About the Surah

In the name of Allah, the Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful.

       Allah’s Command (to punish the disbelievers) has arrived (near), so don’t demand to hasten it (the Day of Judgement). Glorified and Exalted is He above all that they associate as partners with Him.

       Allah sends down angels [i.e. Jibrael ( ) ] with Ruh (i.e.the revelations) with His Command to whom of His slaves He wills. (That Command is): “Warn (mankind) that none has the right to be worshipped but Me. Hence, fear Me.” (Also Surah Ash-Shura:52)

       Allah has created the heavens and the earth with great wisdom; He is above all that they associate as partners with Him.

       Allah created man from mixed drops of male and female sexual discharge and (strangely enough) he started quarrelling openly (i.e. instead of thanking for the favours, he became ungrateful).

       And He has created cattle (for you). There is warm clothing and other benefits for you and you eat some of them (which are permissible).

       And it is a beautiful scene for you when you bring them home in the evening (from the fields) and as you take them to the pastures in the morning.

       And they carry your luggage to the cities where you cannot reach without great struggle on your own. Indeed, your Creator is full of Kindness, Most Merciful.

       And (He has created) horses, mules and donkeys, for you to ride and as an adornment and He creates many other things (for you to ride) of which you have no knowledge.

       It is Allah’s responsibility to explain the Straight Path. And there are crooked paths. If Allah willed, He would have guided you all (to the Straight Path).

       Allah sends down rain water from the sky for your benefit from which you drink and with it trees (grow) on which your cattle graze.

       Allah grows for you with it the olives, the crops, the date-palm, the grapes and every kind of fruit. Indeed, there are proofs (of the Oneness of Allah) in this for the people who ponder over them.

       And He has made the night and the day, and the sun, and the moon to serve you. And stars are also following His Command. Indeed, in this are signs (of the Oneness of Allah) for the people who understand.

       And He has spread many things of different colours in the land for your benefit. Indeed, in this are signs (of the Oneness of Allah) for the people who remember.

       And He has made the sea to serve you so that you may eat fresh tender meat (i.e. fish) from it, and to bring out the ornaments from it which you wear. And you see the ships tearing water in it (i.e. sailing through it) so that you may seek His Bounty and so that you may be grateful (to Allah).

       And He has placed the mountains firmly on the earth, lest the earth shake with you. And He has made rivers and roads so that you may reach your destination.

       And (He has created many other) landmarks (to guide during the day) and people find their destination by stars (during the night).

       Is He who creates like the one who can not create? Don’t you give a thought to it?

       If you try to count the Favours of Allah, you will never be able to count them. Indeed, Allah is Very-Forgiving, Most Merciful.

       And Allah knows what you hide and what you reveal.

       And those whom they call besides Allah, cannot create anything, rather they themselves were created.

       (They are) dead and not alive. They even don’t have any idea when they will be raised up (how can you expect any benefit or harm from them).

       (The above reasoning proves that) your God is One God – Allah. So those who don’t believe in the Hereafter, their hearts (are so bad) that they are refusing to accept (any logical proof) and they are arrogant. (Also Surah Sad:5)

       Definitely, Allah knows what they hide and what they show. Indeed, Allah does not like the arrogant people.

       And when it is said to them: “What has your Creator sent down [to Muhammad (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him)]?” They say: “The (unauthentic) stories of old folks (which are coming down generation after generation).”

       (The result of this will be) that they will not only carry the full load of their own sins on the Day of Judgement but also part of the load of those whom they led astray unknowingly. Bear in mind, it is a terrible (load) which they are carrying!

       Indeed, there were people before them who plotted (against the Prophets). So Allah struck the foundation of (the plot of) their building, and made the roof collapse upon them, from above them. And the torment came to them from the directions they did not perceive.

       Indeed, there were people before them who plotted (against the Prophets). So Allah struck the foundation of (the plot of) their building, and made the roof collapse upon them, from above them. And the torment came to them from the directions they did not perceive.

       “Those who do wrong to themselves (i.e. make partners with Allah) when the angels cause them to die, then they (the disbelievers) submit (falsely) saying: “We did not do any evil.” (The angels will reply): “Yes! (You did). Indeed, Allah is All-Knower of what you used to do. (Also Surah Al-An'am:23)

       “Hence, enter the gates of Hell, to reside there forever, and what an evil residence will it be for the arrogant people!”

