الفرقان
Surah Al-Furqan
The Criterion · Surah 25 · Meccan · 77 verses
1تَبَارَكَ ٱلَّذِي نَزَّلَ ٱلۡفُرۡقَانَ عَلَىٰ عَبۡدِهِۦ لِيَكُونَ لِلۡعَٰلَمِينَ نَذِيرًا ١Blessed is He Who hath revealed unto His slave the Criterion (of right and wrong), that he may be a warner to the peoples.InsightAccording to Elmalılı, “tabaraka” is a verb not conjugated and attributed to none but Allah; it comes from the root of blessing and conveys abundance of good and exaltedness.2ٱلَّذِي لَهُۥ مُلۡكُ ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَٱلۡأَرۡضِ وَلَمۡ يَتَّخِذۡ وَلَدࣰا وَلَمۡ يَكُن لَّهُۥ شَرِيكࣱ فِي ٱلۡمُلۡكِ وَخَلَقَ كُلَّ شَيۡءࣲ فَقَدَّرَهُۥ تَقۡدِيرࣰا ٢He unto Whom belongeth the Sovereignty of the heavens and the earth, He hath chosen no son nor hath He any partner in the Sovereignty. He hath created everything and hath meted out for it a measure.InsightAccording to Elmalılı, dominion includes every form of control in the heavens and earth: creating, annihilating, giving life and death.3وَٱتَّخَذُواْ مِن دُونِهِۦٓ ءَالِهَةࣰ لَّا يَخۡلُقُونَ شَيۡـࣰٔا وَهُمۡ يُخۡلَقُونَ وَلَا يَمۡلِكُونَ لِأَنفُسِهِمۡ ضَرࣰّا وَلَا نَفۡعࣰا وَلَا يَمۡلِكُونَ مَوۡتࣰا وَلَا حَيَوٰةࣰ وَلَا نُشُورࣰا ٣Yet they choose beside Him other gods who create naught but are themselves created, and possess not hurt nor profit for themselves, and possess not death nor life, nor power to raise the dead.InsightAccording to Elmalılı, they left the Creator of all and worshipped things that create nothing and are themselves continually created.4وَقَالَ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوٓاْ إِنۡ هَٰذَآ إِلَّآ إِفۡكٌ ٱفۡتَرَىٰهُ وَأَعَانَهُۥ عَلَيۡهِ قَوۡمٌ ءَاخَرُونَۖ فَقَدۡ جَآءُو ظُلۡمࣰا وَزُورࣰا ٤Those who disbelieve say: This is naught but a lie that he hath invented, and other folk have helped him with it, so that they have produced a slander and a lie.InsightAccording to Elmalılı, this was the claim “he learns from foreigners, from the Jews.”5وَقَالُوٓاْ أَسَٰطِيرُ ٱلۡأَوَّلِينَ ٱكۡتَتَبَهَا فَهِيَ تُمۡلَىٰ عَلَيۡهِ بُكۡرَةࣰ وَأَصِيلࣰا ٥And they say: Fables of the men of old which he hath had written down so that they are dictated to him morn and evening.InsightAccording to Elmalılı, this was the furthest extreme of injustice, lying and fraud.6قُلۡ أَنزَلَهُ ٱلَّذِي يَعۡلَمُ ٱلسِّرَّ فِي ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَٱلۡأَرۡضِۚ إِنَّهُۥ كَانَ غَفُورࣰا رَّحِيمࣰا ٦Say (unto them, O Muhammad): He who knoweth the secret of the heavens and the earth hath revealed it. Lo! He ever is Forgiving, Merciful.InsightAccording to Elmalılı, the Qur’an is not fabricated nor ancient legend, but a heavenly book containing divine secrets.7وَقَالُواْ مَالِ هَٰذَا ٱلرَّسُولِ يَأۡكُلُ ٱلطَّعَامَ وَيَمۡشِي فِي ٱلۡأَسۡوَاقِ لَوۡلَآ أُنزِلَ إِلَيۡهِ مَلَكࣱ فَيَكُونَ مَعَهُۥ نَذِيرًا ٧And they say: What aileth this messenger (of Allah) that he eateth food and walketh in the markets? Why is not an angel sent down unto him, to be a warner with him.InsightAccording to Elmalılı, the leaders of Quraysh gathered and demanded extraordinary things from the Prophet.8أَوۡ يُلۡقَىٰٓ إِلَيۡهِ كَنزٌ أَوۡ تَكُونُ لَهُۥ جَنَّةࣱ يَأۡكُلُ مِنۡهَاۚ وَقَالَ ٱلظَّـٰلِمُونَ إِن تَتَّبِعُونَ إِلَّا رَجُلࣰا مَّسۡحُورًا ٨Or (why is not) treasure