42. Ash-Shuraa

Ḥā, Meem.

Ha Mim

M. Ha-Mim. Hameed the Owner of Praise, Majeed The Glorious

ʿAyn, Seen, Qāf.1

Ayn Sin Qaf

S.Q. 'Ain-Sein-Qaaf. Aleem the Knower, Samee' the Hearer, Qadir the Almighty, proclaims that

Thus has He revealed to you, [O Muḥammad], and to those before you - Allāh, the Exalted in Might, the Wise.

Thus God, the Powerful, the Wise, sends revelation to you as He did to those before you

Thus it is: Revealing to you (O Prophet) as He did to those before you, is Allah, the Almighty, the Wise

To Him belongs whatever is in the heavens and whatever is in the earth, and He is the Most High, the Most Great.1

All that is in the heavens and earth belongs to Him: He is the Exalted, the Almighty

Unto Him belongs all that is in the heavens and all that is in the earth. And the Most Exalted, the Tremendous is He

The heavens almost break from above them,1 and the angels exalt [Allāh] with praise of their Lord and ask forgiveness for those on earth. Unquestionably, it is Allāh who is the Forgiving, the Merciful.

The heavens are almost split asunder from above as the angels sing their Lord's praise and seek forgiveness for those on earth. God is indeed the Most Forgiving, the Most Merciful

The heavens above them would shatter (if the Universe were to run like the humans run their lives (19:88-91). But angels (the Divine Laws) practically extol their Lord's Glory by protecting the Order in the Universe. Oh, verily, Allah! He alone is the Absolver of imperfections, the Merciful. ('Malaekah = Angels = Divine Laws in the Universe. 'Yastaghfirun' = They help protect like a helmet protects the head. 'Sabh' = Swim in strides = Doing one's best)

And those who take as allies other than Him - Allāh is [yet] Guardian over them; and you, [O Muḥammad], are not over them a manager.

And [as for] those who take protectors besides Him, God is watching them and you are not a guardian over them

Now as for those who instead of Him take patrons, Allah is Watcher over them, and you are not a pleader on their behalf

And thus We have revealed to you an Arabic Qur’ān that you may warn the Mother of Cities [i.e., Makkah] and those around it1 and warn of the Day of Assembly, about which there is no doubt. A party will be in Paradise and a party in the Blaze.

Thus We revealed to you, this Arabic Quran so that you may warn the mother of cities [Makkah] and those around it, and warn them of the Day of Gathering which is sure to come: when some group will be in the Garden, and some will be in the Fire

And thus: We have revealed to you a Monograph in Arabic so that you may warn the Foremost of all towns and those who dwell around it, and may warn of the Day of Gathering, which is beyond all doubt. One group will be in the Garden, and one group will be in the Flames. (Such will happen in this world and in the life to come)

And if Allāh willed, He could have made them [of] one religion, but He admits whom He wills1 into His mercy. And the wrongdoers have not any protector or helper.

Had God so willed, He could have made all of them one community, but He admits into His mercy whom He wills; and the wrongdoers have neither protector, nor helper

Now had Allah willed, He could have made all of them one single community. But Allah brings into His Grace him who so wills (making himself worthy). Whereas for the violators of human rights shall be no patron and no helper

Or have they taken protectors [or allies] besides Him? But Allāh - He is the Protector, and He gives life to the dead, and He is over all things competent.

Have they taken for themselves protectors other than Him? But it is God who is the real Protector. He resurrects the dead, and He has power over all things

Or have they chosen patrons besides Him? But Allah, He alone is the Patron, since it is He alone Who revives the dead. (And His Laws can revive the dead of heart). He is the Appointer of due measure for all things

And in anything over which you disagree - its ruling is [to be referred] to Allāh. [Say], "That is Allāh, my Lord; upon Him I have relied, and to Him I turn back."1

In whatever you may differ, [O believers] the verdict thereon rests with God. [Say, therefore], "Such is God, my Lord: in Him I have placed my trust, and to Him I always turn

And in whatever you humans may differ, the Decision rests with Allah. (Say), "Such is Allah, my Lord. In Him I trust and unto Him I always turn." ((42:8). Turning to Allah = Turning to His Laws in the Qur'an

