In the Name of God, the Merciful, the Compassionate.

This Off-line Use of Holy Quran is Prepared by m.ipek and is a Contribution of

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The Holy Prophet (pbuh&hf) says:

"It is probable that I will be called soon, and I will respond.  So I leave behind me two weighty (very worthy and important) things: the Book of Allah (the Qur'an), which is a string stretched from the heaven to the earth; and my progeny, my ahl al-bayt.  Verily Allah, the Merciful, the Aware, has informed me that these two will never be separated from each other until they meet me at the Fountain of Abundance (the Hawdh of Kawthar, a spring in heaven).  Therefore, be careful how you treat these two in my absence."

This hadith has been narrated by more than twenty companions of the Holy Prophet (pbuh&hf) and has also been narrated by over 185 narrators mentioned in Sahih Muslim, 2:238; Musnad Ahmad ibn Hanbal, 5:181-182; Sahih Tirmidhi, 2:220, and others.

Have you visited ? "www.shiatime.com" The Source of Genuine Islam...... The Holy Prophet(pbuh&hp) says that:" Those who die without recognizing the IMAM (One of the 12 religious leaders appointed by God) die as unbelivers." Come to our website www.shiatime.com and learn more about these holy IMAMS (pbut).

The prophet (pbuh&hp) also says :" There will be 12 imams (appointed religious leaders) after me (after my demise) and they  will be from Quraysh. Islam will be eminent as long as they exist."

Sahih-i Bukhari


Holy Quran

Chapter 6

 

En'am & The Cattle

 

[Shakir 6:1] All praise is due to Allah, Who created the heavens and the earth and made the darkness and the light; yet those who disbelieve set up equals with their Lord.
[Yusufali 6:1] Praise be Allah, Who created the heavens and the earth, and made the darkness and the light. Yet those who reject Faith hold (others) as equal, with their Guardian-Lord.
[Pickthal 6:1] Praise be to Allah, Who hath created the heavens and the earth, and hath appointed darkness and light. Yet those who disbelieve ascribe rivals unto their Lord.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 6:1]

Alhamdu lillah - refer to the commentary of al Fatihah : 2. See commentary of al Baqarah : 164 for the "creation of the heavens and the earth."

This verse repudiates the theory of duality of old Persian theology, preached by the Magians, that light and darkness are eternal. They are both creatures of the Lord of the worlds. Adala, here, means to hold something as equal to something else. As the ultimate cause of every created thing, in the universe, is Allah, no reasonable person, except a disbeliever, can set up any of His creatures as equal, particularly when He cherishes and loves His creatures. To confound the eternal being of the true God with false ideas and superstitions is shirk (polytheism), which must be punished. He has created light and darkness to help man to distinguish the true from the false. He alone should be praised and glorified.


[Shakir 6:2] He it is Who created you from clay, then He decreed a term; and there is a term named with Him; still you doubt.
[Yusufali 6:2] He it is created you from clay, and then decreed a stated term (for you). And there is in His presence another determined term; yet ye doubt within yourselves!
[Pickthal 6:2] He it is Who hath created you from clay, and hath decreed a term for you. A term is fixed with Him. Yet still ye doubt!
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 6:2]

Allah created Adam from clay, and through him He brought into being the whole mankind. (See Adam on page 67). The first term, life in this world till death, is a period of probation; and the second term leads upto the time of resurrection, known to Him alone (Nazi-at : 42 to 44), yet the disbelievers have doubt concerning resurrection.


[Shakir 6:3] And He is Allah in the heavens and in the earth; He knows your secret (thoughts) and your open (words), and He knows what you earn.
[Yusufali 6:3] And He is Allah in the heavens and on earth. He knoweth what ye hide, and what ye reveal, and He knoweth the (recompense) which ye earn (by your deeds).
[Pickthal 6:3] He is Allah in the heavens and in the earth. He knoweth both your secret and your utterance, and He knoweth what ye earn.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 6:3]

It is folly to suppose that Allah only reigns in the heavens (see page 11). He also reigns on the earth. He knows all our secret thoughts and motives, and the real worth of all that is behind what we care to show. It is by our deeds that He judges us; for our deeds, whether good or evil, we shall get due recompense in due time.

Allah is one, the (only) creator, the Lord-cherisher of the worlds. Hidden and disclosed are the terms related to man. Allah knows everything. His knowledge encompasses the whole universe (see commentary of al Baqarah : 255).


[Shakir 6:4] And there does not come to them any communication of the communications of their Lord but they turn aside from it
[Yusufali 6:4] But never did a single one of the signs of their Lord reach them, but they turned away therefrom.
[Pickthal 6:4] Never came there unto them a revelation of the revelations of Allah but they did turn away from it.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 6:4]

Ayat (signs) means revelations, communications and the messengers of Allah and the divinely appointed successors of the Holy Prophet (the holy Imams among his Ahl ul Bayt), who put forward conclusive arguments to establish the truth of Allah's message, but the rejectors of faith turned away from it, and, at last, they learned the reality of what they used to mock at. The shortsighted and arrogant pagans (who supposed that they were firmly established on this earth, secure in their privileges) were reminded of much greater nations in the past, who failed in their duty and were wiped out.

If a book, written on paper, was sent to the Holy Prophet the pagans would have said (in sheer pugnacity) that it was obvious magic, and they were not helped at all in attaining faith, because their hearts were diseased. A similar demand was made by the Jews (see Nisa : 153).


[Shakir 6:5] So they have indeed rejected the truth when it came to them; therefore the truth of what they mocked at will shine upon them.
[Yusufali 6:5] And now they reject the truth when it reaches them: but soon shall they learn the reality of what they used to mock at.
[Pickthal 6:5] And they denied the truth when it came unto them. But there will come unto them the tidings of that which they used to deride.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 6:5] (see commentary for verse 4)
[Shakir 6:6] Do they not consider how many a generation We have destroyed before them, whom We had established in the earth as We have not established you, and We sent the clouds pouring rain on them in abundance, and We made the rivers to flow beneath them, then We destroyed them on account of their faults and raised up after them another generation.
[Yusufali 6:6] See they not how many of those before them We did destroy?- generations We had established on the earth, in strength such as We have not given to you - for whom We poured out rain from the skies in abundance, and gave (fertile) streams flowing beneath their (feet): yet for their sins We destroyed them, and raised in their wake fresh generations (to succeed them).
[Pickthal 6:6] See they not how many a generation We destroyed before them, whom We had established in the earth more firmly than We have established you, and We shed on them abundant showers from the sky, and made the rivers flow beneath them. Yet we destroyed them for their sins, and created after them another generation.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 6:6] (see commentary for verse 4)
[Shakir 6:7] And if We had sent to you a writing on a paper, then they had touched it with their hands, certainly those who disbelieve would have said: This is nothing but clear enchantment.
[Yusufali 6:7] If We had sent unto thee a written (message) on parchment, so that they could touch it with their hands, the Unbelievers would have been sure to say: "This is nothing but obvious magic!"
[Pickthal 6:7] Had we sent down unto thee (Muhammad) (actual) writing upon parchment, so that they could feel it with their hands, those who disbelieve would have said: This is naught else than mere magic.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 6:7] (see commentary for verse 4)
[Shakir 6:8] And they say: Why has not an angel been sent down to him? And had We sent down an angel, the matter would have certainly been decided and then they would not have been respited.
[Yusufali 6:8] They say: "Why is not an angel sent down to him?" If we did send down an angel, the matter would be settled at once, and no respite would be granted them.
[Pickthal 6:8] They say: Why hath not an angel been sent down unto him? If We sent down an angel, then the matter would be judged; no further time would be allowed them (for reflection).
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 6:8]

As demanded by the infidels, if Allah did send down an angel (who is by nature invisible to human eye) he would have certainly appeared as a human being, and the paganish nature would also have rejected him. In any event severe punishment is the ultimate fate of the disbelievers. See commentary of al Baqarah : 210.


[Shakir 6:9] And if We had made him angel, We would certainly have made him a man, and We would certainly have made confused to them what they make confused.
[Yusufali 6:9] If We had made it an angel, We should have sent him as a man, and We should certainly have caused them confusion in a matter which they have already covered with confusion.
[Pickthal 6:9] Had we appointed him (Our messenger) an angel, We assuredly had made him (as) a man (that he might speak to men); and (thus) obscured for them (the truth) they (now) obscure.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 6:9]

Even if an angel was sent to act as a prophet, he would also appear to them, in form and appearance, like a man; in which case their already confused notions about spiritual life would be still more confounded.


[Shakir 6:10] And certainly messengers before you were mocked at, but that which they mocked at encompassed the scoffers among them.
[Yusufali 6:10] Mocked were (many) messengers before thee; but their scoffers were hemmed in by the thing that they mocked.
[Pickthal 6:10] Messengers (of Allah) have been derided before thee, but that whereat they scoffed surrounded such of them as did deride.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 6:10]

Many prophets (Nuh, Lut and Thamud), before the Holy Prophet, were also mocked at, but the scoffers were subdued and destroyed by the thing that they mocked at. The mockers of Isa were destroyed by Titus in Jerusalem. The mockers, who drove out the Holy Prophet from Makka, were overpowered; and they begged for mercy and the "mercy unto the worlds" granted it to them.


[Shakir 6:11] Say: Travel in the land, then see what was the end of the rejecters.
[Yusufali 6:11] Say: "Travel through the earth and see what was the end of those who rejected Truth."
[Pickthal 6:11] Say (unto the disbelievers): Travel in the land, and see the nature of the consequence for the rejecters!
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 6:11]

Look at the ruins of the disobedient nations with great and glorious past.


[Shakir 6:12] Say: To whom belongs what is in the heavens and the earth? Say: To Allah; He has ordained mercy on Himself; most certainly He will gather you on the resurrection day-- there is no doubt about it. (As for) those who have lost their souls, they will not believe.
[Yusufali 6:12] Say: "To whom belongeth all that is in the heavens and on earth?" Say: "To Allah. He hath inscribed for Himself (the rule of) Mercy. That He will gather you together for the Day of Judgment, there is no doubt whatever. It is they who have lost their own souls, that will not believe.
[Pickthal 6:12] Say: Unto whom belongeth whatsoever is in the heavens and the earth? Say: Unto Allah. He hath prescribed for Himself mercy, that He may bring you all together to the Day of Resurrection whereof there is no doubt. Those who ruin their souls will not believe.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 6:12]

All that exists in the universe belongs to Allah. Human experience (history) proves the mercy of Allah and the law that without His mercy man would have lost his soul and destroyed himself completely He mercifully deals with those who repent sincerely, adopt piety and avoid evil. Those who have destroyed their souls by refusing to give ear to the Holy Prophet shall be punished on the day of resurrection, because they did not exercise their will to believe in Allah and His last Prophet and obey them, inspite of his clear warnings.


[Shakir 6:13] And to Him belongs whatever dwells in the night and the day; and He is the Hearing, the Knowing.
[Yusufali 6:13] To him belongeth all that dwelleth (or lurketh) in the night and the day. For he is the one who heareth and knoweth all things."
[Pickthal 6:13] Unto Him belongeth whatsoever resteth in the night and the day. He is the Hearer, the Knower.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 6:13]

Sakana means to dwell, to rest, to be still - which implies time and space. All that exists in time and space belongs to Allah. So He is the owner of whatever is in time as well as of whatever is in space; so believe in His unity and profit by His mercy.


[Shakir 6:14] Say: Shall I take a guardian besides Allah, the Originator of the heavens and the earth, and He feeds (others) and is not (Himself) fed. Say: I am commanded to be the first who submits himself, and you should not be of the polytheists.
[Yusufali 6:14] Say: "Shall I take for my protector any other than Allah, the Maker of the heavens and the earth? And He it is that feedeth but is not fed." Say: "Nay! but I am commanded to be the first of those who bow to Allah (in Islam), and be not thou of the company of those who join gods with Allah."
[Pickthal 6:14] Say: Shall I choose for a protecting friend other than Allah, the Originator of the heavens and the earth, Who feedeth and is never fed? Say: I am ordered to be the first to surrender (unto Him). And be not thou (O Muhammad) of the idolaters.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 6:14]

Islam means total submission to the will of Allah In this sense all creatures in the heavens and on the earth, willingly or unwillingly, have submitted to His will, accepted Islam, according to verse 83 of Ali Irnran; and in verse 93 of Maryam the word abdiyat also refers to total submission of all creatures to the beneficent Lord of the worlds.

The Holy Prophet was the first abid (worshipper of Allah) among all His creation, therefore it is wrong to say that he was the first convert, which implies that before that he was not a Muslim. "If Allah had a son, I would be the first to worship", in Zukhruf : 81, proves the fact that the Holy Prophet was the first worshipper of Allah among all His creation.

"Feeds but is not fed", is true both literally and figuratively. To Allah we owe the satisfaction of all needs, but He is independent of all needs.


[Shakir 6:15] Say: Surely I fear, if I disobey my Lord, the chastisement of a grievous day.
[Yusufali 6:15] Say: "I would, if I disobeyed my Lord, indeed have fear of the penalty of a Mighty Day.
[Pickthal 6:15] Say: I fear, if I rebel against my Lord, the retribution of an Awful Day.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 6:15]

Mankind is addressed through the Holy Prophet that whoso disobeys Allah should be ready to face the consequences, in the shape of a severe and eternal punishment, on the day of reckoning.


[Shakir 6:16] He from whom it is averted on that day, Allah indeed has shown mercy to him; and this is a manifest achievement.
[Yusufali 6:16] "On that day, if the penalty is averted from any, it is due to Allah's mercy; And that would be (Salvation), the obvious fulfilment of all desire.
[Pickthal 6:16] He from whom (such retribution) is averted on that day, (Allah) hath in truth had mercy on him. That will be the signal triumph.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 6:16]

Those who receive mercy from their Lord shall be able to avert the torment of the day of judgement. It is deliverance, the obvious fulfilment of all desires - that is a supreme achievement, a manifest triumph.


[Shakir 6:17] And if Allah touch you with affliction, there is none to take it off but He; and if He visit you with good, then He has power over all things.
[Yusufali 6:17] "If Allah touch thee with affliction, none can remove it but He; if He touch thee with happiness, He hath power over all things.
[Pickthal 6:17] If Allah touch thee with affliction, there is none that can relieve therefrom save Him, and if He touch thee with good fortune (there is none that can impair it); for He is Able to do all things.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 6:17]

The vulgar worship false gods out of fear that they would harm them, or hope that they would confer some benefits on them. These false gods can do neither. All power, all goodness, is in the hands of one true God. All else is pretence or illusion.


[Shakir 6:18] And He is the Supreme, above His servants; and He is the Wise, the Aware.
[Yusufali 6:18] "He is the irresistible, (watching) from above over His worshippers; and He is the Wise, acquainted with all things."
[Pickthal 6:18] He is the Omnipotent over His slaves, and He is the Wise, the Knower.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 6:18]

Allah is the absolute supreme in His infinite power, and in his infinite knowledge and awareness.


[Shakir 6:19] Say: What thing is the weightiest in testimony? Say: Allah is witness between you and me; and this Quran has been revealed to me that with it I may warn you and whomsoever it reaches. Do you really bear witness that there are other gods with Allah? Say: I do not bear witness. Say: He is only one Allah, and surely I am clear of that which you set up (with Him).
[Yusufali 6:19] Say: "What thing is most weighty in evidence?" Say: "Allah is witness between me and you; This Qur'an hath been revealed to me by inspiration, that I may warn you and all whom it reaches. Can ye possibly bear witness that besides Allah there is another Allah?" Say: "Nay! I cannot bear witness!" Say: "But in truth He is the one Allah, and I truly am innocent of (your blasphemy of) joining others with Him."
[Pickthal 6:19] Say (O Muhammad): What thing is of most weight in testimony? Say: Allah is Witness between me and you. And this Qur'an hath been inspired in me, that I may warn therewith you and whomsoever it may reach. Do ye in sooth bear witness that there are gods beside Allah? Say: I bear no such witness. Say: He is only One Allah. Lo! I am innocent of that which ye associate (with Him).
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 6:19]

The mission of the Holy Prophet was universal. The Holy Prophet was sent to the whole mankind as a messenger for all times. Matthew 10 : 5, 6; and 15 : 22 to 26 confirm that Isa was sent to the lost sheep of the house of Israil. Also refer to Araf : 158; Anbiya : 107 and Saba : 28. The Quran, revealed to him, is a divine evidence of his prophethood.


[Shakir 6:20] Those whom We have given the Book recognize him as they recognize their sons; (as for) those who have lost their souls, they will not believe.
[Yusufali 6:20] Those to whom We have given the Book know this as they know their own sons. Those who have lost their own souls refuse therefore to believe.
[Pickthal 6:20] Those unto whom We gave the Scripture recognise (this revelation) as they recognise their sons. Those who ruin their own souls will not believe.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 6:20]

Refer to al Baqarah : 146.

As explained in the commentary of al Baqarah : 40 to 42, 75, 78 to 91, 101, 105, 109 and 124 the Jews and the Christians knew that the Holy Prophet was the promised prophet as clearly mentioned in their books, but they obstinately refused to accept the truth.


[Shakir 6:21] And who is more unjust than he who forges a lie against Allah or (he who) gives the lie to His communications; surely the unjust will not be successful.
[Yusufali 6:21] Who doth more wrong than he who inventeth a lie against Allah or rejecteth His signs? But verily the wrong-doers never shall prosper.
[Pickthal 6:21] Who doth greater wrong than he who inventeth a lie against Allah or denieth His revelations? Lo! the wrongdoers will not be successful.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 6:21]

He who says things like "Isa is the son of God," or "He has daughters", or "He has coequals acting on His behalf'", or denies the description of the Holy Prophet in the old scriptures, is a fabricator of lies. Those who have associated others with Allah shall be brought before the true God, the Lord of the worlds, on the day of reckoning for a just requital, then their subterfuge will not help them, their sedition will earn eternal damnation for them, because the acceptance of the falsity of their notions will practically convict them.

Aqa Mahdi Puya says:

Unzur implies that the Holy Prophet had seen the scene of the day of resurrection, in advance, and was fully aware of that which will take place. Once he had said:

"I and the final hour have been sent together; and everything is moving towards this end."

It shows that he is viewing all that which is taking place in the universe.


[Shakir 6:22] And on the day when We shall gather them all together, then shall We say to those who associated others (with Allah): Where are your associates whom you asserted?
[Yusufali 6:22] One day shall We gather them all together: We shall say to those who ascribed partners (to Us): "Where are the partners whom ye (invented and) talked about?"
[Pickthal 6:22] And on the day We gather them together We shall say unto those who ascribed partners (unto Allah): Where are (now) those partners of your make-believe?
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 6:22] (see commentary for verse 21)
[Shakir 6:23] Then their excuse would be nothing but that they would say: By Allah, our Lord, we were not polytheists.
[Yusufali 6:23] There will then be (left) no subterfuge for them but to say: "By Allah our Lord, we were not those who joined gods with Allah."
[Pickthal 6:23] Then will they have no contention save that they will say: By Allah, our Lord, we never were idolaters.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 6:23] (see commentary for verse 21)
[Shakir 6:24] See how they lie against their own souls, and that which they forged has passed away from them.
[Yusufali 6:24] Behold! how they lie against their own souls! But the (lie) which they invented will leave them in the lurch.
[Pickthal 6:24] See how they lie against themselves, and (how) the thing which they devised hath failed them!
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 6:24] (see commentary for verse 21)
[Shakir 6:25] And of them is he who hearkens to you, and We have cast veils over their hearts lest they understand it and a heaviness into their ears; and even if they see every sign they will not believe in it; so much so that when they come to you they only dispute with you; those who disbelieve say: This is naught but the stories of the ancients.
[Yusufali 6:25] Of them there are some who (pretend to) listen to thee; but We have thrown veils on their hearts, So they understand it not, and deafness in their ears; if they saw every one of the signs, not they will believe in them; in so much that when they come to thee, they (but) dispute with thee; the Unbelievers say: "These are nothing but tales of the ancients."
[Pickthal 6:25] Of them are some who listen unto thee, but We have placed upon their hearts veils, lest they should understand, and in their ears a deafness. If they saw every token they would not believe therein; to the point that, when they come unto thee to argue with thee, the disbelievers say: This is naught else than fables of the men of old.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 6:25]

Some of the pagans used to visit the Holy Prophet not to listen to what he said but to dispute with him. They were not seekers of truth at all, and they never wanted to profit by the signs (miracles) of Allah. By keeping themselves and others away from it they destroyed their own souls.

