43. Az-Zukhruf

Ḥā, Meem.1

Ha Mim

M. Ha-Mim. Hameed Owner of all Praise, Majeed Owner of Glory, states that

By the clear Book,

By the Book that makes things clear

Witness to itself is this Scripture that is clear in itself and shows the Truth clearly

Indeed, We have made it an Arabic Qur’ān that you might understand.

We have made it an Arabic Quran so that you may understand

Behold, We have made it a Monograph in clear Arabic language that you may fully understand. (7:158), (12:3), (13:37), (14:4), (25:1), (39:28),

And indeed it is, in the Mother of the Book1 with Us, exalted and full of wisdom.2

Truly, it is inscribed in the Original Book, in Our keeping; it is sublime and full of wisdom

And, verily, in the Source of Decrees with Us, it is indeed sublime, decisive

Then should We turn the message away, disregarding you, because you are a transgressing people?

Should We withdraw the admonition from you because you are a people far gone in transgression

Should We withdraw the Reminder from you just because you are a people bent upon wasting yourselves

And how many a prophet We sent among the former peoples,

We have sent many a prophet to earlier peoples

And how many a Prophet did We send to the previous generations

But there would not come to them a prophet except that they used to ridicule him.

but whenever a prophet came to them, they mocked him

But never came unto them a Prophet, but they mocked him

And We destroyed greater than them1 in [striking] power, and the example of the former peoples has preceded.

so We destroyed those who were mightier than these; such was the example of the earlier peoples

And so, We annihilated them. They were mightier in prowess than these are. They were made history and this fact should serve as an example for these people. ('Madha mathal' = An image of the past, lost and gone)

And if you should ask them, "Who has created the heavens and the earth?" they would surely say, "They were created by the Exalted in Might, the Knowing,"

If you ask them, "Who has created the heavens and the earth?", they will surely answer, "The Almighty, the All Knowing One has created them

If you ask them, "Who created the heavens and the earth?" They will answer, "The Almighty, the Knower created them

[The one] who has made for you the earth a bed and made for you upon it roads that you might be guided

Who has made the earth a cradle for you and made thereon paths for you so that, hopefully, you may find your way

He it is Who has made the earth a cradle for you and has made roads therein and ways of subsistence, so that you may find ways to your destination. ('Subula' = Ways and means)

And who sends down rain from the sky in measured amounts, and We revive thereby a dead land - thus will you be brought forth -

It is He who sends water down from the sky in due measure, We revive dead land with it and likewise you will be resurrected from the grave

And He it is Who sends down water from the sky in due measure. And We revive with it a dead land, thus will you be brought forth

And who created the species, all of them, and has made for you of ships and animals those which you mount

it is He who created all living things in pairs and gave you ships to sail in and beasts to ride upon

And He it is Who has created all the pairs and He it is Who has given you all those ships and quadrupeds on which you ride

That you may settle yourselves upon their backs and then remember the favor of your Lord when you have settled upon them and say, "Exalted is He who has subjected this to us, and we could not have [otherwise] subdued it.1

so that you may sit firmly on their backs. Then once you have mounted them, remember your Lord's favour and say, "Glory be to Him who has subjected these creatures to us; we would never on our own have subdued them

So that you might have control of the means of transport, and that upon gaining control of them you might remember your Lord's Blessings, and say, "Glorified is He Who has made all this of service to us. (Against His Laws) we would not have been able to attain this control. ('Alayehi': The singular form here refers to 'transport' including the ships, the quadrupeds, and all else)

And indeed we, to our Lord, will [surely] return."

And to our Lord we shall surely return

Hence, verily, it is unto Him that we must always turn

But they have attributed to Him from His servants a portion.1 Indeed, man is clearly ungrateful.

Yet they make some of His servants partners in His divinity. Man is clearly ungrateful

And yet they have 'made' some of His servants to be a part of Him! Verily, most obviously ungrateful is man

Or has He taken, out of what He has created, daughters and chosen you for [having] sons?

Has He then taken daughters out of His own creation and chosen sons for you

What! Has He taken daughters out of what He Himself created and grants you sons of your choice

And when one of them is given good tidings of that which he attributes to the Most Merciful in comparison [i.e., a daughter], his face becomes dark, and he suppresses grief.

