Sūrat Yūnus

سورۃ یونس

Sūrat Yūnus makkiyyah wa-hiya miʾah wa-tisʿ āyātin wa-aḥad ʿashara rukūʿā Sūrat Yūnus — a Meccan sūrah, comprising one hundred and nine (109) verses and eleven (11) sections of bowing (rukūʿ).

This sūrah is named in honour of the Prophet Yūnus (upon him be peace). Narrations in several commentaries record the following episode concerning him: the people of Yūnus (upon him be peace) lived in the region of Nineveh (Naynawā) and were deep in disbelief and polytheism. Allah the Exalted sent Yūnus (upon him be peace) to them. He commanded them to abandon idol-worship and to believe. They refused. Yūnus (upon him be peace) became aggrieved by their rejection and set a term: if they remain through the night he would know that no punishment was coming, but if they repented before dawn, the punishment would be averted.

That night Yūnus (upon him be peace) left the city, fearing the punishment was imminent. The people felt certain that punishment was approaching. A dark, terrifying cloud covered them, and a deadly scorching wind (samūm) spread over the entire city. Realising the punishment was at hand, the people sought Yūnus (upon him be peace) and did not find him. They went out — men, women, children, and livestock — into the open fields. They wore sackcloth, wept, and made sincere repentance, declaring faith. They separated nursing children from their mothers, and every soul called out to Allah with sincerity. Those who had previously wronged others made restitution. Allah the Exalted accepted their repentance and prayers of sincere plea, and the punishment was averted.

أَكَانَ لِلنَّاسِ عَجَبًا أَنْ أَوْحَيْنَا إِلَىٰ رَجُلٍ مِّنْهُمْ أَنْ أَنذِرِ النَّاسَ وَبَشِّرِ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا أَنَّ لَهُمْ قَدَمَ صِدْقٍ عِندَ رَبِّهِمْ قَالَ الْكَافِرُونَ إِنَّ هَٰذَا لَسَاحِرٌ مُّبِينٌ

a-kāna li'l-nāsi ʿajaban an awḥaynā ilā rajulin minhum an andhari'l-nāsa wa-bashshiri'lladhīna āmanū anna lahum qadama ṣidqin ʿinda rabbihim qāla'l-kāfirūna inna hādhā la-sāḥirun mubīn "Was it a wonder for people that We revealed to a man from among them: 'Warn mankind, and give glad tidings to those who believe that they have a sure footing with their Lord'? The disbelievers say: 'This is indeed a manifest sorcerer!'" — Yūnus 10:2

Translation: Is it cause for amazement among people that We revealed to a man from among themselves: "Warn people of evil consequences, and give glad tidings to the believers that they have a firm and honourable standing (qadam ṣidq) with their Lord"? The disbelievers declare: "This is nothing but an obvious sorcerer!"

Commentary: A-kāna li'l-nāsi ʿajaban — is it really a matter of wonder and astonishment? Is it so strange that Allah would choose a man from among them to receive divine revelation? Rajulin minhum — a man from their own kind, who speaks their language, lives among them, and shares their humanity. An andhari'l-nāsa — to warn people of heedlessness and its consequences. Wa-bashshiri'lladhīna āmanū — and to bring glad tidings to believers. Qadam ṣidq ʿinda rabbihim — a noble, secure, and honoured standing before their Lord. Qadama here is used idiomatically for greatness, honour, and a firm precedence. Qāla'l-kāfirūna inna hādhā la-sāḥirun mubīn — the disbelievers, in their denial, called him a sorcerer. But the charge is baseless: sorcery is deception and trickery, while the Qurʾān is manifest truth and radiant guidance.

Commentary (continued — Intercession):

إِنَّ رَبَّكُمُ اللَّهُ الَّذِي خَلَقَ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضَ فِي سِتَّةِ أَيَّامٍ ثُمَّ اسْتَوَىٰ عَلَى الْعَرْشِ يُدَبِّرُ الْأَمْرَ مَا مِن شَفِيعٍ إِلَّا مِن بَعْدِ إِذْنِهِ ذَٰلِكُمُ اللَّهُ رَبُّكُمْ فَاعْبُدُوهُ أَفَلَا تَذَكَّرُونَ

inna rabbakumu'llāhu'lladhī khalaqa'l-samāwāti wa'l-arḍa fī sittati ayyāmin thumma'stawā ʿalā'l-ʿarshi yudabbiru'l-amra mā min shafīʿin illā min baʿdi idhnihi dhālikumu'llāhu rabbukum fa'ʿbudūhu a-fa-lā tadhakkarūn "Indeed your Lord is Allah Who created the heavens and the earth in six days, then established Himself upon the Throne, governing all affairs. There is no intercessor except after His permission. That is Allah, your Lord — so worship Him. Will you not then take heed?" — Yūnus 10:3

Translation: Truly your Lord is Allah Who created the heavens and the earth in six days, then assumed command over the Throne, governing and ordaining all affairs. There is no intercessor except by His leave. That is Allah, your Lord — so worship Him alone. Will you not then take heed?

Commentary: Sittati ayyām — six days, or six defined periods and phases. Thumma'stawā ʿalā'l-ʿarsh — then He assumed governance over the Throne — meaning the universal administration of all affairs came into His ordered management. Yudabbiru'l-amr — He governs and regulates every affair. Mā min shafīʿin illā min baʿdi idhnihi — there is no intercessor except by His permission. This verse clearly affirms that intercession (shafāʿah) exists, but only by divine permission. Allah will certainly grant permission to those worthy intercessors — prophets, saints, and righteous souls — who are deserving of it. The verse does not negate intercession; it establishes that intercession belongs to Allah and is granted by His leave. Dhālikumu'llāhu rabbukum fa'ʿbudūhu — so worship Him alone. A-fa-lā tadhakkarūn — will you not take admonition?

إِلَيْهِ مَرْجِعُكُمْ جَمِيعًا وَعْدَ اللَّهِ حَقًّا إِنَّهُ يَبْدَأُ الْخَلْقَ ثُمَّ يُعِيدُهُ لِيَجْزِيَ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَعَمِلُوا الصَّالِحَاتِ بِالْقِسْطِ وَالَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا لَهُمْ شَرَابٌ مِّنْ حَمِيمٍ وَعَذَابٌ أَلِيمٌ بِمَا كَانُوا يَكْفُرُونَ

ilayhi marjiʿukum jamīʿan waʿda'llāhi ḥaqqan innahu yabdaʾu'l-khalqa thumma yuʿīduhu li-yajziya'lladhīna āmanū wa-ʿamilū'l-ṣāliḥāti bi'l-qisṭi wa'lladhīna kafarū lahum sharābun min ḥamīmin wa-ʿadhābun alīmun bi-mā kānū yakfurūn "To Him shall all of you return — the promise of Allah, true indeed. He originated creation then He will repeat it, that He may recompense those who believe and do righteous deeds with justice. And those who disbelieve — for them is a drink of scalding water and a painful punishment because of what they used to deny." — Yūnus 10:4

Translation: To Him all of you shall return — Allah's promise is absolute truth. He began creation and He will repeat it, that He may reward those who believe and act righteously with perfect justice. As for those who disbelieved, theirs is a drink of boiling water and a painful punishment for what they persisted in denying.

Commentary: Ilayhi marjiʿukum jamīʿan — to Him is the return of all, without exception. Waʿda'llāhi ḥaqqan — Allah's promise is unalterable truth. Yabdaʾu'l-khalq thumma yuʿīduh — He originated creation and will repeat it. Why the repetition? Li-yajziya — to render recompense: bi'l-qisṭ — with perfect equity, rewarding the faithful and the righteous. Wa'lladhīna kafarū lahum sharābun min ḥamīm — for the disbelievers, a drink of scalding water. Wa-ʿadhābun alīm — a grievous, painful punishment — because of their persistent rejection of Allah and His Messengerﷺ.

هُوَ الَّذِي جَعَلَ الشَّمْسَ ضِيَاءً وَالْقَمَرَ نُورًا وَقَدَّرَهُ مَنَازِلَ لِتَعْلَمُوا عَدَدَ السِّنِينَ وَالْحِسَابَ مَا خَلَقَ اللَّهُ ذَٰلِكَ إِلَّا بِالْحَقِّ يُفَصِّلُ الْآيَاتِ لِقَوْمٍ يَعْلَمُونَ

huwa'lladhī jaʿala'l-shamsa ḍiyāʾan wa'l-qamara nūran wa-qaddarahu manāzila li-taʿlamū ʿadada'l-sinīna wa'l-ḥisāba mā khalaqa'llāhu dhālika illā bi'l-ḥaqqi yufaṣṣilu'l-āyāti li-qawmin yaʿlamūn "He it is Who made the sun a radiant light and the moon a [reflected] light, and ordained for it stations so that you may know the number of years and the reckoning. Allah has not created that except in truth. He details the signs for a people who know." — Yūnus 10:5

Translation: He is the One Who made the sun a blazing radiance (ḍiyāʾ) and the moon a reflected light (nūr), and ordained for the moon its stations (manāzil) — so that you might reckon the years and calculate time. Allah has not created this except in truth and wisdom. He sets forth the signs in detail for a people of knowledge.

Commentary: Ḍiyāʾ — the sun's light is an original, burning radiance. Nūr — the moon's light is reflected, borrowed from the sun. Qaddarahu manāzila — He ordained the moon's twenty-eight stations (manāzil), each a distinct phase in its monthly cycle. The moon traverses one station per day. Through this the lunar year is established, and from the sun the solar year. The purpose — li-taʿlamū ʿadada'l-sinīna wa'l-ḥisāb — is that you reckon the years and your daily affairs. Mā khalaqa'llāhu dhālika illā bi'l-ḥaqq — Allah created all this with truth and cosmic purpose. The author says: what need has anyone for arcane astronomical speculation beyond practical reckoning? The essential purpose is for daily life and the proper reckoning of religious duties — the calendar of worship. Yufaṣṣilu'l-āyāti li-qawmin yaʿlamūn — He sets forth these signs for those who think and reflect.

Commentary: Dear reader, think about the sun and the moon. Some foolish people worship them, yet the sun and moon follow the course Allah has ordained for them without deviation by a single moment. Such is the precision of divine ordination (taqwīm). To have an agenda of one's own and to reject the God Who holds all creation in His power is the height of arrogance and disbelief.

إِنَّ فِي اخْتِلَافِ اللَّيْلِ وَالنَّهَارِ وَمَا خَلَقَ اللَّهُ فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ لَآيَاتٍ لِّقَوْمٍ يَتَّقُونَ

inna fī'khitilāfi'l-layli wa'l-nahāri wa-mā khalaqa'llāhu fi'l-samāwāti wa'l-arḍi la-āyātin li-qawmin yattaqūn "In the alternation of night and day, and in what Allah has created in the heavens and the earth — there are surely signs for a people who are God-fearing." — Yūnus 10:6

Translation: In the alternation of night and day, and in all that Allah has created in the heavens and the earth, there are indeed signs for a people who have God-consciousness.

Commentary: Ikhtilāf al-layl wa'l-nahār — the alternation of night and day, each relieving the other: night brings rest and day brings activity. Wa-mā khalaqa'llāhu fi'l-samāwāti wa'l-arḍ — and everything Allah has created in the heavens and on the earth. La-āyātin — there are unmistakably signs and proofs of Allah's existence, wisdom, and power. Li-qawmin yattaqūn — for those who exercise caution and fear Allah.

إِنَّ الَّذِينَ لَا يَرْجُونَ لِقَاءَنَا وَرَضُوا بِالْحَيَاةِ الدُّنْيَا وَاطْمَأَنُّوا بِهَا وَالَّذِينَ هُمْ عَنْ آيَاتِنَا غَافِلُونَ ۝ أُولَٰئِكَ مَأْوَاهُمُ النَّارُ بِمَا كَانُوا يَكْسِبُونَ

inna'lladhīna lā yarjūna liqāʾanā wa-raḍū bi'l-ḥayāti'l-dunyā wa-'ṭmaʾannū bihā wa'lladhīna hum ʿan āyātinā ghāfilūn۝ulāʾika maʾwāhumu'l-nāru bi-mā kānū yaksibūn "Truly those who do not hope for the encounter with Us, who are content with the life of this world and are at peace with it, and those who are heedless of Our signs — their abode is the Fire, because of what they used to earn." — Yūnus 10:7–8

Translation: Surely those who have no hope of meeting Us, who are content with the worldly life and have settled in it with full ease of heart, and those who are utterly heedless of Our signs — their dwelling shall be the Fire, as a recompense for all they used to earn.

Commentary: Lā yarjūna liqāʾanā — they have no hope of the divine encounter — neither do they believe in the meeting with Allah in the Hereafter, nor do they yearn for it. Raḍū bi'l-ḥayāti'l-dunyā — they are satisfied with this transient life. Wa-'ṭmaʾannū bihā — they have settled in it with complete complacency. Wa'lladhīna hum ʿan āyātinā ghāfilūn — and those who are oblivious to Our signs in the created order. Maʾwāhumu'l-nār — their shelter is the Fire — because of all they used to earn.

إِنَّ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَعَمِلُوا الصَّالِحَاتِ يَهْدِيهِمْ رَبُّهُم بِإِيمَانِهِمْ تَجْرِي مِن تَحْتِهِمُ الْأَنْهَارُ فِي جَنَّاتِ النَّعِيمِ

inna'lladhīna āmanū wa-ʿamilū'l-ṣāliḥāti yahdīhim rabbuhum bi-īmānihim tajrī min taḥtihimu'l-anhāru fī jannāti'l-naʿīm "Indeed those who believe and do righteous deeds — their Lord will guide them by means of their faith; rivers will flow beneath them in the Gardens of Bliss." — Yūnus 10:9

Translation: As for those who believe and perform righteous deeds — their Lord guides them by virtue of their faith; rivers flow beneath them in the Gardens of Bliss.

Commentary: Yahdīhim rabbuhum bi-īmānihim — their Lord guides them through their faith: faith is the lamp that illuminates the path to Paradise. Tajrī min taḥtihimu'l-anhār — rivers of water, milk, honey, and wine flow beneath them in the Gardens of Bliss (jannāt al-naʿīm). This is the abode of true felicity.

دَعْوَاهُمْ فِيهَا سُبْحَانَكَ اللَّهُمَّ وَتَحِيَّتُهُمْ فِيهَا سَلَامٌ وَآخِرُ دَعْوَاهُمْ أَنِ الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ

daʿwāhum fīhā subḥānaka'llāhumma wa-taḥiyyatuhum fīhā salāmun wa-ākhiru daʿwāhum ani'l-ḥamdu li'llāhi rabbi'l-ʿālamīn "Their call therein is: 'Glory be to You, O Allah!' Their greeting therein is 'Peace!' and the close of their call is: 'All praise be to Allah, Lord of all the worlds!'" — Yūnus 10:10

Translation: Their invocation in Paradise will be: "Glory be to You, O Allah!" Their greeting to one another will be "Peace (salām)!" And the conclusion of their praise will be: "All praise belongs to Allah, Lord of all the worlds!"

Commentary: Daʿwāhum fīhā subḥānakallāhumma — their supplication and glorification in Paradise is perpetual tasbīḥ: extolling Allah's absolute transcendence. Wa-taḥiyyatuhum fīhā salām — their greeting to one another is salām — peace, security, and well-being. Al-salām is one of the beautiful names of Allah (al-asmāʾ al-ḥusnā), for His existence is intrinsic (bāldhāt) and His peace is intrinsic (bāldhāt) and His praise (tasbīḥ) is intrinsic. Rabb al-ʿālamīn — the Sustainer of all worlds — Who provides for all created beings, nourishes them, and tends to all their needs.

