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:

The Messenger of Allah (pbuh&hf) has said: "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.


Holy Quran

Chapter 7

Araf & The Heights

[Shakir 7:1] Alif Lam Mim Suad.
[Yusufali 7:1] Alif, Lam, Mim, Sad.
[Pickthal 7:1] Alif. Lam. Mim. Sad.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 7:1]

Refer to the commentary of al Baqarah: 1.


[Shakir 7:2] A Book revealed to you-- so let there be no straitness in your breast on account of it-- that you may warn thereby, and a reminder close to the believers.
[Yusufali 7:2] A Book revealed unto thee,- So let thy heart be oppressed no more by any difficulty on that account,- that with it thou mightest warn (the erring) and teach the Believers).
[Pickthal 7:2] (It is) a Scripture that is revealed unto thee (Muhammad) - so let there be no heaviness in thy heart therefrom - that thou mayst warn thereby, and (it is) a Reminder unto believers.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 7:2]

See Aqa Mahdi Puya's essay "The Genuineness of the Holy Quran" on page (i) and the commentary of al Baqarah: 2.

The theory of changing or amending the divine commandments or making new laws contrary to what has been revealed in the Quran through ijtihad has been rendered null and void by verse 3, therefore whosoever, be he a relative or a companion of the Holy Prophet, had resorted to this type of ijtihad, in fact, had done injustice to himself and his followers.


[Shakir 7:3] Follow what has been revealed to you from your Lord and do not follow guardians besides Him, how little do you mind.
[Yusufali 7:3] Follow (O men!) the revelation given unto you from your Lord, and follow not, as friends or protectors, other than Him. Little it is ye remember of admonition.
[Pickthal 7:3] (Saying): Follow that which is sent down unto you from your Lord, and follow no protecting friends beside Him. Little do ye recollect!
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 7:3] (see commentary for verse 2)
[Shakir 7:4] And how many a town that We destroyed, so Our punishment came to it by night or while they slept at midday.
[Yusufali 7:4] How many towns have We destroyed (for their sins)? Our punishment took them on a sudden by night or while they slept for their afternoon rest.
[Pickthal 7:4] How many a township have We destroyed! As a raid by night, or while they slept at noon, Our terror came unto them.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 7:4]

Ruined civilisations, found buried under lands and seas, prove the divine declaration made in verse 4. Expert archaeologists, by the help of science and technology, not only determine the exact time of existence of each civilisation but also almost write its history as if they witnessed what actually took place in the destroyed cities.

Verse 5 says that they were destroyed because they were unjust, evil and wicked.


[Shakir 7:5] Yet their cry, when Our punishment came to them, was nothing but that they said: Surely we were unjust.
[Yusufali 7:5] When (thus) Our punishment took them, no cry did they utter but this: "Indeed we did wrong."
[Pickthal 7:5] No plea had they, when Our terror came unto them, save that they said: Lo! We were wrong-doers.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 7:5] (see commentary for verse 4)
[Shakir 7:6] Most certainly then We will question those to whom (the messengers) were sent, and most certainly We will also question the messengers;
[Yusufali 7:6] Then shall we question those to whom Our message was sent and those by whom We sent it.
[Pickthal 7:6] Then verily We shall question those unto whom (Our message) hath been sent, and verily We shall question the messengers.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 7:6]

As has been said in al Hadid: 25 and Ibrahim: 4 messengers of Allah were sent to every people to show them the right path, therefore, all people will be questioned as to how they treated the messengers of Allah and followed their teachings. The messengers of Allah will bear witness over their followers when they will be asked to give their report about them. The Holy Prophet (see commentary of an Nisa: 41) will be a witness over all the witnesses, which means he was present in the times of all the prophets. It is obvious that the omniscient creator, all-aware of everything that took place, will lay bare before them what they used to do. (see Ya Sin: 65-"We will put a seal upon their mouths, and their hands will speak to Us and their feet will bear witness as to what they used to do").

In verse 8 wazn literally means weight, but verse 9 implies that the deeds will be examined in the light of the mental attitude unto the signs of Allah.

Imam Jafar bin Muhammad as Sadiq said:

Deeds are not material substance to be weighed, therefore "heavy weighing" means good deeds outbalance the bad deeds. Even if a man prays the whole night and fasts throughout his life, his deeds will not benefit him if he does not regulate his life in the light of the teachings and guidance of the guide-leaders appointed by Allah.

Yazlimuna refers to those who treated the signs of Allah with injustice. The Holy Prophet and his Ahl ul Bayt are the signs of Allah, so those who persecuted and killed them are referred to as zalimin and kafirin.


[Shakir 7:7] Then most certainly We will relate to them with knowledge, and We were not absent.
[Yusufali 7:7] And verily, We shall recount their whole story with knowledge, for We were never absent (at any time or place).
[Pickthal 7:7] Then verily We shall narrate unto them (the event) with knowledge, for We were not absent (when it came to pass).
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 7:7] (see commentary for verse 6)
[Shakir 7:8] And the measuring out on that day will be just; then as for him whose measure (of good deeds) is heavy, those are they who shall be successful;
[Yusufali 7:8] The balance that day will be true (to nicety): those whose scale (of good) will be heavy, will prosper:
[Pickthal 7:8] The weighing on that day is the true (weighing). As for those whose scale is heavy, they are the successful.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 7:8] (see commentary for verse 6)
[Shakir 7:9] And as for him whose measure (of good deeds) is light those are they who have made their souls suffer loss because they disbelieved in Our communications.
[Yusufali 7:9] Those whose scale will be light, will be their souls in perdition, for that they wrongfully treated Our signs.
[Pickthal 7:9] And as for those whose scale is light: those are they who lose their souls because they used to wrong Our revelations.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 7:9] (see commentary for verse 6)
[Shakir 7:10] And certainly We have established you in the earth and made in it means of livelihood for you; little it is that you give thanks.
[Yusufali 7:10] It is We Who have placed you with authority on earth, and provided you therein with means for the fulfilment of your life: small are the thanks that ye give!
[Pickthal 7:10] And We have given you (mankind) power in the earth, and appointed for you therein livelihoods. Little give ye thanks!
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 7:10]

Ma-ayish means the means for the fulfilment of life. In addition to all the material things necessary to sustain life, it also refers to all those powers and faculties which help man to rise to a higher plane to prepare for his spiritual destiny, on account of which the angels were asked to prostrate themselves before Adam. Iblis refused to be of those who bowed down, because he arrogantly despised the angels who bowed down as well as man to whom they bowed down. Arrogance, envy and rebellion were his crimes .

