Chapter 12: Surah Yusuf - Sheikh Amir Al Mohalhal

In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful.
12:1 Alif Lam Ra. These are the verses of the Book that makes (things) manifest.
12:2 Surely We have revealed it-- an Arabic Quran-- that you may understand.
12:3 We narrate to you the best of narratives, by Our revealing to you this Quran, though before this you were certainly one of those who did not know.
12:4 When Yusuf said to his father: O my father! surely I saw eleven stars and the sun and the moon-- I saw them making obeisance to me.
12:5 He said: O my son! do not relate your vision to your brothers, lest they devise a plan against you; surely the Shaitan is an open enemy to man.
12:6 And thus will your Lord choose you and teach you the interpretation of sayings and make His favor complete to you and to the children of Yaqoub, as He made it complete before to your fathers, Ibrahim and Ishaq; surely your Lord is Knowing, Wise.
12:7 Certainly in Yusuf and his brothers there are signs for the inquirers.
12:8 When they said: Certainly Yusuf and his brother are dearer to our father than we, though we are a (stronger) company; most surely our father is in manifest error:
12:9 Slay Yusuf or cast him (forth) into some land, so that your father's regard may be exclusively for you, and after that you may be a righteous people.
12:10 A speaker from among them said: Do not slay Yusuf, and cast him down into the bottom of the pit if you must do (it), (so that) some of the travellers may pick him up.
12:11 They said: O our father! what reason have you that you do not trust in us with respect to Yusuf? And most surely we are his sincere well-wishers:
12:12 Send him with us tomorrow that he may enjoy himself and sport, and surely we will guard him well.
12:13 He said: Surely it grieves me that you should take him off, and I fear lest the wolf devour him while you are heedless of him.
12:14 They said: Surely if the wolf should devour him notwithstanding that we are a (strong) company, we should then certainly be losers.
12:15 So when they had gone off with him and agreed that they should put him down at the bottom of the pit, and We revealed to him: You will most certainly inform them of this their affair while they do not perceive.
12:16 And they came to their father at nightfall, weeping.
12:17 They said: O our father! surely we went off racing and left Yusuf by our goods, so the wolf devoured him, and you will not believe us though we are truthful.
12:18 And they brought his shirt with false blood upon it. He said: Nay, your souls have made the matter light for you, but patience is good and Allah is He Whose help is sought for against what you describe.
12:19 And there came travellers and they sent their water-drawer and he let down his bucket. He said: O good news! this is a youth; and they concealed him as an article of merchandise, and Allah knew what they did.
12:20 And they sold him for a small price, a few pieces of silver, and they showed no desire for him.
12:21 And the Egyptian who bought him said to his wife: Give him an honorable abode, maybe he will be useful to us, or we may adopt him as a son. And thus did We establish Yusuf in the land and that We might teach him the interpretation of sayings; and Allah is the master of His affair, but most people do not know.
12:22 And when he had attained his maturity, We gave him wisdom and knowledge: and thus do We reward those who do good.
12:23 And she in whose house he was sought to make himself yield (to her), and she made fast the doors and said: Come forward. He said: I seek Allah's refuge, surely my Lord made good my abode: Surely the unjust do not prosper.
12:24 And certainly she made for him, and he would have made for her, were it not that he had seen the manifest evidence of his Lord; thus (it was) that We might turn away from him evil and indecency, surely he was one of Our sincere servants.
12:25 And they both hastened to the door, and she rent his shirt from behind and they met her husband at the door. She said: What is the punishment of him who intends evil to your wife except imprisonment or a painful chastisement?
12:26 He said: She sought to make me yield (to her); and a witness of her own family bore witness: If his shirt is rent from front, she speaks the truth and he is one of the liars:
12:27 And if his shirt is rent from behind, she tells a lie and he is one of the truthful.
12:28 So when he saw his shirt rent from behind, he said: Surely it is a guile of you women; surely your guile is great:
12:29 O Yusuf! turn aside from this; and (O my wife)! ask forgiveness for your fault, surely you are one of the wrong-doers.
12:30 And women in the city said: The chiefs wife seeks her slave to yield himself (to her), surely he has affected her deeply with (his) love; most surely we see her in manifest error.
12:31 So when she heard of their sly talk she sent for them and prepared for them a repast, and gave each of them a knife, and said (to Yusuf): Come forth to them. So when they saw him, they deemed him great, and cut their hands (in amazement), and said: Remote is Allah (from inperfection); this is not a mortal; this is but a noble angel.
12:32 She said: This is he with respect to whom you blamed me, and certainly I sought his yielding himself (to me), but he abstained, and if he does not do what I bid him, he shall certainly be imprisoned, and he shall certainly be of those who are in a state of ignominy.
12:33 He said: My Lord! the prison house is dearer to me than that to which they invite me; and if Thou turn not away their device from me, I will yearn towards them and become (one) of the ignorant.
12:34 Thereupon his Lord accepted his prayer and turned away their guile from him; surely He is the Hearing, the Knowing.
12:35 Then it occurred to them after they had seen the signs that they should imprison him till a time.
12:36 And two youths entered the prison with him. One of them said: I saw myself pressing wine. And the other said: I saw myself carrying bread on my head, of which birds ate. Inform us of its interpretation; surely we see you to be of the doers of good.
12:37 He said: There shall not come to you the food with which you are fed, but I will inform you both of its interpretation before it comes to you; this is of what my Lord has taught me; surely I have forsaken the religion of a people who do not believe in Allah, and they are deniers of the hereafter:
12:38 And I follow the religion of my fathers, Ibrahim and Ishaq and Yaqoub; it beseems us not that we should associate aught with Allah; this is by Allah's grace upon us and on mankind, but most people do not give thanks:
12:39 O my two mates of the prison! are sundry lords better or Allah the One, the Supreme?
12:40 You do not serve besides Him but names which you have named, you and your fathers; Allah has not sent down any authority for them; judgment is only Allah's; He has commanded that you shall not serve aught but Him; this is the right religion but most people do not know:
12:41 O my two mates of the prison! as for one of you, he shall give his lord to drink wine; and as for the other, he shall be crucified, so that the birds shall eat from his head, the matter is decreed concerning which you inquired.
12:42 And he said to him whom he knew would be delivered of the two: Remember me with your lord; but the Shaitan caused him to forget mentioning (it) to his lord, so he remained in the prison a few years.
12:43 And the king said: Surely I see seven fat kine which seven lean ones devoured; and seven green ears and (seven) others dry: O chiefs! explain to me my dream, if you can interpret the dream.
12:44 They said: Confused dreams, and we do not know.the interpretation of dreams.
12:45 And of the two (prisoners) he who had found deliverance and remembered after a long time said: I will inform you of its interpretation, so let me go:
12:46 Yusuf! O truthful one! explain to us seven fat kine which seven lean ones devoured, and seven green ears and (seven) others dry, that I may go back to the people so that they may know.
12:47 He said: You shall sow for seven years continuously, then what you reap leave it in its ear except a little of which you eat.
12:48 Then there shall come after that seven years of hardship which shall eat away all that you have beforehand laid up in store for them, except a little of what you shall have preserved:
12:49 Then there will come after that a year in which people shall have rain and in which they shall press (grapes).
12:50 And the king said: Bring him to me. So when the messenger came to him, he said: Go back to your lord and ask him, what is the case of the women who cut their hands; surely my Lord knows their guile.
12:51 He said: How was your affair when you sought Yusuf to yield himself (to you)? They said: Remote is Allah (from imperfection), we knew of no evil on his part. The chief's wife said: Now has the truth become established: I sought him to yield himself (to me), and he is most surely of the truthful ones.
12:52 This is that he might know that I have not been unfaithful to him in secret and that Allah does not guide the device of the unfaithful.
12:53 And I do not declare myself free, most surely (man's) self is wont to command (him to do) evil, except such as my Lord has had mercy on, surely my Lord is Forgiving, Merciful.
12:54 And the king said: Bring him to me, I will choose him for myself. So when he had spoken with him, he said: Surely you are in our presence today an honorable, a faithful one.
12:55 He said: Place me (in authority) over the treasures of the land, surely I am a good keeper, knowing well.
12:56 And thus did We give to Yusuf power in the land-- he had mastery in it wherever he liked; We send down Our mercy on whom We please, and We do not waste the reward of those who do good.
12:57 And certainly the reward of the hereafter is much better for those who believe and guard (against evil).
12:58 And Yusuf's brothers came and went in to him, and he knew them, while they did not recognize him.
12:59 And when he furnished them with their provision, he said: Bring to me a brother of yours from your father; do you not see that I give full measure and that I am the best of hosts?
12:60 But if you do not bring him to me, you shall have no measure (of corn) from me, nor shall you come near me.
12:61 They said: We will strive to make his father yield in respect of him, and we are sure to do (it).
12:62 And he said to his servants: Put their money into their bags that they may recognize it when they go back to their family, so that they may come back.
12:63 So when they returned to their father, they said: O our father, the measure is withheld from us, therefore send with us our brother, (so that) we may get the measure, and we will most surely guard him.
12:64 He said: I cannot trust in you with respect to him, except as I trusted in you with respect to his brother before; but Allah is the best Keeper, and He is the most Merciful of the merciful ones.
12:65 And when they opened their goods, they found their money returned to them. They said: O our father! what (more) can we desire? This is our property returned to us, and we will bring corn for our family and guard our brother, and will have in addition the measure of a camel (load); this is an easy measure.
12:66 He said: I will by no means send him with you until you give me a firm covenant in Allah's name that you will most certainly bring him back to me, unless you are completely surrounded. And when they gave him their covenant, he said: Allah is the One in Whom trust is placed as regards what we say.
12:67 And he said: O my sons ! do not (all) enter by one gate and enter by different gates and I cannot avail you aught against Allah; judgment is only Allah's; on Him do I rely, and on Him let those who are reliant rely.
12:68 And when they had entered as their father had bidden them, it did not avail them aught against Allah, but (it was only) a desire in the soul of Yaqoub which he satisfied; and surely he was possessed of knowledge because We had given him knowledge, but most people do not know.
12:69 And when they went in to Yusuf. he lodged his brother with himself, saying: I am your brother, therefore grieve not at what they do.
12:70 So when he furnished them with their provisions, (someone) placed the drinking cup in his brother's bag. Then a crier cried out: O caravan! you are most surely thieves.
12:71 They said while they were facing them: What is it that you miss?
12:72 They said: We miss the king's drinking cup, and he who shall bring it shall have a camel-load and I am responsible for it.
12:73 They said: By Allah! you know for certain that we have not come to make mischief in the land, and we are not thieves.
12:74 They said: But what shall be the requital of this, if you are liars?
12:75 They said: The requital of this is that the person in whose bag it is found shall himself be (held for) the satisfaction thereof; thus do we punish the wrongdoers.
12:76 So he began with their sacks before the sack of his brother, then he brought it out from his brother's sack. Thus did We plan for the sake of Yusuf; it was not (lawful) that he should take his brother under the king's law unless Allah pleased; We raise the degrees of whomsoever We please, and above every one possessed of knowledge is the All-knowing one.
12:77 They said: If he steal, a brother of his did indeed steal before; but Yusuf kept it secret in his heart and did not disclose it to them. He said: You are in an evil condition and Allah knows best what you state.
12:78 They said: O chief! he has a father, a very old man, therefore retain one of us in his stead; surely we see you to be of the doers of good.
12:79 He said: Allah protect us that we should seize other than him with whom we found our property, for then most surely we would be unjust.
12:80 Then when they despaired of him, they retired, conferring privately together. The eldest of them said: Do you not know that your father took from you a covenant in Allah's name, and how you fell short of your duty with respect to Yusuf before? Therefore I will by no means depart from this land until my father permits me or Allah decides for me, and He is the best of the judges:
12:81 Go back to your father and say: O our father! surely your son committed theft, and we do not bear witness except to what we have known, and we could not keep watch over the unseen:
12:82 And inquire in the town in which we were and the caravan with which we proceeded, and most surely we are truthful.
12:83 He (Yaqoub) said: Nay, your souls have made a matter light for you, so patience is good; maybe Allah will bring them all together to me; surely He is the Knowing, the Wise.
12:84 And he turned away from them, and said: O my sorrow for Yusuf! and his eyes became white on account of the grief, and he was a repressor (of grief).
12:85 They said: By Allah! you will not cease to remember Yusuf until you are a prey to constant disease or (until) you are of those who perish.
12:86 He said: I only complain of my grief and sorrow to Allah, and I know from Allah what you do not know.
12:87 O my sons! Go and inquire respecting Yusuf and his brother, and despair not of Allah's mercy; surely none despairs of Allah's mercy except the unbelieving people.
12:88 So when they came in to him, they said: O chief! distress has afflicted us and our family and we have brought scanty money, so give us full measure and be charitable to us; surely Allah rewards the charitable.
12:89 He said: Do you know how you treated Yusuf and his brother when you were ignorant?
12:90 They said: Are you indeed Yusuf? He said: I am Yusuf and this is my brother; Allah has indeed been gracious to us; surely he who guards (against evil) and is patient (is rewarded) for surely Allah does not waste the reward of those who do good.
12:91 They said: By Allah! now has Allah certainly chosen you over us, and we were certainly sinners.
12:92 He said: (There shall be) no reproof against you this day; Allah may forgive you, and He is the most Merciful of the merciful.
12:93 Take this my shirt and cast it on my father's face, he will (again) be able to see, and come to me with all your families.
12:94 And when the caravan had departed, their father said: Most surely I perceive the greatness of Yusuf, unless you pronounce me to be weak in judgment.
12:95 They said: By Allah, you are most surely in your old error.
12:96 So when the bearer of good news came he cast it on his face, so forthwith he regained his sight. He said: Did I not say to you that I know from Allah what you do not know?
12:97 They said: O our father! ask forgiveness of our faults for us, surely we were sinners.
12:98 He said: I will ask for you forgiveness from my Lord; surely He is the Forgiving, the Merciful.
12:99 Then when they came in to Yusuf, he took his parents to lodge with him and said: Enter safe into Egypt, if Allah please.
12:100 And he raised his parents upon the throne and they fell down in prostration before him, and he said: O my father! this is the significance of my vision of old; my Lord has indeed made it to be true; and He was indeed kind to me when He brought me forth from the prison and brought you from the desert after the Shaitan had sown dissensions between me and my brothers, surely my Lord is benignant to whom He pleases; surely He is the Knowing, the Wise.
12:101 My Lord! Thou hast given me of the kingdom and taught me of the interpretation of sayings: Originator of the heavens and the earth! Thou art my guardian in this world and the hereafter; make me die a muslim and join me with the good.
12:102 This is of the announcements relating to the unseen (which) We reveal to you, and you were not with them when they resolved upon their affair, and they were devising plans.
12:103 And most men will not believe though you desire it eagerly.
12:104 And you do not ask them for a reward for this; it is nothing but a reminder for all mankind.
12:105 And how many a sign in the heavens and the earth which they pass by, yet they turn aside from it.
12:106 And most of them do not believe in Allah without associating others (with Him).
12:107 Do they then feel secure that there may come to them an extensive chastisement from Allah or (that) the hour may come to them suddenly while they do not perceive?
12:108 Say: This is my way: I call to Allah, I and those who follow me being certain, and glory be to Allah, and I am not one of the polytheists.
12:109 And We have not sent before you but men from (among) the people of the towns, to whom We sent revelations. Have they not then travelled in the land and seen what was the end of those before them? And certainly the abode of the hereafter is best for those who guard (against evil); do you not then understand?
12:110 Until when the apostles despaired and the people became sure that they were indeed told a lie, Our help came to them and whom We pleased was delivered; and Our punishment is not averted from the guilty people.
12:111 In their histories there is certainly a lesson for men of understanding. It is not a narrative which could be forged, but a verification of what is before it and a distinct explanation of all things and a guide and a mercy to a people who believe.

