Surah 57 of 114 · Madani · 29 ayat
Al-Hadid الحديد
The Iron
بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ سَبَّحَ لِلَّهِ مَا فِى ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ وَهُوَ ٱلْعَزِيزُ ٱلْحَكِيمُ
PickthallAll that is in the heavens and the earth glorifieth Allah; and He is the Mighty, the Wise.
Yusuf AliWhatever is in the heavens and on earth,- let it declare the Praises and Glory of Allah: for He is the Exalted in Might, the Wise.
The agreed readingEverything in the heavens and the earth glorifies God, and He is the Mighty, the Wise. The commentaries read the opening as covering all things without exception, and gloss the two names against each other: mighty in His dominion, wise in what He makes.
لَهُۥ مُلْكُ ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ يُحْىِۦ وَيُمِيتُ وَهُوَ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَىْءٍ قَدِيرٌ
PickthallHis is the Sovereignty of the heavens and the earth; He quickeneth and He giveth death; and He is Able to do all things.
Yusuf AliTo Him belongs the dominion of the heavens and the earth: It is He Who gives Life and Death; and He has Power over all things.
The agreed readingHis is the kingdom of the heavens and the earth. He gives life and He gives death, and He has power over everything. The commentaries note the order in it - the giving of life first and the death after it - and read the whole line as the ground for what the sura will ask of the reader.
هُوَ ٱلْأَوَّلُ وَٱلْـَٔاخِرُ وَٱلظَّٰهِرُ وَٱلْبَاطِنُ وَهُوَ بِكُلِّ شَىْءٍ عَلِيمٌ
PickthallHe is the First and the Last, and the Outward and the Inward; and He is Knower of all things.
Yusuf AliHe is the First and the Last, the Evident and the Immanent: and He has full knowledge of all things.
The agreed readingHe is the First and the Last, the Outward and the Inward, and He knows everything. The commentaries of both traditions gloss the first pair the same way: before everything with no beginning, after everything with no end. On the second pair they say more than one thing, and what they share is that He is evident by what points to Him and beyond the reach of the senses.
هُوَ ٱلَّذِى خَلَقَ ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضَ فِى سِتَّةِ أَيَّامٍ ثُمَّ ٱسْتَوَىٰ عَلَى ٱلْعَرْشِ يَعْلَمُ مَا يَلِجُ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ وَمَا يَخْرُجُ مِنْهَا وَمَا يَنزِلُ مِنَ ٱلسَّمَآءِ وَمَا يَعْرُجُ فِيهَا وَهُوَ مَعَكُمْ أَيْنَ مَا كُنتُمْ وَٱللَّهُ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ بَصِيرٌ
PickthallHe it is Who created the heavens and the earth in six Days; then He mounted the Throne. He knoweth all that entereth the earth and all that emergeth therefrom and all that cometh down from the sky and all that ascendeth therein; and He is with you wheresoever ye may be. And Allah is Seer of what ye do.
Yusuf AliHe it is Who created the heavens and the earth in Six Days, and is moreover firmly established on the Throne (of Authority). He knows what enters within the earth and what comes forth out of it, what comes down from heaven and what mounts up to it. And He is with you wheresoever ye may be. And Allah sees well all that ye do.
The agreed readingHe is the One who created the heavens and the earth in six days, then mounted the Throne. He knows what goes into the earth and what comes out of it, what comes down from the sky and what goes up into it. And He is with you wherever you are, and God sees what you do. The commentaries fill in each clause with the plainest examples - seed and rain going in, plants and springs coming out - and both traditions say the same thing of the last clause: His knowledge and His power are never apart from you.
لَّهُۥ مُلْكُ ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ وَإِلَى ٱللَّهِ تُرْجَعُ ٱلْأُمُورُ
PickthallHis is the Sovereignty of the heavens and the earth, and unto Allah (all) things are brought back.
Yusuf AliTo Him belongs the dominion of the heavens and the earth: and all affairs are referred back to Allah.
The agreed readingHis is the kingdom of the heavens and the earth, and to God all matters are returned. The commentaries note the repetition of the first clause from 57:2, and read it as the frame: what is said in between is held between the same two statements of ownership.
