بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

Transcription
Bismi Allahi alrrahmani alrraheemi
Edip-Layth
In the name of God, the Gracious, the Compassionate.
The Monotheist Group
In the name of God, the Almighty, the Merciful.
Muhammad Asad
In the name of God, The Most Gracious, The Dispenser of Grace:
Rashad Khalifa
In the name of GOD, Most Gracious, Most Merciful. ,
Shabbir Ahmed
All praise is due to God, the Lord/Cherisher/Sustainer of the Universe and everything therein.
Çeviriyazı
Bismillâhir rahmânir rahîm.
Edip Yüksel
Rahman, Rahim Allah'ın ismiyle
Yaşar Nuri Öztürk
Rahman ve Rahim Allah'ın adıyla...
Muhammed Esed
RAHMÂN, RAHÎM ALLAH ADINA
Ali Bulaç
Rahman ve Rahim olan Allah'ın adıyla

7:1 المص

7:1 almS
Transcription (English)
7:1 Alif-lam-meem-sad
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
7:1 A1L30M40S901

Note 1

A1L30M40S90. These letters/numbers play an important role in the mathematical system of the Quran based on code 19. See 74:1; 1:1; 2:1; 13:38; 27:82; 38:1; 40:28; 46:10; 72:28.

The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
7:1 ALMS'
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
7:1 Alif. Lam. Mim.1

Note 1
See Appendix II.
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
7:1 A. L. M. S..1 ,

Note 1
See Appendix 1 for the role of these initials in the Quran's mathematical miracle.
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
7:1 A.L.M.S. Alif-Laam-Meem-Saad. (Allah, Lateef the Unfathomable, Majeed the Magnificent, Saadiq the True, states that),1

Note 1


This is the 7th Surah of the Qur’an. It has 206 verses. People with outstanding faculties of reasoning (Ma’rifah) are stationed at the heights of human dignity and achievement. The term A’raaf appears in this Surah in verses 46 and 48. ‘Urf = The most elevated part of anything = Easily discernible. A’raaf = Plural, Heights. Derived meaning of A’raaf = The heights of intellect = Stature of those endowed with faculty of discernment = The high degrees of those who are better able to distinguish between right and wrong.



Very commonly, A’raaf is thought of as a waiting room high up in the Heights where some people hope to be admitted into Paradise. Some exponents see it as ‘Purgatory’ where humans are washed of their ‘sins’. Another view is that A’raaf denotes the high points of a wall between Hell and Paradise.



Unfortunately, the orthodox Muslim scholars have had a tendency to apply most of the Qur’anic verses to non-Muslims and to the Hereafter whenever possible. This attitude seems to stem from their erroneous belief that Muslims will easily enter Paradise just because they recite the Kalemah (There is no god but the One True God and Muhammad is His Messenger). A seeking mind can understand that the Qur’an is a Guide explaining how to best live in this world. That is the only way to success in the life Hereafter. Ritualistic utterances carry no weight before God. The people of discernment are a blessing to humanity right here in this world, and, therefore, this Surah applies to this life.



With the Glorious Name of God, the Instant and Sustaining Source of all Mercy and Kindness



7:2 كتب انزل اليك فلا يكن فى صدرك حرج منه لتنذر به وذكرى للمؤمنين

Transcription (English)
7:2 Kitabun onzila ilayka falayakun fee sadrika harajun minhu litunthirabihi wathikra lilmu/mineena
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
7:2 A book that has been sent down to you, so let there not be any burden in your chest from it, that you may warn with it; and a reminder to those who acknowledge.
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
7:2 A Book that has been sent down to you, so let there not be any burden in your chest from it, that you may warn with it; and a reminder to the believers.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
7:2 A DIVINE WRIT has been bestowed from on high upon thee -and let there be no doubt about this in thy heart-in order that thou mayest warn [the erring] thereby, and [thus] admonish the believers:2

Note 2
The expression haraj (lit., "straitness" or "tightness") is often used idiomatically to denote "doubt": and this is, according to Ibn `Abbas, Mujahid and Qatadah, the meaning of the term here (see Tabari, Zamakhshari, Baghawi, Razi, Ibn Kathir). The construction of the whole sentence makes it clear that the "doubt" does not relate to the origin of the divine writ but to its purpose: and thus, although ostensibly addressed to the Prophet, the above passage is meant to draw the attention of all whom the Qur'anic message may reach to the fact that it has a twofold objective - namely, to warn the rejectors of the truth and to guide those who already believe in it. Both the warning and the admonition are summarized in the sequence.
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
7:2 This scripture has been revealed to you - you shall not harbor doubt about it in your heart - that you may warn with it, and to provide a reminder for the believers.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
7:2 This Book has been revealed to you (O Messenger), so you shall harbor no doubt about it in your heart – in order that with it you may warn (the erring). And it is a Reminder for the believers.2

Note 2
Sadr = Chest = Breast = Heart. Haraj = Difficulty = Burden = Doubt = Hardship = Loss = Tightness in chest

7:3 اتبعوا ما انزل اليكم من ربكم ولا تتبعوا من دونه اولياء قليلا ما تذكرون

Transcription (English)
7:3 IttabiAAoo ma onzila ilaykum minrabbikum wala tattabiAAoo min doonihi awliyaaqaleelan ma tathakkaroona
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
Do Not Follow Any Other Source Besides God7:3 Follow what was sent down to you all from your Lord, and do not follow besides Him any supporters. Little do you remember!
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
7:3 Follow what was sent down to you from your Lord, and do not follow besides Him any supporters. Little do you remember!
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
7:3 "Follow what has been sent down unto you by your Sustainer, and follow no masters other than Him.3 How seldom do you keep this in mind!

Note 3
Some of the great Muslim thinkers, and particularly Ibn Hazm and Ibn Taymiyyah, maintain' that the expression awliya' (here rendered as "masters") denotes, in this context, "authorities" in the religious sense of the word, implying a prohibition of attributing legal validity-side by side with Qur'anic ordinances - to the subjective opinions of any person below the Prophet. See in this connection 5:101, and the corresponding notes.
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
7:3 You shall all follow what is revealed to you from your Lord; do not follow any idols besides Him. Rarely do you take heed.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
7:3 You shall all follow what has been revealed to you from your Lord and follow no masters other than Him. How seldom do you keep this in mind!3

Note 3
Awliya = Protecting friends = Allies = Masters

7:4 وكم من قرية اهلكنها فجاءها باسنا بيتا او هم قائلون

Transcription (English)
7:4 Wakam min qaryatin ahlaknahafajaaha ba/suna bayatan aw hum qa-iloona
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
7:4 How many a town have We destroyed; for Our punishment came to them while sleeping, or while resting.
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
7:4 And how many a town have We destroyed; for Our punishment came to them while sleeping, or while resting.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
7:4 And how many a [rebellious] community have We destroyed, with Our punishment coming upon it by night, or while they were resting at noontide!4

Note 4
I.e., suddenly, when the people felt completely secure and at ease. This passage connects with the obligation, laid down in the preceding two verses, to follow God's revealed messages.
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
7:4 Many a community we annihilated; they incurred our retribution while they were asleep, or wide awake.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
7:4 (You will find ample documentation in history that when communities ignored Our Permanent Value System they met with destruction.) How many a community We (Our laws) have annihilated! Our requital visited them by night, or while they slept for their afternoon rest.

7:5 فما كان دعوىهم اذ جاءهم باسنا الا ان قالوا انا كنا ظلمين

Transcription (English)
7:5 Fama kana daAAwahum ithjaahum ba/suna illa an qaloo innakunna thalimeena
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
7:5 Then their only saying when Our punishment came to them was: "We were wicked!"
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
7:5 Then their only saying when Our punishment came to them was: "We were wicked!"
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
7:5 And when Our punishment came upon them, they had nothing to say for themselves, and could only cry,5 "Verily, we were wrongdoers!"

Note 5
Lit., "their plea was nothing but that they said".
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
7:5 Their utterance when our retribution came to them was: "Indeed, we have been transgressors.",
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
7:5 They had no plea when Our requital came to them, but they said, “We were unjust, and used to oppress the vulnerable.”

7:6 فلنسلن الذين ارسل اليهم ولنسلن المرسلين

Transcription (English)
7:6 Falanas-alanna allatheena orsilailayhim walanas-alanna almursaleena
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
7:6 We will ask those who received the message, and We will ask the messengers.
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
7:6 We will question those to whom We have sent, and We will question the messengers.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
7:6 Thus, [on Judgment Day] We shall most certainly call to account all those unto whom a [divine] message was sent, and We shall most certainly call to account the message-bearers [themselves];6

Note 6
Cf. 5:109.
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
7:6 We will certainly question those who received the message, and we will question the messengers.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
7:6 We will certainly question those to whom Our Messengers were sent, and certainly We will question the Messengers.

7:7 فلنقصن عليهم بعلم وما كنا غائبين

Transcription (English)
7:7 Falanaqussanna AAalayhim biAAilmin wamakunna gha-ibeena
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
7:7 We will narrate to them with knowledge; We were not absent.
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
7:7 We will tell to them with knowledge; We were not absent.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
7:7 and thereupon We shall most certainly reveal unto them Our knowledge [of their doings]:7 for never have We been absent [from them].

Note 7
Lit., "relate to them with knowledge".
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
7:7 We will inform them authoritatively, for we were never absent.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
7:7 We will recount the whole story for them, for We were never absent in Time and Place. (9:105)

7:8 والوزن يومئذ الحق فمن ثقلت موزينه فاولئك هم المفلحون

Transcription (English)
7:8 Waalwaznu yawma-ithini alhaqqufaman thaqulat mawazeenuhu faola-ika humu almuflihoona
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
7:8 The scales on that day will be the truth. Whoever has heavy scales, these are the successful ones.
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
7:8 And the balance on that Day will be the truth. So, those whose weights are heavy on the balance, those are the successful ones.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
7:8 And true will be the weighing on that Day; and those whose weight [of good deeds] is heavy in the balance -it is they, they who shall attain to a happy state;
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
7:8 The scales will be set on that day, equitably. Those whose weights are heavy will be the winners.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
7:8 The scales on that Day will be truly equitable. Those whose constructive deeds are heavy, will prosper.

7:9 ومن خفت موزينه فاولئك الذين خسروا انفسهم بما كانوا بايتنا يظلمون

Transcription (English)
7:9 Waman khaffat mawazeenuhu faola-ikaallatheena khasiroo anfusahum bima kanoo bi-ayatinayathlimoona
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
7:9 Whoever has light scales, these are the ones who lost themselves for they wrongfully treated Our signs.2

Note 2

Our personality weakens by not following the instruction of its creator.

The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
7:9 And whoever has light weights, then these are the ones who lost their souls for what they transgressed of Our revelations.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
7:9 whereas those whose weight is light in the balance - it is they who will have squandered their own selves by their wilful rejection of Our messages.8

Note 8
Lit., "for that they were wont to act wrongfully with regard to Our messages".
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
7:9 As for those whose weights are light, they will be the ones who lost their souls as a consequence of disregarding our revelations, unjustly.,2

Note 2
Failing to heed our Creator leads to spiritual starvation and eventual "loss" of the soul.
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
7:9 And those whose scales are light, will be the ones who have put their own ‘self’ in loss. This is because they used to replace Our revelations with manmade dogmas.

7:10 ولقد مكنكم فى الارض وجعلنا لكم فيها معيش قليلا ما تشكرون

Transcription (English)
7:10 Walaqad makkannakum fee al-ardiwajaAAalna lakum feeha maAAayisha qaleelan matashkuroona
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
The Test7:10 We granted you dominion on earth, and made for you in it a habitat; little do you give thanks!
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
7:10 And We granted you dominion on the earth, and made for you in it a habitat; little do you give thanks!
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
7:10 YEA, INDEED, [O men,] We have given you a [bountiful] place on earth, and appointed thereon means of livelihood for you: [yet] how seldom are you grateful!
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
7:10 We have established you on earth, and we have provided for you the means of support therein. Rarely are you appreciative.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
7:10 (Take heed before the final scales are set.) We have placed you on earth and given you means for a fulfilling life. How seldom are you grateful!4

Note 4
Being grateful is not only verbal thanks. It involves sharing God’s bounties with fellow humans and other creation. 16:114, 31:12

7:11 ولقد خلقنكم ثم صورنكم ثم قلنا للملئكة اسجدوا لءادم فسجدوا الا ابليس لم يكن من السجدين

Transcription (English)
7:11 Walaqad khalaqnakum thumma sawwarnakumthumma qulna lilmala-ikati osjudoo li-adamafasajadoo illa ibleesa lam yakun mina alssajideena
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
7:11 We created you, We shaped you, and then We said to the controllers: "Submit to Adam;" so they submitted except for Satan, he was not of those who submitted.
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
7:11 And We created you, then We shaped you, then We said to the angels: "Yield to Adam;" so they yielded except for Satan, he was not of those who yielded.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
7:11 Yea, indeed, We have created you, and then formed you;9 and then We said unto the angels, "Prostrate yourselves before Adam!" - whereupon they [all] prostrated themselves, save Iblis: he was not among those who prostrated themselves.10

Note 9
The sequence of these two statements -"We have created you [i.e., "brought you into being as living organisms"] and then formed you" [or "given you your shape", i.e., as human beings]-is meant to bring out the fact of man's gradual development, in the individual sense, from the embryonic stage to full-fledged existence, as well as of the evolution of the human race as such.

Note 10
As regards God's allegorical command to the angels to "prostrate themselves" before Adam, see 2:30, and the corresponding notes. The reference to all mankind which precedes the story of Adam in this surah makes it clear that his name symbolizes, in this context, the whole human race. Western scholars usually take it for granted that the name "Iblis" is a corruption of the Greek word di?bolos, from which the English "devil" is derived. There is, however, not the slightest evidence that the pre-Islamic Arabs borrowed this or any other mythological term from the Greeks-while. on the other hand, it is established that the Greeks derived a good deal of their mythological concepts (including various deities and their functions) from the much earlier South-Arabian civilization (cf. Encyclopaedia of Islam I, 379 f.). One may, therefore, assume with something approaching certainty that the Greek di?bolos is a Hellenized form of the Arabic name for the Fallen Angel, which, in turn, is derived from the root-verb ablasa, "he despaired" or "gave up hope" or "became broken in spirit" (see Lane I, 248). The fact that the noun di?bolos ("slanderer" -derived from the verb diaballein, "to throw [something] across") is of genuinely Greek origin does not, by itself, detract anything from this hypothesis: for it is conceivable that the Greeks, with their well-known tendency to Hellenize foreign names, identified the name "Iblis" with the, to them. much more familiar term di?bolos -As regards Iblis' statement, in the next verse, that he had been created "out of fire", see surah 38. note 60.
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
7:11 We created you, then we shaped you, then we said to the angels, "Fall prostrate before Adam." They fell prostrate, except Iblees (Satan); he was not with the prostrators.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
7:11 We created you, then shaped you, then told the angels, "Be of service to Adam! And they agreed to be of service, all but Iblees (Satan). He was not of the subservient.5

Note 5
Let us take a panoramic view of our common origin. Life began as a single life cell from hydrated inorganic matter 23:13. God made us ‘Adam’ Homo sapiens, male and female. And He made the angels the universal forces subservient to mankind. Satan or Iblees, our own rebellious desires, refused to submit to the higher controls of judgment

7:12 قال ما منعك الا تسجد اذ امرتك قال انا خير منه خلقتنى من نار وخلقته من طين

Transcription (English)
7:12 Qala ma manaAAaka allatasjuda ith amartuka qala ana khayrun minhukhalaqtanee min narin wakhalaqtahu min teenin
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
7:12 He said, "What has prevented you from submitting when I have ordered you?" He said, "I am better than him, You created me from fire and created him from clay!"3

Note 3

It is interesting that God does not kick out the Perverse from His presence as soon as he disobeys the divine order; by directing him to defend his action, God wants to inform us about the source of his disobedience. Perverse demonstrated an unjustified pride in something that was not his own work. Racism finds its roots in such a diabolic false pride. See 15:28.

The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
7:12 He said: "What has prevented you from yielding when I have ordered you?" He said: "I am far better than him, You created me from fire and created him from clay!"
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
7:12 [And God] said: "What has kept thee from prostrating thyself when I commanded thee?" Answered [Iblis]: "I am better than he: Thou hast created me out of fire, whereas him Thou hast created out of clay."
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
The Test Begins7:12 He said, "What prevented you from prostrating when I ordered you?" He said, "I am better than he; You created me from fire, and created him from mud.",
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
7:12 God said, “What stopped you from being subservient when I ordered you?” Iblees responded, "I am better than he. You created me from fire, and created him from clay.”6

Note 6
Emotions are fiery in relation to sound judgment. The criterion of honor is not lineage, color, caste or nation. It is nothing but good conduct. 49:13

7:13 قال فاهبط منها فما يكون لك ان تتكبر فيها فاخرج انك من الصغرين

Transcription (English)
7:13 Qala faihbit minhafama yakoonu laka an tatakabbara feeha faokhrujinnaka mina alssaghireena
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
7:13 He said, "Descend from it, it is not for you to be arrogant here; depart, for you are disgraced."
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
7:13 He said: "Descend from it, for it is not for you to be arrogant here; depart, for you are disgraced."
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
7:13 [God] said: "Down with thee, then, from this [state] -for it is not meet for thee to show arrogance here! Go forth, then: verily, among the humiliated shalt thou be!"
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
7:13 He said, "Therefore, you must go down, for you are not to be arrogant here. Get out; you are debased.",
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
7:13 (Recall that many of the verses of the Qur’an are allegorical.) God said, “You are dismissed and degraded hence. It is not for you to be arrogant here. Go forth, then! You shall be among the humiliated.”

7:14 قال انظرنى الى يوم يبعثون

Transcription (English)
7:14 Qala anthirnee ilayawmi yubAAathoona
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
7:14 He said, "Grant me respite until the day they are resurrected?"
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
7:14 He said: "Grant me respite until the Day they are resurrected?"
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
7:14 Said [Iblis]: "Grant me a respite till the Day when all shall be raised from the dead."
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
7:14 He said, "Grant me a respite, until the Day of Resurrection.",
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
7:14 He (Iblees) said, "Give me respite till the Day they are raised up.”

7:15 قال انك من المنظرين

Transcription (English)
7:15 Qala innaka mina almunthareena
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
7:15 He said, "You are granted respite."4

Note 4

The so-called "problem of evil" has created a great challenge for theologians and philosophers who accept a Benevolent and Omnipotent God. The Christian medieval philosopher St. Augustine, in Enchiridion, has an interesting argument regarding the existence of Satan: "He used the very will of the creature which was working in opposition to the Creator's will as an instrument for carrying out his will…"

The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
7:15 He said: "You are granted."
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
7:15 [And God] replied: "Verily, thou shalt be among those who are granted a respite."
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
7:15 He said, "You are granted a respite.",
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
7:15 (The request was granted.) God said, "Be among those who are given respite.”

7:16 قال فبما اغويتنى لاقعدن لهم صرطك المستقيم

Transcription (English)
7:16 Qala fabima aghwaytaneelaaqAAudanna lahum sirataka almustaqeema
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
7:16 He said, "For You having me sent astray, I will stalk for them on Your Straight Path."5

Note 5

Perverse (Satan) is a convicted liar; his followers too (7:20; 6:22).

The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
7:16 He said: "For that which You have caused me to be misled, I will stalk for them on Your straight path."
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
7:16 [Whereupon Iblis] said: "Now that Thou hast thwarted me,"11 shall most certainly lie in ambush for them all along Thy straight way,

Note 11
Or: "allowed me to fall into error". The term aghwahu denotes both "he caused [or "allowed"] him to err" or "he caused him to be disappointed" or "to fail in attaining his desire" (cf. Lane VI, 2304f.). Since. in this case. the saying of Iblis refers to the loss of his erstwhile position among the angels, the rendering adopted by me seems to be the most appropriate.
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
7:16 He said, "Since You have willed that I go astray, I will skulk for them on Your straight path.,3

Note 3
Satan is a proven liar, and so are his constituents (see2:36,6:22-23,&7:20).
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
7:16 Iblees said, "Since You have willed that I go astray, I will lurk in ambush for them in Your straight path.”

7:17 ثم لءاتينهم من بين ايديهم ومن خلفهم وعن ايمنهم وعن شمائلهم ولا تجد اكثرهم شكرين

Transcription (English)
7:17 Thumma laatiyannahum min bayniaydeehim wamin khalfihim waAAan aymanihim waAAan shama-ilihimwala tajidu aktharahum shakireena
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
7:17 "Then I will come to them from between their hands, and from behind them, and from their right, and from their left; You will not find most of them to be appreciative."
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
7:17 "Then I will come to them from between their hands, and from behind them, and from their right, and from their left; and You will find most of them unthankful."
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
7:17 and shall most certainly fall upon them openly as well as in a manner beyond their ken,12 and from their right and from their left: and most of them Thou wilt find ungrateful."

Note 12
Lit., "from between their hands and from behind them". Regarding this idiomatic expression and my rendering of it, see the similar phrase in 2:255 ("He knows all that lies open before men and all that is hidden from them"). The subsequent phrase "from their right and from their left" signifies "from all directions and by all possible means".
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
7:17 "I will come to them from before them, and from behind them, and from their right, and from their left, and You will find that most of them are unappreciative.",
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
7:17 “Then I will assault them openly and secretly, through their strengths and through their weaknesses. And You will not find most of them grateful (for the guidance).”

7:18 قال اخرج منها مذءوما مدحورا لمن تبعك منهم لاملان جهنم منكم اجمعين

Transcription (English)
7:18 Qala okhruj minha mathoomanmadhooran laman tabiAAaka minhum laamlaanna jahannamaminkum ajmaAAeena
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
7:18 He said, "Get out from this, you are despised and banished. As for those among them who follow you, I will fill hell with you all!"
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
7:18 He said: "Get out from this, you are despised and banished. As for those of them who follow you, I will fill Hell with you all!"
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
7:18 [And God] said: "Go forth from here, disgraced and disowned! [And] as for such of them as follow thee - I will most certainly fill hell with you all!
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
7:18 He said, "Get out therefrom, despised and defeated. Those among them who follow you, I will fill Hell with you all.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
7:18 He said, “Go forth from here, degraded and banished. Whoever follows you among them, I will fill Hell with you all.”7

Note 7
Jahannam = Hell = Fire = Hebrew Gehenna = Destruction of the ‘self’ in this life and the Hereafter for succumbing to Satan, the selfish desires

7:19 ويادم اسكن انت وزوجك الجنة فكلا من حيث شئتما ولا تقربا هذه الشجرة فتكونا من الظلمين

Transcription (English)
7:19 Waya adamu oskun antawazawjuka aljannata fakula min haythu shi/tumawala taqraba hathihi alshshajaratafatakoona mina alththalimeena
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
7:19 "Adam, reside with your mate in the paradise, and eat from wherever you please; but do not approach this tree or you will be of the wicked."6

Note 6

The Quran describes the tree as the tree of eternity. Perverse tempted Adam and his mate with the false promise of eternity. The Old Testament, in Genesis 2:1-25 and 3:1, narrates the same event with some differences. According to Genesis, the tree is about the knowledge of evil and good, and the one who was first tempted is Eve. The Biblical accusation of Eve for the failure of Adam in this major event, would later be exploited fully by misogynistic clergymen. St. Paul justifies his male chauvinist teaching based on women's serpentine-like role in the original sin. The other major difference in the account of this event is the depiction of the tree. The Bible describes the tree as the tree of knowledge. This depiction might be one of the causes of dogmatic and anti-scientific attitude developed by the Church. Sunni and Shiite mushriks imported and adopted this Judeo-Christian distortion regarding creation and the role of man and woman in our failure, through hadith narrations. These misogynistic ideas later were sneaked into the commentaries of the Quran that relied on hadiths. See 2:36; 20:115.

The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
7:19 "And O Adam, reside you and your mate in the paradise, and eat from it as you both wish, and do not come near this tree, else you will be of those who have wronged."
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
7:19 And [as for thee], O Adam', dwell thou and thy wife in this garden, and eat, both of you, whatever you may wish; but do not approach this one tree, lest you become evildoers!"13

Note 13
See 2:35 and 20:120, as well as the corresponding notes.
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
7:19 "As for you, Adam, dwell with your wife in Paradise, and eat therefrom as you please, but do not approach this one tree, lest you fall in sin.",
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
7:19 “O Adam! Dwell, you and your wife, in the Garden and eat from whatever you may wish; but do not approach this one tree, lest you become wrongdoers.”8

Note 8
Contrary to the popular beliefs that the forbidden Tree was the tree of knowledge, fruit of this plant and that plant, or of sexual charms, it refers to humanity dividing itself like the branches of a tree. 2:35, 2:213, 20:120

7:20 فوسوس لهما الشيطن ليبدى لهما ما ورى عنهما من سوءتهما وقال ما نهىكما ربكما عن هذه الشجرة الا ان تكونا ملكين او تكونا من الخلدين

Transcription (English)
7:20 Fawaswasa lahuma alshshaytanuliyubdiya lahuma ma wooriya AAanhuma minsaw-atihima waqala ma nahakumarabbukuma AAan hathihi alshshajarati illaan takoona malakayni aw takoona mina alkhalideena
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
7:20 But the devil whispered to them, to reveal their bodies which was hidden from them; and he said, "Your Lord did not forbid you from this tree except that you would become controllers, or you would be immortals."
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
7:20 But the devil whispered to them, to reveal to them what was not apparent to them of their bodies; and he said: "Your Lord did not prohibit you from this tree except that you would become angels, or you would be immortal."
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
7:20 Thereupon Satan whispered unto the two with a view to making them conscious of their nakedness, of which [hitherto] they had been unaware;14 and he said: "Your Sustainer has but forbidden you this tree lest you two become .[as] angels, or lest you live forever."15

Note 14
Lit., "so as to make manifest to them that of their nakedness which [hitherto] had been imperceptible to them": an allegory of the state of innocence in which man lived before his fall from grace-that is, before his consciousness made him aware of himself and of the possibility of choosing between alternative courses of action, with all the attending temptations towards evil and the misery which must follow a wrong choice.

Note 15
Lit., "or [lest] you become of those who are enduring": thus instilling in them the desire to live forever and to become. in this respect, like God. (See note 106 on 20:120.)
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
7:20 The devil whispered to them, in order to reveal their bodies, which were invisible to them. He said, "Your Lord did not forbid you from this tree, except to prevent you from becoming angels, and from attaining eternal existence.",
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
7:20 Then Satan deceived them in order to reveal their imperfections and fallibility to them. He said, "Your Lord forbade this tree lest you become angels or become immortals.”9

Note 9
The selfish desires of humans prompted them to think about their own children rather than the collective good. That would, in a way, give them power and immortality

7:21 وقاسمهما انى لكما لمن النصحين

Transcription (English)
7:21 Waqasamahuma innee lakumalamina alnnasiheena
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
7:21 He swore to them: "I am giving good advice."
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
7:21 And he swore to them: "I am giving good advice."
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
7:21 And he swore unto them, "Verily, I am of those who wish you well indeed!"
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
7:21 He swore to them, "I am giving you good advice.",
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
7:21 And Satan swore to both, man and woman, “I am a sincere advisor to you.”

7:22 فدلىهما بغرور فلما ذاقا الشجرة بدت لهما سوءتهما وطفقا يخصفان عليهما من ورق الجنة ونادىهما ربهما الم انهكما عن تلكما الشجرة واقل لكما ان الشيطن لكما عدو مبين

Transcription (English)
7:22 Fadallahuma bighuroorin falammathaqa alshshajarata badat lahuma saw-atuhumawatafiqa yakhsifani AAalayhimamin waraqi aljannati wanadahuma rabbuhumaalam anhakuma AAan tilkuma alshshajaratiwaaqul lakuma inna alshshaytana lakumaAAaduwwun mubeenun
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
7:22 So he misled them with deception; and when they tasted the tree, their bodies became apparent to them, and they rushed to cover themselves with the leaves of the paradise; and their Lord called to them: "Did I not forbid you from that tree, and tell you that the devil is your clear enemy?"7

Note 7

Our creation on earth with material bodies starts with our failure of a divine test. We believed in Satan's promise and we ended up with a temporal body rather than an eternal one. We are given a second chance in this temporal body, which is designed to fail in a short time. The temptation of attaining eternity, shame, body, and covering the body all imply that the temptation was sexual intercourse between man and woman. In this second test, however, sexual attraction and intercourse per se is not prohibited; to the contrary, it is considered a divine blessing (30:21; 33:52). Nevertheless, the purpose of the test is the same: we should peacefully surrender ourselves to God alone, lead a righteous life to redeem ourselves, and expect that there will be a Day after death in which God alone will judge our intentions, attitude and actions, which will determine our eternal salvation or damnation. See 7:26 and 15:29.

The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
7:22 So he misled them with deception; and when they tasted the tree, their bodies became apparent to them, and they rushed to cover themselves with the leaves of the paradise; and their Lord called to them: "Did I not prohibit you from that tree, and tell you that the devil is your clear enemy?"
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
7:22 -and thus he led them on with deluding thoughts. But as soon as the two had tasted [the fruit] of the tree, they became conscious of their nakedness; and they began to cover themselves with pieced-together leaves from the garden. And their Sustainer called unto them: "Did I not forbid that tree unto you and tell you, `Verily, Satan is your open foe'?"
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
7:22 He thus duped them with lies. As soon as they tasted the tree, their bodies became visible to them, and they tried to cover themselves with the leaves of Paradise. Their Lord called upon them: "Did I not enjoin you from that tree, and warn you that the devil is your most ardent enemy?",
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
7:22 So by deceit Satan brought about their downfall. They tasted of the tree of discord and started to divide into branches. Soon their imperfections became obvious to them and they tried to conceal them with courteous behavior. Then came a reminder from their Lord, "Did I not forbid you that tree and tell you that Satan is your open enemy?"10

Note 10
Personal interests dominated their minds rather than the collective good of all. Humanity began to fall into mutual contention. Leaf of Paradise = Righteous behavior

7:23 قالا ربنا ظلمنا انفسنا وان لم تغفر لنا وترحمنا لنكونن من الخسرين

Transcription (English)
7:23 Qala rabbana thalamnaanfusana wa-in lam taghfir lana watarhamnalanakoonanna mina alkhasireena
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
7:23 They said, "Our Lord, we have wronged ourselves and if You do not forgive us and have mercy on us, then we will be of the losers!"
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
7:23 They said: "Our Lord, we have wronged ourselves and if You do not forgive us and have mercy on us, then we will be of the losers!"
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
7:23 The two replied: "O our Sustainer! We have sinned against ourselves -and unless Thou grant us forgiveness and bestow Thy mercy upon us, we shall most certainly be lost!"
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
7:23 They said, "Our Lord, we have wronged our souls, and unless You forgive us and have mercy on us, we will be losers.",
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
7:23 They said, "Our Lord! We have wronged ourselves. Unless You forgive us and have mercy on us, we will certainly be lost.”11

Note 11
Men and women accepted responsibility acknowledging that they had free will, while Satan blamed God and ascribed his disobedience to the will of God. 7:16

7:24 قال اهبطوا بعضكم لبعض عدو ولكم فى الارض مستقر ومتع الى حين

Transcription (English)
7:24 Qala ihbitoo baAAdukumlibaAAdin AAaduwwun walakum fee al-ardi mustaqarrunwamataAAun ila heenin
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
7:24 He said, "Descend as enemies to one another; on earth you will have residence and provisions until the appointed time."
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
7:24 He said: "Descend; for you are enemies to one another; and on the earth you will have residence and provisions until the appointed time."
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
7:24 Said He: "Down with you,16 [and be henceforth] enemies unto one another, having on earth your abode and livelihood for a while:

Note 16
Sc., "from this state of blessedness and innocence". As in the parallel account of this parable of the Fall in 2:35, the dual form of address changes at this stage into the plural, thus connecting once again with verse 10 and the beginning of verse 11 of this surah, and making it clear that the story of Adam and Eve is, in reality, an allegory of human destiny. In his earlier state of innocence man was unaware of the existence of evil and, therefore, of the ever-present necessity of making a choice between the many possibilities of action and behaviour: in other words, he lived, like all other animals, in the light of his instincts alone. Inasmuch, however, as this innocence was only a condition of his existence and not a virtue, it gave to his life a static quality and thus precluded him from moral and intellectual development. The growth of his consciousness-symbolized by the wilful act of disobedience to God's command-changed all this. It transformed him from a purely instinctive being into a full-fledged human entity as we know it - a human being capable of discerning between right and wrong and thus of choosing his way of life. In this deeper sense, the allegory of the Fall does not describe a retrogressive happening but, rather, a new stage of human development: an opening of doors to moral considerations. By forbidding him to "approach this tree", God made it possible for man to act wrongly-and, therefore, to act rightly as well: and so man became endowed with that moral free will which distinguishes him from all other sentient beings. - Regarding the role of Satan - or Iblis - as the eternal tempter of man, see note 26 on 2:34 and note 31 on 15:41 .
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
7:24 He said, "Go down as enemies of one another. On earth shall be your habitation and provision for awhile.",
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
7:24 God said, “Be degraded with wedges of discord between one another. There will be for you an abode and sustenance for a while on earth.”12

Note 12
Self interests of people had given rise to unjust marking of land and individual hoarding. Suppression of the weak had begun. God told them that they had fallen down from the high station of humanity. They had ignored the law that "Mankind is one community". From then on, they would live as tribes and nations, enemies to one another. 10:19, 49:13

7:25 قال فيها تحيون وفيها تموتون ومنها تخرجون

Transcription (English)
7:25 Qala feeha tahyawnawafeeha tamootoona waminha tukhrajoona
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
7:25 He said, "In it you will live and in it you will die, and from it you will be brought forth."
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
7:25 He said: "In it you will live and in it you will die, and from it you will be brought forth."
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
7:25 there shall you live" - He added - "and there shall you die, and thence shall you be brought forth [on Resurrection Day]!
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
7:25 He said, "On it you will live, on it you will die, and from it you will be brought out.",
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
7:25 He said, "You shall live on earth and die there and be resurrected from there.”13

Note 13
In the meantime they could regain their lost Paradise if they followed the Divine Commands. 2:213

7:26 يبنى ءادم قد انزلنا عليكم لباسا يورى سوءتكم وريشا ولباس التقوى ذلك خير ذلك من ءايت الله لعلهم يذكرون

Transcription (English)
7:26 Ya banee adama qad anzalnaAAalaykum libasan yuwaree saw-atikumwareeshan walibasu alttaqwa thalikakhayrun thalika min ayati AllahilaAAallahum yaththakkaroona
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
7:26 O Children of Adam, We have sent down for you garments to cover your bodies, as well as ornaments; and the garment of awareness is the best. That is from God's signs, perhaps they will remember.8

Note 8

Some translators and commentators render the word sawa as "sin" or "ugly parts" or "genitals." Though the word is etymologically related to "sin" or "shame," we prefer translating it as "body," which appeared to us after our sinful and shameful failure of the first test. For the other usages of the same word, see 5:31; 7:20; 20:121.

The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
7:26 O Children of Adam, We have sent down for you garments to alleviate your bodies, and feathers; and the garment of righteousness is the best. That is from the signs of God, perhaps they will remember.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
7:26 O CHILDREN of Adam! Indeed, We have bestowed upon you from on high [the knowledge of making] garments to cover your nakedness, and as a thing of beauty:17 but the garment of God-consciousness is the best of all. Herein lies a message from God, so that man"18 might take it to heart.

Note 17
Lit., "as plumage" - a metaphorical expression derived from the beauty of birds' plumage.

Note 18
Lit., "this is [one] of God's messages, so that they.. .", etc.
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
7:26 O children of Adam, we have provided you with garments to cover your bodies, as well as for luxury. But the best garment is the garment of righteousness. These are some of GOD's signs, that they may take heed.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
7:26 O Children of Adam! We have provided you with garments to cover your bodies as well as to adorn you. The best garment for you to wear, in addition, is good conduct. (Your character decorates you inside out.) These are the verses of God that they must take to heart.

7:27 يبنى ءادم لا يفتننكم الشيطن كما اخرج ابويكم من الجنة ينزع عنهما لباسهما ليريهما سوءتهما انه يرىكم هو وقبيله من حيث لا ترونهم انا جعلنا الشيطين اولياء للذين لا يؤمنون

Transcription (English)
7:27 Ya banee adama layaftinannakumu alshshaytanu kama akhrajaabawaykum mina aljannati yanziAAu AAanhuma libasahumaliyuriyahuma saw-atihima innahu yarakumhuwa waqabeeluhu min haythu la tarawnahum innajaAAalna alshshayateena awliyaa lillatheenala yu/minoona
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
7:27 O Children of Adam, do not let the devil afflict you as he evicted your parents from the paradise; removing from them their garments to show them their bodies. He and his tribe see you from where you do not see them. We have made the devils as allies for those who do not acknowledge.9

Note 9

There is no contradiction between 7:27 and 7:30. While the Quran states that every event happens in accordance to God's design and permission (8:17; 57:22), the Quran also informs us regarding our freedom to choose our path (6:110; 13:11; 18:29 42:13; 46:15).

The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
7:27 O Children of Adam, do not let the devil afflict you as he evicted your parents from the paradise; he removes from them their garments to show them their bodies. He and his tribe see you from where you do not see them. We have made the devils as allies for those who do not believe.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
7:27 O children of Adam! Do not allow Satan to seduce you in the same way as he caused your ancestors to be driven out of the garden: he deprived them of their garment [of God-consciousness] in order to make them aware of their nakedness. Verily, he and his tribe are lying in wait for you where you cannot perceive them!19 Verily, We have placed [all manner of] satanic forces near unto those who do not [truly] believe;20

Note 19
Lit., "see you from where you do not see them".

Note 20
The interpolated word "truly" is implied in this phrase in view of the subsequent reference to the erroneous beliefs of such people: for, although their beliefs are wrong, some of them are under the impression that the "shameful deeds" subsequently referred to have been enjoined by God. As for the "satanic forces" (shayatin), it is to be remembered that this designation is applied in the Qur'an to all kinds of wicked impulses or propensities that are "near unto" (i.e., in the hearts of) those who do not truly believe in God (see note 31 on 14:22): hence, the term shayatin occurring in verse 30 below has been rendered as "evil impulses".
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
7:27 O children of Adam, do not let the devil dupe you as he did when he caused the eviction of your parents from Paradise, and the removal of their garments to expose their bodies. He and his tribe see you, while you do not see them. We appoint the devils as companions of those who do not believe.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
7:27 O Children of Adam! Let not your selfish desires deceive you as it deceived your ancestors, caused them to lose their Paradise, and exposed their imperfections. A host of selfish and rebellious desires lurk within you. You can't even see them but these Satans see you and befriend those who do not believe.

7:28 واذا فعلوا فحشة قالوا وجدنا عليها ءاباءنا والله امرنا بها قل ان الله لا يامر بالفحشاء اتقولون على الله ما لا تعلمون

Transcription (English)
7:28 Wa-itha faAAaloo fahishatan qaloowajadna AAalayha abaana waAllahuamarana biha qul inna Allaha laya/muru bialfahsha-i ataqooloona AAalaAllahi ma la taAAlamoona
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
Examine Claims About God With Knowledge7:28 When they commit evil acts, they say, "We found our fathers doing such, and God ordered us to it." Say, "God does not order evil! Do you say about God what you do not know?"10

Note 10

In Euthyphro, Plato narrates a conversation between Socrates and a pious priest on the meaning of virtue and the baffling question, "is it right because God says so or does God says so because it is right?" We know from the Quran that Truth or Justice are among God's attributes and thus their existence is the essence of God's self. In other words, the answer to the Socratic question should be "both are true: it is right because God says so and God says so because it is right." See 37:105.