As said above the spiritual destiny of man put him above the angels and jinn, so the refusal of Shaytan (Iblis) to accept man's superiority was unreasonable. It was egotism which prompted him to impertinent rebellion.

Allah created man with His own hands from clay and gave him His own spirit (ruh)). The essential quality of clay is softness which makes it adaptable to any form or shape-obedience and submission, and total submission to Allah's will is Islam-the spiritual destiny of man. So Shaytan, a product of fire, not having the qualities of adaptability, nor blessed with the holy spirit, was the first creature of Allah who resorted to conjecture, therefore was thrown out, eternally accursed. On his request Allah gave him respite (by saying): Be you among those who have respite. It implies that there are others, like him, under respite.

Shaytan has a large army of wicked seducers, and those who are their associates, helpers and deputies. The assault of Shaytan's evil is from all sides, and as said in verse 17; most men are led astray by him, while verse 18 says that Allah will fill hell with all of them.

 

For verses 19 to 25 see commentary of al Baqarah: 21 to 38.


[Shakir 7:11] And certainly We created you, then We fashioned you, then We said to the angels: Prostrate to Adam. So they did prostrate except Iblis; he was not of those who prostrated.
[Yusufali 7:11] It is We Who created you and gave you shape; then We bade the angels prostrate to Adam, and they prostrate; not so Iblis; He refused to be of those who prostrate.
[Pickthal 7:11] And We created you, then fashioned you, then told the angels: Fall ye prostrate before Adam! And they fell prostrate, all save Iblis, who was not of those who make prostration.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 7:11] (see commentary for verse 10)
[Shakir 7:12] He said: What hindered you so that you did not prostrate when I commanded you? He said: I am better than he: Thou hast created me of fire, while him Thou didst create of dust.
[Yusufali 7:12] (Allah) said: "What prevented thee from prostrating when I commanded thee?" He said: "I am better than he: Thou didst create me from fire, and him from clay."
[Pickthal 7:12] He said: What hindered thee that thou didst not fall prostrate when I bade thee? (Iblis) said: I am better than him. Thou createdst me of fire while him Thou didst create of mud.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 7:12] (see commentary for verse 10)
[Shakir 7:13] He said: Then get forth from this (state), for it does not befit you to behave proudly therein. Go forth, therefore, surely you are of the abject ones.
[Yusufali 7:13] (Allah) said: "Get thee down from this: it is not for thee to be arrogant here: get out, for thou art of the meanest (of creatures)."
[Pickthal 7:13] He said: Then go down hence! It is not for thee to show pride here, so go forth! Lo! thou art of those degraded.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 7:13] (see commentary for verse 10)
[Shakir 7:14] He said: Respite me until the day when they are raised up.
[Yusufali 7:14] He said: "Give me respite till the day they are raised up."
[Pickthal 7:14] He said: Reprieve me till the day when they are raised (from the dead).
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 7:14] (see commentary for verse 10)
[Shakir 7:15] He said: Surely you are of the respited ones.
[Yusufali 7:15] (Allah) said: "Be thou among those who have respite."
[Pickthal 7:15] He said: Lo! thou art of those reprieved.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 7:15] (see commentary for verse 10)
[Shakir 7:16] He said: As Thou hast caused me to remain disappointed I will certainly lie in wait for them in Thy straight path.
[Yusufali 7:16] He said: "Because thou hast thrown me out of the way, lo! I will lie in wait for them on thy straight way:
[Pickthal 7:16] He said: Now, because Thou hast sent me astray, verily I shall lurk in ambush for them on Thy Right Path.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 7:16] (see commentary for verse 10)
[Shakir 7:17] Then I will certainly come to them from before them and from behind them, and from their right-hand side and from their left-hand side; and Thou shalt not find most of them thankful.
[Yusufali 7:17] "Then will I assault them from before them and behind them, from their right and their left: Nor wilt thou find, in most of them, gratitude (for thy mercies)."
[Pickthal 7:17] Then I shall come upon them from before them and from behind them and from their right hands and from their left hands, and Thou wilt not find most of them beholden (unto Thee).
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 7:17] (see commentary for verse 10)
[Shakir 7:18] He said: Get out of this (state), despised, driven away; whoever of them will follow you, I will certainly fill hell with you all.
[Yusufali 7:18] (Allah) said: "Get out from this, disgraced and expelled. If any of them follow thee,- Hell will I fill with you all.
[Pickthal 7:18] He said: Go forth from hence, degraded, banished. As for such of them as follow thee, surely I will fill hell with all of you.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 7:18] (see commentary for verse 10)
[Shakir 7:19] And (We said): O Adam! Dwell you and your wife in the garden; so eat from where you desire, but do not go near this tree, for then you will be of the unjust.
[Yusufali 7:19] "O Adam! dwell thou and thy wife in the Garden, and enjoy (its good things) as ye wish: but approach not this tree, or ye run into harm and transgression."
[Pickthal 7:19] And (unto man): O Adam! Dwell thou and thy wife in the Garden and eat from whence ye will, but come not nigh this tree lest ye become wrong-doers.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 7:19] (see commentary for verse 10)
[Shakir 7:20] But the Shaitan made an evil suggestion to them that he might make manifest to them what had been hidden from them of their evil inclinations, and he said: Your Lord has not forbidden you this tree except that you may not both become two angels or that you may (not) become of the immortals.
[Yusufali 7:20] Then began Satan to whisper suggestions to them, bringing openly before their minds all their shame that was hidden from them (before): he said: "Your Lord only forbade you this tree, lest ye should become angels or such beings as live for ever."
[Pickthal 7:20] Then Satan whispered to them that he might manifest unto them that which was hidden from them of their shame, and he said: Your Lord forbade you from this tree only lest ye should become angels or become of the immortals.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 7:20] (see commentary for verse 10)
[Shakir 7:21] And he swore to them both: Most surely I am a sincere adviser to you.
[Yusufali 7:21] And he swore to them both, that he was their sincere adviser.
[Pickthal 7:21] And he swore unto them (saying): Lo! I am a sincere adviser unto you.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 7:21] (see commentary for verse 10)
[Shakir 7:22] Then he caused them to fall by deceit; so when they tasted of the tree, their evil inclinations became manifest to them, and they both began to cover themselves with the leaves of the garden; and their Lord called out to them: Did I not forbid you both from that tree and say to you that the Shaitan is your open enemy?
[Yusufali 7:22] So by deceit he brought about their fall: when they tasted of the tree, their shame became manifest to them, and they began to sew together the leaves of the garden over their bodies. And their Lord called unto them: "Did I not forbid you that tree, and tell you that Satan was an avowed enemy unto you?"
[Pickthal 7:22] Thus did he lead them on with guile. And when they tasted of the tree their shame was manifest to them and they began to hide (by heaping) on themselves some of the leaves of the Garden. And their Lord called them, (saying): Did I not forbid you from that tree and tell you: Lo! Satan is an open enemy to you?
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 7:22] (see commentary for verse 10)
[Shakir 7:23] They said: Our Lord! We have been unjust to ourselves, and if Thou forgive us not, and have (not) mercy on us, we shall certainly be of the losers.
[Yusufali 7:23] They said: "Our Lord! We have wronged our own souls: If thou forgive us not and bestow not upon us Thy Mercy, we shall certainly be lost."
[Pickthal 7:23] They said: Our Lord! We have wronged ourselves. If thou forgive us not and have not mercy on us, surely we are of the lost!
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 7:23] (see commentary for verse 10)
[Shakir 7:24] He said: Get forth, some of you, the enemies of others, and there is for you in the earth an abode and a provision for a time.
[Yusufali 7:24] (Allah) said: "Get ye down. With enmity between yourselves. On earth will be your dwelling-place and your means of livelihood,- for a time."
[Pickthal 7:24] He said: Go down (from hence), one of you a foe unto the other. There will be for you on earth a habitation and provision for a while.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 7:24] (see commentary for verse 10)
[Shakir 7:25] He (also) said: Therein shall you live, and therein shall you die, and from it shall you be raised.
[Yusufali 7:25] He said: "Therein shall ye live, and therein shall ye die; but from it shall ye be taken out (at last)."
[Pickthal 7:25] He said: There shall ye live, and there shall ye die, and thence shall ye be brought forth.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 7:25] (see commentary for verse 10)
[Shakir 7:26] O children of Adam! We have indeed sent down to you clothing to cover your shame, and (clothing) for beauty and clothing that guards (against evil), that is the best. This is of the communications of Allah that they may be mindful.
[Yusufali 7:26] O ye Children of Adam! We have bestowed raiment upon you to cover your shame, as well as to be an adornment to you. But the raiment of righteousness,- that is the best. Such are among the Signs of Allah, that they may receive admonition!
[Pickthal 7:26] O Children of Adam! We have revealed unto you raiment to conceal your shame, and splendid vesture, but the raiment of restraint from evil, that is best. This is of the revelations of Allah, that they may remember.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 7:26]