يُولِجُ ٱلَّيْلَ فِى ٱلنَّهَارِ وَيُولِجُ ٱلنَّهَارَ فِى ٱلَّيْلِ وَهُوَ عَلِيمٌۢ بِذَاتِ ٱلصُّدُورِ
PickthallHe causeth the night to pass into the day, and He causeth the day to pass into the night, and He is knower of all that is in the breasts.
Yusuf AliHe merges Night into Day, and He merges Day into Night; and He has full knowledge of the secrets of (all) hearts.
The agreed readingHe makes the night pass into the day and makes the day pass into the night, and He knows what is in the breasts. The commentaries gloss the first half by what anyone can watch happening - each one lengthening as the other shortens - and the second half as the secrets and the beliefs held inside a person.
ءَامِنُوا۟ بِٱللَّهِ وَرَسُولِهِۦ وَأَنفِقُوا۟ مِمَّا جَعَلَكُم مُّسْتَخْلَفِينَ فِيهِ فَٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ مِنكُمْ وَأَنفَقُوا۟ لَهُمْ أَجْرٌ كَبِيرٌ
PickthallBelieve in Allah and His messenger, and spend of that whereof He hath made you trustees; and such of you as believe and spend (aright), theirs will be a great reward.
Yusuf AliBelieve in Allah and His messenger, and spend (in charity) out of the (substance) whereof He has made you heirs. For, those of you who believe and spend (in charity),- for them is a great Reward.
The agreed readingBelieve in God and His Messenger, and spend from that in which He has made you successors; for those of you who believe and spend there is a great reward. The commentaries read the word for successors as the whole argument in one word: the wealth passed to you from those before you and will pass from you to those after, so what is being asked for was never yours to begin with.
وَمَا لَكُمْ لَا تُؤْمِنُونَ بِٱللَّهِ وَٱلرَّسُولُ يَدْعُوكُمْ لِتُؤْمِنُوا۟ بِرَبِّكُمْ وَقَدْ أَخَذَ مِيثَٰقَكُمْ إِن كُنتُم مُّؤْمِنِينَ
PickthallWhat aileth you that ye believe not in Allah, when the messenger calleth you to believe in your Lord, and He hath already made a covenant with you, if ye are believers?
Yusuf AliWhat cause have ye why ye should not believe in Allah?- and the Messenger invites you to believe in your Lord, and has indeed taken your Covenant, if ye are men of Faith.
The agreed readingAnd what is the matter with you, that you do not believe in God, when the Messenger is calling you to believe in your Lord, and He has already taken your covenant, if you are believers? The commentaries read the question as removing every excuse: the call has come and the pledge was already given, so nothing stands between the hearer and belief but himself.
هُوَ ٱلَّذِى يُنَزِّلُ عَلَىٰ عَبْدِهِۦٓ ءَايَٰتٍۭ بَيِّنَٰتٍ لِّيُخْرِجَكُم مِّنَ ٱلظُّلُمَٰتِ إِلَى ٱلنُّورِ وَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ بِكُمْ لَرَءُوفٌ رَّحِيمٌ
PickthallHe it is Who sendeth down clear revelations unto His slave, that He may bring you forth from darkness unto light; and lo! for you, Allah is Full of Pity, Merciful.
Yusuf AliHe is the One Who sends to His Servant Manifest Signs, that He may lead you from the depths of Darkness into the Light and verily Allah is to you most kind and Merciful.
The agreed readingHe is the One who sends down clear signs upon His servant, to bring you out of the darknesses into the light. And God is Gentle to you, Merciful. The commentaries gloss the darknesses and the light as the refusal and the belief, and note that the bringing out is His act, which is why the two names close the line.
وَمَا لَكُمْ أَلَّا تُنفِقُوا۟ فِى سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ وَلِلَّهِ مِيرَٰثُ ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ لَا يَسْتَوِى مِنكُم مَّنْ أَنفَقَ مِن قَبْلِ ٱلْفَتْحِ وَقَٰتَلَ أُو۟لَٰٓئِكَ أَعْظَمُ دَرَجَةً مِّنَ ٱلَّذِينَ أَنفَقُوا۟ مِنۢ بَعْدُ وَقَٰتَلُوا۟ وَكُلًّا وَعَدَ ٱللَّهُ ٱلْحُسْنَىٰ وَٱللَّهُ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ خَبِيرٌ
PickthallAnd what aileth you that ye spend not in the way of Allah when unto Allah belongeth the inheritance of the heavens and the earth? Those who spent and fought before the victory are not upon a level (with the rest of you). Such are greater in rank than those who spent and fought afterwards. Unto each hath Allah promised good. And Allah is Informed of what ye do.
