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In the name
of Allah, the Compassionate, the Merciful |
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SECTION: 1
Tuă Sďn. These are verses of the Qur’an, the Glorious Book;[1] a
guide and good news for the believers,[2] who establish the
Salah (prayer) and pay the Zakah (charity) and
firmly believe in the hereafter.[3] As for those who do not
believe in the hereafter, We make their deeds seem fair to them,
therefore they blunder about in their folly.[4] They are
the ones for whom there is an evil punishment, and in the
hereafter, they will be the greatest losers.[5] And O
Muhammad, most surely you are receiving this Qur’an from the
One Who is wise and All-Knowing.[6]
27:[1-6] |
The Qur'an is a Guide and Good News to the Believers
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Relate to them the story of Musa (Moses),
when he said to his family: “I have seen a fire; soon I may
either bring you some information from there or a lighted torch
to warm yourselves with."[7] When he came to it, a voice called
out to him: “Blessed be He Who is in this fire and all around
it! Glory be to Allah the Rabb of the Worlds![8] O Musa, this is
Me, Allah, the All-Mighty, the Wise.[9] Throw down your staff."
When he saw it moving like a snake, he turned back and fled
without even looking back. “O Musa, do not be afraid,” said
Allah, “My Rasool need not be afraid in My presence,[10] unless,
of course, he is guilty of wrongdoing; even then, if he replaces
that wrongdoing with a good deed, I am indeed Forgiving,
Merciful.[11] Now put your hand into your pocket, it will come
out shining white without any harm. These two signs are
from the nine signs that you will be given during your
mission to Fir'on (Pharaoh) and his people; for
truly, they are a people of transgressors.”[12] But, when our
signs were shown to them, they said: “This is clear
sorcery."[13] They were convinced in their hearts about the
truth of those miracles, yet they denied those signs in
their wickedness and pride. So you see, what was the end of
those transgressors.[14]
27:[7-14] |
The story of the Prophet Musa's selection as a Rasool
Nine signs were shown to Fir'on but he still disbelieved and
incurred Allah's punishment |
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SECTION: 2
We bestowed knowledge on Dawőőd (David) and Sulaimăn (Solomon).
They both said: “Praise be to Allah Who has exalted us above
many of His believing servants."[15] Sulaimăn succeeded Dawőőd.
He said: “O people! We have been taught the language of birds
and given all sort of things. This is indeed a great blessing
from Allah."[16] Sulaimăn gathered an army comprised of
Jinns, men and birds; they all were kept under strict
discipline.[17] Once in an expedition he was marching with
his army when they came across a valley of ants, one of the
ants said: “O ants, get into your habitations lest Sulaimăn and
his army crush you under their feet without even noticing
it."[18] So Sulaimăn smiled, laughing at its statement,
and said: “O Rabb! Inspire me to render thanks for Your favors,
which You have bestowed on me and on my parents, to do such good
deeds that will please You; and admit me, by Your mercy, among
Your righteous servants."[19]
27:[15-19] |
The story of the Prophet Sulaimăn, to whom Allah gave rule over
jinns, men, birds and winds |
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He took a roll call of the birds and said: “I
do not see the hoopoe, where is he? How could he be absent?[20]
I will certainly punish him severely or even slay him, if he
does not offer me a reasonable excuse for his absence."[21]
The hoopoe, who did not take long in coming, said: I have
just found out that which you do not know. I have brought you
reliable information about the people of Sheba.[22] I
found that a woman is ruling over them, she has been given
everything and she possesses a magnificent throne.[23] Further I
found that she and her people prostrate themselves before the
sun instead of Allah. Shaităn has made their deeds fair-seeming
to them and thus turned them away from the Right Way, so that
they may not be guided[24] to prostrate themselves before Allah,
the One Who brings to light all that is hidden in the heavens
and the earth and knows exactly what you hide and what you
reveal.[25] Allah! There is no god but Him. He is the Lord of
the Mighty Throne."[26] Sulaimăn said: “Soon we shall