When any of them is given the news of the very thing [i.e. a female child] which he himself has ascribed to the All Merciful, his face darkens and he is filled with grief

Yet if any of them is given the glad tiding of what he likens to the Beneficent, his face saddens and he is filled with hidden anger

So is one brought up in ornaments while being during conflict unevident1 [attributed to Allāh]?

[Do you ascribe to God] one who is brought up among ornaments and who cannot produce a cogent argument

(He says), "What! That which has to be raised in ornaments?" And then he finds himself in an inner conflict (whether to let the daughter live or bury her in the dust)

And they described the angels, who are servants of the Most Merciful, as females. Did they witness their creation? Their testimony will be recorded, and they will be questioned.

They consider the angels, God's servants, to be female. Did they witness their creation? Their claim will be put on record and they will be questioned about it

And they 'make' the angels who are servants of the Beneficent, females. Did they witness their creation? Their testimony will be recorded, and they will be called to account (for their false claims)

And they said, "If the Most Merciful had willed, we would not have worshipped them." They have of that no knowledge. They are not but misjudging.

They say, "If the All Merciful had so willed, we would not have worshipped them." They have no knowledge of that. They are only conjecturing

Yet they say, "If it had been the Will of the Beneficent, we should not have worshiped them." But, of that, they have no knowledge. (That there is no room for fatalism in Divine Laws. Humans have been endowed with free will (6:149), (36:47). They only wander in the valley of conjecture

Or have We given them a book before it [i.e., the Qur’ān] to which they are adhering?

Have We given them a Book before this, to which they are holding fast

What! Have We given them a scripture before this to which they are holding fast

Rather, they say, "Indeed, we found our fathers upon a religion, and we are in their footsteps [rightly] guided."

No indeed! They say, "We have found our fathers following a certain course, and we are guided by their footsteps

Nay, but they say, "Behold, we found our fathers following a certain religion, and we find our way in their footprints

And similarly, We did not send before you any warner into a city except that its affluent said, "Indeed, we found our fathers upon a religion, and we are, in their footsteps, following."

Whenever We sent a messenger before you to warn a township, the affluent among them said, in the same way, "We saw our fathers following this tradition; we are only following in their footsteps

Thus it is. Whenever We sent, before you, a Warner to a community, its luxurious ones said, "Behold, We found our fathers following a certain religion, and we are following their footprints

[Each warner] said, "Even if I brought you better guidance than that [religion] upon which you found your fathers?" They said, "Indeed we, in that with which you were sent, are disbelievers."

Each messenger said, "What if I should bring you better guidance than what you found your forefathers had?" They replied, "We reject any message you have been sent with

(Whereupon the Prophet would say), "Why! Even though I bring you better guidance than that you found your ancestors following?" They replied, "Behold, We deny what you are sent with

So We took retribution from them; then see how was the end of the deniers.

So We wreaked Our vengeance on them: now see what was the end of those who rejected [the Truth]

And so We requited them. Then see what the outcome of the deniers was

And [mention, O Muḥammad], when Abraham said to his father and his people, "Indeed, I am disassociated from that which you worship

Call to mind when Abraham said to his father and his people, "I disown utterly that which you worship

And when Abraham declared to his father and his people, "Verily, I do indeed free myself of what you worship

Except for He who created me; and indeed, He will guide me."

[I worship] only Him who created me, and He will certainly guide me

None (shall I serve) but He Who brought me into being, and, behold, He it is Who will guide me

And he made it1 a word remaining among his descendants that they might return [to it].

and he left these words to endure among his descendants, so that they might return [to God]

And He left an enduring lesson for subsequent generations that they may seek inspiration from it. (Taking a firm stand against blind following)

However, I gave enjoyment to these [people of Makkah] and their fathers1 until there came to them the truth and a clear Messenger.2

Yes, I gave the good things of this life to these [men] and their fathers, until the truth came to them, and a messenger expounding things clearly

As it is, I have let these people, and their fathers get along with their lives, until the Truth has come to them and a Messenger making things clear (and afford them a chance to achieve true success)

But when the truth came to them, they said, "This is magic, and indeed we are, concerning it, disbelievers."

but when the truth came to them, they said, "This is sorcery, and we reject it

But now that the Truth has come to them, they say, "It is a magical lie and, behold, we are disbelievers therein

And they said, "Why was this Qur’ān not sent down upon a great man from [one of] the two cities?"1

They said, "Why was this Quran not sent down to one of the great men of the two cities

And they say, "Why was not this Qur'an sent down to some great man of the two towns (Makkah and Taif)

Do they distribute the mercy of your Lord? It is We who have apportioned among them their livelihood in the life of this world and have raised some of them above others in degrees [of rank] that they may make use of one another for service. But the mercy of your Lord is better than whatever they accumulate.

