Sūrat Ṣād
سورۃ ص
This sūra was revealed in Mecca. It contains 88 āyāt and 5 rukūʿāt.
Bismillāhi l-Raḥmāni l-Raḥīm — In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
صٓ وَالْقُرْآنِ ذِي الذِّكْرِ
Ṣād, wa-l-Qurʾāni dhī l-dhikr.
"Ṣād. By the Qur'an full of admonition." (Ṣād 38:1)
Ṣād — its true meaning is known only to Allah. It is possible that Ṣ (Ṣād) here refers to Allah, meaning the possessor of all purity (Ṣāḥib-e-ṣafā). Wa-l-Qurʾāni — and the Qur'an — this is the oath. Dhī l-dhikri — full of remembrance and admonition, replete with counsel and the mention of Allah.
Translation: — This is the Qur'an's oath — the Qur'an that is full of admonition and remembrance.
بَلِ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا فِي عِزَّةٍ وَشِقَاقٍ
Bali l-ladhīna kafarū fī ʿizzatin wa-shiqāq.
"Rather, those who disbelieve are in arrogance and schism." (Ṣād 38:2)
Bali l-ladhīna kafarū — rather, these people who commit disbelief; fī ʿizzatin — are in arrogance and pride; wa-shiqāqin — and in opposition and enmity. That is: they are sunk in haughtiness, obstinacy, and hostility.
Translation: — Rather, these deniers are in arrogance, stubbornness, and opposition.
كَمْ أَهْلَكْنَا مِن قَبْلِهِم مِّن قَرْنٍ فَنَادَوا وَّلَاتَ حِينَ مَنَاصٍ
Kam ahlaknā min qablihim min qarnin fa-nādaw wa-lāta ḥīna manāṣ.
"How many generations before them did We destroy — they called out, but the time for escape had passed." (Ṣād 38:3)
Kam ahlaknā min qablihim — how many peoples before them did We destroy; min qarnin — how many generations and epochs; fa-nādaw — then they cried out, they called, they pleaded for deliverance; wa-lāta ḥīna manāṣin — but it was not then the time for escape, no moment for rescue remained — the time for fleeing and being saved had passed.
Translation: — We destroyed many generations before them. They then cried out but the time for escape was no more.
وَعَجِبُوا أَن جَاءَهُمْ مُّنذِرٌ مِّنْهُمْ وَقَالَ الْكَافِرُونَ هَـٰذَا سَاحِرٌ كَذَّابٌ
Wa-ʿajibū an jāʾahum mundhirun minhum wa-qāla l-kāfirūna hādhā sāḥirun kadhdhāb.
"And they were astonished that a warner came to them from among themselves, and the disbelievers said: 'This is a sorcerer and a great liar.'" (Ṣād 38:4)
Wa-ʿajibū — and they were greatly astonished; an jāʾahum mundhirun — that a warner came to them, one from their own kind to warn them of the consequences; minhum — from among themselves, from their own people; wa-qāla l-kāfirūna — and the disbelievers declared; hādhā sāḥirun kadhdhābun — this is a sorcerer and a consummate liar.
Translation: — And they are greatly astonished that a warner from their own people has come to them — and the disbelievers have declared him a sorcerer and a liar.
أَجَعَلَ الْآلِهَةَ إِلَـٰهًا وَاحِدًا إِنَّ هَـٰذَا لَشَيْءٌ عُجَابٌ
A-jaʿala l-ālihata ilāhan wāḥidan inna hādhā la-shayʾun ʿujāb.
"Has he made the [many] gods into one God? Indeed this is a most astonishing thing!" (Ṣād 38:5)
A-jaʿala — has he made? al-ālihata — all the many gods; ilāhan wāḥidan — into a single deity? Inna hādhā la-shayʾun ʿujābun — indeed this is a most astonishing and extraordinary thing.
Translation: — Has this person made all the objects of worship into one single God? — This is a most astonishing matter.
Commentary on the Pagans' Belief in Multiple Deities
My honoured readers (ṣāḥibō)! In the time of the idolaters, each idol was associated with a specific function. For example, the idol of Zuḥal (Saturn) was for affairs related to sorrow and enmity; the idol of Mirrīkh (Mars) was for war; the idol of ʿIlm (Mercury) was for matters of knowledge; the idol of Mushtarī (Jupiter) was for matters of fortune; the idol of Zuhra (Venus) was for poetry, composition, and the arts. They considered the sun to be the greatest deity, and the moon as a large rotating wheel. Jupiter was thought to be auspicious, and Saturn and Mars inauspicious. Both Saturn and Mars were considered planets of ill omen by the ancients — astrologers continued to hold this view, and even today the religion of the Hindus is quite similar to this. Some people held no god at all, while others said that God is madd (extended matter) or ḥayy (life force); some said Rūḥ al-Quds (the Holy Spirit), some said Father, Son, or Maʿnā (abstract spirit) — all such notions persist today.
Remember well: the existence of Almighty Allah is Wujūd-e-bāl-dhāt — existence that is self-subsisting. Everything other than Allah exists bi-l-ʿaraḍ, that is, contingently and accidentally. When they said the existence of the pure divine essence is Wujūd-e-bāl-dhāt — the self-subsisting existence of the pure essence of God alone — then ḥayāt-e-bāl-dhāt (self-subsisting life) is also only God's; the life of everything other than God subsists by Him. Therefore, to say that this particular person can do this and that — meaning, to attribute to any contingent being the power that belongs to God — is also to say the same thing.
This is a very grave matter.
وَانطَلَقَ الْمَلَأُ مِنْهُمْ أَنِ امْشُوا وَاصْبِرُوا عَلَىٰ آلِهَتِكُمْ إِنَّ هَـٰذَا لَشَيْءٌ يُرَادُ
Wa-nṭalaqa l-malaʾu minhum ani mshū wa-ṣbirū ʿalā ālihatikum inna hādhā la-shayʾun yurād.
"And the chieftains among them set out, saying: 'Walk away and remain steadfast in devotion to your gods — this is indeed something that is being plotted.'" (Ṣād 38:6)
Wa-nṭalaqa l-malaʾu minhum — and the chiefs and notables among them set off, a party of the leaders of the disbelievers departing; ani mshū — saying: walk, proceed; wa-ṣbirū ʿalā ālihatikum — and remain patient in the worship of your own deities, do not abandon your gods; inna hādhā la-shayʾun yurādu — this is indeed an affair that is intended, and there is certainly some design behind it — this must be their objective, this is what they wish to achieve.
Translation: — And the chiefs of the disbelievers walked away saying: walk on and remain devoted to your gods — this is their intended purpose.
مَا سَمِعْنَا بِهَـٰذَا فِي الْمِلَّةِ الْآخِرَةِ إِنْ هَـٰذَا إِلَّا اخْتِلَاقٌ
Mā samiʿnā bi-hādhā fī l-millati l-ākhirati in hādhā illā khtilāq.
"We have not heard of this in the latter religion — this is nothing but invention." (Ṣād 38:7)
Mā samiʿnā bi-hādhā — we have not heard of this; fī l-millati l-ākhirati — in the latter faith, in the later religion — meaning among the other religions; in hādhā illā khtilāqun — this is nothing but fabrication and falsehood, sheer invention.
Translation: — We have not heard this claim in any religion — this is all a lie.
أَؤُنزِلَ عَلَيْهِ الذِّكْرُ مِن بَيْنِنَا بَلْ هُمْ فِي شَكٍّ مِّن ذِكْرِي بَل لَّمَّا يَذُوقُوا عَذَابِ
A-unzila ʿalayhi l-dhikru min bayninā bal hum fī shakkin min dhikrī bal lammā yadhūqū ʿadhāb.
"Has the reminder been sent down upon him from among us? Rather, they are in doubt concerning My reminder — rather, they have not yet tasted My punishment." (Ṣād 38:8)
A-unzila ʿalayhi l-dhikru — has the divine revelation, the Qur'an, been sent down upon him? Min bayninā — from among us? Is he our companion, our affiliate? Bal hum fī shakkin min dhikrī — rather, the real matter is that they are deeply sceptical about My very revelation (the Qur'an); bal lammā yadhūqū ʿadhābi — rather, the truth of the matter is that they have not yet tasted My punishment.
Translation: — Has the divine revelation been sent to him from among us? The truth is they are greatly in doubt regarding My revelation (the Qur'an) — the real fact is that they have not yet tasted My punishment.
أَمْ عِندَهُمْ خَزَائِنُ رَحْمَةِ رَبِّكَ الْعَزِيزِ الْوَهَّابِ
Am ʿindahum khazāʾinu raḥmati Rabbika l-ʿAzīzi l-Wahhāb.
"Or do they possess the treasuries of the mercy of your Lord, the All-Mighty, the Bestower?" (Ṣād 38:9)
Am ʿindahum — or do they possess? Khazāʾinu raḥmati Rabbika — the treasuries of the mercy of your Lord; al-ʿAzīzī l-Wahhābi — the All-Mighty, the Bestower of grace, who is the Possessor of power, authority, and infinite generosity. That is: do they have in their hands the keys to the divine mercy, that they can direct divine revelation to whomever they please — and that the Wahhāb, the Bestower, should give prophethood to whomever they choose and withhold it from whom they dislike?
Translation: — Or do they possess the treasuries of the mercy of your Lord who is the Mighty Bestower?
أَمْ لَهُم مُّلْكُ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ وَمَا بَيْنَهُمَا فَلْيَرْتَقُوا فِي الْأَسْبَابِ
Am lahum mulku l-samāwāti wa-l-arḍi wa-mā baynahumā fa-l-yartaqū fī l-asbāb.
