Sūrat al-ʿAnkabūt (conclusion, from Volume Four)

سورۃ العنکبوت (تتمہ)

Āyāt 21–29 (Recitation Section: Atallā Mā Awḥā, Juzʾ 21)

اُتْلُ مَآ أُوحِيَ إِلَيْكَ مِنَ الْكِتَابِ وَأَقِمِ الصَّلَاةَ إِنَّ الصَّلَاةَ تَنْهَىٰ عَنِ الْفَحْشَاءِ وَالْمُنكَرِ وَلَذِكْرُ اللَّهِ أَكْبَرُ وَاللَّهُ يَعْلَمُ مَا تَصْنَعُونَ

Utlu mā ūḥiya ilayka mina l-kitābi wa-aqimi l-ṣalāh, inna l-ṣalāta tanhā ʿani l-faḥshāʾi wa-l-munkar, wa-la-dhikru llāhi akbaru wa-llāhu yaʿlamu mā taṣnaʿūn.

"Recite what has been revealed to you of the Book and establish the prayer. Indeed, prayer forbids indecency and wrongdoing; and the remembrance of Allah is greater. And Allah knows what you do." (al-ʿAnkabūt 29:45)

Word-by-word gloss rendered as commentary: Utlu — "recite" or "read aloud." Mā ūḥiya ilayka — that which has been sent down to you. Mina l-kitāb — of the Book. Wa-aqimi l-ṣalāh — and establish the prayer, observing it properly and punctually. Inna l-ṣalāta tanhā — indeed prayer restrains and forbids. ʿAni l-faḥshāʾ — from indecency, shameless acts. Wa-l-munkar — and from all that is reprehensible, objectionable, and wicked. Wa-la-dhikru llāhi akbar — and the remembrance of Allah is the greatest thing of all. Wa-llāhu yaʿlamu mā taṣnaʿūn — and Allah knows very well whatever you do.

Translation: O Prophet! Recite the Book that has been sent down to you, and establish prayer with proper observance and punctuality. Truly prayer is what restrains one from shamelessness (indecent acts) and reprehensible conduct. And the remembrance of Allah is the greatest thing of all — and Allah knows well whatever you do.

وَلَا تُجَادِلُوا أَهْلَ الْكِتَابِ إِلَّا بِالَّتِي هِيَ أَحْسَنُ إِلَّا الَّذِينَ ظَلَمُوا مِنْهُمْ وَقُولُوا آمَنَّا بِالَّذِيٓ أُنزِلَ إِلَيْنَا وَأُنزِلَ إِلَيْكُمْ وَإِلَٰهُنَا وَإِلَٰهُكُمْ وَاحِدٌ وَنَحْنُ لَهُۥ مُسْلِمُونَ

Wa-lā tujādilū ahla l-kitābi illā bi-llatī hiya aḥsanu illā lladhīna ẓalamū minhum, wa-qūlū āmannā bi-lladhī unzila ilaynā wa-unzila ilaykum, wa-ilāhunā wa-ilāhukum wāḥidun wa-naḥnu lahū muslimūn.

"And do not argue with the People of the Book except in the best manner — except those of them who have committed injustice — and say: 'We believe in what has been sent down to us and what has been sent down to you, and our God and your God is One, and to Him we have submitted.'" (al-ʿAnkabūt 29:46)

Wa-lā tujādilū — do not engage in quarrel or disputation; do not enter into polemical debate. Ahla l-kitāb — the People of the Book. Illā bi-llatī hiya aḥsanu — except through the most excellent and refined approach, the most civilised manner. Illā lladhīna ẓalamū minhum — except those among them who have committed injustice — who pick false quarrels, who use dishonest arguments to serve their own interests, not out of any genuine search for truth. Wa-qūlū āmannā bi-lladhī unzila ilaynā — and say: "We believe in what has been sent down to us" — the Qurʾān, that which has descended upon the Prophet ﷺ. Wa-unzila ilaykum — and what has been sent down to you. Wa-ilāhunā wa-ilāhukum wāḥid — and our God and your God is one and the same. Wa-naḥnu lahū muslimūn — and we have submitted ourselves to Him and become His obedient servants. We are Muslims, and we have surrendered ourselves to Allah.

Translation: And do not dispute with the People of the Book except in a civilised, scholarly manner — except with those among them who act unjustly (committing injustice). Say to them: "We believe in what has been revealed to us and to you, and our God and your God is one — and we are those who have submitted to Him."

