Sūrat al-Zumar

سورۃ الزمر

بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ

Bismi llāhi l-raḥmāni l-raḥīm.

I begin in the name of Allah, who is most Merciful and most Compassionate.

This sūra was revealed in Mecca and contains seventy-five (75) verses and eight (8) rukūʿ sections.

In the lexicon, zumar means zumra — i.e., a group. With ḍamma (the vowel-marking), zumūr means to reveal or disclose something. But here, "al-Zumar" means "groups" (yaqīnan zumra — distinct groupings).

تَنْزِيلُ الْكِتَابِ مِنَ اللَّهِ الْعَزِيزِ الْحَكِيمِ

Tanzīlu l-kitābi mina llāhi l-ʿazīzi l-ḥakīm.

"The sending down of the Book is from Allah, the Almighty, the All-Wise." (al-Zumar 39:1)

Tanzīlu l-kitāb — the sending down of this Book is a divine decree. Mina llāhi l-ʿazīzi l-ḥakīm — from the Allah who possesses all might and power, and who does whatever He deems fit.

Translation: — This is a divine revelation sent down from Allah, the Almighty, the All-Wise.

إِنَّا أَنزَلْنَا إِلَيْكَ الْكِتَابَ بِالْحَقِّ فَاعْبُدِ اللَّهَ مُخْلِصًا لَّهُ الدِّينَ

Innā anzalnā ilayka l-kitāba bi-l-ḥaqqi fa-ʿbudi llāha mukhliṣan lahu l-dīn.

"Indeed We have sent down the Book to you with the truth, so worship Allah, devoting your religion sincerely to Him." (al-Zumar 39:2)

Innā anzalnā ilayka l-kitāba bi-l-ḥaqq — We have certainly sent down to you this Book together with the truth — that which is entirely correct and appropriate. Fa-ʿbudi llāh — therefore worship Allah, perform the servitude of Allah, dedicate your life to His service. Mukhliṣan lahu l-dīn — devoting yourself sincerely, with pure and complete obedience, with all your heart and every limb.

Translation: — (O Prophet!) We have certainly sent down to you the Book with truth — therefore worship Allah with complete and wholehearted obedience and sincere devotion.

أَلَا لِلَّهِ الدِّينُ الْخَالِصُ ۚ وَالَّذِينَ اتَّخَذُوا مِن دُونِهِ أَوْلِيَاءَ مَا نَعْبُدُهُمْ إِلَّا لِيُقَرِّبُونَا إِلَى اللَّهِ زُلْفَىٰ ۚ إِنَّ اللَّهَ يَحْكُمُ بَيْنَهُمْ فِي مَا هُمْ فِيهِ يَخْتَلِفُونَ ۗ إِنَّ اللَّهَ لَا يَهْدِي مَنْ هُوَ كَاذِبٌ كَفَّارٌ

Alā li-llāhi l-dīnu l-khāliṣ — wa-lladhīna ttakhadhū min dūnihi awliyāʾa mā naʿbuduhum illā li-yuqarribūnā ilā llāhi zulfā — inna llāha yaḥkumu baynahum fī mā hum fīhi yakhtalifūn — inna llāha lā yahdī man huwa kādhibun kaffār.

"Unquestionably, for Allah is the pure and sincere religion. Those who have taken protectors besides Him say: 'We worship them only that they may bring us nearer to Allah in closeness.' Indeed, Allah will judge between them in that over which they differ. Indeed, Allah does not guide the one who is a persistent liar and ingrate." (al-Zumar 39:3)

Alā — Heed well! Li-llāhi l-dīnu l-khāliṣ — pure and sincere worship is for Allah alone. Wa-lladhīna ttakhadhū min dūnihi awliyāʾa — and those who have taken, besides Allah, others as their protectors, helpers, and intimates. Mā naʿbuduhum — we do not worship them. Illā li-yuqarribūnā — except so that they may bring us into nearness and proximity. Ilā llāh — to Allah. Zulfā — nearness, closeness. Inna llāha yaḥkumu baynahum — verily Allah will indeed give judgement between them. Fī mā hum fīhi yakhtalifūn — concerning the matters over which they differ. Inna llāha lā yahdī — verily Allah does not guide, does not show direction, does not give guidance to reach the destination. Man huwa kādhibun kaffār — the one who is a persistent liar, who is an ingrate and rejecter of Allah's commands.

Translation: — Hear well! Pure obedience to Allah alone is His right. And those people who have taken others besides Allah as their lords and protectors and intimates say: "We do not worship these beings as our true objects of worship — we worship them only so that through them we may attain nearness to Allah." (But this is a pretext.) Allah will certainly give His judgement between them concerning those matters over which they differ — He, the Almighty, does not guide, and does not show the straight path, and does not lead the ungrateful and lying person (this being) to the goal.

My honoured readers (ṣāḥibō)! It is abundantly clear that the disbelievers were worshipping other than Allah. But when Islam made the announcement that only the worship of Allah alone is proper, they began to say this pretext: "We are not actually worshipping these deities in their own right — we are worshipping them with the intention of drawing near to Allah." Allah, the Most High, exposed their deception and accepted no excuse from them — He declared that He judges between those who differ, and that He does not guide the dishonest and the ungrateful. Their excuse is nothing but a sham — the disbelievers had placed some things in their hearts and mouths and declared others — their "worship" is merely the name of ultimate arrogance and insincerity, hypocrisy and deceit. And Allah, the Most High, rejected their claimed excuse by revealing this clear decisive ruling — Muslims worship no one other than Allah alone. The motto and purpose of a Muslim's life is: lā ilāha illā llāhu Muḥammadun rasūlu llāh.

I am a Muslim — I am a person of faith (Ṣāḥib-e-Īmān hūn)

My God is One — my Prophet is noble (Merā Khudā ek hai, merā Nabī nek hai)

His name is Muḥammad — upon him be peace and blessings (un kā Muḥammad hai nām — un par darūd o salām)

Alas, some heedless objectors, without proper investigation — Muslims who through their inherited faith from their elders love and revere their religion — attribute to this verse or to similar ones the meaning of shirk, which is an immense wrong. It is indeed a very great sin — the greatest sin of all — and it is so great because Allah, the Most High, will forgive every sin except shirk. Therefore those people who, out of their desire to accuse the poor and simple Muslims, wish to apply the label of "shirk" to them — after the clear exposition of these two impermissible disgraceful acts, this is an absolutely inevitable matter for them — because the first and foremost thing is: if a person were to truly commit shirk, he would be a real and actual mushrik (polytheist). But a Muslim — when he is affirming his being a Muslim, and because since that person is confessing his Islam — he cannot be a mushrik for that reason; he would remain a Muslim. However, the person who makes this claim against him is acting in a manner that is blameworthy before Allah — therefore one must remain away from this pleasure and sin. The friends of Allah (awliyāʾ al-abṣār), the great ones, the masters of adab and respect, and the honoured elders — they are not committing this error. The difference between taʿbūd and taʿẓīm (worship and honouring) is as vast as that between the slave and Allah. We take refuge with Allah from this.

May Allah grant us all the right understanding and keep us on the straight path upon which our accepted predecessors have walked — āmīn. We worship only Allah, but to honour and esteem the great elders is also necessary. The Holy Prophet ﷺ declared: akrimū al-ḍayf — honour your guest. If a disbeliever comes as a guest to your home, honour him too — Islam has taught this: that even to honour one older than you by a single day in this life is a virtue. And Ḥaẓrat Saʿdī (may Allah have mercy on him) says:

Adab ta ḥadīyat az luṭf-e-ilāhī — banda har jā rō, bar ū-rā pāyē

(Adab — courtesy — is a divine gift; and a servant who follows it will find success wherever he goes.)

This is the extreme impolite act of Iblīs — Shayṭān considered himself superior to Ādam, the most noble of creation, from the very beginning, denying and rejecting this. Cursed, he is wearing the collar of rejection around his neck — but as he goes along Allah, the Most High, continues to say to him: "I shall say to Ādam's offspring: those loyal servants who are wholly dedicated to Me — I shall make them rebellious, I shall lead them astray, and those who follow them — those who truly say they are not willing to follow My path." What the claimers say has not come true.

Disrespect results in being unlucky — whereas respect results in fortune.

لَوْ أَرَادَ اللَّهُ أَنْ يَتَّخِذَ وَلَدًا لَّاصْطَفَىٰ مِمَّا يَخْلُقُ مَا يَشَاءُ ۚ سُبْحَانَهُ ۖ هُوَ اللَّهُ الْوَاحِدُ الْقَهَّارُ

Law arāda llāhu an yattakhidha waladan la-ṣṭafā mimmā yakhluqu mā yashāʾu — subḥānahū — huwa llāhu l-wāḥidu l-qahhār.

"Had Allah willed to take a son, He would have chosen from what He creates whatever He wills — Glory be to Him! He is Allah, the One, the Subduer." (al-Zumar 39:4)

Law arāda llāhu — if Allah had wished. An yattakhidha waladan — to take someone as a son — to adopt a son as a genuine and real son. This is not possible — because how can any created being be equivalent to or on the same level as God? A servant is a servant, and Allah's existence is beyond all comparisons. La-ṣṭafā — He would have taken for Himself. Mimmā yakhluqu — from among His own creations. Mā yashāʾu — whatever He wills — choosing from among His creations whatever He pleases. Subḥānahū — Glory be to Allah, the Most High, who is exalted above all such statements. Huwa llāhu l-wāḥidu l-qahhār — He is the one Allah — the Only One, the Most Overpowering, the Most Forceful.

Translation: — If Allah wished to make someone His son, He could choose from among His servants whomever He wishes to adopt — He is the Most Pure, Most High, Most Holy above all these statements! He is the only true Being — He is One and All-Powerful!

My honoured readers (ṣāḥibō)! The "law" particle is used in those places where the thing in question is not and cannot be. Therefore: Allah does not will to have a son as His own, and nor is it possible for anyone to be His son — therefore no one can ever be a son. Look at the power of this argument — subḥānahu l-wāḥidu l-qahhār.

خَلَقَ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضَ بِالْحَقِّ ۖ يُكَوِّرُ اللَّيْلَ عَلَى النَّهَارِ وَيُكَوِّرُ النَّهَارَ عَلَى اللَّيْلِ ۖ وَسَخَّرَ الشَّمْسَ وَالْقَمَرَ ۖ كُلٌّ يَجْرِي لِأَجَلٍ مُّسَمًّى ۗ أَلَا هُوَ الْعَزِيزُ الْغَفَّارُ

Khalaqa l-samāwāti wa-l-arḍa bi-l-ḥaqq — yukawwiru l-layla ʿalā l-nahāri wa-yukawwiru l-nahāra ʿalā l-layl — wa-sakhkhara l-shamsa wa-l-qamar — kullun yajrī li-ajalin musammā — alā huwa l-ʿazīzu l-ghaffār.

"He created the heavens and the earth with truth. He wraps the night over the day and wraps the day over the night. He has subjected the sun and the moon — each running for a specified term. Unquestionably, He is the Almighty, the Perpetually Forgiving." (al-Zumar 39:5)

Khalaqa l-samāwāti wa-l-arḍ — He created the heavens and the earth. Bi-l-ḥaqq — with truth, in a proper and fitting manner. Yukawwiru l-layla ʿalā l-nahār — He wraps the night over the day — that is, the night comes over the day like a covering, night arrives and day goes. Wa-yukawwiru l-nahāra ʿalā l-layl — and He wraps the day over the night — and sometimes the day covers over the night as well, meaning day arrives and night departs. Wa-sakhkhara l-shamsa wa-l-qamar — and He has subjected the sun and the moon as His servants and made them orderly and obedient. Kullun yajrī — each runs. Li-ajalin musammā — for a designated fixed course — each has its own appointed cycle. Alā huwa l-ʿazīzu l-ghaffār — hear well! He is the ʿAzīz — the possessor of honour and might — and the Ghaffār — despite being most mighty and forceful, He forgives mistakes.

Translation: — He created the heavens and the earth in a fitting manner — sometimes the night comes and covers the day and sometimes the day comes and covers the night — (that is, sometimes night is long and day is short and sometimes day is long and night is short) — and He has subjected the sun and the moon and made them servants, each of them running its own appointed course. Hear well! He is the Almighty (all-powerful) and He is also the Forgiving (He forgives mistakes)!

Each proceeds along for a specific destined course. That is, each of them is on a particular orbit. Hear well — huwa l-ʿazīzu l-ghaffār — He, He it is who is worthy of honour and dignity, and despite that He forgives mistakes!

Translation: — He created the heavens and earth in a proper manner — sometimes night falls on day, sometimes day comes over night (that is, sometimes night is great and day small) and sometimes night falls on day (that is, day is long and night is short) — and the sun and moon are made orderly and subjected — each of them runs for a fixed appointed orbit — and He is the Almighty! He is also Forgiving!

خَلَقَكُم مِّن نَّفْسٍ وَاحِدَةٍ ثُمَّ جَعَلَ مِنْهَا زَوْجَهَا وَأَنزَلَ لَكُم مِّنَ الْأَنْعَامِ ثَمَانِيَةَ أَزْوَاجٍ ۚ يَخْلُقُكُمْ فِي بُطُونِ أُمَّهَاتِكُمْ خَلْقًا مِّن بَعْدِ خَلْقٍ فِي ظُلُمَاتٍ ثَلَاثٍ ۚ ذَٰلِكُمُ اللَّهُ رَبُّكُمْ لَهُ الْمُلْكُ لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ ۖ فَأَنَّىٰ تُصْرَفُونَ

Khalaqakum min nafsin wāḥidatin thumma jaʿala minhā zawjahā wa-anzala lakum mina l-anʿāmi thamāniyata azwāj — yakhluqukum fī buṭūni ummahātikum khalqan min baʿdi khalqin fī ẓulumātin thalāth — dhālikumu llāhu rabbukum lahu l-mulku lā ilāha illā huwa fa-annā tuṣrafūn.

