Sūrat Luqmān
سورۃ لقمان
(This sūra was revealed in Makkah. It has 34 āyāt and 4 rukūʿs.)
بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ
Bismillāhi l-Raḥmāni l-Raḥīm.
"In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful."
الٓمٓ
Alif-Lām-Mīm.
(Allāhu aʿlamu bi-murādihī — "Allah knows best its intended meaning.")
تِلْكَ آيَاتُ الْكِتَابِ الْحَكِيمِ
Tilka āyātu l-kitābi l-ḥakīm.
"These are the verses of the Wise Book." (Luqmān 31:2)
Tilka — these. Āyātu l-kitābi l-ḥakīm — are the verses of the Book of wisdom — the full-of-wisdom Book.
Translation: These are the āyāt of the Wise Book.
هُدًى وَرَحْمَةً لِّلْمُحْسِنِينَ
Hudan wa-raḥmatan li-l-muḥsinīn.
"Guidance and mercy for the doers of good." (Luqmān 31:3)
Hudan wa-raḥmah — this is our guidance and mercy. Li-l-muḥsinīn — for the righteous servants, those who do good.
Translation: This is guidance and mercy for the righteous doers.
الَّذِينَ يُقِيمُونَ الصَّلَاةَ وَيُؤْتُونَ الزَّكَاةَ وَهُمْ بِالْآخِرَةِ هُمْ يُوقِنُونَ
Alladhīna yuqīmūna l-ṣalāta wa-yuʾtūna l-zakāta wa-hum bi-l-ākhirati hum yūqinūn.
"Those who establish prayer, give zakāh, and have certainty in the Hereafter." (Luqmān 31:4)
Who are the righteous ones? Alladhīna yuqīmūna l-ṣalāh — those who establish prayer — who perform prayer with proper regularity and care. Wa-yuʾtūna l-zakāh — and give zakāh. Wa-hum bi-l-ākhirati hum yūqinūn — and they maintain certainty in the Hereafter.
Translation: Those who establish prayer with regularity, give zakāh, and are certain of the Hereafter as well.
أُوْلَٰٓئِكَ عَلَىٰ هُدًى مِّن رَّبِّهِمْ وَأُوْلَٰٓئِكَ هُمُ الْمُفْلِحُونَ
Ulāʾika ʿalā hudan min rabbihim wa-ulāʾika humu l-mufliḥūn.
"Those are upon guidance from their Lord, and those are the successful." (Luqmān 31:5)
Ulāʾika ʿalā hudan min rabbihim — those people are on the guidance of their own Lord — they are on the path of God's own guidance. Wa-ulāʾika humu l-mufliḥūn — and they are the successful ones — the very ones who attain felicity.
Translation: These people are firmly upon the guidance of their Lord — and they alone are the successful ones, those who attain felicity and blessings.
وَمِنَ النَّاسِ مَن يَشْتَرِي لَهْوَ الْحَدِيثِ لِيُضِلَّ عَن سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ بِغَيْرِ عِلْمٍ وَيَتَّخِذَهَا هُزُوًا أُوْلَٰٓئِكَ لَهُمْ عَذَابٌ مُّهِينٌ
Wa-mina l-nāsi man yashtarī lahwa l-ḥadīthi li-yuḍilla ʿan sabīli llāhi bi-ghayri ʿilmin wa-yattakhidhahā huzuwan, ulāʾika lahum ʿadhābun muhīn.
"And among the people is one who buys idle speech to lead astray from the way of Allah without knowledge, and takes it in mockery — those shall have a humiliating punishment." (Luqmān 31:6)
Wa-mina l-nāsi — and some people there are. Man yashtarī lahwa l-ḥadīth — who purchase idle and frivolous speech — foolishness, levity, entertainment and amusement, idle stories — those who buy them. Li-yuḍilla ʿan sabīli llāh — to lead people away from the way of Allah, to cause them to stray. Bi-ghayri ʿilm — without knowledge — in the absence of proper knowledge. Wa-yattakhidhahā huzuwan — and they take it in mockery — and making such stories and speech a source of ridicule. Ulāʾika lahum ʿadhābun muhīn — for them is a humiliating punishment — they shall receive an abase-causing punishment.
Translation: And some people are purchasers of frivolous entertainment (jokes and games) without any knowledge of religion — to mislead people from God's path — and they use them for mockery — such people have a humiliating and abase-causing punishment.
Wa-mina l-nāsi — and some people are of this kind as well — those purchasers of lahwa l-ḥadīth — man yashtarī lahwa l-ḥadīth — foolish and silly talk. Without knowledge they cause people to go astray from God's path, and they make religion a source of mockery and ridicule. For such people is a disgraceful punishment.
The commentator elaborates: lahwā — lāhā-yalhū — its meaning is amusement, frivolity. Making jokes and being playful with the wife as well — that comes within this domain. Al-ḥadīth in this verse means idle, frivolous speech and stories. Is the Qurʾān's condemnation of music (mūsīqī) and song specifically directed here? No! A clear, unequivocal meaning from the Qurʾān is: lahwu l-ḥadīth is that speech through which people are led astray — if the intention is to mislead then it is forbidden (ḥarām) — and if this frivolous amusement is intended as a means for leading people astray, it is forbidden. If the intention is not to mislead, then it is not forbidden. Sometimes the Prophet ﷺ himself would offer a few words of wit and amusement — an elderly woman came to the Prophet ﷺ and he said that no old woman will enter Paradise — she became worried. He said: all women will become young and enter Paradise as youthful beings.
A person was asking the Messenger of God ﷺ for a camel — he said: "I will give you a baby camel." The person was worried, concerned. He said: "Are camels not all the children of their mothers?" — and the point struck home. One scholar used to argue for the permissibility of music and singing from this verse — "a little careful reflection, please" — look at this verse — is the music (samāʿ) that leads people astray forbidden? Yes, of course. But is it that all talking to people (even without the intention of misleading) is forbidden? — If one intends to mislead, it is forbidden. If there is no intention to mislead then it is not forbidden. Those who without consideration say every time it is ḥarām — and even though every person says it is ḥarām — the proof from which it is established as ḥarām must be conclusive. Conclusive proof for something to be established as ḥarām — a definitive proof from which it stands proven — there is no such definitive proof. How many people are those who think this makes one a sinner? Who think those who listen are disbelievers? The Companions heard poetry at weddings — the Successors (Tābiʿīn) heard from the Companions; this is established by a ḥadīth: mā bayna l-nikāḥi wa-l-sifāḥi l-duffu wa-l-ṣawtu — "what distinguishes marriage from fornication is the drum and the voice" — singing at weddings and celebrations is customary. The elders of the tarīqa accepted this as permissible — and that person who declares it permissible and says it is like disbelief — God forgive us!
وَإِذَا تُتْلَىٰ عَلَيْهِ آيَاتُنَا وَلَّىٰ مُسْتَكْبِرًا كَأَن لَّمْ يَسْمَعْهَا كَأَنَّ فِيٓ أُذُنَيْهِ وَقْرًا فَبَشِّرْهُ بِعَذَابٍ أَلِيمٍ
Wa-idhā tutlā ʿalayhi āyātunā wallā mustakbiran ka-an lam yasmaʿhā ka-anna fī udhunayhi waqran, fa-bashshirhu bi-ʿadhābin alīm.
