of the unseen. He has placed you as successors on earth. Whoever disbelieves bears their own burden. Their denial only increases their loss. Ask them about their associate-gods: what have they created? Do they have a share in the heavens? Have We given them a Book as proof? The wrongdoers promise each other only delusion. Allah alone keeps the heavens and the earth from falling apart. If they were to fall apart, none but Him could hold them up.

The disbelievers swore that if a warner came, they would be better guided than any other community. Yet when a warner came, it only drove them further away in arrogance and evil plotting. But evil plotting only backfires. They await the same fate as those destroyed before them. You will find no change in the way of Allah. If Allah were to punish people immediately for what they do, He would not leave a single living being on earth. But He delays them for an appointed term. When their time comes, surely Allah is All-Seeing of His servants.

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Surah 36. Ya Sin.

A Revelation for the Heedless.

By the Quran, rich in wisdom, you, O Prophet, are truly one of the messengers on a Straight Path. This is a revelation from the Almighty, Most Merciful, to warn a people whose forefathers were not warned and are therefore heedless. The decree of torment is justified against most of them, for they will never believe. It is as if We have put shackles around their necks, forcing their heads up, and placed barriers before and behind them, so they cannot see the truth. It is all the same whether you warn them or not; they will not believe. You can only warn those who follow the Reminder and are in awe of the Most Compassionate. Give them good news of forgiveness and an honorable reward. It is We who resurrect the dead and record what they send forth and what they leave behind in a perfect Record.

The Parable of the Town and its Messengers.

Give them the example of a town's residents when messengers came to them. We sent two, but they rejected both. We reinforced them with a third, and they declared, "We have been sent to you." The people replied, "You are only humans like us. The Most Compassionate has not revealed anything; you are lying." The messengers responded, "Our Lord knows we are sent to you. Our duty is only to deliver the message clearly." The people saw them as a bad omen and threatened to stone them. The messengers replied, "Your bad omen is within yourselves."

A man came rushing from the farthest part of the city, advising, "O my people! Follow the messengers. Follow those who ask no reward and are rightly guided." He questioned why he shouldn't worship the One who originated him and to whom all will return. He declared his belief in their Lord. But they killed him, and he was told, "Enter Paradise!" He wished his people knew how his Lord had forgiven him and made him one of the honorable. After his death, We did not send soldiers from heaven against his people; it took only one mighty blast, and they were extinguished. Pity such beings! No messenger came to them without being mocked.

Signs of Allah's Power and Mercy.

A sign for them is the dead earth: We give it life, producing grain for them to eat. We place in it gardens of palm trees and grapevines and cause springs to gush forth, so they may eat its fruit, which they did not make. Will they not give thanks? Glory be to the One who created all things in pairs.

Another sign is the night: We strip the daylight from it, and they are in darkness. The sun travels its fixed course, the design of the Almighty. We have ordained phases for the moon until it resembles an old, curved palm stalk. It is not for the sun to catch up to the moon, nor for the night to outrun the day; each travels in its own orbit.

Another sign is that We carried their ancestors in the loaded Ark and created similar things for them to ride. If We willed, We could drown them with no one to rescue them, except by Our mercy, allowing them enjoyment for a while.

The Stubbornness of the Polytheists.

When it is said to them to beware of what is ahead in the Hereafter and what is behind of destroyed nations, they turn away. Whenever a sign comes, they reject it. When told to donate from what Allah has provided, the disbelievers ask the believers, "Why should we feed those whom Allah could have fed if He wanted?" They ask mockingly when the threat of judgment will come to pass. They await a single Blast that will seize them while they are entrenched in worldly disputes. They will have no time to make a will or return to their people.

The Trumpet will be blown, and they will rush from their graves, crying, "Woe to us! Who has raised us from our rest?" This is what the Most Compassionate warned of; the messengers spoke the truth. It will take one Blast, and they will all be brought before Us. On that Day, no soul will be wronged; you will be rewarded only for what you used to do.

Paradise, Hell, and the Nature of Prophecy.

The residents of Paradise will be busy enjoying themselves with their spouses in cool shade, reclining on couches. They will have fruits and whatever they desire. "Peace!" will be their greeting from the Merciful Lord. The wicked will be told to step away. "Did I not command you, O Children of Adam, not to follow Satan, your sworn enemy, but to worship Me alone? This is the Straight Path. Yet he misled multitudes of you. Did you not have sense? This is the Hell you were warned of. Burn in it today for your disbelief." On this Day, We will seal their mouths, and their hands and feet will testify to what they did.

Had We willed, We could have blinded them or transfigured them on the spot. We have not taught the Prophet poetry, nor is it fitting for him. This Book is a Reminder and a clear Quran to warn whoever is truly alive and to fulfill the decree against the disbelievers. Do they not see the cattle We created for them, which are under their control? They ride some and eat others and derive other benefits. Will they not give thanks? Yet they take other gods, hoping for help they cannot receive.

Do people not see that We created them from a sperm-drop, yet they openly challenge Us, asking who can revive decayed bones? Say, "They will be revived by the One who produced them the first time." He gives you fire from green trees to kindle. Can the One who created the heavens and the earth not resurrect these deniers? Yes, He is the Master Creator. When He wills something, He simply says "Be!" and it is. So glory be to the One in whose hands is authority over all things, and to whom you will all be returned.

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Surah 37. As Saffat (Those Lined up in Ranks).

The Oneness of God and the Protected Heavens.

By the angels lined up in ranks, who drive the clouds and recite the Reminder: surely your God is One! He is the Lord of the heavens, the earth, everything in between, and all points of sunrise. We have adorned the lowest heaven with stars for beauty and for protection from every rebellious devil. They cannot eavesdrop on the highest assembly of angels; they are pelted from every side and driven away, destined for an everlasting torment. Any who manage to stealthily listen are pursued by a piercing flare.

Denial of Resurrection and the Day of Judgment.

Ask the deniers which is harder to create: them or the other marvels We have created? We created them from sticky clay. You are astonished by their denial, while they ridicule. When reminded, they are not mindful. When they see a sign, they call it magic and question if they will be resurrected after being reduced to dust and bones. Say to them, "Yes! And you will be humbled." It will take only one Blast, and they will see it all, crying, "Woe to us! This is the Day of Judgment." They will be told this is the Day of Final Decision they used to deny.

Allah will command the angels to gather the wrongdoers, their peers, and what they worshipped instead of Allah, and lead them to Hell. They will be detained and questioned. They will turn on each other, throwing blame. The misled will accuse their leaders, but the leaders will reply that the people disbelieved on their own, for they themselves were a transgressing people. They will all share in the punishment. This is how We deal with the wicked, who, when told "There is no god but Allah," acted arrogantly, asking if they should abandon their gods for a "mad poet." In fact, the Prophet came with the truth, confirming earlier messengers. They will taste the painful torment, rewarded only for what they used to do.

The Bliss of the Righteous.

The chosen servants of Allah will have a known provision: fruits of every kind, honored in the Gardens of Bliss. They will recline on thrones facing each other, and a drink of pure, delicious white wine from a flowing stream will be passed around, which will not harm them or cause intoxication. With them will be maidens of modest gaze and gorgeous eyes, like pristine pearls.

They will chat amongst themselves, and one will recall a companion from the world who mockingly asked if he truly believed in resurrection. He will ask the others to look, and they will spot his former companion in the midst of Hellfire. He will say, "By Allah! You nearly ruined me. If not for my Lord's grace, I too would be in Hell." They will marvel that they will never die again, except for their first death, and will not be punished. This is the ultimate triumph, for which all should strive.

The Horrors of Hell.

Is this bliss a better accommodation, or the tree of Zaqqum? We have made it a test for the wrongdoers. It is a tree that grows in the depths of Hell, with fruit like devils' heads. The evildoers will eat from it, filling their bellies, and on top of that, they will be given a blend of boiling drink before ultimately returning to Hell. They found their forefathers astray and rushed to follow in their footsteps, though We had sent warners among them.

The Stories of the Prophets.

Noah cried out to Us, and We delivered him and his family from great distress, making his descendants the sole survivors and blessing him with honorable mention for generations. He was a faithful servant. Then We drowned the others.

Abraham, who followed Noah's way, came to his Lord with a pure heart. He challenged his father and people about their false gods. He then looked at the stars and said he was sick, so they left him. He approached their idols, mockingly asking why they did not eat or speak, then struck them down. When his people returned, he argued, "How can you worship what you carve, when Allah created you and what you do?" They decided to build a furnace and cast him into the fire, but We made them inferior.

Abraham said he was emigrating for his Lord and prayed for righteous offspring. We gave him the good news of a forbearing son. When the boy was old enough, Abraham told him of a dream in which he had to sacrifice him. The son replied, "O my father! Do as you are commanded. You will find me steadfast." When they both submitted and Abraham laid him down for sacrifice, We called out, "O Abraham! You have fulfilled the vision." This was a revealing test. We ransomed his son with a great sacrifice and blessed Abraham with honorable mention. We later gave him the good news of Isaac, a righteous prophet. Some of their descendants did good, while others clearly wronged themselves.

We showed favor to Moses and Aaron, delivering them and their people, helping them prevail, giving them the clear Scripture, and guiding them to the Straight Path. Elias was a messenger who asked his people, "Will you not fear Allah? Do you call upon Ba'l and abandon the Best of Creators?" They rejected him and so will be brought for punishment, except for Allah's chosen servants. Lot was a messenger whom We delivered along with his family, except for an old woman (his wife). Then We destroyed the rest. The Meccans pass by their ruins day and night.

Jonah was a messenger who fled to an overloaded ship. He drew lots and lost, so he was thrown overboard. A whale engulfed him while he was blameworthy. Had he not glorified Allah, he would have remained in its belly until Resurrection Day. We cast him onto the shore, worn out, and caused a squash plant to grow over him. We sent him back to his city of at least one hundred thousand people, who then believed, so We allowed them enjoyment for a while.

Refutation of Pagan Beliefs and Reassurance for the Prophet.

Ask the pagans if your Lord has daughters while they prefer sons. Did We create the angels as females before their eyes? It is their fabrication to say Allah has children; they are liars. Have they any proof? Let them bring their scripture. They claim a marital relationship between Allah and the jinn, yet the jinn know they will be brought for punishment. Glorified is Allah above their claims. Surely the pagans and their idols can never lure anyone away from Him except those destined for Hell. The angels themselves affirm their assigned stations, their ranks for worship, and their constant glorification of Allah.

The pagans used to say that if they had a Reminder like earlier peoples, they would be devoted servants. But now they reject it. Our word has gone forth to Our messengers that they will be helped and that Our forces will prevail. So turn away from the deniers for a while. You will see what happens to them. Do they wish to hasten Our punishment? How evil will that morning be for those who had been warned! Glorified is your Lord—the Lord of Honor—above their claims. Peace be upon the messengers, and praise be to Allah, Lord of all worlds.

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Surah 38. Saad.

The Arrogance of the Deniers.

By the Quran, full of reminders! The disbelievers are entrenched in arrogance and opposition. How many peoples We destroyed before them, who cried out when it was too late. They are astonished that a warner has come from among themselves, calling him a magician and a liar. They ask, "Has he reduced all the gods to One God? This is astonishing!" Their chiefs urge them to stand firm in devotion to their gods, calling this a scheme for power. They claim they never heard of this in previous faiths and that it is a fabrication. They question why the Reminder was revealed only to him, but they are in doubt because they have not yet tasted Allah's punishment. Do they possess the treasuries of your Lord's mercy? Or does the kingdom of the heavens and earth belong to them? Let them climb their way to heaven if they can. This is just another enemy force bound for defeat. Before them, the people of Noah, 'Ad, Pharaoh, Thamud, Lot, and the residents of the Forest all rejected their messengers, so My punishment was justified. They await nothing but a single, unstoppable Blast.

The Story of David.

Be patient, O Prophet, with what they say, and remember Our servant David, a man of strength who constantly turned to Allah. We subjected the mountains and birds to hymn Our praises along with him. We strengthened his kingdom and gave him wisdom and sound judgment.

Has the story of the two plaintiffs who scaled his sanctuary reached you? They came into his presence, and he was startled. They said, "Have no fear. We are two in a dispute. Judge between us with truth." One said, "This is my brother. He has ninety-nine sheep, and I have one. He demanded I give it up to him, overwhelming me with his argument." David ruled, "He has wronged you," and recognized that many partners wrong each other, except the few who believe and do good. Then David realized We had tested him. He sought forgiveness, fell in prostration, and repented. We forgave him, and he will have a status of closeness to Us. We instructed him, "O David! We have made you an authority. Judge with truth and do not follow desires, which will lead you astray."

Divine Justice and the Purpose of Creation.

We did not create the heavens and earth without purpose, as disbelievers think. Woe to them because of the Fire! Should We treat believers like those who make mischief, or the righteous like the wicked? This is a blessed Book We revealed so people may contemplate its verses and be mindful.

The Story of Solomon.

We blessed David with Solomon, an excellent servant who constantly turned to Allah. One evening, swift horses were paraded before him. He proclaimed his love for these fine things out of remembrance for Allah until they went out of sight. He ordered them back and began to rub down their legs and necks. We tested Solomon by placing a deformed body on his throne, after which he repented. He prayed, "My Lord! Forgive me and grant me an authority that will never be matched." We subjected the wind to him, blowing gently at his command. We also subjected to him jinn who were builders and divers, and others bound in chains. This was Our gift, to give or withhold without account. He will have a status of closeness to Us.

The Patience of Job and Other Prophets.

Remember Our servant Job when he cried out that Satan had afflicted him with distress. We told him to stomp his foot, and a cool spring appeared for washing and drinking. We gave him back his family, twice as many, as a mercy and a lesson. We found him patient. Remember Our servants Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob—men of strength and insight. We chose them for the honor of proclaiming the Hereafter. And remember Ishmael, Elisha, and Dhul-Kifl. All are among the best.

Paradise and Hell.

This is a reminder. The righteous will have an honorable destination: the Gardens of Eternity, with open gates. They will recline there, calling for abundant fruit and drink, with maidens of modest gaze and equal age. This is what you are promised for the Day of Reckoning, an endless provision.

That is that. The transgressors will have the worst destination: Hell, where they will burn. They will taste boiling water, oozing pus, and other torments. The misleaders will see their followers being thrown in with them and say they are not welcome. The followers will respond, "No! You are not welcome! You brought this upon us." They will ask their Lord to double the punishment for their leaders. The tyrants in Hell will wonder why they do not see those they considered lowly, questioning if they were wrong to mock them. This dispute in the Fire will certainly come to pass.

The Message of Monotheism and Satan's Rebellion.

Say, "I am only a warner. There is no god but Allah—the One, the Supreme, Lord of the heavens and earth." This Quran is momentous news from which the pagans turn away.

Remember when your Lord told the angels, "I am creating a human from clay. When I have fashioned him and breathed into him a spirit of My Own, fall in prostration." The angels all prostrated, except Iblis (Satan), who acted arrogantly and became unfaithful. Allah asked, "O Iblis! What prevented you from prostrating to what I created with My Own Hands?" He replied, "I am better than he: You created me from fire and him from clay." Allah commanded, "Then get out of Paradise, for you are cursed until the Day of Judgment." Satan appealed for his end to be delayed, and it was granted. He then vowed, "By Your Glory! I will mislead them all, except Your chosen servants." Allah concluded, "The truth is, I will fill Hell with you and all who follow you from among them."

Say, "I do not ask for any reward for this Quran, nor do I pretend to be someone I am not. It is only a reminder to the whole world, and you will know its truth before long."

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Surah 39. Az Zumar (The Successive Groups).

Sincere Devotion to Allah Alone.

The revelation of this Book is from Allah, the Almighty, All-Wise. We have sent the Book to you, O Prophet, in truth, so worship Allah alone with sincere devotion. Sincere devotion is due only to Him. Those who take other lords besides Him, claiming they only worship them to bring them closer to Allah, should know that Allah will judge between them. He does not guide persistent liars and disbelievers.

Allah's Power and Creation.

Had Allah willed to have offspring, He could have chosen from His creation. Glory be to Him! He is Allah, the One, the Supreme. He created the heavens and earth for a purpose. He wraps the night around the day and the day around the night, and has subjected the sun and moon, each orbiting for an appointed term. He created you all from a single soul, then from it made its mate. He produced for you four pairs of cattle. He creates you in your mothers' wombs in stages, in three layers of darkness. That is Allah, your Lord. All authority is His. There is no god but Him. How can you be turned away?

If you disbelieve, Allah is not in need of you, nor does He approve of disbelief from His servants. But if you are grateful through faith, He will appreciate it. No soul will bear another's burden. Your return is to your Lord, who will inform you of what you did.

Human Ingratitude and the Devout.

When one is touched by hardship, they cry out to their Lord. But as soon as He blesses them, they forget Him and set up equals to mislead others. They should enjoy their disbelief for a little while; they will be inmates of the Fire. Are they better than those who worship devoutly in the night, prostrating and standing, fearing the Hereafter and hoping for His mercy? Are those who know equal to those who do not know? Only people of reason will be mindful.

A Call to the Believers.

Say, "O My servants who believe! Be mindful of your Lord. Those who do good in this world will have a good reward. Allah’s earth is spacious. Only the patient will be given their reward without limit." Say, "I am commanded to worship Allah with sincere devotion and to be the first to submit." Say, "I fear the torment of a tremendous Day if I were to disobey my Lord." Say, "It is only Allah that I worship. Worship then what you want instead of Him." The true losers are those who lose themselves and their families on Judgment Day.

The Faithful vs. The Unfaithful.

Those who shun false gods and turn to Allah will have good news. Give good news to those servants who listen to what is said and follow the best of it. They are guided by Allah and are people of reason. What about those against whom the decree of torment is justified? Can you save those bound for the Fire? But the mindful will have elevated mansions, built one above another, under which rivers flow. This is Allah's promise.

The Quran is the best message, a Book of perfect consistency and repeated lessons that causes the skin of those who fear their Lord to tremble, then soften at the mention of His mercy. This is Allah's guidance. Can the misguided be like those whose hearts Allah has opened to Islam? Woe to those with hardened hearts; they are clearly astray.

Divine Judgment for All.

Allah sets forth a parable: a slave owned by several quarrelsome masters versus a slave owned by one. Are they equal? Praise be to Allah! In fact, most do not know. You, O Prophet, will die, and they will die too. Then on Judgment Day, you will all settle your disputes before your Lord. Who does more wrong than one who lies about Allah and rejects the truth? Is Hell not a fitting home for the disbelievers? But the one who brought the truth and those who embrace it are the righteous. They will have whatever they desire with their Lord. Allah will absolve them of their worst deeds and reward them for their best.

Is Allah not sufficient for His servant? Yet they threaten you with other gods. If you ask them who created the heavens and earth, they will say, "Allah!" Ask them if their idols could undo harm or withhold mercy if Allah willed it. Say, "Allah is sufficient for me."

Allah's Forgiveness and the Final Scenes.

O My servants who have exceeded the limits against their souls! Do not lose hope in Allah’s mercy, for He forgives all sins. Turn to your Lord in repentance and submit before the punishment reaches you. Follow the Quran, lest a soul cry out in regret, "Woe to me for neglecting my duties towards Allah," or "If only Allah had guided me," or "If only I had a second chance." But Allah's revelations had already come, and you rejected them.

