In the name of Allah, Most
Gracious, Most Merciful
Holy Quran Surah 41 Fussilat
(Expounded), or Ha Mim
Interpretation of
the Meanings of the Noble Quran in English Language by A.Yusuf Ali
2 A revelation from (Allah) Most Gracious Most Merciful 4463
3 A Book whereof the verses are explained in detail a Qur'an in
Arabic for people who understand
4 Giving Good News and Admonition: yet most of them turn away and
so they hear not. 4464
5 They say: "Our hearts are under veils (concealed) from that
to which thou dost invite us and in ours ears in a deafness and between us and
thee is a screen: so do thou (what thou wilt); for us we shall do (what we
will!)." 4465 4466
6 Say thou: "I am but a man like you: it is revealed to me by
inspiration that your Allah is One Allah: so stand true to Him and ask for His
forgiveness." And woe to those who join gods with Allah 4467 4468
7 Those who practice not Regular Charity and who even deny the
Hereafter.
8 For those who believe and work deeds of righteousness is a
reward that will never fail. 4469
Transliteration
Ayah 1 
Yusuf Ali Ha
Mim.
Transliteration Ha_ mim
Ayah 2
Yusuf Ali A revelation from (Allah) Most
Gracious Most Merciful
Transliteration Tanzilum minar rahma_nir rahim
Ayah 3
Yusuf Ali A Book whereof the verses are explained
in detail a Qur'an in Arabic for people who understand
Transliteration Kita_bun fus silat a_ya_tuhu_ qur
a_nan arabiy yal liqaumiy yalamu_n
Ayah 4
Yusuf Ali Giving Good News and Admonition: yet
most of them turn away and so they hear not.
Transliteration Basiraw wa
naziran fa arada aksaruhum fahum la_ yasmau_n
Ayah 5
Yusuf Ali They say: "Our hearts are under
veils (concealed) from that to which thou dost invite us and in ours ears in a deafness
and between us and thee is a screen: so do thou (what thou wilt); for us we
shall do (what we will!)."
Transliteration Wa qa_lu_ qulu_buna_ fi akin natim mim
ma_ tadu_na_ ilaihi wa fi a_za_nina_ waqruw wa min bainina_ wa bainika hija_bun
famal in nana_ a_milu_n
Ayah 6
Yusuf Ali Say thou: "I am but a man like
you: it is revealed to me by inspiration that your Allah is One Allah: so stand
true to Him and ask for His forgiveness." And woe to those who join gods
with Allah
Transliteration Qul in nama_ ana basarum mitslukum
yu_ha_ ilay ya an nama_ ila_hukum ila_huw wa_hidun
fastaqimu_ ilaihi was tagfiru_h wa wailul lil musrikin
Ayah 7
Yusuf Ali Those who practice not Regular Charity and
who even deny the Hereafter.
Transliteration Al lazina a_ yutu_naz zaka_ta wa hum bil a_khiratihum ka_firu_n
Ayah 8
Yusuf Ali For those who believe and work deeds
of righteousness is a reward that will never fail.
Transliteration In nal lazina a_manu_ wa amilusa_liha_ti lahum ajrun gairu mamnu_n
Introduction
Name
The
name of this Surah is composed of two words, Ha-Mim and As-Sajdah, which
implies that it is a Surah which begins with Ha-Mim
and in which a verse requiring the performance of sajdah (prostration) has
occurred.
Period of Revelation
According
to authentic Traditions, it was sent down after the affirmation of the Faith by
Hadrat Hamzah and before the affirmation of the Faith by Hadrat Umar. Muhammad
bin Ishaq, the earliest biographer of the Holy Prophet, has related on the
authority of Muhammad bin Ka'b al-Qurzi, the famous follower of the Companions,
that one day some of the Quraish chiefs were sitting in their assembly
in the Masjid al-Haram, while in another corner of the Mosque there was the
Holy Prophet sitting by himself. This was the time when Hadrat Hamzah had
already embraced Islam and the people of the Quraish were feeling upset
at the growing numbers of the Muslims. On this occasion, Utbah bin Rabi'ah (the
father-in-law of Abu Sufyan) said to the Quraish chiefs:
"Gentlemen, if you like I would go and speak to Muhammad (upon whom be
Allah's peace and blessings) and put before him some proposals; maybe that he
accepts one of them, to which we may also agree, and so he stops opposing
us." They all agreed to this, and Utbah went and sat by the Holy Prophet.
When the Holy Prophet turned to him, he said: "Nephew, you know the high
status that you enjoy in the community by virtue of your ancestry and family
relations, but you have put your people to great trouble: you have created
divisions among them and you consider them to be fools: you talk ill of their
religion and gods, and say things as though all our forefathers were pagans.
Now listen to me and I shall make some suggestions. Consider them well: maybe
that you accept one of them." The Holy Prophet said: "Abul Walid, say
what you want to say and I shall listen to you." He said, "Nephew, if
by what you are doing, you want wealth, we will give you enough of it so that
you will be the richest man among us; if you want to became an important man,
we will make you our chief and will never decide a matter without you; if you
want to be a king, we will accept you as our king; and if you are visited by a
jinn, whom you cannot get rid of by your own power, we will arrange the best
physicians and have you treated at our own expense." 'Utbah went on
speaking in this strain and the Holy Prophet went on listening to him quietly.
Then he said, "Have you said, O Abul Walid, what you had to say?" He
replied that he had. The Holy Prophet said: "Well, now listen to me."
Then pronouncing Bismilah ir Rehman-ir-Rahim he began to recite this very
Surah, and Utbah kept on listening to it, putting his hands behind his back and
leaning on them as he listened. Coming to the verse of prostration (v. 38) the
Holy Prophet prostrated himself; then raising his head, said, "This was my
reply, O Abul Walid, now you may act as you please." Then Utbah arose and
walked back towards the chiefs, the people saw him from afar, and said:
"By God! Utbah's face is changed. He does not look the same man that he
was when he went from here." Then, when he came back and sat down, the
people asked, "What have you heard?" He replied, "By God! I have
heard something the like of which I had never heard before. By God, it's neither
poetry, nor sorcery, nor magic. O chiefs of the Quraish, listen to what
I say and leave this man to himself. I think what he recites is going to have
its effect. If the other Arabs overcome him, you will be saved from raising
your hand against your brother, and the others will deal with him. But if he
overcame
This
story has been narrated by several other traditionists also on the authority of
Hadrat Jabir bin Abdullah in different ways, with a little variation in
wording. In some traditions it has also been related that when during the
recitation the Holy Prophet had come to verse 13, viz. "If they turn away,
say to them: I warn you of a thunderbolt the like of which had visited the Ad
and the Thamud," Utbah had spontaneously placed his hand on the Holy
Prophet's mouth, and said: "For God's sake, have mercy on your
people." Afterwards he justified his action before the Quraish chiefs,
saying: "You know that whatever Muhammad says is always fulfilled;
therefore, I feared lest a torment should descend on us." (For details,
see Tafsir Ibn Kathir, vol. IV, pp. 90-91; Al Bidayah wan-Nihayah, vol. III, p.
62).
Theme and Subjet Matter
In
the discourse that Allah sent down in response to what Utbah said, no attention
whatever was paid to the absurd proposals that he had made to the Holy Prophet.
For what he had said was, in fact, an attack on the Holy Prophet's intention
and his intellect. His assumption was that as there was no possibility of his
being a Prophet and the Quran being Allah's Revelation, inevitably the motive
of his invitation must either be the desire to obtain wealth and political
power, or, God forbid, he had lost his reason. In the first case, he wanted to
make a bargain with the Holy Prophet; in the seconcd, he was insulting him when
he said that the Quraish chiefs would have him cured of his madness at
their own expense. Obviously, when the opponents come down to such absurd
things, no gentleman would like to answer them, but would ignore them and say
what he himself had to say.