The commentary continues: Consider, O reader, that if one ponders carefully, it becomes clear that belief in one God is a natural, primordial conviction. Every Prophet has had to believe in one God alone — all the great religions of the world that have ever existed come together on this one basic principle, while in secondary matters (furūʿiyāt) they diverge. Come — let us jointly examine those secondary matters in which genuine disagreement exists; through dialogue, it will become clear that Islam alone is the true path.

What is forbidden in Islam? Intoxicants (sharāb) are forbidden in Islam. Which religion forbids divorce and permits it? Islam. Whose theology upholds the sublime dignity of the self and sees others' souls as equally noble? Islam — for Islam holds that all human beings are equal: all are children of Adam and Hawwāʾ, the same father and mother. No one may enter another's household uninvited; the ear of no one may be compelled to hear what it does not wish to hear. The Qurʾān is firm in these principles. Yet you refuse to follow your own religion's established norms. You say you will reject everything, yet history will record that you abandoned your own religion and ultimately were forced to follow Islam.

وَكَذَٰلِكَ أَنزَلْنَآ إِلَيْكَ الْكِتَابَ فَالَّذِينَ آتَيْنَاهُمُ الْكِتَابَ يُؤْمِنُونَ بِهِۦ وَمِنْ هَٰٓؤُلَاءِ مَن يُؤْمِنُ بِهِۦ وَمَا يَجْحَدُ بِآيَاتِنَآ إِلَّا الْكَافِرُونَ

Wa-kadhālika anzalnā ilayka l-kitāba fa-lladhīna ātaynāhumu l-kitāba yuʾminūna bih, wa-min hāʾulāʾi man yuʾminu bih, wa-mā yajḥadu bi-āyātinā illā l-kāfirūn.

"And in this manner have We sent down the Book to you. Those to whom We gave the Book believe in it, and among these [people] there are some who believe in it — and none deny Our signs except the disbelievers." (al-ʿAnkabūt 29:47)

Wa-kadhālika — and in this same way. Anzalnā — We have sent down. Ilayka — to you. Al-kitāb — the Book. Fa-lladhīna ātaynāhumu l-kitāba — then those people to whom We gave the Book — yuʾminūna bih — those among them believe in it. Wa-min hāʾulāʾi — and among these people — man yuʾminu bih — there are those who believe in it. Wa-mā yajḥadu bi-āyātinā — and none deny and reject Our verses — illā l-kāfirūn — except the disbelievers, the concealing, truth-hiding people.

Translation: And in this same manner We have sent down the Book to you. Then those to whom We had given the Book believe in it, and from among these [people] there are also some who believe in it — and none deny Our verses except the disbelievers.

وَمَا كُنتَ تَتْلُوا مِن قَبْلِهِۦ مِن كِتَابٍ وَلَا تَخُطُّهُۥ بِيَمِينِكَ إِذًا لَّارْتَابَ الْمُبْطِلُونَ

Wa-mā kunta tatlu min qablihī min kitābin wa-lā takhuṭṭuhū bi-yamīnika idhā la-rtāba l-mubṭilūn.

"And you were not reciting before it any scripture, nor were you writing it with your right hand — for then the falsifiers would have had reason to doubt." (al-ʿAnkabūt 29:48)

Wa-mā kunta tatlū — and you were not doing recitation. Min qablihī — before this — before the Qurʾān was revealed. Min kitāb — from any book. Wa-lā takhuṭṭuhū — and you were not writing anything with your own hand. Bi-yamīnika — with your right hand. Idhā — in that case, then. La-rtāba — doubt would have arisen. Al-mubṭilūn — the worshippers of falsehood, the liars, those given to doubt and suspicion.

Translation: And you were not previously reading any book, nor writing anything with your hand — otherwise the falsifiers and doubters would have found cause to suspect.

بَلْ هُوَ آيَاتٌ بَيِّنَاتٌ فِي صُدُورِ الَّذِينَ أُوتُوا الْعِلْمَ وَمَا يَجْحَدُ بِآيَاتِنَآ إِلَّا الظَّالِمُونَ

Bal huwa āyātun bayyinātin fī ṣudūri lladhīna ūtū l-ʿilma wa-mā yajḥadu bi-āyātinā illā l-ẓālimūn.

