Tanwir al-Miqbas min Tafsir Ibn ‘Abbas
Attributed to Abu Tahir Muhammad Ibn Ya‘qub al-Firuzabadi
Surah 11: Hud
And of the surah in which Hud is mentioned, which is
Meccan in its entirety, and consists of 123 verses, 1,625 words and 6,950 letters:
[11:1]
And from his narration on the authority of Ibn 'Abbas that he said in
explanation of the word of Allah (Alif. Lam. Ra.): '(Alif. Lam. Ra.) Allah
says: I am Allah, I see; as it is said that this is an oath by which Allah
swore. ((This is) a Scripture) i.e. the Qur'an (the revelations whereof are
perfected) expositing the lawful and the prohibited, the commands and
prohibitions (and then exposited) and then elucidated. ((It cometh) from One
Wise) Who has ruled that none should be worshiped but He, (Informed) of he who
worships and him who worships not,
[11:2]
((Saying): Serve) declare the divine Oneness of (none but Allah. Lo! I am
Unto you from Him) from Allah (a warner) from the Fire (and a bringer of good
tidings) to enter Paradise.
[11:3]
(And (bidding you): Ask pardon of your Lord) declare the divine Oneness of
your Lord (and turn to Him repentant) betake yourselves to Him sincerely and
repentant. (He will cause you to enjoy) He will make you live (a fair estate)
free of chastisement (until a time appointed) i.e. death. (He giveth His
bounty) in Islam (unto every bountiful one) his reward in the Hereafter. (But
if ye turn away) from faith and repentance, (Lo! (then) I fear for you) I know
that you shall incur (the retribution of an awful) a tremendous (Day).
[11:4]
(Unto Allah is your return) after death, (and He is able to do all things)
whether it is reward or punishment.
[11:5]
(Lo! now they) i.e. Akhnas Ibn Shurayq and his followers (fold up their
breasts) conceal in their hearts their hatred and enmity for Muhammad (pbuh)
(that they may hide from him) that they may hide from Muhammad (pbuh) their
hatred and enmity by keeping his company and pretending to him that they love
him. (At the very moment when they cover themselves with their clothing) at the
moment they cover their heads with their clothes, (Allah knoweth that which
they keep hidden) among themselves as well as that which they conceal in their
hearts (and that which they proclaim) of fighting and antipathy; it is also said
that this refers to that which they proclaim of love and keeping company. (Lo!
He is Aware of what is in the breasts (of men)) whether it is good or evil.
[11:6] (And there is not a beast in the earth but
the sustenance thereof dependeth on Allah) Allah takes charge of its
sustenance. (He knoweth its habitation) when it retires at night (and its
repository) when it dies and is buried. (All) i.e. the sustenance of each
beast, its lifespan and course (is in a clear record) is recorded in the
Guarded Tablet; all this is clear, well known and decreed.
[11:7]
(And He it is Who created the heavens and the earth in six Days) six days
of the beginning of this world: each day the equivalent of one thousand years,
the first day being Sunday and the last Friday (and His Throne) before the
creation of the heavens and earth (was upon the water) and Allah was before the
Throne and before water (that He might try you) that He may test you in the
interval between life and death, (which of you is best in conduct) which of you
is more sincere in his works. (Yet if thou (O Muhammad) sayst) to the people of
Mecca: (Lo! ye will be raised again) you will be brought back to life again
(after death! those who disbelieve) the disbelievers of Mecca (will surely say:
This) which Muhammad (pbuh) is saying (is naught but mere magic) manifest lies
which will never happen.
[11:8]
(And if We delay for them the doom until a reckoned time) until an
appointed time: the Day of Badr, (they will surely say) i.e. the people of
Mecca: (What withholdeth it) from us tomorrow, out of mockery? (Verily on the
day when it) the chastisement (cometh unto them, it cannot be averted from
them) the chastisement will not be averted from them, (and that which they
derided) the chastisement for their derision of Muhammad (pbuh) and the Qur'an
(will surround them) it will descend upon them and it is enjoined on them.
[11:9]
(And if We cause man) the disbeliever (to taste some mercy) a blessing
(from Us and afterward withdraw it from him, lo! he is despairing) he becomes
the most despairing and despondent thing from Allah's mercy, (thankless) he
denies Allah's blessing and is not grateful.
[11:10]
(And if We cause him) i.e. the disbeliever (to taste grace after some
misfortune) after some hardship (that had befallen him, he saith) i.e. the
disbeliever: (The ills) hardships (have gone from me. Lo! he is exultant)
arrogant, (boastful) about Allah's blessings and does not give thanks;
[11:11]
(Save those) save Muhammad (pbuh) and his Companions (who persevere) in
their faith (and do good works) acts of obedience between them and their Lord,
for they are patient in times of hardship and give thanks when they receive a
blessing. (Theirs will be forgiveness) of their sins in this world (and a great
reward) in Paradise.
[11:12]
(A likely thing, that thou) O Muhammad (wouldst forsake aught of that which
hath been revealed unto thee) that which you were commanded in the Qur'an of
conveying the message and of reviling and denigrating their idols, (and that
thy breast should be straitened for it) and that you are annoyed with what you
were commanded, (because they say) because the disbelievers of Mecca say: (Why
hath not a treasure) wealth from heaven (been sent down for him) for Muhammad
to support himself with, (or an angel come with him) to testify in his favour?
(Thou art) O Muhammad (but a warner) a warning Messenger, (and Allah is in
charge) Allah is Custodian; it is also said this means: witness (of all things)
of their saying and chastisement.
