Ash-Shura

Al-Mukhtasar

Tafsīr Center for Qur'anic Studies · Contemporary

2. This sūrah begins with the disconnected letters, the explanation for which has already preceeded in Sūrah Baqarah.

Tafsir al-Jalalayn

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Al-Mukhtasar

Tafsīr Center for Qur'anic Studies · Contemporary

2. This sūrah begins with the disconnected letters, the explanation for which has already preceeded in Sūrah Baqarah.

Tafsir al-Jalalayn

al-Maḥallī & al-Suyūṭī · 864–911 AH / 1459–1505 CE

ompassionate, the Merciful: [42:2] c ayn sin qaf. God knows be,ft what He means by these [letters]. [42:3] Thus — in other words, in the same [manner of] revelation — does He reveal to you and, did He reveal, to those [who were] before you, God ( Allahu , is the agent of [the aCtion of] revelation) the Mighty, in His kingdom, the Wise, in His actions. [42:4] To Him belongs whatever is in the heavens and whatever is in the earth, as possession, creation and servants, and He is the Exalted, above His creatures, the Tremendous, the Great.

Al-Mukhtasar

Tafsīr Center for Qur'anic Studies · Contemporary

3. The One Who has revealed this Qur’ān to you is Allah. He, (may He be glorified), is the One Who sent revelation to the prophets before you. You are thus not the first to whom Allah sent revelation. He is the Mighty in His decision and the Dominant in His affair.

Tafsir al-Jalalayn

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Al-Mukhtasar

Tafsīr Center for Qur'anic Studies · Contemporary

4. Everything in the heavens and on earth belong to Him alone. He created, owns and controls all of it. He is High in His self and in terms of His status and domination, and Majestic in His self.

Tafsir al-Jalalayn

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Al-Mukhtasar

Tafsīr Center for Qur'anic Studies · Contemporary

5. Part of His majesty, (may He be glorified), is that the heavens despite their greatness and height are almost split apart. The angels glorify the praises of their Lord out of submission and in reverence of Him, and they seek forgiveness from Allah for those on earth. Indeed, Allah is the One Who forgives the sins of those servants of His who repent and He is merciful to them.

Tafsir al-Jalalayn

al-Maḥallī & al-Suyūṭī · 864–911 AH / 1459–1505 CE

sion, creation and servants, and He is the Exalted, above His creatures, the Tremendous, the Great. [42:5] The heavens are well-nigh (read yakadu, or takadu) rent asunder ( yanfatirna: a variant reading has yatafattarna) from above one another, in other words, [well-nigh] is each one torn away from above the one below it because of the magnitude of God, exalted be He, and the angels glorify with praise of their Lord, in other words, they are continuously engaged in praise [of Him], and ask forgiveness for those, believers, on earth.…

Al-Mukhtasar

Tafsīr Center for Qur'anic Studies · Contemporary

6. Those who take idols besides Allah whom they align with and worship besides Allah, Allah lies in wait for them. He records their actions and He will recompense them for that. You, O Messenger, are not in charge of them and you will not be questioned about their actions. You are only one who conveys the message.

Tafsir al-Jalalayn

al-Maḥallī & al-Suyūṭī · 864–911 AH / 1459–1505 CE

for those, believers, on earth. Verily God is the Forgiving, to His friends, the Merciful, to them. [42:6] And those who have taken besides Him, namely, idols [as], guardians, God is watchful over them. He keeps count [of their deeds], that He may requite them; and you are not a guardian over them, in order to secure what is demanded of them: your duty is only to deliver the Message.

Al-Mukhtasar

Tafsīr Center for Qur'anic Studies · Contemporary

7. Just as I sent revelation to the prophets before you, O Messenger, I have revealed to you an Arabic Qur’ān so that you may warn Makkah and the Arab towns around it and thereafter the entire mankind, and warn people of the day of resurrection when Allah will gather the earlier ones and the later ones in one plain for reckoning and recompense. There is no doubt in the occurrence of that day, on which people will be divided into two groups: One group will be in Paradise, and these are the believers; and one group will be in the Fire, and these are the disbelievers.

Tafsir al-Jalalayn

al-Maḥallī & al-Suyūṭī · 864–911 AH / 1459–1505 CE

n over them, in order to secure what is demanded of them: your duty is only to deliver the Message. [42:7] And thus — in the same [manner of] revelation — have We revealed to you an Arabic Qur’an, that you may warn, [that you may] threaten, the mother-town and those around it, namely, the inhabit¬ ants of Mecca and all other people, and that you may warn, [all] people, of the Day of Gathering, the Day of Resurrection whereat [all] creatures will be gathered, of which there is no doubt. A part, of them, will be in Paradise and apart will be in the Blaze, the Fire.

Al-Mukhtasar

Tafsīr Center for Qur'anic Studies · Contemporary

8. If Allah willed to make them one nation on the religion of Islam He would have done so and entered them all into Paradise. But, His wisdom demanded that He enters whoever He wills into Islam and then enters him into Paradise. Those who wrong themselves by disbelief and sins, will have no one to protect them and no helper to rescue them from Allah’s punishment.

