بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
Bismi Allahi alrrahmani alrraheemi
In the name of God, the Gracious, the Compassionate.
In the name of God, the Almighty, the Merciful.
In the name of God, The Most Gracious, The Dispenser of Grace:
In the name of GOD, Most Gracious, Most Merciful. ,
All praise is due to God, the Lord/Cherisher/Sustainer of the Universe and everything therein.
Bismillâhir rahmânir rahîm.
Rahman, Rahim Allah'ın ismiyle
Rahman ve Rahim Allah'ın adıyla...
RAHMÂN, RAHÎM ALLAH ADINA
Rahman ve Rahim olan Allah'ın adıyla
26:1 طسم
26:1 Ta-seen-meem
26:1 T9S60M401 2
26:1 T'SM.
26:1 Ta. Sin, Mim.1
Note 1
The letters ta, sin and min, are among the mysterious, disjointed letter-symbols (al-muqatta at) preceding some of the chapters of the Qur'an (see Appendix II).
26:1 T. S. M. (Ta, Seen, Mim),1
Note 1
See Appendix 1for the significance of these previously mysteriousletters.
26:1 T.S.M. Ta-Seen-Meem (Toor-e-Sina, Musa. Recall Mount Sinai where Moses received the revelation.)1
Note 1
This is the 26th Surah of the Qur’an. It has 227 verses. The Book goes along in its style of unity in diversity. The Qur’an emphasizes that nothing in the Universe is inherently bad. Poetry can be beneficial or detrimental depending on the message it carries. Those who indulge in senseless poetry mislead people and waste their own and others' time. Poets do not do what they say, and only the straying people follow them. The exceptions are those poets who believe in the Permanent Values and work for the betterment of humanity. The Surah embraces some other magnificent concepts as well.
With the Glorious Name of God, the Instant and Sustaining Source of all Mercy and Kindness
26:2 Tilka ayatu alkitabialmubeeni
26:2 These are the signs of the manifest/clarifying book.
26:2 These are the signs of the Book of clarity.
26:2 THESE ARE MESSAGES of the divine writ, clear in itself and clearly showing the truth!2
Note 2
See surah 12 note 2.
26:2 These (letters) constitute proofs of this clarifying scripture.,
26:2 These are verses of the Book that is clear in itself and makes things clear.
26:3 لعلك بخع نفسك الا يكونوا مؤمنين
26:3 LaAAallaka bakhiAAun nafsaka allayakoonoo mu/mineena
26:3 Perhaps you are grieving yourself that they do not acknowledge.
26:3 Perhaps you grieve yourself that they do not become believers.
26:3 Wouldst thou, perhaps, torment thyself to death [with grief] because they [who live around thee] refuse to believe [in it]?3
26:3 You may blame yourself that they are not believers.,
26:3 (O Prophet) will you, (in your compassion), torment yourself to death that they refuse to become believers?
26:4 ان نشا ننزل عليهم من السماء ءاية فظلت اعنقهم لها خضعين
26:4 In nasha/ nunazzil AAalayhim mina alssama-iayatan fathallat aAAnaquhum lahakhadiAAeena
26:4 If We wish, We could send down for them from the heavens a sign, to which they would bend their necks in humility.
26:4 IfWe wish, We could send down for them from the heavens a sign, to which they would bend their necks in humility.
26:4 Had We so willed, We could have sent down unto them a message from the skies, so that their necks would [be forced to] bow down before it in humility.4
Note 4
Inasmuch as the spiritual value of man's faith depends on its being an outcome of free choice and not of compulsion, the visible or audible appearance of a "message from the skies" would, by its very obviousness, nullify the element of free choice and, therefore, deprive man's faith in that message of all its moral significance.
26:4 If we will, we can send from the sky a sign that forces their necks to bow.,
26:4 Had We so willed, We could have sent down to them a sign from the heaven, to which they would bend their necks in humility.2
26:5 وما ياتيهم من ذكر من الرحمن محدث الا كانوا عنه معرضين
26:5 Wama ya/teehim min thikrin minaalrrahmani muhdathin illa kanooAAanhu muAArideena
Aversion to a New Message26:5 Not a new reminder comes to them from the Gracious, except that they turn away from it.
26:5 And not a reminder comes to them from the Almighty, except that they turn away from it.
26:5 [But We have not willed it:] and so, whenever there comes unto them any fresh reminder from the Most Gracious, they [who are blind of heart] always - turn their backs upon it:
The Quran's Mathematical Code26:5 Whenever a reminder from the Most Gracious comes to them, that is new, they turn away in aversion.,
26:5 And so whenever a reminder comes to them from the Beneficent, they turn away from it.
26:6 فقد كذبوا فسياتيهم انبؤا ما كانوا به يستهزءون
26:6 Faqad kaththaboo fasaya/teehim anbaoma kanoo bihi yastahzi-oona
26:6 They have denied, thus the news will come to them of what they used to ridicule.
26:6 They have denied, thus the news will come to them of what they used to mock.
26:6 thus, indeed, have they given the lie (to this message as well). But [in time] they will come to understand what it was that they were wont to deride!5
26:6 Since they disbelieved, they have incurred the consequences of their heedlessness.,
26:6 Thus, they have rejected this message. But in time they will come to understand what it was that they ridiculed.
26:7 اولم يروا الى الارض كم انبتنا فيها من كل زوج كريم
26:7 Awa lam yaraw ila al-ardi kamanbatna feeha min kulli zawjin kareemin
26:7 Did they not look to the earth, how many plants have We raised in it, from each a good pair.
26:7 Did they not look to the earth, how many plants have We raised in it, from each a good pair.
26:7 Have they, then, never considered the earth - how much of every noble kind [of life] We have caused to grow thereon?
26:7 Have they not seen the earth, and how many kinds of beautiful plants we have grown thereon?,
26:7 Have they never considered the earth, how many noble things of all kind We have made to grow in it in pairs?3
26:8 ان فى ذلك لءاية وما كان اكثرهم مؤمنين
26:8 Inna fee thalika laayatan wamakana aktharuhum mu/mineena
26:8 In that is a sign, but most of them are not those who acknowledge.
26:8 Inthat is a sign, but most of them are not believers.
26:8 In this, behold, there is a message [unto men], even though most of them will not believe [in it].
26:8 This should be a sufficient proof for them, but most of them are not believers.,
26:8 This is a sign, yet most of them are not believers (in the Almightiness of their Lord).
26:9 وان ربك لهو العزيز الرحيم
26:9 Wa-inna rabbaka lahuwa alAAazeezu alrraheemu
26:9 Your Lord is the Noble, the Compassionate.
26:9 And your Lord is the Noble, the Merciful.
26:9 But, verily, thy Sustainer - He alone - is almighty, a dispenser of grace!6
Note 6
The above two verses appear eight times, in this surah. Apart from the present instance, they conclude, like a refrain, each of the subsequent seven stories of earlier prophets, which by means of their, in places, almost identical phrasing - are meant to stress the essential identity of the ethical teachings of all the prophets, as well as to illustrate the statement, in verse 5, that a rejection of God's messages is a recurrent phenomenon in the history of mankind despite the fact that His existence is clearly manifested in all living creation.
26:9 Most assuredly, your Lord is the Almighty, Most Merciful.,
26:9 But your Lord is Almighty, Merciful.4
Note 4
Whether they believe or disbelieve, He provides them with means of sustenance
26:10 واذ نادى ربك موسى ان ائت القوم الظلمين
26:10 Wa-ith nada rabbukamoosa ani i/ti alqawma alththalimeena
Moses and Aaron Risk Their Lives to Free the Children of Israel26:10 When your Lord called Moses: "Go to the people who are wicked."
26:10 Andwhen your Lord called to Moses: "Go to the people who are wicked."
26:10 HENCE, [remember how it was] when thy Sustainer summoned Moses: Go unto those evil doing people.
Moses26:10 Recall that your Lord called Moses: "Go to the transgressing people.,
26:10 And recall when your Lord called Moses, "Go to the community of oppressors,
26:11 Qawma firAAawna ala yattaqoona
26:11 "The people of Pharaoh. Will they not be righteous?"
26:11 "The people of Pharaoh. Will they not be righteous?"
26:11 the people of Pharaoh, who refuse to be conscious of Me!"7
Note 7
Lit., "Will they not be [or "become"] conscious (of me)?" Zamakhshari and Razi understand this rhetorical question in the sense apparent in my rendering, namely, as a statement of fact.
26:11 "Pharaoh's people; perhaps they reform.",
26:11 To the people of Pharaoh so that they may live upright."
26:12 قال رب انى اخاف ان يكذبون
26:12 Qala rabbi innee akhafu anyukaththibooni
26:12 He said, "My Lord, I fear that they would deny me."
26:12 He said: "My Lord, I fear that they would deny me."
26:12 He answered: O my Sustainer! Behold, I fear that they will give me the lie,
26:12 He said, "My Lord, I fear lest they disbelieve me.,
26:12 Moses said, "My Lord! I am afraid they will accuse me of lying.
26:13 ويضيق صدرى ولا ينطلق لسانى فارسل الى هرون
26:13 Wayadeequ sadree walayantaliqu lisanee faarsil ila haroona
26:13 "My chest would become tight, and my tongue would not be able to express; so send for Aaron."
26:13 "And my chest would become tight, and my tongue would not be able to express; so send for Aaron."
26:13 and then my breast will be straitened and my tongue will not be free: send, then, [this Thy command] to Aaron.8
Note 8
Cf. 20:25 and the corresponding notes. In the present context, stress is laid on the deep humility of Moses, who considered himself incapable of fulfilling the task for which he had been chosen, and asked God to entrust it to Aaron instead.
26:13 "I may lose my temper. My tongue gets tied; send for my brother Aaron.,
26:13 I will feel uncomfortable and I might not speak confidently, so send for Aaron to help me.
26:14 ولهم على ذنب فاخاف ان يقتلون
26:14 Walahum AAalayya thanbun faakhafuan yaqtulooni
26:14 "They have charges of a crime against me, so I fear they will kill me."
26:14 "And they have charges of a crime against me, so I fear they will kill me."
26:14 Moreover, they keep a grave charge [pending] against me, and I fear that they will slay me."9
Note 9
Sc., "and thus frustrate my mission". This is a reference to Moses killing of the Egyptian, which was the cause of his subsequent flight from his native land (cf. 28:15 ff.)
26:14 "Also, they consider me a fugitive; I fear lest they kill me.",
26:14 And they have a charge against me, so I fear they will kill me." [28:15]
26:15 قال كلا فاذهبا بايتنا انا معكم مستمعون
26:15 Qala kalla faithhababi-ayatina inna maAAakum mustamiAAoona
26:15 He said, "It will not be. Go both of you with Our signs. I am with you listening."
26:15 He said: "Indeed not! Go both of you with Our signs. I am with you listening."
26:15 Said He: Not so, indeed! Go forth, then, both of you, with Our messages: verify, We shall be with you, listening [to your call]!
26:15 He said, "No, (they will not). Go with My proofs. We will be with you, listening.,
26:15 God said, "Nay! Both of you go with Our messages. We are with you hearing.”
26:16 فاتيا فرعون فقولا انا رسول رب العلمين
26:16 Fa/tiya firAAawna faqoola innarasoolu rabbi alAAalameena
26:16 "So both of you go to Pharaoh and say, 'We are messengers of the Lord of the worlds…'"3
26:16 "So both of you go to Pharaoh and say: 'We are messengers of the Lord of the worlds'
26:16 And go, both of you, unto Pharaoh and say, 'Behold, we bear a message from the Sustainer of all the worlds:
26:16 "Go to Pharaoh and say, `We are messengers from the Lord of the universe.',
26:16 Go together to Pharaoh and say, “We are Messengers from the Lord of the Worlds.”
26:17 An arsil maAAana banee isra-eela
26:17 "'So send with us the Children of Israel'"
26:17 'Sosend with us the Children of Israel'"
26:17 Let the children of Israel go with us!'"
26:17 " `Let the Children of Israel go.' ",
26:17 “Let the Children of Israel go with us." [20:47]
26:18 قال الم نربك فينا وليدا ولبثت فينا من عمرك سنين
26:18 Qala alam nurabbika feenawaleedan walabithta feena min AAumurika sineena
26:18 He said, "Did we not raise you amongst us as a newborn, and you stayed with us for many of your years?"
26:18 He said: "Did we not raise you among us as a new born, and you stayed with us for many of your years?"
26:18 [But when Moses had delivered his message, Pharaoh] said: Did we not bring thee up among us when thou wert a child? And didst thou not spend among us years of thy [later] life?
26:18 He said, "Did we not raise you from infancy, and you spent many years with us?,
26:18 Pharaoh said to Moses, "Did we not rear you as a child among us? And you lived with us many years of your life.
26:19 وفعلت فعلتك التى فعلت وانت من الكفرين
26:19 WafaAAalta faAAlataka allatee faAAaltawaanta mina alkafireena
26:19 "You did the deed what you did, and you are of the ingrates."
26:19 "And you did that deed you did, and you are of the rejecters."
26:19 And yet thou didst commit that [heinous] deed of thine,10 and [hast thus shown that] thou art one of the ingrate!"
Note 10
lit., "thou didst commit thy deed which thou hast committed" - a construction meant to express the speaker's utter condemnation of the deed referred to: hence, my interpolation of the word "heinous". As regards the above allusions to Moses' childhood and youth at Pharaoh's court, the manslaughter committed by him, and his flight from Egypt, see 28:4.
26:19 "Then you committed the crime that you committed, and you were ungrateful.",
26:19 And you did what you did, killing a man from our people. You are of the ungrateful."
26:20 قال فعلتها اذا وانا من الضالين
26:20 Qala faAAaltuha ithanwaana mina alddalleena
26:20 He said, "I did it, and I was of those misguided."
26:20 He said: "I did it, and I was of those misguided."
26:20 Replied [Moses]: I committed it while I was still going astray;
26:20 He said, "Indeed, I did it when I was astray.,
26:20 Moses said, "I did it but I am lost how it happened!”5
26:21 ففررت منكم لما خفتكم فوهب لى ربى حكما وجعلنى من المرسلين
26:21 Fafarartu minkum lamma khiftukumfawahaba lee rabbee hukman wajaAAalanee mina almursaleena
26:21 "So I ran away from you all when I feared you. So my Lord granted me judgment, and made me of the messengers."
26:21 "SoI ran away from you all, for I feared you. So my Lord granted me judgment, and made me of the messengers."
26:21 and I fled from you because I feared you. But [since] then my Sustainer has endowed me with the ability to judge [between right and wrong], and has made me one of [His] message-bearers.11
26:21 "Then I fled, when I feared you, and my Lord endowed me with wisdom and made me one of the messengers.,
26:21 Then I fled from you in fear. But God has given me a command and appointed me one of His Messengers.
26:22 وتلك نعمة تمنها على ان عبدت بنى اسرءيل
26:22 Watilka niAAmatun tamunnuha AAalayyaan AAabbadta banee isra-eela
26:22 "That was a favor that you held against me, so you could continue to enslave the Children of Israel."
26:22 "And is it a favor that you taunt me with, so you could continue to enslave the Children of Israel?"
26:22 And [as for] that favour of which thou so tauntingly remindest me - [was it not] due to thy having enslaved the children of Israel?"12
26:22 "You are boasting that you did me a favor, while enslaving the Children of Israel!",
26:22 And this, the past favor you so tauntingly remind me! Yes, you raised me in your palaces. But it was so since you enslaved the Children of Israel.”
26:23 قال فرعون وما رب العلمين
26:23 Qala firAAawnu wama rabbu alAAalameena
26:23 Pharaoh said, "What is the Lord of the worlds?"4
26:23 Pharaoh said: "And what is the Lord of the worlds?"