The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
7:28 And if they commit immorality, they say: "We found our fathers doing such, and God ordered us to it." Say: "God does not order immorality! Do you say about God what you do not know?"
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
7:28 and [so,] whenever they commit a shameful deed, they are wont to say, "We found our forefathers doing it," and, "God has enjoined it upon us." Say: "Behold, never does God enjoin deeds of abomination. Would you attribute unto God something of which you have no knowledge?"
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
7:28 They commit a gross sin, then say, "We found our parents doing this, and GOD has commanded us to do it." Say, "GOD never advocates sin. Are you saying about GOD what you do not know?",
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
7:28 (As an example,) when people commit an indecency they say, "We found our forefathers doing it and God has enjoined it upon us" (made it natural for us). Say (O Prophet), "God never enjoins indecency. Do you attribute to God that of which you have no knowledge?"

7:29 قل امر ربى بالقسط واقيموا وجوهكم عند كل مسجد وادعوه مخلصين له الدين كما بداكم تعودون

Transcription (English)
7:29 Qul amara rabbee bialqistiwaaqeemoo wujoohakum AAinda kulli masjidin waodAAoohumukhliseena lahu alddeena kama badaakumtaAAoodoona
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
7:29 Say, "My Lord orders justice, and that you be devoted at every temple, and that you call on Him, while dedicating to Him in the system; as He initiated you, so you will return."11

Note 11

See 2:139; 39:2; 40:14; 98:5.

The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
7:29 Say: "My Lord orders justice, and that you set yours faces at every temple, and that you call on Him, while being faithful to Him in the system; as He initiated you, so you will return."
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
7:29 Say: "My Sustainer has [but] enjoined the doing of what is right; and [He desires you to] put your whole being into every act of worship,21 and to call unto Him, sincere in your faith in Him alone. As it was He who brought you into being in the first instance, so also [unto Him] you will return:

Note 21
The term wajh (lit., "face") occurring here is often used, in the abstract sense, to denote a person's entire being or entire attention-as, for instance, in the phrase aslamtu wajhi li'llahi, "I have surrendered my whole being unto God" (3:20). The word masjid, which usually signifies the time or place of prostration in prayer (sujud), evidently stands in this context-as well as in verse 31 below-for any act of worship.
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
7:29 Say, "My Lord advocates justice, and to stand devoted to Him alone at every place of worship. You shall devote your worship absolutely to Him alone. Just as He initiated you, you will ultimately go back to Him.",
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
7:29 Say (O Messenger), "My Lord enjoins justice and to stand devoted to Him alone in complete submission at all time and place. Call unto Him, sincere in your faith in Him alone. As He brought you into being in the first place, so shall you return to Him.”

7:30 فريقا هدى وفريقا حق عليهم الضللة انهم اتخذوا الشيطين اولياء من دون الله ويحسبون انهم مهتدون

Transcription (English)
7:30 Fareeqan hada wafareeqan haqqaAAalayhimu alddalalatu innahumu ittakhathooalshshayateena awliyaa min dooni Allahiwayahsaboona annahum muhtadoona
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
7:30 A group He has guided and a group has deserved misguidance; that is because they have taken the devils as allies besides God; and they think they are guided!
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
7:30 A group He has guided and a group have deserved misguidance; that is because they have taken the devils as allies besides God; and they think they are guided!
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
7:30 some [of you] He will have graced with His guidance, whereas, for some a straying from the right path will have become unavoidable:22 for, behold, they will have taken [their own] evil impulses for their masters in preference to God, thinking all the while that they have found the right path!"

Note 22
Lit., "will have become incumbent upon them" (hagqa `alayhim), implying that this straying was an inevitable consequence of their own doings and attitudes.
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
Beware: They Believe that They Are Guided7:30 Some He guided, while others are committed to straying. They have taken the devils as their masters, instead of GOD, yet they believe that they are guided.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
7:30 Some He has guided, others have deserved straying. They take satanic people as allies instead of God, and think that they are rightly guided.14

Note 14
7:3, 22:13. The straying ones take their religious leadership as their masters instead of God

7:31 يبنى ءادم خذوا زينتكم عند كل مسجد وكلوا واشربوا ولا تسرفوا انه لا يحب المسرفين

Transcription (English)
7:31 Ya banee adama khuthoozeenatakum AAinda kulli masjidin wakuloo waishraboo walatusrifoo innahu la yuhibbu almusrifeena
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
7:31 O Children of Adam, dress nicely at every temple, and eat and drink and do not indulge or waste; He does not like the indulgers and the prodigals.
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
7:31 O Children of Adam, dress nicely at every temple, and eat and drink and do not indulge; He does not like the indulgers.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
7:31 O CHILDREN of Adam! Beautify yourselves23 for every act of worship, and eat and drink [freely], but do not waste: verily, He does not love the wasteful!

Note 23
Lit., "take to your adornment (zinah)". According to Raghib (as quoted in Lane III, 1279 f.), the proper 'meaning of zinah is "a [beautifying] thing that does not disgrace or render unseemly ... either in the present world or in that which is to come": thus, it signifies anything of beauty in both the physical and moral connotations of the word.
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
Dress Nicely For The Masjid7:31 O children of Adam, you shall be clean and dress nicely when you go to the masjid. And eat and drink moderately; Surely, He does not love the gluttons.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
7:31 O Children of Adam! Adorn yourselves with nice attire remaining subservient to Divine Commands at every occasion of subservience. Enjoy God’s bounties, but do not commit excesses. God does not love the wasters.15

Note 15
Masjid = All occasions of subservience to God. This encompasses the entire life of a Muslim

7:32 قل من حرم زينة الله التى اخرج لعباده والطيبت من الرزق قل هى للذين ءامنوا فى الحيوة الدنيا خالصة يوم القيمة كذلك نفصل الءايت لقوم يعلمون

Transcription (English)
7:32 Qul man harrama zeenata Allahiallatee akhraja liAAibadihi waalttayyibatimina alrrizqi qul hiya lillatheena amanoofee alhayati alddunya khalisatanyawma alqiyamati kathalika nufassilu al-ayatiliqawmin yaAAlamoona
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
Do Not Prohibit in the Name Of God7:32 Say, "Who has forbidden the nice things that God has brought forth for His servants and the good provisions?" Say, "They are in this worldly life for those who acknowledge, and they will be exclusive for them on the day of Resurrection" We thus explain the signs for those who know.12

Note 12

This verse implicitly criticizes the clerics who prohibited gold and silk for men.

The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
7:32 Say: "Who has made unlawful the nice things that God has brought forth for His servants and the good provisions?" Say: "They are meant for those who believe during this worldly life, and they will be exclusive for them on the Day of Resurrection." It is such that We explain the revelations for those who know.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
7:32 Say: "Who is there to forbid the beauty which God has brought forth for His creatures, and the good things from among the means of sustenance?" Say: "They are [lawful] in the life of this world unto all who have attained to faith - to be theirs alone on Resurrection Day."24 Thus clearly do We spell out these messages unto people of [innate] knowledge!

Note 24
By declaring that all good and beautiful things of life-i.e., those which are not expressly prohibited-are lawful to the believers, the Qur'an condemns, by implication, all forms of life-denying asceticism, world-renunciation and self-mortification. While, in the life of this world, those good things are shared by believers and unbelievers alike, they will be denied to the latter in the hereafter (cf. verses 51 of this surah).
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
Innovated Prohibitions Condemned7:32 Say, "Who prohibited the nice things GOD has created for His creatures, and the good provisions?" Say, "Such provisions are to be enjoyed in this life by those who believe. Moreover, the good provisions will be exclusively theirs on the Day of Resurrection." We thus explain the revelations for people who know.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
7:32 Say, "Who is there to forbid the beauty and aesthetic niceties that God has brought forth for His servants, and the good things of sustenance?” Say, “On the Day of Resurrection, these things will be only for those who chose to believe in Divine laws during the life of this world.” Thus do We detail Our messages for people who make use of what they learn. [17:18-20, 20:117-123]

7:33 قل انما حرم ربى الفوحش ما ظهر منها وما بطن والاثم والبغى بغير الحق وان تشركوا بالله ما لم ينزل به سلطنا وان تقولوا على الله ما لا تعلمون

Transcription (English)
7:33 Qul innama harrama rabbiyaalfawahisha ma thahara minhawama batana waal-ithma waalbaghyabighayri alhaqqi waan tushrikoo biAllahi malam yunazzil bihi sultanan waan taqooloo AAala Allahima la taAAlamoona
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
7:33 Say, "My Lord has forbidden all lewd action, what is obvious from them and what is subtle, and sin, aggression without cause, your setting up partners with God that were never authorized by Him, and saying about God what you do not know."
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
7:33 Say: "My Lord has made unlawful immorality; what is public of it and private; and sin, and aggression without cause, and that you set up partners with God that which He has never authorized, and that you say about God what you do not know."
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
7:33 Say: "Verily, my Sustainer has forbidden only shameful deeds, be they open or secret, and [every kind of] sinning, and unjustified envy, and the ascribing of divinity to aught beside Him - since He has never bestowed any warrant therefor from on high and the attributing unto God of aught of which you have no knowledge."
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
7:33 Say, "My Lord prohibits only evil deeds, be they obvious or hidden, and sins, and unjustifiable aggression, and to set up beside GOD powerless idols, and to say about GOD what you do not know.",
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
7:33 Say, "My Lord forbids only: Indecent shameful deeds, open or secret, actions that hurt the ‘self’ and drag down the individual and collective human potential, unjust aggression, associating others with God (Shirk), for which He has sent down no authority, and that you say things about God that you do not know.”

7:34 ولكل امة اجل فاذا جاء اجلهم لا يستاخرون ساعة ولا يستقدمون

Transcription (English)
7:34 Walikulli ommatin ajalun fa-itha jaaajaluhum la yasta/khiroona saAAatan walayastaqdimoona
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
7:34 For every nation will be an allotted time; when their time is reached, they will not delay by one moment nor advance it.
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
7:34 And for every nation will be an appointed time; when their time is reached, they will not delay by one hour nor advance.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
7:34 And for all people a term has been set:25 and when [the end of] their term approaches, they can neither delay it by a single moment,26 nor can they hasten it.

Note 25
Lit., "for every community (ummah) there is a term": i.e., all people have a life-term decreed by God, during which they are at liberty to accept or to reject the guidance offered them through revelation. The word ummah often denotes "living beings" -in this context, "people".

Note 26
In Arabic usage, the term sa'ah (lit., "hour") signifies not merely the astronomical hour-i.e., the twenty-fourth part of a mean solar day -but also "time" in an absolute sense, or any fraction of it, whether large or small. In the above context, it has obviously been used in the sense of "a least fraction of time" or "a single moment".
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
7:34 For each community, there is a predetermined life span. Once their interim comes to an end, they cannot delay it by one hour, nor advance it.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
7:34 All nations and communities determine the terms of their Rise and Fall in accordance with these Divine laws. And these laws work with meticulous timing, without delay and without hastening.

7:35 يبنى ءادم اما ياتينكم رسل منكم يقصون عليكم ءايتى فمن اتقى واصلح فلا خوف عليهم ولا هم يحزنون

Transcription (English)
7:35 Ya banee adama immaya/tiyannakum rusulun minkum yaqussoona AAalaykum ayateefamani ittaqa waaslaha fala khawfunAAalayhim wala hum yahzanoona
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
When Messengers Come To You7:35 O Children of Adam, when messengers come to you from amongst yourselves and narrate My signs to you; then for those who are aware, and reform, there will be no fear over them nor will they grieve.
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
7:35 O Children of Adam, when messengers come to you from among yourselves and tell to you My revelations; then for those who are aware, and upright, there will be no fear over them nor will they grieve.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
7:35 O CHILDREN of Adam! Whenever there come unto you apostles of your own, conveying My messages unto you, then all who are conscious of Me and live righteously - no fear need they have, and neither shall they grieve;
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
Messengers From Among You7:35 O children of Adam, when messengers come to you from among you, and recite My revelations to you, those who take heed and lead a righteous life, will have nothing to fear, nor will they grieve.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
7:35 O Children of Adam! (I had revealed in the early stages of human civilization that I will keep sending My guidance to you 2:213.) When Messengers of your own come to you narrating My messages, those who will live upright and mend their ways, will have nothing to fear or grieve.

7:36 والذين كذبوا بايتنا واستكبروا عنها اولئك اصحب النار هم فيها خلدون

Transcription (English)
7:36 Waallatheena kaththaboobi-ayatina waistakbaroo AAanhaola-ika as-habu alnnari humfeeha khalidoona
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
7:36 As for those who reject Our signs, and become arrogant towards them; then these are the dwellers of the fire, in it they will abide"
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
7:36 As for those who reject Our revelations, and become arrogant towards them; then these are the dwellers of the Fire, in it they will abide"
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
7:36 but they who give the lie to Our messages and scorn them in their pride-these are destined for the fire, therein to abide.
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
7:36 As for those who reject our revelations, and are too arrogant to uphold them, they have incurred Hell, wherein they abide forever.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
7:36 But those who reject Our revelations and scorn them, will dwell in the Hellfire to live therein, forever.

7:37 فمن اظلم ممن افترى على الله كذبا او كذب بايته اولئك ينالهم نصيبهم من الكتب حتى اذا جاءتهم رسلنا يتوفونهم قالوا اين ما كنتم تدعون من دون الله قالوا ضلوا عنا وشهدوا على انفسهم انهم كانوا كفرين

Transcription (English)
7:37 Faman athlamu mimmani iftaraAAala Allahi kathiban aw kaththababi-ayatihi ola-ika yanaluhum naseebuhummina alkitabi hatta itha jaat-humrusuluna yatawaffawnahum qaloo ayna makuntum tadAAoona min dooni Allahi qaloo dallooAAanna washahidoo AAala anfusihim annahum kanookafireena
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
The Worst People7:37 Who is more wicked than one who invents lies about God, or denies His signs? These will receive their recompense from the book; so that when Our messengers come to take them, they will say, "Where are those whom you used to call on besides God?" they said, "They have abandoned us!" and they bore witness upon themselves that they were ingrates.
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
7:37 Who is more wicked than he who invents lies about God, or denies His revelations? These will receive their recompense from the record; so that when Our messengers come to terminate their lives, they will say: "Where are those whom you used to call on besides God?" They said: "They have abandoned us!" And they bore witness upon themselves that they were rejecters.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
7:37 And who could be more wicked than they who attribute their own lying inventions to God or give the lie to His messages? Whatever has been decreed to be their lot [in life] will be theirs27 -till there shall come _ unto them Our messengers to cause them to die, [and] shall say, "Where, now, are those beings whom you were wont to invoke beside God?" And [those sinners] will reply, "They have forsaken us!" -and [thus] they will bear witness against themselves that they had been denying the truth.

Note 27
Lit., "their share of the [divine] decree (al-kitab) will reach them": i.e., they will have in their lifetime, like all other people, all the good or bad fortune envisaged for them in God's eternal decree. The "messengers" (rusul) referred to in the next clause are, apparently, the angels of death.
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
7:37 Who is more evil than those who invent lies about GOD, or reject His revelations? These will get their share, in accordance with the scripture, then, when our messengers come to terminate their lives, they will say, "Where are the idols you used to implore beside GOD?" They will say, "They have abandoned us." They will bear witness against themselves that they were disbelievers.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
7:37 Who can do a greater wrong than the one who invents lies about God, or belies His revelations? They get their due share according to the Law of Respite till Our couriers of death come to them saying, “Where are those on whom you called besides God?” They will respond, “They have left us hanging.” Then they will testify against themselves that they had been disbelievers.

7:38 قال ادخلوا فى امم قد خلت من قبلكم من الجن والانس فى النار كلما دخلت امة لعنت اختها حتى اذا اداركوا فيها جميعا قالت اخرىهم لاولىهم ربنا هؤلاء اضلونا فاتهم عذابا ضعفا من النار قال لكل ضعف ولكن لا تعلمون

Transcription (English)
7:38 Qala odkhuloo fee omamin qad khalatmin qablikum mina aljinni waal-insi fee alnnarikullama dakhalat ommatun laAAanat okhtaha hattaitha iddarakoo feeha jameeAAan qalatokhrahum li-oolahum rabbana haola-iadalloona faatihim AAathaban diAAfanmina alnnari qala likullin diAAfunwalakin la taAAlamoona
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
7:38 He said, "Enter with the multitude of nations before you from humans and Jinn to the fire!" Every time a nation entered, it cursed its sister nation, until they are all gathered inside it; then the last of them says to the first: "Our Lord, these are the ones who have misguided us, so give them double the retribution of the fire!" He replied: "Each will receive double, but you do not know."13

Note 13

The last word could also be read la ya'lamun (they do not know). See 6:31; 16:25. For examples of different readings, see 2:54.

The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
7:38 He said: "Enter with the multitude of nations before you from mankind and Jinn to the Fire!" Every time a nation entered, it cursed its sister nation, until they are all gathered inside it; then the last of them says to the first: "Our Lord, these are the ones who have misguided us, so give them double the retribution of the Fire!" He replied: "Each will receive double, but you do not know."
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
7:38 [And God] will say: "Join those hosts of invisible beings and humans who have gone before you into the fire!" [And] every time a host enters [the fire], it will curse its fellow-host -so much so that, when they all shall have passed into it, one after another, the last of them will speak [thus] of the first of them:28 "O our Sustainer! It is they who have led us astray: give, them, therefore, double suffering through fire!" He, will reply: "Every one of you deserves double suffering29 -but you know it not."

Note 28
The terms "first" and "last" refer here either to a sequence in time ("those who came earlier" and "those who came later") or in status ("leaders" and "followers"); and in both cases they relate, as the next sentence indicates, to the evil influence which the former exerted on the latter during their lifetime-either directly, as leaders of thought and persons of distinction, or indirectly, as forerunners in.time, whose example was followed by later generations.

Note 29
Lit., "to everyone a double [suffering]": i.e., for having gone astray and for having, by his example, led others astray. Cf. 16:25 - "on Resurrection Day they shall bear the full weight of their own burdens, as well as some of the burdens of those ignorant ones whom they have led astray".
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
Mutual Blaming7:38 He will say, "Enter with the previous communities of jinns and humans into Hell." Every time a group enters, they will curse their ancestral group. Once they are all in it, the latest one will say of the previous one, "Our Lord, these are the ones who misled us. Give them double the retribution of Hell." He will say, "Each receives double, but you do not know.",
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
7:38 God will command them to join the previous uncivilized and civilized communities into the fire. Every later group will blame the earlier one, "Our Lord! These are the ones who misled us; double their punishment.” He will say, “Doubled for all”: but this you do not know.16

Note 16
The first group violated the laws and misled others, and the second group was guilty of blind following and misleading their successors

7:39 وقالت اولىهم لاخرىهم فما كان لكم علينا من فضل فذوقوا العذاب بما كنتم تكسبون

Transcription (English)
7:39 Waqalat oolahum li-okhrahumfama kana lakum AAalayna min fadlinfathooqoo alAAathaba bima kuntum taksiboona
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
7:39 The first of them said to the last: "You have no preference over us, so taste the retribution for what you earned!"
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
7:39 And the first of them said to the last: "You have no preference over us, so taste the retribution for what you have earned!"
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
7:39 And the first of them will say unto the last of them: "So you were in no wise superior to us!30 Taste, then, this suffering for all [the evil] that you were wont to do!"

Note 30
I.e., "You went the wrong way, as we did, out of your own free will, and you bear the same responsibility as we do." Another possible interpretation is: "You are not superior to us because you have learnt nothing from our mistakes."
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
7:39 The ancestral group will say to the later group, "Since you had an advantage over us, taste the retribution for your own sins.",
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
7:39 The first nation will say to the last, “You are not the least bit better than us. So taste the doom for what you earned.”

7:40 ان الذين كذبوا بايتنا واستكبروا عنها لا تفتح لهم ابوب السماء ولا يدخلون الجنة حتى يلج الجمل فى سم الخياط وكذلك نجزى المجرمين

Transcription (English)
7:40 Inna allatheena kaththaboo bi-ayatinawaistakbaroo AAanha la tufattahulahum abwabu alssama-i walayadkhuloona aljannata hatta yalija aljamalu feesammi alkhiyati wakathalika najzee almujrimeena
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
Do Not Be Unappreciative of God's Signs7:40 Those who have denied Our signs, and reacted to them with arrogance, the gates of the sky will not open for them, nor will they enter paradise until the camel passes through the eye of a needle. It is such that We recompense the criminals.14

Note 14

If the word jamal is read as jummal (rope), then it changes the meaning of the phrase to "until the rope passes through the eye of a needle." The Bible uses the same metaphor. "And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God." (Matthew 19:24 ; Mark 10:25 ; Luke 18:25 ). Ironically, despite these Biblical verses, many modern evangelical Christians, who worship the fictional Jesus, have become avid proponents of wild capitalism and big corporations.

The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
7:40 Those who have denied Our revelations, and became arrogant towards them, the gates of the heavens will not open for them, nor will they enter the Paradise until the camel passes through the eye of a needle. It is such that We recompense the criminals.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
7:40 VERILY, unto those who give the lie to Our messages and scorn them in their pride, the gates of heaven shall not be opened;31 and they shall not enter paradise any more than a twisted rope can pass through a needle's eye:32 for thus do We requite such as are lost in sin.

Note 31
According to Ibn `Abbas (as quoted by Razi), this metaphor signifies that God will not accept any of the good deeds of such sinners, nor their subsequent supplications.

Note 32
Lit., "until (hatta) a twisted rope passes through a needle's eye"; since this phrase is meant to express an impossibility, the rendering of hatta as "any more than" seems to be appropriate here. As for the word jamal occurring in this sentence, there is hardly any doubt that its translation, in this context, as "camel" is erroneous. As pointed out by Zamakhshari' (and confirmed by other classical commentators, including Razi), Ibn `Abbas used to read the word in the spelling jummal, which signifies "a thick rope" or "a twisted cable"; and the same reading is attributed to 'Ali ibn Abi Talib (Taj al-'Arus ). It is to be noted that there are also several other dialectical spellings of this word, namely, jumal, juml, jumul and, finally, jamal (as in the generally-accepted version of the Qur'an) - all of them signifying "a thick, twisted rope" (Jawhari, and all of them used in this sense by some of the Prophet's Companions or their immediate successors (tabi'un). Ibn `Abbas is also quoted by Zamakhshari as having said that God could not have coined so inappropriate a metaphor as "a camel passing through a needle's eye"-meaning that there is no relationship whatsoever between a camel and a needle's eye whereas, on the other hand, there is a definite relationship between the latter and a rope (which, after all, is but an extremely thick thread). On all accounts, therefore, the rendering of jamal as "a twisted rope" is, in this context, infinitely preferable to that of "a camel". The fact that the latter rendering occurs in a somewhat similar phrase in the Greek version of the Synoptic Gospels (Matthew xix, 24, Mark x, 25 and Luke xviii, 25) does not affect this contention. One should remember that the Gospels were originally composed in Aramaic, the language of Palestine at the time of Jesus, and that those Aramaic texts are now lost. It is more than probable that, owing to the customary absence of vowel signs in Aramaic writing, the Greek translator misunderstood the consonant spelling g-m-l (corresponding to the Arabic j-m-l), and took it to mean "a camel": a mistake repeated since, with regard to the above Qur'an-verse, by many Muslims and all, non-Muslim orientalists as well.
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
Rejecting God's Revelations: An Unforgivable Offense7:40 Surely, those who reject our revelations and are too arrogant to uphold them, the gates of the sky will never open for them, nor will they enter Paradise until the camel passes through the needle's eye. We thus requite the guilty.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
7:40 Those who deny Our messages, and scorn them, the gates of heaven will not be opened for them, and they will not enter the Garden until the camel goes through the eye of a needle. This is how We recompense the guilty.17

Note 17
Likewise nations that ignore the Divine laws in nature will utterly fail to establish a Paradise on earth. The parable of the camel and the needle conveys a perception, the impossibility of attaining success in defiance of these laws

7:41 لهم من جهنم مهاد ومن فوقهم غواش وكذلك نجزى الظلمين

Transcription (English)
7:41 Lahum min jahannama mihadun waminfawqihim ghawashin wakathalika najzee alththalimeena
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
7:41 They will have hell as an abode, and from above them will be barriers. It is thus We recompense the wicked.
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
7:41 They will have Hell as an abode, and from above them will be barriers. It is thus We recompense the wicked.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
7:41 Hell will be their resting-place and their covering as well:33 for thus do We requite the evildoers.

Note 33
Lit., "for them there will be a resting-place of [the fires of] hell and, from above them, coverings [thereof]".
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
7:41 They have incurred Hell as an abode; they will have barriers above them. We thus requite the transgressors.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
7:41 Hell is their bed and their covering as well. This is how We recompense the guilty, those who steal the fruit of others’ labor and thus violate human rights.18

Note 18
Nations that fail to build their own Paradise on earth only lurk on hellish ground. They have a ceiling of chaos above, keeping them from rising in the community of nations

7:42 والذين ءامنوا وعملوا الصلحت لا نكلف نفسا الا وسعها اولئك اصحب الجنة هم فيها خلدون

Transcription (English)
7:42 Waallatheena amanoowaAAamiloo alssalihati la nukallifunafsan illa wusAAaha ola-ika as-habualjannati hum feeha khalidoona
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
7:42 As for those who acknowledge and do good; We do not burden a person beyond its capacity; those are the dwellers of paradise, in it they will abide.
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
7:42 As for those who believe and do good; We do not burden a soul except with what it can bear; those are the dwellers of the Paradise, in it they will abide.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
7:42 But those who attain to faith and do righteous deeds - [and] We do not burden any human being with more than he is well able to bear - they are destined for paradise, therein to abide,
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
7:42 As for those who believe and lead a righteous life - we never burden any soul beyond its means - these will be the dwellers of Paradise. They abide in it forever.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
7:42 But those who attain conviction in Divine laws and work to augment the individual and collective potential of humanity, will succeed in attaining Paradise of their own making (3:136). We never assign goals to people that are beyond their capacity.19

Note 19
The Paradise of people’s own making will never be lost. It will be their heritage in the life to come. 2:25, 3:133, 55: 45-47

7:43 ونزعنا ما فى صدورهم من غل تجرى من تحتهم الانهر وقالوا الحمد لله الذى هدىنا لهذا وما كنا لنهتدى لولا ان هدىنا الله لقد جاءت رسل ربنا بالحق ونودوا ان تلكم الجنة اورثتموها بما كنتم تعملون

Transcription (English)
7:43 WanazaAAna ma fee sudoorihimmin ghillin tajree min tahtihimu al-anharu waqalooalhamdu lillahi allathee hadanalihatha wama kunna linahtadiya lawlaan hadana Allahu laqad jaat rusulurabbina bialhaqqi wanoodoo an tilkumualjannatu oorithtumooha bima kuntum taAAmaloona
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
7:43 We removed what was in their chests of jealousy and hidden enmity; rivers will flow beneath them; and they will say, "Praise be to God who has guided us to this, and we would not have been guided unless God guided us. The messengers of our Lord had come with truth." It will be announced to them: "This is paradise; you have inherited it for what you have done."
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
7:43 And We removed what was in their chests of hate; rivers will flow beneath them; and they will say: "Praise be to God who has guided us to this, and we would not have been guided unless God guided us. The messengers of our Lord had come with the truth." And it was called to them: "This is the Paradise; you have inherited it for what you have done."
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
7:43 after We shall have removed whatever unworthy thoughts or feelings may have been [lingering] in their bosoms. Running waters will flow at their feet;34 and they will say: "All praise is due to God, who has guided us unto this; for we would certainly not have found the right path unless God had guided us! Indeed, our Sustainer's apostles have told us the truth!" And [a voice] will call out unto them: "This is the paradise which you have inherited by virtue of your past deeds!"

Note 34
Lit., "beneath them": i.e., all blessings will be at their command.
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
By God's Grace7:43 We will remove all jealousy from their hearts. Rivers will flow beneath them, and they will say, "GOD be praised for guiding us. We could not possibly be guided, if it were not that GOD has guided us. The messengers of our Lord did bring the truth." They will be called: "This is your Paradise. You have inherited it, in return for your works.",
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
7:43 (In earthly life, human beings conceal many negative feelings they might have toward others even though, apparently their mutual relations are cordial) We will remove all negative emotions from their hearts. There will be no such feelings amongst the dwellers of earthly and heavenly Paradise wherein streams will flow. (The blessings of such a Social Order will be everlasting!) They will say, “All praise is due to God Who has guided us to such a beautiful destination. Without God’s Guidance we would never have reached this state of felicity. God’s Messengers brought to us this truth.” It will be proclaimed, “This is the Paradise you have inherited” (as a result of your own effort, therefore, you will not be expelled from it.)20

Note 20
These verses are as much applicable to this world as to the Hereafter. In this Ideal Society, justice, and therefore, mutual trust will prevail. Rivers of aesthetic beauties will flow and provision will be abundant. When the basic needs of individuals are secure, they will have the chance to move toward the higher levels of self-actualization. So, negative emotions and behavior such as jealousy, selfishness, contempt, rancor, revenge and deceit shall vanish from their hearts. They will praise God in word and action for His guidance, without which the bliss would not be possible. They will acknowledge that the Messengers of their Lord came with the absolute truth. They will hear echoes of welcome: This is your Paradise. You have built it and you shall inherit it never to be lost again

7:44 ونادى اصحب الجنة اصحب النار ان قد وجدنا ما وعدنا ربنا حقا فهل وجدتم ما وعد ربكم حقا قالوا نعم فاذن مؤذن بينهم ان لعنة الله على الظلمين

Transcription (English)
7:44 Wanada as-habualjannati as-haba alnnari an qadwajadna ma waAAadana rabbuna haqqanfahal wajadtum ma waAAada rabbukum haqqan qaloonaAAam faaththana mu-aththinun baynahum an laAAnatuAllahi AAala alththalimeena
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
A Dialogue Between People of Paradise and Hell7:44 The companions of paradise called the dwellers of the fire: "We have found what our Lord promised us to be true; did you find what your Lord promised to be true?" They said, "Indeed!" Then a caller announced between them: "God's curse is on the wicked."
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
7:44 And the dwellers of the Paradise called the dwellers of the Fire: "We have found what our Lord promised us to be true; did you find what your Lord promised to be true?" They said: "Indeed!" Then a caller announced between them: "The curse of God is on the wicked."
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
7:44 And the inmates of paradise will call out to the inmates of the fire: "Now we have found that what our Sustainer promised us has come true; have you. too, found that what your Sustainer promised you has come true?" [The others] will answer, "Yes!"-whereupon from their midst a voice35 will loudly proclaim: "God's rejection is the due of the evildoers

Note 35
Lit., "an announcer" (mu'adhdhin).
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
7:44 The dwellers of Paradise will call the dwellers of Hell: "We have found our Lord's promise to be the truth; have you found your Lord's promise to be the truth?" They will say, "Yes." An announcer between them will announce: "GOD's condemnation has befallen the transgressors;,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
7:44 The dwellers of the Garden will call out to the dwellers of the fire, “We have found that what our Lord promised us has come true. Have you too, found that what your Lord promised you has come true?” They will answer, “Yes!” Then from their midst a voice will proclaim, “God rejects the oppressors who wrongfully violated human rights.”

7:45 الذين يصدون عن سبيل الله ويبغونها عوجا وهم بالءاخرة كفرون

Transcription (English)
7:45 Allatheena yasuddoona AAansabeeli Allahi wayabghoonaha AAiwajan wahum bial-akhiratikafiroona
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
7:45 "The ones who hinder from the path of God, and seek to distort it, are the rejecters of the Hereafter."
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
7:45 "The ones who repel from the path of God, and sought to make it crooked; and regarding the Hereafter they were rejecters."
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
7:45 who turn others away from God's path and try to make it appear crooked, and who refuse to acknowledge the truth of the life to come!"
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
7:45 "who repel from the path of GOD, and strive to make it crooked, and, with regard to the Hereafter, they are disbelievers.",
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
7:45 They hindered men and women from the path of God and tried to make it crooked, thus practically denying the Law of Requital and the life Hereafter.

7:46 وبينهما حجاب وعلى الاعراف رجال يعرفون كلا بسيمىهم ونادوا اصحب الجنة ان سلم عليكم لم يدخلوها وهم يطمعون

Transcription (English)
7:46 Wabaynahuma hijabunwaAAala al-aAArafi rijalun yaAArifoonakullan biseemahum wanadaw as-habaaljannati an salamun AAalaykum lam yadkhuloohawahum yatmaAAoona
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
Identification Station7:46 A barrier separates them. At the identification station there are people who recognize others by their features. They called out to the dwellers of paradise: "Peace be upon you!" They have not yet entered it, but they are hoping.15

Note 15

The word araf is a plural noun derived from the verb ARaFa (recognize, discern, know, identify). The usage of both of these forms in this very verse clarifies the meaning of araf as identification station, where people are separated according to their failure and success in their test during their lives on the planet earth. Traditional translations render it as "purgatory, limbo" or an elevated third place between paradise and hell. We translated the word rijal as "people" rather than "man," since the verse is not in the context of relations between men and women. Unlike zakar (male), rijal (men, walkers on feet; humans) does not necessarily exclude women (See, 9:108; 16:43; 17:64; 21:7; 38:62; 64:6; 72:6). At the identification station, people are recognized and separated based on certain marks recognized by detectors commissioned by God. See 2:26; 13:35; 47:15. Also, see 12:109; 33:4; 39:29; 72:5.

The idea of limbo has been much more important among Catholics. However, in 2006, after a week-long deliberation, the Theological Commission recommended to Pope Benedict XVI that he abolish limbus infantium which has been in existence for the last 700 years. Below is an excerpt from the Internationalist Humanist News authored by Babu Gogineni about this "radical restructuring of the heavens":

"Since early days, Christians have wrestled with the thorny question of the fate of unbaptised prophets, as well as the fate of children who die before they are baptized. Catholics believe that all human beings, with the exception of Mary and Jesus, are born in original sin and that only the ritual of baptism will cleanse their sins and will redeem them. Without baptism, there can be no union of the believer with Christ in His death, burial and resurrection, and there can be no holy communion with God, either in this life or in the next. Such a person cannot go to heaven even if he or she has never committed sin.

"To help solve the problem, St. Gregory of Nazianzus (329-390 AD) proposed that the unbaptised should neither be punished nor could they access the full glory of God. However, the hardliner St Augustine of Hippo (354-430 AD) rejected this idea, insisting that baptism was necessary for salvation, and that even babies would be consigned to hell if they were not baptized. Though St. Augustine made the generous concession that their torment would be the mildest of all of hell's residents, this torture of the innocent was unacceptable to St Thomas Aquinas (1226-1274 AD), the first major theologian to speculate about the existence of a place called limbo where these souls would be lodged for ever. Limbo is now a part of Canon Law. …

"This safe passage to heaven that the Catholic Church now assures children who are dying young is a significant step in the right direction. One should now hope and pray that in the Catholic heaven the children will also receive adequate protection from sexual abuse by Catholic priests. Since the Church did not deem sexual abuse by its clergy a matter worthy of punishment in this world, they will all no doubt now be going to heaven too. The Church needs to take immediate steps to ensure that the millions of little children who are now being admitted to heaven are adequately protected in line with the Holy See's international obligations as an early ratifier of the 1990 Convention on the Rights of the Child."

On the other hand, a Lutheran theologian Martin E Marty, in an article published at Christian Post, criticized the timing of this papal amendment and its ramification:

"The post-limbo announcement awakens all kinds of responses, many of them easily accessible on the internet or in the press. Taunters who have heard that Catholicism does not change now taunt, "Here's a change." Catholic pastors who have always found the reference to limbo, a place of non-descriptness and non-happening, to be more chilling than comforting to parents of unbaptized children can be relieved of the charge to pass on word about it. Catholics who lean toward a most expansive Catholic view of salvation and tend toward universalism cheer, for this proclamation that unbaptized infants can go straight to heaven might open the door for Catholic witness that some non-infants could have the same experience. "Pro-choice" Catholics are coming on record as seeing that this can fortify their cause: If fetuses are babies, and they no longer go to limbo but can go to heaven, then abortion may not be as dire a fate as it is often pictured to be. Abort and send them prematurely to heaven. Catholic traditionalists – you'll find plenty of them – rage at Pope Benedict and others involved in this announcement, seeing them as traitors to the Catholic cause: If this can change, can't other things? Relativism, which the pope abhors, will take over.

"Pope Benedict made clear in his announcement that limbo was never an infallible teaching and was not even a formal doctrine of the church. We wonder whether generations of parents who suffered endlessly as they imagined their infants endlessly denied the vision of God or much of any other kind of vision knew of that nuance. Those of us who are not Catholic, and who care about Catholic teaching and Catholic parents, but cannot appreciate all the niceties of gradation of authority among "infallible" and "not quite infallible" and "traditional" and "easy to change" teachings, will look for clarification.

"So will Catholics of many stripes, including some who had not thought about limbo for a long time, but in response to press coverage now find themselves in an intellectual limbo."

The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
7:46 And between them is a barrier, and on the elevated platform are men who recognized others by their features. And they called out to the dwellers of the Paradise: "Peace be upon you!" They have not yet entered it, but they are hoping.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
7:46 And between the two there will be a barrier.36 And there will be persons who [in life] were endowed with the faculty of discernment [between right and wrong], recognizing each by its mark.37 And they will call out unto the inmates of paradise, "Peace be upon you!"-not having entered it themselves, but longing [for it].

Note 36
The word hijab denotes anything that intervenes as an obstacle between things or conceals one thing from another; it is used in both an abstract and a concrete sense.

Note 37
The term al-a'raf (which gave to this surah its title) occurs in the Qur'an only twice-namely, in the above verse and in verse 48. It is the plural of `urf, which primarily denotes "acknowledgement" or "discernment", and is also used to denote the highest, or most elevated, part of anything (because it is most easily discerned): for instance, the `urf of a cock is the coxcomb, that of a horse its mane, and so forth. On the basis of this idiomatic usage, many commentators assume that the a'raf referred to here are "elevated places", like the heights of a wall or its ramparts, and identify it with the "barrier" (hijab) mentioned at the end of the preceding sentence. A far more likely interpretation, however, is forthcoming from the primary significance of the word `urf and its plural a'raf: namely, "discernment" and "the faculty of discernment", respectively. This interpretation has been adopted by some of the great, early commentators of the Qur'an, like Al-Hasan al-Basri and Az-Zajjaj, whose views Razi quotes with evident approval. They state emphatically that the expression `ala 'l-a'raf is synonymous with `ala ma'rifah, that is, "possessing knowledge" or "endowed with the faculty of discernment" (i.e., between right and wrong); and that the persons thus described are those who in their lifetime were able to discern between right and wrong ("recognizing each by its mark"), but did not definitely incline to either: in brief, the indifferent ones. Their lukewarm attitude has prevented them from doing either much good or much wrong-with the result that, as the next sentence shows, they deserve neither paradise nor hell. (Several Traditions to this effect are quoted by Tabari as well as by Ibn Kathir in their commentaries on this verse.) -The noun rijal (lit., "men") at the beginning of the next sentence as well as in verse 48 obviously denotes "persons" of both sexes.
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
7:46 A barrier separates them, while the Purgatory is occupied by people who recognize each side by their looks. They will call the dwellers of Paradise: "Peace be upon you." They did not enter (Paradise) through wishful thinking.,4

Note 4
Initially, there will be 4 places: (1) the High Heaven, (2) the Lower Heaven, (3) the Purgatory, and (4) Hell. ThePurgatory will be annexed into the Lower Heaven.
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
7:46 Between the people of Paradise and Hell there will be a veil. On the Heights there will be people with insight who will recognize others by their looks. They will greet those who are hoping to enter the Garden but have not yet entered it, with “Peace!” [2:143, 4:41, 56:10-11]

7:47 واذا صرفت ابصرهم تلقاء اصحب النار قالوا ربنا لا تجعلنا مع القوم الظلمين

Transcription (English)
7:47 Wa-itha surifat absaruhumtilqaa as-habi alnnari qaloorabbana la tajAAalna maAAa alqawmi alththalimeena
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
7:47 When their eyes are turned towards the dwellers of the fire, they say, "Our Lord, do not make us with the wicked people!"
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
7:47 And when their eyes are turned towards the dwellers of the Fire, they say: "Our Lord, do not place us with the wicked people!"
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
7:47 And whenever their eyes are turned towards the inmates of the fire, they will cry: "O our Sustainer! Place us not among the people who have been guilty of evildoing!"
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
7:47 When they turn their eyes towards the dwellers of Hell, they will say, "Our Lord, do not put us with these wicked people.",
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
7:47 When their eyes turn toward the dwellers of the hellish societies, they will say, “Our Lord! Do not place us with unjust people.”