[11:13] (Or they say) Nay, the disbelievers of Mecca
say: (He hath invented it) Muhammad has invented the Qur'an and presented it to
us. (Say) to them, O Muhammad: (Then bring ten surahs, the like thereof) the
like of a surah of the Qur'an, such as surah al-Baqarah, Al 'Imran, al-Nisa',
al-Ma'idah, al-An'am, al-A'raf, al-Anfal, al-Tawbah, Yunus, or Hud, (invented)
by you, (and call on everyone you can) seek the help of what you worship
(beside Allah, if ye are truthful!) that Muhammad (pbuh) has invented it.
[11:14]
When they could not respond, Allah said: (And if they answer not your
prayer) and if the wrong-doers do not answer you, (then know) O disbelievers
(that it is revealed) that Gabriel brought down the Qur'an (only in the
knowledge of Allah) and with his command; (and that there is no God save Him.
Will ye then be (of) those who surrender?) and believe in Muhammad (pbuh) and
in the Qur'an.
[11:15]
(Whoso desireth the life of the world) with his knowledge which Allah has
made incumbent upon him (and its pomp) and its embellishment, (We shall repay
them their deeds) We shall repay them the reward of their works (herein) in
this world, (and therein) in the life of this world (they will not be wronged)
the reward of their works will not be diminished.
[11:16]
(Those are they) who worked for other than Allah (for whom is naught in the
Hereafter save the Fire. (All) that they contrive here is vain) all the good
works they did in the life of this world shall be given back to them (and (all)
that they are wont to do is fruitless) and they will not be rewarded in the
Hereafter for the good works they did in the life of this world, for they acted
for the sake of other than Allah.
[11:17]
(Is he (to be counted equal with them) who relieth on a clear proof from
his Lord) is he who relies on a clear exposition, i.e. the Qur'an, from his
Lord, (and a witness from Him) a witness from Allah, i.e. the angel Gabriel
(reciteth it) recites to him the Qur'an, (and before it) before the Qur'an (was
the Book of Moses) the Torah of Moses which Gabriel recited to him, (an
example) to be emulated (and a mercy) to anyone who believes in it? (such)
those who believe in the Book of Moses (believe therein) believe in Muhammad
(pbuh) and the Qur'an; the reference here is to 'Abdullah Ibn Salam and his
followers, (and Whoso disbelieveth therein) whoever disbelieves in Muhammad
(pbuh) and in the Qur'an (of the clans) of all the disbelievers, (the Fire is
his appointed place) the Fire is his destination. (So be not thou) O Muhammad
(in doubt concerning it) concerning the end result of the disbelievers. (Lo! it
is the Truth from thy Lord) the destination of whosoever disbelieves in the
Qur'an is hell; it is also said that this means: do not be in doubt about the
Qur'an, it is Gabriel who brought it down; (but most of mankind) the people of
Mecca (believe not).
[11:18]
(Who doeth greater wrong) who is more insolent and daring (than he who
inventeth a lie concerning Allah? Such will be brought before their Lord) they
will be dragged to their Lord, (and the witnesses) the angels and the prophets
(will say: These) the disbelievers (are they who lied concerning their Lord.
Now the curse of Allah) the chastisement of Allah (is upon wrong-doers) upon
the idolaters,
[11:19]
(Who debar (men)) who prevent people (from the way of
Allah) from Allah's religion and obedience (and would have it crooked) they
would have it deviated from the Truth; it is also said that this means: they
would have it other than what it is, (and who are disbelievers in) deniers of (the
Hereafter) resurrection after death.
[11:20]
(Such will not escape in the earth) they will not escape Allah's
chastisement, (nor have they any protecting friends beside Allah) to protect
them. (For them) i.e. for the leaders (the torment will be double. They could
not bear to hear) the words of Muhammad (pbuh) out of hatred for him; it is
also said that this means: theirs is a double torment because they could not
hear the words of Muhammad, Allah bless him and give peace, (and they used not
to see) they did not look at Muhammad (pbuh) out of hatred; it is also said
that this means: they used not to see Muhammad (pbuh) out of their hatred for
him.
[11:21]
(Such) the leaders (are they who have lost their souls) and their families
and servants in Paradise and the other believers have inherited all, (and that
which they used to invent) that which they used to worship falsely beside Allah
(hath failed them) are void and preoccupied with themselves.
[11:22]
(Assuredly in the Hereafter they will be the greatest losers) of Paradise
and that which is in it.
[11:23]
(Lo! those who believe) in Muhammad (pbuh) and in the Qur'an (and do good
works) and do acts of obedience between themselves and their Lord (and humble
themselves before their Lord) and are sincere and surrendered to their Lord and
are humbled before their Lord: (such are rightful owners of the Garden; they
will abide therein) dwelling therein.
[11:24]
(The similitude of the two parties) the believer and the disbeliever (is as
the blind and the deaf) He says: the disbeliever is like the blind person: he
does not see the Truth or guidance, and he is also like the deaf person: he
does not hear the Truth or guidance (and the seer and the hearer) Allah says:
and the believer is like the seer, for he sees the Truth and guidance, just as
he is like the hearer, for he hears the Truth and guidance. (Are they equal in
similitude?) He says: are the believer and disbeliever equal in obedience and
reward (Will ye not then be admonished?) will you not be admonished by the
similes of the Qur'an such that you believe?
[11:25]
(And We sent Noah unto his folk) and when he went to them he said: (I am a
plain warner) a warning Messenger who speaks a language you understand (unto
you) from Allah.
[11:26]
(That ye serve none) you confess the divine Oneness of none, (save Allah.
Lo! I fear for you) I know that there shall come upon you if you do not believe
(the retribution of a painful Day) which is drowning.
[11:27]
(The chieftains of his folk) of Noah's folk, (who disbelieved, said: We see
thee) O Noah (but a mortal like us, and we see not that any follow you) believe
in you (save the most abject among us) the lowly and weak among us, (without
reflection) who have manifest weak judgement; it is said that this means: their
bad judgement lead them to believe in you. (We behold in you no merit above us)
in what you say: you eat and drink just as we do eat and drink (nay, we deem
you liars) in what you say.