"He created you from a single soul, then made from it its mate. And He sent down for you from the livestock eight kinds. He creates you in the wombs of your mothers, creation after creation, in three darknesses. That is Allah, your Lord — His is the dominion. There is no deity except Him. So how are you turning away?" (al-Zumar 39:6)

Khalaqakum — He created you. Min nafsin wāḥidah — from a single soul — from Ādam. Thumma jaʿala minhā zawjahā — then He made from that same soul its spouse — that is, He created Ḥawwāʾ (Eve) from Ādam. Wa-anzala lakum mina l-anʿāmi — and He sent down for you from the livestock — that is, He sent down as provision and descended to you anʿām — cattle, which are the animals people customarily eat. Thamāniyata azwāj — eight pairs — eight pairs, that is, eight types of males and females: camels — male and female; cattle — male and female; goats — male and female; sheep — male and female — that is, four pairs, eight in all. Yakhluqukum — He creates you. Fī buṭūni ummahātikum — in the wombs of your mothers. Khalqan min baʿdi khalq — one form of creation after another creation — each stage of development is a different creation succeeding the previous one. Fī ẓulumātin thalāth — in three darknesses — the darkness of the womb, the darkness of the belly (rحم — the uterine membrane). Some scholars have suggested another interpretation: that these are the darkness of non-existence, then the membrane enclosing the embryo, then the womb itself. After this comes the embryo, then blood clots, then the body forms and limbs develop and flesh grows and then the soul enters. Dhālikumu llāhu rabbukum — that is Allah, your Lord and Sustainer. Lahu l-mulk — His is the Kingdom. Lā ilāha illā hū — there is no deity worthy of worship save Him alone — fa-annā tuṣrafūn — so in which direction are you turning away? How are you going?

Translation: — He created you from a single soul and from that same soul made its mate — He sent down for you from the livestock cattle (four-footed animals customarily eaten) — eight pairs — He creates you in the wombs of your mothers, one form after another — in three darknesses — that is Allah, your Lord — His is the dominion — there is no deity worthy of worship except Him — so in which direction are you going?

...after creating you through three layers of darkness — and this is your Lord, your Sustainer. His is the sovereignty; there is no god truly worthy of worship besides Him. Where then are you turning away?

إِن تَكْفُرُوا فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ غَنِيٌّ عَنكُمْ وَلَا يَرْضَىٰ لِعِبَادِهِ الْكُفْرَ ۖ وَإِن تَشْكُرُوا يَرْضَهُ لَكُمْ ۗ وَلَا تَزِرُ وَازِرَةٌ وِزْرَ أُخْرَىٰ ۗ ثُمَّ إِلَىٰ رَبِّكُم مَّرْجِعُكُمْ فَيُنَبِّئُكُم بِمَا كُنتُمْ تَعْمَلُونَ ۚ إِنَّهُ عَلِيمٌ بِذَاتِ الصُّدُورِ

In takfurū fa-inna llāha ghaniyyun ʿankum wa-lā yarḍā li-ʿibādihī l-kufra wa-in tashkurū yarḍahu lakum wa-lā taziru wāziratun wizra ukhrā thumma ilā rabbikum marjiʿukum fa-yunabbi'ukum bi-mā kuntum taʿmalūn innahu ʿalīmun bi-dhāti l-ṣudūr.

"If you disbelieve, then know that Allah has no need of you; and He does not approve of disbelief for His servants. Yet if you are grateful, He approves that for you. And no soul bearing a burden shall bear the burden of another. Then to your Lord is your return, and He will inform you of what you used to do. Indeed, He is All-Knowing of what lies within breasts." (al-Zumar 39:7)

In takfurū — if you disbelieve, it does not matter; fa-inna llāha ghaniyyun ʿankum — Allah has no need of you whatsoever. He is the Self-Sufficient (al-Ghanī al-Aghniyāʾ). Wa-lā yarḍā li-ʿibādihī l-kufra — and He does not approve of disbelief for His servants; disbelief displeases Him. Wa-in tashkurū — and if you are grateful — yarḍahu lakum — He approves that for you. Wa-lā taziru wāziratun wizra ukhrā — and no soul shall carry the burden of another; every soul bears only its own weight, no burden of someone else. Thumma ilā rabbikum marjiʿukum — then you must return to your Lord, you must come to His court and stand before Him — fa-yunabbi'ukum — and He will inform you of all that you used to do. Innahu ʿalīmun bi-dhāti l-ṣudūr — He is indeed fully aware of the secrets of hearts, of the thoughts that stir in your chests — He knows all of it completely.

Translation: If you disbelieve, then Allah has no need of you whatsoever — He approves of no disbelief (shirk) for His servants. And if you are grateful, He approves of that for you, as it pleases Him and no one's burden (sin) is carried by another. Then you shall all be brought before your Lord's court — and whatever you have done, He will certainly inform you of it — indeed He is fully aware of all the secrets in your hearts!

وَإِذَا مَسَّ الْإِنسَانَ ضُرٌّ دَعَا رَبَّهُ مُنِيبًا إِلَيْهِ ثُمَّ إِذَا خَوَّلَهُ نِعْمَةً مِّنْهُ نَسِيَ مَا كَانَ يَدْعُو إِلَيْهِ مِن قَبْلُ وَجَعَلَ لِلَّهِ أَندَادًا لِّيُضِلَّ عَن سَبِيلِهِ ۚ قُلْ تَمَتَّعْ بِكُفْرِكَ قَلِيلًا ۖ إِنَّكَ مِنْ أَصْحَابِ النَّارِ

Wa-idhā massa l-insāna ḍurrun daʿā rabbahu munīban ilayhi thumma idhā khawwalahu niʿmatan minhu nasiya mā kāna yadʿū ilayhi min qablu wa-jaʿala lillāhi andādan li-yuḍilla ʿan sabīlih qul tamattaʿ bi-kufrīka qalīlan innaka min aṣḥābi l-nār.

"When hardship touches man, he calls upon his Lord, turning to Him in repentance; then when He grants him a favour from Himself, he forgets what he was calling upon before, and sets up rivals to Allah to lead others astray from His path. Say: Enjoy your disbelief for a little while — indeed you are among the people of the Fire." (al-Zumar 39:8)

Wa-idhā massa l-insāna ḍurrun — and when hardship befalls a person, when distress comes upon him — daʿā rabbahu — he calls upon his Lord, turning in supplication — munīban ilayhi — he turns wholly toward Him. Thumma idhā khawwalahu niʿmatan minhu — then when Allah grants him a favour — nasiya — he forgets it all — mā kāna yadʿū ilayhi min qablu — he forgets what he was calling upon before, the prayers he used to make. Wa-jaʿala lillāhi andādan — and he sets up rivals for Allah — li-yuḍilla ʿan sabīlih — to lead people astray from the path of Allah. Qul tamattaʿ bi-kufrīka qalīlan — say (O Prophet!): enjoy your disbelief for a little while, take whatever pleasure the disbelievers offer — use it to your heart's content. Innaka min aṣḥābi l-nār — indeed, you are of those who will enter the Fire — you are certainly among the dwellers of Hell.

Translation: And when hardship reaches a person, he turns wholly toward his Lord with supplication — then when Allah Most High grants him His favour, he forgets Him entirely — he forgets the prayers he used to make before. And he takes partners with Allah — (O Prophet!) say to these disbelievers: take whatever worldly pleasure you will from your disbelievers — take a little enjoyment — for you are certainly of the dwellers of Hell.

أَمَّنْ هُوَ قَانِتٌ آنَاءَ اللَّيْلِ سَاجِدًا وَقَائِمًا يَحْذَرُ الْآخِرَةَ وَيَرْجُو رَحْمَةَ رَبِّهِ ۗ قُلْ هَلْ يَسْتَوِي الَّذِينَ يَعْلَمُونَ وَالَّذِينَ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ ۗ إِنَّمَا يَتَذَكَّرُ أُولُو الْأَلْبَابِ

Amman huwa qānitun ānāʾa l-layli sājidan wa-qāʾiman yaḥdharu l-ākhirata wa-yarjū raḥmata rabbih qul hal yastawī l-ladhīna yaʿlamūna wa-lladhīna lā yaʿlamūn innamā yatadhakkaru ūlū l-albāb.

"Or is one who is devoutly obedient during the night, prostrating and standing, fearful of the Hereafter and hoping for the mercy of his Lord — [like one who is not]? Say: Are those who know equal to those who do not know? Only those of understanding do take heed." (al-Zumar 39:9)

Amman huwa qānitun — is one who has truly fallen into the state of devotion (qunūt), who is absorbed in worship — equal to the heedless one? Ānāʾa l-layli — through the watches of the night — sājidan wa-qāʾiman — prostrating and standing in prayer — yaḥdharu l-ākhirata — fearful of the Hereafter — wa-yarjū raḥmata rabbih — and hoping for the mercy of his Lord — ever remaining hopeful. Qul hal yastawī — say: are they equal — l-ladhīna yaʿlamūna wa-lladhīna lā yaʿlamūn — those who know and those who do not know? Can the knowledgeable and the ignorant ever be equal? Lā — never! Innamā yatadhakkaru ūlū l-albāb — only those endowed with sound intellect take heed — those whom Allah Most High has granted sound reason — they are the ones who accept this counsel.

Translation: Is the one who stands in worship through the night — prostrating and standing, fearing the Hereafter and remaining hopeful of his Lord's mercy — [equal to the heedless one]? Say: Are those who know and those who do not know equal? Never! Those endowed with sound intellect — those to whom Allah has given sound reason — they are the ones who accept this counsel and choose rightly.

He remains fearful of the Hereafter and hopeful of his Lord's mercy — ever abiding in hope. Say: Can the knowledgeable and the ignorant be equal? Never! Only those endowed with sound intellect take heed — they are the ones who accept counsel and choose wisely.

قُلْ يَا عِبَادِ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا اتَّقُوا رَبَّكُمْ ۚ لِلَّذِينَ أَحْسَنُوا فِي هَٰذِهِ الدُّنْيَا حَسَنَةٌ ۗ وَأَرْضُ اللَّهِ وَاسِعَةٌ ۗ إِنَّمَا يُوَفَّى الصَّابِرُونَ أَجْرَهُم بِغَيْرِ حِسَابٍ

Qul yā ʿibādi l-ladhīna āmanū ttaqū rabbakum li-lladhīna aḥsanū fī hādhihi l-dunyā ḥasanatun wa-arḍu llāhi wāsiʿatun innamā yuwaffā l-ṣābirūna ajrahum bi-ghayri ḥisāb.

"Say: O My servants who have believed, fear your Lord! For those who do good in this world there is good reward, and Allah's earth is spacious. Indeed, the patient will be given their full reward without any reckoning." (al-Zumar 39:10)

Qul — say (O Prophet!): yā ʿibādī — O My servants! This is the real address — al-ladhīna āmanū — you who have brought faith! Ittaqū rabbakum — fear your Lord — be vigilant before Allah, and be those who do good deeds in His service. Li-lladhīna aḥsanū fī hādhihi l-dunyā ḥasanatun — for those who do good deeds in this world there is a good reward — wa-arḍu llāhi wāsiʿatun — and the earth of Allah is spacious — vast. Those who are patient receive their reward in full — al-ṣābirūn — the patient ones — yuwaffawna ajrahum — are given their full recompense — bi-ghayri ḥisāb — without account, without measure, beyond reckoning.

Translation: (O Prophet!) Say: O My obedient, faithful servants (ʿibādī)! Fear your Lord! Those who do good in this world receive good in return — the earth of Allah is spacious — and those who are patient receive their full, complete reward without any reckoning.

Now we draw near to the essential point, for we wrote previously that the word ʿabd is used in three places: (1) in birth and nature — this is the relationship of a servant to his master, and this is the exclusive relationship with Allah; (2) as a purchased slave (ʿabd mamlūk), and the books of jurisprudence are filled with such usage; (3) as an obedient servant and follower (muṭīʿ wa farmānbardār) — and it is to this that the glorious Caliph Ḥaḍrat ʿUmar ibn al-Khaṭṭāb (may Allah be pleased with him) refers in his famous sermon when he says: Kullu-nā ʿAbdatun wa-Khādimah — "We are all servants and attendants." And Ḥaḍrat Mawlā ʿAlī (may Allah be pleased with him), in answer to a Jewish man who had posed some questions to him — when that Jewish man gave the gratifying answer of Ḥaḍrat Mawlā (may Allah be pleased with him) — began to say: Anta nabiyyun min al-anbiyāʾ — "You are a prophet from among the prophets." He replied: Wa-yḍḥaku Anā ʿAbdun min ʿabīdi Muḥammad — "I laugh — I am one of the servants of the servants of Muḥammad ﷺ." (meaning: how shameful it would be to claim prophethood for myself when I am but a humble servant of the servants of Muḥammad ﷺ!)

Allah Most High now turns to the essential matter and commands — O Prophet! Say to these people — Qul yā ʿibādī — O My obedient, faithful servants! O My obedient followers!

Know, dear scholars, that Allah Most High, by His command, has declared ʿAbd Muḥammad (the servants of Muḥammad ﷺ) as His own servants and followers — and we consider this a matter of honour and pride.

Those who call Muḥammad ﷺ's servants kāfir (disbelievers) and mushrik (polytheists) — we consider them foolish — and Fārūq Aʿẓam (may Allah be pleased with him) and Ḥaḍrat Mawlā's example is before us — "A thought to the extent of one's capacity is that of a learned one."