Allah created man "bare and alone" (An-am: 94). The soul in its naked purity knew no shame because there was no guilt, but after it was touched by guilt, covering (garment) became necessary. The best clothing and adornment is righteousness which covers the nakedness of sin and adorns man with virtue.


[Shakir 7:27] O children of Adam! let not the Shaitan cause you to fall into affliction as he expelled your parents from the garden, pulling off from them both their clothing that he might show them their evil inclinations, he surely sees you, he as well as his host, from whence you cannot see them; surely We have made the Shaitans to be the guardians of those who do not believe.
[Yusufali 7:27] O ye Children of Adam! Let not Satan seduce you, in the same manner as He got your parents out of the Garden, stripping them of their raiment, to expose their shame: for he and his tribe watch you from a position where ye cannot see them: We made the evil ones friends (only) to those without faith.
[Pickthal 7:27] O Children of Adam! Let not Satan seduce you as he caused your (first) parents to go forth from the Garden and tore off from them their robe (of innocence) that he might manifest their shame to them. Lo! he seeth you, he and his tribe, from whence ye see him not. Lo! We have made the devils protecting friends for those who believe not.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 7:27]

These verses are a warning to mankind that Shaytan along with his associates and their followers involves them into conflict and discord because he and his confederates through power, influence and riches make fair-seeming to them the progress in the field of material gains, having no trace of godliness, and obtained by total rejection of Allah's commands pertaining to the lawful and the unlawful. It is a disguise, therefore, man does not see Shaytan's plan of action. His activities engender willingness to carry out his mischief only in those people who possess the in-built complex of his characteristics. The irrationality of the devils prompts the disbelievers to put forward the lame excuse (for their rejection of true faith) that they are following age-old customs and theories.


[Shakir 7:28] And when they commit an indecency they say: We found our fathers doing this, and Allah has enjoined it on us. Say: Surely Allah does not enjoin indecency; do you say against Allah what you do not know?
[Yusufali 7:28] When they do aught that is shameful, they say: "We found our fathers doing so"; and "Allah commanded us thus": Say: "Nay, Allah never commands what is shameful: do ye say of Allah what ye know not?"
[Pickthal 7:28] And when they do some lewdness they say: We found our fathers doing it and Allah hath enjoined it on us. Say: Allah, verily, enjoineth not lewdness. Tell ye concerning Allah that which ye know not?
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 7:28] (see commentary for verse 27)
[Shakir 7:29] Say: My Lord has enjoined justice, and set upright your faces at every time of prayer and call on Him, being sincere to Him in obedience; as He brought you forth in the beginning, so shall you also return.
[Yusufali 7:29] Say: "My Lord hath commanded justice; and that ye set your whole selves (to Him) at every time and place of prayer, and call upon Him, making your devotion sincere as in His sight: such as He created you in the beginning, so shall ye return."
[Pickthal 7:29] Say: My Lord enjoineth justice. And set your faces upright (toward Him) at every place of worship and call upon Him, making religion pure for Him (only). As He brought you into being, so return ye (unto Him).
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 7:29]

See commentary of al Baqarah: 142 and 144 for "setting faces to Allah at every time and place of worship"-qibla; and see commentary of Ali Imran: 18 for justice (qist)-Allah is just, therefore, He enjoins justice. Refer to the commentary of nufkhus sur in al Fatihah: 4 on page 22 for ultimate return to Allah.