Importance of Sunnah in Islamic Law

Exact copy of Othman Quran displayed in Kuwait's Grand Mosque

KUWAIT, Nov 6 (KUNA) -- An exact copy of the Quran of Caliph Othman bin Affan is now displayed at the seaside Grand Mosque in Kuwait City.Speaking at a news conference on Tuesday, Awqaf and Islamic Affairs Assistant Undersecretary for Cultural Affairs Waleed Al-Fathil said the 499th copy of 500 copies of Caliph Othman's Quran was presented to Kuwait as a member of the board of the Research Centre for Islamic History, Art, and Culture (IRCICA), headquartered in Turkey.Having a copy of the book shows the greatness of the Caliphs and their role in caring for the Quran and emphasizes the importance of Arabic calligraphy and Islamic arts, he stressed.The obtained copy of the Quran is a proof that the Quran read today by Muslims around the world has exactly the same verses of the one reads by the Caliphs, he said.Al-Fathil pointed out that the original Quran of Caliph Othman has a long history, explained that it moved from Al-Madina Al-Monawara in the Arabian Peninsula to Egypt, then to Turkey where it was kept since 1819 in Topkapi Palace, which was the home of Ottoman sultans before being turned to a museum in 1928.The obtained copy of the Quran will be the first possession of the permanent arts exhibition to open in the Grand Mosque, Al-Fathil added.It is now displayed for visitors who can get brochures on its history and kinds of materials used in making it, he said.In 651, the Othman Quran was compiled in Al-Madina Al-Monawara by Othman, the third caliph. Before that, the sacred verses were memorized or written on pieces of wood.

Studying Islam for a more peaceful world

James A. Donahue,Munir Jiwa
Tuesday, November 6, 2007

Despite popular assertions that religion is at the root of the world's problems as at no other time in recent history, closer study reveals that it is not religion per se that is plaguing the world but the misunderstanding of religion. Positing a divide between Islam and the West, or the religious and the secular, not only misrepresents Islam and Muslims, but the nature and mission of all faiths. Understanding and studying Islam is a matter of great urgency - it is, in fact, critical, if humankind is to have a peaceful future.
The Chronicle recently reported that despite an atmosphere of tolerance in the Bay Area and the long history of Muslims in the United States, many of the Bay Area's 200,000 Muslims worry that they are seen by non-Muslims as outsiders.
How is religion so prone to being misunderstood? All too often we see religion hijacked and twisted in the service of agendas wrought from deeply divisive issues, fueling fear and hatred, providing fertile ground for the politics of polarization, which serves only to further divide. Study, debate and open dialogue, on the other hand, offer the promise of understanding and living peacefully with each other.
Because our work is graduate education in religion centered on interreligious dialogue, engaging one another about difference is a way of life for us at the Graduate Theological Union. In our teaching, research and community conferences, as well as in our day-to-day operations as a consortium of ecumenical and interfaith graduate programs, we embrace, rather than avoid, the critical tensions that arise from different perspectives. A starting point for our work is the comparative study of sacred texts - the Torah, Christian Bible and Quran. Our end goal is the making of religious leaders and educators who will address issues of religious pluralism and difference in local communities, the nation and the world. Why? Because one role of religion is to cultivate civic character and virtue so differences in the public square can be peacefully navigated and negotiated. In this way, rather than being a dividing force, religion can be a powerful catalyst for finding resolutions to geopolitical, economic and social problems.
Islam is the fastest growing religion in the world. To study and teach Islam and to learn from Muslims is to understand the world and its complex and diverse faith traditions. As the West unfortunately casts a wary eye on Islam, it is especially important to understand Islam in a broad, interfaith context. Today, the Graduate Theological Union will open a Center for Islamic Studies in Berkeley that will focus on Islam as a living world religion in a setting that includes the study of Judaism, Christianity, Buddhism and other religious traditions.
The center will build an academic platform to help scholars and students of many faiths understand Islam as a world religion with a theology of pluralism and rich scholarly traditions. It also will sponsor conferences to build bridges across religions and cultures, and it will serve as a community liaison with Bay Area Muslims. In all of these activities, it will offer students and the larger community the opportunity to face differences and cooperate so even those who strongly disagree on issues might find enough common ground and a safe space to work together on projects for the common good.
One of our students recently asked, "Can I respectfully engage and welcome 'the other', while at the same time allowing others to be different?" This is an immensely important question. If asked by many, it offers a glimpse of what the Bay Area, the nation and the world could become.
The very good, but under-reported news is that interfaith dialogue and action is well underway in scores of academic, civic and religious locations around the world. We support these efforts. We look forward to contributing in our own way, through interreligious education, to an understanding of Islam that could bring the world a step closer to peace. Because whatever name one gives to God, it seems inconceivable to us that God's purpose would be to divide humanity.

James A. Donahue is the president of the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley and a professor of ethics. Munir Jiwa is a professor of Islamic Studies and director of the Center for Islamic Studies at the Graduate Theological Union.

Editor: I think Michael Savage, Rex Duncan and Robert Spencer should attend this class.....