Reflect on this verse, for Allah has called those who have described service to Muḥammad ﷺ as their own faith, "ūlū l-albāb" — people of understanding. We are the beloved ones of the blessed Prophet Muḥammad ﷺ — the master of the entire world is ours (Ḥasrat).

قُلْ إِنِّي أُمِرْتُ أَنْ أَعْبُدَ اللَّهَ مُخْلِصًا لَّهُ الدِّينَ

Qul innī umirtu an aʿbuda llāha mukhliṣan lahu l-dīn.

"Say: Indeed I have been commanded to worship Allah, being sincere to Him in religion." (al-Zumar 39:11)

Qul — say (O Prophet!): innī umirtu — I have been commanded — I have been given this order — an aʿbuda llāha — that I worship Allah — mukhliṣan lahu l-dīn — sincere in religion toward Him — that I render full, complete obedience along with His worship.

Translation: Say: I have been commanded that I worship Allah with sincere, complete obedience (and devotion to Him).

وَأُمِرْتُ لِأَنْ أَكُونَ أَوَّلَ الْمُسْلِمِينَ

Wa-umirtu li-an akūna awwala l-muslimīn.

"And I have been commanded to be the first of the Muslims." (al-Zumar 39:12)

Wa-umirtu — and I have been commanded with this as well — li-an akūna — that I be — awwala l-muslimīn — the foremost among the Muslims — the one who goes first in submission to the religion.

Translation: And I have been commanded as well that I be the first (foremost in rank within the religion) to remain a Muslim.

قُلْ إِنِّي أَخَافُ إِنْ عَصَيْتُ رَبِّي عَذَابَ يَوْمٍ عَظِيمٍ

Qul innī akhāfu in ʿaṣaytu rabbī ʿadhāba yawmin ʿaẓīm.

"Say: Indeed I fear, if I were to disobey my Lord, the punishment of a mighty day." (al-Zumar 39:13)

Qul — say (O Prophet!): innī akhāfu — I am fearful — in ʿaṣaytu rabbī — that if I were to disobey my Lord — ʿadhāba yawmin ʿaẓīm — the punishment of a tremendous day — meaning the punishment of the Day of Resurrection.

Translation: Say: If I were to disobey my Lord, I fear the punishment of the Day of Resurrection.

قُلِ اللَّهَ أَعْبُدُ مُخْلِصًا لَّهُ دِينِي

Quli llāha aʿbudu mukhliṣan lahu dīnī.

"Say: It is Allah I worship, being sincere to Him in my religion." (al-Zumar 39:14)

Qul — say: Allāha aʿbudu — it is Allah I worship — mukhliṣan lahu dīnī — completely sincere toward Him in my religion — worshipping with complete sincerity.

Translation: Say: I worship Allah alone, performing His worship with pure obedience and sincere devotion of heart.

فَاعْبُدُوا مَا شِئْتُم مِّن دُونِهِ ۗ قُلْ إِنَّ الْخَاسِرِينَ الَّذِينَ خَسِرُوا أَنفُسَهُمْ وَأَهْلِيهِمْ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ ۗ أَلَا ذَٰلِكَ هُوَ الْخُسْرَانُ الْمُبِينُ

Faʿbudū mā shiʾtum min dūnih qul inna l-khāsirīna l-ladhīna khasirū anfusahum wa-ahlīhim yawma l-qiyāmah alā dhālika huwa l-khusrānu l-mubīn.

"So worship what you will besides Him. Say: Indeed the losers are those who have lost themselves and their families on the Day of Resurrection. Truly, that is the manifest loss." (al-Zumar 39:15)

Faʿbudū — then worship whatever you wish — mā shiʾtum min dūnih — whatever you like, setting aside Allah — whatever you wish to set partners with. Qul — say (O Prophet!): inna l-khāsirīna — the true losers are — al-ladhīna khasirū anfusahum — those who ruined themselves, brought loss upon themselves — wa-ahlīhim — and ruined their families and their dependents as well — yawma l-qiyāmah — on the Day of Resurrection. Alā dhālika huwa l-khusrānu l-mubīn — behold, that is the manifest loss — this is truly open, manifest loss and ruin.

Translation: Then worship whatever you wish, leaving aside Allah — say (O Prophet!): indeed the true losers are those who brought loss upon themselves and upon their families and dependents on the Day of Resurrection — yes indeed! This is their manifest and evident loss and ruin.

لَهُم مِّن فَوْقِهِمْ ظُلَلٌ مِّنَ النَّارِ وَمِن تَحْتِهِمْ ظُلَلٌ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ يُخَوِّفُ اللَّهُ بِهِ عِبَادَهُ ۚ يَا عِبَادِ فَاتَّقُونِ

Lahum min fawqihim ẓulalun mina l-nāri wa-min taḥtihim ẓulal dhālika yukhawwifu llāhu bihi ʿibādah yā ʿibādi fa-ttaqūn.

"For them there will be canopies of Fire above them, and canopies below them. By this Allah frightens His servants: O My servants, then fear Me!" (al-Zumar 39:16)

Lahum min fawqihim ẓulalun — for them there are covers, canopies above — mina l-nāri — made of fire, from the flames. Wa-min taḥtihim ẓulalun — and below them too are canopies of fire — covering them from below, flames wrapping them round, surrounding them from all sides, igniting above and below them. Dhālika yukhawwifu llāhu bihi ʿibādah — by this Allah frightens His servants — for He frightens His servants from disobedience — He instills fear. Yā ʿibādi fa-ttaqūn — O My servants, fear Me then! The address in essence is: O My servants who obey Me, O My obedient followers! Fear Me — be in awe of Me — choose taqwā.

Translation: For them (the disbelievers) fire will wrap around them — this is what will happen. And this is how Allah frightens His servants — My servants! Fear Me — remain in awe of Me.

وَالَّذِينَ اجْتَنَبُوا الطَّاغُوتَ أَن يَعْبُدُوهَا وَأَنَابُوا إِلَى اللَّهِ لَهُمُ الْبُشْرَىٰ ۚ فَبَشِّرْ عِبَادِ

Wa-lladhīna ijtanabū l-ṭāghūta an yaʿbudūhā wa-anābū ilā llāhi lahumu l-bushrā fa-bashshir ʿibād.

"And those who avoided the false deities lest they worship them, and turned back to Allah — for them is the good news. So give glad tidings to My servants." (al-Zumar 39:17)

Wa-lladhīna ijtanabū l-ṭāghūta — and those people who have kept themselves away from the devil, from the path of falsehood and polytheism — an yaʿbudūhā — so that they do not worship it. Wa-anābū ilā llāhi — and they turn toward Allah, they incline and return toward Him — lahumu l-bushrā — for them is glad tidings, for them there is congratulation — good news! Fa-bashshir ʿibādī — so give glad tidings to My servants — O Prophet! Give My servants these glad tidings — give them this good news!

Translation: Those who kept away from the obedience and servitude of Satan (avoiding shirk) and turned wholly toward Allah — for them is glad tidings. (O Prophet!) Give these servants of Mine these glad tidings.

الَّذِينَ يَسْتَمِعُونَ الْقَوْلَ فَيَتَّبِعُونَ أَحْسَنَهُ ۚ أُولَٰئِكَ الَّذِينَ هَدَاهُمُ اللَّهُ ۖ وَأُولَٰئِكَ هُمْ أُولُو الْأَلْبَابِ

Al-ladhīna yastamiʿūna l-qawla fa-yattabiʿūna aḥsanahu ūlāʾika l-ladhīna hadāhumu llāhu wa-ūlāʾika hum ūlū l-albāb.

"Those who listen to the word and follow the best of it — those are the ones whom Allah has guided, and those are the people of understanding." (al-Zumar 39:18)

Al-ladhīna yastamiʿūna l-qawla — those who are the devoted listeners of the divine word, who listen attentively to everything — fa-yattabiʿūna aḥsanahu — then they follow the best of what they hear, they act upon the best element — ūlāʾika l-ladhīna hadāhumu llāhu — these are they whom Allah has guided — He has shown them the right path. Wa-ūlāʾika hum ūlū l-albāb — and these are the people of sound intellect — and these are the truly sound-minded ones.

Translation: Those who listen attentively to everything and follow the best of it — these are the people whom Allah has guided, and these are the sound-minded people (the understanding ones — those of discernment and wisdom).

أَفَمَنْ حَقَّ عَلَيْهِ كَلِمَةُ الْعَذَابِ أَفَأَنتَ تُنقِذُ مَن فِي النَّارِ

A-fa-man ḥaqqa ʿalayhi kalimatu l-ʿadhābi a-fa-anta tunqidhu man fī l-nār.

"Then is he upon whom the word of punishment has been justified [to be guided]? Can you then save one who is in the Fire?" (al-Zumar 39:19)

A-faman ḥaqqa ʿalayhi — but what of the person upon whom the verdict has been established with certainty — kalimatu l-ʿadhābi — the decree of punishment — a-fa-anta tunqidhu — can you then save them, can you rescue them, release them — man fī l-nār — those who are in the Fire — those who are in Hell — those who are the dwellers of Hell?

Translation: But what of the one upon whom the word of punishment has been decreed — (O Prophet!) can you then rescue from the Fire those who are in it? (Can anyone save them?)

Now, dear scholars, it was the noble Prophet's ﷺ custom that he would listen to every person's message and be grieved by the plight of those who turned away. His compassion was because you, the Prophet ﷺ, were Raʾūf and Raḥīm — these are among the names of Allah Most High that are also yours — and Allah Most High would console you for this. This is directed to you, O Prophet! — these disbelievers will be the firewood of Hell — they will abide in Hell forever. But lest you be troubled by them — so Allah Most High, to gladden the heart of His beloved Prophet ﷺ and to mention the recompense and rewards of the good servants, says:

لَٰكِنِ الَّذِينَ اتَّقَوْا رَبَّهُمْ لَهُمْ غُرَفٌ مِّن فَوْقِهَا غُرَفٌ مَّبْنِيَّةٌ تَجْرِي مِن تَحْتِهَا الْأَنْهَارُ ۖ وَعْدَ اللَّهِ لَا يُخْلِفُ اللَّهُ الْمِيعَادَ

Lākini l-ladhīna ttaqaw rabbahum lahum ghurafun min fawqihā ghurafun mabniiyyatun tajrī min taḥtihā l-anhāru waʿda llāhi lā yukhlifu llāhu l-mīʿād.

"But those who feared their Lord — for them are lofty chambers, above which are built more lofty chambers, beneath which rivers flow. This is the promise of Allah — and Allah does not break His promise." (al-Zumar 39:20)

Lākini l-ladhīna ttaqaw rabbahum — but those who feared their Lord — lahum ghurafun — for them there are high chambers — min fawqihā ghurafun mabniiyyatun — above which are yet more solidly constructed chambers built upon them — tajrī min taḥtihā l-anhāru — beneath which rivers flow. Waʿda llāhi — this is Allah's promise that He has made — lā yukhlifu llāhu l-mīʿāda — Allah does not break His own promise.

Translation: But those who fear their Lord — for them are high-risen palaces (multi-storeyed dwellings) — with rivers flowing beneath them — this is Allah's promise — and Allah does not break His promise.

أَلَمْ تَرَ أَنَّ اللَّهَ أَنزَلَ مِنَ السَّمَاءِ مَاءً فَسَلَكَهُ يَنَابِيعَ فِي الْأَرْضِ ثُمَّ يُخْرِجُ بِهِ زَرْعًا مُّخْتَلِفًا أَلْوَانُهُ ثُمَّ يَهِيجُ فَتَرَاهُ مُصْفَرًّا ثُمَّ يَجْعَلُهُ حُطَامًا ۚ إِنَّ فِي ذَٰلِكَ لَذِكْرَىٰ لِأُولِي الْأَلْبَابِ

A-lam tara anna llāha anzala mina l-samāʾi māʾan fa-salakahu yanābīʿa fī l-arḍi thumma yukhriju bihi zarʿan mukhtalifan alwānuhu thumma yahīju fa-tarāhu muṣfarran thumma yajʿaluhu ḥuṭāman inna fī dhālika la-dhikrā li-ūlī l-albāb.

"Do you not see that Allah sends down water from the sky, then threads it as springs through the earth, then brings forth by it crops of varying colours, then they wither and you see them turning yellow, then He makes them into debris? Indeed in that is a reminder for those of understanding." (al-Zumar 39:21)

A-lam tara anna llāha — have you not seen, do you not perceive, that Allah — anzala mina l-samāʾi māʾan — sent down water from the sky — fa-salakahu yanābīʿa fī l-arḍi — and He channels it as springs through the earth —

then brings it out and flows it through the springs of the earth. Thumma yukhriju bihi zarʿan mukhtalifan alwānuhu — then from it He produces crops of varied kinds — mukhtalifan alwānuhu — their colours different — then they become lush and full. Thumma yahīju — then they sway and billow — fa-tarāhu muṣfarran — and finally you see them turning yellow — after a few days, they wilt. Thumma yajʿaluhu ḥuṭāman — then He makes it into chaff — He turns the crop into stubble, crumbles it. Inna fī dhālika la-dhikrā — indeed in this there is surely a reminder, a lesson — li-ūlī l-albāb — for those of sound understanding.

Translation: (O addressee!) Do you not see that Allah sends water down from the sky — then He flows it as springs through the earth — then from it He brings forth crops of various colours — then they become lush and full (finally) they wilt and turn yellow, are crumbled, and become dry. Indeed in this there is lesson and admonition for the sound-minded!

أَفَمَن شَرَحَ اللَّهُ صَدْرَهُ لِلْإِسْلَامِ فَهُوَ عَلَىٰ نُورٍ مِّن رَّبِّهِ ۚ فَوَيْلٌ لِّلْقَاسِيَةِ قُلُوبُهُم مِّن ذِكْرِ اللَّهِ ۚ أُولَٰئِكَ فِي ضَلَالٍ مُّبِينٍ

A-faman sharaḥa llāhu ṣadrahu li-l-islāmi fa-huwa ʿalā nūrin min rabbih fa-waylun li-l-qāsiyati qulūbuhum min dhikri llāhi ūlāʾika fī ḍalālin mubīn.