On Judgment Day, the faces of those who lied about Allah will be gloomy. Hell is a fitting home for the arrogant. Allah will deliver the mindful to their place of triumph, where no evil will touch them. He is the Creator and Maintainer of all things. The keys to the heavens and earth belong to Him.

They have not shown Allah His proper reverence. On Judgment Day, the whole earth will be in His Grip, and the heavens rolled up in His Right Hand. The Trumpet will be blown, and all will fall dead, except those Allah spares. It will be blown again, and they will rise, looking on. The earth will shine with the light of its Lord, records will be laid open, and prophets and witnesses will be brought forward. Judgment will be passed with fairness.

Those who disbelieved will be driven to Hell in groups. Its keepers will ask if messengers came to them, and they will admit it. They will be told to enter the gates of Hell forever. Those who were mindful will be led to Paradise in groups. Its keepers will greet them with "Peace!" and invite them to enter forever. They will praise Allah for fulfilling His promise. You will see the angels surrounding the Throne, glorifying their Lord. And it will be said, "Praise be to Allah, Lord of all worlds!"

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Surah 40. Ghafir (The Forgiver).

The Forgiving, Yet Severe, Lord.

The revelation of this Book is from Allah—the Almighty, All-Knowing, the Forgiver of sin and Accepter of repentance, Severe in punishment, and Infinite in bounty. There is no god but Him; to Him is the final return. None disputes Allah’s signs except the disbelievers, so do not be deceived by their prosperity. Before them, the people of Noah and other enemy forces denied the truth. Every community plotted against its prophet, so I seized them. How horrible was My punishment! Thus, your Lord’s decree was proven true against the disbelievers: they will be inmates of the Fire.

The Prayers of the Angels.

The angels who carry the Throne and those around it glorify their Lord, have faith in Him, and seek forgiveness for the believers. They pray, "Our Lord! You encompass everything in Your mercy and knowledge. Forgive those who repent and follow Your Way, and protect them from the Hellfire. Admit them, along with their righteous parents, spouses, and descendants, into the Gardens of Eternity You have promised them. Protect them from evil deeds, for that is the ultimate triumph."

The Inmates of Hell and the Day of Meeting.

The disbelievers will be told that Allah’s contempt for them when they were invited to believe was far worse than their contempt for one another on this Day. They will plead, "Our Lord! You made us lifeless twice and gave us life twice. We confess our sins. Is there any way out?" They will be told no, for when Allah alone was invoked, they disbelieved, but when others were associated with Him, they believed. Judgment belongs to Allah alone.

He shows you His signs and sends down provision from the sky. So call upon Allah with sincere devotion. He is Highly Exalted, Lord of the Throne. He sends revelation to warn of the Day of Meeting—the Day all will appear before Him, and nothing will be hidden. He will ask, "Who does all authority belong to this Day?" To Allah—the One, the Supreme! Today every soul will be rewarded for what it has done. No injustice. Warn them of the approaching Day when hearts will jump into throats. The wrongdoers will have no friend or intercessor.

The Story of Moses and a Believer from Pharaoh's House.

We sent Moses with Our signs to Pharaoh, Haman, and Korah. They called him a magician and a liar. When he came with the truth, they said, "Kill the sons of those who believe with him and keep their women." Pharaoh said, "Let me kill Moses, and let him call upon his Lord! I fear he may change your traditions or cause mischief." Moses sought refuge in his Lord and their Lord from every arrogant person.

A believing man from Pharaoh’s people, hiding his faith, argued, "Will you kill a man for saying, 'My Lord is Allah,' when he has come with clear proofs? If he is a liar, it is his loss. But if he is truthful, you will be afflicted with what he threatens. Allah does not guide transgressors." He warned his people of the fate of Noah, 'Ad, and Thamud, reminding them that Joseph had come before with clear proofs, yet they doubted. This is how Allah leaves every arrogant tyrant to stray.

Pharaoh ordered Haman to build a high tower to look for the God of Moses, whom he was sure was a liar. Pharaoh's evil deeds were made appealing to him. The believer urged his people, "Follow me, I will lead you to the Way of Guidance. This worldly life is fleeting; the Hereafter is the home of settlement. Whoever does evil will be paid back with its equivalent. Whoever does good and is a believer will enter Paradise. I invite you to salvation, while you invite me to the Fire. Our return is to Allah, and the transgressors will be inmates of the Fire. You will remember what I say."

So Allah protected him from their evil schemes. Pharaoh’s people were overwhelmed by an evil punishment: they are exposed to the Fire in their graves morning and evening, and on the Day of the Hour, they will be admitted into the harshest punishment.

Allah's Unfailing Help and Final Admonitions.

In the Fire, the lowly will appeal to the arrogant leaders for relief, but the leaders will say, "We are all in it!" Those in the Fire will ask the keepers of Hell to pray for their torment to be lightened for one day, but the keepers will reply that their prayers are in vain since messengers had already come to them.

We certainly help Our messengers and the believers in this life and on the Day of testimony. The wrongdoers’ excuses will be of no benefit. We gave Moses guidance and made the Children of Israel inherit the Scripture. So be patient, O Prophet; Allah’s promise is true. Seek forgiveness for your shortcomings and glorify your Lord. The creation of the heavens and earth is greater than the re-creation of humankind, but most do not know. The blind and the seeing are not equal, nor are believers and evildoers. The Hour is certainly coming.

Your Lord has proclaimed, "Call upon Me, I will respond to you." It is Allah who made the night for rest and the day bright. He is the Creator of all things. I have been forbidden to worship the idols you invoke. He is the One who created you from dust, then a sperm-drop, then a clinging clot, then brings you forth as infants to reach your prime and then old age. When He decrees a matter, He simply says, "Be!" and it is.

The deniers will know the consequences when shackles are around their necks and they are dragged through boiling water and burned in the Fire. They will be asked where their idols are, and they will admit they have failed them. They will be told this is for their unjust pride. So enter the gates of Hell. So be patient, O Prophet. Whether We show you some of what We threaten them with, or you die before that, to Us they will all return. We have told you the stories of some messengers and not others. And which of Allah’s signs will you deny? Have they not seen the end of those before them, who were mightier? When they saw Our punishment, they cried, "We believe in Allah alone!" But their faith was of no benefit then. This has always been Allah’s way.

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Surah 41. Fussilat (Verses Perfectly Explained).

A Revelation for Those Who Know.

This is a revelation from the Most Compassionate, Most Merciful. It is a Book whose verses are perfectly explained—a Quran in Arabic for people who know, delivering good news and a warning. Yet most of them turn away and do not hear. They say, "Our hearts are veiled from what you call us to, there is deafness in our ears, and a barrier is between us. So do as you will, and so shall we." Say, O Prophet, "I am only a man like you, but it is revealed to me that your God is One. So take the Straight Way towards Him and seek His forgiveness." Woe to the polytheists—those who do not pay alms-tax and deny the Hereafter. But those who believe and do good will have a never-ending reward.

The Creation of the Cosmos.

Ask them, "How can you disbelieve in the One who created the earth in two Days and set up equals with Him? That is the Lord of all worlds." He placed firm mountains on it, blessed it, and ordained its sustenance—all in four Days exactly. Then He turned to the heaven when it was still like smoke, saying to it and the earth, "Submit, willingly or unwillingly." They both responded, "We submit willingly." So He formed seven heavens in two Days, assigning each its mandate, and adorned the lowest heaven with stars as lamps for beauty and protection. That is the design of the Almighty, All-Knowing.

The Fate of 'Ad and Thamud.

If they turn away, then warn them of a mighty blast like the one that struck 'Ad and Thamud. Messengers had come to them from all angles, proclaiming, "Worship none but Allah." They responded, "Had our Lord willed, He would have sent angels. So we reject what you have been sent with." As for 'Ad, they acted arrogantly, boasting, "Who is superior to us in might?" Did they not see that Allah, who created them, was far superior? They persisted in denying Our signs. So We sent against them a furious wind for several miserable days, to make them taste a humiliating punishment in this life. The punishment of the Hereafter will be far more humiliating. As for Thamud, We showed them guidance, but they preferred blindness. So the blast of a disgracing punishment overtook them for what they did. We delivered those who were faithful and mindful.

Testimony on the Day of Judgment.

On the Day Allah’s enemies are gathered for the Fire, their ears, eyes, and skin will testify against them. They will ask their skin, "Why have you testified against us?" It will reply, "We were made to speak by Allah, who causes all things to speak. He created you the first time, and to Him you return." You did not hide from your own senses to prevent them from testifying, but you assumed Allah did not know much of what you did. This false assumption has brought your doom. Even if they are patient, the Fire will be their home.

We placed evil associates at their disposal who made their misdeeds appealing. The disbelievers advised one another, "Do not listen to this Quran; drown it out so you may prevail." So We will make the disbelievers taste a severe punishment. That is the reward of Allah’s enemies: the Fire, their eternal home, for denying Our revelations. The disbelievers will cry, "Our Lord! Show us the jinn and humans who led us astray, so we may put them under our feet."

The Reward and Qualities of the Devout.

For those who say, "Our Lord is Allah," and then remain steadfast, the angels will descend, saying, "Do not fear or grieve. Rejoice in the good news of Paradise. We are your supporters in this life and the Hereafter. There you will have whatever your souls desire." And whose words are better than someone who calls others to Allah, does good, and says, "I am one of those who submit"? Good and evil are not equal. Respond to evil with what is best, and your enemy will become like a close friend. This is only attained by the patient and fortunate. If tempted by Satan, seek refuge with Allah.

Worship the Creator, Not the Creation.

Among His signs are the day and night, the sun and the moon. Do not prostrate to the sun or moon, but to Allah who created them. If the pagans are too proud, those angels nearest to your Lord glorify Him day and night without wearying. Another sign is the lifeless earth; when We send rain, it stirs to life. The One who revives it can revive the dead.

The Unassailable Quran.

Those who abuse Our revelations are not hidden from Us. Who is better: one cast into the Fire or one secure on Judgment Day? Those who deny the Reminder are doomed, for it is a mighty Book that cannot be proven false. Nothing is said to you except what was said to messengers before you. Had We revealed it as a non-Arabic Quran, they would have argued, "Why are its verses not clear in our language?" Say, "It is a guide and a healing to believers." For those who disbelieve, there is deafness in their ears and blindness in their hearts.

We had given Moses the Scripture, but differences arose. Had it not been for a prior decree, their differences would have been settled. Whoever does good benefits themselves; whoever does evil harms themselves. Your Lord is never unjust.

Allah's Absolute Knowledge and Human Ingratitude.

With Allah alone is the knowledge of the Hour. No fruit emerges, nor does a female conceive or deliver, without His knowledge. One never tires of praying for good, but if touched by evil, they become desperate. If We show them mercy after adversity, they say, "This is what I deserve. I do not think the Hour will come." We will surely inform the disbelievers of what they did. When We show favor, they turn away arrogantly. When touched by evil, they make endless prayers.

Imagine if this Quran is truly from Allah and you deny it. Who is more astray? We will show them Our signs in the universe and within themselves until it becomes clear that this is the truth. Is it not enough that your Lord is a Witness over all things? They are in doubt of the meeting with their Lord, but He is Fully Aware of everything.

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Surah 42. Ash Shura (Consultation).

The Majesty and Mercy of Allah.

This is a revelation to you, O Prophet, just as it was to those before you, from Allah—the Almighty, All-Wise. To Him belongs everything in the heavens and the earth. He is the Most High, the Greatest. The heavens nearly burst in awe of Him, and the angels glorify His praises and seek forgiveness for those on earth. Allah is the All-Forgiving, Most Merciful. For those who take other protectors besides Him, Allah is Watchful over them; you are not their keeper. We have revealed an Arabic Quran so you may warn the Mother of Cities (Mecca) and all around it of the Day of Gathering, when a group will be in Paradise and another in the Blaze. Had Allah willed, He could have made all humanity a single community of believers, but He admits into His mercy whomever He wills. The wrongdoers will have no protector.

The Unifying Religion and Divine Judgment.

He has ordained for you the same Way He decreed for Noah, Abraham, Moses, and Jesus: "Uphold the faith and make no divisions in it." What you call the polytheists to is unbearable for them. They only split into sects out of mutual envy after knowledge came to them. Those who inherited the Scripture after them are in alarming doubt about this Quran. Because of this, you, O Prophet, must invite all. Be steadfast and do not follow their desires. Say, "I believe in every Scripture Allah has revealed and am commanded to judge fairly. Allah is our Lord and your Lord. We are accountable for our deeds, and you for yours. Allah will gather us, and to Him is the final return." The argument of those who dispute about Allah after He is acknowledged is futile. Upon them is wrath and a severe punishment.

It is Allah who revealed the Book with truth and the balance of justice. Perhaps the Hour is near. Those who disbelieve mockingly ask for it to be hastened, but believers are fearful of it, knowing it is the truth. Allah is kind to His servants, providing for whom He wills.

Worldly vs. Heavenly Gains.

Whoever desires the harvest of the Hereafter, We will increase their harvest. Whoever desires only the harvest of this world, We will give them some of it, but they will have no share in the Hereafter. Do they have associate-gods who have ordained for them beliefs not authorized by Allah? The wrongdoers will suffer a painful punishment, while believers who do good will be in the lush Gardens of Paradise, having whatever they desire. This is the good news Allah gives to His servants who believe and do good. Say, "I do not ask for a reward for this message—only honor for our kinship."

Do they say the Prophet has fabricated a lie about Allah? If he had, Allah would have sealed his heart. Allah wipes out falsehood and establishes the truth. He accepts repentance and pardons sins. He responds to those who believe and do good, increasing their reward.

Allah's Signs and the Qualities of the Devout.

Had Allah given abundant provisions to all His servants, they would have transgressed. But He sends down what He wills in perfect measure. He sends down rain after people have given up hope. Among His signs is the creation of the heavens and earth, and the living beings He dispersed throughout them. Whatever affliction befalls you is due to your own hands, and He pardons much. Among His signs are the ships sailing like mountains in the sea. If He wills, He can calm the wind, leaving them motionless, or wreck them for what people have committed.

Whatever you have been given is a fleeting enjoyment. But what is with Allah is better and more lasting for those who believe and trust in their Lord. They are those who avoid major sins and shameful deeds, and forgive when angered. They respond to their Lord, establish prayer, conduct their affairs by mutual consultation, donate from what We have provided, and enforce justice when wronged. The reward for an evil deed is its equivalent, but whoever pardons and seeks reconciliation, their reward is with Allah. Whoever endures patiently and forgives, this is a matter of true resolve.

Judgment, Mercy, and Divine Communication.

Whoever Allah leaves to stray will have no guide. You will see the wrongdoers, when they face the torment, pleading, "Is there any way back?" They will be exposed to the Fire, humbled in disgrace. The believers will say, "The true losers are those who lost themselves and their families on Judgment Day." Respond to your Lord before a Day comes that cannot be averted. If they turn away, your duty is only to deliver the message.

To Allah belongs the kingdom of the heavens and the earth. He creates what He wills, blessing some with daughters, some with sons, granting both to some, and leaving others infertile. He is All-Knowing, Most Capable. It is not possible for a human to have Allah communicate with them, except through inspiration, from behind a veil, or by sending a messenger-angel to reveal what He wills. And so We have sent to you a revelation by Our command. You did not know of this Book or faith before, but We made it a light to guide whomever We will. And you are truly leading all to the Straight Path—the Path of Allah, to whom belongs everything. Surely to Allah all matters will return.

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Surah 43. Az Zukhruf (Ornaments).

The Excellence of the Quran and Warnings from the Past.

By the clear Book! We have made it an Arabic Quran so you may understand. It is, in the Master Record with Us, highly esteemed and rich in wisdom. Should We turn this Reminder away from you simply because you are a transgressing people? We sent many prophets to those before you, but none came without being mocked. So We destroyed those who were mightier than these Meccans. The examples of their predecessors have already been related.

The Creator and His Bounties.

If you ask them who created the heavens and the earth, they will say, "The Almighty, All-Knowing did." He is the One who laid out the earth, set pathways in it, and sends rain in perfect measure to give life to a lifeless land. So will you be brought forth from the grave. He created all things in pairs and made ships and animals for you to ride, so that you may remember your Lord’s blessings, saying, "Glory be to the One who has subjected these for us. Surely to our Lord we will all return."

Pagan Falsehoods and Blind Following.

Still, the pagans claim some of His creation is a part of Him. Humankind is clearly ungrateful. Has He taken angels as His daughters while favoring you with sons? When one of them is given news of what they attribute to the Most Compassionate (a daughter), his face grows gloomy with suppressed rage. They have labeled the angels, who are servants of the Most Compassionate, as female. Did they witness their creation? Their statement will be recorded.

They argue, "Had the Most Compassionate willed, we would not have worshipped them." They have no knowledge to support this; they only lie. Or have We given them a Book before this one that they hold to? In fact, they say, "We found our forefathers following a particular way, and we are following in their footsteps." Whenever We sent a warner, the elite would say the same. Each warner asked, "Even if I brought you better guidance?" They replied, "We reject what you have been sent with." So We punished them.

Abraham declared to his father and people that he was free of their idols, worshipping only the One who originated him and would guide him. He left this enduring declaration among his descendants. We allowed the Meccans enjoyment until the truth came, but they called it magic and rejected it. They exclaimed, "If only this Quran was revealed to a great man from one of the two cities (Mecca or Ta'if)!" Is it they who distribute your Lord’s mercy? We have distributed their livelihood and raised some in rank above others. But your Lord’s mercy is better than the wealth they amass.

The Worthlessness of Worldly Wealth.

Were it not that people might be tempted to become one community of disbelievers, We would have supplied the homes of those who disbelieve with silver roofs, stairways, gates, thrones, and gold ornaments. Yet all this is a fleeting enjoyment. The Hereafter with your Lord is only for the mindful.

The Consequences of Turning Away.

Whoever turns a blind eye to the Reminder of the Most Compassionate, We assign to them a devil as a close associate, who hinders them from the Right Way while they think they are guided. When such a person comes to Us, they will wish their associate were as distant as the east is from the west. It will be said to them, "Since you all did wrong, sharing in the punishment will be of no benefit to you today."

The Story of Moses and Pharaoh's Arrogance.

We sent Moses with Our signs to Pharaoh and his chiefs. When he came with Our signs, they laughed at them. Each sign was greater than the one before. We seized them with torments so they might return. They pleaded, "O magician! Pray to your Lord for us by the covenant He made with you. We will accept guidance." But as soon as We removed the torment, they broke their promise.

Pharaoh boasted to his people, "Am I not sovereign over Egypt and these streams flowing at my feet? Am I not better than this nobody who can hardly express himself?" He questioned why Moses was not granted golden bracelets of kingship or accompanied by angels. He fooled his people, and they obeyed him. When they enraged Us, We punished them, drowning them all, making them an example for those after.

The Truth About Jesus.

When the son of Mary was cited as an example, your people broke into applause, asking, "Which is better: our gods or Jesus?" They cite him only to argue. He was only a servant We favored and made an example for the Children of Israel. Had We willed, We could have replaced you with angels. His second coming is a sign for the Hour, so have no doubt and follow the Straight Path. Do not let Satan hinder you. When Jesus came with clear proofs, he said, "I have come with wisdom to clarify what you differ about. Fear Allah and obey me. Allah alone is my Lord and your Lord, so worship Him." Yet their groups differed about him. Woe to the wrongdoers on that painful Day! Are they waiting for the Hour to take them by surprise?