26:23 Said Pharaoh: And what [and who] is that 'Sustainer of all the worlds'?''13
Note 13
A reference to the terms in which Moses was to - and apparently did - announce his mission (see verse 16 above).
26:23 Pharaoh said, "What is the Lord of the universe?",
26:23 Pharaoh said, "What is the Lord of the Worlds?" [20:49]
26:24 قال رب السموت والارض وما بينهما ان كنتم موقنين
26:24 Qala rabbu alssamawatiwaal-ardi wama baynahuma in kuntummooqineena
26:24 He said, "The Lord of the heavens and the earth and all that is between them, if you are aware."
26:24 He said: "The Lord of the heavens and the earth and what is between them, if you are aware."
26:24 [Moses] answered: [He is] the Sustainer of the heavens and the earth and all that is between them: if you would but [allow yourselves to] be convinced!"14
Note 14
Sc., "by the evidence of His creative will in all that exists": this proposition being, I believe, the main reason for a repetition of the story of Moses in the present surah. (Cf. also verse 28 above.)
26:24 He said, "The Lord of the heavens and the earth, and everything between them. You should be certain about this.",
26:24 Moses said, "Lord of the heavens and the earth and all that is between them; if you allow yourselves to be convinced." [43:51, 79:24]
26:25 قال لمن حوله الا تستمعون
26:25 Qala liman hawlahu alatastamiAAoona
26:25 He said to those around him: "Do you hear that?"
26:25 He said to those around him: "Do you hear that?"
26:25 Said [Pharaoh] unto those around him: Did you hear [what he said]?"15
Note 15
Lit., "Do you not hear?" - a rhetorical question meant to convey astonishment, indignation or derision, which may be idiomatically rendered in translation as above.
26:25 He said to those around him, "Did you hear this?",
26:25 Pharaoh said to those around him, "Do you not hear this?"
26:26 قال ربكم ورب ءابائكم الاولين
26:26 Qala rabbukum warabbu aba-ikumual-awwaleena
26:26 He said, "Your Lord and the Lord of your forefathers!"
26:26 He said: "Your Lord and the Lord of your fathers of old!"
26:26 [And Moses] continued: [He is] your Sustainer, [too,] as well as the Sustainer of your forefathers of old!"
26:26 He said, "Your Lord and the Lord of your ancestors.",
26:26 Moses said, "Yes, He is your Lord and the Lord of your ancestors."
26:27 قال ان رسولكم الذى ارسل اليكم لمجنون
26:27 Qala inna rasoolakumu allatheeorsila ilaykum lamajnoonun
26:27 He said, "This messenger of yours who has been sent to you is mad!"
26:27 He said: "This messenger of yours who has been sent to you is crazy!"
26:27 [Pharaoh] exclaimed: Behold, [this] your 'apostle' who [claims that he] has been sent unto you is mad indeed!
26:27 He said, "Your messenger who is sent to you is crazy.",
26:27 Pharaoh said, "Your Messenger who has been sent to you is a crazy man."
26:28 قال رب المشرق والمغرب وما بينهما ان كنتم تعقلون
26:28 Qala rabbu almashriqi waalmaghribiwama baynahuma in kuntum taAAqiloona
26:28 He said, "The Lord of the east and the west, and what is between them, if you understand."
26:28 He said: "The Lord of the east and the west, and what is between them, if you comprehend."
26:28 [But Moses] went on: [He of whom I speak is] the Sustainer of the east and the west and of all that is between the two"-16 as you would know] if you would but use your reason!"
26:28 He said, "The Lord of the east and the west, and everything between them, if you understand.",
26:28 Moses said, "He is the Lord of the East and the West and everything in between. (You would know) if you use your intellect."
26:29 قال لئن اتخذت الها غيرى لاجعلنك من المسجونين
26:29 Qala la-ini ittakhathta ilahanghayree laajAAalannaka mina almasjooneena
26:29 He said, "If you take a god other than me, then I will put you among the prisoners."
26:29 He said: "If you take a god other than me, then I will put you among the prisoners."
26:29 Said [Pharaoh]: Indeed, if thou choose to worship any deity other than me, I shall most certainly throw thee into prison!17
Note 17
In the religion of ancient Egypt, the king (or "Pharaoh", as each of the rulers was styled) represented an incarnation of the divine principle, and was considered to be a god in his own right. Hence, a challenge to his divinity implied a challenge to the prevalent religious system as a whole.
26:29 He said, "If you accept any god, other than me, I will throw you in the prison.",
26:29 Pharaoh said, "If you choose a god other than me, I will put you in prison."
26:30 Qala awa law ji/tuka bishay-in mubeenin
26:30 He said, "What if I brought you proof?"
26:30 He said: "What if I brought you proof?"
26:30 Said he: Even if I should bring about before thee something that clearly shows the truth?"18
26:30 He said, "What if I show you something profound?",
26:30 Moses responded, "Even if I bring to you all evidence of the truth?"
26:31 قال فات به ان كنت من الصدقين
26:31 Qala fa/ti bihi in kunta mina alssadiqeena
26:31 He said, "Then bring it forth if you are of the truthful ones."
26:31 He said: "Then bring it forth if you are of the truthful ones."
26:31 [Pharaoh] answered: Produce it, then, if thou art a man of truth!"
26:31 He said, "Then produce it, if you are truthful.",
26:31 He said, "Bring your signs if you are truthful."
26:32 فالقى عصاه فاذا هى ثعبان مبين
26:32 Faalqa AAasahu fa-ithahiya thuAAbanun mubeenun
26:32 So he cast his staff, then it manifested into a serpent.
26:32 So he cast his staff, then it manifested into a serpent.
26:32 Thereupon [Moses] threw down his staff - and lo! it was a serpent, plainly visible;
26:32 He then threw his staff, whereupon it became a profound snake.,
26:32 Moses presented the absolute truth, vibrant with life. [7:107-108, 20:17-25, 28:31-32]
26:33 ونزع يده فاذا هى بيضاء للنظرين
26:33 WanazaAAa yadahu fa-itha hiya baydaolilnnathireena
26:33 He drew out his hand, then it became white to the onlookers.
26:33 Andhe drew out his hand, then it became white to the onlookers.
26:33 and he drew forth his hand - and lo! it appeared [shining] white to the beholders.19
26:33 And he took out his hand, and it was white to the beholders.,
26:33 He presented his powerful logic that shone bright.
26:34 قال للملا حوله ان هذا لسحر عليم
26:34 Qala lilmala-i hawlahu inna hathalasahirun AAaleemun
26:34 He said to the commanders around him: "This is a knowledgeable magician."
26:34 He said to the commanders around him: "This is a knowledgeable magician!"
26:34 Said [pharaoh] unto the great ones around him: Verily, this is indeed a sorcerer of great knowledge
26:34 He said to the elders around him, "This is an experienced magician.,
26:34 Pharaoh said to his chiefs, "He is a magical debater.
26:35 يريد ان يخرجكم من ارضكم بسحره فماذا تامرون
26:35 Yureedu an yukhrijakum min ardikumbisihrihi famatha ta/muroona
26:35 "He wants to bring you out of your land with his magic. So what will you decide?"
26:35 "Hewants to bring you out of your land with his magic. So what will you decide?"
26:35 who wants to drive you out of your land by his sorcery.20 What, then, do you advise?"
26:35 "He wants to take you out of your land, with his magic. What do you suggest?",
26:35 He intends to expel you from your own land by his magic. Then what is it you advise?" [7:110]
26:36 قالوا ارجه واخاه وابعث فى المدائن حشرين
26:36 Qaloo arjih waakhahu waibAAathfee almada-ini hashireena
26:36 They said, "Delay him and his brother, and send people in the cities to gather."
26:36 They said: "Delay him and his brother, and send gatherers to the cities."
26:36 They answered: Let him and his brother wait a while, and send unto all cities heralds
26:36 They said, "Respite him and his brother, and send summoners to every town.,
26:36 They said, "Put him and his brother on hold and send couriers to cities,
26:37 Ya/tooka bikulli sahharin AAaleemin
26:37 "They will come to you with every knowledgeable magician."
26:37 "They will come to you with every knowledgeable magician."
26:37 who shall assemble before thee all sorcerers of great knowledge"
26:37 "Let them summon every experienced magician.",
26:37 That they bring all expert religious debaters to you."6
Note 6
Saahir = Magician = Sorcerer = Spellbinding orator
26:38 فجمع السحرة لميقت يوم معلوم
26:38 FajumiAAa alssaharatu limeeqatiyawmin maAAloomin
26:38 So the magicians were gathered to an appointed day.
26:38 So the magicians were gathered to an appointed day.
26:38 And so the sorcerers were assembled at a set time on a certain day,
26:38 The magicians were gathered at the appointed time, on the appointed day.,
26:38 The debaters got together at the appointed day and time.
26:39 وقيل للناس هل انتم مجتمعون
26:39 Waqeela lilnnasi hal antummujtamiAAoona
26:39 It was said to the people: "Will you also gather?"
26:39 Andit was said to the people: "Will you also gather?"
26:39 and the people were asked: Are you all present,
26:39 The people were told: "Come one and all; let us gather together here.,
26:39 People were given an open invitation to assemble there, “Are you all gathering?”
26:40 لعلنا نتبع السحرة ان كانوا هم الغلبين
26:40 LaAAallana nattabiAAu alssaharatain kanoo humu alghalibeena
26:40 "Perhaps we can follow the magicians if they are the winners."
26:40 "Perhaps we can follow the magicians if they are the winners."
26:40 so that we might follow [in the footsteps of] the sorcerers if it is they who prevail?"21
Note 21
There is no doubt that these "sorcerers" were priests of the official Amon cult, in which magic played an important role. Thus, their victory over Moses would constitute a public vindication of the state religion.
26:40 "Maybe we will follow the magicians, if they are the winners.",
26:40 Pharaoh continued, “So that when the debaters win, we carry them in a procession.”
26:41 فلما جاء السحرة قالوا لفرعون ائن لنا لاجرا ان كنا نحن الغلبين
26:41 Falamma jaa alssaharatuqaloo lifirAAawna a-inna lana laajran in kunnanahnu alghalibeena
26:41 So when the magicians came, they said to Pharaoh: "We should be rewarded if we are the winners."
26:41 So when the magicians came, they said to Pharaoh: "We should be rewarded if we are the winners."
26:41 Now when the sorcerers came, they said unto Pharaoh: Verily, we ought to have a great reward if it is we who prevail.22
26:41 When the magicians came, they said to Pharaoh, "Do we get paid, if we are the winners?",
26:41 When they came, they said to Pharaoh, "Will there be a reward for us if we are the winners?"
26:42 قال نعم وانكم اذا لمن المقربين
26:42 Qala naAAam wa-innakum ithanlamina almuqarrabeena
26:42 He said, "Yes, and you shall also be near to me."
26:42 He said: "Yes, and you shall also be near to me."
26:42 Answered he: Yea - and, verily, in that case you shall be among those who are near unto me.
26:42 He said, "Yes indeed; you will even be close to me.",
26:42 He said, "Yes, and you will have high ranks in my court." [7:113]
26:43 قال لهم موسى القوا ما انتم ملقون
26:43 Qala lahum moosa alqoo maantum mulqoona
26:43 Moses said to them: "Cast down what it is you will cast."
26:43 Moses said to them: "Cast down what it is you will cast."
26:43 [And] Moses said unto them: Throw whatever you are going to throw!"
26:43 Moses said to them "Throw what you are going to throw.",
26:43 Moses said, “Begin however you wish to begin.”
26:44 فالقوا حبالهم وعصيهم وقالوا بعزة فرعون انا لنحن الغلبون
26:44 Faalqaw hibalahum waAAisiyyahumwaqaloo biAAizzati firAAawna inna lanahnualghaliboona
26:44 So they cast down their ropes and staffs and they said, "By the might of Pharaoh, we will be the winners."
26:44 So they cast down their ropes and staffs and they said: "By the might of Pharaoh, we will be the winners."
26:44 Thereupon they threw their [magic ropes and their staffs, and said: By Pharaoh's might, behold, it is we indeed who have prevailed!"23
26:44 They threw their ropes and sticks, and said, "By Pharaoh's majesty, we will be the victors.",
26:44 They put forward their logic and swore, "By Pharaoh's majesty! We will be the victors."
26:45 فالقى موسى عصاه فاذا هى تلقف ما يافكون
26:45 Faalqa moosa AAasahufa-itha hiya talqafu ma ya/fikoona
26:45 So whenever Moses cast down his staff, it ate up all that they showed!
26:45 So Moses cast down his staff, then it was eating-up all that they showed!
26:45 [But] then Moses threw his staff - and lo! it swallowed up all their deceptions.24
26:45 Moses threw his staff, whereupon it swallowed what they fabricated.,
26:45 Moses responded with the mighty truth, and right away it swallowed their false logic.
26:46 Faolqiya alssaharatu sajideena
26:46 So the magicians went down prostrating.
26:46 So the magicians went down prostrating.
26:46 And down fell the sorcerers, prostrating themselves in adoration,
The Experts See the Truth26:46 The magicians fell prostrate.,
26:46 The debaters fell prostrate in awe.
26:47 Qaloo amanna birabbialAAalameena
26:47 They said, "We acknowledge the Lord of the worlds!"
26:47 They said: "We believe in the Lord of the worlds!"
26:47 [and] exclaimed: We have come to believe in the Sustainer of all the worlds,
26:47 They said, "We believe in the Lord of the universe.,
26:47 Saying, "We believe in the Lord of the Worlds.
26:48 Rabbi moosa waharoona
26:48 "The Lord of Moses and Aaron."
26:48 "The Lord of Moses and Aaron."
26:48 the Sustainer of Moses and Aaron!"
26:48 "The Lord of Moses and Aaron.",
26:48 The Lord of Moses and Aaron."
26:49 قال ءامنتم له قبل ان ءاذن لكم انه لكبيركم الذى علمكم السحر فلسوف تعلمون لاقطعن ايديكم وارجلكم من خلف ولاصلبنكم اجمعين
26:49 Qala amantum lahu qabla an athanalakum innahu lakabeerukumu allathee AAallamakumu alssihrafalasawfa taAAlamoona laoqattiAAanna aydiyakum waarjulakummin khilafin walaosallibannakum ajmaAAeena
26:49 He said, "Have you acknowledged him before I permitted you? He is surely your great one who has taught you magic. So you shall come to know. I will cut off your hands and feet from alternate sides, and I will crucify you all."
26:49 He said: "Have you believed unto him before I permitted you? He is surely your great one who has taught you magic. So you shall come to know, I will cut off your hands and feet from alternate sides, and I will crucify you all."
26:49 Said [Pharaoh]: Have you come to believe in him25 ere I have given you permission? Verily, he must be your master who has taught you magic!26 But in time you shall come to know [my revenge]: most certainly shall I cut off your hands and your feet in great numbers, because of [your] perverseness, and shall most certainly crucify you in great numbers, all together!"27
Note 26
I.e., he is so superior a sorcerer that he could be your teacher".
26:49 He said, "Did you believe with him before I give you permission? He must be your teacher, who taught you magic. You will surely find out. I will sever your hands and feet on alternate sides. I will crucify you all.",
26:49 Pharaoh said, "Have you believed in him before I grant my permission? He is your chief who has taught you magic (spellbinding eloquence). You shall find out soon. I will cut off your hands and feet alternately and certainly I will crucify every one of you."7
Note 7
It is worth noting that the tyrannical powers wish to guard even the thinking of others!
26:50 قالوا لا ضير انا الى ربنا منقلبون
26:50 Qaloo la dayra innaila rabbina munqaliboona
26:50 They said, "There is no worry, for we are all returning to our Lord."