[Shakir 7:30] A part has He guided aright and (as for another) part, error is justly their due, surely they took the Shaitans for guardians beside Allah, and they think that they are followers of the right
[Yusufali 7:30] Some He hath guided: Others have (by their choice) deserved the loss of their way; in that they took the evil ones, in preference to Allah, for their friends and protectors, and think that they receive guidance.
[Pickthal 7:30] A party hath He led aright, while error hath just hold over (another) party, for lo! they choose the devils for protecting supporters instead of Allah and deem that they are rightly guided.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 7:30]

Those who take Shaytan and his agents as their guardians have been described in the commentary of verses 10 to 28 of this surah.


[Shakir 7:31] O children of Adam! attend to your embellishments at every time of prayer, and eat and drink and be not extravagant; surely He does not love the extravagant.
[Yusufali 7:31] O Children of Adam! wear your beautiful apparel at every time and place of prayer: eat and drink: But waste not by excess, for Allah loveth not the wasters.
[Pickthal 7:31] O Children of Adam! Look to your adornment at every place of worship, and eat and drink, but be not prodigal. Lo! He loveth not the prodigals.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 7:31]

Zinat refers to adornment or clean, graceful and dignified style of living. When one solemnly applies one's mind to being in the presence of Allah one must honour the most honourable Lord by presenting oneself in the best of his available adornments. According to Imam Hasan bin Ali: "Allah is absolute beauty, therefore He loves beauty." Along with physical manner of presentation, zinat also implies purity and refinement of character, spiritual excellence and full attention to Allah.

"But waste not by excess" refers to luxury and extravagance which Allah does not like.


[Shakir 7:32] Say: Who has prohibited the embellishment of Allah which He has brought forth for His servants and the good provisions? Say: These are for the believers in the life of this world, purely (theirs) on the resurrection day; thus do We make the communications clear for a people who know.
[Yusufali 7:32] Say: Who hath forbidden the beautiful (gifts) of Allah, which He hath produced for His servants, and the things, clean and pure, (which He hath provided) for sustenance? Say: They are, in the life of this world, for those who believe, (and) purely for them on the Day of Judgment. Thus do We explain the signs in detail for those who understand.
[Pickthal 7:32] Say: Who hath forbidden the adornment of Allah which He hath brought forth for His bondmen, and the good things of His providing? Say: Such, on the Day of Resurrection, will be only for those who believed during the life of the world. Thus do we detail Our revelations for people who have knowledge.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 7:32]

Asceticism often means the negation of beauty. Zinatallah means those beautiful things made lawful by Allah.

The beautiful and beautifying things are available in this world for a short time to the believers as well as disbelievers; but the eternal beauty and grace in the life of hereafter has been reserved for those who have believed and done good deeds in the life of this world.


[Shakir 7:33] Say: My Lord has only prohibited indecencies, those of them that are apparent as well as those that are concealed, and sin and rebellion without justice, and that you associate with Allah that for which He has not sent down any authority, and that you say against Allah what you do not know.
[Yusufali 7:33] Say: the things that my Lord hath indeed forbidden are: shameful deeds, whether open or secret; sins and trespasses against truth or reason; assigning of partners to Allah, for which He hath given no authority; and saying things about Allah of which ye have no knowledge.
[Pickthal 7:33] Say: My Lord forbiddeth only indecencies, such of them as are apparent and such as are within, and sin and wrongful oppression, and that ye associate with Allah that for which no warrant hath been revealed, and that ye tell concerning Allah that which ye know not.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 7:33]

This verse contains some of the divine prohibitions. "Do not say that which you do not know" refers to the conjectures put forward to amend or deny the commandments of Allah.


[Shakir 7:34] And for every nation there is a doom, so when their doom is come they shall not remain behind the least while, nor shall they go before.
[Yusufali 7:34] To every people is a term appointed: when their term is reached, not an hour can they cause delay, nor (an hour) can they advance (it in anticipation).
[Pickthal 7:34] And every nation hath its term, and when its term cometh, they cannot put it off an hour nor yet advance (it).
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 7:34]

The time is limited for an individual or for a group of people. If they do not do good and believe during that time of probation, the chance is lost, and it cannot come back.


[Shakir 7:35] O children of Adam! if there come to you messengers from among you relating to you My communications, then whoever shall guard (against evil) and act aright-- they shall have no fear nor shall they grieve.
[Yusufali 7:35] O ye Children of Adam! whenever there come to you messengers from amongst you, rehearsing My signs unto you,- those who are righteous and mend (their lives),- on them shall be no fear nor shall they grieve.
[Pickthal 7:35] O Children of Adam! When messengers of your own come unto you who narrate unto you My revelations, then whosoever refraineth from evil and amendeth - there shall no fear come upon them neither shall they grieve.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 7:35]

Refer to the commentary of al Baqarah: 38. Piety and self-development are not possible unless one follows the teachings of the Holy Prophet and his Ahl ul Bayt.


[Shakir 7:36] And (as for) those who reject Our communications and turn away from them haughtily-- these are the inmates of the fire they shall abide in it.
[Yusufali 7:36] But those who reject Our signs and treat them with arrogance,- they are companions of the Fire, to dwell therein (for ever).
[Pickthal 7:36] But they who deny Our revelations and scorn them - each are rightful owners of the Fire; they will abide therein.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 7:36]

"Signs" refers to the guidance made available by Allah and the divinely appointed guides.

