47. Muhammad

Those who disbelieve and avert [people] from the way of Allāh - He will waste their deeds.1

God will bring to naught all the good deeds of those who are bent on denying the truth and bar [others] from the path of God

(Know that) those who deny the Truth and bar others from the Way of Allah, He causes their actions to be lost. (Even their good deeds will carry no weight against this mountain load of infringement)

And those who believe and do righteous deeds and believe in what has been sent down upon Muḥammad - and it is the truth from their Lord - He will remove from them their misdeeds and amend their condition.

As for those who believe and do good deeds and believe in what has been revealed to Muhammad, and it is the truth from their Lord, God will remove their sins from them and set their condition right

Whereas those who attain faith and help enhance the society, and believe in what has been revealed to Muhammad - for he is the Truth from their Lord - He will absolve their imperfections, erase the imprints of their faults, and direct their hearts and minds unto rightful contentment

That is because those who disbelieve follow falsehood, and those who believe follow the truth from their Lord. Thus does Allāh present to the people their comparisons.1

That is because the ones who deny the truth follow falsehood, while those who believe follow the Truth from their Lord. Thus God sets forth comparisons for mankind

This, because those who deny the Truth (have no choice but to) follow Falsehood, and those who believe follow the Truth from their Lord. This is how Allah exemplifies concepts to people from within their own composition. ('Amthalahum' = Their own examples = Illustrations from within themselves = Their own demonstrations = Typify from their own)

So when you meet those who disbelieve [in battle], strike [their] necks until, when you have inflicted slaughter upon them, then secure [their] bonds,1 and either [confer] favor2 afterwards or ransom [them] until the war lays down its burdens.3 That [is the command]. And if Allāh had willed, He could have taken vengeance upon them [Himself], but [He ordered armed struggle] to test some of you by means of others. And those who are killed in the cause of Allāh - never will He waste their deeds.

When you meet those who deny the truth in battle, strike them in the neck, and once they are defeated, make [them] prisoners, and afterwards either set them free as an act of grace, or let them ransom [themselves] until the war is finally over. Thus you shall do; and if God had pleased, He would certainly have exacted retribution from them, but His purpose is to test some of you by means of others. As for those who are killed in God's cause, He will never let their deeds be in vain

Now if you meet the disbelievers in battle, strike at their command centers. When you have subdued them, bind in a firm bond, and thereafter an act of kindness or ransom till the battle lays down its weapons. (Free the captives as an act of kindness or ransom, such as in exchange for your men in their captivity. There is no third option). And if Allah willed, He could indeed punish them Himself, but that He may let you humans test one by means of another (as to which nation remains vigilant). And, as for those who are slain in the Cause of Allah, He will never let their actions be lost

He will guide them and amend their condition

He will guide them and improve their condition

He will instantly guide them (straight to Paradise (47:6)), and direct their hearts and minds unto rightful contentment

And admit them to Paradise, which He has made known to them.

He will admit them into the Garden He has already made known to them

And bring them into the Garden which He has made known to them

O you who have believed, if you support Allāh, He will support you and plant firmly your feet.

Believers! If you succour God, He will succour you and make your footsteps firm

O You who have chosen to be graced with belief! If you help Allah, He will help you and will strengthen your foothold

But those who disbelieve - for them is misery, and He will waste their deeds.

But as for those who are bent on denying the truth, destruction will be their lot, and [God] will make their deeds come to nothing

And trip and fall on their face all those who journey through life in the darkness of Ignorance. And the Divine Law causes their actions to be lost. ('Ta'as' = Trip and fall on the face)

That is because they disliked what Allāh revealed, so He rendered worthless their deeds.

It is because they are averse to what God has revealed that He has rendered their deeds futile

This, because they detest what Allah has revealed, and so He renders all their actions fruitless.(13:17). ('Habet' = Undigested food that fails to provide nourishment)

Have they not traveled through the land and seen how was the end of those before them? Allāh destroyed [everything] over them,1 and for the disbelievers is something comparable.

