Introduction to
Surah
43. Az-Zukhruf
In the Name of Allâh, the Most
Beneficent, the Most Merciful.
1. HâMîm.
[These letters are one of the miracles of the Qur'ân,
and none but Allâh (Alone) knows their meanings].
2. By the manifest
Book (that makes things clear, i.e. this Qur'ân).
3. We verily, have
made it a Qur'ân in Arabic, that you may be able to understand
(its meanings and its admonitions).
4. And Verily, it
(this Qur'ân) is in the Mother of the Book (i.e. Al-Lauh
Al-Mahfûz), before Us, indeed Exalted, full of Wisdom.
5. Shall We then
(warn you not and) take away the Reminder (this Qur'ân)
from you, because you are a people Musrifûn.[]
6. And how many a
Prophet have We sent amongst the men of old.
7. And never came
there a Prophet to them but they used to mock at him.
8. Then We destroyed
men stronger (in power) than these, and the example of the ancients
has passed away (before them).
9. And indeed if
you ask them, "Who has created the heavens and the earth?"
They will surely say: "The All-Mighty, the All-Knower created
them."
10. Who has made
for you the earth like a bed, and has made for you roads therein,
in order that you may find your way,
11. And Who sends
down water (rain) from the sky in due measure. Then We revive
a dead land therewith, and even so you will be brought forth (from
the dead),
12. And Who has created
all the pairs and has appointed for you ships and cattle on which
you ride,
13. In order that
you may mount firmly on their backs, and then may remember the
Favour of your Lord when you mount thereon, and say: "Glory
to Him who has subjected this to us, and we could never have it
(by our efforts)."
14. And verily, to
Our Lord we indeed are to return!
15. Yet they assign
to some of His slaves a share with Him (by pretending that He
has children, and considering them as equals or co-partners in
worship with Him). Verily, man is indeed a manifest ingrate!
16. Or has He taken
daughters out of what He has created, and He has selected for
you sons?
17. And if one of
them is informed of the news of (the birth of) that which he set
forth as a parable to the Most Beneficent (Allâh) (i.e.
of a girl), his face becomes dark, gloomy, and he is filled with
grief!
18. (Do they then
like for Allâh) a creature who is brought up in adornments
(wearing silk and gold ornaments, i.e. women), and in dispute
cannot make herself clear?
19. And they make
the angels who themselves are slaves to the Most Beneficent (Allâh)
females. Did they witness their creation? Their evidence will
be recorded, and they will be questioned!
20. And they said:
"If it had been the Will of the Most Beneficent (Allâh),
we should not have worshipped them (false deities)." They
have no knowledge whatsoever of that. They do nothing but lie!
21. Or have We given
them any Book before this (the Qur'ân), to which they are
holding fast?
22. Nay! They say:
"We found our fathers following a certain way and religion,
and we guide ourselves by their footsteps."
23. And similarly,
We sent not a warner before you (O Muhammad SAW) to any town (people) but the
luxurious ones among them said: "We found our fathers following
a certain way and religion, and we will indeed follow their footsteps."
24. (The warner)
said: "Even if I bring you better guidance than that which
you found your fathers following?" They said: "Verily,
We disbelieve in that with which you have been sent."
25. So We took revenge
of them, then see what was the end of those who denied (Islâmic
Monotheism).
26. And (remember)
when Ibrahîm (Abraham) said to his father and his people:
"Verily, I am innocent of what you worship,
27. "Except
Him (i.e. I worship none but Allâh Alone) Who did create
me, and verily, He will guide me."
28. And he made it
[i.e. Lâ ilâha ill-Allâh (none has the
right to be worshipped but Allâh Alone)] a Word lasting
among his offspring (True Monotheism), that they may turn back
(i.e. to repent to Allâh or receive admonition).
29. Nay, but I gave
(the good things of this life) to these (polytheists) and their
fathers to enjoy, till there came to them the truth (the Qur'ân),
and a Messenger (Muhammad SAW)
making things clear.
30. And when the
truth (this Qur'ân) came to them, they (the disbelievers
in this Qur'ân) said: "This is magic, and we disbelieve
therein."
31. And they say:
"Why is not this Qur'ân sent down to some great man
of the two towns (Makkah and Tâ'if)?"
32. Is it they who
would portion out the Mercy of your Lord? It is We Who portion
out between them their livelihood in this world, and We raised
some of them above others in ranks, so that some may employ others
in their work. But the Mercy (Paradise) of your Lord (O Muhammad
SAW) is better than the (wealth of
this world) which they amass.
33. And were it not
that all mankind would have become of one community (all disbelievers,
desiring worldly life only), We would have provided for those
who disbelieve in the Most Beneficent (Allâh), silver roofs
for their houses, and elevators (and stair-ways, etc. of silver)
whereby they ascend,
34. And for their
houses, doors (of silver), and thrones (of silver) on which they
could recline,
35. And adornments
of gold. Yet all this (i.e. the roofs, doors, stairs, elevators,
thrones etc. of their houses) would have been nothing but an enjoyment
of this world. And the Hereafter with your Lord is only for the
Muttaqûn[].
36. And whosoever
turns away (blinds himself) from the remembrance of the Most Beneficent
(Allâh) (i.e. this Qur'ân and worship of Allâh),
We appoint for him Shaitân (Satan devil) to
be a Qarîn (an intimate companion) to him.
37. And verily, they
(Satans / devils) hinder them from the Path (of Allâh),
but they think that they are guided aright!
38. Till, when (such
a one) comes to Us, he says [to his Qarîn (Satan
/ devil companion)] "Would that between me and you were the
distance of the two easts (or the east and west)" a worst
(type of) companion (indeed)!
39. It will profit
you not this Day (O you who turn away from Allâh's remembrance
and His worship, etc.) as you did wrong, (and) that you will be
sharers (you and your Qarîn) in the punishment.
40. Can you (O Muhammad
SAW) make the deaf to hear, or can
you guide the blind or him who is in manifest error?
41. And even if We
take you (O Muhammad SAW)
away, We shall indeed take vengeance on them.
42. Or (if) We show
you that wherewith We threaten them, then verily, We have perfect
command over them.
43. So hold you (O
Muhammad SAW)
fast to that which is inspired in you. Verily, you are on a Straight
Path.
44. And verily, this
(the Qur'ân) is indeed a Reminder for you (O Muhammad SAW) and your people (Quraish people,
or your followers), and you will be questioned (about it).
45. And ask (O Muhammad
SAW) those of Our Messengers whom
We sent before you: "Did We ever appoint âliha
(gods) to be worshipped besides the Most Beneficent (Allâh)?"
46. And indeed We
did send Mûsa (Moses) with Our Ayât (proofs,
evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.) to Fir'aun
(Pharaoh) and his chiefs (inviting them to Allâh's Religion
of Islâm) He said: "Verily, I am a Messenger of the
Lord of the 'Alamîn (mankind, jinns and all that
exists)."
47. But when he came
to them with Our Ayât (proofs, evidences, verses,
lessons, signs, revelations, etc.) behold! They laughed at them.
48. And not an Ayâh
(sign, etc.) We showed them but it was greater than its fellow,
and We seized them with torment, in order that they might turn
[from their polytheism to Allâh's Religion (Islâmic
Monotheism)].
49. And they said
[to Mûsa (Moses)]: "O you sorcerer! Invoke your Lord
for us according to what He has covenanted with you. Verily, We
shall guide ourselves (aright)."
50. But when We removed
the torment from them, behold! They broke their covenant (that
they will believe if We remove the torment for them).
51. And Fir'aun (Pharaoh)
proclaimed among his people, saying: "O my people! Is not
mine the dominion of Egypt, and these rivers flowing underneath
me. See you not then?
52. "Am I not
better than this one [Mûsa (Moses)], who is Mahîn
[has no honour nor any respect, and is weak and despicable] and
can scarcely express himself clearly?
53. "Why then
are not golden bracelets bestowed on him, or angels sent along
with him?"
54. Thus he [Fir'aun
(Pharaoh)] befooled and misled his people, and they obeyed him.
Verily, they were ever a people who were Fâsiqûn
(rebellious, disobedient to Allâh).
55. So when they
angered Us, We punished them, and drowned them all.
56. And We made them
a precedent (as a lesson for those coming after them), and an
example to later generations.
57. And when the
son of Maryam (Mary) is quoted as an example [i.e. 'Iesa (Jesus)
is worshipped like their idols), behold! Your people cry aloud
(laugh out at the example).
58. And say: "Are
our âliha (gods) better or is he ['Iesa (Jesus)]?"
They quoted not the above example except for argument. Nay! But
they are a quarrelsome people. [(See VV. 21:97-101) - The Qur'ân.]
59. He ['Iesa (Jesus)]
was not more than a slave. We granted Our Favour to him, and We
made him an example to the Children of Israel (i.e. his creation
without a father).
60. And if it were
Our Will, We would have [destroyed you (mankind) all, and] made
angels to replace you on the earth. [Tafsir At-Tabarî,
Vol:25, Page 89].
61. And he ['Iesa
(Jesus), son of Maryam (Mary)] shall be a known sign for (the
coming of) the Hour (Day of Resurrection) [i.e. 'Iesa's (Jesus)
descent on the earth][] . Therefore have no
doubt concerning it (i.e. the Day of Resurrection). And follow
Me (Allâh) (i.e. be obedient to Allâh and do what
He orders you to do, O mankind)! This is the Straight Path (of
Islâmic Monotheism, leading to Allâh and to His Paradise).
62. And let not Shaitân
(Satan) hinder you (from the right religion, i.e. Islâmic
Monotheism), Verily, he (Satan) to you is a plain enemy.
63. And when 'Iesa
(Jesus) came with (Our) clear Proofs, he said: "I have come
to you with Al-Hikmah (Prophethood), and in order to make
clear to you some of the (points) in which you differ, therefore
fear Allâh and obey me,
64. "Verily,
Allâh! He is my Lord (God) and your Lord (God). So worship
Him (Alone). This is the (only) Straight Path (i.e. Allâh's
religion of true Islâmic Monotheism)."
65. But the sects
from among themselves differed. So woe to those who do wrong (by
ascribing things to 'Iesa (Jesus) that are not true) from the
torment of a painful Day (i.e. the Day of Resurrection)!
66. Do they only
wait for the Hour that it shall come upon them suddenly, while
they perceive not?
67. Friends on that
Day will be foes one to another except Al-Muttaqûn (pious
- see V.2:2).
68. (It will be said
to the true believers of Islâmic Monotheism): My worshippers!
No fear shall be on you this Day, nor shall you grieve,
69. (You) who believed
in Our Ayât (proofs, verses, lessons, signs, revelations,
etc.) and were Muslims (i.e. who submit totally to Allâh's
Will, and believe in the Oneness of Allâh - Islâmic
Monotheism).
70. Enter Paradise,
you and your wives, in happiness.
71. Trays of gold
and cups will be passed round them, (there will be) therein all
that the one's inner-selves could desire, all that the eyes could
delight in, and you will abide therein forever.
72. This is the Paradise
which you have been made to inherit because of your deeds which
you used to do (in the life of the world).
73. Therein for you
will be fruits in plenty, of which you will eat (as you desire).
74. Verily, the Mujrimûn
(criminals, sinners, disbelievers, etc.) will be in the torment
of Hell to abide therein forever.
75. (The torment)
will not be lightened for them, and they will be plunged into
destruction with deep regrets, sorrows and in despair therein.
76. We wronged them
not, but they were the Zâlimûn (polytheists,
wrong-doers, etc.).
77. And they will
cry: "O Malik (Keeper of Hell)! Let your Lord make an end
of us." He will say: "Verily you shall abide forever."
78. Indeed We have
brought the truth (Muhammad SAW
with the Qur'ân), to you, but most of you have a hatred
for the truth.[]
79. Or have they
plotted some plan? Then We too are planning.
80. Or do they think
that We hear not their secrets and their private counsel? (Yes
We do) and Our Messengers (appointed angels in charge of mankind)
are by them, to record.
81. Say (O Muhammad
SAW): "If the Most Beneficent
(Allâh) had a son (or children as you pretend), then I am
the first of Allâh's worshippers [who deny and refute this
claim of yours (and the first to believe in Allâh Alone
and testify that He has no children)]." [Tafsir At-Tabarî].
82. Glorified be
the Lord of the heavens and the earth, the Lord of the Throne!
Exalted be He from all that they ascribe (to Him).
83. So leave them
(alone) to speak nonsense and play until they meet the Day of
theirs, which they have been promised.
84. It is He (Allâh)
Who is the only Ilâh (God to be worshipped) in the
heaven and the only Ilâh (God to be worshipped) on
the earth. And He is the All-Wise, the All-Knower.
85. And blessed be
He to Whom belongs the kingdom of the heavens and the earth, and
all that is between them, and with Whom is the knowledge of the
Hour, and to Whom you (all) will be returned.
86. And those whom
they invoke instead of Him have no power of intercession; except
those who bear witness to the truth (i.e. believed in the Oneness
of Allâh, and obeyed His Orders), and they know (the facts
about the Oneness of Allâh)[] .
87. And if you ask
them who created them, they will surely say: "Allâh".
How then are they turned away (from the worship of Allâh,
Who created them)?
88. (Allâh
has knowledge) of (Prophet Muhammad's) saying: "O my Lord!
Verily, these are a people who believe not!"
89. So turn away
from them (O Muhammad SAW),
and say: Salâm (peace)! But they will come to know.[]