It is reported that when Nasr bin Khalid had said to Abu Sufyan, Atbah and Shaybah that the Holy Prophet only recited the tales of the ancients, and he could also relate many fables of the Persians, these verses were revealed.

Aqa Mahdi Puya says:

The Quran is meaningful and a guidance to those whose minds and hearts accept it (verse 19 of this surah), but it is recited as a hujjat (argument) to those also whose hearts do not receive it as said in verse 26.


[Shakir 6:26] And they prohibit (others) from it and go far away from it, and they only bring destruction upon their own souls while they do not perceive.
[Yusufali 6:26] Others they keep away from it, and themselves they keep away; but they only destroy their own souls, and they perceive it not.
[Pickthal 6:26] And they forbid (men) from it and avoid it, and they ruin none save themselves, though they perceive not.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 6:26] (see commentary for verse 25)
[Shakir 6:27] And could you see when they are made to stand before the fire, then they shall say: Would that we were sent back, and we would not reject the communications of our Lord and we would be of the believers.
[Yusufali 6:27] If thou couldst but see when they are confronted with the Fire! They will say: "Would that we were but sent back! Then would we not reject the signs of our Lord, but would be amongst those who believe!"
[Pickthal 6:27] If thou couldst see when they are set before the Fire and say: Oh, would that we might return! Then would we not deny the revelations of our Lord but we would be of the believers!
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 6:27]

Their falsity was not due to want of knowledge, but on account of perversity and selfishness. In their hearts was a disease (al Baqarah : 10), therefore neither their understanding, nor their ears, nor their eyes do the proper work. They twist what they see, hear, or are taught, and go deeper and deeper into the mire. The deceptions which they used to practise on their people will, on the day of reckoning, become clear to their own eyes.

Every soul reveals its inherent nature in whatever form it assumes.


[Shakir 6:28] Nay, what they concealed before shall become manifest to them; and if they were sent back, they would certainly go back to that which they are forbidden, and most surely they are liars.
[Yusufali 6:28] Yea, in their own (eyes) will become manifest what before they concealed. But if they were returned, they would certainly relapse to the things they were forbidden, for they are indeed liars.
[Pickthal 6:28] Nay, but that hath become clear unto them which before they used to hide. And if they were sent back they would return unto that which they are forbidden. Lo! they are liars.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 6:28] (see commentary for verse 27)
[Shakir 6:29] And they say: There is nothing but our life of this world, and we shall not be raised.
[Yusufali 6:29] And they (sometimes) say: "There is nothing except our life on this earth, and never shall we be raised up again."
[Pickthal 6:29] And they say: There is naught save our life of the world, and we shall not be raised (again).
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 6:29]

The pagans were no less materialistic than superstitious, therefore, they did not accept the doctrine of resurrection. They totally denied the life of hereafter and believed that, if at all there was another life, they would be sent back again in this world.


[Shakir 6:30] And could you see when they are made to stand before their Lord. He will say: Is not this the truth? They will say: Yea! by our Lord. He will say: Taste then the chastisement because you disbelieved.
[Yusufali 6:30] If thou couldst but see when they are confronted with their Lord! He will say: "Is not this the truth?" They will say: "Yea, by our Lord!" He will say: "Taste ye then the penalty, because ye rejected Faith."
[Pickthal 6:30] If thou couldst see when they are set before their Lord! He will say: Is not this real? They will say: Yea, verily, by our Lord! He will say: Taste now the retribution for that ye used to disbelieve.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 6:30]

Aqa Mahdi Puya says:

Resurrection is an evolutionary stage (from the terrestrial to the heavenly and spiritual) where one feels the presence of Allah.


[Shakir 6:31] They are losers indeed who reject the meeting of Allah; until when the hour comes upon them all of a sudden they shall say: O our grief for our neglecting it! and they shall bear their burdens on their backs; now surely evil is that which they bear.
[Yusufali 6:31] Lost indeed are they who treat it as a falsehood that they must meet Allah,- until on a sudden the hour is on them, and they say: "Ah! woe unto us that we took no thought of it"; for they bear their burdens on their backs, and evil indeed are the burdens that they bear?
[Pickthal 6:31] They indeed are losers who deny their meeting with Allah until, when the Hour cometh on them suddenly, they cry: Alas for us, that we neglected it! They bear upon their backs their burdens. Ah, evil is that which they bear!
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 6:31]

Grievous is the burden of sins which the wicked will bear on their backs when they will meet Allah on the day of reckoning - meeting is not seeing with the eyes but communion with Him in a way agreeable to His absoluteness and suitable to His infiniteness.

Aqa Mahdi Puya says:

Consciousness of the worldly life (its sorrows and pleasures) is an essential feature of the life of hereafter. It renders the theory of transmigration null and void.


[Shakir 6:32] And this world's life is naught but a play and an idle sport and certainly the abode of the hereafter is better for those who guard (against evil); do you not then understand?
[Yusufali 6:32] What is the life of this world but play and amusement? But best is the home in the hereafter, for those who are righteous. Will ye not then understand?
[Pickthal 6:32] Naught is the life of the world save a pastime and a spot. Better far is the abode of the Hereafter for those who keep their duty (to Allah). Have ye then no sense?
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 6:32]

This life is a preparation for the eternal home to which we are going. It is far more important than the ephemeral and empty pleasures which seduce us in the life of this world.


[Shakir 6:33] We know indeed that what they say certainly grieves you, but surely they do not call you a liar; but the unjust deny the communications of Allah.
[Yusufali 6:33] We know indeed the grief which their words do cause thee: It is not thee they reject: it is the signs of Allah, which the wicked contemn.
[Pickthal 6:33] We know well how their talk grieveth thee, though in truth they deny not thee (Muhammad) but evil-doers flout the revelations of Allah.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 6:33]

The pagans used to say that the Holy Prophet was certainly truthful (they called him al sadiq and al amin) as he had never uttered a falsehood. They did not call in question his honesty. What they stoutly denied was the message he claimed to have received from Allah.


[Shakir 6:34] And certainly messengers before you were rejected, but they were patient on being rejected and persecuted until Our help came to them; and there is none to change the words of Allah, and certainly there has come to you some information about the messengers.
[Yusufali 6:34] Rejected were the messengers before thee: with patience and constancy they bore their rejection and their wrongs, until Our aid did reach them: there is none that can alter the words (and decrees) of Allah. Already hast thou received some account of those messengers.
[Pickthal 6:34] Messengers indeed have been denied before thee, and they were patient under the denial and the persecution till Our succour reached them. There is none to alter the decisions of Allah. Already there hath reached thee (somewhat) of the tidings of the messengers (We sent before).
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 6:34]

In "There is none that can alter the words of Allah", the words of Allah means the decrees and promises of Allah (Allah's creative or legislative will) to send "help" to the Holy Prophet, as it was provided to His messengers and prophets before him.


[Shakir 6:35] And if their turning away is hard on you, then if you can seek an opening (to go down) into the earth or a ladder (to ascend up) to heaven so that you should bring them a sign and if Allah had pleased He would certainly have gathered them all on guidance, therefore be not of the ignorant.
[Yusufali 6:35] If their spurning is hard on thy mind, yet if thou wert able to seek a tunnel in the ground or a ladder to the skies and bring them a sign,- (what good?). If it were Allah's will, He could gather them together unto true guidance: so be not thou amongst those who are swayed by ignorance (and impatience)!
[Pickthal 6:35] And if their aversion is grievous unto thee, then, if thou canst, seek a way down into the earth or a ladder unto the sky that thou mayst bring unto them a portent (to convince them all)! - If Allah willed, He could have brought them all together to the guidance - So be not thou among the foolish ones.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 6:35]

The Holy Prophet, as the "mercy unto the worlds", sincerely wanted to save all the people from the degradation of polytheism. There were many signs of a divine mission in the Holy Prophet's life and in the message he delivered. If so many signs and evidences had failed to convince the believers, no sign, miracle or wonder would carry conviction to those ignorant dissenters.

The followers of the Holy Prophet, to whom the persistent aversion of the polytheists seemed unyielding and vengeful, have been addressed here through the Holy Prophet. Allah's plan is that only those shall find guidance who would seek it.


[Shakir 6:36] Only those accept who listen; and (as to) the dead, Allah will raise them, then to Him they shall be returned.
[Yusufali 6:36] Those who listen (in truth), be sure, will accept: as to the dead, Allah will raise them up; then will they be turned unto Him.
[Pickthal 6:36] Only those can accept who hear. As for the dead, Allah will raise them up; then unto Him they will be returned.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 6:36]

Only those who pay attention to the call of the Holy Prophet with an open heart and with fairness of mind will accept the truth and believe in the Holy Prophet, because if people listen to the truth sincerely and earnestly, they must believe. If their spiritual faculty is dead, then they are like the dead. They cannot escape being brought to face the judgement on the day of resurrection.

Aqa Mahdi Puya says:

Notwithstanding the universality of the teachings of the Holy Prophet, the real purpose of the divine guidance is to provide guidance to those who have enlightened minds and spiritual integrity to use their free will and intention in order to choose the right path and walk on it.

Imam Jafar bin Muhammad al Sadiq said:

"Do not try to increase the number of the true faithfuls by inviting those who do not possess the essential intelligence and tendency for development and progress. Certainly Allah has pointed out, in verse 17 and 18 of al Zumar, the men of understanding who study, examine, rationalize, and, through their free will and candid intention, make a choice of the path of Allah and reject the suggestions made by Shaytan ."


[Shakir 6:37] And they say: Why has not a sign been sent down to him from his Lord? Say: Surely Allah is able to send down a sign, but most of them do not know.
[Yusufali 6:37] They say: "Why is not a sign sent down to him from his Lord?" Say: "Allah hath certainly power to send down a sign: but most of them understand not.
[Pickthal 6:37] They say: Why hath no portent been sent down upon him from his Lord? Say: Lo! Allah is Able to send down a portent. But most of them know not.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 6:37]

Refer to the commentary of verse 35 of this surah. Signs were all around them, but they did not understand. They picked holes in anything that descended to their level of intelligence. Also refer to the commentary of the preceding verse. By "most of them do not know" majority has been censured.


[Shakir 6:38] And there is no animal that walks upon the earth nor a bird that flies with its two wings but (they are) genera like yourselves; We have not neglected anything in the Book, then to their Lord shall they be gathered.
[Yusufali 6:38] There is not an animal (that lives) on the earth, nor a being that flies on its wings, but (forms part of) communities like you. Nothing have we omitted from the Book, and they (all) shall be gathered to their Lord in the end.
[Pickthal 6:38] There is not an animal in the earth, nor a flying creature flying on two wings, but they are peoples like unto you. We have neglected nothing in the Book (of Our decrees). Then unto their Lord they will be gathered.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 6:38]

In our pride we may exclude animals (living in air, sea and land), but they all live a life, social and individual, like ourselves, and all life is subject to the plan and will of Allah. They are all answerable to His will and plan ("shall be gathered to their Lord in the end"). Everything is registered in the book of creation (nothing is left out or misplaced) of which the Quran is the condensed demonstration .

The religion, in detail, has been explained in the Quran, and knowledge of everything (in the universe) has been given to the Holy Prophet; therefore, the people have been commanded to carry out the orders of the Holy Prophet (Ali Imran : 32, 132; Ma-idah : 92; Hashr : 7) because "nor does he speak of his own desire, it is not but revelation revealed" (Najm : 3, 4); and the Quran contains everything (An-am: 59). On this basis the Holy Prophet declared that he is the city of knowledge and Ali is its gate. So the Holy Prophet, and after him, Ali and the holy Imams among the Ahl ul Bayt (Nisa : 59; Ma-idah : 55 and 67) are authorised to deal with and make known details pertaining to nature and all that which has been created by Allah.


[Shakir 6:39] And they who reject Our communications are deaf and dumb, in utter darkness; whom Allah pleases He causes to err and whom He pleases He puts on the right way.
[Yusufali 6:39] Those who reject our signs are deaf and dumb,- in the midst of darkness profound: whom Allah willeth, He leaveth to wander: whom He willeth, He placeth on the way that is straight.
[Pickthal 6:39] Those who deny Our revelations are deaf and dumb in darkness. Whom Allah will sendeth astray, and whom He will He placeth on a straight path.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 6:39]

If man sees the signs but shuts his ears to the true message and refuses (like a dumb) to speak out the message which all nature proclaims, then according to the divine plan he must suffer and wander, just as, in the opposite case, he will receive grace and salvation.

Allah bestows His pleasure according to inclination and competence.


[Shakir 6:40] Say: Tell me if the chastisement of Allah should overtake you or the hour should come upon you, will you call (on others) besides Allah, if you are truthful?
[Yusufali 6:40] Say: "Think ye to yourselves, if there come upon you the wrath of Allah, or the Hour (that ye dread), would ye then call upon other than Allah?- (reply) if ye are truthful!
[Pickthal 6:40] Say: Can ye see yourselves, if the punishment of Allah come upon you or the Hour come upon you, (calling upon other than Allah)? Do ye then call (for help) to any other than Allah? (Answer that) if ye are truthful.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 6:40]

The pagans, who believe in false gods, must call upon the imaginary deities whom they worship, but instead they cry out to Allah in moments of extreme helplessness, danger and affliction.

In utter helplessness, unable to find help from any quarter, the "inner self" of every human being, be he an unbeliever, is liberated from the obstinacy of personal views, and commands to cry for the help of the omnipotent and omniscient Lord.

When a man asked Imam Jafar bin Muhammad al Sadiq to enable him to see Allah, the Imam advised him to meet him some other day. On one occasion he met the Imam while he was standing beside a river, and repeated his request. As directed by the Imam, his companions tied the hands and legs of the man and threw him in the river. While struggling to save himself from drowning he solicited help from every man standing there one by one, but none came to his rescue. Losing all hopes, he cried "O God! Help me", when he was about to go down under the water. Then the Imam took him out from the river and asked him "Did you see Allah?" He said: "Yes, my master." The Imam said: "You cannot see Allah with your eyes. You can see Him through your insight by realizing His essential existence."


[Shakir 6:41] Nay, Him you call upon, so He clears away that for which you pray if He pleases and you forget what you set up (with Him).
[Yusufali 6:41] "Nay,- On Him would ye call, and if it be His will, He would remove (the distress) which occasioned your call upon Him, and ye would forget (the false gods) which ye join with Him!"
[Pickthal 6:41] Nay, but unto Him ye call, and He removeth that because of which ye call unto Him, if He will, and ye forget whatever partners ye ascribed unto Him.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 6:41] (see commentary for verse 40)
[Shakir 6:42] And certainly We sent (messengers) to nations before you then We seized them with distress and affliction in order that they might humble themselves.
[Yusufali 6:42] Before thee We sent (messengers) to many nations, and We afflicted the nations with suffering and adversity, that they might learn humility.
[Pickthal 6:42] We have sent already unto peoples that were before thee, and We visited them with tribulation and adversity, in order that they might grow humble.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 6:42]

Please refer to the commentary of al Baqarah : 136, 177, 285; Ali Imran : 84; Nisa : 136, 152, 164.


[Shakir 6:43] Yet why did they not, when Our punishment came to them, humble themselves? But their hearts hardened and the Shaitan made what they did fair-seeming to them.
[Yusufali 6:43] When the suffering reached them from us, why then did they not learn humility? On the contrary their hearts became hardened, and Satan made their (sinful) acts seem alluring to them.
[Pickthal 6:43] If only, when Our disaster came on them, they had been humble! But their hearts were hardened and the devil made all that they used to do seem fair unto them!
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 6:43]

Having inadvertently sinned, if man does not turn repentant to Allah so that he would have been forgiven, but, on the contrary, becomes stubborn and hardhearted, Shaytan gets his opportunity to exploit him by putting forward the alluring pleasures of his vanity fair.


[Shakir 6:44] But when they neglected that with which they had been admonished, We opened for them the doors of all things, until when they rejoiced in what they were given We seized them suddenly; then lo! they were in utter despair.
[Yusufali 6:44] But when they forgot the warning they had received, We opened to them the gates of all (good) things, until, in the midst of their enjoyment of Our gifts, on a sudden, We called them to account, when lo! they were plunged in despair!
[Pickthal 6:44] Then, when they forgot that whereof they had been reminded, We opened unto them the gates of all things till, even as they were rejoicing in that which they were given, We seized them unawares, and lo! they were dumbfounded.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 6:44]

The good things of life must teach us not only goodness but also develop sensitiveness and spiritual awareness, otherwise we are puffed up in prosperity which is a punishment from a higher point of view. We go deeper and deeper into sin, until we are pulled up all of a sudden, and then, instead of being contrite, we merely become desperate.

The Holy Prophet said:

"When you see a man, more and more blessed with bounties of Allah, inspite of his repeated sinfulness, then be sure that he is enjoying a respite, either to repent and walk on the right path, or be prepared for a sudden affliction from Allah."


[Shakir 6:45] So the roots of the people who were unjust were cut off; and all praise is due to Allah, the Lord of the worlds.
[Yusufali 6:45] Of the wrong-doers the last remnant was cut off. Praise be to Allah, the Cherisher of the worlds.
[Pickthal 6:45] So of the people who did wrong the last remnant was cut off. Praise be to Allah, Lord of the Worlds!
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 6:45]

Allah's punishment to wrongdoers is a measure of justice. To protect the righteous from their depredations and maintain His just decrees, the last remnant of the unjust had to be cut off, so they were completely destroyed.


[Shakir 6:46] Say: Have you considered that if Allah takes away your hearing and your sight and sets a seal on your hearts, who is the god besides Allah that can bring it to you? See how We repeat the communications, yet they turn away.
[Yusufali 6:46] Say: "Think ye, if Allah took away your hearing and your sight, and sealed up your hearts, who - a god other than Allah - could restore them to you?" See how We explain the signs by various (symbols); yet they turn aside.
[Pickthal 6:46] Say: Have ye imagined, if Allah should take away your hearing and your sight and seal your hearts, Who is the Allah Who could restore it to you save Allah? See how We display the revelations unto them! Yet still they turn away.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 6:46]

Allah explains His signs in various ways in order to admonish the wrongdoers, yet they turn aside (see commentary of al Baqarah 7).


[Shakir 6:47] Say: Have you considered if the chastisement of Allah should overtake you suddenly or openly, will any be destroyed but the unjust people?
[Yusufali 6:47] Say: "Think ye, if the punishment of Allah comes to you, whether suddenly or openly, will any be destroyed except those who do wrong?
[Pickthal 6:47] Say: Can ye see yourselves, if the punishment of Allah come upon you unawares or openly? Would any perish save wrongdoing folk?
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 6:47]

The punishment of Allah comes to the wrongdoers without warning or with many warnings. All wrongdoing must eventually have its punishment. A general calamity may not destroy the righteous, because they receive Allah's mercy and pleasure both in this world and in the hereafter.