Have they not travelled the earth and seen how those before them met their end? God destroyed them utterly: a similar fate awaits those who deny the truth

Have they not, then, traveled in the land and seen what eventually happened to those who lived before them? Allah wiped them out, and for the deniers of Truth shall be the like thereof

That is because Allāh is the protector of those who have believed and because the disbelievers have no protector.

That is because God is the protector of the believers, and those who deny the truth have no protector at all

This, because Allah is the Patron of those who accept His Commands, whereas there is no patron for those who deny the Truth

Indeed, Allāh will admit those who have believed and done righteous deeds to gardens beneath which rivers flow, but those who disbelieve enjoy themselves and eat as grazing livestock eat, and the Fire will be a residence for them.

God will admit those who believe and do good deeds to Gardens through which rivers flow. Those who deny the truth may take their fill of pleasure in this world, and eat as cattle do, but the Fire will be their ultimate abode

Verily, Allah will admit all those who accept His Message and fulfill the needs of others into Gardens beneath which rivers flow. But those who deny the Truth, may partake of life and eat like the cattle (live and) eat, and the Fire will be their abode. (Living without a Noble Ideology reduces human beings to a subhuman existence)

And how many a city was stronger than your city [i.e., Makkah] which drove you out? We destroyed them; and there was no helper for them.

How many towns We have destroyed, greater in strength than your city which has driven you out, and there was no one to help them

And how many a township mightier in power than this your township which has evicted you (O Prophet), have We annihilated! And (then) they had no helper

So is he who is on clear evidence from his Lord like him to whom the evil of his work has been made attractive and they follow their [own] desires?

Can then he who takes his stand on clear evidence from his God be likened to those for whom the evil that they do is made to look beautiful, and who follow their own desires

Is, then, he who lives by an evident Truth from his Lord like the one to whom his disruptive behavior seems pleasing - while such people are but following their own desires

Is the description of Paradise, which the righteous are promised, wherein are rivers of water unaltered,1 rivers of milk the taste of which never changes, rivers of wine delicious to those who drink, and rivers of purified honey, in which they will have from all [kinds of] fruits and forgiveness from their Lord... [Are its inhabitants] like those who abide eternally in the Fire and are given to drink scalding water that will sever their intestines?

Here is a description of the Garden promised to the righteous: therein are rivers of water which is forever pure; and rivers of milk of which the taste never changes; and rivers of wine, a delight to those who drink it, and rivers of pure honey. And in it they will have all kinds of fruit, and will receive forgiveness from their Lord. Can those who enjoy such bliss be like those who abide in the Fire and who are given boiling water to drink so that it tears their bowels

In allegorical terms the Paradise that the righteous are promised is this: Therein are rivers of ever fresh water, and rivers of ever fresh milk, and rivers of delicious wine, and rivers of clear-run honey. Therein are all kinds of fruit (of their good deeds), with a life secure from deterioration bestowed upon them from their Lord. Are they like the ones who abide in the Fire and are given drinks of burning despair that tears their insides? ('Maghfirah' here denotes protection from deterioration)

And among them, [O Muḥammad], are those who listen to you, until when they depart from you, they say to those who were given knowledge,1 "What has he said just now?" Those are the ones of whom Allāh has sealed over their hearts and who have followed their [own] desires.

Among them are those who listen to you, but then, when they leave your presence, say to those who have been given knowledge [Scripture], "What was that he just said?" Such are those whose hearts God has sealed, and who follow their own base desires

(O Messenger) Among them are some who pretend to listen to you, and then, as soon as they leave your presence, they ask others who have received knowledge, "What was it that he just said?" Such are the ones whose hearts Allah has sealed, for their minds are always contemplating ways to fulfill their desires. (4:155), (10:74), (16:106), (17:45), (4)

And those who are guided - He increases them in guidance and gives them their righteousness.1

But as for those who follow guidance, He adds to their guidance, and shows them the way to righteousness

While as for those who wish to walk in the Light, He shows them the way all along, and secures for them their journey through life. ('Huda' = Brightness, light, guidance, beacon, showing the way, lead the lost)

Then do they await except that the Hour should come upon them unexpectedly? But already there have come [some of] its indications. Then how [i.e., what good] to them, when it has come, will be their remembrance?