"Or do they possess dominion over the heavens and the earth and what is between them? Then let them ascend by the means!" (Ṣād 38:10)
Am lahum mulku — or do they possess sovereignty? Al-samāwāti wa-l-arḍi — of the heavens and the earth; wa-mā baynahumā — and all that is between them. Fa-l-yartaqū fī l-asbābi — then let them ascend and climb — fī l-asbābi — by the means, using the ladders and pathways, scaling the heavens; let them go climb the sky and wrest control from Allah — let them then try.
Translation: — Or do they possess dominion over the heavens and earth and all in between? (If so) let them climb up by the means (and reach Allah) to acquire authority over Him.
جُندٌ مَّا هُنَالِكَ مَهْزُومٌ مِّنَ الْأَحْزَابِ
Jundun mā hunālika mahzūmun mina l-aḥzāb.
"There — a host, one of the confederate factions, will be routed." (Ṣād 38:11)
Jundun mā — this is indeed an army; hunālika — there, at that place; mahzūmun — it shall be utterly routed and broken; mina l-aḥzābi — from among the factions and allied groups. That is: this army in the field here is a section of the coalitions of earlier times; such armies faced defeat before and these shall also be defeated.
Translation: — This too is a kind of army as those defeated armies before them — they also shall be defeated (like those earlier armies).
كَذَّبَتْ قَبْلَهُمْ قَوْمُ نُوحٍ وَعَادٌ وَفِرْعَوْنُ ذُو الْأَوْتَادِ
Kadhdhabat qablahum qawmu Nūḥin wa-ʿĀdun wa-Firʿawnu dhū l-awtād.
"The people of Nūḥ denied [their Prophet] before them, and ʿĀd, and Firʿawn of the stakes." (Ṣād 38:12)
Kadhdhabat qablahum qawmu Nūḥin — before these people, the people of Nūḥ (upon him be peace) denied [their Prophet]; wa-ʿĀdun — and so did ʿĀd; wa-Firʿawnu dhū l-awtādi — and Firʿawn dhū l-awtādi — the Possessor of Stakes. This means one who possessed horses beyond counting in the past — because for horses, pegs and stakes are used, and the number of stakes indicates the number of horses; Firʿawn had an immense and awe-inspiring army. This is the meaning of Firʿawn dhū l-awtādi — Pharaoh of the mighty host.
Translation: — Before them the people of Nūḥ, the ʿĀd, and Firʿawn of the great army all denied [their Prophets].
وَثَمُودُ وَقَوْمُ لُوطٍ وَأَصْحَابُ الْأَيْكَةِ أُولَـٰئِكَ الْأَحْزَابُ
Wa-Thamūdu wa-qawmu Lūṭin wa-aṣḥābu l-aykati ulāʾika l-aḥzāb.
"And Thamūd, and the people of Lūṭ, and the Companions of the Thicket — those are the factions." (Ṣād 38:13)
Wa-Thamūdu — and Thamūd; wa-qawmu Lūṭin — and the people of Lūṭ; wa-aṣḥābu l-aykati — and the Companions of the Thicket (al-Ayka), which is a name for a group in Shām — these were the followers and companions of a gathering place, great organised communities and distinguished armies.
Translation: — And Thamūd and the people of Lūṭ and the Companions of the Thicket — these are the great and distinguished communities.
إِن كُلٌّ إِلَّا كَذَّبَ الرُّسُلَ فَحَقَّ عِقَابِ
In kullun illā kadhdhaba l-rusuli fa-ḥaqqa ʿiqāb.
"Every single one of them denied the Messengers, and so My punishment became due." (Ṣād 38:14)
In kullun — not a single one among them; illā kadhdhaba l-rusuli — but that they denied the Messengers; fa-ḥaqqa ʿiqābi — and so My punishment became established and warranted, it was proven and made inevitable.
Translation: — Every one of them denied the Messengers, and My punishment descended upon them.
وَمَا يَنظُرُ هَـٰؤُلَاءِ إِلَّا صَيْحَةً وَاحِدَةً مَّا لَهَا مِن فَوَاقٍ
Wa-mā yanẓuru hāʾulāʾi illā ṣayḥatan wāḥidatan mā lahā min fawāq.
"And these people are awaiting nothing but a single Cry — one that will allow no respite." (Ṣād 38:15)
Wa-mā yanẓuru hāʾulāʾi — and these people are merely waiting; illā ṣayḥatan wāḥidatan — for nothing but a single thunderous cry; mā lahā min fawāqin — one that will allow not a moment's reprieve, no chance to draw breath.
Translation: — And these people are simply awaiting one great Cry — and there will be no respite to draw breath.
وَقَالُوا رَبَّنَا عَجِّلْ لَنَا قِطَّنَا قَبْلَ يَوْمِ الْحِسَابِ
Wa-qālū Rabb-anā ʿajjil lanā qiṭanā qabla yawmi l-ḥisāb.
"And they say: Our Lord, hasten for us our share before the Day of Reckoning." (Ṣād 38:16)
Wa-qālū — and those people will say on the Day of Judgment; Rabb-anā — O our Lord; ʿajjil lanā qiṭanā — hasten our share, give us our lot quickly, our release-document, our pass; qabla yawmi l-ḥisābi — before the Day of Reckoning, the Day of Judgment — the record of account, the scroll of release.
Translation: — And on that Day they will say: O our Lord! Give us our release-document (our salvation pass) before the Day of Account.
اصْبِرْ عَلَىٰ مَا يَقُولُونَ وَاذْكُرْ عَبْدَنَا دَاوودَ ذَا الْأَيْدِ إِنَّهُ أَوَّابٌ
Iṣbir ʿalā mā yaqūlūna wa-dhkur ʿabdanā Dāwūda dhā l-aydi innahu awwāb.
"Bear patiently what they say, and remember Our servant Dāwūd, the man of strength — indeed he was ever returning [to Allah]." (Ṣād 38:17)
Iṣbir ʿalā mā yaqūlūna — O Prophet, bear patiently the things they say; wa-dhkur ʿabdanā Dāwūda — and remember Our servant Dāwūd; dhā l-aydi — the possessor of strength, the man of strong arms, full of power; innahu awwābun — indeed he was always turning toward Allah, constantly returning to Him.
Translation: — (O Prophet!) Bear patiently what they say, and remember Our powerful servant Dāwūd — he was indeed ever turning (toward Allah).
إِنَّا سَخَّرْنَا الْجِبَالَ مَعَهُ يُسَبِّحْنَ بِالْعَشِيِّ وَالْإِشْرَاقِ
Innā sakhkharnā l-jihāla maʿahu yusabbiḥna bi-l-ʿashīyi wa-l-ishrāq.
"Indeed We subjected the mountains to join him in glorifying [Allah] at evening and at sunrise." (Ṣād 38:18)
Innā sakhkharnā — indeed We had subjected; al-jihāla — the mountains; maʿahu — along with him; and We had made those mountains lift their voices in glorification — they were very fine, articulate voices; yusabbiḥna — they glorify; bi-l-ʿashīyi wa-l-ishrāqi — in the evening — at sunset — and at the time of sunrise. That is: when Dāwūd (upon him be peace) would engage in dhikr, the mountains would respond to him in kind.
Translation: — Indeed We subjected the mountains to him — when Dāwūd glorified Allah, the mountains would respond to him.
وَالطَّيْرَ مَحْشُورَةً كُلٌّ لَهُ أَوَّابٌ
Wa-l-ṭayra maḥshūratan kullun lahu awwāb.
"And the birds, assembled — each one turning to Him." (Ṣād 38:19)
Wa-l-ṭayra maḥshūratan — and the birds, gathered together; kullun lahu awwābun — all of them turning and returning to Him — all responding in his direction.
Translation: — And We also subjected the birds to him — when Dāwūd glorified Allah (offered dhikr), all the birds would gather and respond to him.
Translation: — And We also made the birds gather and respond to him — all of them responding to his glorification.
وَشَدَدْنَا مُلْكَهُ وَآتَيْنَاهُ الْحِكْمَةَ وَفَصْلَ الْخِطَابِ
Wa-shadadnā mulkahu wa-ātaynāhu l-ḥikmata wa-faṣla l-khiṭāb.
"And We strengthened his kingdom, and gave him wisdom and decisive speech." (Ṣād 38:20)
Wa-shadadnā mulkahu — and We strengthened and fortified his kingdom, giving him power; wa-ātaynāhu l-ḥikmata — and We granted him wisdom; wa-faṣla l-khiṭābi — and the finest, most eloquent speech, and the ability to distinguish between right and wrong with crisp and clear judgment.
Translation: — And We strengthened his dominion and gave him wisdom and the ability to speak (and distinguish right from wrong) with great eloquence.
وَهَلْ أَتَاكَ نَبَأُ الْخَصْمِ إِذْ تَسَوَّرُوا الْمِحْرَابَ
Wa-hal atāka nabaʾu l-khaṣmi idh tasawwarū l-miḥrāb.
"And has the news of the disputants reached you — when they scaled the sanctuary?" (Ṣād 38:21)
Wa-hal atāka nabaʾu l-khaṣmi — and has the report of the disputants reached you? Idh tasawwarū l-miḥrāba — when they climbed and scaled the walls of the place of worship, the miḥrāb — the sanctuary, the place of devotion — entering by climbing the wall.
Translation: — And has the report of the disputing parties reached you — when they entered the worship-sanctuary by climbing the wall?