"Is one whose breast Allah has opened to Islam, so that he is upon a light from his Lord — [equal to one whose heart is hardened]? So woe to those whose hearts are hardened against the remembrance of Allah. Those are in manifest error." (al-Zumar 39:22)

A-faman sharaḥa llāhu ṣadrahu li-l-islāmi — what of the person whom Allah has opened the chest for Islam — fa-huwa ʿalā nūrin min rabbih — he is upon a light from his Lord — he stands established on the Lord's light. Fa-waylun li-l-qāsiyati qulūbuhum — then woe, destruction — for those whose hearts have become hard — min dhikri llāhi — from the remembrance of Allah. Those people are not moved by the mention of Allah — and they do not accept the light of Allah — ūlāʾika fī ḍalālin mubīn — those people are in open misguidance and straying — they are clearly going astray.

Translation: Is then the one whose chest Allah opened for Islam — and he stands upon his Lord's light — [equal to the hardened one]? But what a ruin it is for those whose hearts are hard — those who are not moved by the remembrance of Allah — these people are in manifest, open misguidance (they have gone badly astray).

(The hardness of the heart of those far from divine remembrance and counsel is such that the effect of Allah's remembrance and admonitions cannot take hold of them.)

اللَّهُ نَزَّلَ أَحْسَنَ الْحَدِيثِ كِتَابًا مُّتَشَابِهًا مَّثَانِيَ تَقْشَعِرُّ مِنْهُ جُلُودُ الَّذِينَ يَخْشَوْنَ رَبَّهُمْ ثُمَّ تَلِينُ جُلُودُهُمْ وَقُلُوبُهُمْ إِلَىٰ ذِكْرِ اللَّهِ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ هُدَى اللَّهِ يَهْدِي بِهِ مَن يَشَاءُ ۚ وَمَن يُضْلِلِ اللَّهُ فَمَا لَهُ مِنْ هَادٍ

Allāhu nazzala aḥsana l-ḥadīthi kitāban mutashābihan mathāniya taqshaʿirru minhu julūdu l-ladhīna yakhshawna rabbahum thumma talīnu julūduhum wa-qulūbuhum ilā dhikri llāhi dhālika hudā llāhi yahdī bihi man yashāʾu wa-man yuḍlili llāhu fa-mā lahu min hādī.

"Allah has sent down the best of speech — a Book consistent and oft-repeated, at which the skins of those who fear their Lord shudder; then their skins and hearts soften at the remembrance of Allah. That is the guidance of Allah, by which He guides whom He wills; and whoever Allah leaves astray — for him there is no guide." (al-Zumar 39:23)

Allāhu nazzala aḥsana l-ḥadīthi — Allah has sent down the finest discourse — what is it? — kitāban mutashābihan — a Book internally consistent, harmonious — mathāniya — which is repeated again and again in its portions — taqshaʿirru minhu julūdu l-ladhīna yakhshawna rabbahum — the skins of those who fear their Lord stand on end from it — they tremble with fear of their Lord — hair rising, bodies trembling. Thumma talīnu julūduhum wa-qulūbuhum — then their skins and hearts soften — ilā dhikri llāhi — toward the remembrance of Allah, toward the divine word — dhālika hudā llāhi — that is the guidance of Allah — yahdī bihi man yashāʾu — He guides by it whom He wills — whoever He wishes to guide. Wa-man yuḍlili llāhu fa-mā lahu min hādī — and whoever Allah leads astray — then there is no guide for such a person — no one can guide them.

Translation: Allah sent down the finest discourse (what is it?) — it is a Book consistent in its parts, repeated again and again — those who fear their Lord, their skins tremble from it, standing on end — then their skin and heart soften toward the remembrance of Allah — this is Allah's guidance — He guides by it whom He wills. And whomever Allah leads astray — no one can guide such a person.

أَفَمَن يَتَّقِي بِوَجْهِهِ سُوءَ الْعَذَابِ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ ۚ وَقِيلَ لِلظَّالِمِينَ ذُوقُوا مَا كُنتُمْ تَكْسِبُونَ

A-faman yattaqī bi-wajhihi sūʾa l-ʿadhābi yawma l-qiyāmati wa-qīla li-l-ẓālimīna dhūqū mā kuntum taksibūn.

"Is one who shields his face from the grievous punishment on the Day of Resurrection [like those secure]? And it will be said to the wrongdoers: Taste what you used to earn." (al-Zumar 39:24)

A-faman yattaqī bi-wajhihi — what of the person who shields himself with his own face — and tries to fend off the severe punishment — sūʾa l-ʿadhābi — the harsh, bitter punishment — yawma l-qiyāmah — on the Day of Resurrection — wa-qīla li-l-ẓālimīna — and it will be said to the wrongdoers — dhūqū mā kuntum taksibūn — taste now the fruit of what you used to do — the reward of your evil deeds — taste it now.

Translation: Is the person who shields his own face from the severe punishment on the Day of Resurrection — [secure]? And it will be said to the wrongdoers: Whatever you used to do and earn — now taste its fruit!

كَذَّبَ الَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِهِمْ فَأَتَاهُمُ الْعَذَابُ مِنْ حَيْثُ لَا يَشْعُرُونَ

Kadhdhaba l-ladhīna min qablihim fa-atāhumu l-ʿadhābu min ḥaythu lā yashʿurūn.

"Those before them denied, and the punishment came upon them from where they did not perceive." (al-Zumar 39:25)

Kadhdhaba l-ladhīna min qablihim — those before them also denied — they used to deny the prophets and messengers as well — fa-atāhumu l-ʿadhābu — and then the punishment came upon them — min ḥaythu lā yashʿurūn — from a place whence they had no awareness — from such a direction that they could not anticipate it — such a place of which they had no knowledge, no awareness.

Translation: Those before them also used to deny — they used to lie and reject everything — then the punishment came upon them from such a direction that they had no awareness of it (they had no inkling).

فَأَذَاقَهُمُ اللَّهُ الْخِزْيَ فِي الْحَيَاةِ الدُّنْيَا ۖ وَلَعَذَابُ الْآخِرَةِ أَكْبَرُ ۚ لَوْ كَانُوا يَعْلَمُونَ

Fa-adhāqahumu llāhu l-khizya fī l-ḥayāti l-dunyā wa-la-ʿadhābu l-ākhirati akbaru law kānū yaʿlamūn.

"So Allah made them taste humiliation in the life of this world; and the punishment of the Hereafter is greater — if only they had known." (al-Zumar 39:26)

Fa-adhāqahumu llāhu l-khizya fī l-ḥayāti l-dunyā — then Allah made them taste humiliation and disgrace in the worldly life — wa-laʿadhābu l-ākhirati akbaru — and the punishment of the Hereafter is immeasurably greater — law kānū yaʿlamūn — if only they knew — if only they understood something, if only they could reflect.

Translation: Then Allah made them taste disgrace and humiliation in the world — and the punishment of the Hereafter is even greater than this — if only they had some knowledge, some understanding, some reflection.

وَلَقَدْ ضَرَبْنَا لِلنَّاسِ فِي هَٰذَا الْقُرْآنِ مِن كُلِّ مَثَلٍ لَّعَلَّهُمْ يَتَذَكَّرُونَ

Wa-laqad ḍarabnā li-l-nāsi fī hādhā l-qurʾāni min kulli mathalin laʿallahum yatadhakkarūn.

"And We have certainly presented for the people in this Quran every kind of parable — that they might take heed." (al-Zumar 39:27)

Wa-laqad ḍarabnā li-l-nāsi — and without doubt We have set forth before people — fī hādhā l-qurʾāni — in this Quran — min kulli mathalin — every type of parable, example from every subject — laʿallahum yatadhakkarūna — so that they may take heed — that they take lesson and admonition.

Translation: And indeed We have set forth in this Quran before people every type of example and parable — so that they may take lesson (take heed).

قُرْآنًا عَرَبِيًّا غَيْرَ ذِي عِوَجٍ لَّعَلَّهُمْ يَتَّقُونَ

Qurʾānan ʿarabiyyan ghayra dhī ʿiwajin laʿallahum yattaqūn.

"A Quran in Arabic, without any deviousness — that they might fear [Allah]." (al-Zumar 39:28)

Qurʾānan ʿarabiyyan — Arabic Quran — ghayra dhī ʿiwajin — without any crookedness or inconsistency — with no deviation in it — laʿallahum yattaqūna — so that they may choose taqwā — they fear Allah.

Translation: (Allah described it as:) a Quran in Arabic, which is without any crookedness or wavering — so that they may choose taqwā (fear of Allah).

ضَرَبَ اللَّهُ مَثَلًا رَّجُلًا فِيهِ شُرَكَاءُ مُتَشَاكِسُونَ وَرَجُلًا سَلَمًا لِّرَجُلٍ هَلْ يَسْتَوِيَانِ مَثَلًا ۚ الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ ۚ بَلْ أَكْثَرُهُمْ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ

Ḍaraba llāhu mathalan rajulan fīhi shurakāʾu mutashākisūna wa-rajulan salaman li-rajulin hal yastawiyāni mathalan al-ḥamdu lillāhi bal aktharuhum lā yaʿlamūn.

"Allah presents a parable: a man who belongs to quarrelling partners, and a man wholly belonging to one man — are the two equal in comparison? Praise be to Allah! But most of them do not know." (al-Zumar 39:29)

Ḍaraba llāhu mathalan rajulan — Allah has presented an example of a man — in him are shurakāʾu mutashākisūna — several quarrelling partners — many obstinate claimants, bickering amongst themselves. Wa-rajulan salaman li-rajulin — and a man who belongs purely and completely to one man — hal yastawiyāni — can these two ever be equal? Al-ḥamdu lillāh — all praise is for Allah — bal aktharuhum lā yaʿlamūn — indeed most of them do not know — rather most of them do not understand at all!

Translation: Allah has presented the parable of a man who has many quarrelling, bickering partners (joint-owners), and of another man who is purely and entirely a slave belonging to one single man — (O Prophet!) say: can these two slaves be equal? If they are not equal — then all praise is Allah's! But most people do not even know this!

إِنَّكَ مَيِّتٌ وَإِنَّهُم مَّيِّتُونَ

Innaka mayyitun wa-innahum mayyitūn.

"Indeed, you are to die, and indeed, they are to die." (al-Zumar 39:30)

Innaka mayyitun — you are certainly mortal — wa-innahum mayyitūna — and they too are certainly going to die. Death is the truth — no one can escape death!

Translation: (O Prophet!) You will certainly die, and these people will also certainly die!

ثُمَّ إِنَّكُمْ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ عِندَ رَبِّكُمْ تَخْتَصِمُونَ

Thumma innakum yawma l-qiyāmati ʿinda rabbikum takhtaṣimūn.

"Then indeed you, on the Day of Resurrection, will dispute before your Lord." (al-Zumar 39:31)

Thumma innakum yawma l-qiyāmah — then you, on the Day of Resurrection — ʿinda rabbikum — before your Lord — takhtaṣimūna — will dispute and contend, you will quarrel and argue. And Allah is the one who will resolve the matter between them.

Translation: Then on the Day of Resurrection you will be brought before your Lord to dispute — (and He alone will resolve the matter).

Para 24 — Faman Aẓlamu (فمن أظلم)

Sūrat al-Zumar (al-Zumar 39) — continued

[Title page of Para 24 — Faman Aẓlamu — of Tafsīr-e-Ṣiddīqī by Bahrul Uloom Hazrat Sheikh Abdul Qadeer Siddiqui Rahmatullah Alaih. Published by Hasrat Abidi Publications, Bahadurpura, Hyderabad.]

فَمَنْ أَظْلَمُ مِمَّن كَذَبَ عَلَى اللَّهِ وَكَذَّبَ بِالصِّدْقِ إِذْ جَاءَهُ ۚ أَلَيْسَ فِي جَهَنَّمَ مَثْوًى لِّلْكَافِرِينَ

Fa-man aẓlamu mimman kadhaba ʿalā llāhi wa-kadhdhaba bi-l-ṣidqi idh jāʾahu a-laysa fī jahannama mathwā li-l-kāfirīn.

"And who is more unjust than one who lies about Allah and denies the truth when it comes to him? Is there not in Hell a dwelling for the disbelievers?" (al-Zumar 39:32)

Fa-man aẓlamu — then who is a greater wrongdoer? Who is more unjust than — mimman kadhaba ʿalā llāhi — the one who fabricates lies about Allah — wa-kadhdhaba bi-l-ṣidqi — and denies the true matter, the truth — idh jāʾahu — when it came to him — al-ṣidq means the genuine religion, the straight path — meaning Sayyidunā Muḥammad Rasūl Allāh ﷺ, the greatest of all. A-laysa fī jahannama mathwā — is there not in Hell a dwelling — li-l-kāfirīn — for the disbelievers — the abode of disbelievers — their resting place — they shall settle there — it shall remain as their dwelling.

Translation: Who is a greater wrongdoer than the one who attributed lies to Allah and denied the true thing when it came to him — (i.e., the true religion — that is the Prophet Muḥammad ﷺ — the greatest of the truthful ones — those who denied him are) — is there not a place in Hell for the disbelievers?

وَالَّذِي جَاءَ بِالصِّدْقِ وَصَدَّقَ بِهِ أُولَٰئِكَ هُمُ الْمُتَّقُونَ

Wa-lladhī jāʾa bi-l-ṣidqi wa-ṣaddaqa bihi ūlāʾika humu l-muttaqūn.

