38. Sad

Ṣād.1 By the Qur’ān containing reminder...2

Sad. By the Quran, full of admonition

SAAD. As-Sadiq - Full of Truth, this Qur'an is a Profound Reminder. Embracing all that is worth taking to your hearts, it can give you eminence

But those who disbelieve are in pride and dissension.

Those who deny the truth are steeped in arrogance and hostility

But nay, the deniers are lost in false pride and opposition for the sake of opposition. Hence, they split their own personalities forcing themselves into maintaining double standards in life. ('Shiqaq' = Opposition, schism, splitting, split-personality. Double standards; since denial of a reality does not make it disappear)

How many a generation have We destroyed before them, and they [then] called out; but it was not a time for escape.

How many generations We have destroyed before them! And they cried out when it was too late to escape

How many a generation have We (Our Law of Requital) wiped out before them, and they cried out when it was too late to escape

And they wonder that there has come to them a warner [i.e., Prophet Muḥammad (ﷺ)] from among themselves. And the disbelievers say, "This is a magician and a liar.

They are surprised that a warner should come to them from among themselves. They say, "This is a magician, a great liar

Now these people wonder that a Warner has come to them from their own midst! And the disbelievers say, "This is a wizard, a liar

Has he made the gods [only] one God? Indeed, this is a curious thing."

Does he make all the deities out to be one God? This is indeed a strange thing

Does he blend all the gods into One God? Behold, this is a thing mind-boggling

And the eminent among them went forth, [saying], "Continue, and be patient over [the defense of] your gods. Indeed, this is a thing intended.1

Their leaders departed, saying, "Walk away! Hold fast to your deities. This is clearly a conspiracy

Their leaders go about saying, "Walk away and hold on to your gods! This, behold, is the only thing to do. And this (mind-boggling thing) seems to be designed with ulterior motives

We have not heard of this in the latest religion.1 This is not but a fabrication.

We have not heard of any such thing in the old religion. This is nothing but a fabrication

We have never heard of this in the latest religion. This (concept of One God) is nothing but a made-up tale! (Even the Christians subscribe to a Triune God)

Has the message been revealed to him out of [all of] us?" Rather, they are in doubt about My message. Rather, they have not yet tasted My punishment.

Was the message sent only to him out of all of us?" In fact, they doubt My warning; in fact, they have not yet tasted My punishment

What! Has the Reminder come down only to him among us?" Nay, in fact, it is My Own Reminder that they distrust (and not you O Prophet). Nay, they have not yet tasted My Requital

Or do they have the depositories of the mercy of your Lord, the Exalted in Might, the Bestower?1

Do they possess the treasures of the mercy of your Lord, the Mighty, the Great Bestower

Or with them are the treasures of your Lord's Grace? - The Almighty, the Grantor of Gifts

Or is theirs the dominion of the heavens and the earth and what is between them? Then let them ascend through [any] ways of access.1

Have they control over heavens and earth and whatever [lies] between them? Then let them climb up to heaven by ropes

Or is it that theirs is the Kingdom of the heavens and the earth, and all that is between them? If so, let them ascend to Supremacy by all means

[They are but] soldiers [who will be] defeated there among the companies [of disbelievers].

this host too, among other hosts, is bound to suffer defeat

But here it is! Defeated confederates are these, however closely they might band together

The people of Noah denied before them, and [the tribe of] ʿAad and Pharaoh, the owner of stakes,1

Before them the people of Noah denied the truth, as did the 'Ad and Pharaoh of the Stakes

And before them denied the Truth, the people of Noah, Aad and Pharaoh of the firm stakes. ('Zil-awtad' could indicate 'the lord of the Pyramids)

And [the tribe of] Thamūd and the people of Lot and the companions of the thicket [i.e., people of Madyan]. Those are the companies.1

and the tribe of Thamud, and the people of Lot, and the dwellers of the Wood -- these were the confederates

And Thamud, and the people of Lot, and the dwellers of the Wood-dales (of Midyan). And they were clans strongly banded

Each of them denied the messengers, so My penalty was justified.