7:48 ونادى اصحب الاعراف رجالا يعرفونهم بسيمىهم قالوا ما اغنى عنكم جمعكم وما كنتم تستكبرون

Transcription (English)
7:48 Wanada as-habual-aAArafi rijalan yaAArifoonahum biseemahumqaloo ma aghna AAankum jamAAukum wamakuntum tastakbiroona
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
7:48 Those attending the identification station called on men they recognized by their features, they said, "What good did your large number do for you, or what you were arrogant for?"*
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
7:48 And the people standing on the elevated platform called on men they recognized by their features, they said: "What good did your large number do for you, or what you were arrogant for?"
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
7:48 And they who [in life] had possessed this faculty of discernment will call out to those whom they recognize by their marks [as sinners], saying: "What has your amassing [of wealth] availed you, and all the false pride of your past?
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
The Majority Doomed7:48 The dwellers of the Purgatory will call on people they recognize by their looks, saying, "Your great numbers did not avail you in any way, nor did your arrogance.",
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
7:48 The people on the Heights will recognize another group by their appearance and say to them, “How did your multitude, the wealth you amassed and the things you took pride in, help you?”21

Note 21
In my opinion, the people of Heights will advise corrective action to be taken against the hoarding of wealth, population explosion, and self-glorification of nations. Jam’ukum = Your great numbers = Your multitude = Your hoardings = What you have amassed

7:49 اهؤلاء الذين اقسمتم لا ينالهم الله برحمة ادخلوا الجنة لا خوف عليكم ولا انتم تحزنون

Transcription (English)
7:49 Ahaola-i allatheenaaqsamtum la yanaluhumu Allahu birahmatinodkhuloo aljannata la khawfun AAalaykum wala antumtahzanoona
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
7:49 "Weren't these the ones whom you swore God would not grant them of His mercy? "Enter paradise, there is no fear for you nor will you grieve."
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
7:49 "Were these not the ones whom you swore God would not grant them of His mercy?" Enter the Paradise, there is no fear for you nor will you grieve.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
7:49 Are those [blessed ones] the self-same people of whom you once solemnly declared, `Never will God bestow His grace upon them'?38 [For now they have been told,] `Enter paradise; no fear need you have, and neither shall you grieve!"'

Note 38
Implying either that the believers did not deserve God's grace or, alternatively, that God does not exist. The expression "you solemnly declared" (lit., "you said under oath") is a metaphor for the unbelievers' utter conviction in this respect.
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
7:49 "Are those the people you swore that GOD will never touch them with mercy?" (The people in the Purgatory will then be told,) "Enter Paradise; you have nothing to fear, nor will you grieve.",
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
7:49 And pointing to the dwellers of the Garden, they will say, “Are these not the people about whom you used to swear that God will never bestow His grace upon them? They are entering the Garden where there will be no fear or grief.”22

Note 22
They will make it clear that the Divine law favors no particular people. Obeying His laws brings His grace and bounties

7:50 ونادى اصحب النار اصحب الجنة ان افيضوا علينا من الماء او مما رزقكم الله قالوا ان الله حرمهما على الكفرين

Transcription (English)
7:50 Wanada as-habu alnarias-haba aljannati an afeedoo AAalaynamina alma-i aw mimma razaqakumu Allahu qalooinna Allaha harramahuma AAala alkafireena
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
7:50 The dwellers of the fire called on the dwellers of paradise: "Give us some water, or what God has provided for you?" They said, "God has forbidden it for the ingrates."
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
7:50 And the dwellers of the Fire called on the dwellers of the Paradise: "Give us some water, or what God has provided for you?" They said: "God has made it forbidden for the rejecters."
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
7:50 And the inmates of the fire will call out unto the inmates of paradise: "Pour some water upon us, or some of the sustenance [of paradise] which God has provided for you!" [The inmates of paradise] will reply: "Verily, God has denied both to those who have denied the truth -
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
7:50 The dwellers of Hell will call on the dwellers of Paradise: "Let some of your water, or some of GOD's provisions to you flow towards us." They will say, "GOD has forbidden them for the disbelievers.",
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
7:50 The dwellers of Hell will say to the dwellers of Paradise, “Give us something of the life-giving resources and the provisions bestowed on you by God.” They will reply, “God has made these things forbidden to the rejecters of His laws."23

Note 23
The hellish societies will expect God’s provisions to be granted to them as free-bees. They will be told that God’s bounties can only be achieved by establishing the Right System

7:51 الذين اتخذوا دينهم لهوا ولعبا وغرتهم الحيوة الدنيا فاليوم ننسىهم كما نسوا لقاء يومهم هذا وما كانوا بايتنا يجحدون

Transcription (English)
7:51 Allatheena ittakhathoodeenahum lahwan walaAAiban wagharrat-humu alhayatualddunya faalyawma nansahum kamanasoo liqaa yawmihim hatha wama kanoobi-ayatina yajhadoona
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
7:51 The ones who took their system as diversion and games, and were preoccupied with this worldly life. Today we ignore them as they ignored their meeting on this day, and they denied Our signs.
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
7:51 The ones who took their system for distraction and play, and were preoccupied with this worldly life. Today We forget them as they forgot their meeting on this Day, and they did not heed Our revelations.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
7:51 those who, beguiled by the life of this world, have made play and passing delights their religion!39 [And God will say:] "And so We shall be oblivious of them today as they were oblivious of the coming of this their Day [of Judgment], and as Our messages they did deny:

Note 39
See 6:70 and the corresponding note 60.
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
7:51 Those who do not take their religion seriously, and are totally preoccupied with this worldly life, we forget them on that day, because they forgot that day, and because they spurned our revelations.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
7:51 Those who took their religion as mere amusement and ritual partying, were deceived by immediate gains of the worldly life (6:70). We will forget them as they forgot the meeting of this Day, and rejected Our revelations.

7:52 ولقد جئنهم بكتب فصلنه على علم هدى ورحمة لقوم يؤمنون

Transcription (English)
7:52 Walaqad ji/nahum bikitabin fassalnahuAAala AAilmin hudan warahmatan liqawmin yu/minoona
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
The Quran Is Detailed in Knowledge7:52 We have brought them a book which We have detailed with knowledge; a guide and a mercy to those who acknowledge.16

Note 16

See 11:1.

The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
7:52 And We have come to them with a Book which We have detailed with knowledge; a guidance and a mercy to those who believe.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
7:52 for, indeed, We did convey unto them a divine writ which We clearly, and wisely,40 spelled out - a guidance and a grace unto people who will believe."

Note 40
Lit., "with knowledge".
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
Quran: Fully Detailed7:52 We have given them a scripture that is fully detailed, with knowledge, guidance, and mercy for the people who believe.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
7:52 We have given them a Book of knowledge that explains the guidance in full detail. It is a mercy for those who accept it. (It has the Power to change hellish societies into Paradise on earth.)

7:53 هل ينظرون الا تاويله يوم ياتى تاويله يقول الذين نسوه من قبل قد جاءت رسل ربنا بالحق فهل لنا من شفعاء فيشفعوا لنا او نرد فنعمل غير الذى كنا نعمل قد خسروا انفسهم وضل عنهم ما كانوا يفترون

Transcription (English)
7:53 Hal yanthuroona illata/weelahu yawma ya/tee ta/weeluhu yaqoolu allatheenanasoohu min qablu qad jaat rusulu rabbina bialhaqqifahal lana min shufaAAaa fayashfaAAoo lanaaw nuraddu fanaAAmala ghayra allathee kunnanaAAmalu qad khasiroo anfusahum wadalla AAanhum makanoo yaftaroona
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
7:53 Are they waiting for its fulfillment? On the day which its fulfillment happens, those who previously forgot it will say, "Our Lord's messengers have come with truth! Are there any intercessors to intercede for us? Or could we be returned so that we may act differently than what we did?" They have lost themselves and what they have invented has abandoned them.
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
7:53 Are they waiting for what it says to come true? On the day it comes true, those who previously forgot it will say: "The messengers of our Lord have come with the truth! Are there any intercessors to intercede for us? Or can we be sent back and we will work differently than what we did?" They have lost their souls and what they have invented has abandoned them.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
7:53 Are [the unbelievers] but waiting for the final meaning of that [Day of Judgment] to unfold?41 [But] on the Day when its final meaning is unfolded, those who aforetime had been oblivious thereof will say: "Our Sustainer's apostles have indeed told us the truth! Have we, then, any intercessors who could intercede in our behalf? Or could we be brought back [to life] so that we might act otherwise than we were wont to act?"42 Indeed, they will have squandered their own selves, and all their false imagery will have forsaken them.

Note 41
In this context, the term ta'wil (which literally means "an endeavour to arrive at the final meaning [of a saying or occurrence]"-cf. 3:7) signifies the fulfilment of the warnings contained in the Qur'an: and in this sense it connotes the "unfolding of its final meaning"

Note 42
Cf. 6:27 -28.
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
7:53 Are they waiting until all (prophecies) are fulfilled? The day such fulfillment comes to pass, those who disregarded it in the past will say, "The messengers of our Lord have brought the truth. Are there any intercessors to intercede on our behalf? Would you send us back, so that we change our behavior, and do better works than what we did?" They have lost their souls, and their own innovations have caused their doom.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
7:53 Are they waiting until the consequences stare them in the eyes? The Day the consequences appear, those who disregarded it will say, “The Messengers of our Lord did bring the truth. Are there any intercessors to intercede on our behalf? Or can we be returned so that we behave differently from our past?” They have put their own ‘self’ in loss and their own forgery fails them.24

Note 24
They will seek mediation for their mutual conflicts and long for starting from scratch. Since they have hurt their own ‘self’, they have lost the power of judgment and they would need help. They have been dragging unworkable systems

7:54 ان ربكم الله الذى خلق السموت والارض فى ستة ايام ثم استوى على العرش يغشى اليل النهار يطلبه حثيثا والشمس والقمر والنجوم مسخرت بامره الا له الخلق والامر تبارك الله رب العلمين

Transcription (English)
7:54 Inna rabbakumu Allahu allatheekhalaqa alssamawati waal-ardafee sittati ayyamin thumma istawa AAalaalAAarshi yughshee allayla alnnahara yatlubuhuhatheethan waalshshamsa waalqamara waalnnujoomamusakhkharatin bi-amrihi ala lahu alkhalqu waal-amrutabaraka Allahu rabbu alAAalameena
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
7:54 Your Lord is God who created the heavens and earth in six days, and then He established the authority. The night covers the day, which seeks it continually; and the sun and the moon and the stars are all subjected to His law; to Him is the creation and the law. Glory be to God, the Lord of the worlds.17

Note 17

This verse, like many other verses informs us that God is employing evolution and stages in His creation (41:9; 7:69; 15:28; 24:45; 29:18; 32:7; 71:14). Furthermore, creation in six days provides a yardstick regarding the times allocated for the creation of the earth and the universe. According the Quran the creation of earth took four out of six days. If universe started 13.7 billion years ago, ignoring the possibility of early inflation, then 4/6th of this, would be approximately 9 billion years, which is about 4 billion years more than currently estimated age.

According to the Bible, God created the universe for a special purpose (Psalms 135:6), and creation shows the power of God (Isaiah 40:26,28 ), His glory and handiwork (Psalms 19:1), and the wisdom of God (Psalms 104:24; 136:5). In six days. Exodus 20:11 ; 31:17). First day, making light and dividing it from darkness (Genesis 1:3-5 ; 2Co 4:6). Second day, making the firmament or atmosphere, and separating the waters (Genesis 1:6-8 ). Third day, separating the land from the water, and making it fruitful (Genesis 1:9-13 ). Fourth day, placing the sun, moon, and stars to give light (Genesis 1:14-19 ). Fifth day, making birds, insects, and fish (Genesis 1:20-23 ). Sixth day, making beasts of the earth, and man (Genesis 1:24,28 ). God rested on the seventh day (Genesis 2:2-3 ). Those who distorted the revelation in the Bible misunderstood the meaning of the phrase "six days" as "six 24-hour days." According to the Bible, the earth is only 5700-plus years old.

The Quran rejects the assertion of God "resting" on the seventh day (50:38).

The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
7:54 Your Lord is God who has created the heavens and the earth in six days, then He settled upon the Throne. The night runs away from the day, which seeks it continually; and the sun and the moon and the stars are commissioned by His command; to Him is the creation and the command. Glory to God, Lord of the worlds.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
7:54 VERILY, your Sustainer is God, who has created the heavens and the earth in six aeons, and is established on the throne of His almightiness.43 He covers the day with the night in swift pursuit, with the sun and the moon and the stars subservient to His command: oh, verily, His is all creation and all command. Hallowed is God, the Sustainer of all the worlds!

Note 43
The conjunctive particle thumma which precedes this clause does not always denote order in time ("then" or "thereupon"). In cases where it is used to link parallel statements it has often the function of the simple conjunction wa ("and") - as, for instance, in 2:29 ("and has applied His design. . .", etc.) As regards the term `arsh (lit., "throne" or "seat of power"), all Muslim commentators, classical and modern, are unanimously of the opinion that its metaphorical use in the Qur'an is meant to express God's absolute sway over all His creation. It is noteworthy that in all the seven instances where God is spoken of in the Qur'an as "established on the throne of His almightiness" (, 10:3, 13:2, 20:5, 25:59, 32:4 and 57:4), this expression is connected with a declaration of His having created the universe.-The word yawm, commonly translated as "day" - but rendered above as "aeon" - is used in Arabic to denote any period, whether extremely long ("aeon") or extremely short ("moment"): its application to an earthly "day" of twenty-four hours is only one of its many connotations. (Cf. in this respect note 26 above, where the meaning of sa'ah - lit., "hour" - is explained.)
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
7:54 Your Lord is the one GOD, who created the heavens and the earth in six days, then assumed all authority. The night overtakes the day, as it pursues it persistently, and the sun, the moon, and the stars are committed to serve by His command. Absolutely, He controls all creation and all commands. Most Exalted is GOD, Lord of the universe.,5

Note 5
The six days of creation are allegorical; they serve as a yardstick to let us know the relative complexity of ourinfinitesimal planet Earth--it was created in "4 days" (see41:10).
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
7:54 Your Lord is God Who created the heavens and earth in six stages, and then established Himself on the Throne of His Almightiness. He draws the night over the day, each seeking the other in rapid succession. The sun, the moon and the stars are committed to serve by His command. Remember! Behold! To Him belong the World of Creation and the World of Command. Exalted is God, Lord of the Worlds.25

Note 25
10:3, 13:2. Six Stages or Eras: 7:54, 10:3, 11:7, 25:59, 50:38, 57:4, See 41:10

7:55 ادعوا ربكم تضرعا وخفية انه لا يحب المعتدين

Transcription (English)
7:55 OdAAoo rabbakum tadarruAAanwakhufyatan innahu la yuhibbu almuAAtadeena
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
7:55 Call on your Lord openly and in secret. He does not like the aggressors.
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
7:55 Call on your Lord in humility and in secret. He does not like the aggressors.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
7:55 Call unto your Sustainer humbly, and in the secrecy of your hearts. Verily, He loves not those who transgress the bounds of what is right:
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
7:55 You shall worship your Lord publicly and privately; He does not love the transgressors.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
7:55 (He has the power to revive dead nations.) Call on your Lord in humility and in private. He does not love those who forsake moderation.

7:56 ولا تفسدوا فى الارض بعد اصلحها وادعوه خوفا وطمعا ان رحمت الله قريب من المحسنين

Transcription (English)
7:56 Wala tufsidoo fee al-ardibaAAda islahiha waodAAoohu khawfan watamaAAaninna rahmata Allahi qareebun mina almuhsineena
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
Do Not Corrupt the Earth7:56 Do not corrupt the earth after it has been reformed; and call on Him out of fear and want. God's mercy is near to the righteous.
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
7:56 And do not corrupt the earth after it has been made right; and call on Him fearing and hoping. Surely the mercy of God is near the righteous.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
7:56 hence, do not spread corruption on earth after it has been so well ordered. And call unto Him with fear and longing: verily, God's grace is ever near unto the doers of good!
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
7:56 Do not corrupt the earth after it has been set straight, and worship Him out of reverence, and out of hope. Surely, GOD's mercy is attainable by the righteous.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
7:56 So, do not spread corruption on earth after it has been set in order. Call upon Him in fear and hope. God’s mercy is close to the benefactors of humanity.26

Note 26
Fear the consequences of violating His commands and hope for His grace since His promise is always true

7:57 وهو الذى يرسل الريح بشرا بين يدى رحمته حتى اذا اقلت سحابا ثقالا سقنه لبلد ميت فانزلنا به الماء فاخرجنا به من كل الثمرت كذلك نخرج الموتى لعلكم تذكرون

Transcription (English)
7:57 Wahuwa allathee yursilu alrriyahabushran bayna yaday rahmatihi hatta ithaaqallat sahaban thiqalan suqnahu libaladinmayyitin faanzalna bihi almaa faakhrajnabihi min kulli alththamarati kathalikanukhriju almawta laAAallakum tathakkaroona
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
7:57 He is the One who sends the winds to be dispersed between His hands of mercy; so when it carries a heavy cloud, We drive it to a dead town, and We send down the water with it and We bring forth fruits of all kind. Thus We will bring out the dead, perhaps you may remember.
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
7:57 He is the One who sends the winds to be dispersed between His hands of mercy; so when it carries a heavy cloud, We drive it to a dead land, and We send down the water with it and We bring forth fruits of all kind. It is thus that We will bring out the dead, perhaps you will remember.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
7:57 And He it is who sends forth the winds as a glad tiding of His coming grace-so that, when they have brought heavy clouds, We may drive them towards dead land and cause thereby water to descend; and by this means do We cause all manner of fruit to come forth. Even thus shall We cause the \dead to come forth: [and this] you ought to keep in mind.44

Note 44
This is the key-sentence of the parable set forth in verses 57-58: by the exercise of the same life-giving power by which God causes plants to grow, He will resurrect the dead at the end of time. The next sentence continues the parable by likening those whose hearts are open to the voice of truth to fertile earth, and those who are bent on denying it, to barren earth.
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
7:57 He is the One who sends the wind with good omen, as a mercy from His hands. Once they gather heavy clouds, we drive them to dead lands, and send down water therefrom, to produce with it all kinds of fruits. We thus resurrect the dead, that you may take heed.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
7:57 He is the One who sends pleasant winds bearing good news of the forthcoming rain of His blessings. When the winds carry the heavy clouds, We drive them to a land that is dead. The water then causes all kinds of fruit and vegetation to sprout. This is how We can revive dead people and nations. Herein is a sign for those who pay heed.

7:58 والبلد الطيب يخرج نباته باذن ربه والذى خبث لا يخرج الا نكدا كذلك نصرف الءايت لقوم يشكرون

Transcription (English)
7:58 Waalbaladu alttayyibuyakhruju nabatuhu bi-ithni rabbihi waallatheekhabutha la yakhruju illa nakidan kathalikanusarrifu al-ayati liqawmin yashkuroona
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
7:58 As for the good town, its plants are produced by its Lord's permission, while the inferior land does not produce except very little. It is such that We cite the signs for a people who are thankful.
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
7:58 And the good land, its plants are brought forth with the permission of its Lord. And for the one that is bad, it does not bring forth except very little. It is such that We dispatch the signs for a people who are thankful.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
7:58 As for the good land, its vegetation comes forth [in abundance] by its Sustainer's leave, whereas from the bad it comes forth but poorly. Thus do We give many facets to Our messages for [the benefit of] people who are grateful!
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
7:58 The good land readily produces its plants by the leave of its Lord, while the bad land barely produces anything useful. We thus explain the revelations for people who are appreciative.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
7:58 The land that has been well prepared springs up rich produce by the Leave of its Lord. The land that has not been well prepared only yields scant vegetation. (Similar is the situation of nations that wish to come back to life. They need reform at the grassroots level.) This is how We explain Our verses from various vantage points for those who are grateful to receive such clear guidance.

7:59 لقد ارسلنا نوحا الى قومه فقال يقوم اعبدوا الله ما لكم من اله غيره انى اخاف عليكم عذاب يوم عظيم

Transcription (English)
7:59 Laqad arsalna noohan ilaqawmihi faqala ya qawmi oAAbudoo Allaha malakum min ilahin ghayruhu innee akhafu AAalaykumAAathaba yawmin AAatheemin
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
Noah7:59 We have sent Noah to his people, so he said, "My people, serve God, you have no god besides Him. I fear for you the retribution of a great day!"
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
7:59 We had sent Noah to his people, so he said: "My people, serve God, you have no god besides Him. I fear for you the retribution of a great Day!"
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
7:59 INDEED, We sent forth Noah unto his people,45 and he said: "O my people! Worship God alone: you have no deity other than Him. Verily, I fear lest suffering befall you on an awesome Day!"46

Note 45
In continuation of the stress, in the preceding passages, on God's omnipotence and transcendental oneness, verses 59-93 refer to several of the earlier prophets, who preached the same truth, and whose names were familiar to the Arabs before the revelation of the Qur'an. Their stories - beginning with that of Noah, who is considered the first apostle ever sent to mankind - are reduced here to the warnings with which they unsuccessfully tried to persuade their people to worship God alone and to live righteously.

Note 46
This refers either to the Day of Judgment or to the approaching deluge.
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
Noah7:59 We sent Noah to his people, saying, "O my people, worship GOD; you have no other god beside Him. I fear for you the retribution of an awesome day.",
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
7:59 (Now follows a brief resume of the previous Prophets and their nations for you to draw lessons) We sent Noah to his people. He said, “O My people! Serve God (by serving His creation). You have no other god besides Him. (If you do not reform) I fear for you the retribution of an awesome day.”27

Note 27
The Qur’an gives a hint that Noah’s people had received other Messengers as well. 26:105 The people of Noah too denied the Messengers.

7:60 قال الملا من قومه انا لنرىك فى ضلل مبين

Transcription (English)
7:60 Qala almalao min qawmihi innalanaraka fee dalalin mubeenin
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
7:60 The leaders from his people said, "We see that you are clearly misguided."
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
7:60 The leaders from his people said: "We see that you are clearly misguided."
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
7:60 The great ones among his people replied: "Verily, we see that thou art obviously lost in error!"
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
7:60 The leaders among his people said, "We see that you are far astray.",
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
7:60 The chiefs of his people said, "We see you in manifest error.”

7:61 قال يقوم ليس بى ضللة ولكنى رسول من رب العلمين

Transcription (English)
7:61 Qala ya qawmi laysa bee dalalatunwalakinnee rasoolun min rabbi alAAalameena
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
7:61 He said, "My people, I am not misguided, but I am a messenger from the Lord of the worlds."
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
7:61 He said: "My people, I am not misguided, but I am a messenger from the Lord of the worlds."
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
7:61 Said [Noah]: "O my people! There is no error in me, but I am an apostle from the Sustainer of all the worlds.
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
7:61 He said, "O my people, I am not astray; I am a messenger from the Lord of the universe.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
7:61 Noah said, "O My people! There is no error in me. I am a Messenger from the Lord of the Worlds.

7:62 ابلغكم رسلت ربى وانصح لكم واعلم من الله ما لا تعلمون

Transcription (English)
7:62 Oballighukum risalati rabbeewaansahu lakum waaAAlamu mina Allahi mala taAAlamoona
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
7:62 "I deliver to you my Lord's messages, I advise you, and I know from God what you do not know."
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
7:62 "I deliver to you the messages of my Lord, and I advise you, and I know from God what you do not know."
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
7:62 I am delivering unto you my Sustainer's messages and giving you good advice: for I know [through revelation] from God what you do not know.
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
7:62 "I deliver to you the messages of my Lord, and I advise you, and I know from GOD what you do not know.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
7:62 I only convey to you the messages of my Lord. My advice to you is sincere and I know from God what you do not know.

7:63 اوعجبتم ان جاءكم ذكر من ربكم على رجل منكم لينذركم ولتتقوا ولعلكم ترحمون

Transcription (English)
7:63 Awa AAajibtum an jaakum thikrunmin rabbikum AAala rajulin minkum liyunthirakumwalitattaqoo walaAAallakum turhamoona
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
7:63 "Are you surprised that a reminder has come to you from your Lord through a man from amongst you to warn you so that you become aware, and that you may receive mercy?"
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
7:63 "Are you surprised that a reminder has come to you from your Lord through a man from among you to warn you, that you may be righteous, and that you may receive mercy?"
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
7:63 Why, do you deem it strange that a tiding from your Sustainer should have come unto you through a man from among yourselves, so that he might warn you, and that you might become conscious of God, and that you might be graced with His mercy?"
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
7:63 "Is it too much of a wonder that a reminder should come to you from your Lord, through a man like you, to warn you, and to lead you to righteousness, that you may attain mercy?",
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
7:63 Why do you wonder that there has come to you a Reminder from your Lord through a man from amongst you - to warn you, and to show you the secure path so that you may flourish in grace?”

7:64 فكذبوه فانجينه والذين معه فى الفلك واغرقنا الذين كذبوا بايتنا انهم كانوا قوما عمين

Transcription (English)
7:64 Fakaththaboohu faanjaynahu waallatheenamaAAahu fee alfulki waaghraqna allatheena kaththaboobi-ayatina innahum kanoo qawmanAAameena
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
7:64 They denied him, so We saved him and those with him in the ship, and We drowned those who denied Our signs; they were a blind people.
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
7:64 They denied him, so We saved him and those with him in the ship, and We drowned those who denied Our revelations; they were a blind people.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
7:64 And yet they gave him the lie! And so We saved him and those who stood by him, in the ark, the while We caused those who had given the lie to Our messages to drown: verily, they were blind folk!47

Note 47
Explaining this verse in his translation of the Qur'an, Muhammad Ali rightly points out that the latter "does not support the theory of a world deluge, for it plainly states ... that only people to whom Noah had delivered his message called him a liar, and ... were drowned .... Hence the deluge affected the territory of Noah 's people, not the whole world, as the Bible would have us believe." To this may be added that the deluge spoken of in the Bible, in the myths of Sumeria and Babylonia, and, finally, in the Qur'an, most probably represents the inundation, during the Ice Age, of the huge basin which today is covered by the Mediterranean: an inundation which was due to the break-in of the Atlantic through the land-barrier at the modern Gibraltar, and of the Black Sea through what is now the Dardanelles.
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
7:64 They rejected him. Consequently, we saved him and those with him in the ark, and we drowned those who rejected our revelations; they were blind.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
7:64 But they denied him. So, We saved him and those with him in the ship, and drowned those who denied Our revelations. They were a people blind in arrogance.28

Note 28
A great flood was about to come as revealed to Noah. He and his followers built an Ark. They were with him in belief and in the ship, so they were saved

7:65 والى عاد اخاهم هودا قال يقوم اعبدوا الله ما لكم من اله غيره افلا تتقون

Transcription (English)
7:65 Wa-ila AAadin akhahumhoodan qala ya qawmi oAAbudoo Allaha malakum min ilahin ghayruhu afala tattaqoona
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
Hud7:65 To Aad We sent their brother Hud, he said, "My people, serve God, you have no god besides Him. Will you not be aware?"
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
7:65 And to 'Aad We sent their brother Hud, he said: "My people, serve God, you have no god besides Him. Will you not be righteous?"
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
7:65 AND UNTO [the tribe of] `Ad [We sent] their brother Hud.48 He said: "O my people! Worship God alone: you have no deity other than Him. Will you not, then, be conscious of Him?"

Note 48
Hud is said to have been the first Arabian prophet. He may be identical with the Biblical `Eber, the ancestor of the Hebrews (`Ibrim) who - like most of the Semitic tribes - had probably originated in South Arabia . (References to `2b& are found in Genesis x, 24-25 and xi, 14 ff.) The ancient Arabian name Hud is still reflected in that of Jacob's son Judah (Yahudah in Hebrew), which provided the subsequent designation of the Jews. The name ` Eber - both in Hebrew and in its Arabic form `Abir -signifies "one who crosses over" (i.e., from one territory to another), and may be a Biblical echo of the fact that this tribe "crossed over" from Arabia to Mesopotamia in pre-Abrahamic times.-The tribe of `Ad, to which Hud belonged ("their brother Hud"), inhabited the vast desert region known as AI-Ahqaf, between `Uman and Hadramawt, and was noted for its great power and influence (see 89:8 - "the like of whom has never been reared in all the land"). It disappeared from history many centuries before the advent of Islam, but its memory always remained alive in Arabian tradition.
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
Hood7:65 To `Aad we sent their brother Hood. He said, "O my people, worship GOD; you have no other god beside Him. Would you then observe righteousness?",
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
7:65 To the people of ‘Aad, We sent their brother, Hud. He said, “O My people! Serve God by serving His creation. You have no god besides Him. Do you not seek to live upright?”

7:66 قال الملا الذين كفروا من قومه انا لنرىك فى سفاهة وانا لنظنك من الكذبين

Transcription (English)
7:66 Qala almalao allatheenakafaroo min qawmihi inna lanaraka fee safahatinwa-inna lanathunnuka mina alkathibeena
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
7:66 The leaders who rejected from among his people said, "We see you in foolishness, and we think you are one of the liars"
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
7:66 The leaders who rejected from among his people said: "We see you in foolishness, and we think you are one of the liars"
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
7:66 Said the great ones among his people, who refused to acknowledge the truth: "Verily, we see that thou art weak-minded; and, verily, we think that thou art a liar!"49

Note 49
They considered him "weak-minded" because he expected them to give up their traditional beliefs and deities; and a "liar", because he claimed to be a prophet of God.
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
7:66 The leaders who disbelieved among his people said, "We see that you are behaving foolishly, and we think that you are a liar.",
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
7:66 The elite among his people who were disbelieving said, "Ah! We see that you are in folly, and we think that you are a liar.”

7:67 قال يقوم ليس بى سفاهة ولكنى رسول من رب العلمين

Transcription (English)
7:67 Qala ya qawmi laysa bee safahatunwalakinnee rasoolun min rabbi alAAalameena
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
7:67 He said, "My people, there is no foolishness in me, but I am a messenger from the Lord of the worlds."
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
7:67 He said: "My people, there is no foolishness in me, but I am a messenger from the Lord of the worlds."
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
7:67 Said [Hud]: "O my people! There is no weak-mindedness in me, but I am an apostle from the Sustainer of all the worlds.
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
7:67 He said, "O my people, there is no foolishness in me; I am a messenger from the Lord of the universe.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
7:67 He said, "O My people! There is no folly in me. I am a Messenger from the Lord of the Worlds.

7:68 ابلغكم رسلت ربى وانا لكم ناصح امين

Transcription (English)
7:68 Oballighukum risalati rabbeewaana lakum nasihun ameenun
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
7:68 "To deliver to you my Lord's messages, and to you I am a trustworthy advisor."
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
7:68 "To deliver to you the messages of my Lord, and to you I am a trustworthy advisor."
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
7:68 I am delivering unto you my Sustainer's messages and advising you truly and wells.50

Note 50
Lit., "I am a trustworthy adviser to you".
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
7:68 "I deliver to you my Lord's messages, and I am honestly advising you.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
7:68 I convey to you the messages of my Lord, and I am a sincere and trustworthy adviser to you.

7:69 اوعجبتم ان جاءكم ذكر من ربكم على رجل منكم لينذركم واذكروا اذ جعلكم خلفاء من بعد قوم نوح وزادكم فى الخلق بصطة فاذكروا ءالاء الله لعلكم تفلحون

Transcription (English)
7:69 Awa AAajibtum an jaakum thikrunmin rabbikum AAala rajulin minkum liyunthirakum waothkurooith jaAAalakum khulafaa min baAAdi qawmi noohinwazadakum fee alkhalqi bastatan faothkurooalaa Allahi laAAallakum tuflihoona
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
7:69 "Are you surprised that a reminder has come to you from your Lord through a man from amongst you to warn you? Recall that he made you successors after the people of Noah, and He improved you in creation. So recall God's blessings that you may succeed."18

Note 18

The word Basta is erroneously misspelled in modern manuscripts. Some manuscripts indicate a correction through a tiny letter S (Sin) on top of the erroneous letter S (Sad). This spelling error came to our attention when we noticed that the frequency of the letter/number S90 in the three S90-initialed chapters were 153, rather than the expected 152 (19x8). Our study of the oldest available manuscripts supported the implied correction of the mathematical system. The mathematical system of the Quran is a verifiable and falsifiable scientific theory that is supported by textual facts, historical events, and fulfilled predictions and prophecies. See 74:1; 1:1; 2:1; 13:38; 27:82; 38:1; 40:28; 46:10; 72:28.

This verse also informs us of the evolutionary stage or genetic improvement in our creation after Noah. Chapter 71, which focuses on the story of Noah, informs us of our creation on this planet in terms of evolution rather than an instantaneous one (71:14). See 7:69; 15:28; 24:45; 32:7).

The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
7:69 "Are you surprised that a reminder has come to you from your Lord through a man from among you to warn you? And remember that He made you successors after the people of Noah, and He increased you in status. So remember the grace of God, that you may succeed."
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
7:69 Why, do you deem it strange that a tiding from your Sustainer should have come unto you through a man from among yourselves, so that he might warn you? Do but remember how He made you heirs to Noah's people, and endowed you abundantly with power:51 remember, then, God's blessings, so that you might attain to a happy state!"

Note 51
Lit., "successors after Noah's people"-i.e., the most numerous and powerful of all the tribes that descended from Noah - "and increased you abundantly in respect of [your] natural endowment (khalq)". The latter term also signifies "power" (Razi).
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
7:69 "Is it too much of a wonder that a message should come to you from your Lord, through a man like you, to warn you? Recall that He made you inheritors after the people of Noah, and multiplied your number. Remember GOD's blessings, that you may succeed.",
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
7:69 Why do you wonder that there has come to you a Reminder from your Lord through a man from amongst you, to warn you? Recall that He made you successors to Noah’s people and gave you abundant power. Keep in mind God’s authority and blessings that you may continue to prosper.”

7:70 قالوا اجئتنا لنعبد الله وحده ونذر ما كان يعبد ءاباؤنا فاتنا بما تعدنا ان كنت من الصدقين

Transcription (English)
7:70 Qaloo aji/tana linaAAbuda Allahawahdahu wanathara ma kana yaAAbudu abaonafa/tina bima taAAiduna in kunta mina alssadiqeena
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
7:70 They said, "Have you come to us to serve God alone and abandon what our fathers had served? Bring us what you promise if you are of the truthful ones!"
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
7:70 They said: "Have you come to us to serve God alone and abandon what our fathers had served? Bring us what you promise if you are of the truthful ones!"
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
7:70 They answered: "Hast thou come to us [with the demand] that we worship God alone, and give up all that our forefathers were wont to worship? Bring about, then, that [punishment] with which thou hast threatened us, if thou art a man of truth!"
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
Following the Parents Blindly: A Human Tragedy7:70 They said, "Did you come to make us worship GOD alone, and abandon what our parents used to worship? We challenge you to bring the doom you threaten us with, if you are truthful.",
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
7:70 They said, "Have you come to us that we serve God alone and give up what our forefathers worshiped? Bring upon us what you threaten us with, if you are truthful.”

7:71 قال قد وقع عليكم من ربكم رجس وغضب اتجدلوننى فى اسماء سميتموها انتم وءاباؤكم ما نزل الله بها من سلطن فانتظروا انى معكم من المنتظرين

Transcription (English)
7:71 Qala qad waqaAAa AAalaykum minrabbikum rijsun waghadabun atujadiloonanee fee asma-insammaytumooha antum waabaokum manazzala Allahu biha min sultanin faintathirooinnee maAAakum mina almuntathireena
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
7:71 He said, "An affliction and wrath shall befall you from your Lord. Do you argue with me over names which you and your fathers have created with no authority being sent down by God? Wait then, and I will wait with you."19

Note 19

Those who follow the teachings of Bukhari, Muslim, Ibn Maja, Ibn Hanbal, Tirmizi, Abu Dawud, Imam Azam, Imam Shafi, Imam Yusuf, Imam Rabbani, Abdulqadir Gaylani, Naqshibendi, Gazzali, Said Nursi, and many more, besides the Quran are addressees of this verse.

The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
7:71 He said: "A tainting and wrath shall befall you from your Lord. Do you argue with me over names which you and your fathers have created with no authority being sent down by God? Wait then, and I will wait with you."
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
7:71 Said [Hud]: "You are already beset by loath some evils52 and by your Sustainer's condemnation! Do you argue with me about the [empty] names which you have invented53 - you and your forefathers - for which God has bestowed no warrant from on high? Wait, then, [for what will happen:] verily, I shall wait with you!"54

Note 52
A reference to their idolatry and obstinacy.

Note 53
Lit., "names which you have named"-i.e., the false deities, which have no real existence.

Note 54
Lit., "I shall be, together with you, among those who wait."
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
7:71 He said, "You have incurred condemnation and wrath from your Lord. Do you argue with me in defense of innovations you have fabricated - you and your parents - which were never authorized by GOD? Therefore, wait and I will wait along with you.",
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
7:71 (‘Aad were a powerful community that had gone unjust. Since there is a Law of Respite for nations, they flourished and were unable to see the wrong thus far.) Hud said, "Your Lord’s Requital is already hovering over you. Do you argue with me about certain names that you and your forefathers have fabricated, whereas God never authorized them? Then wait for the consequences, and I am also waiting.” [53:23]

7:72 فانجينه والذين معه برحمة منا وقطعنا دابر الذين كذبوا بايتنا وما كانوا مؤمنين

Transcription (English)
7:72 Faanjaynahu waallatheenamaAAahu birahmatin minna waqataAAna dabiraallatheena kaththaboo bi-ayatinawama kanoo mu/mineena
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
7:72 We saved him and those with him by a mercy from Us, and We destroyed the remnant of those who rejected Our signs and did not acknowledge.
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
7:72 We saved him and those with him by a mercy from Us, and We destroyed the remnant of those who rejected Our revelations, they were never believers.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
7:72 And so, by Our grace, We saved him and those who stood by him, the while We wiped out the last remnant of those who gave the lie to Our messages and would not believe.55

Note 55
As is shown in 69 :6-8, this destruction came about through a violent sandstorm raging without a break for seven nights and eight days.
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
7:72 We then saved him and those with him, by mercy from us, and we annihilated those who rejected our revelations and refused to be believers.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
7:72 (The People of ‘Aad ruled a big empire in Arabia. However, they failed to heed the Prophet’s warning. Then hurricane winds annihilated them 41:16) We saved him and those with him by mercy from Us, and cut the root of those who denied Our messages and would not believe.