US national radio host goes on anti-Muslim/Islam/Quran tirade....Michael Savage, the satan on air

WASHINGTON, Nov. 1 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- A prominent national Islamic civil rights and advocacy group today called on radio listeners of all faiths to contact companies that advertise on Michael Savage's nationally-syndicated radio program to express their concerns about the host's recent anti-Muslim tirade.The Washington-based Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) said Savage, whose "The Savage Nation" airs on more than 300 radio stations nationwide, screamed attacks on Muslims, Islam and the Quran, Islam's revealed text, during his October 29, 2007, program. A number of concerned listeners contacted CAIR about Savage's attacks on Islam.Savage's shouted anti-Muslim attacks included:"I'm not gonna put my wife in a hijab. And I'm not gonna put my daughter in a burqa. And I'm not gettin on my all-fours and praying to Mecca. And you could drop dead if you don't like it. You can shove it up your pipe. I don't wanna hear anymore about Islam. I don't wanna hear one more word about Islam. Take your religion and shove it up your behind. I'm sick of you.""What kind of religion is this? What kind of world are you living in when you let them in here with that throwback document in their hand, which is a book of hate. Don't tell me I need reeducation. They need deportation. I don't need reeducation. Deportation, not reeducation. You can take C-A-I-R and throw 'em out of my country. I'd raise the American flag and I'd get out my trumpet if you did it. Without due process. You can take your due process and shove it.""What sane nation that worships the U.S. constitution, which is the greatest document of freedom ever written, would bring in people who worship a book that tells them the exact opposite. Make no mistake about it, the Quran is not a document of freedom. The Quran is a document of slavery and chattel. It teaches you that you are a slave."To listen to these and other bigoted statements by Savage, go to:

http://www.cair.com/audio/savage_102907.asp

Michael Savage has a long history of rhetorical attacks on Muslims and other minorities. In 2004, Savage stated: "I think [Muslims] need to be forcibly converted to Christianity...It's the only thing that can probably turn them into human beings." In 2006, he called for a ban on Muslim immigration and recommended making "the construction of mosques illegal in America."SEE: Savage Says Ban the Construction of US Mosques
http://mediamatters.org/items/200611290005

SEE ALSO: Michael Savage (Media Matters)
http://mediamatters.org/items/200601190009

"Michael Savage obviously cares little about the safety or civil rights of American Muslims, but the stations that carry his hate-filled rants do care about listeners' attitudes toward advertisers who pay to air commercials during his program," said CAIR Communications Coordinator Amina Rubin. "Americans of all faiths should take a few minutes to contact any local station that broadcasts Savage's inflammatory tirades to say they will not buy the goods or services of his advertisers."Rubin added that hate-filled words can and do lead to violent actions against American Muslims. She said there have been several recent apparently bias-related incidents targeting mosques, Islamic institutions and Muslim individuals nationwide.In Ohio, Nazi swastikas and the phrase "white power" were spray-painted on a Toledo Islamic school and rocks were thrown at worshipers outside a Columbus mosque. In Texas, a shot was fired into a mosque. In New York, a Muslim woman was badly beaten in a bias attack. In California, arsonists torched one mosque and a group of men attacked another. In Maryland, vandals slashed the tires of vehicles owned by a Muslim activist.CAIR's latest annual report on the status of American Muslim civil rights showed a 25 percent increase in the total number of complaints of anti-Muslim bias from 2005 to 2006.SEE: The Status of Muslim Civil Rights in the United States - 2007
http://www.cair.com/Portals/0/pdf/2007-Civil-Rights-Report.pdf
CAIR, America's largest Muslim civil liberties group, has 33 offices and chapters nationwide and in Canada. Its mission is to enhance the understanding of Islam, encourage dialogue, protect civil liberties, empower American Muslims, and build coalitions that promote justice and mutual understanding.

Refining one’s character according to Quran and Sunnah

Five dimensions of ethico-moral behaviour define the “axis” around which religious concerns revolve in Islam.


By Dr Mohd Sani Badron Senior Fellow / Director, Centre for Economics and Social Studies (Institute of Islamic Understanding Malaysia)


IN A hadith celebrated as being of immense importance by Muslim scholars, the Prophet Mohamed was reported to have said that, the major portion of Religion (al-Din) consists of “sincere conduct” (al-nasihah) towards Allah, His Book, His Messenger, leaders of Muslims, and Muslims in general (narrated by Imam Muslim from Tamim al-Dari).

Commenting on this hadith, al-Imam al-Nawawi (d. 676/1277) came to the conclusion that those five dimensions of ethico-moral behaviour define the “axis” (madar) around which religious concerns revolve in Islam.

The principal concern, “sincere conduct towards Allah”, means having faith and belief in Him and His Unity (al-tawhid); denying any partner; understanding His Real and True Attributes (al-Haqq) as He has described Himself in genuine Revelation without any deviation; and affirming His perfect and sublime Attributes, and His Transcendence.

The aforementioned principal obligation gave rise to a special branch of knowledge in the Islamic Civilisation referred to as usuluddin, citing many authoritative references, such as Kitab al-Asma’ wa al-Sifat by al-Baghdadi and al-Ghazzali’s Maqsad al-Asna.

Faithful action towards Allah includes establishing absolute loyalty to Him and being steadfast to the Primordial Covenant (al-A’raf, 7: 172); obedient to Him and not be treacherous to Him. It is obligatory upon us to acknowledge His grace, to be grateful of His bounty, and to be sincere in all matters.

Honest behaviour towards Allah makes it incumbent for His creatures to help and befriend those who turn to Him and follow His guidance, to avoid those who turn away from Him and close their eyes to His guidance, and to strive against only “those who mock at Religion and make jest of it” (al-Ma’idah, 5: 57).

Sincere conduct towards Allah also consists of calling upon mankind in general and one’s subordinates in particular to the aforementioned characteristics, to encourage and motivate them with graciousness and tactfulness.

Honesty to Allah demands that His speech (i.e. the Quran) be preserved as the second pillar of right behaviour.

Sincere conduct towards His Book means having faith and belief that the Quran is the Word (Kalam) of Allah, His Revelation that cannot be compared with the speech of His creatures.

One ought to glorify it, study it, and follow it as it ought to be followed (haqq tilawatihi; al-Baqarah, 2:121), to apply oneself to it with true application, to make its reading beautiful; to affirm the truth of its content with humility; to stand by its principles and stick to it; to understand knowledge and the parables therein; to contemplate its exhortation and counsel; and to meditate on its remarkable, wondrous and marvellous content.

Subsequently, faithful action towards the Quran means to practice its verses which are clear and established (muhkamat), to believe in those verses which are ambiguous (mutashabihat, Ali ‘Imran, 3: 7-9); to study their statements, be they general principles or specific applications; to disseminate knowledge therein; and to call upon mankind to behave in a proper manner towards the Quran.

Faithful conduct towards His Book requires one to preserve the true interpretation of its verses against misrepresentation of its corrupters and mischievous detractors. It also requires the usage of valid, authentic and authoritative Quranic terms.

It is in order to maintain semantic permanence and to preserve purity and authoritative meaning, that the Quranic Arabic terms and their significations have been recorded and established through lexicons such as Ibn Manzur’s 15 volume Lisan al-’Arab and Murtada al-Zabidi’s 40 volume Taj al-’Arus.

The standard for right action and sincere conduct towards Allah and His Book is mirrored at its utmost clarity by the Prophet Mohamed (uswah hasanah; al-Ahzab, 33:21), the third pillar of true behaviour.

Sincere conduct towards His Prophet means to affirm his message, to have faith and belief in that which has been conveyed by him, to obey his commands and to refrain from that which he has prohibited.

By virtue of the fact that the Prophet Mohamed was raised by Allah to convey the prophetic mission, Muslims must also strive to allow that mission to triumph, even after the Prophet’s death, to oppose his opponents and to aid his helpers, to love his family (ahlul bayt) and his companions, to avoid those things abhorrent to him, to abhor deviation and to be wary of it, to avoid the people of corrupt bid’ah and those who oppose his companions.

As he is “the seal of all Prophets” (al-Ahzab, 33:40) and a “mercy for all the worlds” (al-Anbiya’, 21:107), we must honour what is rightfully his and persevere in seeking true knowledge and in applying his way of life (sunnah), spread his call and repudiate accusations made against the truth and goodness of his teachings.

All the aforementioned have given rise to many disciplines and genres, such as hadith, sirah, dala’il, shama’il, and tawarikh, in order that humanity may take heed of the wisdom exemplified by the Prophet, understand their significance, respect and be grateful of what has been taught, allow the dissemination of his teachings, revere his syariah, read his hadiths with adab (a way of living outlined in Islam), avoid from commenting anything on his hadiths without proper knowledge, and to be respectful towards those who are truly knowledgeable.

The objective of sincere conduct towards His Prophet is to cultivate one’s adab so that it approaches the adab of the Prophet, refine one’s character so that it reflects the characteristic of the Prophet.

The last two dimensions mentioned in the hadith will be discussed in another month, God willing.