إِذْ دَخَلُوا عَلَىٰ دَاوودَ فَفَزِعَ مِنْهُمْ قَالُوا لَا تَخَفْ خَصْمَانِ بَغَىٰ بَعْضُنَا عَلَىٰ بَعْضٍ فَاحْكُم بَيْنَنَا بِالْحَقِّ وَلَا تُشْطِطْ وَاهْدِنَا إِلَىٰ سَوَاءِ الصِّرَاطِ
Idh dakhalū ʿalā Dāwūda fa-faziʿa minhum qālū lā takhaf khaṣmāni baghā baʿdānā ʿalā baʿdā fa-ḥkum baynanā bi-l-ḥaqqi wa-lā tushṭiṭ wa-hdinā ilā sawāʾi l-ṣirāṭ.
"When they entered upon Dāwūd, and he was startled by them, they said: Fear not! We are two disputants — one of us has wronged the other — so judge between us in truth, and do not be unjust, and guide us to the right path." (Ṣād 38:22)
Idh dakhalū ʿalā Dāwūda — when they entered upon Dāwūd (upon him be peace); fa-faziʿa minhum — and he was startled by them, alarmed; qālū lā takhaf — they said: do not be afraid; khaṣmāni — we are two disputants; baghā baʿdānā ʿalā baʿdā — one of us has wronged the other; fa-ḥkum baynanā bi-l-ḥaqqi — so pass a judgment between us in truth; wa-lā tushṭiṭ — and do not be partial or unjust; wa-hdinā ilā sawāʾi l-ṣirāṭi — and guide us to the correct and straight path.
Translation: — When these disputing parties entered upon Dāwūd, he was alarmed. They said: Fear not — we are two disputants. One of us has wronged the other — now you judge between us with justice, without partiality — and guide us to the right path.
إِنَّ هَـٰذَا أَخِي لَهُ تِسْعٌ وَتِسْعُونَ نَعْجَةً وَلِيَ نَعْجَةٌ وَاحِدَةٌ فَقَالَ أَكْفِلْنِيهَا وَعَزَّنِي فِي الْخِطَابِ
Inna hādhā akhī lahu tisʿun wa-tisʿūna naʿjatan wa-liya naʿjatun wāḥidatun fa-qāla akfilnīhā wa-ʿazzanī fī l-khiṭāb.
"Indeed this is my brother — he has ninety-nine ewes while I have one single ewe — and he said: hand her over to me, and he was overbearing toward me in speech." (Ṣād 38:23)
Inna hādhā akhī — indeed this is my brother; lahu tisʿun wa-tisʿūna naʿjatan — he has ninety-nine ewes, sheep — naʿjah meaning one female sheep; wa-liya naʿjatun wāḥidatun — while I own just one single ewe; fa-qāla akfilnīhā — then he said to me: hand her over to me, place her in my care; wa-ʿazzanī fī l-khiṭābi — and he was overbearing and aggressive toward me in speech, using forceful argument to overpower me.
Translation: — Indeed this is my brother — he has ninety-nine ewes and I have just one — and he demands I hand it over to him and overpowers me in argument.
قَالَ لَقَدْ ظَلَمَكَ بِسُؤَالِ نَعْجَتِكَ إِلَىٰ نَعْجَتِهِ وَإِنَّ كَثِيرًا مِّنَ الْخُلَطَاءِ لَيَبْغِي بَعْضُهُمْ عَلَىٰ بَعْضٍ إِلَّا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَعَمِلُوا الصَّالِحَاتِ وَقَلِيلٌ مَّا هُمْ
وَظَنَّ دَاوودُ أَنَّمَا فَتَنَّاهُ فَاسْتَغْفَرَ رَبَّهُ وَخَرَّ رَاكِعًا وَأَنَابَ
Qāla laqad ẓalamaka bi-suʾāli naʿjatika ilā naʿjatihi wa-inna kathīran mina l-khulaṭāʾi la-yabghī baʿdāhum ʿalā baʿdā illā l-ladhīna āmanū wa-ʿamilū l-ṣāliḥāti wa-qalīlun mā hum. Wa-ẓanna Dāwūdu annamā fatannāhu fa-staghfara Rabbahu wa-kharra rākiʿan wa-anāb.
"He said: He has wronged you by demanding your ewe in addition to his own ewes. And indeed many partners oppress one another — except those who believe and do righteous deeds — and how few they are! And Dāwūd understood that We had tested him, so he sought forgiveness from his Lord, fell down bowing, and turned in repentance." (Ṣād 38:24)
Qāla laqad ẓalamaka — Dāwūd said: indeed he has done you wrong; bi-suʾāli naʿjatika ilā naʿjatihi — by demanding your ewe to add to his own ewes; wa-inna kathīran mina l-khulaṭāʾi — and indeed many partners; la-yabghī baʿdāhum ʿalā baʿdā — oppress one another, some exceed against others; illā l-ladhīna āmanū wa-ʿamilū l-ṣāliḥāti — except those who are believers and doers of good works; wa-qalīlun mā hum — and how very few such people are. And Dāwūd (upon him be peace) perceived that We had put him through a trial — so he sought forgiveness from his Lord, fell in bowing (rukūʿ), prostrating in humility, and turned back toward Allah.
Note: This is a verse of prostration (āyat al-sajda). One should perform prostration upon reading it. If it is recited aloud, those who hear it should also perform prostration. Dāwūd (upon him be peace) performed a prostration of gratitude (sajdat al-shukr).
Translation: — Dāwūd said: this person has done you wrong. Most partners harm one another — except the believers who do good — and those are very few. Then Dāwūd understood that We had put him to a test, so he sought forgiveness and turned to Allah.
فَغَفَرْنَا لَهُ ذَلِكَ وَإِنَّ لَهُ عِندَنَا لَزُلْفَىٰ وَحُسْنَ مَآبِ
Fa-ghafarnā lahu dhālika wa-inna lahu ʿindanā la-zulfā wa-ḥusna maʾb.
"So We forgave him that, and indeed he has near Us an exalted station and a fair destination." (Ṣād 38:25)
Fa-ghafarnā lahu dhālika — so We forgave Dāwūd for that; wa-inna lahu ʿindanā la-zulfā — and indeed he has with Us a closeness and exalted station, a rank of great proximity; wa-ḥusna maʾabin — and a fine and excellent outcome, a good and beautiful ending.
Translation: — So We forgave him (Dāwūd) for that — and there is for him with Us a great station of nearness and a beautiful outcome.
يَا دَاوودُ إِنَّا جَعَلْنَاكَ خَلِيفَةً فِي الْأَرْضِ فَاحْكُمْ بَيْنَ النَّاسِ بِالْحَقِّ وَلَا تَتَّبِعِ الْهَوَىٰ فَيُضِلَّكَ عَن سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ إِنَّ الَّذِينَ يَضِلُّونَ عَن سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ لَهُمْ عَذَابٌ شَدِيدٌ بِمَا نَسُوا يَوْمَ الْحِسَابِ
Yā Dāwūdu innā jaʿalnāka khalīfatan fī l-arḍi fa-ḥkum bayna l-nāsi bi-l-ḥaqqi wa-lā tattabiʿi l-hawā fa-yuḍillaka ʿan sabīli llāhi inna l-ladhīna yaḍillūna ʿan sabīili llāhi lahum ʿadhābun shadīdun bimā nasū yawma l-ḥisāb.
"O Dāwūd! Indeed We have made you a vicegerent upon the earth, so judge between people in truth, and do not follow desire lest it lead you astray from the path of Allah. Indeed those who go astray from the path of Allah have a severe punishment, for they have forgotten the Day of Reckoning." (Ṣād 38:26)
Yā Dāwūdu — O Dāwūd; innā jaʿalnāka khalīfatan fī l-arḍi — indeed We have made you a deputy and vicegerent in the earth — the khalīfa is the deputy of Allah — on the earth; fa-ḥkum bayna l-nāsi bi-l-ḥaqqi — so render judgment between people with justice and truth; wa-lā tattabiʿi l-hawā — and do not follow the carnal desires; fa-yuḍillaka ʿan sabīili llāhi — lest it lead you astray from Allah's path; inna l-ladhīna yaḍillūna ʿan sabīili llāhi — indeed those who go astray from Allah's path; lahum ʿadhābun shadīdun — have a severe punishment; bimā nasū yawma l-ḥisābi — because they have forgotten the Day of Account — they abandoned the remembrance of the Day of Judgment.
Translation: — O Dāwūd! We have made you a vicegerent on earth — so judge between people with truth and justice, and do not follow base desires lest they lead you astray from Allah. Indeed those who stray from Allah's way will have a severe punishment because they have forgotten the Day of Reckoning.
Translation (continued): — They forgot the Day of Account — it is because they forgot it.
وَمَا خَلَقْنَا السَّمَاءَ وَالْأَرْضَ وَمَا بَيْنَهُمَا بَاطِلًا ذَـٰلِكَ ظَنَّ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا فَوَيْلٌ لِّلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا مِنَ النَّارِ
Wa-mā khalaqnā l-samāʾa wa-l-arḍa wa-mā baynahumā bāṭilan dhālika ẓannu l-ladhīna kafarū fa-waylun li-l-ladhīna kafarū mina l-nār.
"And We did not create the heaven and the earth and what is between them in vain — that is the assumption of those who disbelieve. So woe to those who disbelieve from the Fire!" (Ṣād 38:27)
Wa-mā khalaqnā l-samāʾa wa-l-arḍa — and We did not create the heavens and the earth; wa-mā baynahumā — and all that is between them; bāṭilan — vain, purposeless, worthless, without reason. Everything that Allah has created has wisdom and order beneath it. Dhālika ẓannu l-ladhīna kafarū — this is the assumption of those who deny — the notion of the disbelievers who say it was created without purpose. Fa-waylun li-l-ladhīna kafarū mina l-nāri — so tremendous destruction and loss belongs to the disbelievers — from the Fire — the punishment of Hell awaits them.