"Rather, it is clear signs in the breasts of those who have been given knowledge — and none deny Our signs except the wrongdoers." (al-ʿAnkabūt 29:49)

Bal huwa āyātun bayyināt — rather, it is luminous evidences, radiant proofs. Fī ṣudūri lladhīna ūtū l-ʿilm — preserved in the breasts of those who have been given knowledge — in their minds, in their intellects. Wa-mā yajḥadu bi-āyātinā — and none deny and reject Our verses. Illā l-ẓālimūn — except the unjust, the oppressive, the obdurate and biased.

Translation: Rather, it (the Book) is manifest, clear proofs — in the breasts of those who have been given knowledge — and none deny Our signs except the wrongdoers, the unjust, the obstinate.

وَقَالُوا لَوْلَآ أُنزِلَ عَلَيْهِ آيَاتٌ مِّن رَّبِّهِۦ قُلْ إِنَّمَا الْآيَاتُ عِندَ اللَّهِ وَإِنَّمَآ أَنَاْ نَذِيرٌ مُّبِينٌ

Wa-qālū lawlā unzila ʿalayhi āyātun min rabbihī qul innamā l-āyātu ʿinda llāhi wa-innamā anā nadhīrun mubīn.

"And they say: 'Why have signs not been sent down to him from his Lord?' Say: 'The signs are only with Allah, and I am only a clear warner.'" (al-ʿAnkabūt 29:50)

Wa-qālū — and those unjust ones say. Lawlā unzila ʿalayhi āyātun — why are signs not sent down to him. Min rabbihī — from his Lord — some miracles, some extraordinary works. Qul — say (O Prophet!), tell them. Innamā l-āyātu ʿinda llāh — the signs are only with Allah — all miracles are in His power. When He wills, He bestows them; He hands them out as He wishes. Wa-innamā anā nadhīrun mubīn — and I am only a clear warner — I am simply a plain warner of coming affliction.

Translation: And those unjust ones say: "Why are signs not sent down to him from his Lord?" Say: "All signs are with Allah and are entirely in His power, and I am only a clear warner — I am simply one who plainly announces the coming of calamity."

The signs are all with Allah — it is He who possesses them all. And I am simply a clear warner, giving plain notice of approaching calamity.

أَوَلَمْ يَكْفِهِمْ أَنَّآ أَنزَلْنَا عَلَيْكَ الْكِتَابَ يُتْلَىٰ عَلَيْهِمْ إِنَّ فِي ذَٰلِكَ لَرَحْمَةً وَذِكْرَىٰ لِقَوْمٍ يُؤْمِنُونَ

A-wa-lam yakfihim annā anzalnā ʿalayka l-kitāba yutlā ʿalayhim, inna fī dhālika la-raḥmatan wa-dhikrā li-qawmin yuʾminūn.

"Is it not sufficient for them that We have sent down to you the Book which is recited to them? Indeed, in that is a mercy and a reminder for a people who believe." (al-ʿAnkabūt 29:51)

A-wa-lam yakfihim — is it not sufficient for them, is it not enough for them? Annā anzalnā ʿalayka l-kitāb — that We have sent down the Book upon you. Yutlā ʿalayhim — which is recited and read before them. Inna fī dhālika — indeed in this. La-raḥmatan — there is without doubt mercy and compassion. Wa-dhikrā — and remembrance and admonition. Li-qawmin yuʾminūn — for those people who have faith, who keep belief.

Translation: Is it not sufficient for them that We have sent down this Book upon you, and it is read out to them? In this is without doubt mercy and admonition for those who believe.

قُلْ كَفَىٰ بِاللَّهِ بَيْنِي وَبَيْنَكُمْ شَهِيدًا يَعْلَمُ مَا فِي السَّمَٰوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ وَالَّذِينَ آمَنُوا بِالْبَاطِلِ وَكَفَرُوا بِاللَّهِ أُوْلَٰٓئِكَ هُمُ الْخَاسِرُونَ

Qul kafā bi-llāhi baynī wa-baynakum shahīdan yaʿlamu mā fī l-samāwāti wa-l-arḍ, wa-lladhīna āmanū bi-l-bāṭili wa-kafarū bi-llāhi ulāʾika humu l-khāsirūn.