Therefore,
ignoring what Utbah said, this Surah makes antagonism its subject of
discussion, which the unbelieving Quraish were showing stubbornly and
wickedly in order to defeat the message of the Qur'an. They would say to tho
Holy Prophet, "You may try however hard you try: we would not listen to
you. We have put coverings on our hearts and we have closed our ears. There is
a wall between you and us, which would never let us meet together."
They
had given a clear notice to the Holy Prophet to the effect: "You may
continue your mission of inviting the people to yourself, but we would go on
opposing you as hard as we can to frustrate your mission."
For
this object they had devised the following plan: Whenever the Holy Prophet or a
follower of his would try to recite the Qur'an before the people, they would at
once raise such a hue and cry that no one could hear anything. They were
desperately trying to misconstrue the verses of the Qur'an and spread every
kind of misunderstanding among the people. They misconstrued everything and
found fault even with the straightforward things. They would isolate words and
sentences from their right context, from here and there, and would add their
own words in order to put new meanings on them so as to mislead the people
about the Quran and the Messenger who presented it.
They
would raise strange objections a specimen of which has been presented in this
Surah. They said, "If an Arab presents a discourse in Arabic, what could
be the miracle in it? Arabic is his mother tongue. Anyone could compose
anything that he pleased in his mother tongue and then make the claim that he
had received it from God. It would be a miracle if the person would suddenly
arise and make an eloquent speech in a foreign tongue which he did not know.
Then only could one say that the discourse was not of his own composition but a
revelation from God."
Here
is a resume of what has been said in answer to this deaf and blind opposition:
1. The Qur'an is most certainly the Word
of God, which He has sent down in Arabic. The ignorant people do not find any
light of knowledge in the truths that have been presented in it plainly and
clearly, but the people of understanding are seeing this light as well as
benefiting by it. It is surely Allah's mercy that He has sent down this Word
for the guidance of man. If a person regarded it as an affliction, it would be
his own misfortune. Good news is for those who benefit by it and warning for
those who turn away from it.
2. If you have put coverings on your
hearts and have made yourselves deaf, it is none of the Prophet's job to make
the one hear who does not want to hear, and the one who does not want to
understand understand forcibly. He is a man like you; he can make only those to
hear and understand, who are inclined to hear and
understand.
3. Whether you close down your eyes and
ears and put coverings on your hearts, the fact, however, is that your God is
only One God, and you are not the servant of any one else. Your stubbornness
cannot change this reality in any way. If you accept this truth and correct
your behaviour accordingly you will do good only to yourselves, and if you
reject it, you will only be preparing your own doom.
4. Do you have any understanding as to
whom you disbelieve and with whom you associate others in divinity? It is with
regard to that God Who has created this limitless universe, Who
is the Creator of the earth and heavens, from Whose blessings you are
benefiting on the earth, and on Whose provisions you are being fed and
sustained. You set up His mean creatures as His associates and then you are
made to understand the truth you turn away in stubbornness.
5. If you still do not believe, then be
aware that a sudden torment is about to visit you, the like of which had
visited the Ad and the Thamud, and this torment also will not be the final
punishment of your crimes, but there is in addition the accountability and the
fire of Hell in the Hereafter.
6. Wretched is the man who gets as
company such satans from among men and jinn, who show him nothing but green and
pleasant, who make his follies seem fair to him, who neither let him think
aright himself nor let him hear right from others. But on the Day of Reckoning
when their doom overtakes them, each one of them will say that if he happened to
get hold of those who had misled and deceived him in the world, he would
trample them under his foot.
7. This Quran is an unchangeable Book.
You can not defeat it by your machinations and falsehoods. Whether falsehood
comes from the front or makes a secret and indirect attack from behind, it
cannot succeed in refuting it.
8. Today when this Quran is being
presented in your own language so that you may understand it, you say that it
should have been sent down in some foreign tongue. But had We
sent it in a foreign tongue for your guidance, you would yourselves have called
it a joke, as if to say, "What a strange thing! The Arabs are being given
guidance in a non-Arabic language, which nobody understands." This means
that you, in fact, have no desire to obtain guidance. You are only inventing
ever new excuses for not affirming the faith.
9. Have you ever considered that if it
became established that the Qur'an was really from Allah, then what fate you
would meet by denying it and opposing it so vehemently
as you do?
10. Today you do not believe but soon you
will see with your own eyes that the message of this Qur'an had pervaded the
whole world and you have yourselves been overwhelmed by it. Then you will come
to know that what you were being told was the very truth.
Besides
giving these answers to the opponents, attention has been paid to the problems
which the believers and the Holy Prophet himself were facing in that
environment of active resistance. Not to speak of preaching the message to
others, the believers were even finding it difficult to follow the way of the
Faith. Any one about whom it became known that he had become a Muslim, life
would become an agony. As against the dreadful combination of the enemy and its
all pervading power, they were feeling utterly helpless and powerless. In this
state, in the first place, they were consoled and encouraged, as if to say:
"You are not, in fact, helpless and powerless, for any person who believes
in God as his Lord and adheres to this belief and way of life resolutely, God's
angels descend on him and help and support him at every stage, from the life of
this world till the Hereafter." Then they were encouraged with the
consolation: "The best man is he who does good,
invites others to God and proclaims firmly that he is a Muslim."
The
question that was vexing the Holy Prophet at that time was as to how he should
carve out a way of preaching his message when he had to face such heavy odds on
every side. The solution he was given to this question was: "Although apparently
the obstacles seem to be insurmountable, the weapon of good morals and
character can smash and melt them away. Use this weapon patiently, and whenever
Satan provokes you and incites you to use some other device, seek refuge in
Allah."
Notes
4462 Abbreviated
Letters: see Introduction to S. xi. See also n. 4382 to xl.
18, and n. 4505 to xli. 34. (41.1)
4463 In
the last Sura (xl. 2-3) the revelation was described with reference to some of
the qualities of Allah from Whom it came. Here it is described
mainly with reference to its subject-matter. (1) It brings the Message of Grace
and Mercy; (2) it is not merely a book of Dark Sayings, but everything is
explained clearly and from various points of view; (3) it is in Arabic, the
language of the people among whom it was first promulgated, and therefore
easily intelligible to them if they take the trouble to understand; and (4) it
opens the way to Forgiveness through Repentance and gives warning of all
spiritual Dangers. (41.2)
4464 With
all the qualities mentioned in the last note, if men do not profit by its
blessings, the fault lies in their will: they turn away, and thus fail to hear
the voice that calls to them. (41.4)
4465 The
consequence of their wilful rejection is that a distance is created between
Revelation and those for whom it is meant; their ears become deaf, so that the
voice falls fainter and fainter on their ears: they feel a bar between
themselves and the Messenger who comes to teach them. Cf. vii. 25. (41.5)
4466 This
is either a superiority complex adopting the sarcastic tone of an inferiority
complex, or it expresses calculated indifference to spiritual teaching. In
effect it says: 'Our hearts and minds are not
intelligent enough to understand your noble ideas, nor our ears sufficiently
acute to hear their exposition: you and we are quite different; there is a gulf
between us. Why worry about us? You go your way, and we shall go ours!' (41.5)
4467 The
reply is in effect: that the bringer of the Message is not an angel nor a god,
and so there can and ought to be no barrier between him and his hearers; but he
has been chosen to bring a Message of Truth and Hope to them; they should
accept the Gospel of Unity, and by Repentance, obtain Allah's Grace and
Forgiveness. (41.6)
4468 There
is nothing but pity for those who reject Truth, run after false worship, have
no sympathy or charity for their fellow-men, and even deny that there is any
future Life. (41.6)
4469 But
blessed are those who have Faith. They will have a Future and a Bliss that will never fail. (41.8)
Holy Quran Surah 41 Fussilat
(Expounded), or Ha Mim
Interpretation of
the Meanings of the Noble Quran in English Language by A.Yusuf Ali
9 Say: Is it that ye Deny Him Who created
the earth in two Days? And do ye join equals with Him? He is the Lord of (all)
the Worlds. 4470
10 He set on the (earth) Mountains standing firm high above it and
bestowed blessings on the earth and measured therein all things to give them
nourishment in due proportion in four Days in accordance with (the needs of)
those who seek (sustenance). 4471 4472 4473
11 Moreover He Comprehended in His design the sky and it had been
(as) smoke: He said to it and to the earth: "Come ye together willingly or
unwillingly." They said: "We do come (together) in willing
obedience." 4474 4475 4476
12 So He completed them as seven firmaments in two Days and He
assigned to each heaven its duty and command.