[Shakir 6:48] And We send not messengers but as announcers of good news and givers of warning, then whoever believes and acts aright, they shall have no fear, nor shall they grieve.
[Yusufali 6:48] We send the messengers only to give good news and to warn: so those who believe and mend (their lives),- upon them shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve.
[Pickthal 6:48] We send not the messengers save as bearers of good news and warners. Whoso believeth and doeth right, there shall no fear come upon them neither shall they grieve.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 6:48] Allah sent His messengers to preach and teach, to give hope (glad tidings), to the repentant and to warn the rejectors and the ungodly of the wrath to come.


[Shakir 6:49] And (as for) those who reject Our communications, chastisement shall afflict them because they transgressed.
[Yusufali 6:49] But those who reject our signs,- them shall punishment touch, for that they ceased not from transgressing.
[Pickthal 6:49] But as for those who deny Our revelations, torment will afflict them for that they used to disobey.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 6:49] (see commentary for verse 48)
[Shakir 6:50] Say: I do not say to you, I have with me the treasures of Allah, nor do I know the unseen, nor do I say to you that I am an angel; I do not follow aught save that which is revealed to me. Say: Are the blind and the seeing one alike? Do you not then reflect?
[Yusufali 6:50] Say: "I tell you not that with me are the treasures of Allah, nor do I know what is hidden, nor do I tell you I am an angel. I but follow what is revealed to me." Say: "can the blind be held equal to the seeing?" Will ye then consider not?
[Pickthal 6:50] Say (O Muhammad, to the disbelievers): I say not unto you (that) I possess the treasures of Allah, nor that I have knowledge of the Unseen; and I say not unto you: Lo! I am an angel. I follow only that which is inspired in me. Say: Are the blind man and the seer equal? Will ye not then take thought?
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 6:50]

This verse implies that the Holy Prophet was not like deceitful soothsayers, who pretend to reveal hidden treasures, or see into the future, or claim to be the masters who control everything. In a wider sense the Holy Prophet dealt out great treasures of truth, given to him by Allah; he had received Allah's inspiration to know all about everything, and always made clear to the people that his power, his wisdom and his glory reached the highest position by Allah's permission. Outwardly to the common man he was a "plain preacher", who presented the truth in its pristine purity, without any misleading ambiguity about his relationship with Allah, so that his unwary followers might not idolize him as the Christians worshipped Isa.

At all events the Holy Prophet demonstrated his total submission to Allah as all human beings are commanded to do, notwithstanding his singular achievements, on the basis of which he could be tempted to present himself as a being whose nature is partly divine so that the people who, for centuries, had been accustomed to the worshipping of supernatural phenomena, should demi-deify him; but he never gave to his followers any room to raise him to godhead.

For "can the blind (disbelievers) be held equal to the seeing (believers)" see commentary of Ma-idah : 100.

"Will you not then reflect?" indicates that Islam invites man to use his intellect and power of reasoning for arriving at a rational conclusion.

Aqa Mahdi Puya says:

The Holy Prophet and his Ahl ul Bayt have been distinguished from other human beings because their physical and spiritual lives attained perfection through divine guidance and inspiration which they earned because whatever they did, natural or supernatural, was in total submission to Allah's will and in compliance with His commands, by His permission. It is a state of absolute ubudiyat (obedience).

Besides Allah, no one knows and controls the unseen, and he who claims knowledge of the unseen and control over it, either by his own inherent skill and effort or through some other agency not connected with and subservient to Allah, is a vulgar soothsayer - deaf, dumb and blind. Also refer to Tur : 37, 38; Qalam : 47.

According to verses 112 and 121 of this surah the evil ones among men and jinn inspire each other.


[Shakir 6:51] And warn with it those who fear that they shall be gathered to their Lord-- there is no guardian for them, nor any intercessor besides Him-- that they may guard (against evil).
[Yusufali 6:51] Give this warning to those in whose (hearts) is the fear that they will be brought (to judgment) before their Lord: except for Him they will have no protector nor intercessor: that they may guard (against evil).
[Pickthal 6:51] Warn hereby those who fear (because they know) that they will be gathered unto their Lord, for whom there is no protecting ally nor intercessor beside Him, that they may ward off (evil).
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 6:51]

Aqa Mahdi Puya says:

There are some men (sinners) who, aware of the warnings given by the Holy Prophet, believe in the day of reckoning; and eventually realize their responsibility to guard themselves against evil, so they adopt piety, and rely upon Allah.

For intercession see commentary of al Baqarah : 48, 123.


[Shakir 6:52] And do not drive away those who call upon their Lord in the morning and the evening, they desire only His favor; neither are you answerable for any reckoning of theirs, nor are they answerable for any reckoning of yours, so that you should drive them away and thus be of the unjust.
[Yusufali 6:52] Send not away those who call on their Lord morning and evening, seeking His face. In naught art thou accountable for them, and in naught are they accountable for thee, that thou shouldst turn them away, and thus be (one) of the unjust.
[Pickthal 6:52] Repel not those who call upon their Lord at morn and evening, seeking His Countenance. Thou art not accountable for them in aught, nor are they accountable for thee in aught, that thou shouldst repel them and be of the wrong-doers.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 6:52]

Wajh (face) means Allah's grace or pleasure, the highest aim of spiritual aspiration.

Some of the rich and influential Quraysh thought it beneath their dignity to listen to the Holy Prophet's teachings in company with the less fortunate companions like Ammar, Bilal, Salman, Abu Dharr, Miqdad and Suhayb known as ashab al sufah (the sincere and devout companions), who were true seekers of Allah's grace, nearness and pleasure. The Holy Prophet took care of and looked after them. Whether wealthy or poor, black or white, every companion was treated alike, and preference over each other was given according to the degree of piety. Bani Israil : 15; Fatir : 18; Zumar : 7; Hujurat : 13; and Zilzal : 7 and 8 say that no bearer of burdens bears the burden of another. Every individual is accountable for what he does in this life.

In fact the true sincerity of the abovenoted less fortunate companions entitled them to precedence over worldly men in the kingdom of Allah; whose justice was vindicated in the Holy Prophet's daily life. The rich and influential persons were on trial. More often than not they failed to match the faith of the poor companions who were always grateful to Allah and His Prophet for their guidance.


[Shakir 6:53] And thus do We try some of them by others so that they say: Are these they upon whom Allah has conferred benefit from among us? Does not Allah best know the grateful?
[Yusufali 6:53] Thus did We try some of them by comparison with others, that they should say: "Is it these then that Allah hath favoured from amongst us?" Doth not Allah know best those who are grateful?
[Pickthal 6:53] And even so do We try some of them by others, that they say: Are these they whom Allah favoureth among us? Is not Allah best Aware of the thanksgivers?
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 6:53] (see commentary for verse 52)
[Shakir 6:54] And when those who believe in Our communications come to you, say: Peace be on you, your Lord has ordained mercy on Himself, (so) that if any one of you does evil in ignorance, then turns after that and acts aright, then He is Forgiving, Merciful.
[Yusufali 6:54] When those come to thee who believe in Our signs, Say: "Peace be on you: Your Lord hath inscribed for Himself (the rule of) mercy: verily, if any of you did evil in ignorance, and thereafter repented, and amend (his conduct), lo! He is Oft-forgiving, Most Merciful.
[Pickthal 6:54] And when those who believe in Our revelations come unto thee, say: Peace be unto you! Your Lord hath prescribed for Himself mercy, that whoso of you doeth evil through ignorance and repenteth afterward thereof and doeth right, (for him) lo! He is Forgiving, Merciful.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 6:54]

Refer to the commentary of verse 12 of this surah for "your Lord has prescribed mercy for Himself". When one is blessed with the mercy of Allah, his sins are wiped out. He wipes out what He pleases (Rad : 39), and He even changes the sins of some people into goodness (Furqan : 70), provided the inadvertent sinner turns repentant to Him and amends.

The humble and sincere believers were not avoided or kept at a distance to humour the wealthy, but on the contrary were highly respected and greeted by the Islamic salutation (salamu alaykum).


[Shakir 6:55] And thus do We make distinct the communications and so that the way of the guilty may become clear.
[Yusufali 6:55] Thus do We explain the signs in detail: that the way of the sinners may be shown up.
[Pickthal 6:55] Thus do We expound the revelations that the way of the unrighteous may be manifest.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 6:55] (see commentary for verse 54)
[Shakir 6:56] Say: I am forbidden to serve those whom you call upon besides Allah. Say: I do not follow your low desires. for then indeed I should have gone astray and I should not be of those who go aright.
[Yusufali 6:56] Say: "I am forbidden to worship those - others than Allah - whom ye call upon." Say: "I will not follow your wain desires: If I did, I would stray from the path, and be not of the company of those who receive guidance."
[Pickthal 6:56] Say: I am forbidden to worship those on whom ye call instead of Allah. Say: I will not follow your desires, for then should I go astray and I should not be of the rightly guided.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 6:56]

There are a number of arguments put forward by the Holy Prophet, in these verses, against the pagans who refused to believe in Allah's message.

(i) I have received light and will follow it.

(ii) I prefer my light to your vain desires.

(iii) Punishment rests with Allah. If it rested with me, it would be for me to take up your challenge - "if there is a God, why does He not finish the blasphemers at once?" Be sure that He will call you to account; He is the best of deciders; and he knows best those who are unjust.

(iv) It is a matter between you and Allah; I am only a warner and a bearer of the good tidings of salvation .


[Shakir 6:57] Say: Surely I have manifest proof from my Lord and you call it a lie; I have not with me that which you would hasten; the t judgment is only Allah's; He relates the truth and He is the best of deciders.
[Yusufali 6:57] Say: "For me, I (work) on a clear sign from my Lord, but ye reject Him. What ye would see hastened, is not in my power. The command rests with none but Allah: He declares the truth, and He is the best of judges."
[Pickthal 6:57] Say: I am (relying) on clear proof from my Lord, while ye deny Him. I have not that for which ye are impatient. The decision is for Allah only. He telleth the truth and He is the Best of Deciders.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 6:57] (see commentary for verse 56)
[Shakir 6:58] Say: If that which you desire to hasten were with me, the matter would have certainly been decided between you and me; and Allah best knows the unjust.
[Yusufali 6:58] Say: "If what ye would see hastened were in my power, the matter would be settled at once between you and me. But Allah knoweth best those who do wrong."
[Pickthal 6:58] Say: If I had that for which ye are impatient, then would the case (ere this) have been decided between me and you. Allah is Best Aware of the wrong-doers.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 6:58] (see commentary for verse 56)
[Shakir 6:59] And with Him are the keys of the unseen treasures-- none knows them but He; and He knows what is in the land and the sea, and there falls not a leaf but He knows it, nor a grain in the darkness of the earth, nor anything green nor dry but (it is all) in a clear book.
[Yusufali 6:59] With Him are the keys of the unseen, the treasures that none knoweth but He. He knoweth whatever there is on the earth and in the sea. Not a leaf doth fall but with His knowledge: there is not a grain in the darkness (or depths) of the earth, nor anything fresh or dry (green or withered), but is (inscribed) in a record clear (to those who can read).
[Pickthal 6:59] And with Him are the keys of the Invisible. None but He knoweth them. And He knoweth what is in the land and the sea. Not a leaf falleth but He knoweth it, not a grain amid the darkness of the earth, naught of wet or dry but (it is noted) in a clear record.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 6:59]

Mafatih (plural of miftah - a key; or plural of maftah - a treasure).

Everything seen and unseen is ordered and regulated by the laws made by Him; the fresh and the withered, the living and the dead - nothing is outside the plan of His creation. Allah knows that which takes place, manifest or hidden, because it is an effect of His supreme will.

Ayyashi reports that according to Imam Musa bin Jafar al Kazim, Imam Ali, while explaining verse 43 of al Rad, said: The book, mentioned in this verse, knowledge of which is stated to be with the witness who testifies to the prophethood of the Holy Prophet along with Allah; and the book, mentioned in verse 12 of Ya Sin, containing all things, which has been confined in a manifest or declared Imam, is the same clear book mentioned in verse 59 of An-am.

It means that the witness, who has the knowledge of the book is the imamum mubin and knows everything in the universe, is endowed with the divine wisdom and is chosen by Allah.


[Shakir 6:60] And He it is Who takes your souls at night (in sleep), and He knows what you acquire in the day, then He raises you up therein that an appointed term may be fulfilled; then to Him is your return, then He will inform you of what you were doing.
[Yusufali 6:60] It is He who doth take your souls by night, and hath knowledge of all that ye have done by day: by day doth He raise you up again; that a term appointed be fulfilled; In the end unto Him will be your return; then will He show you the truth of all that ye did.
[Pickthal 6:60] He it is Who gathereth you at night and knoweth that which ye commit by day. Then He raiseth you again to life therein, that the term appointed (for you) may be accomplished. And afterward unto Him is your return. Then He will proclaim unto you what ye used to do.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 6:60]

This verse confirms the meaning of tawaffa referred to in verse 55 of Ali Imran - to take away. Tawaffa does not always mean death.

As the rest of His creation is subject to His law and plan, so is man's life at every moment, awake or asleep. We go to sleep by night (He takes our souls) with the record of all we have done in our waking moments, and by day we awaken again to our activities, and so it goes on until we fulfil the term of our life appointed for this world. Then comes death with the full record of our whole life; and then in the end, comes the final awakening on the day of reckoning.


[Shakir 6:61] And He is the Supreme, above His servants, and He sends keepers over you; until when death comes to one of you, Our messengers cause him to die, and they are not remiss.
[Yusufali 6:61] He is the irresistible, (watching) from above over His worshippers, and He sets guardians over you. At length, when death approaches one of you, Our angels take his soul, and they never fail in their duty.
[Pickthal 6:61] He is the Omnipotent over His slaves. He sendeth guardians over you until, when death cometh unto one of you, Our messengers receive him, and they neglect not.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 6:61]

Aqa Mahdi Puya says:

Allah is the subduer of His creatures by His absolute and sovereign power and authority, with or without their will. The angels or "the sent ones" (rusul) carry out His commands all over the universe as His subordinate agents. His absolute authority is supreme. Attribution of any activity to any person or thing for which there is no divine decree or declaration means assigning a parallel authority which is shirk (polytheism).


[Shakir 6:62] Then are they sent back to Allah, their Master, the True one; now surely His is the judgment and He is swiftest in taking account.
[Yusufali 6:62] Then are men returned unto Allah, their protector, the (only) reality: Is not His the command? and He is the swiftest in taking account.
[Pickthal 6:62] Then are they restored unto Allah, their Lord, the Just. Surely His is the judgment. And He is the most swift of reckoners.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 6:62]

Aqa Mahdi Puya says:

Mawla (Lord-master) has been used by the Holy Prophet for himself and Imam Ali on the day of Ghadir Khum (see commentary of Ma-idah : 67) in the same sense Allah has used it for Himself in this verse. The Holy Prophet as Allah's vicegerent and Ali as the Holy Prophet's vicegerent, appointed by him at the command of the Lord of the worlds, have also been entrusted with the divine power of judgement. Judgement requires the full knowledge of truth and perfect ability to distinguish between right and wrong. No one possesses it save Allah and His messenger and his successors appointed by Him.

Asra ul hasibin - when asked "How Allah would take account of all the created beings simultaneously" Imam Ali replied: Just as He provides sustenance to one and all at the same time.


[Shakir 6:63] Say: Who is it that delivers you from the dangers of the land and the sea (when) you call upon Him (openly) humiliating yourselves, and in secret: If He delivers us from this, we should certainly be of the grateful ones.
[Yusufali 6:63] Say: "Who is it that delivereth you from the dark recesses of land and sea, when ye call upon Him in humility and silent terror: 'If He only delivers us from these (dangers), (we vow) we shall truly show our gratitude'?"
[Pickthal 6:63] Say: Who delivereth you from the darkness of the land and the sea? Ye call upon Him humbly and in secret, (saying): If we are delivered from this (fear) we truly will be of the thankful.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 6:63] Calling upon Allah in times of danger shows that in the depths of their hearts people feel His need. Allah's providence saves them, and yet they ungratefully run after false gods. In addition to the physical calamities that they have to fear, there are their mutual discords and craving for vengeance which are much more destructive, and only faith in Allah can save them from all types of calamities.

The pagans of Makka had, as a body, not only rejected Allah's message but were persecuting His messenger. The Holy Prophet's duty was to deliver His message, which he did. He was not responsible for their conduct. All warnings from Allah had their time-limit. The leaders of the resistance came to an evil end, and their whole system of fraud and selfishness was destroyed in order to make room for the religion of Allah. Apart from the particular warning in these verses there is a general warning for the present and for all time.


[Shakir 6:64] Say: Allah delivers you from them and from every distress, but again you set up others (with Him).
[Yusufali 6:64] Say "It is Allah that delivereth you from these and all (other) distresses: and yet ye worship false gods!"
[Pickthal 6:64] Say: Allah delivereth you from this and from all affliction. Yet ye attribute partners unto Him.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 6:64] (see commentary for verse 63)
[Shakir 6:65] Say: He has the power that He should send on you a chastisement from above you or from beneath your feet, or that He should throw you into confusion, (making you) of different parties; and make some of you taste the fighting of others. See how We repeat the communications that they may understand.
[Yusufali 6:65] Say: "He hath power to send calamities on you, from above and below, or to cover you with confusion in party strife, giving you a taste of mutual vengeance - each from the other." See how We explain the signs by various (symbols); that they may understand.
[Pickthal 6:65] Say: He is able to send punishment upon you from above you or from beneath your feet, or to bewilder you with dissension and make you taste the tyranny one of another. See how We display the revelations so that they may understand.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 6:65] (see commentary for verse 63)
[Shakir 6:66] And your people call it a lie and it is the very truth. Say: I am not placed in charge of you.
[Yusufali 6:66] But thy people reject this, though it is the truth. Say: "Not mine is the responsibility for arranging your affairs;
[Pickthal 6:66] Thy people (O Muhammad) have denied it, though it is the Truth. Say: I am not put in charge of you.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 6:66] (see commentary for verse 63)
[Shakir 6:67] For every prophecy is a term, and you will come to know (it).
[Yusufali 6:67] For every message is a limit of time, and soon shall ye know it."
[Pickthal 6:67] For every announcement there is a term, and ye will come to know.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 6:67] (see commentary for verse 63)
[Shakir 6:68] And when you see those who enter into false discourses about Our communications, withdraw from them until they enter into some other discourse, and if the Shaitan causes you to forget, then do not sit after recollection with the unjust people.
[Yusufali 6:68] When thou seest men engaged in vain discourse about Our signs, turn away from them unless they turn to a different theme. If Satan ever makes thee forget, then after recollection, sit not thou in the company of those who do wrong.
[Pickthal 6:68] And when thou seest those who meddle with Our revelations, withdraw from them until they meddle with another topic. And if the devil cause thee to forget, sit not, after the remembrance, with the congregation of wrong-doers.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 6:68]

Refer to Nisa : 140.

The followers of the Holy Prophet are warned not to sit in the company of those who ridicule the truth revealed through the Holy Prophet. According to verse 42 of al Hijr Shaytan has no authority (influence) over Allah's servants, of whom His chosen prophets and their successors are the best example .

Aqa Mahdi Puya says:

The prophets of Allah did not commit mistakes intentionally, or unintentionally, or by forgetfulness.