Is it they who apportion the mercy of your Lord? It is We who distribute among them their livelihood in the life of this world, and raise some of them above others in rank, so that they may take one another into service; and the mercy of your Lord is better than [the wealth] which they amass

But are they the ones who distribute your Lord's Grace (of Revelation)? Nay, it is We Who distribute among them even their material needs in the life of the world. And We grade them in work so that they might help one another (with different skills). And the Grace of your Lord (the revealed Guidance) is better than all the wealth they amass. (1)

And if it were not that the people would become one community [of disbelievers],1 We would have made for those who disbelieve in the Most Merciful - for their houses - ceilings and stairways of silver upon which to mount.

If it were not that all mankind might have become one community [of disbelievers], We could have given all those who deny the Lord of Mercy, houses with roofs of silver, silver staircases to ascend

If mankind were intended to become One Community (through wealth and not through Ideology), We might have made all those who disbelieve in the Beneficent super rich, giving them roofs of silver for their houses and stairs of silver to climb

And for their houses - doors and couches [of silver] upon which to recline

and silver doors to their houses and silver couches on which to recline

And for their houses doors of silver and couches of silver to recline on

And gold ornament. But all that is not but the enjoyment of worldly life. And the Hereafter with your Lord is for the righteous.

and ornaments of gold. But all of these are but the provision of this present life; it is the life to come that the Lord reserves for those who fear Him

And gold! Yet all this would have been but a fleeting delight of the life of the world. But the Eternity with your Lord belongs to those who walk aright

And whoever is blinded from remembrance of the Most Merciful - We appoint for him a devil, and he is to him a companion.

As for one who turns away from the remembrance of the Gracious God, We appoint for him a devil, who will become his intimate companion

Whoever closes his eyes to the remembrance of the Beneficent, to him We assign a Satan as an intimate companion. (His desires overtake him)

And indeed, they [i.e., the devils] avert them from the way [of guidance] while they think that they are [rightly] guided

Devils divert men from the [right] way, while they think that they are rightly guided

And, behold, they surely hinder them from the Way, but (rationalizing their actions) they think that they are guided aright

Until, when he comes to Us [at Judgement], he says [to his companion], "How I wish there was between me and you the distance between the east and west; and what a wretched companion."

When such a person comes to Us, he will say [to his comrade], "If only you had been as far away from me as east is from west. What an evil comrade

But in the end when he comes to Us, he will say (to his split self), "Ah, I wish I was far apart from you as the East is from the West! Ah, what a miserable companion

And never will it benefit you that Day, when you have wronged, that you are [all] sharing in the punishment.

It will be said [to such a person], "You have done wrong. Having partners in punishment will be of no avail to you today

It will not console you on that Day that after doing wrong together, you are now partners in punishment

Then will you make the deaf hear, [O Muḥammad], or guide the blind or he who is in clear error?

Can you [Prophet] make the deaf hear? Or guide either the blind or those who are in manifest error

But, can you make the deaf of heart hear or show the way to the blind of heart? Such is the case of him who obviously wishes to wander off road

And whether [or not] We take you away [in death], indeed, We will take retribution upon them.

Even if We take you away from the world, We shall surely take vengeance on them

(O Prophet) Even if We take you away, verily, Our Requital is inevitable for them

Or whether [or not] We show you that which We have promised them, indeed, We are Perfect in Ability.

or We shall show you what We have promised them; for surely We have complete power over them

Or, We may show you what We promise them. (If they accept the Message they will be blessed with Our bounties, instead of suffering). Behold, We have full power over them. (10:46), (13:40), (2)

So adhere to that which is revealed to you. Indeed, you are on a straight path.