And We adorned the lower heaven with lights and
(provided it) with guard. Such is the
Decree of (Him) the Exalted in Might Full of knowledge. 4477 4478
13 But if they turn away say thou: "I have warned you of a
stunning Punishment (as of thunder and lightning) like that which (overtook)
the `Ad and the Thamud!" 4479
14 Behold the apostles came to them from before them and behind them
(preaching): "Serve none but Allah." They said "If our Lord had
so pleased He would certainly have sent down angels (to preach): now we reject
your mission (altogether)." 4480 4481
15 Now the `Ad behaved arrogantly through the land against (all)
truth and reason and said: "Who is superior to us in strength?" What!
did they not see that Allah Who created them was
superior to them in strength? But they continued to reject Our Signs! 4482
16 So We sent against them a furious Wind
through days of disaster that We might give them a taste of a Penalty of
humiliation in this Life; but the Penalty of the Hereafter will be more
humiliating still: and they will find no help. 4483
17 As to the Thamud We gave them guidance
but they preferred blindness (of heart) to Guidance; so the stunning Punishment
of humiliation seized them because of what they had earned. 4484 4485
18 But We delivered those who believed and
practiced righteousness.
Transliteration
Ayah 9
Yusuf Ali Say: Is it that ye Deny
Him Who created the earth in two Days? And do ye join equals with Him? He is
the Lord of (all) the Worlds.
Transliteration Qul ain nakum latakfu_runa bil lazi
khalaqal arda fi yaumaini wa tajalu_na lahu_ asda_da_
za_lika rab bul a_lamin
Ayah 10
Yusuf Ali He set on the (earth) Mountains
standing firm high above it and bestowed blessings on the earth and measured
therein all things to give them nourishment in due proportion in four Days in
accordance with (the needs of) those who seek (sustenance).
Transliteration Wa ja'ala fiha_ rawa_siya min fauqiha_
wa ba_raka fiha_ wa qad dara fiha_ aqwa_taha_ fi arbaata ay ya_m sawa_ al lis
sa_ ilin
Ayah 11
Yusuf Ali Moreover He Comprehended in His
design the sky and it had been (as) smoke: He said to it and to the earth:
"Come ye together willingly or unwillingly." They said: "We do
come (together) in willing obedience."
Transliteration Sum mas tawa_ ilas sama_i wa hiya duka_nun faqa_la laha_ wa lil arditiya_ tauan au
karha_ qa_lata_ ataina_ ta_ i in
Ayah 12
Yusuf Ali So He completed them as seven
firmaments in two Days and He assigned to each heaven its duty and
command. And We
adorned the lower heaven with lights and (provided it) with guard. Such is the Decree of (Him) the Exalted in
Might Full of knowledge.
Transliteration Faqada_hun na
saba sama_wa_ti fi yaumaini wa auha_ fi kul li sama_ in amraha_ wa zay yan nas
sama_ ad dun ya_ bi masa_biha wa hifza_ za_lika taqdirul azizil alim
Ayah 13
Yusuf Ali But if they turn away say thou: "I have warned you of a stunning Punishment
(as of thunder and lightning) like that which (overtook) the `Ad and the
Thamud!"
Transliteration Fa in aradu_ faqul anzartukum
sa_iqatam mitsla sa_iqati a_diw wa samu_d
Ayah 14
Yusuf Ali Behold the apostles came to them from
before them and behind them (preaching): "Serve none but Allah." They
said "If our Lord had so pleased He would certainly have sent down angels
(to preach): now we reject your mission (altogether)."
Transliteration Iz ja_ at humur rusulu min baini
aidihim wa min khalfihim al la_ tabudu_ ilal la_h
qa_lu_ lau sa_ a rab buna_ la anzala mala_ikatan fa in na_ bima_ ursitum bihi
ka_firu_n
Ayah 15
Yusuf Ali Now the `Ad behaved arrogantly
through the land against (all) truth and reason and said: "Who is superior
to us in strength?" What! did they not see that
Allah Who created them was superior to them in strength? But they continued to
reject Our Signs!
Transliteration Fa am ma_
a_dun fastakbaru_ fil ardi bigairil haq qi wa qa_lu_ ma_ asyadu min na_ quw wah
awalam yarau an nal la_hal lazi khalaqahum huwa asyad du minhum quw wah wa
ka_nu_ bi a_ya_tina_ yajhadu_n
Ayah 16
Yusuf Ali So We sent against them a furious
Wind through days of disaster that We might give them
a taste of a Penalty of humiliation in this Life; but the Penalty of the
Hereafter will be more humiliating still: and they will find no help.
Transliteration Fa arsalna_ alaihim rihan sarsaran fi
ay ya_min nahisa_til linuziqahum aza_bal khizyi fil haya_tid dun ya_ wa la'aza_bal a_khirati akhza_ wa hum la_ yunsaru_n
Ayah 17
Yusuf Ali As to the Thamud We gave them
guidance but they preferred blindness (of heart) to Guidance; so the stunning
Punishment of humiliation seized them because of what they had earned.
Transliteration Wa am ma_ samu_du fahadaina_hum
fastahab bul ama_ alal huda_ fa akhazat hum sa_iqatu aza_bil hu_ ni bima_
ka_nu_ yaksibu_n
Ayah 18
Yusuf Ali But We delivered those who believed
and practiced righteousness.
Transliteration Wanaj jainal lazina a_manu_ waka_nu_
yat taqu_n
Notes
4470 This
is a difficult passage, describing the primal creation of our physical earth
and the physical heavens around us. If we count the two Days mentioned in this
verse, the four Days mentioned in verse 10, and the two Days mentioned in verse
12, we get a total of eight Days, while in many passages the creation is stated
to have taken place in six Days: see vii. 54, n. 1031; and
xxxii. 4, n. 3632. The Commentators understand
the "four Days" in verse 10 to include the two Days in verse 9, so
that the total for the universe comes to six Days. This is reasonable, because
the processes described in verses 9 and 10 form really one series. In the one
case it is the creation of the formless matter of the earth; in the other case it
is the gradual evolution of the form of the earth, its mountains and seas, and
its animal and vegetable life, with the "nourishment in due
proportion", proper to each. Cf. also xv. 19-20. (41.9)
4471 Cf.
xiii. 3 and xvi. 15, n. 2038.