Paradise and Hell.

Close friends will be enemies on that Day, except the righteous. They will be told, "O My servants! There is no fear for you Today." They will enter Paradise with their spouses, rejoicing. Golden trays and cups will be passed to them, with whatever the soul desires. That is the Paradise you are awarded for what you did.

The wicked will be in the torment of Hell forever. It will never be lightened, and they will be in despair. We did not wrong them; they wronged themselves. They will cry, "O Malik (guardian of Hell)! Let your Lord finish us off!" He will answer, "You are here to stay."

Final Admonitions.

Have they mastered an evil plan? Then We too are planning. Do they think We do not hear their secret talks? Our angels are recording it all. Say, "If the Most Compassionate had offspring, I would be the first worshipper." Glorified is the Lord of the heavens and earth, far above their claims. Let them indulge until they face their Day. He is the only God in the heavens and on the earth. Blessed is the One to whom belongs the kingdom of all things and the knowledge of the Hour. The idols they invoke have no power to intercede, except those who testify to the truth knowingly. If you ask them who created them, they will say, "Allah!" How are they then deluded? Allah is aware of the Prophet’s cry: "O my Lord! These are a people who persist in disbelief." So bear with them and respond with peace. They will soon come to know.

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Surah 44. Ad-Dukhan (The Haze).

The Blessed Night and the Warning of Haze.

By the clear Book! We sent it down on a blessed night, for We always warn against evil. On that night, every matter of wisdom is ordained by a command from Us, for We have always sent messengers as a mercy from your Lord, the All-Hearing, All-Knowing—Lord of the heavens, the earth, and everything in between. There is no god but Him. He gives life and causes death. He is your Lord and the Lord of your forefathers.

Yet, they are in doubt, amusing themselves. Wait then, O Prophet, for the day when the sky will be veiled in a clearly visible haze, overwhelming the people. They will cry, "This is a painful torment! Our Lord, remove this from us, and we will believe." How can they be reminded when a messenger has already come, making things clear, yet they turned away, calling him a madman taught by others? We will remove the torment for a while, but you Meccans will return to disbelief. Then, on the Day We deal the fiercest blow, We will surely inflict punishment.

The Story of Pharaoh's People.

Before them, We tested Pharaoh’s people. A noble messenger, Moses, came proclaiming, "Hand over the servants of Allah to me. I am a trustworthy messenger to you. Do not be arrogant with Allah, for I have come with compelling proof. I seek refuge in my Lord and your Lord from your stoning me. If you do not believe me, then let me be." Ultimately, he cried out to his Lord, "These are a wicked people!"

Allah responded, "Leave with My servants by night, for you will be pursued. Leave the sea parted, for they are an army bound to drown." Imagine how many gardens, springs, crops, and splendid residences the tyrants left behind, along with luxuries they enjoyed. We awarded it all to another people. Neither heaven nor earth wept for them, nor was their fate delayed. We delivered the Children of Israel from the humiliating torment of Pharaoh, who was a tyrant. We chose the Israelites knowingly above others and showed them signs that were a clear test.

Denial of Resurrection and the Day of Decision.

Indeed, these Meccans say there is nothing beyond their first death and they will not be resurrected. They challenge, "Bring back our forefathers, if what you say is true." Are they superior to the people of Tubba' and those before them? We destroyed them all, for they were wicked. We did not create the heavens and the earth for sport, but for a purpose, though most do not know. Surely the Day of Final Decision is the appointed time for all—the Day no kin will benefit another, nor will they be helped, except those shown mercy by Allah.

The Punishments and Pleasures of the Hereafter.

Surely the fruit of the tree of Zaqqum will be the food of the evildoer. Like molten metal, it will boil in their bellies like boiling water. They will be seized, dragged into the depths of Hellfire, and the torment of boiling water will be poured over their heads. They will be told, "Taste this, you mighty, noble one! This is what you used to doubt."

In contrast, the righteous will be in a secure place, amid Gardens and springs, dressed in fine silk and rich brocade, facing one another. We will pair them with maidens with gorgeous eyes. They will call for every fruit in serenity. There they will never taste death beyond the first death, and He will protect them from the punishment of the Hellfire—an act of grace from your Lord. That is the ultimate triumph.

We have made this Quran easy in your own language, O Prophet, so perhaps they will be mindful. Wait then! They too are certainly waiting.

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45. Al Jathiyah  (The Kneeling).

Signs for the Believers.

The revelation of this Book is from Allah, the Almighty, All-Wise. Surely in the creation of the heavens and the earth are signs for the believers. In your own creation, and in the living beings He has dispersed, are signs for people of sure faith. In the alternation of day and night, the provision of rain sent from the skies that revives the earth, and the shifting of the winds, are signs for people of understanding. These are Allah’s revelations recited to you in truth. So what message will they believe after denying Allah and His revelations?

Warnings to the Arrogant Deniers.

Woe to every sinful liar. They hear Allah’s revelations but persist arrogantly as if they did not hear them. Give them news of a painful punishment. When they learn anything of Our revelations, they mock it. They will suffer a humiliating punishment. Awaiting them is Hell. Their worldly gains will not benefit them, nor will the protectors they took besides Allah. This Quran is true guidance. Those who deny their Lord’s revelations will suffer the worst torment of agonizing pain.

Allah's Bounties and the Path of Faith.

Allah has subjected the sea for you so that ships may sail by His command and you may seek His bounty and be grateful. He has subjected for you everything in the heavens and on the earth—all by His grace. Surely in this are signs for people who reflect. Tell the believers to forgive those who do not fear Allah’s days of torment, so He may reward each group for what they did. Whoever does good benefits themselves, and whoever does evil harms themselves. Then to your Lord you will all be returned.

We gave the Children of Israel the Scripture, wisdom, and prophethood; granted them good provisions; and favored them above others. We gave them clear commandments, but they differed out of mutual envy after knowledge came to them. Your Lord will judge between them on Judgment Day. Now We have set you, O Prophet, on the clear Way of faith. So follow it, and do not follow the desires of those who do not know. They cannot benefit you against Allah. The wrongdoers are patrons of each other, while Allah is the Patron of the righteous. This Quran is an insight for humanity—a guide and mercy for people of sure faith.

The Inevitable Judgment.

Do those who commit evil deeds think We will make them equal—in life and after death—to those who believe and do good? How wrong is their judgment! Allah created the heavens and the earth for a purpose, so that every soul may be paid back for its deeds, and none will be wronged.

Have you seen those who take their own desires as their god? Allah left them to stray knowingly, sealed their hearing and hearts, and covered their sight. Who can guide them after Allah? Will you not be mindful? They argue, "There is nothing beyond our worldly life. We die, others are born, and only time destroys us." They have no knowledge of this; they only speculate. Their only argument when Our revelations are recited is to say, "Bring our forefathers back, if what you say is true!" Say, "It is Allah who gives you life, then causes you to die, then will gather you on the Day of Judgment, about which there is no doubt."

To Allah alone belongs the kingdom of the heavens and the earth. On the Day the Hour is established, the people of falsehood will be in total loss. You will see every faith-community on its knees, summoned to its record of deeds. They will be told, "This Day you will be rewarded for what you used to do. This record of Ours speaks the truth about you." As for those who believed and did good, their Lord will admit them into His mercy. That is the absolute triumph. But as for the disbelievers, they will be asked, "Were My revelations not recited to you? Yet you acted arrogantly." When it was said, "Surely Allah’s promise is true," you replied, "We do not know what the Hour is; we think it is speculation and are not convinced." The evil of their deeds will unfold before them. It will be said, "This Day We will neglect you as you neglected this Day. Your home is the Fire. This is because you mocked Allah’s revelations and were deluded by worldly life." From that Day on, they will not be taken out of the Fire, nor allowed to appease their Lord. So all praise is for Allah—Lord of the heavens, Lord of the earth, Lord of all worlds. To Him belongs all Majesty, and He is the Almighty, All-Wise.

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Surah 46. Al Ahqaf  (The Sand Hills).

The Folly of Idol Worship.

The revelation of this Book is from Allah, the Almighty, All-Wise. We created the heavens, the earth, and everything between them only for a purpose and an appointed term. Yet the disbelievers turn away from what they are warned about. Ask them, "Have you considered the idols you invoke besides Allah? Show me what they have created on earth! Or do they have a share in creating the heavens? Bring me a scripture from before this Quran or a shred of knowledge, if you are truthful." Who is more astray than those who call upon others besides Allah—others that cannot respond and are unaware of their calls? When people are gathered on Judgment Day, these false gods will be their enemies and will disown their worship.

Pagan Rejection of the Quran.

When Our clear revelations are recited, the disbelievers call the truth pure magic. Or they say the Prophet fabricated it. He should reply, "If I have, you cannot save me from Allah. He knows the slurs you indulge in about it. He is a sufficient Witness. He is the All-Forgiving, Most Merciful." Say, "I am not the first messenger, nor do I know what will happen to me or you. I only follow what is revealed and am only a clear warner."

Consider if this Quran is truly from Allah and you deny it, while a witness from the Children of Israel attests to it and believes, yet you act arrogantly. The disbelievers say of the believers, "Had it been good, they would not have beaten us to it." Since they reject its guidance, they call it an ancient fabrication. Before this, the Book of Moses was a guide and mercy. This Book is a confirmation in Arabic to warn the wrongdoers and give good news to the good-doers.

The Righteous and the Deniers.

Those who say, "Our Lord is Allah," and then remain steadfast will have no fear nor will they grieve. They will be residents of Paradise forever, a reward for their deeds.

We have commanded people to honor their parents. Their mothers bore and delivered them in hardship, a period of thirty months for bearing and weaning. When a child reaches their prime at forty, they pray, "My Lord! Inspire me to be thankful for Your favors to me and my parents, and to do good deeds that please You. Instill righteousness in my offspring. I repent to You and submit to Your will." From these, We will accept their good deeds and overlook their misdeeds, fulfilling the true promise they were given.

But some scold their parents, saying, "Enough! Are you warning me that I will be resurrected, when generations have perished before me?" The parents cry to Allah for help, warning their child to have faith, but the denier insists it is all ancient fables. These are the ones against whom the fate of earlier communities of jinn and humans has been justified. Each group will be ranked according to their deeds and fully rewarded. On the Day the disbelievers are exposed to the Fire, they will be told, "You exhausted your share of pleasures in your worldly life. Today you will be rewarded with the torment of disgrace."

The Story of Hud and the Warning to Mecca.

Remember the brother of 'Ad, Hud, who warned his people in the sand-hills, "Worship none but Allah. I fear for you the torment of a tremendous day." They argued, "Have you come to turn us away from our gods? Bring the torment you threaten us with." He responded, "Knowledge of its time is only with Allah. I convey what I am sent with, but I see you are an ignorant people." When they saw the torment as a dense cloud approaching their valleys, they rejoiced, thinking it was rain. But Hud said, "No, it is what you sought to hasten: a fierce wind carrying a painful punishment!" It destroyed everything by its Lord's command, leaving only their ruins.

We had established those people in a way We have not established you, Meccans. We gave them hearing, sight, and intellect, but these were of no benefit since they denied Allah’s signs. They were overwhelmed by what they ridiculed. The idols they took as gods did not help them; instead, they failed them.

The Jinn's Response to the Quran.

Remember when We sent a group of jinn to listen to the Quran. Upon hearing it, they told each other to listen quietly. When it was over, they returned to their fellow jinn as warners, declaring, "O our people! We have heard a scripture revealed after Moses, confirming what came before, guiding to the truth and the Straight Way. Respond to the caller of Allah and believe in him. He will forgive your sins and protect you from a painful punishment." Whoever does not respond to the caller of Allah will have no escape and no protectors.

Final Admonition to the Prophet.

Do the deniers not realize that Allah, who created the heavens and earth without tiring, is able to give life to the dead? Yes, He is Most Capable of everything. On the Day the disbelievers are exposed to the Fire, they will be asked, "Is this not the truth?" They will cry, "Absolutely, by our Lord!" It will be said, "Then taste the punishment for your disbelief." So endure patiently, as did the Messengers of Firm Resolve. Do not seek to hasten the torment for them. On the Day they see it, it will be as if they stayed in the world for only an hour of a day. This is a sufficient warning. Will anyone be destroyed except the rebellious people?

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Surah 47.  Muhammad.

The Believers and Disbelievers.

Those who disbelieve and hinder others from the Way of Allah, He will render their deeds void. As for those who believe, do good, and have faith in what has been revealed to Muhammad—the truth from their Lord—He will absolve them of their sins and improve their condition. This is because disbelievers follow falsehood, while believers follow the truth.

Rules of Warfare and Divine Support.

When you meet the disbelievers in battle, strike their necks until you have subdued them, then bind them firmly. Later, free them either as an act of grace or by ransom until the war ends. Had Allah willed, He could have punished them Himself, but He tests some of you by means of others. For those martyred in Allah’s cause, He will never let their deeds be void. He will guide them, improve their condition, and admit them into a Paradise He has made known to them.

O believers! If you stand up for Allah, He will help you and make your steps firm. As for the disbelievers, may they be doomed and may He render their deeds void, for they detest what Allah has revealed. Have they not seen the end of those before them? Allah annihilated them, and a similar fate awaits the disbelievers. This is because Allah is the Patron of believers, while disbelievers have no patron.

Paradise, Hell, and the Hypocrites.

Surely Allah will admit believers who do good into Gardens under which rivers flow. The disbelievers enjoy themselves and feed like cattle, but the Fire will be their home. How many mightier societies We destroyed than your own, which drove you out! Can those who stand on clear proof from their Lord be like those whose evil deeds are made appealing to them?

The Paradise promised to the righteous has rivers of fresh water, milk that never sours, wine delicious to drink, and pure honey. They will have all kinds of fruit and forgiveness from their Lord. Can they be like those who stay in the Fire forever, drinking boiling water that tears their insides?

Some hypocrites listen to you, O Prophet, but when they leave, they mockingly ask those with knowledge, "What did he just say?" These are the ones whose hearts Allah has sealed. As for the rightly guided, He increases their guidance. Are they only waiting for the Hour to take them by surprise? Yet some of its signs have already come.

A Call to Steadfastness.

So, know that there is no god but Allah. Seek forgiveness for your shortcomings and for the believing men and women. The believers say, "If only a surah was revealed allowing self-defense!" Yet when a precise surah is revealed mentioning fighting, you see those with sickness in their hearts staring at you like someone in the throes of death. It would have been better for them to obey and speak rightly. If you hypocrites turn away, perhaps you would spread corruption and sever kinship ties! These are the ones Allah has condemned, deafening them and blinding their eyes. Do they not reflect on the Quran?

Those who relapse into disbelief after guidance is clear, it is Satan who has tempted them. They privately tell those who detest what Allah has revealed, "We will obey you in some matters." But Allah knows what they hide. How horrible it will be when angels take their souls, beating their faces and backs! This is because they follow what displeases Allah. Do they think Allah will not expose their malice? You would recognize them by their appearance and tone of speech.

The Purpose of Trials.

We will certainly test you until We prove who among you truly struggles and remains steadfast. Indeed, those who disbelieve, hinder others from Allah’s Way, and defy the Messenger after guidance is clear will not harm Allah, but He will void their deeds. O believers! Obey Allah and the Messenger, and do not let your deeds be in vain. Those who disbelieve and die as disbelievers, Allah will never forgive. So do not falter or cry for peace; you will have the upper hand, and Allah is with you.

This worldly life is no more than play and amusement. If you are faithful and mindful, He will grant you your reward and will not ask for all your wealth. If He did, you would withhold, and He would bring out your resentment. You are invited to donate in Allah's cause, yet some of you withhold, which is only to your own loss. Allah is Self-Sufficient; you are in need. If you turn away, He will replace you with another people who will not be like you.

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Surah 48. Al Fath  (The Triumph).

The Clear Triumph and Its Purpose.

Indeed, We have granted you, O Prophet, a clear triumph. This is so that Allah may forgive you for your past and future shortcomings, perfect His favor upon you, guide you along the Straight Path, and help you tremendously. He is the One who sent down serenity into the hearts of the believers to increase their faith. To Allah belong the forces of the heavens and the earth. He is All-Knowing, All-Wise. He will admit believing men and women into Gardens under which rivers flow forever and absolve them of their sins—a supreme achievement. He will also punish the hypocrites and polytheists who harbor evil thoughts of Allah. May ill-fate befall them! Allah is displeased with them and has prepared for them Hell, an evil destination.

Pledge of Allegiance and the Excuses of Deserters.

We have sent you, O Prophet, as a witness, a bearer of good news, and a warner, so that you believers may have faith in Allah and His Messenger, support and honor him, and glorify Allah. Surely those who pledge allegiance to you are pledging allegiance to Allah. His Hand is over theirs. Whoever breaks their pledge does so to their own loss, and whoever fulfills it will be granted a great reward.

The nomadic Arabs who stayed behind will say, "We were preoccupied with our wealth and families, so ask for forgiveness for us." They say with their tongues what is not in their hearts. Who can stand between you and Allah if He intends harm or benefit for you? The truth is, you thought the Messenger and believers would never return to their families. This was made appealing in your hearts, and you harbored evil thoughts. Those who do not believe in Allah and His Messenger should know We have prepared a blazing Fire for the disbelievers.

Those who stayed behind will say, when you believers set out to take spoils of war, "Let us accompany you." They wish to change Allah’s promise. Tell them, "You will not accompany us. This is what Allah has said." They will then claim you are jealous, but they can hardly comprehend. Say to those who stayed behind, "You will be called to fight against a people of great might, unless they submit. If you obey, Allah will grant you a fine reward. But if you turn away, He will inflict a painful punishment." There is no blame on the blind, disabled, or sick for staying behind.

Allah's Pleasure and the Wisdom of the Truce.

Indeed, Allah was pleased with the believers when they pledged allegiance to you under the tree. He knew what was in their hearts, so He sent down serenity upon them and rewarded them with a victory at hand and many spoils of war. Allah has promised you abundant spoils, and He hastened this truce for you. He held back people's hands from harming you, making it a sign for believers and a guide to the Straight Path. There are other gains beyond your reach that Allah is keeping in store.

If the disbelievers were to fight you, they would flee and find no protector. This is Allah’s established way. He is the One who held back their hands from you and yours from them in the valley near Mecca, after giving you the upper hand. They are the ones who persisted in disbelief, hindered you from the Sacred Mosque, and prevented sacrificial animals from reaching their destination. Had there not been unknown believing men and women in Mecca whom you might have harmed, We would have let you march through. This was so Allah may admit into His mercy whomever He wills. Had those believers stood apart, We would have inflicted a painful punishment on the disbelievers.

When the disbelievers filled their hearts with the pride of pre-Islamic ignorance, Allah sent down His serenity upon His Messenger and the believers, inspiring them to uphold the declaration of faith.

The Prophet's Vision and the Qualities of Believers.

Indeed, Allah will fulfill His Messenger’s vision in all truth: Allah willing, you will surely enter the Sacred Mosque in security, with heads shaved or hair shortened, without fear. He knew what you did not know, so He first granted you the triumph at hand. He is the One who sent His Messenger with guidance and the religion of truth to make it prevail over all others. And sufficient is Allah as a Witness.

Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah. Those with him are firm with the disbelievers and compassionate with one another. You see them bowing and prostrating in prayer, seeking Allah’s bounty and pleasure. The sign of brightness is on their faces from the trace of prostration. This is their description in the Torah. Their parable in the Gospel is that of a seed that sprouts, grows strong, and stands firmly on its stem, to the delight of the planters—in this way, Allah makes the believers a source of dismay for the disbelievers. To those who believe and do good, Allah has promised forgiveness and a great reward.

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Surah 49. Al Hujurat  (The Private Quarters).

Proper Conduct with the Prophet.

O believers! Do not proceed in any matter before a decree from Allah and His Messenger. Fear Allah, for He is All-Hearing, All-Knowing. Do not raise your voices above the voice of the Prophet or speak loudly to him as you do to one another, lest your deeds become void without you realizing it. Indeed, those who lower their voices in the presence of Allah’s Messenger are the ones whose hearts Allah has refined for righteousness; they will have forgiveness and a great reward. Most of those who call out to you, O Prophet, from outside your private quarters have no understanding of manners. Had they been patient until you came out to them, it would have been better for them.

Social Etiquette Among Believers.

O believers, if an evildoer brings you any news, verify it so you do not harm people unknowingly and later regret it. Keep in mind that Allah’s Messenger is among you; if he were to yield to you in many matters, you would suffer. But Allah has endeared faith to you and made disbelief, rebelliousness, and disobedience detestable. This is a bounty from Allah.

If two groups of believers fight, make peace between them. If one transgresses against the other, fight the transgressing group until they submit to Allah’s rule. If they do, make peace between them with fairness and justice. The believers are one brotherhood, so make peace between your brothers and be mindful of Allah so you may be shown mercy.

O believers! Do not let some men ridicule others, for they may be better than them, nor let some women ridicule other women, for they may be better. Do not defame one another or call each other by offensive nicknames. It is evil to act rebelliously after having faith. Avoid many suspicions, for some are sinful. Do not spy on or backbite one another. Would any of you like to eat the flesh of your dead brother? You would despise that. Fear Allah; He is the Accepter of Repentance, Most Merciful.

The Unity and Nobility of Humanity.

O humanity! We created you from a male and a female and made you into peoples and tribes so that you may get to know one another. Surely the most noble of you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous among you. Allah is All-Knowing, All-Aware.

True Faith is Demonstrated by Actions.

Some nomadic Arabs say, "We believe." Tell them, "You have not believed. Say, ‘We have submitted,’ for faith has not yet entered your hearts." But if you obey Allah and His Messenger, He will not diminish your deeds. The true believers are those who believe in Allah and His Messenger without doubt and strive with their wealth and lives in Allah’s cause. They are the ones true in faith. Do you inform Allah of your faith, when He knows everything in the heavens and on the earth? They regard their acceptance of Islam as a favor to you. Tell them, "Do not regard your Islam as a favor to me. It is Allah who has done you a favor by guiding you to the faith, if you are truly faithful." Surely Allah knows the unseen of the heavens and earth, and He is All-Seeing of what you do.

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Surah 50. Qaf.

The Denial of Resurrection.

By the glorious Quran! The deniers are astonished that a warner has come from among them, warning of resurrection. They say, "This is astonishing! Will we be returned to life when we are dead and reduced to dust? Such a return is impossible." We certainly know what the earth consumes of them, and with Us is a well-preserved Record. They reject the truth when it comes to them, so they are in a confused state.

Evidence of Allah's Power.

Have they not looked at the sky above them, how We built and adorned it, leaving it flawless? As for the earth, We spread it out, placed firm mountains upon it, and produced in it every type of pleasant plant—an insight and a reminder for every servant who turns to Allah. We send down blessed rain from the sky, bringing forth gardens, grains, and towering palm trees as a provision. With this rain, We revive a lifeless land. Similar is the emergence from the graves.

Before them, the people of Noah, the people of the Water-pit, Thamud, 'Ad, Pharaoh, the kinfolk of Lot, the residents of the Forest, and the people of Tubba' all denied their messengers, so My warning was fulfilled. Were We incapable of the first creation? In fact, they are in doubt about their re-creation.

Divine Watchfulness and the Inevitability of Death.

It is We who created humankind and know what their souls whisper. We are closer to them than their jugular vein. Two recording angels, one on the right and one on the left, note everything. Not a word is uttered without a vigilant observer ready to write it down. Ultimately, the throes of death will bring the truth—the very thing you were trying to escape.

The Day of Judgment.

The Trumpet will be blown. This is the Day you were warned of. Each soul will come forth with an angel to drive it and another to testify. The denier will be told, "You were heedless of this. Now We have lifted your veil, so your sight today is sharp." The accompanying angel will say, "Here is the record." It will be said, "Throw into Hell every stubborn disbeliever, withholder of good, transgressor, and doubter who set up another god with Allah." The devilish associate will say, "Our Lord! I did not make them transgress; they were far astray on their own." Allah will respond, "Do not dispute in My presence. I had already given you a warning. My Word cannot be changed, nor am I unjust." On that Day, We will ask Hell, "Are you full?" And it will respond, "Are there any more?"

The Reward of the Righteous.

Paradise will be brought near to the righteous. They will be told, "This is what you were promised, for whoever constantly turned to Allah and kept His commandments—who were in awe of the Most Compassionate without seeing Him and have come with a repentant heart. Enter it in peace. This is the Day of eternal life!" There they will have whatever they desire, and with Us is even more.

Final Admonitions.

How many peoples We destroyed before them who were mightier than them! When the torment came, they sought refuge, but there was no escape. Surely in this is a reminder for whoever has a mindful heart and an attentive ear. We created the heavens and the earth in six Days and were not touched with fatigue. So be patient with what they say. Glorify the praises of your Lord before sunrise and sunset, and during part of the night and after prayers. Listen! On the Day the caller will call from a near place, all will hear the mighty Blast. That will be the Day of emergence from the graves. It is We who give life and cause death. We know what they say. You, O Prophet, are not there to compel them. So remind with the Quran only those who fear My warning.

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Surah 51. Adh Dhariyat (The Scattering Winds).

The Certainty of Judgment.

By the winds that scatter dust, the clouds loaded with rain, the ships that glide with ease, and the angels who administer affairs by Allah’s command: what you are promised is true, and the Judgment will certainly come to pass. By the heavens in their marvelous design, you are lost in conflicting views about the truth. Condemned are the liars—those steeped in ignorance, who mockingly ask, "When is this Day of Judgment?" It is the Day they will be tormented over the Fire, and they will be told, "Taste your torment! This is what you sought to hasten."

The Reward of the Devout.

Indeed, the righteous will be amid Gardens and springs, receiving what their Lord grants them. Before this reward, they were good-doers: they slept only a little at night and prayed for forgiveness before dawn. In their wealth was a rightful share for the beggar and the poor.

Signs in Creation and the Story of Abraham.

There are countless signs on earth for those with sure faith, and also within yourselves. Can you not see? In heaven is your sustenance and what you are promised. By the Lord of heaven and earth, all this is as true as the fact that you can speak.

Has the story of Abraham’s honored guests reached you? They greeted him with, "Peace!" He replied, "Peace," and thought them unfamiliar. He brought a roasted calf and placed it before them, asking, "Will you not eat?" He grew fearful when they did not, but they reassured him, "Do not be afraid," and gave him the good news of a knowledgeable son. His wife came forward, crying in astonishment, "A baby from a barren, old woman!" They replied, "Such has your Lord decreed. He is All-Wise, All-Knowing."

The Destruction of Past Nations.

Abraham asked the messengers about their mission. They replied they were sent to a wicked people to rain upon them stones of baked clay, marked for the transgressors. Before the torment, We evacuated the believers from the city of Lot, finding only one family that had submitted. We left a sign there as a lesson.

In the story of Moses, when We sent him to Pharaoh with compelling proof, Pharaoh was carried away by his power, calling Moses a magician or a madman. We seized him and his soldiers and cast them into the sea. In the story of ‘Ad, We sent against them a devastating wind that reduced everything to ashes. In the story of Thamud, they were told to enjoy themselves for a short while but persisted in defying their Lord, so they were overtaken by a mighty blast while they watched. And the people of Noah were destroyed earlier for being a rebellious people.

Allah's Creative Power and Final Call.

We built the universe with might and are certainly expanding it. We spread out the earth; how superbly We smoothed it! We created pairs of all things so you might be mindful. So proclaim, O Prophet: "Flee to Allah! I am sent with a clear warning to you. Do not set up another god with Allah." Similarly, no messenger came to those before without being called a magician or a madman. Have they passed this down to one another? No, they have all been a transgressing people. So turn away from them, for you will not be blamed. But continue to remind, for reminders benefit the believers.

I did not create jinn and humans except to worship Me. I seek no provision from them. Indeed, Allah alone is the Supreme Provider, Lord of all Power. The wrongdoers will have a share of torment like their predecessors, so do not let them ask Me to hasten it. Woe to the disbelievers when they face the Day they are warned of!

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Surah 52. Aat Tur  (Mount Tur).

The Inevitable Judgment.

By Mount Tur! By the Book written on open pages! By the Sacred House frequently visited! By the canopy raised high! And by the seas set on fire! Indeed, the punishment of your Lord will come to pass—none can avert it. It will happen on the Day the heavens are shaken violently and the mountains are blown away entirely. Woe on that Day to the deniers—those who amuse themselves with falsehood. It is the Day they will be fiercely shoved into the Hellfire and told, "This is the Fire you used to deny. Is this magic, or do you not see? Burn in it! It is the same whether you endure it patiently or not. You are only rewarded for what you used to do."

The Pleasures of the Faithful.

Indeed, the righteous will be in Gardens and bliss, enjoying what their Lord has granted them, protected from the torment of Hellfire. They will be told, "Eat and drink happily for what you used to do." They will recline on thrones, lined up facing each other, and We will pair them with maidens with gorgeous eyes. As for those who believe and whose descendants follow them in faith, We will elevate their descendants to their rank without discounting any of their own deeds. Every person reaps what they sow. We will provide them with whatever fruit or meat they desire. They will pass around a drink of pure wine, which leads to no idle talk or sin. They will be waited on by youthful servants like spotless pearls.

They will turn to one another, reminiscing. They will say, "Before this, we were in awe of Allah among our people. So Allah has graced us and protected us from the torment of scorching heat. We used to call upon Him alone before. He is truly the Most Kind, Most Merciful."

Refuting the Deniers' Claims.

So continue to remind all, O Prophet. By the grace of your Lord, you are not a fortune-teller or a madman. Or do they say he is a poet for whom they await an ill fate? Say, "Keep waiting! I too am waiting with you." Do their intelligent minds prompt them to this paradox, or are they just a transgressing people? Or do they say he made up the Quran? Let them produce something like it if they are truthful.

Were they created by nothing, or are they their own creators? Did they create the heavens and the earth? They have no firm belief. Do they possess the treasuries of your Lord or control everything? Do they have a stairway to eavesdrop on the heavens? Let them bring compelling proof. Does He have daughters, while you have sons? Are you asking them for a reward that overburdens them with debt? Do they have access to the unseen to copy it down? Or do they intend to scheme against you? It is the disbelievers who will fall victim to their schemes. Do they have a god other than Allah? Glorified is Allah above what they associate with Him!

If they were to see a piece of the sky fall, they would still say it is just a pile of clouds. So leave them until they face their Day in which they will be struck dead—the Day their scheming will be of no benefit, nor will they be helped. The wrongdoers will also have another torment before that Day, but most do not know.

So be patient with your Lord’s decree, for you are under Our watchful Eyes. Glorify the praises of your Lord when you rise, and during part of the night, and at the fading of the stars.

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 Surah 53. Aan Najm (The Stars).

The Prophet's Miraculous Encounter.

By the stars as they fade away! Your fellow man, Muhammad, is neither misguided nor astray, nor does he speak of his own whims. It is only a revelation sent down to him. He was taught by a mighty and perfect angel, Gabriel, who rose to his true form on the highest horizon. Then he approached the Prophet, coming so close that he was only two arms-lengths away or even less. Then Allah revealed to His servant what He revealed. The Prophet’s heart did not doubt what he saw. How can you pagans dispute with him about what he saw? He certainly saw the angel descend a second time at the Lote Tree of the most extreme limit in the seventh heaven, near which is the Garden of Eternal Residence. The tree was overwhelmed with heavenly splendors, and the Prophet's sight never wandered nor overreached. He certainly saw some of his Lord’s greatest signs.

The Folly of Idol Worship.

Now, have you considered the idols of Lat, 'Uzza, and the third one, Manat? Do you attribute daughters to Him while you prefer sons for yourselves? This is a biased distribution. These idols are mere names you and your forefathers made up, a practice Allah never authorized. They follow only inherited assumptions and their own desires, even though true guidance has come to them. Should every person have whatever intercessors they desire? In fact, to Allah alone belongs this world and the next. Even the intercession of the noble angels in the heavens is of no benefit until Allah gives permission to whomever He wills and for whomever He approves.

Divine Justice and Human Accountability.

Indeed, those who do not believe in the Hereafter label angels as female, although they have no knowledge to support this; they only follow assumptions, which can never replace the truth. So turn away, O Prophet, from whoever has shunned Our Reminder and seeks only the fleeting life of this world. This is the extent of their knowledge. Your Lord knows best who has strayed and who is guided.

To Allah belongs everything in the heavens and on the earth, so He may reward the evildoers for what they did and reward the good-doers with the finest reward. These are the ones who avoid major sins and shameful deeds, despite minor stumbles. Surely your Lord is infinite in forgiveness. He knew you well when He created you from the earth and while you were fetuses in your mothers' wombs. So do not falsely elevate yourselves; He knows best who is truly righteous.

Have you seen the one who turned away from Islam, initially paid a little for his salvation, and then stopped? Does he have knowledge of the unseen? Has he not been informed of what is in the Scriptures of Moses and of Abraham, who fulfilled his covenant? They state that no soul will bear another's burden, that each person will only have what they endeavored towards, that the outcome of their endeavors will be seen, and that they will be fully rewarded. To your Lord alone is the ultimate return.

Manifestations of Allah's Absolute Power.

It is He who brings about joy and sadness. It is He who gives life and causes death. He created the pairs—male and female—from a sperm-drop when it is emitted. It is upon Him to bring about re-creation. He is the One who enriches and impoverishes. He is the Lord of the star Sirius. He destroyed the first people of ‘Ad, and then Thamud, sparing no one. Before that, He destroyed the people of Noah, who were worse in wrongdoing. It was He who turned the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah upside down, covering them with an overwhelming punishment. Now, which of your Lord’s favors will you dispute?

A Final Warning.

This Prophet is a warner like those before. The approaching Hour has drawn near. None but Allah can disclose it. Do you find this revelation astonishing, laughing at it instead of weeping, while persisting in heedlessness? Instead, prostrate to Allah and worship Him alone!

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Surah 54. Al Qamar  (The Moon).

The Stubborn Denial of the Meccans.

The Hour has drawn near, and the moon was split in two. Yet, whenever the deniers see a sign, they turn away, calling it the "same old magic!" They rejected the truth and followed their own desires, but every matter will be settled. The stories of destroyed nations have already come to them as a sufficient deterrent. This Quran is profound in wisdom, but warnings are of no benefit to them. So turn away from them, O Prophet, and wait for the Day when the caller will summon them for something horrifying. With eyes downcast, they will emerge from their graves like swarming locusts, rushing towards the caller. The disbelievers will cry, "This is a difficult Day!"

The Fate of Past Nations.

The people of Noah denied the truth before them, rejecting Our servant, calling him insane and intimidating him. He cried out to his Lord, "I am helpless, so help me!" We opened the gates of the sky with pouring rain and caused the earth to burst with springs, and the waters met for a fate already set. We carried him on an Ark of planks and nails, sailing under Our watchful eyes as a just punishment. We left this as a sign. How dreadful were My punishment and warnings! We have made the Quran easy to remember. So is there anyone who will be mindful?

The people of 'Ad also rejected the truth. How dreadful were My punishment and warnings! We sent against them a furious wind on a day of unrelenting misery, which snatched people up, leaving them like uprooted palm trees. We have made the Quran easy to remember. So is there anyone who will be mindful?

The people of Thamud rejected the warnings, arguing, "How can we follow one average human from among us? We would be misguided and insane. Has the revelation been sent only to him?" They called their prophet, Salih, a boastful liar. It was revealed to him, "They will soon know who the boastful liar is." We sent the she-camel as a test, telling him to watch them and have patience, and to inform them that the water must be divided between them and her. But they roused a companion who dared to kill her. How dreadful were My punishment and warnings! We sent against them a single mighty blast, leaving them like the dry twigs of a fence-builder. We have made the Quran easy to remember. So is there anyone who will be mindful?

The people of Lot also rejected the warnings. We unleashed a storm of stones upon them but delivered Lot's family before dawn as a blessing. This is how We reward the grateful. He had warned them of Our crushing blow, but they disputed it. They even demanded his angel-guests from him, so We blinded their eyes. By early morning, an unrelenting torment overwhelmed them. We have made the Quran easy to remember. So is there anyone who will be mindful?

The people of Pharaoh also received warnings but rejected all of Our signs. So We seized them with the crushing grip of the Almighty, Most Powerful.

A Warning to the Present Deniers.

Now, are you Meccan disbelievers superior to those destroyed peoples? Or have you been granted immunity in divine books? Or do they say they are a united front bound to prevail? Soon their united front will be defeated and forced to flee. The Hour is their appointed time, and it will be most catastrophic and bitter. Indeed, the wicked are in misguidance and bound for blazes. On the Day they are dragged into the Fire on their faces, they will be told, "Taste the touch of Hell!"

We have created everything, perfectly preordained. Our command is but a single word, done in the blink of an eye. We have already destroyed the likes of you. Will any of you be mindful? Everything they have done is in their records; every matter, small and large, is written precisely.

The Reward of the Righteous.

Indeed, the righteous will be amid Gardens and rivers, at the Seat of Honor in the presence of the Most Powerful Sovereign.

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Surah 55. Ar Rahman  (The Most Compassionate).

The Favors of the Most Compassionate.

The Most Compassionate taught the Quran, created humanity, and taught them speech. The sun and moon travel with precision. The stars and trees bow in submission. He raised the sky and set the balance of justice so that you do not defraud the scales. He laid out the earth for all beings, with its fruit, palm trees, grain, and aromatic plants. Then which of your Lord’s favors will you both deny?

He created humankind from clay and jinn from a smokeless flame of fire. Then which of your Lord’s favors will you both deny? He is the Lord of the two easts and the two wests. Then which of your Lord’s favors will you both deny? He merges the two bodies of fresh and salt water, yet a barrier between them prevents them from crossing. Then which of your Lord’s favors will you both deny? Out of both waters come pearls and coral. Then which of your Lord’s favors will you both deny? To Him belong the ships with raised sails, sailing like mountains. Then which of your Lord’s favors will you both deny?

The Inevitability of Judgment.

Every being on earth is bound to perish. Only your Lord Himself, full of Majesty and Honor, will remain forever. Then which of your Lord’s favors will you both deny? All those in the heavens and the earth depend on Him; day in and day out, He has something to bring about. Then which of your Lord’s favors will you both deny?

