Introduction to
Surah
42. Ash-Shûra
In the Name of Allâh, the Most
Beneficent, the Most Merciful.
1. HâMîm.
2. 'AînSînQâf.
[These letters are one of the miracles of the Qur'ân,
and none but Allâh (Alone) knows their meanings].
3. Likewise Allâh,
the All-Mighty, the All-Wise inspires you (O Muhammad SAW) as (He inspired) those before
you.[]
4. To Him belongs
all that is in the heavens and all that is in the earth, and He
is the Most High, the Most Great.
5. Nearly the heavens
might rent asunder from above them (by His Majesty), and the angels
glorify the praises of their Lord, and ask for forgiveness for
those on the earth, verily, Allâh is the Oft-Forgiving,
the Most Merciful.
6. And as for those
who take as Auliyâ' (guardians, supporters, helpers,
protectors, etc.) others besides Him [i.e. they take false deities
other than Allâh (as) protectors, and they worship them]
Allâh is Hafîz (Protector) over them (i.e.
takes care of their deeds and will recompense them), and you (O
Muhammad SAW)
are not a Wakîl (guardian or a disposer of their
affairs) over them (to protect their deeds, etc.).
7. And thus We have
inspired unto you (O Muhammad SAW)
a Qur'ân (in Arabic) that you may warn the Mother of the
Towns (Makkah) and all around it. And warn of the Day of Assembling,
of which there is no doubt, when a party will be in Paradise (those
who believed in Allâh and followed what Allâh's Messenger
SAW brought them) and a party in the
blazing Fire (Hell) (those who disbelieved in Allâh and
followed not what Allâh's Messenger SAW brought them)[]
8. And if Allâh
had willed, He could have made them one nation, but He admits
whom He wills to His Mercy. And the Zâlimûn
(polytheists and wrong-doers, etc.) will have neither a Walî
(protector) nor a helper.
9. Or have they taken
(for worship) Auliyâ' (guardians, supporters, helpers,
protectors, etc.) besides Him? But Allâh, He Alone is the
Walî (Protector, etc.). And it is He Who gives life
to the dead, and He is Able to do all things.
10. And in whatsoever
you differ, the decision thereof is with Allâh (He is the
ruling Judge). (And say O Muhammad SAW
to these polytheists:) Such is Allâh, my Lord in Whom I
put my trust, and to Him I turn in all of my affairs and in repentance.
11. The Creator of
the heavens and the earth. He has made for you mates from yourselves,
and for the cattle (also) mates. By this means He creates you
(in the wombs). There is nothing like unto Him, and He is the
All-Hearer, the All-Seer.
12. To Him belong
the keys of the heavens and the earth, He enlarges provision for
whom He wills, and straitens (it for whom He wills). Verily! He
is the All-Knower of everything.
13. He (Allâh)
has ordained for you the same religion (Islâm) which He
ordained for Nûh (Noah), and that which We have inspired
in you (O Muhammad SAW),
and that which We ordained for Ibrahîm (Abraham), Mûsa
(Mosesý) and 'Iesa (Jesus) saying you should establish
religion (i.e. to do what it orders you to do practically), and
make no divisions[] in it
(religion) (i.e. various sects in religion). Intolerable for the
Mushrikûn[]
, is that to which you (O Muhammad SAW) call them. Allâh chooses
for Himself whom He wills, and guides unto Himself who turns to
Him in repentance and in obedience.
14. And they divided
not till after knowledge had come to them, through selfish transgression
between themselves. And had it not been for a Word that went forth
before from your Lord for an appointed term, the matter would
have been settled between them. And verily, those who were made
to inherit the Scripture [i.e. the Taurâh (Torah) and the
Injeel (Gospel)] after them (i.e. Jews and Christians) are in
grave doubt concerning it (i.e. Allâh's true religion Islâm
or the Qur'ân).
15. So unto this
(religion of Islâm, alone and this Qur'ân) then invite
(people) (O Muhammad SAW),
and Istaqim [(i.e. stand firm and straight on Islâmic
Monotheism by performing all that is ordained by Allâh (good
deeds, etc.), and by abstaining from all that is forbidden by
Allâh (sins and evil deeds, etc.)], as you are commanded,
and follow not their desires but say: "I believe in whatsoever
Allâh has sent down of the Book [all the holy Books, this
Qur'ân and the Books of the old from the Taurât (Torah),
or the Injeel (Gospel) or the Pages of Ibrâhim (Abraham)]
and I am commanded to do justice among you, Allâh is our
Lord and your Lord. For us our deeds and for you your deeds. There
is no dispute between us and you. Allâh will assemble us
(all), and to Him is the final return.