Yusuf AliAnd what cause have ye why ye should not spend in the cause of Allah?- For to Allah belongs the heritage of the heavens and the earth. Not equal among you are those who spent (freely) and fought, before the Victory, (with those who did so later). Those are higher in rank than those who spent (freely) and fought afterwards. But to all has Allah promised a goodly (reward). And Allah is well acquainted with all that ye do.
The agreed readingAnd what is the matter with you, that you do not spend in the way of God, when to God belongs the inheritance of the heavens and the earth? Not equal among you is one who spent and fought before the victory - those are greater in rank than those who spent and fought afterwards. And to each God has promised good. And God is aware of what you do. The commentaries read the first clause as the same argument turned round: the wealth reaches Him either way, and spending is the only way it reaches Him with a reward attached. On the ranking they agree the difference is what it cost - giving when the cause was weak is not the same act as giving when it is strong.
مَّن ذَا ٱلَّذِى يُقْرِضُ ٱللَّهَ قَرْضًا حَسَنًا فَيُضَٰعِفَهُۥ لَهُۥ وَلَهُۥٓ أَجْرٌ كَرِيمٌ
PickthallWho is he that will lend unto Allah a goodly loan, that He may double it for him and his may be a rich reward?
Yusuf AliWho is he that will Loan to Allah a beautiful loan? for (Allah) will increase it manifold to his credit, and he will have (besides) a liberal Reward.
The agreed readingWho is it that will lend God a goodly loan, so that He may multiply it for him, and he shall have a generous reward? The commentaries gloss the goodly part as the conditions of the giving - given for God alone, from what is lawful - and note that the reward is called generous in itself, before any multiplying is counted.
يَوْمَ تَرَى ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ وَٱلْمُؤْمِنَٰتِ يَسْعَىٰ نُورُهُم بَيْنَ أَيْدِيهِمْ وَبِأَيْمَٰنِهِم بُشْرَىٰكُمُ ٱلْيَوْمَ جَنَّٰتٌ تَجْرِى مِن تَحْتِهَا ٱلْأَنْهَٰرُ خَٰلِدِينَ فِيهَا ذَٰلِكَ هُوَ ٱلْفَوْزُ ٱلْعَظِيمُ
PickthallOn the day when thou (Muhammad) wilt see the believers, men and women, their light shining forth before them and on their right hands, (and wilt hear it said unto them): Glad news for you this day: Gardens underneath which rivers flow, wherein ye are immortal. That is the supreme triumph.
Yusuf AliOne Day shalt thou see the believing men and the believing women- how their Light runs forward before them and by their right hands: (their greeting will be): "Good News for you this Day! Gardens beneath which flow rivers! to dwell therein for aye! This is indeed the highest Achievement!"
The agreed readingOn the day you will see the believing men and the believing women, their light running before them and on their right: good news for you today - Gardens with rivers running underneath, to stay in for ever. That is the great triumph. The commentaries read the light as going ahead of them where they are going, and note that it comes from the right hand because that is the side their records are given from.
يَوْمَ يَقُولُ ٱلْمُنَٰفِقُونَ وَٱلْمُنَٰفِقَٰتُ لِلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ ٱنظُرُونَا نَقْتَبِسْ مِن نُّورِكُمْ قِيلَ ٱرْجِعُوا۟ وَرَآءَكُمْ فَٱلْتَمِسُوا۟ نُورًا فَضُرِبَ بَيْنَهُم بِسُورٍ لَّهُۥ بَابٌۢ بَاطِنُهُۥ فِيهِ ٱلرَّحْمَةُ وَظَٰهِرُهُۥ مِن قِبَلِهِ ٱلْعَذَابُ
PickthallOn the day when the hypocritical men and the hypocritical women will say unto those who believe: Look on us that we may borrow from your light! it will be said: Go back and seek for light! Then there will separate them a wall wherein is a gate, the inner side whereof containeth mercy, while the outer side thereof is toward the doom.