So, hold fast to the Book that has been revealed to you, you are surely on the right path

So hold fast unto what is revealed to you. For, verily, you are on a Straight Path

And indeed, it is a remembrance1 for you and your people, and you [all] are going to be questioned.

it is certainly a reminder to you and to your people and you will soon be called to account

And, behold, this Reminder will give eminence to you and your people. But in time, all of you will be called to account for what you have done with it. (21:10), (2)

And ask those We sent before you of Our messengers; have We made besides the Most Merciful deities to be worshipped?

Ask those of Our messengers whom We sent before you, "Did We ever appoint gods to be worshipped besides the Beneficent One

Check the Messengers (their Message) We sent before you. Did We ever appoint gods to be worshiped other than the Beneficent

And certainly did We send Moses with Our signs to Pharaoh and his establishment, and he said, "Indeed, I am the messenger of the Lord of the worlds."

We sent Moses with Our signs to Pharaoh and his nobles. He said, "I am the messenger of the Lord of the Universe

Thus indeed, We sent Moses with Our Messages to Pharaoh and his chiefs, and he said, "Behold, I am a Messenger of the Lord of the Worlds

But when he brought them Our signs, at once they laughed at them.

but when he came to them with Our signs, they ridiculed them

But when he presented them Our Messages, behold, they laughed at them

And We showed them not a sign except that it was greater than its sister, and We seized them with affliction that perhaps they might return [to faith].

even though each sign We showed them was greater than the previous one. We afflicted them with torment so that they might return [to the right path]

We showed them Sign after Sign each greater than the previous like of it, and We took them to task with suffering so that they might turn (to make amends)

And they said [to Moses], "O magician, invoke for us your Lord by what He has promised you. Indeed, we will be guided."

They said, "Sorcerer, call on your Lord for us, by virtue of His pledge to you: we shall certainly accept guidance

But they kept saying, "O Wizard! Pray for us to your Lord according to His covenant with you. For, verily, we shall now walk the right way

But when We removed from them the affliction, at once they broke their word.

but when We relieved them of the torment, they broke their word

But as soon as we relieved their affliction, behold, they broke their word

And Pharaoh called out among his people; he said, "O my people, does not the kingdom of Egypt belong to me, and these rivers flowing beneath me; then do you not see?

Pharaoh called to his people, "My people, is the Kingdom of Egypt not mine? And these rivers that flow at my feet, are they not mine? Do you not see

(As Moses was becoming popular), Pharaoh kept announcing to his people, "O My people! Is not mine the Kingdom of Egypt, and these streams flowing beneath me? What! See you not then

Or am I [not] better than this one [i.e., Moses] who is insignificant and hardly makes himself clear?1

Am I not better than this contemptible man who can hardly make his meaning clear

Am I not better than this despicable fellow man who can hardly make his point? (Pharaoh held the Divine Message in low esteem and not the speech of Moses as suggested in some traditions)

Then why have there not been placed upon him bracelets of gold or come with him the angels in conjunction?"

and why have not armlets of gold been bestowed on him and why is there not a train of angels accompanying him

And then, why have no golden armlets been bestowed on him? Or why have no angels come along escorting him?" ('Aswirah' = Armlets of gold, which were considered a sign of honor, stature and royalty in many civilizations)

So he bluffed his people, and they obeyed him. Indeed, they were [themselves] a people defiantly disobedient [of Allāh].

In this way he fooled his people and they obeyed him: they were a rebellious people

Thus did he stupefy his people and they obeyed him. Verily, they were a nation who readily drifted away from the Truth

And when they angered Us, We took retribution from them and drowned them all.

Then when they provoked Our wrath, We took revenge on them and drowned every one of them

So when they continued to challenge Us, We requited them and drowned them all

And We made them a precedent and an example for the later peoples.

We made them a precedent, an example for later peoples

And so We made them history and an example for later generations

And when the son of Mary was presented as an example,1 immediately your people laughed aloud.