       And when it is said to those who are pious persons: “What is it that your Creator has sent down? They say: “That which is full of goodness.” For those who do good deeds in this world, there is (a promise of) good reward, and the home of the Hereafter will be even better, and what an excellent home will be for the pious persons.

       (That excellent home consists of) Gardens of Eternity which they will enter, beneath which rivers flow, they will have there all that they wish. Thus Allah rewards all the pious persons.

       Those to whom the angels cause death while they are in a pious state, saying (to them): “Peace be upon you, enter Paradise because of the (good deeds) which you used to do (in the world).”

       Are they only waiting for the angels (of death) to come to them or the Command of your Creator to come (i.e. are they waiting to believe at the time of death? Such belief will not be accepted). Thus did those before them. (Obviously) Allah did not wrong them but they used to wrong themselves.

       So they were punished for their evil deeds and, (the torment) which they used to mock at, entrapped them (present disbelievers will be treated the same way).

       And the idolaters said: “If Allah had so willed, neither we nor our forefathers would have worshipped anything except Him, nor would we have made anything unlawful without the Command of Allah.” (It means Allah likes what we are doing. This stupid argument is nothing new). Thus did those before them. (These arguments did not harm the messengers). So are the messengers not supposed to convey only the message clearly?

       [O Muhammad (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him)!] Your calling them to the Oneness of Allah is not a new message). And, indeed, We have sent among every community a messenger (instructing): “Worship Allah (Alone), and keep away from the false deities.” Then some of them Allah guided (to the Right Path), and for others straying was justified. Hence, travel through the land and see the (sad) end of those who denied (the truth). 

       [O Muhammad (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him)!] True, you are always very keen for their guidance, but Allah does not guide those whom He sends astray (due to their stubbornness), and they will have no helpers.

       And they swear by Allah with their very strong oaths that Allah will not make the dead persons alive (on the Day of Resurrection). Yes, indeed (He will definitely raise them up). It is a   (binding) promise (of Allah) but most of the people don’t know it.

       (The reason for the Day of Judgement is) so that Allah may demonstrate clearly to them in which they used to differ (in the worldly life) and also that the disbelievers may know that they were  liars.

       Indeed, when We intend to do something, We simply say to it: “Be!” and it is done (there and then). (Also Surah An-Nahl:77)

       And those who emigrated for the Cause of Allah, after they have been wronged, We will definitely give them a good residence in this world (i.e. Madinah Munawwarah), but the reward of the Hereafter will be even greater, if they know.

       Those that remained patient (inspite of extreme hardships) and did put their trust in Allah. (While emigrating they did not worry about where they will eat from).

       [O Muhammad (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him)!] And We did not send before you except men (as Our messengers) to whom We sent down revelations. So ask those who have the knowledge of the Scripture, if you don’t know it.

       (We sent the messengers) with miracles and Books. And We have sent down this Quran to you [O Muhammad (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him)!] so that you may explain clearly the guidance sent down in it to the people, and so that they may ponder over it.

       Do those who hatch evil plots (against believers) feel secure that Allah will not sink them into the earth, or that the torment will not seize them from directions they do not perceive (as in battle of Badr)?

       Or that Allah may catch them during their daily movement from one place to another (in an accident or disease), so they can not escape (from Allah’s punishment)?

       Or that He may catch them by causing fear in them (e.g. by famine, loss of wealth, health etc)? Your Creator is, indeed, full of Kindness, Most Merciful (postpones the punishment so that they have chance to repent).

       Have they not observed any-thing that Allah has created? How its shadow inclines to the right and to the left, making prostration to Allah, in a humbled manner (i.e. Allah is so Great that everything is submissive to Him)?

       And all the creatures and the angels in the heavens and on the earth prostrate themselves to Allah and they are not haughty.

       They fear their Creator, Who is above them (i.e. superior to them in every way) and they readily obey what they are commanded. 

       And Allah said: “(O Man-kind!): Don’t worship two gods. Indeed, He is the only One God (worth worshipping). Hence, fear only and only Him”. (Also Surah Al-Anbiya:22)

       And whatever is in the heavens and the earth belongs to Allah. Perpetual and sincere obedience is obligatory for Him (Alone). Do you still fear others besides Allah?  (Also Surah Az-Zumar:2, 3)

       And whatever good things you have, it is from Allah. Then, when misfortune falls on you, so you cry bitterly to Him (for help).

       Then, when He has removed misery from you, some of you at once start associating partners in worship with their Creator.

       To be ungrateful to what Allah has bestowed upon them. So, enjoy yourselves for a short while, but soon you will come to know (with much regret).