16. And those who
dispute concerning Allâh (His Religion of Islâmic
Monotheism, with which Muhammad SAW
has been sent), after it has been accepted (by the people), of
no use is their dispute before their Lord, and on them is wrath,
and for them will be a severe torment[1] .
17. It is Allâh
Who has sent down the Book (the Qur'ân) in truth, and the
Balance (i.e. to act justly). And what can make you know that
perhaps the Hour is close at hand?
18. Those who believe
not therein seek to hasten it, while those who believe are fearful
of it, and know that it is the very truth. Verily, those who dispute
concerning the Hour are certainly in error far away.
19. Allâh is
very Gracious and Kind to His slaves. He gives provisions to whom
He wills. And He is the All-Strong, the All-Mighty.
20. Whosoever desires
(with his deeds) the reward of the Hereafter, We give him increase
in his reward, and whosoever desires the reward of this world
(with his deeds), We give him thereof (what is written for him),
and he has no portion in the Hereafter.
21. Or have they
partners with Allâh (false gods), who have instituted for
them a religion which Allâh has not allowed. And had it
not been for a decisive Word (gone forth already), the matter
would have been judged between them. And verily, for the Zâlimûn
(polytheists and wrong-doers), there is a painful torment.
22. You will see
(on the Day of Resurrection), the Zâlimûn (polytheists
and wrong-doers, etc.) fearful of that which they have earned,
and it (Allâh's Torment) will surely befall them, while
those who believe (in the Oneness of Allâh Islâmic
Monotheism) and do righteous deeds (will be) in the flowering
meadows of the Gardens (Paradise), having what they wish from
their Lord. That is the supreme Grace, (Paradise).
23. That is (the
Paradise) whereof Allâh gives glad tidings to His slaves
who believe (in the Oneness of Allâh Islâmic Monotheism)
and do righteous good deeds. Say (O Muhammad SAW): "No reward do I ask of
you for this except to be kind to me for my kinship with you."[]
And whoever earns a good righteous deed, We shall give him an
increase of good in respect thereof. Verily, Allâh is Oft-Forgiving,
Most Ready to appreciate (the deeds of those who are obedient
to Him).
24. Or say they:
"He has invented a lie against Allâh?" If Allâh
willed, He could have sealed your heart (so that you forget all
that you know of the Qur'an). And Allâh wipes out falsehood,
and establishes the truth (Islâm) by His Word (this Qur'an).
Verily, He knows well what (the secrets) are in the breasts (of
mankind).
25. And He it is
Who accepts repentance from His slaves, and forgives sins, and
He knows what you do.[]
26. And He answers
(the invocation of) those who believe (in the Oneness of Allâh
Islâmic Monotheism) and do righteous good deeds, and gives
them increase of His Bounty. And as for the disbelievers, theirs
will be a severe torment.
27. And if Allâh
were to enlarge the provision for His slaves, they would surely
rebel in the earth, but He sends down by measure as He wills.
Verily! He is in respect of His slaves, the Well-Aware, the All-Seer
(of things that benefit them).
28. And He it is
Who sends down the rain after they have despaired, and spreads
abroad His Mercy. And He is the Walî (Helper, Supporter,
Protector, etc.), Worthy of all Praise.
29. And among His
Ayât (proofs, evidences, lessons, signs, etc.) is
the creation of the heavens and the earth, and whatever moving
(living) creatures He has dispersed in them both. And He is All-Potent
over their assembling (i.e. resurrecting them on the Day of Resurrection
after their death, and dispersion of their bodies) whenever He
will.
30. And whatever
of misfortune befalls you, it is because of what your hands have
earned. And He pardons much. (See the Qur'ân Verse 35:45).
31. And you cannot
escape from Allâh (i.e. His Punishment) in the earth, and
besides Allâh you have neither any Walî (guardian
or a protector) nor any helper.
32. And among His
Signs are the ships, in the sea, like mountains.
33. If He wills,
He causes the wind to cease, then they would become motionless
on the back (of the sea). Verily, in this are signs for everyone
patient and grateful.