When [Jesus] the son of Mary is held up as an example, your people raise an outcry on this

When the son of Mary is mentioned as an example (O Prophet), behold, your people raise an outcry about it

And they said, "Are our gods better, or is he?"1 They did not present it [i.e., the comparison] except for [mere] argument. But, [in fact], they are a people prone to dispute.

saying, "Are our gods better or him?" -- they cite him only to challenge you: they are a contentious people

And they say, "Which is better, our gods or he?" They raise this objection as a vain argument. Nay! But they are a contentious folk

He [i.e., Jesus] was not but a servant upon whom We bestowed favor, and We made him an example for the Children of Israel.

but he was only a servant We favoured and made an example for the Children of Israel

He was nothing but a servant whom We had graced (with Revelation) and whom We made an example for the Children of Israel

And if We willed, We could have made [instead] of you angels succeeding [one another]1 on the earth.

if We had so wished, We could have appointed angels in exchange for you to succeed you on the earth

And had We so willed We could have made you humans into angels succeeding one another on earth

And indeed, he [i.e., Jesus] will be [a sign for] knowledge of the Hour, so be not in doubt of it, and follow Me.1 This is a straight path.

He is a sign of the Hour. Have no doubt about it. But follow me. This is a straight path

And, behold, this (Qur'an) indeed gives knowledge of the oncoming Revolution. Hence, bear no doubt about it and follow Me. This alone is the Straight Path

And never let Satan avert you. Indeed, he is to you a clear enemy.

do not let Satan bar your way. He is truly your sworn enemy

And let not Satan (your whims and deceivers) bar you from it. Behold, he is your open enemy

And when Jesus brought clear proofs, he said, "I have come to you with wisdom [i.e., prophethood] and to make clear to you some of that over which you differ, so fear Allāh and obey me.

When Jesus came with clear signs, he said, "Now I have come to you with wisdom, in order to make clear to you some of the things about which you dispute: therefore fear God and obey me

Now when Jesus came with the evident Truth, he said, "Now I have come unto you with wisdom and to make clear to you some of the issues on which you differ. So, be mindful of Allah and heed me

Indeed, Allāh is my Lord and your Lord, so worship Him. This is a straight path."

For God, He is my Lord and your Lord: so worship Him: that is a straight path

Behold, Allah, He is my Lord and your Lord. So worship Him alone. This is a Straight Way

But the denominations from among them differed [and separated], so woe to those who have wronged from the punishment of a painful Day.

The various factions among them differed -- woe then to those who did wrong: they will suffer the punishment of a painful Day

(This was the true Monotheism he had brought) but factions among them began to hold different views. Then anguish of an awful Day awaits those who wrongfully deviated

Are they waiting except for the Hour to come upon them suddenly while they perceive not?

Are they merely waiting for the Hour, which will come upon them suddenly and take them unawares

Herein was the response to the idolaters' objections about their idols and Jesus (43:58).) Do they only wait for the Revolution that will (seem to) come upon them all of a sudden while they perceive not

Close friends, that Day, will be enemies to each other, except for the righteous

On that Day, friends will become each other's enemies, except the righteous

Friends on that Day will be foes to one another except those who walk aright. (The Divine Ideology will keep them close)

[To whom Allāh will say], "O My servants, no fear will there be concerning you this Day, nor will you grieve,

O My servants, you need not fear this Day, nor shall you grieve

O My servants! No fear for you this Day nor are you to grieve

[You] who believed in Our verses and were Muslims.

those who believed in Our revelations and surrendered themselves to Us

You who believed in Our Messages and surrendered to Us

Enter Paradise, you and your kinds,1 delighted."

Enter the Garden rejoicing, both you and your spouses

Enter the Garden, you and your spouses, rejoicing

Circulated among them will be plates and vessels of gold. And therein is whatever the souls desire and [what] delights the eyes, and you will abide therein eternally.

Dishes and goblets of gold will be passed around them with all that their souls desire and their eyes delight in. "There you will remain forever

Therein they will be served around in trays and goblets of gold. And therein is all that a person might desire and the eyes might delight in. And you are immortal therein

And that is Paradise which you are made to inherit for what you used to do.

this is the Garden which you will inherit by virtue of your past deeds

Such is the Paradise that you shall have inherited by virtue of your deeds

For you therein is much fruit1 from which you will eat.

and there is abundant fruit in it for you to eat

Fruits of those deeds shall you have in abundance to partake thereof

Indeed, the criminals will be in the punishment of Hell, abiding eternally.