[He is] Creator of the heavens and the earth. He has made for you from yourselves, mates, and among the cattle, mates; He multiplies you thereby. There is nothing like unto Him,1 and He is the Hearing, the Seeing.2

Creator of the Heavens and the Earth, He has made spouses for you from among yourselves, as well as pairs of livestock by means of which He multiplies His creatures. Nothing can be compared with Him! He is the All Hearing, the All Seeing

Originator of the heavens and the earth! He has made for you pairs from among yourselves, and pairs among the quadrupeds, whereby He multiplies you. There is nothing whatsoever like unto Him. And He is the Hearer, the Seer

To Him belong the keys of the heavens and the earth. He extends provision for whom He wills and restricts [it]. Indeed He is, of all things, Knowing.

He is in complete control of heaven and earth; He gives abundantly to whoever He wills and gives sparingly to whoever He wills. He has full knowledge of all things

His are the Keys of the heavens and the earth. He grants abundant provision, or gives it in scant measure according to His Laws (of Economics given in the Qur'an. Mankind can open His Treasures only with His Keys (7:96), (28:77), (41:10)). Behold, He is the Knower of all things

He has ordained for you of religion what He enjoined upon Noah and that which We have revealed to you, [O Muḥammad], and what We enjoined upon Abraham and Moses and Jesus - to establish the religion and not be divided therein. Difficult for those who associate others with Allāh is that to which you invite them. Allāh chooses for Himself whom He wills and guides to Himself whoever turns back [to Him].

God has ordained for you the same religion which He enjoined on Noah, and which We have revealed to you, and which We enjoined upon Abraham and Moses and Jesus, so that you should remain steadfast in religion and not become divided in it. What you call upon the polytheists to do is hard for them; God chooses for Himself whoever He pleases and guides towards Himself those who turn to Him

He has ordained for you all, the same System of Life that He enjoined upon Noah - And We have revealed to you (O Prophet) the same Message as We enjoined upon Abraham, Moses, and Jesus: "Establish the Divine System of Life and make no sects in it." (O Prophet) Hard it is upon the idolaters (those who worship false 'authorities') the unity you call to. Allah draws unto Himself everyone who is willing, and guides unto Himself everyone who turns unto Him." (Sects vs. Unity: (3:32), (3:104), (6:160), (30:31), (42:13)

And they did not become divided until after knowledge had come to them - out of jealous animosity between themselves. And if not for a word1 that preceded from your Lord [postponing the penalty] until a specified time, it would have been concluded between them. And indeed, those who were granted inheritance of the Scripture after them are, concerning it, in disquieting doubt.

They became divided only after knowledge had reached them, out of mutual jealousy. Had it not been for a decree already passed by your Lord, [to reprieve them] till a specified period, the matter would surely have been decided between them. Those who inherited the Book after them are indeed in grave doubt, amounting to suspicion about it

And they became sects for no reason but through rivalry among themselves, after the Knowledge had come to them. Had it not been for a Word that has already gone forth from your Lord for an appointed term, all matters would have been decided among them. (The Word = The Law of free will, in this context). Behold, the later generations who inherited the Scripture of the old still keep harboring doubts about it

So to that [religion of Allāh] invite, [O Muḥammad],1 and remain on a right course as you are commanded and do not follow their inclinations but say, "I have believed in what Allāh has revealed of scripture [i.e., the Qur’ān], and I have been commanded to do justice among you. Allāh is our Lord and your Lord. For us are our deeds, and for you your deeds.2 There is no [need for] argument between us and you.3 Allāh will bring us together, and to Him is the [final] destination."

So call people to that faith and hold fast to it yourself as you are commanded, and do not be led by their desires, but say, "I believe in the Book which God has sent down, and I am commanded to do justice between you: God is our Lord and your Lord; we are responsible for what we do and you are responsible for what you do. There is no contention between us and you. God will gather us together, for to Him we shall return

Because of this (dilemma), then, (O Messenger) summon all mankind. And stand firm as you are commanded, and follow not their wishes. But announce, "I believe in the Book that Allah has revealed, and I am commanded to be just among you. Allah is our Lord and your Lord. We are responsible for our deeds and you are responsible for your deeds - No argument between us and you! (109:6). Allah will bring us together and unto Him is our journeying

And those who argue concerning Allāh after He has been responded to1 - their argument is invalid with their Lord, and upon them is [His] wrath, and for them is a severe punishment.