[11:28] (He said) Noah said: (O my people! Bethink
you, if I rely) if I am (on a clear proof from my Lord) on a clear exposition
which has come down from my Lord (and there hath come unto me a mercy from His
presence) He favoured me with prophethood and Islam, (and it hath been made
obscure to you) and my prophethood and Islam have been made obscure to you,
(can we compel you to accept it) can we inspire it or teach it to you (when ye
are averse thereto) when you are deniers of it?
[11:29]
(And O my people! I ask of you no wealth) price (therefore) in exchange for
believing in Allah's divine Oneness. (My reward is the concern only of Allah,
and I am not going to thrust away those who believe) because of what you say.
(Lo! they have to meet their Lord) and report me to Him, (but I see you a folk
that are ignorant) of the command of Allah.
[11:30]
(And, O my people! who would deliver me) who would save me (from Allah)
from Allah's chastisement (if I thrust them away) due to what you say? (Will ye
not then reflect) will you not be admonished by what I say and hence believe?
[11:31]
(I say not unto you: “I have the treasures of Allah”) I have the keys to
Allah's stores of provision (nor “I have knowledge of the Unseen”,) when the
chastisement shall descend or that which is hidden from me (nor say I: “Lo! I
am an angel!”) from heaven. (Nor say I unto those whom your eyes scorn) those
whom you belittle (that Allah will not give them good) that Allah will not
favour them with genuine faith. (Allah knoweth best what is their hearts) of
belief. (Lo! then indeed) if drive them away (I should be of the wrong-doers) I
should be of those who harm themselves.
[11:32]
(They said: O Noah! Thou hast disputed with us) you have argued with us and
called us to follow a religion other than that of our forefathers (and
multiplied disputation with us) and dwelt at length in arguing with us and
inviting us to your religion; (now bring upon Us that where with thou
threatenest us) of chastisement, (if thou art of the Truthful) that it will
befall us.
[11:33]
(He said) Noah said: (Only Allah will bring it Upon you) he said: the One
who will bring chastisement on you is Allah (if He will) to punish you, (and ye
can by no means escape) His chastisement.
[11:34]
(My counsel will not profit you) my invitation and warning to you from
Allah's chastisement will not benefit you (if I were minded to advise you) if I
were to warn you and call you to profess Allah's divine Oneness, (if Allah's
will is to keep you astray) from guidance. (He is your lord) and has better
right over you than me (and unto Him ye will be brought back) after death and
He will reward you according to your works.
[11:35]
(Or say they (again)) indeed the people of Noah say: (He hath invented it)
Noah has invented that which he has brought us? (Say) to them, O Noah: (If I have
invented it, upon me be my crimes) my sins, (but I am innocent of (all) that ye
commit) of crimes. It is said that this verse was revealed about Muhammad
(pbuh).
[11:36] (And it was inspired in Noah, (saying): No
one of thy folk will believe save him who hath believed already. Be not
distressed) do not be saddened for their destruction (because of what they do)
in their state of disbelief.
[11:37]
(Build the ship) start the construction of the ship (under Our Eyes) under
Our care (and by Our inspiration) and by Our command, (and speak not unto Me)
plead not with Me (on behalf of those who do wrong) about saving those
disbelieved. (Lo! they will be drowned) by the flood.
[11:38]
(And he was building the ship) and he started to construct the ship, (and
every time that chieftains of his people passed him, they made mock of him)
they derided him for so doing. (He said: Though ye make mock of us) today, (yet
we mock at you) after today (even as ye mock) us now;
[11:39]
(And ye shall know to whom a punishment that will confound) humiliate and
destroy (him cometh, and upon whom a lasting doom) in the Hereafter (will fall)
will be enjoined upon.
[11:40]
((Thus it was) till, when Our commandment) the appointed time for Our
chastisement (came to pass and the oven gushed forth water) it is also said
this means: and the dawn broke, (We said: Load therein) aboard the ship (two of
every kind, a pair) a male and a female, (and thy household, save him against
whom the word hath gone forth already) except the one upon him the word has
already been enjoined, (and those who believe) and carry with you also those
who believed. (And but a few were they who believed with him) 80 people in all.
[11:41]
(And he said) to them: (Embark therein) in the ship! (In the name of Allah
be its course) wherever it sails to (and its mooring) wherever it stops. He
says: Allah makes it sail wherever He wills and makes it stop wherever He
wills. (Lo! my Lord is Forgiving, Merciful) towards the one who repents.
[11:42]
(And it sailed with them) with the people aboard (amid waves) in the water
(like mountains) the size of huge mountains, (and Noah cried unto) and Noah
called (his son) Canaan (and he was standing aloof) aloof from the ship and it
is said: on the side of the mountain: (O my son! Come ride with us) be saved
with us by means of “there is no god except Allah”, (and be not with the
disbelievers) following their religion lest you drown.
[11:43]
(He said: I shall betake me) I will go (to some mountain that will save me)
prevent me (from the water) from drowning. (Said) Noah: (This day there is none
that saveth) there is none that prevents (from the commandment of Allah) from
Allah's chastisement: drowning (save him on whom He hath had mercy) except
those upon whom Allah has mercy from among the believers. (And the wave came in
between them) between Canaan and Noah; it is also said: between Canaan and the
mountain, (so he was among the drowned) by the flood.
[11:44]
(And it was said: O earth! Swallow your water) dry your water (and, O sky!
be cleared of clouds!) stop your rain! (And the water was made to subside. And
the commandment was fulfilled) the destruction of those people was
accomplished, i.e. those who were supposed to be destroyed were destroyed and
those who were supposed to be saved were saved. (And it) the ship (came to rest
upon (the mount) Al-Judi) a mountain in Nisibin in the land of Mosul (and it
was said: A far removal) from Allah's mercy (for wrong-doing folk!) for the
idolaters, the people of Noah.