There was not one of them but treated their messengers as liars, so My punishment rightly overtook them

All of them accused the Messengers of lying. Hence, My Law justly grasped them

And these [disbelievers] await not but one blast [of the Horn]; for it there will be no delay.1

they have only to wait for one single blast [of punishment]: it shall not be delayed by one whit

Now these people only wait a single Blast from which they recover not

And they say, "Our Lord, hasten for us our share [of the punishment] before the Day of Account."

They say: "Our Lord! Hasten on for us our fate before the Day of Reckoning

And they mock, "Our Lord! Bring for us our sentence before the Day of Account

Be patient over what they say and remember Our servant, David, the possessor of strength; indeed, he was one who repeatedly turned back [to Allāh].

Bear with their words patiently. Remember Our servant David, a man of strength who always turned to Us

Bear with patience whatever they may say, and remember Our servant David, the man of strength and resources. He always turned unto Us

Indeed, We subjected the mountains [to praise] with him, exalting [Allāh] in the [late] afternoon and [after] sunrise.

We made the mountains join him in glorifying Us at sunset and sunrise

Behold, We subdued for him the strong Mountain Tribes that strove along with him night and day

And the birds were assembled, all with him repeating [praises].

and the birds, too, in flocks, all turned to Him

And the nomad riders of the Ta'er Tribe were all obedient to him. (21:79), (2)

And We strengthened his kingdom and gave him wisdom and discernment in speech.

We made his kingdom strong, and bestowed upon him wisdom and sagacity in judgement

We strengthened his Kingdom and gave him wisdom and good judgment. And We endowed him with the ability to make just decisions, and speak eloquently. (1)

And has there come to you the news of the adversaries, when they climbed over the wall of [his] prayer chamber -

Have you heard the story of the disputants who entered his chamber by climbing over the wall

Have you heard of the story of the two disputing men when they climbed the wall into his private chamber

When they entered upon David and he was alarmed by them? They said, "Fear not. [We are] two adversaries, one of whom has wronged the other, so judge between us with truth and do not exceed [it] and guide us to the sound path.

When they reached David, he took fright, but they said, "Do not be afraid. We are two disputants, one of whom has wronged the other: judge between us fairly, do not be unjust, and guide us to the right path

When they breached his privacy, he was startled. They said, "Be not startled!" We both are disputing with each other as to who has done wrong to the other. Therefore, judge fairly between us, deviate not from equity and guide us to the even path

Indeed this, my brother, has ninety-nine ewes, and I have one ewe; so he said, 'Entrust her to me,' and he overpowered me in speech."

This brother of mine has ninety-nine ewes and I have only one. He said, "Let me have charge of it," and got the better of me with his words

One of them said, "Behold, this my brother has ninety nine farms, whereas I have only one. And yet he says, 'Give it over to me', and he dominates me in eloquence." ('Na'jah' = Ewe = Female sheep or deer = Agricultural farm)

[David] said, "He has certainly wronged you in demanding your ewe [in addition] to his ewes. And indeed, many associates oppress one another, except for those who believe and do righteous deeds - and few are they." And David became certain that We had tried him, and he asked forgiveness of his Lord1 and fell down bowing [in prostration] and turned in repentance [to Allāh].

David said, "He has certainly wronged you by demanding that your ewe be added to his ewes! Thus many partners wrong one another -- [all] save those who believe [in God] and do righteous deeds: but how few are they!" And [suddenly] David understood that We were only putting him to the test, and so he asked his Lord to forgive him his sins; he fell to his knees, and turned to Him in repentance

David said, "He has certainly wronged you in demanding your farm in addition to his farms. Thus, behold, many close associates and business-partners treat each other unfairly - except those who believe in the Divine Values and care for the needs of others - but how few are they!" Afterwards, David wondered that We had tried him. (The feudal and economic system in his kingdom needed reform, as the poor were getting poorer). He implored his Lord to absolve his imperfections, and he immediately bowed himself and turned unto Him for guidance

So We forgave him that; and indeed, for him is nearness to Us and a good place of return.