We will soon attend to you for judgment, O multitudes of jinn and humans! Then which of your Lord’s favors will you both deny? O assembly of jinn and humans! If you can penetrate beyond the realms of the heavens and earth, then do so. But you cannot without Our authority. Then which of your Lord’s favors will you both deny? Flames of fire and molten copper will be sent against you, and you will not be able to defend yourselves. Then which of your Lord’s favors will you both deny? How horrible it will be when the heavens split apart, becoming rose-red like burnt oil! Then which of your Lord’s favors will you both deny? On that Day, no human or jinn will need to be asked about their sins. Then which of your Lord’s favors will you both deny? The wicked will be recognized by their appearance and seized by their forelocks and feet. Then which of your Lord’s favors will you both deny? They will be told, "This is the Hell which the wicked denied." They will alternate between its flames and scalding water. Then which of your Lord’s favors will you both deny?

The Reward of the Believers.

Whoever is in awe of standing before their Lord will have two Gardens. Then which of your Lord’s favors will you both deny? Both will have lush branches. Then which of your Lord’s favors will you both deny? In each Garden will be two flowing springs. Then which of your Lord’s favors will you both deny? In each will be two types of every fruit. Then which of your Lord’s favors will you both deny? They will recline on furnishings lined with rich brocade, and the fruit will hang within reach. Then which of your Lord’s favors will you both deny? In both Gardens will be maidens of modest gaze, whom no human or jinn has ever touched. Then which of your Lord’s favors will you both deny? These maidens will be as elegant as rubies and coral. Then which of your Lord’s favors will you both deny? Is there any reward for goodness except goodness? Then which of your Lord’s favors will you both deny?

And below these two Gardens will be two others. Then which of your Lord’s favors will you both deny? Both will be dark green. Then which of your Lord’s favors will you both deny? In each will be two gushing springs. Then which of your Lord’s favors will you both deny? In both will be fruit, palm trees, and pomegranates. Then which of your Lord’s favors will you both deny? In all Gardens will be noble, pleasant mates. Then which of your Lord’s favors will you both deny? They will be maidens with gorgeous eyes, reserved in pavilions. Then which of your Lord’s favors will you both deny? No human or jinn has ever touched these maidens before. Then which of your Lord’s favors will you both deny? All believers will recline on green cushions and splendid carpets. Then which of your Lord’s favors will you both deny? Blessed is the Name of your Lord, full of Majesty and Honor.

Surah 56: The Inevitable Event (Al Waqiah).

The Coming of the Inevitable Day.

When the Inevitable Event occurs, its coming cannot be denied. It will bring some down while elevating others. On that day, the earth will be shaken with violence, and the mountains will be completely crushed, turning into scattered dust. At that moment, all of humanity will be divided into three distinct groups. There will be the people of the right, who will be immeasurably blessed; the people of the left, who will be utterly miserable; and the foremost in faith, who will be foremost in Paradise.

The State of the Three Groups.

The foremost are those nearest to Allah, residing in the Gardens of Bliss. This group will consist of a large multitude from the earlier generations but only a few from the later ones. They will recline on jeweled thrones, facing one another in fellowship. Eternal youths will serve them drinks of pure wine from a flowing stream, which will cause neither headache nor intoxication. They will be offered any fruit and meat they desire. As a reward for their deeds, they will have companions with beautiful eyes, like pristine pearls. In this realm, they will hear no idle or sinful speech, only words of peace and virtue.

The people of the right will also be blessed, dwelling amidst thornless lote trees, clustered bananas, extended shade, and flowing water. They will enjoy an abundance of fruit that is never out of season or forbidden, and they will rest on elevated furnishings. For them, We will have perfectly created their mates, making them loving virgins of an equal age. This group will be a multitude from both the earlier and later generations.

In stark contrast, the people of the left will be miserable, confined to a state of scorching heat and boiling water, under the shadow of black smoke that is neither cool nor refreshing. This is their fate because, in their earthly lives, they were spoiled by luxury and persisted in the gravest of sins. They used to mock the idea of resurrection, questioning how they could be brought back after turning to dust and bones. They will be told that most certainly, all generations, both early and late, will be gathered for the appointed Day. Then, as misguided deniers, they will be forced to eat from the bitter fruit of the tree of Zaqqûm, filling their bellies with it. On top of this, they will drink boiling water like camels crazed with thirst. This will be their accommodation on the Day of Judgment.

Proofs of God's Power.

It is We Who created you, so why do you not believe in resurrection? Consider the fluid you ejaculate—is it you who create a child from it, or is it We? We have ordained death for all, and nothing can prevent Us from transforming you and recreating you in forms unknown to you. You are already aware of your first creation; will you not then be mindful?

Consider the seeds you sow. Is it you who cause them to grow, or is it We? If We willed, We could reduce the harvest to mere chaff, leaving you to lament your loss and deprivation. Consider the water you drink. Is it you who bring it down from the clouds, or is it We? If We willed, We could make it salty; will you not then be grateful? And consider the fire you kindle. Is it you who produce its trees, or is it We? We have made it a reminder of the Hellfire and a provision for travelers. Therefore, glorify the Name of your Lord, the Greatest.

The Sanctity of the Quran.

I swear by the positions of the stars—a great oath, if only you knew—that this is truly a noble Quran, kept in a well-preserved Record. It is touched by none except the purified angels, for it is a revelation from the Lord of all worlds. How can you take this message lightly and repay the provisions you receive with denial?

When the soul of a dying person reaches their throat, you look on helplessly. We are nearer to that person than you are, though you cannot see it. If you truly are not subject to Our will, then bring that soul back, if you are truthful. So, if the deceased is one of those brought near to God, they will have serenity, fragrance, and a Garden of Bliss. If they are of the people of the right, they will be greeted with peace. But if they are one of the misguided deniers, their accommodation will be boiling water and the flames of Hellfire. Indeed, this is the absolute truth. So glorify the Name of your Lord, the Greatest.

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Surah 57: Iron (Al Hadid).

Allah’s Absolute Knowledge and Might.

Everything in the heavens and the earth glorifies Allah, for He is the Almighty, All-Wise. The kingdom of the heavens and the earth belongs to Him; He gives life and causes death, and He is capable of all things. He is the First and the Last, the Most High and the Most Near, and His knowledge encompasses everything. He is the One Who created the heavens and the earth in six Days and then established Himself on the Throne. He knows all that enters and exits the earth, and all that descends from and ascends to the sky. He is with you wherever you are, seeing everything you do. To Him, all matters are returned for judgment. He merges night into day and day into night, and He knows what is hidden in every heart.

A Call to Faith and Generosity.

Believe in Allah and His Messenger, and donate from the wealth He has entrusted to you, for those who do so will receive a mighty reward. Why would you not believe in Allah when the Messenger invites you to have faith in your Lord, who has already taken your covenant? It is He who sends down clear revelations to His servant to bring you out of darkness and into light, for Allah is Ever Gracious and Most Merciful. And why should you not spend in the cause of Allah, when He is the sole inheritor of the heavens and the earth? Those who donated and fought before the victory over Mecca are of a much greater rank than those who did so afterward, yet Allah has promised a fine reward to all.

Whoever lends to Allah a good loan will have it multiplied many times over and will receive an honorable reward. On Judgment Day, you will see believing men and women with their light shining ahead of them and on their right, and they will be told, “Today you have the good news of Gardens under which rivers flow, where you will stay forever. This is the ultimate triumph.”

The Fate of the Hypocrites and the Nature of This Life.

On that Day, hypocritical men and women will plead with the believers, “Wait for us, so we may have some of your light!” They will be mockingly told, “Go back to the world and seek a light there!” A wall will then be erected between them, with grace on the inside and torment on the outside. The tormented will cry out, “Were we not with you?” The believers will reply, “Yes, but you chose hypocrisy, awaited our downfall, doubted the truth, and were deluded by false hopes until death came. The Chief Deceiver deluded you about Allah.” On that Day, no ransom will be accepted from the hypocrites or the disbelievers. Their only fitting home is the Fire, an evil destination.

Has the time not yet come for the hearts of believers to be humbled by the remembrance of Allah and His truth? They should not be like the People of the Scripture before them, whose hearts hardened over time, leading many to rebellion. Know that just as Allah revives the earth after its death, He can revive faith in the heart. Indeed, men and women who give in charity and lend to Allah a good loan will have it multiplied and will receive an honorable reward. Those who believe in Allah and His messengers are the people of truth, and the martyrs will have their reward and light with their Lord. But those who disbelieve and reject Our signs will be residents of the Hellfire.

Be aware that this worldly life is nothing more than play, amusement, luxury, and competition in wealth and children. It is like rain that causes plants to grow, delighting the farmer, but later they dry up and are reduced to chaff. In the Hereafter, there is either severe punishment or forgiveness and pleasure from Allah; this life is a mere delusion of enjoyment. So compete for forgiveness from your Lord and a Paradise as vast as the heavens and the earth, prepared for those who believe in Allah and His messengers.

Destiny, Justice, and Prophethood.

No calamity or blessing occurs on earth or within yourselves without it being written in a Record before We bring it into being. We let you know this so that you neither grieve over what you miss nor boast over what you are granted, for Allah dislikes the arrogant and boastful who are stingy and encourage stinginess in others.

We sent Our messengers with clear proofs, the Scripture, and the balance of justice so that people may act with fairness. We also sent down iron, with its great might and benefits, to see who would stand up for Allah and His messengers. We sent Noah and Abraham, reserving prophethood for their descendants, though many were rebellious. We sent Jesus, son of Mary, with the Gospel and instilled compassion in the hearts of his followers. They invented monasticism, which We never ordained, but they failed to observe it strictly. We rewarded the faithful among them, but most are rebellious. O People of the Book, fear Allah and believe in His Messenger, and He will grant you a double share of His mercy, a guiding light, and forgiveness. This is so you may know that all grace is in Allah’s hands, and He grants it to whomever He wills.

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Surah 58: The Pleading Woman (Al Majadilah).

The Ruling on a Form of Divorce.

Indeed, Allah has heard the plea of the woman who argued with you, O Prophet, concerning her husband and appealed to Allah. Allah heard your exchange, for He is All-Hearing, All-Seeing. Those among you who divorce their wives by comparing them to their mothers should know that their wives are not their mothers; their mothers are only those who gave birth to them. What they say is detestable and false. However, Allah is Ever-Pardoning and All-Forgiving.

Those who divorce their wives in this manner and then wish to retract their statement must free a slave before they can resume marital relations. This penalty is a deterrent. If one cannot afford this, he must fast for two consecutive months before they touch each other. If he is unable to fast, he must feed sixty poor people. This ruling is to reaffirm your faith in Allah and His Messenger. These are the limits set by Allah, and a painful punishment awaits the disbelievers.

Allah's Omniscience and the Conduct of Believers.

Those who defy Allah and His Messenger will be debased like those before them. We have sent down clear revelations, and a humiliating punishment awaits the disbelievers. On the Day Allah resurrects them, He will inform them of all they did, for He has kept a perfect account, even while they have forgotten. Allah is a witness over all things.

Do you not see that Allah knows everything in the heavens and on the earth? If three converse privately, He is their fourth; if five, He is their sixth. Whether fewer or more, He is with them wherever they are. On the Day of Judgment, He will inform them of what they have done. Have you not seen those who were forbidden from secret talks but repeatedly return to them, conspiring in sin, aggression, and disobedience to the Messenger? When they greet you, they do not use the greeting of Allah and say to themselves, "Why does Allah not punish us for what we say?" Hell is enough for them.

O believers, when you converse privately, let it be for goodness and righteousness, not for sin or disobedience. Fear Allah, to Whom you will all be gathered. Malicious secret talks are inspired by Satan to grieve the believers, but he cannot harm them except by Allah's will. So let the believers put their trust in Allah.

When you are told to make room in gatherings, do so, and Allah will make room for you in His grace. When you are told to rise, do so, and Allah will elevate the faithful and those with knowledge in rank. When you consult the Messenger privately, give something in charity beforehand, as it is better and purer for you. But if you lack the means, Allah is Forgiving. If you are unable to do so, and Allah has shown you mercy, then continue to pray, pay alms-tax, and obey Allah and His Messenger.

The Two Parties: Allah's and Satan's.

Have you not seen the hypocrites who ally themselves with a people with whom Allah is displeased? They belong neither to you nor to them and knowingly swear to lies. Allah has prepared a severe punishment for them. They use their false oaths as a shield, hindering others from Allah's cause, and will suffer a humiliating punishment. Neither their wealth nor their children will help them against Allah; they are the residents of the Fire. On the Day of Resurrection, they will swear to Allah as they now swear to you, thinking it will help them. They are total liars.

Satan has taken hold of them, making them forget the remembrance of Allah. They are the party of Satan, and Satan's party is bound to lose. Those who defy Allah and His Messenger will be among the most debased. Allah has decreed, “I and My messengers will certainly prevail,” for He is All-Powerful, Almighty. You will never find a people who truly believe in Allah and the Last Day being loyal to those who defy Him, even if they are their parents, children, or relatives. For such believers, Allah has instilled faith in their hearts, strengthened them with a spirit from Him, and will admit them into Gardens where they will reside forever. Allah is pleased with them, and they are pleased with Him. They are the party of Allah, and indeed, Allah’s party will succeed.

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Surah 59: The Banishment (Al Hasher).

The Exile of Banu An-Nadir.

Whatever is in the heavens and on the earth glorifies Allah, the Almighty, All-Wise. He is the One who expelled the disbelievers of the People of the Book from their homes in their first-ever banishment. You never thought they would leave, and they believed their strongholds would protect them from Allah. But Allah's decree came upon them from an unexpected direction, casting horror into their hearts. They destroyed their own houses with their hands and the hands of the believers. So take a lesson from this, O people of insight. Had Allah not decreed exile for them, He would have punished them in this world, and in the Hereafter, they will face the punishment of the Fire. This is because they defied Allah and His Messenger, and for those who defy Him, Allah's punishment is severe.

Rulings on War Gains and Community Bonds.

Any palm trees you believers cut down or left standing were by Allah's will, to disgrace the rebellious. The gains Allah turned over to His Messenger from them were acquired without you spurring on any horse or camel; rather, Allah gives His messengers authority over whomever He wills. Gains granted by Allah from other lands are for Allah, the Messenger, his relatives, orphans, the poor, and needy travelers, so that wealth does not merely circulate among your rich. Take what the Messenger gives you and leave what he forbids you from.

A portion of the gains is for the poor emigrants who were driven from their homes and wealth, seeking Allah's bounty and pleasure while standing up for Him and His Messenger. They are the truly faithful. As for those who had settled in Medina and embraced the faith before the emigrants' arrival, they love whoever immigrates to them and feel no desire for the gains given to others. They give preference to the emigrants over themselves, even when they are in need. Whoever is saved from their own selfishness is truly successful. Those who come after them pray, “Our Lord, forgive us and our fellow believers who preceded us in faith, and do not allow bitterness in our hearts toward other believers.”

The Treachery of the Hypocrites.

Have you not seen the hypocrites who tell their disbelieving allies from the People of the Book, “If you are expelled, we will leave with you and never obey anyone against you. If you are fought, we will help you”? But Allah witnesses that they are liars. If their allies are expelled, the hypocrites will not leave with them; if they are fought, the hypocrites will not help them. Even if they did, they would flee, leaving the disbelievers with no aid.

Indeed, there is more fear for you in their hearts than for Allah because they are a people who do not comprehend. Even united, they would not fight you except from within fortified strongholds or from behind walls. Their malice for each other is intense; you think they are united, but their hearts are divided. They are like Satan who lures someone to disbelieve and then, on Judgment Day, disowns them, saying, “I have nothing to do with you; I fear Allah.” Both will end up in the Fire forever.

Mindfulness and Allah's Majesty.

O believers, be mindful of Allah and let every soul consider what deeds it has sent forth for tomorrow. Do not be like those who forgot Allah, so He made them forget themselves; they are the rebellious. The residents of the Fire and Paradise are not equal; only the residents of Paradise are successful. Had We sent this Quran down upon a mountain, you would have seen it humbled and torn apart in awe of Allah. We set forth such comparisons for people to reflect upon.

He is Allah—there is no god but Him. He is the Knower of the seen and unseen, the Most Compassionate, Most Merciful. He is the King, the Most Holy, the All-Perfect, the Source of Serenity, the Watcher, the Almighty, the Supreme in Might, the Majestic. Glorified is He above all they associate with Him. He is Allah: the Creator, the Inventor, the Shaper. To Him belong the Most Beautiful Names. Whatever is in the heavens and the earth glorifies Him, for He is the Almighty, All-Wise.

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Surah 60: The Test of Faith (Al Mumtahina).

Loyalty to God Over the Enemy.

O believers, do not take My enemies and your enemies as trusted allies, showing them affection when they have denied the truth that has come to you. They drove you and the Messenger out of Mecca simply for your belief in Allah. If you truly emigrated to struggle in My cause and seek My pleasure, do not disclose secrets to them out of affection. I know what you conceal and what you reveal, and whoever does this has strayed from the Right Way. If they were to gain power over you, they would become your open enemies, harming you with their hands and tongues, wishing you would abandon your faith. On Judgment Day, neither your relatives nor your children will benefit you; Allah will judge between you.

The Example of Abraham and Kindness to Non-Aggressors.

You have an excellent example in Abraham and his followers when they told their people, “We dissociate ourselves from you and the idols you worship besides Allah. We reject you, and enmity will remain between us until you believe in Allah alone.” The only exception was Abraham’s statement to his father that he would seek forgiveness for him, though he could not protect him from Allah’s will. They prayed, “Our Lord, in You we trust, to You we turn, and to You is the final return. Do not subject us to persecution, and forgive us.” This is an excellent example for anyone who hopes in Allah and the Last Day.

In time, Allah may bring about goodwill between you and those you now hold as enemies. Allah does not forbid you from dealing kindly and fairly with those who have not fought you for your faith or driven you from your homes. He only forbids you from befriending those who have fought you, driven you out, or supported others in doing so. Whoever befriends them are the true wrongdoers.

Rulings on Marriage and Pledges.

O believers, when believing women come to you as emigrants, test their intentions. If you find them to be believers, do not send them back to the disbelievers. These women are not lawful wives for them, nor are the disbelievers lawful husbands. Repay the disbelievers any dowries they had paid. You may marry these women as long as you pay them their dowries. Do not maintain marriages with polytheistic women; demand repayment of any dowries you paid, and let the disbelievers do the same. This is Allah's judgment. If any of your wives desert you for the disbelievers, and you later take spoils from them, then pay those whose wives have left the equivalent of the dowry they had paid.

O Prophet, when believing women come to pledge that they will not associate anything with Allah, steal, fornicate, kill their children, falsely attribute children to their husbands, or disobey you in what is right, then accept their pledge and ask Allah to forgive them. O believers, do not ally yourselves with a people with whom Allah is displeased. They have no hope for the Hereafter, just like the disbelievers in their graves.

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Surah 61: The Solid Ranks (As Saff).

Integrity and Devotion.

Everything in the heavens and the earth glorifies Allah, the Almighty, All-Wise. O believers, why do you say what you do not do? It is despicable in Allah’s sight. Surely, Allah loves those who fight in His cause in solid ranks, as if they were one concrete structure.