7:73 والى ثمود اخاهم صلحا قال يقوم اعبدوا الله ما لكم من اله غيره قد جاءتكم بينة من ربكم هذه ناقة الله لكم ءاية فذروها تاكل فى ارض الله ولا تمسوها بسوء فياخذكم عذاب اليم

Transcription (English)
7:73 Wa-ila thamooda akhahum salihanqala ya qawmi oAAbudoo Allaha malakum min ilahin ghayruhu qad jaatkum bayyinatunmin rabbikum hathihi naqatu Allahi lakum ayatanfatharooha ta/kul fee ardi Allahi walatamassooha bisoo-in faya/khuthakum AAathabunaleemun
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
Saleh7:73 To Thamud, We sent their brother Saleh, he said, "My people, serve God, you have no god besides Him; proof has come to you from your Lord. This is God's camel, in her you have a sign, so leave her to eat in God's land, and do not harm her, else a painful retribution will take you."
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
7:73 And to Thamud, We sent their brother Saleh, he said: "My people, serve God, you have no god besides Him; clarity has come to you from your Lord, this is the camel of God, in her you have a sign, so leave her to eat in God's earth, and do not harm her, else the painful retribution will take you."
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
7:73 AND UNTO [the tribe of] Thamud [We sent] their brother salih56 He said: "O my people! Worship God alone: you have no deity other than Him. Clear evidence of the truth has now come unto you from your Sustainer. "This she-camel belonging to God shall be a token for you: so leave her alone to pasture on God's earth, and do her no harm, lest grievous chastisement befall you.57

Note 56
The Nabataean tribe of Thamud descended from the tribe of 'Ad mentioned in the preceding passage, and is, therefore, often referred to in pre-Islamic poetry as the "Second `Ad". Apart from Arabian sources, "a series of older references, not of Arabian origin, confirm the historical existence of the name and people of Thamud. Thus the inscription of Sargon of the year 715 B.C. mentions the Thamud among the people of eastern and central Arabia subjected by the Assyrians. We also find the Thamudaei, Thamudenes mentioned in Aristo, Ptolemy, and Pliny" (Encyclopaedia of Islam IV, 736). At the time of which the Qur'an speaks, the Thamud were settled in the northernmost Hijaz, near the confines of Syria . Rock-inscriptions attributed to them are still extant in the region of Al-Hijr.-As in the case of the `Adite prophet Hud-and the prophet Shu'ayb spoken of in verses 85-93 of this surah - salih is called the "brother" of the tribe because he belonged to it.

Note 57
The commentators cite various legends to the effect that this she-camel was of miraculous origin. Since neither the Qur'an nor any authentic Tradition provides the least support for these legends, we must assume that they are based on the expression naqat Allah ("God's she-camel"), which has led some pious Muslims to fantastic conjectures. However, as Rashid Rida' points out (Manar VIII, 502), this expression denotes merely the fact that the animal in question was not owned by any one person, and was therefore to be protected by the whole tribe; a further, analogous expression is found in the words "God's earth" in the same verse: an illustration of the fact that everything belongs to God. The particular stress placed by salih on good treatment of this ownerless animal - referred to in several places in the Qur'an - was obviously due to the cruel high-handedness displayed by the tribe, who, as the next two verses show, were wont to "act wickedly on earth by spreading corruption" and "gloried in their arrogance towards all who were deemed weak": in other words, their treatment of the defenceless animal was to be a "token" of their change of heart or (as is made clear in 54:27) "a test for them".
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
Saaleh7:73 To Thamoud we sent their brother Saaleh. He said, "O my people, worship GOD; you have no other god beside Him. Proof has been provided for you from your Lord: here is GOD's camel, to serve as a sign for you. Let her eat from GOD's land, and do not touch her with any harm, lest you incur a painful retribution.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
7:73 The people of Thamud were successors to ‘Aad. To them We sent their brother, Saleh. He said, “O My people! Serve God. You have no other god but He. The clear truth has come to you from your Lord. This is the she-camel of God, a token for your obedience. So let her feed in God’s earth and harm her not lest painful torment seize you.”29

Note 29
The feudal lords controlled land, crop, oases and water resources, and the weak were suffering. It appears that Prophet Saleh reached an agreement with them and assigned a she-camel as a symbol of their compliance

7:74 واذكروا اذ جعلكم خلفاء من بعد عاد وبواكم فى الارض تتخذون من سهولها قصورا وتنحتون الجبال بيوتا فاذكروا ءالاء الله ولا تعثوا فى الارض مفسدين

Transcription (English)
7:74 Waothkuroo ithjaAAalakum khulafaa min baAAdi AAadin wabawwaakumfee al-ardi tattakhithoona min suhooliha qusooranwatanhitoona aljibala buyootan faothkurooalaa Allahi wala taAAthaw fee al-ardimufsideena
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
7:74 "Recall that He made you successors after Aad, and He established you in the land so that you make palaces on its plains, and you carve homes in the mountains. So recall God's grace, and do not roam the earth as corrupters."
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
7:74 "And remember that He made you successors after 'Aad, and He established you in the land so that you make palaces on its plains, and you carve homes in the mountains. So remember the grace of God, and do not roam the earth as corrupters."
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
7:74 "And remember how He made you heirs to [the tribe of] `Ad58 and settled you firmly on earth, so that you [are able to] build for yourselves castles on its plains and hew out mountains [to serve you] as dwellings:59 remember, then, God's blessings, and do not act wickedly on earth by spreading corruption."

Note 58
Cf. the parallel expression in verse 69 above - "heirs to Noah's people" - and the corresponding note. From all the historical references to the Thamud it is apparent that they were one of the greatest and most powerful Arab tribes of their time.

Note 59
A reference to the elaborate rock-dwellings or tombs-to be seen to this day-which the Thamud carved out of the cliffs west of Al-Hijaz, in northern Hijaz, and embellished with sculptures of animals as well as many inscriptions attesting to the comparatively high degree of their civilization and power. In popular Arabian parlance, these rock-dwellings are nowadays called Mada'in salih ("The Towns of Salih").
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
7:74 "Recall that He made you inheritors after `Aad, and established you on earth, building mansions in its valleys, and carving homes from its mountains. You shall remember GOD's blessings, and do not roam the earth corruptingly.",
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
7:74 Saleh said, “Remember how He made you inherit the land after ‘Aad and established you therein. You build castles in the valleys and carve out homes in the mountains. So, remember God’s bounties and do not spread corruption in the land.”

7:75 قال الملا الذين استكبروا من قومه للذين استضعفوا لمن ءامن منهم اتعلمون ان صلحا مرسل من ربه قالوا انا بما ارسل به مؤمنون

Transcription (English)
7:75 Qala almalao allatheenaistakbaroo min qawmihi lillatheena istudAAifooliman amana minhum ataAAlamoona anna salihanmursalun min rabbihi qaloo inna bima orsilabihi mu/minoona
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
7:75 The leaders who were arrogant from among his people said to those who had acknowledged among the powerless: "How do you know that Saleh was sent from his Lord?" They said, "We acknowledge the message he has been sent with."
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
7:75 The leaders who were arrogant from among his people said to those who were weak and believed from among them: "How do you know that Saleh was sent from his Lord?" They said: "It is in that which he has been sent that we believe."
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
7:75 The great ones among his people, who gloried in their arrogance towards all who were deemed weak, said unto the believers among them: "Do you [really] know that salih has been sent by his Sustainer?" They answered: "Verily, we believe in the message which he bears."60

Note 60
The contents of his message (lit., "that with which he has been sent") appeared to them justification enough to accept it on its merits, without the need of any esoteric "proof" of Salih's mission. In a subtle way, this statement of faith has a meaning which goes far beyond the story of the Thamud. It is an invitation to the sceptic who is unable to believe in the divine origin of a religious message, to judge it on its intrinsic merits and not to make his acceptance dependent on extraneous, and objectively impossible, proofs of its origin: for only through the contents of a message can its truth and validity be established.
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
The Message: Proof of Messengership7:75 The arrogant leaders among his people said to the common people who believed, "How do you know that Saaleh is sent by his Lord?" They said, "The message he brought has made us believers.",
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
7:75 Their leaders said to the believers, "How do you know that Saleh is sent from his Lord?" They responded, "We believe in the message he has brought.”30

Note 30
The bearer of such a sublime message cannot be a liar

7:76 قال الذين استكبروا انا بالذى ءامنتم به كفرون

Transcription (English)
7:76 Qala allatheena istakbaroo innabiallathee amantum bihi kafiroona
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
7:76 Those who were arrogant said, "We reject what you acknowledge!"
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
7:76 Those who were arrogant said: "In that which you believe, we reject!"
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
7:76 [But] the arrogant ones said: "Behold, what you have come to believe in we refuse to regard as true!"
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
7:76 The arrogant ones said, "We disbelieve in what you believe in.",
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
7:76 (The arrogant leaders and the feudal lords could see their personal interests getting hit, so they decided to reject the message.) The arrogant ones said to the believers, “We reject what you believe in.”

7:77 فعقروا الناقة وعتوا عن امر ربهم وقالوا يصلح ائتنا بما تعدنا ان كنت من المرسلين

Transcription (English)
7:77 FaAAaqaroo alnnaqata waAAatawAAan amri rabbihim waqaloo ya salihui/tina bima taAAiduna in kunta minaalmursaleena
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
7:77 They thus killed the camel and defied their Lord's command, and they said, "O Saleh, bring us what you promised us if you are of the messengers!"
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
7:77 They thus killed the camel and defied the command of their Lord, and they said: "O Saleh, bring us what you promised us if you are of the messengers!"
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
7:77 And then they cruelly slaughtered the she-camel61 and turned with disdain from their Sustainer's commandment, and said: "O Salih! Bring about that [punishment] with which thou hast threatened us, if thou art truly one of God's message bearers!"

Note 61
The verb `aqara primarily denotes "he hamstrung [an animal]"-i.e., before slaughtering it, so that it might not run away. This barbarous custom was widely practiced in pre-Islamic Arabia , so that `aqr ("hamstringing") gradually became synonymous with slaughtering in a cruel manner (Razi; see also Lane V, 2107 f.).
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
7:77 Subsequently, they slaughtered the camel, rebelled against their Lord's command, and said, "O Saaleh, bring the doom you threaten us with, if you are really a messenger.",
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
7:77 They killed the she-camel, rebelled against their Lord’s command and challenged, “O Saleh! Bring the doom you threaten us with, if you are truly a Messenger.”

7:78 فاخذتهم الرجفة فاصبحوا فى دارهم جثمين

Transcription (English)
7:78 Faakhathat-humu alrrajfatu faasbahoofee darihim jathimeena
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
7:78 The earthquake took them, so they fell motionless in their homes.
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
7:78 The earthquake took them, thus they became lifeless in their home.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
7:78 Thereupon an earthquake overtook them: and then they lay lifeless, in their very homes, on the ground.62

Note 62
Lit., "they became, in their homes, prostrate on the ground'". The term rajfah which occurs at the beginning of this sentence signifies any violent commotion or trembling, and is often, though not always, applied to an earthquake (rajfat al-ard). It is possible that the earthquake mentioned here was accompanied by the volcanic eruption which at some time overtook the historical dwelling-places of the Thamud tribe, and to which the extensive black lava-fields (harrah) of northern Hijaz, and particularly near Mada'in Salih (see note 59 above), bear eloquent witness to this day.
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
7:78 Consequently, the quake annihilated them, leaving them dead in their homes.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
7:78 (In their life of luxury, like other strong nations, they felt invincible.) The destruction came from under their feet. A powerful earthquake annihilated them, leaving them lifeless in their homes.

7:79 فتولى عنهم وقال يقوم لقد ابلغتكم رسالة ربى ونصحت لكم ولكن لا تحبون النصحين

Transcription (English)
7:79 Fatawalla AAanhum waqala yaqawmi laqad ablaghtukum risalata rabbee wanasahtulakum walakin la tuhibboona alnnasiheena
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
7:79 Thus he turned away from them, and said, "My people, I had delivered to you the message of my Lord and advised you; but you do not like the advisers."
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
7:79 Thus he turned away from them, and said: "My people, I have delivered to you the message of my Lord and advised you; but you do not like the advisers."
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
7:79 And [Salih] turned away from them, and said: "O my people! Indeed, I delivered unto you my Sustainer's message and gave you good advice: but you did not love those who gave [you] good advice."
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
7:79 He turned away from them, saying, "O my people, I have delivered my Lord's message to you, and advised you, but you do not like any advisers.",
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
7:79 Saleh was grieved that his people disregarded the message of his Lord. He moved away from the township saying to himself, “O My people! I gave my Lord’s message to you, and advised you sincerely, but you never liked good advisers.”

7:80 ولوطا اذ قال لقومه اتاتون الفحشة ما سبقكم بها من احد من العلمين

Transcription (English)
7:80 Walootan ith qalaliqawmihi ata/toona alfahishata ma sabaqakum bihamin ahadin mina alAAalameena
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
Lot7:80 And Lot, when he said to his people: "Do you commit lewdness to an extend that none in the worlds had surpassed you?"
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
7:80 And Lot, he said to his people: "Do you commit immorality such as none of those of the worlds had done before?"
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
7:80 AND [remember] Lot ,63 when he said unto his people: "Will you commit abominations such as none in all the world has ever done before you?

Note 63
The story of Lot , Abraham's nephew (Lut in Arabic), is given in greater detail in 11:69.
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
Lot: Homosexuality Condemned7:80 Lot said to his people, "You commit such an abomination; no one in the world has done it before!,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
7:80 Lot told them, “You commit such an abomination that no one in the worlds has (openly) done before you.”31

Note 31
Hud, Saleh, Lot and their respective followers, escaped destruction because they believed in the revelation and took appropriate precautions. The people of Prophet Lot lived by the Dead Sea in Sodom. Also see 26:165 Of all the creatures in the worlds, you approach males. The people of Lot were probably the first to ‘normalize’ homosexuality. ‘Of all creatures’, contrary to universal laws

7:81 انكم لتاتون الرجال شهوة من دون النساء بل انتم قوم مسرفون

Transcription (English)
7:81 Innakum lata/toona alrrijalashahwatan min dooni alnnisa-i bal antum qawmunmusrifoona
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
7:81 "You come to men with desire instead of women; you are a transgressing people."
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
7:81 "You are approaching the men out of desire instead of the women! Indeed, you are a transgressing people."
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
7:81 Verily, with lust you approach men instead of women: nay, but you are people given to excesses!"
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
7:81 "You practice sex with the men, instead of the women. Indeed, you are a transgressing people.",
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
7:81 You approach men with lust in preference to women. Nay, but you are a people crossing all bounds."

7:82 وما كان جواب قومه الا ان قالوا اخرجوهم من قريتكم انهم اناس يتطهرون

Transcription (English)
7:82 Wama kana jawabaqawmihi illa an qaloo akhrijoohum min qaryatikuminnahum onasun yatatahharoona
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
7:82 The only response of his people was, "Drive them out of your town; they are a people who wish to be pure!"
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
7:82 The only response of his people was: "Drive them out of your town; they are a people who wish to be pure!"
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
7:82 But his people's only answer was this:64 "Expel them from your land! Verily, they are folk who make themselves out to be pure!"65

Note 64
Lit., "their answer was nothing but that they said".

Note 65
Lit., "who purify themselves"; also, "who keep aloof from unclean things": here obviously used ironically. The plural relates to Lot , his family and his followers (cf. 27:56).
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
7:82 His people responded by saying, "Evict them from your town. They are people who wish to be pure.",
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
7:82 They said, "Drive them out of your town! These people want to be models of purity.”

7:83 فانجينه واهله الا امراته كانت من الغبرين

Transcription (English)
7:83 Faanjaynahu waahlahu illaimraatahu kanat mina alghabireena
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
7:83 We saved him and his family, except for his wife; she was of those who lagged behind.
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
7:83 We saved him and his family, except for his wife; she was of those who were destroyed.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
7:83 Thereupon We saved him and his household except his wife, who was among those that stayed behind66

Note 66
Contrary to the Biblical account; according to which Lot's wife only "looked back" inadvertently (Genesis xix, 26), the Qur'an makes it clear in 11:81 and 66:10 that she remained behind deliberately, being at heart one with the sinning people of Sodom and having no faith in her husband.
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
7:83 Consequently, we saved him and his family, but not his wife; she was with the doomed.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
7:83 We saved him and his followers. But his wife who lagged behind in belief stayed with the crowd, and was destroyed.

7:84 وامطرنا عليهم مطرا فانظر كيف كان عقبة المجرمين

Transcription (English)
7:84 Waamtarna AAalayhim mataranfaonthur kayfa kana AAaqibatualmujrimeena
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
7:84 We showered them with a shower, so see what the punishment for the criminals was.
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
7:84 And We rained down upon them a rain, so see how was the punishment for the criminals.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
7:84 the while We rained a rain [of destruction] upon the others: and behold what happened in the end to those people lost in sin!
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
7:84 We showered them with a certain shower; note the consequences for the guilty.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
7:84 And We rained a rain upon them (a huge shower of stones). See now how grievous was the end of the guilty.32

Note 32
A huge volcano was about to erupt. The Prophet of God had advance knowledge and he moved out at the right time, along with his followers

7:85 والى مدين اخاهم شعيبا قال يقوم اعبدوا الله ما لكم من اله غيره قد جاءتكم بينة من ربكم فاوفوا الكيل والميزان ولا تبخسوا الناس اشياءهم ولا تفسدوا فى الارض بعد اصلحها ذلكم خير لكم ان كنتم مؤمنين

Transcription (English)
7:85 Wa-ila madyana akhahumshuAAayban qala ya qawmi oAAbudoo Allaha malakum min ilahin ghayruhu qad jaatkum bayyinatunmin rabbikum faawfoo alkayla waalmeezana walatabkhasoo alnnasa ashyaahum walatufsidoo fee al-ardi baAAda islahiha thalikumkhayrun lakum in kuntum mu/mineena
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
Shuayb7:85 To Midian, their brother Shuayb, he said, "My people, serve God, you have no god besides Him. Proof has come to you from your Lord, so give full weight and measure, and do not hold back from the people what belongs to them, and do not make mischief on the earth after it has been reformed. That is better for you if you acknowledge."
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
7:85 And to Midyan, their brother Shu'ayb, he said: "My people, serve God, you have no god besides Him. Clarity has come to you from your Lord, so give full weight and measure, and do not hold back from the people what belongs to them, and do not make corruption on the earth after it has been set right. That is better for you if you believe."
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
7:85 AND UNTO [the people of] Madyan [We sent] their brother Shu'ayb .67 He said: "O my people! Worship God alone: you have no deity other than Him. Clear evidence of the truth has now come unto you from your Sustainer. Give, therefore, full measure and weight [in all your dealings], and do not deprive people of what is rightfully theirs;68 and do not spread corruption on earth after it has be, en so well ordered: [all] this is for your own good, 'if you would but believe.

Note 67
Shu'ayb is said to be identical with Jethro, the father-in-law of Moses, also called in the Bible Reú-el (Exodus ii, 18), meaning "Faithful to God". The region of Madyan - the Midian of the Bible-extended from the present-day Gulf of Aqabah westwards deep into the Sinai Peninsula and to the mountains of Moab east of the Dead Sea ; its inhabitants were Arabs of the Amorite group of tribes.

Note 68
Lit., "do not diminish to people their things" - an expression which applies to physical possessions as well as to moral and social rights. Regarding my interpolation of "in all your dealings", see surah 6, note 150.
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
Shu`aib: Cheating, Dishonesty Condemned7:85 To Midyan we sent their brother Shu`aib. He said, "O my people, worship GOD; you have no other god beside Him. Proof has come to you from your Lord. You shall give full weight and full measure when you trade. Do not cheat the people out of their rights. Do not corrupt the earth after it has been set straight. This is better for you, if you are believers.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
7:85 To Midyan, We sent Sho’aib (Jethro), their brother, to them (around 1400 BC). He said, “O My people! Obey God. There is none else worthy of obedience and law-giving. Now has come to you the clear evidence of truth from your Lord. Give just measure and weight and do not withhold from people the things that are rightfully theirs. And do no corruption (and crimes) in the land after it has been set in order. This will be best for you if you are believers.33

Note 33
The Nation of Midyan lived between Madinahand Damascus since around 2000 BC. They were the descendants of Prophet Abraham's son Midyan from his third wife Qatoora. Most of them were traders but they squandered justice and equity in business

7:86 ولا تقعدوا بكل صرط توعدون وتصدون عن سبيل الله من ءامن به وتبغونها عوجا واذكروا اذ كنتم قليلا فكثركم وانظروا كيف كان عقبة المفسدين

Transcription (English)
7:86 Wala taqAAudoo bikulli siratintooAAidoona watasuddoona AAan sabeeli Allahi man amanabihi watabghoonaha AAiwajan waothkuroo ithkuntum qaleelan fakaththarakum waonthurookayfa kana AAaqibatu almufsideena
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
7:86 "Do not stand on every road to threaten and repel from the path of God those who acknowledged Him, by attempting to distort it. Recall that you were few and He multiplied you; and see what the retribution of the troublemakers is."
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
7:86 "And do not stand on every path, robbing, and turning away from the path of God those who believe in Him, and you seek to make it crooked. And remember that you were few and He multiplied you; and see how is the retribution of the corrupters."
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
7:86 And do not lie in ambush by every road [that leads to the truth69 ], threatening and trying to turn away from God's path all who believe in Him, and trying to make it appear crooked. And remember [the time] when you were few, and [how] He made you many: and behold what happened in the end to the spreaders of corruption!

Note 69
Thus Zamakhshari and Razi, stressing the metaphorical meaning of the above phrase. Cf. a similar expression, attributed to Satan, in verse 16 of this surah.
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
7:86 "Refrain from blocking every path, seeking to repel those who believe from the path of GOD, and do not make it crooked. Remember that you used to be few and He multiplied your number. Recall the consequences for the wicked.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
7:86 Lurk not on every road threatening travelers and hinder not from the path of God those who believe in Him, nor seek to make it crooked. Remember, when you were few and weak and how He multiplied and strengthened you. And see how (miserable) was the end of the corrupters.

7:87 وان كان طائفة منكم ءامنوا بالذى ارسلت به وطائفة لم يؤمنوا فاصبروا حتى يحكم الله بيننا وهو خير الحكمين

Transcription (English)
7:87 Wa-in kana ta-ifatun minkum amanoobiallathee orsiltu bihi wata-ifatun lamyu/minoo faisbiroo hatta yahkumaAllahu baynana wahuwa khayru alhakimeena
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
7:87 "If a group of you acknowledges what I have been sent with, and another group rejects, then wait until God judges between us. He is the best of judges."
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
7:87 "And if a group of you believes in what I have been sent with, and a group disbelieves, then wait until God judges between us. He is the best of judges."
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
7:87 "And if there be some among you who have come to believe in the message which I bear, the while the others do not believe, then have patience in adversity till God shall judge between us [and them]: for He is the best of all judges!"
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
7:87 "Now that some of you have believed in what I was sent with, and some have disbelieved, wait until GOD issues His judgment between us; He is the best judge.",
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
7:87 A group among you has believed in what I have been sent with and the other group has not believed. Then have patience (let the believers work their program of reform), until God judges between us. He is the Best of deciders."

7:88 قال الملا الذين استكبروا من قومه لنخرجنك يشعيب والذين ءامنوا معك من قريتنا او لتعودن فى ملتنا قال اولو كنا كرهين

Transcription (English)
7:88 Qala almalao allatheenaistakbaroo min qawmihi lanukhrijannaka ya shuAAaybu waallatheenaamanoo maAAaka min qaryatina aw lataAAoodunna feemillatina qala awa law kunna kariheena
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
7:88 The leaders who became arrogant from among his people said, "We will evict you Shuayb, along with those who acknowledged, or else you will return to our creed!" He said, "Even though we detest?"
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
7:88 And the leaders who became arrogant from among his people said: "We will drive you out of our town Shu'ayb, along with those who have believed with you, or you shall return to our creed!" He said: "Will you force us?"
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
7:88 Said the great ones among his people, who gloried in their arrogance: "Most certainly, O Shu'ayb, we shall expel thee and thy fellow-believers from our land, unless you indeed return to our ways!" Said [Shu'ayb]: "Why, even though we abhor [them]?
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
7:88 The arrogant leaders among his people said, "We will evict you, O Shu`aib, together with those who believed with you, from our town, unless you revert to our religion." He said, "Are you going to force us?,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
7:88 The arrogant leaders of his community said, "O Sho’aib! We will certainly drive you and those who believe with you out of our town unless you return to our ways.” Sho’aib said, "Why, even though we detest your ways?”

7:89 قد افترينا على الله كذبا ان عدنا فى ملتكم بعد اذ نجىنا الله منها وما يكون لنا ان نعود فيها الا ان يشاء الله ربنا وسع ربنا كل شىء علما على الله توكلنا ربنا افتح بيننا وبين قومنا بالحق وانت خير الفتحين

Transcription (English)
7:89 Qadi iftarayna AAala Allahikathiban in AAudna fee millatikum baAAda ithnajjana Allahu minha wamayakoonu lana an naAAooda feeha illa an yashaaAllahu rabbuna wasiAAa rabbuna kulla shay-inAAilman AAala Allahi tawakkalna rabbanaiftah baynana wabayna qawmina bialhaqqiwaanta khayru alfatiheena
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
7:89 "We would then be inventing lies about God if we return to your creed after God had saved us from it; and we would not return to it except if God our Lord wishes. Our Lord encompasses everything with knowledge. In God we put our trust. Our Lord, separate between us and between our people with truth, you are the best separator."
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
7:89 "We will then be inventing lies about God if we return to your creed after God has saved us from it; and we will not return to it except if God our Lord wills, our Lord encompasses everything with knowledge, in God we put our trust. Our Lord, make an opening between us and between our people with the truth, you are the best of openers."
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
7:89 We should be guilty of blaspheming against God70 were we to return to your ways after God has saved us from them! It is not conceivable that we should return to them-unless God, our Sustainer, so wills.71 All things does our Sustainer embrace within His knowledge; in God do we place our trust. O our Sustainer! Lay Thou open the truth between us and our people -for Thou art the best of all to lay open the truth!"72

Note 70
Lit., "inventing a lie about God".

Note 71
An expression of humility, and not of the idea that God might "will" them to blaspheme.

Note 72
Or: "Thou art the best of all deciders" - since the verb fataha can also be rendered as "he decided". However, Shu'ayb's prayer could not have implied a request for God's "decision" (for there was no doubt in his mind as to who was right), and therefore the primary significance of iftah ("lay open") and fatih ("one who lays open", i.e., the truth) is preferable.
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
7:89 "We would be blaspheming against GOD if we reverted to your religion after GOD has saved us from it. How could we revert back to it against the will of GOD our Lord? Our Lord's knowledge encompasses all things. We have put our trust in GOD. Our Lord, grant us a decisive victory over our people. You are the best supporter.",
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
7:89 “We will be inventing a lie against God if we reverted to your religion after God has saved us from it. It is not for us to return to it against the will of God, our Lord. Our Lord comprehends all things in knowledge. In God do we put our trust. Our Lord! Decide with truth between us and our people. You are the Best of deciders.”

7:90 وقال الملا الذين كفروا من قومه لئن اتبعتم شعيبا انكم اذا لخسرون

Transcription (English)
7:90 Waqala almalao allatheenakafaroo min qawmihi la-ini ittabaAAtum shuAAayban innakum ithanlakhasiroona
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
7:90 The leaders who rejected from among his people said, "If you follow Shuayb, then you are losers."
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
7:90 And the leaders who rejected from among his people said: "If you follow Shu'ayb, then you are losers."
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
7:90 But the great ones among his people, who were bent on denying the truth, said [to his followers]: "Indeed, if you follow Shu'ayb, you will, verily, be the losers!"
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
7:90 The disbelieving leaders among his people said, "If you follow Shu`aib, you will be losers.",
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
7:90 But the disbelieving chiefs of his nation said, "O People! If you follow Sho’aib, then be sure, you will be ruined” (as you lose the big profits in trade).

7:91 فاخذتهم الرجفة فاصبحوا فى دارهم جثمين

Transcription (English)
7:91 Faakhathat-humu alrrajfatu faasbahoofee darihim jathimeena
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
7:91 The earthquake took them, thus they fell motionless in their homes.
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
7:91 The earthquake took them, thus they became lifeless in their home.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
7:91 Thereupon an earthquake overtook them: and then they lay lifeless, in their very homes, on the ground73 -

Note 73
See note 62 above. Like the harrah once inhabited by the Thamud tribe, the adjoining region of Madyan (the Biblical Midian) shows ample evidence of volcanic eruptions and earthquakes.
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
7:91 The quake annihilated them, leaving them dead in their homes.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
7:91 A tremendous earthquake seized them and the morning found them dead in their homes, on the ground.

7:92 الذين كذبوا شعيبا كان لم يغنوا فيها الذين كذبوا شعيبا كانوا هم الخسرين

Transcription (English)
7:92 Allatheena kaththabooshuAAayban kaan lam yaghnaw feeha allatheena kaththabooshuAAayban kanoo humu alkhasireena
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
7:92 Those who denied Shuayb, it is as if they never prospered therein. Those who denied Shuayb, they were the losers.
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
7:92 Those who denied Shu'ayb, it is as if they had never prospered therein. Those who denied Shu'ayb, they were the losers.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
7:92 they who had given the lie to Shu'ayb - as though they had never lived there: they who had given the lie to Shu'ayb -it was they who were the losers!
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
7:92 Those who rejected Shu`aib vanished, as if they never existed. Those who rejected Shu`aib were the losers.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
7:92 Those who denied Sho’aib became as though they had never lived there. Those who denied Sho’aib were the losers.

7:93 فتولى عنهم وقال يقوم لقد ابلغتكم رسلت ربى ونصحت لكم فكيف ءاسى على قوم كفرين

Transcription (English)
7:93 Fatawalla AAanhum waqala yaqawmi laqad ablaghtukum risalati rabbee wanasahtulakum fakayfa asa AAala qawmin kafireena
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
7:93 Thus he turned away from them, and said, "My people, I had delivered to you the messages of my Lord and advised you. How can I feel sorry over a rejecting people?"
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
7:93 Thus he turned away from them, and said: "My people, I have delivered to you the messages of my Lord and advised you. How can I feel sorry over a rejecting people?"
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
7:93 And he turned away from them, and said: "O my people! Indeed, I delivered unto you my Sustainer's message and gave you good advice: how, then, could I mourn for people who have denied the truth?"
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
7:93 He turned away from them, saying, "O my people, I have delivered to you the messages of my Lord, and I have advised you. How can I grieve over disbelieving people.",
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
7:93 (The Prophet of God had been forewarned of the oncoming catastrophe and he moved out into the valley along with his followers.) As he was leaving, he said, "O My people! I delivered my Lord’s messages to you and gave you sincere advice. How could I mourn for people who rejected the truth?”

7:94 وما ارسلنا فى قرية من نبى الا اخذنا اهلها بالباساء والضراء لعلهم يضرعون

Transcription (English)
7:94 Wama arsalna fee qaryatin minnabiyyin illa akhathna ahlaha bialba/sa-iwaalddarra-i laAAallahum yaddarraAAoona
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
A Majority Fail the Test That Determines Their Eternity7:94 Whenever We sent a prophet to any town, We would afflict its people with hardship and adversity so that they may implore.
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
7:94 And We do not send a prophet to any town, except afterwards We afflict its people with adversity and hardship that they may implore.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
7:94 AND NEVER YET have We sent a prophet unto any community without trying its people with misfortune and hardship, so that they might humble themselves;
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
Blessings in Disguise7:94 Whenever we sent a prophet to any community, we afflicted its people with adversity and hardship, that they may implore.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
7:94 We sent no Prophet to a community without Our Law of Requital trying them with adversity and tribulation for their wrongdoings that they become humble.

7:95 ثم بدلنا مكان السيئة الحسنة حتى عفوا وقالوا قد مس ءاباءنا الضراء والسراء فاخذنهم بغتة وهم لا يشعرون

Transcription (English)
7:95 Thumma baddalna makana alssayyi-atialhasanata hatta AAafaw waqaloo qadmassa abaana alddarraowaalssarrao faakhathnahum baghtatanwahum la yashAAuroona
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
7:95 Then We replaced the bad with the good until they had plenty and they said, "Our fathers were the ones afflicted by hardship, and adversity." We then take them suddenly, while they do not perceive.
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
7:95 Then We replaced the bad with good, until they neglected and said: "Our fathers were touched by both hardship and prosperity." We then take them suddenly, while they are unaware.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
7:95 then We transformed the affliction into ease of life,74 so that they throve and said [to themselves], "Misfortune and hardship befell our forefathers as well75 -whereupon We took them to task, all of a sudden, without their being aware [of what was coming].76

Note 74
Lit., "then We put good [things] in place of the bad".

Note 75
Le., they regarded it as a normal course of events and did not draw any lesson from it.

Note 76
Cf. 6:42 -45.
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
7:95 Then we substituted peace and prosperity in place of that hardship. But alas, they turned heedless and said, "It was our parents who experienced that hardship before prosperity." Consequently, we punished them suddenly when they least expected.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
7:95 Then We changed their plight for better until they became affluent. Then they said, “Even our forefathers were touched by suffering and affluence.” We seized them all of a sudden when they least expected it.34

Note 34
They thought that hardships and prosperity were just a matter of chance. To them the requital appeared sudden, but unjust systems insidiously move toward disaster

7:96 ولو ان اهل القرى ءامنوا واتقوا لفتحنا عليهم بركت من السماء والارض ولكن كذبوا فاخذنهم بما كانوا يكسبون

Transcription (English)
7:96 Walaw anna ahla alqura amanoowaittaqaw lafatahna AAalayhim barakatinmina alssama-i waal-ardi walakinkaththaboo faakhathnahum bima kanooyaksiboona
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
7:96 If the people of the towns had only acknowledged and been aware, then We would have opened for them blessings from the sky and the land; but they denied, so We took them for what they used to earn.
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
7:96 And if only the people of the towns had believed and been aware, then We would have opened for them blessings from the heavens and the earth; but they denied, so We took them for what they had earned.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
7:96 Yet if the people of those communities had but attained to faith and been conscious of Us, We would indeed have opened up for them blessings out of heaven and earth: but they gave the lie to the truth - and so We took them to task through what they [themselves] had been doing.77

Note 77
Thus the discourse returns to its starting-point at the beginning of this surah (verses 4-5): namely, that the destruction which is bound to overtake any community (the proper significance of the term qaryah in this context) which lives in opposition to the eternal moral verities amounts, in the last resort, to self-annihilation: for this is the real meaning of God's "taking them to task through what (bi-ma) they themselves were doing".
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
Most People Make the Wrong Choice7:96 Had the people of those communities believed and turned righteous, we would have showered them with blessings from the heaven and the earth. Since they decided to disbelieve, we punished them for what they earned.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
7:96 If the people of the townships had believed in Divine laws and run their system right, We would have opened for them (the gates of) blessings from the heavens and earth. But they denied and Our law seized them for what they had earned with their deeds.

7:97 افامن اهل القرى ان ياتيهم باسنا بيتا وهم نائمون

Transcription (English)
7:97 Afaamina ahlu alqura an ya/tiyahumba/suna bayatan wahum na-imoona
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
7:97 Are the people of the towns sure that Our punishment will not come to them at night while they are sleeping?
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
7:97 Are the people of the towns sure that Our punishment will not come to them at night while they are sleeping?
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
7:97 Can, then, the people of any community ever feel secure that Our punishment will not come upon them by night, while they are asleep?
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
7:97 Did the people of the present communities guarantee that our retribution will not come to them in the night as they sleep?,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
7:97 Can the people of any community ever feel secure that Our requital will not come upon them at night, while they are asleep?

7:98 اوامن اهل القرى ان ياتيهم باسنا ضحى وهم يلعبون

Transcription (English)
7:98 Awa amina ahlu alqura an ya/tiyahumba/suna duhan wahum yalAAaboona
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
7:98 Or are the people of the towns sure that Our punishment will not come to them during the late morning while they are playing?
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
7:98 Or are the people of the towns sure that Our punishment will not come to them during the late morning while they are playing?
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
7:98 Why, can the people of any community ever feel secure that Our punishment will not come upon them in broad daylight, while they are engaged in (worldly] play?78

Note 78
I.e., while they enjoy ease and a sense of security, and are unaware of any danger that may threaten them (cf. verse 4 of this surah).
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
7:98 Did the people of today's communities guarantee that our retribution will not come to them in the daytime while they play?,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
7:98 Or do the people of townships feel secure from the coming of Our requital upon them in the daytime while they play?

7:99 افامنوا مكر الله فلا يامن مكر الله الا القوم الخسرون

Transcription (English)
7:99 Afaaminoo makra Allahi falaya/manu makra Allahi illa alqawmu alkhasiroona
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
7:99 Have they become sure about God's scheming? None feels secure about God's scheming except the losing people.
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
7:99 Have they become secure about the scheming of God? None are secure about the scheming of God except the people who are the losers.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
7:99 Can they, then, ever feel secure from God's deep devising? But none feels secure from God's deep devising save people who are [already] lost.79

Note 79
I.e., morally lost and, therefore, destined to perish. The term makr Allah ("God's deep devising") denotes here His unfathomable planning, which is alluded to elsewhere in the Qur'an by the expression sunnat Allah ("God's [unchangeable] way"-cf., in particular, 33:62, 35:43 and 48:23).
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
7:99 Have they taken GOD's plans for granted? None takes GOD's plans for granted except the losers.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
7:99 Do they feel secure from the subtle progression of the Divine laws? Do they think that the Divine law grants them unconditional security? Only the losers feel secure from the subtle progression of God’s Law of Requital.

7:100 اولم يهد للذين يرثون الارض من بعد اهلها ان لو نشاء اصبنهم بذنوبهم ونطبع على قلوبهم فهم لا يسمعون

Transcription (English)
7:100 Awa lam yahdi lillatheena yarithoonaal-arda min baAAdi ahliha an law nashao asabnahumbithunoobihim wanatbaAAu AAala quloobihimfahum la yasmaAAoona
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
7:100 Is it not clear for those who inherited the land after them, that if We wished, We could have punished them immediately for their sins and We could have stamped on their hearts, so they would not hear.
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
7:100 Is it not a guide for those who inherited the land after them, that if We wished We could have punished them immediately for their sins? And We stamp on their hearts, so they do not hear.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
7:100 Has it, then, not become obvious unto those who have inherited the earth in the wake of former generations80 that, if We so willed, We could smite them [too] by means of their sins, sealing their hearts so that they cannot hear [the truth]?81

Note 80
Lit., "after its [former] people". The people "who have inherited the earth" are those now living.

Note 81
See surah 2, note 7. Here, again, we have an affirmation that what the Qur'an describes as "God's punishment" (as well as "God's reward") is, in reality, a consequence of man's own doings, and not an arbitrary act of God: it is "by means of their sins" (bi-dhunubihim) that God "sets a seal" upon the hearts of men. This statement is further elucidated at the end of verse 101.
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
7:100 Does it ever occur to those who inherit the earth after previous generations that, if we will, we can punish them for their sins, and seal their hearts, causing them to turn deaf?,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
7:100 Is it not a lesson for those who inherit the earth from previous generations that they could suffer similar consequences? Trailing behind in the community of nations is a tribulation in itself. And Our law can cause their intellectual and perceptual faculties to be sealed and blunted for their failings.

7:101 تلك القرى نقص عليك من انبائها ولقد جاءتهم رسلهم بالبينت فما كانوا ليؤمنوا بما كذبوا من قبل كذلك يطبع الله على قلوب الكفرين

Transcription (English)
7:101 Tilka alqura naqussu AAalaykamin anba-iha walaqad jaat-hum rusuluhum bialbayyinatifama kanoo liyu/minoo bima kaththaboomin qablu kathalika yatbaAAu Allahu AAalaquloobi alkafireena
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
7:101 These are the towns whose stories We relate to you; their messengers had come to them with proofs, but they would not acknowledge what they had denied before. It is such that God stamps on the hearts of the ingrates.
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
7:101 These are the towns whose news We told to you; their messengers had come to them with proofs, but they would not believe in what they had denied before. It is such that God stamps on the hearts of the rejecters.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
7:101 Unto those [earlier] communities - some of whose stories We [now] relate unto thee -there had indeed come apostles of their own with all evidence of the truth; but they would not believe in anything to which they had once given the lie:82 thus it is that God seals the hearts of those who deny the truth;

Note 82
Lit., "to which they had given the lie aforetime": an allusion to the instinctive unwillingness of most people to give up the notions - positive or negative - to which they are accustomed.
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
7:101 We narrate to you the history of those communities: their messengers went to them with clear proofs, but they were not to believe in what they had rejected before. GOD thus seals the hearts of the disbelievers.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
7:101 Such were the communities whose historical accounts We relate to you (O Prophet). Their Messengers came to them with clear evidence of truth. But they rejected it, and then stuck to rejection. Or they denied the truth in blind following since their ancestors had denied it. This is how the rejecters cause God’s law to seal their hearts to reason.