Was-takbaru refers to those who arrogantly defy and belie the divinely appointed guides-the Holy Prophet and the Imams among his Ahl ul Bayt. Those who had persecuted or killed them are the inmates of the fire, wherein they shall abide for ever.

These verses describe that which will be the fate of the beliers of the Holy Prophet and his Ahl ul Bayt, for whom to enter the gate of paradise will be as impossible as for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle.


[Shakir 7:37] Who is then more unjust than he who forges a lie against Allah or rejects His communications? (As for) those, their portion of the Book shall reach them, until when Our messengers come to them causing them to die, they shall say: Where is that which you used to call upon besides Allah? They would say: They are gone away from us; and they shall bear witness against themselves that they were unbelievers
[Yusufali 7:37] Who is more unjust than one who invents a lie against Allah or rejects His Signs? For such, their portion appointed must reach them from the Book (of decrees): until, when our messengers (of death) arrive and take their souls, they say: "Where are the things that ye used to invoke besides Allah?" They will reply, "They have left us in the lurch," And they will bear witness against themselves, that they had rejected Allah.
[Pickthal 7:37] Who doeth greater wrong than he who inventeth a lie concerning Allah or denieth Our tokens. (For such) their appointed portion of the Book (of destiny) reacheth them till, when Our messengers come to gather them, they say: Where (now) is that to which ye cried beside Allah? They say: They have departed from us. And they testify against themselves that they were disbelievers.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 7:37] (see commentary for verse 36)
[Shakir 7:38] He will say: Enter into fire among the nations that have passed away before you from among jinn and men; whenever a nation shall enter, it shall curse its sister, until when they have all come up with one another into it; the last of them shall say with regard to the foremost of them: Our Lord! these led us astray therefore give them a double chastisement of the fire. He will say: Every one shall have double but you do not know.
[Yusufali 7:38] He will say: "Enter ye in the company of the peoples who passed away before you - men and jinns, - into the Fire." Every time a new people enters, it curses its sister-people (that went before), until they follow each other, all into the Fire. Saith the last about the first: "Our Lord! it is these that misled us: so give them a double penalty in the Fire." He will say: "Doubled for all" : but this ye do not understand.
[Pickthal 7:38] He saith: Enter into the Fire among nations of the jinn and humankind who passed away before you. Every time a nation entereth, it curseth its sister (nation) till, when they have all been made to follow one another thither, the last of them saith unto the first of them: Our Lord! These led us astray, so give them double torment of the Fire. He saith: For each one there is double (torment), but ye know not.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 7:38] (see commentary for verse 36)
[Shakir 7:39] And the foremost of them will say to the last of them: So you have no preference over us; therefore taste the chastisement for what you earned.
[Yusufali 7:39] Then the first will say to the last: "See then! No advantage have ye over us; so taste ye of the penalty for all that ye did !"
[Pickthal 7:39] And the first of them saith unto the last of them: Ye were no whit better than us, so taste the doom for what ye used to earn.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 7:39] (see commentary for verse 36)
[Shakir 7:40] Surely (as for) those who reject Our communications and turn away from them haughtily, the doors of heaven shall not be opened for them, nor shall they enter the garden until the camel pass through the eye of the needle; and thus do We reward the guilty.
[Yusufali 7:40] To those who reject Our signs and treat them with arrogance, no opening will there be of the gates of heaven, nor will they enter the garden, until the camel can pass through the eye of the needle: Such is Our reward for those in sin.
[Pickthal 7:40] Lo! they who deny Our revelations and scorn them, for them the gates of heaven will nor be opened not will they enter the Garden until the camel goeth through the needle's eye. Thus do We requite the guilty.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 7:40] (see commentary for verse 36)
[Shakir 7:41] They shall have a bed of hell-fire and from above them coverings (of it); and thus do We reward the unjust.
[Yusufali 7:41] For them there is Hell, as a couch (below) and folds and folds of covering above: such is Our requital of those who do wrong.
[Pickthal 7:41] Theirs will be a bed of hell, and over them coverings (of hell). Thus do We requite wrong-doers.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 7:41] (see commentary for verse 36)
[Shakir 7:42] And (as for) those who believe and do good We do not impose on any soul a duty except to the extent of its ability-- they are the dwellers of the garden; in it they shall abide.
[Yusufali 7:42] But those who believe and work righteousness,- no burden do We place on any soul, but that which it can bear,- they will be Companions of the Garden, therein to dwell (for ever).
[Pickthal 7:42] But (as for) those who believe and do good works - We tax not any soul beyond its scope - Such are rightful owners of the Garden. They abide therein.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 7:42]

Those who believe in Allah, the Holy Prophet and his Ahl ul Bayt, follow their teachings and do good will dwell in everlasting bliss, where harmony of thoughts and feelings among the believers, on account of higher intellectual awareness, will be one of the pleasures of eternal life.

Verses 36 to 41 and 42 to 43 show the difference between the beliers of the Holy Prophet and his Ahl ul Bayt and the followers of the Holy Prophet and his Ahl ul Bayt in the life of hereafter.


[Shakir 7:43] And We will remove whatever of ill-feeling is in their breasts; the rivers shall flow beneath them and they shall say: All praise is due to Allah Who guided us to this, and we would not have found the way had it not been that Allah had guided us; certainly the messengers of our Lord brought the truth; and it shall be cried out to them that this is the garden of which you are made heirs for what you did.
[Yusufali 7:43] And We shall remove from their hearts any lurking sense of injury;- beneath them will be rivers flowing;- and they shall say: "Praise be to Allah, who hath guided us to this (felicity): never could we have found guidance, had it not been for the guidance of Allah: indeed it was the truth, that the messengers of our Lord brought unto us." And they shall hear the cry: "Behold! the garden before you! Ye have been made its inheritors, for your deeds (of righteousness)."
[Pickthal 7:43] And We remove whatever rancour may be in their hearts. Rivers flow beneath them. And they say: The praise to Allah, Who hath guided us to this. We could not truly have been led aright if Allah had not guided us. Verily the messengers of our Lord did bring the Truth. And it is cried unto them: This is the Garden. Ye inherit it for what ye used to do.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 7:43] (see commentary for verse 42)
[Shakir 7:44] And the dwellers of the garden will call out to the inmates of the fire: Surely we have found what our Lord promised us to be true; have you too found what your Lord promised to be true? They will say: Yes. Then a crier will cry out among them that the curse of Allah is on the unjust.
[Yusufali 7:44] The Companions of the Garden will call out to the Companions of the Fire: "We have indeed found the promises of our Lord to us true: Have you also found Your Lord's promises true?" They shall say, "Yes"; but a crier shall proclaim between them: "The curse of Allah is on the wrong-doers;-
[Pickthal 7:44] And the dwellers of the Garden cry unto the dwellers of the Fire: We have found that which our Lord promised us (to be) the Truth. Have ye (too) found that which your Lord promised the Truth? They say: Yea, verily. And a crier in between them crieth: The curse of Allah is on evil-doers,
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 7:44]