Translation: — And We did not create the heavens and earth and all between them without purpose — this is the disbelievers' assumption. So woe to the disbelievers from the Fire.
أَمْ نَجْعَلُ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَعَمِلُوا الصَّالِحَاتِ كَالْمُفْسِدِينَ فِي الْأَرْضِ أَمْ نَجْعَلُ الْمُتَّقِينَ كَالْفُجَّارِ
Am najʿalu l-ladhīna āmanū wa-ʿamilū l-ṣāliḥāti ka-l-mufsidīna fī l-arḍi am najʿalu l-muttaqīna ka-l-fujār.
"Or shall We treat those who believe and do righteous deeds as We treat those who spread corruption in the earth? Or shall We treat the God-fearing as the wicked?" (Ṣād 38:28)
Am najʿalu — or shall We make; al-ladhīna āmanū wa-ʿamilū l-ṣāliḥāti — those who believe and do good deeds; ka-l-mufsidīna fī l-arḍi — equal to those who spread corruption and destruction across the earth? Am najʿalu l-muttaqīna — or shall We make the God-fearing; ka-l-fujāri — equal to the wicked and immoral, like the sinful transgressors?
Translation: — Or shall We make the believers and righteous equal to the corruptors in the earth, or make the God-fearing equal to the wicked? (No, never!)
Translation (continued): — Shall We make the God-fearing equal to the wicked and transgressors? (Never!)
كِتَابٌ أَنزَلْنَاهُ إِلَيْكَ مُبَارَكٌ لِّيَدَّبَّرُوا آيَاتِهِ وَلِيَتَذَكَّرَ أُولُوا الْأَلْبَابِ
Kitābun anzalnāhu ilayka mubārakun li-yaddabbarū āyātihi wa-li-yatadhakkara ulūlū l-albāb.
"A Book We have sent down to you, blessed, so that they may ponder its verses and that those of understanding may take heed." (Ṣād 38:29)
Kitābun — this is a blessed Book; anzalnāhu ilayka — We have sent it down to you; mubārakun — full of blessings; li-yaddabbarū āyātihi — that people may reflect deeply on its āyāt, pondering them; wa-li-yatadhakkara ulūlū l-albābi — and that those possessed of insight, understanding, and sharp intellect may take counsel from it and benefit thereby.
Translation: — This is a blessed Book We have sent down to you — that people may reflect on its āyāt with deep thought, and that those of sound intellect may take heed and benefit from it.
وَوَهَبْنَا لِدَاوودَ سُلَيْمَانَ نِعْمَ الْعَبْدُ إِنَّهُ أَوَّابٌ
Wa-wahbnā li-Dāwūda Sulaymāna niʿma l-ʿabdu innahu awwāb.
"And We granted Dāwūd [a son,] Sulaymān — what an excellent servant he was! Indeed he was ever turning [to Allah]." (Ṣād 38:30)
Wa-wahbnā li-Dāwūda Sulaymāna — and We granted Dāwūd (upon him be peace) a distinguished son like Sulaymān (upon him be peace) as a gift; niʿma l-ʿabdu — what an excellent and admirable servant; innahu awwābun — indeed he was ever turning toward Allah. Sūlaymān (upon him be peace) is called “Solomon the Wise” by Europeans. He is distinct from Sūlaymān in other aspects too.
Translation: — And We granted Dāwūd (as a gift) Sulaymān — what an admirable servant! He was indeed ever turning toward Allah.
إِذْ عُرِضَ عَلَيْهِ بِالْعَشِيِّ الصَّافِنَاتُ الْجِيَادُ
Idh ʿuriḍa ʿalayhi bi-l-ʿashīyi l-ṣāfinātu l-jiyād.
"When, at eventide, the fine-bred horses were displayed before him." (Ṣād 38:31)
Idh ʿuriḍa ʿalayhi — when they were displayed and presented before him; bi-l-ʿashīyi — in the evening, before the time of Maghrib; al-ṣāfinātu — the standing horses, the well-bred steeds; al-jiyādu — the swift and excellent horses, the thoroughbreds.
Translation: — When in the evening before Maghrib the fine, thoroughbred horses were brought and presented before him. The time of ʿAṣr prayer had come, and he became absorbed in that.
فَقَالَ إِنِّي أَحْبَبْتُ حُبَّ الْخَيْرِ عَن ذِكْرِ رَبِّي حَتَّىٰ تَوَارَتْ بِالْحِجَابِ
Fa-qāla innī aḥbabtu ḥubba l-khayri ʿan dhikri Rabbī ḥattā tawārat bi-l-ḥijāb.
"And he said: I have preferred the love of wealth over the remembrance of my Lord — until [the sun] disappeared behind the veil." (Ṣād 38:32)
Fa-qāla — then he said; innī aḥbabtu ḥubba l-khayri — I have given preference to the love of material things — worldly wealth; ʿan dhikri Rabbī — over the remembrance of my Lord, abandoning the prayer and the remembrance of Allah; ḥattā tawārat bi-l-ḥijābi — until the sun disappeared behind the veil — the sun set and hid itself behind the curtain.
Translation: — Then he said: I have been overwhelmed by the love of wealth and I have neglected the remembrance of Allah — until the sun (setting) disappeared behind the veil.
رُدُوهَا عَلَيَّ فَطَفِقَ مَسْحًا بِالسُّوقِ وَالْأَعْنَاقِ
Ruddūhā ʿalayya fa-ṭafiq masḥan bi-l-sūqi wa-l-aʿnāq.
"Bring them back to me! Then he began striking [their] legs and necks." (Ṣād 38:33)
Ruddūhā ʿalayya — bring those horses back to me; fa-ṭafiq masḥan — then he began to strike, wiping with his sword, drawing the blade across them; bi-l-sūqi wa-l-aʿnāqi — their legs and necks, striking the horses' shanks and their necks.
Translation: — Bring those horses back to me — then he drew his sword across their legs and necks, striking them cleanly.
وَلَقَدْ فَتَنَّا سُلَيْمَانَ وَأَلْقَيْنَا عَلَىٰ كُرْسِيِّهِ جَسَدًا ثُمَّ أَنَابَ
Wa-laqad fatannā Sulaymāna wa-alqaynā ʿalā kursiyyihi jasadan thumma anāb.
"And indeed We tried Sulaymān, and placed upon his throne a body — then he returned [to Us]." (Ṣād 38:34)
Wa-laqad fatannā Sulaymāna — and indeed We put Sulaymān (upon him be peace) through a great trial; wa-alqaynā ʿalā kursiyyihi jasadan — and We placed upon his throne a body — some say this refers to a lifeless body placed on his chair; the meaning is that he was made to sit as though a king for a few days. Some scholars say that the demand for the fulfilment of a vast number of djinn was placed upon him at the time when their names were invoked. Great distress came upon him, thumma anāb — then he returned toward Allah, turned to Allah with great repentance and supplication. Allah Most High then accepted his supplications and removed that distress.
Translation: — And indeed We put Sulaymān through a great trial, and placed an inanimate body upon his throne. Then Sulaymān turned to Allah and made supplication.
قَالَ رَبِّ اغْفِرْ لِي وَهَبْ لِي مُلْكًا لَا يَنْبَغِي لِأَحَدٍ مِّنْ بَعْدِي إِنَّكَ أَنتَ الْوَهَّابُ
Qāla Rabbi ghfir lī wa-hab lī mulkan lā yanbaγī li-aḥadin min baʿdī innaka anta l-Wahhāb.
"He said: My Lord! Forgive me, and grant me a kingdom that will not belong to anyone after me — indeed You are the Bestower." (Ṣād 38:35)
Qāla — Sulaymān supplicated, saying: Rabbi ghfir lī — O my Lord, cover my shortcoming with Your mercy; wa-hab lī mulkan — and grant me a sovereignty, such a kingship; lā yanbaγī li-aḥadin min baʿdī — that it shall not befit anyone after me, that no one after me should be granted a similar one; innaka anta l-Wahhābu — indeed You are the Wahhāb, the supreme Bestower, the great Giver.
Translation: — He prayed: O my Lord! Forgive me and grant me a kingship such as will not be fitting for anyone after me — You are indeed the great Bestower.
Translation: — He prayed: O my Lord! Forgive me and grant me such a kingship that no one after me should receive the like. You are indeed the greatest Giver.
فَسَخَّرْنَا لَهُ الرِّيحَ تَجْرِي بِأَمْرِهِ رُخَآءً حَيْثُ أَصَابَ
Fa-sakhkharnā lahu l-rīḥa tajrī bi-amrihi rukhāʾan ḥaythā aṣāb.
"So We subjected the wind to him, blowing by his command gently wherever he desired." (Ṣād 38:36)
Fa-sakhkharnā lahu l-rīḥa — so We subjected the wind to him, making it obedient and subservient; tajrī bi-amrihi — running by his command; rukhāʾan — gently, softly, slowly; ḥaythā aṣāba — wherever he desired to reach — by his command the wind would carry him wherever he wished.
Translation: — So We subjected the wind to him — by his command the wind would gently carry him wherever he wished to go.
My honoured readers (ṣāḥibō)! Something that seems impossible to the human imagination is mentioned here, and its remembrance is before us. Today airplanes travel through human effort, rising and reaching kingdom after kingdom. If the throne of Sulaymān (upon him be peace) were to rise, what a marvel it would be! The creation of all things in the world involves being born, growing, and then perishing. Kingdoms too come and go — sciences also appear and then vanish — this is how it is. In many battles the sciences and arts are destroyed along with kingdoms — each time they disappear.
وَالشَّيَاطِينَ كُلَّ بَنَّاءٍ وَغَوَّاصِ
Wa-l-shayāṭīna kulla bannāʾn wa-gharrāṣ.
"And the devils — every builder and diver." (Ṣād 38:37)
Wa-l-shayāṭīna — and the satans (here: the jinn); We had also subjected them to him; kulla bannāʾn — every builder of great structures — buildings, elaborate residences, such as the great pyramids of Egypt, magnificent palaces, finely crafted furnishings; wa-gharrāṣin — and divers, extractors of pearls and jewels from the depths of the sea, and the builders of ships — gharrāṣ means the builders and divers, including all submarines.
Translation: — And We also subjected the satans (jinn) to him — those who build magnificent structures and those who dive.
وَآخَرِينَ مُقَرَّنِينَ فِي الْأَصْفَادِ
Wa-ākharīna muqarranīna fī l-aṣfād.
"And others, bound in chains." (Ṣād 38:38)
Wa-ākharīna — and others, the others too; muqarranīna — We had made them bound, chained; fī l-aṣfādi — in fetters and manacles, shackles — in chains and irons.
Translation: — And (in addition to them) We also subjected the others — those who were chained in bonds and irons.
هَـٰذَا عَطَآؤُنَا فَامْنُنْ أَوْ أَمْسِكْ بِغَيْرِ حِسَابِ
Hādhā ʿaṭāʾunā fa-mnun aw amsik bi-ghayri ḥisāb.
"This is Our gift — so bestow it or withhold it — without account." (Ṣād 38:39)
Hādhā ʿaṭāʾunā — this is Our gift and grant; fa-mnun — so bestow favour and grant it to people; aw amsik — or withhold it and keep it; bi-ghayri ḥisābin — without account — that is, this is Our gift; give it to whom you wish or withhold it from whom you wish.
Translation: — This is Our gift — give it to whomever you wish or withhold it from whomever you wish.
وَإِنَّ لَهُ عِندَنَا لَزُلْفَىٰ وَحُسْنَ مَآبِ
Wa-inna lahu ʿindanā la-zulfā wa-ḥusna maʾb.
"And indeed for him with Us is an exalted station and a fine destination." (Ṣād 38:40)
Wa-inna lahu ʿindanā — and indeed for him, for Sulaymān (upon him be peace); la-zulfā — a great nearness to Us, a particularly intimate proximity; wa-ḥusna maʾabin — and a good and excellent outcome, a blessed ending.
Translation: — And indeed for him with Us is a great nearness and a blessed outcome.
وَاذْكُرْ عَبْدَنَا أَيَّوبَ إِذْ نَادَىٰ رَبَّهُ أَنِّي مَسَّنِيَ الشَّيْطَانُ بِنُصْبِ وَعَذَابِ
Wa-dhkur ʿabdanā Ayyūba idh nādā Rabbahu annī massaniya l-shayṭānu bi-nuṣbin wa-ʿadhāb.
"And remember Our servant Ayyūb — when he cried out to his Lord: Harm has afflicted me from Satan — hardship and suffering." (Ṣād 38:41)
Wa-dhkur ʿabdanā Ayyūba — and remember Our servant Ayyūb (upon him be peace), keep his remembrance alive; idh nādā Rabbahu — when he cried out to his Lord and supplicated: annī massaniya l-shayṭānu — that Satan has touched and afflicted me; bi-nuṣbin wa-ʿadhābin — with distress and suffering, pain and affliction.
Ayyūb (upon him be peace) was afflicted with sores from the top of his head to his feet — every part of him — and was kept in great affliction. When it was time for Allah's grace to arrive, Allah Most High commanded:
ارْكُضْ بِرِجْلِكَ هَذَا مُغْتَسَلٌ بَارِدٌ وَشَرَابٌ
Irkuḍ bi-rijlika hādhā mughtasalun bāridun wa-sharāb.
"Strike the ground with your foot — this is a cool spring for bathing and for drinking." (Ṣād 38:42)
Urkuḍ bi-rijlika — strike the earth with your foot and a spring will emerge; hādhā mughtasalun — this is a bathing-place, suited for washing; bāridun — cool — a cold spring — that will cure all ailment and bring relief and comfort; wa-sharābun — and it is also suitable for drinking.
Translation: — Strike the earth with your foot — this spring will emerge — it is a cool bathing-place and a drink.
وَوَهَبْنَا لَهُ أَهْلَهُ وَمِثْلَهُم مَّعَهُمْ رَحْمَةً مِّنَّا وَذِكْرَىٰ لِأُولِي الْأَلْبَابِ
Wa-wahbnā lahu ahlahu wa-mithlahum maʿahum raḥmatan minnā wa-dhikrā li-ulī l-albāb.
"And We restored his family to him, and the like of them with them, as a mercy from Us, and as a reminder for those of understanding." (Ṣād 38:43)
Wa-wahbnā lahu ahlahu — and We gave back to Ayyūb his household — that is, his children who had died — Allah brought them back to life; wa-mithlahum maʿahum — and their like along with them, those who had passed away — as many children again; raḥmatan minnā — as Our mercy and grace; wa-dhikrā li-ulī l-albābi — and as a remembrance and reminder for the people of intellect and understanding.
Translation: — And We restored to Ayyūb his household and the same number again — this was Our mercy and grace. And this event is a reminder for people of intelligence.
Some say that Ayyūb's wife had committed some small error — such an act that was not fitting. For this Ayyūb (upon him be peace) swore an oath that he would give her one hundred lashes. The wife refused to do anything that fell short in serving Ayyūb (upon him be peace). Then Allah's gracious guidance came to the Prophet.
وَخُذْ بِيَدِكَ ضِغْثًا فَاضْرِب بِهِ وَلَا تَحْنَثْ إِنَّا وَجَدْنَاهُ صَابِرًا نِعْمَ الْعَبْدُ إِنَّهُ أَوَّابٌ
Wa-khudh bi-yadika ḍighṭan fa-ḍrib bihi wa-lā taḥnath innā wajad nāhu ṣābiran niʿma l-ʿabdu innahu awwāb.
"And take in your hand a bundle [of grass] and strike with it, and do not break your oath. Indeed We found him patient — what an excellent servant! Indeed he was ever returning." (Ṣād 38:44)
Wa-khudh bi-yadika ḍighṭan — and take in your hand a handful, a bundle of stems — ḍighṭan meaning a bunch of blades; fa-ḍrib bihi — then with this strike her (the wife); wa-lā taḥnath — and do not break or violate your oath; innā wajad nāhu ṣābiran — indeed We found him to be greatly patient; niʿma l-ʿabdu — what an excellent servant; innahu awwābun — indeed he was ever turning toward Allah.
Translation: — And take a bundle of stems and strike her with it — do not break your oath. Indeed We found him to be a great patient servant — (he was) ever turning toward Allah.
وَاذْكُرْ عِبَادَنَا إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَإِسْحَاقَ وَيَعْقُوبَ أُولِي الْأَيْدِي وَالْأَبْصَارِ
Wa-dhkur ʿibādanā Ibrāhīma wa-Isḥāqa wa-Yaqqūba ulī l-aydi wa-l-abṣār.
"And remember Our servants Ibrāhīm, Isḥāq, and Yaqqūb — men of strength and vision." (Ṣād 38:45)
Wa-dhkur ʿibādanā — and remember Our servants; Ibrāhīma wa-Isḥāqa wa-Yaqqūba — Ibrāhīm, Isḥāq, and Yaqqūb (upon them all be peace); ulī l-aydi — the possessors of strength, those who were excellent in their practical deeds; wa-l-abṣāri — and those of vision and insight, possessed of insight in their own time and brilliant in knowledge.
Translation: — And remember Our servants Ibrāhīm, Isḥāq, and Yaqqūb — their physical deeds were exemplary and their knowledge was also exemplary.
إِنَّا أَخْلَصْنَاهُم بِخَالِصَةْ ذِكْرَى الدَّارِ
Innā akhlaṣnāhum bi-khāliṣati dhikrā l-dār.
"Indeed We chose them by a pure quality — the remembrance of the Abode [of the Hereafter]." (Ṣād 38:46)
Innā akhlaṣnāhum — indeed We distinguished and purified them; bi-khāliṣatin — with a particular and pure quality — what is that quality? Dhikrā l-dāri — the remembrance of the Abode — the Hereafter — longing for it; the desire to reach the divine court.
Translation: — Indeed We distinguished them with one particular quality — namely, the remembrance of the Hereafter.
وَإِنَّهُمْ عِندَنَا لَمِنَ الْمُصْطَفَيْنَ الْأَخْيَارِ
Wa-innahum ʿindanā la-mina l-muṣṭafāṣīna l-akhyār.
"And indeed they are with Us among the chosen, the righteous." (Ṣād 38:47)
Wa-innahum ʿindanā — and indeed they are with Us; la-mina l-muṣṭafāṣīna — assuredly among the elect and chosen — selected; al-akhyāri — the righteous — exceedingly good.
Translation: — And indeed they are with Us among the chosen and righteous people.
وَاذْكُرْ إِسْمَاعِيلَ وَالْيَسَعَ وَذَا الْكِفْلِ وَكُلٌّ مِّنَ الْأَخْيَارِ
Wa-dhkur Ismāʿīla wa-l-Yasaʿa wa-dhā l-Kifli wa-kullun mina l-akhyār.
"And remember Ismāʿīl, and al-Yasaʿ, and Dhū al-Kifl — and all of them were among the righteous." (Ṣād 38:48)
Wa-dhkur — and remember; Ismāʿīla wa-l-Yasaʿa wa-dhā l-Kifli — Ismāʿīl, and al-Yasaʿ, and Dhū al-Kifl (upon them all be peace); wa-kullun mina l-akhyāri — and all of them were among the righteous and the good.
Translation: — And remember Ismāʿīl and al-Yasaʿ and Dhū al-Kifl — they were all among the righteous and the good.
هَـٰذَا ذِكْرٌ وَإِنَّ لِلْمُتَّقِينَ لَحُسْنَ مَآبِ
Hādhā dhikrun wa-inna li-l-muttaqīna la-ḥusna maʾb.
"This is a reminder, and indeed the God-fearing shall have a most beautiful destination." (Ṣād 38:49)
Hādhā dhikrun — this is a reminder, a counsel — this has now become a narration and reminder; wa-inna li-l-muttaqīna — and indeed for the God-fearing and the cautious ones; la-ḥusna maʾabin — assuredly a beautiful and excellent destination — a fine and good outcome.
Translation: — This has become a reminder — and for the God-fearing and the pious there is a blessed and excellent destination.
What is that destination? — What is that outcome?
جَنَّاتِ عَدْنٍ مُفَتَّحَةً لَهُمُ الْأَبْوَابُ
Jannātu ʿadnin mufattaḥatan lahumu l-abwāb.
"Gardens of Eden, whose gates are opened for them." (Ṣād 38:50)
Jannātu ʿadnin — the Gardens of permanent residence, the Gardens of Eden — for ever-abiding existence, the ever-flourishing garden; mufattaḥatan lahumu l-abwābu — whose gates are already opened for them — the doors to these gardens have no watchman or gatekeeper to obstruct entrance.
Translation: — (The fine destination is) the Gardens of Eden of permanent residence — the gardens in which they will remain forever, whose gates are already standing open for them.
مُتَّكِئِينَ فِيهَا يَدْعُونَ فِيهَا بِفَاكِهَةٍ كَثِيرَةٍ وَشَرَابِ
Muttakiʾīna fīhā yadʿuūna fīhā bi-fākihatin kathīratin wa-sharāb.
"Reclining therein, they will call therein for abundant fruit and drink." (Ṣād 38:51)
Muttakiʾīna fīhā — reclining in these gardens, lying at ease; yadʿuūna fīhā — they will call and request in them; bi-fākihatin kathīratin — with abundant and various fruits; wa-sharābin — and all kinds of beverages.
Translation: — They will be reclining in the gardens (in ease), calling for all kinds of fruits and all kinds of beverages.
وَعِندَهُمْ قَاصِرَاتُ الطَّرْفِ أَتْرَابٌ
Wa-ʿindahum qāṣirātu l-ṭarfi atrāb.
"And with them will be women of modest gaze, of equal age." (Ṣād 38:52)
Wa-ʿindahum — and with them; qāṣirātu l-ṭarfi — women who lower their gaze — with modest, downcast eyes; atrābun — of equal age — they will all be of one lifetime and one age — peers.
Translation: — And with them will be women of modest gaze — of the same age.
هَـٰذَا مَا تُوعَدُونَ لِيَوْمِ الْحِسَابِ
Hādhā mā tūwaʿdūna li-yawmi l-ḥisāb.
"This is what you are promised for the Day of Reckoning." (Ṣād 38:53)
Hādhā mā tūwaʿdūna — this is what you are being promised; li-yawmi l-ḥisābi — for the Day of Reckoning, the Day of Judgment.
Translation: — This is what you are being promised for the Day of Judgment.
إِنَّ هَـٰذَا لَرِزْقُنَا مَا لَهُ مِنْ نُفَادِ
Inna hādhā la-rizqunā mā lahu min nafād.
"Indeed this is Our provision — it has no end." (Ṣād 38:54)
Inna hādhā la-rizqunā — indeed this is most certainly Our provision and Our gift; mā lahu min nafādin — it has no end, no exhaustion will come — it will never diminish — it will never be depleted.
Translation: — Indeed this is Our provision and gift, which will never end.
هَـٰذَا وَإِنَّ لِلطَّاغِينَ لَشَرَّ مَآبِ
Hādhā wa-inna li-l-ṭāghīna la-sharra maʾb.
"This — and indeed for the transgressors is the worst of destinations." (Ṣād 38:55)
Hādhā — this is it; wa-inna li-l-ṭāghīna — and indeed for the rebellious and the transgressors, the wrongdoers; la-sharra maʾabin — assuredly the worst destination and most wretched outcome.
Translation: — This is so — and indeed for the transgressors there is the worst destination and evil outcome.
جَهَنَّمَ يَصْلَوْنَهَا فَبِئْسَ الْمِهَادُ
Jahannama yaṣlawnahuma fa-biʾs al-mihād.
"Jahannam, which they will enter — what a wretched resting-place!" (Ṣād 38:56)
Jahannama — the Hellfire, that is what they shall enter; yaṣlawnahumā — they will enter into it; fa-biʾs al-mihādu — what a wretched resting-place it is, how evil — it is a place of utter ruin and devastation.
Translation: — They will enter Jahannam and what a terrible and evil resting-place that is.
هَـٰذَا فَلْيَذُوقُوهُ حَمِيمٌ وَغَسَّاقٌ
Hādhā fa-li-yadhūqūhu ḥamīmun wa-ghassāq.
"So let them taste this — scalding water and putrid discharge." (Ṣād 38:57)
Hādhā fa-li-yadhūqūhu — this is it, so let them taste it; ḥamīmun — extremely hot boiling water; wa-ghassāqun — the foul, fetid pus and suppurating discharge.
Translation: — This is it — so let them taste it — this boiling hot water and putrid pus.
وَآخَرُ مِن شَكْلِهِ أَزْوَاجٌ
Wa-ākharu min shaklihī azwāj.
"And other [punishment] of similar kinds." (Ṣād 38:58)
Wa-ākharu — and others also; min shaklihī — of this same shape and form; azwājun — other kinds of torments — of the same type of things.
Translation: — And others of the same type, other sorts of [punishment].
هَـٰذَا فَوْجٌ مُّقْتَحِمٌ مَّعَكُمْ لَا مَرْحَبًا بِهِمْ إِنَّهُمْ صَالُوا النَّارِ
Hādhā fawjun muqtaḥimun maʿakum lā marḥaban bihim innahum ṣālū l-nār.
"This is a crowd storming in with you — no welcome to them! Indeed they shall enter the Fire." (Ṣād 38:59)
Hādhā fawjun — this is a group, a collective; muqtaḥimun — storming in, pressing forward; maʿakum — with you, they will enter Hell together with you; lā marḥaban bihim — no welcome to these people; innahum ṣālū l-nāri — they are the people who will enter Hellfire.
Translation: — This is a crowd that will press in together with you into Hell — and there is no welcome for them either, for they too will enter the Fire.
— No welcome to them; they are the people entering Hellfire.
قَالُوا بَلْ أَنتُمْ لَا مَرْحَبًا بِكُمْ أَنتُمْ قَدَّمتُمُوهُ لَنَا فَبِئْسَ الْقَرَارْ
Qālū bal antum lā marḥaban bikum antum qaddamtūmuhu lanā fa-biʾs al-qarār.
"They say: No, it is you who have no welcome — you brought this upon us. What a wretched resting-place!" (Ṣād 38:60)
Qālū bal antum lā marḥaban bikum — they replied: rather, it is you who have no welcome, you are not worthy of welcome; antum qaddamtūmuhu lanā — you are the ones who brought this upon us, you prepared this torment for us; fa-biʾs al-qarāru — so what a terrible resting-place.
Translation: — They said: Rather you yourselves are not welcome — you prepared this torment for us — so what an evil outcome this is!
قَالُوا رَبَّنَا مَنْ قَدَّمَ لَنَا هَذَا فَزِدْهُ عَذَابًا ضِعْفًا فِي النَّارِ
Qālū Rabb-anā man qaddama lanā hādhā fa-zidhu ʿadhāban ḍiʿan fī l-nār.
"They say: Our Lord! Whoever brought this upon us, increase his punishment twofold in the Fire." (Ṣād 38:61)
Qālū Rabb-anā man qaddama lanā hādhā — they will say: O our Lord! Whoever prepared and brought this calamity upon us; fa-zidhu ʿadhāban — increase his punishment; ḍiʿan — doubly, many times; fī l-nāri — in the Fire of Hell.
Translation: — They will say: O our Lord! Whoever was responsible for preparing this torment for us — increase his punishment several times over in the Fire.
وَقَالُوا مَا لَنَا لَا نَرَىٰ رِجَالًا كُنَّا نَعُدُهُمْ مِّنَ الْأَشْرَارِ
Wa-qālū mā lanā lā narā rijālan kunnā naʿudduhum mina l-ashrār.
"And they say: What is the matter with us that we do not see men whom we used to count among the wicked?" (Ṣād 38:62)
Wa-qālū mā lanā — and they will say: what is the matter with us? Lā narā rijālan — we do not see certain men; kunnā naʿudduhum mina l-ashrāri — whom we used to count as being among the worst and most wicked people.
Translation: — And they will say: What is the matter — why do we not see those people? — those whom we thought were wicked.
أَتَّخَذْنَاهُمْ سِخْرِيًّا أَمْ زَاغَتْ عَنْهُمُ الْأَبْصَارُ
Attakhadhnāhum sikhriyyan am zāghat ʿanhumu l-abṣār.
"Did we take them in mockery, or have our eyes turned away from them?" (Ṣād 38:63)
Attakhadhnāhum sikhriyyan — we used to mock and ridicule them; am zāghat ʿanhumu l-abṣāru — or have our eyes swerved from them and they cannot be seen now — our eyes search for them and they do not appear.
Translation: — We used to ridicule them — and now our eyes do not find them here.