Dear reader, the salutation al-salāmu ʿalaykum contains two great significations: first, the greeting itself (al-salāmu ʿalaykum); second, salāmun ʿalaykum without the definite article. Both forms bring great blessing. The salām is also a name of Allah, and to greet someone with it is to invoke divine protection and well-being upon them. The author notes that the highest form of salutation according to the Qurʾān is al-salāmu ʿalaykum, which is most commonly cited.

وَلَوْ يُعَجِّلُ اللَّهُ لِلنَّاسِ الشَّرَّ اسْتِعْجَالَهُم بِالْخَيْرِ لَقُضِيَ إِلَيْهِمْ أَجَلُهُمْ فَنَذَرُ الَّذِينَ لَا يَرْجُونَ لِقَاءَنَا فِي طُغْيَانِهِمْ يَعْمَهُونَ

wa-law yuʿajjilu'llāhu li'l-nāsi'l-sharra'sti'jālahum bi'l-khayri la-quḍiya ilayhim ajaluhum fa-nadharu'lladhīna lā yarjūna liqāʾanā fī ṭughyānihim yaʿmahūn "If Allah were to hasten for people the evil [they invoke] as they desire to hasten the good, their term would already have been decreed for them. But We leave those who do not hope for the encounter with Us wandering in their insolence." — Yūnus 10:11

Translation: Were Allah to hasten the punishment for people with the same eagerness with which they hurry toward good fortune, their fate would already have been sealed. But We leave those who have no hope of meeting Us to wander blindly in their rebellion.

Commentary: Law yuʿajjilu'llāhu'l-sharra'sti'jālahum bi'l-khayr — if Allah were to respond to the impious prayers by which they invoke evil upon themselves (in mockery or impatience) as swiftly as He responds to requests for good — la-quḍiya ilayhim ajaluhum — their appointed time would have been concluded immediately. But Allah's forbearance (ḥilm) delays punishment. Fa-nadharu'lladhīna lā yarjūna liqāʾanā fī ṭughyānihim yaʿmahūn — and We leave those who have no hope of meeting Us to wander confused and blind in their transgression.

وَإِذَا مَسَّ الْإِنسَانَ الضُّرُّ دَعَانَا لِجَنبِهِ أَوْ قَاعِدًا أَوْ قَائِمًا فَلَمَّا كَشَفْنَا عَنْهُ ضُرَّهُ مَرَّ كَأَن لَّمْ يَدْعُنَا إِلَىٰ ضُرٍّ مَّسَّهُ كَذَٰلِكَ زُيِّنَ لِلْمُسْرِفِينَ مَا كَانُوا يَعْمَلُونَ

wa-idhā massa'l-insāna'l-ḍurru daʿānā li-janbihi aw qāʿidan aw qāʾiman fa-lammā kashafnā ʿanhu ḍurrahu marra ka-an lam yadʿunā ilā ḍurrin massahu kadhālika zuyyina li'l-musrifīna mā kānū yaʿmalūn "When affliction touches man, he calls upon Us lying on his side, or sitting, or standing. But when We remove his affliction from him, he passes on as if he never called upon Us to remove the affliction that touched him. Thus is made alluring to the extravagant what they used to do." — Yūnus 10:12

Translation: When hardship touches a person, he calls upon Us — lying on his side, sitting, or standing. But when We remove his affliction, he moves on as if he had never called upon Us regarding the hardship that struck him. In this way, the deeds of those who exceed bounds are made to seem fair to them.

Commentary: Li-janbihi — lying on his side; qāʿidan — sitting; qāʾiman — standing: in every posture, in distress, he cries out to Allah. Fa-lammā kashafnā ʿanhu ḍurrahu marra — but when We remove his suffering, he passes on, indifferent. Ka-an lam yadʿunā — as though he never cried out to Us. Kadhālika zuyyina li'l-musrifīna mā kānū yaʿmalūn — such is how the deeds of those who transgress bounds are beautified and made alluring to them — they see no contradiction in their behaviour.

Dear reader, think of those who call on Allah only in crises, and then when the crisis passes return to their previous heedlessness. Allah notes this with displeasure. Yet there are also those who maintain a permanent relationship with the Divine — remembering Allah at all times. Such souls find every state of ease and difficulty an occasion for gratitude and surrender.

Commentary (continued — The fate of destroyed nations):

وَلَقَدْ أَهْلَكْنَا الْقُرُونَ مِن قَبْلِكُمْ لَمَّا ظَلَمُوا وَجَاءَتْهُمْ رُسُلُهُم بِالْبَيِّنَاتِ وَمَا كَانُوا لِيُؤْمِنُوا كَذَٰلِكَ نَجْزِي الْقَوْمَ الْمُجْرِمِينَ

wa-la-qad ahlaknā'l-qurūna min qablikum lammā ẓalamū wa-jāʾathum rusuluhum bi'l-bayyināti wa-mā kānū li-yuʾminū kadhālika najzī'l-qawma'l-mujrimīn "We certainly destroyed the generations before you when they did wrong — their messengers came to them with clear signs, yet they would not believe. Thus do We recompense a criminal people." — Yūnus 10:13

Translation: We certainly destroyed the nations that came before you when they persisted in injustice — their messengers came to them with clear proofs, yet they refused to believe. Thus do We recompense a criminal people.

Commentary: Lammā ẓalamū — when they committed oppression against themselves and against others. Wa-jāʾathum rusuluhum bi'l-bayyināt — their messengers came to them with clear evidences. Wa-mā kānū li-yuʾminū — yet they were not inclined to believe; they stubbornly refused. Kadhālika najzī'l-qawma'l-mujrimīn — thus does Allah recompense such criminal peoples. Dear reader, look at this verse: punishment comes when people choose oppression and persist in it. Has such oppression ceased in this age? Whose commands are being followed? The commands of the oppressors, not of Allah. All of them will face their end. When the intensity of such oppression reaches its peak, a devastating calamity will strike and total destruction will follow.

ثُمَّ جَعَلْنَاكُمْ خَلَائِفَ فِي الْأَرْضِ مِن بَعْدِهِمْ لِنَنظُرَ كَيْفَ تَعْمَلُونَ

thumma jaʿalnākum khalāʾifa fi'l-arḍi min baʿdihim li-nanẓura kayfa taʿmalūn "Then We made you successors in the earth after them, to see how you would act." — Yūnus 10:14

Translation: Then We appointed you as successors in the earth after those nations — to observe how you would conduct yourselves.

Commentary: Khalāʾifa fi'l-arḍ — heirs and successors upon the earth. Those who came before you were destroyed; now you have been given dominion in their stead. Li-nanẓura kayfa taʿmalūn — to see what deeds you will perform. Will you take heed from the fate of those who preceded you? Or will you repeat their patterns of oppression and ingratitude?

Dear reader, this is our unique condition: Allah alone is the living, the eternal. He is the True Religion; He cannot be severed from religion or governance. He remains — having given and taken away. Remember: the one who truly cares for us is Allah the Almighty. Yā Allāh! Grant this community pardon and mercy, and protect them from the pitfalls of the destruction that befell those before them.

وَإِذَا تُتْلَىٰ عَلَيْهِمْ آيَاتُنَا بَيِّنَاتٍ قَالَ الَّذِينَ لَا يَرْجُونَ لِقَاءَنَا ائْتِ بِقُرْآنٍ غَيْرِ هَٰذَا أَوْ بَدِّلْهُ قُلْ مَا يَكُونُ لِي أَن أُبَدِّلَهُ مِن تِلْقَاءِ نَفْسِي إِنْ أَتَّبِعُ إِلَّا مَا يُوحَىٰ إِلَيَّ إِنِّي أَخَافُ إِنْ عَصَيْتُ رَبِّي عَذَابَ يَوْمٍ عَظِيمٍ

wa-idhā tutlā ʿalayhim āyātunā bayyināttin qāla'lladhīna lā yarjūna liqāʾanā'iʾti bi-qurʾānin ghayri hādhā aw baddilhu qul mā yakūnu lī an ubaddilahu min tilqāʾi nafsī in attabiʿu illā mā yūḥā ilayya innī akhāfu in ʿaṣaytu rabbī ʿadhāba yawmin ʿaẓīm "When Our clear signs are recited to them, those who do not hope for the encounter with Us say: 'Bring a Qurʾān other than this, or change it.' Say: 'It is not for me to change it of my own accord. I follow only what is revealed to me. I fear, if I disobey my Lord, the punishment of a tremendous Day.'" — Yūnus 10:15

Translation: When Our clear signs are recited to them, those who have no hope of meeting Us say: "Bring a different Qurʾān, or change this one." Say: "It is not for me to alter it of my own volition. I follow only what is revealed to me. Indeed I fear, if I were to disobey my Lord, the punishment of a tremendous Day."

Commentary: ائْتِ بِقُرْآنٍ غَيْرِ هَٰذَا أَوْ بَدِّلْهُ — they demand a replacement Qurʾān that does not forbid their idolatry and vices. Qul mā yakūnu lī — Say: it is not within my power or right. Min tilqāʾi nafsī — of my own accord. In attabiʿu illā mā yūḥā ilayya — I follow only revelation. Innī akhāfu ʿadhāba yawmin ʿaẓīm — I fear the punishment of the Great Day if I were to disobey my Lord.

Commentary (continued — The Qurʾān is not invented):

The author continues: dear reader, the Messenger of Allahﷺhad lived among the Arabs for forty years before the Qurʾān was revealed. In all those forty years, not a single word of falsehood passed his lips — his character and conduct were a standing testimony acknowledged even by his enemies who called him al-Amīn (the Trustworthy). How could someone of such character suddenly fabricate the Qurʾān? The one who dares that lie should ask himself: could such a person have the audacity to fabricate divine speech? The Messengerﷺis afṣaḥu'l-ʿarab wa'l-ʿajam — the most eloquent among Arabs and non-Arabs. The Qurʾān has a distinct style from the Ḥadīth; the Ḥadīth has its own style. No one could produce the like of either. The Qurʾān is the greatest book — guiding in every domain: law, ethics, theology, spirituality — it excels in all. The Qurʾān's style of exposition is itself a miracle (iʿjāz). Reflecting on all of this, the one who claims the Qurʾān was fabricated by the Prophetﷺis confessing his own ignorance. The honest inquirer who looks at the Qurʾān with even-handed eyes will find — despite themselves — that they are drawn to it, that their heart affirms its truth even as their tongue objects.

قُلْ لَّوْ شَاءَ اللَّهُ مَا تَلَوْتُهُ عَلَيْكُمْ وَلَا أَدْرَاكُم بِهِ فَقَدْ لَبِثْتُ فِيكُمْ عُمُرًا مِّن قَبْلِهِ أَفَلَا تَعْقِلُونَ

qul law shāʾa'llāhu mā talawtuhu ʿalaykum wa-lā adrākum bihi fa-qad labithtu fīkum ʿumurān min qablihi a-fa-lā taʿqilūn "Say: Had Allah willed, I would not have recited it to you, nor would He have made you aware of it. I have already dwelt among you for a lifetime before this — will you not then reason?" — Yūnus 10:16

Translation: Say: Had Allah willed, I would not have recited it to you, nor would He have informed you of it. I have indeed lived among you for an entire lifetime before its revelation — do you not reason?

Commentary: Fa-qad labithtu fīkum ʿumurān min qablihi — I spent a whole lifetime among you before this Qurʾān came. You know me well. In all those years, did I ever compose any such thing? Did I ever claim to recite divine revelation? A-fa-lā taʿqilūn — will you not, then, use your reason? This is the argument from the known character of the Prophetﷺ.

فَمَنْ أَظْلَمُ مِمَّنِ افْتَرَىٰ عَلَى اللَّهِ كَذِبًا أَوْ كَذَّبَ بِآيَاتِهِ إِنَّهُ لَا يُفْلِحُ الْمُجْرِمُونَ

fa-man aẓlamu mimmani'ftarā ʿalā'llāhi kadhiban aw kadhdhaba bi-āyātihi innahu lā yufliḥu'l-mujrimūn "Who is more unjust than one who invents a lie against Allah, or denies His signs? Surely the criminals shall never prosper." — Yūnus 10:17

Translation: Who is more unjust than the one who fabricates a lie against Allah, or who rejects His signs? The criminals shall assuredly not prosper.

Commentary: Man aẓlamu mimmani'ftarā ʿalā'llāhi kadhiban — who commits a greater wrong than one who invents falsehood and attributes it to Allah? Aw kadhdhaba bi-āyātihi — or one who denies Allah's clear signs. Lā yufliḥu'l-mujrimūn — the criminals do not succeed; they have no share in true flourishing.

Commentary (continued — The Qurʾān cannot be imitated):

The author continues: what boldness could lead anyone to claim the Qurʾān is fabricated? The Messengerﷺwas known throughout his life as the most honest of people. He was never known for composing poetry or elaborate prose before the Qurʾān came to him. The Qurʾān is the most marvellous of books — guiding in theology (ʿaqāʾid), law (aḥkām), ethics (akhlāq), and spirituality (rūḥāniyyāt). Its style of exposition is itself a living miracle. Now reflect on one remarkable person: a man who spent his entire life in an environment of hostility; who in a single generation took an untamed people and elevated them to world-transforming civilisation. Ṣallā'llāhu ʿalayka yā Rasūla'llāh. Salāmu'llāhi ʿalayka yā Rasūla'llāh.

وَيَعْبُدُونَ مِن دُونِ اللَّهِ مَا لَا يَضُرُّهُمْ وَلَا يَنفَعُهُمْ وَيَقُولُونَ هَٰؤُلَاءِ شُفَعَاؤُنَا عِندَ اللَّهِ قُلْ أَتُنَبِّئُونَ اللَّهَ بِمَا لَا يَعْلَمُ فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَلَا فِي الْأَرْضِ سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ عَمَّا يُشْرِكُونَ

wa-yaʿbudūna min dūni'llāhi mā lā yaḍurruhum wa-lā yanfaʿuhum wa-yaqūlūna hāʾulāʾi shufaʿāʾunā ʿinda'llāhi qul a-tunabbi'ūna'llāha bi-mā lā yaʿlamu fi'l-samāwāti wa-lā fi'l-arḍi subḥānahū wa-taʿālā ʿammā yushrikūn "They worship, besides Allah, what can neither harm them nor benefit them, and they say: 'These are our intercessors with Allah.' Say: Are you informing Allah of what He does not know in the heavens or on the earth? Glorified is He and exalted above what they associate with Him." — Yūnus 10:18

Translation: They worship, apart from Allah, idols that can neither harm nor benefit them, and they say: "These are our intercessors before Allah." Say: Are you informing Allah of something He does not know, whether in the heavens or on the earth? Transcendent and Exalted is He above all they associate with Him.

Commentary: Mā lā yaḍurruhum wa-lā yanfaʿuhum — what can neither harm them nor benefit them. Hāʾulāʾi shufaʿāʾunā ʿinda'llāh — the polytheists claimed: "these idols will intercede for us with Allah." But the claim to intercession is false when it is asserted in defiance of reality. The true intercessors — prophets and saints — intercede only by Allah's leave (bi-idhnihi). The idols have no such reality. A-tunabbi'ūna'llāha bi-mā lā yaʿlamu — are you telling Allah of something He does not know? The rhetorical answer is: if such intercessors existed, Allah would know them — but since they do not exist as intercessors, the claim is groundless. Subḥānahū wa-taʿālā ʿammā yushrikūn — Exalted and Transcendent is Allah above all their false associations.