find out whether what you say is true or false.[27] Go and
deliver to them this letter of mine, then turn aside and wait
for their answer.” [28] The Queen said: “O my chiefs! A very
important letter has been delivered to me;[29] it is from
Sulaimăn, and it begins with the name of Allah, the
Compassionate, the Merciful.[30] It reads: Do not be arrogant
against me and come to me in complete submission (as a Muslim)."[31]
27:[20-31] |
The hoopoe brought him the news about the Queen of Sheba
Letter from King Sulaimăn to the Queen of Sheba |
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SECTION: 3
Then she asked: “O chiefs! Let me hear your advice, for I make
no decision without your counsel."[32] They replied: “We are a
valiant and mighty nation. You are the commander. So we shall be
waiting for your command."[33] The queen said: “When the
kings invade a town, they ruin it and debase its honorable
people; and thus they always do.[34] Therefore, I shall send
them a present and see with what reply my envoys will
return."[35] When the envoys of the queen came to Sulaimăn, he
said: “Do you want to provide me wealth? The wealth which Allah
has given me is far more than what He has given you. You may
very well keep your presents.[36] Go back to your people: if
your people do not submit, we will march against them with
such an army which they shall never be able to face, and we
shall drive them out of their land humbled and
disgraced."[37]
27:[32-37] |
Communications between the Queen of Sheba and Sulaimăn
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Later on when Sulaimăn (Solomon) heard
that the Queen of Sheba was coming in submission, he asked:
“O my chiefs! Which of you can bring to me her throne before
they come to me in submission?”[38] An audacious one from the
Jinns said: “I will bring it to you before you adjourn your
court; and most surely I have the necessary strength and I am
trustworthy."[39] One person who had knowledge of the Book said:
“I can bring it to you in the twinkling of an eye." As soon as
Sulaimăn saw the throne placed before him, he exclaimed:
“This is by the grace of my Rabb to test me whether I am
grateful or ungrateful. Any who is grateful, surely his
gratitude is a gain for his own soul, and any who is ungrateful
should know that surely my Rabb is Self-Sufficient,
Self-Exalted."[40] Further he said: “Without any comment to her,
set her throne in her sight; let us see whether she recognize it
or she is of those who cannot recognize the Truth."[41] So when
the queen arrived, she was asked: “Is your throne like
this?” She replied: “It looks as if it is the same; we had come
to know that Sulaimăn is not only a king but also a Prophet,
therefore we have already become Muslims."[42] - Other deities
whom she worshiped besides Allah had prevented her from
believing, for she belonged to an unbelieving folk.[43] -
Then she was asked to enter the palace. When she saw its floor,
she thought that there was a pool of water, so she tucked up
her skirts uncovering her legs. Sulaimăn said. “This is just
a glossy paving of this palace." At this she exclaimed: “O my
Rabb! I have indeed wronged my soul, now I submit myself in
Islam with Sulaimăn to Allah, the Rabb of the Worlds."[44]
27:[38-44] |
A man
who had the 'Knowledge of the Book' brought the Throne of the
Queen to king Sulaimăn in twinkling of an eye
Queen of Sheba and her people embraced Islam |
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SECTION: 4
To the people of Thamüd, We sent their brother Saleh,
saying: “Worship Allah," but they divided themselves into two
discordant factions.[45] Saleh said: “O my people! Why do you
wish to hasten towards evil rather than good? Why do you not ask
forgiveness of Allah so that you may be shown mercy?”[46] They
said: “We consider you and your companions a sign of bad luck."
He said: “Your luck is with Allah; in fact, you are a people
under trial."[47] There were nine ringleaders in the city who
created mischief in the land and reformed nothing.[48] They said
to one another: “Let us pledge on oath by Allah that we shall
make a secret night attack on him and his family, then we shall
tell his guardian that we were not even present at the time his
family was killed, and that we are telling the truth."[49] Thus
they plotted a plan, and We too plotted a plan which they did
not perceive.[50] Just see what was the outcome of their plot!