"And when Our verses are recited to him, he turns away arrogantly — as though he has not heard them — as if there is deafness in his ears. So give him the glad tidings of a painful punishment." (Luqmān 31:7)
Wa-idhā tutlā ʿalayhi āyātunā — and when Our verses are read out and recited to him. Wallā mustakbirā — he turns away in arrogance — turning his face away in pride. He considers our verses as beneath him — he believes himself to be above them. Ka-an lam yasmaʿhā — as if he did not hear them — he has not even heard them. Ka-anna fī udhunayhi waqrā — as if his two ears carry heaviness and blockage in them — so that it goes in one ear and out the other — he hears but with so much heaviness, as though he does not hear. Fa-bashshirhu bi-ʿadhābin alīm — so give such a person the glad tidings of a painful punishment — give such a person the blessed news of grievous punishment.
Translation: And when Our verses are read to him he turns away in arrogance — as if he has not heard — as if there is deafness in his ears — so give such a person the blessed news (!) of a painful punishment.
إِنَّ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَعَمِلُوا الصَّالِحَاتِ لَهُمْ جَنَّاتُ النَّعِيمِ
Inna lladhīna āmanū wa-ʿamilū l-ṣāliḥāti lahum jannātu l-naʿīm.
"Indeed those who believe and do righteous deeds — for them are Gardens of Delight." (Luqmān 31:8)
Inna lladhīna āmanū — without doubt those who bring faith. Wa-ʿamilū l-ṣāliḥāt — and do righteous deeds, performing good works. Lahum jannātu l-naʿīm — for them are the Gardens of Delight — they are in the Gardens of luxury, enjoyment, and festivity.
Translation: Without doubt those who maintain faith and do righteous deeds — for them are Gardens of delight, comfort, and festivity.
خَالِدِينَ فِيهَا وَعْدَ اللَّهِ حَقًّا وَهُوَ الْعَزِيزُ الْحَكِيمُ
Khālidīna fīhā waʿda llāhi ḥaqqan wa-huwa l-ʿazīzu l-ḥakīm.
"Abiding therein — the promise of Allah, in truth — and He is the Almighty, the All-Wise." (Luqmān 31:9)
Khālidīna fīhā — remaining in them forever — dwelling permanently there. Waʿda llāhi ḥaqqan — this is the promise of Allah, the most sincere promise — God has given this promise and it is a genuine promise. Wa-huwa l-ʿazīzu l-ḥakīm — and He is the Mighty One, the All-Wise — the one who does everything well.
Translation: They will abide in them permanently — this is the true promise of Allah — and He is Almighty, All-Wise.
خَلَقَ السَّمَٰوَاتِ بِغَيْرِ عَمَدٍ تَرَوْنَهَا وَأَلْقَىٰ فِي الْأَرْضِ رَوَاسِيَ أَن تَمِيدَ بِكُمْ وَبَثَّ فِيهَا مِن كُلِّ دَآبَّةٍ وَأَنزَلْنَا مِنَ السَّمَآءِ مَآءً فَأَنبَتْنَا فِيهَا مِن كُلِّ زَوْجٍ كَرِيمٍ
Khalaqa l-samāwāti bi-ghayri ʿamadin tarawnahā wa-alqā fī l-arḍi rawāsiya an tamīda bikum wa-baththa fīhā min kulli dābbatin wa-anzalnā mina l-samāʾi māʾan fa-anbatnā fīhā min kulli zawjin karīm.
"He created the heavens without pillars that you can see, and placed in the earth firm mountains lest it shake you, and spread therein every moving creature — and We sent down from the sky water, and We caused to grow therein of every noble pair." (Luqmān 31:10)
Khalaqa l-samāwāt — Allah created the heavens — without visible supporting pillars. Bi-ghayri ʿamadin tarawnahā — without pillars that you see — you are looking at the heavens but there is no pillar. Wa-alqā fī l-arḍi rawāsiya — and He placed mountains firm in the earth — placing them, embedding them. An tamīda bikum — so that it does not shake you — so that it does not topple over and throw you off — so that the earth does not rock and sway from side to side, tipping and swinging. Wa-baththa fīhā min kulli dābbah — and He spread in it every walking creature — and He scattered through the earth creatures of all kinds, spreading them. Wa-anzalnā mina l-samāʾi māʾā — and We brought water from the sky, sending rain. Fa-anbatnā fīhā min kulli zawjin karīm — and then in it We produced vegetation of every excellent noble species — every good kind.
Translation: (Allah) created the heavens without any pillars as you see it — and He laid mountains in the earth (so that it should not shake you — so that the mountains of the earth would prevent you from tilting somewhere) — and He spread all kinds of creatures and sent rain from the sky — and We grew every excellent pair of plants.
هَٰذَا خَلْقُ اللَّهِ فَأَرُونِي مَاذَا خَلَقَ الَّذِينَ مِن دُونِهِۦ بَلِ الظَّالِمُونَ فِي ضَلَالٍ مُّبِينٍ
Hādhā khalqu llāhi fa-arūnī mādhā khalaqa lladhīna min dūnihī, bali l-ẓālimūna fī ḍalālin mubīn.
"This is the creation of Allah — so show me what those besides Him have created. Rather, the wrongdoers are in manifest misguidance." (Luqmān 31:11)
Hādhā khalqu llāh — these are all the creations of God — all are created things of Allah's making. Fa-arūnī mādhā khalaqa lladhīna min dūnih — so then show me — Zarrā bataʾū — tell me what those beside Allah have created. Bali l-ẓālimūna fī ḍalālin mubīn — rather these unjust ones are clearly and manifestly astray — they are falling into sheer injustice, manifest straying and open misguidance.
Translation: These are all the creations of God — tell me, what has anyone other than God created? Rather these unjust ones are in manifest misguidance.
وَلَقَدْ آتَيْنَا لُقْمَانَ الْحِكْمَةَ أَنِ اشْكُرْ لِلَّهِ وَمَن يَشْكُرْ فَإِنَّمَا يَشْكُرُ لِنَفْسِهِۦ وَمَن كَفَرَ فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ غَنِيٌّ حَمِيدٌ
Wa-la-qad ātaynā luqmāna l-ḥikmata ani shkur li-llāhi wa-man yashkur fa-innamā yashkuru li-nafsihī wa-man kafara fa-inna llāha ghaniyyun ḥamīd.
"And We certainly gave Luqmān wisdom — that he should be grateful to Allah. And whoever is grateful — he is only grateful for his own self. And whoever is ungrateful — indeed Allah is Free of Need, Praiseworthy." (Luqmān 31:12)
Wa-la-qad ātaynā luqmāna l-ḥikma — and We certainly gave Luqmān wisdom — We honoured him with wisdom. Whatever he said or did was extremely appropriate — he was given the gift of wisdom. Ani shkur li-llāh — the command given through this was: give thanks to Allah. Wa-man yashkur fa-innamā yashkuru li-nafsihi — and whoever gives thanks, he benefits only himself. Wa-man kafara — and whoever shows ingratitude. Fa-inna llāha ghaniyyun ḥamīd — then truly Allah is Self-Sufficient — He is Most Rich; no one's concern matters to Him — He is without doubt All-Praiseworthy, deserving of praise; the attributes of His Essence are praiseworthy.