[11:45]
(And Noah cried unto) and Noah prayed to (his Lord and said: My Lord!) O my
Lord! (Lo! my son) Canaan (is of my household) whom you promised to save!
(Surely Thy promise is the Truth) for certain (and Thou art the Most Just of
Judges) you promised to save me and my family.
[11:46]
(He said) Allah said: (O Noah! Lo! he is not of your household) whom I
promised to save; (lo! he is of evil conduct) engaged in idolatry; and
according to a different reading this means: your prayer to Me to save him is
not acceptable, (so ask not of Me) to save (that whereof thou hast no
knowledge) that he is deserving of being saved. (I admonish thee) I warn you
(lest thou be among the ignorant) by asking Me that which you know not.
[11:47]
(He said) Noah said: (My Lord!) O my Lord! (Lo! in Thee do I seek refuge
(from the sin) that I should ask of Thee) to save (that whereof I have no
knowledge) that he deserves to be saved. (Unless Thou forgive me) Noah says:
unless you overlook my error (and have mercy on me) such that You do not punish
me (I shall be among the lost) through being punished.
[11:48]
(It was said (unto him): O Noah! Go thou down) get out of the ship (with
peace from Us) with safety from Us (and blessings) good fortunes (upon you and
some nations) some groups (from those with thee) in the ship among the
felicitous. ((There will be other) nations) hosts of people from their
offspring (unto whom We shall give enjoyment a long while) We will give them
enjoyment after coming out of the loins of their parents (and then a painful
doom from Us will overtake them) after they disbelieve, these are the damned
among them. Ibn 'Abbas, may Allah be well pleased with him, said: “Allah sent
His revelation to Noah (pbuh) when the latter was 480 years old; he preached to
his people for 120 years; he boarded the ship when he was 600 years old; he
lived after the flood 350 years, and stayed on the ship for five months. The
ship was 300 cubits (the measure of his arm) long, 50 cubits wide, and its
height 30 cubits. It had three decks, some of which were lower than others. In
the lower deck, he put beasts of prey and reptiles; in the intermediate deck
wild animals and beasts; and in the higher deck people who were 80 in number:
40 men and 40 women. The men and the women were separated by the body of Adam
(pbuh). Noah had three of his sons with him: Shem, Ham and Yapheth”.
[11:49]
(This is of the tidings of the Unseen) this is of the news of what has been
hidden from you (which We inspire in thee) with which We sent Gabriel to you, O
Muhammad, about the news of past nations. (Thou thyself knewest it not) i.e.
you knew not the news of these past nations, (nor did thy folk (know it) before
this) before the revelation of the Qur'an. (Then have patience) O Muhammad in
the face of their denial and harm. (Lo! the sequel) the end result: victory and
Paradise (is for those who ward off (evil)) ward off disbelief, idolatry and
indecencies.
[11:50]
(And unto (the tribe of) 'Aad) and We sent to 'Aad (their brother) their
Prophet, (Hud. He said: O my people! Serve Allah!) confess Allah's divine
Oneness (ye have no other God save Him) save the One I am commanding you to
believe in. (Lo! ye do) in your worship of idols (but invent!) lies about Allah
for He never commanded you to worship them.
[11:51]
(O my people! I ask of you no reward) no price (for it) for believing in
Allah's divine Oneness. (Lo! my reward is the concern only of Him who made me)
Who created me. (Have ye then no sense?) do you not believe? Are you not
possessed of the same mind that human beings possess?
[11:52]
(And, O my people! Ask forgiveness of your Lord) believe in Allah's divine
Oneness, (then turn unto Him repentant) then betake yourself to Him through
repentance and sincerity; (He will cause the sky to rain abundance on you)
whenever you need it (and will add unto you strength to your strength) by
giving you wealth and offspring. (Turn not away) from faith and repentance,
(guilty!) associating others with Allah.
[11:53]
(They said: O Hud! Thou hast brought us no clear proof) for what you claim
(and we are not going to forsake our gods) the worship of our gods (on thy
(mere) saying, and we are not believers in thee) we are not believers in your
message.
[11:54]
(We say naught) we do not say anything about that which we warn you about
(save that one of our gods hath possessed thee) has touched you (in an evil
way) with madness because you vilified them. (He said: I call Allah to witness,
and do ye (too) bear witness, that I am innocent of (all) that ye ascribe as
partners (to Allah)) of idols.
[11:55]
And I am innocent of your worship of these idols (Beside Him. So (try to)
circumvent me) work to destroy me, you and your idols, (all of you, give me no
respite) neither delay nor pity on me.
[11:56]
(Lo! I have put my trust in Allah) I consign my matter to Allah, (my Lord)
my Creator and Provider (and your Lord) your Creator and Provider. (Not an
animal but He doth grasp it by the forelock!) He makes die and brings back to
life; it is also said that this means: they are all in His grip, He does what
He will (Lo! my Lord is on a straight path) upon which people must tread; it is
also said that means: He calls on to a straight path: an established religion
with which He is pleased, i.e. Islam.
[11:57]
(And if ye turn away) from faith and repentance, (still I have conveyed
unto you that wherewith I was sent unto you) of the message and about your
destruction, (and my Lord will set in place of you a folk other than you) who
are better and more obedient than you. (Ye cannot injure Him at all) your
destruction will not harm Allah in any way. (Lo! my Lord is Guardian) and
Witness (over all things) related to your works.
[11:58]
(And when Our commandment) Our chastisement (came to pass We saved Hud and
those who believed with him by a mercy from Us) by a grace from Us; (We saved
them from a harsh doom) a severe chastisement.