Tafsir al-Jalalayn

al-Maḥallī & al-Suyūṭī · 864–911 AH / 1459–1505 CE

h there is no doubt. A part, of them, will be in Paradise and apart will be in the Blaze, the Fire. [42:8] And had God willed, He would have made them one community, in other words, following one religion, and that is Islam; but He admits whomever He will into His mercy, and the evildoers, the dis¬ believers, have neither guardian nor helper, to ward off the chastisement from them.

Al-Mukhtasar

Tafsīr Center for Qur'anic Studies · Contemporary

9. Instead, these idolaters have taken allies whom they align with besides Allah. Allah is the true Protector. Others besides Him can bring no benefit nor harm. He gives life to the dead by resurrecting them for reckoning and recompense. He has power over all things and nothing is outside His ability, (may He be glorified).

Tafsir al-Jalalayn

al-Maḥallī & al-Suyūṭī · 864–911 AH / 1459–1505 CE

oers, the dis¬ believers, have neither guardian nor helper, to ward off the chastisement from them. [42:9] Or have they taken, idols [as], guardians besides Him ? (am, or, is disjunctive, 1 functioning with the sense of bal, ‘nay, but’, the one used to denote a shift [in the subject matter]; the hamza is for denial, in other words ‘those who are taken’ [as guardians] are not [in faCt] guardians [of anything]).…

Al-Mukhtasar

Tafsīr Center for Qur'anic Studies · Contemporary

10. Whatever you, O People, differ in about the principle and secondary matters of your religion, the judgement for that rests with Allah, and His book and the tradition of His Messenger (peace be upon him) must be used as a reference. The One who possesses these attributes is my Lord. It is on Him that I rely in all my affairs and it is to Him that I turn by repenting to Him.

Tafsir al-Jalalayn

al-Maḥallī & al-Suyūṭī · 864–911 AH / 1459–1505 CE

oifa’Llahu ] is merely for coordination) and He revives the dead, and He has power over all things. [42:10] And whatever you may differ, with disbelievers, in, of religion or otherwise, the verdid therein belongs, it will return, to God, on the Day of Resurrection; He will judge between you. Say to them: That then is God, my Lord; in Him I have put my trud, and to Him I turn penitently.

Al-Mukhtasar

Tafsīr Center for Qur'anic Studies · Contemporary

11. Allah is the creator of the heavens and the creator of the earth without any precedent. He made for you from amongst your own kind spouses. He also made for you pairs of camels, cattle and sheep, so that they can multiply for your sake. He creates you through the spouses that He made for you by your marrying one another. He provides livelihood for you through the cattle that He made for you, from their meat and milk. Nothing of His creation resembles Him. He is the One Who hears the statements of His servants, and the One Who sees their actions.…

Tafsir al-Jalalayn

al-Maḥallī & al-Suyūṭī · 864–911 AH / 1459–1505 CE

u. Say to them: That then is God, my Lord; in Him I have put my trud, and to Him I turn penitently. [42:11] The Originator of the heavens and the earth, the One Who created them [without precedent]. He has made for you, from your own selves, pairs, when He created Eve from Adam’s rib, and [also] pairs, males and females, of the cattle: He multiplies you (read yadhra’ukum ) 2 by such [means], by the mentioned ‘making’, that is to say, He multiplies you through this [means] by way of propagation (the [suffixed] pronoun [-kum in yadhra’ukum, ‘He multiplies you’] refers to both human beings a…

Al-Mukhtasar

Tafsīr Center for Qur'anic Studies · Contemporary

12. To Him alone belong the keys to the treasures of the heavens and the earth. He expands provision for whoever of His servants He wills, as a test to see whether they are grateful or not? He narrows it for whoever of His servants He wills, as a trial to see whether they are patient or become angry with Allah’s decree? He has knowledge of all things. Nothing in which lies the interests of His servants is hidden from Him.

Tafsir al-Jalalayn

al-Maḥallī & al-Suyūṭī · 864–911 AH / 1459–1505 CE

s no likeness of Him, exalted be He). He is the Hearer, of what is said, the Seer, of what is done. [42:12] To Him belong the keys of the heavens and the earth, the keys to their storehouses of rain and vegetation and other things. He extends provision. He makes it abundant, for whomever He will, as a teSt [of their gratitude], and He reminds [it]. He Straitens it for whomever He will, as a trial. Truly He has knowledge of all things.

Al-Mukhtasar

Tafsīr Center for Qur'anic Studies · Contemporary

13. He has ordained for you religious matters similar to what I instructed Noah to convey and act on and what I have revealed to you, O Messenger. He has ordained for you similar to what I instructed Abraham, Moses and Jesus to convey and act on. The gist of this is: Uphold the religion and leave out division therein. What you call the idolaters towards, such as the declaring the oneness of Allah and leaving out the worship of others besides Him, is difficult for them.…

Tafsir al-Jalalayn

al-Maḥallī & al-Suyūṭī · 864–911 AH / 1459–1505 CE

minds [it]. He Straitens it for whomever He will, as a trial. Truly He has knowledge of all things. [42:13] He has prescribed for you as a religion that which He enjoined upon Noah — for he was the firSt of the prophets [sent] with a [Divine] Law — and that which We have revealed to you, and that which We enjoined upon Abraham, and Moses, and Jesus [declaring], ‘Establish religion and do not be divided in it’: this is what has been prescribed and enjoined upon [those mentioned above], and what has been revealed to Muhammad (s), and it is the affirmation of [God’s] Oneness.…