Are they awaiting the Hour of Doom to come upon them suddenly? Its signs have already come. But of what avail will their admonition be to them when it has actually come upon them

Are they, then, waiting for the Hour that may come upon them suddenly? And the signs of confrontation have already appeared. And when it comes to them, how shall their understanding (of the Truth) will help them

So know, [O Muḥammad], that there is no deity except Allāh and ask forgiveness for your sin1 and for the believing men and believing women. And Allāh knows of your movement and your resting place.

Know then that there is no god except God. Ask forgiveness for your wrongdoing, and for the men and women who believe. God knows both your movements and your lodging

So (O Prophet) remain consciously and incessantly aware that there is no 'power' but Allah, and protect yourself against the rumors and slander that the enemy sticks after you, and the believing men, and the believing women. Devise means to counter whatever may cause your community to lag behind in their Mission. For, Allah knows (the meticulous ways) how you move about in your daily lives and what your blessed destination is. ('Wastaghfir' = Protect. Zanb = Tail = Rumors and slander that are stuck behind one's back = Lagging behind like the tail lags behind an animal's body)

Those who believe say, "Why has a sūrah1 not been sent down?" But when a precise sūrah is revealed and battle is mentioned therein, you see those in whose hearts is disease [i.e., hypocrisy] looking at you with a look of one overcome by death. And more appropriate for them2 [would have been]

Those who believe ask why no chapter [about fighting] has been sent down. Yet when a decisive chapter that mentions fighting is sent down, you can see the sick of heart looking at you [Prophet] as if they were under the shadow of death. Therefore, woe to them

Now those who have believed, say, "Why is not an injunction revealed (permitting us to fight in self-defense?)" But now when a decisive injunction has been revealed about fighting, you find the hypocrites looking at you as if they were fainting to death. And yet, the foremost good for them would be

Obedience and good words. And when the matter [of fighting] was determined, if they had been true to Allāh, it would have been better for them.

Obedience and saying what is just would become them more; when the decision is taken, it would be better for them if they acted sincerely towards God

Obedience and a righteous word. For, once a matter has been determined, it would be best for them if they were true to Allah

So would you perhaps, if you turned away,1 cause corruption on earth and sever your [ties of] relationship?

Then if you turn away, you are likely to spread corruption on the earth and sever your ties of kinship

Would you then, rather turn back (to the old ways of Ignorance) and work corruption in the land, and break the common bond of humanity and your ties of mutual relationships

Those [who do so] are the ones that Allāh has cursed, so He deafened them and blinded their vision.

Such are those whom God has rejected, making their ears deaf and their eyes blind

Such are they whom Allah deprives of His Grace, and whom He makes deaf, and blinds their sight

Then do they not reflect upon the Qur’ān, or are there locks upon [their] hearts?

Will they not, then, ponder over this Quran? Or are there locks upon their hearts

Will they not then reflect on the Qur'an, or is it that they have locks on their hearts (which bar them from reason)

Indeed, those who reverted back [to disbelief] after guidance had become clear to them - Satan enticed them and prolonged hope for them.

Surely, those who turn their backs [on this message] after guidance has been shown to them, [do it because] Satan has embellished their fancies and God gives them respite

Behold, those who slide back after the Guidance has been made clear to them, do so because Satan has charmed them into utopia

That is because they said to those who disliked what Allāh sent down,1 "We will obey you in part of the matter." And Allāh knows what they conceal.

because they say to those who abhor what God has revealed, "We will obey you in some matters." God knows their secrets

This, because they say to those who resent the Qur'an, "We will be with you in part of your plans." And Allah fully knows their secret consultations

Then how [will it be] when the angels take them in death, striking their faces and their backs?

Then how will it be when the angels take their souls, beating them on their faces and their backs

Then how will it be when the angels gather them in death, smiting their faces and backs? (They leave the world in emotional agony for not having readied themselves for the life to come)

That is because they followed what angered Allāh and disliked [what earns] His pleasure, so He rendered worthless their deeds.

because they followed the way that made God wrathful, and hated to adopt the way of His pleasure? So He made their actions come to nothing

This, because they followed that which brings Allah's disapproval, and detested the actions that win His Approval. And so, He renders all their actions fruitless

Or do those in whose hearts is disease think that Allāh would never expose their [feelings of] hatred?