Chapter 11: Surah Hud - Sheikh Su'ud Shuraim

In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful.
11:1 Alif Lam Ra (This is) a Book, whose verses are made decisive, then are they made plain, from the Wise, All-aware:
11:2 That you shall not serve (any) but Allah; surely I am a warner for you from Him and a giver of good news,
11:3 And you that ask forgiveness of your Lord, then turn to Him; He will provide you with a goodly provision to an appointed term and bestow His grace on every one endowed with grace, and if you turn back, then surely I fear for you the chastisement of a great day.
11:4 To Allah is your return, and He has power over all things.
11:5 Now surely they fold up their breasts that they may conceal (their enmity) from Him; now surely, when they use their garments as a covering, He knows what they conceal and what they make public; surely He knows what is in the breasts.
11:6 And there is no animal in the earth but on Allah is the sustenance of it, and He knows its resting place and its depository all (things) are in a manifest book.
11:7 And He it is Who created the heavens and the earth in six periods-- and His dominion (extends) on the water-- that He might manifest to you, which of you is best in action, and if you say, surely you shall be raised up after death, those who disbelieve would certainly say: This is nothing but clear magic.
11:8 And if We hold back from them the punishment until a stated period of time, they will certainly say: What prevents it? Now surely on the day when it will come to them, it shall not be averted from them and that which they scoffed at shall beset them.
11:9 And if We make man taste mercy from Us, then take it off from him, most surely he is despairing, ungrateful.
11:10 And if We make him taste a favor after distress has afflicted him, he will certainly say: The evils are gone away from me. Most surely he is exulting, boasting;
11:11 Except those who are patient and do good, they shall have forgiveness and a great reward.
11:12 Then, it may be that you will give up part of what is revealed to you and your breast will become straitened by it because they say: Why has not a treasure been sent down upon him or an angel come with him? You are only a warner; and Allah is custodian over all things.
11:13 Or, do they say: He has forged it. Say: Then bring ten forged chapters like it and call upon whom you can besides Allah, if you are truthful.
11:14 But if they do not answer you, then know that it is revealed by Allah's knowledge and that there is no god but He; will you then submit?
11:15 Whoever desires this world's life and its finery, We will pay them in full their deeds therein, and they shall not be made to. suffer loss in respect of them.
11:16 These are they for whom there is nothing but fire in the hereafter, and what they wrought in it shall go for nothing, and vain is what they do.
11:17 Is he then who has with him clear proof from his Lord, and a witness from Him recites it and before it (is) the Book of Musa, a guide and a mercy? These believe in it; and whoever of the (different) parties disbelieves in it, surely it is the truth from your Lord, but most men do not believe.
11:18 And who is more unjust than he who forges a lie against Allah? These shall be brought before their Lord, and the witnesses shall say: These are they who lied against their Lord. Now surely the curse of Allah is on the unjust.
11:19 Who turn away from the path of Allah and desire to make it crooked; and they are disbelievers in the hereafter.
11:20 These shall not escape in the earth, nor shall they have any guardians besides Allah; the punishment shall be doubled for them, they could not bear to hear and they did not see.
11:21 These are they who have lost their souls, and what they forged is gone from them.
11:22 Truly in the hereafter they are the greatest losers.
11:23 Surely (as to) those who believe and do good and humble themselves to their Lord, these are the dwellers of the garden, in it they will abide.
11:24 The likeness of the two parties is as the blind and the deaf and the seeing and the hearing: are they equal in condition? Will you not then mind?
11:25 And certainly We sent Nuh to his people: Surely I am a plain warner for you:
11:26 That you shall not serve any but Allah, surely I fear for you the punishment of a painful day.
11:27 But the chiefs of those who disbelieved from among his people said: We do not consider you but a mortal like ourselves, and we do not see any have followed you but those who are the meanest of us at first thought and we do not see in you any excellence over us; nay, we deem you liars.
11:28 He said: O my people! tell me if I have with me clear proof from my Lord, and He has granted me mercy from Himself and it has been made obscure to you; shall we constrain you to (accept) it while you are averse from it?
11:29 And, O my people! I ask you not for wealth in return for it; my reward is only with Allah and I am not going to drive away those who believe; surely they shall meet their Lord, but I consider you a people who are ignorant:
11:30 And, O my people! who will help me against Allah if I drive them away? Will you not then mind?
11:31 And I do not say to you that I have the treasures of Allah and I do not know the unseen, nor do I say that I am an angel, nor do I say about those whom your eyes hold in mean estimation (that) Allah will never grant them (any) good-- Allah knows best what is in their souls-- for then most surely I should be of the unjust.
11:32 They said: O Nuh! indeed you have disputed with us and lengthened dispute with us, therefore bring to us what you threaten us with, if you are of the truthful ones.
11:33 He said: Allah only will bring it to you if He please, and you will not escape:
11:34 And if I intend to give you good advice, my advice will not profit you if Allah intended that He should leave you to go astray; He is your Lord, and to Him shall you be returned.
11:35 Or do they say: He has forged it? Say: If I have forged it, on me is my guilt, and I am clear of that of which you are guilty.
11:36 And it was revealed to Nuh: That none of your people will believe except those who have already believed, therefore do not grieve at what they do:
11:37 And make the ark before Our eyes and (according to) Our revelation, and do not speak to Me in respect of those who are unjust; surely they shall be drowned.
11:38 And he began to make the ark; and whenever the chiefs from among his people passed by him they laughed at him. He said: If you laugh at us, surely we too laugh at you as you laugh (at us).
11:39 So shall you know who it is on whom will come a chastisement which will disgrace him, and on whom will lasting chastisement come down.
11:40 Until when Our command came and water came forth from the valley, We said: Carry in it two of all things, a pair, and your own family-- except those against whom the word has already gone forth, and those who believe. And there believed not with him but a few.
11:41 And he said: Embark in it, in the name of Allah be its sailing and its anchoring; most surely my Lord is Forgiving, Merciful.
11:42 And it moved on with them amid waves like mountains; and Nuh called out to his son, and he was aloof: O my son! embark with us and be not with the unbelievers.
11:43 He said: I will betake myself for refuge to a mountain that shall protect me from the water. Nuh said: There is no protector today from Allah's punishment but He Who has mercy; and a wave intervened between them, so he was of the drowned.
11:44 And it was said: O earth, swallow down your water, and O cloud, clear away; and the water was made to abate and the affair was decided, and the ark rested on the Judi, and it was said: Away with the unjust people.
11:45 And Nuh cried out to his Lord and said: My Lord! surely my son is of my family, and Thy promise is surely true, and Thou art the most just of the judges.
11:46 He said: O Nuh! surely he is not of your family; surely he is (the doer of) other than good deeds, therefore ask not of Me that of which you have no knowledge; surely I admonish you lest you may be of the ignorant
11:47 He said: My Lord! I seek refuge in Thee from asking Thee that of which I have no knowledge; and if Thou shouldst not forgive me and have mercy on me, I should be of the losers.
11:48 It was said: O Nuh! descend with peace from Us and blessings on you and on the people from among those who are with you, and there shall be nations whom We will afford provisions, then a painful punishment from Us shall afflict them.
11:49 These are announcements relating to the unseen which We reveal to you, you did not know them-- (neither) you nor your people-- before this; therefore be patient; surely the end is for those who guard (against evil).
11:50 And to Ad (We sent) their brother Hud. He said: O my people! serve Allah, you have no god other than He; you are nothing but forgers (of lies).
11:51 O my people! I do not ask of you any reward for it; my reward is only with Him Who created me; do you not then understand?
11:52 And, O my people! ask forgiveness of your Lord, then turn to Him; He will send on you clouds pouring down abundance of rain and add strength to your strength, and do not turn back guilty.
11:53 They said: O Hud! you have not brought to us any clear argument and we are not going to desert our gods for your word, and we are not believers in you:
11:54 We cannot say aught but that some of our gods have smitten you with evil. He said: Surely I call Allah to witness, and do you bear witness too, that I am clear of what you associate (with Allah).
11:55 Besides Him, therefore scheme against me all together; then give me no respite:
11:56 Surely I rely on Allah, my Lord and your Lord; there is no living creature but He holds it by its forelock; surely my Lord is on the right path.
11:57 But if you turn back, then indeed I have delivered to you the message with which I have been sent to you, and my Lord will bring another people in your place, and you cannot do Him any harm; surely my Lord is the Preserver of all things.
11:58 And when Our decree came to pass, We delivered Hud and those who believed with him with mercy from Us, and We delivered them from a hard chastisement.
11:59 And this was Ad; they denied the communications of their Lord, and disobeyed His apostles and followed the bidding of every insolent opposer (of truth).