We forgave him his sins. His reward will be nearness to Us, a good place to return to

So We absolved his imperfections, and, behold - He remained ever close to Our Laws and his efforts reached a happy destination

[We said], "O David, indeed We have made you a successor upon the earth, so judge between the people in truth and do not follow [your own] desire, as it will lead you astray from the way of Allāh." Indeed, those who go astray from the way of Allāh will have a severe punishment for having forgotten the Day of Account.

We said, "David, We have given you mastery over the land. Judge fairly between people. Do not follow your desires, lest they divert you from God's path: those who wander from His path will have a severe punishment, because they ignore the Day of Reckoning

(We said to him), "O David! We have made you a ruler in the earth, therefore, establish the System of justice and equity for people. Never let your judgment be swayed by personal whims causing you to deviate from the Path of Allah. For those who wander from the Path of Allah, is a strict retribution for having forgotten the Day of Account

And We did not create the heaven and the earth and that between them aimlessly. That is the assumption of those who disbelieve, so woe to those who disbelieve from the Fire.

We did not create heaven and earth and all that is between them in vain. That is the opinion of those who deny the truth. Woe betide those who deny the truth, when they are cast into the Fire

(No action goes uncompensated since) We have not created the heavens and the earth and all that is between them in vain - without meaning and purpose. Such is the assumption of those who disbelieve. (10:4), (11:7), (45:22), (53:31). Woe from the Fire to those who deny the Truth

Or should We treat those who believe and do righteous deeds like corrupters in the land? Or should We treat those who fear Allāh like the wicked?

shall We treat those who believe and do good works the same as those who spread corruption in the land; shall We treat the pious the same as the wicked

Shall We treat those who believe and augment the society as We treat those who spread corruption in the land? Or shall We treat the guardians of the Law as the Law-breakers

[This is] a blessed Book which We have revealed to you, [O Muḥammad], that they might reflect upon its verses and that those of understanding would be reminded.

This is a blessed Book which We sent down to you [Muhammad], for people to ponder over its messages, and for those with understanding to take heed

This is a Scripture that We have revealed unto you (O Prophet), full of lasting Bliss that they may ponder its Messages and that people of understanding may take them to heart

And to David We gave Solomon. An excellent servant, indeed he was one repeatedly turning back [to Allāh].

We gave David Solomon. He was an excellent servant who always turned to God

And unto David We granted Solomon, how excellent a servant! Behold, in every situation He would turn to Divine Laws

[Mention] when there were exhibited before him in the afternoon the poised [standing] racehorses.

When well-bred horses, which were fleet of foot were paraded before him near the close of day

In the evenings he used to examine his cavalry of nobly-bred, swift-footed horses

And he said, "Indeed, I gave preference to the love of good [things] over the remembrance of my Lord until it [i.e., the sun] disappeared into the curtain [of darkness]."

he said, "I have put the love of good things above the remembrance of my Lord," until [the sun] disappeared behind its veil and the horses disappeared from sight

He would say, "Verily, I love my fondness of all that is good because it reminds me of my Lord", as the horses raced away until hidden by the veil of distance

[He said], "Return them to me," and set about striking1 [their] legs and necks.

Bring them back to me!" -- [he said] and began to stroke their legs and their necks

Bring them back unto me!" - and would lovingly stroke their legs and their necks

And We certainly tried Solomon and placed on his throne a body;1 then he returned.2

We tried Solomon by placing upon his throne a [lifeless] body; and thereupon he turned towards Us

(That was Solomon and) We indeed tried him, and set upon his throne a mere body, and thereupon he turned to Us. (His son, the crown prince Rehoboam was just a hopeless presence (34:14). Until that point in history, the Kingdom of Israel was inherited among the generations of Prophet Jacob

He said, "My Lord, forgive me and grant me a kingdom such as will not belong to anyone after me. Indeed, You are the Bestower."