"Say: 'Allah is sufficient as a witness between me and you — He knows what is in the heavens and the earth — and those who believe in falsehood and disbelieve in Allah: those are the losers.'" (al-ʿAnkabūt 29:52)

Qul — say, O Prophet! Kafā bi-llāhi — Allah alone is sufficient — He is enough by Himself. Baynī wa-baynakum — between me and you. Shahīdā — as a witness. Yaʿlamu mā fī l-samāwāti wa-l-arḍ — He knows whatever exists in the heavens and the earth. Wa-lladhīna āmanū bi-l-bāṭil — and those people who bring faith in falsehood and believe in it to be true — wa-kafarū bi-llāh — and who disbelieve in Allah and deny Him. Ulāʾika humu l-khāsirūn — such people are the losers, the ones who have suffered real loss, the disadvantaged — the ones who incur damage and are robbed of benefit.

Translation: O Prophet! Say: "Allah alone is sufficient as a witness between me and you — He knows all that exists in the heavens and the earth — and those who bring faith in falsehood and disbelieve in Allah: those indeed are the losers, the ones suffering real damage."

وَيَسْتَعْجِلُونَكَ بِالْعَذَابِ وَلَوْلَآ أَجَلٌ مُّسَمًّى لَّجَآءَهُمُ الْعَذَابُ وَلَيَأْتِيَنَّهُم بَغْتَةً وَهُمْ لَا يَشْعُرُونَ

Wa-yastaʿjilūnaka bi-l-ʿadhābi wa-lawlā ajalun musammā la-jāʾahumu l-ʿadhābu wa-la-yaʾtiyannhum baghtatan wa-hum lā yashʿurūn.

"And they urge you to hasten the punishment. Were it not for a fixed term, the punishment would surely have come to them — and indeed it will come upon them suddenly while they do not perceive." (al-ʿAnkabūt 29:53)

Wa-yastaʿjilūnaka bi-l-ʿadhāb — and they demand from you with impatience that punishment come. Wa-lawlā ajalun musammā — if only there were no fixed appointed time — a set, determined duration. La-jāʾahumu l-ʿadhāb — the punishment would surely have come to them already. Wa-la-yaʾtiyannhum baghtatan — and it will certainly come upon them suddenly, without warning. Wa-hum lā yashʿurūn — and they will not even be aware; they will have no foreknowledge.

Translation: And these people demand from you that the punishment hasten — if there were no fixed appointed term, the punishment would already have come. And it will certainly come upon them suddenly — suddenly — while they will have had no news of it.

يَسْتَعْجِلُونَكَ بِالْعَذَابِ وَإِنَّ جَهَنَّمَ لَمُحِيطَةٌ بِالْكَافِرِينَ

Yastaʿjilūnaka bi-l-ʿadhābi wa-inna jahannama la-muḥīṭatun bi-l-kāfirīn.

"They urge you to hasten the punishment — and indeed Jahannam will encompass the disbelievers." (al-ʿAnkabūt 29:54)

Yastaʿjilūnaka — they demand hastening of the punishment from you. Wa-inna jahannama — and Hellfire without doubt. La-muḥīṭatun bi-l-kāfirīn — has encompassed the disbelievers, surrounding them — for there is no doubt that Jahannam has enclosed the disbelievers within its grip, encircling them.

Translation: They demand from you that the punishment hasten — and indeed Jahannam has already encompassed the disbelievers.

يَوْمَ يَغْشَاهُمُ الْعَذَابُ مِن فَوْقِهِمْ وَمِن تَحْتِ أَرْجُلِهِمْ وَيَقُولُ ذُوقُوا مَا كُنتُمْ تَعْمَلُونَ

Yawma yaghshāhumu l-ʿadhābu min fawqihim wa-min taḥti arjulihim wa-yaqūlu dhūqū mā kuntum taʿmalūn.

"On the Day when the punishment envelops them from above them and from beneath their feet, and He says: 'Taste what you used to do.'" (al-ʿAnkabūt 29:55)

Yawma yaghshāhumu l-ʿadhāb — on the day when punishment will envelope them, overtaking them entirely. Min fawqihim — from above them, from above as well. Wa-min taḥti arjulihim — and from beneath their feet as well. Wa-yaqūlu — and Allah Most High will command: Dhūqū mā kuntum taʿmalūn — "Taste what you used to do — savour your own actions and conduct."

Translation: On that day punishment will engulf them from above them and from beneath their feet — and He will proclaim: "Now taste the very deeds you used to perform."