Remember when Moses said to his people, “Why do you hurt me when you know I am Allah’s messenger to you?” When they persistently deviated, Allah caused their hearts to deviate, for He does not guide rebellious people. And remember when Jesus, son of Mary, said, “O children of Israel, I am Allah’s messenger to you, confirming the Torah before me and giving good news of a messenger after me whose name will be Aḥmad.” Yet when the Prophet came with clear proofs, they called it magic.

The Triumph of Truth.

Who does more wrong than one who fabricates lies about Allah when invited to submit to Him? They wish to extinguish Allah’s light with their mouths, but Allah will perfect His light, even to the dismay of the disbelievers. He is the One Who sent His Messenger with guidance and the religion of truth to make it prevail over all others.

O believers, shall I guide you to a profitable exchange that will save you from painful punishment? It is to have faith in Allah and His Messenger and to strive in His cause with your wealth and your lives. That is best for you. He will then forgive your sins, admit you into Gardens under which rivers flow, and house you in splendid homes in the Gardens of Eternity. This is the ultimate triumph. He will also grant you another favor you long for: help from Allah and an imminent victory. So give good news to the believers.

O believers, stand up for Allah, just as Jesus, son of Mary, asked the disciples, “Who will stand up with me for Allah?” and they replied, “We will stand up for Allah.” A group from the Children of Israel believed while another disbelieved. We supported the believers against their enemies, so they prevailed.

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Surah 62: Friday Congregation (Al Jumuah).

Allah’s Favor and Unheeded Guidance.

Everything in the heavens and the earth glorifies Allah—the King, the Most Holy, the Almighty, the All-Wise. He is the One Who raised a messenger from among the illiterate people to recite His revelations, purify them, and teach them the Book and wisdom, for they were previously in clear error. This message is also for others who have not yet joined them in faith. This is the favor of Allah, which He grants to whomever He wills.

The example of those who were entrusted with the Torah but failed to uphold it is like that of a donkey carrying books. How evil is the example of those who reject Allah’s signs. Say, “O Jews! If you claim to be Allah’s chosen people, then wish for death if you are truthful.” But they will never wish for it because of what their hands have sent forth. The death you are fleeing from will inevitably find you. Then you will be returned to the Knower of the seen and unseen, who will inform you of what you used to do.

The Friday Prayer.

O believers, when the call to prayer is made on Friday, proceed diligently to the remembrance of Allah and leave your business. That is best for you. Once the prayer is over, you may disperse throughout the land to seek Allah’s bounty. Remember Allah often so that you may be successful. Yet, when some saw fanfare and a caravan, they flocked to it, leaving you, O Prophet, standing on the pulpit. Say, “What is with Allah is far better than amusement and merchandise. And Allah is the Best Provider.”

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Surah 63: The Hypocrites (Al Munafiq).

The Nature of Hypocrisy.

When the hypocrites come to you, O Prophet, they say, “We bear witness that you are the Messenger of Allah.” Allah knows you are His Messenger, but He also bears witness that the hypocrites are liars. They use their false oaths as a shield to hinder others from Allah’s Way. This is because they believed and then abandoned faith, so their hearts were sealed.

When you see them, their appearance is impressive, and their speech is convincing, but they are like worthless planks of wood leaned against a wall. They think every cry is against them. They are the enemy, so beware of them. When they are told, “Come, the Messenger of Allah will pray for your forgiveness,” they turn their heads away in arrogance. It is the same whether you pray for them or not; Allah will not forgive them, for He does not guide the rebellious.

Their Contempt and a Warning to Believers.

They are the ones who say, “Do not spend on the emigrants with the Messenger of Allah so they will leave him.” But to Allah belong the treasures of the heavens and the earth, a fact the hypocrites do not comprehend. They say, “If we return to Medina, the honorable will expel the inferior.” But all honor belongs to Allah, His Messenger, and the believers, though the hypocrites do not know it.

O believers, do not let your wealth or children divert you from remembering Allah. Whoever does so is a true loser. Donate from what We have provided for you before death comes and you cry, “My Lord, if only You would delay me for a short while, I would give in charity and be among the righteous.” But Allah never delays a soul when its appointed time arrives, and He is All-Aware of what you do.

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Surah 64: Mutual Loss and Gain (At Taghaban).

Allah’s Sovereignty and the Day of Judgment.

Everything in the heavens and the earth glorifies Allah. The kingdom is His, and all praise is for Him. He created you, yet some are disbelievers and some are believers. He created the heavens and the earth with purpose and perfected your form. To Him is the final return. He knows all that is in the heavens and the earth, and all that you conceal and reveal.

Have the stories of previous disbelievers not reached you? They tasted the evil consequences of their actions and will suffer a painful punishment. This was because their messengers came with clear proofs, but they mocked the idea of humans being their guides. The disbelievers claim they will not be resurrected. Say, “Yes, by my Lord, you will be resurrected and informed of what you have done.” So believe in Allah, His Messenger, and the Light We have revealed. The Day He gathers you will be the Day of mutual loss and gain. Whoever believes and does good, He will absolve their sins and admit them into eternal Gardens. But those who disbelieve will be residents of the Fire.

Trust in Allah and the Test of Life.

No calamity befalls anyone except by Allah’s will. Whoever has faith in Allah, He will guide their heart. Obey Allah and the Messenger. If you turn away, the Messenger’s duty is only to deliver the message clearly. Allah—there is no god but Him. So let the believers put their trust in Him.

O believers, some of your spouses and children are enemies to you, so beware of them. But if you pardon, overlook, and forgive, Allah is All-Forgiving. Your wealth and children are a test, but with Allah is a great reward. So be mindful of Allah to the best of your ability, hear, obey, and spend in charity for your own good. Whoever is saved from their own selfishness is truly successful. If you lend Allah a good loan, He will multiply it for you and forgive you. He is the Knower of the seen and unseen, the Almighty, All-Wise.

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Surah 65: Divorce (aat Talaq).

Guidelines for Divorce.

O Prophet, instruct the believers: when you intend to divorce women, do so with concern for their waiting period and count it accurately. Fear your Lord. Do not force them out of their homes during this period, nor should they leave, unless they commit a blatant misconduct. These are Allah’s limits, and whoever transgresses them has wronged their own soul. You never know; perhaps Allah will bring about a change of heart.

When they have nearly reached the end of their waiting period, either retain them honorably or separate from them honorably. Call two reliable men to witness either decision, and let the witnesses bear true testimony for Allah's sake. Whoever is mindful of Allah, He will make a way out for them and provide for them from sources they could never imagine. Whoever trusts in Allah, He alone is sufficient.

Waiting Periods and Provisions.

For women past the age of menstruation, their waiting period is three months, as it is for those who have not yet menstruated. For pregnant women, their waiting period ends with delivery. Whoever is mindful of Allah, He will make their matters easy. This is Allah’s commandment.

Let divorced women live where you live during their waiting period, according to your means. Do not harass them to make their stay unbearable. If they are pregnant, maintain them until they deliver. If they nurse your child, compensate them and consult together courteously. If you cannot agree, another woman will nurse the child for the father. Let the man of wealth provide according to his means, and the one with limited resources according to what Allah has given him. After hardship, Allah will bring ease.

An Invitation to Faith.

Imagine how many societies rebelled against the commandments of their Lord and His messengers. We called them to a severe account and subjected them to a horrible punishment. They tasted the evil consequences of their actions, resulting in total loss. Allah has also prepared a severe punishment for such people in the Hereafter. So fear Allah, O people of reason and faith. Allah has revealed to you a Reminder and sent a messenger reciting His clear revelations to bring those who believe and do good from darkness into light. Whoever believes and does good will be admitted into eternal Gardens.

Allah is the One Who created seven heavens in layers, and likewise for the earth. The divine command descends between them so you may know that Allah is capable of everything and encompasses all things in His knowledge.

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Surah 66: The Prohibition (Aat Tahrim).

A Lesson Within the Prophet’s Household.

O Prophet, why do you prohibit for yourself what Allah has made lawful, merely seeking to please your wives? Allah is All-Forgiving, Most Merciful. He has already ordained for believers a way to absolve themselves from such oaths. Remember when the Prophet confided something to one of his wives, and she disclosed it. When Allah made this known to him, he confronted her with part of it while overlooking another part. She asked who told him, and he replied, “The All-Knowing, All-Aware.”

It is better if you both turn to Allah in repentance, for your hearts have faltered. But if you collaborate against him, know that Allah is his Guardian, and Gabriel, the righteous believers, and the angels are his supporters. Perhaps if he were to divorce you all, his Lord would replace you with better wives—submissive, faithful, devout, repentant, and dedicated to worship, whether previously married or virgins.

Warnings and Exemplary Women.

O believers, protect yourselves and your families from a Fire whose fuel is people and stones, overseen by formidable angels who never disobey Allah. The deniers will be told, “Make no excuses this Day! You are only being repaid for what you did.” O believers, turn to Allah in sincere repentance, and your Lord may absolve your sins and admit you into Gardens under which rivers flow. On that Day, Allah will not disgrace the Prophet or the believers with him. Their light will shine ahead of them and on their right, and they will pray, “Our Lord, perfect our light for us and forgive us.”

O Prophet, struggle against the disbelievers and hypocrites and be firm with them. Hell will be their home. Allah sets forth an example for the disbelievers in the wives of Noah and Lot. Each was married to a righteous servant, yet they betrayed them, so their husbands were of no benefit to them against Allah. Both were told to enter the Fire.

And Allah sets forth an example for the believers in the wife of Pharaoh, who prayed, “My Lord, build me a house in Paradise near You, deliver me from Pharaoh and his evil, and save me from the wrongdoing people.” There is also the example of Mary, the daughter of ’Imrân, who guarded her chastity. We breathed into her womb through Our angel, Gabriel. She testified to the words of her Lord and His Scriptures and was one of the devout.

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Surah 67: All Authority (Al Mulk).

Allah’s Perfect Creation and the Test of Life.

Blessed is the One in Whose hands rests all authority, and He is capable of everything. He created death and life to test which of you is best in deeds, and He is the Almighty, All-Forgiving. He created seven heavens, one above the other, and you will see no imperfection in the creation of the Most Compassionate. Look again and again—your sight will return frustrated and weary. We adorned the lowest heaven with stars like lamps, making them missiles for stoning eavesdropping devils, for whom We have also prepared the torment of the Blaze.

The Fate of Disbelievers and Believers.

Those who disbelieve in their Lord will suffer the punishment of Hell. When they are thrown into it, they will hear its roaring as it boils over, almost bursting with fury. Each time a group is cast in, its keepers will ask, “Did a warner not come to you?” They will reply, “Yes, but we denied him, saying, ‘Allah has revealed nothing.’” They will lament, “If only we had listened or reasoned, we would not be among the residents of the Blaze.” They will confess their sins, so away with them. In contrast, those who are in awe of their Lord, though they cannot see Him, will have forgiveness and a mighty reward.

Questions for Reflection.

Whether you speak secretly or openly, Allah knows what is hidden in the heart. How could He not know His own creation? He is the Most Subtle, All-Aware. He smoothed out the earth for you, so move about its regions and eat from His provisions. To Him is the final resurrection.

Do you feel secure that the One in heaven will not cause the earth to swallow you as it quakes? Or that He will not unleash a storm of stones upon you? Then you would know how serious My warning was. Have they not seen the birds above, spreading and folding their wings? None holds them up except the Most Compassionate. Which force can help you besides Him? The disbelievers are lost in delusion. Who will provide for you if He withholds His provision?

Who is rightly guided: one who crawls facedown or one who walks upright on a straight path? Say, “He is the One Who brought you into being and gave you hearing, sight, and intellect, yet you hardly give thanks.” Say, “He is the One Who dispersed you over the earth, and to Him you will be gathered.” Still they ask when this threat will come to pass. Say, “That knowledge is with Allah alone; I am only a clear warner.” When they see the torment drawing near, their faces will become gloomy, and it will be said, “This is what you claimed would never come.” Say, “Whether Allah causes me and my followers to die or shows us mercy, who will save the disbelievers from a painful punishment?” Say, “He is the Most Compassionate; in Him we believe and trust. You will soon know who is clearly astray.” Say, “If your water were to sink into the earth, who else could bring you flowing water?”

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Surah 68: The Pen (Al Qalam).

The Prophet’s Noble Character.

Nũn. By the pen and all that is written, by the grace of your Lord, you, O Prophet, are not insane. You will certainly have a never-ending reward, for you are truly a man of outstanding character. Soon you and the pagans will see which of you is mad. Your Lord knows best who has strayed from His way and who is rightly guided.

Do not give in to the deniers. They wish you would compromise so they might yield. Do not obey the despicable oath-taker, the slanderer, the gossip-monger, the withholder of good, the brute, or the illegitimate one. Just because he has abundant wealth and children, when Our revelations are recited to him, he calls them “ancient fables.” We will soon mark his snout.

The Parable of the Garden Owners.

We have tested the Meccans just as We tested the owners of a garden who swore they would harvest its fruit in the morning, without giving thought to Allah’s will. A torment from your Lord struck it while they slept, reducing it to ashes. At daybreak, they called to each other to go to their harvest. They went off whispering, “Do not let any poor person enter the garden today.” But when they saw it devastated, they cried, “We must be lost! We have been deprived!” The most sensible among them said, “Did I not urge you to say, ‘Allah willing’?” They replied, “Glory be to our Lord! We have been wrongdoers.” They began to blame one another, lamenting their transgression and turning to their Lord with hope for something better. Such is Our punishment in this world, but the punishment of the Hereafter is far worse.

A Challenge to the Pagans.

Indeed, the righteous will have Gardens of Bliss with their Lord. Should We treat those who submit like the wicked? What is the matter with you? How do you judge? Do you have a scripture where you read that you can have whatever you choose? Or do you have oaths from Us, binding until the Day of Judgment, that you will have whatever you decide? Ask them which of them can guarantee this. Or do they have associate-gods? Then let them bring them forth.

Beware of the Day the Shin of Allah is bared, and the wicked are asked to prostrate but cannot. Their eyes will be downcast, covered with disgrace, for they were called to prostrate in the world when they were able but refused. So leave to Me those who reject this message. We will gradually draw them to destruction in ways they cannot comprehend. I only delay their end, but My plan is flawless.

A Final Lesson for the Prophet.

Are you asking them for a reward that burdens them with debt? Or do they have access to the unseen, from which they copy? So be patient with your Lord’s decree, and do not be like Jonah, the Man of the Whale, who cried out in distress. Had he not been shown grace, he would have been cast onto the shore, blameworthy. But his Lord chose him and made him one of the righteous. The disbelievers would almost cut you down with their eyes when they hear you recite the Reminder, saying, “He is a madman.” But it is nothing less than a reminder to the whole world.

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Surah 69: The Inevitable Hour (Al Huqqah).

The Reality of the Final Hour.

The Inevitable Hour! What is it? And what will make you comprehend its reality? The peoples of Thamud and ’Ad both denied the Striking Disaster. Thamud was destroyed by an overwhelming blast, while ’Ad was destroyed by a furious, bitter wind that Allah unleashed for seven nights and eight days, leaving them dead like uprooted palm trunks. Do you see any of them left? Pharaoh, those before him, and the people of the overturned cities also indulged in sin. Each disobeyed their Lord’s messenger, so He seized them with a crushing grip. When the floodwater overflowed, We carried your ancestors in the floating ark with Noah, to make it a reminder for all attentive ears to grasp.

The Events of Judgment Day.

When the Trumpet is blown with a single blast, and the earth and mountains are lifted and crushed with one blow, on that Day the Inevitable Event will occur. The sky will be torn and frail, with angels on its sides. On that Day, eight mighty angels will bear the Throne of your Lord. You will be presented for judgment, and none of your secrets will remain hidden.

Those given their records in their right hand will cry happily, “Here, read my record! I knew I would face my reckoning.” They will live in bliss in an elevated Garden with fruit hanging within reach. They will be told, “Eat and drink joyfully for what you did in the days gone by.” But those given their record in their left hand will cry bitterly, “I wish I had not been given my record or known my reckoning! I wish death had been the end! My wealth and authority have been stripped from me.” It will be said, “Seize and shackle them, burn them in Hell, and tie them with chains seventy arms long.” This is because they never believed in Allah, the Greatest, nor did they encourage feeding the poor. On that Day, they will have no friend and no food except oozing pus, which only the evildoers will eat.

The Truth of the Quran.

I swear by all that you see and all that you cannot see that this Quran is the recitation of a noble Messenger. It is not the prose of a poet, yet you hardly believe, nor is it the mumbling of a fortune-teller, yet you are hardly mindful. It is a revelation from the Lord of all worlds. Had the Messenger fabricated anything in Our Name, We would have seized him by his right hand, severed his aorta, and none of you could have shielded him. This Quran is a reminder for the mindful. We know some of you will persist in denial, and it will be a source of regret for the disbelievers. Indeed, this Quran is the absolute truth. So glorify the Name of your Lord, the Greatest.

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Surah 70: Pathways of Heavenly Ascent (Al Maarij)

The Inevitable Judgment.

A challenger has demanded a punishment that is bound to come for the disbelievers—a punishment that none can avert. It comes from Allah, the Lord of pathways of heavenly ascent, through which the angels and the holy spirit ascend to Him on a Day that is fifty thousand years in length. So endure their denial, O Prophet, with beautiful patience. They see this Day as impossible, but We see it as inevitable.

On that Day, the sky will be like molten brass and the mountains like tufts of wool. No friend will ask about another, though they will see each other. The wicked will wish to ransom themselves from that day's punishment with their children, spouses, siblings, clan, and everyone on earth, just to be saved. But no! There will be a raging Flame, ripping off scalps. It will summon whoever turned their back on Allah and the truth, and who hoarded wealth.

The Qualities of the Faithful.

Indeed, humankind was created impatient: distressed by evil and withholding when touched by good. This is not true, however, for those who consistently perform their prayers; who give the rightful share of their wealth to the beggar and the poor; who firmly believe in the Day of Judgment; and who fear the punishment of their Lord, knowing that none should feel secure from it. They guard their chastity, except with their wives or bondwomen, for which they are not blamed. They are true to their trusts and covenants, honest in their testimony, and properly observant of their prayers. These will be honored in Gardens.

A Warning to the Mockers.

So what is the matter with the disbelievers who rush headlong towards you, O Prophet, in groups from all sides to mock you? Does every one of them expect to be admitted into a Garden of Bliss? Certainly not! They already know what We created them from. I swear by the Lord of all points of sunrise and sunset that We are capable of replacing them with others better than them. So let them indulge in falsehood and amuse themselves until they face the Day they have been threatened with—the Day they will emerge from their graves swiftly, as if racing to an idol, with downcast eyes and covered in disgrace. That is the Day they have always been warned of.

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Surah 71: Noah.

Noah’s Tireless Call.

We sent Noah to his people, saying, “Warn your people before a painful punishment comes to them.” Noah proclaimed, “O my people, I am a clear warner to you: worship Allah, fear Him, and obey me. He will forgive your sins and delay your end until the appointed time. When Allah’s set time comes, it cannot be delayed, if only you knew.”