He prayed, "Lord forgive me! Grant me such power as no one after me will have -- You are the Most Generous Provider

Solomon prayed, "O My Lord! Absolve my imperfections and bestow upon me the gift of a kingdom that may not suit anyone after me. Verily, You are the Giver of Gifts." (He did not wish to leave his great kingdom in incompetent hands and in all probability was thinking of merit in preference over lineage)

So We subjected to him the wind blowing by his command, gently, wherever he directed,

Then We subjected the wind to his power, so that it blew gently, at his behest, wherever he willed

So We gave him the science of making the wind serve him and it carried his ships wherever he intended

And [also] the devils [of jinn] - every builder and diver.

and also the jinn, every kind of builder and diver

And made subservient to him the wild unruly men - every kind of builder and diver. (2)

And others bound together in irons.

and others chained in fetters

And others linked together in chains of discipline

[We said], "This is Our gift, so grant or withhold without account."

We said: "This is Our gift, so give or withhold as you wish without reckoning

We told him, "All this is Our Gift for you. Give freely or withhold, in matters of the State, according to your best judgment. It is given to you beyond count

And indeed, for him is nearness to Us and a good place of return.

His reward will be nearness to Us, a good place to return to

And, behold - He remained ever close to Our Laws and his efforts always reached a happy destination

And remember Our servant Job, when he called to his Lord, "Indeed, Satan has touched me with hardship and torment."

Bring to mind Our servant Job who cried to his Lord, "Satan has afflicted me with distress and suffering

And remember Our servant Job, when he called upon his Lord, "Behold, the serpent has bitten me and I am in distress and suffering." ('Satan has touched me', as a metonym = Serpent has bitten me. He was left alone from his caravan and family, ran out of the essential supplies, and now this happened (4:163), (6:8)

[So he was told], "Strike [the ground] with your foot; this is a [spring for a] cool bath and drink."

We said, "Stamp your foot! Here is cool water for you to wash in and drink

(We told him), "Strike the ground with your foot (move a little bit). And here is cool water to wash with and a refreshing drink

And We granted him his family and a like [number] with them as mercy from Us and a reminder for those of understanding.

We restored his family to him, doubling their number as an act of grace from Us, and as a reminder to all who are endowed with insight

And We gave him back his family and followers and, in time, doubled their numbers as a Grace from Us. And herein is a reminder for people of understanding (on the virtue of patience)

[We said], "And take in your hand a bunch [of grass] and strike with it and do not break your oath."1 Indeed, We found him patient, an excellent servant. Indeed, he was one repeatedly turning back [to Allāh].

We said to Him, "Take a handful of twigs in your hand and strike with that but do not break your oath." We found him steadfast. What an excellent servant! He turned constantly to his Lord

(And finally We told him,) "Now gather your strength and travel the land and break not your pledge." Behold, We found him steadfast. How excellent a servant! In every situation he turned to Our Commands

And remember Our servants, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob - those of strength and [religious] vision.

Remember Our servants Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob -- possessors of strength and vision

And also remember Our servants, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, men of strength and vision

Indeed, We chose them for an exclusive quality: remembrance of the home [of the Hereafter].

We chose them for a special [purpose] -- proclaiming the message of the Hereafter

Verily, We endowed them with sincerity of purpose and with exceptional foresight. Hence, in all their efforts they never lost sight of the desired destination

And indeed they are, to Us, among the chosen and outstanding.

and, in Our sight they were indeed among the select, the truly good

Behold, according to Our Standards, they were of the elect, excellent, fulfilling the mental, moral and physical needs of humanity

And remember Ishmael, Elisha and Dhul-Kifl, and all are among the outstanding.

Remember [Our servants] Ishmael, Elisha, and Dhu'l-Kifl. Each of them was among the just

Also mention Ishmael

This is a reminder. And indeed, for the righteous is a good place of return -

This is a Reminder. The righteous shall have a good place to return to

Let this be a Reminder - for, verily, there is a most beautiful destination for those who journey through life honorably

Gardens of perpetual residence, whose doors will be opened to them.

the Gardens of eternity with gates thrown wide open to them

Gardens of Eden, the perpetual Bliss, with gates wide-open for them

Reclining within them, they will call therein for abundant fruit and drink.