Al-Mukhtasar

Tafsīr Center for Qur'anic Studies · Contemporary

14. The disbelievers and the idolaters only became divided after the proof for the mission of Muhammad (peace be upon him) to them was established. Their division was only on account of rivalry and oppression. Were it not for what had already been in Allah’s knowledge that the punishment will be postponed from them until a time determined in His knowledge, which is the day of resurrection, Allah would have decided between them and punished them quickly on account of their rejection of Allah and denial of His messengers.…

Tafsir al-Jalalayn

al-Maḥallī & al-Suyūṭī · 864–911 AH / 1459–1505 CE

ill, and He guides to it whomever turns penitently, [whomever] applies himself to obedience of Him. [42:14] And they did not become divided, that is, the adherents of the [monotheistic] religions [did not become divided] in religion — so that some affirmed the Oneness [of God], while others rejected it — except after the knowledge, of His Oneness, had come to them, out of [jealous] rivalry, on the part of the disbelievers, among themselves.…

Al-Mukhtasar

Tafsīr Center for Qur'anic Studies · Contemporary

15. Call to this upright religion and remain firm on it as Allah has instructed you. Do not follow their false desires and say them when disputing with them: I have faith in Allah and in the scriptures which Allah sent down to His messengers. Allah has instructed me to judge between you with justice. Allah, the One Whom I worship, is both our Lord and your Lord. We have our deeds, whether good or bad and you have your deeds, whether good or bad. There is no quarrel between us after the evidence is apparent and the path is clear.…

Tafsir al-Jalalayn

al-Maḥallī & al-Suyūṭī · 864–911 AH / 1459–1505 CE

them, namely, the Jews and the Christians, are truly in grave doubt concern¬ ing him, Muhammad (s). [42:15] So to that then, [to that] affirmation of [God’s] Oneness, summon, O Muhammad (s), people, and be upright, in [summoning them to] this, juft as you have been commanded, and do not follow them in their desires, to abandon it. And say: ‘I believe in whatever Book God has revealed. And I have been commanded to be juft between you, in passing judgement. God is our Lord and your Lord.…

Al-Mukhtasar

Tafsīr Center for Qur'anic Studies · Contemporary

16. Those who quarrel with invalid arguments about this religion sent down to Muhammad (peace be upon him) after people have responded to his call due to the strength of its proof and have entered into it, the argument of these people who quarrel is void and holds no weight by their Lord and by the believers. It has no effect. On them is Allah’s anger due to their disbelief and rejection of the truth and they will have a severe punishment that awaits them on the day of resurrection.

Tafsir al-Jalalayn

al-Maḥallī & al-Suyūṭī · 864–911 AH / 1459–1505 CE

to decide [definitively] between us, and to Him is the [final] deftination’, the [ultimate] return. [42:16] And those who argue, with the Prophet, concerning, the religion of, God after His call has been answered, through faith, on account of His miracle having been manifested — and they are the Jews — their argument ftands refuted, [is] invalid, with their Lord, and [His] wrath shall be upon them, and there will be a severe chaftisement for them.

Al-Mukhtasar

Tafsīr Center for Qur'anic Studies · Contemporary

17. Allah is the One Who sent down the Qur’ān with the truth, in which there is no doubt. In it He commanded with justice so that people judge by it. The hour that these people deny may be close, and it is known that everything that is coming is close.

Tafsir al-Jalalayn

al-Maḥallī & al-Suyūṭī · 864–911 AH / 1459–1505 CE

h their Lord, and [His] wrath shall be upon them, and there will be a severe chaftisement for them. [42:17] God it is Who has revealed the Book, the Qur’an, with the truth ( bi’l-haqqi is semantically con¬ nected to anzala, ‘revealed’) as well as the Balance, JuStice. And what do you know — perhaps the Hour, that is, its arrival, is near! ( la’alla, ‘perhaps’, comments on the verb describing the action, with what fol¬ lows it functioning as two direcft objects). [42:18] Those who do not believe in it seek to haften it: they say, ‘When will it come?’, as a presumption on their part that i…

Al-Mukhtasar

Tafsīr Center for Qur'anic Studies · Contemporary

18. Those who do not believe in it seek to hasten it, because they do not believe in reckoning, reward or punishment. But those who have faith in Allah are fearful of it because they do not know their fate after it and they certainly know it to be the truth in which there is no doubt. Indeed, those who dispute about the Hour and doubt its occurrence are in error that is far from the truth.

Tafsir al-Jalalayn

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Al-Mukhtasar

Tafsīr Center for Qur'anic Studies · Contemporary

19. Allah is kind towards His servants. He provides for whoever He wills and expands their provision, and He narrows it for whoever He wills out of mercy for them, even though it may appear otherwise. He is the Strong, Whom none can overpower and the Mighty, Who takes retribution from His enemies.