26:50 They said: "There is no worry, for we are all returning to our Lord."
26:50 They answered: No harm [canst thou do to us]: verily, unto our Sustainer do we turn!
26:50 They said, "This will not change our decision; to our Lord we will return.,
26:50 They said, "No matter! (This will not change our decision.) To our Lord we will return.
26:51 انا نطمع ان يغفر لنا ربنا خطينا ان كنا اول المؤمنين
26:51 Inna natmaAAu an yaghfira lanarabbuna khatayana an kunnaawwala almu/mineena
26:51 "We hope that our Lord will forgive us our sins, as we are the first to acknowledge."
26:51 "Wehope that our Lord will forgive us our wrongdoings, as we are the first to believe."
26:51 Behold, we [but] ardently desire that our Sustainer forgive us our faults in return for our having been foremost among the believers!"
26:51 "We hope that our Lord will forgive us our sins, especially that we are the first believers.",
26:51 We hope that our Lord will forgive our faults, since we are the foremost of the believers."
26:52 واوحينا الى موسى ان اسر بعبادى انكم متبعون
26:52 Waawhayna ila moosaan asri biAAibadee innakum muttabaAAoona
26:52 We inspired Moses: "Take away My servants, for you will be followed."
26:52 AndWe inspired Moses: "Take away My servants, for you will be followed."
26:52 AND [there came a time when]28 We inspired Moses thus: Go forth with My servants by night: for, behold, you will he pursued!"
26:52 We inspired Moses: "Travel with My servants; you will be pursued.",
26:52 We revealed to Moses, "Take away My servants by night, for you will be pursued."
26:53 فارسل فرعون فى المدائن حشرين
26:53 Faarsala firAAawnu fee almada-ini hashireena
The Attempt to Maintain Slavery Fails26:53 So Pharaoh sent gatherers to the cities.
26:53 So Pharaoh sent gatherers to the cities.
26:53 And Pharaoh sent heralds unto all cities,
26:53 Pharaoh sent to the cities callers.,
26:53 In the meantime, Pharaoh sent couriers to the cities,
26:54 Inna haola-i lashirthimatunqaleeloona
26:54 "These are but a small band."
26:54 "These are but a small band."
26:54 [bidding them to call out his troops and to proclaim:] Behold, these [children of Israel] are but a contemptible band;29
Note 29
Lit., "a small band": Zamakhshari, however, suggests that in this context the adjective qaliluln is expressive of contempt, and does not necessarily denote "few in numbers".
26:54 (Proclaiming,) "This is a small gang.,
26:54 "This is a low contemptible gang.
26:55 Wa-innahum lana lagha-ithoona
26:55 "They have done what has enraged us."
26:55 "And they have done what has enraged us."
26:55 but they are indeed filled with hatred of us
26:55 "They are now opposing us.,
26:55 Certainly, they have enraged us.
26:56 Wa-inna lajameeAAun hathiroona
26:56 "We are all gathered and forewarned."
26:56 "And we are all gathered and forewarned."
26:56 seeing that we are, verily, a nation united, fully prepared against danger 30
Note 30
Thus the Qur'an illustrates the psychological truth that, as a rule, a dominant nation is unable really to understand the desire for liberty on the part of the group or groups which it oppresses and therefore attributes their rebelliousness to no more than unreasonable hatred and blind envy of the strong.
26:56 "Let us all beware of them.",
26:56 And we are an army ready to repel any danger."
26:57 Faakhrajnahum min jannatinwaAAuyoonin
26:57 So, We evicted them out of gardens and springs.
26:57 So,We evicted them out of gardens and springs.
26:57 and so we have [rightly] driven them out of [their] gardens and springs,
The Inevitable Retribution26:57 Consequently, we deprived them of gardens and springs.,
26:57 Then, We drove them (Pharaoh and his chiefs) out of the gardens and springs,
26:58 Wakunoozin wamaqamin kareemin
26:58 Treasures and an honorable dwelling.
26:58 Andtreasures and an honorable station.
26:58 and [deprived them of their erstwhile] station of honour!"31
Note 31
This is apparently an allusion to the honourable state and the prosperity which the children of Israel had enjoyed in Egypt for a few generations after the time of Joseph - i.e., before a new Egyptian dynasty dispossessed them of their wealth and reduced them to the bondage from which Moses was to free them. In the above passage, Pharaoh seeks to justify his persecution of the Israelites by emphasizing their dislike (real or alleged) of the Egyptians.
26:58 And treasures and an honorable position.,
26:58 And treasures, lofty positions and beautiful estate.8
Note 8
Soon to be drowned in hateful pursuit of Moses and his followers
26:59 كذلك واورثنها بنى اسرءيل
26:59 Kathalika waawrathnahabanee isra-eela
26:59 As such, We gave it to the Children of Israel.
26:59 As such, We gave it to the Children of Israel.
26:59 Thus it was: but [in the course of time] We were to bestow all these [things] as a heritage on the children of Israel.32
Note 32
This parenthetical sentence echoes the allusion in 7:137, to the period of prosperity and honour, which the children of Israel were to enjoy in Palestine after their sufferings in Egypt. The reference to "heritage" is, in this and in similar contexts, a metonym for God's bestowal on the oppressed of a life of well being and dignity.
26:59 Then we made it an inheritance for the Children of Israel.,
26:59 Thus those things were taken away from them and We caused the Children of Israel to inherit the blessings.9
26:60 FaatbaAAoohum mushriqeena
26:60 So they were pursued at sunrise.
26:60 So they were pursued at sunrise.
26:60 And so [the Egyptians] caught up with them at sunrise;
26:60 They pursued them towards the east.,
26:60 And they (Pharaoh's armies) overtook them at sunrise.
26:61 فلما ترءا الجمعان قال اصحب موسى انا لمدركون
26:61 Falamma taraa aljamAAaniqala as-habu moosa innalamudrakoona
26:61 But when the two groups saw each other, the companions of Moses said, "We are caught!"
26:61 Butwhen the two groups saw each other, the companions of Moses said: "We are caught!"
26:61 and as soon as the two hosts came in sight of one another, the followers of Moses exclaimed: Behold, we shall certainly be overtaken [and defeated]!"
26:61 When both parties saw each other, Moses' people said, "We will be caught.",
26:61 When both parties saw each other, the companions of Moses said, "Ah, we are overtaken."
26:62 قال كلا ان معى ربى سيهدين
26:62 Qala kalla inna maAAiya rabbeesayahdeeni
26:62 He said, "No, my Lord is with me and He will guide me."
26:62 He said: "No, my Lord is with me and He will guide me."
26:62 He replied: Nay indeed! My Sustainer is with me, [and] He will guide me!"
26:62 He said, "No way. My Lord is with me; He will guide me.",
26:62 He answered, “Nay! My Lord is with me and He will guide me.”
26:63 فاوحينا الى موسى ان اضرب بعصاك البحر فانفلق فكان كل فرق كالطود العظيم
26:63 Faawhayna ila moosaani idrib biAAasaka albahra fainfalaqafakana kullu firqin kaalttawdi alAAatheemi
26:63 So We inspired to Moses: "Strike the sea with your staff." So it split into two, each side like a great mountain.
26:63 So We inspired to Moses: "Strike the sea with your staff." So it split into two, each side like a great mountain.
26:63 Thereupon We inspired Moses thus: Strike the sea with thy staff!"- whereupon it parted, and each part appeared like a mountain vast.33
Note 33
See 20:77 and the corresponding note 61. Cf. also the Biblical account (Exodus xiv, 21), according to which "the Lord caused the sea to go back by a strong east wind all that night, and made the sea dry land, and the waters were divided".
26:63 We then inspired Moses: "Strike the sea with your staff," whereupon it parted. Each part was like a great hill.,
26:63 Then We revealed to Moses, “Strike the sea with your staff. Seek for them a dry path with confidence. (Cross over the dried up Sea of Reeds.) The morning found the two parties apart like two hills with a basin in between.
26:64 Waazlafna thamma al-akhareena
26:64 We then brought them to the other side.
26:64 AndWe then brought them to the other side.
26:64 And We caused the pursuers34 to draw near unto that place:
Note 34
Lit., the others".
26:64 We then delivered them all.,
26:64 And We caused the pursuers to draw near to that place.
26:65 وانجينا موسى ومن معه اجمعين
26:65 Waanjayna moosa waman maAAahuajmaAAeena
26:65 We saved Moses and all those with him.
26:65 AndWe saved Moses and all those with him.
26:65 and We saved Moses and all who were with him,
26:65 We thus saved Moses and all those who were with him.,
26:65 And We saved Moses and those with him, every one of them.
26:66 Thumma aghraqna al-akhareena
26:66 Then We drowned the others.
26:66 Then We drowned the others.
26:66 and then We caused the others to drown.35
Note 35
From various indications in the Bible (in particular Exodus xiv, 2 and 9), it appears that the miracle of the crossing of the Red Sea took place at the northwestern extremity of what is known today as the Gulf of Suez. In those ancient times it was not as deep as it is now, and in some respects may have resembled the shallow part of the North Sea between the mainland and the Frisian Islands, with its total ebbs which lay bare the sandbanks and make them temporarily passable, followed by sudden, violent tides which submerge them entirely.
26:66 And we drowned the others.,
26:66 (And as the high tide came), We drowned the others.
26:67 ان فى ذلك لءاية وما كان اكثرهم مؤمنين
26:67 Inna fee thalika laayatan wamakana aktharuhum mu/mineena
26:67 In that is a sign, but most of them are not those who acknowledge.
26:67 In that is a sign, but most of them are not believers.
26:67 In this [story] behold, there is a message [unto all men], even though most of them will not believe [in it].
26:67 This should be a sufficient proof, but most people are not believers.,
26:67 Herein is a sure lesson. Yet, most people are not believers in the Law of Recompense.
26:68 وان ربك لهو العزيز الرحيم
26:68 Wa-inna rabbaka lahuwa alAAazeezu alrraheemu
26:68 Your Lord is the Noble, the Compassionate.
26:68 Andyour Lord is the Noble, the Merciful.
26:68 And yet, verily, thy Sustainer - He alone - is almighty, a dispenser of grace!36
Note 36
See note 6 on verses 8-9.
26:68 Most assuredly, your Lord is the Almighty, Most Merciful.,
26:68 And certainly, your Lord! He is Almighty, Merciful.
26:69 Waotlu AAalayhim nabaa ibraheema
Abraham Reasons With His People26:69 Recite to them the news of Abraham.
26:69 Andrecite to them the news of Abraham.
26:69 And convey unto them37 the story of Abraham
Note 37
I.e., to the kind of people spoken of in verses 3-5 of this surah.
Abraham26:69 Narrate to them Abraham's history.,
26:69 And convey to them of the history of Abraham.
26:70 اذ قال لابيه وقومه ما تعبدون
26:70 Ith qala li-abeehi waqawmihi mataAAbudoona
26:70 When he said to his father and his people: "What do you serve?"
26:70 When he said to his father and his people: "What do you worship?"
26:70 [how it was] when he asked his father and his people, What is it that you worship?"
26:70 He said to his father and his people, "What is this you are worshipping?",
26:70 When he said to his father and his people, "What is it that you worship?"
26:71 قالوا نعبد اصناما فنظل لها عكفين
26:71 Qaloo naAAbudu asnamanfanathallu laha AAakifeena
26:71 They said, "We serve statues, thus we remain devoted to them."
26:71 They said: "We worship statues; thus we stay devoted to them."
26:71 They answered: We worship idols, and we remain ever devoted to them."
26:71 They said, "We worship statues; we are totally devoted to them.",
26:71 They said, "We worship idols and we are very devoted to them."
26:72 قال هل يسمعونكم اذ تدعون
26:72 Qala hal yasmaAAoonakum ithtadAAoona
26:72 He said, "Do they hear you when you pray to them?"
26:72 He said: "Do they hear you when you call to them?"
26:72 Said he: Do [you really think that] they hear you when you invoke them,
26:72 He said, "Can they hear you when you implore?,
26:72 He said, "Do they hear when you call them?
26:73 Aw yanfaAAoonakum aw yadurroona
26:73 "Or do they benefit you or harm you?"
26:73 "Ordo they benefit you or harm you?"
26:73 or benefit you or do you harm?"
26:73 "Can they benefit you, or harm you?",
26:73 Or do they benefit or harm you?"
26:74 قالوا بل وجدنا ءاباءنا كذلك يفعلون
26:74 Qaloo bal wajadna abaanakathalika yafAAaloona
26:74 They said, "No, but we found our fathers doing the same."
26:74 They said: "No, but we found our fathers doing the same."
26:74 They exclaimed: But we found our forefathers doing the same!"38
Note 38
The particle bal at the beginning of the sentence expresses astonishment. Thus, evading a direct answer to Abraham's criticism of idol-worship, his people merely stress its antiquity, forgetting - as Zamakhshari points out - that "ancient usage and precedence in time are no proof of [a concept] soundness". Razi, for his part, states that the above verse represents "one of the strongest [Quranic] indications of the immorality (fasad) inherent in [the principle of] taqlid", i.e., the blind, unquestioning adoption of religious concepts or practices on the basis of ones uncritical faith in no more than the "authority" of a scholar or religious leader.
26:74 They said, "No; but we found our parents doing this.",
26:74 They said, "Nay, but we found our forefathers doing this."
26:75 قال افرءيتم ما كنتم تعبدون
26:75 Qala afaraaytum ma kuntumtaAAbudoona
26:75 He said, "Do you see what you have been serving."
26:75 He said: "Do you see that which you have been worshipping."
26:75 Said [Abraham]: Have you, then, ever considered what it is that you have been worshipping
26:75 He said, "Do you see these idols that you worship.,
26:75 He said, "Have you then ever considered what it is that you have been worshiping,
26:76 Antum waabaokumu al-aqdamoona
26:76 "You and your fathers of old."
26:76 "You and your fathers of old."
26:76 you and those ancient forebears of yours?
26:76 "You and your ancestors.,
26:76 You and your bygone forefathers!
26:77 فانهم عدو لى الا رب العلمين
26:77 Fa-innahum AAaduwwun lee illa rabbaalAAalameena
26:77 "They are enemies to me, except for the Lord of the worlds."
26:77 "They are enemies to me, except for the Lord of the worlds."
26:77 Now [as for me, I know that,] verily, these [false deities] are my enemies, [and that none is my helper] save the Sustainer of all the worlds,
26:77 "I am against them, for I am devoted only to the Lord of the universe.,
26:77 Certainly, they (all kinds of idols) are enemies to me, for I am devoted only to the Lord of the Worlds,
26:78 Allathee khalaqanee fahuwa yahdeeni
26:78 "The One who created me, He will guide me."
26:78 "The One who has created me, He will guide me."
26:78 who has created me and is the One who guides me,
26:78 "The One who created me, and guided me.,
26:78 The One Who created me and guides me.
26:79 Waallathee huwa yutAAimuneewayasqeeni
26:79 "He is the One who feeds me and gives me drink."
26:79 "And He is the One who feeds me and gives me to drink."
26:79 and is the One who gives me to eat and to drink,
26:79 "The One who feeds me and waters me.,
26:79 The One Who provides food and drink to me (and to you).
26:80 Wa-itha maridtu fahuwayashfeeni
26:80 "If I am sick, He is the One who cures me."
26:80 "And if I am sick, He is the One who cures me."
26:80 and when I fall ill, is the One who restores me to health,
26:80 "And when I get sick, He heals me.,
26:80 The One Who restores me to health when I get sick.
26:81 Waallathee yumeetunee thummayuhyeeni
26:81 "The One who will make me die and then bring me to life."
26:81 "And the One who will make me die and then bring me to life."