يَا عِبَادِيَ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوٓا إِنَّ أَرْضِي وَاسِعَةٌ فَإِيَّايَ فَاعْبُدُونِ

Yā ʿibādiya lladhīna āmanū inna arḍī wāsiʿatun fa-iyyāya faʿbudūn.

"O My servants who have believed — indeed My earth is vast, so worship only Me." (al-ʿAnkabūt 29:56)

Yā ʿibādiya — O My servants! O My believing bondsmen! Alladhīna āmanū — who have brought faith. Inna arḍiya wāsiʿah — My earth is undoubtedly vast, wide and spacious. Fa-iyyāya faʿbudūn — so worship Me alone, perform My service alone, carry out My devotion.

Translation: O My Muslim servants! My earth is vast — so worship Me alone.

كُلُّ نَفْسٍ ذَآئِقَةُ الْمَوْتِ ثُمَّ إِلَيْنَا تُرْجَعُونَ

Kullu nafsin dhāʾiqatu l-mawti thumma ilaynā turjaʿūn.

"Every soul shall taste death; then to Us you will be returned." (al-ʿAnkabūt 29:57)

Kullu nafsin dhāʾiqatu l-mawt — every person will taste death — whoever has been born will inevitably die. Thumma ilaynā turjaʿūn — then all of you will be returned to Us — being present in Our court is a necessity.

Translation: Every person will taste death — then all will be returned and will come back to Our court.

وَالَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَعَمِلُوا الصَّالِحَاتِ لَنُبَوِّئَنَّهُم مِّنَ الْجَنَّةِ غُرَفًا تَجْرِي مِن تَحْتِهَا الْأَنْهَارُ خَالِدِينَ فِيهَا نِعْمَ أَجْرُ الْعَامِلِينَ

Wa-lladhīna āmanū wa-ʿamilū l-ṣāliḥāti la-nubawwiʾannahum mina l-jannati ghurafan tajrī min taḥtihā l-anhāru khālidīna fīhā niʿma ajru l-ʿāmilīn.

"And those who have believed and done righteous deeds — We shall certainly lodge them in the upper chambers of Paradise, beneath which rivers flow, to dwell therein forever. How excellent is the reward of those who work!" (al-ʿAnkabūt 29:58)

Wa-lladhīna āmanū — and those who keep faith in God — wa-ʿamilū l-ṣāliḥāt — and perform righteous deeds, good works. La-nubawwiʾannahum — We will certainly settle them, We will give them lodging. Mina l-jannati ghurafā — in the upper chambers of Paradise, in lofty rooms. Tajrī min taḥtihā l-anhār — beneath which rivers flow. Khālidīna fīhā — they will abide in it forever, remaining permanently in Paradise. Niʿma ajru l-ʿāmilīn — how excellent is the reward of the doers, an excellent recompense and exchange.

Translation: And those people who maintain faith and do righteous deeds — We will certainly settle them in the lofty upper chambers of Paradise, beneath which rivers flow. They will dwell in them forever. How excellent is the reward of those who do righteous works.

الَّذِينَ صَبَرُوا وَعَلَىٰ رَبِّهِمْ يَتَوَكَّلُونَ

Alladhīna ṣabarū wa-ʿalā rabbihim yatawakkalūn.

"Those who are patient and upon their Lord they rely." (al-ʿAnkabūt 29:59)

Who are these righteous ones? Alladhīna ṣabarū — those who are patient; those who endure. Wa-ʿalā rabbihim yatawakkalūn — and who place their reliance upon their Lord — who entrust all their affairs to God.

Translation: Those who are patient and who place their reliance upon their Lord.

وَكَأَيِّن مِّن دَآبَّةٍ لَّا تَحْمِلُ رِزْقَهَا اللَّهُ يَرْزُقُهَا وَإِيَّاكُمْ وَهُوَ السَّمِيعُ الْعَلِيمُ

Wa-kaʾayyin min dābbatin lā taḥmilu rizqahā llāhu yarzuquhā wa-iyyākum wa-huwa l-samīʿu l-ʿalīm.

"And how many a creature does not carry its own provision — Allah provides for it and for you. And He is the All-Hearing, the All-Knowing." (al-ʿAnkabūt 29:60)

Wa-kaʾayyin min dābbah — and how many creatures there are — animals that walk upon the face of the earth. Lā taḥmilu rizqahā — they do not carry their own provision — they make no store of food; they do not hoard. Observe a bird — it leaves its nest in the morning light and returns in the evening full, its belly fed to satisfaction. Allāhu yarzuquhā — Allah provides for them. Wa-iyyākum — and He provides for you as well — Allah feeds them and you too. Wa-huwa l-samīʿu l-ʿalīm — and He is the All-Hearing, the All-Knowing — He listens to your supplications and is aware of your needs.