Tafsir al-Jalalayn

al-Maḥallī & al-Suyūṭī · 864–911 AH / 1459–1505 CE

ut verily those who are in doubt, those who argue, concerning the Hour are indeed in extreme error! [42:19] God is Gracious to His servants, both the pious and the profligate, for He does not destroy them through hunger, deSJute their aCts of disobedience. He provides for whomever He will, from among each of the two [classes of individuals] whatever He will. And He is the Strong, in [effecting] what He wants, the Mighty, Whose way [always] prevails. [42:20] And whoever desires, in return for his actions, the harveft of the Hereafter, in other words, its

Al-Mukhtasar

Tafsīr Center for Qur'anic Studies · Contemporary

20. Whoever wants the rewards of the afterlife and works for it, I will multiply his reward for him, by multiplying the reward of a good deed by ten times up to seven hundred times or even more. Whoever wants the world alone, I will give him his alotted share in it and he will not have any share in the afterlife as he preferred the world over it.

Tafsir al-Jalalayn

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Al-Mukhtasar

Tafsīr Center for Qur'anic Studies · Contemporary

21. Or do these idolaters have gods besides Allah, who have ordained for them religious matters that Allah did not authorize them to ordain such as ascribing partners to Allah, declaring unlawful what He made lawful and declaring lawful what He made unlawful? Had it not been for the fixed time that Allah had set to decide between those who differ, and that He will postpone them until such time, He would have decided between them. Those who wrong themselves by ascribing partners to Allah and committing sins, will have a painful punishment that awaits them on the day of resurrection.

Tafsir al-Jalalayn

al-Maḥallī & al-Suyūṭī · 864–911 AH / 1459–1505 CE

it], [giving him] only what is his [preordained] share; but in the Hereafter he will have no share. [42:21] Or have they, the Meccan disbelievers, associates — these being their devils — who have pre¬ scribed for them, for the disbelievers, a religion, a corrupt [religion], which God has not given permis¬ sion for?, such as idolatry and denial of resurrection? And were it not for a [prior] decisive word, in other words, a prior decree to the effeCt that requital will take place on the Day of Resurrection, it wotdd have been judged between them, and the believers, by chastising the former…

Al-Mukhtasar

Tafsīr Center for Qur'anic Studies · Contemporary

22. You, O Messenger, will see those who wrong themselves by ascribing partners to Allah and committing sins fearful of the punishment because of the wrongdoing they did. The punishment will inevitably fall on them. Their mere fear that is devoid of repentance will not be of any use to them. Those who have faith in Allah and in His messengers, and do righteous actions will be in contrast to them. They will be enjoying luxury in gardens of Paradise. They will have whatever type of endless bliss they wish for by their Lord. That is the great bounty which no other bounty can come close to.

Tafsir al-Jalalayn

al-Maḥallī & al-Suyūṭī · 864–911 AH / 1459–1505 CE

the former in this world. Truly the wrongdoers, the disbelievers, will have a painful chastisement. [42:22] You will see the wrongdoers, on the Day of Resurrection, apprehensive because of what they had earned, in this world, in the way of evil deeds, leSt they be requited for these; and it, that is, the requital for these [deeds], will surely befall them, on the Day of Resurrection, inevitably; but those who believe and perform righteous deeds will be in the lusheSt Gardens, in other words, in the beSt of these [Gardens] in comparison with the other ones.…

Al-Mukhtasar

Tafsīr Center for Qur'anic Studies · Contemporary

23. That is the good news that Allah gives at the hand of His Messenger to those have faith in Allah and His messengers and do righteous actions. Say, O Messenger: I do not ask of you, for conveying the truth, any reward besides one reward the benefit of which returns to you. That is, you love me because of my blood relationship with you. Whoever does a good deed, I will multiply its reward for him, by multiplying the reward of a good deed by ten times.…

Tafsir al-Jalalayn

al-Maḥallī & al-Suyūṭī · 864–911 AH / 1459–1505 CE

n with the other ones. They will have whatever they wish near their Lord; that is the great favour. [42:23] That is the good tidings (read yubshiru or yubashshiru, from bishara, ‘good news’) which God gives to His servants who believe and perform righteous deeds. Say: ‘I do not ask of you any reward for it, for delivering the Message, except the ajfedion for [my] kinsfolk (ilia, ‘except’: this represents a discontinuous exception, in other words, ‘but I do ask of you that you show affeCtion for my kinship [with you], which at the same time is your kinship’; for he [the Prophet] had kinshi…

Al-Mukhtasar

Tafsīr Center for Qur'anic Studies · Contemporary

24. One of the claims of the idolaters is that they say: Muhammad has invented a lie against his Lord by his claim of being His messenger. One of the things that confirm that the Qur’ān is revelation from Allah is that if He willed He could have made you forget this Qur’ān. But Allah removes falsehood and establishes the truth. This is what occurred to the call of the idolaters, which was removed, and the call of Islam which was established. He knows what is in the hearts of His servants. Nothing is hidden from Him.

