Sūrat al-Taghābun

سورۃ التغابن

Sūrat al-Taghābun was revealed in Madīna; it has eighteen (18) verses and two (2) rukūʿs.

بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ

يُسَبِّحُ لِلَّهِ مَا فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَمَا فِي الْأَرْضِ ۖ لَهُ الْمُلْكُ وَلَهُ الْحَمْدُ وَهُوَ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيرٌ

yusabbiḥu lillāhi mā fī l-samāwāti wa-mā fī l-arḍi lahu l-mulku wa-lahu l-ḥamdu wa-huwa ʿalā kulli shayʾin qadīr.

"All that is in the heavens and all that is in the earth glorifies Allah — His is the dominion, and His is all praise, and He has power over all things." (al-Taghābun 64:1)

Yusabbiḥu lillāhi — they declare the glory of Allah and proclaim His purity. Mā fī l-samāwāti wa-mā fī l-arḍ — all that is in the heavens and whatever is in the earth. Lahu l-mulku — sovereignty belongs to Him; He is the absolute sovereign. Wa-lahu l-ḥamdu — and praise belongs to Him alone; He alone is worthy of gratitude and thanksgiving. Wa-huwa ʿalā kulli shayʾin qadīr — and He is all-powerful over everything; He does whatever He wills.

Translation: "Allah is glorified by all that is in the heavens and earth — the dominion and sovereignty is His, the praise and thanksgiving is due to Him alone — He is over all things powerful."

هُوَ الَّذِي خَلَقَكُمْ فَمِنكُمْ كَافِرٌ وَمِنكُم مُّؤْمِنٌ ۚ وَاللَّهُ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ بَصِيرٌ

huwa alladhī khalaqakum fa-minkum kāfirun wa-minkum muʾminun wa-llāhu bi-mā taʿmalūna baṣīr.

"He it is Who created you — then some of you are disbelievers and some of you are believers — and Allah sees all that you do." (al-Taghābun 64:2)

Huwa alladhī khalaqakum — He is the one who created you. Fa-minkum kāfirun — then some of you are disbelievers who deny; wa-minkum muʾminun — and some of you are believers who affirm. Wa-llāhu bi-mā taʿmalūna baṣīr — and Allah, whatever you do, He is watching — He sees well, He is fully aware.

Translation: "He it is who created you — then some of you are disbelievers and some are believers — and Allah sees everything you do."

خَلَقَ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضَ بِالْحَقِّ وَصَوَّرَكُمْ فَأَحْسَنَ صُوَرَكُمْ ۖ وَإِلَيْهِ الْمَصِيرُ

khalaqa l-samāwāti wa-l-arḍa bi-l-ḥaqqi wa-ṣawwarakum fa-aḥsana ṣuwarakum wa-ilayhi l-maṣīr.

"He created the heavens and the earth in truth, and He fashioned you and made your forms excellent — and to Him is the final return." (al-Taghābun 64:3)

Khalaqa l-samāwāti wa-l-arḍ — He created the heavens and earth. Bi-l-ḥaqq — with truth, with proper reason and measure, as is fitting. Wa-ṣawwarakum — and He fashioned you, gave you your forms. Fa-aḥsana ṣuwarakum — and He made your forms beautiful, gave you an excellent appearance. Wa-ilayhi l-maṣīr — and the return, the final destination, is towards Him.

Translation: "Allah created the heavens and earth with purpose and good measure, and He fashioned you too — giving you beautiful forms — and the return of all is to Him."

يَعْلَمُ مَا فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ وَيَعْلَمُ مَا تُسِرُّونَ وَمَا تُعْلِنُونَ ۚ وَاللَّهُ عَلِيمٌ بِذَاتِ الصُّدُورِ

yaʿlamu mā fī l-samāwāti wa-l-arḍi wa-yaʿlamu mā tusirūna wa-mā tuʿlinūn wa-llāhu ʿalīmun bi-dhāti l-ṣudūr.