26:81 and who will cause me to die and then will bring me back to life
26:81 "The One who puts me to death, then brings me back to life.,
26:81 The One Who will cause me to die and then bring me back to life.
26:82 والذى اطمع ان يغفر لى خطيتى يوم الدين
26:82 Waallathee atmaAAu anyaghfira lee khatee-atee yawma alddeeni
26:82 "The One whom I hope will forgive my faults on the day of Judgment."
26:82 "And the One whom I hope will forgive my mistakes on the Day of Recompense."
26:82 and who, [hope, will forgive me my faults on Judgment Day!
26:82 "The One who hopefully will forgive my sins on the Day of Judgment.,
26:82 And the One Who, I ardently hope, will forgive me my faults on the Day of Judgment.”
26:83 رب هب لى حكما والحقنى بالصلحين
26:83 Rabbi hab lee hukman waalhiqneebialssaliheena
26:83 "My Lord, grant me authority and join me with the good doers."
26:83 "MyLord, grant me authority and join me with the good doers."
26:83 O my Sustainer! Endow me with the ability to judge [between right and wrong], and make me one with the righteous,
26:83 "My Lord, grant me wisdom, and include me with the righteous.,
26:83 “My Lord! Grant me wisdom and good judgment, and unite me with the righteous.10
Note 10
‘Saaliheen’= Those who have attained self-actualization = Who set things right = Help augment the human potential = Serve the community = Correct wrong = Fulfill other’s needs = Do acts of social welfare = Righteous = Those beyond full maturity 46:15
26:84 واجعل لى لسان صدق فى الءاخرين
26:84 WaijAAal lee lisana sidqinfee al-akhireena
26:84 "Give me a tongue that is true for those who will follow."
26:84 "And give me a tongue that is true for those who will follow."
26:84 and grant me the power to convey the truth unto those who will come after me,39
Note 39
Lit., "grant me a language of truth among the others" or "the later ones". For alternative interpretations of this phrase, see note 36 on 19:50.
26:84 "Let the example I set for the future generations be a good one.,
26:84 Let me set a good example for the future generations and leave an honorable mention among them.
26:85 واجعلنى من ورثة جنة النعيم
26:85 WaijAAalnee min warathati jannati alnnaAAeemi
26:85 "Make me of the inheritors of the gardens of bliss."
26:85 "And make me of the inheritors of gardens of bliss."
26:85 and place me among those who shall inherit the garden of bliss!
26:85 "Make me one of the inheritors of the blissful Paradise.,
26:85 And make me worthy of the Garden of bliss.11
Note 11
Warathasingular,Waarith = Literally, ‘inheritors’, but that meaning necessitates the demise of some previous dwellers of Paradise. Also, inheritance comes without effort on the part of the inheritor. So, the correct meaning = Deserving = Truly worthy
26:86 واغفر لابى انه كان من الضالين
26:86 Waighfir li-abee innahu kanamina alddalleena
26:86 "Forgive my father, for he was of those misguided."
26:86 "And forgive my father, for he was of those misguided."
26:86 And forgive my father - for, verily, he is among those who have gone astray 40
26:86 "And forgive my father, for he has gone astray.,
26:86 And forgive my father (by showing him the right path). He is of those who strayed. [9:114, 14:41, 19:47, 60:4]
26:87 Wala tukhzinee yawma yubAAathoona
26:87 "Do not disgrace me on the day when they are resurrected."
26:87 "And do not disgrace me on the Day when they are resurrected."
26:87 and do not put me to shame on the Day when all shall be raised from the dead:41
Note 41
Sc., "by letting me see my father among the damned" (Zamakhshari).
26:87 "And do not forsake me on the Day of Resurrection.",
26:87 And let me not be disgraced on the Day when they are raised.
26:88 يوم لا ينفع مال ولا بنون
26:88 Yawma la yanfaAAu malun walabanoona
26:88 "The day when no money or children can help."
26:88 "The Day when no money or sons can help."
26:88 the Day on which neither wealth will be of any use, nor children,
26:88 That is the day when neither money, nor children, can help.,
26:88 The Day when wealth and children will avail none.
26:89 الا من اتى الله بقلب سليم
26:89 Illa man ata Allahabiqalbin saleemin
26:89 "Except for he who comes to God with a pure heart."
26:89 "Except for he who comes to God with a pure heart."
26:89 [and when] only he [will be happy] who comes before God with a heart free of evil!"
26:89 Only those who come to GOD with their whole heart (will be saved).,
26:89 But only he will prosper who brings to God a noble heart." [37:85]
26:90 Waozlifati aljannatu lilmuttaqeena
26:90 Paradise was made near for the righteous.
26:90 Andthe Paradise was made near for the righteous.
26:90 For, [on that Day,] paradise will be brought within sight of the God-conscious,
26:90 Paradise will be presented to the righteous.,
26:90 And the Garden will be brought close for the upright.
26:91 Waburrizati aljaheemu lilghaweena
26:91 Hell was displayed for the wrongdoers.
26:91 AndHell was displayed for the wrongdoers.
26:91 whereas the blazing fire will be laid open before those who had been lost in grievous error;
26:91 Hell will be set up for the strayers.,
26:91 Whereas the Blazing Fire will appear plainly before those who had lost themselves in error.
26:92 وقيل لهم اين ما كنتم تعبدون
26:92 Waqeela lahum ayna ma kuntumtaAAbudoona
26:92 It was said to them: "Where is what you used to serve?"
26:92 Andit was said to them: "Where is what you used to worship?"
26:92 and they will be asked: Where now is all that you were wont to worship
They Will Disown Their Idols26:92 They will be asked, "Where are the idols you had worshipped,
26:92 And it will be said, "Where is all that you used to worship and obey,
26:93 من دون الله هل ينصرونكم او ينتصرون
26:93 Min dooni Allahi hal yansuroonakumaw yantasiroona
26:93 "Without God, can they help you or help themselves?"
26:93 "Without God; can they help you or help themselves?"
26:93 instead of God?42 Can these [things and beings] be of any help to you or to themselves?"
Note 42
Or: "beside God''. Whenever the relative pronoun ma ("that which" or "all that which") is used in the Qur'an with reference to false objects of worship, it indicates not merely inanimate things (like idols, fetishes, supposedly "holy" relics, etc.) or falsely deified saints, dead or alive, but also forces of nature, real or imaginary, as well as man's "worship" of wealth, power, social position, etc. (See also 10:28 and the corresponding notes.)
26:93 "beside GOD? Can they help you now? Can they help themselves?",
26:93 Instead of God? Can they help you or help themselves?”
26:94 Fakubkiboo feeha hum waalghawoona
26:94 So they were thrown in it on their faces, them and the wrongdoers.
26:94 So they were thrown in it on their faces, them and the wrongdoers.
26:94 Thereupon they will be hurled into hell 43 they, as well as all [others] who had been lost in grievous error,
Note 43
Lit., "into it".
26:94 They will be thrown therein, together with the strayers.,
26:94 Then they will be hurled into Hell, the leaders and their straying followers.
26:95 Wajunoodu ibleesa ajmaAAoona
26:95 As well as all the soldiers of Satan.
26:95 And all the soldiers of Satan.
26:95 and the hosts of Iblis - all together.44
Note 44
Cf. 2:24 - "the fire whose fuel is human beings and stones" - and the corresponding note. The "hosts of Iblis" are the forces of evil ("satans") frequently mentioned in the Qur'an in connection with man's sinning (see note 10 on 2:14, the first half of note 16 on 15:17, as well as note 52 on 19:68; also cf. 19:83 and the corresponding note 72.
26:95 And all of Satan's soldiers.,
26:95 And the party of Iblees, all together.
26:96 Qaloo wahum feeha yakhtasimoona
26:96 They said, while they were disputing therein:
26:96 They said, while they were disputing therein:
26:96 And there and then, blaming one another,45 they [who had grievously sinned in life] will exclaim:
Note 45
Lit., "while they quarrel with one another".
26:96 They will say as they feud therein,,
26:96 And right away, blaming one another, they will exclaim,
26:97 تالله ان كنا لفى ضلل مبين
26:97 TaAllahi in kunna lafeedalalin mubeenin
26:97 "By God, we were clearly misguided."
26:97 "ByGod, we were clearly misguided."
26:97 By God, we were most obviously astray
26:97 "By GOD, we were far astray.,
26:97 “By God, we were in manifest error!
26:98 Ith nusawweekum birabbi alAAalameena
26:98 "For we equated you with the Lord of the Worlds!"
26:98 "For we equated you with the Lord of the worlds!"
26:98 when we deemed you [false deities] equal to the Sustainer of all the worlds
26:98 "How could we set you up to rank with the Lord of the universe?,
26:98 When we ranked you with the Lord of the Worlds.
26:99 Wama adallana illaalmujrimoona
26:99 "None misled us except the criminals."
26:99 "And none misled us except the criminals."
26:99 yet they who have seduced us [into believing in you] are the truly guilty ones!46
26:99 "Those who misled us were wicked.,
26:99 It is these guilty leaders who misled us.
26:100 Fama lana min shafiAAeena
26:100 "So we have none to intercede for us."
26:100 "So we have none to intercede for us."
26:100 And now we have none to intercede for us,
26:100 "Now we have no intercessors.,
26:100 Now we have no intercessors.
26:101 Wala sadeeqin hameemin
26:101 "Nor a close friend."
26:101 "Nora close friend."
26:101 nor any loving friend.
Noah26:101 "Nor a single close friend.,
26:101 Nor a close friend.
26:102 فلو ان لنا كرة فنكون من المؤمنين
26:102 Falaw anna lana karratan fanakoonamina almu/mineena
26:102 "If only we could have another chance, we would be among those who acknowledge."
26:102 "If only we could have another chance, we would be among the believers."
26:102 Would that we had a second chance [in life],47 so that we could be among the believers!"
26:102 "If only we could get another chance, we would then believe.",
26:102 Oh, if only we could have another chance we would be among the believers.” [23:99-100, 39:58]
26:103 ان فى ذلك لءاية وما كان اكثرهم مؤمنين
26:103 Inna fee thalika laayatan wamakana aktharuhum mu/mineena
26:103 In that is a sign, but most of them are not those who acknowledge.
26:103 In that is a sign, but most of them are not believers.
26:103 In all this, behold, there is a message [unto men], even though most of them will not believe [in it].
26:103 This should be a good lesson. But most people are not believers.,
26:103 In all this, there is lesson, but most of them still are not believers (in the Law of Requital).
26:104 وان ربك لهو العزيز الرحيم
26:104 Wa-inna rabbaka lahuwa alAAazeezu alrraheemu
26:104 Your Lord is the Noble, the Compassionate.
26:104 And your Lord is the Noble, the Merciful.
26:104 But, verily, thy Sustainer - He alone - is almighty, a dispenser of grace!48
Note 48
Sc., "and He may grant forgiveness to whomever He wills''.
26:104 Your Lord is the Almighty, Most Merciful.,
26:104 And certainly, your Lord! He is Almighty, Merciful. (He gives you sustenance for body and mind).
26:105 Kaththabat qawmu noohinalmursaleena
Noah and his Arrogant People26:105 The people of Noah rejected the messengers.
26:105 The people of Noah disbelieved the messengers.
26:105 The people of Noah [too] gave the lie to [one of God's] message-bearers
26:105 The people of Noah disbelieved the messengers.,
26:105 The people of Noah too denied the Messengers.
26:106 اذ قال لهم اخوهم نوح الا تتقون
26:106 Ith qala lahum akhoohum noohunala tattaqoona
26:106 When their brother Noah said to them: "Will you not be righteous?"
26:106 Whentheir brother Noah said to them: "Will you not be righteous?"
26:106 when their brother Noah said unto them: Will you not be conscious of God?
26:106 Their brother Noah said to them, "Would you not be righteous?,
26:106 When their brother Noah said to them, "Will you not fear straying?
26:107 Innee lakum rasoolun ameenun
26:107 "I am to you a trustworthy messenger."
26:107 "I am to you a trustworthy messenger."
26:107 Behold, I am an apostle [sent by Him] to you, [and therefore] worthy of your trust:
26:107 "I am an honest messenger to you.,
26:107 I am a Messenger to you, worthy of your trust.
26:108 Faittaqoo Allaha waateeAAooni
26:108 "So be aware of God and obey me."
26:108 "So be aware of God and obey me."
26:108 be, then, conscious of God, and pay heed unto me!
26:108 "You shall reverence GOD and obey me.,
26:108 So, be mindful of God and pay heed to me.
26:109 وما اسلكم عليه من اجر ان اجرى الا على رب العلمين
26:109 Wama as-alukum AAalayhi min ajrin inajriya illa AAala rabbi alAAalameena
26:109 "I do not ask you for a wage, for my reward is upon the Lord of the worlds."
26:109 "AndI do not ask you for any wage, for my reward is upon the Lord of the worlds."
26:109 And no reward whatever do I ask of you for it: my reward rests with none but the Sustainer of all the worlds.
26:109 "I do not ask you for any wage. My wage comes from the Lord of the universe.,
26:109 And no reward, whatsoever, do I ask for it. My reward rests with none but the Lord of the Worlds.
26:110 Faittaqoo Allaha waateeAAooni
26:110 "So be aware of God and obey me."
26:110 "So be aware of God and obey me."
26:110 Hence, remain conscious of God, and pay heed unto me!"
26:110 "You shall reverence GOD and obey me.",
26:110 So, be mindful of God and pay heed to me.”
26:111 قالوا انؤمن لك واتبعك الارذلون
26:111 Qaloo anu/minu laka waittabaAAakaal-arthaloona
26:111 They said, "Shall we acknowledge you when the lowest type of people have followed you?"
26:111 Theysaid: "Shall we believe to you when the lowest type of people have followed you?"
26:111 They answered: Shall we place our faith in thee, even though [only] the most abject [of people] follow thee?''49
26:111 They said, "How can we believe with you, when the worst among us have followed you?",
26:111 They answered, "Shall we put our faith in you even though the low class people are following you?"
26:112 قال وما علمى بما كانوا يعملون
26:112 Qala wama AAilmee bimakanoo yaAAmaloona
26:112 He said, "What knowledge do I have of what they used to do?"
26:112 He said: "And what knowledge do I have of what they used to do?"
26:112 Said he: And what knowledge could I have as to what they were doing [before they came to me]?
26:112 He said, "How do I know what they did?,
26:112 He said, “I am not concerned with their jobs and what they have been doing before.
26:113 ان حسابهم الا على ربى لو تشعرون
26:113 In hisabuhum illa AAalarabbee law tashAAuroona
26:113 "Their judgment is on my Lord, if you could know."
26:113 "Their judgment is on my Lord, if you could know."
26:113 Their reckoning rests with none but my Sustainer: if you could but understand [this]!50
Note 50
This is obviously a retort to the unbeliever' suggestion (elliptically implied here) that those "abject" followers of Noah had declared their faith in him, not out of conviction, but only in order to gain some material advantages. Noah's answer embodies a cardinal principle of Quranic ethics and, hence, of Islamic 1aw: No human being has the right to sit in judgment on another person's faith or hidden motives, whereas God knows what is in the hearts of men, society may judge only by external evidence (az-zahir), which comprises a person's words as well as deeds. Thus if anyone says, "I am a believer", and does not act or speak in a manner contradicting his professed faith, the community must consider him a believer.
26:113 "Their judgment rests only with my Lord, if you could perceive.,
26:113 Their accountability is up to my Lord. If only you understood (that the most honored in the Sight of God is the one who is best in conduct 49:13).
26:114 Wama ana bitaridialmu/mineena
26:114 "I will not drive away those who acknowledge."
26:114 "AndI will not drive away the believers."
26:114 Hence, I shall not drive away [any of] those [who profess to be] believers;
26:114 "I will never dismiss the believers.,
26:114 Therefore, I will not drive away the believers.