"A crier shall cry between them"-according to Ibn Marduwayh, in Kashf al Ghummah, this crier is Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib.


[Shakir 7:45] Who hinder (people) from Allah's way and seek to make it crooked, and they are disbelievers in the hereafter.
[Yusufali 7:45] "Those who would hinder (men) from the path of Allah and would seek in it something crooked: they were those who denied the Hereafter."
[Pickthal 7:45] Who debar (men) from the path of Allah and would have it crooked, and who are disbelievers in the Last Day.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 7:45]

This verse refers to those who misinterpret the Quran, change or omit the sayings of the Holy Prophet and fabricate traditions in order to hinder or turn away people from the true path of Allah.


[Shakir 7:46] And between the two there shall be a veil, and on the most elevated places there shall be men who know all by their marks, and they shall call out to the dwellers of the garden: Peace be on you; they shall not have yet entered it, though they hope.
[Yusufali 7:46] Between them shall be a veil, and on the heights will be men who would know every one by his marks: they will call out to the Companions of the Garden, "peace on you": they will not have entered, but they will have an assurance (thereof).
[Pickthal 7:46] Between them is a veil. And on the Heights are men who know them all by their marks. And they call unto the dwellers of the Garden: Peace be unto you! They enter it not although they hope (to enter).
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 7:46]

The men of exalted spiritual honour (e.g. the Holy Prophet and his Ahl ul Bayt identified in Ahzab: 33) shall occupy the heights (araf) overlooking those described in verses 36 to 41 and those mentioned in verses 42 and 43, waiting in two separate areas divided by a partition, before going into hell or paradise respectively. The men on the heights will recognise them all by their marks.

Aqa Mahdi Puya says:

These verses clearly establish the fact that the Holy Prophet and his Ahl ul Bayt have the permission of Allah to intercede on behalf of those whom they recognise as their true followers. Refer to the commentary of al Baqarah: 48

Imam Ali said:

What you beget is buried under the earth. What you build will be demolished. What you do is recorded and will be referred to (as material evidence) on the day of reckoning.


[Shakir 7:47] And when their eyes shall be turned towards the inmates of the fire, they shall say: Our Lord! place us not with the unjust
[Yusufali 7:47] When their eyes shall be turned towards the Companions of the Fire, they will say: "Our Lord! send us not to the company of the wrong-doers."
[Pickthal 7:47] And when their eyes are turned toward the dwellers of the Fire, they say: Our Lord! Place us not with the wrong-doing folk.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 7:47] (see commentary for verse 46)
[Shakir 7:48] And the dwellers of the most elevated places shall ca!l out to men whom they will recognize by their marks saying: Of no avail were to you your amassings and your behaving haughtily:
[Yusufali 7:48] The men on the heights will call to certain men whom they will know from their marks, saying: "Of what profit to you were your hoards and your arrogant ways?
[Pickthal 7:48] And the dwellers on the Heights call unto men whom they know by their marks, (saying): What did your multitude and that in which ye took your pride avail you?
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 7:48] (see commentary for verse 46)
[Shakir 7:49] Are these they about whom you swore that Allah will not bestow mercy on them? Enter the garden; you shall have no fear, nor shall you grieve.
[Yusufali 7:49] "Behold! are these not the men whom you swore that Allah with His Mercy would never bless? Enter ye the Garden: no fear shall be on you, nor shall ye grieve."
[Pickthal 7:49] Are these they of whom ye swore that Allah would not show them mercy? (Unto them it hath been said): Enter the Garden. No fear shall come upon you nor is it ye who will grieve.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 7:49]

The men of the heights (araf) will point out men like Salman, Ammar, Abu Dharr and Bilal to the inmates of fire and ask: "Are these not the men whom you swore that Allah would never bless them with His mercy?" Then to them Allah will say: "Enter you the garden; no fear shall be on you, nor shall you grieve."


[Shakir 7:50] And the inmates of the fire shall call out to the dwellers of the garden, saying: Pour on us some water or of that which Allah has given you. They shall say: Surely Allah has prohibited them both to the unbelievers.
[Yusufali 7:50] The Companions of the Fire will call to the Companions of the Garden: "Pour down to us water or anything that Allah doth provide for your sustenance." They will say: "Both these things hath Allah forbidden to those who rejected Him."
[Pickthal 7:50] And the dwellers of the Fire cry out unto the dwellers of the Garden: Pour on us some water or some wherewith Allah hath provided you. They say: Lo! Allah hath forbidden both to disbelievers (in His guidance),
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 7:50]

The dwellers of paradise will have Allah's mercy and His pleasure. They will enjoy the bliss of Allah's nearness. The provision, Allah gives to the believers in return of their true faith (belief in Allah, the Holy Prophet and his Ahl ul Bayt) and the good deeds they did in accordance with their teachings are not transferable. The inmates of hell shall remain deprived of these provisions.


[Shakir 7:51] Who take their religion for an idle sport and a play and this life's world deceives them; so today We forsake them, as they neglected the meeting of this day of theirs and as they denied Our communications.
[Yusufali 7:51] "Such as took their religion to be mere amusement and play, and were deceived by the life of the world." That day shall We forget them as they forgot the meeting of this day of theirs, and as they were wont to reject Our signs.
[Pickthal 7:51] Who took their religion for a sport and pastime, and whom the life of the world beguiled. So this day We have forgotten them even as they forgot the meeting of this their Day and as they used to deny Our tokens.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 7:51]

The disbelievers deliberately turned away and ignored the hereafter in spite of clear warnings given to them through the Quran-a guide and a mercy. Allah shall ignore and neglect them on the day of judgement.