Yusuf AliOne Day will the Hypocrites- men and women - say to the Believers: "Wait for us! Let us borrow (a Light) from your Light!" It will be said: "Turn ye back to your rear! then seek a Light (where ye can)!" So a wall will be put up betwixt them, with a gate therein. Within it will be Mercy throughout, and without it, all alongside, will be (Wrath and) Punishment!
The agreed readingOn the day the hypocritical men and the hypocritical women will say to those who believed: Wait for us, that we may take from your light. It will be said: Go back behind you and look for a light. And a wall will be put up between them with a gate in it - inside it is mercy, and outside it, facing it, is the punishment. The commentaries gloss the request two ways that come to one thing, waiting or looking, and read the answer as sent back with the same words the request came in.
يُنَادُونَهُمْ أَلَمْ نَكُن مَّعَكُمْ قَالُوا۟ بَلَىٰ وَلَٰكِنَّكُمْ فَتَنتُمْ أَنفُسَكُمْ وَتَرَبَّصْتُمْ وَٱرْتَبْتُمْ وَغَرَّتْكُمُ ٱلْأَمَانِىُّ حَتَّىٰ جَآءَ أَمْرُ ٱللَّهِ وَغَرَّكُم بِٱللَّهِ ٱلْغَرُورُ
PickthallThey will cry unto them (saying): Were we not with you? They will say: Yea, verily; but ye tempted one another, and hesitated, and doubted, and vain desires beguiled you till the ordinance of Allah came to pass; and the deceiver deceived you concerning Allah;
Yusuf Ali(Those without) will call out, "Were we not with you?" (The others) will reply, "True! but ye led yourselves into temptation; ye looked forward (to our ruin); ye doubted (Allah's Promise); and (your false) desires deceived you; until there issued the Command of Allah. And the Deceiver deceived you in respect of Allah.
The agreed readingThey will call out to them: Were we not with you? They will say: Yes, but you led yourselves into temptation, and you waited, and you doubted, and false hopes deceived you until the command of God came, and the deceiver deceived you about God. The commentaries answer each word in the list: waiting for the turn to go against the believers, doubting the religion itself, the hopes that kept them going, and the command of God that came as death.
فَٱلْيَوْمَ لَا يُؤْخَذُ مِنكُمْ فِدْيَةٌ وَلَا مِنَ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ مَأْوَىٰكُمُ ٱلنَّارُ هِىَ مَوْلَىٰكُمْ وَبِئْسَ ٱلْمَصِيرُ
PickthallSo this day no ransom can be taken from you nor from those who disbelieved. Your home is the Fire; that is your patron, and a hapless journey's end.
Yusuf Ali"This Day shall no ransom be accepted of you, nor of those who rejected Allah." Your abode is the Fire: that is the proper place to claim you: and an evil refuge it is!"
The agreed readingSo today no ransom is taken from you, nor from those who refused. Your resting place is the Fire; it is the one with the better claim on you, and an evil destination. The commentaries gloss the middle clause as the line's sting: the word usually names the one who protects, and here it names what has the strongest hold.
أَلَمْ يَأْنِ لِلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوٓا۟ أَن تَخْشَعَ قُلُوبُهُمْ لِذِكْرِ ٱللَّهِ وَمَا نَزَلَ مِنَ ٱلْحَقِّ وَلَا يَكُونُوا۟ كَٱلَّذِينَ أُوتُوا۟ ٱلْكِتَٰبَ مِن قَبْلُ فَطَالَ عَلَيْهِمُ ٱلْأَمَدُ فَقَسَتْ قُلُوبُهُمْ وَكَثِيرٌ مِّنْهُمْ فَٰسِقُونَ
PickthallIs not the time ripe for the hearts of those who believe to submit to Allah's reminder and to the truth which is revealed, that they become not as those who received the scripture of old but the term was prolonged for them and so their hearts were hardened, and many of them are evil-livers.
Yusuf AliHas not the Time arrived for the Believers that their hearts in all humility should engage in the remembrance of Allah and of the Truth which has been revealed (to them), and that they should not become like those to whom was given Revelation aforetime, but long ages passed over them and their hearts grew hard? For many among them are rebellious transgressors.
The agreed readingHas the time not come for those who believe, that their hearts should be humbled at the remembrance of God and at the truth that has come down, and that they should not be like those given the Book before them, whose term ran long and whose hearts then hardened, and many of them have left obedience? The commentaries gloss the humbling as the heart going soft - open to being told something - and read the warning as being about time itself: what lets a heart harden is the stretch that passes between the message and the hearer.