26:115 In ana illa natheerunmubeenun
26:115 "I am but a clear warner."
26:115 "I am but a clear warner."
26:115 I am nothing but a plain warner."
26:115 "I am no more than a clarifying warner.",
26:115 I am only a plain warner.”
26:116 قالوا لئن لم تنته ينوح لتكونن من المرجومين
26:116 Qaloo la-in lam tantahi yanoohu latakoonanna mina almarjoomeena
26:116 They said, "If you do not cease, O Noah, you will be among those who are stoned."
26:116 They said: "If you do not cease, O Noah, you will be of those who are stoned."
26:116 Said they: Indeed, if thou desist not, O Noah, thou wilt surely be stoned to death!"51
Note 51
Lit., "thou will surely be among those who are stoned (to death".)
26:116 They said, "Unless you refrain, O Noah, you will be stoned.",
26:116 They said, "O Noah! If you do not refrain, you will be stoned to death."
26:117 Qala rabbi inna qawmee kaththabooni
26:117 He said, "My Lord, my people have denied me!"
26:117 He said: "My Lord, my people have denied me!"
26:117 [Whereupon] he prayed: O my Sustainer! Behold, my people have given me the lie:
26:117 He said, "My Lord, my people have disbelieved me.,
26:117 Thereupon he prayed, "My Lord! My people are accusing me of lying.
26:118 فافتح بينى وبينهم فتحا ونجنى ومن معى من المؤمنين
26:118 Faiftah baynee wabaynahum fathanwanajjinee waman maAAiya mina almu/mineena
26:118 "So open between me and them a rift, and save me and those who are with me of those who acknowledge."
26:118 "So open between me and them a rift, and save me and those who are with me of the believers."
26:118 hence, lay Thou wide open the truth between me and them,52 and save me and those of the believers who are with me!"
Note 52
Or: "decide Thou with a [clear] decision between me and them". My choice of the primary significance of iftah ("lay open", i.e., the truth) has been explained in note 72 on the last sentence of 7:89.
26:118 "Grant me victory against them, and deliver me and my company of believers.",
26:118 So, judge between me and them openly, and save me and my company of believers.”
26:119 فانجينه ومن معه فى الفلك المشحون
26:119 Faanjaynahu waman maAAahu feealfulki almashhooni
26:119 So We saved him and those who were with him in the charged Ship.
26:119 So We saved him and those who were with him in the charged ship.
26:119 And so We saved him and those [who were] with him in the fully-laden ark,
26:119 We delivered him and those who accompanied him in the loaded ark.,
26:119 And We saved him and those who accompanied him in the laden Ark.
26:120 Thumma aghraqna baAAdu albaqeena
26:120 Then after that We drowned the rest.
26:120 Thenafter that We drowned the rest.
26:120 and then We caused those who stayed behind to drown.53
Note 53
The story of Noah and his people, as well as: of the Deluge, is given in greater detail in 11:25.
26:120 Then we drowned the others.,
26:120 Then afterward We drowned the others.
26:121 ان فى ذلك لءاية وما كان اكثرهم مؤمنين
26:121 Inna fee thalika laayatan wamakana aktharuhum mu/mineena
26:121 In that is a sign, but most of them are not those who acknowledge.
26:121 In that is a sign, but most of them are not believers.
26:121 In this [story], behold, there is a message [unto men], even though most of them will not believe [in it].54
Note 54
For the message specifically alluded to here, see verses 111-115, as well as note 50 above.
26:121 This should be a lesson, but most people are not believers.,
26:121 In this, there is a sign, even though most of them are not believers (in the law of Just Recompense).
26:122 وان ربك لهو العزيز الرحيم
26:122 Wa-inna rabbaka lahuwa alAAazeezu alrraheemu
26:122 Your Lord is the Noble, the Compassionate.
26:122 And your Lord is the Noble, the Merciful.
26:122 But, verily, thy Sustainer - He alone - is almighty, a dispenser of grace
26:122 Most assuredly, your Lord is the Almighty, Most Merciful.,
26:122 But, certainly, your Lord is Almighty, Merciful.12
Note 12
His Rule is the Rule of law, and not that of tyrannical whims
26:123 Kaththabat AAadun almursaleena
Hood to Aad26:123 Aad denied the messengers.
26:123 'Aad denied the messengers.
26:123 [AND the tribe of] Ad gave the lie to [one of God's] message-bearers
Hud26:123 `Aad disbelieved the messengers.,
26:123 ‘Aad also rejected the Messengers.
26:124 اذ قال لهم اخوهم هود الا تتقون
26:124 Ith qala lahum akhoohumhoodun ala tattaqoona
26:124 For their brother Hood said to them: "Will you not be righteous?"
26:124 For their brother Hud said to them: "Will you not be righteous?"
26:124 when their brother Hud said unto them:55 Will you not be conscious of God?
26:124 Their brother Hood said to them, "Would you not be righteous?,
26:124 When their brother Hud said to them, “Will you not seek to live upright?
26:125 Innee lakum rasoolun ameenun
26:125 "I am to you a clear messenger."
26:125 "I am to you a clear messenger."
26:125 Behold, I am an apostle [sent by Him] to you, [and therefore] worthy of your trust:
26:125 "I am an honest messenger to you.,
26:125 I am a Messenger to you, worthy of your trust.
26:126 Faittaqoo Allaha waateeAAooni
26:126 "So be aware of God and obey me."
26:126 "So be aware of God and obey me."
26:126 be, then, conscious of God, and pay heed unto me!
26:126 "You shall reverence GOD, and obey me.,
26:126 Be mindful of God and pay heed to me.
26:127 وما اسلكم عليه من اجر ان اجرى الا على رب العلمين
26:127 Wama as-alukum AAalayhi min ajrin inajriya illa AAala rabbi alAAalameena
26:127 "I do not ask you for a wage, for my reward is upon the Lord of the worlds."
26:127 "AndI do not ask you for any wage, for my reward is upon the Lord of the worlds."
26:127 And no reward whatever do I ask of you for it: my reward rests with none but the Sustainer of all the worlds.
26:127 "I do not ask you for any wage; my wage comes from the Lord of the universe.,
26:127 And no reward, whatsoever, do I ask for it. My reward rests with none but the Lord of the Worlds.
26:128 اتبنون بكل ريع ءاية تعبثون
26:128 Atabnoona bikulli reeAAin ayatantaAAbathoona
26:128 "Do you build on every high place a symbol, for the sake of vanity!"
26:128 "Do you build on every high place a symbol, for the sake of vanity!"
26:128 Will you, in your wanton folly, build [idolatrous] altars on every height,56
Note 56
The noun ayah, which primarily denotes "a sign" or "a token", evidently refers here to the ancient Semitic custom of worshipping the tribal gods on hilltops, which were crowned to this end by sacrificial altars or monuments, each of them devoted to a particular deity: hence my rendering of ayah, in this particular context, as "altars" (in the plural).
26:128 "You build on every hill a mansion for vanity's sake.,
26:128 You build on every height monuments of vanity.
26:129 وتتخذون مصانع لعلكم تخلدون
26:129 Watattakhithoona masaniAAalaAAallakum takhludoona
26:129 "You take for yourselves strongholds, perhaps you will live forever?"
26:129 "Andyou take for yourselves strongholds, perhaps you will live forever?"
26:129 and make for yourselves mighty castles, [hoping] that you might become immortal?57
Note 57
The meaning could be either "hoping that you might live in them forever", or "that you might gain immortal renown for having built them".
26:129 "You set up buildings as if you last forever.,
26:129 And you make for yourselves mighty castles. Will you thus become immortal?
26:130 واذا بطشتم بطشتم جبارين
26:130 Wa-itha batashtum batashtumjabbareena
26:130 "If you attack, you strike ruthlessly?"
26:130 "Andif you attack, you strike ruthlessly?"
26:130 And will you [always], whenever you lay hand [on others], lay hand [on them] cruelly, without any restraint?58
Note 58
The term jabbar, when applied to man, as a rule denotes one who is haughty, overhearing, exorbitant and cruel, and does not submit to any moral restraints in his dealings with those who are weaker than himself. Sometimes (as, e.g., in 11:59 or 14:15) this term is used to describe a person's negative ethical attitude, and in that case it may be rendered as "enemy of the truth". In the present instance, however, stress is laid on the tyrannical behaviour of the tribe of Ad, evidently relating to their warlike conflicts with other people: and in this sense it expresses a Quranic prohibition, valid for all times, of all unnecessary cruelty in warfare, coupled with the positive, clearly-implied injunction to subordinate every act of war - as well as the decision to wage war as such - to moral considerations and restraints.
26:130 "And when you strike, you strike mercilessly.,
26:130 And you seize people cruelly, without any restraint.13
Note 13
Subjecting them into bondage to build these gorgeous structures for you
26:131 Faittaqoo Allaha waateeAAooni
26:131 "So be aware of God and obey me."
26:131 "So be aware of God and obey me."
26:131 Be, then, conscious of God and pay heed unto me:
26:131 "You shall reverence GOD and obey me.,
26:131 Be mindful of God and heed me.
26:132 واتقوا الذى امدكم بما تعلمون
26:132 Waittaqoo allathee amaddakumbima taAAlamoona
26:132 "Be aware of the One who provided you with what you know."
26:132 "Andbe aware of the One who provided you with what you know."
26:132 and [thus] be conscious of Him who has [so] amply provided you with all [the good] that you might think of59
Note 59
Lit., "with all that you know" or "that you are [or "might be"] aware of".
26:132 "Reverence the One who provided you with all the things you know.,
26:132 Be mindful of Him Who has helped you with the skills you know.
26:133 Amaddakum bi-anAAamin wabaneena
26:133 "He provided you with livestock and shelters."
26:133 "He provided you with livestock and sons."
26:133 amply provided you with flocks, and children,
26:133 "He provided you with livestock and children.,
26:133 He Who has helped you with livestock and human resources.
26:134 Wajannatin waAAuyoonin
26:134 "Gardens and springs."
26:134 "Andgardens and springs."
26:134 and gardens, and springs -:
26:134 "And gardens and springs.,
26:134 And gardens and water springs.
26:135 انى اخاف عليكم عذاب يوم عظيم
26:135 Innee akhafu AAalaykum AAathabayawmin AAatheemin
26:135 "I fear for you the retribution of a great day"
26:135 "I fear for you the retribution of a great day"
26:135 for, verily, I fear lest suffering befall you on an awesome day!"
26:135 "I fear for you the retribution of an awesome day.",
26:135 Surely, I fear for you the requital of an awesome day.”
26:136 قالوا سواء علينا اوعظت ام لم تكن من الوعظين
26:136 Qaloo sawaon AAalaynaawaAAathta am lam takun mina alwaAAitheena
26:136 They said, "It is the same whether you preach or do not preach."
26:136 Theysaid: "It is the same whether you preach or do not preach."
26:136 [But] they answered. It is all one to us whether thou preachest [something new] or art not of those who [like to] preach.
26:136 They said, "It is the same whether you preach, or do not preach.,
26:136 But they answered, "It is the same for us whether you counsel us or not.
26:137 In hatha illa khuluqual-awwaleena
26:137 "This is nothing but an invention by the people of old."
26:137 "This is nothing except an invention by the people of old."
26:137 This [religion of ours] is none other than that to which our forebears clung,60
Note 60
Lit., "the innate habit of the earlier people (al-awwalin)". The noun khuluq denotes one's "nature" in the sense of "innate disposition" tabi'ah) or "moral character" (Taj al-'Arus); hence the use of this term to describe "that to which one clings", i.e., one's "innate habit" or "custom", and, in a specific sense, one's religion (ibid.).
26:137 "That affliction was limited to our ancestors.,
26:137 This has been our life-style for generations.
26:138 Wama nahnu bimuAAaththabeena
26:138 "We are not going to be punished."
26:138 "Andwe are not going to be punished."
26:138 and we are not going to be chastised [for adhering to it]!"
26:138 "No retribution will ever befall us.",
26:138 And we will never be doomed."
26:139 فكذبوه فاهلكنهم ان فى ذلك لءاية وما كان اكثرهم مؤمنين
26:139 Fakaththaboohu faahlaknahuminna fee thalika laayatan wama kanaaktharuhum mu/mineena
26:139 So they denied him, and We destroyed them. In that is a sign, but most do not acknowledge.
26:139 So they denied him, and We destroyed them. In that is a sign, but most are not believers.
26:139 And so they gave him the lie: and thereupon We destroyed them. In this [story], behold, there is a message [unto men], even though most of them will not believe [in it].61
Note 61
The message referred to here is contained in verses 128-130, which point out the three cardinal sins resulting from man's inordinate striving for power: worship of anything apart from God, self-admiring search for "glory", and cruelty or harshness towards one's fellow-men.
26:139 They thus disbelieved and, consequently, we annihilated them. This should be a lesson, but most people are not believers.,
26:139 So, they rejected him and We destroyed them. Therein is a sign, even though most people are not believers (in the law of Just Recompense).
26:140 وان ربك لهو العزيز الرحيم
26:140 Wa-inna rabbaka lahuwa alAAazeezu alrraheemu
26:140 Your Lord is the Noble, the Compassionate.
26:140 And your Lord is the Noble, the Merciful.
26:140 But, verily, thy Sustainer - He alone - is almighty, a dispenser of grace!
26:140 Most assuredly, your Lord is the Almighty, Most Merciful.,
26:140 But, certainly, your Lord is Almighty, Merciful. (He keeps balance between grace and Justice)
26:141 Kaththabat thamoodu almursaleena
Saleh to Thamud26:141 Thamud denied the messengers.
26:141 Thamud denied the messengers.
26:141 [AND the tribe of] Thamud gave the lie to [one of God's] message-hearers
Saleh26:141 Thamoud disbelieved the messengers.,
26:141 Thamud also denied the Messengers.
26:142 اذ قال لهم اخوهم صلح الا تتقون
26:142 Ith qala lahum akhoohum salihunala tattaqoona
26:142 For their brother Saleh said to them: "Will you not be righteous?"
26:142 For their brother Saleh said to them: "Will you not be righteous?"
26:142 when their brother Salih said unto them:62 Will you not be conscious of God?
26:142 Their brother Saaleh said to them, "Would you not be righteous?,
26:142 When their brother Saleh said to them, "Will you not seek to live upright?
26:143 Innee lakum rasoolun ameenun
26:143 "I am to you a clear messenger."
26:143 "I am to you a clear messenger."
26:143 Behold, I am an apostle [sent by Him] to you, [and therefore] worthy of your trust:
26:143 "I am an honest messenger to you.,
26:143 Truly, I am a Messenger to you, worthy of your trust.
26:144 Faittaqoo Allaha waateeAAooni
26:144 "So be aware of God and obey me."
26:144 "So be aware of God and obey me."
26:144 be, then, conscious of God, and pay heed unto me!
26:144 "You shall reverence GOD, and obey me.,
26:144 Be mindful of God and heed me.
26:145 وما اسلكم عليه من اجر ان اجرى الا على رب العلمين
26:145 Wama as-alukum AAalayhi min ajrin inajriya illa AAala rabbi alAAalameena
26:145 "I do not ask you for a wage, for my reward is upon the Lord of the worlds."
26:145 "AndI do not ask you for any wage, for my reward is upon the Lord of the worlds."
26:145 And no reward whatever do I ask of you for it: my reward rests with none but the Sustainer of all the worlds.
26:145 "I do not ask you for any wage; my wage comes only from the Lord of the universe.,
26:145 I ask you no reward, whatsoever, for it. My reward rests with none but the Lord of the Worlds.