The author notes: the claim that saints intercede is not like idol worship. The real saints and the prophets do intercede — but by Allah's permission (idhnihi). However, fabricating intercessors who have no divine authorisation, and treating them like gods — that is the shirk condemned here. If the claim to intercession were itself true in some divine reality, Allah would know it; the very fact that He denies such knowledge confirms that these idols have no such intercessory standing.

Commentary (continued):

The author continues: how unfortunate it would be if the claim of intercession through idols were actually true! Allah's knowledge encompasses all things. If any entity in the heavens or earth possessed intercessory power — Allah would know it perfectly well. The statement bi-mā lā yaʿlamu fi'l-samāwāti wa-lā fi'l-arḍ — "of what He does not know in the heavens or on the earth" — is decisive proof that these false intercessors have no such reality. For Allah knows all beings in the heavens and earth; and if they had any genuine intercessory capacity, He would certainly know it. But He knows they do not.

وَمَا كَانَ النَّاسُ إِلَّا أُمَّةً وَاحِدَةً فَاخْتَلَفُوا وَلَوْلَا كَلِمَةٌ سَبَقَتْ مِن رَّبِّكَ لَقُضِيَ بَيْنَهُمْ فِيمَا فِيهِ يَخْتَلِفُونَ

wa-mā kāna'l-nāsu illā ummatan wāḥidatan fa'khtalafū wa-lawlā kalimatun sabaqat min rabbika la-quḍiya baynahum fī mā fīhi yakhtalifūn "Mankind was not but a single community; then they differed. Were it not for a word that had already gone forth from your Lord, the matter would have been decided between them regarding that in which they differ." — Yūnus 10:19

Translation: Mankind was originally a single community; then they differed. Had it not been for a prior decree (kalimah) from your Lord, the matter between them would already have been decided regarding what they dispute.

Commentary: Ummatan wāḥidah — originally a single united community upon the primordial religion (dīn al-fiṭrah). Then they gradually diverged in belief and practice. Wa-lawlā kalimatun sabaqat — were it not for the divine pre-ordainment that delay the final judgment until the Day of Resurrection — la-quḍiya baynahum fī mā fīhi yakhtalifūn — the verdict between the disputing factions would long since have been rendered. Allah has decreed that the final reckoning will be on the Day of Resurrection, giving every soul time to choose its path. Were it not for this respite, disputes would be settled immediately by divine judgement. But in His wisdom, Allah grants human beings time, and final adjudication awaits the appointed day.

Commentary (continued):

وَيَقُولُونَ لَوْلَا أُنزِلَ عَلَيْهِ آيَةٌ مِّن رَّبِّهِ فَقُلْ إِنَّمَا الْغَيْبُ لِلَّهِ فَانتَظِرُوا إِنِّي مَعَكُم مِّنَ الْمُنتَظِرِينَ

wa-yaqūlūna lawlā unzila ʿalayhi āyatun min rabbihi fa-qul innamā'l-ghaybu li'llāhi fa'ntaẓirū innī maʿakum mina'l-muntaẓirīn "And they say: 'Why has a sign not been sent down to him from his Lord?' Say: The unseen belongs to Allah alone; so wait — I too am waiting with you." — Yūnus 10:20

Translation: They say: "Why has no miraculous sign been sent down to him from his Lord?" Say: The knowledge of the unseen belongs to Allah alone. Wait, then — I too am waiting alongside you.

Commentary: The unbelievers persistently demanded new miraculous signs as a condition for belief. Fa-qul innamā'l-ghaybu li'llāh — Say: the unseen is Allah's alone; it is not mine to bring signs on demand. The real sign — the final, decisive sign — is the Day of Resurrection itself, which is certainly coming. Fa'ntaẓirū innī maʿakum mina'l-muntaẓirīn — so you wait, and I too shall wait alongside you. Every claim will be settled by what follows.

وَإِذَا أَذَقْنَا النَّاسَ رَحْمَةً مِّن بَعْدِ ضَرَّاءَ مَسَّتْهُمْ إِذَا لَهُم مَّكْرٌ فِي آيَاتِنَا قُلِ اللَّهُ أَسْرَعُ مَكْرًا إِنَّ رُسُلَنَا يَكْتُبُونَ مَا تَمْكُرُونَ

wa-idhā adhaqnā'l-nāsa raḥmatan min baʿdi ḍarrāʾa massathum idhā lahum makrun fī āyātinā quli'llāhu asraʿu makran inna rusulanā yaktubūna mā tamkurūn "When We give people a taste of mercy after hardship has touched them — at once they scheme against Our signs. Say: Allah is swifter in scheming. Our messengers [angels] are recording what you scheme." — Yūnus 10:21

Translation: When We cause people to taste mercy after adversity has afflicted them, they immediately begin plotting and scheming against Our signs. Say: Allah's requital is swifter than any scheming. Our angel-messengers are recording everything you plot.

Commentary: Wa-idhā adhaqnā'l-nāsa raḥmah — when Allah gives people a taste of His mercy after their affliction. Idhā lahum makrun fī āyātinā — they immediately scheme against Our signs — making excuses, distorting meanings, twisting interpretations. Quli'llāhu asraʿu makran — Say: Allah's response and requital comes swifter than any scheme they concoct. Inna rusulanā yaktubūna mā tamkurūn — Our angel-messengers are recording all their plots.

Dear reader, this is the state of such people: when affliction strikes they turn to Allah; when ease returns they revert to their schemes and intrigues. Such is their consistent ingratitude. But Allah sees all and His response in kind — or rather, His justice — comes swifter than they can imagine.

هُوَ الَّذِي يُسَيِّرُكُمْ فِي الْبَرِّ وَالْبَحْرِ حَتَّىٰ إِذَا كُنتُمْ فِي الْفُلْكِ وَجَرَيْنَ بِهِم بِرِيحٍ طَيِّبَةٍ وَفَرِحُوا بِهَا جَاءَتْهَا رِيحٌ عَاصِفٌ وَجَاءَهُمُ الْمَوْجُ مِن كُلِّ مَكَانٍ وَظَنُّوا أَنَّهُم أُحِيطَ بِهِمْ دَعَوُا اللَّهَ مُخْلِصِينَ لَهُ الدِّينَ لَئِنْ أَنجَيْتَنَا مِنْ هَٰذِهِ لَنَكُونَنَّ مِنَ الشَّاكِرِينَ

huwa'lladhī yusayyirukum fi'l-barri wa'l-baḥri ḥattā idhā kuntum fi'l-fulki wa-jarayna bihim bi-rīḥin ṭayyibatin wa-fariḥū bihā jāʾathā rīḥun ʿāṣifun wa-jāʾahumu'l-mawju min kulli makānin wa-ẓannū annahum uḥīṭa bihim daʿawu'llāha mukhliṣīna lahu'l-dīna la-in anjayatanā min hādhihi la-nakūnanna mina'l-shākirīn "He is the One Who conveys you across land and sea — until, when you are in ships and they sail on with them in a fair breeze and they rejoice in it, a storm wind comes upon them and waves surge from every side, and they think they are engulfed — they call upon Allah with sincere devotion: 'If You deliver us from this, we will surely be among the grateful.'" — Yūnus 10:22

Translation: He is the One Who carries you across land and sea. When you are aboard a vessel, sailing with a favourable wind, rejoicing — suddenly a violent gale strikes and waves assail from every direction, and they become convinced that they are engulfed in doom. Then they call upon Allah with pure sincerity of religion, saying: "If You deliver us from this, we will assuredly be among the grateful!"

Commentary: Yusayyirukum fi'l-barri wa'l-baḥr — He facilitates your journeys by land and by sea. Bi-rīḥin ṭayyibah — with a fair, favourable wind. Fariḥū bihā — and they rejoice. Then: rīḥun ʿāṣif — a violent storm wind. Al-mawju min kulli makān — waves crashing from every side. Uḥīṭa bihim — they are surrounded, and believe destruction is certain. Daʿawu'llāha mukhliṣīna lahu'l-dīn — then with total sincerity they call upon Allah alone, with all pretended associates abandoned. La-in anjayatanā — "if You deliver us from this, we will be among the grateful."

فَلَمَّا أَنجَاهُمْ إِذَا هُمْ يَبْغُونَ فِي الْأَرْضِ بِغَيْرِ الْحَقِّ يَا أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ إِنَّمَا بَغْيُكُمْ عَلَىٰ أَنفُسِكُمْ مَّتَاعَ الْحَيَاةِ الدُّنْيَا ثُمَّ إِلَيْنَا مَرْجِعُكُمْ فَنُنَبِّئُكُم بِمَا كُنتُمْ تَعْمَلُونَ

fa-lammā anjāhum idhā hum yabghūna fi'l-arḍi bi-ghayri'l-ḥaqqi yā ayyuhā'l-nāsu innamā baghyukum ʿalā anfusikum matāʿa'l-ḥayāti'l-dunyā thumma ilaynā marjiʿukum fa-nunabbi'ukum bi-mā kuntum taʿmalūn "But when He delivers them, at once they transgress in the earth without right. O people! Your transgression is only against your own souls — the enjoyment of this worldly life. Then to Us is your return, and We shall inform you of what you used to do." — Yūnus 10:23

Translation: But when He has delivered them, they straightaway commit transgression and oppression in the land without any right. O people! Your transgression is only to your own detriment — a brief enjoyment of the life of this world. Then your return is to Us, and We shall inform you of all you used to do.

Commentary: Yabghūna fi'l-arḍi bi-ghayri'l-ḥaqq — they behave with arrogance and wrongdoing upon the earth, transgressing all bounds. Innamā baghyukum ʿalā anfusikum — your transgression is against no one but yourselves. Matāʿa'l-ḥayāti'l-dunyā — a brief, transient enjoyment; the passage of this worldly pleasure is swift. Thumma ilaynā marjiʿukum — then to Us you must return. Fa-nunabbi'ukum bi-mā kuntum taʿmalūn — and We shall inform you fully of all your deeds.

Dear reader, the world is full of false promises. The blessing of this world is not to be trusted. Contemplate the example of worldly life:

إِنَّمَا مَثَلُ الْحَيَاةِ الدُّنْيَا كَمَاءٍ أَنزَلْنَاهُ مِنَ السَّمَاءِ فَاخْتَلَطَ بِهِ نَبَاتُ الْأَرْضِ مِمَّا يَأْكُلُ النَّاسُ وَالْأَنْعَامُ حَتَّىٰ إِذَا أَخَذَتِ الْأَرْضُ زُخْرُفَهَا وَازَّيَّنَتْ وَظَنَّ أَهْلُهَا أَنَّهُمْ قَادِرُونَ عَلَيْهَا أَتَاهَا أَمْرُنَا لَيْلًا أَوْ نَهَارًا فَجَعَلْنَاهَا حَصِيدًا كَأَن لَّمْ تَغْنَ بِالْأَمْسِ كَذَٰلِكَ نُفَصِّلُ الْآيَاتِ لِقَوْمٍ يَتَفَكَّرُونَ

innamā mathalu'l-ḥayāti'l-dunyā ka-māʾin anzalnāhu mina'l-samāʾi fa'khtalata bihi nabātu'l-arḍi mimmā yaʾkulu'l-nāsu wa'l-anʿāmu ḥattā idhā akhadhati'l-arḍu zukhrufahā wa'zzayyanat wa-ẓanna ahluhā annahum qādirūna ʿalayhā atāhā amrunā laylan aw nahāran fa-jaʿalnāhā ḥaṣīdan ka-an lam taghnā bi'l-amsi kadhālika nufaṣṣilu'l-āyāti li-qawmin yatafakkarūn "The likeness of the life of this world is only as water that We send down from the sky — the vegetation of the earth mingles with it, of which people and livestock eat — until, when the earth has taken on its adornment and is beautified, and its people think they have power over it, Our command comes to it by night or by day, and We make it as though it had never flourished the day before. Thus do We detail the signs for a people who reflect." — Yūnus 10:24

Translation: The likeness of the life of this world is only as water We send down from the sky — the plants of the earth, which people and animals eat, grow luxuriantly through it — until when the earth has taken its full adornment and is made beautiful, and its inhabitants think they have mastery over it, Our command descends by night or by day and We reduce it to stubble, as though it had never existed. Thus do We explain the signs in detail for a people who reflect.

Commentary: Ka-māʾin anzalnāhu mina'l-samāʾ — like water sent down from the heavens. Fa'khtalata bihi nabātu'l-arḍ — vegetation springs up from it. Ḥattā idhā akhadhati'l-arḍu zukhrufahā wa'zzayyanat — until the earth adorns itself with the full splendour of spring. Wa-ẓanna ahluhā annahum qādirūna ʿalayhā — and its people think they have full control. Atāhā amrunā — then Our command arrives, by night or by day. Fa-jaʿalnāhā ḥaṣīdan — and We make it stubble, cut down. Ka-an lam taghnā bi'l-amsi — as though it had never flourished. Kadhālika nufaṣṣilu'l-āyāt — thus do We set forth these signs in detail. Li-qawmin yatafakkarūn — for a people who reflect deeply.

وَاللَّهُ يَدْعُو إِلَىٰ دَارِ السَّلَامِ وَيَهْدِي مَن يَشَاءُ إِلَىٰ صِرَاطٍ مُّسْتَقِيمٍ

wa'llāhu yadʿū ilā dāri'l-salāmi wa-yahdī man yashāʾu ilā ṣirāṭin mustaqīm "And Allah invites to the Abode of Peace, and guides whom He wills to a straight path." — Yūnus 10:25

Translation: Allah invites all to the Abode of Peace (Dār al-Salām) — Paradise — and guides whomever He wills to the straight path (ṣirāṭ mustaqīm).

Commentary: Dār al-Salām — the Abode of Peace: this is Paradise, named after Allah's own attribute of al-Salām (the Source of Peace). Yahdī man yashāʾu — He guides whomever He wills. This guidance is not arbitrary: it comes to those whose hearts are open and receptive. Ilā ṣirāṭin mustaqīm — to the straight path. The author notes: remember, Islam's lofty goal is to lead every soul by its natural disposition (fiṭrah) toward the straight path of truth. Islam is the religion of human nature itself (dīn al-fiṭrah). It does not impose itself on the unwilling; it calls and guides.

لِلَّذِينَ أَحْسَنُوا الْحُسْنَىٰ وَزِيَادَةٌ وَلَا يَرْهَقُ وُجُوهَهُمْ قَتَرٌ وَلَا ذِلَّةٌ أُولَٰئِكَ أَصْحَابُ الْجَنَّةِ هُمْ فِيهَا خَالِدُونَ

li'lladhīna aḥsanū'l-ḥusnā wa-ziyādatun wa-lā yarhaqu wujūhahum qatarun wa-lā dhillatun ulāʾika aṣḥābu'l-jannati hum fīhā khālidūn "For those who have done good there is the best reward and more. Neither dust nor humiliation shall cover their faces. Those are the companions of Paradise — they will abide therein forever." — Yūnus 10:26

Translation: For those who do good there is the best recompense (ḥusnā) and something beyond it (ziyādah). No darkness nor disgrace will settle on their faces. These are the companions of Paradise — abiding therein forever.