"And the one who brings the truth and those who believe in it — those are the God-fearing." (al-Zumar 39:33)

Wa-lladhī jāʾa bi-l-ṣidqi — and the one who came with the truth — who is he? — (he is Sayyidunā Muḥammad Rasūl Allāh ﷺ) — wa-ṣaddaqa bihi — and the one who accepted and confirmed it — (who is that? — it is Ḥaḍrat Abū Bakr al-Ṣiddīq, may Allah be pleased with him — the first to verify the truth) — ūlāʾika humu l-muttaqūn — these are the God-fearing people — they are the ones who fear Allah, the pious ones.

Translation: And the one who brings the truth (the Prophet ﷺ) and the one who accepts and confirms that truth (Ḥaḍrat Ṣiddīq-e-Akbar, may Allah be pleased with him) — these are the God-fearing people.

لَهُم مَّا يَشَاءُونَ عِندَ رَبِّهِمْ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ جَزَاءُ الْمُحْسِنِينَ

Lahum mā yashāʾūna ʿinda rabbihim dhālika jazāʾu l-muḥsinīn.

"For them is what they will with their Lord — that is the recompense of the doers of good." (al-Zumar 39:34)

Lahum mā yashāʾūna — for them is everything they desire — ʿinda rabbihim — with their Lord, in the presence of their Lord — dhālika jazāʾu l-muḥsinīn — that is the recompense of those who do good, the reward of those who act with excellence.

Translation: With their Lord they shall receive everything they desire — this is the reward of those who do good (the reward of the righteous).

لِيُكَفِّرَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُمْ أَسْوَأَ الَّذِي عَمِلُوا وَيَجْزِيَهُم أَجْرَهُم بِأَحْسَنِ الَّذِي كَانُوا يَعْمَلُونَ

Li-yukaffira llāhu ʿanhum aswaʾa l-ladhī ʿamilū wa-yajziyahum ajrahum bi-aḥsani l-ladhī kānū yaʿmalūn.

"That Allah may remove from them the worst of what they did and reward them their due by the best of what they used to do." (al-Zumar 39:35)

Li-yukaffira llāhu ʿanhum — so that Allah may remove, cover over — aswaʾa l-ladhī ʿamilū — the worst of their deeds — He will erase those from the record. Wa-yajziyahum ajrahum — and He will give them their recompense — bi-aḥsani l-ladhī kānū yaʿmalūn — by the best of what they used to do — their best deeds will be their standard for reward.

Translation: So that Allah may remove the worst of their deeds (and cover them over) and give them the reward of their best deeds.

أَلَيْسَ اللَّهُ بِكَافٍ عَبْدَهُ ۖ وَيُخَوِّفُونَكَ بِالَّذِينَ مِن دُونِهِ ۚ وَمَن يُضْلِلِ اللَّهُ فَمَا لَهُ مِنْ هَادٍ

A-laysa llāhu bi-kāfin ʿabdahu wa-yukhawwifūnaka bi-lladhīna min dūnih wa-man yuḍlili llāhu fa-mā lahu min hādī.

"Is Allah not sufficient for His servant? Yet they threaten you with those besides Him. And whoever Allah leaves astray — for him there is no guide." (al-Zumar 39:36)

A-laysa llāhu bi-kāfin ʿabdahu — is Allah not sufficient for His servant — ʿabdahu — His servant — He is sufficient for His servant. Wa-yukhawwifūnaka — and they frighten you — they try to make you fear — bi-lladhīna min dūnih — by those other than Allah, those apart from Allah — those gods of theirs — wa-man yuḍlili llāhu — and whoever Allah leads astray — fa-māla-hu min hādī — then there is no guide for them — then who could show such a person the lamp of guidance? Who could guide them?

Translation: Is Allah not sufficient for His servant — yet they frighten you (O Prophet!) with those other than Allah (their false gods) — and whoever Allah leads astray — who can guide such a person?

وَمَن يَهْدِ اللَّهُ فَمَا لَهُ مِن مُّضِلٍّ ۗ أَلَيْسَ اللَّهُ بِعَزِيزٍ ذِي انتِقَامٍ

Wa-man yahdī llāhu fa-mā lahu min muḍillin a-laysa llāhu bi-ʿazīzin dhī ntiqām.

"And whoever Allah guides — for him there is no misleader. Is Allah not Exalted in Might, Owner of Retribution?" (al-Zumar 39:37)

Wa-man yahdī llāhu — and whoever Allah guides — fa-mā lahu min muḍillin — then who could lead them astray? Who could mislead such a one? A-laysa llāhu bi-ʿazīzin dhī ntiqāmin — is Allah not the All-Mighty, the Owner of retribution — is Allah the All-Mighty (al-ʿAzīz), the possessor of vengeance (dhū ntiqām), not among us?

Translation: And whoever Allah guides — who can lead them astray? Is Allah not the All-Mighty, the Owner of retribution (without doubt)?

وَلَئِن سَأَلْتَهُم مَّنْ خَلَقَ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضَ لَيَقُولُنَّ اللَّهُ ۚ قُلْ أَفَرَأَيْتُم

(continuing on next page)

وَلَئِن سَأَلْتَهُم مَّنْ خَلَقَ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضَ لَيَقُولُنَّ اللَّهُ ۚ قُلْ أَفَرَأَيْتُم مَّا تَدْعُونَ مِن دُونِ اللَّهِ إِنْ أَرَادَنِيَ اللَّهُ بِضُرٍّ هَلْ هُنَّ كَاشِفَاتُ ضُرِّهِ أَوْ أَرَادَنِي بِرَحْمَةٍ هَلْ هُنَّ مُمْسِكَاتُ رَحْمَتِهِ ۚ قُلْ حَسْبِيَ اللَّهُ ۖ عَلَيْهِ يَتَوَكَّلُ الْمُتَوَكِّلُونَ

Wa-la-in saʾaltahum man khalaqa l-samāwāti wa-l-arḍa la-yaqūlunna llāhu qul a-fa-raʾaytum mā tadʿūna min dūni llāhi in arādaniya llāhu bi-ḍurrin hal hunna kāshifātu ḍurrih aw arādanī bi-raḥmatin hal hunna mumsikātu raḥmatih qul ḥasbiya llāhu ʿalayhi yatawakkalu l-mutawakkilūn.

"And if you were to ask them who created the heavens and the earth, they would certainly say: Allah. Say: Have you then considered what you invoke besides Allah? If Allah intends harm for me, can they remove His harm? Or if He intends mercy for me, can they withhold His mercy? Say: Allah is sufficient for me — upon Him the trusting ones rely." (al-Zumar 39:38)

Wa-la-in saʾaltahum — and if you ask them — man khalaqa l-samāwāti wa-l-arḍa — who created the heavens and the earth — la-yaqūlunna llāhu — they will most certainly say: Allah. Qul — say (O Prophet!): a-fa-raʾaytum mā tadʿūna min dūni llāhi — then have you considered these things you invoke besides Allah — in arādaniya llāhu bi-ḍurrin — if Allah intends harm for me — hal hunna kāshifātu ḍurrih — can these idols of yours remove that harm? — aw arādanī bi-raḥmatin — or if He intends to have mercy on me — hal hunna mumsikātu raḥmatih — can these idols withhold His mercy? — Never! Qul ḥasbiya llāhu — say: Allah alone is sufficient for me — ʿalayhi yatawakkalu l-mutawakkilūna — upon Him rely those who place their trust — they trust Him alone, they depend on Him.

Translation: And if you ask them: who created the heavens and the earth — they will say: Allah — say (O Prophet!): then what are those things you invoke besides Allah — if Allah intends harm for me, can they remove that harm — or if He intends mercy for me, can they hold back His mercy? (Never!) Say: Allah alone is sufficient for me — those who trust place their reliance upon Him.

قُلْ يَا قَوْمِ اعْمَلُوا عَلَىٰ مَكَانَتِكُمْ إِنِّي عَامِلٌ ۖ فَسَوْفَ تَعْلَمُونَ

Qul yā qawmi-ʿmalū ʿalā makānatikum innī ʿāmilun fa-sawfa taʿlamūn.

"Say: O my people, work according to your position — I am also working. Soon you will come to know." (al-Zumar 39:39)

Qul — say (O Prophet!): yā qawm — O my people! — O my nation! Iʿmalū ʿalā makānatikum — carry on according to your position, do your work where you stand — innī ʿāmilun — I am also doing my work — fa-sawfa taʿlamūna — then soon you will come to know — the final outcome, what truth these people will discover.

Translation: Say: O people — do your own work in your own way — I am also doing my work — you will soon come to know the reality (what will happen to you?).

مَن يَأْتِيهِ عَذَابٌ يُخْزِيهِ وَيَحِلُّ عَلَيْهِ عَذَابٌ مُّقِيمٌ

Man yaʾtīhi ʿadhābun yukhzīhi wa-yaḥillu ʿalayhi ʿadhābun muqīm.

"Upon whom will come a punishment that will disgrace him, and upon whom will descend an enduring punishment." (al-Zumar 39:40)

Man yaʾtīhi ʿadhābun yukhzīhi — upon whom comes a punishment — yukhzīhi — that disgraces him — humiliates him. Wa-yaḥillu ʿalayhi ʿadhābun muqīmun — and upon him descends a perpetual, abiding punishment — the constant torment — an ever-lasting affliction.

Translation: Upon whom punishment comes — which disgraces him — and upon him settles a permanent abiding torment.

إِنَّا أَنزَلْنَا عَلَيْكَ الْكِتَابَ لِلنَّاسِ بِالْحَقِّ ۖ فَمَنِ اهْتَدَىٰ فَلِنَفْسِهِ ۖ وَمَن ضَلَّ فَإِنَّمَا يَضِلُّ عَلَيْهَا ۖ وَمَا أَنتَ عَلَيْهِم بِوَكِيلٍ

Innā anzalnā ʿalayka l-kitāba li-l-nāsi bi-l-ḥaqqi fa-mani htadā fa-li-nafsihi wa-man ḍalla fa-innamā yaḍillu ʿalayhā wa-mā anta ʿalayhim bi-wakīl.

"Indeed, We have sent down to you the Book for the people in truth. So whoever is guided — it is for his own soul; and whoever goes astray — he only strays against it. And you are not a guardian over them." (al-Zumar 39:41)

Innā anzalnā ʿalayka l-kitāba — indeed We have sent the Book down to you — li-l-nāsi bi-l-ḥaqqi — for people, with truth, with complete suitability. Fa-mani htadā — so whoever takes guidance — fa-li-nafsihi — it is to his own benefit — his own soul gains. Wa-man ḍalla — and whoever chooses misguidance — fa-innamā yaḍillu ʿalayhā — then the harm of that misguidance falls upon his own soul. Wa-mā anta ʿalayhim bi-wakīl — and you are not a trustee over them — you are not responsible for them — you are not their guardian.

Translation: Indeed We have sent down to you a Book — true and genuine — for people. Now whoever takes guidance — it benefits his own soul. And whoever goes astray — the harm of that falls on his own soul. And you are not responsible for them, nor their guardian.

اللَّهُ يَتَوَفَّى الْأَنفُسَ حِينَ مَوْتِهَا وَالَّتِي لَمْ تَمُتْ فِي مَنَامِهَا ۖ فَيُمْسِكُ الَّتِي قَضَىٰ عَلَيْهَا الْمَوْتَ وَيُرْسِلُ الْأُخْرَىٰ إِلَىٰ أَجَلٍ مُّسَمًّى ۚ إِنَّ فِي ذَٰلِكَ لَآيَاتٍ لِّقَوْمٍ يَتَفَكَّرُونَ

Allāhu yatawaffā l-anfusa ḥīna mawtihā wa-llatī lam tamut fī manāmihā fa-yumsiku l-latī qaḍā ʿalayhā l-mawta wa-yursilū l-ukhrā ilā ajalin musamman inna fī dhālika la-āyātin li-qawmin yatafakkarūn.

"Allah takes souls at the time of their death, and those that do not die [He takes] during their sleep. Then He keeps those for whom He has decreed death, and releases the others for a specified term. Indeed in that are signs for a people who reflect." (al-Zumar 39:42)

Allāhu yatawaffā l-anfusa — Allah takes souls fully — He takes them — ḥīna mawtihā — at the time of death — wa-llatī lam tamut fī manāmihā — and those which have not yet died He takes during sleep — He holds them in His grasp — fa-yumsiku l-latī qaḍā ʿalayhā l-mawta — then He retains those upon whom He has decreed death — He retains them — He issues the decree of death for them — wa-yursilū l-ukhrā ilā ajalin musamman — and releases the others — that is, the other soul which has not yet received the decree of death — He returns it — He gives it back to the world and the affairs of the world — ilā ajalin musamman — until a specified time — a fixed, determined term — when is that? It is a fixed time.

Inna fī dhālika la-āyātin — in this there are indeed signs — proofs — signs that move and stir — li-qawmin yatafakkarūna — for people who reflect — but no one can avoid it at will — for whom? — for those who think deeply and reflect — those people for whom this contains signs and proofs!

Translation: Allah is the One who takes all souls at the time of death — and those that do not die — He takes them during sleep. Then He retains those upon whom the decree of death has been passed, and releases the others (returns them) until a fixed appointed time. Indeed in this there are most certainly signs for those who reflect — (for just as sleep is a state from which one cannot wake of one's own will, so too death is an involuntary matter).

أَمِ اتَّخَذُوا مِن دُونِ اللَّهِ شُفَعَاءَ ۚ قُلْ أَوَلَوْ كَانُوا لَا يَمْلِكُونَ شَيْئًا وَلَا يَعْقِلُونَ

Am ittakhadhū min dūni llāhi shufaʿāʾa qul a-wa-law kānū lā yamlikūna shayʾan wa-lā yaʿqilūn.