26:146 اتتركون فى ما ههنا ءامنين
26:146 Atutrakoona fee ma hahunaamineena
26:146 "Will you be left secure in what you have here?"
26:146 "Will you be left secure in that which you have here?"
26:146 Do you think that you will be left secure [forever] in the midst of what you have here and now?63
Note 63
Lit., "of what is here", i.e., on earth. In the original, this question has a direct form, thus: "Will you be left secure ?", etc. (see also note 69 below).
26:146 "Do you suppose you will be left forever, secure in this state?,
26:146 (Do you think that) you will continue to live in security (with your unjust system) forever?
26:147 Fee jannatin waAAuyoonin
26:147 "In gardens and springs."
26:147 "In gardens and springs."
26:147 amidst [these] gardens and springs
26:147 "You enjoy gardens and springs.,
26:147 In gardens and water springs.
26:148 WazurooAAin wanakhlin talAAuhahadeemun
26:148 "Green crops and palm trees laden with fruit."
26:148 "Andgreen crops and palm trees laden with fruit."
26:148 and fields, and [these] palm-trees with slender spathes?
26:148 "And crops and date palms with delicious fruits.,
26:148 And fields, and fruitful palm trees.
26:149 وتنحتون من الجبال بيوتا فرهين
26:149 Watanhitoona mina aljibalibuyootan fariheena
26:149 "You carve homes out of the mountains with great skill?"
26:149 "Andyou carve homes out of the mountains with great skill?"
26:149 and that you will [always be able to] hew dwellings out of the mountains with [the same] great skill?"64
26:149 "You carve out of the mountains luxurious mansions.,
26:149 And that you will always skillfully carve out of the mountains luxurious mansions?
26:150 Faittaqoo Allaha waateeAAooni
26:150 "So be aware of God and obey me."
26:150 "So be aware of God and obey me."
26:150 Be, then, conscious of God, and pay heed unto me,
26:150 "You shall reverence GOD, and obey me.,
26:150 Be mindful of God and heed me.
26:151 ولا تطيعوا امر المسرفين
26:151 Wala tuteeAAoo amraalmusrifeena
26:151 "Do not obey the command of the carefree."
26:151 "Anddo not obey the command of the carefree."
26:151 and pay no heed to the counsel of those who are given to excesses
26:151 "Do not obey the transgressors.,
26:151 And do not obey the command of those who trespass the bounds of justice and equity.
26:152 الذين يفسدون فى الارض ولا يصلحون
26:152 Allatheena yufsidoona fee al-ardiwala yuslihoona
26:152 "The ones who corrupt in the land and are not reformers."
26:152 "Theones who corrupt in the land and are not reformers."
26:152 those who spread corruption on earth instead of setting things to rights!"
26:152 "Who commit evil, not good works.",
26:152 Those who spread corruption in the land, and reform not.”
26:153 قالوا انما انت من المسحرين
26:153 Qaloo innama anta mina almusahhareena
26:153 They said, "You are but one of those bewitched!"
26:153 They said: "You are but one of those bewitched!"
26:153 Said they: Thou art but one of the bewitched!
26:153 They said, "You are bewitched.,
26:153 But they replied, "You are but one of the bewitched.
26:154 ما انت الا بشر مثلنا فات باية ان كنت من الصدقين
26:154 Ma anta illa basharun mithlunafa/ti bi-ayatin in kunta mina alssadiqeena
26:154 "You are but a human being like us. So bring a sign if you are of the truthful ones."
26:154 "Youare but a human being like us. So bring a sign if you are of the truthful ones."
26:154 Thou art nothing but a mortal like ourselves! Come, then, forward with a token [of thy mission] if thou art a man of truth!"65
Note 65
Tabari: " that is to say, 'with an indication (dalalah) and a proof that thou art to be trusted as regards thy claim that thou hast been sent to us by God'."
26:154 "You are no more than a human like us. Produce a miracle, if you are truthful.",
26:154 You are just a mortal like us. So bring us a miracle if you are a man of truth."
26:155 قال هذه ناقة لها شرب ولكم شرب يوم معلوم
26:155 Qala hathihi naqatunlaha shirbun walakum shirbu yawmin maAAloomin
26:155 He said, "This is a female camel which will have to drink and you will drink on a different day."5
Note 5
The miracles given to messengers relate to the interest and knowledge of their times. Perhaps, a tribal agrarian community that is knowledgeable about animals and their behavior would not appreciate a mathematical sign.
26:155 He said: "This is a female camel, for her is a share of water, and for you is a share of water, each on an appointed day."
26:155 Replied he: This she-camel66 shall have a share of water, and you shall have a share of water, on the days appointed [therefor];67
Note 66
Cf. the second paragraph of 7:73 - "This she-camel belonging to God shall be a token for you" - and the corresponding note 57, which explaiins that the "token" spoken of by Salih was to consist in the manner in which the tribe would treat the animal.
Note 67
Lit., "on a day appointed", which may mean either "each on a day appointed" (i.e., by turns), or, more probably - because more in consonance with the tribal customs of ancient Arabia - "on the days appointed for the watering of camels": implying that on those days the ownerless she-camel should receive a full share of water side by side with the herds and flocks belonging to the tribe.
26:155 He said, "Here is a camel that will drink only on a day that is assigned to her; a day that is different from your specified days of drinking.,
26:155 He said, "This she-camel (representing the weak and the poor) has the right to drink, just as you have the right to water (your flocks) at the time of watering.
26:156 ولا تمسوها بسوء فياخذكم عذاب يوم عظيم
26:156 Wala tamassooha bisoo-infaya/khuthakum AAathabu yawmin AAatheemin
26:156 "Do not afflict her with harm, else the retribution of a great day will seize you."
26:156 "Anddo not afflict her with harm, else the retribution of a great day will seize you."
26:156 and do her no harm, lest suffering befall you on an awesome day!"
26:156 "Do not touch her with any harm, lest you incur retribution on an awesome day.",
26:156 Do not harm her, or the retribution will seize you on an awesome day."
26:157 FaAAaqarooha faasbahoonadimeena
26:157 But they slaughtered her, and they became regretful.
26:157 But they slaughtered her, and they became regretful.
26:157 But they cruelly slaughtered her - and then they had cause to regret it:68
Note 68
Lit., "they became regretful". For my rendering of aqaruha as "they cruelly slaughtered her", see note 61 on 7:77.
26:157 They slaughtered her, and thus incurred sorrow.,
26:157 But they killed her but then became regretful.14
Note 14
‘Aqarooha = They hamstrung her. Cutting the hamstrings of a camel leads to a quick demise, therefore, ‘they hamstrung her’ = ‘They killed her’
26:158 فاخذهم العذاب ان فى ذلك لءاية وما كان اكثرهم مؤمنين
26:158 Faakhathahumu alAAathabu innafee thalika laayatan wama kanaaktharuhum mu/mineena
26:158 So the retribution took them. In that is a sign, but most of them are not those who acknowledge.
26:158 So the retribution took them. In that is a sign, but most of them are not believers.
26:158 for the suffering [predicted by Salih,] befell them [then and there]. In this [story], behold, there is a message [unto men], even though most of them will not believe [in it].69
Note 69
In my opinion, the specific message alluded to here relates, in the first instance, to the individual person's emotional reluctance to visualize the limited, transitory character of his own life on earth (hinted at in verses 146-l49 above) and, hence, the judgment that awaits everyone in the life to come; and, secondly, to the element of compassion for all other living beings as a basis of true morality.
26:158 The retribution overwhelmed them. This should be a lesson, but most people are not believers.,
26:158 So, the retribution seized them. Herein is a sign, yet most people are not believers.
26:159 وان ربك لهو العزيز الرحيم
26:159 Wa-inna rabbaka lahuwa alAAazeezu alrraheemu
26:159 Your Lord is the Noble, the Compassionate.
26:159 And your Lord is the Noble, the Merciful.
26:159 But, verily, thy Sustainer - He alone is almighty, a dispenser of grace!
26:159 Most assuredly, your Lord is the Almighty, Most Merciful.,
26:159 Certainly, your Lord is Mighty, Merciful.
26:160 Kaththabat qawmu lootinalmursaleena
Lot and Transgrassing Homosexuals26:160 The people of Lot denied the messengers.
26:160 The people of Lot denied the messengers.
26:160 [AND] the people of Lot gave the lie to [one of God's] message-bearers*
Lot26:160 The people of Lot disbelieved the messengers.,
26:160 And the people of Lot also denied the Messengers.
26:161 اذ قال لهم اخوهم لوط الا تتقون
26:161 Ith qala lahum akhoohum lootunala tattaqoona
26:161 For their brother Lot said to them: "Will you not be righteous?"
26:161 For their brother Lot said to them: "Will you not be righteous?"
26:161 when their brother Lot said unto them: Will you not be conscious of God?70
Note 70
The story of Lot and the sinful people among whom he lived is narrated in greater detail in 11:69.
26:161 Their brother Lot said to them, "Would you not be righteous?,
26:161 When their brother Lot said to them, "Will you not seek to live upright?
26:162 Innee lakum rasoolun ameenun
26:162 "I am to you a trustworthy messenger."
26:162 "I am to you a trustworthy messenger."
26:162 Behold, I am an apostle [sent by Him] to you, [and therefore] worthy of your trust:
26:162 "I am an honest messenger to you.,
26:162 Truly, I am a Messenger to you, worthy of your trust.
26:163 Faittaqoo Allaha waateeAAooni
26:163 "So be aware of God and obey me."
26:163 "So be aware of God and obey me."
26:163 be, then, conscious of God, and pay heed unto me!
26:163 "You shall reverence GOD, and obey me.,
26:163 Be mindful of God and heed me.
26:164 وما اسلكم عليه من اجر ان اجرى الا على رب العلمين
26:164 Wama as-alukum AAalayhi min ajrin inajriya illa AAala rabbi alAAalameena
26:164 "I do not ask you for a wage for my reward is upon the Lord of the worlds."
26:164 "AndI do not ask you for any wage, for my reward is upon the Lord of the worlds."
26:164 And no reward whatever do I ask of you for it: my reward rests with none but the Sustainer of all the worlds.
26:164 "I do not ask you for any wage; my wage comes only from the Lord of the universe.,
26:164 And no reward whatsoever do I ask you for it. My reward rests with none but with the Lord of the Worlds.
26:165 اتاتون الذكران من العلمين
26:165 Ata/toona alththukranamina alAAalameena
26:165 "Are you attracted to the males of the worlds?"
26:165 "Do you approach the males of the worlds?"
26:165 Must you, of all people, [lustfully] approach men,
26:165 "Do you have sex with the males, of all the people?,
26:165 Of all the creatures in the worlds, you approach males.15
26:166 وتذرون ما خلق لكم ربكم من ازوجكم بل انتم قوم عادون
26:166 Watatharoona ma khalaqa lakumrabbukum min azwajikum bal antum qawmun AAadoona
26:166 "You leave what your Lord has created for you of mates? You are an intrusive people!"
26:166 "And you leave what your Lord has created for you of mates? You are an intrusive people!"
26:166 keeping yourselves aloof from all the [lawful] spouses whom your Sustainer has created for you? Nay, but you are people who transgress all bounds of what is right!"
26:166 "You forsake the wives that your Lord has created for you! Indeed, you are transgressing people.",
26:166 And leave those whom your Lord has created for you to be your mates. You are a people who cross all bounds of decency.”
26:167 قالوا لئن لم تنته يلوط لتكونن من المخرجين
26:167 Qaloo la-in lam tantahi yalootu latakoonanna mina almukhrajeena
26:167 They said, "If you do not cease O Lot, you will be among those driven out."
26:167 Theysaid: "If you do not cease O Lot, you will be among those driven out."
26:167 Said they: Indeed, If thou desist not, O Lot, thou wilt most certainly be expelled [from this township]!''
26:167 They said, "Unless you refrain, O Lot, you will be banished.",
26:167 They said, "O Lot! If you do not desist, you will be driven out of the town.”
26:168 قال انى لعملكم من القالين
26:168 Qala innee liAAamalikum mina alqaleena
26:168 He said, "I am in severe opposition to your acts!"
26:168 He said: "I am in severe opposition to your acts!"
26:168 [Lot] exclaimed: Behold, I am one of those who utterly abhor your doings!"
26:168 He said, "I deplore your actions.",
26:168 He said, "I am of those who deplore your actions.”
26:169 رب نجنى واهلى مما يعملون
26:169 Rabbi najjinee waahlee mimmayaAAmaloona
26:169 "My Lord, save me and my family from what they do."
26:169 "My Lord, save me and my family from what they do."
26:169 [And then he prayed:] O my Sustainer! Save me and my household from all that they are doing!"
26:169 "My Lord, save me and my family from their works.",
26:169 "O My Lord! Save me, my family and my followers from the consequences of what they do."
26:170 Fanajjaynahu waahlahu ajmaAAeena
26:170 So We saved him and his entire family.
26:170 So We saved him and his entire family.
26:170 Thereupon We saved him and all his household
26:170 We saved him and all his family.,
26:170 So, We saved him and his followers, all of them.
26:171 Illa AAajoozan fee alghabireena
26:171 Except for an old woman who remained.
26:171 Except for an old woman who remained.
26:171 all but an old woman, who was among those that stayed behind;71
26:171 But not the old woman; she was doomed.,
26:171 All but the old woman (the wife of Lot) who chose to stay behind.
26:172 Thumma dammarna al-akhareena
26:172 Then We destroyed the others.
26:172 ThenWe destroyed the others.
26:172 and then We utterly destroyed the others,73
Note 73
Or, in the past tense: "dire was the rain upon those who had been warned" in which case this sentence would refer specifically to the sinful people of Sodom and Gomorrah. However it is much more probable that its purport is general (see note 115 on the last sentence of 11:83). Zamakhshari's interpretation of the above sentence is analogous to mine.
26:172 We then destroyed the others.,
26:172 And then We utterly destroyed the others.
26:173 وامطرنا عليهم مطرا فساء مطر المنذرين
26:173 Waamtarna AAalayhim mataranfasaa mataru almunthareena
26:173 We rained upon them a rain. Miserable was the rain to those who had been warned.
26:173 And We rained upon them a rain. Miserable was the rain to those who had been warned.
26:173 and rained down upon them a rain [of destruction]:72 and dire is such rain upon all who let themselves be warned [to no avail]!*
26:173 We showered them with a miserable shower; what a terrible shower for those who had been warned!,
26:173 And We poured a rain, the dreadful rain (from the volcano) on all those who had been warned.
26:174 ان فى ذلك لءاية وما كان اكثرهم مؤمنين
26:174 Inna fee thalika laayatan wamakana aktharuhum mu/mineena
26:174 In that is a sign, but most of them are not those who acknowledge.
26:174 In that is a sign, but most of them are not believers.
26:174 In this [story], behold, there is a message [unto men], even though most of them will not believe [in it].
26:174 This should be a lesson, but most people are not believers.,
26:174 Herein is a sign, but most of them are not believers (in the Law of Requital).
26:175 وان ربك لهو العزيز الرحيم
26:175 Wa-inna rabbaka lahuwa alAAazeezu alrraheemu
26:175 That your Lord is the Noble, the Compassionate.
26:175 And that your Lord is the Noble, the Merciful.
26:175 But, verily, thy Sustainer - He alone - is almighty, a dispenser of grace!
26:175 Most assuredly, your Lord is the Almighty, Most Merciful.,
26:175 Your Lord is Almighty, Merciful.
26:176 Kaththaba as-habual-aykati almursaleena
Shuayb Fights against Corruption and Fraud26:176 The dwellers of the Woods rejected the messengers.
26:176 The people of the Sycamore disbelieved the messengers.