ٱعْلَمُوٓا۟ أَنَّ ٱللَّهَ يُحْىِ ٱلْأَرْضَ بَعْدَ مَوْتِهَا قَدْ بَيَّنَّا لَكُمُ ٱلْـَٔايَٰتِ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَعْقِلُونَ
PickthallKnow that Allah quickeneth the earth after its death. We have made clear Our revelations for you, that haply ye may understand.
Yusuf AliKnow ye (all) that Allah giveth life to the earth after its death! already have We shown the Signs plainly to you, that ye may learn wisdom.
The agreed readingKnow that God gives the earth life after its death. We have made the signs clear to you, so that you may use your minds. The commentaries read the line as attached to the one before it and answering it: the hardened heart is the dead ground, and the One who does the one thing does the other.
إِنَّ ٱلْمُصَّدِّقِينَ وَٱلْمُصَّدِّقَٰتِ وَأَقْرَضُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ قَرْضًا حَسَنًا يُضَٰعَفُ لَهُمْ وَلَهُمْ أَجْرٌ كَرِيمٌ
PickthallLo! those who give alms, both men and women, and lend unto Allah a goodly loan, it will be doubled for them, and theirs will be a rich reward.
Yusuf AliFor those who give in Charity, men and women, and loan to Allah a Beautiful Loan, it shall be increased manifold (to their credit), and they shall have (besides) a liberal reward.
The agreed readingThose who give in charity, men and women, and lend God a goodly loan - it will be multiplied for them, and they shall have a generous reward. The commentaries note that the word is read two ways, as giving and as holding true, and that the lending is said of both the men and the women even though the Arabic takes the masculine form.
وَٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ بِٱللَّهِ وَرُسُلِهِۦٓ أُو۟لَٰٓئِكَ هُمُ ٱلصِّدِّيقُونَ وَٱلشُّهَدَآءُ عِندَ رَبِّهِمْ لَهُمْ أَجْرُهُمْ وَنُورُهُمْ وَٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ وَكَذَّبُوا۟ بِـَٔايَٰتِنَآ أُو۟لَٰٓئِكَ أَصْحَٰبُ ٱلْجَحِيمِ
PickthallAnd those who believe in Allah and His messengers, they are the loyal, and the martyrs are with their Lord; they have their reward and their light; while as for those who disbelieve and deny Our revelations, they are owners of hell-fire.
Yusuf AliAnd those who believe in Allah and His messengers- they are the Sincere (lovers of Truth), and the witnesses (who testify), in the eyes of their Lord: They shall have their Reward and their Light. But those who reject Allah and deny Our Signs,- they are the Companions of Hell-Fire.
The agreed readingAnd those who believe in God and His messengers - those are the wholly truthful; and the witnesses are with their Lord, having their reward and their light. And those who refused and called Our signs false - those are the companions of the Blaze. The commentaries divide over how far the first clause reaches, and agree on what the two words name: the ones who went furthest in holding the message true, and the ones who stand as witnesses.
ٱعْلَمُوٓا۟ أَنَّمَا ٱلْحَيَوٰةُ ٱلدُّنْيَا لَعِبٌ وَلَهْوٌ وَزِينَةٌ وَتَفَاخُرٌۢ بَيْنَكُمْ وَتَكَاثُرٌ فِى ٱلْأَمْوَٰلِ وَٱلْأَوْلَٰدِ كَمَثَلِ غَيْثٍ أَعْجَبَ ٱلْكُفَّارَ نَبَاتُهُۥ ثُمَّ يَهِيجُ فَتَرَىٰهُ مُصْفَرًّا ثُمَّ يَكُونُ حُطَٰمًا وَفِى ٱلْـَٔاخِرَةِ عَذَابٌ شَدِيدٌ وَمَغْفِرَةٌ مِّنَ ٱللَّهِ وَرِضْوَٰنٌ وَمَا ٱلْحَيَوٰةُ ٱلدُّنْيَآ إِلَّا مَتَٰعُ ٱلْغُرُورِ
PickthallKnow that the life of the world is only play, and idle talk, and pageantry, and boasting among you, and rivalry in respect of wealth and children; as the likeness of vegetation after rain, whereof the growth is pleasing to the husbandman, but afterward it drieth up and thou seest it turning yellow, then it becometh straw. And in the Hereafter there is grievous punishment, and (also) forgiveness from Allah and His good pleasure, whereas the life of the world is but matter of illusion.