The Holy Prophet said:

"My eyes sleep, but my heart always remains awake."


[Shakir 6:69] And nought of the reckoning of their (deeds) shall be against those who guard (against evil), but (theirs) is only to remind, haply they may guard.
[Yusufali 6:69] On their account no responsibility falls on the righteous, but (their duty) is to remind them, that they may (learn to) fear Allah.
[Pickthal 6:69] Those who ward off (evil) are not accountable for them in aught, but the Reminder (must be given them) that haply they (too) may ward off (evil).
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 6:69] (no commentary available for this verse)
[Shakir 6:70] And leave those who have taken their religion for a play and an idle sport, and whom this world's life has deceived, and remind (them) thereby lest a soul should be given up to destruction for what it has earned; it shall not have besides Allah any guardian nor an intercessor, and if it should seek to give every compensation, it shall not be accepted from it; these are they who shall be given up to destruction for what they earned; they shall have a drink of boiling water and a painful chastisement because they disbelieved.
[Yusufali 6:70] Leave alone those who take their religion to be mere play and amusement, and are deceived by the life of this world. But proclaim (to them) this (truth): that every soul delivers itself to ruin by its own acts: it will find for itself no protector or intercessor except Allah: if it offered every ransom, (or reparation), none will be accepted: such is (the end of) those who deliver themselves to ruin by their own acts: they will have for drink (only) boiling water, and for punishment, one most grievous: for they persisted in rejecting Allah.
[Pickthal 6:70] And forsake those who take their religion for a pastime and a jest, and whom the life of the world beguileth. Remind (mankind) hereby lest a soul be destroyed by what it earneth. It hath beside Allah no protecting ally nor intercessor, and though it offer every compensation it will not be accepted from it. Those are they who perish by their own deserts. For them is drink of boiling water and a painful doom, because they disbelieved.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 6:70]

See commentary of verse 32 of this surah.

Worldly people are deceived by the allurement of this life and the illusion of vicarious atonements. Every soul delivers itself to ruin by its own act. They do not profit by admonition and pay no heed to the voice of reason.


[Shakir 6:71] Say: Shall we call on that besides Allah, which does not benefit us nor harm us, and shall we be returned back on our heels after Allah has guided us, like him whom the Shaitans have made to fall down perplexed in the earth? He has companions who call him to the right way, (saying): Come to us. Say: Surely the guidance of Allah, that is the (true) guidance, and we are commanded that we should submit to the Lord of the worlds.
[Yusufali 6:71] Say: "Shall we indeed call on others besides Allah,- things that can do us neither good nor harm,- and turn on our heels after receiving guidance from Allah? - like one whom the evil ones have made into a fool, wandering bewildered through the earth, his friends calling, come to us', (vainly) guiding him to the path." Say: "Allah's guidance is the (only) guidance, and we have been directed to submit ourselves to the Lord of the worlds;-
[Pickthal 6:71] Say: Shall we cry, instead of unto Allah, unto that which neither profiteth us nor hurteth us, and shall we turn back after Allah hath guided us, like one bewildered whom the devils have infatuated in the earth, who hath companions who invite him to the guidance (saying): Come unto us? Say: Lo! the guidance of Allah is Guidance, and we are ordered to surrender to the Lord of the Worlds,
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 6:71]

If, after receiving guidance from the self-subsisting eternal Lord who created the universe (with every increase of knowledge we see in what true and perfect proportions all creation is held together), we turn to lifeless idols, it would indeed show that we were made into fools, wandering to a precipice; therefore, we must accept the only true guidance, the guidance of Allah, and only His law, for we shall have to answer His questioning on the day of reckoning when the trumpet sounds for the last day and His judgement will, with perfect justice, establish the dominion of right and reality. [DILP Note: The original text had split verse 73 into two, and therefore, this commentary applied to verses 71 through 74. Subsequent references to verse numbers in the remaining commentaries in this chapter may be one off.]


[Shakir 6:72] And that you should keep up prayer and be careful of (your duty to) Him; and He it is to Whom you shall be gathered.
[Yusufali 6:72] "To establish regular prayers and to fear Allah: for it is to Him that we shall be gathered together."
[Pickthal 6:72] And to establish worship and be dutiful to Him, and He it is unto Whom ye will be gathered.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 6:72] (see commentary for verse 71)
[Shakir 6:73] And He it is Who has created the heavens and the earth with truth, and on the day He says: Be, it is. His word is the truth, and His is the kingdom on the day when the trumpet shall be blown; the Knower of the unseen and the seen; and He is the Wise, the Aware.
[Yusufali 6:73] It is He who created the heavens and the earth in true (proportions): the day He saith, "Be," behold! it is. His word is the truth. His will be the dominion the day the trumpet will be blown. He knoweth the unseen as well as that which is open. For He is the Wise, well acquainted (with all things).
[Pickthal 6:73] He it is Who created the heavens and the earth in truth. In the day when He saith: Be! it is. His Word is the Truth, and His will be the Sovereignty on the day when the trumpet is blown. Knower of the Invisible and the Visible, He is the Wise, the Aware.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 6:73] (see commentary for verse 71)
[Shakir 6:74] And when Ibrahim said to his sire, Azar: Do you take idols for gods? Surely I see you and your people in manifest error.
[Yusufali 6:74] Lo! Abraham said to his father Azar: "Takest thou idols for gods? For I see thee and thy people in manifest error."
[Pickthal 6:74] (Remember) when Abraham said unto his father Azar: Takest thou idols for gods? Lo! I see thee and thy folk in error manifest.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 6:74]

It is a historical fact that in the days of Ibrahim the patriarch of the family was addressed as father. The Christians address their priests as father, and in the same sense they refer to God as the father in heaven. Many traditions say that the real father of Ibrahim died before his birth and he was brought up by Azar, his uncle, who was the patriarch of his family. It is also said that Azar, his uncle, married his mother after his father's death, therefore Azar was also his step-father. The Holy Prophet's claim that impurity of ignorance and infidelity never touched any of his ancestors from Adam to Abdullah also confirms the abovenoted fact. The word ab may mean an uncle or an ancestor as Ismail, the uncle of Yaqub, has been addressed as ab in verse 133 of al Baqarah. According to Genesis 11 : 27 the name of Ibrahim's father was Terah. In the Talmud his name is Therach. In verse 41 of Ibrahim, Ibrahim prays for his parents along with the other believers which shows that his father was a believer, otherwise a prophet of Allah could never have associated an infidel with believers and prayed to cover him with Allah's mercy. Azar was his uncle or the brother of his grandfather.

Ibrahim lived among the Chaldeans, who had great knowledge of the stars and heavenly bodies. The Babylonian religion was an admixture of animism and nature worship. The two powers most commonly chosen were the sun and the moon. Allah showed him the spiritual glories behind the magnificent powers and laws of the physical universe. When he saw the waning of the stars, the moon and the sun, he saw through the folly of idol-worship and the futility of worshipping distant beautiful things that shine, to which the ignorant ascribe a power which is not in them. They rise and set according to laws whose author is Allah. Its worship is therefore futile. Appearances are deceptive. That is not God. It is a folly to worship created things and beings when the author and the creator is there. All must turn to the true God, renounce all these follies, and proclaim one true Allah.

Ibrahim was free from superstitious fears, for he had found the true God, without whose will nothing can happen. He admonished his people to come in the security of faith instead of wandering in the wilderness of fear by worshipping the "setting ones" creatures created by Him.

Those who believe and do not intermix belief with iniquity (zulm) are the rightly guided. In view of this Quranic condition the position of those companions, who deserted the Holy Prophet in battlefields, now and then, doubted his integrity and judgement, becomes dubious.

The spiritual education of Ibrahim (given to him by Allah) enabled him to preach the truth among his people.

Aqa Mahdi Puya says:

Zulm means (any) evil or transgression in thought or action. In their supplications, the prophets and the Imams have used the word zalim for themselves in order to describe their humble position before Allah at the time of seeking His mercy (refer to Anbiya : 87) because all created beings, be they prophets or Imams, need His mercy at all times in their lives here and hereafter. They have used it to avoid vanity or pride so that through utmost humility they could become thoroughly devoted to the service of Allah. Such a confession is a part of the tasbih (glorification of Allah) they used to recite again and again, sitting, standing, walking or reclining.

The Holy Prophet said:

"We do not know Thee, O Lord, as Thou should be known, nor do we worship Thee as Thou should be worshipped."


[Shakir 6:75] And thus did We show Ibrahim the kingdom of the heavens and the earth and that he might be of those who are sure.
[Yusufali 6:75] So also did We show Abraham the power and the laws of the heavens and the earth, that he might (with understanding) have certitude.
[Pickthal 6:75] Thus did We show Abraham the kingdom of the heavens and the earth that he might be of those possessing certainty:
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 6:75] (see commentary for verse 74)
[Shakir 6:76] So when the night over-shadowed him, he saw a star; said he: Is this my Lord? So when it set, he said: I do not love the setting ones.
[Yusufali 6:76] When the night covered him over, He saw a star: He said: "This is my Lord." But when it set, He said: "I love not those that set."
[Pickthal 6:76] When the night grew dark upon him he beheld a star. He said: This is my Lord. But when it set, he said: I love not things that set.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 6:76] (see commentary for verse 74)
[Shakir 6:77] Then when he saw the moon rising, he said: Is this my Lord? So when it set, he said: If my Lord had not guided me I should certainly be of the erring people.
[Yusufali 6:77] When he saw the moon rising in splendour, he said: "This is my Lord." But when the moon set, He said: "unless my Lord guide me, I shall surely be among those who go astray."
[Pickthal 6:77] And when he saw the moon uprising, he exclaimed: This is my Lord. But when it set, he said: Unless my Lord guide me, I surely shall become one of the folk who are astray.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 6:77] (see commentary for verse 74)
[Shakir 6:78] Then when he saw the sun rising, he said: Is this my Lord? Is this the greatest? So when it set, he said: O my people! surely I am clear of what you set up (with Allah).
[Yusufali 6:78] When he saw the sun rising in splendour, he said: "This is my Lord; this is the greatest (of all)." But when the sun set, he said: "O my people! I am indeed free from your (guilt) of giving partners to Allah.
[Pickthal 6:78] And when he saw the sun uprising, he cried: This is my Lord! This is greater! And when it set he exclaimed: O my people! Lo! I am free from all that ye associate (with Him).
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 6:78] (see commentary for verse 74)
[Shakir 6:79] Surely I have turned myself, being upright, wholly to Him Who originated the heavens and the earth, and I am not of the polytheists.
[Yusufali 6:79] "For me, I have set my face, firmly and truly, towards Him Who created the heavens and the earth, and never shall I give partners to Allah."
[Pickthal 6:79] Lo! I have turned my face toward Him Who created the heavens and the earth, as one by nature upright, and I am not of the idolaters.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 6:79] (see commentary for verse 74)
[Shakir 6:80] And his people disputed with him. He said: Do you dispute with me respecting Allah? And He has guided me indeed; and I do not fear in any way those that you set up with Him, unless my Lord pleases; my Lord comprehends all things in His knowledge; will you not then mind?
[Yusufali 6:80] His people disputed with him. He said: "(Come) ye to dispute with me, about Allah, when He (Himself) hath guided me? I fear not (the beings) ye associate with Allah: Unless my Lord willeth, (nothing can happen). My Lord comprehendeth in His knowledge all things. Will ye not (yourselves) be admonished?
[Pickthal 6:80] His people argued with him. He said: Dispute ye with me concerning Allah when He hath guided me? I fear not at all that which ye set up beside Him unless my Lord willeth aught. My Lord includeth all things in His knowledge. Will ye not then remember?
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 6:80] (see commentary for verse 74)
[Shakir 6:81] And how should I fear what you have set up (with Him), while you do not fear that you have set up with Allah that for which He has not sent down to you any authority; which then of the two parties is surer of security, if you know?
[Yusufali 6:81] "How should I fear (the beings) ye associate with Allah, when ye fear not to give partners to Allah without any warrant having been given to you? Which of (us) two parties hath more right to security? (tell me) if ye know.
[Pickthal 6:81] How should I fear that which ye set up beside Him, when ye fear not to set up beside Allah that for which He hath revealed unto you no warrant? Which of the two factions hath more right to safety? (Answer me that) if ye have knowledge.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 6:81] (see commentary for verse 74)
[Shakir 6:82] Those who believe and do not mix up their faith with iniquity, those are they who shall have the security and they are those who go aright.
[Yusufali 6:82] "It is those who believe and confuse not their beliefs with wrong - that are (truly) in security, for they are on (right) guidance."
[Pickthal 6:82] Those who believe and obscure not their belief by wrongdoing, theirs is safety; and they are rightly guided.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 6:82] (see commentary for verse 74)
[Shakir 6:83] And this was Our argument which we gave to Ibrahim against his people; We exalt in dignity whom We please; surely your Lord is Wise, Knowing.
[Yusufali 6:83] That was the reasoning about Us, which We gave to Abraham (to use) against his people: We raise whom We will, degree after degree: for thy Lord is full of wisdom and knowledge.
[Pickthal 6:83] That is Our argument. We gave it unto Abraham against his folk. We raise unto degrees of wisdom whom We will. Lo! thy Lord is Wise, Aware.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 6:83] (see commentary for verse 74)
[Shakir 6:84] And We gave to him Ishaq and Yaqoub; each did We guide, and Nuh did We guide before, and of his descendants, Dawood and Sulaiman and Ayub and Yusuf and Haroun; and thus do We reward those who do good (to others).
[Yusufali 6:84] We gave him Isaac and Jacob: all (three) guided: and before him, We guided Noah, and among his progeny, David, Solomon, Job, Joseph, Moses, and Aaron: thus do We reward those who do good:
[Pickthal 6:84] And We bestowed upon him Isaac and Jacob; each of them We guided; and Noah did We guide aforetime; and of his seed (We guided) David and Solomon and Job and Joseph and Moses and Aaron. Thus do We reward the good.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 6:84]

All the prophets mentioned in these verses were the descendant of Ibrahim. In fulfilment of His promise made with Ibrahim, Allah chose them, preferred them above the worlds and guided them unto the right path. All of them followed the religion of Ibrahim, Islam. Only those who are guided by Allah are commissioned by Him to guide mankind.

In verse 84 the pronoun "his" (min dhuriyyatihi) refers to Ibrahim.


[Shakir 6:85] And Zakariya and Yahya and Isa and Ilyas; every one was of the good;
[Yusufali 6:85] And Zakariya and John, and Jesus and Elias: all in the ranks of the righteous:
[Pickthal 6:85] And Zachariah and John and Jesus and Elias. Each one (of them) was of the righteous.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 6:85] (see commentary for verse 84)
[Shakir 6:86] And Ismail and Al-Yasha and Yunus and Lut; and every one We made to excel (in) the worlds:
[Yusufali 6:86] And Isma'il and Elisha, and Jonas, and Lot: and to all We gave favour above the nations:
[Pickthal 6:86] And Ishmael and Elisha and Jonah and Lot. Each one (of them) did We prefer above (Our) creatures,
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 6:86] (see commentary for verse 84)
[Shakir 6:87] And from among their fathers and their descendants and their brethren, and We chose them and guided them into the right way.
[Yusufali 6:87] (To them) and to their fathers, and progeny and brethren: We chose them, and we guided them to a straight way.
[Pickthal 6:87] With some of their forefathers and their offspring and their brethren; and We chose them and guided them unto a straight path.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 6:87] (see commentary for verse 84)
[Shakir 6:88] This is Allah's guidance, He guides thereby whom He pleases of His servants; and if they had set up others (with Him), certainly what they did would have become ineffectual for them.
[Yusufali 6:88] This is the guidance of Allah: He giveth that guidance to whom He pleaseth, of His worshippers. If they were to join other gods with Him, all that they did would be vain for them.
[Pickthal 6:88] Such is the guidance of Allah wherewith He guideth whom He will of His bondmen. But if they had set up (for worship) aught beside Him, (all) that they did would have been vain.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 6:88]

Mere good deeds, without the essential belief in Allah, are useless. The prophets of Allah never associated any one with Allah because they knew that even the highest form of good conduct would have gone waste if even the slightest trace of shirk was found in their faith. They were pure, therefore, Allah gave them the book, authority and prophethood. When the followers of those prophets rejected the book and their authority it was taken away from them and entrusted to the Holy Prophet and his descendants, whom Allah Himself thoroughly purified (Ahzab : 33).

Fa-bi-huda humuq-tadih means follow the guidance they received and manifest all the goodness, that was endowed in the previous missions, in their character as a consolidation of all the goodness preached and practised until now. What every prophet of Allah individually possessed, the Holy Prophet was commissioned to demonstrate in his divinely integrated personality as the final, complete and perfect guide because there was no other prophet of Allah to come after him.

All the prophets were commanded by Allah not to seek from the people any recompense for their service except the Holy Prophet who was directed by Allah to announce "No reward do 1 ask of you for it save the love of (my) relatives (Shura : 23)." This recompense was also in the interest of the people because love of Ahl ul Bayt is a self generating goodness as has been said in verse 23 of al Shura.

Verses 86 to 88 of al Sad also say that the mission of the Holy Prophet is a reminder to the worlds. It is clearly made known that his mission is to guide mankind till the end of this world. It also means that the recompense of his toils is to let his message continue through the Imams, among his Ahl ul Bayt, until the day of resurrection.


[Shakir 6:89] These are they to whom We gave the book and the wisdom and the prophecy; therefore if these disbelieve in it We have already entrusted with it a people who are not disbelievers in it.
[Yusufali 6:89] These were the men to whom We gave the Book, and authority, and prophethood: if these (their descendants) reject them, Behold! We shall entrust their charge to a new people who reject them not.
[Pickthal 6:89] Those are they unto whom We gave the Scripture and command and prophethood. But if these disbelieve therein, then indeed We shall entrust it to a people who will not be disbelievers therein.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 6:89] (see commentary for verse 88)
[Shakir 6:90] These are they whom Allah guided, therefore follow their guidance. Say: I do not ask you for any reward for it; it is nothing but a reminder to the nations.
[Yusufali 6:90] Those were the (prophets) who received Allah's guidance: Copy the guidance they received; Say: "No reward for this do I ask of you: This is no less than a message for the nations."
[Pickthal 6:90] Those are they whom Allah guideth, so follow their guidance. Say (O Muhammad, unto mankind): I ask of you no fee for it. Lo! it is naught but a Reminder to (His) creatures.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 6:90] (see commentary for verse 88)
[Shakir 6:91] And they do not assign to Allah the attributes due to Him when they say: Allah has not revealed anything to a mortal. Say: Who revealed the Book which Musa brought, a light and a guidance to men, which you make into scattered writings which you show while you conceal much? And you were taught what you did not know, (neither) you nor your fathers. Say: Allah then leave them sporting in their vain discourses.
[Yusufali 6:91] No just estimate of Allah do they make when they say: "Nothing doth Allah send down to man (by way of revelation)" Say: "Who then sent down the Book which Moses brought?- a light and guidance to man: But ye make it into (separate) sheets for show, while ye conceal much (of its contents): therein were ye taught that which ye knew not- neither ye nor your fathers." Say: "Allah (sent it down)": Then leave them to plunge in vain discourse and trifling.
[Pickthal 6:91] And they measure not the power of Allah its true measure when they say: Allah hath naught revealed unto a human being. Say (unto the Jews who speak thus): Who revealed the Book which Moses brought, a light and guidance for mankind, which ye have put on parchments which ye show, but ye hide much (thereof), and (by which) ye were taught that which ye knew not yourselves nor (did) your fathers (know it)? Say: Allah. Then leave them to their play of cavilling.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 6:91]

The infidels in general and the Jews in particular went so far in their perversity as to deny the gift of revelation altogether.