Translation: And We certainly gave Luqmān wisdom — We gave him the command to give thanks to Allah. And whoever gives thanks, the benefit reaches himself. And whoever shows ingratitude — Allah is Self-Sufficient, Praiseworthy (He is free and deserving of all praise).
Give thanks for His wisdom — and those who give thanks — the benefit reaches them. And those who are ungrateful — Allah is without doubt Most-Rich and Self-Sufficient — He is Most Praiseworthy and deserving of praise in His own right.
وَإِذْ قَالَ لُقْمَانُ لِابْنِهِۦ وَهُوَ يَعِظُهُۥ يَابُنَيَّ لَا تُشْرِكْ بِاللَّهِ إِنَّ الشِّرْكَ لَظُلْمٌ عَظِيمٌ
Wa-idh qāla luqmānu li-bnihi wa-huwa yaʿiẓuhu yā bunayya lā tushrik bi-llāhi inna l-shirka la-ẓulmun ʿaẓīm.
"And when Luqmān said to his son while he was admonishing him: 'O my son, do not associate anything with Allah — indeed shirk is a tremendous injustice.'" (Luqmān 31:13)
Wa-idh qāla luqmānu li-bnihī — and when Luqmān spoke to his own son — saying. Wa-huwa yaʿiẓuhu — and he was admonishing him, giving counsel and advice. Yā bunayya — O my dear son — the diminutive bunayyy is a term of endearment — my sweet son — love and tenderness. Lā tushrik bi-llāh — do not commit shirk with Allah — do not make any equal or partner for Him — know that no one is His partner. Inna l-shirka la-ẓulmun ʿaẓīm — indeed shirk is without doubt a tremendous injustice — shirk is the greatest and most oppressive sin — in comparison to other sins its severity is enormous. This is because, relative to the other sinners, comparing treason with other crimes — shirk is an utter betrayal. The interpretation of bunayyy is that it has the meaning of a deeply loved and cherished son — it was not an order, it was not firmly declared — Luqmān's son was not a Prophet; he is only established as wise, not as a Prophet.
Translation: And when Luqmān said to his son and was admonishing him: O son! Do not commit shirk with Allah — shirk is a great injustice.
وَوَصَّيْنَا الْإِنسَانَ بِوَالِدَيْهِ حَمَلَتْهُ أُمُّهُۥ وَهْنًا عَلَىٰ وَهْنٍ وَفِصَالُهُۥ فِي عَامَيْنِ أَنِ اشْكُرْ لِي وَلِوَالِدَيْكَ إِلَيَّ الْمَصِيرُ
Wa-waṣṣaynā l-insāna bi-wālidayhi ḥamalathu ummuhu wahnan ʿalā wahning wa-fiṣāluhu fī ʿāmayni ani shkur lī wa-li-wālidayka ilayya l-maṣīr.
"And We have enjoined upon the human being [good treatment of] his parents — his mother bore him in weakness upon weakness, and his weaning was in two years — that he should be grateful to Me and to his parents — to Me is the final destination." (Luqmān 31:14)
Wa-waṣṣaynā l-insāna bi-wālidayhi — and We have charged and enjoined the human being with regard to his parents. Ḥamalathu ummuhu wahnan ʿalā wahn — his mother bore him suffering weakness upon weakness — the mother carried him through the pangs of pregnancy. Wa-fiṣāluhu fī ʿāmayn — and his weaning was in two years — and feeding at the breast for two years. Ani shkur lī — the command We gave is: give thanks to Me first. Wa-li-wālidayk — and also thank your parents. Ilayya l-maṣīr — to Me is the final destination — the entire final conclusion is only toward Me.
Translation: And We have given the human being the counsel regarding the parents — the mother bore him with sufferings and distress and breast-fed (we have given this counsel) — to give thanks to Me and also to the parents — the final destination is only toward Me.
Translation (continued): And We have given the human being counsel regarding his parents — the mother bore him through every hardship and affliction and nursed him for two years — (we gave the counsel of this) — that you give thanks to Me and your parents — the destination is only toward Me.
وَإِن جَاهَدَاكَ عَلَىٰٓ أَن تُشْرِكَ بِي مَا لَيْسَ لَكَ بِهِۦ عِلْمٌ فَلَا تُطِعْهُمَا وَصَاحِبْهُمَا فِي الدُّنْيَا مَعْرُوفًا وَاتَّبِعْ سَبِيلَ مَنْ أَنَابَ إِلَيَّ ثُمَّ إِلَيَّ مَرْجِعُكُمْ فَأُنَبِّئُكُم بِمَا كُنتُمْ تَعْمَلُونَ
Wa-in jāhadāka ʿalā an tushrika bī mā laysa laka bihī ʿilmun fa-lā tuṭiʿhumā wa-ṣāḥibhumā fī l-dunyā maʿrūfan wa-ttabiʿ sabīla man anāba ilayya thumma ilayya marjiʿukum fa-unabbi'ukum bi-mā kuntum taʿmalūn.
"And if they both strive against you to make you associate with Me what you have no knowledge of — then do not obey them, but accompany them in this world in kindness. And follow the way of those who have turned toward Me — then to Me is your return and I will inform you of what you used to do." (Luqmān 31:15)
Wa-in jāhadāka — and if both parents press you with effort and insistence. ʿAlā an tushrika bī — to make you commit shirk with Me. Mā laysa laka bihī ʿilm — something you have no knowledge of — you know it is wrong. Fa-lā tuṭiʿhumā — then do not obey them — you must not follow their bidding. Wa-ṣāḥibhumā fī l-dunyā maʿrūfan — but accompany them in this world in the recognised and customary manner — spend time with them with goodness and accord. Wa-ttabiʿ sabīla man anāba ilayya — and follow the way of those who are turning toward My direction. Thumma ilayya marjiʿukum — then to Me is your return — all will return to Me alone — the return destination is only toward Me. Fa-unabbi'ukum bi-mā kuntum taʿmalūn — and I will inform and tell you about each one thing you used to do — I will inform you of your every single action.
Translation: And if both parents press you hard to make you commit shirk with Me — then do not obey them — but remain in this world with them in harmony and accord — and follow the way of those who are turning toward Me — for the return is to Me, and then I will inform you of each of your actions.
The commentator notes an important matter about this verse: Some scholars relate this verse to nursing (ḥamla wa-fiṣāl), saying it refers to thirty months (thālathīn shahran). According to some, it was more than thirty months, and nursing (riḍāʿa) is prescribed for two years. Some consider both the term of pregnancy and nursing — the minimum is that taḥammul requires two years and the two-year nursing (riḍāʿa) standard is met — so that if after two years any woman nurses a child this situation creates an issue of permissibility in nursing — and for the sake of those two children (and for those whose milk was drunk at the same breast, who are thereby in a marriage tie) one must be cautious.