Yusuf AliKnow ye (all), that the life of this world is but play and amusement, pomp and mutual boasting and multiplying, (in rivalry) among yourselves, riches and children. Here is a similitude: How rain and the growth which it brings forth, delight (the hearts of) the tillers; soon it withers; thou wilt see it grow yellow; then it becomes dry and crumbles away. But in the Hereafter is a Penalty severe (for the devotees of wrong). And Forgiveness from Allah and (His) Good Pleasure (for the devotees of Allah). And what is the life of this world, but goods and chattels of deception?
The agreed readingKnow that the life of this world is only play, and distraction, and adornment, and boasting among yourselves, and rivalry in wealth and children - like rain whose growth pleases the tillers, then it dries, and you see it turning yellow, then it becomes broken chaff. And in the hereafter there is severe punishment, and forgiveness from God and good pleasure. And the life of this world is nothing but the goods of delusion. The commentaries take the six words as a list in the order a life actually meets them, and read the likeness as being about the turn in it: what is described is not something worthless but something that pleases, and then goes.
سَابِقُوٓا۟ إِلَىٰ مَغْفِرَةٍ مِّن رَّبِّكُمْ وَجَنَّةٍ عَرْضُهَا كَعَرْضِ ٱلسَّمَآءِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ أُعِدَّتْ لِلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ بِٱللَّهِ وَرُسُلِهِۦ ذَٰلِكَ فَضْلُ ٱللَّهِ يُؤْتِيهِ مَن يَشَآءُ وَٱللَّهُ ذُو ٱلْفَضْلِ ٱلْعَظِيمِ
PickthallRace one with another for forgiveness from your Lord and a Garden whereof the breadth is as the breadth of the heavens and the earth, which is in store for those who believe in Allah and His messengers. Such is the bounty of Allah, which He bestoweth upon whom He will, and Allah is of Infinite Bounty.
Yusuf AliBe ye foremost (in seeking) Forgiveness from your Lord, and a Garden (of Bliss), the width whereof is as the width of heaven and earth, prepared for those who believe in Allah and His messengers: that is the Grace of Allah, which He bestows on whom he pleases: and Allah is the Lord of Grace abounding.
The agreed readingRace towards forgiveness from your Lord, and a Garden whose breadth is like the breadth of the heaven and the earth, made ready for those who believe in God and His messengers. That is the bounty of God, which He gives to whom He wills, and God is the Owner of great bounty. The commentaries gloss the breadth as the two of them laid out together, and note that the sura, having just said what this world is, does not say to leave it but to run for something else.
مَآ أَصَابَ مِن مُّصِيبَةٍ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ وَلَا فِىٓ أَنفُسِكُمْ إِلَّا فِى كِتَٰبٍ مِّن قَبْلِ أَن نَّبْرَأَهَآ إِنَّ ذَٰلِكَ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ يَسِيرٌ
PickthallNaught of disaster befalleth in the earth or in yourselves but it is in a Book before we bring it into being - Lo! that is easy for Allah -
Yusuf AliNo misfortune can happen on earth or in your souls but is recorded in a decree before We bring it into existence: That is truly easy for Allah:
The agreed readingNo misfortune strikes in the earth or in yourselves but it is in a Book before We bring it into being. That is easy for God. The commentaries fill in both halves with the ordinary cases - drought in the land, sickness and loss in the person - and note that the same is said of what is given as of what is taken.
لِّكَيْلَا تَأْسَوْا۟ عَلَىٰ مَا فَاتَكُمْ وَلَا تَفْرَحُوا۟ بِمَآ ءَاتَىٰكُمْ وَٱللَّهُ لَا يُحِبُّ كُلَّ مُخْتَالٍ فَخُورٍ
PickthallThat ye grieve not for the sake of that which hath escaped you, nor yet exult because of that which hath been given. Allah loveth not all prideful boasters,
Yusuf AliIn order that ye may not despair over matters that pass you by, nor exult over favours bestowed upon you. For Allah loveth not any vainglorious boaster,-
The agreed readingSo that you may not grieve over what has escaped you, nor exult over what He has given you. And God does not love any swaggerer or boaster. The commentaries read the whole of the previous line as existing for this one, and both traditions draw the same lesson from the pair: the man who does not grieve for what has gone and does not swell over what has come has taken hold of both ends of it.