11:60 And they were overtaken by curse in this world and on the resurrection day; now surely Ad disbelieved in their Lord; now surely, away with Ad, the people of Hud.
11:61 And to Samood (We sent) their brother Salih. He said: O my people! serve Allah, you have no god other than He; He brought you into being from the earth, and made you dwell in it, therefore ask forgiveness of Him, then turn to Him; surely my Lord is Nigh, Answering.
11:62 They said: O Salih! surely you were one amongst us in whom great expectations were placed before this; do you (now) forbid us from worshipping what our fathers worshipped? And as to that which you call us to, most surely we are in disquieting doubt.
11:63 He said: O my people! tell me if I have clear proof from my Lord and He has granted to me mercy from Himself-- who will then help me against Allah if I disobey Him? Therefore you do not add to me other than loss:
11:64 And, O my people! this will be (as) Allah's she-camel for you, a sign; therefore leave her to pasture on Allah's earth and do not touch her with evil, for then a near chastisement will overtake you.
11:65 But they slew her, so he said: Enjoy yourselves in your abode for three days, that is a promise not to be belied.
11:66 So when Our decree came to pass, We delivered Salih and those who believed with him by mercy from Us, and (We saved them) from the disgrace of that day; surely your Lord is the Strong, the Mighty.
11:67 And the rumbling overtook those who were unjust, so they became motionless bodies in their abodes,
11:68 As though they had never dwelt in them; now surely did Samood disbelieve in their Lord; now surely, away with Samood.
11:69 And certainly Our messengers came to Ibrahim with good news. They said: Peace. Peace, said he, and he made no delay in bringing a roasted calf.
11:70 But when he saw that their hands were not extended towards it, he deemed them strange and conceived fear of them. . They said: Fear not, surely we are sent to Lut's people.
11:71 And his wife was standing (by), so she laughed, then We gave her the good news of Ishaq and after Ishaq of (a son's son) Yaqoub.
11:72 She said: O wonder! shall I bear a son when I am an extremely old woman and this my husband an extremely old man? Most surely this is a wonderful thing.
11:73 They said: Do you wonder at Allah's bidding? The mercy of Allah and His blessings are on you, O people of the house, surely He is Praised, Glorious.
11:74 So when fear had gone away from Ibrahim and good news came to him, he began to plead with Us for Lut's people.
11:75 Most surely Ibrahim was forbearing, tender-hearted, oft-returning (to Allah):
11:76 O Ibrahim! leave off this, surely the decree of your Lord has come to pass, and surely there must come to them a chastisement that cannot be averted.
11:77 And when Our messengers came to Lut, he was grieved for them, and he lacked strength to protect them, and said: This is a hard day.
11:78 And his people came to him, (as if) rushed on towards him, and already they did evil deeds. He said: O my people! these are my daughters-- they are purer for you, so guard against (the punishment of) Allah and do not disgrace me with regard to my guests; is there not among you one right-minded man?
11:79 They said: Certainly you know that we have no claim on your daughters, and most surely you know what we desire.
11:80 He said: Ah! that I had power to suppress you, rather I shall have recourse to a strong support.
11:81 They said: O Lut! we are the messengers of your Lord; they shall by no means reach you; so remove your followers in a part of the night-- and let none of you turn back-- except your wife, for surely whatsoever befalls them shall befall her; surely their appointed time is the morning; is not the morning nigh?
11:82 So when Our decree came to pass, We turned them upside down and rained down upon them stones, of what had been decreed, one after another.
11:83 Marked (for punishment) with your Lord and it is not far off from the unjust.
11:84 And to Madyan (We sent) their brother Shu'aib. He said: O my people! serve Allah, you have no god other than He, and do not give short measure and weight: surely I see you in prosperity and surely I fear for you the punishment of an all-encompassing day.
11:85 And, O my people! give full measure and weight fairly, and defraud not men their things, and do not act corruptly in the land, making mischief:
11:86 What remains with Allah is better for you if you are believers, and I am not a keeper over you.
11:87 They said: O Shu'aib! does your prayer enjoin you that we should forsake what our fathers worshipped or that we should not do what we please with regard to our property? Forsooth you are the forbearing, the right-directing one.
11:88 He said: O my people! have you considered if I have a clear proof from my Lord and He has given me a goodly sustenance from Himself, and I do not desire that in opposition to you I should betake myself to that which I forbid you: I desire nothing but reform so far as I am able, and with none but Allah is the direction of my affair to a right issue; on Him do I rely and to Him do I turn:
11:89 And, O my people! let not opposition to me make you guilty so that there may befall you the like of what befell the people of Nuh, or the people of Hud, or the people of Salih, nor are the people of Lut far off from you;
11:90 And ask forgiveness of your Lord, then turn to Him; surely my Lord is Merciful, Loving-kind.
11:91 They said: O Shu'aib! we do not understand much of what you say and most surely we see you to be weak among us, and were it not for your family we would surely stone you, and you are not mighty against us.
11:92 He said: O my people! is my family more esteemed by you than Allah? And you neglect Him as a thing cast behind your back; surely my Lord encompasses what you do:
11:93 And, O my people! act according to your ability, I too am acting; you will come to know soon who it is on whom will light the punishment that will disgrace him and who it is that is a liar, and watch, surely I too am watching with you.
11:94 And when Our decree came to pass We delivered Shu'aib, and those who believed with him by mercy from Us, and the rumbling overtook those who were unjust so they became motionless bodies in their abodes,
11:95 As though they had never dwelt in them; now surely perdition overtook Madyan as had perished Samood.
11:96 And certainly We sent Musa with Our communications and a clear authority,
11:97 To Firon and his chiefs, but they followed the bidding of Firon, and Firon's bidding was not right-directing.
11:98 He shall lead his people on the resurrection day, and bring them down to the fire; and evil the place to which they are brought.
11:99 And they are overtaken by curse in this (world), and on the resurrection day, evil the gift which shall be given.
11:100 This is an account of (the fate of) the towns which We relate to you; of them are some that stand and (others) mown down.
11:101 And We did not do them injustice, but they were unjust to themselves, so their gods whom they called upon besides Allah did not avail them aught when the decree of your Lord came to pass; and they added but to their ruin.
11:102 And such is the punishment of your Lord when He punishes the towns while they are unjust; surely His punishment is painful, severe.
11:103 Most surely there is a sign in this for him who fears the chastisement of the hereafter; this is a day on which the people shall be gathered together and this is a day that shall be witnessed.
11:104 And We do not delay it but to an appointed term.
11:105 On the day when it shall come, no soul shall speak except with His permission, then (some) of them shall be unhappy and (others) happy.
11:106 So as to those who are unhappy, they shall be in the fire; for them shall be sighing and groaning in it:
11:107 Abiding therein so long as the heavens and the earth endure, except as your Lord please; surely your Lord is the mighty doer of what He intends.
11:108 And as to those who are made happy, they shall be in the garden, abiding in it as long as the heavens and the earth endure, except as your Lord please; a gift which shall never be cut off.
11:109 Therefore be not in doubt as to what these worship; they do not worship but as their fathers worshipped before; and most surely We will pay them back in full their portion undiminished.
11:110 And certainly We gave the book to Musa, but it was gone against; and had not a word gone forth from your Lord, the matter would surely have been decided between them; and surely they are in a disquieting doubt about it.
11:111 And your Lord will most surely pay back to all their deeds in full; surely He is aware of what they do.
11:112 Continue then in the right way as you are commanded, as also he who has turned (to Allah) with you, and be not inordinate (O men!), surely He sees what you do.
11:113 And do not incline to those who are unjust, lest the fire touch you, and you have no guardians besides Allah, then you shall not be helped.
11:114 And keep up prayer in the two parts of the day and in the first hours of the night; surely good deeds take away evil deeds this is a reminder to the mindful.
11:115 And be patient, for surely Allah does not waste the reward of the good-doers.
11:116 But why were there not among the generations before you those possessing understanding, who should have forbidden the making of mischief in the earth, except a few of those whom We delivered from among them? And those who were unjust went after what they are made to enjoy of plenty, and they were guilty.
11:117 And it did not beseem your Lord to have destroyed the towns tyrannously, while their people acted well.
11:118 And if your Lord had pleased He would certainly have made people a single nation, and they shall continue to differ.
11:119 Except those on whom your Lord has mercy; and for this did He create them; and the word of your Lord is fulfilled: Certainly I will fill hell with the jinn and the men, all together.
11:120 And all we relate to you of the accounts of the apostles is to strengthen your heart therewith; and in this has come to you the truth and an admonition, and a reminder to the believers.
11:121 And say to those who do not believe: Act according to your state; surely we too are acting.
11:122 And wait; surely we are waiting also.
11:123 And Allah's is the unseen in the heavens and the earth, and to Him is returned the whole of the affair; therefore serve Him and rely on Him, and your Lord is not heedless of what you do.

Chapter 10: Surah Yunus - Sheikh Mishari Rashid Efasy - Part 1

In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful.
10:1 Alif Lam Ra. These are the verses of the wise Book.
10:2 What! is it a wonder to the people that We revealed to a man from among themselves, saying: Warn the people and give good news to those who believe that theirs is a footing of firmness with their Lord. The unbelievers say: This is most surely a manifest enchanter.
10:3 Surely your Lord is Allah, Who created the heavens and the earth in six periods, and He is firm in power, regulating the affair, there is no intercessor except aher His permission; this is Allah, your Lord, therefore serve Him; will you not then mind?
10:4 To Him is your return, of all (of you); the promise of Allah (made) in truth; surely He begins the creation in the first mstance, then He reproduces it, that He may with justice recompense those who believe and do good; and (as for) those who disbelieve, they shall have a drink of hot water and painful punishment because they disbelieved.
10:5 He it is Who made the sun a shining brightness and the moon a light, and ordained for it mansions that you might know the computation of years and the reckoning. Allah did not create it but with truth; He makes the signs manifest for a people who
10:6 Most surely in the variation of the night and the day, and what Allah has created in the heavens and the earth, there are signs for a people who guard (against evil).
10:7 Surely those who do not hope in Our meeting and are pleased with this world's life and are content with it, and those who are heedless of Our communications:
10:8 (As for) those, their abode is the fire because of what they earned.
10:9 Surely (as for) those who believe and do good, their Lord will guide them by their faith; there shall flOw from beneath them rivers in gardens of bliss.
10:10 Their cry in it shall be: Glory to Thee, O Allah! and their greeting in it shall be: Peace; and the last of their cry shall be: Praise be to Allah, the Lord of the worlds.
10:11 And if Allah should hasten the evil to men as they desire the hastening on of good, their doom should certainly have been decreed for them; but We leave those alone who hope not for Our meeting in their inordinacy, blindly wandering on.
10:12 And when affliction touches a man, he calls on Us, whether lying on his side or sitting or standing; but when We remove his affliction from him, he passes on as though he had never called on Us on account of an affliction that touched him; thus that which they do is made fair-seeming to the extravagant.
10:13 And certainly We did destroy generations before you when they were unjust, and their apostles had come to them with clear arguments, and they would not believe; thus do We recompense the guilty people.
10:14 Then We made you successors in the land after them so that We may see how you act.
10:15 And when Our clear communications are recited to them, those who hope not for Our meeting say: Bring a Quran other than this or change it. Say: It does not beseem me that I should change it of myself; I follow naught but what is revealed to me; surely I fear, if I disobey my Lord, the punishment of a mighty day.
10:16 Say: If Allah had desired (otherwise) I would not have recited it to you, nor would He have taught it to you; indeed I have lived a lifetime among you before it; do you not then understand?
10:17 Who is then more unjust than who forges a lie against Allah or (who) gives the lie to His communications? Surely the guilty shall not be successful.
10:18 And they serve beside Allah what can neither harm them nor profit them, and they say: These are our intercessors with Allah. Say: Do you (presume to) inform Allah of what He knows not in the heavens and the earth? Glory be to Him, and supremely exalted is He above what they set up (with Him).
10:19 And people are naught but a single nation, so they disagree; and had not a word already gone forth from your Lord, the matter would have certainly been decided between them in respect of that concerning which they disagree.
10:20 And they say: Why is not a sign sent to him from his Lord? Say: The unseen is only for Allah; therefore wait-- surely I too, with you am of those who wait.
10:21 And when We make people taste of mercy after an affliction touches them, lo ! they devise plans against Our communication. Say: Allah is quicker to plan; surely Our messengers write down what you plan.
10:22 He it is Who makes you travel by land and sea; until when you are in the ships, and they sail on with them in a pleasant breeze, and they rejoice, a violent wind overtakes them and the billows surge in on them from all sides, and they become certain that they are encompassed about, they pray to Allah, being sincere to Him in obedience: If Thou dost deliver us from this, we will most certainly be of the grateful ones.
10:23 But when He delivers them, lo! they are unjustly rebellious in the earth. O men! your rebellion is against your own souls-- provision (only) of this world's life-- then to Us shall be your return, so We will inform you of what you did.
10:24 The likeness of this world's life is only as water which We send down from the cloud, then the herbage of the earth of which men and cattle eat grows luxuriantly thereby, until when the earth puts on its golden raiment and it becomes garnished, and its people think that they have power over it, Our command comes to it, by night or by day, so We render it as reaped seed; produce, as though it had not been in existence yesterday; thus do We make clear the communications for a people who reflect.
10:25 And Allah invites to the abode of peace and guides whom He pleases into the right path.
10:26 For those who do good is good (reward) and more (than this); and blackness or ignominy shall not cover their faces; these are the dwellers of the garden; in it they shall abide.
10:27 And (as for) those who have earned evil, the punishment of an evil is the like of it, and abasement shall come upon them-- they shall have none to protect them from Allah-- as if their faces had been covered with slices of the dense darkness of night; these are the inmates of the fire; in it they shall abide.
10:28 And on the day when We will gather them all together, then We will say to those who associated others (with Allah): Keep where you are, you and your associates; then We shall separate them widely one from another and their associates would say: It was not us that you served:
10:29 Therefore Allah is sufficient as a witness between us and you that we were quite unaware of your serving (us).
10:30 There shall every soul become acquainted with what it sent before, and they shall be brought back to Allah, their true Patron, and what they devised shall escape from them.
10:31 Say: Who gives you sustenance from the heaven and the earth? Or Who controls the hearing and the sight? And Who brings forth the living from the dead, and brings forth the dead from the living? And Who regulates the affairs? Then they will say: Allah. Say then: Will you not then guard (against evil)?
10:32 This then is Allah, your true Lord; and what is there after the truth but error; how are you then turned back?
10:33 Thus does the word of your Lord prove true against those who transgress that they do not believe.
10:34 Say: Is there any one among your associates who can bring into existence the creation in the first instance, then reproduce it? Say: Allah brings the creation into existence, then He reproduces it; how are you then turned away?
10:35 Say: Is there any of your associates who guides to the truth? Say: Allah guides to the truth. Is He then Who guides to the truth more worthy to be followed, or he who himself does not go aright unless he is guided? What then is the matter with you; how do you judge?
10:36 And most of them do not follow (anything) but conjecture; surely conjecture will not avail aught against the truth; surely Allah is cognizant of what they do.
10:37 And this Quran is not such as could be forged by those besides Allah, but it is a verification of that which is before it and a clear explanation of the book, there is no doubt in it, from the Lord of the worlds.
10:38 Or do they say: He has forged it? Say: Then bring a chapter like this and invite whom you can besides Allah, if you are truthful.
10:39 Nay, they reject that of which they have no comprehensive knowledge, and the final sequel of it has not yet come to them; even thus did those before them reject (the truth); see then what was the end of the unjust.
10:40 And of them is he who believes in it, and of them is he who does not believe in it, and your Lord best knows the mischief-makers.
10:41 And if they call you a liar, say: My work is for me and your work for you; you are clear of what I do and I am clear of what you do.
10:42 And there are those of them who hear you, but can you make the deaf to hear though they will not understand?
10:43 And there are those of them who look at you, but can you show the way to the blind though they will not see?
10:44 Surely Allah does not do any injustice to men, but men are unjust to themselves.
10:45 And on the day when He will gather them as though they had not stayed but an hour of the day, they will know each other. They will perish indeed who called the meeting with Allah to be a lie, and they are not followers of the right direction.
10:46 And if We show you something of what We threaten them with, or cause you to die, yet to Us is their return, and Allah is the bearer of witness to what they do.
10:47 And every nation had an apostle; so when their apostle came, the matter was decided between them with justice and they shall not be dealt with unjustly.
10:48 And they say: When will this threat come about, if you are truthful?
10:49 Say: I do not control for myself any harm, or any benefit except what Allah pleases; every nation has a term; when their term comes, they shall not then remain behind for an hour, nor can they go before (their time).
10:50 Say: Tell me if His punishment overtakes you by night or by day! what then is there of it that the guilty would hasten on?
10:51 And when it comes to pass, will you believe in it? What! now (you believe), and already you wished to have it hastened on.
10:52 Then it shall be said to those who were unjust: Taste abiding chastisement; you are not requited except for what you earned.
10:53 And they ask you: Is that true? Say: Aye! by my Lord! it is most surely the truth, and you will not escape.
10:54 And if every soul that has done injustice had all that is in the earth, it would offer it for ransom, and they will manifest regret when they see the chastisement and the matter shall be decided between them with justice and they shall not be dealt with unjustly.
10:55 Now surely Allah's is what is in the heavens and the earth; now surely Allah's promise is true, but most of them do not know.
10:56 He gives life and causes death, and to Him you shall be brought back.
10:57 O men! there has come to you indeed an admonition from your Lord and a healing for what is in the breasts and a guidance and a mercy for the believers.
10:58 Say: In the grace of Allah and in His mercy-- in that they should rejoice; it is better than that which they gather.
10:59 Say: Tell me what Allah has sent down for you of sustenance, then you make (a part) of it unlawful and (a part) lawful. Say: Has Allah commanded you, or do you forge a lie against Allah?
10:60 And what will be the thought of those who forge lies against Allah on the day of resurrection? Most surely Allah is the Lord of grace towards men, but most of them do not give thanks.
10:61 And you are not (engaged) in any affair, nor do you recite concerning it any portion of the Quran, nor do you do any work but We are witnesses over you when you enter into it, and there does not lie concealed from your Lord the weight of an atom in the earth or in the heaven, nor any thing less than that nor greater, but it is in a clear book.
10:62 Now surely the friends of Allah-- they shall have no fear nor shall they grieve.
10:63 Those who believe and guarded (against evil):
10:64 They shall have good news in this world's life and in the hereafter; there is no changing the words of Allah; that is the mighty achievement.
10:65 And let not their speech grieve you; surely might is wholly Allah's; He is the Hearing, the Knowing.
10:66 Now, surely, whatever is in the heavens and whatever is in the earth is Allah's; and they do not (really) follow any associates, who call on others besides Allah; they do not follow (anything) but conjectures, and they only lie.
10:67 He it is Who made for you the night that you might rest in it, and the day giving light; most surely there are signs in it for a people who would hear.
10:68 They say: Allah has taken a son (to Himself)! Glory be to Him: He is the Self-sufficient: His is what is in the heavens and what is in the earth; you have no authority for this; do you say against Allah what you do not know?
10:69 Say: Those who forge a lie against Allah shall not be successful.
10:70 (It is only) a provision in this world, then to Us shall be their return; then We shall make them taste severe punishment because they disbelieved.
10:71 And recite to them the story of Nuh when he said to his people: O my people! if my stay and my reminding (you) by the communications of Allah is hard on you-- yet on Allah do I rely-- then resolve upon your affair and (gather) your associates, then let not your affair remain dubious to you, then have it executed against me and give me no respite:
10:72 But if you turn back, I did not ask for any reward from you; my reward is only with Allah, and I am commanded that I should be of those who submit.
10:73 But they rejected him, so We delivered him and those with him in the ark, and We made them rulers and drowned those who rejected Our communications; see then what was the end of the (people) warned.
10:74 Then did We raise up after him apostles to their people, so they came to them with clear arguments, but they would not believe in what they had rejected before; thus it is that We set seals upon the hearts of those who exceed the limits.
10:75 Then did We send up after them Musa and Haroun to Firon and his chiefs with Our signs, but they showed pride and they were a guilty people.
10:76 So when the truth came to them from Us they said: This is most surely clear enchantment!
10:77 Musa said: Do you say (this) of the truth when it has come to you? Is it magic? And the magicians are not successful.
10:78 They said: Have you come to us to turn us away from what we found our fathers upon, and (that) greatness in the land should be for you two? And we are not going to believe in you.
10:79 And Firon said: Bring to me every skillful magician.
10:80 And when the magicians came, Musa said to them: Cast down what you have to cast.
10:81 So when they cast down, Musa said to them: What you have brought is deception; surely Allah will make it naught; surely Allah does not make the work of mischief-makers to thrive.
10:82 And Allah will show the truth to be the truth by His words, though the guilty may be averse (to it).
10:83 But none believed in Musa except the offspring of his people, on account of the fear of Firon and their chiefs, lest he should persecute them; and most surely Firon was lofty in the land; and most surely he was of the extravagant.
10:84 And Musa said: O my people! if you believe in Allah, then rely on Him (alone) if you submit (to Allah).
10:85 So they said: On Allah we rely: O our Lord! make us not subject to the persecution of the unjust people:
10:86 And do Thou deliver us by Thy mercy from the unbelieving people.
10:87 And We revealed to Musa and his brother, saying: Take for your people houses to abide in Egypt and make your houses places of worship and keep up prayer and give good news to the believers.
10:88 And Musa said: Our Lord! surely Thou hast given to Firon and his chiefs finery and riches in this world's life, to this end, our Lord, that they lead (people) astray from Thy way: Our Lord! destroy their riches and harden their hearts so that they believe not until they see the painful punishment.
10:89 He said: The prayer of you both has indeed been accepted, therefore continue in the right way and do not follow the path of those who do not know.
10:90 And We made the children of Israel to pass through the sea, then Firon and his hosts followed them for oppression and tyranny; until when drowning overtook him, he said: I believe that there is no god but He in Whom the children of Israel believe and I am of those who submit.
10:91 What! now! and indeed you disobeyed before and you were of the mischief-makers.
10:92 But We will this day deliver you with your body that you may be a sign to those after you, and most surely the majority of the people are heedless to Our communications.
10:93 And certainly We lodged the children of Israel in a goodly abode and We provided them with good things; but they did not disagree until the knowledge had come to them; surely your Lord will judge between them on the resurrection day concerning that in which they disagreed.
10:94 But if you are in doubt as to what We have revealed to you, ask those who read the Book before you; certainly the truth has come to you from your Lord, therefore you should not be of the disputers.
10:95 And you should not be of those who reject the communications of Allah, (for) then you should be one of the losers.
10:96 Surely those against whom the word of your Lord has proved true will not believe,
10:97 Though every sign should come to them, until they witness the painful chastisement.
10:98 And wherefore was there not a town which should believe so that their belief should have profited them but the people of Yunus? When they believed, We removed from them the chastisement of disgrace in this world's life and We gave them provision till a time.
10:99 And if your Lord had pleased, surely all those who are in the earth would have believed, all of them; will you then force men till they become believers?
10:100 And it is not for a soul to believe except by Allah's permission; and He casts uncleanness on those who will not understand.
10:101 Say: Consider what is it that is in the heavens and the earth; and signs and warners do not avail a people who would not believe.
10:102 What do they wait for then but the like of the days of those who passed away before them? Say: Wait then; surely I too am with you of those who wait.
10:103 Then We deliver Our apostles and those who believe-- even so (now), it is binding on Us (that) We deliver the believers.
10:104 Say: O people! if you are in doubt as to my religion, then (know that) I do not serve those whom you serve besides Allah but I do serve Allah, Who will cause you to die, and I am commanded that I should be of the believers.
10:105 And that you should keep your course towards the religion uprightly; and you should not be of the polytheists.
10:106 And do not call besides Allah on that which can neither benefit you nor harm you, for if you do then surely you will in that case be of the unjust.
10:107 And if Allah should afflict you with harm, then there is none to remove it but He; and if He intends good to you there is none to repel His grace; He brings it to whom He pleases of His servants; and He is the Forgiving, the Merciful.
10:108 Say: O people! indeed there has come to you the truth from your Lord, therefore whoever goes aright, he goes aright only for the good of his own soul, and whoever goes astray, he goes astray only to the detriment of it, and I am not a custodian over you.
10:109 And follow what is revealed to you and be patient till Allah should give judgment, and He is the best of the judges.