Translation: And how many creatures are there that do not carry their own provisions — Allah feeds them and He feeds you as well — and He is All-Hearing, All-Knowing of everything.

وَلَئِن سَأَلْتَهُم مَّنْ خَلَقَ السَّمَٰوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضَ وَسَخَّرَ الشَّمْسَ وَالْقَمَرَ لَيَقُولُنَّ اللَّهُ فَأَنَّىٰ يُؤْفَكُونَ

Wa-la-in saʾaltahum man khalaqa l-samāwāti wa-l-arḍa wa-sakhkhara l-shamsa wa-l-qamara la-yaqūlunna llāhu fa-annā yuʾfakūn.

"And if you were to ask them who created the heavens and the earth and made the sun and moon subservient, they would certainly say: 'Allah.' So how are they being deluded?" (al-ʿAnkabūt 29:61)

Wa-la-in saʾaltahum — and if you ask them. Man khalaqa l-samāwāti wa-l-arḍ — who created the heavens and the earth. Wa-sakhkhara l-shamsa wa-l-qamar — and who made the sun and moon subservient, set them to work. La-yaqūlunna llāh — they will necessarily say: "Allah." Fa-annā yuʾfakūn — so then why do they turn away from here, why do they set out in a different direction?

Translation: And if you ask them: "Who created the heavens and the earth, and who made the sun and moon obedient to His command?" — they will necessarily say: "Allah." Then why are they wandering off elsewhere?

اللَّهُ يَبْسُطُ الرِّزْقَ لِمَن يَشَآءُ مِنْ عِبَادِهِۦ وَيَقْدِرُ لَهُۥ إِنَّ اللَّهَ بِكُلِّ شَيْءٍ عَلِيمٌ

Allāhu yabsuṭu l-rizqa li-man yashāʾu min ʿibādihī wa-yaqdiruhu, inna llāha bi-kulli shayʾin ʿalīm.

"Allah extends provision to whom He wills of His servants, and He restricts it. Indeed, Allah is Knowing of all things." (al-ʿAnkabūt 29:62)

Allāhu yabsuṭu l-rizq — Allah expands and extends provision. Li-man yashāʾu min ʿibādihī — for whichever of His servants He wills — whichever servants He wishes. Wa-yaqdiruhu — and He restricts it, making it narrow for some. Inna llāha bi-kulli shayʾin ʿalīm — indeed Allah is Knowing of all things without doubt — He knows everything about every matter, He is fully aware and informed.

Translation: Allah expands provision for whichever of His servants He wishes, and He restricts provision for whichever He wishes — Allah knows everything about everything.

وَلَئِن سَأَلْتَهُم مَّن نَّزَّلَ مِنَ السَّمَآءِ مَآءً فَأَحْيَا بِهِ الْأَرْضَ مِن بَعْدِ مَوْتِهَا لَيَقُولُنَّ اللَّهُ قُلِ الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ بَلْ أَكْثَرُهُمْ لَا يَعْقِلُونَ

Wa-la-in saʾaltahum man nazzala mina l-samāʾi māʾan fa-aḥyā bihi l-arḍa min baʿdi mawtihā la-yaqūlunna llāhu quli l-ḥamdu li-llāh, bal aktharuhum lā yaʿqilūn.

"And if you ask them who sent water down from the sky and thereby revived the earth after its death, they will certainly say: 'Allah.' Say: 'Praise be to Allah' — but most of them do not reason." (al-ʿAnkabūt 29:63)

Wa-la-in saʾaltahum — and if you ask them. Man nazzala mina l-samāʾi māʾā — who sent water down from the sky — who brought rain. Fa-aḥyā bihi l-arḍa — and thereby revived the earth — bringing life back to the earth after it had become dry and withered. Min baʿdi mawtihā — after its death — after it had dried out. La-yaqūlunna llāh — they will necessarily say: "Allah." Quli l-ḥamdu li-llāh — then say: "All praise belongs to Allah" — the praise fits Him perfectly; we are all indebted to Him for this. Bal aktharuhum lā yaʿqilūn — but rather most of them do not reason — the majority of them have little intellect; they grasp nothing.