[11:59] (And such were 'Aad. They denied the
revelations of their Lord) which were brought to them by Hud (and flouted His
messengers) concerning the declaration of Allah's divine Oneness (and followed
the command of every froward) and they followed the words of every tyrant who
kills upon being angry (potentate) and who turns away from Allah.
[11:60]
(And a curse was made to follow them in the world) they were destroyed in
the life of this world by the wind (and on the Day of Resurrection) they will
receive another curse, which is the Fire. (Lo! 'Aad disbelieved in their Lord)
they denied their Lord. (A far removal for 'Aad, the folk of Hud) from Allah's
mercy!
[11:61]
(And unto (the tribe of) Thamud) and We sent to Thamud (their brother)
their Prophet (Salih. He said: O my people! Serve Allah) declare the divine
Oneness of Allah, (You have no other God save Him) you have no god except the
One in Whom I command you to believe. (He brought you forth from the earth) He
created you from Adam and Adam is from the earth (and hath made you husband it)
He made you thrive in the earth and made its inhabitants thrive on it too. (So
ask forgiveness of Him) confess His divine Oneness (and turn unto Him
repentant) turn to Him by believing in His divine Oneness, repenting and being
sincere to Him. (Lo, my Lord is Nigh) in His answer, (Responsive) to the one
who declares His divine Oneness.
[11:62]
(They said: O Salih! Thou hast been among us hitherto) i.e. before you
called us to follow other than the religion of our forefathers (as that wherein
our hope was placed) we had hope in you. (Dost thou ask us not to worship what
our fathers worshipped) of idols? (Lo! we verily are in grave doubt concerning
that to which thou callest us) i.e. your religion.
[11:63]
(He said: O my people! Bethink you: if I am (acting) on clear proof from my
Lord) a clear exposition that has come down from my Lord (and there hath come
unto me a mercy from Him) and He has favoured me with prophethood and Islam,
(who will save me) who will defend me (from Allah) from Allah's chastisement
(if I disobey Him) and shun His command? (Ye would add to me naught save
perdition) I only increase in insight about your loss.
[11:64]
(O my people! This is the camel of Allah, a token unto you) a sign unto
you, (so suffer her) leave her (to feed in Allah's earth) in the wilderness:
you do not have to feed her, (and touch her not with harm) do not kill her (lest
a near torment seize you) after three days.
[11:65]
(But they hamstrung her) they killed her. She was killed by Qudar Ibn Salif
and Musda' Ibn Zahr who divided its meat on 1500 homes, (and then he said)
Salih said to them after they killed the camel: (Enjoy life in your
dwelling-place) in your township (three days!) for Allah's chastisement will
come upon you on the fourth day. They asked him: “What is the sign of this
chastisement?” He said: “You will wake up the first day with pale faces; on the
second day your faces will be red and on the third your faces will become dark.
Chastisement will come upon you on the fourth day”. (This) chastisement (is a
threat that will not be belied) will not be repelled.
[11:66]
(So, when Our commandment) Our chastisement (came to pass, We saved Salih,
and those who believed with him, by a mercy from Us) by Our grace, (from the
ignominy of that day) from the chastisement of that day. (Lo, thy Lord! He is
the Strong) He saves His allies, (the Mighty) in His retribution against His
enemies.
[11:67]
(And the (Awful) Cry) the Chastisement (overtook those who did wrong) the
idolaters, (so that morning found them prostrate) lifeless, i.e. they became
dust (in their dwellings) in their houses,
[11:68]
(As though they had not dwelt there) it was as if they never lived on this
earth. (Lo! Thamud) the people of Salih (disbelieved in their Lord. A far
removal for Thamud!) the people of Salih are far removed from Allah's mercy.
[11:69]
(And Our messengers) Gabriel and twelve angels (came unto Abraham with good
news) that he will have a son. (They said: Peace!) they greeted Abraham when
they entered in on him. (He answered: Peace!) He greeted them back (and delayed
not) after a short while he went (to bring a roasted calf) a fat roasted calf
which he placed in front of them.
[11:70]
(And when he saw their hands reached not to it) to his food, because they
had no need for it, (he mistrusted them and conceived a fear of them) thinking
they were thieves, since they did not touch his food. When the angels knew of
his fear. (They said: Fear not!) O Abraham. (Lo! we are sent unto the folk of
Lot) to destroy them.
[11:71]
(And his wife) Sarah, (standing by) to serve them, (laughed) in
astonishment that Abraham was afraid (when We gave her good tidings (of the
birth) of Isaac, and, after Isaac, of Jacob) a grandchild.
[11:72]
(She said: Oh, woe is me! Shall I bear a child when I am an old woman) a 98
year old woman, how can this be? (and this my husband) Abraham (is an old man)
99 years of age? (Lo! This is a strange thing!) this is astonishing!
[11:73]
(They said) to her: (Wonderest thou at the commandment of Allah) are you
amazed with the power of Allah? (The mercy of Allah and His blessings be upon
you, O people of the house) the people of the house of Abraham! (Lo! He is
Owner of Praise) for your works, (Owner of Glory!) He is Generous and will
favour you with a righteous son.
[11:74]
(And when the awe) fear (departed from Abraham, and the glad news) that he
will have a son (reached him, he pleaded with Us) he argued with Us (on behalf
of the folk of Lot) about the destruction of the people of Lot.
[11:75]
(Lo! Abraham was mild) in the face of ignorance,
(imploring) compassionate, (penitent) devoted to Allah.
[11:76]
((It was said) O Abraham! Forsake this!) leave your argumentation. (Lo!
your Lord's commandment hath gone forth) your Lord's chastisement of the people
of Lot has come, (and lo! there cometh unto them a doom which cannot be
repelled) it cannot be averted.