ٱلَّذِينَ يَبْخَلُونَ وَيَأْمُرُونَ ٱلنَّاسَ بِٱلْبُخْلِ وَمَن يَتَوَلَّ فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ هُوَ ٱلْغَنِىُّ ٱلْحَمِيدُ
PickthallWho hoard and who enjoin upon the people avarice. And whosoever turneth away, still Allah is the Absolute, the Owner of Praise.
Yusuf AliSuch persons as are covetous and commend covetousness to men. And if any turn back (from Allah's Way), verily Allah is Free of all Needs, Worthy of all Praise.
The agreed readingThose who are miserly and order people to be miserly. And whoever turns away - God is the Self-sufficient, the Praiseworthy. The commentaries note the doubling in the charge: not only holding back what is owed but pressing others to hold back too, and read the closing names as the answer to the turning away - the One being turned from loses nothing by it.
لَقَدْ أَرْسَلْنَا رُسُلَنَا بِٱلْبَيِّنَٰتِ وَأَنزَلْنَا مَعَهُمُ ٱلْكِتَٰبَ وَٱلْمِيزَانَ لِيَقُومَ ٱلنَّاسُ بِٱلْقِسْطِ وَأَنزَلْنَا ٱلْحَدِيدَ فِيهِ بَأْسٌ شَدِيدٌ وَمَنَٰفِعُ لِلنَّاسِ وَلِيَعْلَمَ ٱللَّهُ مَن يَنصُرُهُۥ وَرُسُلَهُۥ بِٱلْغَيْبِ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ قَوِىٌّ عَزِيزٌ
PickthallWe verily sent Our messengers with clear proofs, and revealed with them the Scripture and the Balance, that mankind may observe right measure; and He revealed iron, wherein is mighty power and (many) uses for mankind, and that Allah may know him who helpeth Him and His messengers, though unseen. Lo! Allah is Strong, Almighty.
Yusuf AliWe sent aforetime our messengers with Clear Signs and sent down with them the Book and the Balance (of Right and Wrong), that men may stand forth in justice; and We sent down Iron, in which is (material for) mighty war, as well as many benefits for mankind, that Allah may test who it is that will help, Unseen, Him and His messengers: For Allah is Full of Strength, Exalted in Might (and able to enforce His Will).
The agreed readingWe have sent Our messengers with the clear proofs, and sent down with them the Book and the Balance, so that people may stand by fair dealing. And We sent down iron, in which is great force and uses for people, and so that God may know who helps Him and His messengers unseen. God is Strong, Mighty. The commentaries gloss the Balance as justice itself, and read the two things sent down as a pair covering what is needed: the measure that shows what is right, and the metal that can hold it up.
وَلَقَدْ أَرْسَلْنَا نُوحًا وَإِبْرَٰهِيمَ وَجَعَلْنَا فِى ذُرِّيَّتِهِمَا ٱلنُّبُوَّةَ وَٱلْكِتَٰبَ فَمِنْهُم مُّهْتَدٍ وَكَثِيرٌ مِّنْهُمْ فَٰسِقُونَ
PickthallAnd We verily sent Noah and Abraham and placed the prophethood and the scripture among their seed, and among them there is he who goeth right, but many of them are evil-livers.
Yusuf AliAnd We sent Noah and Abraham, and established in their line Prophethood and Revelation: and some of them were on right guidance. But many of them became rebellious transgressors.
The agreed readingAnd We sent Noah and Abraham, and placed among their offspring prophethood and the Book. Among them is one who is guided, and many of them have left obedience. The commentaries note that the whole later line of prophets and revealed books runs through these two, and read the closing clause as the sura's steady point: the descent is real and it does not carry anyone by itself.