يَا بُنَيَّ إِنَّهَآ إِن تَكُ مِثْقَالَ حَبَّةٍ مِّنْ خَرْدَلٍ فَتَكُن فِي صَخْرَةٍ أَوْ فِي السَّمَٰوَاتِ أَوْ فِي الْأَرْضِ يَأْتِ بِهَا اللَّهُ إِنَّ اللَّهَ لَطِيفٌ خَبِيرٌ
Yā bunayya innahā in taku mithqāla ḥabbatin min khardalin fa-takun fī ṣakhṛatin aw fī l-samāwāti aw fī l-arḍi yaʾti bihā llāh, inna llāha laṭīfun khabīr.
"O my son, if it (a deed) were the weight of a mustard seed and were inside a rock or in the heavens or in the earth — Allah would bring it forth. Indeed Allah is Subtle, All-Aware." (Luqmān 31:16)
Yā bunayya — O my dear son! Innahā in taku mithqāla ḥabbatin min khardal — if it were the weight of a single mustard seed — even that small an act. Fa-takun fī ṣakhrah — even if it were inside a rock — deep inside a stone. Aw fī l-samāwāti aw fī l-arḍ — or in the heavens or in the earth. Yaʾti bihā llāh — Allah will bring it forth — He will bring it out. Inna llāha laṭīfun khabīr — indeed Allah is All-Subtle, All-Aware — He knows the subtle and the hidden, All-Subtle is He in every matter — He is Aware and Knowledgeable of all things.
The commentator Bahrul Uloom Hazrat Sheikh Abdul Qadeer Siddiqui Rahmatullah Alaih explains: Luqmān said to his son — the word bunayy here is a term of endearment — every person is a son to the one who is a spiritual guide (murshid or elder), for every person enters the world as the child of a father. The word mithqāl denotes a measure of weight — the equivalent of ten dirhams — and the word is from the root meaning "weight." If a deed were the weight of a mustard seed — even this small — and it were hidden inside a rock or in the depths of the heavens or the earth — Allah will bring it forth — He will produce it — He is All-Subtle in perceiving the hidden, All-Aware of all that is in existence.
This is one of the foundations of Luqmān's instruction to his son: that he be mindful of accountability before Allah for every action, no matter how small, for not the least grain of a deed is beyond His knowledge and reckoning.
Translation: O my son! Even if a deed be as small as a mustard seed, hidden inside a rock or in the heavens or in the earth — Allah will bring it forth. Indeed Allah is All-Subtle, All-Aware.
By Bahrul Uloom Hazrat Sheikh Abdul Qadeer Siddiqui Rahmatullah Alaih
يَٰبُنَيَّ إِنَّهَآ إِن تَكُ مِثۡقَالَ حَبَّةٍۢ مِّنۡ خَرۡدَلٍۢ فَتَكُن فِي صَخۡرَةٍ أَوۡ فِي ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ أَوۡ فِي ٱلۡأَرۡضِ يَأۡتِ بِهَا ٱللَّهُۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَطِيفٌ خَبِيرٌ
Yā-bunayya innahā in taku mithqāla ḥabbatin min khardalin fa-takun fī ṣakhrating aw fi-l-samāwāti aw fi-l-arḍi yaʾti bihā-llāh; inna-llāha laṭīfun khabīr.
"O my dear son! Even if it be the weight of a mustard-seed, and it be within a rock, or in the heavens, or in the earth, Allah will bring it forth. Indeed Allah is Subtle, All-Aware." (Luqmān 31:16)
In this verse, Luqmān (upon him be peace) continues his exhortation to his son. The import is: O my dear son, know that even if there be something as small as a grain of mustard — mithqāla ḥabbatin min khardalin — it could be hidden within a rock, or somewhere in the vastness of the heavens, or buried in the depths of the earth — yet Allah will bring it forth and present it. Yaʾti bihā-llāh — Allah will cause it to appear; He will bring it to account. For indeed Allah is laṭīf, subtle and fine-perceiving, knowing the innermost subtleties of all things; and khabīr, thoroughly acquainted with every hidden affair. His knowledge penetrates with gentleness and grace to the finest things that exist.
Translation: O my dear son! If even a mustard-seed's weight of anything — whether good or evil — were to exist within a rock or in the heavens or in the earth, Allah will assuredly bring it forth. Indeed Allah is subtle and ever-aware.
يَٰبُنَيَّ أَقِمِ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ وَأۡمُرۡ بِٱلۡمَعۡرُوفِ وَٱنۡهَ عَنِ ٱلۡمُنكَرِ وَٱصۡبِرۡ عَلَىٰ مَآ أَصَابَكَۖ إِنَّ ذَٰلِكَ مِنۡ عَزۡمِ ٱلۡأُمُورِ
Yā-bunayya aqimi-ṣ-ṣalāta wa-ʾmur bi-l-maʿrūfi wa-nha ʿani-l-munkari wa-ṣbir ʿalā mā aṣābak; inna dhālika min ʿazmi-l-umūr.
"O my dear son! Establish the prayer, command what is right and forbid what is wrong, and be patient over whatever befalls you. Indeed that is among the matters requiring resolve." (Luqmān 31:17)
Yā-bunayya aqimi-ṣ-ṣalāt — O my dear son, establish the prayer and observe it with full punctuality; wa-ʾmur bi-l-maʿrūf — and enjoin upon others every good thing; wa-nha ʿani-l-munkar — and forbid others from every evil and objectionable act; wa-ṣbir ʿalā mā aṣābak — and whatever hardship or trial comes upon you, bear it with patience; inna dhālika min ʿazmi-l-umūr — verily these are among the matters that require the most firm resolve and steadfastness. Undoubtedly this is among the most exalted of works.
Translation: O my dear son! Establish the prayer with full regularity; enjoin the right (good deeds); forbid the wrong (evil); and when any tribulation befalls you, be patient in bearing it. Without doubt, all these are among the works of the highest courage and determination — they are the pursuits of the truly resolute (ūlu-l-ʿazm).
وَلَا تُصَعِّرۡ خَدَّكَ لِلنَّاسِ وَلَا تَمۡشِ فِي ٱلۡأَرۡضِ مَرَحًاۖ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَا يُحِبُّ كُلَّ مُخۡتَالٍۢ فَخُورٍ
Wa-lā tuṣaʿʿir khaddaka li-n-nāsi wa-lā tamshi fi-l-arḍi maraḥā; inna-llāha lā yuḥibbu kulla mukhtālin fakhūr.
"And do not turn your cheek away from people, and do not walk upon the earth exultantly. Indeed Allah does not love every arrogant boaster." (Luqmān 31:18)
Wa-lā tuṣaʿʿir khaddaka li-n-nās — Do not turn your face away from people with contempt and do not look down on them with pride; do not walk upon the earth with haughtiness and arrogance. Inna-llāha lā yuḥibbu kulla mukhtālin fakhūr — Verily Allah does not love any proud and vainglorious person; one who is conceited and boastful. Allah does not like those who are given to takabbur (self-magnification) and fakhr (boasting of one's merits before others).
Translation (continued from page 41): Do not turn your face away from people with disdain — do not walk the earth strutting with arrogance. Walk not insolently; be not puffed up. Indeed Allah does not love any arrogant, conceited boaster.
وَٱقۡصِدۡ فِي مَشۡيِكَ وَٱغۡضُضۡ مِن صَوۡتِكَۚ إِنَّ أَنكَرَ ٱلۡأَصۡوَٰتِ لَصَوۡتُ ٱلۡحَمِيرِ
Wa-qṣid fī mashyika wa-ghḍuḍ min ṣawtik; inna ankara-l-aṣwāti la-ṣawtu-l-ḥamīr.