Commentary: Al-ḥusnā — the best reward, i.e., Paradise itself. Wa-ziyādah — and something beyond it: according to the majority of commentators and the authentic Ḥadīth tradition, this "something more" is the beatific vision of Allah (ruʾyat Allāh), the supreme gift beyond all gifts, confirmed by the following ḥadīth:

«إِذَا دَخَلَ أَهْلُ الجَنَّةِ الجَنَّةَ...يُكْشَفُ الحِجَابُ فَمَا أُعْطُوا شَيئًا أَحَبَّ إِلَيهِم مِنَ النَّظَرِ إِلَى رَبِّهِم»"When the people of Paradise enter Paradise… the veil is lifted, and nothing they are given will be more beloved to them than the vision of their Lord." — Muslim

Wa-lā yarhaqu wujūhahum qataron wa-lā dhillah — no blackness of soot nor humiliation will mark their faces. These are the dwellers of Paradise — eternal therein.

وَالَّذِينَ كَسَبُوا السَّيِّئَاتِ جَزَاءُ سَيِّئَةٍ بِمِثْلِهَا وَتَرْهَقُهُمْ ذِلَّةٌ مَّا لَهُم مِّنَ اللَّهِ مِنْ عَاصِمٍ كَأَنَّمَا أُغْشِيَتْ وُجُوهُهُم قِطَعًا مِّنَ اللَّيْلِ مُظْلِمًا أُولَٰئِكَ أَصْحَابُ النَّارِ هُمْ فِيهَا خَالِدُونَ

wa'lladhīna kasabū'l-sayyiʾāti jazāʾu sayyiʾatin bi-mithlihā wa-tarhaquhum dhillatun mā lahum mina'llāhi min ʿāṣimin ka-annamā ughshiyat wujūhuhum qiṭaʿan mina'l-layli muẓliman ulāʾika aṣḥābu'l-nāri hum fīhā khālidūn "And those who earned evil deeds — the recompense of an evil deed is its like; and humiliation shall cover them. They have no protector from Allah — as if their faces were covered with pieces of the darkest night. Those are the companions of the Fire — abiding therein forever." — Yūnus 10:27

Translation: As for those who earned evil deeds — the recompense of evil is its exact equivalent; and humiliation will envelop them. They will have no protector from Allah. It is as though their faces were draped with pieces of the darkest night. These are the companions of the Fire, abiding therein forever.

Commentary: Jazāʾu sayyiʾatin bi-mithlihā — strict requital: evil for evil, with no excess. Wa-tarhaquhum dhillah — and humiliation will overtake them. Mā lahum mina'llāhi min ʿāṣim — no one can protect them from Allah's justice. Ka-annamā ughshiyat wujūhuhum qiṭaʿan mina'l-layli muẓliman — as if their faces were wrapped in thick pieces of the darkest, blackest night — an image of utter despair and darkness. Ulāʾika aṣḥābu'l-nār — these are the dwellers of the Fire, eternal therein.

وَيَوْمَ نَحْشُرُهُمْ جَمِيعًا ثُمَّ نَقُولُ لِلَّذِينَ أَشْرَكُوا مَكَانَكُمْ أَنتُمْ وَشُرَكَاؤُكُمْ فَزَيَّلْنَا بَيْنَهُمْ وَقَالَ شُرَكَاؤُهُم مَّا كُنتُمْ إِيَّانَا تَعْبُدُونَ

wa-yawma naḥshuruhum jamīʿan thumma naqūlu li'lladhīna ashrakū makānakum antum wa-shurakāʾukum fa-zayyalnā baynahum wa-qāla shurakāʾuhum mā kuntum iyyānā taʿbudūn "And on the Day We shall gather them all together, then We shall say to those who ascribed partners: 'Stay in your place, you and your partners.' Then We shall separate them from one another, and their partners shall say: 'You were not worshipping us.'" — Yūnus 10:28

Translation: And on the Day when We gather them all — We shall say to those who committed shirk: "Stay where you are, you and your partners." Then We shall separate them from one another; and their so-called partners will say: "You were not, in reality, worshipping us!"

Commentary: Makānakum antum wa-shurakāʾukum — "remain in your place, you and your partners" — a command of humiliating stillness. Fa-zayyalnā baynahum — then We separate and divide them from one another. The supposed partners (idols, false deities, even those deceived into being objects of worship) will disown their worshippers. Mā kuntum iyyānā taʿbudūn — "You were not worshipping us; you were following your own desires."

Tukfā bi'llāhi — Allah is sufficient as a witness between us. His witnessing settles all disputes.

هُنَالِكَ تَبْلُو كُلُّ نَفْسٍ مَّا أَسْلَفَتْ وَرُدُّوا إِلَى اللَّهِ مَوْلَاهُمُ الْحَقِّ وَضَلَّ عَنْهُم مَّا كَانُوا يَفْتَرُونَ

hunālika tablū kullu nafsin mā aslafat wa-ruddū ilā'llāhi mawlāhumu'l-ḥaqqi wa-ḍalla ʿanhum mā kānū yaftarūn "There, every soul shall experience what it sent forth, and they will be returned to Allah, their true Master, and lost from them will be what they used to fabricate." — Yūnus 10:30

Translation: In that place each soul shall taste the full reality of what it put forward, and they will be returned to Allah — their true and only Master — and all that they fabricated [of false gods and false hopes] will vanish from them.

Commentary: Tablū kullu nafsin mā aslafat — every soul will fully experience the consequences of all it sent ahead. Wa-ruddū ilā'llāhi mawlāhumu'l-ḥaqq — they will be brought back to Allah, their true Master and Sovereign. Wa-ḍalla ʿanhum mā kānū yaftarūn — and all their fabricated intercessors and false supports will abandon them entirely.

قُلْ مَن يَرْزُقُكُم مِّنَ السَّمَاءِ وَالْأَرْضِ أَمَّن يَمْلِكُ السَّمْعَ وَالْأَبْصَارَ وَمَن يُخْرِجُ الْحَيَّ مِنَ الْمَيِّتِ وَيُخْرِجُ الْمَيِّتَ مِنَ الْحَيِّ وَمَن يُدَبِّرُ الْأَمْرَ فَسَيَقُولُونَ اللَّهُ فَقُلْ أَفَلَا تَتَّقُونَ

qul man yarzuqukum mina'l-samāʾi wa'l-arḍi amman yamliku'l-samʿa wa'l-abṣāra wa-man yukhriju'l-ḥayya mina'l-mayyiti wa-yukhriju'l-mayyita mina'l-ḥayyi wa-man yudabbiru'l-amra fa-sa-yaqūlūna'llāhu fa-qul a-fa-lā tattaqūn "Say: Who provides for you from the sky and the earth? Who possesses hearing and sight? Who brings the living out of the dead and the dead out of the living? And who governs all affairs? They will say: 'Allah.' So say: Will you not then be God-fearing?" — Yūnus 10:31

Translation: Say: Who provides for you sustenance from the sky and the earth? Who has power over hearing and sight? Who brings forth the living from the dead and the dead from the living? And who governs all affairs? They will say: "Allah." Then say: Will you not then be God-fearing?

Commentary: Man yarzuqukum mina'l-samāʾi wa'l-arḍ — Who provides for you from above (rain, air, light) and from below (crops, minerals, water)? Amman yamliku'l-samʿa wa'l-abṣār — Who has full authority over your hearing and your sight — granting or withholding them as He wills? Wa-man yukhriju'l-ḥayya mina'l-mayyit — Who brings the living from the dead? — the grain from dried soil, the believer from the unbeliever. Wa-man yudabbiru'l-amr — Who governs all cosmic affairs? Fa-sa-yaqūlūna'llāh — they themselves will confess: "Allah." Fa-qul a-fa-lā tattaqūn — so say: then why do you not take God-consciousness for yourselves? Why do you not fear His displeasure?

فَذَٰلِكُمُ اللَّهُ رَبُّكُمُ الْحَقُّ فَمَاذَا بَعْدَ الْحَقِّ إِلَّا الضَّلَالُ فَأَنَّىٰ تُصْرَفُونَ

fa-dhālikumu'llāhu rabbukumu'l-ḥaqqu fa-mādhā baʿda'l-ḥaqqi illā'l-ḍalālu fa-annā tuṣrafūn "That, then, is Allah, your true Lord. So what is there after the truth except error? How then are you turned away?" — Yūnus 10:32

Translation: Such, then, is Allah — your true Lord. So what exists after truth but error? How then are you being turned away?

Commentary: Dhālikumu'llāhu rabbukumu'l-ḥaqq — that is Allah, your true Lord — the Real, the Absolute. Fa-mādhā baʿda'l-ḥaqqi illā'l-ḍalāl — and beyond truth, what is there but error? There are only two paths: truth and falsehood. Fa-annā tuṣrafūn — how then are you turned away from the truth?

كَذَٰلِكَ حَقَّتْ كَلِمَتُ رَبِّكَ عَلَى الَّذِينَ فَسَقُوا أَنَّهُمْ لَا يُؤْمِنُونَ

kadhālika ḥaqqat kalimatu rabbika ʿalā'lladhīna fasaqū annahum lā yuʾminūn "Thus the word of your Lord has been fulfilled upon those who acted wickedly — that they shall not believe." — Yūnus 10:33

Translation: In this way the decree of your Lord has been established against those who transgressed (fasaqū) — that they will not believe.

Commentary: Kadhālika ḥaqqat kalimatu rabbika — the divine pre-ordainment has been confirmed. ʿAlā'lladhīna fasaqū — upon those who transgress the limits, the persistent wrongdoers. Annahum lā yuʾminūn — that they shall not come to faith. The divine decree, based on His foreknowledge of their freely chosen rejection, has been established. This will never change for them.

قُلْ هَلْ مِن شُرَكَائِكُم مَّن يَبْدَأُ الْخَلْقَ ثُمَّ يُعِيدُهُ قُلِ اللَّهُ يَبْدَأُ الْخَلْقَ ثُمَّ يُعِيدُهُ فَأَنَّىٰ تُؤْفَكُونَ

qul hal min shurakāʾikum man yabdaʾu'l-khalqa thumma yuʿīduhu quli'llāhu yabdaʾu'l-khalqa thumma yuʿīduhu fa-annā tuʾfakūn "Say: Is there among your partners any who originates creation and then repeats it? Say: Allah originates creation and then repeats it. How then are you deluded?" — Yūnus 10:34

Translation: Say: Is there among your claimed partners any one who originates creation and then restores it? Say: Allah alone originates creation and then repeats it. How then are you misled?

Commentary: Man yabdaʾu'l-khalqa thumma yuʿīduh — who among your false deities originates creation and repeats it? The answer is self-evident: Quli'llāhu yabdaʾu'l-khalqa thumma yuʿīduh — Say: Allah initiates creation and will repeat it. Fa-annā tuʾfakūn — how then are you so misled and turned away from the truth?

قُلْ هَلْ مِن شُرَكَائِكُم مَّن يَهْدِي إِلَى الْحَقِّ قُلِ اللَّهُ يَهْدِي لِلْحَقِّ أَفَمَن يَهْدِي إِلَى الْحَقِّ أَحَقُّ أَن يُتَّبَعَ أَمَّن لَّا يَهِدِّي إِلَّا أَن يُهْدَىٰ فَمَا لَكُمْ كَيْفَ تَحْكُمُونَ

qul hal min shurakāʾikum man yahdī ilā'l-ḥaqqi quli'llāhu yahdī li'l-ḥaqqi a-fa-man yahdī ilā'l-ḥaqqi aḥaqqu an yuttabaʿa amman lā yahadddī illā an yuhdā fa-mā lakum kayfa taḥkumūn "Say: Is there among your partners any who guides to the truth? Say: Allah guides to the truth. Is the one who guides to the truth more worthy of being followed, or the one who cannot find the way unless he is guided? What is the matter with you? How do you judge?" — Yūnus 10:35

Translation: Say: Is there any among your so-called partners who guides to the truth? Say: Allah guides to the truth. Is then the one who guides to truth more worthy of obedience — or the one who is himself incapable of finding any way unless he is guided? What is wrong with you? How do you make such judgements?

Commentary: Man yahdī ilā'l-ḥaqq — who guides to the truth? No idol, no false deity. Quli'llāhu yahdī li'l-ḥaqq — Say: Allah alone guides to truth. A-fa-man yahdī ilā'l-ḥaqqi aḥaqqu an yuttabaʿ — is it not more fitting to follow the One Who guides to truth? Amman lā yahadddī illā an yuhdā — or the one who cannot find guidance himself without being guided — who is himself inert and helpless? Fa-mā lakum kayfa taḥkumūn — what is the matter with you? What sort of judgment is this?

The author expounds: any act of following, obedience, or deference to one who cannot guide himself is absurd. The only One worthy of being followed is the One who guides to truth by His own authority — and that is Allah alone.

Commentary (continued — The Qurʾān confirms earlier scriptures):

وَمَا كَانَ هَٰذَا الْقُرْآنُ أَن يُفْتَرَىٰ مِن دُونِ اللَّهِ وَلَٰكِن تَصْدِيقَ الَّذِي بَيْنَ يَدَيْهِ وَتَفْصِيلَ الْكِتَابِ لَا رَيْبَ فِيهِ مِن رَّبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ

wa-mā kāna hādhā'l-qurʾānu an yuftarā min dūni'llāhi wa-lākin taṣdīqa'lladhī bayna yadayhi wa-tafṣīla'l-kitābi lā rayba fīhi min rabbi'l-ʿālamīn "This Qurʾān could not have been invented apart from Allah; rather it is a confirmation of what came before it and a detailed exposition of the Scripture — in which there is no doubt — from the Lord of all the worlds." — Yūnus 10:37

Translation: This Qurʾān is not such that it could be fabricated apart from Allah. Rather it is a confirmation (taṣdīq) of the earlier scriptures, and a detailed exposition (tafṣīl) of the Book — there is no doubt in it — from the Lord of all the worlds.

Commentary: Mā kāna lahu an yuftarā min dūni'llāh — it was utterly impossible for the Qurʾān to be invented apart from Allah. Wa-lākin taṣdīqa'lladhī bayna yadayh — rather, it confirms the scriptures that preceded it — the Torah, the Psalms, the Gospel — and is in harmony with their fundamental truths. Wa-tafṣīla'l-kitāb — and it provides detailed elaboration of the divine scripture, with one part of the Qurʾān explaining and amplifying another. Lā rayba fīhi min rabbi'l-ʿālamīn — there is not the slightest doubt in it; it is from the Lord of all the worlds. The author adds: the Qurʾān is entirely distinct in style from the Ḥadīth, which has its own separate character. No one has ever produced, or could produce, anything resembling it.

أَمْ يَقُولُونَ افْتَرَاهُ قُلْ فَأْتُوا بِسُورَةٍ مِّثْلِهِ وَادْعُوا مَنِ اسْتَطَعْتُم مِّن دُونِ اللَّهِ إِن كُنتُمْ صَادِقِينَ

am yaqūlūna'ftarāhu qul fa'tū bi-sūratin mithlihi wa'dʿū mani'staṭaʿtum min dūni'llāhi in kuntum ṣādiqīn "Or do they say: 'He has invented it'? Say: Bring then a sūrah like it, and call on whomever you can besides Allah, if you are truthful." — Yūnus 10:38

Translation: Or do they say: "He has made it up"? Say: Then bring a single sūrah comparable to it, and call upon all you can besides Allah — if you are truthful.

Commentary: Am yaqūlūna'ftarāh — do they dare claim he invented it? The challenge stands: fa'tū bi-sūratin mithlihi — bring a sūrah comparable to it — even the shortest sūrah, such as Qul huwa'llāhu aḥad. Call upon all your allies — wa'dʿū mani'staṭaʿtum min dūni'llāh — everyone besides Allah — in kuntum ṣādiqīn — if you are telling the truth. This challenge has never been met and will never be met. The iʿjāz (inimitability) of the Qurʾān remains the standing proof of its divine origin.

