41. Fussilat

Ḥā, Meem.1

Ha Mim

M. HA-MIM. Hameed: Owner of all Praise, Majeed: Sublimely Exalted states that

[This is] a revelation from the Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful -

A revelation from [God], the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

This is a Revelation from the Beneficent, the Merciful

A Book whose verses have been detailed, an Arabic Qur’ān1 for a people who know,

a Book whose revelations are well expounded, an Arabic Quran for people who possess knowledge

A Book whose verses and Messages are clearly explained, a Monograph in Arabic, the eloquent language, for all people who would make use of what they learn. ((7:158), (12:3), (13:37), (14:4), (25:1), (39:28),

As a giver of good tidings and a warner; but most of them turn away, so they do not hear.

proclaiming good news and a warning. Yet most of them turn away and so do not listen

A herald of glad news as well as a warning. Yet, most of them turn away so that they hear not

And they say, "Our hearts are within coverings [i.e., screened] from that to which you invite us, and in our ears is deafness, and between us and you is a partition, so work;1 indeed, we are working."

And they say, "Our hearts are encased against that to which you call us, and there is a heaviness in our ears, and there is a barrier between us, so do as you will and so shall we

And so they say, "Our hearts are veiled from what you invite us to, and (consider) there is deafness in our ears, and that between us and you is a barrier. So, do as you will (mind your business), and, behold, we shall do as we have been doing

Say, [O Muḥammad], "I am only a man like you to whom it has been revealed that your god is but one God; so take a straight course to Him and seek His forgiveness." And woe to those who associate others with Allāh

Say, "I am only a human being like yourselves. It has been revealed to me that your God is One God. So take the straight path to Him and ask His forgiveness." Woe to those who associate others with Him

(O Prophet) say to them, "I am only a human being like you. It has been revealed to me that your God is One God. Therefore, march along the Straight Road to Him and seek the protection of His forgiveness. And (know that) there is nothing in store but loss for them who associate 'partners' with Him." ('Wayl' = Woe = Ultimate loss)

Those who do not give zakāh, and in the Hereafter they are disbelievers.

who do not pay the zakat, and who deny the Hereafter

Those who (because of submitting to man-made systems) fail to set up the Just Economic Order of Zakat and thus practically deny (the accountability in) the life to come. (And the long-term prosperity and viability of their societies)

Indeed, those who believe and do righteous deeds - for them is a reward uninterrupted.

The ones who believe and perform good deeds shall have a reward which will never be withheld from them

But, verily, those who accept the Divine Revelation and contribute toward enhancement of the society, shall have a reward unending

Say, "Do you indeed disbelieve in He who created the earth in two days and attribute to Him equals? That is the Lord of the worlds."

Say, "What! Do you indeed deny Him who created the earth in two Days [periods] and do you set up equals with Him? He is the Lord of the Universe

Say, "What! Do you indeed deny Him Who has created the earth in two stages? (Firstly when it shot away like a fiery ball from the Cosmic matter and secondly, when it cooled off sufficiently to become habitable). And would you still ascribe rivals unto Him? He it is, the Sustainer of the Worlds." (3)

And He placed on it [i.e., the earth] firmly set mountains over its surface, and He blessed it and determined therein its [creatures'] sustenance in four days without distinction1 - for [the information of] those who ask.

He placed firm mountains on the earth, and blessed it. He measured out its means of sustenance all in four Days; this is for those who ask for it

And He it is Who placed therein firm mountains towering above it, and bestowed enduring Bliss upon it. And He measured therein its sustenance in Four Seasons, alike for all who (invariably) need it. (39:6)

Then He directed Himself1 to the heaven while it was smoke and said to it and to the earth, "Come [into being],2 willingly or by compulsion." They said, "We have come willingly."

Then He turned to heaven when it was vapour and said to it and to the earth, "Come willingly or unwillingly." They both said, "We come willingly

Likewise, He it is Who designed well the Sky when it was Smoke (Nebulae of gas). And He said to it and the earth, "Come both of you willingly or unwillingly." They said, "We do come, obedient." ('Thumm' = Afterward, then, so, likewise, similarly, in the like manner. The Cosmic bodies coming into their orbits willingly or unwillingly indicates their having been made subservient to the Divine Laws, without free will (3)

And He completed them as seven heavens within two days and inspired [i.e., made known] in each heaven its command. And We adorned the nearest heaven with lamps [i.e., stars, for beauty] and as protection.1 That is the determination of the Exalted in Might, the Knowing.

and in two Days He formed seven heavens, and revealed to each heaven its functions; and We adorned the lower heaven with brilliant lamps [stars] and guarded it. That is the decree of the Almighty, the All Knowing

And He it is Who ordained that they become seven Heavens in two stages and assigned to each heaven its function. And We decorated the sky of the world with shining lamps, and made them secure (that they clash not in their orbits (41:9)). That is the Design of the Almighty, the Knower

But if they turn away, then say, "I have warned you of a thunderbolt like the thunderbolt [that struck] ʿAad and Thamūd.

If they turn away, then say, "I warn you of a lightning-bolt like the one which struck the 'Ad and the Thamud

But if they turn away, then tell them, "I warn you of a thunder (of Requital) like the thunder of Aad and Thamud

[That occurred] when the messengers had come to them before them and after them, [saying], "Worship not except Allāh." They said, "If our Lord had willed,1 He would have sent down the angels, so indeed we, in that with which you have been sent, are disbelievers."

when the messengers came to them from before them and behind them, saying, 'Worship none but God!" They said, "If our Lord had willed, He would have sent down angels [to us]. Therefore, we shall never believe in your message

Behold, the Messengers came unto them in their former and latter generations, saying, "Serve none but Allah!" They replied, "If our Lord had willed, He would have sent down angels. This is it, behold, we are disbelievers in what you (claim) are sent with

As for ʿAad, they were arrogant upon the earth without right and said, "Who is greater than us in strength?" Did they not consider that Allāh who created them was greater than them in strength? But they were rejecting Our signs.

As for the tribe of 'Ad, they behaved arrogantly in the land without any justification and said, "Who is mightier than we in power?" Did they not see that God, who created them, was mightier than they in power? Still they continued to deny Our signs

Now as for Aad, they behaved proudly in the land doing things contrary to the Truth. And they used to say, "Who is mightier than us in power?" How - could they not realize that Allah, Who created them, is Mightier than they in power? But they went on denying Our Messages, knowingly. ('Ja'hd' = Rejecting the Truth knowingly)

So We sent upon them a screaming wind during days of misfortune to make them taste the punishment of disgrace in the worldly life; but the punishment of the Hereafter is more disgracing, and they will not be helped.

so We let loose upon them a raging wind over several inauspicious days, so that We might make them taste the torment of humiliation in the life of this world, and surely the torment of the Hereafter will be more humiliating. They shall have none to help them

And so We sent upon them a raging windstorm for days of misfortune, that We let them taste a punishment of humiliation in the life of this world. But the punishment of the Hereafter is far more humiliating and they will have none to help them

And as for Thamūd, We guided them, but they preferred blindness over guidance, so the thunderbolt of humiliating punishment seized them for what they used to earn.

As for the Thamud We offered them Our guidance, but they preferred blindness to guidance. So the lightning-bolt of the punishment of humiliation seized them on account of their misdeeds

And as for Thamud, We showed them the Way, but they preferred blindness over the light of Guidance. So the thunder of a degrading punishment seized them for what they used to earn

And We saved those who believed and used to fear Allāh.

We saved those who had attained to faith and were God-fearing

And We preserved those who had believed and walked aright. (The believers heeded the forewarning of their Messenger and had followed him to safety)

And [mention, O Muḥammad], the Day when the enemies of Allāh will be gathered to the Fire while they are [driven], assembled in rows,

On the Day that the enemies of God shall be gathered together and driven to the Fire, they shall be formed into groups, and

Hence, the Day! When the enemies of Allah will be gathered to the Fire, led in ranks

Until, when they reach it, their hearing and their eyes and their skins will testify against them of what they used to do.

when they come close to it, their ears, eyes and skins will testify against them for their misdeeds

Till, when they reach it, their hearing and their sight and their skins will bear witness against them, about all they had been doing

And they will say to their skins, "Why have you testified against us?" They will say, "We were made to speak by Allāh, who has made everything speak; and He created you the first time, and to Him you are returned.

