Sūrat al-Zukhruf
سورۃ الزخرف
Sūrat al-Zukhruf was revealed in Mecca. It has 89 verses and 7 rukūʿs.
بِسۡمِ اللّٰہِ الرَّحۡمٰنِ الرَّحِیۡمِ
Bismillāhi l-Raḥmāni l-Raḥīm.
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
حم
Ḥā Mīm.
This is a complete verse — its meaning is known only to Allah. The devoted lovers of the Prophet ﷺ see this and recognise it as the beloved's name (ḥā mīm = Ḥabīb Muḥammad ﷺ).
وَالْكِتَابِ الْمُبِينِ
Wa-l-kitābi l-mubīn.
"By the clear Book." (al-Zukhruf 43:2)
Wa-l-kitāb — and a sworn oath by this Book — al-mubīn — the lucid, the clear — which openly declares all the rulings.
Translation: A sworn oath by this clear Book (and it testifies to itself).
إِنَّا جَعَلْنَاهُ قُرْآنًا عَرَبِيًّا لَّعَلَّكُمْ تَعْقِلُونَ
Innā jaʿalnāhu qurʾānan ʿarabiyyan laʿallakum taʿqilūn.
"Indeed, We have made it an Arabic Quran that you might understand." (al-Zukhruf 43:3)
Innā jaʿalnāhu qurʾānan ʿarabiyyan — We have made this Quran in the Arabic language — laʿallakum taʿqilūna — so that you may understand — reflect and understand — take some sensible action from it.
Translation: We have made it a Book in the Arabic language so that you may understand something.
وَإِنَّهُ فِي أُمِّ الْكِتَابِ لَدَيْنَا لَعَلِيٌّ حَكِيمٌ
Wa-innahu fī ummi l-kitābi ladaynā la-ʿaliyyun ḥakīm.
"And indeed, in the Mother of the Book with Us, it is surely exalted and full of wisdom." (al-Zukhruf 43:4)
Wa-innahu fī ummi l-kitāb — And without doubt this Quran is in the Umm al-Kitāb — in the divine knowledge — in the Lawḥ Maḥfūẓ — the Preserved Tablet — ladaynā — with Us — la-ʿaliyyun ḥakīmun — it is certainly of the most exalted rank and full of wisdom.
Translation: And without doubt this Quran (really the Quran) in the Mother of the Book in Our possession is of exalted rank and full of wisdom.
أَفَنَضْرِبُ عَنكُمُ الذِّكْرَ صَفْحًا أَن كُنتُمْ قَوْمًا مُّسْرِفِينَ
Afa-naḍribu ʿankumu l-dhikra ṣafḥan an kuntum qawman musrifīn.
"Should We then withhold the Reminder from you because you are a wasteful people?" (al-Zukhruf 43:5)
Afa-naḍribu ʿankumu l-dhikra ṣafḥan — Shall we disregard you — turn away from admonishing and reminding you — ṣafḥan — turn away dismissively —
min ṣafaḥa — to turn away — ḍaraba ṣafḥan — to turn the face away. An kuntum qawman musrifīna — even though you are a wasteful and sinful community — but despite your so many mischiefs we are still counselling you as we go.
Translation: Shall we turn away from counselling you and reminding you — since you are a wasteful people (who do useless work).
وَكَمْ أَرْسَلْنَا مِن نَّبِيٍّ فِي الْأَوَّلِينَ
Wa-kam arsalnā min nabiyyin fī l-awwalīn.
"And how many a prophet did We send among the former peoples?" (al-Zukhruf 43:6)
Wa-kam arsalnā min nabiyy — and how many prophets did We send — fī l-awwalīn — among the peoples of the past.
Translation: And how many prophets have We sent among past peoples.
وَمَا يَأْتِيهِم مِّن نَّبِيٍّ إِلَّا كَانُوا بِهِ يَسْتَهْزِءُونَ
Wa-mā yaʾtīhim min nabiyyin illā kānū bihi yastahziʾūn.
"And no prophet came to them but they used to ridicule him." (al-Zukhruf 43:7)
Wa-mā yaʾtīhim min nabiyy — And to those people no prophet came — no new prophet ever arrived to them — illā kānū bihi yastahziʾūna — but they used to mock him — they used to make fun of him, to laugh at him, to deride him.
Translation: And whenever a prophet came to those people they used to mock him.
فَأَهْلَكْنَا أَشَدَّ مِنْهُم بَطْشًا وَمَضَىٰ مَثَلُ الْأَوَّلِينَ
Fa-ahlakna ashadda minhum baṭshan wa-maḍā mathalu l-awwalīn.
"Then We destroyed those who were stronger in power than them, and the example of the former peoples has passed." (al-Zukhruf 43:8)
Fa-ahlakna — Then We destroyed them, demolished them — ashadda minhum baṭshan — those who were far stronger in power than them — wa-maḍā mathalu l-awwalīn — and exactly this same fate of the former peoples was fulfilled.
Translation: Then We destroyed those who were far stronger than them and exactly this fate of the former peoples was fulfilled.
وَلَئِن سَأَلْتَهُم مَّنْ خَلَقَ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضَ لَيَقُولُنَّ خَلَقَهُنَّ الْعَزِيزُ الْعَلِيمُ
Wa-la-in saʾaltahum man khalaqa l-samāwāti wa-l-arḍa la-yaqūlunna khalaqahunna l-ʿazīzu l-ʿalīm.
"And if you were to ask them: Who created the heavens and the earth? They would surely say: They were created by the All-Mighty, the All-Knowing." (al-Zukhruf 43:9)
Wa-la-in saʾaltahum — And if you were to ask those people — man khalaqa l-samāwāti wa-l-arḍa — who created the heavens and the earth — la-yaqūlunna — they would certainly say — khalaqahunna l-ʿazīzu l-ʿalīm — the All-Mighty and All-Knowing created them — the one who is their creator — the one who created them — He is the All-Mighty and All-Knowing.
Translation: And if you were to ask those people who created the heavens and earth they would have to say the All-Mighty and All-Knowing created them.
الَّذِي جَعَلَ لَكُمُ الْأَرْضَ مَهْدًا وَجَعَلَ لَكُمْ فِيهَا سُبُلًا لَّعَلَّكُمْ تَهْتَدُونَ
Alladhī jaʿala lakumu l-arḍa mahdā wa-jaʿala lakum fīhā subulan laʿallakum tahtadūn.
"Who made the earth for you a resting place and placed for you roads therein so that you might be guided." (al-Zukhruf 43:10)
Alladhī jaʿala lakumu l-arḍa mahdā — Who made the earth like a cradle for you — spread it out for you — wa-jaʿala lakum fīhā subulan — and made roads in it for you — and paths for you in the earth — laʿallakum tahtadūn — so that you may be guided — so that you may reach the intended destination by some pathway.
Translation: Who made the earth like a floor spread out for you — and made roads in it for you — so that you may have some pathway to reach your destination.
وَالَّذِي نَزَّلَ مِنَ السَّمَاءِ مَاءً بِقَدَرٍ فَأَنشَرْنَا بِهِ بَلْدَةً مَّيْتًا كَذَٰلِكَ تُخْرَجُونَ
Wa-lladhī nazzala mina l-samāʾi māʾan bi-qadarin fa-ansharanā bihi baldatan maytā. Kadhālika tukhrajūn.
"And Who sent down water from the sky in a measured amount, and We revived thereby a dead land — thus shall you be brought forth." (al-Zukhruf 43:11)
Wa-lladhī nazzala — And who sent down and caused to descend — mina l-samāʾi māʾan — from the sky water — the rain — bi-qadarin — in a certain measure — fa-ansharanā bihi — then We brought to life through it — baldatan maytā — the dead earth — kadhālika tukhrajūn — and in this very way — we will similarly bring even the dead back to life in such a way.
Translation: And Who sent down from the sky rain in a measured way — then We revived and brought the dead earth to life — and in this very way you will be brought out (from graves).
وَالَّذِي خَلَقَ الْأَزْوَاجَ كُلَّهَا وَجَعَلَ لَكُم مِّنَ الْفُلْكِ وَالْأَنْعَامِ مَا تَرْكَبُونَ
Wa-lladhī khalaqa l-azwāja kullahā wa-jaʿala lakum mina l-fulki wa-l-anʿāmi mā tarkabūn.
"And Who created all pairs, and made for you of ships and cattle what you ride." (al-Zukhruf 43:12)
Wa-lladhī khalaqa l-azwāja kullahā — And Who created all pairs of all kinds — wa-jaʿala lakum — and made for you — ships, vessels, and cattle — mātā — min al-fulki wa-l-anʿām — among them — mā tarkabūna — you ride upon them.
Translation: And He (Allah) is the one who created different types of things (created pairs of creatures) and made ships (vessels) and cattle for you so that you may ride upon them.
لِتَسْتَوُوا عَلَىٰ ظُهُورِهِ ثُمَّ تَذْكُرُوا نِعْمَةَ رَبِّكُمْ إِذَا اسْتَوَيْتُمْ عَلَيْهِ وَتَقُولُوا سُبْحَانَ الَّذِي سَخَّرَ لَنَا هَٰذَا وَمَا كُنَّا لَهُ مُقْرِنِينَ
Li-tastawū ʿalā ẓuhūrihi thumma tadhkurū niʿmata rabbikum idhā istawayum ʿalayhi wa-taqūlū subḥāna lladhī sakhkhara lanā hādhā wa-mā kunnā lahu muqrinīn.
"That you may settle firmly on their backs and then remember the blessing of your Lord when you have settled upon it, and say: Exalted is He who has subjected this to us, and we could not have done so ourselves." (al-Zukhruf 43:13)
Li-tastawū ʿalā ẓuhūrih — So that you may sit well upon its back — back straight, sitting well — ride it — thumma tadhkurū niʿmata rabbikum — then remember the blessings of your Lord — idhā istawayum ʿalayhi — when you settle upon it — when you settle on those backs — wa-taqūlū — and say: subḥāna lladhī sakhkhara lanā hādhā — Exalted is He who has subjected this to us — wa-mā kunnā lahu muqrinīn — and we were not capable of controlling it — our Lord is pure — He is the one who subjected all these things to us, and we could not walk with Him nor could He be managed.
Recommendation: It is appropriate that when mounting any riding animal this verse be recited.
وَإِنَّا إِلَىٰ رَبِّنَا لَمُنقَلِبُونَ
Wa-innā ilā rabbinā la-munqalibūn.