The Tawrat was a light and guidance. It was one book. The present Old Testament is a collection of "sheets" of various kinds: see "The Tawrat" in the commentary of al Ma-idah : 116 to 120. The Jews disclose that which suits their purpose and conceal much of its contents particularly the prophecies about the advent of the Holy Prophet (see al Baqarah : 40).

The Muslims have been taught that which neither they nor their ancestors knew (they were not left at the mercy of the Jews). It is Allah who has sent down the law. If people do not believe, then let them plunge into vain discourse.

Aqa Mahdi Puya says:

Man, more often, fails to have a clear view of Allah's attributes and the scope and the effects of His will. Some men accept His authority in the sphere of creation, but leave out legislation and deny revelation and prophethood. This and the next verses confirm that He has manifested His legislative authority through revelations revealed to His chosen prophets. The Tawrat revealed to Musa, has been cited as an example. It was a light and a guidance, containing knowledge and wisdom, taught to his followers, which neither they nor their ancestors knew. The Quran not only bears witness to its own truth but also testifies the previous scriptures revealed to Musa, Isa and other prophets (refer to the commentary of An-am : 19). In many verses of the Quran Allah Himself bears witness to His prophets and their divinely commissioned missions; and His testimony is based upon the light and the miracles referred to in the heavenly scriptures.


[Shakir 6:92] And this is a Book We have revealed, blessed, verifying that which is before it, and that you may warn the metropolis and those around her; and those who believe in the hereafter believe in it, and they attend to their prayers constantly.
[Yusufali 6:92] And this is a Book which We have sent down, bringing blessings, and confirming (the revelations) which came before it: that thou mayest warn the mother of cities and all around her. Those who believe in the Hereafter believe in this (Book), and they are constant in guarding their prayers.
[Pickthal 6:92] And this is a blessed Scripture which We have revealed, confirming that which (was revealed) before it, that thou mayst warn the Mother of Villages and those around her. Those who believe in the Hereafter believe herein, and they are careful of their worship.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 6:92]

Mubarak means abounding in good and blessed - bringing more blessings of knowledge and wisdom than the previously revealed books.

Ummul Qura - mother of cities refers to Makka the qibla and centre of Islam, also asserted to be in the middle of the earth; and before it was made the qibla of Islam, Makka was associated with Ibrahim and Ismail, the ancestors of the Holy Prophet and his Ahl ul Bayt.

"All around" would mean "the whole world" if we look upon Makka as the centre. Also see commentary of al Baqarah : 125 and Ali Imran : 96.


[Shakir 6:93] And who is more unjust than he who forges a lie against Allah, or says: It has been revealed to me; while nothing has been revealed to him, and he who says: I can reveal the like of what Allah has revealed? and if you had seen when the unjust shall be in the agonies of death and the angels shall spread forth their hands: Give up your souls; today shall you be recompensed with an ignominious chastisement because you spoke against Allah other than the truth and (because) you showed pride against His communications.
[Yusufali 6:93] Who can be more wicked than one who inventeth a lie against Allah, or saith, "I have received inspiration," when he hath received none, or (again) who saith, "I can reveal the like of what Allah hath revealed"? If thou couldst but see how the wicked (do fare) in the flood of confusion at death! - the angels stretch forth their hands, (saying),"Yield up your souls: this day shall ye receive your reward,- a penalty of shame, for that ye used to tell lies against Allah, and scornfully to reject of His signs!"
[Pickthal 6:93] Who is guilty of more wrong than he who forgeth a lie against Allah, or saith: I am inspired, when he is not inspired in aught; and who saith: I will reveal the like of that which Allah hath revealed? If thou couldst see, when the wrong-doers reach the pangs of death and the angels stretch their hands out (saying): Deliver up your souls. This day ye are awarded doom of degradation for that ye spake concerning Allah other than the truth, and used to scorn His portents.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 6:93]

This verse was revealed to condemn the half brother of Uthman, Abdullah bin abi Sarah (and men like him). He was a Jew but joined the group of pagans after renouncing his faith. After becoming Muslim he was sometimes asked to write down the revealed verses but he used to change the words of the revealed verses while writing them, and then claimed that whatever he had composed should have also been accepted as revelation.

"Surrender your souls" indicates that soul is an entity which is separated from the body at the time of death.

To know about the human soul, please refer to the commentary of al Baqarah : 30.


[Shakir 6:94] And certainly you have come to Us alone as We created you at first, and you have left behind your backs the things which We gave you, and We do not see with you your intercessors about whom you asserted that they were (Allah's) associates in respect to you; certainly the ties between you are now cut off and what you asserted is gone from you.
[Yusufali 6:94] "And behold! ye come to us bare and alone as We created you for the first time: ye have left behind you all (the favours) which We bestowed on you: We see not with you your intercessors whom ye thought to be partners in your affairs: so now all relations between you have been cut off, and your (pet) fancies have left you in the lurch!"
[Pickthal 6:94] Now have ye come unto Us solitary as We did create you at the first, and ye have left behind you all that We bestowed upon you, and We behold not with you those your intercessors, of whom ye claimed that they possessed a share in you. Now is the bond between you severed, and that which ye presumed hath failed you.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 6:94]

In this verse "intercessors" are the false religious leaders, demi-gods and gods, whom the polytheists, out of ignorance regard as their saviours. Please refer to the commentary of al Baqarah : 48 and 123 to know about the divinely approved intercessors.

When this verse was revealed and the Holy Prophet explained to Fatimah binti Asad the mother of Ali ibn abi Talib, the meaning of furada (bare or naked), she burst into tears. The Holy Prophet called upon Allah to raise her duly clothed on the day of resurrection; and when she dies he used his mantle to shroud her body.


[Shakir 6:95] Surely Allah causes the grain and the stone to germinate; He brings forth the living from the dead and He is the bringer forth of the dead from the living; that is Allah! how are you then turned away.
[Yusufali 6:95] It is Allah Who causeth the seed-grain and the date-stone to split and sprout. He causeth the living to issue from the dead, and He is the one to cause the dead to issue from the living. That is Allah: then how are ye deluded away from the truth?
[Pickthal 6:95] Lo! Allah (it is) Who splitteth the grain of corn and the date-stone (for sprouting). He bringeth forth the living from the dead, and is the bringer-forth of the dead from the living. Such is Allah. How then are ye perverted?
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 6:95]

The seed-grain and the date-stone are selected as types in the vegetable kingdom, showing the dependence of our physical life on it.

"Split and sprout": both ideas are included in the root falaqa, and third is expressed by the word "cleave", in verse 96, for the action of evolving daybreak from the dark. For vegetables, "split and sprout" represent a double process: (i) the seeds divide, and (ii) one part shoots up. seeking the light and forming leaves and the visible parts of the future tree, and the other part digs down, forming the roots and seeking sustenance from the inside depth. This is just one small instance of the measure or disposition (judgement and decree) of the almighty and all-knowing Lord. For taqdir refer to the commentary of al Fatihah : 2 under "rububiyat". For "He brings forth the living from the dead" refer to the commentary of al Baqarah : 258 to 260.

Aqa Mahdi Puya says:

In verse 91 and 92 it has been said that only divine revelations, not conditioned by trial and error, give knowledge and guidance. In the same manner it is stated here that the process of nature cannot be fully explained by the empirical method. Therefore existence of the divine factor has to be acknowledged .

The term life and death are not absolute or independent. The elemental matter of a body-cell may be described as a living being, but, in view of the properties manifested in the cell, it is non-living.

The Quranic explanation is based upon the actual phenomena active in nature.


[Shakir 6:96] He causes the dawn to break; and He has made the night for rest, and the sun and the moon for reckoning; this is an arrangement of the Mighty, the Knowing.
[Yusufali 6:96] He it is that cleaveth the day-break (from the dark): He makes the night for rest and tranquillity, and the sun and moon for the reckoning (of time): Such is the judgment and ordering of (Him), the Exalted in Power, the Omniscient.
[Pickthal 6:96] He is the Cleaver of the Daybreak, and He hath appointed the night for stillness, and the sun and the moon for reckoning. That is the measuring of the Mighty, the Wise.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 6:96] (see commentary for verse 95)
[Shakir 6:97] And He it is Who has made the stars for you that you might follow the right way thereby in the darkness of the land and the sea; truly We have made plain the communications for a people who know.
[Yusufali 6:97] It is He Who maketh the stars (as beacons) for you, that ye may guide yourselves, with their help, through the dark spaces of land and sea: We detail Our signs for people who know.
[Pickthal 6:97] And He it is Who hath set for you the stars that ye may guide your course by them amid the darkness of the land and the sea. We have detailed Our revelations for a people who have knowledge.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 6:97]

At sea, on lands, or over mountains, whenever we sweep over wide spaces, it is the stars that act as our guides, just as the sun and moon have already been mentioned as our measure of time in the preceding verse.

Aqa Mahdi Puya says:

It is true that Allah has provided guiding stars to man for his material benefit. It is also true that He has not left man to bewilder in spiritual darkness, therefore, He has sent down His chosen representatives to guide mankind to the right path. According to Ali ibn Ibrahim's Tafsir nujum means the holy Imams among the Ahl ul Bayt of the Holy Prophet.


[Shakir 6:98] And He it is Who has brought you into being from a single soul, then there is (for you) a resting-place and a depository; indeed We have made plain the communications for a people who understand.
[Yusufali 6:98] It is He Who hath produced you from a single person: here is a place of sojourn and a place of departure: We detail Our signs for people who understand.
[Pickthal 6:98] And He it is Who hath produced you from a single being, and (hath given you) a habitation and a repository. We have detailed Our revelations for a people who have understanding.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 6:98]

It is one of the wonders of Allah's creation, that from one person (Adam) we have grown to be so many, and each individual has so many faculties and capacities, different from one another, yet we are all one. Refer to commentary of al Nisa : 1.

Aqa Mahdi Puya says:

Allah has produced two sexes from a single soul. The male is termed as the depository and the female as the repository. In al Hajj : 5, al Mursalat : 21 and in many other verses, the mother has been described as the resting place.


[Shakir 6:99] And He it is Who sends down water from the cloud, then We bring forth with it buds of all (plants), then We bring forth from it green (foliage) from which We produce grain piled up (in the ear); and of the palm-tree, of the sheaths of it, come forth clusters (of dates) within reach, and gardens of grapes and olives and pomegranates, alike and unlike; behold the fruit of it when it yields the fruit and the ripening of it; most surely there are signs in this for a people who believe.
[Yusufali 6:99] It is He Who sendeth down rain from the skies: with it We produce vegetation of all kinds: from some We produce green (crops), out of which We produce grain, heaped up (at harvest); out of the date-palm and its sheaths (or spathes) (come) clusters of dates hanging low and near: and (then there are) gardens of grapes, and olives, and pomegranates, each similar (in kind) yet different (in variety): when they begin to bear fruit, feast your eyes with the fruit and the ripeness thereof. Behold! in these things there are signs for people who believe.
[Pickthal 6:99] He it is Who sendeth down water from the sky, and therewith We bring forth buds of every kind; We bring forth the green blade from which We bring forth the thick-clustered grain; and from the date-palm, from the pollen thereof, spring pendant bunches; and (We bring forth) gardens of grapes, and the olive and the pomegranate, alike and unlike. Look upon the fruit thereof, when they bear fruit, and upon its ripening. Lo! herein verily are portents for a people who believe.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 6:99]

Although the source (rain) is single, but the produce is of diverse varieties. See commentary of verses 95 and 96 of this surah.

In these things there are signs for people who believe in the real fruits of spiritual life. Understanding is a higher faculty than knowledge, and is necessary for knowing the meaning and purpose of this life.


[Shakir 6:100] And they make the jinn associates with Allah, while He created them, and they falsely attribute to Him sons and daughters without knowledge; glory be to Him, and highly exalted is He above what they ascribe (to Him).
[Yusufali 6:100] Yet they make the Jinns equals with Allah, though Allah did create the Jinns; and they falsely, having no knowledge, attribute to Him sons and daughters. Praise and glory be to Him! (for He is) above what they attribute to Him!
[Pickthal 6:100] Yet they ascribe as partners unto Him the jinn, although He did create them, and impute falsely, without knowledge, sons and daughters unto Him. Glorified be He and High Exalted above (all) that they ascribe (unto Him).
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 6:100]

According to al Rahman : 14 and 15 man is stated to have been created from clay, while Jinn from fire. See commentary of al Baqarah : 30 under "Jinn".

Some people believe that God is the creator of good and Shaytan (Jinn) is the creator of evil. They also believe that Shaytan is the cause of loss and sorrow. Surah al Falaq refutes this assumption. It is stated in this verse that such people are polytheists because it is Allah who created the jinn.

Aqa Mahdi Puya says:

The pagans worship the wonders of nature, because they can not understand them as hidden spiritual forces, so they commit shirk by associating them with Allah.


[Shakir 6:101] Wonderful Originator of the heavens and the earth! How could He have a son when He has no consort, and He (Himself) created everything, and He is the Knower of all things.
[Yusufali 6:101] To Him is due the primal origin of the heavens and the earth: How can He have a son when He hath no consort? He created all things, and He hath full knowledge of all things.
[Pickthal 6:101] The Originator of the heavens and the earth! How can He have a child, when there is for Him no consort, when He created all things and is Aware of all things?
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 6:101]

See commentary of al Baqarah : 163 and 255.


[Shakir 6:102] That is Allah, your Lord, there is no god but He; the Creator of all things, therefore serve Him, and He has charge of all things.
[Yusufali 6:102] That is Allah, your Lord! there is no god but He, the Creator of all things: then worship ye Him: and He hath power to dispose of all affairs.
[Pickthal 6:102] Such is Allah, your Lord. There is no Allah save Him, the Creator of all things, so worship Him. And He taketh care of all things.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 6:102] (no commentary available for this verse)
[Shakir 6:103] Vision comprehends Him not, and He comprehends (all) vision; and He is the Knower of subtleties, the Aware.
[Yusufali 6:103] No vision can grasp Him, but His grasp is over all vision: He is above all comprehension, yet is acquainted with all things.
[Pickthal 6:103] Vision comprehendeth Him not, but He comprehendeth (all) vision. He is the Subtile, the Aware.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 6:103]

Allah is neither matter nor spirit. He is the creator of matter and spirit. He is invisible to the eye and imperceptible to the senses, because human eyes can only see and human senses can only perceive material phenomena. He is the incomprehensible. By His knowledge as well as His power He is all-pervading. See Aqa Mahdi Puya's notes on al Fatihah under "Allah" particularly the opinions of Imam Ali ibn abi Talib, Imam Muhammad bin Ali al Baqir and Imam Jafar bin Muhammad al Sadiq.


[Shakir 6:104] Indeed there have come to you clear proofs from your Lord; whoever will therefore see, it is for his own soul and whoever will be blind, it shall be against himself and I am not a keeper over you.
[Yusufali 6:104] "Now have come to you, from your Lord, proofs (to open your eyes): if any will see, it will be for (the good of) his own soul; if any will be blind, it will be to his own (harm): I am not (here) to watch over your doings."
[Pickthal 6:104] Proofs have come unto you from your Lord, so whoso seeth, it is for his own good, and whoso is blind is blind to his own hurt. And I am not a keeper over you.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 6:104]

There is no compulsion in religion (al Baqarah : 156). Islam has given complete freedom of thought and action to man so that he may use his intellect and reason and follow the right course, shown by the Holy Prophet and his Ahl ul Bayt. If he wanders in the wilderness of ignorance and superstition he shall surely come to a sad end.


[Shakir 6:105] And thus do We repeat the communications and that they may say: You have read; and that We may make it clear to a people who know.
[Yusufali 6:105] Thus do we explain the signs by various (symbols): that they may say, "Thou hast taught (us) diligently," and that We may make the matter clear to those who know.
[Pickthal 6:105] Thus do We display Our revelations that they may say (unto thee, Muhammad): "Thou hast studied," and that We may make (it) clear for people who have knowledge.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 6:105]

For nusarriful ayati see commentary of al Baqarah : 7 with reference to verse 46 of this surah.

The Quran explains things by displaying signs through symbols, parables, narratives, and appeals to reason.

Those who are in search of knowledge and have thus acquired some knowledge of spiritual things are greatly helped to understand more clearly the things of which they had only one-sided knowledge.


[Shakir 6:106] Follow what is revealed to you from your Lord; there is no god but He; and withdraw from the polytheists.
[Yusufali 6:106] Follow what thou art taught by inspiration from thy Lord: there is no god but He: and turn aside from those who join gods with Allah.
[Pickthal 6:106] Follow that which is inspired in thee from thy Lord; there is no Allah save Him; and turn away from the idolaters.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 6:106]

Mankind has been asked to follow the commandments of the Quran revealed to the Holy Prophet. "There is no god save He" is the sum total of the divine message on which the whole structure of the religion of Allah is built and preserved. The polytheists are the outcasts. Some commentators say that through this verse Allah commanded the Holy Prophet to leave Makka and migrate to Madina.


[Shakir 6:107] And if Allah had pleased, they would not have set up others (with Him) and We have not appointed you a keeper over them, and you are not placed in charge of them.
[Yusufali 6:107] If it had been Allah's plan, they would not have taken false gods: but We made thee not one to watch over their doings, nor art thou set over them to dispose of their affairs.
[Pickthal 6:107] Had Allah willed, they had not been idolatrous. We have not set thee as a keeper over them, nor art thou responsible for them.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 6:107]

Allah's plan is to let man use his will and reason to find out the truth, follow it, and preserve it. Allah can destroy evil, but He has given complete freedom to man to distinguish between right and wrong. The Holy Prophet was sent only to preach, to guide and show the right path.


[Shakir 6:108] And do not abuse those whom they call upon besides Allah, lest exceeding the limits they should abuse Allah out of ignorance. Thus have We made fair seeming to every people their deeds; then to their Lord shall be their return, so He will inform them of what they did.
[Yusufali 6:108] Revile not ye those whom they call upon besides Allah, lest they out of spite revile Allah in their ignorance. Thus have We made alluring to each people its own doings. In the end will they return to their Lord, and We shall then tell them the truth of all that they did.
[Pickthal 6:108] Revile not those unto whom they pray beside Allah lest they wrongfully revile Allah through ignorance. Thus unto every nation have We made their deed seem fair. Then unto their Lord is their return, and He will tell them what they used to do.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 6:108]

In the early years of preaching some of the believers, while arguing with the infidels, did not use discreteness and the skill of spiritual teachers like the Holy Prophet and his Ahl ul Bayt, and in the heat of disputation resorted to harsh language. When the idolaters of Makka went to Abu Talib and sought his mediation to stop the show of disrespect to their idols, this verse was revealed.

Islam combats against what is wrong and unpardonable (Luqman : 13 and Nisa : 116) through spiritual light so as to dispel darkness and show the right path.

Although idolatry has been condemned, yet vilification of the weakness of the opponents has been discouraged in order that the infidels may not, as a reaction, persist in their self-obsession, and obstinately refuse to see the light of guidance. Kind words and show of compassion has brought many an adversary to the fold of Islam. Moreover Allah does not want that through the uncivilised behaviour of the believers His most glorious name is drawn into mud-slinging.


[Shakir 6:109] And they swear by Allah with the strongest of their oaths, that if a sign came to them they would most certainly believe in it. Say: Signs are only with Allah; and what should make you know that when it comes they will not believe?
[Yusufali 6:109] They swear their strongest oaths by Allah, that if a (special) sign came to them, by it they would believe. Say: "Certainly (all) signs are in the power of Allah: but what will make you (Muslims) realise that (even) if (special) signs came, they will not believe."?
[Pickthal 6:109] And they swear a solemn oath by Allah that if there come unto them a portent they will believe therein. Say; Portents are with Allah and (so is) that which telleth you that if such came unto them they would not believe.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 6:109]

Some of the disbelievers assured the Holy Prophet that if he could, like Musa and Isa, display a miracle they would believe in Allah and him. As some of the Muslims imagined that the infidels might yet be won over if a miracle of their choice did really occur, it was made plain to them that no miracle would bring them to the right path.

Please refer to the commentary of al Baqarah : 118, according to which the Holy Prophet and his Ahl ul Bayt had the authority, given by Allah, to work miracles but as Islam is a religion based upon reason, intelligence and knowledge of the laws of creation, miracles displayed in the days of ignorance of earlier prophets had been discontinued.

Aqa Mahdi Puya says:

Imam Ali mentions in Nahj al Balagha that once some infidels assured the Holy Prophet that if he commanded a tree to come to him they would believe in him and his God. The Holy Prophet did as they wished. They asked him to order the tree to go back to its original place. He again did as they desired. Then they asked him to divide the tree in two equal portions and bring one portion only to him and then send it back to join the stationary portion. He again did exactly what they wanted .

The infidels said: "You are a sorcerer."


[Shakir 6:110] And We will turn their hearts and their sights, even as they did not believe in it the first time, and We will leave them in their inordinacy, blindly wandering on.
[Yusufali 6:110] We (too) shall turn to (confusion) their hearts and their eyes, even as they refused to believe in this in the first instance: We shall leave them in their trespasses, to wander in distraction.
[Pickthal 6:110] We confound their hearts and their eyes. As they believed not therein at the first, We let them wander blindly on in their contumacy.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 6:110]

Where there is obstinate hostile attitude to ridicule the truth, the result will be that such a sinner's heart will be hardened and his eyes will be sealed, so that he rushes towards evil and wickedness. There is no hope or refuge for him.


[Shakir 6:111] And even if We had sent down to them the angels and the dead had spoken to them and We had brought together all things before them, they would not believe unless Allah pleases, but most of them are ignorant.
[Yusufali 6:111] Even if We did send unto them angels, and the dead did speak unto them, and We gathered together all things before their very eyes, they are not the ones to believe, unless it is in Allah's plan. But most of them ignore (the truth).
[Pickthal 6:111] And though We should send down the angels unto them, and the dead should speak unto them, and We should gather against them all things in array, they would not believe unless Allah so willed. Howbeit, most of them are ignorant.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 6:111]

This is a continuation of verse 110.

If the whole pageant of the spiritual world were brought before them, the infidels would not have believed, because they - of their own choice and will - refuse knowledge, reason and faith.

"They would not believe unless Allah so pleases" means they will believe only when compulsion is applied which is contrary to Allah's plan. There is no compulsion in religion (Baqarah : 256).

Aqa Mahdi Puya says:

In yajhaluna "ignorance" refers to the false assumption that man is not free to act according to his will, therefore, he is not responsible for his deeds.

Man has been given full freedom to choose belief or disbelief. He is responsible for what he does. Please refer to the commentary of al Fatihah : 2 and 5.


[Shakir 6:112] And thus did We make for every prophet an enemy, the Shaitans from among men and jinn, some of them suggesting to others varnished falsehood to deceive (them), and had your Lord pleased they would not have done it, therefore leave them and that which they forge.
[Yusufali 6:112] Likewise did We make for every Messenger an enemy,- evil ones among men and jinns, inspiring each other with flowery discourses by way of deception. If thy Lord had so planned, they would not have done it: so leave them and their inventions alone.
[Pickthal 6:112] Thus have We appointed unto every prophet an adversary - devils of humankind and jinn who inspire in one another plausible discourse through guile. If thy Lord willed, they would not do so; so leave them alone with their devising;
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 6:112]

Aqa Mahdi Puya says:

The spirit of evil is ever active and leads man astray by false theories of compulsion and predestination, and prevents him from making the right choice. As said in the preceding verse Allah neither prevents the instigators nor the followers through His creative will.


[Shakir 6:113] And that the hearts of those who do not believe in the hereafter may incline to it and that they may be well pleased with it and that they may earn what they are going to earn (of evil).
[Yusufali 6:113] To such (deceit) let the hearts of those incline, who have no faith in the hereafter: let them delight in it, and let them earn from it what they may.
[Pickthal 6:113] That the hearts of those who believe not in the Hereafter may incline thereto, and that they may take pleasure therein, and that they may earn what they are earning.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 6:113]

People who have no faith in the hereafter listen to and are taken in by the deceit of evil (devilish suggestions). The end of evil must be evil.


[Shakir 6:114] Shall I then seek a judge other than Allah? And He it is Who has revealed to you the Book (which is) made plain; and those whom We have given the Book know that it is revealed by your Lord with truth, therefore you should not be of the disputers.
[Yusufali 6:114] Say: "Shall I seek for judge other than Allah? - when He it is Who hath sent unto you the Book, explained in detail." They know full well, to whom We have given the Book, that it hath been sent down from thy Lord in truth. Never be then of those who doubt.
[Pickthal 6:114] Shall I seek other than Allah for judge, when He it is Who hath revealed unto you (this) Scripture, fully explained? Those unto whom We gave the Scripture (aforetime) know that it is revealed from thy Lord in truth. So be not thou (O Muhammad) of the waverers.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 6:114]

The Holy Prophet seeks no other standard of judgement save Allah's will. He knows that Allah, in His grace, has explained His will in the Quran. The people are warned not to be among those who doubt.


[Shakir 6:115] And the word of your Lord has been accomplished truly and justly; there is none who can change His words, and He is the Hearing, the Knowing.
[Yusufali 6:115] The word of thy Lord doth find its fulfilment in truth and in justice: None can change His words: for He is the one who heareth and knoweth all.
[Pickthal 6:115] Perfected is the Word of thy Lord in truth and justice. There is naught that can change His words. He is the Hearer, the Knower.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 6:115]

Tammat - fulfilment or perfection - refers to the following conclusions.

1. Perfection of the religion of Allah after the announcement of the wilayah of Imam Ali at Ghadir Khum - refer to verses 67 and 3 of al Ma-idah .

2. The fulfilment of the promise of sending the comforter, the spirit of truth (the Holy Prophet). Refer to the commentary of al Baqarah : 40.

3. The fulfilment of the promise of help given to the Holy Prophet on several occasions - Badr, Uhad, Khaybar etcetera - when the Holy Prophet and Islam were saved through Imam Ali, the hand of Allah (Yadullah).

"There is none who can change His words" is a challenge that the Quran, the revealed word of Allah, will never, like the earlier heavenly scriptures, be tampered with or made to lose its originality and genuineness, as has been explained by Aqa Mahdi Puya in his essay "The originality of the Holy Quran". To save the Quran from tahrif (change), under the command of Allah, the Holy Prophet left the Quran in the safe hands of his Ahl ul Bayt. Refer to hadith al thaqalayn in the introduction under "Essentials: For the readers of the Holy Quran".


[Shakir 6:116] And if you obey most of those in the earth, they will lead you astray from Allah's way; they follow but conjecture and they only lie.
[Yusufali 6:116] Wert thou to follow the common run of those on earth, they will lead thee away from the way of Allah. They follow nothing but conjecture: they do nothing but lie.
[Pickthal 6:116] If thou obeyedst most of those on earth they would mislead thee far from Allah's way. They follow naught but an opinion, and they do but guess.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 6:116]

The followers of the Holy Prophet are warned that the majority of the people are weak, therefore, liable to be misled by false theories. Allah knows those who follow the right guidance and also those who go astray.


[Shakir 6:117] Surely your Lord-- He best knows who goes astray from His way, and He best knows those who follow the right course.
[Yusufali 6:117] Thy Lord knoweth best who strayeth from His way: He knoweth best who they are that receive His guidance.
[Pickthal 6:117] Lo! thy Lord, He knoweth best who erreth from His way; and He knoweth best (who are) the rightly guided.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 6:117] (see commentary for verse 116)
[Shakir 6:118] Therefore eat of that on which Allah's name has been mentioned if you are believers in His communications.
[Yusufali 6:118] So eat of (meats) on which Allah's name hath been pronounced, if ye have faith in His signs.
[Pickthal 6:118] Eat of that over which the name of Allah hath been mentioned, if ye are believers in His revelations.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 6:118]

In al Baqarah : 173 and al Ma-idah : 3 the description of unlawful food has been given. Only (the meat of) those halal (lawful) animals are allowed to be eaten who are slaughtered in the name of Allah. What has been forbidden has been made known unless one is compelled to eat such forbidden animals by sheer necessity.

(This sanction indirectly proves the necessity of taqiyah).

Those animals, even though lawful, become haram (unlawful) over which the name of Allah has not been pronounced at the time of slaughter.

The sin, actually committed by any of the part of the body, can be described as "open sin"; and the evil which lurks in the mind, though not carried out, can be named as "secret sin".

In Minhaj us Sadiqin it is said that to a true lover of Allah it is an "open sin" if he is mentally engrossed all the time in the bounties of Allah available in this world, and it is a "secret sin"' if he spends much time in visualizing the blessings he will get in the hereafter, because in both situations he detaches himself from the remembrance of Allah. In both cases "sin" has not been used in the sense of transgressing the limits of shariah.

The term wahi has been used for the inspiration Shaytan creates in his friends, who follow his suggestions and eat forbidden food.

It is reported that the infidels, who used to eat carrion, told the Holy Prophet that it was Allah who killed the animals which they ate, so what was wrong in eating animals killed by Allah when the Muslims ate the animals killed by man. This argument created doubts in the minds of some of the Muslims. So it has been clarified that those who listen to the satanic suggestions are indeed polytheists.


[Shakir 6:119] And what reason have you that you should not eat of that on which Allah's name has been mentioned, and He has already made plain to you what He has forbidden to you-- excepting what you are compelled to; and most surely many would lead (people) astray by their low desires out of ignorance; surely your Lord-- He best knows those who exceed the limits.
[Yusufali 6:119] Why should ye not eat of (meats) on which Allah's name hath been pronounced, when He hath explained to you in detail what is forbidden to you - except under compulsion of necessity? But many do mislead (men) by their appetites unchecked by knowledge. Thy Lord knoweth best those who transgress.
[Pickthal 6:119] How should ye not eat of that over which the name of Allah hath been mentioned, when He hath explained unto you that which is forbidden unto you unless ye are compelled thereto. But lo! many are led astray by their own lusts through ignorance. Lo! thy Lord, He is Best Aware of the transgressors.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 6:119] (see commentary for verse 118)
[Shakir 6:120] And abandon open and secret sin; surely they who earn sin shall be recompensed with what they earned.
[Yusufali 6:120] Eschew all sin, open or secret: those who earn sin will get due recompense for their "earnings."
[Pickthal 6:120] Forsake the outwardness of sin and the inwardness thereof. Lo! those who garner sin will be awarded that which they have earned.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 6:120] (see commentary for verse 118)
[Shakir 6:121] And do not eat of that on which Allah's name has not been mentioned, and that is most surely a transgression; and most surely the Shaitans suggest to their friends that they should contend with you; and if you obey them, you shall most surely be polytheists.
[Yusufali 6:121] Eat not of (meats) on which Allah's name hath not been pronounced: That would be impiety. But the evil ones ever inspire their friends to contend with you if ye were to obey them, ye would indeed be Pagans.
[Pickthal 6:121] And eat not of that whereon Allah's name hath not been mentioned, for lo! it is abomination. Lo! the devils do inspire their minions to dispute with you. But if ye obey them, ye will be in truth idolaters.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 6:121] (see commentary for verse 118)
[Shakir 6:122] Is he who was dead then We raised him to life and made for him a light by which he walks among the people, like him whose likeness is that of one in utter darkness whence he cannot come forth? Thus what they did was made fair seeming to the unbelievers.
[Yusufali 6:122] Can he who was dead, to whom We gave life, and a light whereby he can walk amongst men, be like him who is in the depths of darkness, from which he can never come out? Thus to those without faith their own deeds seem pleasing.
[Pickthal 6:122] Is he who was dead and We have raised him unto life, and set for him a light wherein he walketh among men, as him whose similitude is in utter darkness whence he cannot emerge? Thus is their conduct made fairseeming for the disbelievers.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 6:122]

Ignorance is death. Knowledge (light) is life. Ignorance puts the conscience to sleep. Knowledge directs the inner self to the right path.

According to Minhaj us Sadiqin Abu Jahal's infidelity has been compared with Ammar bin Yasir's faith.

Aqa Mahdi Puya says:

The terms of death and life are relative. Their application varies from the simplest form of matter to the most sophisticated form of human beings, among whom there are further grades according to inherent intellect and power of execution, the highest example is of the prophets and the chosen representatives of Allah. Death has been used in this verse in the sense of the absence of the light of faith, and life in the sense of a fully aware conscience guiding the soul to the right path; but wherever the "bringing of the dead to life" is mentioned in the Quran this interpretation (an ignorant disbeliever is shown light to make him a believer) does not apply.


[Shakir 6:123] And thus have We made in every town the great ones to be its guilty ones, that they may plan therein; and they do not plan but against their own souls, and they do not perceive.
[Yusufali 6:123] Thus have We placed leaders in every town, its wicked men, to plot (and burrow) therein: but they only plot against their own souls, and they perceive it not.
[Pickthal 6:123] And thus have We made in every city great ones of its wicked ones, that they should plot therein. They do but plot against themselves, though they perceive not.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 6:123]

The tribal chiefs of Makka devised intrigues against the life and mission of the Holy Prophet. Such influential leaders always opposed the messengers of Allah right from the beginning in every community; and even today their followers work against Allah's religion, but they cause their own ruin. It is the divine plan to show the people that the might of the powerful chiefs and leaders becomes ineffective and worthless before the ever-prevalent omnipotence of Allah.


[Shakir 6:124] And when a communication comes to them they say: We will not believe till we are given the like of what Allah's messengers are given. Allah best knows where He places His message. There shall befall those who are guilty humiliation from Allah and severe chastisement because of what they planned.
[Yusufali 6:124] When there comes to them a sign (from Allah), They say: "We shall not believe until we receive one (exactly) like those received by Allah's messengers." Allah knoweth best where (and how) to carry out His mission. Soon will the wicked be overtaken by humiliation before Allah, and a severe punishment, for all their plots.
[Pickthal 6:124] And when a token cometh unto them, they say: We will not believe till we are given that which Allah's messengers are given. Allah knoweth best with whom to place His message. Humiliation from Allah and heavy punishment will smite the guilty for their scheming.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 6:124]

It was Walid bin Mugirah who told the Holy Prophet that as he had more wealth and power the prophethood should have been given to him. This verse is a reply to him, and men like him, that Allah alone, in His infinite wisdom, knows who is fit to carry out His commission as a prophet or as a vicegerent (Imam or Khalifa).

Aqa Mahdi Puya says:

Verses 12 to 15 of as Saffat and verse 7 of al Ahqaf also confirm that the Holy Prophet showed some signs (miracles) to the people when it was absolutely necessary but disbelieving infidels said: "This is only magic" or "This is pure sorcery", because their repulsive nature would not allow them to believe in the clear evidences of the Holy Prophet's singular powers Allah had bestowed on him.


[Shakir 6:125] Therefore (for) whomsoever Allah intends that He would guide him aright, He expands his breast for Islam, and (for) whomsoever He intends that He should cause him to err, He makes his breast strait and narrow as though he were ascending upwards; thus does Allah lay uncleanness on those who do not believe.
[Yusufali 6:125] Those whom Allah (in His plan) willeth to guide,- He openeth their breast to Islam; those whom He willeth to leave straying,- He maketh their breast close and constricted, as if they had to climb up to the skies: thus doth Allah (heap) the penalty on those who refuse to believe.
[Pickthal 6:125] And whomsoever it is Allah's will to guide, He expandeth his bosom unto the Surrender, and whomsoever it is His Will to send astray, He maketh his bosom close and narrow as if he were engaged in sheer ascent. Thus Allah layeth ignominy upon those who believe not.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 6:125]

Allah's universal plan is unalterable. In the spiritual world, as in the physical world, there are laws which are operating according to His will. If a man refuses faith, he becomes a rebel and to take spiritual breath is as difficult as if he has to climb up to the sky. On the other hand, the godly will find, with each step, the next step easier. Therefore, it is not Allah who renders the disbelievers incapable of believing in the truth, but according to the divine plan they are given full freedom to go astray if they desire to do so.

According to the Holy Prophet an enlightened heart dislikes the allurements of this world and make full preparation to go to the next world through the medium of death.


[Shakir 6:126] And this is the path of your Lord, (a) right (path); indeed We have made the communications clear for a people who mind.
[Yusufali 6:126] This is the way of thy Lord, leading straight: We have detailed the signs for those who receive admonition.
[Pickthal 6:126] This is the path of thy Lord, a straight path. We have detailed Our revelations for a people who take heed.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 6:126]

The religion of Islam, the only right path shown by the Quran, is followed by those whose hearts and minds have been enlightened. They understand the signs of Allah and receive guidance. Their abode, in the hereafter, is the eternal land of peace and happiness (darussalam).


[Shakir 6:127] They shall have the abode of peace with their Lord, and He is their guardian because of what they did.
[Yusufali 6:127] For them will be a home of peace in the presence of their Lord: He will be their friend, because they practised (righteousness).
[Pickthal 6:127] For them is the abode of peace with their Lord. He will be their Protecting Friend because of what they used to do.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 6:127] (see commentary for verse 126)
[Shakir 6:128] And on the day when He shall gather them all together: O assembly of jinn! you took away a great part of mankind. And their friends from among the men shall say: Our Lord! some of us profited by others and we have reached our appointed term which Thou didst appoint for us. He shall say: The fire is your abode, to abide in it, except as Allah is pleased; surely your Lord is Wise, Knowing.
[Yusufali 6:128] One day will He gather them all together, (and say): "O ye assembly of Jinns! Much (toll) did ye take of men." Their friends amongst men will say: "Our Lord! we made profit from each other: but (alas!) we reached our term - which thou didst appoint for us." He will say: "The Fire be your dwelling-place: you will dwell therein for ever, except as Allah willeth." for thy Lord is full of wisdom and knowledge.
[Pickthal 6:128] In the day when He will gather them together (He will say): O ye assembly of the jinn! Many of humankind did ye seduce. And their adherents among humankind will say: Our Lord! We enjoyed one another, but now we have arrived at the appointed term which Thou appointedst for us. He will say: Fire is your home. Abide therein for ever, save him whom Allah willeth (to deliver). Lo! thy Lord is Wise, Aware.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 6:128]

According to the root meaning of jinn (to be covered or hidden) they are invisible beings. Jinn are stated to have been created from fire. In many verses jinn and men (created from clay) are spoken of together. The angels are the spirit of goodness and jinn are the spirit of evil. For further information, see commentary of al Baqarah : 30 under "Jinn". As an illustration the word jinn is also used for the mischief-makers among the disbelievers (for whom the word shayatin, the devils, has also been used). Ibn Abbas says that in this verse jinn means "the leaders of the infidels", because they used to plan their wicked intrigues in secret meetings, and in times of turmoil and defeat used to hide themselves behind their worldly positions.