And they will ask their skins, "Why did you bear witness against us?" and their skins will reply, "God, who gives speech to all things, has given speech to us [as well], it was He who created you in the first instance and to Him you are [now] brought back

And they will ask their skins, "Why did you testify against us?" They will say, "Allah has given us the power to speak as He has given speech to all things. For, He created you for the first time and unto Him you are brought back. (1)

And you were not covering [i.e., protecting] yourselves,1 lest your hearing testify against you or your sight or your skins, but you assumed that Allāh does not know much of what you do.

you could not hide yourselves from your ears and your eyes and your skins to prevent them from testifying against you, and you thought that God would never know much of what you did

And you did not hide yourselves that your hearing, or your sight or your skins would bear witness against you. Nay, but you thought that Allah never knew a great deal of what you were doing

And that was your assumption which you assumed about your Lord. It has brought you to ruin, and you have become among the losers."

but these thoughts which you entertained concerning your Lord, have brought you to destruction, and [now] you are among the utterly lost

And that very assumption that you thought about your Lord has brought you to ruin, and so now you find yourselves among the losers

So [even] if they are patient, the Fire is a residence for them; and if they ask to appease [Allāh], they will not be of those who are allowed to appease.

Even if they are patient, the Fire will still be their homes. And if they pray to be allowed to make amends, they will not be allowed to do so

And even if they bear with patience, the Fire will be their home. And if they ask to be allowed to make amends, their request will not be granted

And We appointed for them companions1 who made attractive to them what was before them and what was behind them [of sin], and the word [i.e., decree] has come into effect upon them among nations which had passed on before them of jinn and men. Indeed, they [all] were losers.

We assigned to them companions who made their doings appear fair to them. But the same decree [of punishment] proved true against them, which had proved true against nations of jinn and mankind who passed away before them. Surely they were the losers

(In the life of the world) We assigned them comrades who made pleasing to them their present and past actions. (The Divine Law so applied to them (43:36). "Birds of the same feather flock together.") - And so, the Word has come to pass for them as it did concerning the communities that lived before them, among the rural and the urban. Verily, they all are losers

And those who disbelieve say, "Do not listen to this Qur’ān and speak noisily1 during [the recitation of] it that perhaps you will overcome."

Those who deny the truth say, "Do not listen to this Quran. Drown it out with noise, so that you may gain the upper hand

Now those who adamantly deny the Truth, say, "Listen not to this Qur'an, but drown it in uproar so that you might dominate

But We will surely cause those who disbelieve to taste a severe punishment, and We will surely recompense them for the worst of what they had been doing.

Therefore, We will most certainly make those who are bent on denying the truth taste a severe punishment and We will most certainly requite them according to the worst of their deeds

But We shall certainly make these deniers taste an awful suffering, and verily, We shall requite them for the worst of their deeds

That is the recompense of the enemies of Allāh - the Fire. For them therein is the home of eternity as recompense for what they, of Our verses, were rejecting.

that is the reward of the enemies of God, the Fire will be their everlasting home, a reward for their rejection of Our revelations

That is the reward of Allah's enemies - the Fire. Therein will be their eternal home. A befitting reward, for they knowingly opposed Our Messages

And those who disbelieved will [then] say, "Our Lord, show us those who misled us of the jinn and men [so] we may put them under our feet1 that they will be among the lowest."

Those who deny the truth will say, "Our Lord, show us those jinn and men who misled us and we shall trample them underfoot, so that they may be among the lowest of the low

And the deniers will say, "Our Lord! Show us those, among the rural and the urban, who misled us. We will trample them underfoot so that they become the lowliest

Indeed, those who have said, "Our Lord is Allāh" and then remained on a right course - the angels will descend upon them, [saying], "Do not fear and do not grieve but receive good tidings of Paradise, which you were promised.