ثُمَّ قَفَّيْنَا عَلَىٰٓ ءَاثَٰرِهِم بِرُسُلِنَا وَقَفَّيْنَا بِعِيسَى ٱبْنِ مَرْيَمَ وَءَاتَيْنَٰهُ ٱلْإِنجِيلَ وَجَعَلْنَا فِى قُلُوبِ ٱلَّذِينَ ٱتَّبَعُوهُ رَأْفَةً وَرَحْمَةً وَرَهْبَانِيَّةً ٱبْتَدَعُوهَا مَا كَتَبْنَٰهَا عَلَيْهِمْ إِلَّا ٱبْتِغَآءَ رِضْوَٰنِ ٱللَّهِ فَمَا رَعَوْهَا حَقَّ رِعَايَتِهَا فَـَٔاتَيْنَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ مِنْهُمْ أَجْرَهُمْ وَكَثِيرٌ مِّنْهُمْ فَٰسِقُونَ
PickthallThen We caused Our messengers to follow in their footsteps; and We caused Jesus, son of Mary, to follow, and gave him the Gospel, and placed compassion and mercy in the hearts of those who followed him. But monasticism they invented - We ordained it not for them - only seeking Allah's pleasure, and they observed it not with right observance. So We give those of them who believe their reward, but many of them are evil-livers.
Yusuf AliThen, in their wake, We followed them up with (others of) Our messengers: We sent after them Jesus the son of Mary, and bestowed on him the Gospel; and We ordained in the hearts of those who followed him Compassion and Mercy. But the Monasticism which they invented for themselves, We did not prescribe for them: (We commanded) only the seeking for the Good Pleasure of Allah; but that they did not foster as they should have done. Yet We bestowed, on those among them who believed, their (due) reward, but many of them are rebellious transgressors.
The agreed readingThen We sent Our messengers following after them, and We sent Jesus son of Mary after them, and gave him the Gospel, and put compassion and mercy in the hearts of those who followed him. And monasticism they invented - We did not prescribe it for them - only seeking the good pleasure of God; then they did not observe it as it should have been observed. So We gave those of them who believed their reward, and many of them have left obedience. The commentaries agree that the thing was not commanded and that it was taken up for God's sake, and that the failure named is in the keeping of it rather than in the starting of it.
يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ ٱتَّقُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ وَءَامِنُوا۟ بِرَسُولِهِۦ يُؤْتِكُمْ كِفْلَيْنِ مِن رَّحْمَتِهِۦ وَيَجْعَل لَّكُمْ نُورًا تَمْشُونَ بِهِۦ وَيَغْفِرْ لَكُمْ وَٱللَّهُ غَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ
PickthallO ye who believe! Be mindful of your duty to Allah and put faith in His messenger. He will give you twofold of His mercy and will appoint for you a light wherein ye shall walk, and will forgive you. Allah is Forgiving, Merciful;
Yusuf AliO ye that believe! Fear Allah, and believe in His Messenger, and He will bestow on you a double portion of His Mercy: He will provide for you a Light by which ye shall walk (straight in your path), and He will forgive you (your past): for Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.
The agreed readingO you who believe, be mindful of God and believe in His Messenger. He will give you two portions of His mercy, and make for you a light to walk by, and forgive you. And God is Forgiving, Merciful. The commentaries read the two portions as reward for holding true to what came before and to what has come now, and the light as what a person goes forward by rather than something he is shown.
لِّئَلَّا يَعْلَمَ أَهْلُ ٱلْكِتَٰبِ أَلَّا يَقْدِرُونَ عَلَىٰ شَىْءٍ مِّن فَضْلِ ٱللَّهِ وَأَنَّ ٱلْفَضْلَ بِيَدِ ٱللَّهِ يُؤْتِيهِ مَن يَشَآءُ وَٱللَّهُ ذُو ٱلْفَضْلِ ٱلْعَظِيمِ
PickthallThat the People of the Scripture may know that they control naught of the bounty of Allah, but that the bounty is in Allah's hand to give to whom He will. And Allah is of Infinite Bounty.
Yusuf AliThat the People of the Book may know that they have no power whatever over the Grace of Allah, that (His) Grace is (entirely) in His Hand, to bestow it on whomsoever He wills. For Allah is the Lord of Grace abounding.
The agreed readingSo that the People of the Book may know that they have no power over anything of the bounty of God, and that bounty is in the hand of God, He gives it to whom He wills. And God is the Owner of great bounty. The commentaries read this as answering a claim rather than making one: what is denied is the idea that the bounty is held by anybody who can keep it from someone else.