As for those who argue about God after He has been accepted, their arguments will carry no weight with their Lord, and His wrath will fall upon them. Severe punishment awaits them

And as for those who argue about Allah after He has been accepted (and the Divine System has been established as a living witness to the Truth), futile is their argument at their Lord. And upon them is condemnation and theirs will be a severe retribution

It is Allāh who has sent down the Book in truth and [also] the balance [i.e., justice]. And what will make you perceive? Perhaps the Hour is near.

It is God who has sent down the Book with the truth and the scales of justice. What will make you realize that the Hour might well have drawn near

Allah it is Who has revealed the Book setting forth the Truth, and the Balance (for people to weigh right and wrong.) And what will make you realize that the Hour (the consequence of your actions) might be close

Those who do not believe in it are impatient for it,1 but those who believe are fearful of it and know that it is the truth. Unquestionably, those who dispute concerning the Hour are in extreme error.

Those who do not believe in it seek to hasten it, but those who believe in it dread it, and know it to be the truth. Those who dispute the Hour have gone far astray

Only those who deny it seek to hasten it. But the believers remain conscious of the Law of Requital knowing that it is the Truth. Oh, verily, those who call the Hour in question have indeed gone far astray. ('As you sow so shall you reap' is all that free will and the Law of requital are about)

Allāh is Subtle1 with His servants; He gives provision to whom He wills. And He is the Powerful, the Exalted in Might.

God is most Gracious to His creatures: He provides sustenance for whoever He wills -- for He alone is the Powerful One, the Almighty

Allah is Sublime, Aware of the minutest needs of His servants. He provides for them (even if they deny Him) according to His Laws. And He is the Strong, the Almighty

Whoever desires the harvest of the Hereafter - We increase for him in his harvest [i.e., reward]. And whoever desires the harvest [i.e., benefits] of this world - We give him thereof, but there is not for him in the Hereafter any share.

To him who desires a harvest in the life to come, We shall grant an increase in his harvest; whereas to him who desires [but] a harvest in this world, We [may] give something thereof -- but he will have no share in [the blessings of] the life to come

Whoever desires the harvest of the life to come, We increase his harvest. And whoever desires only the harvest of this world, We give him something thereof, but he will have no share in the life to come. (Individuals and nations attain prosperity in both lives only by submitting to the Divine Values)

Or have they partners [i.e., other deities] who have ordained for them a religion to which Allāh has not consented? But if not for the decisive word,1 it would have been concluded between them. And indeed, the wrongdoers will have a painful punishment.

Do they have associate gods who have laid down for them a religion without the permission of God? Had it not been for God's decree on the final Judgement, the matter would have been decided between them. Surely the wrongdoers shall have a painful punishment

What! Do they have 'partners' who have set up for them some religion without Allah's leave? And but for a Decisive Word (the period of Respite), all matters would have been decided between them immediately. Verily, there is an awful doom for those who relegate the Truth

You will see the wrongdoers fearful of what they have earned, and it will [certainly] befall them. And those who have believed and done righteous deeds will be in lush regions of the gardens [in Paradise] having whatever they will in the presence of their Lord. That is what is the great bounty.

You will see the wrongdoers fearful of the consequences of their deeds, which will be inescapable. Whereas, those who have believed and done righteous deeds, will be in the meadows of the Garden and shall have whatever they desire from their Lord. That will be the supreme favour

You will see the transgressors worrying about what they had been doing, and their earning is bound to fall back upon them. And those who accept the Message and enhance the society will be in flowery rows of the Gardens. For them is whatever they desire from their Lord. This, this indeed is the Great Bounty

It is that of which Allāh gives good tidings to His servants who believe and do righteous deeds. Say, [O Muḥammad], "I do not ask you for it [i.e., this message] any payment [but] only good will through [i.e., due to] kinship." And whoever commits a good deed - We will increase for him good therein. Indeed, Allāh is Forgiving and Appreciative.1

These are the glad tidings which God gives to His servants who believe and do righteous deeds. Say, "I do not ask of you any reward for it, except [that I am inviting you to God because of] love of kinship." Whoever earns a good deed, We shall increase its good for him; God is most forgiving, most appreciative

This is the good news from Allah to His servants who believe and lead a righteous life. Say, "No reward do I ask you for this other than that you show loving kindness to the ones near (in the human bond, and thus seek the Way to your Lord (25:57))." For, anyone who benefits people, We shall grant him additional good. And, verily, Allah is ever Absolver of imperfections, Responsive to gratitude

Or do they say, "He has invented about Allāh a lie"? But if Allāh willed, He could seal over your heart.1 And Allāh eliminates falsehood and establishes the truth by His words. Indeed, He is Knowing of that within the breasts.