7:102 وما وجدنا لاكثرهم من عهد وان وجدنا اكثرهم لفسقين

Transcription (English)
7:102 Wama wajadna li-aktharihimmin AAahdin wa-in wajadna aktharahum lafasiqeena
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
7:102 We did not find most of them up to their pledge, rather, We found most of them corrupt.
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
7:102 And We did not find most of them up to their pledge, rather, We found most of them wicked.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
7:102 and in most of them We found no [inner] bond with anything that is right83 -and most of them We found to be iniquitous indeed.

Note 83
Thus Raghib explains the term `ahd occurring in this sentence. Its usual rendering as "covenant" or "loyalty to their covenant" is entirely meaningless in this context. Rashid Rida' widens Raghib's interpretation and includes in the above term man's instinctive ability to discern between right and wrong and, thus, to follow the dictates of his own conscience (Manar IX, 33 ff.). Regarding the deeper implications of this expression, see surah 2, note 19.
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
7:102 We found that most of them disregard their covenant; we found most of them wicked.,6

Note 6
This life is our last chance to redeem ourselves, but most people are proven to be stubbornly rebellious and evil (see theINTRODUCTION).
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
7:102 And in most of them We found no bond with their honored stature of humanity (17:70). And We found that most of them slipped away from the Permanent Values.

7:103 ثم بعثنا من بعدهم موسى بايتنا الى فرعون وملايه فظلموا بها فانظر كيف كان عقبة المفسدين

Transcription (English)
7:103 Thumma baAAathna min baAAdihim moosabi-ayatina ila firAAawna wamala-ihifathalamoo biha faonuthurkayfa kana AAaqibatu almufsideena
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
Moses7:103 Then after them We sent Moses with Our signs to Pharaoh and his entourage. But they treated them with prejudice, so see what the end of the corrupters is.
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
7:103 Then after them We sent Moses with Our signs to Pharaoh and his commanders. But they did wrong in them, so see how is the end of the corrupters.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
7:103 AND AFTER those [early people] We sent Moses with Our messages unto Pharaoh and his great ones, and they wilfully rejected them:84 and behold what happened in the end to those spreaders of corruption!

Note 84
Lit., "they did wrong to them".
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
Moses7:103 After (those messengers,) we sent Moses with our signs to Pharaoh and his people, but they transgressed. Note the consequences for the wicked.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
7:103 (Here is another historical account. Moses was the next generation to Sho’aib, after the Midyans had risen and declined in the previous millennium) We sent Moses to Pharaoh and his chiefs with Our revelations and they degraded them. Now see the consequence for the corrupters.

7:104 وقال موسى يفرعون انى رسول من رب العلمين

Transcription (English)
7:104 Waqala moosa yafirAAawnu innee rasoolun min rabbi alAAalameena
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
7:104 Moses said, "O Pharaoh, I am a messenger from the Lord of the worlds."
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
7:104 And Moses said: "O Pharaoh, I am a messenger from the Lord of the worlds."
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
7:104 And Moses said: "O Pharaoh! Verily, I am an apostle from the Sustainer of all the worlds,
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
7:104 Moses said, "O Pharaoh, I am a messenger from the Lord of the universe.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
7:104 Moses said, "O Pharaoh! I am a Messenger from the Lord of the Worlds.

7:105 حقيق على ان لا اقول على الله الا الحق قد جئتكم ببينة من ربكم فارسل معى بنى اسرءيل

Transcription (English)
7:105 Haqeequn AAala an laaqoola AAala Allahi illa alhaqqa qadji/tukum bibayyinatin min rabbikum faarsil maAAiya banee isra-eela
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
7:105 "It is not proper for me to say about God except the truth; I have come to you with proof from your Lord. So send with me the Children of Israel."
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
7:105 "It is not proper for me to say about God except the truth; I have come to you with a proof from your Lord. So send with me the Children of Israel."
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
7:105 so constituted that I cannot say anything about God but the truth. I have now come unto you with a clear evidence from your Sustainer: let, then, the children of Israel go with me!"
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
7:105 "It is incumbent upon me that I do not say about GOD except the truth. I come to you with a sign from your Lord; let the Children of Israel go.",
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
7:105 It is incumbent upon me that I say about God nothing but the truth. I come to you with clear evidence of the truth from your Lord. So let the Children of Israel go with me.”

7:106 قال ان كنت جئت باية فات بها ان كنت من الصدقين

Transcription (English)
7:106 Qala in kunta ji/ta bi-ayatinfa/ti biha in kunta mina alssadiqeena
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
7:106 He said, "If you have come with a sign then bring it, if you are of the truthful?"
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
7:106 He said: "If you have come with a sign then bring it, if you are of the truthful?"
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
7:106 Said [Pharaoh]: "If thou hast come with a sign, produce it-if thou art a man of truth!"
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
7:106 He said, "If you have a sign, then produce it, if you are truthful.",
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
7:106 Pharaoh said, “If you have come with clear evidence, produce it if you are of the truthful.”

7:107 فالقى عصاه فاذا هى ثعبان مبين

Transcription (English)
7:107 Faalqa AAasahu fa-ithahiya thuAAbanun mubeenun
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
7:107 He threw down his staff and there it was an obvious serpent.
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
7:107 He cast down his staff and it manifested into a serpent.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
7:107 Thereupon [Moses] threw down his staff, and lo! it was a serpent, plainly visible;
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
7:107 He threw down his staff, and it turned into a tremendous serpent.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
7:107 Moses presented his argument that he held fast, with vibrant confidence and logic.

7:108 ونزع يده فاذا هى بيضاء للنظرين

Transcription (English)
7:108 WanazaAAa yadahu fa-itha hiya baydaolilnnathireena
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
7:108 He drew out his hand, and it became pure white for the spectators.
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
7:108 And he drew out his hand, and it became pure white for the onlookers.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
7:108 and he drew forth his hand, and lo! it appeared [shining] white to the beholders.85

Note 85
As is evident from 20:22 , 27:12 and 28:32, the hand of Moses was "[shining] white, without blemish", i.e., endowed with transcendent luminosity in token of his prophethood-and not, as stated in the Bible (Exodus iv, 6), "leprous as snow". Regarding the possible mystic significance of the miracle of the staff, see note 14 on 20:21 .
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
7:108 He took out his hand, and it was white to the beholders.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
7:108 The strength of his conviction shone bright to those present. [20:17-21]

7:109 قال الملا من قوم فرعون ان هذا لسحر عليم

Transcription (English)
7:109 Qala almalao min qawmi firAAawnainna hatha lasahirun AAaleemun
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
7:109 The commanders among the people of Pharaoh said, "This is a knowledgeable magician!"
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
7:109 The commanders from among the people of Pharaoh said: "This is a knowledgeable magician!"
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
7:109 The great ones among Pharaoh's people said: "Verily, this is indeed a sorcerer of great knowledge,
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
7:109 The leaders among Pharaoh's people said, "This is no more than a clever magician.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
7:109 The chiefs of Pharaoh's nation said, "This is some knowing wizard!

7:110 يريد ان يخرجكم من ارضكم فماذا تامرون

Transcription (English)
7:110 Yureedu an yukhrijakum min ardikumfamatha ta/muroona
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
7:110 "He wishes to drive you out of your land; what do you recommend?"
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
7:110 "He wishes to drive you out of your land; what is your command?"
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
7:110 who wants to drive you out of your land! "86 [Said Pharaoh:] "What, then, do you advise?"

Note 86
I.e., "deprive you of your rule". The plural "you" relates to Pharaoh and the ruling class.
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
7:110 "He wants to take you out of your land; what do you recommend?",
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
7:110 It appears to us that Moses, after gaining some following, plans to throw you out of your land.” Said Pharaoh, “Now, what do you advise?”

7:111 قالوا ارجه واخاه وارسل فى المدائن حشرين

Transcription (English)
7:111 Qaloo arjih waakhahu waarsilfee almada-ini hashireena
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
7:111 They said, "Delay him and his brother, and send gatherers to the cities."
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
7:111 They said: "Delay him and his brother, and send gatherers to the cities."
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
7:111 They answered: "Let him and his brother87 wait awhile, and send unto all cities heralds

Note 87
I.e., Aaron, who-as is mentioned in several other places in the Qur'an-accompanied Moses on his mission.
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
7:111 They said, "Respite him and his brother, and send summoners to every city.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
7:111 (After consulting) they said, "Put him and his brother off for a while and send to the cities men to summon.

7:112 ياتوك بكل سحر عليم

7:112 yatwk bkl saHr Alym
Transcription (English)
7:112 Ya/tooka bikulli sahirin AAaleemin
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
7:112 "They will come to you with every knowledgeable magician."
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
7:112 "They will come to you with every knowledgeable magician."
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
7:112 who shall bring before thee every sorcerer of great knowledge."
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
7:112 "Let them summon every experienced magician.",
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
7:112 To bring all debaters to your court.”35

Note 35
Saahir from Sihr = Magician, liar, stunningly eloquent, smart poet, deceitful, trickster, cheater, defrauder, dodger, hoaxer, swindler

7:113 وجاء السحرة فرعون قالوا ان لنا لاجرا ان كنا نحن الغلبين

Transcription (English)
7:113 Wajaa alssaharatufirAAawna qaloo inna lana laajran in kunnanahnu alghalibeena
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
7:113 The magicians came to Pharaoh and said, "There should be a reward for us if we are the victors."
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
7:113 And the magicians came to Pharaoh, they said: "We require a reward if we are the victors."
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
7:113 And the sorcerers came unto Pharaoh [and] said: "Verily, we ought to have a great reward88 if it is we who prevail."

Note 88
The particle la preceding the noun ajr ("reward'') indicates an emphasis which gives to this combination the meaning of "great reward".
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
7:113 The magicians came to Pharaoh and said, "Do we get paid if we are the winners?",
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
7:113 The debaters came to Pharaoh. They said, “Will there be reward for us if we are victors?”

7:114 قال نعم وانكم لمن المقربين

Transcription (English)
7:114 Qala naAAam wa-innakum laminaalmuqarrabeena
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
7:114 He said, "Yes, and you will be made close to me."
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
7:114 He said: "Yes, and you will be made close to me."
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
7:114 Answered [Pharaoh]: "Yes; and, verily, you shall be among those who are near unto me."
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
7:114 He said, "Yes indeed; you will even become close to me.",
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
7:114 He answered, “Yes, and you will be among those who are close to me.”

7:115 قالوا يموسى اما ان تلقى واما ان نكون نحن الملقين

Transcription (English)
7:115 Qaloo ya moosa immaan tulqiya wa-imma an nakoona nahnu almulqeena
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
7:115 They said, "O Moses, either you cast, or shall we cast?"
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
7:115 They said: "O Moses, either you cast, or we will cast?"
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
7:115 They said: "O Moses! Either thou shalt throw [thy staff first], or we shall [be the first to] throw."
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
7:115 They said, "O Moses, either you throw, or we are throwing.",
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
7:115 The debaters said, “O Moses! Either you begin or let us be the first to present our case.”

7:116 قال القوا فلما القوا سحروا اعين الناس واسترهبوهم وجاءو بسحر عظيم

Transcription (English)
7:116 Qala alqoo falamma alqaw saharooaAAyuna alnnasi waistarhaboohum wajaoobisihrin AAatheemin
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
Magic Has No Objective Reality: It Is Merely the Product Of Illusion and Suggestion7:116 He said, "You cast." So when they cast, they deceived the people's eyes, intimidated them, and they produced a great magic.20

Note 20

Magic, according to the description of the Quran, is not a paranormal phenomenon. Magic is a tool employed by people with devious intentions to manipulate individuals and societies via trickery and suggestion. These verses refer to both its physical and psychological components.

The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
7:116 He said: "You cast." So when they cast, they bewitched the eyes of the people, and instilled terror in them, and they came with a great magic.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
7:116 He answered: "You throw [first]." And when they threw down [their staffs], they cast a spell upon the people's eyes, and struck them with awe, and produced mighty sorcery.
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
7:116 He said, "You throw." When they threw, they tricked the people's eyes, intimidated them, and produced a great magic.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
7:116 Moses asked them to begin. When they began they cast a spell on the people’s eyes, and struck them with awe, and stunned the assembly with their spellbinding eloquence.

7:117 واوحينا الى موسى ان الق عصاك فاذا هى تلقف ما يافكون

Transcription (English)
7:117 Waawhayna ila moosaan alqi AAasaka fa-itha hiya talqafu maya/fikoona
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
7:117 We inspired Moses: "Throw down your staff;" and soon it was swallowing what they had invented.
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
7:117 And We inspired Moses: "Cast down your staff;" and it swallowed what they invented.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
7:117 And [then] We inspired Moses, "Throw down thy staff!" -and lo! it swallowed up all their deceptions:89

Note 89
Implying that the act of Moses was a genuine miracle, whereas that of the sorcerers was a feat of make-believe (cf. 20:66).
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
7:117 We then inspired Moses: "Throw down your staff," whereupon it swallowed whatever they fabricated.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
7:117 So, We inspired Moses, “Respond with conviction. And then see how it swallows their deceptive rhetoric.”36

Note 36
‘Asaa = Staff = Cane = Strength = Conviction = Authority = Power = Strong logic = Convincing argument

7:118 فوقع الحق وبطل ما كانوا يعملون

Transcription (English)
7:118 FawaqaAAa alhaqqu wabatala makanoo yaAAmaloona
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
7:118 Thus the truth was confirmed, and what they were doing was falsified.
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
7:118 Thus the truth was set, and what they did was made of no effect.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
7:118 whereupon the truth was established, and vain was proved all that they had been doing.
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
The Truth Recognized by the Experts7:118 Thus, the truth prevailed, and what they did was nullified.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
7:118 The truth prevailed and their arguments were manifestly proven false.

7:119 فغلبوا هنالك وانقلبوا صغرين

Transcription (English)
7:119 Faghuliboo hunalika wainqalaboosaghireena
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
7:119 They were thus defeated there, and they turned in disgrace.
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
7:119 They were thus defeated there and then, and they turned in disgrace.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
7:119 And thus were they vanquished there and then, and became utterly humiliated.
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
7:119 They were defeated then and there; they were humiliated.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
7:119 Thus, they were defeated right there and humiliated.

7:120 والقى السحرة سجدين

Transcription (English)
7:120 Waolqiya alssaharatu sajideena
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
7:120 The magicians fell down prostrating.
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
7:120 And the magicians went down prostrating.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
7:120 And down fell the sorcerers,90 prostrating themselves

Note 90
Lit., "the sorcerers were thrown down" -i.e., they fell to the ground as if thrown by a superior force (Zamakhshari).
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
7:120 The magicians fell prostrate.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
7:120 The debaters fell down prostrate.

7:121 قالوا ءامنا برب العلمين

Transcription (English)
7:121 Qaloo amanna birabbialAAalameena
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
7:121 They said, "We acknowledge the Lord of the worlds."
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
7:121 They said: "We believe in the Lord of the worlds."
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
7:121 [and] exclaiming: "We have come to believe in the Sustainer of all the worlds,
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
7:121 They said, "We believe in the Lord of the universe.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
7:121 They were convinced and said, "We believe in the Lord of the Worlds.

7:122 رب موسى وهرون

7:122 rb mwsya wharwn
Transcription (English)
7:122 Rabbi moosa waharoona
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
7:122 "The Lord of Moses and Aaron."
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
7:122 "The Lord of Moses and Aaron."
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
7:122 the Sustainer of Moses and Aaron!"
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
7:122 "The Lord of Moses and Aaron.",
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
7:122 The Lord of Moses and Aaron.”

7:123 قال فرعون ءامنتم به قبل ان ءاذن لكم ان هذا لمكر مكرتموه فى المدينة لتخرجوا منها اهلها فسوف تعلمون

Transcription (English)
7:123 Qala firAAawnu amantum bihiqabla an athana lakum inna hatha lamakrunmakartumoohu fee almadeenati litukhrijoo minha ahlahafasawfa taAAlamoona
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
7:123 Pharaoh said, "Did you acknowledge him before I have given you permission? This is surely some scheme which you have schemed in the city to drive its people out; but soon you shall know."
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
7:123 Pharaoh said: "Have you become believers before I have given you permission? This is surely some scheme which you have schemed in the city to drive its people out; you will reveal what you know."
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
7:123 Said Pharaoh: "Have you come to believe in him91 ere I have given you permission? Behold, this is indeed a plot which you have cunningly devised in this [my] city in order to drive out its people hence! But in time you shall come to know, [my revenge]:

Note 91
This personal pronoun may refer either to God or to Moses; but a similar expression in 20:71 and 26:49 makes it obvious that it refers here to Moses.
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
7:123 Pharaoh said, "Did you believe in him without my permission? This must be a conspiracy you schemed in the city, in order to take its people away. You will surely find out.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
7:123 Pharaoh got annoyed, "You believe in Him before I give you permission! This is a conspiracy you all have planned in the city to drive out its people (in rebellion). But soon you will know (the consequences).

7:124 لاقطعن ايديكم وارجلكم من خلف ثم لاصلبنكم اجمعين

Transcription (English)
7:124 LaoqatiAAanna aydiyakum waarjulakummin khilafin thumma laosallibannakum ajmaAAeena
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
7:124 "I will cut off your hands and feet from alternate sides; then I will crucify you all."
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
7:124 "I will cut off your hands and feet from alternate sides, then I will crucify you all."
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
7:124 most certainly shall I cut off your hands and your feet in great numbers, because of [your] perverseness, and then I shall most certainly crucify you, in great numbers, all together! "92

Note 92
The grammatical forms la-ugatti' anna and la-usallibannakum must be rendered as "most certainly shall I cut off [your hands and feet] in great numbers" and "crucify you in great numbers": and this indicates that either the repentant sorcerers thus addressed were many or, alternatively, that they had a large following among the people of Egypt . The latter assumption seems to be corroborated by the Biblical reference to the fact that many Egyptians joined the Israelites in their exodus from Egypt : "And a mixed multitude went up also with them" (Exodus xii, 38). As regards my rendering of min khilaf as "because of [your] perverseness", see surah 5, note 44 (last sentence).
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
7:124 "I will cut your hands and feet on alternate sides, then I will crucify you all.",
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
7:124 I will immobilize you in handcuffs and fetters. Then I will crucify every one of you."37

Note 37
Cutting off the hands and feet on the alternate side refers to immobilizing a person, otherwise crucifixion would not be necessary. 20:71, 26:49, 38:12

7:125 قالوا انا الى ربنا منقلبون

Transcription (English)
7:125 Qaloo inna ila rabbinamunqaliboona
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
7:125 They said, "To our Lord shall we return."
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
7:125 They said: "It is to our Lord that we will return."
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
7:125 They answered: "Verily, unto our Sustainer do we turn-
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
7:125 They said, "We will then return to our Lord.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
7:125 They responded, "We are determined to turn to our Lord.

7:126 وما تنقم منا الا ان ءامنا بايت ربنا لما جاءتنا ربنا افرغ علينا صبرا وتوفنا مسلمين

Transcription (English)
7:126 Wama tanqimu minna illaan amanna bi-ayati rabbinalamma jaatna rabbana afrigh AAalaynasabran watawaffana muslimeena
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
7:126 "You are only seeking revenge on us because we acknowledged our Lord's signs when they came to us. Our Lord, grant us patience and let us die having peacefully surrendered."
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
7:126 "And you are only seeking revenge on us because we believed in the signs of our Lord when they came to us. Our Lord, provide us with patience, and let us die as submitters."
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
7:126 for thou takest vengeance on us only because we have come to believe in our Sustainer's messages as soon as they came to us. O our Sustainer! Shower us with patience in adversity, and make us die as men who have surrendered themselves unto Thee!"
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
7:126 "You persecute us simply because we believed in the proofs of our Lord when they came to us." "Our Lord, grant us steadfastness, and let us die as submitters.",
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
7:126 Do you take vengeance on us simply because we believed in the revelations of our Lord when they came to us? Our Lord! Bestow on us steadfastness and let us die as submitters.” [2:250]

7:127 وقال الملا من قوم فرعون اتذر موسى وقومه ليفسدوا فى الارض ويذرك وءالهتك قال سنقتل ابناءهم ونستحى نساءهم وانا فوقهم قهرون

Transcription (English)
7:127 Waqala almalao min qawmi firAAawnaatatharu moosa waqawmahu liyufsidoo fee al-ardiwayatharaka waalihataka qala sanuqattilu abnaahumwanastahyee nisaahum wa-inna fawqahum qahiroona
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
7:127 The leaders among the people of Pharaoh said, "Will you let Moses and his people corrupt the land, and abandon you and your gods?" He said, "We will kill their children and shame their women; we will be supreme over them."
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
7:127 And the commanders from among the people of Pharaoh said: "Will you let Moses and his people corrupt the land, and abandon you and your gods?" He said: "We will kill their children and rape their women; we will be supreme over them."
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
7:127 And the great ones among Pharaoh's people said: "Wilt thou allow Moses and his people to spread corruption on earth, and to [cause thy people to] forsake thee and thy gods?" [Pharaoh] replied: "We shall slay their sons in great numbers and shall spare [only] their women: for, verily, we hold sway over them!"
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
7:127 The leaders among Pharaoh's people said, "Will you allow Moses and his people to corrupt the earth, and forsake you and your gods?" He said, "We will kill their sons, and spare their daughters. We are much more powerful than they are.",
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
7:127 The chiefs among Pharaoh's people said, "Will you allow Moses and his people to create disorder in the land, and forsake your rule and your gods?” He said, "We will slay their sons and spare their women. We are in power over them.”

7:128 قال موسى لقومه استعينوا بالله واصبروا ان الارض لله يورثها من يشاء من عباده والعقبة للمتقين

Transcription (English)
7:128 Qala moosa liqawmihiistaAAeenoo biAllahi waisbiroo innaal-arda lillahi yoorithuha man yashaomin AAibadihi waalAAaqibatu lilmuttaqeena
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
7:128 Moses said to his people: "Seek help with God, and be patient; for the land is God's. He will inherit it to whom He pleases of His servants; and the victory belongs to the righteous."
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
7:128 Moses said to his people: "Seek help with God, and be patient; the earth is for God, He will inherit it to whom He pleases of His servants; and the ending will be for the righteous."
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
7:128 [And] Moses said unto his people: "Turn unto God for aid, and have patience in adversity. Verily, all the earth belongs to God: He gives it as a heritage - to such as He wills of His servants; and the future belongs to the God-conscious!"
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
7:128 Moses said to his people, "Seek GOD's help, and steadfastly persevere. The earth belongs to GOD, and He grants it to whomever He chooses from among His servants. The ultimate victory belongs to the righteous.",
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
7:128 Moses assured his people, “Seek help in God and patiently persevere. Remember that the earth belongs to God. He grants it as a heritage to His servants according to His laws. And the ultimate end belongs to the upright.” [21:105]

7:129 قالوا اوذينا من قبل ان تاتينا ومن بعد ما جئتنا قال عسى ربكم ان يهلك عدوكم ويستخلفكم فى الارض فينظر كيف تعملون

Transcription (English)
7:129 Qaloo ootheena minqabli an ta/tiyana wamin baAAdi ma ji/tana qalaAAasa rabbukum an yuhlika AAaduwwakum wayastakhlifakum feeal-ardi fayanthura kayfa taAAmaloona
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
7:129 They said, "We were being harmed before you came to us and since you have come to us." He said, "Perhaps your Lord will destroy your enemy, and make you successors in the land, so He sees how you behave."
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
7:129 They said: "We were being harmed before you came to us and since you have come to us." He said: "Perhaps your Lord will destroy your enemy, and make you successors in the land, so He sees how you work?"
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
7:129 [But the children of Israel ] said: "We have suffered hurt ere thou camest to us and since thou hast come to us!„93 [Moses] replied: "It may well be that your Sustainer will destroy your foe and make you inherit the earth: and thereupon he will behold how you act."94

Note 93
This is, in the above context, the first hint of the inconstancy and weakness of faith for which the Qur'an so often blames the children of Israel: and this, together with what follows in verses 138-140 and 148 ff., is the reason why the story of Moses has been included here among the stories of the earlier prophets whose warnings were neglected by their communities.

Note 94
I.e., "He will judge you by your actions". As is evident from the reference, in verse 137 below, to the "patience in adversity" which the children of Israel subsequently displayed, it would seem that the hope held out to them by Moses helped them, once again, to overcome their moral weakness; but, at the same time, his words "God will behold how you act" imply a distinct warning.
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
7:129 They said, "We were persecuted before you came to us, and after you came to us." He said, "Your Lord will annihilate your enemy and establish you on earth, then He will see how you behave.",
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
7:129 Fearing persecution they said, "We suffered before you came to us and after you have come to us.” Moses said, “Your Lord will annihilate your enemy, and you will inherit the earth. Then He will see what kind of works you do.”

7:130 ولقد اخذنا ءال فرعون بالسنين ونقص من الثمرت لعلهم يذكرون

Transcription (English)
7:130 Walaqad akhathna alafirAAawna bialssineena wanaqsin mina alththamaratilaAAallahum yaththakkaroona
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
Disasters7:130 We then afflicted the people of Pharaoh with years of drought, a shortage in crops, so that they might take heed.
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
7:130 And We afflicted the people of Pharaoh with years of drought, and a shortage in crops, perhaps they would remember.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
7:130 And most certainly did We overwhelm Pharaoh's people with drought and scarcity of fruits, so that they might take it to heart.
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
The Plagues7:130 We then afflicted Pharaoh's people with drought, and shortage of crops, that they may take heed.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
7:130 The unjust system of Pharaoh and his people began to waver (7:94). When Our requital struck them with famine, and scanty crop (they found themselves ill prepared for the relief efforts). They should have stopped to think.

7:131 فاذا جاءتهم الحسنة قالوا لنا هذه وان تصبهم سيئة يطيروا بموسى ومن معه الا انما طئرهم عند الله ولكن اكثرهم لا يعلمون

Transcription (English)
7:131 Fa-itha jaat-humu alhasanatuqaloo lana hathihi wa-in tusibhumsayyi-atun yattayyaroo bimoosa waman maAAahu alainnama ta-iruhum AAinda Allahi walakinnaaktharahum la yaAAlamoona
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
7:131 When any good comes to them, they say, "This is ours," and when any bad afflicts them, they blame it on Moses and those with him. Their blame is with God, but most of them do not know.
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
7:131 When any good came to them, they said: "This is ours," and when any bad afflicted them, they blamed it on Moses and those with him. Their blame is with God, but most of them do not know.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
7:131 But whenever good fortune alighted upon them, they would say, "This is [but] our due"; and whenever affliction befell them, they would blame their evil fortune on Moses and those who followed him.95 Oh, verily, their [evil] fortune had been decreed by God-but most of them knew it not.

Note 95
The phrase tatayyara bihi signifies "he attributed an evil omen to him" or "he augured evil, from him". It is based on the pre-Islamic Arab custom of divining the future or establishing an omen from the flight of birds. Thus, the noun ta'ir (lit., "a flying creature" or "a bird") is often used in classical Arabic to denote "destiny" or "fortune", both good and evil, as in the next sentence of the above verse ("their [evil] fortune had been decreed by [lit., "was with"] God"). Instances of this tropical employment of the expressions ta'ir and tayr and their verbal derivations are also found in 3:49 , 5:110, 17:13 , 27:47, 36:18.
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
7:131 When good omens came their way, they said, "We have deserved this," but when a hardship afflicted them, they blamed Moses and those with him. In fact, their omens are decided only by GOD, but most of them do not know.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
7:131 (Instead of reflecting and taking corrective action, they sought the easy way out.) All good that came along, they said, “It is from us.” and if an affliction struck them, they blamed it on the bad omen of Moses and his companions. All omens (good or bad consequences of actions) follow Divine laws but most of them know not.

7:132 وقالوا مهما تاتنا به من ءاية لتسحرنا بها فما نحن لك بمؤمنين

Transcription (English)
7:132 Waqaloo mahma ta/tinabihi min ayatin litasharana biha famanahnu laka bimu/mineena
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
7:132 They said, "No matter what you bring us of a sign to bewitch us with, we will never acknowledge you."
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
7:132 And they said: "No matter what you bring us of a sign to bewitch us with, we will never believe in you."
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
7:132 And they said [unto Moses]: "Whatever sign thou mayest produce before us in order to cast a spell upon us thereby, we shall not believe thee!"
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
7:132 They said, "No matter what kind of sign you show us, to dupe us with your magic, we will not believe.",
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
7:132 They kept telling Moses, “Whatever the verses might say, whatever bad omens you could bring, or bewitch us with your logic, we will not believe in you.” (And will not consider reformation).

7:133 فارسلنا عليهم الطوفان والجراد والقمل والضفادع والدم ءايت مفصلت فاستكبروا وكانوا قوما مجرمين

Transcription (English)
7:133 Faarsalna AAalayhimu alttoofanawaaljarada waalqummala waalddafadiAAawaalddama ayatin mufassalatinfaistakbaroo wakanoo qawman mujrimeena
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
7:133 So We sent them the flood, the locust, the lice, the frogs, and the blood; all detailed signs; but they turned arrogant, they were a criminal people.21

Note 21

We are receiving warning signs in our times too. AIDS and many other sexually transmitted diseases that became epidemics as a consequence of our transgression and indulgence in sexual promiscuity; deformed frogs providing signs of the hazards of toxic chemicals contaminating our lakes, groundwater, and environment; the greenhouse effect and related climatic disasters caused by our wasteful lifestyle and irresponsible consumption of coal, petroleum and forests; putting the entire planet at risk of destruction by stockpiling nuclear weapons in a frenzy; these and many other problems are divine warnings for our irresponsible and unappreciative ways of life.

The Quran mentions numerous animals, each being witnesses to God's creative and intelligent design and signs, which started from a single cell: mosquito (2:26); calf (2:51; 4:153; 7:148; 11:69; 20:88; 51:26); monkey (2:65; 5:60; 7:166); cow, heifer (2:67; 6:144; 12:43); pig (2:173; 5:3; 6:145; 16:115); donkey (2:259; 16:8; 31:19; 62:5); horse (3:14; 8:60; 16:8; 17:64; 59:6); falcon (5:4); dog, (5:4; 7:176; 18:18); crow (5:31); bird (6:38; 27:20); goat, sheep (6:143); camel (6:144; 88:17); adult he camel (7:40); she camel (7:73; 11:64; 17:59; 26:155; 54:27; 91:13); snake (7:107; 26:32), locust (7:133; 54:7); lice (7:133); frog (7:133); fish, whale (7:163; 18:61; 37:142; 68:48); wolf (12:17); bee (16:68); sheep/goat/ewe (20:18); fly (22:73); ant (27:18); hoopoe (27:20); spider (29:41); termite (34:14); ewe/sheep (38:23); lion (74:51); zebra (74:50); butterfly (101:4); elephant (105:1).

The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
7:133 So We sent them the flood, and the locust, and the lice, and the frogs, and the blood; all detailed signs; but they turned arrogant, they were a criminal people.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
7:133 Thereupon We let loose upon them floods, and [plagues of] locusts, and lice, and frogs, and [water turning into] blood96 -distinct signs [all]: but they gloried in their arrogance, for they were people lost in sin.

Note 96
For a description of these plagues, see Exodus vii-x.
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
The Warnings Go Unheeded7:133 Consequently, we sent upon them the flood, the locusts, the lice, the frogs, and the blood - profound signs. But they maintained their arrogance. They were evil people.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
7:133 Their System was too inefficient to fight off natural calamities, such as, floods, swarms of locusts, and diseases of crops, livestock and humans. These were open signs for them to wake up to reform, but Pharaoh and his chiefs were too arrogant to accept responsibility, and too involved in luxury to take action. They were guilty of misrule.

7:134 ولما وقع عليهم الرجز قالوا يموسى ادع لنا ربك بما عهد عندك لئن كشفت عنا الرجز لنؤمنن لك ولنرسلن معك بنى اسرءيل

Transcription (English)
7:134 Walamma waqaAAa AAalayhimu alrrijzuqaloo ya moosa odAAu lana rabbaka bimaAAahida AAindaka la-in kashafta AAanna alrrijzalanu/minanna laka walanursilanna maAAaka banee isra-eela
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
7:134 When the plague befell them, they said, "O Moses, call on your Lord for what pledge He gave you. If you remove this plague from us, then we will acknowledge you and we will send with you the Children of Israel."
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
7:134 And when the affliction befell them, they said: "O Moses, call on your Lord for what He has pledged with you, that if you remove this affliction from us, then we will believe in you and we will send with you the Children of Israel."
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
7:134 And whenever a plague struck them, they would cry: "O Moses, pray for us to thy Sustainer on the strength of the covenant [of prophethood] which He has made with thee! If thou remove this plague from us, we will truly believe in thee. and will let the children of Israel go with thee!"
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
7:134 Whenever a plague afflicted them, they said, "O Moses, implore your Lord - you are close to Him. If you relieve this plague, we will believe with you, and will send the Children of Israel with you.",
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
7:134 (The irrational Egyptians continued to remain sunken in superstition.) Whenever hardship struck, they turned to Moses for prayer stating that God had a pledge with him, and promising that they would believe and let the Children of Israel go with him.38

Note 38
They did not understand that the pledge of God with His Messengers was only that of obeying His commands and His blessings in return. It did not involve any supernatural phenomena such as miracles

7:135 فلما كشفنا عنهم الرجز الى اجل هم بلغوه اذا هم ينكثون

Transcription (English)
7:135 Falamma kashafna AAanhumu alrrijzaila ajalin hum balighoohu itha humyankuthoona
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
7:135 So when We removed from them the plague until a future time; they broke their pledge.
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
7:135 So when We removed from them the affliction, until a future time, they broke their pledge.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
7:135 But whenever We removed the plague from them, giving them time to make good their promise,97 lo, they would break their word.

Note 97
Lit., "until a term which they should reach".
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
7:135 Yet, when we relieved the plague for any length of time, they violated their pledge.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
7:135 When the hardship ran its course according to Our laws, they would break their promise with Moses.

7:136 فانتقمنا منهم فاغرقنهم فى اليم بانهم كذبوا بايتنا وكانوا عنها غفلين

Transcription (English)
7:136 Faintaqamna minhum faaghraqnahumfee alyammi bi-annahum kaththaboo bi-ayatinawakanoo AAanha ghafileena
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
Children of Israel Tested After Receiving Divine Support7:136 For their denial and disregard of Our signs, We thus inflicted them with punishment by drowning them in the sea,
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
7:136 We thus took vengeance upon them by drowning them in the sea, for their denial of Our signs, and their disregard of them.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
7:136 And so We inflicted Our retribution on them, and caused them to drown in the sea, because they had given the lie to Our messages and had been heedless of them;
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
The Inevitable Retribution7:136 Consequently, we avenged their actions, and drowned them in the sea. That is because they rejected our signs, and were totally heedless thereof.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
7:136 So, We sent Our requital on them and drowned them in the sea, for they had been denying Our messages and remained heedless.

7:137 واورثنا القوم الذين كانوا يستضعفون مشرق الارض ومغربها التى بركنا فيها وتمت كلمت ربك الحسنى على بنى اسرءيل بما صبروا ودمرنا ما كان يصنع فرعون وقومه وما كانوا يعرشون

Transcription (English)
7:137 Waawrathna alqawma allatheenakanoo yustadAAafoona mashariqa al-ardiwamagharibaha allatee barakna feehawatammat kalimatu rabbika alhusna AAalabanee isra-eela bima sabaroo wadammarnama kana yasnaAAu firAAawnu waqawmuhu wamakanoo yaAArishoona
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
7:137 We let the people who were oppressed inherit the east and the west of the land which We have blessed, and good word of your Lord was completed towards the Children of Israel. For they were patient, and We destroyed what Pharaoh and his people were doing, and what they contrived.
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
7:137 And We let the people who were weak inherit the east of the land and the west of it which We have blessed. And the good word of your Lord was completed towards the Children of Israel for their patience; and We destroyed what Pharaoh and his people were doing, and what they contrived.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
7:137 whereas unto the people who [in the past] had been deemed utterly low, We gave as their heritage the eastern and western parts of the land that We had blessed.98 And [thus] thy Sustainer's good promise unto the children of Israel was fulfilled in result of their patience in adversity;99 whereas We utterly destroyed all that Pharaoh and his people had wrought, and all that they had built.100

Note 98
Palestine is spoken of as "blessed" because it was the land in which Abraham, Isaac and Jacob had lived, and because so many other prophets were to appear there.

Note 99
The promise of God referred to here is the one given to the children of Israel through Moses (see verses 128 and 129).

Note 100
The story of the suffering of the Israelites during their bondage in Egypt, their deliverance through Moses, their crossing of the Red Sea (or, more probably, of what today is known as the Gulf of Suez) and the destruction of Pharaoh and his hosts is narrated in considerable detail in the Bible (Exodus i-xiv). The Qur'an, on the other hand, does not give us a consecutive narrative: for historical narrative as such is never its purpose. Whenever the Qur'an refers to past events-whether recorded in the Bible or alive in Arabian tradition-it does so exclusively with a view to bringing out elements that are relevant to the ethical, teachings which it propounds.
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
7:137 We let the oppressed people inherit the land, east and west, and we blessed it. The blessed commands of your Lord were thus fulfilled for the Children of Israel, to reward them for their steadfastness, and we annihilated the works of Pharaoh and his people and everything they harvested.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
7:137 We made the oppressed people inherit the east and the west of the land that We had blessed with abundant provision. The commands of your Lord were fulfilled for the Children of Israel to reward them for their steadfastness. Pharaoh and his people eventually met destruction for violating Our laws. And We leveled to the ground (the great works and fine buildings, temples, palaces, tombs, statues and stately) structures of all kinds that Pharaoh and his people had built with so much skill and pride.39

Note 39
The Children of Israel later inherited a sizeable and highly prosperous kingdom including Syria and Palestine under David and Solomon

7:138 وجوزنا ببنى اسرءيل البحر فاتوا على قوم يعكفون على اصنام لهم قالوا يموسى اجعل لنا الها كما لهم ءالهة قال انكم قوم تجهلون

Transcription (English)
7:138 Wajawazna bibanee isra-eelaalbahra faataw AAala qawmin yaAAkufoona AAalaasnamin lahum qaloo ya moosaijAAal lana ilahan kama lahum alihatunqala innakum qawmun tajhaloona
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
7:138 We let the Children of Israel cross the sea, then they passed by a people who were devoted to idols they had. They said, "O Moses, make for us a god like the gods they have." He said, "You are an ignorant people!"
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
7:138 And We let the Children of Israel cross the sea, then they came upon a people who were devoted to statues made for them; they said: "O Moses, make for us a god like they have gods?" He said: "You are an ignorant people!"
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
7:138 AND WE BROUGHT the children of Israel across the sea; and thereupon they came upon people who were devoted to the worship of some idols of theirs.101 Said [the children of Israel ]: "O Moses, set up for us a god even as they have gods!" He replied: "Verily, you are people without any awareness [of right and wrong]!

Note 101
The Qur'an does not say who those people were. It is, however, probable that they belonged to the group of Arabian tribes described in the Bible as "Amalekites", who inhabited southernmost Palestine , the adjoining regions of the Hijaz, and parts of the Sinai Peninsula .
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
After All the Miracles7:138 We delivered the Children of Israel across the sea. When they passed by people who were worshipping statues, they said, "O Moses, make a god for us, like the gods they have." He said, "Indeed, you are ignorant people.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
7:138 After they crossed the sea (into Sinai 2:50-51), the Children of Israel passed by some people who were worshiping statues. They said, ‘O Moses! Make a god for us, like the gods they have.” Moses said, "You are a people who wish to lurk in darkness.