Translation: And if you ask them: "Who sent water down from the sky and thereby revived the earth after it had dried up and died?" — they will necessarily say: "Allah." Say: "Al-ḥamdu li-llāh (Praise be to Allah)" — but most of them do not understand at all.

وَمَا هَٰذِهِ الْحَيَوٰةُ الدُّنْيَآ إِلَّا لَهْوٌ وَلَعِبٌ وَإِنَّ الدَّارَ الْآخِرَةَ لَهِيَ الْحَيَوَانُ لَوْ كَانُوا يَعْلَمُونَ

Wa-mā hādhihi l-ḥayātu l-dunyā illā lahwun wa-laʿib, wa-inna l-dāra l-ākhirata la-hiya l-ḥayawānu law kānū yaʿlamūn.

"And this worldly life is nothing but diversion and play — and indeed the Abode of the Hereafter: that is the true life, if only they knew." (al-ʿAnkabūt 29:64)

Wa-mā hādhihi l-ḥayātu l-dunyā — and this worldly life is nothing. Illā lahwun wa-laʿib — except diversion and play — mere amusement and games. Wa-inna l-dāra l-ākhirah — and indeed the Last Abode. La-hiya l-ḥayawān — that alone is real living — true and genuine life. Law kānū yaʿlamūn — if only they knew, if only they understood.

Translation: And this worldly life is nothing but frivolity and play — and the Hereafter is truly the real life — if only they knew (had some understanding).

فَإِذَا رَكِبُوا فِي الْفُلْكِ دَعَوُا اللَّهَ مُخْلِصِينَ لَهُ الدِّينَ فَلَمَّا نَجَّاهُمْ إِلَى الْبَرِّ إِذَا هُمْ يُشْرِكُونَ

Fa-idhā rakibū fī l-fulki daʿawū llāha mukhliṣīna lahu l-dīna fa-lammā najjāhum ilā l-barri idhā hum yushrikūn.

"Then when they board a ship, they call upon Allah, sincere to Him in religion — but when He delivers them safely to the shore, they immediately associate [partners with Him]." (al-ʿAnkabūt 29:65)

Fa-idhā rakibū fī l-fulk — then when these people board ships — being entirely heedless and self-absorbed, their lives of luxury making them forget everything — but when they board a boat and face the danger of being lost at sea, they begin calling upon Allah with sincerity of faith — mukhliṣīna lahu l-dīn — with pure, sincere conviction. Fa-lammā najjāhum ilā l-barr — but when He brings them to the shore, delivering them safely to dry land — idhā hum yushrikūn — at that very moment they revert to associating partners with Allah.

Translation: Then when they board a ship, they call upon Allah with sincerity of faith (making their supplications to Him). Then when He brings them to safety by delivering them to dry land, immediately they begin to associate partners.

لِيَكْفُرُوا بِمَآ آتَيْنَاهُمْ وَلِيَتَمَتَّعُوا فَسَوْفَ يَعْلَمُونَ

Li-yakfurū bi-mā ātaynāhum wa-li-yatamattaʿū fa-sawfa yaʿlamūn.

"That they may be ungrateful for what We have given them and may enjoy themselves — but they will soon know." (al-ʿAnkabūt 29:66)

Li-yakfurū bi-mā ātaynāhum — that they may be ungrateful for what We have given them — so that they may deny the bounties We have bestowed. Wa-li-yatamattaʿū — and so that these people may enjoy themselves for a few days, may extract pleasure from this world. Fa-sawfa yaʿlamūn — but they will soon know — the outcome of all this will soon become evident to them.

Translation: So that they may be ungrateful for what We have bestowed (this ingratitude of theirs), and they may enjoy themselves for a while (a few days of worldly life) — the outcome will soon become known.

أَوَلَمْ يَرَوْا أَنَّا جَعَلْنَا حَرَمًا آمِنًا وَيُتَخَطَّفُ النَّاسُ مِنْ حَوْلِهِمْ أَفَبِالْبَاطِلِ يُؤْمِنُونَ وَبِنِعْمَةِ اللَّهِ يَكْفُرُونَ

A-wa-lam yaraw annā jaʿalnā ḥaraman āminan wa-yutakhaṭṭafu l-nāsu min ḥawlihim a-fa-bi-l-bāṭili yuʾminūna wa-bi-niʿmati llāhi yakfurūn.