34. Or He may destroy
them (by drowning) because of that which their (people) have earned.
And He pardons much.
35. And those who
dispute (polytheists, etc. with Our Messenger Muhammad SAW) as regards Our Ayât
(proofs, signs, verses, etc. of Islâmic Monotheism)
may know that there is no place of refuge for them (from Allâh's
punishment).
36. So whatever you
have been given is but a passing enjoyment for this worldly life,
but that which is with Allâh (Paradise) is better and more
lasting for those who believe (in the Oneness of Allâh
Islâmic Monotheism) and put their trust in their Lord (concerning
all of their affairs).
37. And those who
avoid the greater sins[], and Al-Fawâhish
(illegal sexual intercourse, etc.), and when they are angry,
they forgive[]
38. And those who
answer the Call of their Lord [i.e. to believe that He is the
only One Lord (Allâh), and to worship none but Him Alone],
and perform As-Salât (Iqâmat-as-Salât),
and who (conduct) their affairs by mutual consultation, and who
spend of what We have bestowed on them;
39. And those who,
when an oppressive wrong is done to them, they take revenge.
40. The recompense
for an evil is an evil like thereof, but whoever forgives and
makes reconciliation, his reward is due from Allâh. Verily,
He likes not the Zâlimûn (oppressors, polytheists,
and wrong-doers, etc.).
41. And indeed whosoever
takes revenge after he has suffered wrong, for such there is no
way (of blame) against them.
42. The way (of blame)
is only against those who oppress men and wrongly rebel in the
earth, for such there will be a painful torment.
43. And verily, whosoever
shows patience and forgives that would truly be from the things
recommended by Allâh.
44. And whomsoever
Allâh sends astray, for him there is no Walî
(protector) after Him. And you will see the Zâlimûn
(polytheists, wrong-doers, oppressors, etc.) when they behold
the torment, they will say: "Is there any way of return (to
the world)?"
45. And you will
see them brought forward to it (Hell) made humble by disgrace[]
, (and) looking with stealthy glance. And those who believe will
say: "Verily, the losers are they who lose themselves and
their families on the Day of Resurrection. Verily, the Zâlimûn
[i.e. Al-Kâfirûn (disbelievers in Allâh,
in His Oneness and in His Messenger SAW
, polytheists, wrong-doers, etc.)] will be in a lasting torment.
46. And they will
have no Auliyâ' (protectors) to help them other than
Allâh. And he whom Allâh sends astray, for him there
is no way.
47. Answer the Call
of your Lord (i.e. accept the Islâmic Monotheism, O mankind,
and jinns) before there comes from Allâh a Day which cannot
be averted. You will have no refuge on that Day nor there will
be for you any denying (of your crimes as they are all recorded
in the Book of your deeds).
48. But if they turn
away (O Muhammad SAW
from the Islâmic Monotheism, which you have brought to them).
We have not sent you (O Muhammad SAW)
as a Hafîz (protector) over them (i.e. to take care
of their deeds and to recompense them). Your duty is to convey
(the Message). And verily, when We cause man to taste of Mercy
from Us, he rejoices thereat, but when some ill befalls them because
of the deeds which their hands have sent forth, then verily, man
(becomes) ingrate!
49. To Allâh
belongs the kingdom of the heavens and the earth. He creates what
He wills. He bestows female (offspring) upon whom He wills, and
bestows male (offspring) upon whom He wills.
50. Or He bestows
both males and females, and He renders barren whom He wills. Verily,
He is the All-Knower and is Able to do all things.
51. . It is not given
to any human being that Allâh should speak to him unless
(it be) by Inspiration, or from behind a veil, or (that) He sends
a Messenger to reveal what He wills by His Leave. Verily, He is
Most High, Most Wise[] .
52. And thus We have
sent to you (O Muhammad SAW)
Ruhan (an Inspiration, and a Mercy) of Our Command. You
knew not what is the Book, nor what is Faith? But We have made
it (this Qur'ân) a light wherewith We guide whosoever of
Our slaves We will. And verily, you (O Muhammad SAW) are indeed guiding (mankind)
to the Straight Path (i.e. Allâh's religion of Islâmic
Monotheism).
53. The Path of Allâh,
to Whom belongs all that is in the heavens and all that is in
the earth. Verily, all the matters at the end go to Allâh
(for decision).