"And be moderate in your gait and lower your voice. Indeed the most disagreeable of sounds is the braying of donkeys." (Luqmān 31:19)
Wa-qṣid fī mashyik — Walk with moderation and adopt a middle pace: do not run, do not drag your feet in a slovenly manner, do not walk with swaggering steps, but adopt a dignified, measured, upright gait. Wa-ghḍuḍ min ṣawtik — Lower your voice; speak gently and composedly; do not shout and raise your voice unnecessarily. Inna ankara-l-aṣwāti la-ṣawtu-l-ḥamīr — For verily the most ugly, harsh, and displeasing of all sounds is the braying of a donkey. One who shouts and bellows needlessly resembles in manner the braying of an ass — and that is indeed the most despised of sounds.
Translation: Walk with a moderate pace — let your gait be dignified and unhurried. And lower your voice; speak with restraint. Indeed the ugliest of all voices is the braying of a donkey (so what would be the sound of those who bellow like donkeys?!).
أَلَمۡ تَرَوۡاْ أَنَّ ٱللَّهَ سَخَّرَ لَكُم مَّا فِي ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَمَا فِي ٱلۡأَرۡضِ وَأَسۡبَغَ عَلَيۡكُمۡ نِعَمَهُۥ ظَٰهِرَةً وَبَاطِنَةًۗ وَمِنَ ٱلنَّاسِ مَن يُجَٰدِلُ فِي ٱللَّهِ بِغَيۡرِ عِلۡمٍ وَلَا هُدًى وَلَا كِتَٰبٍ مُّنِيرٍ
A-lam taraw anna-llāha sakhkhara lakum mā fi-s-samāwāti wa-mā fi-l-arḍi wa-asbagha ʿalaykum niʿamahū ẓāhiratan wa-bāṭinah; wa-mina-n-nāsi man yujādilu fi-llāhi bi-ghayri ʿilmin wa-lā hudan wa-lā kitābin munīr.
"Do you not see that Allah has subjected to you whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on the earth, and has lavished upon you His blessings, outward and inward? Yet among the people is one who disputes about Allah without knowledge, without guidance, and without an illuminating Book." (Luqmān 31:20)
A-lam taraw — Have you not seen? Anna-llāha sakhkhara lakum — that Allah has made subservient to you — mā fi-s-samāwāti wa-mā fi-l-arḍ — all that is in the heavens and all that is in the earth — He has put it all in your service and at your disposal. Wa-asbagha ʿalaykum niʿamah — and He has showered upon you His blessings abundantly and in full measure — ẓāhiratan wa-bāṭinatan — both outward and inward, both manifest and hidden. Wa-mina-n-nāsi man yujādilu fi-llāhi — Yet there are some among people who quarrel and dispute about Allah — bi-ghayri ʿilm — without any true knowledge — wa-lā hudā — and without any guidance — wa-lā kitābin munīr — and without any illuminating revealed Book. They proceed blindly, led neither by intellect, nor by revelation, nor by a clear scripture.
Translation: Have you not observed that Allah has subjected to your service all that is in the heavens and on the earth, and has lavished upon you His bounties — outward (that is, material blessings) and inward (spiritual blessings)? And yet there are some people who dispute concerning Allah — though they have no knowledge, no guidance, and no illuminating scripture.
وَإِذَا قِيلَ لَهُمُ ٱتَّبِعُواْ مَآ أَنزَلَ ٱللَّهُ قَالُواْ بَلۡ نَتَّبِعُ مَا وَجَدۡنَا عَلَيۡهِ ءَابَآءَنَآۚ أَوَلَوۡ كَانَ ٱلشَّيۡطَٰنُ يَدۡعُوهُمۡ إِلَىٰ عَذَابِ ٱلسَّعِيرِ
Wa-idhā qīla lahumu-ttabiʿū mā anzala-llāhu qālū bal nattabiʿu mā wajadnā ʿalayhi ābāʾanā; a-wa-law kāna-sh-shayṭānu yadʿūhum ilā ʿadhābi-s-saʿīr.
"And when it is said to them: Follow what Allah has sent down, they say: Rather, we will follow what we found our fathers upon. What! Even if Satan is calling them to the punishment of the Blaze?" (Luqmān 31:21)
Wa-idhā qīla lahum — and when it is said to these people: ittabiʿū mā anzala-llāhu — follow the divine revelation which Allah has sent down, the commands and rulings He has ordained — they say: bal nattabiʿu mā wajadnā ʿalayhi ābāʾanā — No! We shall follow what we found our forefathers practising, the customs and traditions in which we were raised. A-wa-law kāna-sh-shayṭānu yadʿūhum — But what if their very guide is Satan himself, calling them — ilā ʿadhābi-s-saʿīr — toward the punishment of the roaring, blazing Fire of Hell? (Will they follow him there too?)
Translation: And when these people are told: "Follow what Allah has revealed," they say: "No — we shall follow the very way on which we found our fathers." (And they cling to this position.) But what if Satan himself is calling them through that tradition toward the Fire of Hell?!
وَمَن يُسۡلِمۡ وَجۡهَهُۥٓ إِلَى ٱللَّهِ وَهُوَ مُحۡسِنٌ فَقَدِ ٱسۡتَمۡسَكَ بِٱلۡعُرۡوَةِ ٱلۡوُثۡقَىٰۗ وَإِلَى ٱللَّهِ عَٰقِبَةُ ٱلۡأُمُورِ
Wa-man yuslim wajhahū ila-llāhi wa-huwa muḥsinun fa-qadi-stamsakka bi-l-ʿurwati-l-wuthqā; wa-ila-llāhi ʿāqibatu-l-umūr.
"And whoever submits his face to Allah while being a doer of good — he has grasped the firmest handhold. And to Allah belongs the outcome of all matters." (Luqmān 31:22)
Wa-man yuslim wajhahū ila-llāh — And whoever commits and submits his entire being, his face — meaning his self — to Allah; wa-huwa muḥsin — while he is a sincere and righteous doer of good: fa-qadi-stamsakka bi-l-ʿurwati-l-wuthqā — then he has grasped the firmest and most secure handhold, the strongest rope, and he has taken hold of everything; wa-ila-llāhi ʿāqibatu-l-umūr — and to Allah alone is the final outcome and conclusion of all matters.
Translation: And whoever turns his face toward Allah in sincere devotion, being a doer of good — he has grasped the most firm handhold. And with Allah lies the final outcome of all affairs.
وَمَن كَفَرَ فَلَا يَحۡزُنكَ كُفۡرُهُۥٓۚ إِلَيۡنَا مَرۡجِعُهُمۡ فَنُنَبِّئُهُم بِمَا عَمِلُوٓاْۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ عَلِيمُۢ بِذَاتِ ٱلصُّدُورِ
Wa-man kafara fa-lā yaḥzunka kufruh; ilaynā marjiʿuhum fa-nunabbi-uhum bi-mā ʿamilū; inna-llāha ʿalīmun bi-dhāti-ṣ-ṣudūr.