Translation (continued): — (We used to mock them) and now they are not to be seen — our eyes pass over them without seeing them.
إِنَّ ذَلِكَ لَحَقٌّ تَخَاصُمُ أَهْلِ النَّارِ
Inna dhālika la-ḥaqqun takhāṣumu ahli l-nār.
"Indeed this is a certainty — the mutual wrangling of the people of the Fire." (Ṣād 38:64)
Inna dhālika la-ḥaqqun — indeed this is certainly the truth, it is a reality that shall occur; takhāṣumu ahli l-nāri — the mutual arguing and wrangling among the people of Hellfire.
Translation: — The mutual quarrelling of the people of Hellfire — this is what will certainly happen.
قُلْ إِنَّمَا أَنَا مُندِرٌ وَمَا مِنْ إِلَٰهـ إِلَّا اللَّهُ الْوَاحِدُ الْقَهَّارُ
Qul innamā anā mundhirun wa-mā min ilāhin illā llāhu l-wāḥidu l-Qahhār.
"Say: I am only a warner — and there is no god but Allah, the One, the All-Subduer." (Ṣād 38:65)
Qul innamā anā mundhirun — O Prophet, say: I am only and purely a warner and a prophet; wa-mā min ilāhin — and there is no object of worship truly deserving of worship; illā llāhu — except Allah; al-wāḥidu — the One — He is single and unique; al-Qahhāru — the All-Subduer — Who is all-powerful, all-subduing.
Translation: — Say: I am only a warner and a prophet, and there is no true object of worship except Allah — the One Who is uniquely single and all-subduing.
رَبَّ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ وَمَا بَيْنَهُمَا الْعَزِيزُ الْغَفَّارُ
Rabbu l-samāwāti wa-l-arḍi wa-mā baynahumā l-ʿAzīzu l-Ghafār.
"Lord of the heavens and the earth and all between them — the All-Mighty, the All-Forgiving." (Ṣād 38:66)
Rabbu l-samāwāti wa-l-arḍi — He is the Lord of the heavens and earth; wa-mā baynahumā — and all that is between them; al-ʿAzīzu — the All-Mighty, all-powerful and all-dominant; al-Ghafāru — the All-Forgiving, the Mighty Forgiver.
Translation: — The Lord of the heavens and earth and all between them — He is all-dominant and all-forgiving!
قُلْ هُوَ نَبَأٌ عَظِيمٌ
Qul huwa nabaʾun ʿaẓīm.
"Say: It is a great tiding." (Ṣād 38:67)
Qul huwa nabaʾun ʿaẓīmun — O Prophet! Say: it is a great and momentous news — it is a great message and a report of high and immense importance.
Translation: — Say: it is a great and immense news and message.
أَنتُمْ عَنْهُ مُعْرِضُونَ
Antum ʿanhu muʿriḍūn.
"You are turning away from it." (Ṣād 38:68)
Antum ʿanhu — you are, concerning this; muʿriḍūna — those who turn away, those who ignore it, those who remain heedless.
Translation: — You are heedless and indifferent about this.
مَا كَانَ لِيَ مِنْ عِلْمِ بِالْمَلَّإِ الْأَعْلَىٰ إِذْ يَختَصِمُونَ
Mā kāna lī min ʿilmin bi-l-malaʾi l-aʿlā idh yakhtaṣimūn.
"I had no knowledge of the higher assembly when they disputed." (Ṣād 38:69)
Mā kāna lī — I had no such knowledge; min ʿilmin bi-l-malaʾi l-aʿlā — of the higher assembly, the angels of the higher realm — what was the content of the angels' dispute; idh yakhtaṣimūna — when they were debating and disputing among themselves, question and answer.
Translation: — I did not know what the angels were disputing about — what was the content of their discussion.
إِن يُوحَىٰ إِلَيَّ إِلَّا أَنَّمَا أَنَا نَذِيرٌ مُّبِينٌ
In yūḥā ilayya illā annamā anā nadhīrun mubīn.
"Revelation comes to me only that I am a clear warner." (Ṣād 38:70)
In yūḥā ilayya — what comes to me is only revelation, the divine command; illā annamā — but only this: anā nadhīrun mubīnun — that I am a clear and manifest warner, a prophet who warns explicitly.
Translation: — My revelation is only this — and I am only a clear and explicit warner.
إِذْ قَالَ رَبَّكَ لِلْمَلَائِكَةِ إِنِّي خَالِقٌ بَشَرًا مِّن طِينِ
Idh qāla Rabbuka li-l-malāʾkati innī khāliqun basharān min ṭīn.
"When your Lord said to the angels: I am about to create a human being from clay." (Ṣād 38:71)
Idh qāla Rabbuka — when your Lord said; li-l-malāʾkati — to the angels; innī khāliqun basharān — I am about to create a human being; min ṭīnin — from clay, from earth.
Translation: — When your Lord told the angels: I am about to create a human being from clay.
فَإِذَا سَوَّيْتُهُ وَنَفَخْتُ فِيهِ مِن رُّوحِي فَقَعُوا لَهُ سَاجِدِينَ
Fa-idhā sawwaytuhū wa-nafakhtu fīhi min rūḥī fa-qaʿuū lahu sājidīn.
"So when I have fashioned him and breathed into him of My Spirit, fall down to him in prostration." (Ṣād 38:72)
Fa-idhā sawwaytuhū — then when I have perfected and fashioned him; wa-nafakhtu fīhi min rūḥī — and breathed into him of My Spirit; fa-qaʿuū lahu sājidīna — then you all fall down before him in prostration.
Translation: — Then when I have fashioned him and blown My Spirit into him, you all fall down in prostration before him.
فَسَجَدَ الْمَلَائِكَةُ كُلُّهُمْ أَجْمَعُونَ
Fa-sajada l-malāʾkatu kulluhum ajmaʿūn.
"So the angels all prostrated, every one of them." (Ṣād 38:73)
Fa-sajada l-malāʾkatu — then the angels prostrated; kulluhum ajmaʿūna — all of them together, completely.
Translation: — Then all the angels prostrated.
إِلَّا إِبْلِيسَ اسْتَكْبَرَ وَكَانَ مِنَ الْكَافِرِينَ
Illā Iblīsa istakbara wa-kāna mina l-kāfirīn.
"Except Iblīs — he was arrogant, and he was of the disbelievers." (Ṣād 38:74)
Illā Iblīsa — except the Shayṭān, Iblīs. He did not prostrate. Istakbara — he considered himself too great and too proud. Wa-kāna mina l-kāfirīn — and it was already in his nature to disbelieve; to commit ingratitude was inherent in his disposition, and so he became one of the disbelievers.
Translation: — But Iblīs was arrogant and was of the disbelievers from the very beginning.
قَالَ يَا إِبْلِيسُ مَا مَنَعَكَ أَنْ تَسْجُدَ لِمَا خَلَقْتُ بِيَدَيَّ ۖ أَسْتَكْبَرْتَ أَمْ كُنْتَ مِنَ الْعَالِينَ
Qāla yā Iblīsu mā manaʿaka an tasjuda li-mā khalaqtu bi-yadayya — astakbarta am kunta mina l-ʿālīn.
"He said: 'O Iblīs! What prevented you from prostrating to that which I created with My own two hands? Did you grow arrogant, or were you of those who are exalted?'" (Ṣād 38:75)
Qāla — Allah, the Most High, said. Yā Iblīsu — O Iblīs! Mā manaʿaka — what prevented you, what stopped you, from prostrating? An tasjuda — from prostrating. Li-mā khalaqtu bi-yadayya — to this human being whom I created with My own two hands — that is, whom I brought into being in a complete and perfected form with My own two hands. Astakbarta — did you consider yourself too great, did you grow arrogant? Am kunta mina l-ʿālīn — or were you among the most exalted, of highest rank among all the worlds?
Translation: — (Allah addresses Iblīs directly) He said: "O Iblīs! What has prevented you from prostrating to (the human) whom I created with My own hands? Were you arrogant — did you consider yourself superior — or were you already of the most exalted and highest rank (among all the angels)?"
قَالَ أَنَا خَيْرٌ مِنْهُ خَلَقْتَنِي مِنْ نَارٍ وَخَلَقْتَهُ مِنْ طِينٍ
Qāla anā khayrun minhu khalaqtanī min nārin wa-khalaqtahu min ṭīn.
"He said: 'I am better than him — You created me from fire, while You created him from clay.'" (Ṣād 38:76)
Qāla — Iblīs said. Anā khayrun minhu — I am better, superior, finer than he is. Khalaqtanī min nārin — You created me from fire. Wa-khalaqtahu min ṭīn — and You created Ādam from clay. Here Iblīs argued the point of his own essence — whereas Ādam was before him, present there, but Iblīs was so heedless that he gave no thought to the spirit with which Allah had honoured Ādam; he neither reflected upon the noble soul Allah had breathed into him nor upon the station which Allah's own attention had elevated him to.
Translation: — He said: "I am better than him — You made me from fire and made him from clay."
Iblīs rejected the authority of Allah's command — he made shirk fī l-ḥukm (associating others with Allah in governance) — he considered himself the most excellent of creation by his own reasoning and made himself a sovereign judge, setting his own defective understanding above the command of the Most Excellent of judges. He considered the one who does wrong to be deserving of punishment.
قَالَ فَاخْرُجْ مِنْهَا فَإِنَّكَ رَجِيمٌ
Qāla fa-khruj minhā fa-innaka rajīm.
"He said: 'Then go forth from here, for indeed you are the accursed one.'" (Ṣād 38:77)
Qāla fa-khruj minhā — Allah, the Most High, declared: go forth from these heavens, depart. Fa-innaka rajīmun — for verily you are rajīm — repudiated, cast out, cursed.