Tafsir al-Jalalayn

al-Maḥallī & al-Suyūṭī · 864–911 AH / 1459–1505 CE

d is Forgiving, of sins, Appreciative, [even] of little [good], and so He multiplies it [manifold]. [42:24] Or (am here is like bal) do they say, ‘He has invented a lie againSt God?’, in ascribing the Qur’an to God, exalted be He. For if God will, He can seal. He can fortify, your heart, with patience to endure the hurt they cause [you] by such sayings and otherwise — and God did this. And God will efface the falsehood, which they s^eak, and vindicate, confirm, the truth with His words, [the ones] revealed to His Prophet.…

Al-Mukhtasar

Tafsīr Center for Qur'anic Studies · Contemporary

25. He, (may He be glorified), is the One Who accepts the repentance of His servants from disbelief and sins when they repent to Him. He overlooks the wrongdoings that they committed. He knows everything that you do. Nothing of your actions are hidden from Him and He will give you the recompense for them.

Tafsir al-Jalalayn

al-Maḥallī & al-Suyūṭī · 864–911 AH / 1459–1505 CE

to His Prophet. Truly He is Knower of what is in the breaSts, of what is in the hearts [of people]. [42:25] And He it is Who accepts repentance from His servants, and pardons evil deeds, those from which repentance has been made, and knows what they do (yafaluna, may also be read tafaluna, ‘you do’). [42:26] And He answers those who believe and perform righteous deeds. He grants them what they ask for, and He enhances them of His bounty. And as for the disbelievers, for them there will be a severe chastisement.

Al-Mukhtasar

Tafsīr Center for Qur'anic Studies · Contemporary

26. He responds to the supplication of those who have faith in Allah and His messengers, and gives them more out of His bounty that they did not ask for. Those who reject Allah and His messengers will have a strong punishment awaiting them on the day of resurrection.

Tafsir al-Jalalayn

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Al-Mukhtasar

Tafsīr Center for Qur'anic Studies · Contemporary

27. If Allah had to expand the provision for all of His servants, they would have transgressed on earth by oppression. But He, (may He be glorified), sends down provision to the extent that He wills to expand or narrow it. He is well aware and observant of the states of His servants. He gives for a reason and withholds for a reason also.

Tafsir al-Jalalayn

al-Maḥallī & al-Suyūṭī · 864–911 AH / 1459–1505 CE

nces them of His bounty. And as for the disbelievers, for them there will be a severe chastisement. [42:27] For were God to extend His provision to His servants, [to] all of them, they wotdd, all of them, surely become covetous, in other words, they would become tyrants, in the earth; but He sends down (read yunzilu or yunazzilu) of provisions, in the measure that He will, thus extending it for some of His servants to the exclusion of others — and from [such] extending [of provision to some] emerges tyranny. Surely He is Aware, Seer of His servants.

Al-Mukhtasar

Tafsīr Center for Qur'anic Studies · Contemporary

28. He is the One Who sends down the rain to His servants after they had lost hope of its coming down. He spreads His mercy by causing the earth to sprout after sending down the rain. He is the One Who takes charge of the affairs of His servants, the One Who deserves praise in every state.

Tafsir al-Jalalayn

al-Maḥallī & al-Suyūṭī · 864–911 AH / 1459–1505 CE

[such] extending [of provision to some] emerges tyranny. Surely He is Aware, Seer of His servants. [42:28] And He it is Who sends down the [saving] rain after they have despaired, [after] they have given up hope of its being sent down, and unfolds His mercy. He extends His rain, and He is the [true] Patron, the Benevolent towards believers, the Praised, by them.

Al-Mukhtasar

Tafsīr Center for Qur'anic Studies · Contemporary

29. One of the signs of Allah that prove His power and oneness is the creation of the heavens and the creation of the earth, and the wondrous creations that He spread throughout them. He is able to bring them all together for the gathering and recompense whenever He wills. He is not incapable of doing this just as He was not incapable of creating them the first time.

Tafsir al-Jalalayn

al-Maḥallī & al-Suyūṭī · 864–911 AH / 1459–1505 CE

ends His rain, and He is the [true] Patron, the Benevolent towards believers, the Praised, by them. [42:29] And of His signs is the creation of the heavens and the earth and, the creation of, whatever He has scattered, [whatever] He has divided and spread, in them in the way of creatures (dabba : this de¬ notes all those [creatures] which tread [ yadubbu ] upon the earth, whether human beings or otherwise).…

Al-Mukhtasar

Tafsīr Center for Qur'anic Studies · Contemporary

30. Whatever difficulty afflicts you, O people, in yourselves and your wealth it is because of the sins that your hands earned. Allah overlooks many of them and does not take you to task for them.

Tafsir al-Jalalayn

al-Maḥallī & al-Suyūṭī · 864–911 AH / 1459–1505 CE

posed to others predominate in the [suffixed] pronoun [-him oijam’ihim, ‘to bring them together’]). [42:30] And whatever afflidion, [whatever] misfortune or hardship, may befall you — [this is] an address to the believers — is on account of what your [own] hands have earned, that is to say, [for] the sins that you have committed — the use of ‘hands’ to express this is because mo,ft adions are ef¬ fected by them.…

Al-Mukhtasar

Tafsīr Center for Qur'anic Studies · Contemporary

31. You are not able to save yourselves from your Lord by running away when He wants to punish you. You do not have anyone besides Him to take charge of your affairs nor anyone to help you by removing the punishment if He intends it for you.