بَلْ كَذَّبُوا بِمَا لَمْ يُحِيطُوا بِعِلْمِهِ وَلَمَّا يَأْتِهِمْ تَأْوِيلُهُ كَذَٰلِكَ كَذَّبَ الَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِهِمْ فَانظُرْ كَيْفَ كَانَ عَاقِبَةُ الظَّالِمِينَ

bal kadhdhabū bi-mā lam yuḥīṭū bi-ʿilmihi wa-lammā yaʾtihim taʾwīluhu kadhālika kadhdhaba'lladhīna min qablihim fa'nẓur kayfa kāna ʿāqibatu'l-ẓālimīn "No — they have denied what they have not encompassed in knowledge, and whose ultimate outcome has not yet reached them. Thus did those before them deny. Look then at how the end was for the wrongdoers." — Yūnus 10:39

Translation: Rather, they denied something that their knowledge has not encompassed — and whose ultimate outcome (taʾwīl) has not yet been made manifest to them. In just this way, those before them denied. So look and see what the end of the wrongdoers was.

Commentary: Bal kadhdhabū bi-mā lam yuḥīṭū bi-ʿilmih — they denied it without possessing any encompassing knowledge of it. They did not understand the Qurʾān's depths, its wisdom, its mysteries, its guidance. Wa-lammā yaʾtihim taʾwīluh — and the ultimate realisation of its truth — the final unfolding of all it promises and warns of — has not yet come to them. Kadhālika kadhdhaba'lladhīna min qablihim — the nations before them did exactly the same. Fa'nẓur kayfa kāna ʿāqibatu'l-ẓālimīn — so look and see: what was the outcome for those wrongdoers? They perished. Their denial led to their ruin.

The author calls out: think! Look! These are people who came before — they thought their lives of heedlessness were secure, and then the end came. Let this be a warning.

وَمِنْهُم مَّن يُؤْمِنُ بِهِ وَمِنْهُم مَّن لَّا يُؤْمِنُ بِهِ وَرَبُّكَ أَعْلَمُ بِالْمُفْسِدِينَ

wa-minhum man yuʾminu bihi wa-minhum man lā yuʾminu bihi wa-rabbuka aʿlamu bi'l-mufsidīn "And among them are those who believe in it, and among them are those who do not believe in it; and your Lord is most knowing of the corrupters." — Yūnus 10:40

Translation: Among them are those who believe in it [the Qurʾān], and among them are those who do not believe in it. Your Lord knows best who the corrupters are.

Commentary: Wa-minhum man yuʾminu bihi — among mankind there are those who, upon hearing the Qurʾān, believe. Wa-minhum man lā yuʾminu bihi — and there are those who, despite hearing it, do not believe and have no faith. Wa-rabbuka aʿlamu bi'l-mufsidīn — and your Lord knows full well who the corrupters are — those who cause mischief in the earth and stir up moral and spiritual corruption. He is fully aware of their states and their ultimate ends.

Sūrat Yūnus (10)

﴿فَقُلْ لَّا تَعْتَذِرُوا لَن نُّؤْمِنَ لَكُمْ﴾fa-qul lā taʿtadhirū lan nuʾmina lakum "Say: Do not offer excuses — we will not believe you." (al-Tawbah 9:94) [running context from preceding section]

﴿إِنَّهُم مُّبَرِّئُونَ مِنكُمْ﴾innahum mubarriʾūna minkum "They are absolved of all responsibility toward you." (al-Tawbah 9:97) [contextual reference]

﴿وَأَنَا بَرِيءٌ مِّمَّا تَعْمَلُونَ﴾wa-anā barīʾun mimmā taʿmalūn "And I am free of all that you do." (Yūnus 10:41)

Translation: (O Prophetﷺ!) If these people deny your message, then say to them: "My deeds are my own affair and yours are yours. I am innocent of what you do, and you bear no responsibility for what I do."

Commentary: Fellow seekers of truth! The believers in ʿĪsā (upon him be peace) — that is, the Christians — along with all those who deny the Prophet Muḥammadﷺand mock his teachings, shall meet their end in Hell. The Prophet ʿĪsā (upon him be peace) himself will have sent them there. That end shall be their abode.

﴿وَمِنْهُمْ مَّن يَسْتَمِعُونَ إِلَيْكَ أَفَأَنتَ تُسْمِعُ الصُّمَّ وَلَوْ كَانُوا لَا يَعْقِلُونَ﴾wa-minhum man yastamiʿūna ilayka — a-fa-anta tusmiʿu al-ṣumma wa-law kānū lā yaʿqilūn "Among them are those who listen to you; but can you make the deaf hear, even if they have no understanding?" (Yūnus 10:42)

Translation: Among them are those who listen to you attentively in appearance, and among them are those who look toward you. But can you make the deaf hear — even if they refuse to think? Can you guide the blind — even if they will not see?

Commentary: Some among them apparently lend their ears to you, and some fix their gaze upon you. Yet what benefit comes from hearing when the heart is deaf? And what comes from looking when the eye of the heart is blind? If a person will not exercise reason and reflection, then even physical hearing avails him nothing.

﴿وَمِنْهُمْ مَّن يَنظُرُ إِلَيْكَ أَفَأَنتَ تَهْدِي الْعُمْيَ وَلَوْ كَانُوا لَا يُبْصِرُونَ﴾wa-minhum man yanẓuru ilayka — a-fa-anta tahdī al-ʿumya wa-law kānū lā yubṣirūn "Among them are those who look toward you; but can you guide the blind, even if they will not see?" (Yūnus 10:43)

Translation: And among them are those who (outwardly) look toward you. Can you then guide the blind — if they refuse to see?

﴿إِنَّ اللَّهَ لَا يَظْلِمُ النَّاسَ شَيْئًا وَلَٰكِنَّ النَّاسَ أَنفُسَهُمْ يَظْلِمُونَ﴾inna Allāha lā yaẓlimu al-nāsa shayʾan wa-lākinna al-nāsa anfusahum yaẓlimūn "Indeed Allah does not wrong people in the least, but people wrong themselves." (Yūnus 10:44)

Translation: Verily Allah does not wrong people at all — rather, people wrong their own souls.

Commentary: And on the Day when He shall gather them — it will seem to them as though they had lingered in the world no longer than an hour of the day. They will recognise one another. Those who denied the meeting with their Lord will have suffered the greatest loss, for they were not rightly guided.

﴿وَيَوْمَ يَحْشُرُهُمْ كَأَن لَّمْ يَلْبَثُوا إِلَّا سَاعَةً مِّنَ النَّهَارِ يَتَعَارَفُونَ بَيْنَهُمْ قَدْ خَسِرَ الَّذِينَ كَذَّبُوا بِلِقَاءِ اللَّهِ وَمَا كَانُوا مُهْتَدِينَ﴾wa-yawma yaḥshuruhum ka-an lam yalbathū illā sāʿatan mina al-nahāri yataʿārafūna baynahum — qad khasira al-ladhīna kadhdhabū bi-liqāʾi Allāhi wa-mā kānū muhtadīn "And on the Day He shall gather them — as though they had lingered only an hour of the day — they will recognise one another. Those who denied the meeting with Allah have indeed suffered loss, and they were not rightly guided." (Yūnus 10:45)

Translation: And on the Day when He gathers them, it will seem to them as if they had sojourned in the world only for an hour of the day; they will recognise one another. Those who denied the meeting with Allah will have truly suffered a great loss, and they were not guided to the right path.

﴿وَإِمَّا نُرِيَنَّكَ بَعْضَ الَّذِي نَعِدُهُمْ أَوْ نَتَوَفَّيَنَّكَ فَإِلَيْنَا مَرْجِعُهُمْ ثُمَّ اللَّهُ شَهِيدٌ عَلَىٰ مَا يَفْعَلُونَ﴾wa-immā nuriyannaka baʿḍa alladhī naʿiduhum aw natawaffayannaka fa-ilaynā marjiʿuhum thumma Allāhu shahīdun ʿalā mā yafʿalūn "Whether We show you part of what We have promised them, or cause you to die — to Us is their return, and Allah is witness over what they do." (Yūnus 10:46)

Translation: Whether We let you witness part of what We have promised them, or take you to Ourselves before that — their return is to Us. And Allah is ever a witness over all that they do. (None escapes God — all return to Him.)

Commentary: And for every community there is a messenger. When their messenger comes to them, judgment is rendered between them with justice, and they are not wronged.

﴿وَلِكُلِّ أُمَّةٍ رَّسُولٌ فَإِذَا جَاءَ رَسُولُهُمْ قُضِيَ بَيْنَهُم بِالْقِسْطِ وَهُمْ لَا يُظْلَمُونَ﴾wa-li-kulli ummatin rasūlun fa-idhā jāʾa rasūluhum quḍiya baynahum bi-l-qisṭi wa-hum lā yuẓlamūn "For every community there is a messenger. When their messenger comes, judgment is rendered between them in justice, and they are not wronged." (Yūnus 10:47)

Translation: Every community has its appointed messenger; and when their messenger comes, judgment is rendered among them with full justice, and they are not wronged in the least.

And they say: "When will this promise be fulfilled, if you are truthful?"

﴿وَيَقُولُونَ مَتَىٰ هَٰذَا الْوَعْدُ إِن كُنتُمْ صَادِقِينَ﴾wa-yaqūlūna matā hādhā al-waʿdu in kuntum ṣādiqīn "And they say: When will this promise be fulfilled, if you are truthful?" (Yūnus 10:48)

Translation: And (the unbelievers) say: "When will this promise come to pass? Tell us, if you are truthful."

﴿قُل لَّا أَمْلِكُ لِنَفْسِي ضَرًّا وَلَا نَفْعًا إِلَّا مَا شَاءَ اللَّهُ﴾qul lā amliku li-nafsī ḍarran wa-lā nafʿan illā mā shāʾa Allāh "Say: I have no power to bring harm or benefit to myself, except what Allah wills." (Yūnus 10:49)

Translation: Say (O Prophetﷺ!): I have no power to cause harm or benefit to my own self, except what Allah wills. For every nation there is a fixed term; when their term comes, they cannot delay it by a single hour, nor hasten it.

Commentary: The Prophetﷺsays: I possess only what God grants me — what He wills comes to pass, and what He does not will does not come to pass. The servant cannot do otherwise than submit, and submission to God's will is the way of spiritual realisation (istighrāq) and is among the attributes of the great ones. Allah the Exalted has said:﴿إِنَّا أَعْطَيْنَاكَ الْكَوْثَرَ﴾— innā aʿṭaynāka al-kawthar — "We have indeed given you abundance" (al-Kawthar 108:1). Whoever is given abundance by God, what could be lacking from him? "Allah gives, and I am the distributor" — what reaches people through the blessed hands of the Prophetﷺreaches them through Divine bounty.

﴿لِكُلِّ أُمَّةٍ أَجَلٌ إِذَا جَاءَ أَجَلُهُمْ فَلَا يَسْتَأْخِرُونَ سَاعَةً وَلَا يَسْتَقْدِمُونَ﴾li-kulli ummatin ajalun — idhā jāʾa ajaluhum fa-lā yastaʾkhirūna sāʿatan wa-lā yastaqdimuun "For every community there is an appointed term; when their term arrives, they can neither delay it by an hour nor advance it." (Yūnus 10:49, continued)

Translation: For every community there is a fixed term. When their appointed time comes, they can neither delay it by a single moment, nor hasten it forward.

﴿قُلْ أَرَأَيْتُمْ إِنْ أَتَاكُمْ عَذَابُهُ بَيَاتًا أَوْ نَهَارًا مَّاذَا يَسْتَعْجِلُ مِنْهُ الْمُجْرِمُونَ﴾qul a-raʾaytum in atākum ʿadhābuhu bayātan aw nahāran — mādhā yastaʿjilu minhu al-mujrimūn "Say: Tell me — if His punishment were to come upon you by night or by day, what part of it would the sinners wish to hasten?" (Yūnus 10:50)

Translation: (O Prophetﷺ!) Say: Tell me — if God's punishment were to come upon you by night or by day, what part of it would the guilty ones seek to hasten?

﴿أَثُمَّ إِذَا مَا وَقَعَ آمَنتُم بِهِ آلْآنَ وَقَدْ كُنتُم بِهِ تَسْتَعْجِلُونَ﴾a-thumma idhā mā waqaʿa āmantum bihi — al-āna wa-qad kuntum bihi tastaʿjilūn "Is it then that when it actually falls upon you, you will believe in it? Now — when previously you were asking it to be hastened?" (Yūnus 10:51)

Translation: Is it then that when the punishment falls you will believe in it? Now you believe — you who were asking for it to be hastened!

﴿ثُمَّ قِيلَ لِلَّذِينَ ظَلَمُوا ذُوقُوا عَذَابَ الْخُلْدِ هَلْ تُجْزَوْنَ إِلَّا بِمَا كُنتُمْ تَكْسِبُونَ﴾thumma qīla li-lladhīna ẓalamū dhūqū ʿadhāba al-khuldi — hal tujzawna illā bi-mā kuntum taksibūn "Then it will be said to the wrongdoers: Taste the enduring punishment! Are you rewarded except for what you used to earn?" (Yūnus 10:52)

Translation: Then it shall be said to the wrongdoers: "Taste the eternal punishment! You are being repaid only for what you used to commit."

Commentary: This passage addresses the question of belief at the moment of witnessing the punishment. Such belief is not accepted; faith (īmān) is only valid when the unseen remains hidden and the punishment has not yet visibly arrived. The door of repentance remains open only until the angels of punishment appear. Pharaoh's declaration of faith — made as he was drowning — was the faith of desperation, not genuine conviction.

﴿هُوَ يُحْيِي وَيُمِيتُ وَإِلَيْهِ تُرْجَعُونَ﴾huwa yuḥyī wa-yumītu wa-ilayhi turjaʿūn "He gives life and He causes death; and to Him you shall return." (Yūnus 10:56)

Translation: He gives life and He causes death; and to Him you all shall return. (Both life and death are in His hands — He created you; He will cause you to die; and you will return to His court.)

﴿يَا أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ قَدْ جَاءَتْكُم مَّوْعِظَةٌ مِّن رَّبِّكُمْ وَشِفَاءٌ لِّمَا فِي الصُّدُورِ وَهُدًى وَرَحْمَةٌ لِّلْمُؤْمِنِينَ﴾yā ayyuhā al-nāsu qad jāʾatkum mawʿiẓatun min rabbikum wa-shifāʾun li-mā fī al-ṣudūri wa-hudan wa-raḥmatun li-l-muʾminīn "O people! There has come to you an admonition from your Lord, a healing for what is in the breasts, a guidance and mercy for the believers." (Yūnus 10:57)

Translation: O people! There has come to you an admonition from your Lord — a healing for whatever ails the hearts, a guidance and a mercy for the believers.

Commentary: Hear it, accept it, act upon it, and make it your life's companion — your doubts and ailments will be cured; you will attain guidance and enter into mercy.

﴿قُلْ بِفَضْلِ اللَّهِ وَبِرَحْمَتِهِ فَبِذَٰلِكَ فَلْيَفْرَحُوا هُوَ خَيْرٌ مِّمَّا يَجْمَعُونَ﴾qul bi-faḍli Allāhi wa-bi-raḥmatihi fa-bi-dhālika fal-yafraḥū — huwa khayrun mimmā yajmaʿūn "Say: In the bounty of Allah and in His mercy — in that let them rejoice! It is better than all that they accumulate." (Yūnus 10:58)

Translation: (O Prophetﷺ!) Say to the people: In the grace of Allah and in His mercy — in that should people rejoice! It is better than all the wealth they gather (let them celebrate this rather than the goods of this world).