thrown down unto him, or why hath he not a paradise from whence to eat? And the evil-doers say: Ye are but following a man bewitched.9ٱنظُرۡ كَيۡفَ ضَرَبُواْ لَكَ ٱلۡأَمۡثَٰلَ فَضَلُّواْ فَلَا يَسۡتَطِيعُونَ سَبِيلࣰا ٩See how they coin similitudes for thee, so that they are all astray and cannot find a road.10تَبَارَكَ ٱلَّذِيٓ إِن شَآءَ جَعَلَ لَكَ خَيۡرࣰا مِّن ذَٰلِكَ جَنَّـٰتࣲ تَجۡرِي مِن تَحۡتِهَا ٱلۡأَنۡهَٰرُ وَيَجۡعَل لَّكَ قُصُورَۢا ١٠Blessed is He Who, if He will, will assign thee better than (all) that - Gardens underneath which rivers flow - and will assign thee mansions.InsightAccording to Elmalılı, this is better than the treasures and gardens they asked for: the gardens promised in the Hereafter.11بَلۡ كَذَّبُواْ بِٱلسَّاعَةِۖ وَأَعۡتَدۡنَا لِمَن كَذَّبَ بِٱلسَّاعَةِ سَعِيرًا ١١Nay, but they deny (the coming of) the Hour, and for those who deny (the coming of) the Hour We have prepared a flame.InsightAccording to Elmalılı, the particle “bal” turns the speech from what preceded to the real issue: their true problem is denying the Hour.12إِذَا رَأَتۡهُم مِّن مَّكَانِۭ بَعِيدࣲ سَمِعُواْ لَهَا تَغَيُّظࣰا وَزَفِيرࣰا ١٢When it seeth them from afar, they hear the crackling and the roar thereof.InsightElmalılı explains “taghayyuz” as raging and “zafir” as drawing in breath; Hell sees them from afar.13وَإِذَآ أُلۡقُواْ مِنۡهَا مَكَانࣰا ضَيِّقࣰا مُّقَرَّنِينَ دَعَوۡاْ هُنَالِكَ ثُبُورࣰا ١٣And when they are flung into a narrow place thereof, chained together, they pray for destruction there.14لَّا تَدۡعُواْ ٱلۡيَوۡمَ ثُبُورࣰا وَٰحِدࣰا وَٱدۡعُواْ ثُبُورࣰا كَثِيرࣰا ١٤Pray not that day for one destruction, but pray for many destructions.15قُلۡ أَذَٰلِكَ خَيۡرٌ أَمۡ جَنَّةُ ٱلۡخُلۡدِ ٱلَّتِي وُعِدَ ٱلۡمُتَّقُونَۚ كَانَتۡ لَهُمۡ جَزَآءࣰ وَمَصِيرࣰا ١٥Say: Is that (doom) better or the Garden of Immortality which is promised unto those who ward off (evil)? It will be their reward and journey’s end.16لَّهُمۡ فِيهَا مَا يَشَآءُونَ خَٰلِدِينَۚ كَانَ عَلَىٰ رَبِّكَ وَعۡدࣰا مَّسۡـُٔولࣰا ١٦Therein abiding, they have all that they desire. It is for thy Lord a promise that must be fulfilled.InsightAccording to Elmalılı, “a promise requested” is one Allah has given on condition that His servants ask for it.17وَيَوۡمَ يَحۡشُرُهُمۡ وَمَا يَعۡبُدُونَ مِن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ فَيَقُولُ ءَأَنتُمۡ أَضۡلَلۡتُمۡ عِبَادِي هَـٰٓؤُلَآءِ أَمۡ هُمۡ ضَلُّواْ ٱلسَّبِيلَ ١٧And on the day when He will assemble them and that which they worship instead of Allah and will say: Was it ye who misled these my slaves or did they (themselves) wander from the way.18قَالُواْ سُبۡحَٰنَكَ مَا كَانَ يَنۢبَغِي لَنَآ أَن نَّتَّخِذَ مِن دُونِكَ مِنۡ أَوۡلِيَآءَ وَلَٰكِن مَّتَّعۡتَهُمۡ وَءَابَآءَهُمۡ حَتَّىٰ نَسُواْ ٱلذِّكۡرَ وَكَانُواْ قَوۡمَۢا بُورࣰا ١٨They will say: Be Thou Glorified! it was not for us to choose any protecting friends beside thee; but Thou didst give them and their fathers ease till they forgot the warning and became lost folk.19فَقَدۡ كَذَّبُوكُم بِمَا تَقُولُونَ فَمَا تَسۡتَطِيعُونَ صَرۡفࣰا وَلَا نَصۡرࣰاۚ وَمَن يَظۡلِم مِّنكُمۡ نُذِقۡهُ عَذَابࣰا كَبِيرࣰا ١٩Thus they will give you the lie regarding what ye say, then ye can neither avert (the doom) nor obtain help. And whoso among you doeth wrong, We