[11:77]
(And when Our messengers) Gabriel and the angels with him (came unto Lot,
he was distressed) he did not like their coming (and knew not how to protect
them) from his people. (He said) within himself: (This is a distressful day)
for me.
[11:78]
(And his people) the people of Lot (came unto him, running towards him)
towards his house (and before then) before the coming of Gabriel (they used to
commit abominations) their evil practice [sodomy]. (He said) Lot said to them:
(O my people! Here are my daughters!) it is also said that this means: here are
the girls of my people! (They are purer for you) I will arrange your marriage.
(Beware of Allah) fear Allah regarding the unlawful, (and degrade me not in
(the person of) my guests) do not humiliate me in front of my guests. (Is there
not among you any upright man) to guide you to what is right, enjoin good and
forbid evil?
[11:79]
(They said: Well thou knowest) O Lot (that we have no right to your
daughters) that we have no need for your daughters, (and well thou knowest what
we want) they mean their evil practice.
[11:80]
(He said) Lot said within himself: (Would that I had strength) physical
strength and sons to help me (to resist you or had some strong support (among
you)!) or that I could rely on a strong clan such that I defend myself from
you.
[11:81]
When Gabriel and the angels knew the fear of Lot from the threat of his
people, ((The messengers) said: O Lot! Lo! we are messengers of thy Lord; they
shall not reach thee) to destroy you but rather we will destroy them. (So
travel with thy people) go with your family (in a part of the night) at dawn,
in the last part of the night, (and let not one of you turn round) let none of
you stay behind ((all) save thy wife) Wa'ilah, the hypocrite. (Lo! that which
smites them) of chastisement (will smiteth her (also). Lo! their tryst) to be
destroyed (is (for) the morning) Lot said: “make that happen now,” and Gabriel
said: “O Lot!” (Is not the morning nigh?) because he already saw it while Lot
did not.
[11:82]
(So when Our commandment) when Our chastisement (came to pass) to destroy
them (We overthrew (that township)) We turned it upside down (and rained upon
it) upon its sodomites and those who travelled there (stones of clay) mixed
with manure and mud, like bricks; it is also said that this means: from the
first heaven, (one after another) in succession, one after another,
[11:83]
(Marked with fire) lined with black, red and white; it is also said that
they had inscribed on them the names of persons they were destined to kill (in
the providence of your Lord) those stones of clay were from your Lord, O
Muhammad. (And they) i.e. the stones (are never far from the wrong-doers) they
did not miss them but rather hit them; it is also said that this means: these stones
are never far from the wrong-doers, who emulate their practice, from among your
nation.
[11:84]
(And unto Midian) and We sent to Midian (their brother Shu'ayb) their
Prophet Jethro. (He said: O my people! Serve Allah) declare Allah's divine
Oneness. (Ye have no other God save Him!) you have no other god except the One
I command you to believe in (And give not short measure and short weight) do
not take people's right in measure and weight. (Lo! I see you well to do) I see
that you are at ease, possess wealth and the prices are quite low, (and lo! I
fear for you) if you do not believe in Him and do not give the right measure
and weight (the doom of a besetting Day) a doom that will encompass all of you
such that none will escape from drought, lack of foodstuffs and other bad
things.
[11:85]
(O my people! Give full measure and full weight in justice, and wrong not
people about their goods. And do not evil in the earth, causing corruption) do
not spread corruption in the earth nor worship idols nor invite people to it;
and give people their due of right measure and weight.
[11:86]
(That which Allah leaveth with you) Allah's reward for being honest in
measure and weight (is better for you) it is said that this means: that which
Allah leaves for you of the lawful is better than that which you steal by
cheating in measure and weight (if ye are believers) if you believe in what I
tell you; (and I am not a keeper over you) to protect, for Jethro was not
commanded to fight them.
[11:87]
(They said: O Shu'ayb! Doth thy way of prayer) do your abundant prayers
(command thee that we should forsake that which our fathers (used to) worship)
of idols, (or that we (should leave off) doing what we will with our own
property) such as cheating in measure and weighing. (Lo! thou art the mild, the
guide to right behaviour) they said this in derision, meaning to say: it is you
who is the impudent and misguided.
[11:88]
(He said: O my people! Bethink you: if I am) He says: I am ((acting) on a
clear proof from my Lord) on a clear exposition that has come down to me from
my Lord (and He sustaineth me with fair sustenance from Him) and He has
favoured me with prophethood and Islam and further gave me a lawful property
((how can I concede aught to you)? I desire not to do behind your backs that
which I ask you not to do) he says: I do not want to engage in that which I am
warning you against: cheating in measure and weighing. (I desire naught save) I
only desire (reform) justice in measure and weighing (so far as I am able. My welfare)
in upholding right measurement and weighing (is only in Allah) is only from
Allah. (In Him I trust) I entrust my matter to Him (and unto Him I turn) in
complete devotion.
[11:89]
(And, O my people! Let not the schism with me cause you to sin) let not
your hatred and enmity of me cause you not to believe or do justice in measure
and weighing (so that there befall you that which befell the folk of Noah) i.e.
the chastisement of the people of Noah: drowning and the flood (and the folk of
Hud) their destruction by the wind, (and the folk of Salih) their destruction
by the Cry; (and the folk of Lot) the news of the folk of Lot (are not far off
from you) you heard what happened to them.
[11:90]
(Ask pardon of your Lord) declare your Lord's divine Oneness (and then turn
unto Him (repellent)) turn to Him repentant and with sincerity. (Lo! my Lord
is, Merciful) towards His believing servants, (Loving) He forgives and rewards
them; it is also said that this means: He loves them and makes His obedience beloved
to them.
[11:91]
(They said: O Shu'ayb! We understand not much of that thou tellest) of that
you command us, (and lo! we do behold you weak) blind (among us. But for your
family) your clan, (we should have stoned thee) killed you, (for thou art not strong
against us) for you are not favoured at all among us.