The Quran, a complete book (see commentary of al Baqarah: 2 and "Genuineness of the Holy Quran" on page (i)), was a guide and a mercy to the believers, but the disbelievers who remained unmoved by its teachings will learn the truth too late. As there will be no salvation except on their own record, they will wish that they may have another chance, but their chance will be gone.


[Shakir 7:52] And certainly We have brought them a Book which We have made clear with knowledge, a guidance and a mercy for a people who believe.
[Yusufali 7:52] For We had certainly sent unto them a Book, based on knowledge, which We explained in detail,- a guide and a mercy to all who believe.
[Pickthal 7:52] Verily We have brought them a Scripture which We expounded with knowledge, a guidance and a mercy for a people who believe.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 7:52] (see commentary for verse 51)
[Shakir 7:53] Do they wait for aught but its final sequel? On the day when its final sequel comes about, those who neglected it before will say: Indeed the messengers of our Lord brought the truth; are there for us then any intercessors so that they should intercede on our behalf? Or could we be sent back so that we should do (deeds) other than those which we did? Indeed they have lost their souls and that which they forged has gone away from them.
[Yusufali 7:53] Do they just wait for the final fulfilment of the event? On the day the event is finally fulfilled, those who disregarded it before will say: "The messengers of our Lord did indeed bring true (tidings). Have we no intercessors now to intercede on our behalf? Or could we be sent back? then should we behave differently from our behaviour in the past." In fact they will have lost their souls, and the things they invented will leave them in the lurch.
[Pickthal 7:53] Await they aught save the fulfilment thereof? On the day when the fulfilment thereof cometh, those who were before forgetful thereof will say: The messengers of our Lord did bring the Truth! Have we any intercessors, that they may intercede for us? Or can we be returned (to life on earth), that we may act otherwise than we used to act? They have lost their souls, and that which they devised hath failed them.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 7:53] (see commentary for verse 51)
[Shakir 7:54] Surely your Lord is Allah, Who created the heavens and the earth in six periods of time, and He is firm in power; He throws the veil of night over the day, which it pursues incessantly; and (He created) the sun and the moon and the stars, made subservient by His command; surely His is the creation and the command; blessed is Allah, the Lord of the worlds.
[Yusufali 7:54] Your Guardian-Lord is Allah, Who created the heavens and the earth in six days, and is firmly established on the throne (of authority): He draweth the night as a veil o'er the day, each seeking the other in rapid succession: He created the sun, the moon, and the stars, (all) governed by laws under His command. Is it not His to create and to govern? Blessed be Allah, the Cherisher and Sustainer of the worlds!
[Pickthal 7:54] Lo! your Lord is Allah Who created the heavens and the earth in six Days, then mounted He the Throne. He covereth the night with the day, which is in haste to follow it, and hath made the sun and the moon and the stars subservient by His command. His verily is all creation and commandment. Blessed be Allah, the Lord of the Worlds!
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 7:54]

Refer to the commentary of al Baqarah: 255 for arsh or kursi; and refer to al Fatihah: 4 for yawm (day), on page 22.

Aqa Mahdi Puya says:

From the lowest form of creation to the highest level of intellectual and spiritual existence, there are finite beings, but the latter control the former, and the infinite supreme being, through His omnipotence (arsh or kursi) encompasses and controls the entire mass of finite beings, low or high. This hold and domination of the infinite over the finite is implied in the word istawa. It does not mean "Allah sitting on any throne" as some anthropomorphic schools of thought imagine. Istawa alal arsh means that the process of creation, its operation and administration belong to Allah.


[Shakir 7:55] Call on your Lord humbly and secretly; surely He does not love those who exceed the limits.
[Yusufali 7:55] Call on your Lord with humility and in private: for Allah loveth not those who trespass beyond bounds.
[Pickthal 7:55] (O mankind!) Call upon your Lord humbly and in secret. Lo! He loveth not aggressors.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 7:55]

Man, a humble creature, cannot show arrogance and vanity before the omnipotent Lord who knows all. Humility and earnestness prepare the ground for his spiritual progress. The creation of the Lord is a harmonious order.

Man should not upset the divine order by introducing evil and mischief.


[Shakir 7:56] And do not make mischief in the earth after its reformation, and call on Him fearing and hoping; surely the mercy of Allah is nigh to those who do good (to others).
[Yusufali 7:56] Do no mischief on the earth, after it hath been set in order, but call on Him with fear and longing (in your hearts): for the Mercy of Allah is (always) near to those who do good.
[Pickthal 7:56] Work not confusion in the earth after the fair ordering (thereof). and call on Him in fear and hope. Lo! the mercy of Allah is nigh unto the good.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 7:56] (see commentary for verse 55)
[Shakir 7:57] And He it is Who sends forth the winds bearing good news before His mercy, until, when they bring up a laden cloud, We drive it to a dead land, then We send down water on it, then bring forth with it of fruits of all kinds; thus shall We bring forth the dead that you may be mindful.
[Yusufali 7:57] It is He Who sendeth the winds like heralds of glad tidings, going before His mercy: when they have carried the heavy-laden clouds, We drive them to a land that is dead, make rain to descend thereon, and produce every kind of harvest therewith: thus shall We raise up the dead: perchance ye may remember.
[Pickthal 7:57] And He it is Who sendeth the winds as tidings heralding His mercy, till, when they bear a cloud heavy (with rain), We lead it to a dead land, and then cause water to descend thereon and thereby bring forth fruits of every kind. Thus bring We forth the dead. Haply ye may remember.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 7:57]

From sending the heralding winds to raising all kinds of produce Allah's grace (as the rahman) has been described. The same process is applicable to the resurrection of our bodies and souls after we die in this world.