"Do they not see that We made a safe sanctuary, while people are being snatched all around them? Do they then believe in falsehood and disbelieve in the blessing of Allah?" (al-ʿAnkabūt 29:67)

A-wa-lam yaraw — do they not see, do they not notice — are they so blind they cannot perceive this point? Annā jaʿalnā ḥaraman āminan — that We have made a sanctuary of security — We established this place as a haven of peace and safety. Wa-yutakhaṭṭafu l-nāsu min ḥawlihim — while people are being seized and abducted from all around them — people are being dragged away and carried off from the surrounding areas, from their vicinity, from everywhere around them. A-fa-bi-l-bāṭili yuʾminūna — yet are they bringing faith in falsehood — do they believe in falsehood, in small, false objects of worship? Wa-bi-niʿmati llāhi yakfurūn — and are they ungrateful for the blessing of Allah?

Translation: Do they not see that We have made (their) sanctuary a place of security? — and people around them are being seized and dragged away. Yet they believe in falsehood (they will keep their faith in false idols) and are ungrateful for Allah's blessing?

وَمَنْ أَظْلَمُ مِمَّنِ افْتَرَىٰ عَلَى اللَّهِ كَذِبًا أَوْ كَذَّبَ بِالْحَقِّ لَمَّا جَآءَهُۥ أَلَيْسَ فِي جَهَنَّمَ مَثْوًى لِّلْكَافِرِينَ

Wa-man aẓlamu mimman iftarā ʿalā llāhi kadhiban aw kadhdhaba bi-l-ḥaqqi lammā jāʾahu, a-laysa fī jahannama mathwan li-l-kāfirīn.

"And who is more unjust than one who invents a lie against Allah or denies the truth when it comes to him? Is there not in Jahannam an abode for the disbelievers?" (al-ʿAnkabūt 29:68)

Wa-man aẓlamu — and who is more unjust, who is more tyrannical? Mimman iftarā ʿalā llāhi kadhiban — than one who fabricates and invents a lie against Allah, attributes falsehood to Him. Aw kadhdhaba bi-l-ḥaqq — or who when the truth reaches him, denies it and dismisses it as false. Lammā jāʾahu — when it has come to him. A-laysa fī jahannama mathwan li-l-kāfirīn — is there not in Jahannam an abode for the disbelievers? — is there not a dwelling place in Hell for those who conceal?

Translation: And who is more unjust than one who lies against Allah (fabricates lies) — or when the truth comes to him, he denies it? Do they not know that Jahannam is the dwelling place of the disbelievers?

وَالَّذِينَ جَاهَدُوا فِينَا لَنَهْدِيَنَّهُمْ سُبُلَنَا وَإِنَّ اللَّهَ لَمَعَ الْمُحْسِنِينَ

Wa-lladhīna jāhadū fīnā la-nahdiyannhum subulanā wa-inna llāha la-maʿa l-muḥsinīn.

"And those who strive for Our sake — We will surely guide them to Our ways. And indeed Allah is with those who do good." (al-ʿAnkabūt 29:69)

Wa-lladhīna jāhadū fīnā — and those people who strive and exert themselves for Our sake — who do jihād, toiling and struggling. La-nahdiyannhum subulanā — We will certainly, necessarily guide them to Our own paths — We will show them the way. Wa-inna llāha la-maʿa l-muḥsinīn — and indeed Allah is with the doers of good — those who strive in sincerity are close to the divine nearness of God.

Translation: And those who strive for Us — We will necessarily guide them to Our paths — and indeed Allah's company is with the righteous doers.

This is the last verse of Sūrat al-ʿAnkabūt. The author offers this earnest counsel to the reader: O people, consider what a state of affairs prevails — people have found peace and comfort in the world, and have forgotten God. Your enemies surround you; enemies beset you wherever you turn — where children and women are being slaughtered; where Muslims are being killed. Those who truly keep Allah in their hearts and strive sincerely in His path — He guides them to their way. Know with certainty that ingratitude to Allah brings a terrible end. Wake up! How long will this slumber of heedlessness last? Wake up! The time to act is now.

Uṭhho! Uṭhho! Yih khwāb-e-ghaflat kab tak — Jāgo! Jāgo! Ajal kamīn gāh mein hai (Rise! Rise! How long will this sleep of heedlessness last — Wake! Wake! Death lies in ambush.)