"Or have they taken intercessors besides Allah? Say: Even if they have no power over anything whatsoever and have no understanding?" (al-Zumar 39:43)

Am ittakhadhū — or have they taken — min dūni llāhi shufaʿāʾa — intercessors apart from Allah — they believe in intercessors, setting aside Allah — qul — say (O Prophet!): a-wa-law kānū lā yamlikūna shayʾan — even if they own absolutely nothing — they have nothing in their power — wa-lā yaʿqilūna — and they have no understanding either? — those idols of theirs have nothing in their possession and no understanding at all.

Translation: Or have they taken intercessors by setting aside Allah? (Do they think that setting aside Allah they will intercede?) Say: Even though they possess nothing at all — nothing is in their hands — and they have no understanding (so what intercession will they offer then)?

قُل لِّلَّهِ الشَّفَاعَةُ جَمِيعًا ۖ لَّهُ مُلْكُ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ ۖ ثُمَّ إِلَيْهِ تُرْجَعُونَ

Qul lillāhi l-shafāʿatu jamīʿan lahu mulku l-samāwāti wa-l-arḍi thumma ilayhi turjaʿūn.

"Say: Intercession belongs entirely to Allah. To Him belongs the dominion of the heavens and the earth. Then to Him you will be returned." (al-Zumar 39:44)

Qul lillāhi l-shafāʿatu jamīʿan — say: all intercession is entirely in Allah's power — every manner of intercession is His prerogative — lahu mulku l-samāwāti wa-l-arḍi — His is the sovereignty of the heavens and the earth — thumma ilayhi turjaʿūna — then to Him you shall all be returned — to His majestic court you must appear and come back.

Translation: Say: All intercession belongs entirely to Allah — the sovereignty of the heavens and earth is His — and then you shall all be returned to Him (to His court).

وَإِذَا ذُكِرَ اللَّهُ وَحْدَهُ اشْمَأَزَّتْ قُلُوبُ الَّذِينَ لَا يُؤْمِنُونَ بِالْآخِرَةِ ۖ وَإِذَا ذُكِرَ الَّذِينَ مِن دُونِهِ إِذَا هُمْ يَسْتَبْشِرُونَ

Wa-idhā dhukira llāhu waḥdahu shmaʾazzat qulūbu l-ladhīna lā yuʾminūna bi-l-ākhirati wa-idhā dhukira l-ladhīna min dūnih idhā hum yastabshirūn.

"And when Allah alone is mentioned, the hearts of those who do not believe in the Hereafter shrink with aversion; but when those other than Him are mentioned, behold, they rejoice." (al-Zumar 39:45)

Wa-idhā dhukira llāhu waḥdahu — and when the name of Allah alone is mentioned, when only the name of the one God is remembered — ishmaʾazzat qulūbu l-ladhīna lā yuʾminūna bi-l-ākhirati — the hearts of those who have no faith in the Hereafter shrink and contract — la-yuʾminūna bi-l-ākhirati — those who keep no faith in the Hereafter — their hearts contract and fill with aversion. Wa-idhā dhukira l-ladhīna min dūnih — and when the mention of those besides Him comes — their other gods — idhā hum yastabshirūna — then they are overjoyed — they become greatly pleased.

Translation: And when only Allah's name is mentioned, the hearts of those who have no faith in the Hereafter contract (aversion and dislike fill them) — and when those other than Allah are mentioned they become overjoyed (as if they had received some magnificent good news).

قُلِ اللَّهُمَّ فَاطِرَ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ عَالِمَ الْغَيْبِ وَالشَّهَادَةِ أَنتَ تَحْكُمُ بَيْنَ عِبَادِكَ فِي مَا كَانُوا فِيهِ يَخْتَلِفُونَ

Quli llāhumma fāṭira l-samāwāti wa-l-arḍi ʿālima l-ghaybi wa-l-shahādati anta taḥkumu bayna ʿibādika fī mā kānū fīhi yakhtalifūn.

"Say: O Allah, Creator of the heavens and the earth, Knower of the unseen and the witnessed — it is You who will judge between Your servants concerning that in which they used to differ." (al-Zumar 39:46)

Qul — say (O Prophet!): Allāhumma fāṭira l-samāwāti wa-l-arḍi — O Allah, Creator of the heavens and the earth — ʿālima l-ghaybi wa-l-shahādati — Knower of the hidden and the manifest — anta taḥkumu bayna ʿibādika — You will judge between Your servants — You will resolve the matter — fī mā kānū fīhi yakhtalifūna — in those matters in which they used to differ, in which they used to disagree.

Translation: (O Prophet!) Say: O Allah — O Creator of the heavens and earth — O Knower of the hidden and the manifest — You are the one who will judge between Your servants in those matters in which they dispute.

وَلَوْ أَنَّ لِلَّذِينَ ظَلَمُوا مَا فِي الْأَرْضِ جَمِيعًا وَمِثْلَهُ مَعَهُ لَافْتَدَوْا بِهِ مِن سُوءِ الْعَذَابِ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ ۚ وَبَدَا لَهُم مِّنَ اللَّهِ مَا لَمْ يَكُونُوا يَحْتَسِبُونَ

Wa-law anna li-lladhīna ẓalamū mā fī l-arḍi jamīʿan wa-mithluhu maʿahu laftadaw bihi min sūʾi l-ʿadhābi yawma l-qiyāmati wa-badā lahum mina llāhi mā lam yakūnū yaḥtasibūn.

"And if those who did wrong possessed all that is on earth and the like of it with it, they would try to ransom themselves with it from the evil punishment on the Day of Resurrection — and there will appear to them from Allah what they had not taken into account." (al-Zumar 39:47)

Wa-law anna li-lladhīna ẓalamū — and if for those who do wrong — those who commit shirk and ẓulm — mā fī l-arḍi jamīʿan — they possessed everything on the earth — wa-mithluhu maʿahu — and the same amount in addition — laftadaw bihi — they would try to ransom themselves with it, to save themselves — min sūʾi l-ʿadhābi yawma l-qiyāmah — from the evil punishment of the Day of Resurrection — a torment equal to both the world and all it contains they would readily give up to escape the punishment. Wa-badā lahum mina llāhi — and from Allah there will appear — mā lam yakūnū yaḥtasibūna — that which they had not anticipated — that which they had not expected — that which they had no hope of.

Translation: And if those wrongdoers had all the world and as much again — they would readily give it all to escape the punishment on the Day of Resurrection — and from Allah there will appear before them that which they had not anticipated (nor even dreamed of).

وَبَدَا لَهُمْ سَيِّئَاتُ مَا كَسَبُوا وَحَاقَ بِهِم مَّا كَانُوا بِهِ يَسْتَهْزِئُونَ

Wa-badā lahum sayyiʾātu mā kasabū wa-ḥāqa bihim mā kānū bihi yastahziʾūn.

"And the evils of what they earned will appear to them, and they will be surrounded by what they used to ridicule." (al-Zumar 39:48)

Wa-badā lahum — and their own evil deeds will become apparent — they will be exposed before their eyes — sayyiʾātu mā kasabū — the evil deeds they used to commit — wa-ḥāqa bihim — and they will be seized and surrounded — mā kānū bihi yastahziʾūna — by the very punishment they used to ridicule — which they used to scorn and mock.

Translation: Then their evil deeds will be exposed before them — and what they used to mock and ridicule will surround and seize them.

It is the way of man that —

فَإِذَا مَسَّ الْإِنسَانَ ضُرٌّ دَعَانَا ثُمَّ إِذَا خَوَّلْنَاهُ نِعْمَةً مِّنَّا قَالَ إِنَّمَا أُوتِيتُهُ عَلَىٰ عِلْمٍ ۚ بَلْ هِيَ فِتْنَةٌ وَلَٰكِنَّ أَكْثَرَهُمْ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ

Fa-idhā massa l-insāna ḍurrun daʿānā thumma idhā khawwalnāhu niʿmatan minnā qāla innamā ūtītuhu ʿalā ʿilmin bal hiya fitnatun wa-lākinna aktharahum lā yaʿlamūn.

"So when hardship touches man, he calls on Us; then when We grant him a favour from Us, he says: I have been given this only because of my knowledge. Rather, it is a trial — but most of them do not know." (al-Zumar 39:49)

Fa-idhā massa l-insāna ḍurrun — so when a hardship befalls a person — some distress reaches him — daʿānā — he calls on Us — he calls upon Us in supplication, imploring Us. Thumma idhā khawwalnāhu niʿmatan minnā — then when We grant him a favour from Us — when We bless him and comfort him — qāla innamā ūtītuhu ʿalā ʿilmin — he says: I have been given this only because of my own knowledge — it is the result of my own merit. Bal hiya fitnatun — rather, it is a trial — not knowledge at all — it is a test — wa-lākinna aktharahum lā yaʿlamūna — but most people do not know — most people are utterly foolish — they cannot understand that this is a test.

And when We grant him honour and generosity (blessings and comfort), he says: this was given to me because of my own knowledge — it is not knowledge — rather it is a trial (a test) — but most people are ignorant (and do not know anything).

قَدْ قَالَهَا الَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِهِمْ فَمَا أَغْنَىٰ عَنْهُم مَّا كَانُوا يَكْسِبُونَ

Qad qālahā l-ladhīna min qablihim fa-mā aghnā ʿanhum mā kānū yaksibūn.

"Those before them had said the same — but what they used to earn was of no avail to them." (al-Zumar 39:50)

Qad qālahā l-ladhīna min qablihim — those before them used to say this same thing — fa-mā aghnā ʿanhum — but what they used to earn did not avail them — mā kānū yaksibūna — all the wealth they used to accumulate — what happened to Qārūn? — what was his ultimate fate? — that end of Qārūn's is the state of this kind of person — the people of Qārūn's character are proceeding with their heads held high in the world, humiliated and disgraced.

Translation: Those before them used to say this very same thing — and whatever they used to earn did them no good.

فَأَصَابَهُمْ سَيِّئَاتُ مَا كَسَبُوا ۚ وَالَّذِينَ ظَلَمُوا مِنْ هَٰؤُلَاءِ سَيُصِيبُهُمْ سَيِّئَاتُ مَا كَسَبُوا وَمَا هُم بِمُعْجِزِينَ

Fa-aṣābahum sayyiʾātu mā kasabū wa-lladhīna ẓalamū min hāʾulāʾi sa-yuṣībuhum sayyiʾātu mā kasabū wa-mā hum bi-muʿjizīn.

"So the evils of what they earned befell them — and those who did wrong among these people — the evils of what they earned will soon befall them, and they cannot escape." (al-Zumar 39:51)

Fa-aṣābahum sayyiʾātu mā kasabū — then the evil consequences of their deeds descended upon them — their evil deeds came before them — wa-lladhīna ẓalamū min hāʾulāʾi — and those among these people who committed injustice — those who committed shirk and kufr, diminishing and oppressing — sa-yuṣībuhum sayyiʾātu mā kasabū — the evil deeds they still carry will soon befall them — wa-mā hum bi-muʿjizīna — and they will not be able to escape, they will not be able to flee — they will be caught, wherever they try to run — they will be overwhelmed.

Translation: Then the evil consequence of their deeds reached them — and those among these people who commit injustice (shirk and kufr) — the evil consequence of their deeds will also reach them — (how nice to think) they will overwhelm us — they will be caught however they flee, we will overwhelm them.

إِنَّ فِي ذَٰلِكَ لَآيَاتٍ لِّقَوْمٍ يُؤْمِنُونَ

Inna fī dhālika la-āyātin li-qawmin yuʾminūn.

"Indeed in that are signs for a people who believe." (al-Zumar 39:52 — continuation)

A-wa-lam yaʿlamū — do they not know — anna llāha yabsuṭu l-rizqa — that Allah expands provision — liman yashāʾu wa-yaqdiru — for whom He wills and restricts it — inna fī dhālika la-āyātin — indeed in this there are signs — proofs — li-qawmin yuʾminūna — for those who believe.

Translation: Do those people not know that Allah expands or restricts the provision (both abundance and scarcity are in the hand of God) — in this there are signs for the believers.

قُلْ يَا عِبَادِيَ الَّذِينَ أَسْرَفُوا عَلَىٰ أَنفُسِهِمْ لَا تَقْنَطُوا مِن رَّحْمَةِ اللَّهِ ۚ إِنَّ اللَّهَ يَغْفِرُ الذُّنُوبَ جَمِيعًا ۚ إِنَّهُ هُوَ الْغَفُورُ الرَّحِيمُ

Qul yā ʿibādiya l-ladhīna asrafū ʿalā anfusihim lā taqnaṭū min raḥmati llāhi inna llāha yaghfiru l-dhunūba jamīʿan innahu huwa l-ghafūru l-raḥīm.

"Say: O My servants who have transgressed against themselves — do not despair of the mercy of Allah. Indeed, Allah forgives all sins. Indeed, it is He who is the All-Forgiving, the Merciful." (al-Zumar 39:53)

Qul — say (O Prophet!): yā ʿibādī — O My servants! — the word ʿibād can mean servants as well as slaves. Yā ʿibādī — the possessive pronoun "My" in ʿibādī can mean the Messenger of Allah ﷺ's obedient servants — those who are obedient and devoted — and it can also mean, by virtue of being his viceroy and deputy, the divine word itself. Al-ladhīna asrafū ʿalā anfusihim — those who have gone beyond limits in doing wrong to their own souls — who have committed excesses against their own selves. Lā taqnaṭū — do not despair — min raḥmati llāhi — of the mercy of Allah. Inna llāha yaghfiru l-dhunūba jamīʿan — indeed Allah forgives all sins — He covers over all misdeeds, He grants complete forgiveness. Innahu huwa l-ghafūru l-raḥīmu — He is indeed the All-Forgiving, the Merciful — He forgives and conceals within His mercy. Someone once asked Ḥaḍrat Imām Jaʿfar al-Ṣādiq (may Allah have mercy on him): which verse of the Quran holds the greatest hope? — Imām Sāhib said: this very verse — (Lā taqnaṭū min raḥmati llāh) — and our belief is: "ʿAzīzun ʿalayhi mā ʿanittum" — meaning whatever trouble reaches the Muslims is painful to our Rasūl Allāh ﷺ — and in our hearts is this: "Inna-hu la-yukhlifu l-mīʿāda" — for Muḥammad Rasūl Allāh ﷺ's community will never settle in Hell — innahu huwa l-ghafūru l-raḥīm — He is truly the All-Forgiving, the Merciful — He truly forgives sins and brings them near through forgiveness and grace.