Tafsir al-Jalalayn

al-Maḥallī & al-Suyūṭī · 864–911 AH / 1459–1505 CE

what befalls them in this world [of hardship] raises their degree in the [reward of the] Hereafter. [42:31] And you, O idolaters, cannot escape, from God, by fleeing, on earth, and thus elude Him, and, besides God, that is to say, other than Him, you have neither protedor nor helper, to ward off His chas¬ tisement from you. [42:32] And of His signs are the ships [that run] on the sea [appearing] like landmarks, like mountains, in terms of their magnitude. [42:33] If He will, He dills the wind, whereat they remain, they become, motionless, fixed, not moving, on its surface.…

Al-Mukhtasar

Tafsīr Center for Qur'anic Studies · Contemporary

32. From among His signs that prove His power and oneness, are the ships sailing the ocean like mountains in their height and elevation.

Tafsir al-Jalalayn

—

Al-Mukhtasar

Tafsīr Center for Qur'anic Studies · Contemporary

33. If Allah wished to make the wind that moves them still He would have done so, and they will remain fixed on the ocean motionless. In that which has been mentioned about the creation of ships and the subjugation of the winds there are clear signs of Allah’s power for every person who is patient in difficulty and trials, and who is grateful for Allah’s favours to him.

Tafsir al-Jalalayn

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Al-Mukhtasar

Tafsīr Center for Qur'anic Studies · Contemporary

34. Or if Allah, (may He be glorified), willed to destroy those ships by sending gale-force winds, He would have done so on account of the sins that people earn. He overlooks many of the sins of His servants and does not punish them for those.

Tafsir al-Jalalayn

al-Maḥallī & al-Suyūṭī · 864–911 AH / 1459–1505 CE

servant] — this is the believer, who is deadfad during hardship and grateful in [times of] comfort. [42:34] Or He wrecks them (yubiqhunna, a supplement to yuskin, ‘He dills’), that is to say, [or] He sinks them, including their passengers, by sending violent winds [upon them], because of what they, that is, the passengers of these [ships], have earned, of sins. And He pardons much, of such [sin] and does not cause those who have sinned to drown.

Al-Mukhtasar

Tafsīr Center for Qur'anic Studies · Contemporary

35. When those ships are destroyed by sending gale-force winds, those who dispute in respect of Allah’s signs, in order to refute them, will know that they have no escape from destruction. Then they will only call on Allah and leave those besides Him.

Tafsir al-Jalalayn

al-Maḥallī & al-Suyūṭī · 864–911 AH / 1459–1505 CE

ned, of sins. And He pardons much, of such [sin] and does not cause those who have sinned to drown. [42:35] And that those who dispute concerning Our signs may know (read [indicative] wa-yalamu, ‘and [they] know’, beginning a new sentence; or [subjundive] wa-ya c lama, ‘and that [they] may know’, as a supplement to an implicit reason, in other words: ‘He drowns them in order to ex ad vengeance against them and so that they may know that ...’) they have no refuge, no escape from the chastisement (the negation represents two dired objeds of [the verb] yalamu [or ya’lama], ‘[they] know’; the…

Al-Mukhtasar

Tafsīr Center for Qur'anic Studies · Contemporary

36. The wealth, fame and children that you have been given, O people, is the enjoyment of this worldly life which will vanish and come to an end. The everlasting bliss is the bliss of Paradise that Allah has prepared for those who have faith in Allah and His messengers and who rely on him alone in all their matters.

Tafsir al-Jalalayn

al-Maḥallī & al-Suyūṭī · 864–911 AH / 1459–1505 CE

[or ya’lama], ‘[they] know’; the negation is also a comment on the [implied] adion [of‘escaping’]). [42:36] So whatever you — [this is] an address is to believers and others — have been given, of the luxuries of this world, is [but] the enjoyment of the life of this world, enjoyed for the duration of it but then perishes. But what is with God, of reward, is better and more lading for those who believe and put their trud in their Lord ( li’lladhina dmanu wa-‘ald rabbihim yatawakkaluna, is supplemented by [the following clause]),

Al-Mukhtasar

Tafsīr Center for Qur'anic Studies · Contemporary

37. Those who distance themselves from major and offensive sins and when they are angry at those who offend them by words or deeds they forgive their mistake and do not punish them for it. This pardon is a grace they offer when there is goodness and benefit in it.

Tafsir al-Jalalayn

al-Maḥallī & al-Suyūṭī · 864–911 AH / 1459–1505 CE

ord ( li’lladhina dmanu wa-‘ald rabbihim yatawakkaluna, is supplemented by [the following clause]), [42:37] and those who avoid grave sins and indecencies, those [ads] that require [the implementing of] the prescribed legal punishments ( hudud ) ([the supplement above is] an example of supplementing the part to the whole) and [who], when they are angry, forgive, they let it pass;

Al-Mukhtasar

Tafsīr Center for Qur'anic Studies · Contemporary

38. Those who respond to their Lord, by doing what He instructed and leaving out what He prohibited, and they complete their ritual prayer in the most perfect manner. Those who consult one another in matters of importance to them and who spend from what He have provided for them seeking Allah’s pleasure.