He cried out, “My Lord! I have called my people day and night, but my calls only made them run farther away. Whenever I invite them to be forgiven by You, they press their fingers into their ears, cover themselves with their clothes, persist in denial, and act with great arrogance. I called to them openly, and I preached to them publicly and privately. I told them, ‘Seek your Lord’s forgiveness, for He is Most Forgiving. He will send you abundant rain, supply you with wealth and children, and give you gardens and rivers. What is wrong with you that you are not in awe of Allah’s Majesty, when He created you in stages? Do you not see how He created seven heavens, one above the other, placing the moon within them as a reflected light and the sun as a radiant lamp? Allah caused you to grow from the earth like a plant, and He will return you to it, then bring you forth again. He spread out the earth for you to walk along its spacious pathways.’”

The People's Defiance and the Flood.

Noah eventually cried, “My Lord! They have persisted in disobeying me and followed the elite whose wealth and children only increase them in loss. They have devised a tremendous plot, urging their followers not to abandon their idols—Wadd, Suwâ’, Yaghûth, Ya’ûq, and Nasr. They have led many astray. So, O Lord, only allow the wrongdoers to stray farther.” Because of their sins, they were drowned and then cast into the Fire, finding none to help them against Allah.

Noah had prayed, “My Lord! Do not leave a single disbeliever on earth. If You spare any of them, they will mislead Your servants and give birth only to wicked sinners and staunch disbelievers. My Lord! Forgive me, my parents, whoever enters my house in faith, and all believing men and women. And increase the wrongdoers only in destruction.”

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Surah 72: The Jinn (Al Jinn).

The Jinn Embrace Islam.

Say, O Prophet, “It has been revealed to me that a group of jinn listened to the Quran and said to their fellows, ‘Indeed, we have heard a wondrous recitation! It leads to Right Guidance, so we have believed in it and will never associate anyone with our Lord. Exalted is His Majesty; He has taken neither a mate nor offspring. The foolish among us used to utter outrageous falsehoods about Allah, but we thought humans and jinn would never lie about Him.’”

They continued, “Some men used to seek refuge with some jinn, which only increased everyone in wickedness. Those humans thought, just as you jinn did, that Allah would not resurrect anyone. We once tried to reach heaven for news but found it filled with stern guards and shooting stars. We used to take up positions there for eavesdropping, but now, whoever tries will find a flare lying in wait. We do not know if evil is intended for those on earth or if their Lord intends good for them.”

The Call to Monotheism.

“Among us are the righteous and the less so; we follow different paths. We now know we cannot frustrate Allah on earth or escape Him. When we heard the guidance of the Quran, we believed in it. Whoever believes in their Lord will not fear loss or injustice. Among us are those who have submitted to Allah and those who are deviant. Those who submitted have found Right Guidance, but the deviant will be fuel for Hell.”

Had the deniers followed the Right Way, We would have granted them abundant rain as a test. Whoever turns away from the remembrance of their Lord will face an overwhelming punishment. The places of worship are only for Allah, so do not invoke anyone besides Him. Yet when the servant of Allah, the Prophet, stood up calling upon Him alone, the pagans almost swarmed him.

The Prophet’s Mission.

Say, “I call only upon my Lord, associating none with Him. It is not in my power to harm or benefit you. No one can protect me from Allah if I were to disobey Him, nor can I find any refuge other than Him. My duty is only to convey the truth from Allah and deliver His messages.” Whoever disobeys Allah and His Messenger will be in the Fire of Hell forever. Only when they see what they have been threatened with will they know who is weaker in support.

Say, “I do not know if what you are promised is near or if my Lord has set a distant time for it. He is the Knower of the unseen and discloses it to none except messengers of His choice. He then appoints angel-guards before and behind them to ensure they fully deliver their Lord’s messages, though He already knows all about them and keeps account of everything.”

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Surah 73: The Wrapped One (Al Muzzammil).

The Power of Night Prayer.

O you wrapped in your clothes! Stand in prayer all night, except for a little. Pray for half the night, or a little less, or a little more, and recite the Quran in a measured way. We will soon send upon you a weighty revelation. Indeed, worship in the night is more impactful and suitable for recitation, for during the day you are occupied with worldly duties. Always remember the Name of your Lord and devote yourself to Him wholeheartedly. He is the Lord of the east and the west; there is no god but Him, so take Him alone as your Trustee.

Patience and a Warning to Deniers.

Be patient, O Prophet, with what they say, and depart from them courteously. Leave the deniers—the people of luxury—to Me, and bear with them for a little while. We certainly have shackles, a raging Fire, choking food, and a painful punishment in store for them. This will come on the Day the earth and mountains will shake violently, and the mountains will be reduced to dunes of shifting sand.

We have sent to you a messenger as a witness, just as We sent a messenger to Pharaoh. But Pharaoh disobeyed, so We seized him with a stern grip. If you pagans persist in disbelief, how will you protect yourselves from the horrors of a Day that will turn children's hair gray? It will even cause the sky to split apart. His promise of judgment must be fulfilled. This is a reminder, so let whoever wills take the Right Way to their Lord.

An Ease in Devotion.

Surely your Lord knows that you, O Prophet, and some of those with you, stand in prayer for nearly two-thirds of the night, or sometimes half, or a third. Allah alone measures the day and night. He knows you cannot endure this, so He has turned to you in mercy. Therefore, recite in prayer whatever you can from the Quran. He knows some of you will be sick, others will be traveling seeking His bounty, and some will be fighting in His cause. So recite what you can from it. Continue to perform regular prayers, pay alms-tax, and lend Allah a good loan. Whatever good you send forth for yourselves, you will find it with Allah, far better and more rewarding. And seek Allah’s forgiveness, for He is All-Forgiving, Most Merciful.

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Surah 74: The One Covered up (Al Muddaththir).

The Call to Prophethood.

O you covered up in your clothes! Arise and warn all. Revere your Lord alone. Purify your garments. Continue to shun idols. Do not do a favor expecting more in return. And persevere for the sake of your Lord. For when the Trumpet sounds, that will truly be a difficult Day—far from easy for the disbelievers.

The Fate of a Stubborn Denier.

Leave to Me, O Prophet, the one I created all by Myself. I granted him abundant wealth, children always by his side, and made life easy for him, yet he is hungry for more. But no! He has been stubborn with Our revelations. I will make his fate unbearable. He contemplated and determined a degrading label for the Quran. May he be condemned for what he determined! Then he frowned and scowled, turned his back on the truth, and arrogantly said, “This Quran is nothing but ancient magic, the word of a man.” Soon I will burn him in Hell. It is a place that lets no one live or die, scorching the skin. It is overseen by nineteen keepers.

The Wisdom of the Nineteen Keepers.

We have appointed only stern angels as wardens of the Fire, and We made their number a test for the disbelievers. This is so that the People of the Book will be certain, the believers will increase in faith, and neither will have any doubts. It is also so that the hypocrites and disbelievers will argue, “What does Allah mean by such a number?” In this way, Allah leaves to stray whomever He wills and guides whomever He wills. None knows the forces of your Lord except Him. This description of Hell is a reminder to humanity.

By the moon, the retreating night, and the breaking day, surely Hell is one of the mightiest catastrophes—a warning to humankind, to whichever of you chooses to lead or lag behind.

The Path to Ruin.

Every soul will be held for what it has done, except the people of the right. In Gardens, they will ask the wicked, “What has landed you in Hell?” They will reply, “We were not of those who prayed, nor did we feed the poor. We used to indulge in falsehood with others and deny the Day of Judgment, until the inevitable came to us.” The pleas of intercessors will be of no benefit to them.

What is the matter with them that they turn away from the reminder, like spooked zebras fleeing from a lion? Each one of them wishes to be given a personal letter from Allah. But no, they do not fear the Hereafter. This Quran is a reminder, so let whoever wills be mindful of it. But they cannot do so unless Allah wills. He alone is worthy to be feared and is the one entitled to forgive.

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Surah 75: The Rising for Judgment (Al Qiyyama).

The Certainty of Resurrection.

I swear by the Day of Judgment! And I swear by the self-reproaching soul! Do people think We cannot reassemble their bones? Yes, indeed! We are capable of restoring even their very fingertips. Still, they want to deny what is yet to come, mockingly asking, “When is this Day of Judgment?”

It will be when the sight is stunned, the moon is dimmed, and the sun and the moon are brought together. On that Day, one will cry, “Where is the escape?” But there will be no refuge. On that Day, all will end up before your Lord. All will be informed of what they sent forth and what they left behind. In fact, people will testify against their own souls, despite any excuses they may offer.

The Reception of Revelation.

Do not rush your tongue trying to memorize the Quran. It is upon Us to make you memorize and recite it. So once We have recited a revelation through Gabriel, follow its recitation closely. Then it is upon Us to make it clear to you.

The Folly of Worldliness.

But no! You love this fleeting world and neglect the Hereafter. On that Day, some faces will be bright, looking at their Lord, while other faces will be gloomy, anticipating a devastating fate. Beware of the day when the soul reaches the collarbone as it leaves, and it is asked, “Is there any healer who can save this life?” The dying person will realize it is their time to depart, and their feet will be tied together in a shroud. On that Day, they will be driven to your Lord. This denier neither believed nor prayed but persisted in denial and turned away, then went to their people, walking boastfully. Woe to you, and more woe!

Do people think they will be left without purpose? Were they not once a sperm-drop emitted? Then they became a clinging clot, and He developed and perfected their form, producing from it both male and female. Is such a Creator unable to bring the dead back to life?

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Surah 76: Humans (Al Insan).

Creation, Choice, and Consequences.

Was there not a period of time when each human was nothing worth mentioning? Indeed, We created humans from a drop of mixed fluids to test them, so We made them hear and see. We have shown them the Way, whether they choose to be grateful or ungrateful. For the disbelievers, We have prepared chains, shackles, and a blazing Fire.

The Reward of the Virtuous.

The virtuous will have a drink of pure wine flavored with camphor, from a spring where Allah’s servants will drink, flowing at their will. They are those who fulfill their vows and fear a Day of sweeping horror. They give food—despite their own desire for it—to the poor, the orphan, and the captive, saying to themselves, “We feed you only for the sake of Allah, seeking no reward or thanks. We fear from our Lord a horribly distressful Day.” So Allah will deliver them from the horror of that Day, granting them radiance and joy. He will reward their perseverance with a Garden and garments of silk.

In Paradise, they will recline on couches, never feeling scorching heat or bitter cold. The Garden’s shade will be right above them, and its fruit will be easy to reach. They will be served with silver vessels and crystal cups, filled precisely as desired. They will be given a drink flavored with ginger from a spring called Salsabil. Eternal youths, who look like scattered pearls, will wait on them. Wherever you look, you will see indescribable bliss and a vast kingdom. The virtuous will wear garments of fine green silk and rich brocade, adorned with silver bracelets, and their Lord will give them a purifying drink. They will be told, “All this is a reward for you. Your striving has been appreciated.”

Guidance and Divine Will.

Indeed, it is We Who have revealed the Quran to you, O Prophet, in stages. So be patient with your Lord’s decree, and do not yield to any evildoer or staunch disbeliever. Remember the Name of your Lord morning and evening, prostrate before Him during the night, and glorify Him long at night.

Surely the pagans love this fleeting world, neglecting the weighty Day ahead. It is We Who created them and perfected their form, and if We will, We can easily replace them. This is a reminder, so let whoever wills take the Right Way to their Lord. But you cannot will to do so unless Allah wills. Indeed, Allah is All-Knowing, All-Wise. He admits whoever He wills into His mercy, but for the wrongdoers, He has prepared a painful punishment.

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Surah 77: Those Winds Sent Forth (Al Mursalat).

The Certainty of Judgment.

By the winds sent forth successively, those blowing violently, and those scattering rainclouds; by the angels distinguishing truth from falsehood and those delivering revelation to end excuses and give warnings: surely, what you are promised will come to pass. This will happen when the stars are put out, the sky is torn apart, the mountains are blown away, and the messengers’ time to testify arrives. For which Day has this been set? For the Day of Final Decision. And what will make you realize what that Day is? Woe on that Day to the deniers!

Proofs of God's Power and Warnings.

Did We not destroy earlier disbelievers? We will make the later ones follow them. This is how We deal with the wicked. Woe on that Day to the deniers! Did We not create you from a humble fluid, placing it in a secure place until an appointed time? We perfectly ordained its development; how excellent are We in doing so! Woe on that Day to the deniers! Have We not made the earth a lodging for the living and the dead, placed upon it towering mountains, and given you fresh water to drink? Woe on that Day to the deniers!

The disbelievers will be told, “Proceed into the Fire which you used to deny! Proceed into the shade of smoke that rises in three columns, providing neither coolness nor shelter from the flames. It hurls sparks as big as castles and as dark as black camels.” Woe on that Day to the deniers! On that Day, they will not speak, nor will they be permitted to offer excuses. Woe on that Day to the deniers! They will be told, “This is the Day of Final Decision. We have gathered you along with the earlier disbelievers. If you have a scheme to save yourselves, then use it against Me.” Woe on that Day to the deniers!

The Reward of the Righteous.

The righteous will be amid cool shade and springs, with any fruit they desire. They will be told, “Eat and drink happily for what you used to do.” This is how We reward the good-doers. But woe on that Day to the deniers! To the wicked it is said, “Eat and enjoy yourselves for a little while, for you are truly wicked.” Woe on that Day to the deniers! When they are told to bow down before Allah, they do not. Woe on that Day to the deniers! So what message after this Quran will they believe in?

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Surah 78: The Momentous News (An Naba ).

The Disputed News and Proofs of Creation.

What are they asking one another about? It is about the momentous news of resurrection, over which they disagree. But no! They will soon come to know. Again, no! They will soon come to know.

Have We not smoothed out the earth like a bed and made the mountains its pegs? Have We not created you in pairs, made your sleep for rest, the night as a cover, and the day for livelihood? Have We not built above you seven mighty heavens, placed in them a shining lamp, and sent down pouring water from rainclouds to produce grain, plants, and dense orchards?

The Day of Decision.

Indeed, the Day of Final Decision is an appointed time. It is the Day the Trumpet will be blown, and you will all come forth in crowds. The sky will be split open, becoming many gates, and the mountains will be blown away, becoming like a mirage. Hell is lying in ambush, a home for transgressors, where they will remain for endless ages. There they will taste no coolness or drink, except boiling water and oozing pus—a fitting reward. This is because they never expected any reckoning and totally rejected Our signs. We have recorded everything precisely. The deniers will be told, “Taste the punishment, for all you will get from Us is more torment.”

The Salvation of the Righteous.

Indeed, the righteous will have salvation—gardens, vineyards, full-bosomed maidens of equal age, and full cups of pure wine. They will never hear idle talk or lies. This is a generous gift and fitting reward from your Lord, the Lord of the heavens, the earth, and everything in between, the Most Compassionate. No one will dare speak to Him on the Day the holy spirit and the angels stand in ranks. None will talk except those granted permission by the Most Compassionate and whose words are true.

That Day is the ultimate truth. So let whoever wills take the path back to their Lord. We have warned you of an imminent punishment—the Day every person will see the consequences of their actions, and the disbelievers will cry, “I wish I were dust.”

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Surah 79: Those Angels Stripping out Souls (An Naziaat).

The Inevitable Hereafter.

By the angels who strip out evil souls harshly, and those who pull out good souls gently; by those who glide swiftly through the heavens, take the lead vigorously, and conduct affairs obediently! Consider the Day when the quaking Blast will come, followed by a second Blast. On that Day, the hearts of deniers will tremble in horror, their eyes downcast. But now they ask mockingly, “Will we be restored to our former state, even after we have become decayed bones?” They add, “Such a return would be a total loss!” But it will take only one mighty Blast, and at once they will be standing above ground.

The Lesson of Pharaoh.

Has the story of Moses reached you? His Lord called him in the sacred valley of Ṭuwa, commanding him, “Go to Pharaoh, for he has transgressed all bounds. Ask him if he is willing to purify himself, and let me guide you to your Lord so you will be in awe of Him.” Moses showed him the great sign, but Pharaoh denied and disobeyed. He turned his back, striving against the truth, then summoned his people and proclaimed, “I am your lord, the most high!” So Allah overtook him, making him an example for this life and the next. Surely in this is a lesson for all who stand in awe of Allah.

Creation and Judgment.

Which is harder to create: you or the sky? He built it, raising it high and forming it flawlessly. He dimmed its night and brought forth its daylight. As for the earth, He spread it out, bringing forth its water and pastures, and setting the mountains firmly upon it—all as sustenance for you and your animals.

But when the Supreme Disaster comes—the Day every person will remember their striving, and Hellfire will be displayed for all to see—then for those who transgressed and preferred this worldly life, Hellfire will be their home. As for those who were in awe of standing before their Lord and restrained themselves from evil desires, Paradise will be their home. They ask you, O Prophet, about the Hour, “When will it be?” It is not for you to tell its time. That knowledge rests with your Lord alone. Your duty is only to warn whoever is in awe of it. On the Day they see it, it will feel as if they had stayed in the world for no more than an evening or its morning.

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Surah 80: He Frowned (Abasa).

A Lesson in Prioritizing Faith.

He frowned and turned his attention away simply because the blind man came to him, interrupting. You never know, O Prophet, perhaps he might have been purified or become mindful, benefiting from the reminder. As for the one who was indifferent, you gave him your undivided attention, even though you are not to blame if he would not be purified. But as for the one who came to you, eager to learn and in awe of Allah, you were inattentive to him. But no! This revelation is a reminder, so let whoever wills be mindful of it. It is written on honored, highly esteemed, and purified pages, by the hands of honorable and virtuous angel-scribes.

A Reminder to the Ungrateful.

Condemned are disbelieving humans! How ungrateful they are! From what substance did He create them? He created them from a sperm-drop and ordained their development. He then makes the way easy for them, causes them to die and be buried, and when He wills, He will resurrect them. But no! They have failed to comply with what He ordered. Let people consider their food: how We pour down rain, split the earth for sprouts, and cause grain, grapes, greens, olives, palm trees, dense orchards, fruit, and fodder to grow—all as sustenance for you and your animals.

The Overwhelming Day.

Then, when the Deafening Blast comes—on that Day every person will flee from their siblings, mother, father, spouse, and children. Everyone will have enough concern of their own. On that Day, some faces will be bright, laughing and rejoicing, while other faces will be dusty and cast in gloom. Those are the disbelievers, the wicked sinners.

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Surah 81: Putting out the Sun (At Takwir).

Signs of the Apocalypse.

When the sun is put out, the stars fall down, the mountains are blown away, pregnant camels are left untended, wild beasts are gathered, and the seas are set on fire; when souls and their bodies are paired once more, and baby girls, buried alive, are asked for what crime they were put to death; when the records of deeds are laid open, the sky is stripped away, Hellfire is fiercely flared up, and Paradise is brought near—on that Day, each soul will know what deeds it has brought along.

The Truth of the Revelation.

I swear by the receding stars which travel and hide, by the night as it falls, and by the day as it breaks! Indeed, this Quran is the Word of Allah delivered by Gabriel, a noble messenger-angel, full of power, held in honor by the Lord of the Throne, obeyed in heaven, and trustworthy. Your fellow man, the Prophet, is not insane. He did see that angel on the clear horizon, and he does not withhold what is revealed to him of the unseen. This Quran is not the word of an outcast devil.

So what other path would you take? Surely this Quran is only a reminder to the whole world—to whoever of you wills to take the Straight Way. But you cannot will to do so, except by the Will of Allah, the Lord of all worlds.