They will be comfortably seated; reclining, they will call for abundant fruit and drink

Relaxing therein, they will be hosted with all kinds of food and drink

And with them will be women limiting [their] glances1 and of equal age.

with them, they will have pure, modest women of an equal age

And with them are well-matched companions of modest gaze

This is what you, [the righteous], are promised for the Day of Account.

This is what you were promised on the Day of Reckoning

This is what you are promised for the Day of Account

Indeed, this is Our provision; for it there is no depletion.

Our provision for you will never be exhausted

This, verily, is Our Giving with no end to it

This [is so]. But indeed, for the transgressors is an evil place of return -

But the arrogant will have the worst return

Yes, this is so. But, for those who kept trespassing the Moral Values, is a destination with no good in it

Hell, which they will [enter to] burn, and wretched is the resting place.

they will burn, in Hell, an evil resting place

Hell that is! Wherein they burn - the worst bed to lie on

This - so let them taste it - is scalding water and [foul] purulence.

all this will be theirs; let them taste it -- a scalding, dark, foul fluid

This, then, - so let them taste it - the drink of burning distress and ice-cold wind. (Distress they caused others and insensitivity they showed toward oppression and injustice)

And other [punishments] of its type [in various] kinds.

and other such torments

And other penalties in pairs (heat-cold, glare-darkness, noise-isolation, anxiety-depression, desire-hopelessness, etc)

[Its inhabitants will say], "This is a company bursting in with you. No welcome for them. Indeed, they will burn in the Fire."

[And they will say to one another: "Do you see] this crowd of people rushing headlong to join you?" "No welcome to them! Indeed, they are headed for the fire

It will be said to the ringleaders, "Here is your group going with you headlong. There is no welcome for them, for only the Fire is here to embrace them

They will say, "Nor you! No welcome for you. You, [our leaders], brought this upon us, and wretched is the settlement."

They will say to them, "You are not welcome! It was you who brought this on us, an evil place to stay

The followers will say to the leaders, "Nay, but you! There is no welcome for you either! It is you who sent this forth for us! What a station of plight!" (14:21), (33:67), (34:32), (3)

They will say, "Our Lord, whoever brought this upon us - increase for him double punishment in the Fire."

adding, "Our Lord, give double punishment to those who brought this upon us

Then the followers will say, "Our Lord! Whoever has sent this forth for us, oh, double for him the suffering in Fire

And they will say, "Why do we not see men whom we used to count among the worst?1

And they will say, "How is it that we do not see [here any of the] men whom we used to count among the wicked

Then they will exclaim to one another, "What is amiss with us? We do not see people whom we counted among evil

Is it [because] we took them in ridicule, or has [our] vision turned away from them?"

[and] whom we made the target of our derision? Or are they here, and our eyes have missed them

Whom we used to ridicule. (Are they not here) or is it that our eyes are missing them

Indeed, that is truth [i.e., reality] - the quarreling of the people of the Fire.

All this is certainly true -- the inhabitants of the Fire will blame one another in this way

Such, behold, will in truth be the argumentation of people of the Fire

Say, [O Muḥammad], "I am only a warner, and there is not any deity except Allāh, the One, the Prevailing,1

Say, [Prophet], "I am only a warner. There is no god but God, the One, the All-Powerful

Say, "I am only a Warner, and there is no god but Allah, the One, the Irresistible

Lord of the heavens and the earth and whatever is between them, the Exalted in Might,1 the Perpetual Forgiver."2

Lord of the heavens and earth and everything between them, the Almighty, the Most Forgiving

Lord of the heavens and the earth and all that is between them - Exalted in Might, Ever-Forgiving

Say, "It is great news

Say, "This is momentous news

Say, "That is a Tremendous News

From which you turn away.

yet you ignore it

From which you turn away

I had no knowledge of the exalted assembly [of angels] when they were disputing [the creation of Adam].