       And they assign a portion of that which We have provided them to those (i.e. false deities) about whom they know nothing. By Allah! You shall surely be questioned about what you used to fabricate.

       And they choose daughters for Allah! Glorified is He above all that they associate with Him! And (they choose) for themselves what they desire.

       And when any of them is informed (about the birth of) a female, his face turns dark (i.e. without any charm) and he is filled with internal grief. (Also Surah An-Najm:21, 22)

       He goes around hiding himself from the people because of the bad news which has been conveyed to him. (He keeps debating with himself) shall he keep her with disgrace or bury her in the dust? No doubt, what evil decisions they do!

       Evil is the example for those who don’t believe in the Hereafter and for Allah is the highest example (i.e. virtues). And He is the All-Mighty, the All-Wise.

       And if Allah were to seize mankind for their wrong-doing, not a single creature would have been left on the earth, but He postpones (their punishment) for an appointed term. So when their term comes, neither can they delay nor can they advance it an hour (or momentarily).

       And they choose for Allah that which they dislike (for themselves), and their tongues utter lies when they state that there is goodness for them (in the Hereafter, just as there is goodness for them in the world). No doubt there is Fire for them and they will be the first who will be thrown in it, (or, they will be left there neglected).-Qurtubi

       By Allah, We sent Our mes-sengers to various communities before you [O Muhammad (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him)!], so Satan made their evil deeds attractive to them. Hence, Satan is their friend now (i.e. Here in this world or in the Hereafter), and there is painful torment for them.

       And We sent down this Book (the Quran) to you so that you may explain to them everything in which they differ, and this Quran is a guidance and mercy for the believers. 

       And Allah sends down rain-water from the sky, and then with it He revives the earth after its death. Indeed, there is a clear proof (of the Oneness of Allah) in it for the people who listen (with open mind).

       And, indeed, there is a lesson for you in the cattle. We give you (milk) to drink coming from their bellies produced between their excretions and blood. This pure milk is very pleasant (in colour and taste) to drink for the drinkers.

       And from the fruits of palm tree and grapes you make strong drink (i.e. wine) and good food too. Indeed, in this there is a proof (of the Oneness of Allah) for those who have sound understanding.

       And your Creator inspired the bee, saying: “Reside in the moun-tains, and in the trees and in (the buildings) which they erect.

       Then, eat from every fruit (of your liking), then travel in the paths of your Creator which are made easy for you. A drink of varying colour comes out from their belly which has a great healing effect for the people. Indeed, there is a sign (of the Oneness of Allah) in it for the people who ponder.( Here Allah informed  that it is the female bee which produces honey. We discovered this  fact recently)

       And Allah has created you and then He will cause you to die, and some of you are returned to the worst part of the old age (i.e. senility), so that they know nothing after knowing a lot (during the life). Indeed, Allah is All-Knowing, All-Powerful.

       And Allah has excelled some of you over others in wealth. Those who are excelled don’t give part of their wealth to their slaves whom their right hand possesses so that the slave and the owner become equal in status. (Will Allah like if you make His slaves equal to Him?) Or they then are denying the Favours of Allah?

       And Allah has created wives for you of your own kind and has created sons and grandsons from your wives and has granted you good provision. Would they still believe in false deities and deny the Favours of Allah?

       And they worship others be-sides Allah who do not  own any provision from the heavens and the earth, and they have no power.

       Hence, don’t make similitude for Allah (since there is nothing which resembles Allah). Indeed, Allah knows and you do not know.

       Allah gives an example of a slave (disbeliever) who is property of others and this slave has no authority of any sort. And another person (a believer) whom We have given good provision and he spends from that openly and secretly. Can they be equal? (Not at all). All praise and thanks are due to Allah (Alone). But most of the people don’t know (due to lack of understanding).

       And Allah gives another exam-ple of two persons. One of them is dumb who has no power over any-thing (i.e. disbeliever), and he is a burden on his master, wherever he sends him, he brings no good. Is such a person equal to the one (i.e. believer) who upholds justice and is on a Straight Path?

       And to Allah belongs the Unseen of the heavens and the earth. The Day of Judgement will occur in the twinkling of an eye or even more suddenly. Indeed, Allah is Able to do all things.

       And Allah has brought you out from the wombs of your mothers while you knew nothing. And He bestowed upon you the hearing, the eyesight and the hearts (for understanding) so that you might thank Allah. 