Do they say, "He has invented a lie about God"? If God so willed, He could seal your heart. God wipes out falsehood and vindicates the truth by His words. He has full knowledge of what is in men's hearts

Do they say, "He has invented a lie about Allah?" But then, had Allah so willed, He could have made your heart insensitive (10:16). And Allah will wipe out the falsehood and will prove the Truth by His Words. Verily, He is the Knower of all that is in the hearts

And it is He who accepts repentance from His servants and pardons misdeeds, and He knows what you do.

He accepts repentance from His servants and pardons their sins. He knows everything you do

And He it is Who accepts repentance from His servants, and pardons their ill-deeds and He knows all you do. ('Taubah' = Repentance = Coming to the right course and taking corrective action. Pardon = Blotting out the unfavorable imprints on the human "Self)

And He answers [the supplication of] those who have believed and done righteous deeds and increases [for] them from His bounty. But the disbelievers will have a severe punishment.

He responds to those who believe and do good deeds, and gives them more of His bounty; agonizing torment awaits the deniers of the truth

And accepts all those who attain belief and help others, and He gives them a far exceeding reward from His bounty. But for those who adamantly deny the Truth and choose to stay in darkness, is a severe retribution

And if Allāh had extended [excessively] provision for His servants, they would have committed tyranny throughout the earth. But He sends [it] down in an amount which He wills. Indeed He is, of His servants, Aware and Seeing.

If God were to grant His abundant provision to [all] His creatures, they would act insolently on earth, but He sends down in due measure whatever He will, for He is well aware of His servants and watchful over them

And if Allah made His provision unlimited for His servants, they would have created more disorder in the earth (by increasing in pride and greed (96:6)). But as it is, He bestows His provision in due measure according to His Laws. For, behold, He is Aware, Seer of His servants (their needs and their psyche)

And it is He who sends down the rain after they had despaired and spreads His mercy. And He is the Protector, the Praiseworthy.

it is He who sends rain after they have despaired and spreads His mercy far and wide. He is the Protector, Worthy of All Praise

And He it is Who sends down rain after they have despaired and He spreads out His Grace widely. And He is the Protecting Friend, the Owner of all Praise

And of His signs is the creation of the heavens and earth and what He has dispersed throughout them of creatures. And He, for gathering them when He wills, is competent.

Among His signs is the creation of the heavens and earth and all the living creatures He has dispersed throughout them: He has the power to gather them all together whenever He will

And among His Signs is the creative design of the Heavens and the Earth, and the living creatures which He has dispersed throughout them. And He is Able to gather them together when He will. (Herein is an allusion to the existence of life in other celestial bodies, and to man meeting with the 'aliens' some day)

And whatever strikes you of disaster - it is for what your hands have earned; but He pardons much.

Whatever misfortune befalls you is of your own doing, God forgives much

Now whatever calamity befalls you, is a consequence of your own actions and He pardons a great deal. (If mankind harmonize themselves with Divine Laws, their Systems would run as orderly as the rest of the Universe does)

And you will not cause failure [to Allāh]1 upon the earth. And you have not besides Allāh any protector or helper.

you cannot escape Him anywhere on earth. You have no protector or helper other than God

And you cannot evade the Law of Requital anywhere in the earth, and you have no patron and no helper besides Allah

And of His signs are the ships in the sea, like mountains.