We annihilated them completely, together with all their
people.[51] There lie their houses in desolate ruins as a result
of their wrongdoings. Verily in this story there is a
lesson for those people who use their common sense.[52] Yet We
delivered the true believers who were righteous.[53]
27:[45-53] |
Prophet Saleh and his address to his people
His people plotted to kill him, but Allah saved him and
destroyed the disbelievers |
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Also mention to them of Lüt (Lot),
when he said to his people: “Do you commit indecency though you
see its iniquity?[54] Do you approach men for your sexual
desires instead of women? The fact is that you are a people
steeped in ignorance."[55] But his people gave no answer except
that they said: “Drive out the family of Lüt from your city:
they pose to be very pious."[56] So, We delivered him and his
family except his wife - about whom We had decreed that she
shall be of those who will remain behind[57] - and We rained
down on them a shower of brimstones, and evil was the
rain which fell on those who were forewarned.[58]
27:[54-58] |
The
Prophet Lüt admonished his people but they paid no heed so they
faced the scourge of Allah |
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SECTION: 5
Say: “Praise be to Allah and peace be on His servants whom He
has chosen to deliver His message. Ask them: “ Who is
better? Allah or the deities they associate with Him?”[59]
27:[59] |
Praise to Allah and peace be on His Rasools |
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Is not He (Allah), Who has created the
heavens and the earth, sends down rain from the sky and with it
brings forth the beautiful gardens not better than the false
gods that they worship? It is not in your ability to cause
the growth of trees for those gardens. Is there another
god besides Allah who could do that? No doubt they are a
people who have swerved from justice in ascribing equals
to Him.[60] Just think who has made the earth a
place for your residence, caused in it the rivers to flow, set
mountains upon it and placed a barrier between the two seas? Is
there another god besides Allah? Nay, most of them have no
knowledge.[61] Just think who answers the oppressed
person when he cries out to Him and relieves his affliction, and
makes you, O mankind, inheritors of the earth? Is there
another god besides Allah? How little do you reflect![62]
Just think who guides you in darkness on the land and the
sea, and who sends the winds as heralds of good news of His
mercy? Is there another god besides Allah? Exalted be Allah
above what they associate with Him![63] Just think who
originates creation and then repeats its production, and who
gives you sustenance from the heavens and the earth? Is there
another god besides Allah? Say: “Show us your proof if you are
telling the truth!”[64] Say: No one in the heavens or in the
earth has the knowledge of the unseen except Allah and their
gods do not know when they shall be raised to life
again.[65] Their knowledge does not grasp the Hereafter; rather
they are in doubt about it; nay, they are blind concerning
it![66]
27:[60-66] |
Just
think, is there any god besides Allah Who has created anything
in the universe, answers the oppressed or guides to the Right
Way? |
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SECTION: 6
The unbelievers say: “What! When we and our fathers have become
dust, shall we really be raised from the dead?[67] This promise
which is made to us was also made to our forefathers before us;
these are nothing but the legends of primitive people."[68] Say:
“Travel through the earth and see what has been the end of the
criminals."[69] O Prophet, do not worry about them nor
feel distressed because of their plots.[70] They also say: “When
will this promise be fulfilled if what you say be true?”[71]
Say: “It may be that a part of what you wish to hasten is near
at hand."[72] The fact is that your Rabb is very gracious to
mankind: yet most of them are ungrateful.[73] Indeed your Rabb
knows what their breasts conceal and what they reveal.[74] Nor
is there any secret in the heaven and the earth which is not
recorded in a clear Book.[75] In fact, this Qur’an clarifies for
the Children of Israel most of those matters in which they
differ.[76] It is certainly a guide and blessing to true
believers.[77] Surely your Rabb will decide between them by His
judgement, He is the All-Mighty, the All-Knowing.[78] Therefore,
put your trust in Allah, for you are certainly on the manifest
Truth.[79] The fact is that you cannot make the dead hear you,
nor can you make the deaf hear the call especially when they
turn their backs and pay no heed,[80] nor can you guide the
blind people to prevent them from straying; none will listen to
you except those who believe in Our revelations and become
Muslims.[81] When the time to fulfill Our word comes to pass, We
will bring out from the earth a monster that shall speak to
them, because the people did not believe in Our revelations.[82]
27:[67-82] |
The disbelievers doubt Allah's power of creation
The Qur'an clarifies those matters in which the Israelites
differ
A sign from the signs of Doomsday |
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SECTION: 7
On that Day We shall gather from every nation a multitude of
those who disbelieved Our revelations; then they shall be
arranged in classifications according to their merits,[83]
until when they have all arrived, their Rabb will ask: “Did you
deny My revelations without gaining their comprehensive
knowledge? If not this, what else were you doing?[84] The
sentence will be carried out against them for the consequence of
their wrongdoings and they will not be able to utter a word.[85]
Do they not see that We have made the night for them to rest in,
and the day to give them light? Surely there are signs in this
for the true believers.[86]
27:[83-86]
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Do
not deny Allah's revelations without gaining their comprehensive
knowledge |
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On the Day, when the trumpet shall be blown
and all who dwell in the heavens and the earth shall be
terrified except those whom Allah will choose to spare, and all
shall come to Him in utter humiliation,[87] these mountains
which you see and think are firmly fixed, will pass away like
clouds. Such is the might of Allah, Who has perfected all
things. He is aware of what you do.[88] Those who have done good
deeds shall be rewarded with what is better and shall be secure
from the terror of that Day.[89] And those who have done evil
deeds, shall be flung upon their faces in the hellfire. Should
you not be rewarded according to your deeds?[90] O Muhammad,
say to them: “I have been commanded to worship the Rabb of this
city (Makkah), the One Who has made it sacred and Who is
the Owner of all things; and I am commanded to be of those who
are Muslims,[91] and that I should recite The Qur’an. Now,
whoever follows this guidance will be guided for his own good,
and to him who goes astray, say: “I am merely a Warner.”[92]
Then proclaim: “Praise be to Allah, very soon He will show you
His signs and you will recognize them. Your Rabb is not unaware
of what you do."[93]
27:[87-93] |
A
scene from the Doomsday
Those who accept guidance do so to their own good and those who
go astray do so to their own peril |
Major Issues, Divine
Law and Guidance:
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* The Qur’an is a guide and good news to
the believers.
* Prophet Musa's (pbuh) nine miracles were shown to Fir'on and
his people.
* Story of Prophet Sulaimăn and the Queen of Sheba.
* Stories of Prophets Saleh, and Lüt (pbuh) and their people.
* The disbelievers actually doubt Allah’s power of creation.
* A sign from the signs, and a scene from the scenes of
Doomsday.
* Those who accept guidance do so to their own good and those
who reject and go astray, do so to their own peril.
This Sürah consists of the following two discourses.
The theme of the first discourse is that the only people that
can benefit from the guidance of The Qur’an and become worthy of
the good promises made in it, are those who accept the realities
of the universe presented in this Book, and then show obedience
and submission in their practical lives. But the greatest
hindrance for man's following this way, is the denial of the
Hereafter. For it makes him irresponsible, selfish, and greedy
in this worldly life, which in turn, makes it impossible for him
to submit himself to God and to accept the moral restrictions on
his lusts and desires.
After this introduction, three types of character have been
presented: Examples of the first type are Fir'on (Pharaoh), his
chiefs, the nation of Thamüd and the people of Prophet Lüt (pbuh)
who were all heedless of the Hereafter and consequently had
become the slaves of their desires. That’s why they did not
believe even after seeing miracles. Rather, they turned against
those who invited them to goodness and piety. They persisted in
their evil ways, which were abhorred by every sensible person.
They did not heed the admonition even moments before they were
overtaken by the scourge of Allah.
An example of the second type is Prophet Sulaimăn (Solomon) (pbuh),
who had been blessed by Allah with wealth, kingdom and grandeur
far greater than the chiefs of the disbelievers of Makkah. But,
since he regarded himself answerable before Allah and recognized
that whatever he had was only due to Allah’s bounty, he adopted
righteousness and the attitude of obedience.
An example of the third type is the Queen of Sheba, who ruled
over the most wealthy and well-known people in the history of
Arabia. She possessed all those means of life which could cause
a person to become proud and arrogant. Her wealth and
possessions far exceeded the wealth and possessions of the
Qureysh. She professed shirk, which was not only an ancestral
way of life for her, but she had to follow it in order to
maintain her position as a ruler. Therefore, it was much more
difficult for her to give up shirk and adopt the way of Tawhďd
than it could be for a common mushrik. But when the Truth became
evident to her, nothing could stop her from accepting it. Her
deviation was, in fact, due to her being born and brought up in
a polytheistic environment, not because of her being a slave to
her lusts and desires. Her conscience was not devoid of the
sense of accountability before Allah.
The theme of the second discourse is to draw the attention of
the people to some of the most glaring and visible realities of
the universe by asking questions such as: “Do the realities of
the universe testify to the creed of shirk which you are
following, or to the truth of Tawhďd to which the Qur’an invites
you?” After this the real malady of the disbelievers is pointed
out, saying, “The thing which has blinded them and made them
insensitive to every reality is their denial of the Hereafter.
This same thing has rendered every matter and affair of life
non-serious for them. For, according to them, when ultimately
everything has to become dust, and the whole struggle of
existence is to enjoy this worldly life then the truth and
falsehood are equal and alike. Therefore, the question of
whether one’s system of life is based on right or wrong
foundations becomes meaningless."
In conclusion, the invitation of the Qur'an to serve One God
(Allah) is presented in a concise but forceful manner, and the
people are admonished to accept this invitation as being to
their advantage and rejection will be to their disadvantage. For
if they deferred their faith till they saw those signs of Allah,
after the appearance of which they would be left with no choice
but to believe and submit.
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