High above it: the highest mountains are 29,000 feet above sea-level, and the
lowest depths of the bottom of the ocean are 31,600 feet below sea-level, so
that the vertical difference between the highest and lowest points on the solid
crust of the earth is about 11-1/2 miles. The highland areas are the main
sources of the water-supply in all the regions of the earth, and vegetable and
animal life depends on water-supply. (41.10)
4472 See
n. 4470 above. (41.10)
4473 Sa-ilin
may mean either (1) those who seek, or (2) those who
ask or enquire. If the former meaning is adopted, the clause means that
everything is apportioned to the needs and appetites of Allah's creatures. If
the latter, it means that the needs of enquirers are sufficiently met by what
is stated here. (41.10)
4474 For
istawa see n. 1386 to x. 3. Cf. also ii. 29. (41.11)
4475 From
lxxix. 30 it would appear as if the earth was spread out after the sky was
made. In the present passage the creation of the earth and the evolution of
life on our globe are mentioned first; and the making of the sky into the seven
firmaments is mentioned last. The two statements are not inconsistent. It is
stated here that when the sky was made into seven firmaments, it had existed
previously as smoke, or vapour, or steam. The idea I derive from a collation of
the relevant Quranic passages is that Allah first created primeval matter,
which was as yet without order, shape, or symmetry. This state is called Chaos
as opposed to Cosmos in Greek Cosmogony. The next stage would be the
condensation of this primeval matter, into gases, liquids, or solids: on this
subject no precise information is given to us: it belongs to the realm of
Physics. About the earth we are told of four stages or Days, and about the
heavens, of two stages or Days. For Days see n. 4477 below. If these stages
proceeded or proceed together in time, it is obvious that each stage as we know
it on earth is half as long as each stage in the heavens. But these are
questions of Physics, Astronomy, or Geology. (41.11)
4476 I
take this to mean that Allah's design in creation was not to keep heaven and
earth separate, but together, as we indeed are, being part of the solar system,
and travellers through space, crossing the path of several comets. And all
matter created by Allah willingly obeys the laws laid down for it. (41.11)
4477 For
"Days", which may include thousands of years, see vii. 54, and n. 1031. They refer to stages in the evolution of
physical nature. In the Biblical cosmogony, (Gen. i, and ii. 1-7), which reflects
old Babylonian cosmogony, the scheme is apparently to
be taken literally as to days and is as follows. The first day Allah created
light; the second, the firmament; the third, the earth and vegetation; the
fourth, the stars and plants; the fifth, fish and fowl from the sea; and the
sixth, cattle, creeping things, beasts on land, and man; on the seventh day He
ended His work and rested. Our scheme is wholly different. (1) Allah did not
rest, and never rests. "His Throne doth extend over the heavens and the
earth, and He feeleth no fatigue in guarding and preserving them"; (2)
Allah's work has not ended; His activity still goes on: xxxii. 5; vii, 54; (3)
man in our scheme does not come in with land animals; his advent is much later;
(4) our stages are not sharply divided from each other, as in the above scheme,
where the stars and planets having been created on the fourth day, it is not
intelligible how the first three days were counted, nor how vegetation grew on
the third day. Our stages for earth and heaven are not in sequence of time for
the heavens and the earth. Our six stages are broadly speaking, (1) the
throwing off of our planet from cosmic matter; (2) its cooling and condensing;
(3) and (4) the growth of vegetable and animal life; (5) and (6) the parallel
growth of the starry realm and our solar system. (41.12)
4478 Cf.
xv. 17, and n. 1951; also xxxvii. 6-9. The transition from the third person ("He
completed," etc.) to the first person ("We adorned," etc.) may
be noted. The act of creation is an impersonal act: the act of adornment and
guarding is a personal favour to Allah's creatures. (41.12)
4479 See
verse 17 below. (41.13)
4480 "From
before them and behind them": i.e., from every side. They were warned from
every point of view. (41.14)
4481 Cf.
xv. 7, n. 1941; vi. 8-9, n. 841-42.
The 'Ad had more power and material civilisation than the
Pagan Arabs contemporary with the holy Prophet. But
the greater the material civilisation, the greater the arrogance as the
besetting sin. (41.14)
4482 Against
(all) truth and reason: Cf. vii. 33. Their estimate of their own strength was
greater than was justified by facts, but if they had all the strength which
they arrogated to themselves, yet how could they stand before Allah? (41.15)
4483 The
detailed story of the 'Ad and their besetting sin, and the preaching of their
Prophet Hud to them will be found in xxvi. 123-140; also vii. 65-72, and n. 1040.
For the furious Wind, Cf. liv. 19. (41.16)
4484 The
story of the Thamud usually goes with that of the 'Ad. Cf. xxvi. 140-59; also vii. 73-79, and n. 1043.
(41.17)
4485 "The
thunder bolt:" i.e., deafening noises like those of thunder and lightning;
or the rumbling of a terrible earthquake. In vii. 78,
an earthquake is suggested: see n. 1047 to that verse. Cf. also above. xli. 13.
(41.17)
Holy Quran Surah 41 Fussilat
(Expounded), or Ha Mim
Interpretation of
the Meanings of the Noble Quran in English Language by A.Yusuf Ali
19 On the Day that the enemies of Allah will be gathered together to
the Fire they will be marched in ranks. 4486
20 At length when they reach the (Fire) their hearing their sight and
their skins will bear witness against them as to (all) their deeds.
4487
21 They will say to their skins: "Why bear ye
witness against us?" They will say: "Allah hath given us speech (He) Who giveth speech to everything: He created you for the
first time and unto Him were ye to return. 4488
22 "Ye did not seek to
hide yourselves lest your hearing your sight and your skins should bear witness
against you! But ye did think that Allah knew not many of the things that ye
used to do! 4489
23 "But this thought of yours which ye did entertain concerning
your Lord hath brought you to destruction and (now) have ye become of those
utterly lost!" 4490
24 If then they have patience the Fire will be a Home for them! And
if they beg to be received into favor into favor will they not (then) be
received. 4491
25 And We have destined for them intimate companions (of like nature)
Who made alluring to them what was before them and behind them; and the
sentence among the previous generations of Jinns and men who have passed away
is proved against them; for they are utterly lost. 4492 4493 4494 4495
Transliteration
Ayah 19
Yusuf Ali On the Day that the enemies of Allah will
be gathered together to the Fire they will be marched in ranks.
Transliteration Wa yauma yuhsaru ada_ ul la_hi ilan
na_ri fahum yu_za u_n
Ayah 20
Yusuf Ali At length when they reach the (Fire)
their hearing their sight and their skins will bear witness
against them as to (all) their deeds.
Transliteration Hat ta_ iza_ ma_ ja_ u_ha_ sahida
alaihim samuhum wa absa_ruhum wa julu_duhum bima_
ka_nu_ yamalu_n
Ayah 21
Yusuf Ali They will say to their skins: "Why
bear ye witness against us?" They will say: "Allah hath given us
speech (He) Who giveth speech to everything: He
created you for the first time and unto Him were ye to return.
Transliteration Wa qa_lu_ li julu_dihim
Ayah 22
Yusuf Ali "Ye did not seek to hide
yourselves lest your hearing your sight and your skins
should bear witness against you! But ye did think that Allah knew not many of
the things that ye used to do!
Transliteration Wa ma_ kuntum tastatiru_na ay yashada
alaikum samukum wa la_ absa_rukum wa la_ julu_dukum wala_kin zanantum an nal
la_ha la_ yalamu katsiram mim ma_ tamalu_n
Ayah 23
Yusuf Ali "But this thought of yours which
ye did entertain concerning your Lord hath brought you to destruction and (now)
have ye become of those utterly lost!"