7:139 ان هؤلاء متبر ما هم فيه وبطل ما كانوا يعملون

Transcription (English)
7:139 Inna haola-i mutabbarun mahum feehi wabatilun ma kanoo yaAAmaloona
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
7:139 "These people are ruined for what they are in, and worthless is what they do."
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
7:139 "These people are ruined for what they are in, and evil is what they do."
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
7:139 As for these here -verily, their way of life is bound to lead to destruction; and worthless is all that they have ever done!"
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
7:139 "These people are committing a blasphemy, for what they are doing is disastrous for them.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
7:139 What these idol worshipers are doing is senseless and vain.

7:140 قال اغير الله ابغيكم الها وهو فضلكم على العلمين

Transcription (English)
7:140 Qala aghayra Allahi abgheekumilahan wahuwa faddalakum AAala alAAalameena
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
7:140 He said, "Shall I seek other than God as a god for you when He has preferred you over the worlds?"
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
7:140 He said: "Shall I seek other than God as a god for you when He has preferred you over the worlds?"
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
7:140 [And] he said: "Am I to seek for you a deity other than God, although it is He who has favoured you above all other people?"102

Note 102
I.e., by having raised so many prophets out of their midst.
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
7:140 "Shall I seek for you other than GOD to be your god, when He has blessed you more than anyone else in the world?",
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
7:140 Shall I seek a god for you other than God, when He has blessed you more than the other existing nations?"

7:141 واذ انجينكم من ءال فرعون يسومونكم سوء العذاب يقتلون ابناءكم ويستحيون نساءكم وفى ذلكم بلاء من ربكم عظيم

Transcription (English)
7:141 Wa-ith anjaynakum min alifirAAawna yasoomoonakum soo-a alAAathabi yuqattiloona abnaakumwayastahyoona nisaakum wafee thalikum balaonmin rabbikum AAatheemun
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
7:141 When We saved you from the people of Pharaoh, who were afflicting you with the worst punishment, killing your children and shaming your women; and in that was a great trial from your Lord.
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
7:141 And We had saved you from the people of Pharaoh, they were afflicting you with the worst punishment; they used to kill your children and rape your women; and in that was a great test from your Lord.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
7:141 And [he reminded them of this word of God]: "Lo, We saved you from Pharaoh's people who afflicted you with cruel suffering, slaying your sons in great numbers and sparing [only] your women - which was an awesome trial from your Sustainer."103

Note 103
Cf. 2:49 . It appears that this passage is part of Moses' reminder to his people (Manar IX, 115 ff.); I have brought this out by interpolating "he reminded them of this word of God" between brackets.
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
Reminder to the Children of Israel7:141 Recall that we delivered you from Pharaoh's people, who inflicted the worst persecution upon you, killing your sons and sparing your daughters. That was an exacting trial for you from your Lord.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
7:141 Also remember when We saved you from Pharaoh’s people. They used to persecute you by selecting (the strong ones) for a dreadful torment. They slaughtered your sons and let your women live. That emancipation was a great turn of events from your Lord Supreme.40

Note 40
In addition to killing the newborn boys, as a matter of state policy, Pharaoh humiliated the strong and left the vulnerable for slavery and shameful acts. Abna = Sons = Strong ones. Nisaa = Females = Women = Weak ones. Yastahyoon carries the connotation of ‘letting live’ as well as ‘in shame’. Yasoomoon = Selecting, choosing. This is what a tyrannical system does. 2:49, 27:34, 28:4, 40:25. Exodus 1:15-22 . Balaaun: Turn of events. Wa fi zalikum points to saving mentioned early in the verse

7:142 ووعدنا موسى ثلثين ليلة واتممنها بعشر فتم ميقت ربه اربعين ليلة وقال موسى لاخيه هرون اخلفنى فى قومى واصلح ولا تتبع سبيل المفسدين

Transcription (English)
7:142 WawaAAadna moosa thalatheenalaylatan waatmamnaha biAAashrin fatamma meeqaturabbihi arbaAAeena laylatan waqala moosa li-akheehiharoona okhlufnee fee qawmee waaslih walatattabiAA sabeela almufsideena
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
Moses Receives The Commandments7:142 We appointed for Moses thirty nights and completed them with ten, so the appointed time of his Lord was completed at forty nights. Moses said to his brother Aaron: "Be my successor with my people and reform, and do not follow the path of the corrupters."22

Note 22

One of the reasons that the number "forty" is expressed curiously as "thirty plus ten" is the role that numbers play in the numerical structure of the Quran.

The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
7:142 And We set a meeting for Moses in thirty nights, and We complemented them with ten, so the appointed time of his Lord was set at forty nights. And Moses said to his brother Aaron: "Be my successor with my people and be upright, and do not follow the path of the corrupters."
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
7:142 AND [then] We appointed for Moses thirty nights [on Mount Sinai ]; and We added to them ten, whereby the term of forty nights set bye, his Sustainer was fulfilled.104 And Moses said unto his brother Aaron: "Take thou my place among my people; and act righteously, and follow not the path of the spreaders of corruption."

Note 104
According to several of the Prophet's Companions, and particularly Ibn `Abbas, the first thirty nights were to be spent by Moses in spiritual preparation, including fasting, whereupon the Law would be revealed to him in the remaining ten (Zamakhshari and Razi); see also Manar IX, 119 ff.). In Arabic usage, a period of time designated as "nights" comprises the days as well.
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
Our World Cannot Stand the Physical Presence of God7:142 We summoned Moses for thirty7 nights, and completed them by adding ten. Thus, the audience with his Lord lasted forty * nights. Moses said to his brother Aaron, "Stay here with my people, maintain righteousness, and do not follow the ways of the corrupters.",

Note 7
The manner in which these numbers are mentioned is significant. As detailed in Appendix 1, all the numbersmentioned in the Quran add up to 162146,19x8534.
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
7:142 We summoned Moses for thirty nights and completed them by adding ten. Thus We completed the term with His Lord, forty nights. Before leaving for Mount Sinai, Moses assigned his brother Aaron, as his deputy and told him to keep social order after him and not to be intimidated by trouble makers. [2:51]

7:143 ولما جاء موسى لميقتنا وكلمه ربه قال رب ارنى انظر اليك قال لن ترىنى ولكن انظر الى الجبل فان استقر مكانه فسوف ترىنى فلما تجلى ربه للجبل جعله دكا وخر موسى صعقا فلما افاق قال سبحنك تبت اليك وانا اول المؤمنين

Transcription (English)
7:143 Walamma jaa moosalimeeqatina wakallamahu rabbuhu qala rabbiarinee anthur ilayka qala lan taraneewalakini onthur ila aljabali fa-iniistaqarra makanahu fasawfa taranee falammatajalla rabbuhu liljabali jaAAalahu dakkan wakharra moosasaAAiqan falamma afaqa qala subhanakatubtu ilayka waana awwalu almu/mineena
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
7:143 So when Moses came to Our appointed time, and his Lord spoke to him, he said, "My Lord, let me look upon you." He said, "You will not see Me, but look upon the mountain, if it stays in its place then you will see Me." So, when his Lord manifested Himself to the mountain, He caused it to crumble; thus Moses fell unconscious. When he recovered, he said, "Glory be to You, I repent to You and I am the first of those who acknowledge."23

Note 23

People in paradise will see God (39:69; 75:23, 89:22). Some critics claim that the last statement of this verse contradicts 39:12 and 2:132. If we check a search engine with the following words: Olympic first place 100-meters, we will find many names of athletes who got first place. If we use the logic of the critics, we would think there is a great confusion and contradictory claims regarding the first place winner of the 100-meters race. What is wrong with that logic? Obviously, we need to consider the two important dimensions: time and space! Abraham was the first Muslim (submitter and promoter of peace) in his time and location. Similarly, Moses and Muhammed were too pioneer muslims of their times and location.

The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
7:143 So when Moses came to Our appointed time, and his Lord spoke to him, he said: "My Lord, let me look upon you." He said: "You will not see Me, but look upon the mountain, if it stays in its place then you will see Me." So when his Lord revealed Himself to the mountain, He caused it to crumble; thus Moses fell unconscious. When he awoke, he said: "Glory to You, I repent to You and I am the first of those who believe."
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
7:143 And when Moses came [to Mount Sinai] at the time set by Us, and his Sustainer spoke unto him, he said: "O my Sustainer! Show [Thyself] unto me, so that I might behold Thee!" Said [God]: "Never canst thou see Me. However, behold this mountain: if it remains firm in its place, then - only then - wilt thou see Me.105 And as soon as his Sustainer revealed His glory to the mountain, He caused it to crumble to dust; and Moses fell down in a swoon. And when he came to himself, he said: "Limitless art Thou in Thy glory! Unto Thee do I turn in repentance; and I shall [always] be the first to believe in Thee!"106

Note 105
Lit., "then, in time (sawfa) wilt thou see Me". As these words express the impossibility of man's seeing God-which is clearly implied in the Arabic construction -a literal rendering would not do justice to it.

Note 106
Since Moses was already a believer, his words do not merely allude to belief in God's existence but, rather, belief in the impossibility of man's seeing God (Ibn Kathir, on the authority of Ibn `Abbas).
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
7:143 When Moses came at our appointed time, and his Lord spoke with him, he said, "My Lord, let me look and see You." He said, "You cannot see Me. Look at that mountain; if it stays in its place, then you can see Me." Then, his Lord manifested Himself to the mountain, and this caused it to crumble. Moses fell unconscious. When he came to, he said, "Be You glorified. I repent to You, and I am the most convinced believer.",
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
7:143 When Moses arrived at the appointed time, and his Lord spoke to him, Moses said, "My Lord! Give me the power to better perceive You." His Lord said, "You will not perceive Me unless you look pensively at the mountain. If it remains firm in its place, then shall you perceive Me." (You will realize that even a single mountain is made of countless particles that were scattered as dust and it is your Lord Who has made it stand firm.) Thus did his Lord choose for the mountain to be a manifestation of His glory. Moses pictured the mountain as dust and was stunned! When he recovered his senses, he said, "Infinite are You in Your glory! I turn to you repentant and I am among the foremost believers.”

7:144 قال يموسى انى اصطفيتك على الناس برسلتى وبكلمى فخذ ما ءاتيتك وكن من الشكرين

Transcription (English)
7:144 Qala ya moosa innee istafaytukaAAala alnnasi birisalateewabikalamee fakhuth ma ataytuka wakunmina alshshakireena
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
7:144 He said, "O Moses, I have chosen you over people with My message and My words; so take what I have given you and be of the thankful."
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
7:144 He said: "O Moses, I have chosen you over the people with My message and My words; so take what I have given you and be of the thankful."
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
7:144 Said [God]: "O Moses! Behold, I have raised thee above all people by virtue of the messages which I have entrusted to thee,107 and by virtue of My speaking [unto thee]: hold fast, therefore, unto what I have vouchsafed thee, and be among the grateful!"

Note 107
Lit., "by virtue of My messages".
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
7:144 He said, "O Moses, I have chosen you, out of all the people, with My messages and by speaking to you. Therefore, take what I have given you and be appreciative.",
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
7:144 God said, “O Moses! I have chosen you, out of all people, with My messages and by speaking to you. Therefore, take what I have given you and be among the grateful.”

7:145 وكتبنا له فى الالواح من كل شىء موعظة وتفصيلا لكل شىء فخذها بقوة وامر قومك ياخذوا باحسنها ساوريكم دار الفسقين

Transcription (English)
7:145 Wakatabna lahu fee al-alwahimin kulli shay-in mawAAithatan watafseelanlikulli shay-in fakhuthha biquwwatin wa/mur qawmakaya/khuthoo bi-ahsaniha saoreekum daraalfasiqeena
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
7:145 We wrote for him on the tablets from everything a lesson, and detailing all things. You shall uphold them firmly and order your people to take the best from it. I will show you the abode of the corrupt.24

Note 24

See the Old Testament, Deuteronomy 5:1-22 for the Ten Commandments. Also see Deuteronomy 6:4-5 .

The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
7:145 And We wrote for him on the tablets from all things a lesson, and detailing all things. Take it with strength and order your people to take the best from it. I will show you the abode of the wicked.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
7:145 And We ordained for him in the tablets [of the Law] all manner of admonition, clearly spelling out everything.108 And [We said:] "Hold fast unto them with [all thy] strength, and bid thy people to hold fast to their most goodly rules." I will show you the way the iniquitous shall go.109

Note 108
See surah 6, note 156.

Note 109
Lit., "I will show you the abode of the iniquitous". The rendering adopted by me corresponds to the interpretations given by Tabari (on the authority of Mujahid and Al-Hasan al-Basri) and by Ibn Kathir; regarding the meaning of dar ("abode") in this context, see surah 6, note 118. Some of the commentators are of the opinion that the above sentence concludes God's admonition to Moses, but the plural form of address in "I will show you" makes it more probable that it is the beginning of a parenthetic passage connected, no doubt, with the preceding one, but having a general import not confined to Moses.
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
7:145 We wrote for him on the tablets all kinds of enlightenments and details of everything: "You shall uphold these teachings strongly, and exhort your people to uphold them - these are the best teachings. I will point out for you the fate of the wicked.",
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
7:145 We ordained for him, in the Tablets of law, Enlightenment and clearly spelled out guidance. And told him, “Uphold these teachings strongly, and tell your people to uphold them. These are excellent teachings. I will soon let you and your people see (how blessed the end of compliance will be and) to which abode the drifters will be headed.” [39:18]

7:146 ساصرف عن ءايتى الذين يتكبرون فى الارض بغير الحق وان يروا كل ءاية لا يؤمنوا بها وان يروا سبيل الرشد لا يتخذوه سبيلا وان يروا سبيل الغى يتخذوه سبيلا ذلك بانهم كذبوا بايتنا وكانوا عنها غفلين

Transcription (English)
7:146 Saasrifu AAan ayatiyaallatheena yatakabbaroona fee al-ardi bighayri alhaqqiwa-in yaraw kulla ayatin la yu/minoo bihawa-in yaraw sabeela alrrushdi la yattakhithoohusabeelan wa-in yaraw sabeela alghayyi yattakhithoohusabeelan thalika bi-annahum kaththaboo bi-ayatinawakanoo AAanha ghafileena
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
Those Who Deny Signs and Miracles7:146 I will divert from My signs those who are arrogant on earth unjustly, and if they see every sign they do not acknowledge it, and if they see the path of guidance they do not take it as a path; and if they see the path of straying, they take it as a path. That is because they have denied Our signs and were heedless of them.25

Note 25

Religious clerics who oppose the numerical miracle of the Quran are one example. See 74:1.

The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
7:146 I will turn away from My revelations those who are arrogant on the earth without right, and if they see every sign they do not believe in it, and if they see the path of guidance they do not take it as a path; and if they see the path of mischief, they take it as a path. That is because they have denied Our revelations and were heedless of them.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
7:146 From My messages shall I cause to turn away all those who, without any right, behave haughtily on earth: for, though they may see every sign [of the truth], they do not believe in it, and though they may see the path of rectitude, they do not choose fo follow it-whereas, if they see a path of error, they take it for their own: this, because they have given the lie to Our messages, and have remained heedless of them,"110

Note 110
As so often in the Qur'an, God's "causing" the sinners to sin is shown to be a consequence of their own behaviour and the result of their free choice. By "those who, without any right, behave haughtily on earth". are obviously meant people who think that their own judgment as to what constitutes right and wrong is the only valid one, and who therefore refuse to submit their personal concerns to the criterion of absolute (i.e., revealed) moral standards; cf. 96:6 - "man becomes grossly overweening whenever he believes himself to be self-sufficient".
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
Divine Intervention Keeps the Disbelievers in the Dark7:146 I will divert from My revelations those who are arrogant on earth, without justification. Consequently, when they see every kind of proof they will not believe. And when they see the path of guidance they will not adopt it as their path, but when they see the path of straying they will adopt it as their path. This is the consequence of their rejecting our proofs, and being totally heedless thereof.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
7:146 Even if they went through the entire script, and saw clear evidence of the truth, their arrogance will keep them from believing. When they see the right guidance, they do not accept it, but they readily accept straying. This is because they choose to deny Our revelations and remain unaware of the wisdom in them.41

Note 41
The law stands that those who are arrogant without justification will turn away from Divine revelations. Takabbur bil-Haqq rightful pride with gratitude to God is different from Takabbur bighairil-Haqq Pride against all right. God ascribes to Himself, the consequences according to His Law of Requital, such as, “God did it.”

7:147 والذين كذبوا بايتنا ولقاء الءاخرة حبطت اعملهم هل يجزون الا ما كانوا يعملون

Transcription (English)
7:147 Waallatheena kaththaboobi-ayatina waliqa-i al-akhiratihabitat aAAmaluhum hal yujzawna illama kanoo yaAAmaloona
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
7:147 Those who deny Our signs and the meeting of the Hereafter, their work has collapsed. Will they not be rewarded except for what they used to do?
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
7:147 And those who deny Our revelations and the meeting of the Hereafter, their works have collapsed. Will they not be recompensed except for what they used to do?
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
7:147 Hence, all who give the lie to Our messages, and [thus] to the truth111 of the life to come -in vain shall be all their doings: [for] are they to be rewarded for aught but what they were wont to do?112

Note 111
Lit., "to the meeting (liqa')" - in the sense of its being a pre-ordained fact.

Note 112
This is the end of the parenthetic passage beginning with the words, "I will show you the way the iniquitous shall go".
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
7:147 Those who reject our revelations and the meeting of the Hereafter, their works are nullified. Are they requited only for what they committed?,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
7:147 Those who deny Our messages and the meeting of the Hereafter, their works are fruitless. Are they rewarded anything but what they deserved for their decisions?42

Note 42
Human beings should remember that every action has a consequence and it gets imprinted on the ‘self’. While every tomorrow is the Aakhirah after of today, the final Judgment and Recompense for us rests with the life to come

7:148 واتخذ قوم موسى من بعده من حليهم عجلا جسدا له خوار الم يروا انه لا يكلمهم ولا يهديهم سبيلا اتخذوه وكانوا ظلمين

Transcription (English)
7:148 Waittakhatha qawmu moosamin baAAdihi min huliyyihim AAijlan jasadan lahu khuwarunalam yaraw annahu la yukallimuhum wala yahdeehimsabeelan ittakhathoohu wakanoo thalimeena
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
Children of Israel are Tested With the Symbol Of Their Former Masters7:148 The people of Moses, in his absence, made from their ornaments the statue of a calf which had a sound. Did they not see that it could not speak to them, nor guide them to any way. They took it and turned wicked.26

Note 26

The verse does not say the calf made a sound; but a calf that had a sound, indicating its mechanical function. This sound was most likely created by wind passing through its holes. Indeed, archeologists discovered in Egyptian temples calf statues that created sound by the help of wind. See 20:83.

The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
7:148 And the people of Moses, in his absence, made from their ornaments a sculpture of a calf that emitted a cry. Did they not see that it could not speak to them, nor guide them to any way? They took it and they were wicked.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
7:148 AND IN his absence the people of Moses took to worshipping the effigy of a calf [made] of their ornaments, which gave forth a lowing sound."113 Did they not see that it could neither speak unto them nor guide them in any way? [And yet] they took to worshipping it, for they were evildoers:

Note 113
The golden calf of the Israelites was obviously a result of centuries-old Egyptian influences. The Egyptians worshipped at Memphis the sacred bull, Apis, which they believed to be an incarnation of the god Ptah. A new Apis was supposed always to be born at the moment when the old one died, while the soul of the latter was believed to pass into Osiris in the Realm of the Dead, to be henceforth worshipped as Osiris-Apis (the "Serapis" of the Greco-Egyptian period). The "lowing sound" (khuwar) which the golden calf emitted was probably produced by wind effects, as was the case with some of the hollow Egyptian temple effigies.
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
The Golden Calf7:148 During his absence, Moses' people made from their jewelry the statue of a calf, complete with the sound of a calf. Did they not see that it could not speak to them, or guide them in any path? They worshipped it, and thus turned wicked.,8

Note 8
How the golden calf acquired the sound of a calf is explained in Footnote 20:96.
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
7:148 The people of Moses made up a calf out of their ornaments while Moses was at the Mount Sinai. They made it such that blowing into it produced a lowing sound. They did not even see that it could not talk to them or show them any path. Still they chose it as a god, and thus wronged their own ‘self’.

7:149 ولما سقط فى ايديهم وراوا انهم قد ضلوا قالوا لئن لم يرحمنا ربنا ويغفر لنا لنكونن من الخسرين

Transcription (English)
7:149 Walamma suqita fee aydeehimwaraaw annahum qad dalloo qaloo la-in lam yarhamnarabbuna wayaghfir lana lanakoonanna mina alkhasireena
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
7:149 When they were smitten with remorse and they saw that they had gone astray, they said, "If our Lord will not have mercy on us and forgive us, then we will be of the losers!"
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
7:149 And when they realized what their hands had done, and they saw that they had gone astray, they said: "If our Lord will not have mercy on us and forgive us, then we will be of the losers!"
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
7:149 although [later,] when they would smite their hands in remorse,114 having perceived that they had gone astray, they would say, "Indeed, unless our Sustainer have mercy on us and grant us forgiveness, we shall most certainly be among the lost!"115

Note 114
Lit., "when it was made to fall upon their hands"-an idiomatic phrase denoting intense remorse, probably derived from the striking ("falling") of hand upon hand as an expression of grief or regret.

Note 115
The whole of verse 149 is a parenthetic clause (jumlah mu'taridah) referring to a later time-for the repentance of the Israelites came after Moses' return from Mount Sinai, of which the next verse speaks.
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
7:149 Finally, when they regretted their action, and realized that they had gone astray, they said, "Unless our Lord redeems us with His mercy, and forgives us, we will be losers.",
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
7:149 When they regretted their action and realized that they had gone astray, they said, “Unless our Lord have mercy on us and forgive us, we will be lost.”

7:150 ولما رجع موسى الى قومه غضبن اسفا قال بئسما خلفتمونى من بعدى اعجلتم امر ربكم والقى الالواح واخذ براس اخيه يجره اليه قال ابن ام ان القوم استضعفونى وكادوا يقتلوننى فلا تشمت بى الاعداء ولا تجعلنى مع القوم الظلمين

Transcription (English)
7:150 Walamma rajaAAa moosa ilaqawmihi ghadbana asifan qala bi/samakhalaftumoonee min baAAdee aAAajiltum amra rabbikum waalqa al-alwahawaakhatha bira/si akheehi yajurruhu ilayhi qalaibna omma inna alqawma istadAAafoonee wakadooyaqtuloonanee fala tushmit biya al-aAAdaa walatajAAalnee maAAa alqawmi alththalimeena
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
7:150 When Moses returned to his people, angry and grieved, he said, "Miserable is what you have done after me; do you wish to hasten the action of your Lord?" He cast down the tablets, and took his brother by his head dragging him towards him. He said, "Son of my mother, the people overpowered me and nearly killed me, so do not make the enemies rejoice over me, and do not make me with the wicked people."27

Note 27

The tablets containing God's commandments were not sacred or important but the commandments themselves were. Thus, as a reaction to the Children of Israel's disobedience to the first commandment, Moses reacted in anger. His throwing away the physical medium carrying the commandments and interrogating his brother for letting his people regress into idolatry has a message. There are those who ignore many commandments of the Quran, including its first commandment, yet demonstrate extreme respect to the paper and ink comprising the manuscript of the Quran. This behavior is materialistic and totemic.

The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
7:150 And when Moses returned to his people, angry and grieved, he said: "Miserable is what you have done after I was gone; do you wish to hasten the action of your Lord?" And he cast down the tablets, and took his brother by his head dragging him towards him. He said: "Son of my mother, the people overpowered me and nearly killed me, so do not make the enemies rejoice over me, and do not make me with the wicked people."
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
7:150 And when Moses returned to his people, full of wrath and sorrow, he exclaimed: "Vile is the course which you have followed in my absence! Have you forsaken116 your Sustainer's commandment?" And he threw down the tablets [of the Law], and seized his brother's head, dragging him towards himself. Cried Aaron: "O my mother's son! Behold, the people brought me low117 and almost slew me: so let not mine enemies rejoice at my affliction, and count me not among the evildoing folk!"

Note 116
Lit., "outrun". The expression "one has outrun a forsaken it" or "left it undone" (Zamakhshari).

Note 117
Lit., "made me [or "deemed me"] utterly weak". Contrary. to the Biblical account (Exodus xxxii, 1-5), the Qur'an does not accuse Aaron of having actually participated in making or worshipping the golden calf; his guilt consisted in having remained passive in the face of his ,people's idolatry for fear of causing a split among them (cf. 20:92).
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
7:150 When Moses returned to his people, angry and disappointed, he said, "What a terrible thing you have done in my absence! Could you not wait for the commandments of your Lord?" He threw down the tablets, and took hold of his brother's head, pulling him towards himself. (Aaron) said, "Son of my mother, the people took advantage of my weakness, and almost killed me. Let not my enemies rejoice, and do not count me with the transgressing people.",
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
7:150 Moses returned to his people and was upset and grieved. He said, “You have chosen a terrible thing after me. Do you wish your Lord’s requital to smite you soon? He put down the tablets of the commands among them and questioned his brother, Aaron, very strictly. Aaron explained, "O Son of my mother! These people treated me harshly and took my patience as weakness, and almost killed me. Let not my opponents rejoice, and do not count me among the wrongdoers."43

Note 43
20:86. Seizing the beard and head is indicative of interrogating harshly. Aaron had been extra patient with their idolatry to avoid division among them 20:94. Aaron, the Prophet of God, preferred Shirkover Sectarianism. This is how reprehensible sectarianism and division in religion is

7:151 قال رب اغفر لى ولاخى وادخلنا فى رحمتك وانت ارحم الرحمين

Transcription (English)
7:151 Qala rabbi ighfir lee wali-akheewaadkhilna fee rahmatika waanta arhamu alrrahimeena
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
7:151 He said, "My Lord, forgive me and my brother, and admit us in your mercy; you are the most Compassionate of the compassionate."
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
7:151 He said: "My Lord, forgive me and my brother, and admit us in Your mercy; and you are the Most Merciful of those who show mercy."
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
7:151 Said [Moses]: "O my Sustainer! Grant Thou forgiveness unto me118 and my brother, and admit us unto Thy grace: for Thou art the most merciful of the merciful!"

Note 118
Sc., "for my anger and my harshness" (Razi).
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
7:151 (Moses) said, "My Lord, forgive me and my brother, and admit us into Your mercy. Of all the merciful ones, You are the Most Merciful.",
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
7:151 Moses said, “My Lord! Forgive me and my brother and admit us in Your grace. Of all the merciful ones, You are the Most Merciful.”

7:152 ان الذين اتخذوا العجل سينالهم غضب من ربهم وذلة فى الحيوة الدنيا وكذلك نجزى المفترين

Transcription (English)
7:152 Inna allatheena ittakhathooalAAijla sayanaluhum ghadabun min rabbihim wathillatunfee alhayati alddunya wakathalikanajzee almuftareena
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
7:152 Those who took up the calf will be dealt with a wrath from their Lord and a humiliation in this worldly life. We thus punish the fabricators.
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
7:152 Those who took the calf will be dealt with a wrath from their Lord and a humiliation in this worldly life. It is such that We punish the fabricators.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
7:152 [And to Aaron he said:] "Verily, as for those who have taken to worshipping the [golden] - calf - their Sustainer's condemnation will overtake them, and ignominy [will be their lot] in the -life of this world!" For thus do We requite all who invent [such] falsehood.119

Note 119
Throughout the Qur'an, this expression is used to describe (a) the attribution of divine qualities to any concrete or imaginary object. or person, and"(b) the making of false statements about God, His attributes, or the contents of His messages. In the above context it refers to any false imagery which deflects man from the worship of the One God.
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
7:152 Surely, those who idolized the calf have incurred wrath from their Lord, and humiliation in this life. We thus requite the innovators.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
7:152 Those who chose the calf for worship, were seized by their Lord’s Law of Requital, and faced humiliation in the life of this world. Thus do We recompense those who invent lies.

7:153 والذين عملوا السيات ثم تابوا من بعدها وءامنوا ان ربك من بعدها لغفور رحيم

Transcription (English)
7:153 Waallatheena AAamiloo alssayyi-atithumma taboo min baAAdiha waamanoo innarabbaka min baAAdiha laghafoorun raheemun
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
7:153 As for those who commit sin but then repent afterwards and acknowledge; your Lord afterward is Forgiving, Compassionate.
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
7:153 As for those who commit sin but then repent afterwards and believe; your Lord after that is Forgiving, Merciful.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
7:153 But as for those who do bad deeds and afterwards repent and [truly] believe-verily, after such repentance120 thy Sustainer is indeed much forgiving, a dispenser of grace!

Note 120
Lit., "after it".
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
7:153 As for those who committed sins, then repented thereafter and believed, your Lord - after this - is Forgiver, Most Merciful.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
7:153 Those who have done ill deeds, but then repent and attain belief, for them, afterward, God is Forgiving, Merciful.

7:154 ولما سكت عن موسى الغضب اخذ الالواح وفى نسختها هدى ورحمة للذين هم لربهم يرهبون

Transcription (English)
7:154 Walamma sakata AAan moosaalghadabu akhatha al-alwaha wafee nuskhatihahudan warahmatun lillatheena hum lirabbihimyarhaboona
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
7:154 When the anger subsided from Moses, he took the tablets; and in its inscription was a guidance and mercy for those who revere their Lord.
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
7:154 And when the anger subsided from Moses, he took the tablets; and in its inscription was a guidance and a mercy for those who reverence their Lord.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
7:154 And when Moses' wrath as stilled, he took up the tablets, in the writing whereof there was guidance and grace for all who stood in awe of their Sustainer.121

Note 121
According to the Bible (Exodus xxxii, 19), Moses broke the tablets when he threw them down in anger; the Qur'anic narrative, however, shows them as having remained intact.
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
7:154 When Moses' anger subsided, he picked up the tablets, containing guidance and mercy for those who reverence their Lord.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
7:154 When Moses calmed down, he picked up the tablets, on which was inscribed merciful guidance for those who fear violating the law of their Lord.

7:155 واختار موسى قومه سبعين رجلا لميقتنا فلما اخذتهم الرجفة قال رب لو شئت اهلكتهم من قبل وايى اتهلكنا بما فعل السفهاء منا ان هى الا فتنتك تضل بها من تشاء وتهدى من تشاء انت ولينا فاغفر لنا وارحمنا وانت خير الغفرين

Transcription (English)
7:155 Waikhtara moosaqawmahu sabAAeena rajulan limeeqatina falammaakhathat-humu alrrajfatu qala rabbi lawshi/ta ahlaktahum min qablu wa-iyyaya atuhlikunabima faAAala alssufahao minna in hiyailla fitnatuka tudillu biha man tashaowatahdee man tashao anta waliyyuna faighfirlana wairhamna waanta khayru alghafireena
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
7:155 Moses selected from his people seventy men for Our appointed time; so when the quake seized them, he said, "My Lord, if You wished You could have destroyed them before this, and me as well. Will you destroy us for what the foolish amongst us have done? It is all Your test, You misguide with it whom You please and You guide with it whom You please. You are our supporter, so forgive us and have mercy on us; You are the best forgiver."28

Note 28

Compare it with the Old Testament, Numbers 11:16-30 .

The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
7:155 And Moses selected from his people seventy men for Our appointed time; so when the earthquake seized them, he said: "My Lord, if You wished You could have destroyed them before this, and me as well. Will you destroy us for what the foolish among us have done? It is all Your test, You misguide with it whom You please and You guide with it whom You please. You are our Supporter, so forgive us and have mercy on us; You are the Best Forgiver."
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
7:155 And Moses chose out of his people seventy men to come [and pray for forgiveness] at a time set by Us. Then, when violent trembling seized them,122 he prayed: "O my Sustainer! Hadst Thou so willed, Thou wouldst have destroyed them ere this, and me [with them]. Wilt Thou destroy us for what the weak-minded among us have done? (All] this is but a trial from Thee, whereby Thou allowest to go astray whom Thou willest, and guidest aright whom Thou willest. Thou art near unto us: grant us, then, forgiveness and have mercy on us - for Thou art the best of all forgivers!

Note 122
Most of the commentators take rajfah to mean here "earthquake", as it evidently does in matter" is synonymous with "he has other places in the Qur'an (e.g., in verses 78 and 91 of this surah). However, it should be remembered that this noun denotes any "violent commotion" or "trembling", from whatever cause; and since there is no reason to suppose that in this context an earthquake is meant, we may assume that the violent trembling which seized the seventy elders was caused by their intense regret and fear of God's punishment.
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
7:155 Moses then selected seventy men from among his people, to come to our appointed audience. When the quake shook them, he said, "My Lord, You could have annihilated them in the past, together with me, if You so willed. Would You annihilate us for the deeds of those among us who are foolish? This must be the test that You have instituted for us. With it, You condemn whomever You will, and guide whomever You will. You are our Lord and Master, so forgive us, shower us with Your mercy; You are the best Forgiver.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
7:155 Then, Moses selected seventy of his people for Our place of meeting. When they were seized with violent quaking, he said, “My Lord! You could have destroyed them and me long before, if You so willed. Would You destroy us for the actions of the foolish ones among us? This must be Your trial. By such trials, You let go astray those who will to go astray, and You guide those who will to be guided. You are our Protector. So, forgive us and grant us mercy. You are the Best of forgivers. [2:55]

7:156 واكتب لنا فى هذه الدنيا حسنة وفى الءاخرة انا هدنا اليك قال عذابى اصيب به من اشاء ورحمتى وسعت كل شىء فساكتبها للذين يتقون ويؤتون الزكوة والذين هم بايتنا يؤمنون

Transcription (English)
7:156 Waoktub lana fee hathihialddunya hasanatan wafee al-akhiratiinna hudna ilayka qala AAathabee oseebubihi man ashao warahmatee wasiAAat kulla shay-infasaaktubuha lillatheena yattaqoona wayu/toona alzzakatawaallatheena hum bi-ayatinayu/minoona
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
Importance of Charity and Social Work7:156 "Decree for us good in this world, and in the Hereafter; we have been guided towards You." He said, "I will afflict with My punishment whom I chose, but My mercy encompasses all things. I will thus decree it for those who are aware and contribute towards betterment, and those who acknowledge Our signs."29

Note 29

The importance of zaka (purification and betterment) through giving from blessings, is emphasized. Infaq is the financial zaka. The amount of financial charity (2:219; 17:26), its time (6:141), the list of recommended recipients (2:215), how it will be given (2:274; 13:22), and why it should be given (30:39) are all clarified.

The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
7:156 "And decree for us good in this world, and in the Hereafter; we have been guided towards You." He said: "My punishment, I afflict with it whom I chose, and My mercy encompasses all things. I will thus decree it for those who are aware and contribute towards purification, and those who believe in Our revelations."
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
7:156 And ordain Thou for us what is good in this world as well as in the life to come: behold, unto Thee have we turned in repentance!" [God] answered: "With My chastisement do I afflict whom I will - but My grace overspreads everything:123 and so I shall confer it on those who are conscious of Me and spend in charity, and who believe in Our messages-

Note 123
Cf. 6:12 (and the corresponding note 10), as well as 6:54.
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
Requirements For Attaining God's Mercy The Importance of Zakat7:156 "And decree for us righteousness in this world, and in the Hereafter. We have repented to You." He said, "My retribution befalls whomever I will. But My mercy encompasses all things. However, I will specify it for those who (1) lead a righteous life, (2) give the obligatory charity (Zakat), (3) believe in our revelations, and,9

Note 9
The importance of the obligatory charity (Zakat) cannot be overemphasized. As instituted in6:141, Zakat must be given away upon receivingany income---2.5% of one's net income must be given to the parents, therelatives, the orphans, the poor, and the traveling alien, in this order(see 2:215).
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
7:156 Appoint for us the good in this world and in the Hereafter. We turn to You for guidance.” (He answered), “My punishment is but through My law. But My mercy embraces all things. Yet, I (especially) appoint it for those who live upright and keep their wealth open for others and those who truly believe in Our messages.”44

Note 44
Sha = Due measure = Divine law = Will. Taqwa = To live upright = Being mindful of God = Being observant = Being God-conscious = Seeking to journey through life in security. Nafaq = An open-ended tunnel = Shun hoarding = Leaving wealth open for others = Spend on others

7:157 الذين يتبعون الرسول النبى الامى الذى يجدونه مكتوبا عندهم فى التورىة والانجيل يامرهم بالمعروف وينهىهم عن المنكر ويحل لهم الطيبت ويحرم عليهم الخبئث ويضع عنهم اصرهم والاغلل التى كانت عليهم فالذين ءامنوا به وعزروه ونصروه واتبعوا النور الذى انزل معه اولئك هم المفلحون

Transcription (English)
7:157 Allatheena yattabiAAoona alrrasoolaalnnabiyya al-ommiyya allathee yajidoonahumaktooban AAindahum fee alttawrati waal-injeeliya/muruhum bialmaAAroofi wayanhahum AAani almunkariwayuhillu lahumu alttayyibati wayuharrimuAAalayhimu alkhaba-itha wayadaAAu AAanhum israhumwaal-aghlala allatee kanat AAalayhim faallatheenaamanoo bihi waAAazzaroohu wanasaroohu waittabaAAooalnnoora allathee onzila maAAahu ola-ikahumu almuflihoona
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
Muhammed: The Gentile Prophet7:157 "Those who follow the gentile prophet whom they find written for them in the Torah and the Injeel; he orders them to goodness, deters them from evil, he makes lawful for them the good things, he forbids for them the evil, and he removes their burden and the shackles imposed upon them. So those who acknowledged him, honored him, supported him, and followed the light that was sent down with him; these are the successful."30

Note 30

The prophetic statements in Deuteronomy 18:15-19 , and John 14:16-17 and 16:13 might be understood to be about Muhammed.

The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
7:157 "Those who follow the Gentile messenger prophet whom they find written for them in the Torah and the Gospel; he orders them to kindness, and prohibits them from vice, and he makes lawful for them the good things, and he makes unlawful for them the evil things, and he removes their burden and the shackles that are upon them. So those who believe in him, and support him, and help him persevere, and follow the light that was sent down with him; these are the successful ones."
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
7:157 those who shall follow the [last] Apostle, the unlettered Prophet whom they shall find described in the Torah that is with them, and [later on] in the Gospel:124 [the Prophet] who will enjoin upon them the doing of what is right and forbid them the doing of what is wrong, and make lawful to them the good things of life and forbid them the bad things, and lift from them their burdens and the shackles that were upon them [aforetime].125 Those, therefore, who shall believe in him, and honour him, and succour him, and follow the light that has been bestowed from on high through him-it is they that shall attain to a happy state."

Note 124
The interpolation of the words "later on" before the reference to the Gospel is necessitated by the fact that the whole of this passage is addressed to Moses and the children of Israel, that is, long before the Gospel (in the Qur'anic sense of this term -cf. surah 3, note 4) was revealed to Jesus. The stories of some of the earlier prophets given in this surah -beginning with the story of Noah and ending with that of Moses and the children of Israel - constitute a kind of introduction to this command to follow the "unlettered Prophet", Muhammad. The stress on his having been "unlettered" (ummi), i.e., unable to read and write, serves to bring out the fact that all his knowledge of the earlier prophets and of the messages transmitted by them was due to divine inspiration alone, and not to a familiarity with the Bible as such. For the Old Testament predictions of the advent of the Prophet Muhammad (especially in Deuteronomy xviii, 15 and 18), see surah 2, note 33; for the New Testament prophecies to the same effect, see 61:6 and the corresponding note 6.

Note 125
A reference to the many severe rituals and obligations laid down in Mosaic Law, as well as to the tendency towards asceticism evident in the teachings of the Gospels. Thus the Qur'an implies that those "burdens and shackles", intended as means of spiritual discipline for particular communities and particular stages of man's development, will become unnecessary as soon as God's message to man shall have achieved its final, universal character in the teachings of the Last Prophet, Muhammad.
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
7:157 "(4) follow the messenger, the gentile prophet (Muhammad), whom they find written in their Torah and Gospel. He exhorts them to be righteous, enjoins them from evil, allows for them all good food, and prohibits that which is bad, and unloads the burdens and the shackles imposed upon them. Those who believe in him, respect him, support him, and follow the light that came with him are the successful ones.",10

Note 10
Muhammad is prophesied in Deuteronomy 18:15-19 and John 14:16-17 & 16:13.
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
7:157 (Now the law has been revealed to Prophet Muhammad.) Those who follow the Messenger, the unlettered Prophet, will find him well described45 in the Torah and the Gospel with them. He enjoins upon them the Right, and forbids them the Wrong. He declares lawful all good things, and declares unlawful only the unclean things. He relieves people from the burdens of false dogmas they carried. He breaks the shackles of mental and physical slavery that they used to carry, and brings them out from darkness into Light. Those who believe in him, honor and support him, and follow the Light that has been sent forth with him, are the eternally successful.

Note 45
5:15, 65:11, 76:4. He learned to read and write after the revelation 29:48. *Deuteronomy: 18:15. Gospel of John: 14:16, 15:26, 16:7 Paracletos = Comforter, from original Greek Periclytos = The praised one. In Aramaic, Mawhamana = The praised one. Please note 'Zulumaat' used in plural and 'Light' in singular indicating that the darkness of ignorance comes in many forms whereas the Light of truth is only one

7:158 قل يايها الناس انى رسول الله اليكم جميعا الذى له ملك السموت والارض لا اله الا هو يحى ويميت فامنوا بالله ورسوله النبى الامى الذى يؤمن بالله وكلمته واتبعوه لعلكم تهتدون

Transcription (English)
7:158 Qul ya ayyuha alnnasuinnee rasoolu Allahi ilaykum jameeAAan allatheelahu mulku alssamawati waal-ardila ilaha illa huwa yuhyee wayumeetufaaminoo biAllahi warasoolihi alnnabiyyial-ommiyyi allathee yu/minu biAllahi wakalimatihiwaittabiAAoohu laAAallakum tahtadoona
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
7:158 Say, "O people, I am God's messenger to you all. The One who has the sovereignty of heavens and earth, there is no god but He; He gives life and causes death." So acknowledge God and His gentile prophet, who acknowledges God and His words; and follow him that you may be guided.31

Note 31

By distorting the meaning of ummi, clerics turned Muhammed into an illiterate person. For the meaning of ummi, see 3:20 and 2:78. For a detailed discussion of this verse, see the Sample Comparisons section in the Introduction.

The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
7:158 Say: "O people, I am a messenger of God to you all. The One who has the sovereignty of the heavens and the earth, there is no god except He; He gives life and causes death." So believe in God and His Gentile messenger prophet, who believes in God and His words; and follow him that you may be guided.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
7:158 Say [O Muhammad]: "O mankind! Verily, I am an apostle of God to all of you,126 [sent by Him] unto whom the dominion over the heavens and the earth belongs! There is no deity save Him; He [alone] grants life and deals death!" Believe, then, in God and His Apostle-the unlettered Prophet who believes in God and His words-and follow him, so that you might find guidance!

Note 126
This verse, placed parenthetically in the midst of the story of Moses and the children of Israel, is meant to elucidate the preceding passage. Each of the earlier prophets was sent to his, and only his, community: thus, the Old Testament addresses itself only to the children of Israel, and even Jesus, whose message had a wider bearing, speaks of himself as "sent only unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel" (Matthew xv. 24). In contrast, the message of the Qur'an is universal-that is, addressed to mankind as a whole-and is neither time-bound nor confined to any particular cultural environment. It is for this reason that Muhammad, through whom this message was revealed, is described in the Qur'an (21:107) as an evidence of "[God's] grace towards all the worlds" (i.e. towards all mankind), and as "the Seal of all Prophets" (33:40) - in other words, the last of them.
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
7:158 Say, "O people, I am GOD's messenger to all of you. To Him belongs the sovereignty of the heavens and the earth. There is no god except He. He controls life and death." Therefore, you shall believe in GOD and His messenger, the gentile prophet, who believes in GOD and His words. Follow him, that you may be guided.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
7:158 Say, "O Mankind! I am God’s Messenger to all of you (beyond temporal and geographical bounds.) The Messenger of Him to Whom belongs the Dominion of the heavens and earth. There is no god but He. He has absolute control over the fountain spring of life and over the laws of transition to death. So, believe in God and His Messenger, the Prophet to whose people no scripture was given before, and who believes in God and in His Words. Follow him so that you may be rightly guided.”

7:159 ومن قوم موسى امة يهدون بالحق وبه يعدلون

Transcription (English)
7:159 Wamin qawmi moosa ommatun yahdoonabialhaqqi wabihi yaAAdiloona
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
7:159 Among the people of Moses are a nation who guide with truth and with it they become just.
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
7:159 And from among the people of Moses are a nation who guide with the truth and with it they become just.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
7:159 AND AMONG the folk of Moses there have been people who would guide [others] in the way of the truth and act justly in its light.127

Note 127
I.e., people like those spoken of in 3:113. With this verse, the discourse returns to the moral history of the children of Israel. The stress on the fact that there have always been righteous people among them is meant to contrast this righteousness with the rebellious sinfulness which most of them displayed throughout their Biblical history. It provides. at the same time, an indication that. although the wrongdoing of some of its members may sometimes plunge whole communities into suffering, God judges men individually, and not in groups.
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
The Guided Jews7:159 Among the followers of Moses there are those who guide in accordance with the truth, and the truth renders them righteous.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
7:159 The people of Moses were given similar guidance and a section among them was guided and did justice in truth.

7:160 وقطعنهم اثنتى عشرة اسباطا امما واوحينا الى موسى اذ استسقىه قومه ان اضرب بعصاك الحجر فانبجست منه اثنتا عشرة عينا قد علم كل اناس مشربهم وظللنا عليهم الغمم وانزلنا عليهم المن والسلوى كلوا من طيبت ما رزقنكم وما ظلمونا ولكن كانوا انفسهم يظلمون

Transcription (English)
7:160 WaqattaAAnahumu ithnatayAAashrata asbatan omaman waawhayna ilamoosa ithi istasqahu qawmuhu ani idribbiAAasaka alhajara fainbajasat minhu ithnataAAashrata AAaynan qad AAalima kullu onasin mashrabahum wathallalnaAAalayhimu alghamama waanzalna AAalayhimu almannawaalssalwa kuloo min tayyibati marazaqnakum wama thalamoona walakinkanoo anfusahum yathlimoona
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
7:160 We separated them into twelve tribes as nations; and We inspired Moses when his people wanted to drink: "Strike the rock with your staff," thus twelve springs burst forth. Every group knew where from to drink. We shaded them with clouds and We sent down to them manna and quail: "Eat from the good things that We have provided for you." They did not wrong Us, but it was themselves that they wronged.
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
7:160 And We separated them into twelve patriarch nations; and We inspired Moses when his people wanted to drink: "Strike the stone with your staff," thus twelve springs burst out of it. Each people then knew from where to drink. And We shaded them with clouds and We sent down to them manna and quail: "Eat from the good things that We have provided for you." They did not wrong Us, but it was their souls that they wronged.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
7:160 And We divided them into twelve tribes, [or] communities. And when his people asked Moses for water, We inspired him, "Strike the rock with thy staff!" -whereupon twelve springs gushed forth from it, so that all the people knew whence to drink., And We caused the clouds to comfort them with their shade, and We sent down unto them manna and quails, [saying:] "Partake of the good things which We have provided for you as sustenance." And [by all their sinning] they did no harm unto Us-but [only] against their own selves did they sin.
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
Miracles in Sinai7:160 We divided them into twelve tribal communities, and we inspired Moses when his people asked him for water: "Strike the rock with your staff," whereupon twelve springs gushed out therefrom. Thus, each community knew its water. And we shaded them with clouds, and sent down to them manna and quails: "Eat from the good things we provided for you." It is not us that they wronged; it is they who wronged their own souls.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
7:160 We set up twelve tribal communities among the Israelites (for effective administration). When his people asked for water, We revealed to Moses, “Strike the rock with your staff!” And twelve springs gushed forth from there. Each group knew its own place of water. We gave them the shade of clouds, and manna and quails, saying, “Eat of the good things We have provided you.” (After a time, the corrupters in that wonderful society started dissenting.) They did not harm Us, but they did harm their own ‘self’.46

Note 46
2:60, 3:7. Remember the times when they were in the Sinai desert and there was shortage of water. Moses asked for water for his people and God guided him to a rock under which were hidden twelve springs of water ready to gush forth. Moses, with the strength of his conviction and with the help of his companions, unclogged those springs and each of the twelve tribes found their respective source of fresh cool water. Moses had established the Divine System of life. God will open the blessings of the heavens and earth for any nation that accepts His laws and works for the collective good of humanity. Such abundance with equity is no less than a heavenly "Table spread" that ensures freedom from want for all, in the shadow of Divine grace. They enjoyed delicious bird meat and vegetation they had grown in the oasis of their own making. ForManna and Salwa, see Glossary in Introduction to QXP

7:161 واذ قيل لهم اسكنوا هذه القرية وكلوا منها حيث شئتم وقولوا حطة وادخلوا الباب سجدا نغفر لكم خطيتكم سنزيد المحسنين

Transcription (English)
7:161 Wa-ith qeela lahumu oskunoo hathihialqaryata wakuloo minha haythu shi/tum waqooloo hittatunwaodkhuloo albaba sujjadan naghfir lakum khatee-atikumsanazeedu almuhsineena
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
Children of Israel Trade Humility and Peace With Violence and Arrogance7:161 When they were told: "Reside in this town and eat from it as you please, talk amicably and enter the passage by prostrating, We will then forgive for you your wrong doings. We will increase for the good doers."
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
7:161 And they were told: "Reside in this town and eat from it as you please, and say: "Our load is removed," and enter the passageway by crouching, We will forgive for you your wrongdoings, and We will increase for the good doers."
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
7:161 And [remember] when you were told: "Dwell in this land and eat of its food as you may desire; but say, `Remove Thou from us the burden of our sins,' and enter the gate humbly - [whereupon] We shall forgive you your sins [and] shall amply reward the doers of good."
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
Rebellion Despite the Miracles7:161 Recall that they were told, "Go into this town to live, and eat therefrom as you please, treat the people amicably, and enter the gate humbly. We will then forgive your transgressions. We will multiply the reward for the righteous.",
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
7:161 And remember it was said to them, “Dwell in this town (Palestine 5:21) and enjoy the provisions as you wish. Enter the gate humbly and say, ‘Hittatun’, ‘Our Lord! Absolve our misdeeds as we mend our ways.’ Then do what you say and We shall forgive you your misdeeds. We increase the reward for the doers of good.” [2:58]

7:162 فبدل الذين ظلموا منهم قولا غير الذى قيل لهم فارسلنا عليهم رجزا من السماء بما كانوا يظلمون

Transcription (English)
7:162 Fabaddala allatheena thalamoominhum qawlan ghayra allathee qeela lahum faarsalnaAAalayhim rijzan mina alssama-i bima kanooyathlimoona
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
7:162 Those who were wicked amongst them altered what was said to them with something different; so We sent to them a pestilence from the sky because they were wicked.
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
7:162 Those who were transgressors among them altered what was said to them with something different; so We sent to them an affliction from the heaven for what transgression they were in.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
7:162 But those among them who were bent on wrongdoing substituted another saying for that which they had been given: and so We let loose against them a plague from heaven in requital of all their evil doings.128

Note 128
For an explanation of this and the preceding verse, see 2:58, and the corresponding notes.
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
7:162 But the evil ones among them substituted other commands for the commands given to them. Consequently, we sent upon them condemnation from the sky, because of their wickedness.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
7:162 But, some of the wrongdoers began changing the Word of God that was taught to them, and displaced it with their own fabrications. (They became disobedient). So, We (Our law) caused them to weaken and waver, for they violated the commands.47

Note 47
Rijz = Weakness = Disease = Plague = Beri beri, a neurological weakness in the camel and in humans caused by Vit B1 deficiency erroneously described under Ithm in QXPi. Rijam-min-Assama = Heavenly punishment resulting in moral and physical weakness. 2:59, 5:22, 7:134, 8:11, 29:34, 34:5

7:163 وسلهم عن القرية التى كانت حاضرة البحر اذ يعدون فى السبت اذ تاتيهم حيتانهم يوم سبتهم شرعا ويوم لا يسبتون لا تاتيهم كذلك نبلوهم بما كانوا يفسقون

Transcription (English)
7:163 Wais-alhum AAani alqaryati allatee kanathadirata albahri ith yaAAdoona fee alssabtiith ta/teehim heetanuhum yawma sabtihimshurraAAan wayawma la yasbitoona la ta/teehim kathalikanabloohum bima kanoo yafsuqoona
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
7:163 Ask them about the town which was by the sea, after they had transgressed the Sabbath; their fish would come to them openly on the day of their Sabbath, and when they were not in Sabbath, they would not come to them! It is such that We afflicted them for what they corrupted.
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
7:163 And ask them about the town which was by the sea, after they had transgressed the Sabbath; their fish would come to them openly on the day of their Sabbath, and when they are not in Sabbath, they do not come to them! It is such that We afflicted them for what wickedness they were in.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
7:163 And ask them about that town which stood by the sea: how its people would profane the Sabbath whenever their fish came to them, breaking the water's surface, on a day on which they ought to have kept Sabbath -because they would not come to them on other than Sabbath-days!129 Thus did We try them by means of their [own] iniquitous doings.

Note 129
Lit., "on a day when they did not keep Sabbath". Under Mosaic Law, they were obliged to refrain from all work-and, therefore, also from fishing-on Sabbath-days, with the result that the fish were more plentiful and would come closer to the shore on those days: and the inhabitants of the town took this as an excuse to break the Sabbath-law. Since the Qur'an does not mention the name of the town nor give any indication as to the historical period in which those offences were committed, it may be assumed that the story of the Sabbath-breakers (alluded to in several places in the Qur'an) is a general illustration of the tendency, so often manifested by the children of Israel, to offend against their religious laws in pursuit of their passions or for the sake of worldly gain. Although, according to the teachings of Islam, the Mosaic dispensation has since been abrogated, the Qur'an frequently points out its great role in the history of man's monotheistic beliefs, and stresses again and again its (time-bound) importance as a means of enforcing spiritual discipline on the children of Israel. Their repeated, deliberate breaches of the Mosaic Law are shown as evidence of their rebellious attitude towards that discipline and, thus, towards God's commandments in general.
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
Observing the Commandments ` Brings Prosperity7:163 Remind them of the community by the sea, who desecrated the Sabbath. When they observed the Sabbath, the fish came to them abundantly. And when they violated the Sabbath, the fish did not come. We thus afflicted them, as a consequence of their transgression.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
7:163 Ask the Israelites about the township (Elat) that was located by the sea, and they had violated the Sabbath. The big fish used to come on the surface in abundance on their day of Sabbath, feeling secure, and did not come up on other days. (But the community failed to persevere, and broke the Sabbath to get a good catch.) Thus We tested them to see for themselves how they drift away from discipline.

7:164 واذ قالت امة منهم لم تعظون قوما الله مهلكهم او معذبهم عذابا شديدا قالوا معذرة الى ربكم ولعلهم يتقون

Transcription (English)
7:164 Wa-ith qalat ommatun minhumlima taAAithoona qawman Allahu muhlikuhum awmuAAaththibuhum AAathaban shadeedan qaloomaAAthiratan ila rabbikum walaAAallahum yattaqoona
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
7:164 A nation from amongst them said, "Why do you preach to a people whom God will destroy or punish a painful retribution?" They said, "To fulfill our duty to your Lord, and perhaps they may become aware."
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
7:164 And a nation from among them said: "Why do you preach to a people whom God will destroy or punish a painful retribution?" They said: "A plea to your Lord, and perhaps they may be aware."
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
7:164 And whenever some people130 among them asked [those who tried to restrain the Sabbath-breakers], "Why do you preach to people whom God is about to destroy or [at least] to chastise with suffering severe?" -the pious ones131 would answer, "In order to be free from blame before your Sustainer, and that these [transgressors, too,] might become conscious of Him."

Note 130
Lit., "a community" - obviously people who, while not actively protesting against the impiety of their environment, did not themselves participate in this profanation of the Sabbath.

Note 131
Lit., "they" - an allusion to the really pious among them, such as are described in verse 159 above.
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
Mocking and Ridiculing God's Message7:164 Recall that a group of them said, "Why should you preach to people whom GOD will surely annihilate or punish severely?" They answered, "Apologize to your Lord," that they might be saved.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
7:164 The kind-hearted among them kept reminding the violators. And others said, “Why do you preach a people whom God’s requital is going to destroy or punish them with a severe torment?” The counselors said, “In order to be free of guilt before your Lord that we failed to advise - And in the hope that they live upright.”

7:165 فلما نسوا ما ذكروا به انجينا الذين ينهون عن السوء واخذنا الذين ظلموا بعذاب بيس بما كانوا يفسقون

Transcription (English)
7:165 Falamma nasoo ma thukkiroobihi anjayna allatheena yanhawna AAani alssoo-iwaakhathna allatheena thalamoobiAAathabin ba-eesin bima kanoo yafsuqoona
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
7:165 So when they forgot what they were reminded of, We saved those who desisted from evil, and We took those who transgressed with a grievous retribution for what they were corrupting.
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
7:165 So when they forgot that which they were reminded of, We saved those who prohibited wickedness, and We took those who transgressed with a grievous retribution for what wickedness they were in.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
7:165 And thereupon, when those [sinners] had forgotten all that they had been told to take to. heart, We saved those who had tried to prevent the doing of evil,132 and overwhelmed those who had been bent on evildoing with dreadful suffering for all their iniquity;

Note 132
Lit., "who were forbidding the evil".
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
7:165 When they disregarded what they were reminded of, we saved those who prohibited evil, and afflicted the wrongdoers with a terrible retribution for their wickedness.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
7:165 When they disregarded the reminders, We saved the ones who admonished them, and punished those who transgressed and drifted away from the command.

7:166 فلما عتوا عن ما نهوا عنه قلنا لهم كونوا قردة خسين

Transcription (English)
7:166 Falamma AAataw AAan ma nuhooAAanhu qulna lahum koonoo qiradatan khasi-eena
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
7:166 When they persisted in what they had been forbidden from, We said to them: "Be despicable apes!"32

Note 32

See 2:65 and 5:60.

The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
7:166 So when they persisted in that which they had been prohibited from, We said to them: "Be despicable apes!"
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
7:166 and then, when they disdainfully persisted in doing what they had been forbidden to do, We said unto them: "Be as apes despicable!"133

Note 133
According to Zamakhshari and Razi, the expression "We said unto them" is here synonymous with "We decreed with' regard to them" - God's "saying" being in this case a metonym for a manifestation of His will. As for the substance of God's decree, "Be as apes despicable", the famous tabi'i Mujahid explain it thus: "[Only] their hearts were transformed, that is, they were not [really] transformed into apes: this is but a metaphor (mathal) coined by God with regard to them, similar to the metaphor of `the ass carrying books' [62:5]" (Tabari, in his commentary on 2:65; also Manar I, 343; VI, 448; and IX, 379). A similar explanation is given by Raghib. It should be borne in mind that the expression "like an ape" is often used in classical Arabic to describe a person who is unable to restrain his gross appetites or passions.
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
7:166 When they continued to defy the commandments, we said to them, "Be you despicable apes.",
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
7:166 As they persisted with their rebellious behavior, Our law caused their disposition take a downward turn and they developed apish mentality. We told them, “Be the living symbols of humiliation.”

7:167 واذ تاذن ربك ليبعثن عليهم الى يوم القيمة من يسومهم سوء العذاب ان ربك لسريع العقاب وانه لغفور رحيم

Transcription (English)
7:167 Wa-ith taaththana rabbukalayabAAathanna AAalayhim ila yawmi alqiyamati manyasoomuhum soo-a alAAathabi inna rabbaka lasareeAAu alAAiqabiwa-innahu laghafoorun raheemun
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
7:167 Furthermore, your Lord declared that He will rise against them people who would inflict severe persecution on them, until the day of Resurrection. Your Lord is quick to punish, and He is Forgiving, Compassionate.
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
7:167 And your Lord has sworn that He will send upon them, until the Day of Resurrection, people who would inflict severe punishments on them. Your Lord is swift to punish, and He is Forgiving, Merciful.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
7:167 And lo! Thy Sustainer made it known that most certainly He would rouse against them, unto Resurrection Day, people who would afflict them with cruel suffering: verily, thy Sustainer is swift in retribution - yet, verily, He is [also] much-forgiving, a dispenser of grace.
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
7:167 Additionally, your Lord has decreed that He will raise up against them people who will inflict severe persecution upon them, until the Day of Resurrection. Your Lord is most efficient in enforcing retribution, and He is certainly the Forgiver, Most Merciful.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
7:167 And remember, your Lord proclaimed that He would raise against them until the Day of Resurrection, people who will persecute them. Your Lord is Swift in retribution, yet any people who mend their ways, will find Him Forgiving, Merciful.

7:168 وقطعنهم فى الارض امما منهم الصلحون ومنهم دون ذلك وبلونهم بالحسنت والسيات لعلهم يرجعون

Transcription (English)
7:168 WaqattaAAnahum fee al-ardiomaman minhumu alssalihoona waminhum doona thalikawabalawnahum bialhasanati waalssayyi-atilaAAallahum yarjiAAoona
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
7:168 We divided them through the land as nations. From them are the reformed, and from them are other than that. We tested them with good things and bad, perhaps they will return.
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
7:168 And We divided them through the land as nations. From them are the upright, and from them are other than that. And We tested them with good things and bad, perhaps they will return.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
7:168 And We dispersed them as [separate] communities all over the earth; some of them were righteous, and some of them less than that: and the latter We tried with blessings as well as with afflictions, so that they might mend their ways.134

Note 134
Lit., "so that they might return [to righteousness]".
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
7:168 We scattered them among many communities throughout the land. Some of them were righteous, and some were less than righteous. We tested them with prosperity and hardship, that they may return.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
7:168 And We scattered them into different communities throughout the earth. Among them some are righteous, and some are opposite. Through the turns of history We have caused them to experience easy and difficult times, in order that they might return to Our laws.

7:169 فخلف من بعدهم خلف ورثوا الكتب ياخذون عرض هذا الادنى ويقولون سيغفر لنا وان ياتهم عرض مثله ياخذوه الم يؤخذ عليهم ميثق الكتب ان لا يقولوا على الله الا الحق ودرسوا ما فيه والدار الءاخرة خير للذين يتقون افلا تعقلون

Transcription (English)
7:169 Fakhalafa min baAAdihim khalfun warithooalkitaba ya/khuthoona AAarada hathaal-adna wayaqooloona sayughfaru lana wa-in ya/tihimAAaradun mithluhu ya/khuthoohu alam yu/khathAAalayhim meethaqu alkitabi an la yaqoolooAAala Allahi illa alhaqqa wadarasoo mafeehi waalddaru al-akhiratu khayrun lillatheenayattaqoona afala taAAqiloona
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
7:169 A generation came after them who inherited the book, but they indulged in the petty materials of this world by saying, "It will be forgiven for us." They continued choosing materials, whenever they were given a chance. Did they not make a covenant to uphold the book that they would only say the truth about God? They studied what was in it; but the abode of the Hereafter is better for those who are aware. Do you not reason?
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
7:169 Then, a generation came after them who inherited the Book, but they opted for the materialism of that which is lower; and they say: "It will be forgiven for us." And they continue to opt for the materialism if it comes to them; was not the covenant of the Book taken on them that they would only say the truth about God, and they studied what was in it? And the abode of the Hereafter is better for those who are aware. Do you not comprehend?
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
7:169 And they have been succeeded by [new] generations who - [in spite of] having inherited the divine writ-clutch but at the fleeting good of this lower world and say, "We shall be forgiven,135 the while they are ready, if another such fleeting good should come their way, to clutch at it [and sin again]. Have they not been solemnly pledged through the divine writ not to attribute unto God aught but what is true,136 and [have they not] read again and again all that is therein? Since the life in the hereafter is the better [of the two] for all who are conscious of God -will you not, then, use your reason?

Note 135
I.e., for breaking God's commandments in their pursuit of worldly gain: an allusion to their persistent belief that they are "God's chosen people" and that, no matter what they do, His forgiveness and grace are assured to them by virtue of their being Abraham's descendants.

Note 136
A reference to their erroneous idea that God's forgiveness could be obtained without sincere repentance. The divine writ mentioned twice in this passage is obviously the Bible.
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
7:169 Subsequent to them, He substituted new generations who inherited the scripture. But they opted for the worldly life instead, saying, "We will be forgiven." But then they continued to opt for the materials of this world. Did they not make a covenant to uphold the scripture, and not to say about GOD except the truth? Did they not study the scripture? Certainly, the abode of the Hereafter is far better for those who maintain righteousness. Do you not understand?,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
7:169 But, the succeeding generations that inherited the scripture, did no better. They became more materialistic, falling for instant gains. Yet, they insist, "We will be forgiven, and would not have to account for it." And they keep longing for material gains. Didn’t they promise to uphold the scripture, and not to say about God but the truth? And they have studied the commands in it! The long-term benefit and the abode of the Hereafter are better for those who deal justly with people and live upright. Will you not use sense?

7:170 والذين يمسكون بالكتب واقاموا الصلوة انا لا نضيع اجر المصلحين

Transcription (English)
7:170 Waallatheena yumassikoona bialkitabiwaaqamoo alssalata inna lanudeeAAu ajra almusliheena
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
7:170 As for those who adhere to the book, and they hold the contact prayer; We will not waste the reward of the reformers.
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
7:170 As for those who hold fast to the Book, and they hold the contact prayer; We will not waste the reward of the righteous.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
7:170 For [We shall requite] all those who hold fast to the divine writ and are constant in prayer: verily, We shall not fail to requite those who enjoin the doing of what is right!
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
7:170 Those who uphold the scripture, and observe the Contact Prayers (Salat), we never fail to recompense the pious.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
7:170 Those who hold fast to the Book of God, and establish the Divine System, We never squander the reward of those committed to social welfare.

7:171 واذ نتقنا الجبل فوقهم كانه ظلة وظنوا انه واقع بهم خذوا ما ءاتينكم بقوة واذكروا ما فيه لعلكم تتقون

Transcription (English)
7:171 Wa-ith nataqna aljabalafawqahum kaannahu thullatun wathannooannahu waqiAAun bihim khuthoo ma ataynakumbiquwwatin waothkuroo ma feehi laAAallakumtattaqoona
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
7:171 When We raised the mountain above them as if it were a cloud, and they thought it would fall on them: "Take what We have given you with strength and remember what is in it that you may be aware."
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
7:171 And We raised the mountain above them as if it were a cloud, and they thought it would fall on them: "Take what We have given you with strength and remember what is in it that you may be righteous."
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
7:171 And [did We not say,] when We caused Mount Sinai to quake above the children of Israel137 as though it were a [mere] shadow, and they thought that it would fall upon them, "Hold fast with [all your] strength unto what We have vouchsafed you, and bear in mind all that is therein, so that you might remain conscious of God"?138

Note 137
Lit., "when We shook the mountain over the,,~,: possibly a reference to an earthquake which took place at the time of the revelation of the L xw (the "tablets") to Moses.

Note 138
This is the end, so far as this surah is concerned, of the story of the children of Israel. In accordance with the method of the Qur'an, their story is made an object-lesson for all believers in God, of whatever community or time: and, therefore, the next passage speaks of the "children of Adam", that is, of the whole human race.
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
7:171 We raised the mountain above them like an umbrella, and they thought it was going to fall on them: "You shall uphold what we have given you, strongly, and remember the contents thereof, that you may be saved.",
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
7:171 They must recall that the Mount Sinai stands over them as a telling witness. The mountain could shake with a quake and fall to be level with them but the Divine Guidance is the unwavering truth (13:31). We said, “Hold firmly what We have given you and remember its teachings so that you live upright.”

7:172 واذ اخذ ربك من بنى ءادم من ظهورهم ذريتهم واشهدهم على انفسهم الست بربكم قالوا بلى شهدنا ان تقولوا يوم القيمة انا كنا عن هذا غفلين

Transcription (English)
7:172 Wa-ith akhatha rabbuka minbanee adama min thuhoorihim thurriyyatahumwaashhadahum AAala anfusihim alastu birabbikum qaloobala shahidna an taqooloo yawma alqiyamatiinna kunna AAan hatha ghafileena
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
We Are Born With the Genetic Program To Infer the Creator of Universe7:172 When your Lord took from the children of Adam from their backs, their progeny; and He made them witness over themselves: "Am I not your Lord?" They said, "Yes, we bear witness." Thus you cannot say on the day of Resurrection that you were unaware of this.33

Note 33

The past tense denotes the creation of human prototype. We translated the verse by taking its whole meaning. The dialog here is not necessarily verbal; it is by the nature. We, the humans, are all born with innate ability to infer God's existence and power. In other words, by the very possession of DNA we are born with a divine contract not to corrupt our person, discover our creator and devote ourselves to Him alone. Compare this to verse 41:11.

The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
7:172 And your Lord took for the children of Adam from their backs, their progeny; and He made them witness over themselves: "Am I not your Lord?" They said: "Yes, we bear witness." Thus you cannot say on the Day of Resurrection that you were unaware of this.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
7:172 AND WHENEVER thy Sustainer brings forth their offspring from the loins of the children of Adam, He [thus] calls upon them to bear witness about themselves: "Am I not your Sustainer?" - to which they answer: "Yea, indeed, we do bear witness thereto!"139 [Of this We remind you,] lest you say on the Day of Resurrection, "Verily, we were unaware of this";

Note 139
In the original, this passage is in the past tense ("He brought forth", "He asked them", etc.), thus stressing the continuous recurrence of the above metaphorical "question" and "answer": a continuity which is more clearly brought out in translation by the use of the present tense. According to the Qur'an, the ability to perceive the existence of the Supreme Power is inborn in human nature (fitrah); and it is this instinctive cognition-which may or may not be subsequently blurred by self-indulgence or adverse environmental influences - that makes every sane human being "bear witness about himself" before God. As so often in the Qur'an, God's "speaking" and man's "answering" is a metonym for the creative act of God and of man's existential response to it.
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
We Are Born With Instinctive Knowledge About God7:172 Recall that your Lord summoned all the descendants of Adam, and had them bear witness for themselves: "Am I not your Lord?" They all said, "Yes. We bear witness." Thus, you cannot say on the Day of Resurrection, "We were not aware of this."11 ,

Note 11
Thus, every human being is born with an instinctive knowledge about God.
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
7:172 When your Lord brought forth generations in succession from the Children of Adam, and made them bear witness, “Am I not your Lord?” They said, “Yes, we bear witness.” Thus you cannot say on the Resurrection Day, “We were not aware of this.”48

Note 48
Min Zuhoorihim = From their posterity = In succession = Their seed = One generation following another. The uninterrupted survival of mankind is a telling witness for them that there is an Almighty Lord Who nourishes the universe

7:173 او تقولوا انما اشرك ءاباؤنا من قبل وكنا ذرية من بعدهم افتهلكنا بما فعل المبطلون

Transcription (English)
7:173 Aw taqooloo innama ashraka abaonamin qablu wakunna thurriyyatan min baAAdihimafatuhlikuna bima faAAala almubtiloona
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
7:173 Nor can you say, "It was our fathers who set up partners before and we were simply a progeny who came after them. Would You destroy us for what the innovators did?"
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
7:173 Nor can you say: "It was our fathers who set up partners before and we were simply a progeny who came after them. Would You destroy us for what the innovators did?"
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
7:173 or lest you say, "Verily, it was but our forefathers who, in times gone by, began to ascribe divinity to other beings beside God; and we were but their late offspring: wilt Thou, then, destroy us for the doings of those inventors of falsehoods?"
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
7:173 Nor can you say, "It was our parents who practiced idolatry, and we simply followed in their footsteps. Will You punish us because of what others have innovated?",
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
7:173 Nor will any excuse avail them such as, “It was our forefathers who took false gods and we inherited their belief system. Will you punish us for what falsehood others practiced?”49

Note 49
You will not be questioned what others used to do. No one will bear the load of another. 2:134, 39:7

7:174 وكذلك نفصل الءايت ولعلهم يرجعون

Transcription (English)
7:174 Wakathalika nufassilu al-ayatiwalaAAallahum yarjiAAoona
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
7:174 We thus explain the signs, perhaps they will return.34

Note 34

This life is our last chance to return to God.

The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
7:174 It is such that We explain the revelations, perhaps they will return.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
7:174 And thus clearly do We spell out these messages; and [We do it] so that they [who have sinned] might return [unto Us].
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
7:174 We thus explain the revelations, to enable the people to redeem themselves.12 ,

Note 12
This life is our last chance to return to God's Kingdom (See INTRODUCTION).
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
7:174 Thus We explain Our verses in all clarity so that people return (to the Book).

7:175 واتل عليهم نبا الذى ءاتينه ءايتنا فانسلخ منها فاتبعه الشيطن فكان من الغاوين

Transcription (English)
7:175 Waotlu AAalayhim nabaa allatheeataynahu ayatina fainsalakhaminha faatbaAAahu alshshaytanu fakanamina alghaweena
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
7:175 Relate to them the news of the person whom We gave him Our signs, but he withdrew from them, and thus the devil followed him, and He became of those who went astray.
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
7:175 And recite to them the news of the person whom Our revelations were given to him, but he removed himself from them, and thus the devil followed him, and He became of those who went astray.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
7:175 And tell them what happens to him140 to whom We vouchsafe Our messages and who then discards them: Satan catches up with him, and he strays, like so many others, into grievous error.141

Note 140
Lit., "convey to them the tiding of him".

Note 141
Lit., "he became one of those who have strayed into grievous error". In the original, this whole verse is in the past tense; but since its obvious purport is the statement of a general truth (cf. Razi, on the authority of Qatadah, `Ikrimah and Abu Muslim) and not, as some commentators assume, a reference to a particular person, it is best rendered in the present tense. The kind of man spoken of here is one who has understood the divine message but, nevertheless, refuses to admit its truth because - as is pointed out in the next verse - he "clings to the earth", i.e., is dominated by a materialistic, "earthly" outlook on life. (Cf. the allegory of "a creature out of the earth" in 27:82.)
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
7:175 Recite for them the news of one who was given our proofs, but chose to disregard them. Consequently, the devil pursued him, until he became a strayer.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
7:175 And tell them what happened to him whom Our messages were conveyed but he cast them off. Thus Satan (his selfish desires) overpowered him until he became of those who lost their way.

7:176 ولو شئنا لرفعنه بها ولكنه اخلد الى الارض واتبع هوىه فمثله كمثل الكلب ان تحمل عليه يلهث او تتركه يلهث ذلك مثل القوم الذين كذبوا بايتنا فاقصص القصص لعلهم يتفكرون

Transcription (English)
7:176 Walaw shi/na larafaAAnahu bihawalakinnahu akhlada ila al-ardi waittabaAAahawahu famathaluhu kamathali alkalbi in tahmilAAalayhi yalhath aw tatruk-hu yalhath thalika mathalualqawmi allatheena kaththaboo bi-ayatinafaoqsusi alqasasa laAAallahumyatafakkaroona
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
7:176 Had We willed, We could have elevated him by it, but he stuck to the earth and he followed his wishful thinking. His example is like the dog; if you scold him he pants, and if you leave him he pants; such is the example of the people who deny Our signs. Relate the stories, perhaps they will think.
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
7:176 And if We had wished, We could have raised him with it, but he stuck to the earth and he followed his desire. His example is like the dog, if you scold him he pants, and if you leave him he pants; such is the example of the people who deny Our revelations. So tell the stories, perhaps they will think.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
7:176 Now had We so willed, We could indeed have exalted him by means of those [messages]: but he always clung to the earth and followed but his own desires. Thus, his parable is that of an [excited] dog: if thou approach him threateningly, he will pant with his tongue lolling; and. if thou leave him alone, he will pant with his tongue lolling.142 Such is the parable of those who are bent on giving the lie to Our messages. Tell [them], then, this story, so that they might take thought.

Note 142
Because his attitudes are influenced only by what his earth-bound desires represent to him as his immediate "advantages" or "disadvantages", the type of man alluded to in this passage is always - whatever the outward circumstances - a prey to a conflict between his reason and his base urges and, thus, to inner disquiet and imaginary fears. and cannot attain to that peace of mind which a believer achieves through his faith.
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
7:176 Had we willed, we could have elevated him therewith, but he insisted on sticking to the ground, and pursued his own opinions. Thus, he is like the dog; whether you pet him or scold him, he pants. Such is the example of people who reject our proofs. Narrate these narrations, that they may reflect.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
7:176 He could have raised himself in honor according to Our laws, but he clung to the earth and followed his own desires. Therefore his likeness is as the likeness of a dog. If you scold him, he pants, or if you leave him alone, he still pants. Such is the example of the nation that belies Our revelations. So, relate this narration that they may reflect.50

Note 50
If it had been Our will = If he chose Our laws of humiliation. God’s revelation lightens your burdens while manmade dogmas place burdens on you. 7:157

7:177 ساء مثلا القوم الذين كذبوا بايتنا وانفسهم كانوا يظلمون

Transcription (English)
7:177 Saa mathalan alqawmu allatheenakaththaboo bi-ayatina waanfusahum kanooyathlimoona
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
7:177 Miserable is the example of the people who denied Our signs, and it was themselves that they had wronged.
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
7:177 Miserable is the example of the people who denied Our revelations, and it was their souls that they had wronged.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
7:177 Evil is the example of people who are bent on giving the lie to Our messages: for it is against their own selves that they are sinning!
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
7:177 Bad indeed is the example of people who reject our proofs; it is only their own souls that they wrong.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
7:177 Evil as an example are the people who reject Our verses, since they hurt their own ‘self’.

7:178 من يهد الله فهو المهتدى ومن يضلل فاولئك هم الخسرون

Transcription (English)
7:178 Man yahdi Allahu fahuwa almuhtadeewaman yudlil faola-ika humu alkhasiroona
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
7:178 Whoever God guides, then he is the guided one; and whoever He misguides, then these are the losers.
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
7:178 Whoever God guides, then he is the guided one; and whoever He misguides, then these are the losers.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
7:178 He whom God guides, he alone is truly guided; whereas those whom He lets go astray-it is they, they who are the losers!
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
7:178 Whomever GOD guides is the truly guided one, and whomever He commits to straying, these are the losers.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
7:178 Whoever attains God’s Guidance according to His laws is led right. And goes astray he who violates God’s law of guidance. [4:88]

7:179 ولقد ذرانا لجهنم كثيرا من الجن والانس لهم قلوب لا يفقهون بها ولهم اعين لا يبصرون بها ولهم ءاذان لا يسمعون بها اولئك كالانعم بل هم اضل اولئك هم الغفلون

Transcription (English)
7:179 Walaqad thara/na lijahannamakatheeran mina aljinni waal-insi lahum quloobun layafqahoona biha walahum aAAyunun la yubsiroonabiha walahum athanun la yasmaAAoona bihaola-ika kaal-anAAami bal hum adalluola-ika humu alghafiloona
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
Perverse Hypnotizes His Followers7:179 We have committed to hell many Jinns and humans. They have hearts, yet they do not comprehend; they have eyes yet they do not see; they have ears yet they do not hear. They are like cattle; no, they are even more astray. These are the heedless ones.
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
7:179 And We have given to Hell many of the Jinn and mankind; they had hearts with which they did not understand, and they had eyes with which they did not see, and they had ears with which they did not hear. They are like livestock; no, they are even more astray. These are the unaware ones.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
7:179 And most certainly have We destined for hell many of the invisible beings143 and men who have hearts with which they fail to grasp the truth, and eyes with which they fail to see, and ears with which they fail to hear. They are like cattle -nay, they are even less conscious of the right way:144 it is they, they who are the [truly] heedless!

Note 143
See Appendix III.