Translation: Say: O My servants who have gone to excess against themselves — do not despair of Allah's mercy — Allah forgives all sins — He is truly the All-Forgiving, the Merciful.

وَأَنِيبُوا إِلَىٰ رَبِّكُمْ وَأَسْلِمُوا لَهُ مِن قَبْلِ أَن يَأْتِيَكُمُ الْعَذَابُ ثُمَّ لَا تُنصَرُونَ

Wa-anībū ilā rabbikum wa-aslimū lahu min qabli an yaʾtiyakumu l-ʿadhābu thumma lā tunṣarūn.

"And turn to your Lord and submit to Him before the punishment comes upon you, after which you will not be helped." (al-Zumar 39:54)

Wa-anībū ilā rabbikum — and turn toward your Lord, become attentive toward Him, return to Him — wa-aslimū lahu — and submit your obedience to Him — submit to His authority. Min qabli an yaʾtiyakumu l-ʿadhābu — before the punishment comes — thumma lā tunṣarūna — then you will not be helped — no one will give you victory or assistance.

Bāz ā bāz ā — har āncheh hastī bāz ā (Return, return — whatever you are, return) Gar kāfir o ghabr o butparast bāz ā (Even if disbeliever, fire-worshipper or idol-worshipper — return) In dargah mā dargah-e nawmīdī nīst (This threshold of ours is not a place of despair) Ṣad bār agar tawba-shikastī bāz ā (Even if you have broken your repentance a hundred times — return) (The poetry of Ḥaḍrat Mawlānā Rūmī — may Allah have mercy on him)

Translation: And return to your Lord, submit to His obedience — before the punishment comes upon you — after which no one will be your helper or supporter.

وَاتَّبِعُوا أَحْسَنَ مَا أُنزِلَ إِلَيْكُم مِّن رَّبِّكُم مِّن قَبْلِ أَن يَأْتِيَكُمُ الْعَذَابُ بَغْتَةً وَأَنتُمْ لَا تَشْعُرُونَ

Wa-ttabiʿū aḥsana mā unzila ilaykum min rabbikum min qabli an yaʾtiyakumu l-ʿadhābu baghtatan wa-antum lā tashʿurūn.

"And follow the best of what has been sent down to you from your Lord before the punishment comes upon you suddenly while you do not perceive." (al-Zumar 39:55)

Wa-ttabiʿū — and follow — aḥsana mā unzila ilaykum — the best of what has been sent down to you — accept and follow the best thing sent down — the divine revelation and Quran sent down to you — min rabbikum — from your Lord — min qabli an yaʾtiyakumu l-ʿadhābu baghtatan — before the punishment comes upon you suddenly — wa-antum lā tashʿurūna — and you are entirely unaware — with no awareness of it whatsoever — without any premonition — death may come, the Day of Resurrection may arrive.

Translation: (O people!) Follow the best things that your Lord has sent down — follow and obey — before the punishment suddenly comes upon you and you remain unaware of it.

أَن تَقُولَ نَفْسٌ يَا حَسْرَتَىٰ عَلَىٰ مَا فَرَّطتُ فِي جَنبِ اللَّهِ وَإِن كُنتُ لَمِنَ السَّاخِرِينَ

An taqūla nafsun yā ḥasratā ʿalā mā farraṭtu fī janbi llāhi wa-in kuntu la-mina l-sākhirīn.

"Lest a soul should say: O how great my regret is over what I neglected in my duty to Allah, and I was indeed among those who mocked." (al-Zumar 39:56)

An taqūla nafsun — lest some soul should cry out — yā ḥasratā — O what regret! — what a great sorrow! — ʿalā mā farraṭtu fī janbi llāhi — over what I neglected and abandoned in relation to Allah's side — this is a matter of self-blame — because it becomes apparent before the soul. Look — farraṭtu you may incorporate into your discourse and keep the idiom going — but the term farraṭtu is a standing idiom in Arabic — fī janbi llāhi — in relation to Allah's side — the right of Allah — wa-in kuntu la-mina l-sākhirīn — and I was indeed among those who used to mock — who used to ridicule and laugh — making a mockery of the divine commandments.

Translation: — lest any soul should cry out: O how great my regret — how I fell short in fulfilling what Allah demanded — and moreover I was among those who used to mock (I used to mock at the divine commandments and make light of them).

أَوْ تَقُولَ لَوْ أَنَّ اللَّهَ هَدَانِي لَكُنتُ مِنَ الْمُتَّقِينَ

Aw taqūla law anna llāha hadānī la-kuntu mina l-muttaqīn.

"Or [lest] a soul should say: Had Allah guided me, I would have been among the God-fearing." (al-Zumar 39:57)

Aw taqūla — or lest it should say — law anna llāha hadānī — if only Allah had guided me — my ruin is that He did not show me guidance. La-kuntu mina l-muttaqīna — I would have been among the God-fearing — I would have been one of the pious and God-fearing ones too.

Translation: Or lest the soul should say: if only Allah had guided me, I would have been among the God-fearing too!

أَوْ تَقُولَ حِينَ تَرَى الْعَذَابَ لَوْ أَنَّ لِي كَرَّةً فَأَكُونَ مِنَ الْمُحْسِنِينَ

Aw taqūla ḥīna tarā l-ʿadhāba law anna lī karratan fa-akūna mina l-muḥsinīn.

"Or [lest] it should say when it sees the punishment: If only I could have a second chance, I would be among the doers of good." (al-Zumar 39:58)

Aw taqūla — or lest it should say — ḥīna tarā l-ʿadhāba — when it sees the punishment — when it sees the torment — law anna lī karratan — if only I could return to the world once more — fa-akūna mina l-muḥsinīna — then I would be among the good-doers too.

Translation: Or lest the soul should say upon seeing the punishment: if only I could go back to the world again — then I would be among the righteous too.

بَلَىٰ قَدْ جَاءَتْكَ آيَاتِي فَكَذَّبْتَ بِهَا وَاسْتَكْبَرْتَ وَكُنتَ مِنَ الْكَافِرِينَ

Balā qad jāʾatka āyātī fa-kadhdhabta bihā wa-stakbarta wa-kunta mina l-kāfirīn.

"But yes — indeed My signs came to you, but you denied them, you were arrogant, and you were among the disbelievers." (al-Zumar 39:59)

Balā — why not — Allah Most High will say: qad jāʾatka āyātī — indeed My signs came to you — My signs truly reached you — fa-kadhdhabta bihā — but you denied them, you rejected them — wa-stakbarta — and you were arrogant — you were self-glorifying — wa-kunta mina l-kāfirīna — and you were among the disbelievers and the deniers.

Translation: (Allah Most High will say:) Why not! My signs had reached you — but you denied them and were arrogant — and you were among the disbelievers.

وَيَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ تَرَى الَّذِينَ كَذَبُوا عَلَى اللَّهِ وُجُوهُهُم مُّسْوَدَّةٌ ۚ أَلَيْسَ فِي جَهَنَّمَ مَثْوًى لِّلْمُتَكَبِّرِينَ

Wa-yawma l-qiyāmati tarā l-ladhīna kadhabū ʿalā llāhi wujūhuhum muswaddatun a-laysa fī jahannama mathwā li-l-mutakabbirīn.

"And on the Day of Resurrection you will see those who lied about Allah — their faces blackened. Is there not in Hell a dwelling for the arrogant?" (al-Zumar 39:60)

Wa-yawma l-qiyāmati tarā — and on the Day of Resurrection you will see — the addressee is the speaker himself — tarā — you will see — al-ladhīna kadhabū ʿalā llāhi — those who attributed falsehood to Allah — wujūhuhum muswaddatun — their faces will be blackened — their faces will be dark and sooty. A-laysa fī jahannama mathwā li-l-mutakabbirīn — is there not in Hell a dwelling for the arrogant — the arrogant ones — their place is Hell — their abode of dwelling.

Translation: And on the Day of Resurrection you will see those who attributed falsehood to Allah — their faces blackened — is there not a place in Hell for the arrogant?

وَيُنَجِّي اللَّهُ الَّذِينَ اتَّقَوْا بِمَفَازَتِهِمْ لَا يَمَسُّهُمُ السُّوءُ وَلَا هُمْ يَحْزَنُونَ

Wa-yunajjī llāhu l-ladhīna ttaqaw bi-mafāzatihim lā yamassu-humu l-sūʾu wa-lā hum yaḥzanūn.

"And Allah will save those who feared Him by their achievement — no harm will touch them, nor will they grieve." (al-Zumar 39:61)

Wa-yunajjī llāhu l-ladhīna ttaqaw — and Allah will save — He will rescue — bi-mafāzatihim — with their success — their success will be their companion — lā yamassu-humu l-sūʾu — no harm or adversity will touch them — wa-lā hum yaḥzanūna — nor will they grieve — no sorrow or grief will come upon them.

Translation: And Allah will save those who were God-fearing with their success — no harm will reach them and they will have no sorrow or grief.

اللَّهُ خَالِقُ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ ۖ وَهُوَ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ وَكِيلٌ

Allāhu khāliqu kulli shayʾin wa-huwa ʿalā kulli shayʾin wakīl.

"Allah is the Creator of all things, and He is the Guardian over all things." (al-Zumar 39:62)

Allāhu khāliqu kulli shayʾin — Allah is the Creator of every thing — He is the originator and creator of everything — wa-huwa ʿalā kulli shayʾin wakīlun — and He is the Trustee and Guardian over every thing — He is responsible for every thing.

Translation: Allah is the Creator of all things and the Guardian over all things.

لَهُ مَقَالِيدُ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ ۗ وَالَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا بِآيَاتِ اللَّهِ أُولَٰئِكَ هُمُ الْخَاسِرُونَ

Lahu maqālīdu l-samāwāti wa-l-arḍi wa-lladhīna kafarū bi-āyāti llāhi ūlāʾika humu l-khāsirūn.

"His are the keys of the heavens and the earth; and those who disbelieve in the signs of Allah — those are the losers." (al-Zumar 39:63)

Lahu maqālīdu l-samāwāti wa-l-arḍi — His are the keys of the heavens and earth — the treasuries of the heavens and earth are in His hands — wa-lladhīna kafarū bi-āyāti llāhi — and those who disbelieve in the signs of Allah — those who deny His commandments — ūlāʾika humu l-khāsirūna — these are the losers — they are the great losers and sufferers of ruin.

Translation: The keys of the heavens and earth are in His hands — and those who deny Allah's commandments — they are great losers and sufferers.

قُلْ أَفَغَيْرَ اللَّهِ تَأْمُرُونِّي أَعْبُدُ أَيُّهَا الْجَاهِلُونَ

Qul a-fa-ghayra llāhi taʾmurūnnī aʿbudu ayyuhā l-jāhilūn.

"Say: Do you order me to worship other than Allah, O you ignorant ones?" (al-Zumar 39:64)

Qul — say (O Prophet!): a-fa-ghayra llāhi — so other than Allah — taʾmurūnnī aʿbudu — you give me this command — to worship. (Wāw here is at the level of nūn with a long vowel, or at a middle maddah) — ayyuhā l-jāhilūna — O you ignorant ones!

Translation: (O Prophet!) Say: Is it other than Allah whom you command me to worship? — O you ignorant ones! (O fools!)

وَلَقَدْ أُوحِيَ إِلَيْكَ وَإِلَى الَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِكَ لَئِنْ أَشْرَكْتَ لَيَحْبَطَنَّ عَمَلُكَ وَلَتَكُونَنَّ مِنَ الْخَاسِرِينَ

Wa-laqad ūḥiya ilayka wa-ilā l-ladhīna min qablika la-in ashrakta la-yaḥbaṭanna ʿamaluka wa-la-takūnanna mina l-khāsirīn.

"And it has certainly been revealed to you and to those before you: if you associate [partners with Allah], your deeds will surely become worthless, and you will surely be among the losers." (al-Zumar 39:65)

Wa-laqad ūḥiya ilayka — and indeed revelation has been sent to you (O Prophet!) — wa-ilā l-ladhīna min qablika — and to those before you as well — la-in ashrakta la-yaḥbaṭanna ʿamaluka — if you commit shirk, all your deeds will be ruined and wasted — all your good deeds will be destroyed. Wa-la-takūnanna mina l-khāsirīna — and you will certainly be among the losers — you will fall into ruin and loss.

Translation: (O Prophet!) And indeed revelation came to you and to those before you from your community as well — that if you commit shirk, your deeds will be ruined — and you will fall into loss (those who commit shirk will be ruined).

بَلِ اللَّهَ فَاعْبُدْ وَكُن مِّنَ الشَّاكِرِينَ

Bali llāha fa-ʿbud wa-kun mina l-shākirīn.

"Rather, worship Allah and be among the grateful." (al-Zumar 39:66)

Bali llāha fa-ʿbud — no! Rather, worship only Allah — wa-kun mina l-shākirīna — and be among the grateful ones — and remain among the thankful servants of Allah.

Translation: No! Rather, worship only Allah and remain among the grateful (perform His worship and give thanks).