Transliteration Wa za_likum zan nukumul lazi zanantum
birab bikum arda_kum fasbahtum minal kha_sirin
Ayah 24
Yusuf Ali If then they have patience the Fire
will be a Home for them! And if they beg to be received into favor into favor
will they not (then) be received.
Transliteration Fa iy yasbiru_ fan na_ru matswal
lahum wa iy yastatibu_ fama_ hum minal mutabin
Ayah 25
Yusuf Ali And We have destined for them
intimate companions (of like nature) Who made alluring to them what was before
them and behind them; and the sentence among the previous generations of Jinns
and men who have passed away is proved against them; for they are utterly lost.
Transliteration Wa qay yadna_ lahum qurana_ a fa zaay
yanu_ lahum ma_ baina aidihim wa ma_ khalfahum wa haq qa alaihimul qaulu fi
umamin qad khalat min qablihim minal jin ni wal insi inahum ka_nu_ kha_sirin
Notes
4486 "Marched
in ranks": to show their further humiliation: for they will be like
prisoners going to Punishment. (41.19)
4487 All
the members of their bodies and the faculties of their minds, which they
misused, will bear witness against them. Similarly, in xxxvi.
65, their hands and their feet bear witness against them.
The "skin" not only includes the sense of touch (which is so often
misused in sex), but also the sense of taste and the sense of smell, which are
specialised forms of the organ of touch. All the sensory organs,
and all their intellectual and emotional counterparts advance us by their use
and pull us down by their misuse. They become tell-tale witnesses against us if
abused. (41.20)
4488 A
new phase of their existence will now dawn on them. They used to think that if
they concealed their evil deeds from the rest of the world, nothing would
happen to them! But Allah can give "tongues to trees", and can make
every fact in life, known and unknown to the world, contribute to the
elucidation of truth and justice. When we succumb to evil, our limbs and
faculties themselves betray us. (41.21)
4489 The
limbs and faculties will say: "You did not seek to hide your evil from us:
in fact you used us for your evil, because we were in your power. Did you not
know that Allah knew everything and that our knowledge would be evidence
against you?" (41.22)
4490 "You now see the situation! We were given for your
use and service. You misused us, to your own utter and irretrievable
destruction!" (41.23)
4491 If
they have patience: there is sarcasm in the meaning. "Let them not be
impatient: they will soon find a home in the Fire of Hell! If they ask for
grace and forgiveness then, it will be too late." (41.24)
4492 Just
as the idea of happiness in heaven is expressed, not only by individual
satisfaction, but by congenial society, so the idea of Punishment in hell is
deepened by the fact that Evil will be made to meet evil: those who made sin
fair-seeming in this life will be there to share in the regrets and mutual
recriminations which will make life a burden. In fact, in these Ha-Mim verses,
the idea of fit companionship for the Good and uncongenial company for the Evil, runs like a thread throughout. See Introduction to S. xl. (41.25)
4493 They
painted in glowing colours the pleasures of sin in the past and the pleasure of
sin in the future, thus practising a double deception, which will now be found
out. (41.25)
4494 Jinns:
see n. 929 to vi. 100. All spirits of wickedness and
all men who submitted to them, in the past, were under one common sentence; and
future generations who embrace evil will also join them. Cf. vi.
128. (41.25)
4495 The
echo here of verse 23 above completes the argument from another point of view.
(41.25)
Holy Quran Surah 41 Fussilat
(Expounded), or Ha Mim
Interpretation of
the Meanings of the Noble Quran in English Language by A.Yusuf Ali
26 The Unbelievers say: "Listen not to this Qur'an but talk at
random in the midst of its (reading) that ye may gain the upper hand!" 4496
27 But We will certainly give the Unbelievers
a taste of a severe Penalty and We will requite them for the worst of their
deeds. 4497
28 Such is the requital of the enemies of Allah the Fire: therein
will be for them the Eternal Home: a (fit) requital for that they were wont to reject Our Signs.
29 And the Unbelievers will say: "Our Lord! show
us those among Jinns and men who misled us: we shall crush them beneath our
feet so that they become the vilest (before all)." 4498
30 In the case of those who say "Our Lord is Allah" and
further stand straight and steadfast the angels descend on them (from time to
time): "Fear ye not!" (they suggest) "nor grieve! but receive the Glad
Tidings of the Garden (of Bliss) the which ye were promised! 4499
31 "We are your protectors in this life and in the Hereafter:
therein shall ye have all that your souls shall desire; therein shall ye have
all that ye ask for! 4500 4501
32 "A hospitable gift from
One Oft-Forgiving Most Merciful!" 4502
Transliteration
Ayah 26
Yusuf Ali The Unbelievers say: "Listen not
to this Qur'an but talk at random in the midst of its (reading) that ye may
gain the upper hand!"
Transliteration Wa qa_lal lazina kafaru_ la_ tasmau_
liha_zal qur a_ni wal gau fihi la'al lakum taglibu_n
Ayah 27
Yusuf Ali But We will certainly give the Unbelievers
a taste of a severe Penalty and We will requite them
for the worst of their deeds.
Transliteration Falanuziqan nal lazina kafaru_
aza_ban sadidaw wa lanajziyan nahum aswa al lazi
ka_nu_ yamalu_n
Ayah 28
Yusuf Ali Such is the requital of the enemies of
Allah the Fire: therein will be for them the Eternal Home: a (fit) requital for
that they were wont to reject Our Signs.
Transliteration Za_lika jaza_ u ada_ la_hin na_ru
lahum fiha_ sa_rul khuld jaza_ an bima_ ka_nu_ bi a_ya_tina_ yajhadu_n
Ayah 29
Yusuf Ali And the Unbelievers will say: "Our
Lord! show us those among Jinns and men who misled us:
we shall crush them beneath our feet so that they become the vilest (before
all)."
Transliteration Wa qa_lal lazina kafaru_ rab bana_
arinal lazzini adal la_na_ minal jin ni wal insi najalhuma_ tahta aqda_mina_
liyaku_na_ minal azfalin
Ayah 30
Yusuf Ali In the case of those who say
"Our Lord is Allah" and further stand straight and steadfast the
angels descend on them (from time to time): "Fear ye not!" (they suggest) "nor grieve! but receive the Glad Tidings of the Garden (of Bliss) the
which ye were promised!
Transliteration In nal lazina qa_lu_ rab bunal la_hu
sum mas taqa_mu_ tatanaz zalu alaihimul mala_ ikatu al la_ takha_fu_ wa la_ tahzanu_ wa absyiru_ bil jan natil lati kuntum
tu_adu_n
Ayah 31
Yusuf Ali "We are your protectors in this
life and in the Hereafter: therein shall ye have all that your souls shall
desire; therein shall ye have all that ye ask for!
Transliteration Nahnu auliya_ ukum fil haya_tid dun
ya_ wa fil a_khirati wa lakum fiha_ ma_ tastahi
anfusukum wa lakum fi ha_ ma_ tad dau_n
Ayah 32
Yusuf Ali "A
hospitable gift from One Oft-Forgiving Most Merciful!"