26:176 [AND] the dwellers of the wooded dales [of Madyan] gave the lie to [one of God's] message-bearers
Shu`aib26:176 The People of the Woods disbelieved the messengers.,
26:176 And (as-haab-ul-ayikah) the dwellers in the wood dales (of Midyan) denied the Messengers.16
Note 16
The Tribe of Midyan lived between Madinah and Damascus since around 2000 BC. They were the descendants of Prophet Abraham's son Midyan from his third wife Qatoora. Prophet Sho’aib was raised among them around 1400 BC. 7:85
26:177 اذ قال لهم شعيب الا تتقون
26:177 Ith qala lahum shuAAaybun alatattaqoona
26:177 For Shuayb said to them: "Will you not be righteous?"
26:177 For Shu'ayb said to them: "Will you not be righteous?"
26:177 when their brother Shu'ayb said unto them:74 Will you not be conscious of God?
26:177 Shu`aib said to them, "Would you not be righteous?,
26:177 When their brother Sho’aib said to them, "Will you not seek to live upright?
26:178 Innee lakum rasoolun ameenun
26:178 "I am to you a trustworthy messenger."
26:178 "I am to you a trustworthy messenger."
26:178 Behold, I am an apostle [sent by Him] to you, [and therefore] worthy of your trust:
26:178 "I am an honest messenger to you.,
26:178 Truly, I am a Messenger to you, worthy of your trust.
26:179 Faittaqoo Allaha waateeAAooni
26:179 "So be aware of God and obey me."
26:179 "So be aware of God and obey me."
26:179 be, then, conscious of God, and pay heed unto me!
26:179 "You shall reverence GOD, and obey me.,
26:179 Be mindful of God and heed me.
26:180 وما اسلكم عليه من اجر ان اجرى الا على رب العلمين
26:180 Wama as-alukum AAalayhi min ajrin inajriya illa AAala rabbi alAAalameena
26:180 "I do not ask you for a wage, for my reward is upon the Lord of the worlds."
26:180 "AndI do not ask you for any wage, for my reward is upon the Lord of the worlds."
26:180 And no reward whatever do I ask of you for it: my reward rests with none but the Sustainer of all the worlds.
26:180 "I do not ask you for any wage; my wage comes only from the Lord of the universe.,
26:180 I ask you no reward whatsoever for it. My reward is with none but with the Lord of the Worlds.
26:181 اوفوا الكيل ولا تكونوا من المخسرين
26:181 Awfoo alkayla wala takoonoo minaalmukhsireena
26:181 "Give full measure and do not be of those who cause losses."
26:181 "Give full measure and do not be of those who cause losses."
26:181 [Always] give full measure, and be not among those who [unjustly] cause loss [to others];
26:181 "You shall give full measure when you trade; do not cheat.,
26:181 Always give full measure, and do not cause loss to people.
26:182 وزنوا بالقسطاس المستقيم
26:182 Wazinoo bialqistasialmustaqeemi
26:182 "Weigh with the balance that is straight."
26:182 "Andweigh with the balance that is straight."
26:182 and [in all your dealings] weigh with a true balance,
26:182 "You shall weigh with an equitable scale.,
26:182 And in all your dealings, weigh with a just balance.
26:183 ولا تبخسوا الناس اشياءهم ولا تعثوا فى الارض مفسدين
26:183 Wala tabkhasoo alnnasaashyaahum wala taAAthaw fee al-ardimufsideena
26:183 "Do not defraud the people of their belongings, and do not venture into the land corrupting."
26:183 "Anddo not defraud the people of their belongings, and do not venture into the land corrupting."
26:183 and do not deprive people of what is rightfully theirs;75 and do not act wickedly on earth by spreading corruption,
Note 75
Cf. surah 7 note 68.
26:183 "Do not cheat the people out of their rights, and do not roam the earth corruptingly.,
26:183 Do not deprive people of what is rightfully theirs. And desist from creating corruption and disorder in the land.
26:184 واتقوا الذى خلقكم والجبلة الاولين
26:184 Waittaqoo allathee khalaqakumwaaljibillata al-awwaleena
26:184 "Be aware of the One who created you and the generations of old."
26:184 "Andbe aware of the One who has created you and the generations of old."
26:184 but be conscious of Him who has created you, just as [He created] those countless generations of old!"76
Note 76
An allusion to the ephemeral character of man's life on earth and, by implication, to God's judgment.
26:184 "Reverence the One who created you and the previous generations.",
26:184 Be mindful of Him Who created you and the generations before.”
26:185 قالوا انما انت من المسحرين
26:185 Qaloo innama anta mina almusahhareena
26:185 They said, "You are but one of those bewitched."
26:185 Theysaid: "You are but one of those bewitched."
26:185 Said they: Thou art but one of the bewitched,
26:185 They said, "You are bewitched.,
26:185 They said, "You are but of the bewitched.
26:186 وما انت الا بشر مثلنا وان نظنك لمن الكذبين
26:186 Wama anta illa basharunmithluna wa-in nathunnuka lamina alkathibeena
26:186 "You are nothing but a human being like us, and we think you are one of those who lie."
26:186 "Andyou are nothing but a human being like us, and we think you are one of those who lie."
26:186 for thou art nothing but a mortal like ourselves! And, behold, we think that thou art a consummate liar!77
Note 77
Lit., "that thou art indeed one of the liars".
26:186 "You are no more than a human being like us. In fact, we think you are a liar.,
26:186 You are nothing but a mortal like us. And We think that you are one of the liars.
26:187 فاسقط علينا كسفا من السماء ان كنت من الصدقين
26:187 Faasqit AAalayna kisafan minaalssama-i in kunta mina alssadiqeena
26:187 "So let pieces from the sky fall upon us if you are of those who are truthful!"
26:187 "So let pieces from the heaven fall upon us if you are of those who are truthful!"
26:187 Cause, then, fragments of the sky to fall down upon us, if thou art a man of truth!"
26:187 "Let masses from the sky fall on us, if you are truthful.",
26:187 If you are truthful, let fragments of the sky fall upon us."
26:188 قال ربى اعلم بما تعملون
26:188 Qala rabbee aAAlamu bimataAAmaloona
26:188 He said, "My Lord is most aware of what you do."
26:188 He said: "My Lord is most aware of what you do."
26:188 Answered [Shu'ayb]: My Sustainer knows fully well what you are doing."
26:188 He said, "My Lord is the One who knows everything you do.",
26:188 He replied, "My Lord is best Aware of your actions.”
26:189 فكذبوه فاخذهم عذاب يوم الظلة انه كان عذاب يوم عظيم
26:189 Fakaththaboohu faakhathahumAAathabu yawmi alththullati innahu kanaAAathaba yawmin AAatheemin
26:189 But they denied him, so the retribution of the day of shadow took them. It was the retribution of a terrible day.
26:189 But they denied him, so the retribution of the day of shadow took them. It was the retribution of a terrible day.
26:189 But they gave him the lie. And thereupon suffering overtook them on a day dark with shadows:78 and, verily, it was the suffering of an awesome day!
Note 78
This may refer either to the physical darkness which often accompanies volcanic eruptions and earthquakes (which, as shown in 7:91, overlook the people of Madyan), or to the spiritual darkness and gloom which comes in the wake of belated regrets.
26:189 They disbelieved him and, consequently, they incurred the retribution of the Day of the Canopy. It was the retribution of an awesome day.,
26:189 But they persisted in denial. Then the Day of overshadowing gloom seized them. It was the suffering of an awesome day. (Historically, a dark extensive cloud rained upon them heavily and incessantly. It is sometimes referred to as the Day of the Canopy).
26:190 ان فى ذلك لءاية وما كان اكثرهم مؤمنين
26:190 Inna fee thalika laayatan wamakana aktharuhum mu/mineena
26:190 In that is a sign, but most of them are not those who acknowledge.
26:190 In that is a sign, but most of them are not believers.
26:190 In this [story], behold, there is a message [unto men], even though most of them will not believe [in it].
26:190 This should be a lesson, but most people are not believers.,
26:190 Herein, is a sign, and most of them were not believers (in the Law of Requital).
26:191 وان ربك لهو العزيز الرحيم
26:191 Wa-inna rabbaka lahuwa alAAazeezu alrraheemu
26:191 Your Lord is the Noble, the Compassionate.
26:191 And your Lord is the Noble, the Merciful.
26:191 But, verily, thy Sustainer - He alone - is almighty, a dispenser of grace!79
Note 79
With this refrain ends the cycle of seven stories showing that spiritual truth in all its manifestations - whether it relates Io an intellectual realization of God's existence to a refusal to regard power, wealth or fame as real values, or to the virtues of compassion and kindness towards all that lives on earth - has at all times been unacceptable to the overwhelming majority or mankind, and has always been submerged under the average man's blindness and deafness of heart. The very repetition of phrases, sentences and situations in all of the above stories - or, rather, in the above versions of these oft-narrated stories - tends to bring home to us the fact that the human situation as such never really changes, and that, in consequence, those who preach the truth must always struggle against human greed, power-hunger and proneness to self-adulation.
26:191 Most assuredly, your Lord is the Almighty, Most Merciful.,
26:191 Your Lord! He is Almighty, Merciful.
26:192 Wa-innahu latanzeelu rabbi alAAalameena
The Quran26:192 This is a revelation from the Lord of the worlds.
26:192 And this is a revelation from the Lord of the worlds.
26:192 Now, behold, this [divine writ] has indeed been bestowed from on high by the Sustainer of all the worlds:*
The Quran26:192 This is a revelation from the Lord of the universe.,
26:192 Certainly, this Qur’an is the revelation from the Lord of the Worlds.
26:193 Nazala bihi alrroohu al-ameenu
26:193 It was sent down with the trusted Spirit.
26:193 It was sent down with the trusted Spirit.
26:193 trustworthy divine inspiration has alighted with it from on high80
Note 80
Thus the discourse returns to the theme enunciated at the beginning of this surah, namely, the phenomenon of divine revelation as exemplified in the Qur'an, and men's reactions to it.
26:193 The Honest Spirit (Gabriel) came down with it.,
26:194 على قلبك لتكون من المنذرين
26:194 AAala qalbika litakoona mina almunthireena
26:194 Upon your heart, so that you would be of the warners.
26:194 Uponyour heart, so that you would be of the warners.
26:194 upon thy heart, [O Muhammad]81 so that thou mayest be among those who preach
Note 81
According to almost all the classical commentators, the expression ar-ruh al-amin (lit., "the faithful [or "trustworthy"] spirit") is a designation of Gabriel, the Angel of Revelation, who, by virtue of his purely spiritual, functional nature, is incapable of sinning and cannot therefore, be other than utterly faithful to the trust reposed in him by God (cf. 16:50). On the other hand, since the term ruh is often used in the Qur'an in the sense of "divine inspiration" (see surah 2 note 71 , and surah 16 note 2), it may have this latter meaning in the above context as well, especially in view of the statement that it had "alighted from on high upon the head" of the Prophet.
26:194 To reveal it into your heart, that you may be one of the warners.,
26:194 Upon your heart (O Prophet), so that you may be of the warners.
26:195 Bilisanin AAarabiyyin mubeenin
26:195 In a clear Arabic tongue.
26:195 In a clear Arabic tongue.
26:195 in the clear Arabic tongue.82
Note 82
See 14:4 - "never have We sent forth any apostle otherwise than (with a message) in his own people's tongue" and the corresponding note 3. "That the message of the Qur'an is, nevertheless, universal has been stressed in many of its verses (e.g., in 7:158 or 25:1). The other prophets mentioned in the Qur'an who "preached in the Arabic tongue" were Ishmael, Hud, Salih and Shu'ayb, all of them Arabians. In addition, if we bear in mind that Hebrew and Aramaic are but ancient Arabic dialects, all the Hebrew prophets may be included among "those who preached in the Arabic tongue".
26:195 In a perfect Arabic tongue.,
26:195 In the plain Arabic tongue. (In a language that is clear and easy to understand)18
26:196 Wa-innahu lafee zuburi al-awwaleena
26:196 It is in the Psalms of old.
26:196 And it is in the scriptures of old.
26:196 And, verily, [the essence of] this [revelation] is indeed found in the ancient books of divine wisdom [as well].83
Note 83
Lit., "in the scriptures (zubur, sing. zabur) of the ancients" (see surah 21 note 101). This interpretation of the above verse - advanced among others by Zamakhshari and Baydawi (and, according to the former, attributed to Imam Abu Hanifah as well) - is in full consonance with the oft-repeated Quranic doctrine that the basic teachings revealed to Muhammad are in their purport (ma'ani) identical with those preached by the earlier prophets. Another, more popular interpretation is, " this [Qur'an] has been mentioned [or "foretold"] in the earlier scriptures" (see in this connection note 33 on 2:42 and - with particular reference to a prediction made by Jesus - note 6 on 61:6.)
26:196 It has been prophesied in the books of previous generations.,
26:196 And it (the Qur’an) has been announced in the previous scriptures.
26:197 اولم يكن لهم ءاية ان يعلمه علمؤا بنى اسرءيل
26:197 Awa lam yakun lahum ayatan anyaAAlamahu AAulamao banee isra-eela
26:197 Was it not a sign for them that the scholars of the Children of Israel knew it?
26:197 Was it not a sign for them that the scholars of the Children of Israel knew it?
26:197 Is it not evidence enough for them84 that [so many] learned men from among the children of Israel have recognized this [as true]?85
Note 84
I.e., for those who disbelieve in the prophethood of Muhammad.
Note 85
Sc., "and in consequence have become Muslims": for instance, Abd Allah ibn Salam, Ka'b ibn Malik and other learned Jews of Medina in the lifetime of the Prophet. Ka'b al-Ahbar the Yemenite and a number of his compatriots during the reign of Umar, and countless others throughout the world who embraced Islam in the course of centuries. The reason why only learned Jews and not learned Christians as well are spoken of in this context lies in the fact that - contrary to the Torah, which still exists, albeit in a corrupted form - the original revelation granted to Jesus has been lost (see surah 3 note 4) and cannot, therefore, be cited in evidence of the basic identity of his teachings with those of he Qur'an.
26:197 Is it not a sufficient sign for them that it was known to the scholars among the Children of Israel?,
26:197 Is it not an evidence enough for them that learned men among the Children of Israel have recognized it?
26:198 ولو نزلنه على بعض الاعجمين
26:198 Walaw nazzalnahu AAala baAAdial-aAAjameena
26:198 Had We sent it down upon some of the foreigners,
26:198 And had We sent it down upon some of the foreigners,
26:198 But [even] had We bestowed it from on high upon any of the non-Arabs,
The Quran Must Be Translated26:198 If we revealed this to people who do not know Arabic.,
26:198 But if We had revealed this to any of the non-Arabs,
26:199 فقراه عليهم ما كانوا به مؤمنين
26:199 Faqaraahu AAalayhim ma kanoobihi mu/mineena
26:199 He related it to them; they would not have acknowledged it.
26:199 And he read it to them, they would not have believed in it.
26:199 and had he recited it unto them [in his own tongue], they would not have believed in it.86
Note 86
As the Qur'an points out in many places, most of the Meccan contemporaries of Muhammad refused in the beginning to believe in his prophethood on the ground that God could not have entrusted "a man from among themselves" with His message and this in spite of the fact that the Qur'an was expressed "in the clear Arabic tongue", which they could fully understand: but (so the argument goes) if the Prophet had been a foreigner, and his message expressed in a non-Arabic tongue, they would have been even less prepared to accept it - for then they would have had the legitimate excuse that they were unable to understand it (cf. 41:44).
26:199 And had him recite it (in Arabic), they could not possibly believe in it.,
26:199 And had he read it to them, they would have had reason to disbelieve it.19
Note 19
This would have been a foreign tongue to them, but now it is in plain Arabic that they easily understand
26:200 كذلك سلكنه فى قلوب المجرمين
26:200 Kathalika salaknahu feequloobi almujrimeena
26:200 As such, We diverted it from the hearts of the criminals.