As for those who affirm, "Our Lord is God," and then remain steadfast, the angels will descend on them, saying, "Have no fear and do not grieve. Rejoice in the [good news of the] Garden that you have been promised

But, behold, as for those who say, "Our Lord is Allah," and then remain steadfastly upright - upon them descend angels, saying, "Fear not, and grieve not, but hear good news of the Paradise that you are promised. ('Angels descending and saying' = Allah's Laws supporting the steadfastly upright who submit to Allah alone. (3:124-125), (8:10-12), (33)

We [angels] were your allies in worldly life and [are so] in the Hereafter. And you will have therein whatever your souls desire, and you will have therein whatever you request [or wish]

We are your companions in this life and in the Hereafter. Therein you shall have all that your souls desire, and therein you shall have all that you ask for

We are close to you in the life of the world and in the Hereafter. In it (in your paradise on the earth and in the Hereafter) you shall have all that you may desire and in it you shall have all that you ever prayed for

As accommodation from a [Lord who is] Forgiving and Merciful."

as a rich provision from One who is ever forgiving and most merciful

A gift of welcome from Him Who is all-Forgiving, most-Merciful

And who is better in speech than one who invites to Allāh and does righteousness and says, "Indeed, I am of the Muslims."

Who speaks better than one who calls to God and does good works and says, "I am surely of those who submit

And who is better in speech than him who invites people to Allah, tries to grow himself in goodness, fulfills the needs of others and declares, "Surely, I am one of those who surrender unto Him

And not equal are the good deed and the bad. Repel [evil] by that [deed] which is better; and thereupon, the one whom between you and him is enmity [will become] as though he was a devoted friend.

Good and evil deeds are not equal. Repel evil with what is better; then you will see that one who was once your enemy has become your dearest friend

Since good conduct and bad conduct cannot be alike, repel evil words and deeds in a way that is decent. And, behold, he, between whom and you there was enmity, may become as though he was your bosom friend

But none is granted it except those who are patient, and none is granted it except one having a great portion [of good].

but no one will be granted such goodness except those who exercise patience and self-restraint -- no one is granted it save those who are truly fortunate

Yet, none is granted this quality but those who exercise patience and restraint. And none is granted it except those who become worthy of great happiness and good fortune. This quality can make you outstandingly successful, winning. ('Zu-hazzin azim' = Extremely fortunate, includes the two meanings rendered here)

And if there comes to you from Satan an evil suggestion, then seek refuge in Allāh. Indeed, He is the Hearing, the Knowing.

If a prompting from Satan should stir you, seek refuge with God: He is the All Hearing and the All Knowing

(This quality is difficult to attain because Satan, your impulsive emotions and rogue people, will try to instigate you.) Hence, if a prompting from Satan stirs you up into anger, seek refuge with Allah (recalling this admonition immediately). Behold, He is all Hearing, all Knowing

And of His signs are the night and day and the sun and moon. Do not prostrate to the sun or to the moon, but prostrate to Allāh, who created them, if it should be Him that you worship.1

Among His signs are the night and the day, and the sun and the moon. Do not prostrate yourselves before the sun and the moon, but prostrate yourselves before God who created them all, if it is truly Him that you worship

(Divine Laws help you journey through life in great balance as you see in the Nature). Now among His Signs are the night and the day as well as the sun and the moon. Adore neither the sun nor the moon, but adore Allah Who created them, if it is Him you wish to serve

But if they are arrogant - then those who are near your Lord [i.e., the angels] exalt Him by night and by day, and they do not become weary.

If they grow arrogant, [remember that] those who are with your Lord glorify Him night and day and never grow tired

But if they are too proud, those who are with your Lord, practically extol His Glory night and day, and tire not. (All things in the Universe are working toward the fulfillment of the Divine Plan)

And of His signs is that you see the earth stilled, but when We send down upon it rain, it quivers and grows. Indeed, He who has given it life is the Giver of Life to the dead. Indeed, He is over all things competent.

Among His signs is this: you see the earth dry and barren, but when We send down on it water, it stirs and swells: most surely He who gives it life is the giver of life to the dead; surely He has power over all things

And among His Signs is this: That you see the earth humble (to Command). And behold! When We send down water thereon, it thrills and vibrates with life! Behold, He Who revives it, verily is the Reviver of the dead. For, behold, He has Power over all things. (His Laws can revive the dead of heart and the lowly nations as well)

Indeed, those who inject deviation into Our verses1 are not concealed from Us. So, is he who is cast into the Fire better or he who comes secure on the Day of Resurrection? Do whatever you will; indeed, He is Seeing of what you do.

Those who distort the meaning of Our message are not concealed from Us. Who is better -- someone who will be thrown into the Fire or someone who will arrive in safety on the Day of Resurrection? Do as you will, He sees whatever you do

Behold, those who distort Our Messages are not hidden from Us. Hence, is he who is cast into the Fire better, or he who comes secure on the Resurrection Day? Do what you will; He is ever Seer of all that you do

Indeed, those who disbelieve in the message [i.e., the Qur’ān]1 after it has come to them...2 And indeed, it is a mighty3 Book.

Those who reject the Reminder [the Quran] when it comes to them [are the losers] -- truly it is a mighty Book

Think of those who fail to see the power in this Reminder when it comes to them! For, verily, it is a Tremendous Scripture

Falsehood cannot approach it from before it or from behind it; [it is] a revelation from a [Lord who is] Wise and Praiseworthy.

falsehood shall not reach from before or from behind. It is a revelation from the Wise, the One worthy of all praise

No falsehood can ever approach it openly or in stealth - a Revelation from all Wise, Owner of Praise

Nothing is said to you, [O Muḥammad], except what was already said to the messengers before you. Indeed, your Lord is a possessor of forgiveness and a possessor of painful penalty.

Nothing is said to you but what was said indeed to the messengers before you; surely your Lord is the Lord of forgiveness but also the Lord of painful retribution

Nothing is being said to you (O Messenger) but what was said to all Messengers before you. Behold, your Lord is Owner of the protecting forgiveness, and Owner of awesome grasp. ('Ghafarah' = Helmet of armor = Protecting from hurt = Absolving imperfections)

And if We had made it a foreign [i.e., non-Arabic] Qur’ān, they would have said, "Why are its verses not explained in detail [in our language]? Is it a foreign [recitation] and an Arab [messenger]?" Say, "It is, for those who believe, a guidance and cure." And those who do not believe - in their ears is deafness, and it is upon them blindness. Those are being called from a distant place.1

Had We sent this as a Quran [in a language] other than Arabic, they would have said, "Why are its verses not clearly explained? What! An Arab Prophet, and a scripture in a foreign tongue?" Say, "It is a guide and a healing to those who believe; but for those who do not believe, there is a deafness in their ears, and a covering over their eyes: they are [as it were] being called from a very distant place

Now if We had made it a Qur'an in a non-Arabic tongue they would surely have said, "Why is it that its verses have not been made clear? Why - a foreign tongue and an Arab?" Say, "For those who accept it, this is a Guidance and medicine for a wholesome life. But as for those who will not believe (Arabs or non-Arabs), in their ears is deafness, and so it remains obscure to them. They are like people who are called to from afar

And We had already given Moses the Scripture, but it came under disagreement.1 And if not for a word [i.e., decree]2 that preceded from your Lord, it would have been concluded between them. And indeed they are, concerning it [i.e., the Qur’ān], in disquieting doubt.

We gave Moses the Book, but differences were created concerning it: and had it not been for a word that had already gone forth from your Lord, the matter would have been decided between them; and certainly they are in grave doubt about it

Yes, indeed, We had given Moses the Scripture too (in their language), and it was also disputed. And but for a Word from your Lord that has already gone forth, all disputes between them would have been judged. And, behold, they keep lingering in doubt amounting to suspicion concerning this Revelation as well! (The Word gone forth = The Law of free will (2:256),

Whoever does righteousness - it is for his [own] soul; and whoever does evil [does so] against it. And your Lord is not ever unjust to [His] servants.

Whoever does what is just and right, does so for his own good; and whoever does evil, does so to his own detriment: and God is never in the least unjust to His creatures

(The Revelation that shows mankind how to grow their 'Self'.) Whoever does good to others does good to his own 'Self', and whoever causes imbalance in the lives of others, hurts his own 'Self'. And your Lord is never unjust to His servants

To Him [alone] is attributed knowledge of the Hour. And fruits emerge not from their coverings nor does a female conceive or give birth except with His knowledge. And the Day He will call to them, "Where are My 'partners'?" they will say, "We announce to You that there is [no longer] among us any witness [to that]."

He alone has knowledge of the Hour [of Judgment]. And no fruit emerges from its husk, nor does any female become pregnant or give birth, without His knowledge. On the Day He will call out to them, "Where are My associates?" They will reply, "We declare to You that none of us can bear witness to them

In Him alone is vested the knowledge of the Hour. (Actions reach their logical consequence in stages). And no fruit emerges from its sheath, and no female ever conceives, nor gives birth, but according to His Laws of Science. And so, on the Day He will call them, "Where are now those 'partners' of Mine?" They will say, "We confess to You, none of us sees them around here." ('Ilm = Knowledge = Skill = Science)

And lost from them will be those they were invoking before, and they will be certain that they have no place of escape.

[the deities] they invoked before will have vanished; they will know that there is no escape

And thus, those whom they used to call upon before, will leave them groping in the dark. And they will realize there is no asylum for them

Man is not weary of supplication for good [things], but if evil touches him, he is hopeless and despairing.

Man never tires of asking for the good things of life; but if evil fortune befalls him, he abandons all hope, giving himself up to despair

Man tires not of looking for wealth and happiness, and if harm touches him, soon he is disheartened, despondent. (100)

And if We let him taste mercy from Us after an adversity which has touched him, he will surely say, "This is [due] to me,1 and I do not think the Hour will occur; and [even] if I should be returned to my Lord, indeed, for me there will be with Him the best." But We will surely inform those who disbelieved about what they did, and We will surely make them taste a massive punishment.

When We give him a taste of some of Our mercy, after some adversity has touched him, he is sure to say, "This is my due. I do not think that the Hour is going to come. And even if I return to my Lord, He will surely reward me well." But truly We shall tell those who deny the truth [all] that they did, and shall make them suffer a hard punishment

And when We let him taste Grace from Us after some hurt that has touched him, he says, "This is from, and for, me. I think not that the Time will ever rise (to go against me). And if I am indeed brought back before my Lord, then, behold, with Him is even better return for me." (I shall be favored there as I am favored here). But We certainly will tell the ungrateful all that they did. And certainly We will make them taste heavy punishment. ('Ma Li' = For me, from me. 'As-Sa'ah' = The Hour = Resurrection = Revolution = Turn of fortunes = Time)

And when We bestow favor upon man, he turns away and distances himself; but when evil touches him, then he is full of extensive supplication.

When We grant a blessing to a man, he turns away and draws aside, but when any evil touches him, he is full of endless prayers

Also, when We bestow Bliss on man, he turns away, and withdraws aside, but when a hurt touches him, then he is full of prayers

Say, "Have you considered: if it [i.e., the Qur’ān] is from Allāh and you disbelieved in it, who would be more astray than one who is in extreme dissension?"

Say to them, "Have you considered, if this Quran is really from God and you still reject it, then who could be more astray than someone who has drifted far away from the truth

Say, "Have you ever considered: If this Revelation is truly from Allah and you deny it, then who can be more astray than he who is in a deep split of his personality or the one who opposes it?" (This Book from your Creator is all about you)

We will show them Our signs in the horizons and within themselves until it becomes clear to them that it is the truth.1 But is it not sufficient concerning your Lord that He is, over all things, a Witness?2

We shall show them Our signs in the universe and within themselves, until it becomes clear to them that this is the Truth. Is it not enough that your Lord is the witness of all things

In time We will show them Our Signs in the utmost Horizons and within themselves, so that it will become clear to them that this Qur'an is indeed the Truth. Is it not enough for them to know that your Lord is Witness to all things (including this proclamation)

Unquestionably, they are in doubt about the meeting with their Lord. Unquestionably He is, of all things, encompassing.

Yet they still doubt that they will ever meet their Lord. Surely, He encompasses all things

Oh, verily, they are still in doubt about the meeting with their Lord! How! Does He not encompass everything