Transliteration Nuzulam min gafu_rir rahim
Notes
4496 A
favourite trick of those who wish to dishonour Revelation is, not only not to
listen to it themselves, but to talk loudly and insolently when it is being
read, so that even the true listeners may not be able to perform their
devotions. They think that they are drowning the voice of Allah: in fact they
are piling up misery for themselves in the future. For Allah's voice can never
be silenced. (41.26)
4497 Nothing
that they can do, however outrageous, will escape its fit punishment. And to reject
Allah's Signs is to shut the very door to His Grace and Mercy. (41.27)
4498 It
is one of the qualities of sin and all evil, that it wishes to drag down others
in its own camp, and rejoices to see them humiliated and disgraced, just as, in
the opposite case, the good rejoice to help and honour others and make them
happy wherever they can. Cf. vi. 112-113. (41.29)
4499 The
people who succeed in eternal Life are those who recognise and understand the
one and only Eternal Reality, that is Allah, and further shape their
probationary Life firmly and steadfastly on the principles of that Truth and
Reality. They will have their friends and protectors in the good angels, in
contrast to the evil ones, who will have no friendship or protection, but only
the reproaches of the Satan. (41.30)
4500 "Protectors":
Cf. n. 4492 to xli. 25 above, and n. 4505 to xli. 34 below. (41.31)
4501 Cf.
xxi. 102, xliii. 71, lii, 22.
(41.31)
4502 Cf.
iii. 198. Through Allah's infinite Mercy and Forgiveness, they will now be in the
position of guests to Host, and will receive unnumbered gifts out of all
proportion to their own merits. (41.32)
Holy Quran Surah 41 Fussilat
(Expounded), or Ha Mim
Interpretation of
the Meanings of the Noble Quran in English Language by A.Yusuf Ali
33 Who is better in speech than one who calls (men) to Allah works
righteousness and says "I am of those who bow in Islam"? 4503
34 Nor can Goodness and Evil be equal. Repel (Evil) with what is better: then will
he between whom and thee was hatred become as it were thy friend and intimate! 4504 4505
35 And no one will be granted such goodness except those who exercise
patience and self-restraint none but persons of the greatest good fortune. 4506
36 And if (at any time) an incitement to discord is made to thee by
the Evil One seek refuge in Allah. He is
the One Who hears and knows all things. 4507
37 Among His Signs are the Night and the Day and the sun and moon.
Adore not the Sun and the Moon but adore Allah Who created them if it is Him ye
wish to serve. 4508
38 But if they (Unbelievers) are arrogant (no matter): for in the
presence of thy Lord are those who celebrate His praises by night and by
day. And they never flag (nor feel
themselves above it). 4509
39 And among His Signs is this: thou seest the earth barren and
desolate; but when We send down rain to it it is
stirred to life and yields increase.
Truly He Who gives life to the (dead) earth can surely give life to
(men) who are dead. For
He has power over all things. 4510 4511
40 Those who pervert the Truth in Our Signs
are not hidden from Us. Which is better? He that is cast into
the Fire or he that comes safe through on the Day of Judgement? Do what
ye will: Verily He seeth (clearly) all that ye do. 4512
41 Those who reject the Message when it comes to them (are not hidden
from Us); and indeed it is a Book of exalted power. 4513
42 No falsehood can approach it from before or behind it: it is sent
down by One Full of Wisdom Worthy of all Praise. 4514
43 Nothing is said to thee that was not said to the apostles before
thee: That thy Lord has at His command (all) Forgiveness as well as a most
Grievous Penalty. 4515
44 Had We sent this as a Qur'an (in a
language) other than Arabic they would have said: "Why are not its verses
explained in detail? What! (a Book) not in Arabic and (a Messenger)
an Arab?" Say: "It is a guide and a healing to those who
believe; and for those who believe not there is a deafness in their ears and it
is blindness in their (eyes); they are (as it were) being called from a place
far distant!" 4516 4517
Transliteration
Ayah 33
Yusuf Ali Who is better in speech than one who
calls (men) to Allah works righteousness and says "I am of those who bow
in Islam"?
Transliteration Wa man ahsanu qaulam mim man daa_ ilal la_hi
wa amila sa_lihaw wa qa_la in nani minal muslimin
Ayah 34
Yusuf Ali Nor can Goodness and Evil be equal. Repel (Evil) with what is better: then will
he between whom and thee was hatred become as it were thy friend and
intimate!
Transliteration Wa la_ tastawil hasanatu wa las say yi
ah idfa bil lati hiya ahsanu fa izal lazi bainaka wa bainahu_ ada_watun ka an
nahu_ waliy yun hamim
Ayah 35
Yusuf Ali And no one will be granted such goodness
except those who exercise patience and self-restraint none but persons of the
greatest good fortune.
Transliteration Wa ma_ yulaq qa_ha_ ilal lazina sabaru_
wa ma_ yulaq qa_ha_ il la_ zu_haz zin azim
Ayah 36
Yusuf Ali And if (at any time) an incitement to
discord is made to thee by the Evil One seek refuge in Allah. He is the One Who hears and knows all things.
Transliteration Wa im ma_ yanzagan naka minas saita_ni
nazgun fastaiz bil la_h in nahu_ huwas saul alim
Ayah 37
Yusuf Ali Among His Signs are the Night and the
Day and the sun and moon. Adore not the Sun and the Moon but adore Allah Who
created them if it is Him ye wish to serve.
Transliteration Wa min a_ya_tihil lailu wan naha_ru was
samsu wal qamar la_ tasjudu_ lis samsi wa la_ lilqamari was judu_ lil la_hil
lazi khalaqahun na in kuntum iy ya_hu tabudu_n
Ayah 38
Yusuf Ali But if they (Unbelievers) are
arrogant (no matter): for in the presence of thy Lord are those who celebrate
His praises by night and by day. And
they never flag (nor feel themselves above it).
Transliteration Fa inis takbaru_ fal lazina inda rab
bika yusab bihu_na lahu_ bil laili wan naha_ri wa hum
la_ yas amu_n
Ayah 39
Yusuf Ali And among His Signs is this: thou seest
the earth barren and desolate; but when We send down rain to it it is stirred
to life and yields increase. Truly He
Who gives life to the (dead) earth can surely give life to (men) who are
dead. For He has power
over all things.
Transliteration Wa min a_ya_tihi an naka taral arda
kha_siatan fa iza_ anzalna_ alaihal ma_ ajtaz zat wa rabat in nal lazi ahya_ha_ lamuhyil mauta_ in
nahu_ ala_ kul li sai in qadir
Ayah 40
Yusuf Ali Those who pervert the Truth in Our Signs
are not hidden from Us. Which is better? He that is cast into
the Fire or he that comes safe through on the Day of Judgement? Do what
ye will: Verily He seeth (clearly) all that ye do.
Transliteration In nal lazina yulhidu_na fi
a_ya_tina_ la_ yakhfauna alaina_ afmay yulqa_ fin na_ri khairun am may yati a_minay yaumal qiya_mah imalu_ ma_ situm inahu_
bima_ tamalu_na basir
Ayah 41
Yusuf Ali Those who reject the Message when it comes
to them (are not hidden from Us); and indeed it is a Book of exalted power.
Transliteration In nal lazina kafaru_ biz zikri lama_
ja_ ahum wa in nahu_ lakita_bun aziz
Ayah 42
Yusuf Ali No falsehood can approach it from
before or behind it: it is sent down by One Full of Wisdom Worthy of all
Praise.
Transliteration La_ yatihil ba_tilu mim baini yasaihi
wa la_ min khalif tanzilum min hakimin hamid
Ayah 43
Yusuf Ali Nothing is said to thee that was not
said to the apostles before thee: That thy Lord has at His command (all)
Forgiveness as well as a most Grievous Penalty.
Transliteration Ma_ yuqa_lu laka il
la_ ma_ qad qila lir rusuli min qablik in na rab baka lazu_ magfiratiw wa zu_
iqa_bin alim
Ayah 44
Yusuf Ali Had We sent this as a Qur'an (in a
language) other than Arabic they would have said: "Why are not its verses
explained in detail? What! (a Book) not in Arabic and (a
Messenger) an Arab?" Say: "It is a guide and a healing to those
who believe; and for those who believe not there is a deafness in their ears
and it is blindness in their (eyes); they are (as it were) being called from a
place far distant!"