Among His signs are the ships sailing like mountains on the sea

And among His Signs are the ships that sail like bannered mountains through the seas

If He willed, He could still the wind, and they would remain motionless on its surface. Indeed in that are signs for everyone patient and grateful.

if He willed, He could bring the wind to a standstill and they would lie motionless on the surface of the sea, truly there are signs in this for anyone who is steadfast and grateful

And if He so wills He calms the winds so that they come to a halt on its surface. Herein, behold, are signs for everyone who is patient (in reading the Book of Nature) and grateful (for what he learns)

Or He could destroy them1 for what they earned; but He pardons much.

or He may cause them to founder because of people's misdeeds, He pardons many of them

Or that He may cause them to perish as a consequence of their deeds, but He forgives a great deal. (The human 'Self' may progress like ships that sail freely through the sea, suffer stagnancy, or perish to a subhuman existence)

And [that is so] those who dispute concerning Our signs may know that for them there is no place of escape.

those who dispute Our signs shall learn that they have no escape

And those who dispute about Our Signs, let them know that they have no shelter outside Our Laws

So whatever thing you have been given - it is but [for] enjoyment of the worldly life. But what is with Allāh is better and more lasting for those who have believed and upon their Lord rely

Whatever you have been given is only a temporary provision of this life, but that which is with God is better and more lasting for those who believe and put their trust in their Lord

Now whatever you are given is but a fleeting enjoyment of the life of this world. And that which is with Allah is far better and more lasting - for all those who believe in Divine Laws and trust in their Lord

And those who avoid the major sins and immoralities, and when they are angry, they forgive,

who refrain from heinous sins and gross indecencies; who forgive when they are angry

And desist from actions that most of all drag down the individual and collective human potential, and from stinginess and obscene behavior, and when annoyed, readily forgive people. ((4:31), (53:32). 'Fawahish' = Indecencies, miserliness amounting to shame

And those who have responded to their Lord and established prayer and whose affair is [determined by] consultation among themselves, and from what We have provided them, they spend,

who respond to their Lord and attend to their prayers; who conduct their affairs by mutual consultation and spend out of what We have provided for them

And who respond to their Lord, and establish the Divine System and who conduct their affairs by mutual consultation. And they spend on others of what We have given them

And those who, when tyranny strikes them, they retaliate [in a just manner].1

who, when they are attacked, defend themselves

And who, whenever frank injustice afflicts them, stand up for their rights. (They establish the System wherein the oppressed is helped and the oppressor is requited)

And the retribution for an evil act is an evil one like it, but whoever pardons and makes reconciliation - his reward is [due] from Allāh. Indeed, He does not like wrongdoers.

Let harm be requited by an equal harm. But whoever pardons and amends will find his reward with God. He does not love the wrongdoers

But requiting evil may become an evil in itself! Hence, whoever pardons and makes peace, his reward rests with Allah. Verily, He loves not the violators of human rights

And whoever retaliates after having been wronged - those have not upon them any cause [for blame].

Those who defend themselves after they have been wronged cannot be held blameworthy

And whoever stands up for his rights and defends himself, when he has been wronged, for such, there is no blame against them

The cause is only against the ones who wrong the people and tyrannize upon the earth without right. Those will have a painful punishment.

blame falls only on those who wrong men and transgress on this earth without justification, such will have a painful punishment

The blame is against those who oppress people, and cause disorder in the earth resorting to aggression unprovoked. They are the ones for whom there is an awful doom

And whoever is patient and forgives - indeed, that is of the matters [worthy] of resolve.1

whoever is patient and forgiving, acts with great courage and resolution

And, verily, whoever is patient and forgives, behold, that indeed is from strength of character

And he whom Allāh sends astray - for him there is no protector beyond Him. And you will see the wrongdoers, when they see the punishment, saying, "Is there for return [to the former world] any way?"

Anyone whom God lets go astray will thereafter have no protector whatsoever: you will see the wrongdoers, when they face the punishment, exclaiming, "Is there no way back

And he whom Allah lets go astray has, then on, no protector. And you will see the oppressors when they face the punishment how they say, "Is there any way of return!" (Allah lets go astray = People only go astray by defying the Divine Law of Guidance)

And you will see them being exposed to it [i.e., the Fire], humbled from humiliation, looking from [behind] a covert glance. And those who had believed will say, "Indeed, the [true] losers are the ones who lost themselves and their families on the Day of Resurrection. Unquestionably, the wrongdoers are in an enduring punishment."