وَمَا قَدَرُوا اللَّهَ حَقَّ قَدْرِهِ وَالْأَرْضُ جَمِيعًا قَبْضَتُهُ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ وَالسَّمَاوَاتُ مَطْوِيَّاتٌ بِيَمِينِهِ ۚ سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ عَمَّا يُشْرِكُونَ

Wa-mā qadarū llāha ḥaqqa qadrih wa-l-arḍu jamīʿan qabḍatuhu yawma l-qiyāmati wa-l-samāwātu maṭwiyyātun bi-yamīnih subḥānahu wa-taʿālā ʿammā yushrikūn.

"And they have not appraised Allah with true appraisal — while the whole earth will be in His grip on the Day of Resurrection, and the heavens will be folded in His right hand. Exalted is He and High above what they associate with Him." (al-Zumar 39:67)

Wa-mā qadarū llāha ḥaqqa qadrih — and those people have not appraised Allah as He deserves — they have not given Allah the honour due to His greatness. Wa-l-arḍu jamīʿan qabḍatuhu — and all the earth — in His grip, in His fist it will be — yawma l-qiyāmah — on the Day of Resurrection. Wa-l-samāwātu maṭwiyyātun bi-yamīnih — and all the heavens will be folded in His right hand. Subḥānahu wa-taʿālā ʿammā yushrikūna — He is pure and exalted above all that they associate with Him.

Translation: Those people have not estimated Allah's greatness as it deserves — on the Day of Resurrection all the earth will be in His fist, and all the heavens will be folded in His right hand — and Allah Most High is pure and exalted above the shirk they commit.

وَنُفِخَ فِي الصُّورِ فَصَعِقَ مَن فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَمَن فِي الْأَرْضِ إِلَّا مَن شَاءَ اللَّهُ ۖ ثُمَّ نُفِخَ فِيهِ أُخْرَىٰ فَإِذَا هُمْ قِيَامٌ يَنظُرُونَ

Wa-nufikha fī l-ṣūri fa-ṣaʿiqa man fī l-samāwāti wa-man fī l-arḍi illā man shāʾa llāhu thumma nufikha fīhi ukhrā fa-idhā hum qiyāmun yanẓurūn.

"And the trumpet will be blown, and all who are in the heavens and all who are in the earth will fall dead — except those whom Allah wills. Then it will be blown again, and at once they will stand looking on." (al-Zumar 39:68)

Wa-nufikha fī l-ṣūri — and the trumpet will be blown — fa-ṣaʿiqa — then everyone will become unconscious and collapse — they will all be stunned — man fī l-samāwāti wa-man fī l-arḍi — whoever is in the heavens and whoever is on the earth — illā man shāʾa llāhu — except those whom Allah wills — some people say that these are the angels of death, for they are awake — thumma nufikha fīhi ukhrā — then the trumpet will be blown once more — fa-idhā hum qiyāmun yanẓurūna — and all at once they will be standing upright, looking — all standing and watching.

Translation: And the trumpet will be sounded — then everyone in the heavens and on the earth will fall unconscious — except those Allah wills — then the trumpet will be sounded again — and at once all will be standing upright.

وَأَشْرَقَتِ الْأَرْضُ بِنُورِ رَبِّهَا وَوُضِعَ الْكِتَابُ وَجِيءَ بِالنَّبِيِّينَ وَالشُّهَدَاءِ وَقُضِيَ بَيْنَهُم بِالْحَقِّ وَهُمْ لَا يُظْلَمُونَ

Wa-ashraqati l-arḍu bi-nūri rabbihā wa-wuḍiʿa l-kitābu wa-jīʾa bi-l-nabiyyīna wa-l-shuhadāʾi wa-quḍiya baynahum bi-l-ḥaqqi wa-hum lā yuẓlamūn.

"And the earth will shine with the light of its Lord, the record of deeds will be placed, the prophets and witnesses will be brought, and it will be judged between them in truth — and they will not be wronged." (al-Zumar 39:69)

Wa-ashraqati l-arḍu bi-nūri rabbihā — and the earth will radiate and shine with the light of its Lord — it will be lit up with the divine light — wa-wuḍiʿa l-kitābu — and the books of deeds will be placed before them — wa-jīʾa bi-l-nabiyyīna wa-l-shuhadāʾi — and the prophets and witnesses will be brought — wa-quḍiya baynahum bi-l-ḥaqqi — and judgment will be rendered between them with truth and justice — wa-hum lā yuẓlamūna — and no wrong will be done to them.

Translation: And the earth will be illuminated with divine light — the records of deeds will be placed before them — the prophets and witnesses will be brought — judgment between them will be rendered with truth — and no wrong will be done to anyone.

وَوُفِّيَتْ كُلُّ نَفْسٍ مَّا عَمِلَتْ وَهُوَ أَعْلَمُ بِمَا يَفْعَلُونَ

Wa-wuffiyat kullu nafsin mā ʿamilat wa-huwa aʿlamu bi-mā yafʿalūn.

"And every soul will be paid in full for what it did — and He knows best what they do." (al-Zumar 39:70)

Wa-wuffiyat — and full recompense will be given — kullu nafsin mā ʿamilat — every soul the full measure of what it did — every person will be given full reward for their deeds — wa-huwa aʿlamu bi-mā yafʿalūna — and He is fully aware of what they do — the deeds they carry out.

Translation: And every soul will be given its full recompense — and Allah is fully aware of the deeds they perform.

وَسِيقَ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا إِلَىٰ جَهَنَّمَ زُمَرًا ۖ حَتَّىٰ إِذَا جَاءُوهَا فُتِحَتْ أَبْوَابُهَا وَقَالَ لَهُمْ خَزَنَتُهَا أَلَمْ يَأْتِكُمْ رُسُلٌ مِّنكُمْ يَتْلُونَ عَلَيْكُمْ آيَاتِ رَبِّكُمْ وَيُنذِرُونَكُمْ لِقَاءَ يَوْمِكُمْ هَٰذَا ۚ قَالُوا بَلَىٰ وَلَٰكِنْ حَقَّتْ كَلِمَةُ الْعَذَابِ عَلَى الْكَافِرِينَ

Wa-sīqa l-ladhīna kafarū ilā jahannama zumarān ḥattā idhā jāʾūhā futiḥat abwābuhā wa-qāla lahum khazanatuhā a-lam yaʾtikum rusulun minkum yatlūna ʿalaykum āyāti rabbikum wa-yundhirūnakum liqāʾa yawmikum hādhā qālū balā wa-lākinna ḥaqqat kalimatu l-ʿadhābi ʿalā l-kāfirīn.

"And those who disbelieved will be driven to Hell in groups — until when they reach it, its gates will be opened and its keepers will say to them: Did there not come to you messengers from among you, reciting to you the signs of your Lord and warning you of the meeting of this day of yours? They will say: Yes — but the word of punishment was justified against the disbelievers." (al-Zumar 39:71)

Wa-sīqa — and they will be driven — harshly moved — al-ladhīna kafarū ilā jahannama — those who disbelieved, toward Hell — zumarān — in groups, group by group — ḥattā idhā jāʾūhā — until when they arrive there — futiḥat abwābuhā — its gates will be opened — wa-qāla lahum khazanatuhā — and the keepers of Hell will say to them — those guardians — a-lam yaʾtikum rusulun minkum — did not messengers come to you from among yourselves — yatlūna ʿalaykum āyāti rabbikum — reciting the signs of your Lord to you — wa-yundhirūnakum liqāʾa yawmikum hādhā — and warning you of the meeting of this day — qālū balā — they will say: yes — wa-lākinna ḥaqqat kalimatu l-ʿadhābi ʿalā l-kāfirīna — but the word of punishment has been decreed and established against the disbelievers.

Translation: And the disbelievers will be driven toward Hell in groups — until when they reach it, Hell's gates will be opened — and Hell's keepers will ask them: did not messengers come from among you — who used to recite your Lord's verses to you and warn you of the coming of this day? — They will say: Yes — but the decree of punishment was established against the disbelievers.

قِيلَ ادْخُلُوا أَبْوَابَ جَهَنَّمَ خَالِدِينَ فِيهَا ۖ فَبِئْسَ مَثْوَى الْمُتَكَبِّرِينَ

Qīla dkhulū abwāba jahannama khālidīna fīhā fa-biʾsa mathwā l-mutakabbirīn.

"It will be said: Enter the gates of Hell to abide therein eternally — and wretched is the dwelling of the arrogant." (al-Zumar 39:72)

Qīla — it will be said — dkhulū abwāba jahannama — enter the gates of Hell — khālidīna fīhā — to abide therein forever — fa-biʾsa mathwā l-mutakabbirīna — how wretched is the dwelling of the arrogant — the arrogant ones — what a terrible abode this is for the arrogant.

Translation: It will be said: Enter the gates of Hell forever — now forever you will abide here. What a terrible abode this is for the arrogant!

وَسِيقَ الَّذِينَ اتَّقَوْا رَبَّهُمْ إِلَى الْجَنَّةِ زُمَرًا ۖ حَتَّىٰ إِذَا جَاءُوهَا وَفُتِحَتْ أَبْوَابُهَا وَقَالَ لَهُمْ خَزَنَتُهَا سَلَامٌ عَلَيْكُمْ طِبْتُمْ فَادْخُلُوهَا خَالِدِينَ

Wa-sīqa l-ladhīna ttaqaw rabbahum ilā l-jannati zumarān ḥattā idhā jāʾūhā wa-futiḥat abwābuhā wa-qāla lahum khazanatuhā salāmun ʿalaykum ṭibtum fa-dkhulūhā khālidīn.

"And those who feared their Lord will be driven to Paradise in groups — until when they reach it, and its gates will be opened and its keepers will say: Peace be upon you! You have done well — so enter it to abide eternally." (al-Zumar 39:73)

Wa-sīqa l-ladhīna ttaqaw rabbahum ilā l-jannati — and the God-fearing will be driven toward Paradise — in an honoured procession — zumarān — in groups, group by group — ḥattā idhā jāʾūhā — until when they reach it — wa-futiḥat abwābuhā — and Paradise's gates will be opened — wa-qāla lahum khazanatuhā — and the keepers of Paradise will say to them — salāmun ʿalaykum — peace and safety be upon you — ṭibtum — how excellent you are — you are in a fine state, you have kept your lives clean — fa-dkhulūhā khālidīna — so now enter it for eternity — enter Paradise forever.

Translation: And the God-fearing will be sent toward Paradise in groups — until when they reach it, its doors will be opened — and the keepers of Paradise will say: peace be upon you — how well you have done — now enter Paradise forever.

وَقَالُوا الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ الَّذِي صَدَقَنَا وَعْدَهُ وَأَوْرَثَنَا الْأَرْضَ نَتَبَوَّأُ مِنَ الْجَنَّةِ حَيْثُ نَشَاءُ ۖ فَنِعْمَ أَجْرُ الْعَامِلِينَ

Wa-qālū l-ḥamdu lillāhi l-ladhī ṣadaqanā waʿdahu wa-awrathanā l-arḍa natabawwaʾu mina l-jannati ḥaythu nashāʾu fa-niʿma ajru l-ʿāmilīn.

"And they will say: All praise is for Allah, who has fulfilled His promise to us and has made us inherit the land — we settle in Paradise wherever we will. How excellent is the reward of those who work!" (al-Zumar 39:74)

Wa-qālū l-ḥamdu lillāhi — and they will say: all praise is for Allah — al-ladhī ṣadaqanā waʿdahu — Who fulfilled His promise to us — wa-awrathanā l-arḍa — and made us heirs of Paradise's earth and land — natabawwaʾu mina l-jannati ḥaythu nashāʾu — we settle in Paradise wherever we wish — fa-niʿma ajru l-ʿāmilīna — how excellent is the reward of those who act.

Translation: And (in Paradise) they will say: all praise is for Allah — Who fulfilled His promise to us by showing it true — and made us the inheritors of the land of Paradise — we settle wherever we wish in Paradise. How excellent is the reward of those who do good deeds!

وَتَرَى الْمَلَائِكَةَ حَافِّينَ مِنْ حَوْلِ الْعَرْشِ يُسَبِّحُونَ بِحَمْدِ رَبِّهِمْ ۖ وَقُضِيَ بَيْنَهُم بِالْحَقِّ وَقِيلَ الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ

Wa-tarā l-malāʾikata ḥāffīna min ḥawli l-ʿarshi yusabbiḥūna bi-ḥamdi rabbihim wa-quḍiya baynahum bi-l-ḥaqqi wa-qīla l-ḥamdu lillāhi rabbi l-ʿālamīn.

"And you will see the angels surrounding the Throne from all sides, glorifying the praises of their Lord, and it will be judged between them in truth, and it will be said: Praise be to Allah, Lord of all the worlds." (al-Zumar 39:75)

Wa-tarā l-malāʾikata ḥāffīna min ḥawli l-ʿarshi — and you will see the angels surrounding the Throne on all sides — encircling the Throne of the Lord of the Worlds — yusabbiḥūna bi-ḥamdi rabbihim — glorifying the praises of their Lord — offering His glorification and praise. Wa-quḍiya baynahum bi-l-ḥaqqi — and judgment between them will be rendered with truth and justice — wa-qīla l-ḥamdu lillāhi rabbi l-ʿālamīna — and all will say: All praise is for Allah, the Lord of the Worlds — this is worthy of praise and gratitude — and His favour and grace is to be acknowledged.

Translation: (O addressee!) You will see the angels surrounding the Throne of the Lord of the Worlds — glorifying and praising their Lord — judgment between them will be rendered with truth — and everyone will declare: All praise is for Allah, the Lord of the Worlds.

(Sūrat al-Zumar, revealed in Makkah al-Mukarrama, consists of 85 verses and 9 rukūʿs.)