Transliteration Wa lau jaalna_hu qur a_nan ajamiy yal
laqa_lu_ lau la_ fus silat a_ya_tuh a ajamiy a_manu_ hudaw wa sifa_ wal lazina
la_ yuminu_na fi a_za_nihim waqruw wa huwa alaihim ama_ ula_ ika yuna_dauna mim
maka_nin baid
Notes
4503 Better
in speech: i.e., speaks better counsel; or is more worthy of being listened to.
That his word reaches the highest mark of human speech is evidenced by three
facts: (1) that he calls all to the Truth of Allah, showing that his thoughts
are not centred on himself; (2) every deed of his is righteousness, showing
that there is no divergence between his preaching and his conduct; and (3) he
completely associates himself with the Will of Allah, showing that he is the
full embodiment of Islam. What a fine description of the holy Prophet! (41.33)
4504 You do
not return good for evil, for there is no equality or comparison between the
two. You repel or destroy evil with something which is far better, just as an
antidote is better than poison. You foil hatred with love. You repel ignorance
with knowledge, folly and wickedness with the friendly message of Revelation.
The man who was in the bondage of sin, you not only liberate from sin, but make
him your greatest friend and helper in the cause of Allah! Such is the alchemy
of the Word of Allah! Cf. xxiii. 96; xxviii. 54. (41.34)
4505 Hamim:
See n. 4500 above, and Introduction to S. xi. (41.34)
4506 The
moral standard referred to in the last verse can only be reached by the
exercise of the highest patience and self-restraint. All sorts of human
weaknesses and counsels of pseudo-wisdom and "self-respect" will keep
breaking in, but resist them as suggestions of Evil (see next verse). If you
reach anywhere near that high standard, you will be indeed most fortunate in a
spiritual sense, for Allah's Revelation will have made you great and free. (41.35)
4507 Nazaga
has in it the idea of discord, slander, disharmony, as well as incitements to
such disturbances in the soul. They can only proceed from evil, and should be
resisted with the help of Allah. See also last note. (41.36)
4508 Night
and Day are opposites, and yet, by the alchemy of Allah, they can both subserve
the purpose of human good, because the Night can give rest while the Day can
promote activity. The Sun and the Moon are similarly complementary. So, in
moral and spiritual affairs, seeming opposites may by Allah's alchemy be made
to subserve the purposes of Good. They are but instruments: Allah is the Cause.
Adore Allah, and not the things which He has created. Use the things which He
has created, but do not adore them. (41.37)
4509 It
does not in any way affect Allah if men rebel against Him. It is men's own
loss. Allah's glory is being celebrated night and day by angels and men who
receive the privilege of approaching His presence. To them it is delight and an
honour to be in the sunshine of Truth and Happiness. (41.38)
4510 Evil
makes of the souls of men what drought makes of land: it kills life, beauty,
and fruitfulness. Allah's Word in the spiritual world has the same wonderful
effect as rain has on barren land: it gives life, beauty, and fruitfulness. And
the effect of Allah's Word is also seen through the lives of men who repel evil
with what is better. They also convert dead souls (which harbour spite and
hatred) into living souls, which come into the main current of spiritual life,
and help in carrying out Allah's beneficent Purpose. (41.39)
4511 Why
should we wonder then at the potency of Allah's Word, whether in our
probationary lives here, or in the eternal life of the Hereafter. (41.39)
4512 Pervert
the Truth in Our Signs; either by corrupting the scriptures or turning them to
false and selfish uses; or by neglecting the Signs of Allah in nature around
them, or silencing His voice in their own conscience. Everything is known to
Allah. Why not work for true salvation at the final Judgment? (41.40)
4513 Mere
rejection by men will not silence the Signs of Allah, which will work
unintermittently and with the fullest potency. (41.41)
4514 Allah's
Truth is fully guarded on all sides. No one can get the better of it by
attacking it from before or behind it, openly or secretly, or in any way
whatever. (41.42)
4515 The
gist of Allah's Message, now, before, and for ever, is the same: Mercy to the
erring and repentant; just punishment to those who wilfully rebel against
Allah. (41.43)
4516 Cf.
xvi. 103-105; xii. 2; etc. It
was most natural and reasonable that the Messenger being Arab, the Message
should be in his own tongue, that he might explain it in every detail, with the
greatest power and eloquence. Even though it was to be for the whole world, its
initial exposition was thus to be in Arabic. But if people had no faith and
were spiritually deaf or blind, it would not matter in what language it came. (41.44)
4517 Cf.
xli. 5, and vi. 25. They pretended that it was too
deep for them, when they meant that they were superior to it! The fact was that
by putting themselves in an artificially false position, they rendered
themselves impervious to the Message. The voice of Revelation or the voice of
conscience sounded to them as if it came from a far-off place! They themselves
made themselves strangers to it. (41.44)
Holy Quran Surah 41 Fussilat
(Expounded), or Ha Mim
Interpretation of
the Meanings of the Noble Quran in English Language by A.Yusuf Ali
45 We certainly gave Moses the Book aforetime: but dispute arose
therein. Had it not been for a word that went forth before from thy Lord (their
differences) would have been settled between them: but they remained in
suspicious disquieting doubt thereon. 4518
46 Whoever works righteousness benefits his own soul; whoever works
evil it is against his own soul: nor is thy Lord ever unjust (in the least) to
His servants.
47 To Him is referred the Knowledge of the Hour (of Judgment: He
knows all): no date-fruit comes out of its sheath nor does a female conceive (within
her womb) nor bring forth (young) but by His Knowledge. The Day that (Allah) will propound to them
the (question) "Where are the partners (ye attributed) to Me?" They will say "We do assure thee not one of
us can bear witness!" 4519 4520
48 The (deities) they used to invoke aforetime will leave them in the
lurch and they will perceive that they have no way of escape.
49 Man does not weary of asking for good (things) but if ill touches
him he gives up all hope (and) is lost in despair. 4521
50 When We give him a taste of some mercy from Ourselves after some
adversity has touched him he is sure to say "This is due to my (merit): I
think not that the Hour (of Judgment) will (ever) be established; but if I am
brought back to my Lord I have (much) good (stored) in His sight!" But We will show the Unbelievers the truth of all that they did
and We shall give them the taste of a severe Penalty. 4522
51 When We bestow favors on man he turns
away and gets himself remote on his side (instead of coming to Us); and when
Evil seizes him (he comes) full of prolonged prayer! 4523 4524
52 Say: "See ye if the (Revelation) is (really) from Allah and
yet do ye reject it? Who is more astray than one who is in schism far (from any
purpose)?"
53 Soon will We show them Our Signs in the
(furthest) regions (of the earth) and in their own souls until it becomes
manifest to them that this is the Truth.
Is it not enough that thy Lord doth witness all things?
54 Ah indeed! are they in doubt concerning the
Meeting with their Lord? Ah indeed! it is He that doth
encompass all things! 4525
Transliteration
Ayah 45
Yusuf Ali We certainly gave Moses the Book
aforetime: but dispute arose therein. Had it not been for a word that went
forth before from thy Lord (their differences) would have been settled between
them: but they remained in suspicious disquieting doubt thereon.
Transliteration Wa laqad a_taina_ mu_sal kita_ba
fakhtulifa fih wa lau la_ kalimatun sabaqat mir rab bika laqudiya bainahum wa
in nahum lafi sak sim minhu murib
Ayah 46
Yusuf Ali Whoever works righteousness benefits his own
soul; whoever works evil it is against his own soul: nor is thy Lord ever
unjust (in the least) to His servants.