You will see them exposed to the Fire, abject in humiliation, glancing furtively at it, while those who believed will say, "The losers are those ones who have forfeited their souls and their people on the Day of Resurrection." Truly, the wrongdoers will remain in everlasting torment

And you will see them facing it, humiliated, looking and yet not looking. And those who believe will say, "Verily, lost on this Day of Resurrection are those who had wasted their own 'Self' and their families." Oh, verily, the wrongdoers will fall into lasting suffering

And there will not be for them any allies to aid them other than Allāh. And whoever Allāh sends astray - for him there is no way.

they will have no allies to help them against God; there is no way [forward] for those whom God lets go astray

And they will have no patrons to help them instead of Allah. One who goes astray by violating the Laws of Guidance, for him there is no road

Respond to your Lord before a Day comes from Allāh of which there is no repelling. No refuge will you have that Day, nor for you will there be any denial.1

Respond to your Lord before a Day arrives that will not be averted [against God's will]. You will not find any refuge from God on that Day, nor will you have [any opportunity] to deny your sins

Hence, respond to your Lord before there comes to you from Allah a Day which is not to be averted. There will be no shelter for you on that Day nor will you have any rebuttal to what you did

But if they turn away - then We have not sent you, [O Muḥammad], over them as a guardian; upon you is only [the duty of] notification. And indeed, when We let man taste mercy from Us, he rejoices in it; but if evil afflicts him for what his hands have put forth, then indeed, man is ungrateful.

Now if they turn away, We have not sent you [O Prophet] as their keeper: your responsibility is only to convey the message. Man is such that when We let him taste Our mercy, he exults in it, but if an evil befalls him which is his own doing, he becomes utterly ungrateful

But if they turn away, We have not sent you as a guardian over them. Your job is to convey the Message. And behold, when We cause man to taste of Grace form Us, he rejoices in it. And if a calamity befalls them as a consequence of their own doings, then, behold, man is contentious against Divine Laws. (They say that God had so willed)

To Allāh belongs the dominion of the heavens and the earth; He creates what He wills. He gives to whom He wills female [children], and He gives to whom He wills males.

God has control of the heavens and the earth; He creates whatever He will -- He grants female offspring to whoever He will, male to whoever He will

To Allah belongs the Dominion of the heavens and the earth. He creates and designs all things according to His Laws. He bestows the gift of daughters according to His Laws and the gift of sons according to His Laws

Or He makes them [both] males and females, and He renders whom He wills barren. Indeed, He is Knowing and Competent.

or both male and female, and He leaves whoever He will barren; He is all-knowing and all powerful

Or He bestows both males and females, and He leaves infertile some according to His Laws. For, verily, He is the all Knowing Appointer of designs

And it is not for any human being that Allāh should speak to him except by revelation or from behind a partition or that He sends a messenger [i.e., angel] to reveal, by His permission, what He wills. Indeed, He is Most High and Wise.

It is not granted to any human being that God should speak to him other than by revelation or from behind a veil, or by sending him a messenger, so that the messenger may reveal, by His command, whatsoever He will. Truly, He is exalted and wise

And it is not for any human being that Allah will speak to him other than through direct Revelation (on the heart of His Messengers) or from behind a barrier (such as at Mount Sinai to Moses) or by sending a Messenger to convey His Words with His Permission (as all Messengers did). Verily, He is the Most High, the Wise

And thus We have revealed to you an inspiration of Our command [i.e., the Qur’ān]. You did not know what is the Book or [what is] faith, but We have made it a light by which We guide whom We will of Our servants. And indeed, [O Muḥammad], you guide to a straight path -

We have thus revealed a Spirit to you [Prophet] by Our command: you knew neither the Scripture nor the faith, but We made it a light, guiding with it whoever We will of Our servants. You are indeed guiding to the straight path

And thus We have revealed to you (O Prophet) a life-giving Message, by Our Command. You knew not what Revelation is, nor what Faith implies. (That the Power of Faith could revolutionize humanity). But now We have made it a Light, whereby We show the Way to Our servants according to Our Law of Guidance. And, verily, (O Prophet) you shall certainly show them the Straight Path

The path of Allāh, to whom belongs whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on the earth. Unquestionably, to Allāh do [all] matters evolve [i.e., return].

the path of God, to whom belongs all that is in the heavens and on the earth. Indeed all matters return eventually to God

The Path that leads to Allah, to Whom belongs all that is in the heavens and all that is in the earth. Oh, verily, with Allah is the beginning and with Him is the end of all affairs. (All things go back to Him as their Source, and all things pursue their course according to His Laws)