Do the sick at heart imagine that God will not bring to light their malice

Or do the hypocrites think that Allah will not reveal their malice

And if We willed, We could show them to you, and you would know them by their mark; but you will surely know them by the tone of [their] speech. And Allāh knows your deeds.

Now had We so willed, We could have shown them clearly to you, and then you could have identified them by their marks, but surely you will know them by the tone of their speech! God knows all that you do

Had We so willed, We could have pointed them out to you and you would have identified them by their faces. But you will surely recognize them by the tone of their speech. And Allah knows all that you humans do

And We will surely test you until We make evident those who strive among you [for the cause of Allāh] and the patient, and We will test your affairs.

Most certainly We will try you until We have discovered those among you who strive their hardest, and those who are steadfast, and will test your record

And verily We shall try you all in order to distinguish the valiant among you and the steadfast. And We shall put your reputation to test

Indeed, those who disbelieved and averted [people] from the path of Allāh and opposed the Messenger after guidance had become clear to them - never will they harm Allāh at all, and He will render worthless their deeds.

Surely, they who are bent on denying the truth and on barring [others] from the path of God, and oppose the Messenger when they have been shown guidance, cannot harm God in any way. He will cause all their deeds to come to nothing

Behold, those who deny the Truth and hinder the Path of Allah, and oppose the Messenger after guidance has been clearly conveyed to them, cannot harm Allah in the least. And He will make all their deeds fruitless

O you who have believed, obey Allāh and obey the Messenger and do not invalidate your deeds.

Believers, obey God and obey the Messenger: do not let your deeds go to waste

O You who have chosen to be graced with belief! Obey Allah, and obey the Messenger, and render not your actions vain

Indeed, those who disbelieved and averted [people] from the path of Allāh and then died while they were disbelievers - never will Allāh forgive them.

surely those who reject the truth and bar others from the path of God, then die as deniers of the truth, will not be granted forgiveness by God

Verily, those who deny the Message and hinder the Path of Allah, and then die as disbelievers, Allah will not grant them the protection of forgiveness

So do not weaken and call for peace while you are superior; and Allāh is with you and will never deprive you of [the reward of] your deeds.

So do not lose heart or appeal for peace when you have gained the upper hand. God is with you and will never let your works go to waste

And so, be not weary and keep calling unto the abode of Peace and Security, for, you shall surely attain high ranks. And Allah is with you, and He will never put you in loss for your efforts

[This] worldly life is only amusement and diversion. And if you believe and fear Allāh, He will give you your rewards and not ask you for your properties.

The life of this world is only a game, a pastime, but if you believe and are mindful of God, He will recompense you and will not ask you for your wealth

The life of this world is but a sport and amusement. But if you believe and walk aright, He will give you your rewards, and will not ask you to give up your wealth

If He should ask you for them and press you, you would withhold, and He would expose your hatred [i.e., unwillingness].

If He were to ask it [wealth] of you, and continued to press you, you would be niggardly, and this would show your ill-will

If He were to demand and compel you for it, you would cling to in stinginess, and He would (thus) reveal your shortcomings

Here you are - those invited to spend in the cause of Allāh - but among you are those who withhold [out of greed]. And whoever withholds only withholds [benefit] from himself; and Allāh is the Free of need, while you are the needy. And if you turn away [i.e., refuse], He will replace you with another people; then they will not be the likes of you.

Behold! You are those who are called upon to spend for God's cause, but among you are those who are niggardly, and whoever stints does so against his own self. Indeed, God is self-sufficient, but you stand in need [of Him], and if you turn back, He will bring in your place another people, who will not be like you

Behold, you are those who are called upon to spend in the Cause of Allah. Yet, among you there are such who turn niggardly. Anyone who is miser is miser against his own 'Self'. And Allah is the Rich, and you are the poor. And if you turn away, He will replace you with another nation, and they will not be like you