As for the evil-doers, they shall endure forever the torment of Hell

But, behold, those who stole the fruit of others' labor shall abide in the suffering of Hell

It will not be allowed to subside for them, and they, therein, are in despair.

from which there is no relief: they will remain there in utter despair

It will not be relaxed for them, and therein they will be in despair

And We did not wrong them, but it was they who were the wrongdoers.

We have not wronged them; it was they who were the wrongdoers

And it is not We Who wrong them, but it is they who used to hurt their own "Self" by doing wrong to others

And they will call, "O Mālik,1 let your Lord put an end to us!" He will say, "Indeed, you will remain."

They will cry, "Master, if only your Lord would put an end to us!" But he [the angel] will answer, "No! You are here to stay

And they will cry, "O Keeper (of Hell)! Let your Lord finish us!" He will answer, "Verily, you must live on

We had certainly brought you the truth, but most of you, to the truth, were averse.

We have certainly brought the truth to you: but most of you have an aversion for the truth

Indeed We have conveyed to you the Truth, but most of you resent the Truth

Or have they devised [some] affair?1 But indeed, We are devising [a plan].

Have they determined upon a course? Then We too are determined

What! Have they devised a plan? Behold, it is We Who determine the outcome

Or do they think that We hear not their secrets and their private conversations? Yes, [We do], and Our messengers [i.e., angels] are with them recording.

Do they imagine We do not hear their secret talk and their private counsels? On the contrary, Our messengers [angels] are at their sides, recording everything

Or do they think that We do not hear their secret plans and private meetings? Yes indeed, We do, and Our envoys are with them, recording

Say, [O Muḥammad], "If the Most Merciful had a son, then I would be the first of [his] worshippers."1

Say, "If the All Merciful had a son, I would be the first to worship him

Say (O Prophet), "If the Beneficent ever had a son, I would be the first to worship him

Exalted is the Lord of the heavens and the earth, Lord of the Throne, above what they describe.

But -- exalted be the Lord of the heavens and earth, the Lord of the Throne -- He is far above their [false] descriptions

Glorified is the Lord of the heavens and the earth, the Lord of Supreme Control, from what they ascribe to Him

So leave them to converse vainly and amuse themselves until they meet their Day which they are promised.

So leave them alone to indulge in vain discourse and amuse themselves until they come face to face with that Day which they have been promised

So let them chatter and play until they meet their Day which they have been promised

And it is He [i.e., Allāh] who is [the only] deity in the heaven, and on the earth [the only] deity. And He is the Wise, the Knowing.

It is He who is God in heaven, and God on earth: He is the Wise One, the All Knowing

He it is Who is God in the heaven and God in the earth. And He is the Wise, the Knower

And blessed is He to whom belongs the dominion of the heavens and the earth and whatever is between them and with whom is knowledge of the Hour and to whom you will be returned.

blessed be He who has sovereignty over the kingdom of the heavens and the earth and all that lies between them. He alone has knowledge of the Hour, and to Him you shall be returned

And Blessed is He to Whom belongs the Kingdom of the Highs and the Lows and all that is between them. And with Him is the knowledge of the Hour, and unto Him you shall be returned. (And, He knows when mankind will rally around the Divine Ideology, and every step of yours is getting closer to it)

And those they invoke1 besides Him do not possess [power of] intercession; but only those who testify to the truth [can benefit], and they know.2

Those whom they invoke besides God have no power of intercession, only those who bear witness to the truth and they know

And those whom they call instead of Him possess no power of intercession, except such who stand up to witness in truth and they know

And if you asked them1 who created them, they would surely say, "Allāh." So how are they deluded?

And if you ask them who created them, they will surely say, God. How then are they turned away

Now if you ask them who created them, they will surely answer, "Allah." So how come are they lost in the wilderness of thought

And [Allāh acknowledges] his saying,1 "O my Lord, indeed these are a people who do not believe."

The Prophet has said, "Lord! Truly they are a people who do not believe

By his (the Prophet's) silent cry, "O My Lord! Behold, these are a folk who believe not!" (His call will be heard. ()

So turn aside from them and say, "Peace."1 But they are going to know.

Then bear with them [O Muhammad] and say, "Peace." They will soon come to know

Then bear with them, and say, "Peace!" In time, they will come to know what they now don't