I had no knowledge of the Exalted Assembly when they argued [against the creation of man]

Say! "I had no knowledge of the top leaders of the past, and of their disputations

It has not been revealed to me except that I am a clear warner."

it has only been revealed to me that I am a plain warner

It is revealed unto me only that I am a plain Warner." (To give warning plainly and publicly)

[So mention] when your Lord said to the angels, "Indeed, I am going to create a human being from clay.

Your Lord said to the angels, "I am about to create a human being out of clay

(The disputations began ever since mankind came into being.) When your Lord said to the angels, "Behold, I am about to create a human being out of clay. (Angels = Laws in the Universe)

So when I have proportioned him and breathed into him of My [created] soul,1 then fall down to him in prostration."

and when I have formed him fully and breathed My spirit into him, prostrate yourselves before him

And when I have designed him, and breathed into him from My Energy (from the Attribute of Free Will) then be submissive to him

So the angels prostrated - all of them entirely,

Thereupon the angels prostrated themselves, all of them together

Thereupon the angels agreed to be submissive before him, all of them together. ('Sajdah' = Literally, prostration, is due to Allah alone, hence, the allegorical meaning here)

Except Iblees;1 he was arrogant and became among the disbelievers.

but not Satan, who was too proud. He became one of those who deny the truth

Except Iblis - he acted arrogantly and denied the Command. (Iblis = Satan = selfish desire of the humans)

[Allāh] said, "O Iblees, what prevented you from prostrating to that which I created with My hands?1 Were you arrogant [then], or were you [already] among the haughty?"

God said, "Satan, what prevented you from prostrating yourself to what I created with My own Hands? Were you overcome by arrogance, or are you of those who think [only] of themselves as exalted

Said He, "O Iblis! What has kept you from being submissive to that which I have created with My Hands? Are you too proud or are you of the rebellious

He said, "I am better than him. You created me from fire and created him from clay."

Satan replied, "I am better than him. You created me from fire, but You created him from clay

Iblis replied, "I am better than he. You created me of fire while you created him of clay." (Emotions are fiery in relation to the cool 'clay' of higher controls)

[Allāh] said, "Then get out of it [i.e., Paradise], for indeed, you are expelled.

Begone! You are accursed

Said He, "Go forth from here, for, behold, you are condemned

And indeed, upon you is My curse until the Day of Recompense."

My curse will remain upon you till the Day of Judgement

And My rejection is on you until the Day of Judgment

He said, "My Lord, then reprieve me until the Day they are resurrected."

But Satan said, "My Lord, grant me respite until the Day of Resurrection

Iblis said, "Then, My Lord! Give me respite till the Day when they are raised

[Allāh] said, "So indeed, you are of those reprieved

so He said, "You are granted respite

Answered He, "Verily so, you shall be among those who are given respite

Until the Day of the time well-known."

till the Appointed Day

Until the Day of Appointed Time

[Iblees] said, "By Your might, I will surely mislead them all.

He said, "By Your Honour, I will lead all of them astray

Iblis said, "I swear by Your Honor, I will certainly lead them all astray

Except, among them, Your chosen servants."

except for those among them who are Your chosen servants

But such of them as are Your sincere servants

[Allāh] said, "The truth [is My oath], and the truth I say -

God said, "This is the truth, I speak only the truth

Said He, "The Truth is this - and this Truth do I state

[That] I will surely fill Hell with you and those of them that follow you all together."

I will fill up Hell with you and every one of them who follows you

That certainly I will fill Hell with you and with such of them as follow you, together

Say, [O Muḥammad], "I do not ask you for it [i.e., the Qur’ān] any payment, and I am not of the pretentious.

Say, "I do not ask you for any recompense for this, nor am I a man of false pretentions

(O Messenger) say to them, "I ask of you no reward for this Message, nor am I a pretender

It is but a reminder to the worlds.

this is simply an admonition to mankind

This (Qur'an), behold, is no less than a Reminder to the Worlds

And you will surely know [the truth of] its information after a time."

you shall before long know its truth

And you will most certainly know the Truth of it all after a lapse of time