Transliteration Man amila sa_lihan falinafsihi wa man asa_ a fa'alaiha_ wa ma_ rab buka bi zal la_mil lil
abid
Ayah 47
Yusuf Ali To Him is referred the Knowledge of the
Hour (of Judgment: He knows all): no date-fruit comes out of its sheath nor
does a female conceive (within her womb) nor bring forth (young) but by His
Knowledge. The Day that (Allah) will
propound to them the (question) "Where are the partners (ye attributed) to
Me?" They will say "We do assure thee not
one of us can bear witness!"
Transliteration Ilaihi yurad du ilmus sa_ah wa ma_ takhruju min samara_tin min akma_miha wa ma_ tahmilu
min unsa_ wa la_ tadau il la_ bi ilmih wa yauma yuna_dihim aina suraka_ I
qa_lu_ a_zan na_ka ma_ min na_ min sahid
Ayah 48
Yusuf Ali The (deities) they used to invoke
aforetime will leave them in the lurch and they will perceive that they have no
way of escape.
Transliteration Wa dal la anhum ma_ ka_nu_ yad u_na min
qablu wa zan nu_ ma_ lahum mim mahis
Ayah 49
Yusuf Ali Man does not weary of asking for good
(things) but if ill touches him he gives up all hope (and) is lost in despair.
Transliteration La_ yas amul insa_nu min dua_il khair
wa im mas sahus sar ru fayau_sun qanu_th
Ayah 50
Yusuf Ali When We give him a taste of some
mercy from Ourselves after some adversity has touched him he is sure to say
"This is due to my (merit): I think not that the Hour (of Judgment) will
(ever) be established; but if I am brought back to my Lord I have (much) good
(stored) in His sight!" But We will show the
Unbelievers the truth of all that they did and We shall give them the taste of
a severe Penalty.
Transliteration Wa la in adzaqna_hu rahmatam min na_
mim badi dar ra_ a mas sat hu layaqu_lan na ha_za_ li wa ma_ azhun nus sa_ ata
qa_ imataw wa la ir rujitu ila_ rab bi in na li indahu_ lalhusna fa lanunab bi
an nal lazina kafaru_ bima_ amilu_ wa lanuziqan nahum min aza_bin galiz
Ayah 51
Yusuf Ali When We bestow favors on man he turns
away and gets himself remote on his side (instead of coming to Us); and when
Evil seizes him (he comes) full of prolonged prayer!
Transliteration Wa iza_ anamna_ alal insa_ni arada wa
na a_ bija_nibih wa iza_ mas sahus sar ru fazu_ dua_in arid
Ayah 52
Yusuf Ali Say: "See ye if the (Revelation)
is (really) from Allah and yet do ye reject it? Who is more astray than one who
is in schism far (from any purpose)?"
Transliteration Qul ara
aitum in ka_na min indil la_hi sum ma kafartum bihi man adhal lu mim man huwa
fi siqa_qin baid
Ayah 53
Yusuf Ali Soon will We
show them Our Signs in the (furthest) regions (of the earth) and in their own
souls until it becomes manifest to them that this is the Truth. Is it not enough that thy Lord doth witness
all things?
Transliteration Sanurihim a_ya_tina_ fil a_fa_qi wa fi anfusihim hat ta_ yatabay yana lahum an nahul haq
awalam yakfi birab bika an nahu_ ala_ kul li sai in sahid
Ayah 54
Yusuf Ali Ah indeed! are
they in doubt concerning the Meeting with their Lord? Ah indeed! it is He that doth encompass all things!
Transliteration Ala_ in nahum
fi miryatim mil liqa_i rab bihim ala_ in nahu_ bikuli sai im muhit
Notes
4518 Callousness
and self-sufficiency in religion are often illustrated by sects like the
Pharisees and Sadducees among the Jews. Where there are honest differences of
opinion, they can, in Allah's Plan, lead to greater enquiry and emulation.
Where the differences are fractious, there is often even then time left for
repentance. In any case the Word or Decree of God is for the best good of all,
and should not disturb Faith. Cf. x. 19. A good life, of faith and truth, is in
our own interests, and the opposite against our own interests. Allah is never
unjust. (41.45)
4519 There
are profound mysteries which the knowledge of man cannot fathom but which are all
open knowledge to Allah, because He plans, guides and controls all things. The
precise time of the Hour of Judgment is one of these. We are not to dispute
about matters like these, which are matters of speculation as far as human
intelligence is concerned. Such speculations ruined the Ummat of Moses, and set
them on the arid path of doubts and controversies. Our task is to do our duty
and love Allah and man (see the last two verses). Cf. also xxi. 4. (41.47)
4520 When
the final restoration of true values comes, all falsehood will be exposed
openly and publicly. The false gods will vanish, and their falsehood will be
acknowledged by those who had lapsed from true worship. But it will be too late
then for repentance. (41.47)
4521 Not
only is man prone to doubts and speculations in matters beyond his ken, thus
disturbing the even tenor of his spiritual life: he is apt to run into opposite
extremes in his daily experiences in this life. He is always hankering after
the good things of this life. They are not all good for him. If he receives a
little check, even though it may be to bring him to his bearings and turn his
thoughts to higher things, he is apt to fall into despair. (41.49)
4522 When
men entertain false ideas of values in life, there are two or three possible
attitudes they may adopt in reaction to their experiences. In the first place,
their desire may be inordinate for the good things of this life, and any little
check brings them into a mood of despair. See last note. In the second place,
if their desire is granted, they are puffed up, and think that everything is
due to their own cleverness or merit, and they forget Allah. Not only that, but
they go a step further, and begin to doubt a Hereafter at all! If by chance
they have a faint glimmering of the Hereafter, which they cannot help
recognising, they think themselves "favoured of Heaven", because of
some small favours given to them in this life by way of trial. Thus they turn
all things, good or evil, away from their real purpose, because they are
devoted to falsehood. (41.50)
4523 The
last verse and note dealt with men's distortion of the values of life. Here we
come to men's ingratitude and hypocrisy. If they receive good,
they go farther away from Allah, instead of coming nearer to him. If they suffer ill, they call on Allah and offer prolonged prayers,
but it is not sincere devotion and therefore worthless. (41.51)
4524 Cf.
xvii. 83. A) An argument is now addressed, of a most
searching nature. Examine your own souls. See if you do not really find
something unusual in Allah's Revelation! If you do, and yet you reject it, what
a terrible responsibility fastens itself on you? Could
anything be more foolish or more misguided than to reject a Message which is
transforming the whole world? B) 'If you resist the convictions of the whole
world, you are only forming a Cave or a narrow obscure sect or schism, which
serves no purpose, and is unfit to live in the broad light of Universal
Religion.' Cf. ii. 176, n. 176. C) Allah's Truth
always spreads, in its own good time, across to the uttermost ends of the
earth, as it did in the case of Islam. But its intensive spread in the hearts
and souls of people is even more remarkable than its extensive spread over
large areas. Men like the four Companions of the Prophet-and many more-became
leaders of men and arbiters of the world's fate. Madinah from being a focus of
jarring tribes and factions that hated each other,
became the seat of heroic actions and plans and the nursery of great and noble
heroic deeds that resounded throughout the world. It makes no difference what
men may say or do. Allah's Truth must prevail, and He knows who obstruct and
who help. (41.51)
4525 Short-sighted
people may like to think that there may be no Judgment. But Judgment is
inevitable and cannot be escaped, for Allah "doth encompass all
things." (41.54)
End of Surah Fussilat