       Do they not see the birds flying in the midst of the sky? (The weight of their bodies should make them fall down to earth). None holds them up there except Allah. Indeed, in this (example) there are proofs (of the Power of Allah) for the people who believe (in the Oneness of Allah).

       And Allah has made for you, your homes to reside in. And He has also made for you homes from the hides of the cattle (i.e. tents), which you find very light (i.e. handy) when you travel and when you stop during your travel. And (Allah has made for you) from wool (of sheep), fur (of camel) and hair (of goat) the furnishings and many other useful items (e.g. carpets, blankets) for your benefit for a fixed term.

       And among the creations of Allah are shades and caves in the mountains for your shelter, and garments to protect you from the heat (and cold), and cloaks which protect you in the battlefield. Thus Allah has bestowed many of His Favours on you so that you may obey Him (sincerely). (Although some of the above items are man-made but their original material etc. is from Allah).

       And if they disbelieve (even after being reminded of the so many favours of Allah, then, O Muhammad (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him), don’t be sad) your duty is only to convey the message clearly.

       They fully recognize the Grace of Allah yet they deny it, and most of them are disbelievers [i.e. deny the Prophet-hood of Muhammad (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him)]

       And on the Day when We shall bring a witness (i.e. messenger) from each community, then the disbelievers will not be allowed (to present any excuses), nor they will be given chance to repent. 

       And when the wrong-doers will see the torment, then it will not be lightened for them nor will it be postponed for them.

       And when those who ascribed partners with Allah will see their ascribed partners, they will say: “Our Creator! These are the ascribed partners we used to worship besides You”. Then they (the ascribed partners) will reply promptly: “Indeed, you are liars!” (Also Surah Yunus:29)

       And on that Day they will make (false) submission to Allah and their false deities will disappear from them.

       Those who disbelieved and hindered others from the Path of Allah, We will inflict torment after torment upon them because they used to spread mischief (in the land).

       And on the Day We shall raise a witness in every community against them from among themselves. And We shall bring you [O Muhammad (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him)!] as a witness against them. And We have sent down to you the Quran which explains everything (lawful and unlawful) and guidance, mercy and a glad tiding for the Muslims.

       Indeed, Allah commands you to do justice (to Muslims and non-Muslims), to be good to others, and to help your relatives and forbids you from obscene and indecent activities and from (any form of) oppression. Allah gives you this advice so that you may remember. (Ibn Kathir said: “It is the most comprehensive Verse of Surah An-Nahl”).

       And fulfil the promise of Allah when you make one, and don’t break your oath after you take the oath, while you have appointed Allah as your surety. Indeed, Allah knows what you do.

       (By breaking your promise) do not act like that woman who spins the thread to make it strong and then breaks it into untwisted strands (i.e. pieces). And don’t use your oaths to deceive each other so that one community becomes larger in numbers than the other community. Indeed, Allah is testing you by this promise. And Allah will make clear to you on the Day of Judgement what you used to differ in.

       And had Allah willed, He could have made you (all) one nation. He sends astray whom He wills and guides whom He Wills. And you shall definitely have accountability of what you used to do.

       And don’t make your oaths an excuse to deceive others lest your feet will slip after being planted firmly, and you may have to taste an evil punishment (in this world) for hindering in the Path of Allah. And you will have a big torment (in the Hereafter).

       And don’t make your oaths an excuse to deceive others lest your feet will slip after being planted firmly, and you may have to taste an evil punishment (in this world) for hindering in the Path of Allah. And you will have a big torment (in the Hereafter).

       Whatever is with you (in this world), it will dry up or be finished (one day) and whatever is with Allah, it will remain forever. And those who are steadfast, We will give them an excellent reward for the good deeds they used to do.

       Whoever does good deeds, whether male or female while he (or she) is a believer We will give him (or her) good life (in this world) and will give them an excellent reward (in the Hereafter) for the good deeds they used to do.

       (Since Satan interferes in per-forming good deeds including recitation of the Quran, fulfilling promises etc.) So when you intend to recite the Quran, seek Allah’s protection from Satan, the outcast (the cursed one).

       Indeed, Satan has no power over those who believe and those who put their trust in their Creator.

       Indeed, Satan has power over those who befriend him and those who make him a partner with Allah.

       And when We substitute a Verse (of the Quran) in place of another, and Allah knows the best (the wisdom behind) what He sent (first time or second time), the disbelievers say: “You [O Muhammad (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him)!] are a forger.” In fact, most of them do not know.