Chapter 9: Surah At Taubah - Sheikh Fahd Al Kandari

9:1 (This is a declaration of) immunity by Allah and His Apostle towards those of the idolaters with whom you made an agreement.
9:2 So go about in the land for four months and know that you cannot weaken Allah and that Allah will bring disgrace to the unbelievers.
9:3 And an announcement from Allah and His Apostle to the people on the day of the greater pilgrimage that Allah and His Apostle are free from liability to the idolaters; therefore if you repent, it will be better for you, and if you turn back, then know that you will not weaken Allah; and announce painful punishment to those who disbelieve.
9:4 Except those of the idolaters with whom you made an agreement, then they have not failed you in anything and have not backed up any one against you, so fulfill their agreement to the end of their term; surely Allah loves those who are careful (of their duty).
9:5 So when the sacred months have passed away, then slay the idolaters wherever you find them, and take them captives and besiege them and lie in wait for them in every ambush, then if they repent and keep up prayer and pay the poor-rate, leave their way free to them; surely Allah is Forgiving, Merciful.
9:6 And if one of the idolaters seek protection from you, grant him protection till he hears the word of Allah, then make him attain his place of safety; this is because they are a people who do not know.
9:7 How can there be an agreement for the idolaters with Allah and with His Apostle; except those with whom you made an agreement at the Sacred Mosque? So as long as they are true to you, be true to them; surely Allah loves those who are careful (of their duty).
9:8 How (can it be)! while if they prevail against you, they would not pay regard in your case to ties of relationship, nor those of covenant; they please you with their mouths while their hearts do not consent; and most of them are transgressors.
9:9 They have taken a small price for the communications of Allah, so they turn away from His way; surely evil is it that they do.
9:10 They do not pay regard to ties of relationship nor those of covenant in the case of a believer; and these are they who go beyond the limits.
9:11 But if they repent and keep up prayer and pay the poor-rate, they are your brethren in faith; and We make the communications clear for a people who know.
9:12 And if they break their oaths after their agreement and (openly) revile your religion, then fight the leaders of unbelief-- surely their oaths are nothing-- so that they may desist.
9:13 What! will you not fight a people who broke their oaths and aimed at the expulsion of the Apostle, and they attacked you first; do you fear them? But Allah is most deserving that you should fear Him, if you are believers.
9:14 Fight them, Allah will punish them by your hands and bring them to disgrace, and assist you against them and heal the hearts of a believing people.
9:15 And remove the rage of their hearts; and Allah turns (mercifully) to whom He pleases, and Allah is Knowing, Wise.
9:16 What! do you think that you will be left alone while Allah has not yet known those of you who have struggled hard and have not taken any one as an adherent besides Allah and His Apostle and the believers; and Allah is aware of what you do.
9:17 The idolaters have no right to visit the mosques of Allah while bearing witness to unbelief against themselves, these it is whose doings are null, and in the fire shall they abide.
9:18 Only he shall visit the mosques of Allah who believes in Allah and the latter day, and keeps up prayer and pays the poor-rate and fears none but Allah; so (as for) these, it may be that they are of the followers of the right course.
9:19 What! do you make (one who undertakes) the giving of drink to the pilgrims and the guarding of the Sacred Mosque like him who believes in Allah and the latter day and strives hard in Allah's way? They are not equal with Allah; and Allah does not guide the unjust people.
9:20 Those who believed and fled (their homes), and strove hard in Allah's way with their property and their souls, are much higher in rank with Allah; and those are they who are the achievers (of their objects).
9:21 Their Lord gives them good news of mercy from Himself and (His) good pleasure and gardens, wherein lasting blessings shall be theirs;
9:22 Abiding therein for ever; surely Allah has a Mighty reward with Him.
9:23 O you who believe! do not take your fathers and your brothers for guardians if they love unbelief more than belief; and whoever of you takes them for a guardian, these it is that are the unjust.
9:24 Say: If your fathers and your sons and your brethren and your mates and your kinsfolk and property which you have acquired, and the slackness of trade which you fear and dwellings which you like, are dearer to you than Allah and His Apostle and striving in His way, then wait till Allah brings about His command: and Allah does not guide the transgressing people.
9:25 Certainly Allah helped you in many battlefields and on the day of Hunain, when your great numbers made you vain, but they availed you nothing and the earth became strait to you notwithstanding its spaciousness, then you turned back retreating.
9:26 Then Allah sent down His tranquillity upon His Apostle and upon the believers, and sent down hosts which you did not see, and chastised those who disbelieved, and that is the reward of the unbelievers.
9:27 Then will Allah after this turn (mercifully) to whom He pleases, and Allah is Forgiving, Merciful.
9:28 O you who believe! the idolaters are nothing but unclean, so they shall not approach the Sacred Mosque after this year; and if you fear poverty then Allah will enrich you out of His grace if He please; surely Allah is Knowing Wise.
9:29 Fight those who do not believe in Allah, nor in the latter day, nor do they prohibit what Allah and His Apostle have prohibited, nor follow the religion of truth, out of those who have been given the Book, until they pay the tax in acknowledgment of superiority and they are in a state of subjection.
9:30 And the Jews say: Uzair is the son of Allah; and the Christians say: The Messiah is the son of Allah; these are the words of their mouths; they imitate the saying of those who disbelieved before; may Allah destroy them; how they are turned away!
9:31 They have taken their doctors of law and their monks for lords besides Allah, and (also) the Messiah son of Marium and they were enjoined that they should serve one God only, there is no god but He; far from His glory be what they set up (with Him).
9:32 They desire to put out the light of Allah with their mouths, and Allah will not consent save to perfect His light, though the unbelievers are averse.
9:33 He it is Who sent His Apostle with guidance and the religion of truth, that He might cause it to prevail over all religions, though the polytheists may be averse.
9:34 O you who believe! most surely many of the doctors of law and the monks eat away the property of men falsely, and turn (them) from Allah's way; and (as for) those who hoard up gold and silver and do not spend it in Allah's way, announce to them a painful chastisement,
9:35 On the day when it shall be heated in the fire of hell, then their foreheads and their sides and their backs shall be branded with it; this is what you hoarded up for yourselves, therefore taste what you hoarded.
9:36 Surely the number of months with Allah is twelve months in Allah's ordinance since the day when He created the heavens and the earth, of these four being sacred; that is the right reckoning; therefore be not unjust to yourselves regarding them, and fight the polytheists all together as they fight you all together; and know that Allah is with those who guard (against evil).
9:37 Postponing (of the sacred month) is only an addition in unbelief, wherewith those who disbelieve are led astray, violating it one year and keeping it sacred another, that they may agree in the number (of months) that Allah has made sacred, and thus violate what Allah has made sacred; the evil of their doings is made fairseeming to them; and Allah does not guide the unbelieving people.
9:38 O you who believe! What (excuse) have you that when it is said to you: Go forth in Allah's way, you should incline heavily to earth; are you contented with this world's life instead of the hereafter? But the provision of this world's life compared with the hereafter is but little.
9:39 If you do not go forth, He will chastise you with a painful chastisement and bring in your place a people other than you, and you will do Him no harm; and Allah has power over all things.
9:40 If you will not aid him, Allah certainly aided him when those who disbelieved expelled him, he being the second of the two, when they were both in the cave, when he said to his companion: Grieve not, surely Allah is with us. So Allah sent down His tranquillity upon him and strengthened him with hosts which you did not see, and made lowest the word of those who disbelieved; and the word of Allah, that is the highest; and Allah is Mighty, Wise.
9:41 Go forth light and heavy, and strive hard in Allah's way with your property and your persons; this is better for you, if you know.
9:42 Had it been a near advantage and a short journey, they would certainly have followed you, but the tedious journey was too long for them; and they swear by Allah: If we had been able, we would certainly have gone forth with you; they cause their own souls to perish, and Allah knows that they are most surely
9:43 Allah pardon you! Why did you give them leave until those who spoke the truth had become manifest to you and you had known the liars?
9:44 They do not ask leave of you who believe in Allah and the latter day (to stay away) from striving hard with their property and their persons, and Allah knows those who guard (against evil).
9:45 They only ask leave of you who do not believe in Allah and the latter day and their hearts are in doubt, so in their doubt do they waver.
9:46 And if they had intended to go forth, they would certainly have provided equipment for it, but Allah did not like their going forth, so He withheld them, and it was said (to them): Hold back with those who hold back.
9:47 Had they gone forth with you, they would not have added to you aught save corruption, and they would certainly have hurried about among you seeking (to sow) dissension among you, and among you there are those who hearken for their sake; and Allah knows the unjust.
9:48 Certainly they sought (to sow) dissension before, and they meditated plots against you until the truth came, and Allah's commandment prevailed although they were averse (from it).
9:49 And among them there is he who says: Allow me and do not try me. Surely into trial have they already tumbled down, and most surely hell encompasses the unbelievers.
9:50 If good befalls you, it grieves them, and if hardship afflicts you, they say: Indeed we had taken care of our affair before; and they turn back and are glad.
9:51 Say: Nothing will afflict us save what Allah has ordained for us; He is our.Patron; and on Allah let the believers rely.
9:52 Say: Do you await for us but one of two most excellent things? And we await for you that Allah will afflict you with punishment from Himself or by our hands. So wait; we too will wait with you.
9:53 Say: Spend willingly or unwillingly, it shall not be accepted from you; surely you are a transgressing people.
9:54 And nothing hinders their spendings being accepted from them, except that they disbelieve in Allah and in His Apostle and they do not come to prayer but while they are sluggish, and they do not spend but while they are unwilling.
9:55 Let not then their property and their children excite your admiration; Allah only wishes to chastise them with these in this world's life and (that) their souls may depart while they are unbelievers.
9:56 And they swear by Allah that they are most surely of you, and they are not of you, but they are a people who are afraid (of you).
9:57 If they could find a refuge or cave or a place to enter into, they would certainly have turned thereto, running away in all haste.
9:58 And of them there are those who blame you with respect to the alms; so if they are given from it they are pleased, and if they are not given from it, lo! they are full of rage.
9:59 And if they were content with what Allah and His Apostle gave them, and had said: Allah is sufficient for us; Allah will soon give us (more) out of His grace and His Apostle too; surely to Allah do we make our petition.
9:60 Alms are only for the poor and the needy, and the officials (appointed) over them, and those whose hearts are made to incline (to truth) and the (ransoming of) captives and those in debts and in the way of Allah and the wayfarer; an ordinance from Allah; and Allah is knowing, Wise.
9:61 And there are some of them who molest the Prophet and say: He is one who believes every thing that he hears; say: A hearer of good for you (who) believes in Allah and believes the faithful and a mercy for those of you who believe; and (as for) those who molest the Apostle of Allah, they shall have a painful punishment.
9:62 They swear to you by Allah that they might please you and, Allah, as well as His Apostle, has a greater right that they should please Him, if they are believers.
9:63 Do they not know that whoever acts in opposition to Allah and His Apostle, he shall surely have the fire of hell to abide in it? That is the grievous abasement.
9:64 The hypocrites fear lest a chapter should be sent down to them telling them plainly of what is in their hearts. Say: Go on mocking, surely Allah will bring forth what you fear.
9:65 And if you should question them, they would certainly say: We were only idly discoursing and sporting. Say: Was it at Allah and His communications and His Apostle that you mocked?
9:66 Do not make excuses; you have denied indeed after you had believed; if We pardon a party of you, We will chastise (another) party because they are guilty.
9:67 The hypocritical men and the hypocritical women are all alike; they enjoin evil and forbid good and withhold their hands; they have forsaken Allah, so He has forsaken them; surely the hypocrites are the transgressors.