Commentary: The movement celebrating the birthday (mīlād) of the Prophetﷺtoday grows stronger day by day. Common people in the world mark the milestones of great men, and this is appropriate, for it draws attention to their lives and their truthfulness. Some ignorant persons say that celebrating the blessed birthday of the Messenger of Allahﷺis not permitted — they liken the celebration of the Mīlād to a theatrical spectacle and wrongly attribute it to practices forbidden by the Qurʾān's verse li-ghayri Allāh. Reflect for a moment! Allah the Exalted says:﴿وَعَلَّمَكَ مَا لَمْ تَكُنْ تَعْلَمُ وَكَانَ فَضْلُ اللَّهِ عَلَيْكَ عَظِيمًا﴾— "And He taught you that which you knew not, and the bounty of God upon you is immense" (al-Nisāʾ 4:113). The Prophetﷺbeing the recipient of Divine knowledge is God's immense favour. And now God declares: rejoice over God's grace and mercy. Therefore, celebrating the Mīlād — if obligatory — is absolutely necessary. He who is gladdened by the Prophet's birth is one whose heart rejoices; he is rightly guided. Those who are saddest about the Prophet'sﷺbirth are those who oppose him most bitterly — even those who deny him more than any other person. How can those who weep at his coming fail to celebrate his blessed Mīlād?

Commentary (continued): Look at what is happening in the present age! People consume the flesh of forbidden animals; they drink wine with great relish; yet they consider ḥalāl things ḥarām. Bribery among them has become a mark of cleverness. Embezzlement of public wealth, they consider a sign of their own shrewdness. Regarding lawful earnings — that which has clearly been declared permissible — they call it ḥarām. Such consumption of ḥarām has weakened the light of faith. No good word reaches them now. The Muslims must truly wake up.

﴿وَمَاظَنُّ الَّذِينَ يَفْتَرُونَ عَلَى اللَّهِ الْكَذِبَ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ إِنَّ اللَّهَ لَذُو فَضْلٍ عَلَى النَّاسِ وَلَٰكِنَّ أَكْثَرَهُمْ لَا يَشْكُرُونَ﴾wa-mā ẓannu alladhīna yaftarūna ʿalā Allāhi al-kadhiba yawma al-qiyāmati — inna Allāha la-dhū faḍlin ʿalā al-nāsi wa-lākinna aktharahum lā yashkurūn "What do those who forge lies against Allah think will happen on the Day of Resurrection? Indeed Allah is full of bounty to humankind, but most of them do not give thanks." (Yūnus 10:60)

Translation: What do those who invent lies about God suppose will befall them on the Day of Resurrection? Truly, Allah is Gracious toward humankind — but most of them are ungrateful.

Commentary: Those who fabricate lies about God have stored up terrible ruin for themselves until the Day of Resurrection. Know now — while you are still alive, having eaten and enjoyed the world's pleasures — what awaits you. To declare the lawful as unlawful, or the unlawful as lawful, is not your prerogative. This is God's domain, the province of His revelation. To go against God's commands is to incur His punishment. The consequences of your deeds will be made manifest, and you shall taste a painful chastisement. Those who are ungrateful for the bounties of Allah the Exalted shall weep; there will be no relief for them.

﴿وَمَا تَكُونُ فِي شَأْنٍ وَمَا تَتْلُو مِنْهُ مِن قُرْآنٍ وَلَا تَعْمَلُونَ مِنْ عَمَلٍ إِلَّا كُنَّا عَلَيْكُمْ شُهُودًا إِذْ تُفِيضُونَ فِيهِ﴾wa-mā takūnu fī shaʾnin wa-mā tatlū minhu min qurʾānin wa-lā taʿmalūna min ʿamalin illā kunnā ʿalaykum shuhūdan idh tufīḍūna fīh "And you are not in any state, nor do you recite of the Qurʾān, nor do you perform any deed, except that We are witnesses over you when you engage in it." (Yūnus 10:61)

Translation: (O Prophetﷺ!) In whatever state you may be, whatever portion of the Qurʾān you recite, and (O people!) whatever deed you perform — We are witnesses over you when you are engaged in it. Not even the weight of an atom escapes your Lord, whether in the earth or in the heavens — nor anything smaller than that, nor larger — but it is in a clear record.

Commentary: Fellow seekers! The attributes of Allah the Exalted subsist with His Essence. The affirmation of the attributes (ithbāt al-ṣifāt) is threefold: (1) Life (ḥayāt); (2) Knowledge (ʿilm); (3) Will (irāda); (4) Power (qudra) — and among the Divine Names are all things known, such that nothing exists without God's knowledge. If one thing were to remain unknown to God, then God's knowledge would be contingent and originated — and one who is so ignorant is exceedingly foolish. God the Exalted makes a promise and then fulfils it — going back on one's word is meanness, and meanness is a deficiency of character; deficiency of character cannot apply to God Most High.

﴿أَلَا إِنَّ أَوْلِيَاءَ اللَّهِ لَا خَوْفٌ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلَا هُمْ يَحْزَنُونَ﴾alā inna awliyāʾa Allāhi lā khawfun ʿalayhim wa-lā hum yaḥzanūn "Behold! Indeed, the friends of Allah — no fear shall be upon them, nor shall they grieve." (Yūnus 10:62)

Translation: Hearken! The friends of Allah (awliyāʾ Allāh) — no fear shall come upon them, nor shall they be sorrowful.

Commentary: Fellow seekers! Who are the awliyāʾ and what are their characteristics? Walī (pl. awliyāʾ) — from waliya, meaning "to be near," "to become intimate," "to be a friend and close companion."

In the technical vocabulary of the spiritual path (qirāʾat), to whom does the word walī truly apply? It applies when annihilation (fanāʾ) takes hold of a person — when he becomes so absorbed in Allah the Exalted that nothing other than God remains in him. Who experiences fear? One who disobeys Allah the Exalted, one who acts contrary to His commands, one who fears his own sins and acts of disobedience. The friends of God — why would they ever act against His commands? Their occupation is pure servanthood. And who experiences grief? One who desires the things of this world and loses them, and feels distress at their loss. The friends of God neither act against Him, nor desire anything other than Him. Hence neither fear comes to them nor grief.

﴿الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَكَانُوا يَتَّقُونَ﴾alladhīna āmanū wa-kānū yattaqūn "Those who believed and were ever God-fearing." (Yūnus 10:63)

Translation: Those who believed and were ever mindful of God (taqwā).

﴿لَهُمُ الْبُشْرَىٰ فِي الْحَيَاةِ الدُّنْيَا وَفِي الْآخِرَةِ لَا تَبْدِيلَ لِكَلِمَاتِ اللَّهِ ذَٰلِكَ هُوَ الْفَوْزُ الْعَظِيمُ﴾lahumu al-bushrā fī al-ḥayāti al-dunyā wa-fī al-ākhirati — lā tabdīla li-kalimāti Allāhi — dhālika huwa al-fawzu al-ʿaẓīm "For them is glad tidings in the life of this world and in the Hereafter. There is no change in the words of Allah — that is the supreme triumph." (Yūnus 10:64)

Translation: For them (the believers and the God-fearing) is glad tidings both in the life of this world and in the Hereafter. There is no alteration in the words of Allah. That is the supreme, magnificent triumph.

Commentary: Fellow seekers! Some use the verse lā tabdīla li-kalimāti Allāh to deny the extraordinary acts (khawāriq al-ʿādāt) of the saints. This is a misunderstanding. Kalimāt Allāh means the established divine patterns and laws — there is no change in these. However, within the compass of God's omnipotence there is room for extraordinary acts — the miracles of prophets (muʿjizāt) and the wonders of the saints (karāmāt) are all real. To deny them is to severely limit God's power, and this is an error. As for the general and special principles (qawāʿid): all things ordinarily operate according to the general laws; yet God also has special laws for His elect servants who turn toward Him, supplicate Him, and whose supplications He accepts — this too is in accordance with lā tabdīla li-kalimāti Allāh, because God promised to reward the righteous and that promise He will certainly fulfil. There is no change or alteration in that.

And do not let their words grieve you. All power and might belong to God — He does as He wills and none can prevent Him. He is the All-Hearing, the All-Knowing.

﴿أَلَا إِنَّ لِلَّهِ مَن فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَمَن فِي الْأَرْضِ وَمَا يَتَّبِعُ الَّذِينَ يَدْعُونَ مِن دُونِ اللَّهِ شُرَكَاءَ إِن يَتَّبِعُونَ إِلَّا الظَّنَّ وَإِنْ هُمْ إِلَّا يَخْرُصُونَ﴾alā inna li-Llāhi man fī al-samāwāti wa-man fī al-arḍi — wa-mā yattabiʿu alladhīna yadʿūna min dūni Allāhi shurakāʾa — in yattabiʿūna illā al-ẓanna wa-in hum illā yakhruṣūn "Behold! To Allah belongs all that is in the heavens and all that is in the earth. And those who call upon others beside Allah as partners — they follow nothing but conjecture and they do nothing but lie." (Yūnus 10:66)

Translation: Behold! To Allah belongs all that is in the heavens and all that is on the earth — all of it is His kingdom and all are His servants; no one can resist or escape Him, and He has no partner. Those who associate partners with God and worship others beside Him — whether claiming independent existence, shared attributes, or independent authority — they follow only conjecture and idle fancy. All their thoughts and assumptions are false and misleading.

﴿هُوَ الَّذِي جَعَلَ لَكُمُ اللَّيْلَ لِتَسْكُنُوا فِيهِ وَالنَّهَارَ مُبْصِرًا إِنَّ فِي ذَٰلِكَ لَآيَاتٍ لِّقَوْمٍ يَسْمَعُونَ﴾huwa alladhī jaʿala lakumu al-layla li-taskunū fīhi wa-al-nahāra mubṣiran — inna fī dhālika la-āyātin li-qawmin yasmaʿūn "He it is Who made the night for you to rest therein, and the day to give you sight. Indeed in that are signs for a people who listen." (Yūnus 10:67)

Translation: It is He Who made the night for your rest and comfort, and brightened the day that you might work and see. Indeed in that are signs for those who listen with their hearts.

﴿قَالُوا اتَّخَذَ اللَّهُ وَلَدًا سُبْحَانَهُ هُوَ الْغَنِيُّ لَهُ مَا فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَمَا فِي الْأَرْضِ﴾qālū ittakhadha Allāhu waladan — subḥānahu — huwa al-ghaniyyu — lahu mā fī al-samāwāti wa-mā fī al-arḍ "They say: Allah has taken a son. Glory be to Him! He is the Self-Sufficient. His is all that is in the heavens and all that is on earth." (Yūnus 10:68)

Translation: They say: "Allah has taken a son." Glory be to Him (subḥānahu)! He is utterly Self-Sufficient — He has no need of anyone or anything. To Him belongs all that is in the heavens and the earth. All are His servants and His property. How could a son be possible? God's existence is self-subsistent (wujūd bi-l-dhāt); the existence of all creatures is contingent (wujūd bi-l-ʿaraḍ); a being whose existence is contingent is itself a servant — it cannot be another's progeny. Do you have any proof for what you say? Are you making up lies about God?

﴿إِنَّ الَّذِينَ يَفْتَرُونَ عَلَى اللَّهِ الْكَذِبَ لَا يُفْلِحُونَ﴾inna alladhīna yaftarūna ʿalā Allāhi al-kadhiba lā yufliḥūn "Indeed, those who fabricate lies against Allah will not prosper." (Yūnus 10:69)

Translation: Truly, those who forge lies about Allah will never prosper.

Commentary: This world is but a brief respite; then they will return to Us and We shall make them taste a severe punishment for their disbelief.

Now the discourse turns to the historical examples of prophets before them — how those who rejected were dealt with. The first and most prominent example given is that of the Prophet Nūḥ (upon him be peace). His community — save a small group — was destroyed by drowning.

﴿وَاتْلُ عَلَيْهِم نَبَأَ نُوحٍ إِذْ قَالَ لِقَوْمِهِ يَا قَوْمِ إِن كَانَ كَبُرَ عَلَيْكُم مَّقَامِي وَتَذْكِيرِي بِآيَاتِ اللَّهِ فَعَلَى اللَّهِ تَوَكَّلْتُ فَأَجْمِعُوا أَمْرَكُمْ وَشُرَكَاءَكُمْ ثُمَّ لَا يَكُنْ أَمْرُكُمْ عَلَيْكُمْ غُمَّةً ثُمَّ اقْضُوا إِلَيَّ وَلَا تُنظِرُونِ﴾wa-ittlu ʿalayhim nabaʾa Nūḥin idh qāla li-qawmihi — yā qawmi in kāna kabura ʿalaykum maqāmī wa-tadhkīrī bi-āyāti Allāhi fa-ʿalā Allāhi tawakkaltu fa-ajmaʿū amrakum wa-shurakāʾakum thumma lā yakun amrukum ʿalaykum ghummatan thumma iqḍū ilayya wa-lā tunẓirūn "And recite to them the story of Nūḥ — when he said to his people: 'O my people! If my station and my reminding you of the signs of Allah are burdensome to you — then in Allah alone I place my trust. So resolve on your course of action, together with your partners, then let your course of action not remain obscure to you; then carry out against me and give me no respite.'" (Yūnus 10:71)

Translation: (O Prophetﷺ!) Recite to them the story of Nūḥ — when Nūḥ said to his people: "O my people! If my presence among you and my reminding you of Allah's signs has become burdensome (that is, if you have grown weary of it), then I place my trust in Allah alone. So gather your strength and your partners, make your plan firm and clear, then carry it out against me — and give me no respite."

﴿فَإِن تَوَلَّيْتُمْ فَمَا سَأَلْتُكُم مِّنْ أَجْرٍ إِنْ أَجْرِيَ إِلَّا عَلَى اللَّهِ وَأُمِرْتُ أَنْ أَكُونَ مِنَ الْمُسْلِمِينَ﴾fa-in tawallaytum fa-mā saʾaltukum min ajrin — in ajriya illā ʿalā Allāhi wa-umirtu an akūna mina al-muslimīn "But if you turn away, I have not asked you for any reward — my reward is only upon Allah, and I have been commanded to be among those who submit." (Yūnus 10:72)

Translation: If you turn away, I have not asked you for any compensation. My reward is with Allah alone. I neither ask for fees nor collect donations — my work is for God's sake. And I have been commanded to be among the submitters (muslimīn).

Commentary: Do you (the Prophetﷺsays) ask what I want from you? If you turn away and refuse to listen, I ask you for no reward and no remuneration. My reward is with God. I have been commanded to be among those who submit.

﴿فَكَذَّبُوهُ فَنَجَّيْنَاهُ وَمَن مَّعَهُ فِي الْفُلْكِ وَجَعَلْنَاهُمْ خَلَائِفَ وَأَغْرَقْنَا الَّذِينَ كَذَّبُوا بِآيَاتِنَا فَانظُرْ كَيْفَ كَانَ عَاقِبَةُ الْمُنذَرِينَ﴾fa-kadhdhabūhu fa-najjaynāhu wa-man maʿahu fī al-fulki wa-jaʿalnāhum khalāʾifa wa-aghraqnā alladhīna kadhdhabū bi-āyātinā — fa-unẓur kayfa kāna ʿāqibatu al-mundharīn "Then they denied him — so We saved him and those with him in the ark, and made them successors, and drowned those who denied Our signs. Observe then what was the end of those who were warned." (Yūnus 10:73)

Translation: Then they denied him — so We saved him and those with him aboard the ark, and We made them successors and heirs on earth. And We drowned those who had denied Our signs. (O observer!) Behold how the end was for those who were warned and yet refused to heed.