Note 144
Lit.; "they are farther astray"-inasmuch as animals follow only their instincts and natural needs and are not conscious of the possibility or necessity of a moral choice.
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
Satan Hypnotizes His Constituents7:179 We have committed to Hell multitudes of jinns and humans. They have minds with which they do not understand, eyes with which they do not see, and ears with which they do not hear. They are like animals; no, they are far worse - they are totally unaware.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
7:179 We have committed to Hell numerous people, rural and urban (they are living a life of hell). They have hearts that they use not to understand. They have eyes with which they see not, and they have ears with which they hear not. They are like cattle. Nay, they are further astray. They, they are the ones who let the life pass by unaware of its potentials.51

Note 51
Cattle are at least guided by their natural instincts. 'Ghaafiloon' = Those who let the life pass by unaware of its potentials = Neglectful = Unaware = Careless. 67:10

7:180 ولله الاسماء الحسنى فادعوه بها وذروا الذين يلحدون فى اسمئه سيجزون ما كانوا يعملون

Transcription (English)
7:180 Walillahi al-asmao alhusnafaodAAoohu biha watharoo allatheenayulhidoona fee asma-ihi sayujzawna ma kanooyaAAmaloona
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
Beautiful Names Belong To God7:180 To God belong the beautiful names, so call Him by them; and disregard those who blaspheme in His names. They will be punished for what they used to do.35

Note 35

The Quran uses more than a hundred attributes for God, and attributes indicate continuity. Not every verb used for God can be considered an attribute. For instance, not every person who writes can be called a "writer." Furthermore, God's attributes are not necessarily Arabic. God sent messengers in many different languages to each nation, and informed them about His attributes in their languages. Thus, the Quran teaches us that to God belong all beautiful attributes. However, hadith books lists 99 attributes of which some cannot be considered "beautiful." The list, which is very popular among Sunni and Shiite mushriks and many people memorize, include "bad" names such as al-Dar (the one who harms). Quran tells us otherwise (42:30).

Those who have confused Arab nationalism with islam might criticize our use of the English word God in the English text, rather than the word Allah. We would like to pull the attention of those who are not intoxicated with hadith and sunna that promotes Arab culture to the following points: the word Allah is not a proper name; it is an Arabic word contraction of the article Al (the) and Elah (god). Also, see 2:165; 3:26; 6:12; 17:110; 20:52; 42:11; 58:7.

The Quran informs us that God has been sending messengers to every nation in their own language (14:4). In each language, names or attributes represented by different sounds and symbols are used for the creator. For instance, the Old Testament uses Yehovah or Elohim. The New Testament quotes from Jesus addressing to God as Eloi (my lord), which is very close to the Arabic word Elahi (my lord) (Mark 15:34 ).

Through distortion and mistranslations, some Biblical verses depict God as less than a perfect being. For instance, Judges 1:19 (powerless); Genesis 6:6-7 (fallible); Psalms 13:1; Lamentations 5:20 (forgetful); Genesis 3:8-10 (can't see); 1 Samuel 15:2-3 (cruel). For more on divine attributes in the Quran and the Bible, see 59:22.

The Quran contains more than a hundred attributes for God and they are designed letter by letter in accordance with the mathematical structure based on code 19. The studies of Prof. Adib Majul, which was continued by Edip Yuksel on the attributes of God, demonstrate an interlocking system. For instance, among the attributes of God, the frequency of only four of them are multiples of 19. They are Shahyd (Witness) 19, Allah (God) 2698, Rahman (Gracious) 57, Rahym (Compassionate) 114 times. When we analyze the attributes of God in according to their numerical values, we learn that only four of them are multiples of 19 and each correspond to the frequency of the other four: Wahid (One) 19, Zulfadl-il Azym (The Possessor of Great Bounty) 2698, Majyd (Glorious) 57, and Jami (Editor) 114. The details of this extraordinary and intricate mathematical design is discussed in, Nineteen: God's Signature in Nature and Scripture." Edip Yuksel, Brainbowpress, 2009. See: 74:30.

The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
7:180 And to God belong the most beautiful names, so call Him by them; and leave alone those who deviate His names. They will be punished for what they used to do.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
7:180 AND GOD'S [alone] are the attributes of perfection;145 invoke Him, then, by these, and stand aloof from all who distort the meaning of His attributes:146 they shall be requited for all that they were wont to do!

Note 145
This passage connects with the mention, at the end of the preceding verse, of "the heedless ones" who do not use their faculty of discernment in the way intended for it by God, and remain heedless of Him who comprises within Himself all the attributes of perfection and represents, therefore, the Ultimate Reality. As regards the expression al-asma' al-husna (lit., "the most perfect [or "most goodly"] names"), which occurs in the Qur'an four times-i.e., in the above verse as well as in 17:110, 20:8 and 59:24-it is to be borne in mind that the term ism is, primarily, a word applied to denote the substance or the intrinsic attributes of an object under consideration, while the term al-husna is the plural form of al-ahsan ("that which is best" or "most goodly"). Thus, the combination al-asma' al-husna may be appropriately rendered as "the attributes of perfection" -a term reserved in the Qur'an for God alone.

Note 146
Le., by applying them to other beings or objects or, alternatively, by trying to "define" God in anthropomorphic terms and relationships, like "father" or "son" (Razi).
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
7:180 To GOD belongs the most beautiful names; call upon Him therewith, and disregard those who distort His names. They will be requited for their sins.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
7:180 All Names of God are the fairest names. You can invoke Him by any of them. Be mindful not to over-emphasize a single attribute of His (that is called ‘ilhaad’’). Leave the company of those who take one of His Attributes and run aside to dwell upon it. They will soon be awarded for their misdoings.52

Note 52
Contrary to the Christian dogma, the Merciful God is also a Just God. 4:171, 17:110, 41:40

7:181 وممن خلقنا امة يهدون بالحق وبه يعدلون

Transcription (English)
7:181 Wamimman khalaqna ommatun yahdoonabialhaqqi wabihi yaAAdiloona
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
7:181 From among those We created is a community who guides with truth, and with it they establish justice.
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
7:181 And from among those We created is a nation who guides with the truth, and with it they are just.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
7:181 Now, among those whom We have created there are people who guide [others] in the way of the truth and act justly in its light.147

Note 147
Sc., "and they will be rewarded accordingly". See verse 159 above, where the righteous "among the folk of Moses" are thus described. In this verse, the reference is broadened to include the righteous of all times and communities - that is, all those who are receptive to God's messages and live up to them by virtue of their conviction that God is the Ultimate Reality.
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
7:181 Among our creations, there are those who guide with the truth, and the truth renders them righteous.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
7:181 Among the communities We have created, there have been those who guide others with truth, and establish justice.

7:182 والذين كذبوا بايتنا سنستدرجهم من حيث لا يعلمون

Transcription (English)
7:182 Waallatheena kaththaboobi-ayatina sanastadrijuhum min haythula yaAAlamoona
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
7:182 As for those who deny Our signs, We will gradually lead them from where they do not know.
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
7:182 As for those who deny Our revelations, We will entice them from where they do not know.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
7:182 But as for those who are bent on giving the lie to Our messages-We shall bring them low, step by step, without their perceiving how it came about:148

Note 148
Lit., "without their knowing whence [it comes]". For an explanation of the term kayd ("subtle scheme") occurring in the next verse, see note 25 on 68:45, where this term appears for the first time in Qur'anic revelation.
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
7:182 As for those who reject our revelations, we lead them on without them ever realizing it.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
7:182 And those who deny Our revelations, We lead them step by step to ruin from directions they have not even thought of.

7:183 واملى لهم ان كيدى متين

7:183 wamly lhm an kydy mtyn
Transcription (English)
7:183 Waomlee lahum inna kaydee mateenun
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
7:183 I will respite them, for My scheming is formidable.
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
7:183 And I will encourage them, for My planning is formidable.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
7:183 for, behold, though I may give them rein for a while. My subtle scheme is exceedingly firm!
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
7:183 I will even encourage them; My scheming is formidable.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
7:183 I give them respite but My Law of Requital is designed to be strong.

7:184 اولم يتفكروا ما بصاحبهم من جنة ان هو الا نذير مبين

Transcription (English)
7:184 Awa lam yatafakkaroo ma bisahibihimmin jinnatin in huwa illa natheerun mubeenun
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
7:184 Do they not reflect that their companion is not crazy; but he is a clear warner.
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
7:184 Do they not reflect? Their companion has no madness; but he is a clear warner.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
7:184 Has it, then, never occurred to them149 that there is no madness whatever in [this] their fellowman? He is only a plain warner.150

Note 149
Lit., "Have they, then, not reflected".

Note 150
Because he enunciated a message that differed radically from anything to which- the Meccans had been accustomed, the Prophet was considered mad by many of his unbelieving contemporaries. The stress on his being "their fellow-man" (sahibuhum - lit., "their companion") is meant to emphasize the fact that he is human, and thus to counteract any possible tendency on the part of his followers to invest him with superhuman qualities: an argument which is more fully developed in verse 188.
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
7:184 Why do they not reflect upon their friend (the messenger)? He is not crazy. He is simply a profound warner.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
7:184 Has it never occurred to them that there is no madness whatsoever in their fellow-man? He is only a plain warner.53

Note 53
10:16. He has lived a whole life among you and you have always called him Ameen Trustworthy and Sadiq Truthful

7:185 اولم ينظروا فى ملكوت السموت والارض وما خلق الله من شىء وان عسى ان يكون قد اقترب اجلهم فباى حديث بعده يؤمنون

Transcription (English)
7:185 Awalam yanthuroo feemalakooti alssamawati waal-ardiwama khalaqa Allahu min shay-in waan AAasaan yakoona qadi iqtaraba ajaluhum fabi-ayyi hadeethinbaAAdahu yu/minoona
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
7:185 Do they not look at the dominion of heavens and earth, and all that God has created, and perhaps their time is drawing near? Which hadith after this one will they acknowledge?36

Note 36

Whenever the word hadith is used for a word other than the Quran, it is used in a negative context. God knew that those who would revert back to their polytheistic religion would call their false teachings hadith (12:111; 31:6; 33:38; 35:43; 45:6; 52;34; 77:50).

The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
7:185 Have they not looked at the dominion of the heavens and the earth, and all that God has created? Perhaps their time is drawing near; so in which narrative after this one will they believe?
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
7:185 Have they, then, never considered [God's] mighty dominion over the heavens and the earth, and all the things that God has created, and [asked themselves] whether, perchance, the end of their own term might already have drawn nigh? In what other tiding, then, will they, after this, believe?151

Note 151
Apart from a reminder of man's utter dependence on God, the implication of the above passage is this: Since everything in the observable or intellectually conceivable universe is obviously caused, it must have had a beginning and, therefore, must also have an end. Furthermore, since the universe is not eternal in the sense of having had no beginning, and since it cannot possibly have evolved "by itself" out of nothing, and since "nothingness" is a concept devoid of all reality, we are forced to predicate the existence of a Primary Cause which is beyond the limits of our experience and, hence, beyond the categories of our thought-that is, the existence of God: and this is the meaning of the "tiding" to which this verse refers.
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
7:185 Have they not looked at the dominion of the heavens and the earth, and all the things GOD has created? Does it ever occur to them that the end of their life may be near? Which Hadith, beside this, do they believe in?,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
7:185 Can they not see (and correlate what he tells them with) the Dominion of the heavens and earth and what God has created? Does it ever occur to them that the end of their own life may be near (hence the time to make the right decisions is not unlimited)? In what Hadith after this (Qur’an) are they going to believe then?

7:186 من يضلل الله فلا هادى له ويذرهم فى طغينهم يعمهون

Transcription (English)
7:186 Man yudlili Allahu falahadiya lahu wayatharuhum fee tughyanihimyaAAmahoona
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
7:186 Whoever God misguides, then there is none to guide him; and He leaves them blundering in their transgression.
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
7:186 Whoever God misguides, then there is none to guide him; and He leaves them blindly wandering in their transgression.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
7:186 For those whom God lets go astray, there is no guide; and He shall leave them in their overweening arrogance, blindly stumbling to and fro.152

Note 152
As in verse 178 above - and in many other places in the Qur'an - the expression "he whom God lets [or "causes to"] go astray" indicates the natural law instituted by God (sunnat Allah), whereby a wilful neglect of one's inborn, cognitive faculties unavoidably results in the, loss of all ethical orientation: that is, not an act of "predestination" but a result of one's own choice. See also surah 2, note 7, and surah 14, note 4.
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
7:186 Whomever GOD commits to straying, there is no way for anyone to guide him. He leaves them in their sins, blundering.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
7:186 There is no guide for him who misleads himself by violating God’s law of guidance. When he leaves the law, the law leaves him wandering in the wilderness of arrogant trespassing. [2:15]

7:187 يسلونك عن الساعة ايان مرسىها قل انما علمها عند ربى لا يجليها لوقتها الا هو ثقلت فى السموت والارض لا تاتيكم الا بغتة يسلونك كانك حفى عنها قل انما علمها عند الله ولكن اكثر الناس لا يعلمون

Transcription (English)
7:187 Yas-aloonaka AAani alssaAAatiayyana mursaha qul innama AAilmuhaAAinda rabbee la yujalleeha liwaqtiha illahuwa thaqulat fee alssamawati waal-ardila ta/teekum illa baghtatan yas-aloonaka kaannaka hafiyyunAAanha qul innama AAilmuha AAinda Allahiwalakinna akthara alnnasi layaAAlamoona
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
Only God Can Reveal the Time of the End; Messengers Are Humans Like You7:187 They ask you regarding the moment: "When will be its time?" Say, "Its knowledge is with my Lord, none can reveal its time except Him. It is heavy through the heavens and the earth; it will not come to you except suddenly." They ask you, as if you are too curious about it! Say, "Its knowledge is with God, but most people do not know."37

Note 37

God revealed that knowledge in 1980. See 20:15; 15:87; 72:27. From this and similar verses, we may infer that monotheists will not experience the horror of the end of the world. (See 6:31; 12:107; 21:40; 22:55; 26:202; 29:53; 43:66; 47:18).

The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
7:187 They ask you regarding the Hour: "When will be its time?" Say: "Its knowledge is with my Lord, none can reveal its coming except He. It is heavy through the heavens and the earth; it will not come to you except suddenly." They ask you, as if you are responsible for it! Say: "Its knowledge is with God, but most of the people do not know."
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
7:187 THEY WILL ASK thee [O Prophet] about the Last Hour: "When will it come to pass?" Say: "Verily, knowledge thereof rests with my Sustainer alone. None but He will reveal it in its time. Heavily will it weigh on the heavens and the earth; [and] it will not fall upon you otherwise than of a sudden." They will ask thee - as if thou couldst gain insight into this [mystery] by dint of persistent inquiry!153 Say: "Knowledge thereof rests with my Sustainer alone; but [of this] most people are unaware."

Note 153
The verb ahfa means "he did [a thing] in an excessive measure" or "he exceeded the usual bounds in doing [something]". In connection with an inquiry, and especially when followed by `anhu or `anha ("about it"), it signifies "he tried hard to gain insight [into something] by persistently inquiring about it". Thus, used as a participle, it means "one who has gained insight [into something] through persistent inquiry". In the above context, the implication is that no amount of inquiry or speculation can reveal to man-the prophets included-the coming of the Last Hour before its actual manifestation.
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
7:187 They ask you about the end of the world (the Hour), and when it will come to pass. Say, "The knowledge thereof is with my Lord. Only He reveals its time. Heavy it is, in the heavens and the earth. It will not come to you except suddenly." They ask you as if you are in control thereof. Say, "The knowledge thereof is with GOD," but most people do not know.,13

Note 13
The "Hour" comes "suddenly'" only to the disbelievers (See Appendix 11).
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
7:187 (They even venture into predicting the end of the world.) They ask you (O Messenger), about the Hour, when the end of the world will come to pass. Say, "That knowledge is only with my Lord. He alone will manifest it at the appropriate time. Heavy it is in the heavens and earth. It will come upon you suddenly." They ask you as if you could gain insight into this mystery with persistent inquiry. Say, “The knowledge thereof is with God only. But most people do not know” (that even Messengers were not given the knowledge of the Unseen except when God willed).

7:188 قل لا املك لنفسى نفعا ولا ضرا الا ما شاء الله ولو كنت اعلم الغيب لاستكثرت من الخير وما مسنى السوء ان انا الا نذير وبشير لقوم يؤمنون

Transcription (English)
7:188 Qul la amliku linafsee nafAAan waladarran illa ma shaa Allahuwalaw kuntu aAAlamu alghayba laistakthartu mina alkhayriwama massaniya alssoo-o in ana illanatheerun wabasheerun liqawmin yu/minoona
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
7:188 Say, "I do not possess for myself any benefit or harm, except what God wills. If I could know the future, then I would have increased my good fortune, and no harm would have come to me. I am but a warner and a bearer of good news to a people who acknowledge."38

Note 38

None knows the future, including Muhammed (6:50; 7:188; 10:20; 27:65; 81:24). Only God knows the future and this knowledge can be attained only through divine revelations/signs (3:44; 11:49; 12:102; 30:2; 72:27).

The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
7:188 Say: "I do not possess for myself any benefit or harm, except what God wills. And if I could know the future, then I would have increased my good fortune, and no harm would have come to me. I am but a warner and a bearer of good news to a people who believe."
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
7:188 Say [O Prophet]: "It is not within my power to bring benefit to, or avert harm from, myself, except as God may please. And if I knew that which is beyond the reach of human perception, abundant good fortune-would surely have fallen to my lot, and no evil would ever have touched me. I am nothing but a warner, and a herald of glad tidings unto people who will believe."154

Note 154
See 6:50, as well as the corresponding note. The repeated insistence in the Qur'an on the humanness of the Prophet is in tune with the doctrine that no created being has or could have any share, however small, in any of the Creator's qualities or powers. In logical continuation of this argument, the next passage (verses 189-198) stresses the uniqueness and exclusiveness of God's creative powers.
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
Messengers Are Powerless; They Do Not Know the Future.7:188 Say, "I have no power to benefit myself, or harm myself. Only what GOD wills happens to me. If I knew the future, I would have increased my wealth, and no harm would have afflicted me. I am no more than a warner, and a bearer of good news for those who believe.",
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
7:188 Say, "I do not even have the power to benefit myself or to avert harm from myself, contrary to the laws of God. If I had the knowledge of the Unseen, I would have amassed abundant fortune, and no adversity would have touched me. I am but a warner and a bearer of good news for those who have faith."

7:189 هو الذى خلقكم من نفس وحدة وجعل منها زوجها ليسكن اليها فلما تغشىها حملت حملا خفيفا فمرت به فلما اثقلت دعوا الله ربهما لئن ءاتيتنا صلحا لنكونن من الشكرين

Transcription (English)
7:189 Huwa allathee khalaqakum min nafsinwahidatin wajaAAala minha zawjaha liyaskunailayha falamma taghashshaha hamalathamlan khafeefan famarrat bihi falamma athqalatdaAAawa Allaha rabbahuma la-in ataytanasalihan lanakoonanna mina alshshakireena
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
7:189 He is the One who created you from one person, and He made from it its mate to attain tranquility. When he covered her, she became pregnant with a light load, and she continued with it. When it became heavy, they called on God, their Lord: "If You give us a healthy child, then we will be among the thankful."
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
7:189 He is the One who has created you from one person, and He made from it its mate to reside with. When he dwelled with her, she became pregnant with a light load, and she continued with it; then when it became heavy, they called on God, their Lord: "If You give us an upright child, then we will be among the thankful."
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
7:189 IT IS HE who has created you [all] out of one living entity, and out of it brought into being its mate, so that man might incline [with love] towards woman.158 And so, when he has embraced her, she conceives [what at first is] a light burden, and continues to bear it. Then, when she grows heavy [with child], they both call unto God, their Sustainer, "If Thou indeed grant us a sound [child], we shall most certainly be among the grateful!"

Note 158
Lit., "do not follow you". As regards my translation of in tad' uhum ila 'l-huda as "if you pray to them for guidance" (instead of the erroneous -but common -translation "if you invite [or "call") them to guidance"), see Zamakhshari, Razi and Ibn Kathir. Cf. also verse 198 below.
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
Our Children Can be Idols7:189 He created you from one person (Adam). Subsequently, He gives every man a mate to find tranquility with her. She then carries a light load that she can hardly notice. As the load gets heavier, they implore GOD their Lord: "If You give us a good baby, we will be appreciative.",
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
7:189 (The message encompasses life in its totality.) Recall that God created life from a single life cell, then made male and female cells, and then shaped you into human beings, males and females. He designed it such that man might incline with love towards the woman. When he gets intimate with her, she carries a light load that she can hardly notice. As she grows heavy with the child, they both implore God, their Lord, “If you grant us a healthy baby, we shall certainly be among the grateful.”

7:190 فلما ءاتىهما صلحا جعلا له شركاء فيما ءاتىهما فتعلى الله عما يشركون

Transcription (English)
7:190 Falamma atahumasalihan jaAAala lahu shurakaa feemaatahuma fataAAala AllahuAAamma yushrikoona
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
7:190 But when He granted them a healthy child, they made others partners with Him regarding what He granted them. God be exalted above what they set up as partners.
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
7:190 But when He gave them an upright child, they set up partners with Him in what He had given them. God be exalted above what they set up as partners.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
7:190 And yet, as soon as He has granted them sound [offspring], they begin to ascribe to other powers beside Him a share in bringing about what He has granted them !156 Sublimely exalted, however, is God- above anything to which men may ascribe a share in His divinity!

Note 156
Lit., "they attribute to Him partners with regard to that which He has granted them": i.e., many of them look upon the contributing factors of sound childbirth (like personal care during pregnancy, medical assistance, eugenics, etc.) as something independent of God, forgetting that all these contributing factors are - like the birth of the child itself - but an outcome of God's will and grace: a manifestation of what the Qur'an calls "the way of God" (sunnat Allah). Since this kind of mental association of "other" factors with God is not really intentional, it does not amount to the unforgivable sin of shirk ("the ascribing of divine qualities to powers other than God"); but it is close enough to it to warrant the subsequent discourse on shirk in the real meaning of this term.
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
7:190 But when He gives them a good baby, they turn His gift into an idol that rivals Him. GOD be exalted, far above any partnership.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
7:190 But as soon as He grants them a healthy baby, they begin to ascribe to others a share in the gift He has given them. Exalted is He, High above all that they associate with Him.

7:191 ايشركون ما لا يخلق شيا وهم يخلقون

Transcription (English)
7:191 Ayushrikoona ma la yakhluqushay-an wahum yukhlaqoona
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
7:191 Do they set up those who do not create anything, while they are created?
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
7:191 Do they set up those who do not create anything, while they are created?
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
7:191 Will they, then,- ascribe divinity, side by side with Him, unto beings that cannot create anything157 since they themselves are created -

Note 157
Lit., "that which does not create anything": a phrase expressed in the singular, but having the plural meaning of "beings" - that is, either animate beings (like saints or supposedly "divine" personalities) or their inanimate representations.
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
7:191 Is it not a fact that they are idolizing idols who create nothing, and are themselves created?,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
7:191 Do they ascribe to Him as partners things that can create nothing, but are themselves created?

7:192 ولا يستطيعون لهم نصرا ولا انفسهم ينصرون

Transcription (English)
7:192 Wala yastateeAAoona lahum nasranwala anfusahum yansuroona
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
7:192 They cannot help them, nor can they help themselves?
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
7:192 And they cannot give them aid, nor can they aid themselves?
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
7:192 and neither are able to give them succour nor can succour themselves,
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
7:192 Idols that can neither help them, nor even help themselves?,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
7:192 And they cannot help them, nor can they help themselves.

7:193 وان تدعوهم الى الهدى لا يتبعوكم سواء عليكم ادعوتموهم ام انتم صمتون

Transcription (English)
7:193 Wa-in tadAAoohum ila alhuda layattabiAAookum sawaon AAalaykum adaAAawtumoohum am antum samitoona
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
7:193 If you invite them to the guidance they will not follow you. It is the same whether you invite them or simply remain silent.
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
7:193 And if you invite them to the guidance they will not follow you. It is the same whether you invite them or simply keep quiet.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
7:193 and, if you pray to them for guidance, do not respond to you?* As far as you are concerned, it is all one whether you invoke them or keep silent.
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
7:193 When you invite them to the guidance, they do not follow you. Thus, it is the same for them whether you invite them, or remain silent.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
7:193 When you invite them to the guidance, they do not follow you. Thus, it is the same for them whether you invite them, or remain silent.

7:194 ان الذين تدعون من دون الله عباد امثالكم فادعوهم فليستجيبوا لكم ان كنتم صدقين

Transcription (English)
7:194 Inna allatheena tadAAoona min dooniAllahi AAibadun amthalukum faodAAoohumfalyastajeeboo lakum in kuntum sadiqeena
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
Prophets, Messengers, Saints Whom You Implore Are Powerless Humans Like You7:194 Those whom you call on besides God are servants like you; so let them answer for you if you are truthful.
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
7:194 Those whom you call on besides God are servants like you; so let them answer for you if you are truthful.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
7:194 Verily, all those whom you invoke beside God are but created beings159 like yourselves: invoke them, then, and let them answer your prayer - if what you claim is true!

Note 159
Lit., "servants" (`ibad)-i.e., created beings subservient to God's will. This refers to saints. living or dead, as well as to inanimate objects of every description, including idols, fetishes and representational images-physical or mental-of saints or deified persons.
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
7:194 The idols you invoke besides GOD are creatures like you. Go ahead and call upon them; let them respond to you, if you are right.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
7:194 Those whom you call upon besides God, such as the mystics and saints, are people like you. Go ahead and call upon them, let them respond by helping you if you are true in your belief.

7:195 الهم ارجل يمشون بها ام لهم ايد يبطشون بها ام لهم اعين يبصرون بها ام لهم ءاذان يسمعون بها قل ادعوا شركاءكم ثم كيدون فلا تنظرون

Transcription (English)
7:195 Alahum arjulun yamshoona biha amlahum aydin yabtishoona biha am lahum aAAyunun yubsiroonabiha am lahum athanun yasmaAAoona biha quliodAAoo shurakaakum thumma keedooni fala tunthirooni
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
7:195 Do they have feet to walk with? Or do they have hands to strike with? Or do they have eyes to see with? Or do they have ears to hear with? Say, "Call on your partners, then scheme against me with no respite."
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
7:195 Do they have feet with which to walk? Or, do they have hands with which to strike? Or, do they have eyes with which to see? Or, do they have ears with which to hear? Say: "Call on your partners, then plan against me. You will not be given respite."
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
7:195 Have these [images], perchance, feet on which they could walk? Or have they hands with which they could grasp? Or have they eyes with which they could see? Or have they ears with which they could hear? Say [O Prophet]: "Summon to your aid all those to whom you ascribe a share in God's divinity,160 and thereupon contrive [anything you may wish] against me, and give me no respite!

Note 160
Lit., "summon your [God-]partners" (see surah 6, note 15).
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
7:195 Do they have legs on which they walk? Do they have hands with which they defend themselves? Do they have eyes with which they see? Do they have ears with which they hear? Say, "Call upon your idols, and ask them to smite me without delay.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
7:195 Do the idols have feet to walk, hands to hold, eyes to see and ears to hear? Tell the opponents of the message, "Call upon your idols and your so-called partners of God, contrive what you can, and give me no respite.54

Note 54
These human demigods have no foundation of truth to stand on, nor the power to avert requital, nor the faculties to confront Reason

7:196 ان ولى الله الذى نزل الكتب وهو يتولى الصلحين

Transcription (English)
7:196 Inna waliyyiya Allahu allatheenazzala alkitaba wahuwa yatawalla alssaliheena
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
7:196 "My supporter is God who sent down the book; and He takes care of the good-doers."
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
7:196 "My supporter is God who sent down the Book; and He takes care of the righteous."
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
7:196 Verily, my protector is God, who has bestowed this divine writ from on high: for it is He who protects the righteous,
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
7:196 "GOD is my only Lord and Master; the One who revealed this scripture. He protects the righteous.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
7:196 My Protecting Friend is God Who has revealed this Book, and He befriends the righteous.”

7:197 والذين تدعون من دونه لا يستطيعون نصركم ولا انفسهم ينصرون

Transcription (English)
7:197 Waallatheena tadAAoona mindoonihi la yastateeAAoona nasrakum walaanfusahum yansuroona
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
7:197 As for those whom you call on beside Him, they cannot help you, nor can they help themselves.
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
7:197 As for those whom you call on besides Him, they cannot aid you, nor can they aid themselves.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
7:197 whereas all those whom you invoke in His stead are neither able to give you succour nor can succour themselves;
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
7:197 "As for the idols you set up beside Him, they cannot help you, nor can they help themselves.",
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
7:197 Whomever you call instead of Him, has no power to help you, nor can they help themselves.

7:198 وان تدعوهم الى الهدى لا يسمعوا وترىهم ينظرون اليك وهم لا يبصرون

Transcription (English)
7:198 Wa-in tadAAoohum ila alhuda layasmaAAoo watarahum yanthuroona ilayka wahumla yubsiroona
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
7:198 If you invite them to the guidance, they do not listen; you see them looking at you, while they do not see.
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
7:198 And when you invite them to the guidance, they do not listen. And you see them looking at you, while they do not see.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
7:198 and if you pray unto them for guidance, they do not hear; and though thou mayest imagine that they behold thee,161 they do not see."

Note 161
Lit., "though thou seest them looking at thee" -but since the pronoun "them" inn tarahum ("thou seest them") refers to mental images no less than to physical representations, the verb must be understood in its abstract sense of "seeing with the mind", i.e., "considering" or "imagining". In contrast with the preceding passages, which are addressed to those who actually invoke false deities or images, the last sentence is addressed to man in general, sinner and believer alike: and this generalization is brought out by changing the form of address from "you" to "thou".
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
7:198 When you invite them to the guidance, they do not hear. And you see them looking at you, but they do not see.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
7:198 When you invite them to the guidance, they do not hear. And you see them looking at you, but they do not see.

7:199 خذ العفو وامر بالعرف واعرض عن الجهلين

Transcription (English)
7:199 Khuthi alAAafwa wa/mur bialAAurfiwaaAArid AAani aljahileena
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
Be Tolerant And Promote Recognition Of Diversity7:199 You shall resort to pardoning, and advocate recognition, and turn away from the ignorant ones.
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
7:199 Take to pardoning, and order what is good, and turn away from the ignorant ones.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
7:199 MAKE due allowance for man's nature,162 and enjoin the doing of what is right; and leave alone all those who choose to remain ignorant.163

Note 162
Lit., "accept what is easily forthcoming [from man's nature]". According to Zamakhshari, khudh al-afw means: "Accept what comes easily to thee [or "what is willingly accorded to thee"] of the doings and the nature of men, and make things easy [for them], without causing them undue hardship (kulfah); and do not demand of them efforts that may be too difficult for them." This interpretation - which has been adopted by many other classical commentators as well - is based on the identical explanation of the phrase khudh al'afw by `Abd Allah ibn az-Zubayr and his brother `Urwah (Bukhari), as well as by `A'ishah and, in the next generation, by Hisham ibn `Urwah and Mujahid (see Tabari, Baghawi and Ibn Kathir). Thus, in accordance with the Qur'anic statements that "man has been created weak" (4:28) and that "God does not burden any human being with more than he is well able to bear" (2:286. 6:152, 7:42, 23:62), the believer is admonished to make due allowance for human nature and not to be too harsh with those who err. This admonition is the more remarkable as it follows immediately upon a discourse on the most unforgivable of all sins - the ascribing of divine powers or qualities to anyone or anything but God.'

Note 163
Lit., "the ignorant ones*'- i.e., those who wilfully remain deaf to moral truths. and not' those who are simply unaware of them.
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
7:199 You shall resort to pardon, advocate tolerance, and disregard the ignorant.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
7:199 Resort to pardon, go ahead with your program of enjoining virtue and disregard those who choose to remain ignorant.

7:200 واما ينزغنك من الشيطن نزغ فاستعذ بالله انه سميع عليم

Transcription (English)
7:200 Wa-imma yanzaghannaka mina alshshaytaninazghun faistaAAith biAllahi innahusameeAAun AAaleemun
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
7:200 If a provocation from the devil incites you, then seek refuge with God. He is the Hearer, the Knower.
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
7:200 And if bitterness from the devil afflicts you, then seek refuge with God. He is the Hearer, the Knower.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
7:200 And if it should happen that a prompting from Satan stirs thee up [to blind anger],164 seek refuge with God: behold, He is all-hearing, all-knowing.

Note 164
Le., anger at the rejection of the truth by "those who choose to remain ignorant". The words "to blind anger" interpolated between brackets are based on a Tradition according to which the Prophet, after the revelation of the preceding verse calling for forbearance, exclaimed, "And what about [justified] anger, O my Sustainer?"-whereupon the above verse was revealed to him (Tabari, Zamakhshari, Razi, Ibn Kathir).
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
7:200 When the devil whispers to you any whisper, seek refuge in GOD; He is Hearer, Omniscient.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
7:200 Seek refuge in God’s laws by staying alert to any covert actions of the satanic opponents. He is Hearer, Knower.

7:201 ان الذين اتقوا اذا مسهم طئف من الشيطن تذكروا فاذا هم مبصرون

Transcription (English)
7:201 Inna allatheena ittaqaw ithamassahum ta-ifun mina alshshaytani tathakkaroofa-itha hum mubsiroona
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
7:201 Those who are aware, when a visit from the devil touches them, they remember; soon they are seers.
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
7:201 Those who are pious, when any evil from the devil touches them, they remember, then they can see.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
7:201 Verily, they who are conscious of God bethink themselves [of Him] whenever any dark suggestion from Satan touches them165 - whereupon, lo! they begin to see [things] clearly,

Note 165
The noun ta'if (also forthcoming in the forms tayf and tayyif denotes any ungraspable phantom, image or suggestion, as in a dream, or "an imperceptible obsession which obscures the mind" (Taj al-'Arus). Since, in the above context, it is described as coming from Satan, "a dark suggestion" seems to be an appropriate rendering.
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
7:201 Those who are righteous, whenever the devil approaches them with an idea, they remember, whereupon they become seers.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
7:201 Those who are mindful of God, stay alert to the covert actions of the hinderers and see them with an observant mind.

7:202 واخونهم يمدونهم فى الغى ثم لا يقصرون

Transcription (English)
7:202 Wa-ikhwanuhum yamuddoonahum feealghayyi thumma la yuqsiroona
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
7:202 But their brethren plunge them into error; they do not cease.
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
7:202 And their brethren attempt to drive them towards error, they do not cease.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
7:202 even though their [godless] brethren would [like to] draw them into error:166 and then they cannot fail [to do what is right].

Note 166
I.e., by goading them to anger or trying to engage them in futile argument. "Their brethren" are those who wilfully remain ignorant of the truth (with the pronoun referring to the God-conscious). The conjunctive particle wa preceding this clause has here the meaning of "although" or "even though".
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
7:202 Their brethren ceaselessly entice them to go astray.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
7:202 The hinderers and their comrades plunge one another deeper into error, and cease not.

7:203 واذا لم تاتهم باية قالوا لولا اجتبيتها قل انما اتبع ما يوحى الى من ربى هذا بصائر من ربكم وهدى ورحمة لقوم يؤمنون

Transcription (English)
7:203 Wa-itha lam ta/tihim bi-ayatinqaloo lawla ijtabaytaha qul innamaattabiAAu ma yooha ilayya min rabbee hathabasa-iru min rabbikum wahudan warahmatun liqawminyu/minoona
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
7:203 Since you do not bring them a sign, they say, "If only you had brought one." Say, "I only follow what is inspired to me from my Lord. These are enlightenments from your Lord, a guide and a mercy to a people who acknowledge."
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
7:203 And because you do not bring them a sign, they say: "If only you had brought one." Say: "I only follow what is inspired to me from my Lord. This is an evidence from your Lord, and a guide and mercy to a people who believe."
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
7:203 And yet, when thou [O Prophet] dost not produce any miracle for them, some [people] say, "Why dost thou not seek to obtain it [from God]?167 Say: "I only follow whatever is being revealed to me by my Sustainer: this [revelation] is a means of insight from your Sustainer, and a guidance and grace unto people who will believe.

Note 167
Sc., "if thou art really His apostle" (cf. 6:37 and 109, and the corresponding notes). Some of the commentators assume that the term ayah - translated by me as "miracle" - denotes here a verbal "message" which would answer the objections of those who did not believe in the Prophet. Since, however, the continuous revelation of the Qur'an was full of such messages, the demand of the unbelievers must have related to some particular manifestation or "proof" of his divinely-inspired mission: namely, to a concrete miracle which would establish the truth of his claim in a supposedly "objective" manner. In its wider implication, the above verse relates to the primitive mentality of all who regard miracles, and not the message itself, as the only valid "proof" of prophethood.
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
7:203 If you do not produce a miracle that they demand, they say, "Why not ask for it?" Say, "I simply follow what is revealed to me from my Lord." These are enlightenments from your Lord, and guidance, and mercy for people who believe.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
7:203 When you do not produce a miracle that they demand, they say, “Why not ask God for it?” Say, "I simply follow and convey what is revealed to me from my Lord." These verses are the enlightening miracle from your Lord, the guidance and grace for those who accept them.

7:204 واذا قرئ القرءان فاستمعوا له وانصتوا لعلكم ترحمون

Transcription (English)
7:204 Wa-itha quri-a alqur-anu faistamiAAoolahu waansitoo laAAallakum turhamoona
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
Constantly Remember Your Lord7:204 If the Quran is being recited, then listen to it and pay attention, so that you may receive mercy.
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
7:204 And if the Qur'an is being read, then listen to it and pay attention, that you may receive mercy.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
7:204 Hence, when the Qur'an is voiced, hearken unto it, and listen in silence, so that you might be graced with [God's] mercy."
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
7:204 When the Quran is recited, you shall listen to it and take heed, that you may attain mercy.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
7:204 When the Qur’an is read, listen to it with full attention, and listen to it silently, that you may receive mercy.

7:205 واذكر ربك فى نفسك تضرعا وخيفة ودون الجهر من القول بالغدو والءاصال ولا تكن من الغفلين

Transcription (English)
7:205 Waothkur rabbaka fee nafsikatadarruAAan wakheefatan wadoona aljahri mina alqawli bialghuduwwiwaal-asali wala takun mina alghafileena
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
7:205 Remember your Lord in yourself out of humility and fear, and without being loud during the morning and the evening. Do not be of the heedless ones.
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
7:205 And remember your Lord within yourself, in humility and in reverence; and without loudness in words, during the morning and the evening. And do not be of the careless ones.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
7:205 And bethink thyself of thy Sustainer humbly and with awe, and without raising thy voice, at morn and at evening; and do not allow thyself to be heedless.
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
7:205 You shall remember your Lord within yourself, publicly, privately, and quietly, day and night; do not be unaware.,14

Note 14
Your god is whoever or whatever occupies your mind most of the day. This explains the fact that most of those whobelieve in God are destined for Hell (See 12:106, 23:84, and Appendix 27).
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
7:205 Remember your Lord within yourself humbly and in reverence, and without raising your voice, morning and evening. Be not among the negligent.

7:206 ان الذين عند ربك لا يستكبرون عن عبادته ويسبحونه وله يسجدون

Transcription (English)
7:206 Inna allatheena AAinda rabbika layastakbiroona AAan AAibadatihi wayusabbihoonahuwalahu yasjudoona
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
7:206 Those who are at your Lord, they are never too proud to serve Him, and they glorify Him, and to Him they prostrate.
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
7:206 Those who are at your Lord, they are never too proud to serve Him, and they glorify Him, and to Him they yield.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
7:206 Behold, those who are near unto thy Sustainer168 are never too proud to worship Him; and they extol His limitless glory, and prostrate themselves before Him [alone].

Note 168
Lit., "those who are with thy Sustainer": a metaphorical description of utter God-consciousness.
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
7:206 Those at your Lord are never too proud to worship Him; they glorify Him and fall prostrate before Him.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
7:206 Those who are with your Lord (the truly devoted), are never too proud to serve Him. They strive to establish His glory on earth by adoring Him and submitting to His commands.