       [O Muhammad (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him)!] Say: “The Holy Spirit (Ruhul-Quds i.e. Jibrael ( ) ] has brought the Quran down from your Creator with truth so that it strengthens (the faith of) the believers and it has a guidance and glad tidings for the Muslims”. (Also Surah Ash-Shuara:193,194)

       And, indeed, We know that the disbelievers say: “It is only a human being who teaches (the Quran) to him [Muhammad (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him)], the language of that man they refer to is not Arabic, while this Quran is in clear (eloquent) Arabic language.”

       Indeed, those who don’t believe in the revelations of Allah, Allah will not guide them and they will have a painful torment.

       It is they who fabricate false-hood and they don’t believe in the revelations of Allah, and it is they who are liars.

       Whoever disbelieved in Allah after his belief, except who is forced into it but his heart is fully satisfied with Faith (the warning of reversion to disbelief does not apply to this person). However those who disbelieve whole heartedly, on them is the wrath of Allah, and there will be a great torment for them.

       That is because they prefer the life of this world to that of the Hereafter. And, indeed, Allah does not guide the disbelievers.

       Allah has sealed their hearts, ears, and eyes and they are heedless! (i.e. ignorant about the result of it).

       No doubt, they will be the losers in the Hereafter.

       (Those who believed sincerely) and emigrated after they had been put into trial and thereafter did Jihad and were steadfast (in their Faith), indeed, your Creator is Very-Forgiving, Most Merciful to them after these activities.

       On that Day every person will come pleading for himself only and every person will be rewarded in accordance with what he did and they will not be dealt with unjustly.

       And, Allah gives the example of a town (Makkah) which enjoyed total peace and security and its provision came to it in abundance from every place yet, they denied the Favours of Allah. Hence, Allah made it taste famine and fear because of the (evil) they used to do.

       And, indeed, a messenger [Muhammad (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him)] came to them from among themselves. But they denied him. Hence, the torment seized them and they were the wrong-doers.

       So eat what Allah has made lawful and good food for you. And be grateful for the Favour of Allah, if you truly worship Him.

       Indeed, He has forbidden you only meat of a dead animal, blood, the flesh of swine and any animal which is slaughtered as a sacrifice for others than Allah. But if one is forced by necessity without intentional disobedience or transgression, then Allah is Very-Forgiving, Most Merciful.

       Don’t label things lawful and unlawful falsely with your tongues to invent lies against Allah. Indeed, those who invent lies against Allah will never be successful.

       They will enjoy very briefly (in this world), but they will have a painful torment (in the Hereafter).

       [O Muhammad (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him)!], We have already described to you the things which We made unlawful for the Jews (see Verse Al-An'am - 146). And We did not wrong them but they used to wrong themselves.

       Those who commit sins in ignorance and afterwards repent and reform themselves (by good deeds), then, indeed, your Creator, is Very-Forgiving, Most Merciful to such persons.

       Verily Ibrahim ( )  was a great leader, totally and sincerely submissive to Allah. And he was not from the idolaters.

       He was thankful for His (Allah’s) Favours. He (Allah) chose him (as His friend) and guided him to a Straight Path.

       And We bestowed upon him goodness (i.e. Prophethood, guidance etc) in this world and he will definitely be among the righteous people in the Hereafter.

       Then, We sent the revelations to you [O Muhammad (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him)!], saying: “Follow the straight and true religion of Ibrahim ( )  to One God and he was not of the idolaters.”

       The respect of Saturday (the Sabbath) was prescribed for only those who differed concerning it. And, indeed, your Creator will judge between them on the Day of Resurrection about that in which they used to differ.

       [O Muhammad (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him)!] Invite (people) to the Path of your Creator with wisdom and beautiful preaching and debate with them with a good approach. Indeed, your Creator knows best who has gone astray from His Path and He knows best those who are guided.

       And if you take revenge, then take only equal to the hardship inflicted upon you. But if you remain patient, it is better for the patient people. (Since it will leave better effect on the enemy, and on the on-looker, and will also earn good reward in the Hereafter).

       [Due to the very high character of Muhammad (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him), Allah has advised him not to take revenge,  but rather be patient] [O Muhammad (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him)!] Be patient. You cannot be patient without the help of Allah. Don’t be sad about them (for their disbelief or for their torturing the believers). Don’t feel distressed (in your heart) for the plots they hatch.

       Indeed, Allah is with those people who are righteous and  those who are good-doers.