"And whoever disbelieves — let not his disbelief grieve you. To Us is their return and We will inform them of what they did. Indeed Allah is All-Knowing of what lies within the breasts." (Luqmān 31:23)
Wa-man kafara — and as for whoever disbelieves and becomes an unbeliever — fa-lā yaḥzunka kufruh — let not his disbelief cause you grief or sorrow; do not be distressed, O Prophet ﷺ. Ilaynā marjiʿuhum — to Us is their return; they shall come back to Us. Fa-nunabbi-uhum bi-mā ʿamilū — and We shall inform them and recompense them fully for everything they did. Inna-llāha ʿalīmun bi-dhāti-ṣ-ṣudūr — Indeed Allah knows well everything that resides in the hearts, all inner thoughts and intentions.
Translation (continued): And as for the one who disbelieves — let not his disbelief grieve you, O Prophet ﷺ. They shall come back to Us, and We will inform them of everything they did (and requite them fully). Indeed Allah is thoroughly acquainted with whatever lies within the breasts — He knows their innermost thoughts with perfect knowledge.
نُمَتِّعُهُمۡ قَلِيلًا ثُمَّ نَضۡطَرُّهُمۡ إِلَىٰ عَذَابٍ غَلِيظٍ
Numatti-uhum qalīlan thumma naḍṭarruhum ilā ʿadhābin ghalīẓ.
"We will grant them enjoyment for a little while; then We will force them toward a severe punishment." (Luqmān 31:24)
Numatti-uhum qalīlā — We grant them some enjoyment in this world, a brief and insignificant worldly indulgence; We give them a few days. Thumma naḍṭarruhum ilā ʿadhābin ghalīẓ — But then We shall drag them helplessly and compellingly toward a harsh and crushing punishment. They will be driven, unable to resist, to a severe chastisement.
Translation: We are giving them a brief respite — allowing them these few days of worldly enjoyment. Then We shall haul them, utterly powerless, toward a crushing and severe punishment (and reduce them to utter helplessness).
وَلَئِن سَأَلۡتَهُم مَّنۡ خَلَقَ ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَٱلۡأَرۡضَ لَيَقُولُنَّ ٱللَّهُۚ قُلِ ٱلۡحَمۡدُ لِلَّهِۚ بَلۡ أَكۡثَرُهُمۡ لَا يَعۡلَمُونَ
Wa-la-in saʾaltahum man khalaqa-s-samāwāti wa-l-arḍa la-yaqūlunna-llāh; quli-l-ḥamdu li-llāh; bal aktharuhum lā yaʿlamūn.
"And if you were to ask them who created the heavens and the earth, they would surely say: Allah. Say: Praise be to Allah! But most of them do not know." (Luqmān 31:25)
Wa-la-in saʾaltahum — And O Prophet ﷺ, if you were to ask them: man khalaqa-s-samāwāti wa-l-arḍ — who created the heavens and the earth? La-yaqūlunna-llāhu — they would inevitably say: "Allah." There is no escape for them; even they must acknowledge this. Quli-l-ḥamdu li-llāh — Say: "Al-ḥamdu li-llāh" — Praise be to Allah. This is truly the fitting praise of Allah. Bal aktharuhum lā yaʿlamūn — Yet most of them do not understand (they are ignorant — they confess Allah as Creator and yet associate partners with Him, not perceiving the contradiction in their own position).
Translation: And (O Prophet ﷺ!) if you ask them who created the heavens and the earth, they will certainly say: "Allah." Then say: "All praise belongs to Allah!" — Yet most of them are heedless and know not (they are ignorant).
لِلَّهِ مَا فِي ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَٱلۡأَرۡضِۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ هُوَ ٱلۡغَنِيُّ ٱلۡحَمِيدُ
Lillāhi mā fi-s-samāwāti wa-l-arḍ; inna-llāha huwa-l-ghaniyyu-l-ḥamīd.
"To Allah belongs whatever is in the heavens and the earth. Indeed Allah — He is the Self-Sufficient, the Praiseworthy." (Luqmān 31:26)
Lillāhi mā fi-s-samāwāti wa-l-arḍ — To Allah belongs whatever is in the heavens and on the earth; He is the sovereign and possessor of all. Inna-llāha huwa-l-ghaniyy — Indeed Allah is truly Self-Sufficient, having no need of anything whatsoever; al-ḥamīd — the Praiseworthy: He alone deserves all praise and gratitude; and that praise, in reality, comes to Him.
Translation: All that is in the heavens and on the earth belongs to Allah alone. Indeed Allah is Self-Sufficient (ghanī) — free of all need — and the Praiseworthy (ḥamīd) — the deserving of all praise.
وَلَوۡ أَنَّ مَا فِي ٱلۡأَرۡضِ مِن شَجَرَةٍ أَقۡلَٰمٌ وَٱلۡبَحۡرُ يَمُدُّهُۥ مِنۢ بَعۡدِهِۦ سَبۡعَةُ أَبۡحُرٍ مَّا نَفِدَتۡ كَلِمَٰتُ ٱللَّهِۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ عَزِيزٌ حَكِيمٌ
Wa-law anna mā fi-l-arḍi min shajaratin aqlāmun wa-l-baḥru yamudduhu min baʿdihi sabʿatu abḥurin mā nafidat kalimātu-llāh; inna-llāha ʿazīzun ḥakīm.
"And if whatever trees are upon the earth were pens and the sea were ink, replenished after it by seven more seas, the words of Allah would not be exhausted. Indeed Allah is Exalted in Might and Wise." (Luqmān 31:27)
Wa-law anna mā fi-l-arḍi min shajaratin aqlāmun — And were all the trees of the earth to become pens — as many pens as there are trees in the world — wa-l-baḥru yamudduhu min baʿdihi sabʿatu abḥur — and the ocean were to serve as ink, and after it seven more oceans were added to replenish the supply — mā nafidat kalimātu-llāh — even then the words (kalimāt) of Allah would never be exhausted; they would never be finished or depleted. This expression, "the words of Allah," means Allah's knowledge, wisdom, creative acts, and decrees — the sum of which is inexhaustible, since it is infinite in its nature. Inna-llāha ʿazīzun ḥakīm — Verily Allah is al-ʿAzīz — mighty and dominant — and al-Ḥakīm — utterly wise in all that He does.
Translation: And if all the trees of the earth were to become pens, and the sea (were to be ink), with seven additional seas replenishing it — even then the words of Allah could never be exhausted. Indeed Allah is Exalted in Might and Wise.
مَّا خَلۡقُكُمۡ وَلَا بَعۡثُكُمۡ إِلَّا كَنَفۡسٍ وَٰحِدَةٍۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ سَمِيعُۢ بَصِيرٌ
Mā khalqukum wa-lā baʿthukum illā ka-nafsin wāḥidah; inna-llāha samīʿun baṣīr.
"The creation of you all and the resurrection of you all is but as a single soul. Indeed Allah is All-Hearing, All-Seeing." (Luqmān 31:28)
Mā khalqukum wa-lā baʿthukum — Your creation and your resurrection are — illā ka-nafsin wāḥidatin — but as the creation and resurrection of a single soul. For Allah, the creation of all humankind and their raising from the dead on the Day of Judgement is as simple and easy as creating and raising a single individual — there is no difficulty or complexity in it for Him. Inna-llāha samīʿun baṣīr — Indeed Allah hears all and sees all; He sees and hears each thing.
Translation: Your creation and your resurrection (from the graves) are for Allah no more than the creation and resurrection of a single soul. Indeed Allah is All-Hearing and All-Seeing.
أَلَمۡ تَرَ أَنَّ ٱللَّهَ يُولِجُ ٱلَّيۡلَ فِي ٱلنَّهَارِ وَيُولِجُ ٱلنَّهَارَ فِي ٱلَّيۡلِ وَسَخَّرَ ٱلشَّمۡسَ وَٱلۡقَمَرَۖ كُلٌّ يَجۡرِيٓ إِلَىٰٓ أَجَلٍ مُّسَمًّى وَأَنَّ ٱللَّهَ بِمَا تَعۡمَلُونَ خَبِيرٌ
A-lam tara anna-llāha yūliju-l-layla fi-n-nahāri wa-yūliju-n-nahāra fi-l-layl; wa-sakhkhara-sh-shamsa wa-l-qamar; kullun yajrī ilā ajalin musammā; wa-anna-llāha bi-mā taʿmalūna khabīr.
"Have you not seen that Allah causes the night to enter into the day and causes the day to enter into the night, and has harnessed the sun and the moon — each running its course to an appointed term — and that Allah is All-Aware of what you do?" (Luqmān 31:29)
A-lam tara anna-llāha — Have you not observed that Allah — yūliju-l-layla fi-n-nahār — merges the night into the day, causing one part of it to be absorbed in daylight — and the day gradually shortens while the night grows longer, and vice versa; wa-yūliju-n-nahāra fi-l-layl — and causes the day to enter into the night, so that at other times the night contracts and the day expands — this is the continuous alternation of night and day. Wa-sakhkhara-sh-shamsa wa-l-qamar — and He has harnessed the sun and the moon, subjugating them in His service; kullun yajrī ilā ajalin musammā — each one runs its course to a fixed appointed term — their journeys continue until the Day of Resurrection when they will be brought to rest. Wa-anna-llāha bi-mā taʿmalūna khabīr — And verily Allah is fully informed and aware of all that you do; your deeds are not hidden from Him.
Translation: Have you not seen how Allah merges the night into the day and the day into the night (the days and nights alternately lengthen and shorten)? And the sun and the moon are both harnessed under His command — each runs to a fixed appointed term. And Allah is fully aware of all that you do.
ذَٰلِكَ بِأَنَّ ٱللَّهَ هُوَ ٱلۡحَقُّ وَأَنَّ مَا يَدۡعُونَ مِن دُونِهِ ٱلۡبَٰطِلُ وَأَنَّ ٱللَّهَ هُوَ ٱلۡعَلِيُّ ٱلۡكَبِيرُ
Dhālika bi-anna-llāha huwa-l-ḥaqqu wa-anna mā yadʿūna min dūnihi-l-bāṭilu wa-anna-llāha huwa-l-ʿaliyyu-l-kabīr.
"That is because Allah — He is the Truth, and what they call upon besides Him is falsehood, and because Allah — He is the Most High, the Grand." (Luqmān 31:30)
Dhālika bi-anna-llāh — All of this is because of the fact that Allah — huwa-l-ḥaqq — He alone is the true reality, the only genuine existence. Wa-anna mā yadʿūna min dūnihi-l-bāṭil — and whatever they call upon besides Him is false — it is vain and without true existence; it is, at its root, nothingness. Wa-anna-llāha huwa-l-ʿaliyyu-l-kabīr — and Allah alone is the Most High, lofty beyond all, the Grand in station and majesty.
Translation: This is because Allah alone is the Truth (al-Ḥaqq) — the sole true existence — and all those they invoke beside Him are falsehood (having no true being). And Allah alone is supremely Exalted and Immeasurably Grand.
أَلَمۡ تَرَ أَنَّ ٱلۡفُلۡكَ تَجۡرِي فِي ٱلۡبَحۡرِ بِنِعۡمَتِ ٱللَّهِ لِيُرِيَكُم مِّنۡ ءَايَٰتِهِۦٓۚ إِنَّ فِي ذَٰلِكَ لَءَايَٰتٍ لِّكُلِّ صَبَّارٍ شَكُورٍ
A-lam tara anna-l-fulka tajrī fi-l-baḥri bi-niʿmati-llāhi li-yuriyakum min āyātih; inna fī dhālika la-āyātin li-kulli ṣabbārin shakūr.
"Have you not seen that the ships sail upon the sea by the favour of Allah, that He might show you some of His signs? Indeed in that are signs for every patient, grateful person." (Luqmān 31:31)
A-lam tara anna-l-fulka tajrī fi-l-baḥr — Have you not seen that the ships sail in the sea — bi-niʿmati-llāh — by the grace and bounty of Allah — li-yuriyakum min āyātih — so that He might show you from among His signs; that the Almighty might show you His bounties and powers. Inna fī dhālika la-āyātin — Indeed in this are truly signs — li-kulli ṣabbārin shakūr — for every person who is patient in difficulties and grateful for blessings; for every sincere believer who combines ṣabr (endurance) and shukr (thankfulness).
This is because it is only the one who is patient and grateful — the one who reflects on Allah's favours with a thankful heart and endures trials with a steadfast heart — who can truly perceive these signs and take lessons from them. The inattentive and the ungrateful pass by such signs without benefit.
Translation: Have you not seen that the ships sail the sea — by Allah's favour — so that He might show you His signs? Indeed in this there are signs for every patient and grateful believer.
The commentary continues: Among the signs of Allah is undoubtedly this — that in this vast ocean, upon these waves, ships glide and carry their cargo across to distant shores. This is of the clear signs of Allah's power and grace. It is said on the margin of this passage (at the end of the original page) that, without doubt, these signs are for every patient and grateful person.
وَإِذَا غَشِيَهُم مَّوۡجٌ كَٱلظُّلَلِ دَعَوُاْ ٱللَّهَ مُخۡلِصِينَ لَهُ ٱلدِّينَۖ فَلَمَّا نَجَّٰهُمۡ إِلَى ٱلۡبَرِّ فَمِنۡهُم مُّقۡتَصِدٌۚ وَمَا يَجۡحَدُ بِـَٔايَٰتِنَآ إِلَّا كُلُّ خَتَّارٍ كَفُورٍ
Wa-idhā ghashiyahum mawjun ka-ẓ-ẓulali daʿawu-llāha mukhlisīna lahu-d-dīn; fa-lammā najjāhum ila-l-barri fa-minhum muqtaṣid; wa-mā yajḥadu bi-āyātinā illā kullu khattārin kafūr.
"And when waves cover them like canopies, they call upon Allah with sincere devotion. But when He delivers them to land, some of them are moderate. And none deny Our signs except every treacherous, ungrateful person." (Luqmān 31:32)
Wa-idhā ghashiyahum mawjun ka-ẓ-ẓulal — And when waves come crashing over them like canopies — like dark storm-clouds, like towering mountains of water — daʿawu-llāha mukhlisīna lahu-d-dīn — they call upon Allah with the utmost sincerity, obedience, and devotion, having entirely purged their hearts of any attachment to others beside Allah. Fa-lammā najjāhum ila-l-barr — But when He brings them safely to shore and delivers them from peril — fa-minhum muqtaṣid — then some of them remain moderate (in their gratitude): they maintain a middle position, neither entirely abandoning faith nor becoming wholly steadfast. Wa-mā yajḥadu bi-āyātinā — And none deny Our signs and refuse to acknowledge Our bounties — illā kullu khattārin kafūr — except every treacherous, deceitful betrayer and deeply ungrateful denier.