"And indeed, to our Lord we shall return." (al-Zukhruf 43:14)
Wa-innā ilā rabbinā — and without doubt we are toward our Lord — la-munqalibūna — we are surely the ones returning.
Translation: And we will certainly return to our Lord.
وَجَعَلُوا لَهُ مِنْ عِبَادِهِ جُزْءًا إِنَّ الْإِنسَانَ لَكَفُورٌ مُّبِينٌ
Wa-jaʿalū lahu min ʿibādihi juzʾan. Inna l-insāna la-kafūrun mubīn.
"And they have made for Him from His servants a portion. Indeed, man is clearly ungrateful." (al-Zukhruf 43:15)
Wa-jaʿalū lahu — and those people made for Him — they attributed to Him — min ʿibādihi juzʾan — from His servants a share — that is, daughters — a share meaning son — daughters — children — inna l-insāna la-kafūrun mubīnun — truly the human being is openly ungrateful — man is certainly the manifest ingrate.
Translation: And those people made some of His servants (daughters) a son of His — certainly the human being is manifest ingratitude.
أَمِ اتَّخَذَ مِمَّا يَخْلُقُ بَنَاتٍ وَأَصْفَاكُم بِالْبَنِينَ
Am ittakhadha mimmā yakhluqu banātin wa-aṣfākum bi-l-banīn.
"Has He taken daughters from what He creates and chosen for you sons?" (al-Zukhruf 43:16)
Am ittakhadha — Did Allah then take — mimmā yakhluqu banātin — daughters from His creation — wa-aṣfākum bi-l-banīn — and chose you specially — and chose sons for you.
Translation: Did Allah take daughters from His creation for Himself and chose sons for you?
وَإِذَا بُشِّرَ أَحَدُهُم بِمَا ضَرَبَ لِلرَّحْمَٰنِ مَثَلًا ظَلَّ وَجْهُهُ مُسْوَدًّا وَهُوَ كَظِيمٌ
Wa-idhā bushshira aḥaduhum bi-mā ḍaraba li-l-raḥmāni mathalān ẓalla wajhuhu muswaddā wa-huwa kaẓīm.
"And when one of them is given the good news of what he attributes to the Most Merciful as an example — his face becomes dark, and he suppresses grief." (al-Zukhruf 43:17)
Wa-idhā bushshira aḥaduhum — And when one of them is given good tidings — when some person among them is given the glad tiding of a daughter — bi-mā ḍaraba li-l-raḥmāni mathalān — that which he assigns as an example for the Most Merciful, meaning: if it is being said to them that Allah had a daughter — ẓalla wajhuhu muswaddā — then his face turns dark — the face of that person darkens — wa-huwa kaẓīmun — and he is filled with grief — he is overwhelmed by anger.
Translation: When they are given the good news of that thing which they attributed to Allah — they are filled with anger and their faces turn dark.
أَوَمَن يُنَشَّأُ فِي الْحِلْيَةِ وَهُوَ فِي الْخِصَامِ غَيْرُ مُبِينٍ
Awa-man yunashsaʾu fī l-ḥilyati wa-huwa fī l-khiṣāmi ghayru mubīn.
"And one who is brought up in adornment and is not clear in dispute?" (al-Zukhruf 43:18)
Awa-man yunashsaʾu fī l-ḥilyah — And is that a person who is raised in ornaments — who grows up and develops in jewellery and adornment — wa-huwa fī l-khiṣāmi ghayru mubīnin — and who is not clear in argument — she cannot argue clearly — a woman cannot fight well either — she will not win a fight — and when she matures she becomes daughters of God — and in their share came daughters.
Translation: Is it (a woman) who grows up in ornaments and cannot argue in a clear way — she cannot fight?
وَجَعَلُوا الْمَلَائِكَةَ الَّذِينَ هُمْ عِبَادُ الرَّحْمَٰنِ إِنَاثًا أَشَهِدُوا خَلْقَهُمْ سَتُكْتَبُ شَهَادَتُهُمْ وَيُسْأَلُونَ
Wa-jaʿalū l-malāʾikata lladhīna hum ʿibādu l-raḥmāni ināthan. Ashhidū khalqahum. Satuktubu shahādatuhum wa-yusʾalūn.
"And they made the angels, who are servants of the Most Merciful, female. Did they witness their creation? Their testimony will be recorded and they will be questioned." (al-Zukhruf 43:19)
Wa-jaʿalū l-malāʾikata — and they made the angels — the servants of the Most Merciful are servants of Allāh — the angels, that is, they considered the angels to be female — innāthan — they considered the angels female — ashhidū khalqahum — was their creation witnessed? — were they there when the angels were created? — satuktubu shahādatuhum — their testimony will be written down and recorded — wa-yusʾalūna — and they will be questioned from it.
Translation: Or they have made those angels who are the servants of Allāh the Most Merciful females — were they present at their creation — now their testimony will be recorded and they will be questioned.
وَقَالُوا لَوْ شَاءَ الرَّحْمَٰنُ مَا عَبَدْنَاهُم مَّا لَهُم بِذَٰلِكَ مِنْ عِلْمٍ إِنْ هُمْ إِلَّا يَخْرُصُونَ
Wa-qālū law shāʾa l-raḥmānu mā ʿabadnāhum. Mā lahum bi-dhālika min ʿilmin in hum illā yakhruṣūn.
"And they said: If the Most Merciful had willed, we would not have worshipped them. They have no knowledge about that — they are only guessing." (al-Zukhruf 43:20)
Wa-qālū — and those people say — law shāʾa l-raḥmānu mā ʿabadnāhum — if the Most Merciful had willed, we would not have worshipped them — we would not have worshipped the angels — they give this argument to justify idol worship — if God wanted to He could prevent us — mā lahum bi-dhālika min ʿilm — those people have no knowledge whatsoever of this — in hum illā yakhruṣūna — they are only making guesses — guessing and making up without knowledge — they speak baseless things.
Translation: And those people say that if the Most Merciful had willed we would not have worshipped those — they have absolutely no knowledge of that — they are all making guesses and speaking falsehoods.
أَمْ آتَيْنَاهُمْ كِتَابًا مِّن قَبْلِهِ فَهُم بِهِ مُسْتَمْسِكُونَ
Am ātaynāhum kitāban min qablihi fa-hum bihi mustamsikūn.
"Or did We give them a Book before this — and so they hold fast to it?" (al-Zukhruf 43:21)
Am ātaynāhum kitāban — Or did We give them a Book — min qablihi — before this — fa-hum bihi mustamsikūna — and they hold fast to it — people grip it — so that they use it as an argument.
Translation: Or did We give them a Book before this which they take as an argument?
بَلْ قَالُوا إِنَّا وَجَدْنَا آبَاءَنَا عَلَىٰ أُمَّةٍ وَإِنَّا عَلَىٰ آثَارِهِم مُّهْتَدُونَ
Bal qālū innā wajadnā ābāʾanā ʿalā ummatin wa-innā ʿalā āthārihim muhtadūn.
"But rather, they say: We found our forefathers upon a tradition and indeed, following in their footsteps we are guided." (al-Zukhruf 43:22)
Bal qālū — Rather they say this — innā wajadnā ābāʾanā — we found our own forefathers — ʿalā ummatin — upon one tradition, one path — wa-innā ʿalā āthārihim muhtadūna — and we follow in their footsteps.
Translation: Rather they say that we have seen our forefathers following a tradition and we too are following in their footsteps.
وَكَذَٰلِكَ مَا أَرْسَلْنَا مِن قَبْلِكَ فِي قَرْيَةٍ مِّن نَّذِيرٍ إِلَّا قَالَ مُتْرَفُوهَا إِنَّا وَجَدْنَا آبَاءَنَا عَلَىٰ أُمَّةٍ وَإِنَّا عَلَىٰ آثَارِهِم مُّقْتَدُونَ
Wa-kadhālika mā arsalnā min qablika fī qaryatin min nadhīrin illā qāla mutrafūhā innā wajadnā ābāʾanā ʿalā ummatin wa-innā ʿalā āthārihim muqtadūn.
"And thus We did not send before you any warner to any city except that its affluent ones said: Indeed, we found our fathers upon a tradition, and indeed, we are following in their footsteps." (al-Zukhruf 43:23)
Wa-kadhālika — and in this way — mā arsalnā min qablika fī qaryah — before you We have not sent anyone to any community — min nadhīrin — no warner, no prophet — illā qāla mutrafūhā — but those wealthy people among them said — innā wajadnā ābāʾanā ʿalā ummatin wa-innā ʿalā āthārihim muqtadūna — we found our forefathers on a tradition and we follow in their footsteps — on their footmarks — we imitate their actions.
Translation: And in this very way before you We have not sent any prophet to any community — but its affluent people would say that we found our forefathers on a tradition and we walk in their footsteps.
قُلْ أَوَلَوْ جِئْتُكُم بِأَهْدَىٰ مِمَّا وَجَدتُّمْ عَلَيْهِ آبَاءَكُمْ قَالُوا إِنَّا بِمَا أُرْسِلْتُم بِهِ كَافِرُونَ
Qul awa-law jiʾtukum bi-ahdā mimmā wajadtum ʿalayhi ābāʾakum qālū innā bi-mā ursiltum bihi kāfirūn.
"Say: Even if I bring you better guidance than what you found your forefathers upon? They say: Indeed, we are disbelievers in that with which you were sent." (al-Zukhruf 43:24)
Qul — the prophet said — awa-law jiʾtukum bi-ahdā — even if I bring you a religion that gives more guidance than these things — than the things on which you found your ancestors — qālū — then what did they say — innā bi-mā ursiltum bihi kāfirūna — we reject that religion with which you were sent — we are disbelievers — we shall never believe.
Translation: (The prophet) said — even if I bring you a religion that gives more guidance than the method your forefathers followed — then they said — we are disbelievers in that religion which you have brought — we shall never believe in it.
فَانتَقَمْنَا مِنْهُمْ فَانظُرْ كَيْفَ كَانَ عَاقِبَةُ الْمُكَذِّبِينَ
Fa-ntaqamnā minhum fa-nẓur kayfa kāna ʿāqibatu l-mukadhdhibīn.
"Then We took retribution from them — so observe how was the end of the deniers." (al-Zukhruf 43:25)
Fa-ntaqamnā minhum — Then We took revenge from them — and punished them for their denial — fa-nẓur — observe then — look — kayfa kāna ʿāqibatu l-mukadhdhibīn — what was the end of the deniers and those who brought disgrace.
Translation: Then We took revenge from them and punished them — now observe carefully! What was the fate of those who denied and disgraced?
وَإِذْ قَالَ إِبْرَاهِيمُ لِأَبِيهِ وَقَوْمِهِ إِنَّنِي بَرَاءٌ مِّمَّا تَعْبُدُونَ
Wa-idh qāla ibrāhīmu li-abīhi wa-qawmihi innanī barāʾun mimmā taʿbudūn.
"And when Ibrāhīm said to his father and his people: Indeed, I am disassociated from what you worship." (al-Zukhruf 43:26)
Wa-idh qāla ibrāhīmu — And remember when Ibrāhīm said — to his father and people — li-abīhi wa-qawmihi — some say that Ibrāhīm (upon him be peace) had an idol-carver as his father — actually he was his stepfather — since Ibrāhīm (upon him be peace) was raised by him, he called him father — innanī barāʾun mimmā taʿbudūna — I am disassociated from those you worship — I am free of your idols — I am disassociated from those idols and deities you worship.
Translation: And remember when Ibrāhīm said to his father and his people: I am completely disassociated from those deities you worship.
إِلَّا الَّذِي فَطَرَنِي فَإِنَّهُ سَيَهْدِينِ
Illā lladhī faṭaranī fa-innahu sa-yahdīn.
"Except the One who created me — for He will guide me." (al-Zukhruf 43:27)
Illā lladhī faṭaranī — Except that God who created me — faṭara — to create — fiṭrah — to be born — the origin is to crack open something from its centre — fatara l-ardh — to break the ground open. Fa-innahu sa-yahdīn — He it is who guides me toward you — He who created me — afterwards He also guides me.
Translation: Except that God who created me — and afterwards He also guides me.
وَجَعَلَهَا كَلِمَةً بَاقِيَةً فِي عَقِبِهِ لَعَلَّهُمْ يَرْجِعُونَ
Wa-jaʿalahā kalimatan bāqiyatan fī ʿaqibih. Laʿallahum yarjiʿūn.
"And he made it a word remaining among his descendants, that they might return." (al-Zukhruf 43:28)
Wa-jaʿalahā — And Ibrāhīm (upon him be peace) made this instruction — made it a kalimah bāqiyah — the remaining word — the ʿaqīdah, the belief that remains — fī ʿaqibih — in his descendants — successively — ʿaqb ʿaqb — generation after generation — laʿallahum yarjiʿūna — so that their children after them might turn toward Allah and return from polytheism and disbelief.
Translation: And he made this one matter a remaining word in his descendants so that they might turn toward it (and return from polytheism).
بَلْ مَتَّعْتُ هَٰؤُلَاءِ وَآبَاءَهُمْ حَتَّىٰ جَاءَهُمُ الْحَقُّ وَرَسُولٌ مُّبِينٌ
Bal mattaʿtu hāʾulāʾi wa-ābāʾahum ḥattā jāʾahumu l-ḥaqqu wa-rasūlun mubīn.
"But I gave enjoyment to these and their forefathers until there came to them the truth and a clear messenger." (al-Zukhruf 43:29)
Bal mattaʿtu hāʾulāʾi — Rather We gave these people enjoyment — gave them benefit from worldly life — wa-ābāʾahum — and to their forefathers as well — ḥattā jāʾahumu l-ḥaqq — until the truth came to them, the Quran and the true religion reached them — wa-rasūlun mubīnun — and a clear-speaking messenger came — the Prophet ﷺ who speaks clearly and explains.
Translation: Rather We gave them and their forefathers enjoyment and benefit — until the true religion (and the Quran) came to their community and the explaining Prophet (Muḥammad ﷺ) arrived.
وَلَمَّا جَاءَهُمُ الْحَقُّ قَالُوا هَٰذَا سِحْرٌ وَإِنَّا بِهِ كَافِرُونَ
Wa-lammā jāʾahumu l-ḥaqqu qālū hādhā siḥrun wa-innā bihi kāfirūn.
"And when the truth came to them, they said: This is sorcery, and we are disbelievers in it." (al-Zukhruf 43:30)
Wa-lammā jāʾahumu l-ḥaqq — And when the truth came to them, their religion and the Quran reached them — qālū hādhā siḥr — they said this is a magic trick — a magician — wa-innā bihi kāfirūna — and we do not believe in it — we shall not accept it.
Translation: And when the truth came to them it seemed like magic to them — and we do not believe in it.
وَقَالُوا لَوْلَا نُزِّلَ هَٰذَا الْقُرْآنُ عَلَىٰ رَجُلٍ مِّنَ الْقَرْيَتَيْنِ عَظِيمٍ
Wa-qālū lawlā nuzzila hādhā l-qurʾānu ʿalā rajulin mina l-qaryatayni ʿaẓīm.
"And they said: Why was this Quran not sent down to a great man of the two cities?" (al-Zukhruf 43:31)
Wa-qālū — and those people said — lawlā nuzzila hādhā l-qurʾān — why was this Quran not sent down — why was it not revealed — ʿalā rajulin mina l-qaryatayni ʿaẓīm — on some great person from the two big cities — some say the qaryatayn (two cities) means Mecca and Ṭāʾif — the actual point is that those people were saying that what greatness is there when these people receive the Quran — it is from jealousy of Allah's Messenger ﷺ —
(Continuation — the disbelievers' objection and its refutation)
Their greatness was measured by wealth and worldly status — it is not measured by noble character and goodness of nature.
Translation: And those disbelievers said — why was this Quran not revealed to some great (wealthy) person in those two cities.
أَهُمْ يَقْسِمُونَ رَحْمَتَ رَبِّكَ نَحْنُ قَسَمْنَا بَيْنَهُم مَّعِيشَتَهُمْ فِي الْحَيَاةِ الدُّنْيَا وَرَفَعْنَا بَعْضَهُمْ فَوْقَ بَعْضٍ دَرَجَاتٍ لِّيَتَّخِذَ بَعْضُهُم بَعْضًا سُخْرِيًّا وَرَحْمَتُ رَبِّكَ خَيْرٌ مِّمَّا يَجْمَعُونَ
Ahum yaqsimūna raḥmata rabbik. Naḥnu qasamnā baynahum maʿīshatahum fī l-ḥayāti l-dunyā wa-rafaʿnā baʿḍahum fawqa baʿḍin darajātin li-yattakhidha baʿḍuhum baʿḍan sukhriyyā. Wa-raḥmatu rabbika khayrun mimmā yajmaʿūn.
"Is it they who distribute the mercy of your Lord? It is We who have distributed their livelihood among them in the life of this world, and We have raised some of them above others in degrees — so that some of them may take others in subjection. But the mercy of your Lord is better than what they accumulate." (al-Zukhruf 43:32)
Ahum yaqsimūna — Is it these people who distribute the mercy of your Lord — are they the ones who divide the divine mercy? — Naḥnu qasamnā baynahum maʿīshatahum — We have divided and apportioned their livelihood between them — those things related to worldly life — fī l-ḥayāti l-dunyā — wa-rafaʿnā baʿḍahum fawqa baʿḍin darajātin — and We have raised some of them above others in degrees — some are of a high rank — li-yattakhidha baʿḍuhum baʿḍan sukhriyyā — so that some of them make others subservient — subordinate — obedient — masters — wa-raḥmatu rabbika khayrun — and the mercy of your Lord is far better — mimmā yajmaʿūna — than what they all accumulate — that all the wealth they accumulate is better.
Since the Quran's title is raḥmah — it is therefore appropriate to say raḥmah rather than maʿīshah (worldly goods) — mimmā yajmaʿūna — this wealth they accumulate from it — from this wealth which they gather.
Translation: Is it those people who distribute the mercy of your Lord — We have distributed the worldly livelihood between them — and We have raised some of them above others in degree so that some of them may make others their subordinates and servants — but the mercy of your Lord is better than all the wealth and goods which they accumulate (gather together).
وَلَوْلَا أَن يَكُونَ النَّاسُ أُمَّةً وَاحِدَةً لَّجَعَلْنَا لِمَن يَكْفُرُ بِالرَّحْمَٰنِ لِبُيُوتِهِمْ سُقُفًا مِّن فِضَّةٍ وَمَعَارِجَ عَلَيْهَا يَظْهَرُونَ
Wa-lawlā an yakūna l-nāsu ummatan wāḥidatan la-jaʿalnā li-man yakfuru bi-l-raḥmāni li-buyūtihim suqufan min fiḍḍatin wa-maʿārija ʿalayhā yaẓharūn.
"And were it not that people would become one community, We would have made for those who disbelieve in the Most Merciful — for their houses, rooftops of silver and stairways upon which to ascend." (al-Zukhruf 43:33)
Wa-lawlā an yakūna l-nāsu ummatan wāḥidah — and if it were not for the fact that people would all become one and the same — if in view of this there were not the concern that the disbelievers seeing the wealth of the unbelievers might become disbelievers — la-jaʿalnā li-man yakfuru bi-l-raḥmāni — We would have given to those who deny the Most Merciful — li-buyūtihim suqufan min fiḍḍah — their houses would have silver ceilings — wa-maʿārija ʿalayhā yaẓharūna — and stairways, gathering staircases — upon which they ascend.
Translation: And if it were not for the fact that all people would become disbelievers in view of this — We would have given those who deny Allāh the Most Merciful their houses' ceilings of silver and stairways and staircases of silver on which they climb.
وَلِبُيُوتِهِمْ أَبْوَابًا وَسُرُرًا عَلَيْهَا يَتَّكِئُونَ
Wa-li-buyūtihim abwāban wa-sururan ʿalayhā yattakiʾūn.
"And for their houses, doors and couches upon which they recline." (al-Zukhruf 43:34)
Wa-li-buyūtihim abwāban — and their houses would also have doors — of silver — wa-sururan — and thrones — couches — ʿalayhā yattakiʾūna — and upon them they recline — sitting back, leaning.
Translation: And their houses' doors and thrones (of silver) on which they recline.
وَزُخْرُفًا وَإِن كُلُّ ذَٰلِكَ لَمَّا مَتَاعُ الْحَيَاةِ الدُّنْيَا وَالْآخِرَةُ عِندَ رَبِّكَ لِلْمُتَّقِينَ
Wa-zukhrufan wa-in kullu dhālika lammā matāʿu l-ḥayāti l-dunyā wa-l-ākhiratu ʿinda rabbika li-l-muttaqīn.
"And gold ornaments. But all of that is nothing but the enjoyment of the life of this world, and the Hereafter with your Lord is for the God-fearing." (al-Zukhruf 43:35)
Wa-zukhrufan — and gold and silver — adornments — wa-in kullu dhālika — but all of this is nothing — lammā matāʿu l-ḥayāti l-dunyā — it is all but a brief enjoyment of this worldly life — worldly pleasures, comfort and ease — wa-l-ākhiratu ʿinda rabbika — and the Hereafter with your Lord — li-l-muttaqīna — belongs to the God-fearing and righteous — it is the share of the God-fearing.
Translation: And all that gold and silver are all just perishable goods of this worldly life — and the Hereafter with your Lord is the portion of the God-fearing.
وَمَن يَعْشُ عَن ذِكْرِ الرَّحْمَٰنِ نُقَيِّضْ لَهُ شَيْطَانًا فَهُوَ لَهُ قَرِينٌ
Wa-man yaʿshu ʿan dhikri l-raḥmāni nuqayyiḍ lahu shayṭānan fa-huwa lahu qarīn.
"And whoever is blinded from the remembrance of the Most Merciful — We appoint for him a devil, and he is for him a constant companion." (al-Zukhruf 43:36)
Wa-man yaʿshu ʿan dhikri l-raḥmān — And whoever becomes blind and heedless of the remembrance of Allah — blinded — their eyes become darkened — and whoever remains blind and forgetful of Allah's remembrance — nuqayyiḍ lahu shayṭānan — We assign a devil to him — fa-huwa lahu qarīnun — then he remains attached to him as a companion — friend, companion, constant associate. Qarīn — qurān — closeness — near — qarīnah — for the purpose intended by the words — qarīn is one who is close.
Translation: And whoever averts his eyes from the remembrance of Allah the Most Merciful — We appoint a devil over him who remains his constant companion.
Ṣāḥibō! And these devils bar them from the way of Allah — yaṣuddūnahum ʿan al-sabīl — they block them from the road. Wa-yaḥsabūna — and they consider themselves — annahum muhtadūn — that they are upon guidance; they suppose themselves to be rightly guided — they travel a straight path.
وَإِنَّهُمْ لَيَصُدُّونَهُمْ عَنِ السَّبِيلِ وَيَحْسَبُونَ أَنَّهُم مُّهْتَدُونَ
Wa-innahum la-yaṣuddūnahum ʿani l-sabīli wa-yaḥsabūna annahum muhtadūn.
"And indeed they avert them from the way while they think that they are rightly guided." (al-Zukhruf 43:37)
Wa-innahum — and these devils — la-yaṣuddūnahum ʿani l-sabīl — they most certainly bar them from the road — the road of faith and righteousness. Wa-yaḥsabūna — and they count and estimate. Ḥisāb — counting — ḥusbānan — reckoning — ḥisāban — numbering — supposing. Annahum muhtadūna — that they are those who have attained guidance — those who tread the straight path.
Translation: And these devils bar them from the path of Allah and they think that they are upon guidance.
حَتَّىٰ إِذَا جَاءَنَا قَالَ يَٰلَيْتَ بَيْنِي وَبَيْنَكَ بُعْدَ الْمَشْرِقَيْنِ فَبِئْسَ الْقَرِينُ
Ḥattā idhā jāʾanā qāla yā layta baynī wa-baynaka buʿda l-mashriqayni fa-biʾsa l-qarīn.
"Until, when he comes to Us, he says: Would that between me and you were the distance of the two easts — how evil a companion!" (al-Zukhruf 43:38)
Ḥattā idhā jāʾanā — until when he comes to Us — to our very presence. Qāla — the sinful one will say to his devil companion. Yā layta baynī wa-baynaka — O would that between me and you — buʿda l-mashriqayni — there were the distance of the east and west — east and west becoming the metaphor for the greatest separation. Fa-biʾsa l-qarīnu — and then he says: How evil a companion this is! What a wretched seat-companion and associate!
Translation: When he comes to Us (the shayṭān will be) saying: Would that between me and you were the distance of east and west — what an evil companion this is!
وَلَن يَنفَعَكُمُ الْيَوْمَ إِذ ظَّلَمْتُمْ أَنَّكُمْ فِي الْعَذَابِ مُشْتَرِكُونَ
Wa-lan yanfaʿakumu l-yawma idh ẓalamtum annakum fī l-ʿadhābi mushtarikūn.
"And it will not benefit you that Day, since you were wrongdoers, that you are partners in the punishment." (al-Zukhruf 43:39)
Wa-lan yanfaʿakumu — and it will profit you nothing today — it will bring no benefit. Al-yawm — today. Idh ẓalamtum — since you were wrongdoers — since you were oppressors. Annakum fī l-ʿadhābi mushtarikūna — that you are both — the sinner and the shayṭān — the disbeliever and the devil — all are partners in punishment.
Translation: And when you were oppressors today, it will profit you nothing that you are all partners in punishment.
أَفَأَنتَ تُسْمِعُ الصُّمَّ أَوْ تَهْدِي الْعُمْيَ وَمَن كَانَ فِي ضَلَٰلٍ مُّبِينٍ
Afa-anta tusmiʿu l-ṣumma aw tahdī l-ʿumya wa-man kāna fī ḍalālin mubīn.
"Then can you make the deaf hear, or guide the blind and whoever is in manifest error?" (al-Zukhruf 43:40)
Afa-anta tusmiʿu l-ṣumm — O Noble Prophet! Can you make the deaf hear? Can you give hearing to those who are spiritually deaf? Aw tahdī l-ʿumyā — or will you show the blind their path? Wa-man kāna fī ḍalālin mubīnin — and those who are in manifest, clear error — those who are utterly steeped in misguidance?
Translation: (O Prophet!) Can you make the deaf hear, or show the blind and those in clear error the way?
Ṣāḥibō! Hidāya has two meanings — the pointing out of the road and the conveying to the destination. Showing the path is the meaning of pointing it out — irāʾat al-ṭarīq. And the second meaning is conveying to the destination — īṣāl ilā l-maṭlūb. Now showing the correct path — to comprehend a matter correctly — is the duty of the Prophet — the Prophet ﷺ must perform his duty of tablīgh and convey. But conveying those of deficient nature to the destination is the work of Allah — for those who are deficient in nature cannot be carried to the destination by anyone. Because this is the work of Allah. The Prophet ﷺ — and the Prophet must remain engaged in tablīgh. It is not certain that they will become Muslims — but we are obliged to remain performing tablīgh — whether they accept the faith or not — conveying them is simply our duty — propagation of the faith (tablīgh) is incumbent on everyone in the world.
فَإِمَّا نَذْهَبَنَّ بِكَ فَإِنَّا مِنْهُم مُّنتَقِمُونَ
Fa-immā nadhhabanna bika fa-innā minhum muntaqimūn.
"So if We take you away, We will nonetheless take retribution from them." (al-Zukhruf 43:41)
Fa-immā nadhhabanna bika — then even if We remove you from the world — even if We cause you to depart from this world. Fa-innā minhum muntaqimūna — then We will still take retribution from them — We will still avenge them — We will certainly punish them.
Translation: So if We take you away from the world, We will nonetheless exact retribution from them (We will certainly punish them).
أَوْ نُرِيَنَّكَ الَّذِي وَعَدْنَٰهُمْ فَإِنَّا عَلَيْهِم مُّقْتَدِرُونَ
Aw nuriyannaka lladhī waʿadnāhum fa-innā ʿalayhim muqtadirūn.
"Or We will show you what We have promised them — for indeed We have full power over them." (al-Zukhruf 43:42)
Aw nuriyannaka — or We will show you — We will reveal to you everything. Al-ladhī waʿadnāhum — that which We have promised them — that which We have made a covenant with them about. Fa-innā ʿalayhim muqtadirūna — then We are fully capable of this — this too is simply a matter for Our power.
Translation: Or (in this very worldly life) We will show you what We have promised them (the punishment) — for indeed We have full power over them.
فَاسْتَمْسِكْ بِالَّذِي أُوحِيَ إِلَيْكَ إِنَّكَ عَلَىٰ صِرَٰطٍ مُّسْتَقِيمٍ
Fa-stamsik bi-lladhī ūḥiya ilayka innaka ʿalā ṣirāṭin mustaqīm.
"So hold firmly to what has been revealed to you — indeed you are upon a straight path." (al-Zukhruf 43:43)
Fa-stamsik — then grasp firmly — hold fast. Masaka — to seize — tamsaka — to hold firmly — istamsaka — to grasp — to seize. The Arabic paper with which argument is made is called this — holding firmly. Bi-lladhī ūḥiya ilayka — to what has been revealed to you — this religion of truth whose revelation is continuing. Innaka ʿalā ṣirāṭin mustaqīm — indeed you are upon a straight path — you are assuredly upon the straight path.
Translation: And hold firmly to what has been revealed to you (the Qur'ān that has been sent down upon you) — and indeed you are assuredly upon the straight path.
وَإِنَّهُ لَذِكْرٌ لَّكَ وَلِقَوْمِكَ وَسَوْفَ تُسْأَلُونَ
Wa-innahu la-dhikrun laka wa-li-qawmika wa-sawfa tusʾalūn.
"And indeed it is a reminder for you and your people, and you will be questioned." (al-Zukhruf 43:44)
Wa-innahu la-dhikrun laka — and without doubt this Qur'ān is a reminder and admonition for you. Wa-li-qawmika — and for your people also — wa-sawfa tusʾalūna — and you will soon be questioned — you will be held to account — the questioning of the Day of Judgement will come — do not entertain doubt about the Resurrection — and follow my injunctions — my commands — accept my teaching and follow it. Look — this is the straight path — ṣirāṭ mustaqīm.
Translation: And without doubt this is an admonition for you and for your people — and you will be questioned about it.
Ṣāḥibō! One thing — and hold this matter in mind — conveying is of two kinds. Reaching the ear — reaching the ear of the other — a second kind — reaching the heart — that is, reaching the target — comprehending the matter means accepting the truth — giving it a place in the heart — which is deficient in nature — we have provided such teaching to them — but this is futile — because for those deficient in nature there is no benefit from hearing them — but this is the pointing out of their deficiency of nature — manifesting their deficiency of nature is the purpose.
وَسْـَٔلْ مَنْ أَرْسَلْنَا مِن قَبْلِكَ مِن رُّسُلِنَآ أَجَعَلْنَا مِن دُونِ الرَّحْمَٰنِ ءَالِهَةً يُعْبَدُونَ
Wa-sʾal man arsalnā min qablika min rusulinā ajaʿalnā min dūni l-raḥmāni ālihatan yuʿbadūn.
"And ask those We sent before you of Our messengers: Did We appoint besides the Most Merciful any gods to be worshipped?" (al-Zukhruf 43:45)
Wa-sʾal — and ask — inquire. Man arsalnā min qablika min rusulinā — those messengers We sent before you — the nations and communities that have passed. To whom We sent them — to ask about their condition — to inquire about their state. Ajaʿalnā min dūni l-raḥmāni — did We appoint, apart from Allāh the Most Merciful — ālihatan yuʿbadūna — deities to be worshipped — objects of worship that people go to worship.
Translation: And ask all the previous messengers — did We ever appoint anyone besides Allāh the Most Merciful as a deity to be worshipped?
وَلَقَدْ أَرْسَلْنَا مُوسَىٰ بِـَٔايَٰتِنَآ إِلَىٰ فِرْعَوْنَ وَمَلَإِيهِ فَقَالَ إِنِّي رَسُولُ رَبِّ الْعَٰلَمِينَ
Wa-la-qad arsalnā mūsā bi-āyātinā ilā firʿawna wa-malāʾihi fa-qāla innī rasūlu rabbi l-ʿālamīn.
"And We certainly sent Mūsā with Our signs to Pharaoh and his nobles, and he said: Indeed, I am the messenger of the Lord of all the Worlds." (al-Zukhruf 43:46)
Wa-la-qad arsalnā mūsā — and without doubt We sent Mūsā — We certainly and assuredly sent Mūsā. Bi-āyātinā — with Our signs — giving him Our miracles. Ilā firʿawna wa-malāʾihi — towards Fir'awn and his nobles — the chiefs, leaders, and elders of his people. Fa-qāla — then Mūsā (peace be upon him) said. Innī rasūlu rabbi l-ʿālamīna — Indeed I am the messenger of the Lord of all the Worlds, a prophet — I am a prophet of the Lord of all the Worlds.
Translation: And We certainly sent Mūsā with Our signs to Fir'awn and his nobles — then he said: Indeed I am a messenger of the Lord of all the Worlds.
فَلَمَّا جَآءَهُم بِـَٔايَٰتِنَآ إِذَا هُم مِّنْهَا يَضْحَكُونَ
Fa-lammā jāʾahum bi-āyātinā idhā hum minhā yaḍḥakūn.
"But when he brought them Our signs, they laughed at them." (al-Zukhruf 43:47)
Fa-lammā jāʾahum bi-āyātinā — then when Mūsā (peace be upon him) came to them with our signs — to bring the miracles of Allah to reach Fir'awn. Idhā hum minhā yaḍḥakūna — so they began to laugh at them — it was their habit to mock them.
Translation: Then when he came to them with Our signs — so they began to mock them (it was their habit to laugh at them).
وَمَا نُرِيهِم مِّنْ ءَايَةٍ إِلَّا هِيَ أَكْبَرُ مِنْ أُخْتِهَا وَأَخَذْنَٰهُم بِالْعَذَابِ لَعَلَّهُمْ يَرْجِعُونَ
Wa-mā nurīhim min āyatin illā hiya akbaru min ukhtihā wa-akhadhnāhum bi-l-ʿadhābi laʿallahum yarjiʿūn.
"And We did not show them a sign but that it was greater than its predecessor, and We seized them with suffering that perhaps they might return." (al-Zukhruf 43:48)
Wa-mā nurīhim min āyatin — and We showed them not a single sign — illā hiya akbaru min ukhtihā — except that it was greater than its sister — but each miracle We showed them exceeded the previous one in greatness — one miracle surpassed the next. Wa-akhadhnāhum — and We seized them — We captured them — took them in Our grip. Bi-l-ʿadhābi — with punishment — with suffering and tribulation. Laʿallahum yarjiʿūna — that perhaps they would turn back — that they might repent and turn towards Allāh — renounce disbelief and polytheism.
Translation: And We showed them nothing but a sign greater than its predecessor — and We seized them with punishments and tribulations so that they might return (repent).
وَقَالُوا۟ يَٰٓأَيُّهَ السَّاحِرُ ادْعُ لَنَا رَبَّكَ بِمَا عَهِدَ عِندَكَ إِنَّنَا لَمُهْتَدُونَ
Wa-qālū yā ayyuha l-sāḥiru dʿu lanā rabbaka bi-mā ʿahida ʿindaka innanā la-muhtadūn.
"And they said: O magician! Invoke your Lord for us by the covenant He has made with you — indeed we shall be guided." (al-Zukhruf 43:49)
Wa-qālū yā ayyuha l-sāḥir — and (Fir'awn's people) began to say: O magician! They called him a sorcerer. Udʿu lanā rabbaka — supplicate your Lord for us — make du'ā' to your Lord on our behalf. Bi-mā ʿahida ʿindaka — by the covenant He has with you — this Divine Name that you carry knowledge of — by those Divine Names in whose knowledge you are acquainted — make du'ā' to Allāh through them. Innanā la-muhtadūna — indeed we will surely become rightly guided — without doubt we will come upon the right path — we will certainly adopt your religion.
Translation: And (Fir'awn's people) said: O magician! Do supplicate your Lord on our behalf — by the covenant He has with you — we will certainly come upon the right path.
فَلَمَّا كَشَفْنَا عَنْهُمُ الْعَذَابَ إِذَا هُمْ يَنكُثُونَ
Fa-lammā kashafnā ʿanhumu l-ʿadhāba idhā hum yankuthūn.
"But when We removed from them the punishment — they at once broke their promise." (al-Zukhruf 43:50)
Fa-lammā kashafnā ʿanhumu — then when We removed from them — lifted from them. Kashf — to remove — to open — the opposite of concealment — munkashshif — manifest — ẓāhir — al-ʿadhāba — We say: punishment — the tribulations — laʿallahum yarjiʿūna — because on them were descended various kinds of afflictions and tribulations and other misfortunes — you would pray for them — and Mūsā (peace be upon him) would pray — and Allāh would lift them. Idhā hum yankuthūna — so they broke their promise — became faithless — after pledging they would break faith.
Translation: Then when We removed punishments from them — they at once broke their promise.
Translation: Then when We inflicted calamities upon them they would seek du'ā' — and We would remove them — and they would break their promise again.
وَنَادَىٰ فِرْعَوْنُ فِي قَوْمِهِ قَالَ يَٰقَوْمِ أَلَيْسَ لِي مُلْكُ مِصْرَ وَهَٰذِهِ الْأَنْهَٰرُ تَجْرِي مِن تَحْتِي أَفَلَا تُبْصِرُونَ
Wa-nādā firʿawnu fī qawmihī qāla yā qawmi a-laysa lī mulku miṣra wa-hādhihi l-anhāru tajrī min taḥtī a-fa-lā tubṣirūn.
"And Pharaoh called out among his people: He said: O my people! Is not the kingdom of Egypt mine, and these rivers flowing beneath me? Do you not see?" (al-Zukhruf 43:51)
Wa-nādā firʿawnu fī qawmihī — and Fir'awn called out among his own people — he cried out. Qāla yā qawm — he said: O my people! A-laysa lī mulku miṣra — is not the kingdom of Egypt mine? — i.e., is the sovereignty of Egypt not mine? Miṣr means the city of Egypt specifically — but here means the entire land of Egypt. Wa-hādhihi l-anhāru — and these rivers — tajrī min taḥtī — that flow beneath me — beneath my feet — beneath my throne — my thrones are here. A-fa-lā tubṣirūna — do you not see? — can you not observe?
Translation: And Fir'awn called out among his people: O people! Is not the kingdom of Egypt mine — and these rivers that flow beneath me — do you not see?
أَمْ أَنَا۠ خَيْرٌ مِّنْ هَٰذَا الَّذِي هُوَ مَهِينٌ وَلَا يَكَادُ يُبِينُ
Am anā khayrun min hādha lladhī huwa mahīnun wa-lā yakādu yubīn.
"Or am I better than this one who is contemptible and can scarcely make himself clear?" (al-Zukhruf 43:52)
Am anā khayrun min hādhā — or am I not better than this person? Al-ladhī huwa mahīnun — who is contemptible — who is worthless — disgraced and humiliated. Wa-lā yakādu yubīnun — and he cannot even speak clearly — because Mūsā (peace be upon him) had in his tongue a kind of impediment — today this is the greatest mark of a sharp tongue — and one who cannot speak clearly is exactly as he is — he who speaks what is greater.
Translation: Or am I not better than this contemptible one who cannot even speak clearly?
فَلَوْلَآ أُلْقِيَ عَلَيْهِ أَسْوِرَةٌ مِّن ذَهَبٍ أَوْ جَآءَ مَعَهُ الْمَلَٰٓئِكَةُ مُقْتَرِنِينَ
Fa-lawlā ulqiya ʿalayhi aswiratun min dhahabin aw jāʾa maʿahu l-malāʾikatu muqtarinīn.
"Then why have not golden bracelets been bestowed upon him, or the angels come with him in procession?" (al-Zukhruf 43:53)
Fa-lawlā ulqiya ʿalayhi — then why were they not bestowed upon him — why were they not granted. Aswiratun min dhahab — golden bracelets — golden bangles — aswira — bangles — gold bangles — the ornaments of a king. Aw jāʾa maʿahu l-malāʾikatu — or the angels come with him in his company — accompanying him. Muqtarinīna — bound together — arrayed in ranks — standing ready row upon row with arms outstretched.
Translation: Then why were not golden bracelets put on him — or the angels come with him (with arms outstretched) in procession?
فَاسْتَخَفَّ قَوْمَهُ فَأَطَاعُوهُ إِنَّهُمْ كَانُوا۟ قَوْمًا فَٰسِقِينَ
Fa-stakhaffa qawmahū fa-aṭāʿūhu innahum kānū qawman fāsiqīn.
"So he made light of his people and they obeyed him — indeed they were a people of wickedness." (al-Zukhruf 43:54)
Fa-stakhaffa qawmahū — then he made his people foolish — he declared his people stupid and light-minded. Fa-aṭāʿūhu — then his people obeyed him — innahum kānū qawman fāsiqīna — indeed they were a truly wicked and depraved people — for they were wicked and corrupt before this.
Translation: Then he made his people foolish — and his people obeyed him — indeed they were a wicked and depraved people.
فَلَمَّآ ءَاسَفُونَا انتَقَمْنَا مِنْهُمْ فَأَغْرَقْنَٰهُمْ أَجْمَعِينَ
Fa-lammā āsafūnā ntaqamnā minhum fa-aghraqnāhum ajmaʿīn.
"So when they angered Us, We took retribution from them and drowned them all together." (al-Zukhruf 43:55)
Fa-lammā āsafūnā — then when they provoked Our anger — when they became the cause of Our wrath. Intaqamnā minhum — We took retribution from them — We avenged Ourselves — took Our requital. Fa-aghraqnāhum ajmaʿīna — then We drowned them all — We submerged them all in the sea.
Translation: Then when that which provoked Our anger came from them, We took retribution from them — and drowned them all (in the sea).
فَجَعَلْنَٰهُمْ سَلَفًا وَمَثَلًا لِّلْءَاخِرِينَ
Fa-jaʿalnāhum salafan wa-mathallan li-l-ākhirīn.
"And We made them a precedent and an example for those who come after." (al-Zukhruf 43:56)
Fa-jaʿalnāhum salafan — then We made them a past tale — a bygone account — a story of the ancients. Wa-mathallan li-l-ākhirīna — and a lesson and a parable — a warning and an exemplary precedent for the people who come after.
Translation: Then We made them a past tale and a lesson and admonitory example for those who come after.
وَلَمَّا ضُرِبَ ابْنُ مَرْيَمَ مَثَلًا إِذَا قَوْمُكَ مِنْهُ يَصِدُّونَ
Wa-lammā ḍuriba bnu maryama mathalān idhā qawmuka minhu yaṣiddūn.
"And when the son of Mary was cited as an example — your people raised an uproar at this." (al-Zukhruf 43:57)
Wa-lammā ḍuriba bnu maryama mathalān — and when ʿĪsā ibn Maryam (peace be upon him) was cited as an analogy — various wondrous and strange tales were recounted about ʿĪsā ibn Maryam (peace be upon him). Idhā qawmuka — at once your people — minhu yaṣiddūna — began to clamour with joy from it — some say they began to cry out from delight and happiness — the people began to cheer and clap with jubilation.
Translation: And when the account of ʿĪsā ibn Maryam (peace be upon him) began to be recounted — your people began to clamour and clap with jubilation.
وَقَالُوٓا۟ ءَالِهَتُنَا خَيْرٌ أَمْ هُوَ مَا ضَرَبُوهُ لَكَ إِلَّا جَدَلًۢا بَلْ هُمْ قَوْمٌ خَصِمُونَ
Wa-qālū ālihātunā khayrun am huwa mā ḍarabūhu laka illā jadalān bal hum qawmun khaṣimūn.
"And they said: Are our gods better, or is he? They cited him to you only by way of dispute — but they are a quarrelsome people." (al-Zukhruf 43:58)
Wa-qālū ālihātunā khayrun am huwa — and they said: Are our deities better, or is he? Mā ḍarabūhu laka illā jadalān — they did not cite this before you except as argumentation — only for the sake of contention and wrangling. Bal hum qawmun khaṣimūna — but in truth they are a people given to quarrelling — their nature and occupation is to dispute and wrangle.
Translation: And they said: Are our gods better or is he? — They present this before you only as contention — rather they are simply a quarrelsome people who love to fight with words.
إِنْ هُوَ إِلَّا عَبْدٌ أَنْعَمْنَا عَلَيْهِ وَجَعَلْنَٰهُ مَثَلًا لِّبَنِيٓ إِسْرَٰٓءِيلَ
In huwa illā ʿabdun anʿamnā ʿalayhi wa-jaʿalnāhu mathalān li-banī isrāʾīl.
"He is only a servant upon whom We bestowed favour, and We made him an example for the Children of Israel." (al-Zukhruf 43:59)
In huwa illā ʿabdun — he is nothing but Our servant — he is not other than Our bondsman. Anʿamnā ʿalayhi — We bestowed grace and honour upon him — We granted him Our special favour and munificence. Wa-jaʿalnāhu mathalān li-banī isrāʾīla — and We made him an exemplary model for the Children of Israel — We set him up as a fine example for the Children of Israel.
Translation: He is only Our bondsman upon whom We have bestowed grace and honour — and We made him a superb example for the Children of Israel.
وَلَوْ نَشَآءُ لَجَعَلْنَا مِنكُم مَّلَٰٓئِكَةً فِى الْأَرْضِ يَخْلُفُونَ
Wa-law nashāʾu la-jaʿalnā minkum malāʾikatan fī l-arḍi yakhlifūn.
"And if We willed, We could have placed angels among you in the earth as successors." (al-Zukhruf 43:60)
Wa-law nashāʾu — and if We willed — if We so desired. La-jaʿalnā minkum malāʾikatan — We would have brought angels to you — appointed angels in your place. Fī l-arḍi yakhlifūna — who would come one after another in succession in the earth — as ʿĪsā (peace be upon him) came and others came after him — succeeding one another — becoming his vicegerents and your successors on the earth.
Translation: And if We wished We would send angels in your place to the earth (after ʿĪsā) as vicegerents.
وَإِنَّهُ لَعِلْمٌ لِّلسَّاعَةِ فَلَا تَمْتَرُنَّ بِهَا وَاتَّبِعُونِ هَٰذَا صِرَٰطٌ مُّسْتَقِيمٌ
Wa-innahu la-ʿilmun li-l-sāʿati fa-lā tamtarunna bihā wa-ttabiʿūni hādhā ṣirāṭun mustaqīm.
"And indeed he is a sign of the Hour — so do not doubt it, and follow Me — this is a straight path." (al-Zukhruf 43:61)
Wa-innahu la-ʿilmun li-l-sāʿati — and without doubt he (ʿĪsā) is a sign of the nearness of the Hour of Resurrection. Fa-lā tamtarunna bihā — so do not entertain doubt about the Resurrection — do not doubt. Wa-ttabiʿūni — and follow My injunctions — accept My command — follow My teaching. Hādhā ṣirāṭun mustaqīm — look — this is the straight path — ṣirāṭ mustaqīm.
Translation: And without doubt he (ʿĪsā) is a sign of the nearness of the Hour of Resurrection — so do not entertain doubt — and follow My injunctions — this is the straight path.
احکام کی اتباع کرو ۔ یہی راہ راست ہے ۔ [The commentary continues from the top of page 360:]
وَلَا يَصُدَّنَّكُمُ الشَّيْطَانُ إِنَّهُ لَكُمْ عَدُوٌّ مُّبِينٌ
Wa-lā yaṣuddannakumu l-shayṭānu innahu lakum ʿaduwwun mubīn.
"And let not Shayṭān bar you — indeed he is for you a manifest enemy." (al-Zukhruf 43:62)
Wa-lā yaṣuddannakumu l-shayṭānu — and do not allow Shayṭān to bar you anywhere from the straight path — innahu lakum ʿaduwwun mubīnun — indeed he is for you a clear and manifest enemy — an outright adversary.
Translation: And let not Shayṭān bar you from the straight path — without doubt he is your manifest enemy.
وَلَمَّا جَآءَ عِيسَىٰ بِالْبَيِّنَٰتِ قَالَ قَدْ جِئْتُكُم بِالْحِكْمَةِ وَلِأُبَيِّنَ لَكُم بَعْضَ الَّذِي تَخْتَلِفُونَ فِيهِ فَاتَّقُوا۟ اللَّهَ وَأَطِيعُونِ
Wa-lammā jāʾa ʿīsā bi-l-bayyināti qāla qad jiʾtukum bi-l-ḥikmati wa-li-ubayyina lakum baʿḍa lladhī takhtalifūna fīhi fa-ttaqū llāha wa-aṭīʿūn.
"And when ʿĪsā came with clear proofs, he said: I have come to you with wisdom and to clarify for you some of that over which you dispute — so fear Allāh and obey me." (al-Zukhruf 43:63)
Wa-lammā jāʾa ʿīsā bi-l-bayyināti — and when ʿĪsā (peace be upon him) came with clear proofs — with manifest evidences and strong miracles. Qāla — then ʿĪsā (peace be upon him) said. Qad jiʾtukum bi-l-ḥikmati — I have most certainly come to you with wisdom — I have arrived — wa-li-ubayyina lakum — and in order to clarify for you — to lay out and resolve clearly. Baʿḍa lladhī takhtalifūna fīhi — some of those matters over which you dispute — the rulings in which you have differences — to settle their resolution. Fa-ttaqū llāha wa-aṭīʿūni — therefore fear Allāh and obey me — follow Allāh and accept my teaching — accept my instruction.
Translation: And when ʿĪsā (peace be upon him) came with clear proofs and said — I have come to you with wisdom — and I shall clarify those matters over which you dispute (and settle them) — so fear Allāh and obey me.
إِنَّ اللَّهَ هُوَ رَبِّي وَرَبُّكُمْ فَاعْبُدُوهُ هَٰذَا صِرَٰطٌ مُّسْتَقِيمٌ
Inna llāha huwa rabbī wa-rabbukum fa-ʿbudūhu hādhā ṣirāṭun mustaqīm.
"Indeed Allāh — He is my Lord and your Lord, so worship Him — this is a straight path." (al-Zukhruf 43:64)
Inna llāha huwa rabbī wa-rabbukum — indeed Allāh is certainly my Lord and your Lord also — fa-ʿbudūhu — therefore worship Him — devote yourselves to His worship and servitude. Hādhā ṣirāṭun mustaqīm — look — this is the straight path — ṣirāṭ mustaqīm.
Translation: Indeed Allāh is both my Lord and your Lord — so worship Him alone — this is the straight path (ṣirāṭ mustaqīm).
فَاخْتَلَفَ الْأَحْزَابُ مِنۢ بَيْنِهِمْ فَوَيْلٌ لِّلَّذِينَ ظَلَمُوا۟ مِنْ عَذَابِ يَوْمٍ أَلِيمٍ
Fa-khtalafa l-aḥzābu min baynihim fa-waylun li-lladhīna ẓalamū min ʿadhābi yawmin alīm.
"But the factions among them fell into dispute — so woe to those who did wrong from the punishment of a painful Day." (al-Zukhruf 43:65)
Fa-khtalafa l-aḥzābu min baynihim — then the various sects and factions among them fell into mutual dispute and division. Fa-waylun — then woe and perdition — li-lladhīna ẓalamū — to those who were oppressors and wrongdoers. Min ʿadhābi yawmin alīm — from the punishment of a painful Day — from the torment of the terrible Day.
Translation: Then the various factions among them fell into dispute — so woe to those who were wrongdoers from the punishment of a most painful Day.
The Sects Will Differ — Verses 65–67
Commentary by Bahrul Uloom Hazrat Sheikh Abdul Qadeer Siddiqui Rahmatullah Alaih
Regarding the verse:
فَاخْتَلَفَ الْأَحْزَابُ مِنْ بَيْنِهِمْ فَوَيْلٌ لِّلَّذِينَ ظَلَمُوا مِنْ عَذَابِ يَوْمٍ أَلِيمٍ
Fa-khtalafahl-aḥzābu min baynihim fa-waylun li-lladhīna ẓalamū min ʿadhābi yawmin alīm.
"But the sects among them fell into disagreement; then woe to the wrongdoers from the punishment of a painful Day." (al-Zukhruf 43:65)
The groups diverged amongst themselves, then they became divided into differing sects — and in them there was oppression, for they wronged people. They turned to injustice and cruelty. Woe to these wrongdoers — it is a grievous and most painful punishment: it is a torment that will come upon them in the Day of Resurrection. It is a perpetual, unceasing torment.
Translation: — Then they themselves were divided into different sects. What calamity will befall these wrongdoers from the painful torment of the Day of Resurrection!
Verse 66
هَلْ يَنظُرُونَ إِلَّا السَّاعَةَ أَن تَأْتِيَهُم بَغْتَةً وَهُمْ لَا يَشْعُرُونَ
Hal yanẓurūna illā al-sāʿata an ta'tiyahum baghtatan wa-hum lā yashʿurūn.
"Do they await anything but the Hour — that it should come upon them suddenly while they are unaware?" (al-Zukhruf 43:66)
Hal yanẓurūna illā al-sāʿa — Are they waiting for nothing but the Hour of Resurrection? An ta'tiyahum — that it should come upon them — baghtatan — all at once and suddenly, without warning — wa-hum lā yashʿurūn — and they should have no awareness of it, no prior knowledge, no preliminary sign?
Translation: — They are merely waiting for the Hour of Resurrection to descend upon them all at once, with nothing to forewarn them.
Verse 67
الْأَخِلَّاءُ يَوْمَئِذٍ بَعْضُهُمْ لِبَعْضٍ عَدُوٌّ إِلَّا الْمُتَّقِينَ
Al-akhillāʾu yawmaʾidhin baʿḍuhum li-baʿḍin ʿaduwwun illā al-muttaqīn.
"Close friends, on that Day, will be enemies to one another — except the God-fearing." (al-Zukhruf 43:67)
Al-akhillāʾ — friends, intimate companions — yawmaʾidhin — on that Day — baʿḍuhum li-baʿḍin ʿaduwwun — some will become enemies to others. Illā al-muttaqīn — except the God-fearing, for the love between them will remain in Allah's presence.
Translation: — On that Day, some friends will become enemies to one another — except for the God-fearing, who will remain together.
Verse 68
يَا عِبَادِ لَا خَوْفٌ عَلَيْكُمُ الْيَوْمَ وَلَا أَنتُمْ تَحْزَنُونَ
Yā ʿibādi lā khawfun ʿalaykumu al-yawma wa-lā antum taḥzanūn.
"O My servants! No fear shall come upon you today, nor shall you grieve." (al-Zukhruf 43:68)
Yā ʿibād — He will say to them, O My servants! — lā khawfun ʿalaykum — no fear for any of you — al-yawm — today — wa-lā antum taḥzanūn — and you will not be sorrowful or distressed.
Translation: — O My servants! Today there is nothing whatsoever to fear upon you, nor will you be sorrowful or distressed.
Verse 69
الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا بِآيَاتِنَا وَكَانُوا مُسْلِمِينَ
Alladhīna āmanū bi-āyātinā wa-kānū muslimīn.
"Those who believed in Our signs and were Muslims (in full submission)." (al-Zukhruf 43:69)
Al-ladhīna āmanū bi-āyātinā — those who brought faith upon Our signs, who accepted Our tokens of guidance — wa-kānū muslimīn — and they were Muslims, obedient and submissive — they surrendered themselves entirely to Our governance.
Translation: — Those who brought faith upon Our signs and were Muslims, obedient and submissive.
Verse 70
ادْخُلُوا الْجَنَّةَ أَنتُمْ وَأَزْوَاجُكُمْ تُحْبَرُونَ
Udkhulū al-jannata antum wa-azwājukum tuḥbarūn.
"Enter Paradise, you and your spouses, made joyful." (al-Zukhruf 43:70)
Udkhulū al-jannata — Enter Paradise, come into it now — antum wa-azwājukum — you and your spouses too — tuḥbarūn — you will be received with great honour and joy — companions side by side, a very wondrous great world.
Translation: — Now enter Paradise, you and your spouses, with honour and dignity and together.
Verse 71
يُطَافُ عَلَيْهِم بِصِحَافٍ مِّن ذَهَبٍ وَأَكْوَابٍ وَفِيهَا مَا تَشْتَهِيهِ الْأَنفُسُ وَتَلَذُّ الْأَعْيُنُ وَأَنتُمْ فِيهَا خَالِدُونَ
Yuṭāfu ʿalayhim bi-ṣiḥāfin min dhahabin wa-akwābin wa-fīhā mā tashtahīhi al-anfusu wa-taladdhu al-aʿyunu wa-antum fīhā khālidūn.
"Passed around them will be golden platters and goblets, and in it (Paradise) will be whatever the souls desire and what brings delight to the eyes — and you will abide therein forever." (al-Zukhruf 43:71)
Yuṭāfu ʿalayhim bi-ṣiḥāf — servants will make rounds around them with platters — of gold — min dhahab — golden platters — wa-akwāb — and goblets, bowls and cups — wa-fīhā mā tashtahīhi al-anfus — and in it will be all that souls desire — wa-taladdhu al-aʿyun — and what gives the eyes delight and pleasure — of what is wholesome and pleasing — wa-antum fīhā khālidūn — and you will abide forever in Paradise, you will always dwell therein.
Translation: — Golden platters and goblets will be brought round to them by servants — in it all things will be present that souls desire and the eyes find delight in — and you will remain forever in it (Paradise).
Verse 72
وَتِلْكَ الْجَنَّةُ الَّتِي أُورِثْتُمُوهَا بِمَا كُنتُمْ تَعْمَلُونَ
Wa-tilka al-jannatu allatī ūrithtumūhā bi-mā kuntum taʿmalūn.
"And this is the Paradise that you have been made to inherit for what you used to do." (al-Zukhruf 43:72)
Wa-tilka al-jannatu allatī ūrithtumūhā — and this is the Paradise of which you have been made the heirs, which you have been given as a heritage — bi-mā kuntum taʿmalūn — on account of the good deeds you used to perform.
Translation: — And this is the Paradise you have been made heirs to on account of your righteous deeds.
Verse 73
لَكُمْ فِيهَا فَاكِهَةٌ كَثِيرَةٌ مِّنْهَا تَأْكُلُونَ
Lakum fīhā fākihatun kathīratun minhā ta'kulūn.
"For you therein are abundant fruits from which you shall eat." (al-Zukhruf 43:73)
Lakum fīhā fākihatun kathīra — for you in this Paradise are very many fruits — minhā ta'kulūn — from which you shall eat.
Translation: — In it (Paradise) there are abundant fruits and produce from which you shall eat.
Verse 74 — The Fate of the Wicked
إِنَّ الْمُجْرِمِينَ فِي عَذَابِ جَهَنَّمَ خَالِدُونَ
Inna al-mujrimīna fī ʿadhābi jahannama khālidūn.
"Indeed, the guilty will be in the punishment of Hellfire, abiding forever." (al-Zukhruf 43:74)
Inna al-mujrimīn — indeed, certainly, the criminal people — the perpetrators of sins — fī ʿadhābi jahannam khālidūn — in the punishment of Hell they will remain forever.
Translation: — Indeed, the sinful criminals will remain forever in the punishment of Hell.
Verse 75
لَا يُفَتَّرُ عَنْهُمْ وَهُمْ فِيهِ مُبْلِسُونَ
Lā yufattaru ʿanhum wa-hum fīhi mublisūn.
"It will not be lightened from them, and they will be in despair therein." (al-Zukhruf 43:75)
Lā yufattar ʿanhum — it will not abate for them, it will not diminish — there will be no alleviation, no weakness, no relief, no lessening of the heat — wa-hum fīhi mublisūn — and those people in Hell will remain with broken hearts, hopeless and despairing — utterly without hope — despairing of Allah's mercy, despairing like Iblīs.
Translation: — There will be no reduction in their torment, and they will remain broken-hearted and despairing.
Verse 76
وَمَا ظَلَمْنَاهُمْ وَلَكِن كَانُوا هُمُ الظَّالِمِينَ
Wa-mā ẓalamnāhum wa-lākin kānū humu al-ẓālimīn.
"And We did not wrong them, but they themselves were the wrongdoers." (al-Zukhruf 43:76)
Wa-mā ẓalamnāhum — and We did not commit any wrong against them — wa-lākin kānū — but they were — humu al-ẓālimīn — the wrongdoers themselves, the oppressors.
Translation: — And We did not wrong them — but they themselves were the wrongdoers.
Verse 77
وَنَادَوْا يَا مَالِكُ لِيَقْضِ عَلَيْنَا رَبُّكَ قَالَ إِنَّكُم مَّاكِثُونَ
Wa-nādaw yā mālik li-yaqḍi ʿalaynā rabbuka qāla innakum mākhithūn.
"And they will call out: 'O Mālik, let your Lord make an end of us!' He will say: 'Indeed, you are remaining.'" (al-Zukhruf 43:77)
Wa-nādaw — and the inhabitants of Hell will call out — yā mālik — O Mālik! O guardian-keeper of Hell! — li-yaqḍi ʿalaynā rabbuka — let your Lord make an end of our existence — may death come and finish us — we have no wish to exist — let us be annihilated and destroyed — qāla — Mālik will reply — innakum mākhithūn — you are to remain here — there is no release for you — the light of faith was not in you — it is not faith, it is darkness, there is no light of faith — it is only this enduring darkness.
Translation: — And they will cry out (O Keeper of Hell!): let your Lord bring an end to us all — he will say: you are to remain here.
Verse 78
لَقَدْ جِئْنَاكُم بِالْحَقِّ وَلَكِنَّ أَكْثَرَكُمْ لِلْحَقِّ كَارِهُونَ
Laqad ji'nākum bi-l-ḥaqqi wa-lākinna aktharakum li-l-ḥaqqi kārihūn.
"We have certainly brought you the truth, but most of you were averse to the truth." (al-Zukhruf 43:78)
Laqad ji'nākum bi-l-ḥaqq — We have certainly, without doubt, brought you the true religion — O disbelievers! — We sent the true religion to you — it came to your side — wa-lākinna aktharakum — but most of you — li-l-ḥaqqi kārihūn — averse to the truth, disliking it. They were not willing to listen to the truth at all — they were very much averse to and hostile towards truth.
Translation: — We certainly brought the true religion to your side — but most of you were averse to it and disliked it.
Verse 79
أَمْ أَبْرَمُوا أَمْرًا فَإِنَّا مُبْرِمُونَ
Am abramū amran fa-innā mubrimūn.
"Or have they devised some plan? Then We too are devising." (al-Zukhruf 43:79)
Am abramū amrā — have these people fixed some scheme? — fa-innā mubrimūn — then We too have Our plan firmly set — abram — to firmly establish, to fix something — a confirmed decision — like divine decree, like destiny.
Translation: — Have they hatched some scheme? Then We too have an enduring plan set.
Verse 80
أَمْ يَحْسَبُونَ أَنَّا لَا نَسْمَعُ سِرَّهُمْ وَنَجْوَاهُمْ بَلَى وَرُسُلُنَا لَدَيْهِمْ يَكْتُبُونَ
Am yaḥsabūna annā lā nasmaʿu sirrahum wa-najwāhum balā wa-rusulunā ladayhim yaktubūn.
"Or do they think that We do not hear their secrets and their private counsels? Yes — and Our messengers (angels) are at their side recording." (al-Zukhruf 43:80)
Am yaḥsabūn — are they imagining — annā lā nasmaʿu — that We do not hear — sirrahum — their secrets — wa-najwāhum — and their private whisperings? Balā — certainly We do hear! — wa-rusulunā — and Our messengers (i.e. the honoured recording angels) — ladayhim — are at their side — yaktubūn — they are scribes, writing down everything — keeping a record of their every action and every word — building the brief (case file) against them.
Translation: — Are they imagining that We do not hear their secrets and their private counsels? Certainly We do — and Our honoured angels at their side are recording everything.
Verse 81
قُلْ إِن كَانَ لِلرَّحْمَنِ وَلَدٌ فَأَنَا أَوَّلُ الْعَابِدِينَ
Qul in kāna li-l-raḥmāni waladun fa-anā awwalu al-ʿābidīn.
"Say: 'If the Most Merciful had a son, I would be the first of the worshippers.'" (al-Zukhruf 43:81)
Qul — O Prophet! Tell them — in kāna li-l-raḥmāni waladun — if the Most Merciful had a child — fa-anā awwalu al-ʿābidīn — then I would be the first to worship him before all others.
Translation: — Tell them: if Allah had a child, I would be the first to worship that child before all others.
Verse 82
سُبْحَانَ رَبِّ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ رَبِّ الْعَرْشِ عَمَّا يَصِفُونَ
Subḥāna rabbi al-samāwāti wa-l-arḍi rabbi al-ʿarshi ʿammā yaṣifūn.
"Glorified be the Lord of the heavens and the earth, the Lord of the Throne, above what they describe." (al-Zukhruf 43:82)
Subḥānahu — He is pure — He is the Lord of the heavens and the earth — rabbi al-ʿarsh — and the King of His Throne; all creatures are His subjects — how can He have a child? — ʿammā yaṣifūn — He is far above what these people attribute to Him, above all absurdities and superstitions.
Translation: — The Lord of the heavens and the earth and the Lord of the Throne is pure of all the absurdities and superstitions they attribute to Him.
Verse 83
فَذَرْهُمْ يَخُوضُوا وَيَلْعَبُوا حَتَّى يُلَاقُوا يَوْمَهُمُ الَّذِي يُوعَدُونَ
Fa-dharhum yakhūḍū wa-yalʿabū ḥattā yulāqū yawmahumu alladhī yūʿadūn.
"So leave them to indulge in vain talk and play until they meet their Day which they are promised." (al-Zukhruf 43:83)
Fa-dharhum — then leave them alone — yakhūḍū wa-yalʿabū — let them remain occupied in their idle talk and play — ḥattā yulāqū — until they arrive at — yawmahumu alladhī yūʿadūn — their Day, the one whose promise has been made to them.
Translation: — Then leave them to their idle talk and play until the Day of Resurrection arrives — the Day whose promise is being made to them.
Verse 84
وَهُوَ الَّذِي فِي السَّمَاءِ إِلَهٌ وَفِي الْأَرْضِ إِلَهٌ وَهُوَ الْحَكِيمُ الْعَلِيمُ
Wa-huwa alladhī fī al-samāʾi ilāhun wa-fī al-arḍi ilāhun wa-huwa al-ḥakīmu al-ʿalīm.
"And it is He who is God in the heaven and God on the earth; and He is the All-Wise, the All-Knowing." (al-Zukhruf 43:84)
Wa-huwa alladhī fī al-samāʾi ilāh — and He is the One in whose worship the heavens live — and in the earth also is His worship — He is God in the heavens and God in the earth — wa-huwa al-ḥakīm al-ʿalīm — and He is Wise and All-Knowing.
Translation: — And it is He in whose worship the heavens stand — and in the earth also is His worship — and He is Wise and All-Knowing.
Verse 85
وَتَبَارَكَ الَّذِي لَهُ مُلْكُ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ وَمَا بَيْنَهُمَا وَعِندَهُ عِلْمُ السَّاعَةِ وَإِلَيْهِ تُرْجَعُونَ
Wa-tabāraka alladhī lahu mulku al-samāwāti wa-l-arḍi wa-mā baynahumā wa-ʿindahu ʿilmu al-sāʿati wa-ilayhi turjaʿūn.
"And blessed is He to Whom belongs the dominion of the heavens and the earth and whatever is between them, and with Him is the knowledge of the Hour, and to Him you will be returned." (al-Zukhruf 43:85)
Wa-tabāraka alladhī — and greatly blessed is He — the One of great blessing — lahu mulku al-samāwāt wa-l-arḍ — to Him belongs the kingship of the heavens and the earth — wa-mā baynahumā — and whatever is between the two of them — wa-ʿindahu ʿilmu al-sāʿa — and with Him alone is the knowledge of the Hour of Resurrection — wa-ilayhi turjaʿūn — and to Him you will all be returned — He is your ultimate destination and return.
Translation: — And greatly blessed is He to Whom belongs all that is in the heavens and the earth and whatever is between them — and He alone knows the Hour of Resurrection — and it is to His court that you must return.
Verse 86
وَلَا يَمْلِكُ الَّذِينَ يَدْعُونَ مِن دُونِهِ الشَّفَاعَةَ إِلَّا مَن شَهِدَ بِالْحَقِّ وَهُمْ يَعْلَمُونَ
Wa-lā yamliku alladhīna yadʿūna min dūnihi al-shafāʿata illā man shahida bi-l-ḥaqqi wa-hum yaʿlamūn.
"And those whom they invoke besides Him have no power of intercession — except one who bears witness to the truth while they have knowledge." (al-Zukhruf 43:86)
Wa-lā yamliku alladhīna yadʿūn — and those beings whom they invoke, leaving Allah aside — they have no power of intercession — shafāʿa — intercession — but whoever bears witness to the correct doctrine, giving testimony — ashhadu an lā ilāha illā Allāh — the kalima of Tawḥīd — these people fully believe in it — wa-hum yaʿlamūn — and they know this matter well — these people are the supporters of that belief.
Translation: — And those beings whom they invoke besides Allah have no power of intercession — except those who bear witness to the truth and are aware of it.
Verse 87
وَلَئِن سَأَلْتَهُم مَّنْ خَلَقَهُمْ لَيَقُولُنَّ اللَّهُ فَأَنَّى يُؤْفَكُونَ
Wa-la'in sa'altahum man khalaqahum la-yaqūlunna Allāhu fa-annā yu'fakūn.
"And if you ask them who created them, they will surely say 'Allah' — so how are they deluded?" (al-Zukhruf 43:87)
Wa-la'in sa'altahum — and if you ask them — man khalaqahum — who created them — la-yaqūlunna Allāhu — they will certainly say: Allah — so this is obligatory to acknowledge — fa-annā yu'fakūn — then why are they spreading false stories everywhere?
Translation: — And if you ask them who created them, they will certainly say: Allah — but then they spread fabrications everywhere.
Verse 88
وَقِيلِهِ يَا رَبِّ إِنَّ هَؤُلَاءِ قَوْمٌ لَا يُؤْمِنُونَ
Wa-qīlihi yā rabbi inna hāʾulāʾi qawmun lā yuʾminūn.
"And his lament: 'O my Lord! Indeed, these are a people who do not believe.'" (al-Zukhruf 43:88)
Wa-qīlihi — and this is the lament of Our noble Prophet ﷺ, his heartfelt cry — qīl wa-qāl — speech and speaking — yā rabbi — O my Lord, O Sustainer — inna hāʾulāʾi qawmun — indeed these people — lā yuʾminūn — do not bring faith, they will never bring faith.
Translation: — And the lament of the Prophet ﷺ: O Lord! These people will never bring faith.
Verse 89 — Closing Verse of Sūrat al-Zukhruf
فَاصْفَحْ عَنْهُمْ وَقُلْ سَلَامٌ فَسَوْفَ يَعْلَمُونَ
Fa-ṣfaḥ ʿanhum wa-qul salāmun fa-sawfa yaʿlamūn.
"So turn away from them and say: 'Peace' — for they shall come to know." (al-Zukhruf 43:89)
Fa-ṣfaḥ ʿanhum — O Prophet! Then turn away from them — overlook them — wa-qul salām — and say to them: peace be upon you — remain at peace — fa-sawfa yaʿlamūn — for very soon they will come to know — they should understand that soon they will come to know — either they will become Muslims, or on the Day of Resurrection they will witness the ending of their own disbelief and idolatry with their own eyes.
Translation: — (O noble Prophet!) Then overlook them and say: peace be upon them — they will very soon come to know rightly (they will either become Muslims or will witness the consequence of their disbelief and idolatry).