Aqa Mahdi Puya says:

This verse asserts the existence of invisible beings who establish communication with the human beings and influence the weak-minded among them so as to lead them astray from the right path. Evil consorts with evil because of their mutual bargains, bound as they are to each other in the planning and execution of evil.


[Shakir 6:129] And thus do We make some of the iniquitous to befriend others on account of what they earned.
[Yusufali 6:129] Thus do we make the wrong-doers turn to each other, because of what they earn.
[Pickthal 6:129] Thus We let some of the wrong-doers have power over others because of what they are wont to earn.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 6:129] (see commentary for verse 128)
[Shakir 6:130] O assembly of jinn and men! did there not come to you messengers from among you, relating to you My communications and warning you of the meeting of this day of yours? They shall say: We bear witness against ourselves; and this world's life deceived them, and they shall bear witness against their own souls that they were unbelievers.
[Yusufali 6:130] "O ye assembly of Jinns and men! came there not unto you messengers from amongst you, setting forth unto you My signs, and warning you of the meeting of this Day of yours?" They will say: "We bear witness against ourselves." It was the life of this world that deceived them. So against themselves will they bear witness that they rejected Faith.
[Pickthal 6:130] O ye assembly of the jinn and humankind! Came there not unto you messengers of your own who recounted unto you My tokens and warned you of the meeting of this your Day? They will say: We testify against ourselves. And the life of the world beguiled them. And they testify against themselves that they were disbelievers.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 6:130]

Aqa Mahdi Puya says:

Minkum (from among you) indicates that messengers of Allah had also been sent to the jinn (a separate people) because the Quran says: "We have sent a guide to every people." As man is superior to all the created beings the messengers sent to the jinn must have worked under the human-prophets, but the Holy Prophet was the sole guide for all the created beings, men, jinn and angels, and for this reason the jinn have been addressed in the Quran - Ahqaf : 29; Rahman : 33; Jinn : 1.


[Shakir 6:131] This is because your Lord would not destroy towns unjustly while their people were negligent.
[Yusufali 6:131] (The messengers were sent) thus, for thy Lord would not destroy for their wrong-doing men's habitations whilst their occupants were unwarned.
[Pickthal 6:131] This is because thy Lord destroyeth not the townships arbitrarily while their people are unconscious (of the wrong they do).
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 6:131]

Aqa Mahdi Puya says:

As a principle no one is punished unless the divine guidance is made available to him.


[Shakir 6:132] And all have degrees according to what they do; and your Lord is not heedless of what they do.
[Yusufali 6:132] To all are degrees (or ranks) according to their deeds: for thy Lord is not unmindful of anything that they do.
[Pickthal 6:132] For all there will be ranks from what they did. Thy Lord is not unaware of what they do.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 6:132]

There will be degrees in our spiritual position according to the degrees of good and evil in our deeds and motives.


[Shakir 6:133] And your Lord is the Self-sufficient one, the Lord of mercy; if He pleases, He may take you off, and make whom He pleases successors after you, even as He raised you up from the seed of another people.
[Yusufali 6:133] Thy Lord is self-sufficient, full of Mercy: if it were His will, He could destroy you, and in your place appoint whom He will as your successors, even as He raised you up from the posterity of other people.
[Pickthal 6:133] Thy Lord is the Absolute, the Lord of Mercy. If He will, He can remove you and can cause what He will to follow after you, even as He raised you from the seed of other folk.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 6:133]

Allah is self-sufficient, independent, standing in no need of our worship of Him or our good, nor does our evil affect Him in the least. It is out of His mercy that for our good He sent His messengers. Any race or people whom He gives opportunities to follow the right path should know that in the event of their deviation and disobedience He may create others in their place, as He did in the past.


[Shakir 6:134] Surely what you are threatened with must come to pass and you cannot escape (it).
[Yusufali 6:134] All that hath been promised unto you will come to pass: nor can ye frustrate it (in the least bit).
[Pickthal 6:134] Lo! that which ye are promised will surely come to pass, and ye cannot escape.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 6:134]

Tu-aduna literally means "promised", but here it implies the warning of punishment to be inflicted upon the disbelievers on the day of judgement.


[Shakir 6:135] Say: O my people! act according to your ability; I too am acting; so you will soon come to know, for whom (of us) will be the (good) end of the abode; surely the unjust shall not be successful.
[Yusufali 6:135] Say: "O my people! Do whatever ye can: I will do (my part): soon will ye know who it is whose end will be (best) in the Hereafter: certain it is that the wrong-doers will not prosper."
[Pickthal 6:135] Say (O Muhammad): O my people! Work according to your power. Lo! I too am working. Thus ye will come to know for which of us will be the happy sequel. Lo! the wrong-doers will not be successful.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 6:135]

"Do your utmost. Nothing will deter me (the Holy Prophet) from my duty. We shall see who wins in the end" is a challenge and a warning to the disbelievers. This declaration is true for all time. The evil ones do their worst. Those who follow the right path do what they are told by Allah and His Prophet. In the end Allah will judge, and His judgement is always true and just.


[Shakir 6:136] And they set apart a portion for Allah out of what He has created of tilth and cattle, and say: This is for Allah-- so they assert-- and this for our associates; then what is for their associates, it reaches not to Allah, and whatever is (set apart) for Allah, it reaches to their associates; evil is that which they judge.
[Yusufali 6:136] Out of what Allah hath produced in abundance in tilth and in cattle, they assigned Him a share: they say, according to their fancies: "This is for Allah, and this" - for our "partners"! but the share of their" partners "reacheth not Allah, whilst the share of Allah reacheth their "partners" ! evil (and unjust) is their assignment!
[Pickthal 6:136] They assign unto Allah, of the crops and cattle which He created, a portion, and they say: "This is Allah's" - in their make-believe - "and this is for (His) partners in regard to us." Thus that which (they assign) unto His partners in them reacheth not Allah and that which (they assign) unto Allah goeth to their (so-called) partners. Evil is their ordinance.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 6:136]

The pagans of Arabia had generally a big pantheon, though, above it, they had a vague idea of a supreme God. They used to set apart a certain portion of the produce of their fields and flocks and assign a share to Allah and a share to their idols, which the priests took as the representatives of the idols. The share assigned to Allah was meant to relieve the poor and the wayfarer but usually the priests appropriated it for their use. It is said that when heaps were thus laid out, if any portion of God's heap fell into the heaps of the idols, the priests greedily and promptly appropriated it, while in the contrary case they were careful to reclaim any such portion from what they called "God's heap". The absurdity of the whole ritual is ridiculed. Allah created everything. Everything in the heavens and the earth and in between them belongs to Him. He is the absolute owner of all that which has been created.


[Shakir 6:137] And thus their associates have made fair seeming to most of the polytheists the killing of their children, that they may cause them to perish and obscure for them their religion; and if Allah had pleased, they would not have done it, therefore leave them and that which they forge.
[Yusufali 6:137] Even so, in the eyes of most of the pagans, their "partners" made alluring the slaughter of their children, in order to lead them to their own destruction, and cause confusion in their religion. If Allah had willed, they would not have done so: But leave alone them and their inventions.
[Pickthal 6:137] Thus have their (so-called) partners (of Allah) made the killing of their children to seem fair unto many of the idolaters, that they may ruin them and make their faith obscure for them. Had Allah willed (it otherwise), they had not done so. So leave them alone with their devices.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 6:137]

The custodians of the temples had convinced their followers that the killing of their children was desirable in order to ruin them and falsify their faith; so their religion was a confused bundle of revolting superstitions.

If Allah had so willed He would have stopped them but as man has been given freedom of choice and action it would have been contrary to the divine universal plan. Man must understand the law made by Allah and follow the right course in order to find peace, harmony and happiness.


[Shakir 6:138] And they say: These are cattle and tilth prohibited, none shall eat them except such as We please-- so they assert-- and cattle whose backs are forbidden, and cattle on which they would not mention Allah's name-- forging a lie against Him; He shall requite them for what they forged.
[Yusufali 6:138] And they say that such and such cattle and crops are taboo, and none should eat of them except those whom - so they say - We wish; further, there are cattle forbidden to yoke or burden, and cattle on which, (at slaughter), the name of Allah is not pronounced; - inventions against Allah's name: soon will He requite them for their inventions.
[Pickthal 6:138] And they say: Such cattle and crops are forbidden. No-one is to eat of them save whom we will - in their make-believe - cattle whose backs are forbidden, cattle over which they mention not the name of Allah. (All that is) a lie against Him. He will repay them for that which they invent.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 6:138]

To dedicate cattle and produce to idols and declare them as taboo was a device of the priests to get special things for themselves. They never pronounced the name of Allah at any time, either when milching them, or riding them, or slaughtering them. They took all these superstitious customs as acts of devotion and service to Him. It was a lie against Him. Most superstitions are.


[Shakir 6:139] And they say: What is in the wombs of these cattle is specially for our males, and forbidden to our wives, and if it be stillborn, then they are all partners in it; He will reward them for their attributing (falsehood to Allah); surely He is Wise, Knowing.
[Yusufali 6:139] They say: "What is in the wombs of such and such cattle is specially reserved (for food) for our men, and forbidden to our women; but if it is still-born, then all have share therein. For their (false) attribution (of superstitions to Allah), He will soon punish them: for He is full of wisdom and knowledge.
[Pickthal 6:139] And they say: That which is in the bellies of such cattle is reserved for our males and is forbidden to our wives; but if it be born dead, then they (all) may be partakers thereof. He will reward them for their attribution (of such ordinances unto Him). Lo, He is Wise, Aware.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 6:139]

These are some more pagan superstitions about cattle.

Aqa Mahdi Puya says:

The superstitious rites and rituals of the pagans, mentioned in verses 137 to 140, were deliberately introduced by the priests to exploit the ignorant people in the name of God. The laws and ordinances decreed by Allah are based upon reason and wisdom. Those who attribute such stupid superstitions to Him will be severely punished.


[Shakir 6:140] They are lost indeed who kill their children foolishly without knowledge, and forbid what Allah has given to them forging a lie against Allah; they have indeed gone astray, and they are not the followers of the right course.
[Yusufali 6:140] Lost are those who slay their children, from folly, without knowledge, and forbid food which Allah hath provided for them, inventing (lies) against Allah. They have indeed gone astray and heeded no guidance.
[Pickthal 6:140] They are losers who besottedly have slain their children without knowledge, and have forbidden that which Allah bestowed upon them, inventing a lie against Allah. They indeed have gone astray and are not guided.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 6:140]

Refer to verse 138 of this surah.

The practice of infanticide was almost universal. The reform effected by Islam is a world reform. The Arab pagans used to bury alive their daughters because, as the females were neither allowed to earn their livelihood nor to own property, they were considered a burden. Moreover the more powerful among them usually took away the females by force and in this way the relatives of the female were put to shame.


[Shakir 6:141] And He it is Who produces gardens (of vine), trellised and untrellised, and palms and seed-produce of which the fruits are of various sorts, and olives and pomegranates, like and unlike; eat of its fruit when it bears fruit, and pay the due of it on the day of its reaping, and do not act extravagantly; surely He does not love the extravagant.
[Yusufali 6:141] It is He Who produceth gardens, with trellises and without, and dates, and tilth with produce of all kinds, and olives and pomegranates, similar (in kind) and different (in variety): eat of their fruit in their season, but render the dues that are proper on the day that the harvest is gathered. But waste not by excess: for Allah loveth not the wasters.
[Pickthal 6:141] He it is Who produceth gardens trellised and untrellised, and the date-palm, and crops of divers flavour, and the olive and the pomegranate, like and unlike. Eat ye of the fruit thereof when it fruiteth, and pay the due thereof upon the harvest day, and be not prodigal. Lo! Allah loveth not the prodigals.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 6:141]

The beneficent Lord (rahman) has provided enough natural resources on the earth for human beings. All can have necessary provisions if man follows the rules and regulations the religion of Allah, Islam, has laid down for the common good of all humanity. "Give His share and do not be extravagant" is the guidance for the overall welfare of the human society.

For giving Allah's share (zakat, khums, sadqa etcetera) please refer to fiqh.


[Shakir 6:142] And of cattle (He created) beasts of burden and those which are fit for slaughter only; eat of what Allah has given you and do not follow the footsteps of the Shaitan; surely he is your open enemy.
[Yusufali 6:142] Of the cattle are some for burden and some for meat: eat what Allah hath provided for you, and follow not the footsteps of Satan: for he is to you and avowed enemy.
[Pickthal 6:142] And of the cattle (He produceth) some for burdens, some for food. Eat of that which Allah hath bestowed upon you, and follow not the footsteps of the devil, for lo! he is an open foe to you.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 6:142]

Farsh implies those animals (goats, sheep etcetera) which are thrown down on the ground for slaughter. Farasha means to spread on the floor. Also beds and mats are made from their skins and wool.


[Shakir 6:143] Eight in pairs-- two of sheep and two of goats. Say: Has He forbidden the two males or the two females or that which the wombs of the two females contain? Inform me with knowledge if you are truthful.
[Yusufali 6:143] (Take) eight (head of cattle) in (four) pairs: of sheep a pair, and of goats a pair; say, hath He forbidden the two males, or the two females, or (the young) which the wombs of the two females enclose? Tell me with knowledge if ye are truthful:
[Pickthal 6:143] Eight pairs: Of the sheep twain, and of the goats twain. Say: Hath He forbidden the two males or the two females, or that which the wombs of the two females contain? Expound to me (the case) with knowledge, if ye are truthful.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 6:143]

The superstition referred to in verses 137 to 140 of this surah have been further ridiculed and condemned in these verses.

Aqa Mahdi Puya says:

"Who then is more unjust than he who forges a lie against Allah to lead mankind astray without knowledge" is applicable to all kinds of conjectures in the matters of religion.


[Shakir 6:144] And two of camels and two of cows. Say: Has He forbidden the two males or the two females or that which the wombs of the two females contain? Or were you witnesses when Allah enjoined you this? Who, then, is more unjust than he who forges a lie against Allah that he should lead astray men without knowledge? Surely Allah does not guide the unjust people.
[Yusufali 6:144] Of camels a pair, and oxen a pair; say, hath He forbidden the two males, or the two females, or (the young) which the wombs of the two females enclose? - Were ye present when Allah ordered you such a thing? But who doth more wrong than one who invents a lie against Allah, to lead astray men without knowledge? For Allah guideth not people who do wrong.
[Pickthal 6:144] And of the camels twain and of the oxen twain. Say: Hath He forbidden the two males or the two females, or that which the wombs of the two females contain; or were ye by to witness when Allah commanded you (all) this? Then who doth greater wrong than he who deviseth a lie concerning Allah, that he may lead mankind astray without knowledge. Lo! Allah guideth not wrongdoing folk.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 6:144] (see commentary for verse 143)
[Shakir 6:145] Say: I do not find in that which has been revealed to me anything forbidden for an eater to eat of except that it be what has died of itself, or blood poured forth, or flesh of swine-- for that surely is unclean-- or that which is a transgression, other than (the name of) Allah having been invoked on it; but whoever is driven to necessity, not desiring nor exceeding the limit, then surely your Lord is Forgiving, Merciful.
[Yusufali 6:145] Say: "I find not in the message received by me by inspiration any (meat) forbidden to be eaten by one who wishes to eat it, unless it be dead meat, or blood poured forth, or the flesh of swine,- for it is an abomination - or, what is impious, (meat) on which a name has been invoked, other than Allah's". But (even so), if a person is forced by necessity, without wilful disobedience, nor transgressing due limits,- thy Lord is Oft-forgiving, Most Merciful.
[Pickthal 6:145] Say: I find not in that which is revealed unto me aught prohibited to an eater that he eat thereof, except it be carrion, or blood poured forth, or swineflesh - for that verily is foul - or the abomination which was immolated to the name of other than Allah. But whoso is compelled (thereto), neither craving nor transgressing, (for him) lo! thy Lord is Forgiving, Merciful.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 6:145]

Please refer to the commentary of al Baqarah :173.


[Shakir 6:146] And to those who were Jews We made unlawful every animal having claws, and of oxen and sheep We made unlawful to them the fat of both, except such as was on their backs or the entrails or what was mixed with bones: this was a punishment We gave them on account of their rebellion, and We are surely Truthful.
[Yusufali 6:146] For those who followed the Jewish Law, We forbade every (animal) with undivided hoof, and We forbade them that fat of the ox and the sheep, except what adheres to their backs or their entrails, or is mixed up with a bone: this in recompense for their wilful disobedience: for We are true (in Our ordinances).
[Pickthal 6:146] Unto those who are Jews We forbade every animal with claws. And of the oxen and the sheep forbade We unto them the fat thereof save that upon the backs or the entrails, or that which is mixed with the bone. That we awarded them for their rebellion. And lo! we verily are truthful.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 6:146]

Zufur means claw or hoof. Zu Zufurin means the animals or the birds who have undivided hoofs - camel, ostrich, goose and duck.

The camel, the coney and the hare were made unlawful to the Jews as a punishment.


[Shakir 6:147] But if they give you the lie, then say: Your Lord is the Lord of All-encompassing mercy; and His punishment cannot be averted from the guilty people.
[Yusufali 6:147] If they accuse thee of falsehood, say: "Your Lord is full of mercy all-embracing; but from people in guilt never will His wrath be turned back.
[Pickthal 6:147] So if they give the lie to thee (Muhammad), say: Your Lord is a Lord of All-Embracing Mercy, and His wrath will never be withdrawn from guilty folk.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 6:147]

The Lord of the worlds is full of all-embracing mercy, so He is not hasty in His judgement, but His wrath will not be turned back from the guilty beliers and slayers of the prophets.


[Shakir 6:148] Those who are polytheists will say: If Allah had pleased we would not have associated (aught with Him) nor our fathers, nor would we have forbidden (to ourselves) anything; even so did those before them reject until they tasted Our punishment. Say: Have you any knowledge with you so you should bring it forth to us? You only follow a conjecture and you only tell lies.
[Yusufali 6:148] Those who give partners (to Allah) will say: "If Allah had wished, we should not have given partners to Him nor would our fathers; nor should we have had any taboos." So did their ancestors argue falsely, until they tasted of Our wrath. Say: "Have ye any (certain) knowledge? If so, produce it before us. Ye follow nothing but conjecture: ye do nothing but lie."
[Pickthal 6:148] They who are idolaters will say: Had Allah willed, we had not ascribed (unto Him) partners neither had our fathers, nor had we forbidden aught. Thus did those who were before them give the lie (to Allah's messengers) till they tasted of the fear of Us. Say: Have ye any knowledge that ye can adduce for Us? Lo! ye follow naught but an opinion, Lo! ye do but guess.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 6:148]

The arguments that man has no personal responsibility, that he is the victim of a determinism against which he is helpless. and that he may therefore go on doing what he is doing, have been attributed to the polytheists in this verse. Therefore those who believe in determinism and reject freedom of action and the responsibilities thereof, unwittingly join the camp of the polytheists who will be the fuel of the hell-fire. Allah is omnipotent. He does what He wills. But He, in His universal plan, has given man the freedom of choice and action. He has helped man to find the right path by sending His messenger - guides. It is His mercy and grace. Man can thankfully accept Allah's guidance or ungratefully deny it to go astray.