26:200 As such, We diverted it from the hearts of the criminals.
26:200 Thus have We caused this [message] to pass [unheeded] through the hearts of those who are lost in sin:87
Note 87
I.e., not to take root in their hearts but to "go into one ear and out of the other". As regards God's "causing" this to happen, see surah 2 note 7, and surah 14 note 4.
26:200 We thus render it (like a foreign language) in the hearts of the guilty.,
26:200 But to the guilty people, it just passes through their hearts (as a foreign tongue even though they might be Arabs). [41:44]
26:201 لا يؤمنون به حتى يروا العذاب الاليم
26:201 La yu/minoona bihi hattayarawoo alAAathaba al-aleema
26:201 They do not acknowledge it until they see the painful retribution.
26:201 Theydo not believe in it until they see the painful retribution.
26:201 they will not believe in it till they behold the grievous suffering
26:201 Thus, they cannot believe in it; not until they see the painful retribution.,
26:201 They will not believe in it until they suffer the dire consequences.
26:202 فياتيهم بغتة وهم لا يشعرون
26:202 Faya/tiyahum baghtatan wahum layashAAuroona
26:202 So it will come to them suddenly, while they do not perceive it.
26:202 So it will come to them suddenly, while they do not perceive it.
26:202 that will come upon them [on resurrection,] all of a sudden, without their being aware [of its approach];
26:202 It will come to them suddenly, when they least expect it.,
26:202 The requital will come upon them suddenly, when they least expect it.
26:203 Fayaqooloo hal nahnu muntharoona
26:203 Then they would say, "Can we be given more time?"
26:203 Thenthey would say: "Can we be given more time?"
26:203 and then they will exclaim, Could we have a respite?"88
Note 88
I.e., a second chance in life.
26:203 They will then say, "Can we have a respite?",
26:203 Then they will say, "Could we have a respite?"
26:204 AfabiAAathabina yastaAAjiloona
26:204 Was it not their wish that Our punishment be hastened?
26:204 Was it not their wish that Our punishment be hastened?
26:204 Do they, then, [really] wish that Our chastisement be hastened on?89
26:204 Did they not challenge our retribution?,
26:204 Do they wish that Our requital come to them quickly?
26:205 Afaraayta in mattaAAnahum sineena
26:205 Do you see that if We gave them luxury for years.
26:205 Do you see that if We gave them luxury for years.
26:205 But hast thou ever considered [this]: If We do allow them to enjoy [this life] for some years,
26:205 As you see, we allowed them to enjoy for years.,
26:205 As you see, Our Law of Respite allows them to enjoy Our bounties for years.
26:206 ثم جاءهم ما كانوا يوعدون
26:206 Thumma jaahum ma kanooyooAAadoona
26:206 Then what they were promised came to them.
26:206 Thenwhat they were promised came to them.
26:206 and thereupon that [chastisement] which they were promised befalls them
26:206 Then the retribution came to them, just as promised.,
26:206 And then comes what they were promised.
26:207 ما اغنى عنهم ما كانوا يمتعون
26:207 Ma aghna AAanhum ma kanooyumattaAAoona
26:207 The luxury they were given will not avail them.
26:207 All the luxury they were given will not avail them.
26:207 of what avail to them will be all their past enjoyments?
26:207 Their vast resources did not help them in the least.,
26:207 Then, of what avail will be their past enjoyments?
26:208 وما اهلكنا من قرية الا لها منذرون
26:208 Wama ahlakna min qaryatin illalaha munthiroona
26:208 We have not destroyed any town except after having warners.
26:208 And We have not destroyed any town except after having warners.
26:208 And withal, never have We destroyed any community unless it had been warned
26:208 We never annihilate any community without sending warners.,
26:208 We never annihilated a community unless it had been warned,
26:209 Thikra wama kunnathalimeena
26:209 By way of a reminder, and We were never unjust.
26:209 By way of a reminder, and We were never unjust.
26:209 and reminded:90 for, never do We wrong [anyone].
26:209 Therefore, this is a reminder, for we are never unjust.,
26:209 And reminded. For, We are never unjust.
26:210 Wama tanazzalat bihi alshshayateenu
26:210 It is not the devils that have brought this down.
26:210 And it is not the devils who have brought this down.
26:210 And [this divine writ is such a reminder:] no evil spirits have brought it down:91
Note 91
During the early years of his prophetic mission, some of Muhammad's Meccan opponents tried to explain the rhetorical beauty and persuasiveness of the Qur'an by insinuating that he was a soothsayer (kahin) in communion with all manner of dark forces and evil spirits (shayatin).
False Messengers Incapable of Preaching the Worship of God ALONE26:210 The devils can never reveal this.2 ,
Note 2
A false messenger is a messenger of Satan, for he is the fabricator of the most horrendous lie. Such a messenger can never denounce idolatry,or preach the worship of God ALONE.
26:211 وما ينبغى لهم وما يستطيعون
26:211 Wama yanbaghee lahum wamayastateeAAoona
26:211 Nor would they, nor could they.
26:211 Nor would they, nor could they.
26:211 for, neither does it suit their ends, nor is it in their power [to impart it to man]:
26:211 They neither would, nor could.,
26:211 It is beyond their stature, nor is it in their power.
26:212 Innahum AAani alssamAAilamaAAzooloona
26:212 They are blocked from overhearing.
26:212 Theyare blocked from overhearing.
26:212 verily, [even] from hearing it are they utterly debarred!
26:212 For they are prevented from hearing.,
26:212 They are banned from hearing and understanding it. [15:17-18, 37:8, 67:5]
26:213 فلا تدع مع الله الها ءاخر فتكون من المعذبين
26:213 Fala tadAAu maAAa Allahi ilahanakhara fatakoona mina almuAAaththabeena
26:213 So do not call upon any other god with God; else you will be with those punished.
26:213 So do not call upon any other god with God, else you will be with those punished.
26:213 Hence, [O man,] do not invoke any other deity side by side with God, lest thou find thyself among those who are made to suffer [on Judgment Day].92
Note 92
The conjunctive particle fa at the beginning of this sentence (rendered here as "hence") evidently connects with verse 208 above. As shown in note 94 below, the whole of the present passage is addressed to man in general.
26:213 Therefore, do not idolize beside GOD any other god, lest you incur the retribution.,
26:213 So, do not invoke any other god with God, or you will be among those who are made to suffer.
26:214 Waanthir AAasheerataka al-aqrabeena
26:214 Warn your closest kin.
26:214 And warn your closest kin.
26:214 And warn [whomever thou canst reach, beginning with] thy kinsfolk,93
Note 93
A believer is morally obliged to preach the truth to all whom he can reach, but obviously he must begin with those who are nearest to him, and especially those who recognize his authority.
God's Messenger of the Covenant26:214 You shall preach to the people who are closest to you.3 ,
Note 3
These verses refer to God's Messenger of the Covenant: the sum of the gematrical value of "Rashad Khalifa"(1230), plus the verse number (214) is 1230+214=1444=19x76= 19x19x4, and the sumof the verse numbers from 214 through 223 is 2185=19x115 (Appendix1).
26:214 And warn first those who are close to you.
26:215 واخفض جناحك لمن اتبعك من المؤمنين
26:215 Waikhfid janahakalimani ittabaAAaka mina almu/mineena
26:215 Lower your wing for any who follow you of those who acknowledge.
26:215 And lower your wing for any who follow you of the believers.
26:215 and spread the wings of thy tenderness over all of the believers who may follow thee;94
Note 94
For an explanation of the metaphorical expression "lower thy wing" - rendered by me as "spread the wings of thy tenderness" - see 17:24 and the corresponding note 28. The phrase "all of the believers who follow thee" shows that (contrary to the assumption of most of the commentators) the above passage is not addressed to the Prophet - since all who believe in him are, by definition, his followers and vice versa - but to everyone who chooses to he guided by the Qur'an, and who is herewith called upon to extend his loving kindness and care to all believers who may "follow" him i.e., who may regard him as spiritually or intellectually superior or more experienced. This interpretation also explains verse 213 above: for whereas the exhortation contained in that verse is meaningful with regard to all who may listen to or read the Qur'an, it would be meaningless with reference to its Prophet, for whom the principle of God's oneness and uniqueness was the unquestionable beginning and end of all truth.
26:215 And lower your wing for the believers who follow you.,
26:215 (O Prophet) lower your wing in kindness to those who believe and follow you. [15:88]
26:216 فان عصوك فقل انى برىء مما تعملون
26:216 Fa-in AAasawka faqul innee baree-onmimma taAAmaloona
26:216 Then if they disobey you, then say, "I am innocent from what you do."
26:216 But,if they disobey you, say: "I am innocent from what you do."
26:216 but if they disobey thee, say, I am free of responsibility for aught that you may do!"
26:216 If they disobey you, then say, "I disown what you do.",
26:216 Say to those who deny you, “I am free of responsibility from what you do.”
26:217 وتوكل على العزيز الرحيم
26:217 Watawakkal AAala alAAazeezi alrraheemi
26:217 Put your trust in the Noble, the Compassionate.
26:217 And put your trust in the Noble, the Merciful.
26:217 and place thy trust in the Almighty, the Dispenser of Grace,
26:217 And put your trust in the Almighty, Most Merciful.,
26:217 Put your trust in the Almighty, the Merciful,
26:218 Allathee yaraka heenataqoomu
26:218 The One who sees you when you stand.
26:218 The One who sees you when you stand.
26:218 who sees thee when thou standest [alone],95
Note 95
According to Mujahid (as quoted by Tabari, this means "wherever thou mayest be". Other commentators take it to mean "when thou standest up for prayer", but this seems to be too narrow an interpretation.
26:218 Who sees you when you meditate during the night.,
26:218 Who sees you whenever you take a stand.
26:219 Wataqallubaka fee alssajideena
26:219 Your movements amongst those who prostrate.
26:219 And your movements among those who prostrate.
26:219 and [sees] thy behaviour among those who prostrate themselves [before Him]:96
Note 96
I.e., among the believers, as contrasted with those who "disobey thee" (see verse 216 above).
26:219 And your frequent prostrations.,
26:219 And when you (O Prophet) move among those who humbly submit themselves before the Divine System.21
Note 21
Sajdah = Prostration = Submission in humility = Obeying the Divine Commands = Adoration
26:220 Innahu huwa alssameeAAu alAAaleemu
26:220 He is the Hearer, the Knowledgeable.
26:220 He is the Hearer, the Knowledgeable.
26:220 for, verily, He alone is all-hearing, all-knowing!
26:220 He is the Hearer, the Omniscient.,
26:220 Surely, He is the Hearer, the Knower.
26:221 هل انبئكم على من تنزل الشيطين
26:221 Hal onabbi-okum AAala man tanazzalualshshayateenu
26:221 Shall I inform you on whom the devils descend?
26:221 Shall I inform you on whom the devils come down?
26:221 [And] shall I tell you upon whom it is that those evil spirits descend?
26:221 Shall I inform you upon whom the devils descend?,
26:221 Shall I inform you on whom the devils descend?
26:222 Tanazzalu AAala kulli affakinatheemin
26:222 They descend on every sinful liar.
26:222 Theycome down on every sinful liar.
26:222 They descend upon all sinful self-deceivers97
Note 97
The term affak, which literally denotes "a great [or "habitual"] liar", has here the meaning of "one who lies to himself": this is brought out in the next verse, which stresses the psychological fact that most of such self-deceivers readily lie to others as well.
26:222 They descend upon every guilty fabricator.,
26:222 They descend on every lying, self-deceiver. [45:7]
26:223 يلقون السمع واكثرهم كذبون
26:223 Yulqoona alssamAAa waaktharuhum kathiboona
26:223 They claim to listen, but most of them are liars.
26:223 Theyclaim to listen, but most of them are liars.
26:223 who readily lend ear [to every falsehood], and most of whom lie to others as well.98
Note 98
Lit., "most of them are lying".
26:223 They pretend to listen, but most of them are liars.,
26:223 They listen to lies and rumors, and most of them make up lies.
26:224 WaalshshuAAaraoyattabiAAuhumu alghawoona
26:224 The poets, are followed by the strayers.
26:224 And the poets, are followed by the strayers.
26:224 And as for the poets99 [they, too, are prone to deceive themselves: and so, only] those who are lost in grievous error would follow them.
Note 99
An allusion to the fact that some of the pagan Arabs regarded the Qur'an as a product of Muhammad's supposedly poetic mind. (See also 36:69 and the corresponding notes 38 and 39.)
26:224 As for the poets, they are followed only by the strayers.,
26:224 As for poets, the misguided follow them.
26:225 الم تر انهم فى كل واد يهيمون
26:225 Alam tara annahum fee kulli wadinyaheemoona
26:225 Do you not see that they traverse in every valley?
26:225 Do you not see that they traverse in every valley.
26:225 Art thou not aware that they roam confusedly through all the valleys [of words and thoughts],100
Note 100
The idiomatic phrase hama fi widyan (lit,, "he wandered or "roamed"] through valleys") is used, as most of the commentators point out, to describe a confused or aimless - and often self-contradictory - play with words and thoughts. In this context it is meant to stress the difference between the precision of the Qur'an, which is free from all inner contradictions (cf. note 97 on 4:82), and the vagueness often inherent in poetry.
26:225 Do you not see that their loyalty shifts according to the situation?,
26:225 Have you not seen how they stray in every valley of thought, like a camel with false thirst?
26:226 وانهم يقولون ما لا يفعلون
26:226 Waannahum yaqooloona ma layafAAaloona
26:226 That what they say, is not what they do?
26:226 And that what they say, is not what they do!
26:226 and that they [so often] say what they do not do [or feel]?
26:226 And that they say what they do not do?,
26:226 And that they say what they do not practice? [36:39]
26:227 الا الذين ءامنوا وعملوا الصلحت وذكروا الله كثيرا وانتصروا من بعد ما ظلموا وسيعلم الذين ظلموا اى منقلب ينقلبون
26:227 Illa allatheena amanoowaAAamiloo alssalihati wathakaroo Allahakatheeran waintasaroo min baAAdi ma thulimoowasayaAAlamu allatheena thalamoo ayyamunqalabin yanqaliboona
26:227 Except for those who acknowledge, and promote reforms, and remember God greatly, and were victorious after they were wronged. As for those who did wrong, they will know which fate they will meet.
26:227 Except for those who believe, and do good works, and remember God greatly, and were victorious after they were wronged. As for those who did wrong, they will know which fate they will meet.
26:227 [Most of them are of this kind ] save those who have attained to faith, and do righteous deeds, and remember God unceasingly, and defend themselves [only] after having been wronged,101 and [trust in God's promise that] those who are bent on wrongdoing will in time come to know how evil a turn their destinies are bound to take!102
Note 101
Thus the Qur'an makes it dear that a true believer may fight only in self-defence: cf. 22:39, the earliest reference to war as such, and 2:190, where the circumstances making war fully justified are further elaborated.
Note 102
Lit., "by what [kind of] turning they will turn".
26:227 Exempted are those who believe, lead a righteous life, commemorate GOD frequently, and stand up for their rights. Surely, the transgressors will find out what their ultimate destiny is.,
26:227 But there are those who along with believing (in revelation), set things right in the society, remain mindful of God’s commands, and stand up for their rights. The violators of human rights will soon come to know how viciously their affairs get overturned.22
Note 22
A’maal Saaleh = Actions that create balance in the society = Acts that remove deficiencies = Helping others = Increasing individual and societal potential. Wantasaroo= They support their just cause = Defend themselves = Stand up for their rights = They help create a just social order with no room for oppression