[11:92]
(He said: O my people! Is my family) my clan (more to be honoured by you
than Allah) than Allah's Book and religion; it is also said that this means: is
the punishment of my clan more severe to you than Allah's chastisement? (And ye
put Him) you placed Him (behind you, neglected) behind your back, i.e. you put
that which I brought of the Book behind your backs. (Lo! my Lord surroundeth)
knows (what ye do) the punishment you deserve for what you do.
[11:93]
(And, O my people! Act according to your power) act in your dwellings
according to your religion to destroy me, (lo, I (too) am acting) to destroy
you. (You will soon know on whom there cometh a doom that will abase him) and
destroy, (and who it is that lieth) about Allah. (And watch!) wait for my
destruction! (Lo! I am watcher with you) I am also waiting for your
destruction.
[11:94]
(And when Our commandment) Our chastisement (came to pass we saved Shu'ayb
and those who believed with Him by a mercy from Us) by a grace from Us; (and
the (Awful) Cry) announcing chastisement (seized those who did injustice) the
idolaters, i.e. the people of Shu'ayb, (and morning found them prostrate) dead,
turned into dust (in their dwellings) in their houses.
[11:95]
(As though they had not dwelt there) it was as if they never lived on this
earth. (A far removal for Midian) the people of Shu'ayb from the mercy of
Allah, (even as Thamud) the people of Salih (had been removed afar) from the
mercy of Allah! The people of Salih and the people of Shu'ayb were punished by
the same chastisement. They were seized by the Cry that announced their
chastisement, followed by extreme heat. This heat came to the people of Salih
from beneath their feet while it came to the people of Shu'ayb from above their
heads.
[11:96]
(And verily We sent Moses with Our revelations) with nine signs (and a
clear warrant) and a clear proof, the signs being themselves clear proof.
[11:97]
(Unto Pharaoh and his chiefs, but they did follow the command of Pharaoh)
and shunned the words of Moses, (and the command of Pharaoh) the word of
Pharaoh (was no right guide) was not right.
[11:98]
(He will go before his people) he will lead his people
(on the Day of Resurrection and will lead them to the Fire for watering-place.
Ah, hapless is the watering-place (whither they are) led) evil is the leader
and evil are those that were led; it is also said that this means: evil are
those entering, Pharaoh and his people, and evil is that where they will enter:
the Fire.
[11:99]
(A curse is made to follow them in the world) they were destroyed in the
life of this world through drowning (and on the Day of Resurrection) they will
receive another curse, i.e. the Fire. (Hapless is the gift (that will be) given
(them)) evil is the punishment through drowning and evil is the punishment of
hell; it is also said that this means: evil is the helper and evil is the
helped.
[11:100]
(That) which I have mentioned (is (something) of the tidings of the
townships) of the news of past nations in this world. (We relate it unto thee
(Muhammad)) We send Gabriel down to you with their news. (Some of them are
standing) and can be seen while their people have vanished (and some (already)
reaped) and some of them have turned into ruin, the people and the townships.
[11:101]
(We wronged them not) when We destroyed them, (but they did wrong
themselves) by engaging in disbelief, idolatry and idol worship; (and their
gods on whom they call) they worship (beside Allah) when Allah's chastisement
seized them (availed them naught then came your Lords command) your Lord's
punishment; (they added to them) the worship of idols (naught save ruin) loss.
[11:102]
(Even thus is the grasp of your Lord) the chastisement of your Lord (when
He graspeth the townships) when He chastises the people of these townships
(while they are doing wrong) when they are disbelievers and idolaters. (Lo! His
grasp) His chastisement (is painful, very strong).
[11:103]
(Lo! Herein) in that which We mentioned to you (verily there is a portent)
a lesson (for those who fear the doom of the Hereafter) such that they do not
follow in their footsteps. (That is a day) the Day of Resurrection (unto which
mankind will be gathered) the first and last among mankind will be gathered,
(and that is a day that will be witnessed) it will be witnessed by the dwellers
of heaven and earth.
[11:104]
(And We defer it) i.e. that day (only as a term already reckoned) only to
an appointed time.
[11:105]
(On the day when it cometh no soul will speak) no righteous soul will
intercede in favour of anyone (except by His permission) except by His command;
(some among them) some of the people on that day (will be wretched) it was
decreed that they will be damned, ((others) glad) it was decreed that they will
be felicitous.
[11:106]
(As for those who will be wretched (on that day) they will be in the Fire;
sighing) like the sighing heard from a donkey when about to bray (and wailing)
like the exhaling of a donkey when he stops braying (will be their portion
therein).
[11:107]
(Abiding there) they will stay in the Fire forever (so long as the heavens
and the earth endure) for as long as the heavens and the earth remain, from the
moment they were created until the moment they lapse (save for that which thy
Lord willeth) and your Lord has willed that they will abide in the Fire
forever; it is also said: those who are damned will abide therein forever for
as long as the heavens, the earth and the children of Adam subsist, except those
whom Allah wills to change from damnation to felicity by His saying: (Allah
effaceth what He will, and establishes [13:39]); it is also said that this
means: they will abide in the Fire for as long as the heavens and the earth
subsist: the heaven of the Fire and the earth of the Fire unless Allah wills to
get the people who believed in Allah's divine Oneness out of it, those whose
wretchedness was caused by a sin less than disbelief. Allah will enter these
into Paradise because of their pure faith. (Lo! thy Lord is Doer of what He
will) as He will.