Commentary: Fellow seekers! Look at the state of the preacher (wāʿiẓ) and the listeners (mustamāʿ). Preachers who seek only worldly gain and glory — who seek personal honour, who preach in pursuit of fame and recognition — what is their condition? And the condition of those who merely listen — hearing from one ear and letting it out the other, whose intent was mere spectacle and applause, "bravo, bravo," — this is what became of their listening. The purpose was not fulfilled. However, from such preaching at least one thing is certain: that God's proof has been established against them, and a great punishment lies in store.

﴿ثُمَّ بَعَثْنَا مِن بَعْدِهِ رُسُلًا إِلَىٰ قَوْمِهِمْ فَجَاءُوهُم بِالْبَيِّنَاتِ فَمَا كَانُوا لِيُؤْمِنُوا بِمَا كَذَّبُوا بِهِ مِن قَبْلُ كَذَٰلِكَ نَطْبَعُ عَلَىٰ قُلُوبِ الْمُعْتَدِينَ﴾thumma baʿathnā min baʿdihi rusulan ilā qawmihim fa-jāʾūhum bi-l-bayyināti fa-mā kānū li-yuʾminū bi-mā kadhdhabū bihi min qablu — kadhālika naṭbaʿu ʿalā qulūbi al-muʿtadīn "Then after him We sent messengers to their respective peoples and they came to them with clear signs — but they would not believe in what they had already rejected before. Thus do We seal the hearts of the transgressors." (Yūnus 10:74)

Translation: Then after him (Nūḥ) We sent messengers to their respective peoples — they came to them with clear proofs and miracles. But they would not believe in what they had already denied before. Thus do We seal the hearts of the transgressors.

﴿ثُمَّ بَعَثْنَا مِن بَعْدِهِم مُّوسَىٰ وَهَارُونَ إِلَىٰ فِرْعَوْنَ وَمَلَئِهِ بِآيَاتِنَا فَاسْتَكْبَرُوا وَكَانُوا قَوْمًا مُّجْرِمِينَ﴾thumma baʿathnā min baʿdihim Mūsā wa-Hārūna ilā Firʿawna wa-malaʾihi bi-āyātinā fa-istakbarū wa-kānū qawman mujrimīn "Then after them We sent Mūsā and Hārūn to Pharaoh and his chiefs with Our signs — but they were arrogant, and they were a sinful people." (Yūnus 10:75)

Translation: Then after those messengers, We sent Mūsā and Hārūn (upon them be peace) to Pharaoh and his nobles with Our signs — but they were arrogant, and they were a criminal people.

﴿فَلَمَّا جَاءَهُمُ الْحَقُّ مِنْ عِندِنَا قَالُوا إِنَّ هَٰذَا لَسِحْرٌ مُّبِينٌ﴾fa-lammā jāʾahumu al-ḥaqqu min ʿindinā qālū inna hādhā la-siḥrun mubīn "But when the truth came to them from Us, they said: 'This is surely plain sorcery.'" (Yūnus 10:76)

Translation: When the truth came to them from Our presence, they said: "This is nothing but manifest sorcery."

﴿قَالَ مُوسَىٰ أَتَقُولُونَ لِلْحَقِّ لَمَّا جَاءَكُمْ أَسِحْرٌ هَٰذَا وَلَا يُفْلِحُ السَّاحِرُونَ﴾qāla Mūsā a-taqūlūna li-l-ḥaqqi lammā jāʾakum — a-siḥrun hādhā — wa-lā yufliḥu al-sāḥirūn "Mūsā said: 'Do you say of the truth when it has come to you: Is this sorcery? Yet sorcerers do not prosper.'" (Yūnus 10:77)

Translation: Mūsā (upon him be peace) said: "Do you say of the truth when it has come to you that it is sorcery? Sorcerers do not prosper — they are never truly successful."

Commentary: And what is the difference between a miracle (muʿjiza) and sorcery (siḥr)? The miracle is the act of God; sorcery is the act of the sorcerer. Neither sorcerers nor the falsifiers will ultimately succeed — they are destined to be exposed and defeated. (This too is a universal principle.)

﴿قَالُوا أَجِئْتَنَا لِتَلْفِتَنَا عَمَّا وَجَدْنَا عَلَيْهِ آبَاءَنَا وَتَكُونَ لَكُمَا الْكِبْرِيَاءُ فِي الْأَرْضِ وَمَا نَحْنُ لَكُمَا بِمُؤْمِنِينَ﴾qālū a-jiʾtanā li-talfitanā ʿammā wajadnā ʿalayhi ābāʾanā wa-takūna lakumā al-kibriyāʾu fī al-arḍi wa-mā naḥnu lakumā bi-muʾminīn "They said: 'Have you come to turn us away from what we found our forefathers doing, and so that the two of you might have greatness in the land? We will not believe in the two of you.'" (Yūnus 10:78)

Translation: They (the people of Pharaoh) said: "Have you come to turn us away from the practices we found our forefathers following, and so that authority and greatness in this land might belong to the two of you? We shall never believe in the two of you."

﴿وَقَالَ فِرْعَوْنُ ائْتُونِي بِكُلِّ سَاحِرٍ عَلِيمٍ﴾wa-qāla Firʿawnu iʾtūnī bi-kulli sāḥirin ʿalīm "And Pharaoh said: Bring me every knowledgeable sorcerer." (Yūnus 10:79)

Translation: And Pharaoh said: "Bring me every skilled and expert sorcerer."

﴿فَلَمَّا جَاءَ السَّحَرَةُ قَالَ لَهُم مُّوسَىٰ أَلْقُوا مَا أَنتُم مُّلْقُونَ﴾fa-lammā jāʾa al-saḥaratu qāla lahum Mūsā alqū mā antum mulqūn "When the sorcerers came, Mūsā said to them: 'Cast whatever you are going to cast.'" (Yūnus 10:80)

Translation: When the sorcerers came, Mūsā (upon him be peace) said to them: "Cast whatever you intend to cast."

﴿فَلَمَّا أَلْقَوْا قَالَ مُوسَىٰ مَا جِئْتُم بِهِ السِّحْرُ إِنَّ اللَّهَ سَيُبْطِلُهُ إِنَّ اللَّهَ لَا يُصْلِحُ عَمَلَ الْمُفْسِدِينَ﴾fa-lammā alqaw qāla Mūsā mā jiʾtum bihi al-siḥru — inna Allāha sa-yubṭiluhu — inna Allāha lā yuṣliḥu ʿamala al-mufsidīn "When they cast, Mūsā said: 'What you have brought is sorcery — Allah will surely render it null. Allah does not set right the work of the corrupters.'" (Yūnus 10:81)

Translation: When they had cast their devices, Mūsā (upon him be peace) said: "What you have brought is sorcery. Allah will surely annul it — Allah does not make the work of the corrupters succeed." Allah will expose and destroy it; He never grants ultimate success to those who spread corruption.

﴿وَيُحِقُّ اللَّهُ الْحَقَّ بِكَلِمَاتِهِ وَلَوْ كَرِهَ الْمُجْرِمُونَ﴾wa-yuḥiqqu Allāhu al-ḥaqqa bi-kalimātihi wa-law kariha al-mujrimūn "And Allah establishes the truth by His words, even though the sinners dislike it." (Yūnus 10:82)

Translation: And Allah confirms and establishes the truth through His decrees and words — though the guilty may resent it and dislike it.

﴿فَمَا آمَنَ لِمُوسَىٰ إِلَّا ذُرِّيَّةٌ مِّن قَوْمِهِ عَلَىٰ خَوْفٍ مِّن فِرْعَوْنَ وَمَلَئِهِمْ أَن يَفْتِنَهُمْ وَإِنَّ فِرْعَوْنَ لَعَالٍ فِي الْأَرْضِ وَإِنَّهُ لَمِنَ الْمُسْرِفِينَ﴾fa-mā āmana li-Mūsā illā dhurriyyatun min qawmihi ʿalā khawfin min Firʿawna wa-malaʾihim an yaftinuhum — wa-inna Firʿawna la-ʿālin fī al-arḍi wa-innahu la-mina al-musrifīn "But none believed in Mūsā except a group of young people among his people, out of fear that Pharaoh and his chiefs would persecute them — for Pharaoh was truly a tyrant in the land, and truly among the transgressors." (Yūnus 10:83)

Translation: But none believed in Mūsā except a small group from his own people — and even they were fearful, fearing that Pharaoh and his chiefs might afflict them with persecution. For Pharaoh was indeed a great oppressor in the land, and he was truly among the extravagant transgressors.

﴿وَقَالَ مُوسَىٰ يَا قَوْمِ إِن كُنتُمْ آمَنتُم بِاللَّهِ فَعَلَيْهِ تَوَكَّلُوا إِن كُنتُم مُّسْلِمِينَ﴾wa-qāla Mūsā yā qawmi in kuntum āmantum bi-Llāhi fa-ʿalayhi tawakkalū in kuntum muslimīn "And Mūsā said: 'O my people! If you have believed in Allah, then in Him alone put your trust — if you are submitters to Him.'" (Yūnus 10:84)

Translation: And Mūsā (upon him be peace) said: "O my people! If you truly believe in Allah, then place your trust in Him alone — if you are truly Muslims (those who submit to God).

﴿فَقَالُوا عَلَى اللَّهِ تَوَكَّلْنَا رَبَّنَا لَا تَجْعَلْنَا فِتْنَةً لِّلْقَوْمِ الظَّالِمِينَ﴾fa-qālū ʿalā Allāhi tawakkalnā — rabbanā lā tajʿalnā fitnatan li-l-qawmi al-ẓālimīn "They said: 'In Allah we place our trust. Our Lord! Do not make us a trial for the wrongdoing people.'" (Yūnus 10:85)

Translation: They said: "We place our trust in Allah. Our Lord! Do not make us a means of trial and affliction for the wrongdoing people." (Do not make us a target for the oppressors.)

﴿وَنَجِّنَا بِرَحْمَتِكَ مِنَ الْقَوْمِ الْكَافِرِينَ﴾wa-najjinā bi-raḥmatika mina al-qawmi al-kāfirīn "And deliver us by Your mercy from the disbelieving people." (Yūnus 10:86)

Translation: And deliver us, by Your mercy, from the people who disbelieve.

﴿وَأَوْحَيْنَا إِلَىٰ مُوسَىٰ وَأَخِيهِ أَن تَبَوَّآ لِقَوْمِكُمَا بِمِصْرَ بُيُوتًا وَاجْعَلُوا بُيُوتَكُمْ قِبْلَةً وَأَقِيمُوا الصَّلَاةَ وَبَشِّرِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ﴾wa-awḥaynā ilā Mūsā wa-akhīhi an tabawwaʾā li-qawmikumā bi-Miṣra buyūtan wa-jʿalū buyūtakum qiblatan wa-aqīmū al-ṣalāta wa-bashshiri al-muʾminīn "And We revealed to Mūsā and his brother: Settle your people in Egypt in houses, and make your houses places of worship, and establish the prayer, and give glad tidings to the believers." (Yūnus 10:87)

Translation: And We revealed to Mūsā and his brother Hārūn (upon them be peace): Settle your people in Egypt in proper dwellings — arrange houses for them in the city — and make your houses places facing the qibla (direction of prayer), and establish the prayer. And give glad tidings to the believers. (Even in times of hardship, steadfastness in prayer and glad tidings follow.)

﴿وَقَالَ مُوسَىٰ رَبَّنَا إِنَّكَ آتَيْتَ فِرْعَوْنَ وَمَلَأَهُ زِينَةً وَأَمْوَالًا فِي الْحَيَاةِ الدُّنْيَا رَبَّنَا لِيُضِلُّوا عَن سَبِيلِكَ رَبَّنَا اطْمِسْ عَلَىٰ أَمْوَالِهِمْ وَاشْدُدْ عَلَىٰ قُلُوبِهِمْ فَلَا يُؤْمِنُوا حَتَّىٰ يَرَوُا الْعَذَابَ الْأَلِيمَ﴾wa-qāla Mūsā rabbanā innaka ātayta Firʿawna wa-malaʾahu zīnatan wa-amwālan fī al-ḥayāti al-dunyā — rabbanā li-yuḍillū ʿan sabīlika — rabbanā iṭmis ʿalā amwālihim wa-ishdud ʿalā qulūbihim fa-lā yuʾminū ḥattā yarawu al-ʿadhāba al-alīm "And Mūsā said: 'Our Lord! You have given Pharaoh and his chiefs splendour and wealth in the life of this world — our Lord — that they may lead astray from Your path. Our Lord! Obliterate their wealth and harden their hearts, so that they do not believe until they see the painful punishment.'" (Yūnus 10:88)

Translation: And Mūsā (upon him be peace) supplicated: "Our Lord! You have given Pharaoh and his chiefs the adornments and riches of this worldly life — O our Lord — so that they may mislead people from Your path. O our Lord! Destroy their wealth and harden their hearts so that they do not believe until they behold the painful punishment."

Commentary: God accepted this supplication: "The door of response is open — so hold firm and do not follow the path of those who have no knowledge."

﴿قَالَ قَدْ أُجِيبَت دَّعْوَتُكُمَا فَاسْتَقِيمَا وَلَا تَتَّبِعَانِّ سَبِيلَ الَّذِينَ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ﴾qāla qad ujībat daʿwatukumā fa-istaqīmā wa-lā tattabiʿāni sabīla alladhīna lā yaʿlamūn "He said: 'Your supplication has been accepted — so remain steadfast, and do not follow the path of those who do not know.'" (Yūnus 10:89)

Translation: (Allah the Exalted) said: "Your supplication has been accepted. So both of you remain firm and steadfast, and do not follow the way of the ignorant."

﴿وَجَاوَزْنَا بِبَنِي إِسْرَائِيلَ الْبَحْرَ فَأَتْبَعَهُمْ فِرْعَوْنُ وَجُنُودُهُ بَغْيًا وَعَدْوًا حَتَّىٰ إِذَا أَدْرَكَهُ الْغَرَقُ قَالَ آمَنتُ أَنَّهُ لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا الَّذِي آمَنَتْ بِهِ بَنُو إِسْرَائِيلَ وَأَنَا مِنَ الْمُسْلِمِينَ﴾wa-jāwaznā bi-banī Isrāʾīla al-baḥra fa-atbaʿahum Firʿawnu wa-junūduhu baghyan wa-ʿadwan — ḥattā idhā adrakahu al-gharaqu qāla āmantu annahu lā ilāha illā alladhī āmanat bihi banū Isrāʾīla wa-anā mina al-muslimīn "And We brought the Children of Isrāʾīl across the sea — and Pharaoh and his army followed them in insolence and aggression — until, when drowning overtook him, he said: 'I believe that there is no god but He in whom the Children of Isrāʾīl believe, and I am among the submitters.'" (Yūnus 10:90)

Translation: And We caused the Children of Isrāʾīl to cross the sea. Pharaoh and his army pursued them in arrogance and aggression — until, when drowning had overtaken him, he said: "I believe that there is no god but He in whom the Children of Isrāʾīl believe, and I am among the Muslims (those who submit)."