9:68 Allah has promised the hypocritical men and the hypocritical women and the unbelievers the fire of hell to abide therein; it is enough for them; and Allah has cursed them and they shall have lasting punishment.
9:69 Like those before you; they were stronger than you in power and more abundant in wealth and children, so they enjoyed their portion; thus have you enjoyed your portion as those before you enjoyed their portion; and you entered into vain discourses like the vain discourses in which entered those before you. These are they whose works are null in this world and the hereafter, and these are they who are the losers.
9:70 Has not the news of those before them come to them; of the people of Nuh and Ad and Samood, and the people of Ibrahim and the dwellers of Madyan and the overthrown cities; their apostles came to them with clear arguments; so it was not Allah Who should do them injustice, but they were unjust to themselves.
9:71 And (as for) the believing men and the believing women, they are guardians of each other; they enjoin good and forbid evil and keep up prayer and pay the poor-rate, and obey Allah and His Apostle; (as for) these, Allah will show mercy to them; surely Allah is Mighty, Wise.
9:72 Allah has promised to the believing men and the believing women gardens, beneath which rivers flow, to abide in them, and goodly dwellings in gardens of perpetual abode; and best of all is Allah's goodly pleasure; that is the grand achievement.
9:73 O Prophet! strive hard against the unbelievers and the hypocrites and be unyielding to them; and their abode is hell, and evil is the destination.
9:74 They swear by Allah that they did not speak, and certainly they did speak, the word of unbelief, and disbelieved after their Islam, and they had determined upon what they have not been able to effect, and they did not find fault except because Allah and His Apostle enriched them out of His grace; therefore if they repent, it will be good for them; and if they turn back, Allah will chastise them with a painful chastisement in this world and the hereafter, and they shall not have in the land any guardian or a helper.
9:75 And there are those of them who made a covenant with Allah: If He give us out of His grace, we will certainly give alms and we will certainly be of the good.
9:76 But when He gave them out of His grace, they became niggardly of it and they turned back and they withdrew.
9:77 So He made hypocrisy to follow as a consequence into their hearts till the day when they shall meet Him because they failed to perform towards Allah what they had promised with Him and because they told lies.
9:78 Do they not know that Allah knows their hidden thoughts and their secret counsels, and that Allah is the great Knower of the unseen things?
9:79 They who taunt those of the faithful who give their alms freely, and those who give to the extent of their earnings and scoff at them; Allah will pay them back their scoffing, and they shall have a painful chastisement.
9:80 Ask forgiveness for them or do not ask forgiveness for them; even if you ask forgiveness for them seventy times, Allah will not forgive them; this is because they disbelieve in Allah and His Apostle, and Allah does not guide the transgressing people.
9:81 Those who were left behind were glad on account of their sitting behind Allah's Apostle and they were averse from striving m Allah's way with their property and their persons, and said: Do not go forth in the heat. Say: The fire of hell is much severe in heat. Would that they understood (it).
9:82 Therefore they shall laugh little and weep much as a recompense for what they earned.
9:83 Therefore if Allah brings you back to a party of them and then they ask your permission to go forth, say: By no means shall you ever go forth with me and by no means shall you fight an enemy with me; surely you chose to sit the first time, therefore sit (now) with those who remain behind.
9:84 And never offer prayer for any one of them who dies and do not stand by his grave; surely they disbelieve in Allah and His Apostle and they shall die in transgression.
9:85 And let not their property and their children excite your admlration; Allah only wishes to chastise them with these in this world and (that) their souls may depart while they are unbelievers
9:86 And whenever a chapter is revealed, saying: Believe in Allah and strive hard along with His Apostle, those having ampleness of means ask permission of you and say: Leave us (behind), that we may be with those who sit.
9:87 They preferred to be with those who remained behind, and a seal is set on their hearts so they do not understand.
9:88 But the Apostle and those who believe with him strive hard with their property and their persons; and these it is who shall have the good things and these it is who shall be successful.
9:89 Allah has prepared for them gardens beneath which rivers flow, to abide in them; that is the great achievement.
9:90 And the defaulters from among the dwellers of the desert came that permission may be given to them and they sat (at home) who lied to Allah and His Apostle; a painful chastisement shall afflict those of them who disbelieved.
9:91 It shall be no crime in the weak, nor in the sick, nor in those who do not find what they should spend (to stay behind), so long as they are sincere to Allah and His Apostle; there is no way (to blame) against the doers of good; and Allah is Forgiving, Merciful;
9:92 Nor in those who when they came to you that you might carry them, you said: I cannot find that on which to carry you; they went back while their eyes overflowed with tears on account of grief for not finding that which they should spend.
9:93 The way (to blame) is only against those who ask permission of you though they are rich; they have chosen to be with those who remained behind, and Allah has set a seal upon their hearts so they do not know.
9:94 They will excuse themselves to you when you go back to them. Say: Urge no excuse, by no means will we believe you; indeed Allah has informed us of matters relating to you; and now Allah and His Apostle will see your doings, then you shall be brought back to the Knower of the unseen and the seen, then He will inform you of what you did.
9:95 They will swear to you by Allah when you return to them so that you may turn aside from them; so do turn aside from them; surely they are unclean and their abode is hell; a recompense for what they earned.
9:96 They will swear to you that you may be pleased with them; but if you are pleased with them, yet surely Allah is not pleased with the transgressing people.
9:97 The dwellers of the desert are very hard in unbelief and hypocrisy, and more disposed not to know the limits of what Allah has revealed to His Apostle; and Allah is Knowing, Wise.
9:98 And of the dwellers of the desert are those who take what they spend to be a fine, and they wait (the befalling of) calamities to you; on them (will be) the evil calamity; and Allah is Hearing, Knowing.
9:99 And of the dwellers of the desert are those who believe in Allah and the latter day and take what they spend to be (means of) the nearness of Allah and the Apostle's prayers; surely it shall be means of nearness for them; Allah will make them enter into His mercy; surely Allah is Forgiving, Merciful.
9:100 And (as for) the foremost, the first of the Muhajirs and the Ansars, and those who followed them in goodness, Allah is well pleased with them and they are well pleased with Him, and He has prepared for them gardens beneath which rivers flOw, to abide in them for ever; that is the mighty achievement.
9:101 And from among those who are round about you of the dwellers of the desert there are hypocrites, and from among the people of Medina (also); they are stubborn in hypocrisy; you do not know them; We know them; We will chastise them twice then shall they be turned back to a grievous chastisement
9:102 And others have confessed their faults, they have mingled a good deed and an evil one; may be Allah will turn to them (mercifully); surely Allah is Forgiving, Merciful.
9:103 Take alms out of their property, you would cleanse them and purify them thereby, and pray for them; surely your prayer is a relief to them; and Allah is Hearing, Knowing.
9:104 Do they not know that Allah accepts repentance from His servants and takes the alms, and that Allah is the Oft-returning (to mercy), the Merciful?
9:105 And say: Work; so Allah will see your work and (so will) His Apostle and the believers; and you shall be brought back to the Knower of the unseen and the seen, then He will inform you of what you did.
9:106 And others are made to await Allah's command, whether He chastise them or whether He turn to them (mercifully), and Allah is Knowing, Wise.
9:107 And those who built a masjid to cause harm and for unbelief and to cause disunion among the believers and an ambush to him who made war against Allah and His Apostle before; and they will certainly swear: We did not desire aught but good; and Allah bears witness that they are most surely liars.
9:108 Never stand in it; certainly a masjid founded on piety from the very first day is more deserving that you should stand in it; in it are men who love that they should be purified; and Allah loves those who purify themselves.
9:109 Is he, therefore, better who lays his foundation on fear of Allah and (His) good pleasure, or he who lays his foundation on the edge of a cracking hollowed bank, so it broke down with him into the fire of hell; and Allah does not guide the unjust people.
9:110 The building which they have built will ever continue to be a source of disquiet in their hearts, except that their hearts get cut into pieces; and Allah is Knowing, Wise.
9:111 Surely Allah has bought of the believers their persons and their property for this, that they shall have the garden; they fight in Allah's way, so they slay and are slain; a promise which is binding on Him in the Taurat and the Injeel and the Quran; and who is more faithful to his covenant than Allah? Rejoice therefore in the pledge which you have made; and that is the mighty achievement.
9:112 They who turn (to Allah), who serve (Him), who praise (Him), who fast, who bow down, who prostrate themselves, who enjoin what is good and forbid what is evil, and who keep the limits of Allah; and give good news to the believers.
9:113 It is not (fit) for the Prophet and those who believe that they should ask forgiveness for the polytheists, even though they should be near relatives, after it has become clear to them that they are inmates of the flaming fire.
9:114 And Ibrahim asking forgiveness for his sire was only owing to a promise which he had made to him; but when it became clear to him that he was an enemy of Allah, he declared himself to be clear of him; most surely Ibrahim was very tender-hearted forbearing.
9:115 It is not (attributable to) Allah that He should lead a people astray after He has guided them; He even makes clear to them what they should guard against; surely Allah knows all things.
9:116 Surely Allah's is the kingdom of the heavens and the earth; He brings to life and causes to die; and there is not for you besides Allah any Guardian or Helper.
9:117 Certainly Allah has turned (mercifully) to the Prophet and those who fled (their homes) and the helpers who followed him in the hour of straitness after the hearts of a part of them were about to deviate, then He turned to them (mercifully); surely to them He is Compassionate, Merciful.
9:118 And to the three who were left behind, until the earth became strait to them notwithstanding its spaciousness and their souls were also straitened to them; and they knew it for certain that there was no refuge from Allah but in Him; then He turned to them (mercifully) that they might turn (to Him); surely Allah is the Oft-returning (to mercy), the Merciful.
9:119 O you who believe! be careful of (your duty to) Allah and be with the true ones.
9:120 It did not beseem the people of Medina and those round about them of the dwellers of the desert to remain behind the Apostle of Allah, nor should they desire (anything) for themselves in preference to him; this is because there afflicts them not thirst or fatigue or hunger in Allah's way, nor do they tread a path which enrages the unbelievers, nor do they attain from the enemy what they attain, but a good work is written down to them on account of it; surely Allah does not waste the reward of the doers of good;
9:121 Nor do they spend anything that may be spent, small or great, nor do they traverse a valley, but it is written down to their credit, that Allah may reward them with the best of what they have done.
9:122 And it does not beseem the believers that they should go forth all together; why should not then a company from every party from among them go forth that they may apply themselves to obtain understanding in religion, and that they may warn their people when they come back to them that they may be cautious?
9:123 O you who believe! fight those of the unbelievers who are near to you and let them find in you hardness; and know that Allah is with those who guard (against evil).
9:124 And whenever a chapter is revealed, there are some of them who say: Which of you has it strengthened in faith? Then as for those who believe, it strengthens them in faith and they rejoice.
9:125 And as for those in whose hearts is a disease, it adds uncleanness to their uncleanness and they die while they are unbelievers.
9:126 Do they not see that they are tried once or twice in every year, yet they do not turn (to Allah) nor do they mind.
9:127 And whenever a chapter is revealed, they cast glances at one another: Does any one see you? Then they turn away: Allah has turned away their hearts because they are a people who do not understand.
9:128 Certainly an Apostle has come to you from among yourselves; grievous to him is your falling into distress, excessively solicitous respecting you; to the believers (he is) compassionate,
9:129 But if they turn back, say: Allah is sufficient for me, there is no god but He; on Him do I rely, and He is the Lord of mighty power.