[11:108]
(And as for those who will be glad) those who were decreed to be felicitous
((that day) they will be in the Garden, abiding there) in Paradise (so long as
the heavens and the earth endure save for that which thy Lord willeth) when He
wills to turn them from felicity to damnation due to His saying (Allah effaceth
what He will, and establishes [13:39]); it is also said: they will abide in
Paradise for as long as the heavens and the earth subsist: the heaven of
Paradise and the earth of Paradise unless Allah wills to torment some people
before making them enter Paradise, such that He puts them first in hell and
then gets them out of it and puts them in Paradise, to abide therein forever:
(a gift) a reward for them (unfailing) undiminished and uninterrupted.
[11:109]
(So be not thou in doubt concerning that which these (folk)) the people of
Mecca (worship. They worship only as their fathers worshipped aforetime) before
them and they were destroyed because of it. (Lo! We shall pay them their whole
due) their chastisement (unabated) it is said that the last part of this verse
was revealed about the Qadariyyah.
[11:110]
(And We verily gave unto Moses the Scripture) i.e. the Torah, (and there
was strife thereupon) about the Scripture of Moses: some believed in it while
others did not; (and had it not been for a Word that had already gone forth)
enjoined (from thy Lord) to delay His chastisement from your nation, (the case
would have been judged between them) their destruction would have already
happened and chastisement would have seized them, (and Lo! they are in grave
doubt) manifest doubt (concerning it).
[11:111]
(And lo! unto each) each two parties (thy Lord will verily repay his works
in full) the reward of his works in full: good with good and evil with evil.
(Lo! He is Informed of what they do) of good and evil, reward and punishment.
[11:112]
(So tread thou the straight path) in obedience of Allah (as thou art
commanded) in the Qur'an, (and those who turn (unto Allah) with thee) from
disbelief into faith, let them also follow the straight path, (and transgress
not) do not disbelieve and do not transgress over that which is in the Qur'an,
i.e. from the lawful to the unlawful. (Lo! He is Seer of what ye do) of good
and of evil.
[11:113]
(And incline not towards those who do wrong) themselves by means of
disbelief, idolatry and transgression (lest the Fire touch you) as it has
touched them, (and ye have no protecting friends) no relatives to help you (against
Allah) against Allah's chastisement, (and afterward ye would not be helped) you
will not be prevented from what is wanted with you.
[11:114]
(Establish worship) fulfil the prayer (at the two ends of the day) the
morning prayer and the Zuhr; it is also said that the reference here is to the
morning prayer and the prayers of Zuhr and 'Asr (and in some watches of the
night) at the advent of the night, i.e. the prayers of Maghrib and 'Isha'. (Lo!
good deeds) the five daily prayers (annul ill deeds) sins other than the
enormities; it is also said that the good deeds refer to the formulas: “Glory
be to Allah”, “Praise be to Allah”, “there is no god save Allah” and “Allah is
the greatest”. (This is a reminder for the mindful) this is an act of
repentance for those who repent; it is also said that this means: these expiate
the sins of the repentant. This verse was revealed about a man called
Abu'l-Yusr Ibn 'Umar.
[11:115]
(And have patience), O Muhammad, regarding that with which you have been
commanded and also in the face of their harm (for lo! Allah loseth not) thwarts
not (the wages of the good) the reward of the believers who do good in their
works and speech.
[11:116]
(If only there had been among the generations before you) He says: there
were not among the nations before you believing (men possessing a remnant (of
good sense) to warn (their people) from corruption in the earth) warning them
against disbelief, idolatry, idol worship and all kinds of transgressions, (as
did a few of those whom We saved from them) from among the believers! (The
wrong-doers followed) the idolaters engaged in (that by which they were made
sapless) the comfort and wealth which they were given in this world, (and were
guilty) idolaters.
[11:117]
(In truth thy Lord destroyed not) the people of (the townships tyrannously)
because of the tyranny they committed (while their folk were doing right) while
there were among them those who enjoined good and forbade evil; it is also said
that this means: your Lord would not have destroyed the people of the townships
through an injustice from Him while their people were doing right, i.e. engaged
in acts of obedience and holding firm to them.
[11:118]
(And if thy Lord had willed, He verily would have made mankind one nation)
He would have gathered them to follow one religion: the religion of Islam, (yet
they cease not) but they will always be (differing) concerning religion and
falsehood,
[11:119]
(Save him on whom thy Lord hath mercy) except whom your Lord has saved from
falsehood and other religions, and these are the believers; (and for that He
did create them) He created the people of mercy for mercy, and created the
people of difference for differing. (And the Word of thy Lord hath been
fulfilled) the Word of your Lord has been decreed: (Verily I shall fill hell
with the jinn and mankind together) with the disbelievers among the jinn and
humans.
[11:120]
(And all that We relate unto thee) as We have explained to you (of the
story of the messengers) of the events of the messengers (is in order that
thereby We may make firm your heart) in order to gladden your heart, that what
was done to you was also done to other prophets. (And herein hath come unto
thee) in this surah (the Truth) the news of the Truth (and an exhortation) to avoid
transgression (and a reminder) an admonition (for believers).
[11:121]
(And say unto those who believe not) in Allah and the Last Day nor in the
revealed Scriptures and prophets: (Act according to your power) in your
dwellings act according to your religion so as to destroy me. (Lo! we (too) are
acting) to destroy you.
[11:122]
(And wait) for my destruction! (Lo! we (too) are waiting) for your
destruction.
[11:123]
(And Allah's is the Invisible of the heavens and the earth) that which is
hidden from the servants, (and unto Him the whole matter will be returned) the
matter of the servants will be returned to Him. (So worship Him) so obey Him
(and put thy trust in Him) rely on Him. (Lo! thy Lord is not unaware of what ye
(mortals) do) of transgressions; it is also said that this means: Allah will
not fail to punish you for what you do nor is He oblivious to it'. And of the
surah in which Joseph is mentioned, which is all Meccan and consists of 111
verses, 1,776 words and 7,196 letters:
