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In the name
of Allah, the Compassionate, the Merciful |
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SECTION: 1
Hã M'ïm.[1] ‘Ain Sïn Qãf.[2] Thus, Allah All-Mighty, the
All-Wise sends His revelation to you, O Muhammad, as He
sent to other Rasools before you.[3] To Him belongs all
that is in the heavens and the earth. He is the Supreme, the
Great.[4] The heavens might have almost broken apart from above
those who are elevating Allah’s creatures to His rank, if
the angels would have not been glorifying their Rabb with His
praise and begging forgiveness for those on earth. Behold!
Surely it is Allah Who is the oft-Forgiving, most Merciful.[5]
Those who take others as their guardians besides Him, Allah
Himself is watching them; and O Prophet, you are not the
disposer of their affairs.[6] Thus have We revealed to you this
Qur’an in Arabic, so that you may warn the residents of the
Mother City (Makkah) and its suburbs, and forewarn them
of the Day of assembly about which there is no doubt: when some
will go to paradise and others to the blazing fire.[7] If Allah
wanted, He could have made all of them a single nation; but He
admits to His mercy whom He pleases; as for the wrongdoers, they
will have no protector nor helper.[8] Have they set up other
guardians beside Him, while Allah Alone is the Guardian? It is
He Who gives life to the dead and it is He Who has power over
all things.[9]
42:[1-9] |
The heavens might have broken apart from above those who elevate
Allah's creatures to His rank if the angels were not begging
forgiveness for the residents of earth |
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SECTION: 2
O Prophet, tell them: Whatever the subject of your
dispute is, its Judgment belongs to Allah: Such is Allah my Rabb,
in Him I have put my trust, and to Him I turn in repentance,[10]
the Creator of the heavens and the earth. He has made for you
mates from among yourselves and also mates among the cattle
from their own kind; by this means does He multiply you.
There is no one like Him. He Alone hears all and sees all.[11]
To Him belong the keys of the heavens and the earth. He gives
abundantly to whom He pleases and sparingly to whom He wills. He
is the Knower of everything.[12] He has ordained for you the
same Deen (way of life - Islam) which He enjoined on Nüh
- and which We have revealed to you O Muhammad - and
which We enjoined on Ibrãhïm and Musa (Moses) and Isa (Jesus):
“Establish the Deen of Al-Islam and make no division (sects)
in it." Intolerable for the mushrikïn is that to which you O
Muhammad call them. Allah chooses for His service
whom He wills, and guides to His Way only those who turn to Him
in repentance.[13] The people did not become divided into
sects until after knowledge had come to them, out of envy among
themselves. Had your Rabb not issued the word to defer their
punishment till an appointed time, the matter would have
already been settled between them. The fact is that those who
were made to inherit the Book after them, are surely in
disquieting doubt concerning it.[14] Therefore, call them to
the true Deen, stay firm on the Right Way as you are
commanded and do not follow their vain desires. Tell them: “I
believe in whatever Allah has revealed from the Book and I am
commanded to do justice between you. Allah is Our Rabb and your
Rabb. We are responsible for Our deeds and you for yours. Let
there be no dispute among us. Allah will bring us all together
on the Day of Judgment and decide as to who is right and who is
wrong, and to Him is the final return.[15] Those who dispute
concerning Allah after pledging obedience to Him, their dispute
is futile in the sight of their Rabb, on them is His wrath and
for them there will be a terrible punishment.[16] It is Allah
Who has revealed this Book (Al-Qur'an) with the truth,
and the Balance (to distinguish between right and wrong).
What will make you realize that perhaps the hour of doom
may be fast approaching.[17] Only those who deny it seek to
hasten it on; but the believers dread its coming and know that
its coming is the truth. Behold! Those who dispute concerning
the hour of doom are far astray.[18] Allah is very Kind
to His servants. He gives sustenance to whom He pleases. He is
the Powerful, the Almighty."[19]
42:[10-19] |
Islam is the same Deen (way of life) which was enjoined on Nüh,
Ibrãhïm, Musa (Moses) and Isa (Jesus). They were all ordered to
establish Deen-al-Islam and do not create division (sects) in it
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SECTION: 3
He who desires the harvest of the hereafter, shall be given a
many fold increase in his harvest; and he who desires the
harvest of this world, a share of it shall be given to him: but
in the hereafter he shall have no share at all.[20] Have they
made shorakã' (partners with Allah) who, in the practice
of their faith, have made lawful to them what Allah has not
allowed? Had a decision of making the decision on the Day of
Judgment not been issued already, the matter would have
certainly been decided between them; surely the wrongdoers will
have a painful punishment.[21] You will see that the wrongdoers
will be fearing the bad consequences of their deeds which will
surely befall them. While those who believe and do good deeds
shall dwell in the luxurious gardens of paradise, and
shall receive from their Rabb all that they wish for; that will
surely be the magnificent blessing.[22] Such a blessing
is the good news which Allah gives to His servants who believe
and do good deeds. O Prophet, say to them: “I do not ask
you any recompense except your love for being my close
relatives." He that does a good deed shall be repaid many times
over. Surely Allah is oft-Forgiving, most-Appreciative.[23] Do
they say: “He has forged a falsehood against Allah?” But if
Allah so willed, He could have sealed your heart. In fact Allah
blots out falsehood and vindicates the truth by His words.
Surely He knows everything that is hidden in your breast.[24] It
is He Who accepts repentance from His servants and pardons their
sins, and He knows whatever you do.[25] He answers the prayers
of those who believe and do good deeds and gives them even more
out of His bounty. As for the unbelievers, they shall have
severe punishment.[26] Had Allah bestowed abundance upon His
servants, they would have transgressed beyond bounds in the
earth; that’s why He sends down in due measure as He
pleases; He is well aware and observant of His servants.[27] It
is He Who sends down rain even after they have lost all hope,
and spreads His Mercy. He Alone is the Praiseworthy
Guardian.[28] Among His signs is the creation of the heavens and
the earth, and the living creatures that He has spread in both
of them: and He is capable of gathering them all together
whenever He wants.[29]
42:[20-29] |
He who desires the harvest in the hereafter shall be given many
folds, but he who desires it in this life shall be given a
portion here but shall have no share in the hereafter
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SECTION: 4
Whatever affliction befalls you is the result of what your own
hands have done even though for many of your misdeeds He
grants forgiveness.[30] You cannot frustrate anything in earth
and there is no protector or helper for you besides Allah.[31]
Among His signs are the ships which look like mountains upon the
ocean.[32] If He wants, He can cause the wind to become still
and leave them motionless on their backs - surely in this
example there are signs for every such person who patiently
endures and is grateful.[33] - Or He may cause them to drown in
consequence of even a few of their misdeeds, though He forgives
many of their misdeeds.[34] Those who dispute about Our
revelations should know that there is no escape for them.[35]
Whatever you are given is nothing but a provision for the
transitory life of this world, better and ever lasting is the
reward which Allah has for those who believe, put their trust in
their Rabb,[36] avoid major sins and shameful deeds, forgive
even when they are angry;[37] answer the call of their Rabb,
establish Salah, conduct their affairs with mutual consultation,
spend out of the sustenance which We have given them,[38] and
when they are oppressed, help and defend themselves.[39] The
recompense for an injury is an injury proportionate to it; but
if a person forgives and makes reconciliation he shall be
rewarded by Allah; He does not like the wrongdoers.[40] Those
who avenge themselves when wronged cannot be blamed.[41] The
blameworthy are those who oppress their fellow men and conduct
themselves with wickedness and injustice in the land. It
is they who will have painful punishment.[42] Those who endure
with fortitude and forgive others, surely exhibit great courage
in conducting their affairs.[43]
42:[30-43] |
Whatever afflictions befall upon people are the result of their
own misdeeds
True believers are those who establish Salah, give charity and
defend themselves when oppressed |
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SECTION: 5
He whom Allah lets go astray has no protector after Him. When
they will face the punishment, you will see the wrongdoers
exclaim: “Is there any way back to the world?”[44] You will see
them brought before Us awed and humiliated, looking at it with
stealthy glances. The true believers will say: “The real losers
indeed are those who have lost themselves and their families on
the Day of Resurrection." Beware! Surely the wrongdoers shall
suffer everlasting punishment.[45] They shall have no protectors
who could help them besides Allah. The one whom Allah lets go
astray has no way of escape.[46] Answer the call of your Rabb
before that Day arrives which cannot be averted against the will
of Allah. There shall be no refuge for you on that Day, nor
shall you be able to deny your sins.[47] Now if they give no
heed, they should know that We have not sent you, O
Muhammad, to be their keeper. Your only duty is to convey
My message. Man is such that when We give him a taste of Our
Mercy, he is very happy about it; but when, through his own
fault, an evil afflicts him, he becomes utterly ungrateful."[48]
42:[44-48] |
The real losers are those who will lose on the Day of
Resurrection |
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To Allah belongs the kingdom of the heavens
and the earth. He creates whatever He pleases. He gives
daughters to whom He pleases and gives sons to whom He
pleases.[49] To some He gives both sons and daughters, and makes
barren whom He will; surely He is All-knowledgeable,
All-Powerful.[50]
42:[49-50] |
It is
Allah Who gives daughters and sons as He pleases |
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It is not vouchsafed to any human being that
Allah should speak to him face to face, He speaks either through
inspiration, or from behind a veil, or through sending a
messenger (angel Gabriel) authorized by Him to reveal His
will; surely He is most High, most Wise.[51] Thus, have We
revealed to you O Muhammad, a Spirit (inspired Book -
The Qur’an) by Our command: while you did not know what is
The Book and what is the Imãn (faith). But We have made
it (The Qur’an) a light whereby We guide those of Our
servants whom We please; and surely you are guiding mankind to
the Right Way[52] - the Way of Allah - to whom belongs all that
is in the heavens and the earth. Beware! All affairs will
eventually return to Allah for a decision.[53]
42:[51-53] |
It is
not vouchsafed for any human being that Allah should speak to
him face to face |
Major Issues, Divine
Law and Guidance:
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* The Heaven might have broken apart from
above those who elevate Allah’s creatures to His level if angels
were not begging for forgiveness for the residents of Earth.
* Islam is the same religion which was enjoined on Nüh, Ibrãhïm,
Musa, and Isa. They were all ordained to establish Deen-al-Islam
and not to create divisions in it.
* He who desires the harvest in the Hereafter shall be given
manyfold and he who desires it in this life shall be given a
portion here but shall have no share in the Hereafter.
* Whatever inflictions befall upon people, are the result of
their own misdeeds.
* True believers are those who establish Salah, give charity and
defend themselves when oppressed.
* The real losers are those who will lose on the Day of
Resurrection.
* It is Allah who gives daughters and sons as He pleases.
* It is not vouchsafed for any human being that Allah should
speak to him face to face.
This discourse, as depicted in
Tafheem-ul-Qur'an, begins in a way as if to say: “Why are you
expressing surprise and amazement at what Our Prophet is
presenting before you? What he says is not new or strange, nor
anything novel, which is being presented for the first time in
history: that Revelation should come down to a man from God and
he should be given instructions for the guidance of mankind.
Allah has been sending similar Revelations with similar
instructions to former Prophets. It is not surprising that the
Owner of the Universe should be acknowledged as the Deity and
Ruler, but what is strange is that one should accept another as
divine and deity in spite of being His subject and slave. You
are being angry with him who is presenting Tawhïd before you,
whereas the shirk that you are committing with regard to the
Master of the Universe is such a grave crime as may cause the
heavens to break asunder. The angels are amazed at this boldness
of yours and fear that the wrath of Allah might descend on you
any moment.”
After this, the people have been told that a person’s being
appointed to the Prophethood and his presenting himself as a
Prophet does not mean that he has been made master of people’s
destinies and he has come to the world with that very claim.
Allah has kept all destinies in His own hands. The Prophet has
come only to arouse the heedless and guide the strayed ones to
the Right Path. To call to account those who do not listen to
him and to punish or not to punish them is Allah’s own
responsibility and not a part of the Prophet’s obligation.
Therefore, they should get it out of their head that the Prophet
has come with a claim similar to those that are made by their so
called religious guides and saints to the effect that he who
would not listen to them, or would behave insolently towards
them, would be burnt to death: In this very connection, the
people have also been told that the Prophet has not come to
condemn them but he is their well wisher; he is warning them
that the way they are following will only lead to their own
destruction.
Then an answer has been given to the question: Why didn’t Allah
make all human beings righteous by birth, and why did He allow
the differences of viewpoint owing to which people start
following each other in thought and action? After this, it has
been explained that the way of life presented by the Prophet
Muhammad (pbuh) is that Allah Almighty is the Creator, Master
and real Patron of the Universe and Man. He Alone is the man’s
Ruler, He Alone has the right to give man Faith (Deen) and Law
(system of belief and practice) and judge the disputes and show
what is right and what is wrong. No other being has any right to
be his lawgiver. In other words, like natural sovereignty, the
sovereignty with regard to lawmaking also is vested only in
Allah. None else, apart from Allah, can be the bearer of this
sovereignty. And if a person does not recognize and accept this
Divine rule of Allah, it is merely futile for him to recognize
the natural sovereignty of Allah.
On this very basis has Allah ordained a Din (True Religion) for
Man from the very beginning. It was one and the same Religion
that was vouchsafed in every age to all the Prophets. No Prophet
ever founded any new or separate religion of his own. The same
one Religion has been enjoined by Allah for all Mankind since
the beginning of creation, and all the Prophets have been
following it and inviting others to follow it.
This Religion and Creed was not sent in order that man may rest
contentedly only with believing in it, but it was sent with the
purpose and intention that it alone should be introduced,
established and enforced in the world, and no man made religion
should prevail on Allah’s earth apart from His Religion. The
Prophets had not been appointed only to preach this Religion,
but also to establish it in the world.
This same religion is the original religion of mankind, but
after the death of the Prophets, selfish people created new
creeds by creating schisms for vested interests due to
self-conceit, vanity and ostentation. All the different
religions and creeds found in the world today have resulted from
corruption of the original Divine Truth.
Now, the Prophet Muhammad (upon whom be Allah’s peace,) has been
assigned to present before people the same original Religion in
place of the various practices and artificial creeds and try to
establish the same. Of this, if instead of being grateful, you
feel angry and come out to fight him, it is your folly; the
Prophet will not abandon his mission only because of your
foolishness. He has been enjoined to adhere to his faith at all
costs and to carry out the mission to which he has been
appointed. Therefore, the people should not cherish any false
hope that in order to please them he would accommodate them and
cater to the same whims and superstitions of ignorance which
corrupted Allah’s Religion before.
- That the Prophet was wholly unaware of this concept of the
“Book” or the True Faith during the first forty years of his
life and then his sudden emergence before the people with
those two things, is a manifest proof of his being a Prophet.
- His presenting his own teaching as the teaching of God
does not mean that he claims to have spoken to God, face to
face, but God has conveyed to him this Guidance, as in the
case of all other Prophets, in three ways: He speaks to His
Prophets either through Revelation, or from behind a veil, or
He sends an angel with the message. This thing was clarified
so that the opponents of the message may not have an
opportunity of accusing the Prophet of claiming to have spoken
to God, face to face, and the lovers of the truth should know
by what methods Allah gave instruction to the man whom He had
appointed to the mission of Prophethood.
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