[Shakir 6:149] Say: Then Allah's is the conclusive argument; so if He please, He would certainly guide you all.
[Yusufali 6:149] Say: "With Allah is the argument that reaches home: if it had been His will, He could indeed have guided you all."
[Pickthal 6:149] Say - For Allah's is the final argument - Had He willed He could indeed have guided all of you.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 6:149] (see commentary for verse 148)
[Shakir 6:150] Say: Bring your witnesses who should bear witness that Allah has forbidden this, then if they bear witness, do not bear witness with them; and follow not the low desires of those who reject Our communications and of those who do not believe in the hereafter, and they make (others) equal to their Lord.
[Yusufali 6:150] Say: "Bring forward your witnesses to prove that Allah did forbid so and so." If they bring such witnesses, be not thou amongst them: Nor follow thou the vain desires of such as treat our signs as falsehoods, and such as believe not in the Hereafter: for they hold others as equal with their Guardian-Lord.
[Pickthal 6:150] Say: Come, bring your witnesses who can bear witness that Allah forbade (all) this. And if they bear witness, do not thou bear witness with them. Follow thou not the whims of those who deny Our revelations, those who believe not in the Hereafter and deem (others) equal with their Lord.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 6:150]

The pagan superstitions were baseless, harmful and debasing. If Allah's name was pronounced to support their falsehood, no true believer in Allah could be deceived.

Those who set up false gods fail to understand Allah's true authority and their own true destiny.


[Shakir 6:151] Say: Come I will recite what your Lord has forbidden to you-- (remember) that you do not associate anything with Him and show kindness to your parents, and do not slay your children for (fear of) poverty-- We provide for you and for them-- and do not draw nigh to indecencies, those of them which are apparent and those which are concealed, and do not kill the soul which Allah has forbidden except for the requirements of justice; this He has enjoined you with that you may understand.
[Yusufali 6:151] Say: "Come, I will rehearse what Allah hath (really) prohibited you from": Join not anything as equal with Him; be good to your parents; kill not your children on a plea of want;- We provide sustenance for you and for them;- come not nigh to shameful deeds. Whether open or secret; take not life, which Allah hath made sacred, except by way of justice and law: thus doth He command you, that ye may learn wisdom.
[Pickthal 6:151] Say: Come, I will recite unto you that which your Lord hath made a sacred duty for you: That ye ascribe no thing as partner unto Him and that ye do good to parents, and that ye slay not your children because of penury - We provide for you and for them - and that ye draw not nigh to lewd things whether open or concealed. And that ye slay not the life which Allah hath made sacred, save in the course of justice. This He hath command you, in order that ye may discern.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 6:151]

Instead of following pagan superstitions, and being in constant terror of imaginary taboos, we should study, understand and follow the laws made by Allah. He is the one and only Lord - cherisher. The mention of goodness to parents immediately after "belief in one Allah" suggests that Allah's love of us and care for us - in a higher sense - must be understood by reference to the parental love, which is purely unselfish; therefore, our first duty among our fellow creatures is to our father and mother, whose love leads us to the conception of divine love. Arising from our goodness to parents is our duty and love to our children. As said in verse 142 of this surah, the bounties of the Lord are in abundance, so, for fear of poverty, it is ungodly to slay our children. Then comes the moral prohibitions against the lewdness and all unseemly acts, relating to sex or otherwise, open or secret; and the prohibition of killing and fighting. All these injunctions are in our own interest, if we understand the divine plan.


[Shakir 6:152] And do not approach the property of the orphan except in the best manner until he attains his maturity, and give full measure and weight with justice-- We do not impose on any soul a duty except to the extent of its ability; and when you speak, then be just though it be (against) a relative, and fulfill Allah's covenant; this He has enjoined you with that you may be mindful;
[Yusufali 6:152] And come not nigh to the orphan's property, except to improve it, until he attain the age of full strength; give measure and weight with (full) justice;- no burden do We place on any soul, but that which it can bear;- whenever ye speak, speak justly, even if a near relative is concerned; and fulfil the covenant of Allah: thus doth He command you, that ye may remember.
[Pickthal 6:152] And approach not the wealth of the orphan save with that which is better, till he reach maturity. Give full measure and full weight, in justice. We task not any soul beyond its scope. And if ye give your word, do justice thereunto, even though it be (against) a kinsman; and fulfil the covenant of Allah. This He commandeth you that haply ye may remember.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 6:152]

Please refer to the commentary of an Nisa : 6. And for "fulfil Allah's covenant" refer to the last covenant taken from the people by Allah through His Prophet at Ghadir Khum. Please refer to the commentary of al Ma-idah : 67.


[Shakir 6:153] And (know) that this is My path, the right one therefore follow it, and follow not (other) ways, for they will lead you away from His way; this He has enjoined you with that you may guard (against evil).
[Yusufali 6:153] Verily, this is My way, leading straight: follow it: follow not (other) paths: they will scatter you about from His (great) path: thus doth He command you. that ye may be righteous.
[Pickthal 6:153] And (He commandeth you, saying): This is My straight path, so follow it. Follow not other ways, lest ye be parted from His way. This hath He ordained for you, that ye may ward off (evil).
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 6:153]

The religion of Islam, when perfected and completed after the declaration of the wilayah or imamah of Imam Ali ibn abi Talib, at Ghadir Khum, became the only right path for all mankind till eternity (Please refer to the commentary of al Ma-idah : 67 and 3) and according to hadith al thaqalayn (see "Essentials: For the readers of the Holy Quran" in the introduction) and as verified by Ahzab : 33 and Waqi-ah : 77 to 79 the Quran and the Ahl ul Bayt together are the right path, therefore, whoever goes in another direction, other than what has been shown by the Holy Prophet at Ghadir Khum, will deviate from the true path of Allah.


[Shakir 6:154] Again, We gave the Book to Musa to complete (Our blessings) on him who would do good (to others), and making plain all things and a guidance and a mercy, so that they should believe in the meeting of their Lord.
[Yusufali 6:154] Moreover, We gave Moses the Book, completing (Our favour) to those who would do right, and explaining all things in detail,- and a guide and a mercy, that they might believe in the meeting with their Lord.
[Pickthal 6:154] Again, We gave the Scripture unto Moses, complete for him who would do good, an explanation of all things, a guidance and a mercy, that they might believe in the meeting with their Lord.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 6:154]

The Tawrat was given to Musa for the guidance of the Jews. Isa, with the Injil, was also sent for the guidance of the children of Israil. Isa said: "I was sent to the lost sheep of the house of Israil, and to them alone (Matthew 15 : 24 and 25)."

Please refer to the commentary of al Baqarah : 40 to know that both these prophets gave the glad tidings of the advent of the Holy Prophet who finally brought the eternally blessed (mubarak) book of Allah, the Quran (refer to Aqa Mahdi Puya's essay "The Genuineness of the Holy Quran" and the commentary of al Baqarah : 2). After the revelation of the final word of Allah to the last prophet of Allah, no man of any race, colour or clime can ever say at any time that he has not been guided.

"The signs of Allah", which the disbelievers belie, include, in addition to the verses of the Quran, the lives and teachings of the Holy Prophet and his Ahl ul Bayt. A sign is the manifestation of Allah's will. There is nothing in the universe which does not point to the eternal and self-subsisting (hayy al qayyum) existence of Allah, therefore, whatever there is in the universe is a sign of Allah, but all signs are not alike in their manifestation of the original cause. Some are direct and clear. Others are vague and unclear. For example, there are many things which a man uses in his day-to-day life. It is very difficult for another man who has not seen the user of these things to positively describe him by looking at his clothes etcetera used by him when they are separated from him, but if one sees his portrait or image he is at once identified. As the attributes and the glory of the Lord are manifested to their possible perfection only in His messengers and His chosen representatives, they are His direct, clear and perfect signs. The foremost among them are the Holy Prophet and his Ahl ul Bayt.

The verses of the Quran, the miracles displayed by Allah's chosen representatives and all the divine commandments and decrees are also the signs of Allah.


[Shakir 6:155] And this is a Book We have revealed, blessed; therefore follow it and guard (against evil) that mercy may be shown to you.
[Yusufali 6:155] And this is a Book which We have revealed as a blessing: so follow it and be righteous, that ye may receive mercy:
[Pickthal 6:155] And this is a blessed Scripture which We have revealed. So follow it and ward off (evil), that ye may find mercy.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 6:155] (see commentary for verse 154)
[Shakir 6:156] Lest you say that the Book was only revealed to two parties before us and We were truly unaware of what they read.
[Yusufali 6:156] Lest ye should say: "The Book was sent down to two Peoples before us, and for our part, we remained unacquainted with all that they learned by assiduous study:"
[Pickthal 6:156] Lest ye should say: The Scripture was revealed only to two sects before us, and we in sooth were unaware of what they read;
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 6:156] (see commentary for verse 154)
[Shakir 6:157] Or lest you should say: If the Book had been revealed to us, we would certainly have been better guided than they, so indeed there has come to you clear proof from your Lord, and guidance and mercy. Who then is more unjust than he who rejects Allah's communications and turns away from them? We will reward those who turn away from Our communications with an evil chastisement because they turned away.
[Yusufali 6:157] Or lest ye should say: "If the Book had only been sent down to us, we should have followed its guidance better than they." Now then hath come unto you a clear (sign) from your Lord,- and a guide and a mercy: then who could do more wrong than one who rejecteth Allah's signs, and turneth away therefrom? In good time shall We requite those who turn away from Our signs, with a dreadful penalty, for their turning away.
[Pickthal 6:157] Or lest ye should say: If the Scripture had been revealed unto us, we surely had been better guided than are they. Now hath there come unto you a clear proof from your Lord, a guidance and mercy; and who doeth greater wrong than he who denieth the revelations of Allah, and turneth away from them? We award unto those who turn away from Our revelations an evil doom because of their aversion.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 6:157] (see commentary for verse 154)
[Shakir 6:158] They do not wait aught but that the angels should come to them, or that your Lord should come, or that some of the signs of your Lord should come. On the day when some of the signs of your Lord shall come, its faith shall not profit a soul which did not believe before, or earn good through its faith. Say: Wait; we too are waiting.
[Yusufali 6:158] Are they waiting to see if the angels come to them, or thy Lord (Himself), or certain of the signs of thy Lord! the day that certain of the signs of thy Lord do come, no good will it do to a soul to believe in them then if it believed not before nor earned righteousness through its faith. Say: "Wait ye: we too are waiting."
[Pickthal 6:158] Wait they, indeed, for nothing less than that the angels should come unto them, or thy Lord should come, or there should come one of the portents from thy Lord? In the day when one of the portents from thy Lord cometh, its belief availeth naught a soul which theretofore believed not, nor in its belief earned good (by works). Say: Wait ye! Lo! We (too) are waiting.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 6:158]

Aqa Mahdi Puya says:

Through the Jews and the Christians the pagans had heard about the coming of the angels, and the Lord and His signs in the times of their prophets. So they pretended that if these types of events would take place they also would believe in the Holy Prophet's preaching. Through this verse Allah has made clear to them that nothing of this sort would happen, but certainly the angel of death will come and the day of final judgement will come when belief in them will not do any good to the disbelievers, who had not believed in them before. Please refer to the commentary of al Baqarah : 255 to have a clear understanding of the words in the Quran or in the traditions which refer to the movement or visibility of Allah. His absolute unity and infinite existence renders null and void the conjectural idea of His corporeality.

The believer is waiting for the fruits of true belief and righteousness - which, in a higher state of spiritual elevation, is nearness to Allah, a sure thing to happen.


[Shakir 6:159] Surely they who divided their religion into parts and became sects, you have no concern with them; their affair is only with Allah, then He will inform them of what they did.
[Yusufali 6:159] As for those who divide their religion and break up into sects, thou hast no part in them in the least: their affair is with Allah: He will in the end tell them the truth of all that they did.
[Pickthal 6:159] Lo! As for those who sunder their religion and become schismatics, no concern at all hast thou with them. Their case will go to Allah, Who then will tell them what they used to do.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 6:159]

According to Imam Muhammad bin Ali al Baqir this verse is in continuation of verse 154. Those who abandoned the path shown by the Holy Prophet through hadith al thaqalayn and his final announcement at Ghadir Khum, in fact sowed the seeds of discord and sectarianism in Islam, otherwise the directions given by the Holy Prophet, as commanded by Allah, were clear.

"My Ahl ul Bayt are like the ark of Nuh. Whoso gets into it is saved, and whoso stays away is drowned and lost" said the Holy Prophet.

The Holy Prophet also said:

"Out of the seventy-one sects of the followers of Musa, only one was on the right path. The followers of Isa also divided their religion into seventy two sects, out of which only one was on the right path. Likewise there will be seventy three sects among my followers, out of which only one will be on the right path."

The followers of true Islam hold fast to the Quran and the Imams of the Ahl ul Bayt as had been directed by the Holy Prophet.


[Shakir 6:160] Whoever brings a good deed, he shall have ten like it, and whoever brings an evil deed, he shall be recompensed only with the like of it, and they shall not be dealt with unjustly.
[Yusufali 6:160] He that doeth good shall have ten times as much to his credit: He that doeth evil shall only be recompensed according to his evil: no wrong shall be done unto (any of) them.
[Pickthal 6:160] Whoso bringeth a good deed will receive tenfold the like thereof, while whoso bringeth an ill-deed will be awarded but the like thereof; and they will not be wronged.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 6:160]

Allah is just as well as generous. To the good the reward is multiplied ten times (far above merits) by virtue of His generosity. To the evil, the punishment is no more than commensurate with their sin; and even so the door of mercy is always open to those who sincerely repent and show it by their conduct.


[Shakir 6:161] Say: Surely, (as for) me, my Lord has guided me to the right path; (to) a most right religion, the faith of Ibrahim the upright one, and he was not of the polytheists.
[Yusufali 6:161] Say: "Verily, my Lord hath guided me to a way that is straight,- a religion of right,- the path (trod) by Abraham the true in Faith, and he (certainly) joined not gods with Allah."
[Pickthal 6:161] Say: Lo! As for me, my Lord hath guided me unto a straight path, a right religion, the community of Abraham, the upright, who was no idolater.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 6:161]

Please refer to the commentary of al Baqarah : 124 to 129.


[Shakir 6:162] Say. Surely my prayer and my sacrifice and my life and my death are (all) for Allah, the Lord of the worlds;
[Yusufali 6:162] Say: "Truly, my prayer and my service of sacrifice, my life and my death, are (all) for Allah, the Cherisher of the Worlds:
[Pickthal 6:162] Say: Lo! my worship and my sacrifice and my living and my dying are for Allah, Lord of the Worlds.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 6:162]

The highest achievement of a human being is to understand and follow the laws decreed by Allah, which alone generate good in individual and collective life. All the aspects of living with reference to self, family, relatives and possessions should be employed in the service of Allah, out of His love, if one completely surrenders oneself to the will of Allah. There was no better or greater manifestation of a perfect submission to Allah than the Holy Prophet and his Ahl ul Bayt. They were divinely commissioned to establish themselves as everlasting ideals or models for mankind till the day of judgement. An all-comprehensive manifestation of such a perfect submission was seen in Karbala, where the grandson of the Holy Prophet, Imam Husayn, had sacrificed all that he had in the way of Allah. The Bible informs us that Isa said on the cross: "O my Lord! Why Thou has forsaken me?" Ibrahim covered his eyes before going to slaughter his son.

Imam Husayn, every pour of his body a bleeding wound, slid over the burning sand of Naynawa from his horse at the time of Asr prayers, rested his forehead on the ground in prostration and said:

"O Merciful Lord of the worlds! Husayn, Your servant, has given You everything he had received from You, in Your way.

Accept the humble sacrifice of your servant.

If the grandson of your messenger had more, he would have given it to you willingly.

O my Lord! Be merciful and oft-forgiving to the faithfuls."

There was no despair,. no remorse, no sense of loss in his last words. He did not ask anything for himself. He only remembered the faithfuls and asked forgiveness for them. He is an ideal who every refined, high-minded and virtuous person follows and glorifies.


[Shakir 6:163] No associate has He; and this am I commanded, and I am the first of those who submit.
[Yusufali 6:163] No partner hath He: this am I commanded, and I am the first of those who bow to His will.
[Pickthal 6:163] He hath no partner. This am I commanded, and I am first of those who surrender (unto Him).
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 6:163]

The Holy Prophet was the first ideal and perfect model of a true Muslim.


[Shakir 6:164] Say: What! shall I seek a Lord other than Allah? And He is the Lord of all things; and no soul earns (evil) but against itself, and no bearer of burden shall bear the burden of another; then to your Lord is your return, so He will inform you of that in which you differed.
[Yusufali 6:164] Say: "Shall I seek for (my) Cherisher other than Allah, when He is the Cherisher of all things (that exist)? Every soul draws the meed of its acts on none but itself: no bearer of burdens can bear of burdens can bear the burden of another. Your goal in the end is towards Allah: He will tell you the truth of the things wherein ye disputed."
[Pickthal 6:164] Say: Shall I seek another than Allah for Lord, when He is Lord of all things? Each soul earneth only on its own account, nor doth any laden bear another's load. Then unto your Lord is your return and He will tell you that wherein ye differed.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 6:164]

After the emphatic denunciations of idolatry there remains no alternative but to say: "There is no god save Allah, the Lord of the worlds". The doctrine of personal responsibility is decisive. We ourselves are responsible for our deeds. We cannot transfer the consequences to someone else. Nor can any one vicariously atone for our sins. The idea of redemption renders Allah helpless against the evil done freely in His kingdom. Because of this conception the evil-doers run scot-free, without fear of punishment, and destroy peace, harmony and rule of law in the world .

In Islam every individual is answerable for his faith and deeds when he returns to Allah on the day of reckoning. The faithful who have done good and followed the teachings of Allah and his Prophet shall be rewarded and the disbelievers and the sinners will be punished. Those believers who made mistakes but sincerely repented and amended their conduct shall receive His mercy and forgiveness. This system of accountability creates a viable discipline in the human society.

The tradition attributed to the Holy Prophet that the dead will be punished if his friends and relatives weep and mourn over his death is disapproved by this verse.

Aqa Mahdi Puya says:

The Christians have a misconceived idea that the intercessor bears the burden of the sins of the person whom he has saved from punishment. They also say that all the prophets were sinners except Isa who alone will bear the sins of the sinners. But intercession does not mean bearing the burden of the sinner, therefore, all the prophets are able to intercede on behalf of the sinners for obtaining Allah's forgiveness, because no prophet had ever committed a sin.


[Shakir 6:165] And He it is Who has made you successors in the land and raised some of you above others by (various) grades, that He might try you by what He has given you; surely your Lord is quick to requite (evil), and He is most surely the Forgiving, the Merciful.
[Yusufali 6:165] It is He Who hath made you (His) agents, inheritors of the earth: He hath raised you in ranks, some above others: that He may try you in the gifts He hath given you: for thy Lord is quick in punishment: yet He is indeed Oft-forgiving, Most Merciful.
[Pickthal 6:165] He it is Who hath placed you as viceroys of the earth and hath exalted some of you in rank above others, that He may try you by (the test of) that which He hath given you. Lo! Thy Lord is swift in prosecution, and Lo! He verily is Forgiving, Merciful.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 6:165]

The word khala-if, in this verse, means deputies. Every human being has been created to manifest the divine attributes in his or her life. If one lives in this world, keeping in view this sacred assignment, it will make man reach the glorious heights of divine perfection.

Aqa Mahdi Puya says:

The theory that every believer is a vicegerent of Allah cannot be used to assume that men have the right to select or elect anyone from among themselves to exercise authority on their behalf. The verse clearly says that Allah has raised some of His deputies over others in ranks, on account of their wisdom, piety and total dedication to the cause of Allah (jihad); therefore they should be allowed to exercise the divinely delegated authority, followed and obeyed.
 

 

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