Translation: — He declared: "Go forth from here — you are the rejected one."
وَإِنَّ عَلَيْكَ لَعْنَتِي إِلَى يَوْمِ الدِّينِ
Wa-inna ʿalayka laʿnatī ilā yawmi l-dīn.
"And indeed My curse shall be upon you until the Day of Recompense." (Ṣād 38:78)
Wa-inna ʿalayka laʿnatī — and My curse shall surely be upon you. Ilā yawmi l-dīn — until the Day of Judgement.
Translation: — And indeed My curse shall surely remain upon you until the Day of Judgement.
My honoured readers (ṣāḥibō)! Iblīs considered Allah's command to be a mistake. He considered Ādam's existence to be of no consequence. The reality is that this arose from the impulse deep within his heart — and its consequence is this curse until the Day of Resurrection.
قَالَ رَبِّ فَأَنْظِرْنِي إِلَى يَوْمِ يُبْعَثُونَ
Qāla rabbi fa-anẓirnī ilā yawmi yubʿathūn.
"He said: 'My Lord! Then grant me respite until the day they are resurrected.'" (Ṣād 38:79)
Qāla rabb fa-anẓirnī — Iblīs said: O my Lord! Grant me respite. Ilā yawmi yubʿathūn — until the Day of Resurrection, when they are raised from their graves — that is, until the Day of Judgement.
Translation: — He requested: "O my Lord! Grant me respite until the Day of Resurrection."
قَالَ فَإِنَّكَ مِنَ الْمُنْظَرِينَ
Qāla fa-innaka mina l-munẓarīn.
"He said: 'Then verily you are of those who are granted respite.'" (Ṣād 38:80)
Qāla — Allah, the Most High, declared. Fa-innaka mina l-munẓarīn — then verily you are of those who are granted a term of delay — you shall be given the respite sought.
Translation: — He declared: "Verily the respite you seek is granted." (But only for a time.)
إِلَى يَوْمِ الْوَقْتِ الْمَعْلُومِ
Ilā yawmi l-waqti l-maʿlūm.
"Until the Day of the appointed time, which is known." (Ṣād 38:81)
Ilā yawmi l-waqt — until the day of the time. Al-maʿlūm — which is known and appointed.
Translation: — Until the day of the appointed time, which is known.
قَالَ فَبِعِزَّتِكَ لَأُغْوِيَنَّهُمْ أَجْمَعِينَ
Qāla fa-bi-ʿizzatika la-ughwiyannahum ajmaʿīn.
"He said: 'Then by Your honour, I shall assuredly lead them all astray.'" (Ṣād 38:82)
Qāla fa-bi-ʿizzatika — Iblīs swore by Your honour. La-ughwiyannahum ajmaʿīn — I shall surely lead them all astray, mislead them, corrupt them, and make them rebels.
Translation: — He said: "I swear by Your honour — I shall assuredly lead them all astray."
إِلَّا عِبَادَكَ مِنْهُمُ الْمُخْلَصِينَ
Illā ʿibādaka minhumu l-mukhlasīn.
"Except those among them who are Your chosen and purified servants." (Ṣād 38:83)
Illā ʿibādaka minhum — except from among them Your servants. Al-mukhlasīn — those who are selected and chosen, those who are elect and who have attained proximity — they are already beyond and above my reach.
Translation: — "Except those among Your servants who are Your chosen ones (they are beyond my reach)."
قَالَ فَالْحَقُّ وَالْحَقَّ أَقُولُ
Qāla fa-l-ḥaqqu wa-l-ḥaqqa aqul.
"He said: 'The truth is — and I speak only the truth.'" (Ṣād 38:84)
Qāla — Allah, the Most High, declared. Fa-l-ḥaqqu — this is the truth. Wa-l-ḥaqqa aqul — and I only speak the truth.
Translation: — He declared: "This is the truth, and I speak only the truth (all My words are true)."
لَأَمْلَأَنَّ جَهَنَّمَ مِنْكَ وَمِمَّنْ تَبِعَكَ مِنْهُمْ أَجْمَعِينَ
La-amlaanna jahannama minka wa-mimman tabiʿaka minhum ajmaʿīn.
"I shall surely fill Hell with you and with all of those among them who follow you." (Ṣād 38:85)
La-amlaanna jahannama — I shall surely fill Hell. Minka — with you. Wa-mimman tabiʿaka minhum — and from those who follow you, who are your devotees and followers. Ajmaʿīn — all of them.
Translation: — "I shall surely fill Hell from you and from your followers, your disciples — all of them together."
قُلْ مَا أَسْأَلُكُمْ عَلَيْهِ مِنْ أَجْرٍ وَمَا أَنَا مِنَ الْمُتَكَلِّفِينَ
Qul mā asalukum ʿalayhi min ajrin wa-mā anā mina l-mutakallafīn.
"Say: 'I do not ask you for any reward for this, and I am not of those who impose pretence.'" (Ṣād 38:86)
Qul — say, O Prophet! Mā asalukum ʿalayhi min ajrin — I ask of you no recompense for this call, I desire no worldly compensation. Wa-mā anā mina l-mutakallafīn — and I am not among those who impose a burden and pretend — I am not of those who fake things.
Translation: — "Tell them: I ask you nothing in return for this — I seek no reward. And I am not of those who burden themselves with affectation and pretence."
إِنْ هُوَ إِلَّا ذِكْرٌ لِلْعَالَمِينَ
In huwa illā dhikrun li-l-ʿālamīn.
"This is nothing but a reminder for all the worlds." (Ṣād 38:87)
In huwa illā dhikrun — it is nothing but a reminder, a counsel and admonition. Li-l-ʿālamīn — for all created beings, all the worlds.
Translation: — "This is only a reminder and counsel for all created beings."
وَلَتَعْلَمُنَّ نَبَأَهُ بَعْدَ حِينٍ
Wa-la-taʿlamunna nabaahu baʿda ḥīn.
"And you shall surely come to know its account after a while." (Ṣād 38:88)
Wa-la-taʿlamunna — and you shall surely come to know. Nabaahu — its news, its condition, its account, its ultimate end. Baʿda ḥīnin — after a time, after a short while — a brief period afterward.
Translation: — "And you shall certainly come to know the outcome of all these matters very soon."
The Story of Ādam and Iblīs — Why Does the Qurʾān Repeat It?
My honoured readers (ṣāḥibō)! Why does the story of Ādam and Iblīs come again and again in the Holy Qurʾān? There are many moral and ethical lessons within it. Its fundamental purpose is this: the human being and Iblīs are, in the realm of nature, truly and entirely distinct creations. The character of the human being is humility and submission — this is his path, and servitude of Allah is his highest virtue. By contrast, the character of the Shayṭān is pride and arrogance — kibriyāʾ and ḥasad (envy) — and the sense of one's own superiority is the root of all corruption in him. The origin of all corruption and disorder lies in his very constitution. Its fruit is arrogance, self-destruction, and a sense of superiority — and kibriyāʾ leads to envy. Who is the one who envies? He who objects in reality to Allah's arrangement — he who resents that Allah has exalted another while he considers himself more deserving of honour. And what is the outcome of such a one? He makes the world his first and greatest sin. What about the one who is arrogant and envious? He eventually destroys both himself and those around him — khasira l-dunyā wa-l-ākhira (he loses both the world and the Hereafter).
The truth is that it is Allah, the Most High, who gives excellence to some servants over others. The ignorant man does not know the reason for this. He says about Allah: "He is keeping the excellent one marginalised" — he accuses Allah, the Most High, of being unjust by keeping the most excellent one in a subordinate position. In reality this blinds him to the Lord's wisdom — it makes him, by his ignorance, cast accusations of injustice towards Allah. This is the outcome of takabbur and ḥasad — what end did they lead to? He was destroyed both in himself and in his companions. Khasira l-dunyā wa-l-ākhira — a most fitting proof of this.
When a human being abandons his natural disposition and walks in the way of the Shayṭān, he becomes the most vile of all created beings. Thumma radadnāhu asfala sāfilīn (We reduced him to the lowest of the low) — and in Hell he becomes the worst of stations. Today the "Iblīs syndrome" is rampant everywhere. One who considers himself superior to others and looks upon himself as better — see him for what he is, and see how he treats himself rightly, and how he does not respect the noble soul with which Allah honoured Ādam.
He considers the other to be inferior — the self-regard of his own person, language, caste, racial superiority, and differences of that kind — all these are the weapons the Shayṭān is using to drive strife among the sons of Ādam. Our standard of honour and nobility is: inna akramakum ʿinda llāhi atqākum — the most honoured of you in Allah's sight is the most God-fearing. Allah's side is with those who are with Allah — those who fear Allah more are more honoured and more noble in His sight. He who fears Allah more is greater and more upright in character — he is the one who obeys and remains faithful to Allah.
Shayṭān is your ancestral enemy — he was hostile to Ādam, the father of humanity, from the very beginning. Because of him Ādam was expelled from the garden of Paradise, and with him his progeny was brought out, carrying with them the great enmity. He has always raised the banner of enmity against them and declares openly by his oath: fa-bi-ʿizzatika la-ughwiyannahum ajmaʿīna — by Your honour I shall assuredly lead them all astray — except those few among Your servants who are Your elect and chosen ones, who are beyond my reach. Allah, the Most High, is also pleased to grant this request, saying: I shall fill Hell with you and with your followers together — all of them.
My honoured readers (ṣāḥibō)! Now do understand: who is your real enemy? And whose strategy do you follow? Save yourself from him and follow the ways of Allah and His Messenger — you shall prosper.