"He knows all that is in the heavens and earth, and He knows what you conceal and what you make public — and Allah is All-Knowing of what lies within the breasts." (al-Taghābun 64:4)

Yaʿlamu mā fī l-samāwāti wa-l-arḍ — He knows everything in the heavens and in the earth; He is aware of it all. Wa-yaʿlamu mā tusirūna — and He also knows whatever you conceal and hide, whether inward or outward. Wa-mā tuʿlinūn — and what you proclaim openly; whatever you say aloud or keep in the heart, He knows all of it. Wa-llāhu ʿalīmun bi-dhāti l-ṣudūr — and Allah is very well knowing; He is the Knower of the innermost things of the hearts — of the secret thoughts within breasts.

Translation: "Allah knows everything in the heavens and earth — both your hidden and your manifest affairs. He is aware of every outward and inward thing — and He knows all the thoughts within your breasts."

أَلَمْ يَأْتِكُمْ نَبَأُ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا مِن قَبْلُ فَذَاقُوا وَبَالَ أَمْرِهِمْ وَلَهُمْ عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٌ

alam yaʾtikum nabaʾu alladhīna kafarū min qablu fa-dhāqū wabāla amrihim wa-lahum ʿadhābun alīm.

"Has not the news reached you of those who disbelieved before? They tasted the evil consequence of their affair — and theirs is a painful punishment." (al-Taghābun 64:5)

Alam yaʾtikum — has the news not reached you? Nabaʾu alladhīna kafarū — the story of the disbelievers, those who denied. Min qablu — from before, from those who were before you. Fa-dhāqū wabāla amrihim — then they tasted the bitter consequence of their deeds; they were made to suffer the punishment of their actions. Wa-lahum ʿadhābun alīm — and for them in the Hereafter is a painful punishment.

Translation: "Has not the news of those who used to disbelieve before reached you — (that when Our Prophet came with clear proofs) they said: 'Shall a mere human guide us?' — and so they turned away and rejected, and Allah too became needless of them — and (in this world) the bitter consequence of their deeds fell upon them, and in the Hereafter a painful punishment awaits them."

ذَٰلِكَ بِأَنَّهُ كَانَت تَّأْتِيهِمْ رُسُلُهُم بِالْبَيِّنَاتِ فَقَالُوا أَبَشَرٌ يَهْدُونَنَا فَكَفَرُوا وَتَوَلَّوا ۚ وَّاسْتَغْنَى اللَّهُ ۚ وَاللَّهُ غَنِيٌّ حَمِيدٌ

dhālika bi-annahu kānat taʾtīhim rusuluhum bi-l-bayyināti fa-qālū a-basharun yahdūnanā fa-kafarū wa-tawallaw wa-staghnā llāhu wa-llāhu ghaniyyun ḥamīd.

"That is because their Messengers came to them with clear proofs, yet they said: 'Shall mere mortals guide us?' — so they disbelieved and turned away, and Allah was in no need of them — and Allah is Self-Sufficient, Praiseworthy." (al-Taghābun 64:6)

Dhālika bi-annahu — this is because. Kānat taʾtīhim rusuluhum — their messengers used to come to them. Bi-l-bayyināt — with clear proofs, manifest signs. Fa-qālū a-basharun yahdūnanā — then they said: what is this — shall a human being like us guide us, shall a human being show us the way? So they said this mockingly. Fa-kafarū wa-tawallaw — so they rejected and turned away, they denied the commands. Wa-staghnā llāhu — and Allah became needless of them, independent of them. Wa-llāhu ghaniyyun ḥamīd — and Allah is Self-Sufficient, free of all need; He is worthy of all praise and thanksgiving.

Translation: "And the reason for this was that their messengers used to come to them with clear proofs, and then they would say: 'Shall a human being guide us?' — so they rejected and turned their faces away, and Allah too became needless of them — (their rejection makes no difference to Him) — and Allah is Self-Sufficient and worthy of all praise."