Tafsir al-Jalalayn

al-Maḥallī & al-Suyūṭī · 864–911 AH / 1459–1505 CE

of supplementing the part to the whole) and [who], when they are angry, forgive, they let it pass; [42:38] and those who answer their Lord, [those who] re^Jjond to what He has summoned them in the way of affirming His Oneness and worship [of Him], and observe prayer, maintaining it regularly, and whose courses of adion, those [courses of adion] that seem good to them, are [a matter of] counsel between them, in which they consult one another and do not ad hastily, and who, of what We have bedowed on them, expend, in obedience to God — such mentioned [individuals] constitute one category;

Al-Mukhtasar

Tafsīr Center for Qur'anic Studies · Contemporary

39. Those who when afflicted by oppression, they defend themselves, in honour and respect for themselves, if the oppressor is not worthy of pardon. This defence is justified, especially if there is no benefit in pardon.

Tafsir al-Jalalayn

al-Maḥallī & al-Suyūṭī · 864–911 AH / 1459–1505 CE

edowed on them, expend, in obedience to God — such mentioned [individuals] constitute one category; [42:39] and those who, when they suffer aggression, injustice, defend themselves — these are another category — that is to say, they retaliate again,<t those who wrong them in the same manner in which the latter wronged them, as God, exalted be He, says: [42:40] For the requital of an evil deed is an evil deed like it: the latter is [also] referred to as ‘an evil deed’ because in [outward] form it resembles the former; this is evident in what concerns retaliation for wounds.…

Al-Mukhtasar

Tafsīr Center for Qur'anic Studies · Contemporary

40. Whoever wants to take his right is allowed to do so, but in equal measure without any excess or transgression. Whoever pardons the one who wrongs him and does not take him to task for that wrong, and sets right the relationship with his brother, then his reward is with Allah. He does not love those who do wrong by oppressing people in their selves, wealth, or honour. Rather, He detests them.

Tafsir al-Jalalayn

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Al-Mukhtasar

Tafsīr Center for Qur'anic Studies · Contemporary

41. For those who defend themselves, there will be no blame as they had taken their right.

Tafsir al-Jalalayn

—

Al-Mukhtasar

Tafsīr Center for Qur'anic Studies · Contemporary

42. Blame and retribution will only be for those who oppress people and commit sins on earth. For such people there will be a painful punishment in the Hereafter.

Tafsir al-Jalalayn

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Al-Mukhtasar

Tafsīr Center for Qur'anic Studies · Contemporary

43. As for those who are patient and who overlook the harm caused to them by others, then such patience will bring good for them and for the society. This is a praiseworthy thing and only a person of great fortune is blessed with this.

Tafsir al-Jalalayn

al-Maḥallī & al-Suyūṭī · 864–911 AH / 1459–1505 CE

what is not right, [what are] acfts of disobedience. For such there will be a painfid chastisement. [42:43] But verily he who is patient, and defend himself [by retaliating], and forgives, excuses [the wrong done to him] — surely that, patience and excusing, is [true] constancy in [such] affairs, that is to say, it is one of those [courses of acftion] for which one mush have firm resolve, meaning those which are required [of the believer] by [Gods] Law. [42:44] And whomever God leads aStray has no protestor after Him, that is to say, none to take charge of guiding him after God has led h…

Al-Mukhtasar

Tafsīr Center for Qur'anic Studies · Contemporary

44. Those whom Allah does not bless with guidance and lets them stray from the truth, they will have no one to take charge of their affairs after Him. You will see those who wrong themselves by disbelief and sins, when they will see the punishment on the day of resurrection, longingly saying: If only we are able to return to the world and repent to Allah.

Tafsir al-Jalalayn

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Al-Mukhtasar

Tafsīr Center for Qur'anic Studies · Contemporary

45. You will see, O Messenger, these wrongdoers when they are exposed to the fire, whilst they are humiliated and disgraced, looking at people surreptitiously due to their extreme fear for it. Those who had faith in Allah and His messengers will say: The true losers are those who lost themselves and their families on the day of resurrection on account of the punishment of Allah that they received. Indeed, those who wrong themselves by disbelief and sins will be in a lasting punishment that will never end.

Tafsir al-Jalalayn

al-Maḥallī & al-Suyūṭī · 864–911 AH / 1459–1505 CE

ht the chastise¬ ment, saying, ‘Is there any way, any route [by which], to return?’, to this world. [42:45] And you will see them being exposed to it, namely, the Fire, submissive, fearful and humbled, by abasement, looking, at it, with a furtive glance, a slight look, stealthily (min [of min tarfin khafiyyin, ‘with a furtive glance] is to indicate inceptiveness, or it functions with the sense of a ba, ‘with’ [sc. bi-tarfin khafiyyin]).…

Al-Mukhtasar

Tafsīr Center for Qur'anic Studies · Contemporary

46. They will have no allies to help them by rescuing them from Allah’s punishment on the day of resurrection. Those whom Allah does not bless with the truth and lets them go astray, will never have any path that leads them to guidance to the truth.

Tafsir al-Jalalayn

al-Maḥallī & al-Suyūṭī · 864–911 AH / 1459–1505 CE

be in lasting, everlast¬ ing, chastisement — these [words] constitute God’s Speech, exalted be He. [42:46] And they have no guardians to help them besides God, that is to say, other than Him, to ward off His chastisement from them, and whomever God leads aStray has no course [ of action ]’, no route to the truth in this world or to Paradise in the Hereafter. [42:47] Answer your Lord, respond to Him by affirming His Oneness and worshipping [Him], before there comes a day, namely, the Day of Resurrection,/or which there is no revoking from God, in other words, one which when He brings abou…

Al-Mukhtasar

Tafsīr Center for Qur'anic Studies · Contemporary

47. Respond, O people, to your Lord by rushing to fulfil His instructions and avoid His prohibitions and leaving out procrastination, before the Day of Resurrection comes, which cannot be pushed back when it arrives. You will have no place to take refuge in and you will not be able to deny the sins that you have perpetrated in the world.

Tafsir al-Jalalayn

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Al-Mukhtasar

Tafsīr Center for Qur'anic Studies · Contemporary

48. If they turn away from what you instruct them, then I have not sent you, O Messenger, as a guardian over them to watch their actions. Your duty is only to convey what I have instructed you to convey and their reckoning is left to Allah. When I give man a taste of My mercy of riches, health etc. he rejoices in it. But when a trial of difficulty befalls them on account of their sins, their nature is to be ungrateful for Allah’s favours and become angry at what Allah had in His wisdom decreed.

Tafsir al-Jalalayn

al-Maḥallī & al-Suyūṭī · 864–911 AH / 1459–1505 CE

ve no refuge, in which to seek refuge in, and for you there will be no [way of] denying, your sins. [42:48] But if they are disregardful, of answering [God], We have not sent you as a keeper over them, to keep [track of] their deeds by securing what is demanded of them. Your duty is only to deliver the Message — this was [revealed] before the command to Struggle [againSt them].…

Al-Mukhtasar

Tafsīr Center for Qur'anic Studies · Contemporary

50. Or He makes for whoever He wills both males and females and makes whoever He wills barren and childless. He knows what occurs and what will occur in the future. This is on account of the completeness of His knowledge and perfection of His wisdom. Nothing is hidden from Him. He is able to do all things, nothing is outside His ability.

Tafsir al-Jalalayn

al-Maḥallī & al-Suyūṭī · 864–911 AH / 1459–1505 CE

‘the hands’ because moSt acftions are effected by them), then lot man is ungrateful, for the grace. [42:49] To God belongs the kingdom of the heavens and the earth. He creates whatever He will; He gives to whomever He will, in the way of children, females, and He gives to whomever He will males. [42:50] Or He combines them, that is to say, [or] He makes them, males and females; and He makes whomever He will infertile, such that she is unable to conceive or he cannot have a child.…

Al-Mukhtasar

Tafsīr Center for Qur'anic Studies · Contemporary

50. Or He makes for whoever He wills both males and females and makes whoever He wills barren and childless. He knows what occurs and what will occur in the future. This is on account of the completeness of His knowledge and perfection of His wisdom. Nothing is hidden from Him. He is able to do all things, nothing is outside His ability.

Tafsir al-Jalalayn

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Al-Mukhtasar

Tafsīr Center for Qur'anic Studies · Contemporary

51. It is not correct for a human being that Allah speaks to Him except through revelation that He sends to him, or by direct speech but from behind a veil without seeing Him, or by sending an angel as a messenger such as Gabriel, who then reveals to the human messenger with Allah’s permission what Allah wishes to reveal. He, (may He be glorified), is high in His Self and Attributes, and is wise in His creation, decree and laws.

Tafsir al-Jalalayn

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Al-Mukhtasar

Tafsīr Center for Qur'anic Studies · Contemporary

52. Just as I sent revelation to the prophets before you, O Messenger, I revealed to you a Qur’ān from Me. Prior to it you did not know about the heavenly scriptures revealed to the messengers, and you did not know what is faith? But I revealed this Qur’ān as a light by which I guide whomever of My servants I wish. You show people a straight path, which is the religion of Islam.

Tafsir al-Jalalayn

al-Maḥallī & al-Suyūṭī · 864–911 AH / 1459–1505 CE

r He, God, will. Truly He is Exalted, above the attributes of created beings, Wise, in His adtions. [42:52] And thus, in the same way that We have revealed to messengers other than you, have We re¬ vealed to you, O Muhammad (s), a Spirit, namely, the Qur’an, by which hearts are revived, from Our command, that [command] which We reveal to you.…

Al-Mukhtasar

Tafsīr Center for Qur'anic Studies · Contemporary

53. The path of Allah to Whom belongs whatever is in the heaven and whatever is in the earth. He created, owns and controls all of it. Definitely all matters return to Allah alone in their estimation and planning.

Tafsir al-Jalalayn

al-Maḥallī & al-Suyūṭī · 864–911 AH / 1459–1505 CE

, by means of what is revealed to you, to a Straight path, [a Straight] way: the religion of Islam, [42:53] the path of God, to Whom belongs whatever is in the heavens and whatever is in the earth, as pos¬ sessions, creatures and servants. Surely with God all matters end [ their journey], [all matters] return. Meccan [entirely], or as some say [Meccan] with the exception of verse 45, which is Medinese; it consists of 89 verses, revealed after [surat] al-Shura. In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful: [43:1] Ha mim: God knows be^t what He means by these [letters]. [43:2] By t…