shall make him taste great torment.20وَمَآ أَرۡسَلۡنَا قَبۡلَكَ مِنَ ٱلۡمُرۡسَلِينَ إِلَّآ إِنَّهُمۡ لَيَأۡكُلُونَ ٱلطَّعَامَ وَيَمۡشُونَ فِي ٱلۡأَسۡوَاقِۗ وَجَعَلۡنَا بَعۡضَكُمۡ لِبَعۡضࣲ فِتۡنَةً أَتَصۡبِرُونَۗ وَكَانَ رَبُّكَ بَصِيرࣰا ٢٠We never sent before thee any messengers but lo! they verily ate food and walked in the markets. And We have appointed some of you a test for others: Will ye be steadfast? And thy Lord is ever Seer.21۞وَقَالَ ٱلَّذِينَ لَا يَرۡجُونَ لِقَآءَنَا لَوۡلَآ أُنزِلَ عَلَيۡنَا ٱلۡمَلَـٰٓئِكَةُ أَوۡ نَرَىٰ رَبَّنَاۗ لَقَدِ ٱسۡتَكۡبَرُواْ فِيٓ أَنفُسِهِمۡ وَعَتَوۡ عُتُوࣰّا كَبِيرࣰا ٢١And those who look not for a meeting with Us say: Why are angels not sent down unto us and (Why) do we not see our Lord! Assuredly they think too highly of themselves and are scornful with great pride.InsightAccording to Elmalılı, “raja’” commonly means hope and desire; these are those who do not hope to meet Allah.22يَوۡمَ يَرَوۡنَ ٱلۡمَلَـٰٓئِكَةَ لَا بُشۡرَىٰ يَوۡمَئِذࣲ لِّلۡمُجۡرِمِينَ وَيَقُولُونَ حِجۡرࣰا مَّحۡجُورࣰا ٢٢On the day when they behold the angels, on that day there will be no good tidings for the guilty; and they will cry: A forbidding ban.InsightAccording to Elmalılı, “hijran mahjura” is a phrase of seeking refuge said when an enemy or something hateful attacks.23وَقَدِمۡنَآ إِلَىٰ مَا عَمِلُواْ مِنۡ عَمَلࣲ فَجَعَلۡنَٰهُ هَبَآءࣰ مَّنثُورًا ٢٣And We shall turn unto the work they did and make it scattered motes.InsightAccording to Elmalılı, “haba’” is the dust seen floating when sunlight falls through a window.24أَصۡحَٰبُ ٱلۡجَنَّةِ يَوۡمَئِذٍ خَيۡرࣱ مُّسۡتَقَرࣰّا وَأَحۡسَنُ مَقِيلࣰا ٢٤Those who have earned the Garden on that day will be better in their home and happier in their place of noonday rest.InsightAccording to Elmalılı, “mustaqarr” is a settled place of sitting and conversing; “maqil” is a place of midday rest.25وَيَوۡمَ تَشَقَّقُ ٱلسَّمَآءُ بِٱلۡغَمَٰمِ وَنُزِّلَ ٱلۡمَلَـٰٓئِكَةُ تَنزِيلًا ٢٥A day when the heaven with the clouds will be rent asunder and the angels will be sent down, a grand descent.InsightAccording to Elmalılı, this is the day the sky splits with the rising of clouds and angels descend one after another.26ٱلۡمُلۡكُ يَوۡمَئِذٍ ٱلۡحَقُّ لِلرَّحۡمَٰنِۚ وَكَانَ يَوۡمًا عَلَى ٱلۡكَٰفِرِينَ عَسِيرࣰا ٢٦The Sovereignty on that day will be the True (Sovereignty) belonging to the Beneficent One, and it will be a hard day for disbelievers.27وَيَوۡمَ يَعَضُّ ٱلظَّالِمُ عَلَىٰ يَدَيۡهِ يَقُولُ يَٰلَيۡتَنِي ٱتَّخَذۡتُ مَعَ ٱلرَّسُولِ سَبِيلࣰا ٢٧On the day when the wrong-doer gnaweth his hands, he will say: Ah, would that I had chosen a way together with the messenger (of Allah).InsightAccording to Elmalılı, biting hands signifies anger, longing and regret; “the wrongdoer” refers to the type.28يَٰوَيۡلَتَىٰ لَيۡتَنِي لَمۡ أَتَّخِذۡ فُلَانًا خَلِيلࣰا ٢٨Alas for me! Ah, would that I had never taken such an one for friend.29لَّقَدۡ أَضَلَّنِي عَنِ ٱلذِّكۡرِ بَعۡدَ إِذۡ جَآءَنِيۗ وَكَانَ ٱلشَّيۡطَٰنُ لِلۡإِنسَٰنِ خَذُولࣰا ٢٩He verily led me astray from the Reminder after it had reached me. Satan was ever man’s deserter in the hour of need.InsightAccording to Elmalılı, the verse came down concerning ‘Uqba ibn Abi Mu‘ayt turning from the Prophet under his friend’s influence.30وَقَالَ ٱلرَّسُولُ يَٰرَبِّ إِنَّ قَوۡمِي ٱتَّخَذُواْ هَٰذَا ٱلۡقُرۡءَانَ مَهۡجُورࣰا ٣٠And the messenger saith: O my Lord! Lo! mine own folk make this Qur’an of no account.InsightAccording to Elmalılı, abandoning it means either leaving it and not acting on it, or speaking nonsense about it.31وَكَذَٰلِكَ جَعَلۡنَا لِكُلِّ نَبِيٍّ عَدُوࣰّا مِّنَ ٱلۡمُجۡرِمِينَۗ وَكَفَىٰ بِرَبِّكَ هَادِيࣰا وَنَصِيرࣰا ٣١Even so have We appointed unto every prophet an opponent from among the guilty; but Allah sufficeth for a Guide and Helper.InsightAccording to Elmalılı, be patient as they were; your Lord suffices to guide and help you to overcome them.32وَقَالَ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْ لَوۡلَا نُزِّلَ عَلَيۡهِ ٱلۡقُرۡءَانُ جُمۡلَةࣰ وَٰحِدَةࣰۚ كَذَٰلِكَ لِنُثَبِّتَ بِهِۦ فُؤَادَكَۖ وَرَتَّلۡنَٰهُ تَرۡتِيلࣰا ٣٢And those who disbelieve say: Why is the Qur’an not revealed unto him all at once? (It is revealed) thus that We may strengthen thy heart therewith; and We have arranged it in right order.InsightAccording to Elmalılı, this was a meaningless objection; the essence of its inimitability lies in its revelation in parts.33وَلَا يَأۡتُونَكَ بِمَثَلٍ إِلَّا جِئۡنَٰكَ بِٱلۡحَقِّ وَأَحۡسَنَ تَفۡسِيرًا ٣٣And they bring thee no similitude but We bring thee the Truth (as against it), and better (than their similitude) as argument.InsightAccording to Elmalılı, this is the wisdom of its not being revealed at once: for every question and event the true answer comes.34ٱلَّذِينَ يُحۡشَرُونَ عَلَىٰ وُجُوهِهِمۡ إِلَىٰ جَهَنَّمَ أُوْلَـٰٓئِكَ شَرࣱّ مَّكَانࣰا وَأَضَلُّ سَبِيلࣰا ٣٤Those who will be gathered on their faces unto hell: such are worse in plight and further from the right road.InsightAccording to Elmalılı, as their hearts inclined to base things, so will they be gathered with faces turned that way.35وَلَقَدۡ ءَاتَيۡنَا مُوسَى ٱلۡكِتَٰبَ وَجَعَلۡنَا مَعَهُۥٓ أَخَاهُ هَٰرُونَ وَزِيرࣰا ٣٥We verily gave Moses the Scripture and placed with him his brother Aaron as henchman.36فَقُلۡنَا ٱذۡهَبَآ إِلَى ٱلۡقَوۡمِ ٱلَّذِينَ كَذَّبُواْ بِـَٔايَٰتِنَا فَدَمَّرۡنَٰهُمۡ تَدۡمِيرࣰا ٣٦Then We said: Go together unto the folk who have denied Our revelations. Then We destroyed them, a complete destruction.37وَقَوۡمَ نُوحࣲ لَّمَّا كَذَّبُواْ ٱلرُّسُلَ أَغۡرَقۡنَٰهُمۡ وَجَعَلۡنَٰهُمۡ لِلنَّاسِ ءَايَةࣰۖ وَأَعۡتَدۡنَا لِلظَّـٰلِمِينَ عَذَابًا أَلِيمࣰا ٣٧And Noah’s folk, when they denied the messengers, We drowned them and made of them a portent for mankind. We have prepared a painful doom for evil-doers.InsightAccording to Elmalılı, “messengers” is plural because denying one prophet is denying them all.38وَعَادࣰا وَثَمُودَاْ وَأَصۡحَٰبَ ٱلرَّسِّ وَقُرُونَۢا بَيۡنَ ذَٰلِكَ كَثِيرࣰا ٣٨And (the tribes of) A’ad and Thamud, and the dwellers in Ar-Rass, and many generations in between.InsightAccording to Elmalılı, “rass” is an unlined well; but who the people of the well were cannot be determined with certainty.39وَكُلࣰّا ضَرَبۡنَا لَهُ ٱلۡأَمۡثَٰلَۖ وَكُلࣰّا تَبَّرۡنَا تَتۡبِيرࣰا ٣٩Each (of them) We warned by examples, and each (of them) We brought to utter ruin.40وَلَقَدۡ أَتَوۡاْ عَلَى ٱلۡقَرۡيَةِ ٱلَّتِيٓ أُمۡطِرَتۡ مَطَرَ ٱلسَّوۡءِۚ أَفَلَمۡ يَكُونُواْ يَرَوۡنَهَاۚ بَلۡ كَانُواْ لَا يَرۡجُونَ نُشُورࣰا ٤٠And indeed they have passed by the township whereon was rained the fatal rain. Can it be that they have not seen it? Nay, but they hope for no resurrection.InsightAccording to Elmalılı, this is Sodom, the greatest town of Lot’s people, on which stones rained; Quraysh passed it on trade journeys to Syria.41وَإِذَا رَأَوۡكَ إِن يَتَّخِذُونَكَ إِلَّا هُزُوًا أَهَٰذَا ٱلَّذِي بَعَثَ ٱللَّهُ رَسُولًا ٤١And when they see thee (O Muhammad) they treat thee only as a jest (saying): Is this he whom Allah sendeth as a messenger.42إِن كَادَ لَيُضِلُّنَا عَنۡ ءَالِهَتِنَا لَوۡلَآ أَن صَبَرۡنَا عَلَيۡهَاۚ وَسَوۡفَ يَعۡلَمُونَ حِينَ يَرَوۡنَ ٱلۡعَذَابَ مَنۡ أَضَلُّ سَبِيلًا ٤٢He would have led us far away from our gods if we had not been staunch to them. They will know, when they behold the doom, who is more astray as to the road.43أَرَءَيۡتَ مَنِ ٱتَّخَذَ إِلَٰهَهُۥ هَوَىٰهُ أَفَأَنتَ تَكُونُ عَلَيۡهِ وَكِيلًا ٤٣Hast thou seen him who chooseth for his god his own lust? Wouldst thou then be guardian over him.InsightAccording to Elmalılı, “hawa” is the self’s spontaneous inclination, sheer whim; the phrasing shows he knows no god but what he craves.44أَمۡ تَحۡسَبُ أَنَّ أَكۡثَرَهُمۡ يَسۡمَعُونَ أَوۡ يَعۡقِلُونَۚ إِنۡ هُمۡ إِلَّا كَٱلۡأَنۡعَٰمِ بَلۡ هُمۡ أَضَلُّ سَبِيلًا ٤٤Or deemest thou that most of them hear or understand? They are but as the cattle - nay, but they are farther astray.InsightAccording to Elmalılı, they neither heed revealed proof nor act on rational proof; they act only on feelings.45أَلَمۡ تَرَ إِلَىٰ رَبِّكَ كَيۡفَ مَدَّ ٱلظِّلَّ وَلَوۡ شَآءَ لَجَعَلَهُۥ سَاكِنࣰا ثُمَّ جَعَلۡنَا ٱلشَّمۡسَ عَلَيۡهِ دَلِيلࣰا ٤٥Hast thou not seen how thy Lord hath spread the shade - And if He willed He could have made it still - then We have made the sun its pilot.InsightAccording to Elmalılı, seeing here is looking towards your Lord, seeing His act in the shade with the heart’s eye.46ثُمَّ قَبَضۡنَٰهُ إِلَيۡنَا قَبۡضࣰا يَسِيرࣰا ٤٦Then We withdraw it unto Us, a gradual withdrawal.InsightAccording to Elmalılı, as the sun rises the shadow recedes, returning gradually to Allah as it came from Him; when the sun of truth appears, the shadow fades.47وَهُوَ ٱلَّذِي جَعَلَ لَكُمُ ٱلَّيۡلَ لِبَاسࣰا وَٱلنَّوۡمَ سُبَاتࣰا وَجَعَلَ ٱلنَّهَارَ نُشُورࣰا ٤٧And He it is Who maketh night a covering for you, and sleep repose, and maketh day a resurrection.InsightAccording to Elmalılı, night, the earth’s shadow, is like a garment covering the body, shielding from the sun’s discomfort and others’ eyes.48وَهُوَ ٱلَّذِيٓ أَرۡسَلَ ٱلرِّيَٰحَ بُشۡرَۢا بَيۡنَ يَدَيۡ رَحۡمَتِهِۦۚ وَأَنزَلۡنَا مِنَ ٱلسَّمَآءِ مَآءࣰ طَهُورࣰا ٤٨And He it is Who sendeth the winds, glad tidings heralding His mercy, and We send down purifying water from the sky.InsightAccording to Elmalılı, “bushran” means bearers of good news; some readings have “nushran,” spreaders.49لِّنُحۡـِۧيَ بِهِۦ بَلۡدَةࣰ مَّيۡتࣰا وَنُسۡقِيَهُۥ مِمَّا خَلَقۡنَآ أَنۡعَٰمࣰا وَأَنَاسِيَّ كَثِيرࣰا ٤٩That We may give life thereby to a dead land, and We give many beasts and men that We have created to drink thereof.InsightAccording to Elmalılı, all these are works showing Allah’s existence, oneness and power, and examples of resurrection.50وَلَقَدۡ صَرَّفۡنَٰهُ بَيۡنَهُمۡ لِيَذَّكَّرُواْ فَأَبَىٰٓ أَكۡثَرُ ٱلنَّاسِ إِلَّا كُفُورࣰا ٥٠And verily We have repeated it among them that they may remember, but most of mankind begrudge aught save ingratitude.InsightElmalılı explains “tasrif” as altering something into various forms, turning it this way and that.51وَلَوۡ شِئۡنَا لَبَعَثۡنَا فِي كُلِّ قَرۡيَةࣲ نَّذِيرࣰا ٥١If We willed, We could raise up a warner in every village.InsightAccording to Elmalılı, this forms an inference: “but We did not; so We did not will it” — the whole burden was given to you.52فَلَا تُطِعِ ٱلۡكَٰفِرِينَ وَجَٰهِدۡهُم بِهِۦ جِهَادࣰا كَبِيرࣰا ٥٢So obey not the disbelievers, but strive against them herewith with a great endeavour.InsightAccording to Elmalılı, this is a great struggle equal to what all prophets would have waged had one been sent to every town.53۞وَهُوَ ٱلَّذِي مَرَجَ ٱلۡبَحۡرَيۡنِ هَٰذَا عَذۡبࣱ فُرَاتࣱ وَهَٰذَا مِلۡحٌ أُجَاجࣱ وَجَعَلَ بَيۡنَهُمَا بَرۡزَخࣰا وَحِجۡرࣰا مَّحۡجُورࣰا ٥٣And He it is Who hath given independence to the two seas (though they meet); one palatable, sweet, and the other saltish, bitter; and hath set a bar and a forbidding ban between them.InsightAccording to Elmalılı, fresh water like the Nile and Euphrates resembles the faithful, the salty sea the disbelievers; “barzakh” is a barrier between two things.54وَهُوَ ٱلَّذِي خَلَقَ مِنَ ٱلۡمَآءِ بَشَرࣰا فَجَعَلَهُۥ نَسَبࣰا وَصِهۡرࣰاۗ وَكَانَ رَبُّكَ قَدِيرࣰا ٥٤And He it is Who hath created man from water, and hath appointed for him kindred by blood and kindred by marriage; for thy Lord is ever Powerful.InsightAccording to Elmalılı, this is creation not only from human seed but from water, the source of all life.55وَيَعۡبُدُونَ مِن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ مَا لَا يَنفَعُهُمۡ وَلَا يَضُرُّهُمۡۗ وَكَانَ ٱلۡكَافِرُ عَلَىٰ رَبِّهِۦ ظَهِيرࣰا ٥٥Yet they worship instead of Allah that which can neither benefit them nor hurt them. The disbeliever was ever a partisan against his Lord.InsightAccording to Elmalılı, the disbeliever not only disobeys the Messenger but works in hostility; the verse came down about Abu Jahl.56وَمَآ أَرۡسَلۡنَٰكَ إِلَّا مُبَشِّرࣰا وَنَذِيرࣰا ٥٦And We have sent thee (O Muhammad) only as a bearer of good tidings and a warner.InsightAccording to Elmalılı, he was sent not only to warn but first to bring good news, to tell of Allah’s mercy.57قُلۡ مَآ أَسۡـَٔلُكُمۡ عَلَيۡهِ مِنۡ أَجۡرٍ إِلَّا مَن شَآءَ أَن يَتَّخِذَ إِلَىٰ رَبِّهِۦ سَبِيلࣰا ٥٧Say: I ask of you no reward for this, save that whoso will may choose a way unto his Lord.InsightAccording to Elmalılı, his only wish is that people seek nearness to Allah through faith and obedience.58وَتَوَكَّلۡ عَلَى ٱلۡحَيِّ ٱلَّذِي لَا يَمُوتُ وَسَبِّحۡ بِحَمۡدِهِۦۚ وَكَفَىٰ بِهِۦ بِذُنُوبِ عِبَادِهِۦ خَبِيرًا ٥٨And trust thou in the Living One Who dieth not, and hymn His praise. He sufficeth as the Knower of His bondmen’s sins.InsightAccording to Elmalılı, mortals crumble and those who lean on them are lost; so lean only on the undying Living One.59ٱلَّذِي خَلَقَ ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَٱلۡأَرۡضَ وَمَا بَيۡنَهُمَا فِي سِتَّةِ أَيَّامࣲ ثُمَّ ٱسۡتَوَىٰ عَلَى ٱلۡعَرۡشِۖ ٱلرَّحۡمَٰنُ فَسۡـَٔلۡ بِهِۦ خَبِيرࣰا ٥٩Who created the heavens and the earth and all that is between them in six Days, then He mounted the Throne. The Beneficent! Ask anyone informed concerning Him.InsightAccording to Elmalılı, the six days point to stages of development in the most general classification of creation, by the law of nurturing.60وَإِذَا قِيلَ لَهُمُ ٱسۡجُدُواْۤ لِلرَّحۡمَٰنِ قَالُواْ وَمَا ٱلرَّحۡمَٰنُ أَنَسۡجُدُ لِمَا تَأۡمُرُنَا وَزَادَهُمۡ نُفُورࣰا۩ ٦٠And when it is said unto them: Prostrate to the Beneficent! they say: And what is the Beneficent? Are we to prostrate to whatever thou (Muhammad) biddest us? And it increaseth aversion in them.InsightAccording to Elmalılı, the question may ask the name’s meaning or may be denial; this is a verse of prostration.61تَبَارَكَ ٱلَّذِي جَعَلَ فِي ٱلسَّمَآءِ بُرُوجࣰا وَجَعَلَ فِيهَا سِرَٰجࣰا وَقَمَرࣰا مُّنِيرࣰا ٦١Blessed be He Who hath placed in the heaven mansions of the stars, and hath placed therein a great lamp and a moon giving light.InsightAccording to Elmalılı, “burj” originally means a lofty tower; star groups forming a particular shape in the sky are also called burj.62وَهُوَ ٱلَّذِي جَعَلَ ٱلَّيۡلَ وَٱلنَّهَارَ خِلۡفَةࣰ لِّمَنۡ أَرَادَ أَن يَذَّكَّرَ أَوۡ أَرَادَ شُكُورࣰا ٦٢And He it is Who hath appointed night and day in succession, for him who desireth to remember, or desireth thankfulness.InsightAccording to Elmalılı, each takes the other’s place: what cannot be done in one may be done in the other.63وَعِبَادُ ٱلرَّحۡمَٰنِ ٱلَّذِينَ يَمۡشُونَ عَلَى ٱلۡأَرۡضِ هَوۡنࣰا وَإِذَا خَاطَبَهُمُ ٱلۡجَٰهِلُونَ قَالُواْ سَلَٰمࣰا ٦٣The (faithful) slaves of the Beneficent are they who walk upon the earth modestly, and when the foolish ones address them answer: Peace.InsightAccording to Elmalılı, the servants of the Most Merciful are the blessed ones who serve Him alone, knowing to remember and thank Him. Until the end of the surah they are described by eight qualities, each recalling a group.64وَٱلَّذِينَ يَبِيتُونَ لِرَبِّهِمۡ سُجَّدࣰا وَقِيَٰمࣰا ٦٤And who spend the night before their Lord, prostrate and standing.InsightAccording to Elmalılı, this is their state when they retire to their homes and beds at night: they pray to their Lord sincerely; their lying down and rising are all for Allah.65وَٱلَّذِينَ يَقُولُونَ رَبَّنَا ٱصۡرِفۡ عَنَّا عَذَابَ جَهَنَّمَۖ إِنَّ عَذَابَهَا كَانَ غَرَامًا ٦٥And who say: Our Lord! Avert from us the doom of hell; lo! the doom thereof is anguish.InsightAccording to Elmalılı, escaping Hell is their first hope; not relying on their worship and efforts, they always pray for deliverance. “Gharam” means something that won’t let go, like a creditor on one’s back.66إِنَّهَا سَآءَتۡ مُسۡتَقَرࣰّا وَمُقَامࣰا ٦٦Lo! it is wretched as abode and station.InsightElmalılı says “mustaqarr” and “muqam” both mean a place of staying and their difference is subtle; one may be seen as a particular spot within the residence.67وَٱلَّذِينَ إِذَآ أَنفَقُواْ لَمۡ يُسۡرِفُواْ وَلَمۡ يَقۡتُرُواْ وَكَانَ بَيۡنَ ذَٰلِكَ قَوَامࣰا ٦٧And those who, when they spend, are neither prodigal nor grudging; and there is ever a firm station between the two.InsightElmalılı explains “israf” as exceeding the limit in anything. Spending is for necessity, need or beauty; eating enough not to die is a necessity.68وَٱلَّذِينَ لَا يَدۡعُونَ مَعَ ٱللَّهِ إِلَٰهًا ءَاخَرَ وَلَا يَقۡتُلُونَ ٱلنَّفۡسَ ٱلَّتِي حَرَّمَ ٱللَّهُ إِلَّا بِٱلۡحَقِّ وَلَا يَزۡنُونَۚ وَمَن يَفۡعَلۡ ذَٰلِكَ يَلۡقَ أَثَامࣰا ٦٨And those who cry not unto any other god along with Allah, nor take the life which Allah hath forbidden save in (course of) justice, nor commit adultery - and whoso doeth this shall pay the penalty.InsightAccording to Elmalılı, associating partners with Allah, murder and adultery are the greatest of major sins; they are mentioned especially because they are crimes ever committed in the name of religion, civilisation and humanity.69يُضَٰعَفۡ لَهُ ٱلۡعَذَابُ يَوۡمَ ٱلۡقِيَٰمَةِ وَيَخۡلُدۡ فِيهِۦ مُهَانًا ٦٩The doom will be doubled for him on the Day of Resurrection, and he will abide therein disdained for ever.InsightAccording to Elmalılı, the lengthening of the pronoun in recitation hints at the duration of abiding.70إِلَّا مَن تَابَ وَءَامَنَ وَعَمِلَ عَمَلࣰا صَٰلِحࣰا فَأُوْلَـٰٓئِكَ يُبَدِّلُ ٱللَّهُ سَيِّـَٔاتِهِمۡ حَسَنَٰتࣲۗ وَكَانَ ٱللَّهُ غَفُورࣰا رَّحِيمࣰا ٧٠Save him who repenteth and believeth and doth righteous work; as for such, Allah will change their evil deeds to good deeds. Allah is ever Forgiving, Merciful.71وَمَن تَابَ وَعَمِلَ صَٰلِحࣰا فَإِنَّهُۥ يَتُوبُ إِلَى ٱللَّهِ مَتَابࣰا ٧١And whosoever repenteth and doeth good, he verily repenteth toward Allah with true repentance.72وَٱلَّذِينَ لَا يَشۡهَدُونَ ٱلزُّورَ وَإِذَا مَرُّواْ بِٱللَّغۡوِ مَرُّواْ كِرَامࣰا ٧٢And those who will not witness vanity, but when they pass near senseless play, pass by with dignity.InsightAccording to Elmalılı, they neither give false testimony nor stay where lies are told. “Laghw” is empty things that should be left because they are useless or harmful.73وَٱلَّذِينَ إِذَا ذُكِّرُواْ بِـَٔايَٰتِ رَبِّهِمۡ لَمۡ يَخِرُّواْ عَلَيۡهَا صُمࣰّا وَعُمۡيَانࣰا ٧٣And those who, when they are reminded of the revelations of their Lord, fall not deaf and blind thereat.74وَٱلَّذِينَ يَقُولُونَ رَبَّنَا هَبۡ لَنَا مِنۡ أَزۡوَٰجِنَا وَذُرِّيَّـٰتِنَا قُرَّةَ أَعۡيُنࣲ وَٱجۡعَلۡنَا لِلۡمُتَّقِينَ إِمَامًا ٧٤And who say: Our Lord! Vouchsafe us comfort of our wives and of our offspring, and make us patterns for (all) those who ward off (evil).InsightElmalılı gives this prayer two meanings: “Grant us spouses and children who will be a comfort to our eyes” or “Grant us blessings through our spouses and children that comfort our eyes.”75أُوْلَـٰٓئِكَ يُجۡزَوۡنَ ٱلۡغُرۡفَةَ بِمَا صَبَرُواْ وَيُلَقَّوۡنَ فِيهَا تَحِيَّةࣰ وَسَلَٰمًا ٧٥They will be awarded the high place forasmuch as they were steadfast, and they will meet therein with welcome and the ward of peace.InsightElmalılı explains “ghurfah” as the highest point of a lofty building, like a bay window or tower: the patient will be raised to the highest chambers of Paradise.76خَٰلِدِينَ فِيهَاۚ حَسُنَتۡ مُسۡتَقَرࣰّا وَمُقَامࣰا ٧٦Abiding there for ever. Happy is it as abode and station.77قُلۡ مَا يَعۡبَؤُاْ بِكُمۡ رَبِّي لَوۡلَا دُعَآؤُكُمۡۖ فَقَدۡ كَذَّبۡتُمۡ فَسَوۡفَ يَكُونُ لِزَامَۢا ٧٧Say (O Muhammad, unto the disbelievers): My Lord would not concern Himself with you but for your prayer. But now ye have denied (the Truth), therefor there will be judgment.InsightAccording to Elmalılı, the wisdom of your creation is worship and servanthood; without your worship, what value would you have with Allah?