Translation: And when waves like overhanging canopies envelop them, they call upon Allah with complete sincerity of devotion. But when He delivers them to land, some of them remain moderate in their gratitude (neither truly faithful nor completely ungrateful). And none deny Our signs except the thoroughly treacherous and deeply ungrateful.
يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلنَّاسُ ٱتَّقُواْ رَبَّكُمۡ وَٱخۡشَوۡاْ يَوۡمًا لَّا يَجۡزِي وَالِدٌ عَن وَلَدِهِۦ وَلَا مَوۡلُودٌ هُوَ جَازٍ عَن وَالِدِهِۦ شَيۡـًٔاۚ إِنَّ وَعۡدَ ٱللَّهِ حَقٌّۖ فَلَا تَغُرَّنَّكُمُ ٱلۡحَيَوٰةُ ٱلدُّنۡيَاۖ وَلَا يَغُرَّنَّكُم بِٱللَّهِ ٱلۡغَرُورُ
Yā-ayyuhā-n-nāsu-ttaqū rabbakum wa-khshaw yawman lā yajzī wālidun ʿan waladihi wa-lā mawlūdun huwa jāzin ʿan wālidihi shayʾā; inna waʿda-llāhi ḥaqqun fa-lā taghurrannakumu-l-ḥayātu-d-dunyā wa-lā yaghurrannakum bi-llāhi-l-gharūr.
"O people! Fear your Lord and dread a Day when no father will avail his son, nor will any child avail his father in the least. Indeed the promise of Allah is true, so let not the life of this world deceive you, and let not the Deceiver deceive you concerning Allah." (Luqmān 31:33)
Yā-ayyuhā-n-nās — O people! All human beings are addressed here: ittaqū rabbakum — fear your Lord; conduct your lives in a manner that does not incur His displeasure. Wa-khshaw yawman — and dread that Day — the Day of Resurrection and Judgement — lā yajzī wālidun ʿan waladihi — on which no father will be able to do anything for his child, will not be able to avail him in any way; wa-lā mawlūdun huwa jāzin ʿan wālidihi shayʾā — nor will any child be able to render the slightest service or benefit to his father on that Day.
Inna waʿda-llāhi ḥaqq — Verily the promise of Allah is absolutely true and certain. Fa-lā taghurrannakumu-l-ḥayātu-d-dunyā — So let not this worldly life deceive you with its glitter and pleasures, causing you to neglect the Hereafter. Wa-lā yaghurrannakum bi-llāhi-l-gharūr — and let not al-gharūr — that supreme deceiver, the Devil, Satan — beguile you and lead you into illusion regarding Allah.
Translation: O people! Fear your Lord, and dread a Day on which no father will be able to avail his child the least, and no child will be able to avail his father anything. Indeed Allah's promise is true — so do not let the life of this world beguile you, and do not let the Deceiver (Satan) delude you about Allah.
إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ عِندَهُۥ عِلۡمُ ٱلسَّاعَةِ وَيُنَزِّلُ ٱلۡغَيۡثَ وَيَعۡلَمُ مَا فِي ٱلۡأَرۡحَامِۖ وَمَا تَدۡرِي نَفۡسٌ مَّاذَا تَكۡسِبُ غَدًاۖ وَمَا تَدۡرِي نَفۡسٌ بِأَيِّ أَرۡضٍ تَمُوتُۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ عَلِيمٌ خَبِيرٌ
Inna-llāha ʿindahu ʿilmu-s-sāʿah; wa-yunazzilu-l-ghayth; wa-yaʿlamu mā fi-l-arḥām; wa-mā tadrī nafsun mādhā taksibu ghadā; wa-mā tadrī nafsun bi-ayyi arḍin tamūt; inna-llāha ʿalīmun khabīr.
"Indeed, with Allah alone is the knowledge of the Hour. He sends down the rain, and He knows what is in the wombs. No soul knows what it will earn tomorrow, and no soul knows in which land it will die. Indeed Allah is All-Knowing, All-Aware." (Luqmān 31:34)
Inna-llāha ʿindahu ʿilmu-s-sāʿah — Verily, with Allah — and with Allah alone — is the knowledge of the Hour of Judgement; He alone knows when the Last Day will come. Wa-yunazzilu-l-ghayth — and He alone sends down the rain; it is He who causes it to descend, and only He knows where and when it will fall — the rain of mercy, the rain that brings life to the dead earth. Wa-yaʿlamu mā fi-l-arḥām — and He alone knows what is in the wombs; what the child will be — whether son or daughter — what its nature and character will be, what its destiny. ☆ Wa-mā tadrī nafsun mādhā taksibu ghadā — and no soul knows what it will earn tomorrow — no person knows what they will acquire or accomplish tomorrow, for no one has knowledge of what is yet to come; wa-mā tadrī nafsun bi-ayyi arḍin tamūt — and no soul knows in which land it will die — no one knows in which city or on which spot of earth their end will come. Inna-llāha ʿalīmun khabīr — Verily Allah is All-Knowing and All-Aware.
This is the final verse of Sūrat Luqmān.
Authorial Commentary on the Five Keys of the Unseen
The author — Bahrul Uloom Hazrat Sheikh Abdul Qadeer Siddiqui Rahmatullah Alaih — reflects: There are certain things which the human intellect is simply incapable of encompassing. Indeed, much that a person says is mere conjecture — most people run like blinkered horses. And five of these things have been clearly stated in this single verse. But reflect carefully on this: one should remember that while Allah's grace may cause certain of these matters to be known to particular chosen servants of His — as Allah wills — yet as a general matter (ʿāmm) no one can by his own power or natural capacity come to know these things. To some extent we sense this intuitively; everyone around us is constantly probing, asking, and inquiring — and yet none can give a definitive answer on these points. The reason is that the knowledge of these things belongs essentially (bi-l-dhāt) to Allah — His knowledge is their root and foundation. We — all of us — seek to know, but we cannot hold these things to account.
The teaching of the Holy Qurʾān is: that since Jibrīl (the angel Jibrāʾīl, upon him be peace) told the blessed Lady Maryam (upon her be peace) that a boy-child was in her womb — so that some say the gender of the child in the womb can be known — yet this is always the knowledge of a particular, individual instance divinely disclosed: it is a khuṣūṣ (specific disclosure), not the ʿumūm (general capacity). If in some general way divine will permits certain special conditions — dhālika faḍlu-llāhi yuʾtīhi man yashāʾ — "that is the grace of Allah which He bestows upon whom He wills" — yet even so, it cannot be said that such ordinary knowledge is freely within the grasp of any created being. For there is no way by which any created thing can independently attain to these matters without divine disclosure.
★ The footnote to this passage reads: "All the earlier commentators interpreted this in a manner that was correct according to the knowledge of their era. The meaning understood in light of contemporary knowledge is this — and a note to this effect continues on the following page."