﴿آلْآنَ وَقَدْ عَصَيْتَ قَبْلُ وَكُنتَ مِنَ الْمُفْسِدِينَ﴾al-āna wa-qad ʿaṣayta qablu wa-kunta mina al-mufsidīn "Now? — while before this you disobeyed and were among the corrupters!" (Yūnus 10:91)

Translation: "Now you believe? — while before this you disobeyed, and you were among the corrupters!"

Commentary: Fellow seekers! That faith is acceptable which is declared when the unseen is still veiled — before the punishment has become visibly manifest. Repentance is possible only until the angel of punishment appears; faith declared at the approach of death without prior conviction is not accepted. Pharaoh's declaration of faith in the people of Isrāʾīl was merely verbal, not from true inner conviction (yaqīn).

Fellow seekers! At this passage, a word must be said to those who concern themselves with innovation and fabrication. There are people who, in their desire for sensation, invoke the story of Pharaoh's drowning and cite what has been narrated about his condition — basing themselves on the work of Muḥyī al-Dīn Ibn al-ʿArabī (may Allah have mercy on him), whose book Fuṣūṣ al-Ḥikam is a mystical work. The relevant passage in that work — "our Pharaoh is our sea; Mūsā is the faculty of judgment; Hārūn is the intellect..." — and the alleged acceptance of Pharaoh's death-faith — is not to be taken against the clear text of the Qurʾān. The Qurʾān's explicit statement that Pharaoh's faith was not accepted stands firm.

﴿فَالْيَوْمَ نُنَجِّيكَ بِبَدَنِكَ لِتَكُونَ لِمَنْ خَلْفَكَ آيَةً وَإِنَّ كَثِيرًا مِّنَ النَّاسِ عَنْ آيَاتِنَا لَغَافِلُونَ﴾fa-l-yawma nunajjīka bi-badanika li-takūna li-man khalfaka āyatan — wa-inna kathīran mina al-nāsi ʿan āyātinā la-ghāfilūn "This day We shall preserve your body, that you may be a sign for those who come after you. And indeed most people are heedless of Our signs." (Yūnus 10:92)

Translation: Today We shall preserve your body (Pharaoh's corpse) so that you may be a sign and a warning for generations to come. And yet most people are heedless of Our signs.

﴿وَلَقَدْ بَوَّأْنَا بَنِي إِسْرَائِيلَ مُبَوَّأَ صِدْقٍ وَرَزَقْنَاهُم مِّنَ الطَّيِّبَاتِ فَمَا اخْتَلَفُوا حَتَّىٰ جَاءَهُمُ الْعِلْمُ إِنَّ رَبَّكَ يَقْضِي بَيْنَهُمْ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ فِيمَا كَانُوا فِيهِ يَخْتَلِفُونَ﴾wa-la-qad bawwaʾnā banī Isrāʾīla mubawwaʾa ṣidqin wa-razaqnāhum mina al-ṭayyibāti — fa-mā ikhtalafū ḥattā jāʾahumu al-ʿilmu — inna rabbaka yaqḍī baynahum yawma al-qiyāmati fī-mā kānū fīhi yakhtalifūn "And We settled the Children of Isrāʾīl in a honourable dwelling, and We provided them with good things. Then they did not differ until knowledge came to them. Your Lord will judge between them on the Day of Resurrection in that wherein they differed." (Yūnus 10:93)

Translation: And indeed We settled the Children of Isrāʾīl in a noble and honourable abode, and provided them with wholesome provisions. But then they began to dispute — and only after knowledge had come to them did they fall into disagreement. Your Lord will judge between them on the Day of Resurrection in all matters wherein they differed.

﴿فَإِن كُنتَ فِي شَكٍّ مِّمَّا أَنزَلْنَا إِلَيْكَ فَاسْأَلِ الَّذِينَ يَقْرَءُونَ الْكِتَابَ مِن قَبْلِكَ لَقَدْ جَاءَكَ الْحَقُّ مِن رَّبِّكَ فَلَا تَكُونَنَّ مِنَ الْمُمْتَرِينَ﴾fa-in kunta fī shakkin mimmā anzalnā ilayka fa-saʾali alladhīna yaqraʾūna al-kitāba min qablika — la-qad jāʾaka al-ḥaqqu min rabbika fa-lā takūnanna mina al-mumtarīn "And if you are in doubt about what We have revealed to you, ask those who were reading the Book before you. The truth has indeed come to you from your Lord, so do not be among those who doubt." (Yūnus 10:94)

Translation: And if you (O Prophetﷺ) — by way of a rhetorical address, for this is purely a conditional expression — were in doubt about what We have sent down to you, then ask those who read the earlier scriptures. Truly the truth has come to you from your Lord, so do not be among the doubters. (The truth has come from your Lord — hold firm and do not turn back.)

﴿وَلَا تَكُونَنَّ مِنَ الَّذِينَ كَذَّبُوا بِآيَاتِ اللَّهِ فَتَكُونَ مِنَ الْخَاسِرِينَ﴾wa-lā takūnanna mina alladhīna kadhdhabū bi-āyāti Allāhi fa-takūna mina al-khāsirīn "And do not be of those who deny the signs of Allah, lest you become of the losers." (Yūnus 10:95)

Translation: And never be among those who deny the signs of Allah — for then you would be among the losers (you would suffer grievous harm).

﴿إِنَّ الَّذِينَ حَقَّتْ عَلَيْهِمْ كَلِمَتُ رَبِّكَ لَا يُؤْمِنُونَ﴾inna alladhīna ḥaqqat ʿalayhim kalimatu rabbika lā yuʾminūn "Indeed, those against whom the word of your Lord has been decreed — they will not believe." (Yūnus 10:96)

Translation: Those against whom the decree of your Lord has been sealed — they will not believe.

Commentary: Those whose nature has been corrupted, whose essential reality is led astray, and to whom God has given the seal of misguidance in His eternal knowledge and decree — they will not believe.

﴿وَلَوْ جَاءَتْهُمْ كُلُّ آيَةٍ حَتَّىٰ يَرَوُا الْعَذَابَ الْأَلِيمَ﴾wa-law jāʾathum kullu āyatin ḥattā yarawu al-ʿadhāba al-alīm "Even if every sign came to them — until they see the painful punishment." (Yūnus 10:97)

Translation: Even if every imaginable sign and miracle were to come to them — they will not believe until they behold the painful punishment. (Only when the punishment becomes inescapably visible does something stir in them — but by then it is too late.)

﴿فَلَوْلَا كَانَتْ قَرْيَةٌ آمَنَتْ فَنَفَعَهَا إِيمَانُهَا إِلَّا قَوْمَ يُونُسَ لَمَّا آمَنُوا كَشَفْنَا عَنْهُمْ عَذَابَ الْخِزْيِ فِي الْحَيَاةِ الدُّنْيَا وَمَتَّعْنَاهُمْ إِلَىٰ حِينٍ﴾fa-law-lā kānat qaryatun āmanat fa-nafaʿahā īmānuhā illā qawma Yūnusa lammā āmanū kashafnā ʿanhum ʿadhāba al-khizyi fī al-ḥayāti al-dunyā wa-mattaʿnāhum ilā ḥīn "Was there then no city that believed and its belief benefited it — except the people of Yūnus? When they believed, We removed from them the punishment of disgrace in the life of the world and allowed them enjoyment for a time." (Yūnus 10:98)

Translation: Was there not even a single city that believed in time — so that its faith would benefit it — except the people of Yūnus (upon him be peace)? When they believed, We removed from them the punishment of disgrace in this worldly life, and allowed them to enjoy life for a while.

Commentary: The people of Yūnus (upon him be peace) believed and repented before the punishment fully struck — and God in His mercy removed the punishment from them, gave them respite and well-being in this life, and allowed them to benefit from the world.

﴿وَلَوْ شَاءَ رَبُّكَ لَآمَنَ مَن فِي الْأَرْضِ كُلُّهُمْ جَمِيعًا﴾wa-law shāʾa rabbuka la-āmana man fī al-arḍi kulluhum jamīʿan "And had your Lord willed, all those on earth would have believed, all of them together." (Yūnus 10:99)

Translation: Had your Lord so willed, all the people on earth would have believed — every last one of them. But God's will requires the test to take place, and the test requires that belief come through free choice and reflection, not through compulsion.

﴿أَفَأَنتَ تُكْرِهُ النَّاسَ حَتَّىٰ يَكُونُوا مُؤْمِنِينَ﴾a-fa-anta tukrihu al-nāsa ḥattā yakūnū muʾminīn "Can you then compel people to become believers?" (Yūnus 10:99)

Translation: So can you, (O Prophetﷺ), compel the people to become believers?

﴿وَمَا كَانَ لِنَفْسٍ أَن تُؤْمِنَ إِلَّا بِإِذْنِ اللَّهِ وَيَجْعَلُ الرِّجْسَ عَلَى الَّذِينَ لَا يَعْقِلُونَ﴾wa-mā kāna li-nafsin an tuʾmina illā bi-idhni Allāhi — wa-yajʿalu al-rijsa ʿalā alladhīna lā yaʿqilūn "And it is not possible for any soul to believe except by the permission of Allah. And He places impurity upon those who do not use their reason." (Yūnus 10:100)

Translation: No soul can believe except by the leave (idhn) of Allah. And He places spiritual filth and contamination upon those who refuse to exercise reason. Their corrupted nature is made manifest, and from it flow its consequences, and ultimately its effects become outwardly apparent.

﴿قُلِ انظُرُوا مَاذَا فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ وَمَا تُغْنِي الْآيَاتُ وَالنُّذُرُ عَن قَوْمٍ لَّا يُؤْمِنُونَ﴾quli unẓurū mādhā fī al-samāwāti wa-l-arḍi — wa-mā tughni al-āyātu wa-l-nudhuru ʿan qawmin lā yuʾminūn "Say: Behold what is in the heavens and the earth! But signs and warners avail not a people who will not believe." (Yūnus 10:101)

Translation: (O Prophetﷺ!) Say: Look! What is there in the heavens and the earth? But signs and warners are of no avail to a people who refuse to believe.

﴿فَهَلْ يَنتَظِرُونَ إِلَّا مِثْلَ أَيَّامِ الَّذِينَ خَلَوْا مِن قَبْلِهِمْ قُلْ فَانتَظِرُوا إِنِّي مَعَكُم مِّنَ الْمُنتَظِرِينَ﴾fa-hal yantaẓirūna illā mithla ayyāmi alladhīna khalaw min qablihim — qul fa-intaẓirū innī maʿakum mina al-muntaẓirīn "Are they waiting for anything except the like of the days of those who passed away before them? Say: Then wait — I too am with you among those who wait." (Yūnus 10:102)

Translation: Are they waiting for anything except the same fate as those before them who passed away? Say (O Prophetﷺ!): Then wait — I too am waiting along with you. (These people will not come to their senses until the punishment arrives. So say: Wait! I too am waiting with you.)

﴿ثُمَّ نُنَجِّي رُسُلَنَا وَالَّذِينَ آمَنُوا كَذَٰلِكَ حَقًّا عَلَيْنَا نُنجِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ﴾thumma nunajjī rusulanā wa-alladhīna āmanū — kadhālika ḥaqqan ʿalaynā nunji al-muʾminīn "Then We shall save Our messengers and those who believe — just so it is an obligation upon Us to save the believers." (Yūnus 10:103)

Translation: Then We shall deliver Our messengers and those who believe. Thus it is an obligation — it is incumbent upon Us — to deliver the believers and grant them salvation.

﴿قُلْ يَا أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ إِن كُنتُمْ فِي شَكٍّ مِّن دِينِي فَلَا أَعْبُدُ الَّذِينَ تَعْبُدُونَ مِن دُونِ اللَّهِ وَلَٰكِنْ أَعْبُدُ اللَّهَ الَّذِي يَتَوَفَّاكُمْ وَأُمِرْتُ أَنْ أَكُونَ مِنَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ﴾qul yā ayyuhā al-nāsu in kuntum fī shakkin min dīnī fa-lā aʿbudu alladhīna taʿbudūna min dūni Allāhi wa-lākin aʿbudu Allāha alladhī yatawaffākum wa-umirtu an akūna mina al-muʾminīn "Say: O people! If you are in doubt about my religion — I do not worship those you worship besides Allah. But I worship Allah, Who causes you to die; and I have been commanded to be among the believers." (Yūnus 10:104)

Translation: (O Prophetﷺ!) Say to people: "O people! If you are in doubt about my religion — know that I do not worship what you worship besides Allah. Rather, I worship Allah alone, the One Who causes your death (the One Who gives life and takes it). And I have been commanded to be among the believers — to remain a believer and a Muslim."

﴿وَأَنْ أَقِمْ وَجْهَكَ لِلدِّينِ حَنِيفًا وَلَا تَكُونَنَّ مِنَ الْمُشْرِكِينَ﴾wa-an aqim wajhaka li-l-dīni ḥanīfan wa-lā takūnanna mina al-mushrikīn "And: Set your face toward the faith as a pure monotheist, and never be of the polytheists." (Yūnus 10:105)

Translation: And direct your face exclusively toward the true religion, turning sincerely (ḥanīfan) — and never be among the polytheists.

﴿وَإِن يَمْسَسْكَ اللَّهُ بِضُرٍّ فَلَا كَاشِفَ لَهُ إِلَّا هُوَ وَإِن يُرِدْكَ بِخَيْرٍ فَلَا رَادَّ لِفَضْلِهِ يُصِيبُ بِهِ مَن يَشَاءُ مِنْ عِبَادِهِ وَهُوَ الْغَفُورُ الرَّحِيمُ﴾wa-in yamsaska Allāhu bi-ḍurrin fa-lā kāshifa lahu illā huwa — wa-in yuriddka bi-khayrin fa-lā rādda li-faḍlihi — yuṣību bihi man yashāʾu min ʿibādihi wa-huwa al-Ghafūru al-Raḥīm "And if Allah afflicts you with adversity, none can remove it except Him; and if He intends good for you, none can repel His bounty — He bestows it upon whomever He wills among His servants; and He is the All-Forgiving, the All-Merciful." (Yūnus 10:107)

Translation: And (O addressed one!) if Allah should afflict you with any adversity, none can remove it except Him alone. And if He intends good for you, none can repel His bounty — He grants it to whomever He wills among His servants. And He is the All-Forgiving, the All-Merciful — the Forgiver of sins and Ever-Merciful.

﴿قُلْ يَا أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ قَدْ جَاءَكُمُ الْحَقُّ مِن رَّبِّكُمْ فَمَنِ اهْتَدَىٰ فَإِنَّمَا يَهْتَدِي لِنَفْسِهِ وَمَن ضَلَّ فَإِنَّمَا يَضِلُّ عَلَيْهَا وَمَا أَنَا عَلَيْكُم بِوَكِيلٍ﴾qul yā ayyuhā al-nāsu qad jāʾakumu al-ḥaqqu min rabbikum — fa-mani ihtadā fa-innamā yahtadī li-nafsihi — wa-man ḍalla fa-innamā yaḍillu ʿalayhā — wa-mā anā ʿalaykum bi-wakīl "Say: O people! The truth has come to you from your Lord. Whoever is guided — his guidance is for his own soul; whoever goes astray — his straying is against his own soul. And I am not a guardian over you." (Yūnus 10:108)

Translation: Say (O Prophetﷺ!): "O people! The truth has come to you from your Lord. Whoever is guided — his guidance benefits himself. And whoever goes astray — his going astray harms himself. I am not appointed as a guardian over you."

Sūrat Hūd (11)