زَعَمَ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا أَن لَّن يُبْعَثُوا ۚ قُلْ بَلَىٰ وَرَبِّي لَتُبْعَثُنَّ ثُمَّ لَتُنَبَّؤُنَّ بِمَا عَمِلْتُمْ ۚ وَذَٰلِكَ عَلَى اللَّهِ يَسِيرٌ

zaʿama alladhīna kafarū an lan yubʿathū qul balā wa-rabbī la-tubʿathunna thumma la-tunabbaʾunna bi-mā ʿamiltum wa-dhālika ʿalā llāhi yasīr.

"The disbelievers claim that they will never be raised — say: 'Indeed, by my Lord, you will most certainly be raised, and then you will most certainly be informed of what you did — and that for Allah is easy.'" (al-Taghābun 64:7)

Zaʿama alladhīna kafarū — the disbelievers, the deniers, are saying — they claim. An lan yubʿathū — that they will not be raised; they are not believers in the resurrection. Qul balā wa-rabbī — tell them: "No, indeed! By my Lord." La-tubʿathunna — you will most certainly be raised; you will without doubt be resurrected from the graves. Thumma la-tunabbaʾunna — then you will be informed, given reports. Bi-mā ʿamiltum — of everything you did; your deeds will be shown to you. Wa-dhālika ʿalā llāhi yasīr — and this for Allah is easy; nothing is difficult for Allah.

Translation: "The disbelievers claim that they will not be raised from graves (they do not believe in the Resurrection). Tell them (O Prophet!): 'Why should they not? By my Lord's oath, you will certainly be raised (from the graves). Resurrection is certainly coming — then you will be informed of your deeds, and all this is easy for Allah.'"

فَآمِنُوا بِاللَّهِ وَرَسُولِهِ وَالنُّورِ الَّذِي أَنزَلْنَا ۚ وَاللَّهُ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ خَبِيرٌ

fa-āminū billāhi wa-rasūlihi wa-l-nūri alladhī anzalnā wa-llāhu bi-mā taʿmalūna khabīr.

"So believe in Allah and His Messenger and the Light which We have sent down — and Allah is Fully Aware of all that you do." (al-Taghābun 64:8)

Fa-āminū billāhi wa-rasūlihi — so, O people, believe in Allah and in His Messenger. Wa-l-nūri alladhī anzalnā — and in this Light of guidance that We have revealed — and that is the Qur'ān as well, which We have sent down. Wa-llāhu bi-mā taʿmalūna khabīr — and Allah is the Knower of all your deeds.

Translation: "O people — have faith in Allah and in His Messenger and in this light of guidance (the Qur'ān) which He has sent down to us — and Allah is well acquainted with all your deeds."

يَوْمَ يَجْمَعُكُمْ لِيَوْمِ الْجَمْعِ ۖ ذَٰلِكَ يَوْمُ التَّغَابُنِ ۗ وَمَن يُؤْمِن بِاللَّهِ وَيَعْمَلْ صَالِحًا يُكَفِّرْ عَنْهُ سَيِّئَاتِهِ وَيُدْخِلْهُ جَنَّاتٍ تَجْرِي مِن تَحْتِهَا الْأَنْهَارُ خَالِدِينَ فِيهَا أَبَدًا ۚ ذَٰلِكَ الْفَوْزُ الْعَظِيمُ

yawma yajmaʿukum li-yawmi l-jamʿi dhālika yawmu l-taghābun wa-man yuʾmin billāhi wa-yaʿmal ṣāliḥan yukaffir ʿanhu sayyiʾātihi wa-yudkhilhu jannātin tajrī min taḥtihā l-anhāru khālidīna fīhā abadan dhālika l-fawzu l-ʿaẓīm.

"The Day He shall gather you for the Day of Gathering — that is the Day of Mutual Disillusion. And whoever believes in Allah and does righteous deeds, He will cover over his misdeeds and admit him into Gardens beneath which rivers flow, to dwell therein forever — and that is the supreme triumph." (al-Taghābun 64:9)

Yawma yajmaʿukum — (keep in mind this Day, the Day on which the Accounting will close) — on this Day the Lord will gather all of you. Li-yawmi l-jamʿ — on the Day of Assembly, which is the Day of Judgement — a Day on which all will be gathered together. Dhālika yawmu l-taghābun — this is the Day of mutual disillusion, of loss and gain — the Day on which some will win and some will lose. Wa-man yuʾmin billāhi — and whoever holds faith in Allah, and does good deeds. Yukaffir ʿanhu sayyiʾātih — Allah will expiate his sins, will overlook his faults. Wa-yudkhilhu jannāt — and will admit him to gardens in which rivers flow beneath. Khālidīna fīhā abadan — they will remain in these gardens forever. Dhālika l-fawzu l-ʿaẓīm — this is the great success; it is the attainment of the heart's desire — the real winners.

Translation: "Keep in mind some Day — the Day on which the Reckoning will be closed — it will be a Day of great disillusion — and whoever has faith in Allah and does good deeds, Allah will forgive his sins and admit him to gardens in which rivers flow beneath — and they will remain there forever — this is the truly great victory."

وَالَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا وَكَذَّبُوا بِآيَاتِنَا أُولَٰئِكَ أَصْحَابُ النَّارِ خَالِدِينَ فِيهَا ۚ وَبِئْسَ الْمَصِيرُ

wa-lladhīna kafarū wa-kadhdhabū bi-āyātinā ulāʾika aṣḥābu l-nāri khālidīna fīhā wa-biʾsa l-maṣīr.

"And those who disbelieve and deny Our signs — they are the companions of the Fire, to dwell therein forever — and what a wretched destination!" (al-Taghābun 64:10)

Wa-lladhīna kafarū — and those who disbelieve and deny, who do not accept. Wa-kadhdhabū bi-āyātinā — and who deny Our signs. Ulāʾika aṣḥābu l-nār — these people are the companions of the fire — khālidīna fīhā — they will dwell in the fire of Hell forever. Wa-biʾsa l-maṣīr — and this is the worst destination; it is the worst ending.

Translation: "Those who disbelieve and deny Our signs — they are the inmates of the fire and will remain there forever — and what an evil destination, what a wretched ending."

مَا أَصَابَ مِن مُّصِيبَةٍ إِلَّا بِإِذْنِ اللَّهِ ۗ وَمَن يُؤْمِن بِاللَّهِ يَهْدِ قَلْبَهُ ۚ وَاللَّهُ بِكُلِّ شَيْءٍ عَلِيمٌ

mā aṣāba min muṣībatin illā bi-idhni llāhi wa-man yuʾmin billāhi yahdi qalbahu wa-llāhu bi-kulli shayʾin ʿalīm.

"No affliction strikes except by Allah's permission — and whoever believes in Allah, He guides his heart. And Allah is All-Knowing of everything." (al-Taghābun 64:11)

Mā aṣāba min muṣībatin — no affliction comes to anyone. Illā bi-idhni llāhi — except by the permission of Allah, by His leave — for no matter can occur without Allah's knowledge and will, without the existence and will of the Omnipotent. Wa-man yuʾmin billāhi — and whoever has faith in Allah, holds firm to belief in Allah. Yahdi qalbah — He guides his heart, bestows the guidance of good deeds upon him. Wa-llāhu bi-kulli shayʾin ʿalīm — and Allah is well knowing of everything, He is very aware of all things.

Translation: "No affliction comes by Allah's command — and whoever holds faith in Allah, He illuminates that person's heart with the light of guidance — and Allah is well knowing of everything (He is All-Knowing)."

وَأَطِيعُوا اللَّهَ وَأَطِيعُوا الرَّسُولَ ۚ فَإِن تَوَلَّيْتُمْ فَإِنَّمَا عَلَىٰ رَسُولِنَا الْبَلَاغُ الْمُبِينُ

wa-aṭīʿū llāha wa-aṭīʿū l-rasūla fa-in tawallaytum fa-innamā ʿalā rasūlinā l-balāghu l-mubīn.

"And obey Allah and obey the Messenger — and if you turn away, then upon Our Messenger is only the clear delivery (of the message)." (al-Taghābun 64:12)

Wa-aṭīʿū llāha — and obey Allah! Obey His commands. Wa-aṭīʿū l-rasūl — and obey the Messenger and His commands as well. Some people today — and they are foolish — say that they follow only the Qur'ān and do not accept the ḥadīths. Fa-in tawallaytum — but if you turn away and disobey. Fa-innamā ʿalā rasūlinā l-balāghu l-mubīn — then the Messenger's task is only to deliver clearly — to convey the message simply and plainly. The Messenger only delivers the message; to make you believe and act upon it is not the Messenger's task.

Translation: "Obey Allah and the Messenger — and if you turn away and disobey, then the Messenger's task is only to plainly deliver Allah's commands."

اللَّهُ لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ ۚ وَعَلَى اللَّهِ فَلْيَتَوَكَّلِ الْمُؤْمِنُونَ

allāhu lā ilāha illā huwa wa-ʿalā llāhi fa-l-yatawakkali l-muʾminūn.

"Allah — there is no god but He — and in Allah let the believers place their trust." (al-Taghābun 64:13)

Allāhu lā ilāha illā huw — Allah: there is no deity worthy of worship besides Him; His worship and servitude are the only truth, and no other way of life is correct. Wa-ʿalā llāhi — and in Allah. Fa-l-yatawakkali l-muʾminūn — the believers should place their trust; it is proper for believers to place their trust in Allah; they should entrust all their affairs to Him.

Translation: "There is no deity worthy of worship besides Allah (His is the only correct worship) — and believers should place their trust in Allah (and entrust all their affairs to Him)."

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا إِنَّ مِنْ أَزْوَاجِكُمْ وَأَوْلَادِكُمْ عَدُوًّا لَّكُمْ فَاحْذَرُوهُمْ ۚ وَإِن تَعْفُوا وَتَصْفَحُوا وَتَغْفِرُوا فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ غَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ

yā ayyuhā lladhīna āmanū inna min azwājikum wa-awlādikum ʿaduwwan lakum fa-ḥdhārūhum wa-in taʿfū wa-taṣfaḥū wa-taghfirū fa-inna llāha ghafūrun raḥīm.

"O you who believe! Among your spouses and your children are some who are enemies to you — so beware of them. But if you pardon, overlook, and forgive — then indeed Allah is All-Forgiving, Most Merciful." (al-Taghābun 64:14)

Yā ayyuhā lladhīna āmanū — O believers, O Muslims! Inna min azwājikum wa-awlādikum — without doubt, some of your wives and some of your children. ʿAduwwan lakum — are your enemies. Fa-ḥdhārūhum — so beware of them. Wa-in taʿfū — and if you forgive, pardon their faults — overlook their mistakes. Wa-taṣfaḥū — and turn away from them, show leniency, do not demand retribution. Wa-taghfirū — and forgive their faults, spread the mantle of mercy and forgiveness over them. Fa-inna llāha ghafūrun raḥīm — then Allah is also forgiving and merciful.

Translation: "O believers — some of your wives and children are enemies to you (and children) — so be on your guard from them. But if you forgive and overlook their faults and pardon them — then Allah too is forgiving and merciful."

إِنَّمَا أَمْوَالُكُمْ وَأَوْلَادُكُمْ فِتْنَةٌ ۚ وَاللَّهُ عِندَهُ أَجْرٌ عَظِيمٌ

innamā amwālukum wa-awlādukum fitnatun wa-llāhu ʿindahu ajrun ʿaẓīm.

"Your wealth and your children are but a trial — and with Allah is a mighty reward." (al-Taghābun 64:15)

Innamā amwālukum — your wealth and your children. Wa-awlādukum fitnatun — are a trial, a test. From this one can discern who is a genuine servant of Allah and who is not — the human being is tested by this. A trial is precisely when a person is made to sleep in a furnace, and from this the matter of faith vs. disbelief, sincerity vs. hypocrisy, becomes clear — whether one is a lover of Allah or a lover of the world. Wa-llāhu ʿindahu ajrun ʿaẓīm — and with Allah is a great reward — a magnificent recompense, a great prize, an enormous wage — but only for the one who passes this trial successfully.

Translation: "(O people!) Your wealth and children are a great trial — and with Allah there is a great reward."

فَاتَّقُوا اللَّهَ مَا اسْتَطَعْتُمْ وَاسْمَعُوا وَأَطِيعُوا وَأَنفِقُوا خَيْرًا لِّأَنفُسِكُمْ ۗ وَمَن يُوقَ شُحَّ نَفْسِهِ فَأُولَٰئِكَ هُمُ الْمُفْلِحُونَ

fa-ttaqū llāha ma-staṭaʿtum wa-smaʿū wa-aṭīʿū wa-anfiqū khayran li-anfusikum wa-man yūqa shuhḥa nafsihi fa-ulāʾika humu l-mufliḥūn.

"So fear Allah as much as you are able, and listen, and obey, and spend — that is better for your own souls. And whoever is saved from the stinginess of his own self — those are the successful ones." (al-Taghābun 64:16)

Fa-ttaqū llāha — so fear Allah, guard yourself from His wrath. Ma-staṭaʿtum — as much as you are able, as far as your capacity allows. Wa-smaʿū wa-aṭīʿū — and listen to the commands of Allah and obey them — follow and comply. Wa-anfiqū khayran li-anfusikum — and spending in the path of Allah is better for you; this expenditure is for your own benefit. Wa-man yūqa — qā, qā — meaning to save, to protect. Shuhḥa nafsihi — from the stinginess, the miserliness. Fa-ulāʾika humu l-mufliḥūn — those are the successful ones in their lives; they are the ones who will obtain felicity — the successful, the attainers of prosperity.

Translation: "O people — so fear Allah as much as you can and listen to His commands and spend (in His path) — for this spending is better for you — and those who are saved from miserliness and stinginess are the successful (the felicitous, the prosperous)."

إِن تُقْرِضُوا اللَّهَ قَرْضًا حَسَنًا يُضَاعِفْهُ لَكُمْ وَيَغْفِرْ لَكُمْ ۚ وَاللَّهُ شَكُورٌ حَلِيمٌ

in tuqriḍū llāha qarḍan ḥasanan yuḍāʿifhu lakum wa-yaghfir lakum wa-llāhu shakūrun ḥalīm.

"If you lend Allah a goodly loan, He will multiply it for you and will forgive you — and Allah is Most Appreciative, Most Forbearing." (al-Taghābun 64:17)

In tuqriḍū llāha — if you give Allah a loan. Qarḍan ḥasanan — a good loan, from which a good return is to be expected. He makes a show of giving a loan, and yet it is your own property. Yuḍāʿifhu lakum — He will multiply it for you many times over; He will double and redouble it. Wa-yaghfir lakum — and He will also forgive your sins. Wa-llāhu shakūrun ḥalīm — and Allah is Most Appreciative, Most Forbearing — He accepts even small deeds.

Translation: "If you lend Allah a goodly loan, He will multiply it for you many times and also forgive your sins — and Allah is Most Appreciative and Most Forbearing."

Esteemed readers! Allah is in no need of a loan — what need does He have for it? He shows consideration for the servants by calling their giving a loan, and then promises to repay it. Then he says: "I will give you several times over in return." How astonishing — and then even a few rupees by usury, lending on interest! Who are these money-lenders? Arabs and Pathans. These people stand in prayer and yet also collect interest — this is an act of war! The Islamic government has declared usury to be the house of war for Muslims — formerly it was only taken from non-Muslims, and now Muslims have also started taking it.

ʿĀlimu l-ghaybi wa-l-shahāda al-ʿazīzu l-ḥakīm.

ʿĀlimu l-ghayb — the Knower of hidden and unseen things; wa-l-shahāda — and of what is visible and manifest; He knows all of them. Al-ʿazīzu l-ḥakīm — He is possessed of honour and might, He is the Wise, the Master of wisdom.

Translation: "He is the Knower of the hidden and the manifest — He is possessed of honour and wisdom."