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Surah 82: The Sky Splitting Open (Al Infitar).

The Final Hour and Human Ingratitude.

When the sky splits open, the stars fall away, the seas burst forth, and the graves spill out, then each soul will know what it has sent forth or left behind. O humanity! What has emboldened you against your Lord, the Most Generous, Who created you, fashioned you, and perfected your design, molding you in whatever form He willed?

But no! In fact, you deny the final Judgment, while you are certainly observed by vigilant, honorable angels, who record everything and know whatever you do.

The Day of Judgment.

Indeed, the virtuous will be in bliss, and the wicked will be in Hell, burning in it on Judgment Day, with no escape. What will make you realize what Judgment Day is? Again, what will make you realize what it is? It is the Day no soul will be of any benefit to another whatsoever, for all authority on that Day belongs entirely to Allah.

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Surah 83: Defrauders (Al-Mutaffifin).

A Warning Against Cheating.

Woe to the defrauders! Those who take full measure when they buy from people but give less when they measure or weigh for others. Do such people not think they will be resurrected for a tremendous Day—the Day all people will stand before the Lord of all worlds?

The Fate of the Wicked and the Virtuous.

But no! The wicked are certainly bound for Sijjîn, a sealed fate in the depths of Hell. And what will make you realize what Sijjîn is? It is a fate already sealed. Woe on that Day to the deniers—those who deny Judgment Day. None deny it except every evildoing transgressor who, when Our revelations are recited, calls them “ancient fables.” Their hearts have been stained by the evil they used to commit. On that Day, they will be sealed off from their Lord, burn in Hell, and be told, “This is what you used to deny.”

But no! The virtuous are certainly bound for ’Illiyûn, a sealed fate in elevated Gardens, witnessed by those nearest to Allah. Surely the virtuous will be in bliss, seated on couches, gazing around. You will recognize on their faces the glow of delight. They will drink a sealed, pure wine whose last sip smells of musk—so let those who aspire to this strive for it. This drink will be flavored with Tasnîm, a spring from which those nearest to Allah will drink.

The Final Reversal.

Indeed, the wicked used to laugh at the believers, wink at one another as they passed, and muse over their exploits. When they saw the faithful, they would say, “These people are truly astray,” though they were not sent as keepers over them. But on that Day, the believers will be laughing at the disbelievers from their canopied couches, looking on. The believers will be asked, “Have the disbelievers not been paid back for what they used to do?”

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Surah 84: The Sky Bursting Open (Al Inshiqaq).

Judgment and Reckoning.

When the sky bursts open, obeying its Lord as it must, and when the earth is flattened out, ejecting all its contents and becoming empty, obeying its Lord as it must, surely you will all be judged. O humanity! You are laboring restlessly towards your Lord and will eventually meet the consequences.

As for those who are given their record in their right hand, they will have an easy reckoning and will return to their people joyfully. But as for those who are given their record in their left hand from behind their backs, they will cry for instant destruction and will burn in the blazing Fire. This is because they used to be prideful among their people, thinking they would never return to Allah. Yes, they will! Surely their Lord has always been All-Seeing of them.

An Invitation to Belief.

So, I swear by the twilight, by the night and whatever it envelops, and by the moon when it waxes full! You will certainly pass from one state to another. So what is the matter with them that they do not believe? When the Quran is recited to them, they do not bow down in submission. In fact, the disbelievers persist in denial. But Allah knows best what they hide. So give them the news of a painful punishment. However, those who believe and do good will have a never-ending reward.

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Surah 85: Constellations (Al-Buruj).

The Persecution of Believers.

By the sky full of constellations, by the promised Day of Judgment, and by the witness and what is witnessed! Condemned are the makers of the ditch—the fire pit filled with fuel—who sat around it, watching what they did to the believers. They resented them for no reason other than their belief in Allah—the Almighty, the Praiseworthy, the One to Whom belongs the kingdom of the heavens and earth. And Allah is a Witness over all things.

Those who persecute believing men and women and then do not repent will suffer the punishment of Hell and the torment of burning. But surely, those who believe and do good will have Gardens under which rivers flow. That is the greatest triumph.

A Warning and the Glorious Quran.

Indeed, the crushing grip of your Lord is severe. For He is the One Who originates and resurrects all. He is the All-Forgiving, All-Loving, Lord of the Throne, the All-Glorious, Doer of whatever He wills. Has the story of the destroyed forces reached you, O Prophet—the forces of Pharaoh and Thamûd? Yet the disbelievers still persist in denial. But Allah encompasses them from all sides. In fact, this is a glorious Quran, recorded in a Preserved Tablet.

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Surah 86: The Nightly Star (At Tariq).

Creation, Resurrection, and the Quran.

By the heaven and the nightly star! And what will make you realize what the nightly star is? It is the star of piercing brightness. There is no soul without a vigilant angel recording everything. Let people then consider what they were created from! They were created from a spurting fluid, stemming from between the backbone and the ribcage. Surely, He is fully capable of bringing them back to life on the Day all secrets will be disclosed. Then one will have neither power nor any helper.

By the sky with its recurring cycles and the earth with its sprouting plants! Surely this Quran is a decisive word and is not to be taken lightly. They are certainly devising evil plans, but I too am planning. So bear with the disbelievers, O Prophet. Let them be for just a little while.

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Surah 87: The Most High (Al Ala).

Glorification and Divine Support.

Glorify the Name of your Lord, the Most High, Who created and perfectly fashioned all, Who ordained precisely and inspired accordingly, and Who brings forth green pasture, then reduces it to withered chaff.

We will have you recite the Quran, O Prophet, so you will not forget any of it, unless Allah wills otherwise. He knows what is open and what is hidden. We will facilitate for you the Way of Ease. So always remind with the Quran, even if the reminder is beneficial only to some. Those in awe of Allah will be mindful of it, but it will be shunned by the most wretched, who will burn in the greatest Fire, where they will not be able to live or die.

The Path to True Success.

Successful indeed are those who purify themselves, remember the Name of their Lord, and pray. But you deniers only prefer the life of this world, even though the Hereafter is far better and more lasting. This is certainly mentioned in the earlier Scriptures—the Scriptures of Abraham and Moses.

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Surah 88: The Overwhelming Event (Al Ghashiyah).

The Fate of the People of Hell and Paradise.

Has the news of the Overwhelming Event reached you, O Prophet? On that Day, some faces will be downcast, overburdened, and exhausted, burning in a scorching Fire. They will drink from a scalding spring and have no food except a foul, thorny shrub that neither nourishes nor satisfies hunger.

On that same Day, other faces will be glowing with bliss, fully pleased with their striving. They will be in an elevated Garden where no idle talk is heard. In it will be a running spring, thrones raised high, cups set at hand, fine cushions lined up, and splendid carpets spread out.

A Message to Reflect.

Do they not ever reflect on the camels—how they were masterfully created; the sky—how it was raised high; the mountains—how they were firmly set up; and the earth—how it was leveled out? So, continue to remind all, O Prophet, for your duty is only to remind. You are not there to compel them to believe. But whoever turns away, persisting in disbelief, Allah will inflict upon them the major punishment. Surely to Us is their return, and then surely with Us is their reckoning.

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Surah 89: Dawn (Al Fajr).

The Fate of Transgressors.

By the dawn, the ten nights, the even and the odd, and the night when it passes! Is all this not a sufficient oath for those who have sense? Did you not see how your Lord dealt with ’Ȃd—the people of Iram—with their great stature, unmatched in any other land; and Thamûd, who carved their homes into the rocks; and the Pharaoh of mighty structures? They all transgressed throughout the land, spreading much corruption. So your Lord unleashed on them a scourge of punishment, for your Lord is truly vigilant.

Humanity's Test and the Day of Reckoning.

Now, whenever a human being is tested by their Lord through generosity and blessings, they boast, “My Lord has honored me!” But when He tests them by limiting their provision, they protest, “My Lord has humiliated me!” Absolutely not! In fact, you are not even gracious to the orphan, nor do you urge one another to feed the poor. You devour others’ inheritance greedily and love wealth fervently.

Enough! When the earth is entirely crushed over and over, and your Lord comes to judge with angels, rank upon rank, and Hell is brought forth—this is when every disbeliever will remember their sins. But what is the use of remembering then? They will cry, “I wish I had sent forth something good for my true life.” On that Day, He will punish them severely and bind them tightly, like no other.

The Tranquil Soul.

Allah will say to the righteous, “O tranquil soul! Return to your Lord, well-pleased with Him and well-pleasing to Him. So join My servants, and enter My Paradise.”

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Surah 90: The City (Al Balad).

The Human Struggle and Ingratitude.

I swear by this city of Mecca—even though you, O Prophet, are subject to abuse here—and by every parent and their child! Indeed, We have created humankind in constant struggle. Do they think that no one has power over them, boasting, “I have wasted enormous wealth!”? Do they think that no one sees them? Have We not given them two eyes, a tongue, and two lips, and shown them the two ways of right and wrong?

The Path of Goodness.

If only they had attempted the challenging path of goodness instead! And what will make you realize what that path is? It is to free a slave, or to give food in times of famine to an orphaned relative or a poor person in distress. And above all, it is to be one of those who have faith and urge each other to perseverance and compassion. These are the people of the right. As for those who deny Our signs, they are the people of the left. The Fire will be sealed over them.

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Surah 91: The Sun (Ash Shams).

The Soul's Choice.

By the sun and its brightness, the moon as it follows it, the day as it unveils it, and the night as it conceals it! By heaven and the One Who built it, and the earth and the One Who spread it! And by the soul and the One Who fashioned it, then with the knowledge of right and wrong inspired it! Successful indeed is the one who purifies their soul, and doomed is the one who corrupts it.

The Consequence of Corruption.

Thamûd rejected the truth out of arrogance when the most wicked of them was roused to kill the she-camel. But the messenger of Allah warned them, “Do not disturb Allah’s camel and her turn to drink!” Still, they defied him and slaughtered her. So their Lord crushed them for their crime, leveling all to the ground. He has no fear of consequences.

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Surah 92: The Night (Al Layl).

Two Divergent Paths.

By the night when it covers and the day when it shines! And by the One Who created male and female! Surely the ends you strive for are diverse. As for the one who is charitable, mindful of Allah, and firmly believes in the finest reward, We will facilitate for them the Way of Ease. And as for the one who is stingy, indifferent to Allah, and staunchly denies the finest reward, We will facilitate for them the path of hardship. Their wealth will be of no benefit to them when they tumble into Hell.

Guidance and Final Reward.

It is certainly upon Us alone to show the way to guidance. And surely to Us alone belong this life and the next. I have warned you of a raging Fire, in which none will burn except the most wretched—who deny and turn away. But the righteous will be spared from it—those who donate their wealth only to purify themselves, not in return for favors, but seeking the pleasure of their Lord, the Most High. They will certainly be pleased.

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Surah 93: The Morning Sunlight (Aa-duha).

Reassurance to the Prophet.

By the morning sunlight and the night when it falls still! Your Lord, O Prophet, has not abandoned you, nor has He become hateful of you. The next life is certainly far better for you than this one. And surely your Lord will give so much to you that you will be pleased. Did He not find you as an orphan then sheltered you? Did He not find you unguided then guided you? And did He not find you needy then satisfied your needs? So do not oppress the orphan, nor repulse the beggar. And proclaim the blessings of your Lord.

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Surah 94: Uplifting the Heart (Ash Sharh).

Divine Support and Encouragement.

Have We not uplifted your heart for you, O Prophet, relieved you of the burden which weighed so heavily on your back, and elevated your renown for you? So, surely with hardship comes ease. Surely with that hardship comes more ease. So once you have fulfilled your duty, strive in devotion, turning to your Lord alone with hope.

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Surah 95: The Fig (At-Tin).

Humanity's Potential and Fall.

By the fig and the olive of Jerusalem, by Mount Sinai, and by this secure city of Mecca! Indeed, We created humans in the best form. But We will reduce them to the lowest of the low in Hell, except those who believe and do good—they will have a never-ending reward. Now, what makes you deny the final Judgment? Is Allah not the most just of all judges?

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Surah 96: The Clinging Clot of Blood (Al Alaq).

The First Revelation.

Read, O Prophet, in the Name of your Lord Who created—created humans from a clinging clot. Read! And your Lord is the Most Generous, Who taught by the pen—taught humanity what they knew not.

The Arrogance of Man.

Most certainly, one exceeds all bounds once they think they are self-sufficient. But surely to your Lord is the return of all. Have you seen the man who prevents a servant of Ours from praying? What if this servant is rightly guided or encourages righteousness? What if that man persists in denial and turns away? Does he not know that Allah sees all? But no! If he does not desist, We will certainly drag him by the forelock—a lying, sinful forelock. So let him call his associates. We will call the wardens of Hell. Again, no! Never obey him, O Prophet! Rather, continue to prostrate and draw near to Allah.

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Surah 97: The Night of Glory (Al Qadr).

The Blessed Night of Revelation.

Indeed, it is We Who sent this Quran down on the Night of Glory. And what will make you realize what the Night of Glory is? The Night of Glory is better than a thousand months. That night the angels and the holy spirit descend, by the permission of their Lord, for every decreed matter. It is all peace until the break of dawn.

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Surah 98: The Clear Proof (Al Bayyinah).

The Purpose of the Messenger.

The disbelievers from the People of the Book and the polytheists were not going to desist from disbelief until the clear proof came to them: a messenger from Allah, reciting scrolls of utmost purity, containing upright commandments. It was not until this clear proof came to the People of the Book that they became divided about his prophethood—even though they were only commanded to worship Allah alone with sincere devotion, establish prayer, and pay alms-tax. That is the upright Way.

The Fate of Believers and Disbelievers.

Indeed, those who disbelieve from the People of the Book and the polytheists will be in the Fire of Hell, to stay there forever. They are the worst of all beings. But indeed, those who believe and do good—they are the best of all beings. Their reward with their Lord will be Gardens of Eternity, under which rivers flow, to stay there forever. Allah is pleased with them, and they are pleased with Him. This is only for those in awe of their Lord.

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Surah 99: The Ultimate Quake (Az Zalzalah).

The Earth's Final Testimony.

When the earth is shaken in its ultimate quaking, and when it throws out all its contents, and humanity cries, “What is wrong with it?”—on that Day the earth will recount everything, having been inspired by your Lord to do so. On that Day people will proceed in separate groups to be shown the consequences of their deeds. So whoever does an atom’s weight of good will see it, and whoever does an atom’s weight of evil will see it.

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Surah 100: The Galloping Horses (Al Adiyat).

Human Ingratitude Exposed.

By the galloping, panting horses, striking sparks of fire with their hoofs, launching raids at dawn, stirring up clouds of dust, and penetrating into the heart of enemy lines! Surely humankind is ungrateful to their Lord—and they certainly attest to this—and they are truly extreme in their love of worldly gains. Do they not know that when the contents of the graves are spilled out, and the secrets of the hearts are laid bare—surely their Lord is All-Aware of them on that Day.

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Surah 101: The Striking Disaster (Al Qariah).

The Day of Reckoning.

The Striking Disaster! What is the Striking Disaster? And what will make you realize what it is? It is the Day people will be like scattered moths, and the mountains will be like carded wool. So as for those whose scale is heavy with good deeds, they will be in a life of bliss. And as for those whose scale is light, their home will be the abyss. And what will make you realize what that is? It is a scorching Fire.

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Surah 102: Competition for More Gains (At Takathur).

The Diversion of Worldly Competition.

Competition for more gains diverts you from Allah, until you end up in your graves. But no! You will soon come to know. Again, no! You will soon come to know. Indeed, if you were to know your fate with certainty, you would have acted differently. But you will surely see the Hellfire. Again, you will surely see it with the eye of certainty. Then, on that Day, you will definitely be questioned about your worldly pleasures.

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Surah 103: The Passage of Time (Al-Asr).

Humanity's State of Loss.

By the passage of time! Surely humanity is in grave loss, except those who have faith, do good, urge each other to the truth, and urge each other to perseverance.

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Surah 104: The Backbiters (Al Humzah).

Warning to Slanderers and Hoarders.

Woe to every backbiter, slanderer, who amasses wealth greedily and counts it repeatedly, thinking that their wealth will make them immortal! Not at all! Such a person will certainly be tossed into the Crusher. And what will make you realize what the Crusher is? It is Allah’s kindled Fire, which rages over the hearts. It will be sealed over them, tightly secured with long braces.

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Surah 105: The Elephant (Al Fil).

The Protection of the Ka'ba.

Have you not seen, O Prophet, how your Lord dealt with the Army of the Elephant? Did He not frustrate their scheme? For He sent against them flocks of birds that pelted them with stones of baked clay, leaving them like chewed-up straw.

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Surah 106: The People of Quraysh (Quraysh).

A Call to Gratitude.

At least for the favor of making Quraysh habitually secure—secure in their trading caravan to Yemen in the winter and Syria in the summer—let them worship the Lord of this Sacred House, Who has fed them against hunger and made them secure against fear.

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Surah 107: Simplest Aid (Al-Maun).

The Character of Those Who Deny Judgment.

Have you seen the one who denies the final Judgment? That is the one who repulses the orphan and does not encourage the feeding of the poor. So woe to those hypocrites who pray yet are unmindful of their prayers; those who only show off and refuse to give even the simplest aid.

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Surah 108: Abundant Goodness (Al Kawthar).

A Promise to the Prophet.

Indeed, We have granted you, O Prophet, abundant goodness. So pray and sacrifice to your Lord alone. Only the one who hates you is truly cut off from any goodness.

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Surah 109: The Disbelievers (Al-Kafirun).

Uncompromising Monotheism.

Say, O Prophet, “O you disbelievers! I do not worship what you worship, nor do you worship what I worship. I will never worship what you worship, nor will you ever worship what I worship. You have your way, and I have my Way.”

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Surah 110: The Ultimate Help (An-Nasr).

The Completion of the Mission.

When Allah’s ultimate help comes and the victory over Mecca is achieved, and you, O Prophet, see the people embracing Allah’s Way in crowds, then glorify the praises of your Lord and seek His forgiveness, for certainly He is ever Accepting of Repentance.

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Surah 111: The Palm-Fiber Rope (Al-Masad).

The Fate of Abu Lahab.

May the hands of Abu Lahab perish, and he himself perish! Neither his wealth nor worldly gains will benefit him. He will burn in a flaming Fire, and so will his wife, the carrier of thorny kindling, with a rope of palm-fiber around her neck.

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Surah 112: Purity of Faith (Al-Ikhlas).

The Absolute Oneness of God.

Say, O Prophet, “He is Allah—One and Indivisible; Allah—the Sustainer needed by all. He has never had offspring, nor was He born. And there is none comparable to Him.”

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Surah 113: The Daybreak (Al-Falaq).

Seeking Refuge from Evil.

Say, O Prophet, “I seek refuge in the Lord of the daybreak from the evil of whatever He has created, from the evil of the night when it grows dark, from the evil of those witches casting spells by blowing onto knots, and from the evil of an envier when they envy.”

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Surah 114: Humankind (An-Nas).

Seeking Refuge from Whispers.

Say, O Prophet, “I seek refuge in the Lord of humankind, the Master of humankind, the God of humankind, from the evil of the lurking whisperer—who whispers into the hearts of humankind—from among jinn and humankind.”