His mercy, the guidance revealed through the Holy Prophet, has been compared to rain. The fertile land is good and the barren land is evil. The rain, His beneficence, is there for all, but the good obtain profit and the evil suffer loss. The guidance is true but the response varies according to the nature developed by every individual.

VERSES 59 to 177

THE PREACHINGS OF SOME OF THE PROPHETS FROM NUH TO MUSA POINT OUT THE UNITY OF THE PURPOSE OF THEIR MISSION, THE METHOD OF PREACHING, AND THE REACTION OF THE PEOPLE. THE THEORY OF INCARNATION WAS COMMON AMONG THE POLYTHEISTIC PEOPLE, SO THEY THOUGHT THAT ALL MORTALS LAYING CLAIM TO PROPHETHOOD WERE IMPOSTERS. IT IS A LESSON AND A WARNING FOR THE FOLLOWERS OF THE HOLY PROPHET.


[Shakir 7:58] And as for the good land, its vegetation springs forth (abundantly) by the permission of its Lord, and (as for) that which is inferior (its herbage) comes forth but scantily; thus do We repeat the communications for a people who give thanks.
[Yusufali 7:58] From the land that is clean and good, by the will of its Cherisher, springs up produce, (rich) after its kind: but from the land that is bad, springs up nothing but that which is niggardly: thus do we explain the signs by various (symbols) to those who are grateful.
[Pickthal 7:58] As for the good land, its vegetation cometh forth by permission of its Lord; while as for that which is bad, only the useless cometh forth (from it). Thus do We recount the tokens for people who give thanks.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 7:58] (see commentary for verse 57)
[Shakir 7:59] Certainly We sent Nuh to his people, so he said: O my people! serve Allah, you have no god other than Him; surely I fear for you the chastisement of a grievous day.
[Yusufali 7:59] We sent Noah to his people. He said: "O my people! worship Allah! ye have no other god but Him. I fear for you the punishment of a dreadful day!
[Pickthal 7:59] We sent Noah (of old) unto his people, and he said: O my people! Serve Allah. Ye have no other Allah save Him. Lo! I fear for you the retribution of an Awful Day.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 7:59]

When Nuh tried to put fear of the torment of a dreadful day in the hearts of the people they laughed at him. Allah's retribution came soon afterwards-the great flood, in which his unbelieving people were drowned, but he and those who believed and came into the ark were saved.

The Holy Prophet said:

"My Ahl ul Bayt are like the ark of Nuh. He who sails on it will be safe, but he who holds back shall be drowned."

The great flood has been described in verses 37 to 48 of al Hud. Chapters 6 and 7 of Genesis in the Old Testament describe the great flood.

Nuh literally means one who weeps. He used to weep continuously in fear of Allah. There were ten prophets between him and Adam. Nuh lived for two thousand five hundred years. He used to live in a small hut. He never built a permanent dwelling abode for himself. In spite of his ceaseless preaching the people were corrupt and full of violence. The men, women and children used to throw stones at him. Whenever he was buried under the heap of stones, wounded and helpless, Jibra-il was deputed to save him and nurse him. His preaching of goodness and godliness continued in the face of violent opposition by his loathsome people. At last the waters of the great flood came upon the earth. Allah wiped out every thing on the earth, and only Nuh and his companions in the ark survived.

Nuh was standing in the sun when the angel of death came. He asked Izra-il to let him go into a nearby shade before his soul was taken away from his body. After coming under the shade he said: "The life of this world is as long as the time he took to come under the shade from the sun, even shorter."


[Shakir 7:60] The chiefs of his people said: Most surely we see you in clear error.
[Yusufali 7:60] The leaders of his people said: "Ah! we see thee evidently wandering (in mind)."
[Pickthal 7:60] The chieftains of his people said: Lo! we see thee surely in plain error.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 7:60] (see commentary for verse 59)
[Shakir 7:61] He said: O my people! there is no error in me, but I am an messenger from the Lord of the worlds.
[Yusufali 7:61] He said: "O my people! No wandering is there in my (mind): on the contrary I am a messenger from the Lord and Cherisher of the worlds!
[Pickthal 7:61] He said: O my people! There is no error in me, but I am a messenger from the Lord of the Worlds.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 7:61] (see commentary for verse 59)
[Shakir 7:62] I deliver to you the messages of my Lord, and I offer you good advice and I know from Allah what you do not know.
[Yusufali 7:62] "I but fulfil towards you the duties of my Lord's mission: Sincere is my advice to you, and I know from Allah something that ye know not.
[Pickthal 7:62] I convey unto you the messages of my Lord and give good counsel unto you, and know from Allah that which ye know not.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 7:62] (see commentary for verse 59)
[Shakir 7:63] What! do you wonder that a reminder has come to you from your Lord through a man from among you, that he might warn you and that you might guard (against evil) and so that mercy may be shown to you?
[Yusufali 7:63] "Do ye wonder that there hath come to you a message from your Lord, through a man of your own people, to warn you,- so that ye may fear Allah and haply receive His Mercy?"
[Pickthal 7:63] Marvel ye that there should come unto you a Reminder from your Lord by means of a man among you, that he may warn you, and that ye may keep from evil, and that haply ye may find mercy.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 7:63] (see commentary for verse 59)
[Shakir 7:64] But they called him a liar, so We delivered him and those with him in the ark, and We drowned those who rejected Our communications; surely they were a blind people.
[Yusufali 7:64] But they rejected him, and We delivered him, and those with him, in the Ark: but We overwhelmed in the flood those who rejected Our signs. They were indeed a blind people!
[Pickthal 7:64] But they denied him, so We saved him and those with him in the ship, and We drowned those who denied Our tokens. Lo! they were blind folk.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 7:64] (see commentary for verse 59)
[Shakir 7:65] And to Ad (We sent) their brother Hud. He said: O my people! serve Allah, you have no god other than Him; will you not then guard (against evil)?
[Yusufali 7:65] To the 'Ad people, (We sent) Hud, one of their (own) brethren: He said: O my people! worship Allah! ye have no other god but Him will ye not fear (Allah)?"
[Pickthal 7:65] And unto (the tribe of) A'ad (We sent) their brother, Hud. He said: O my people! Serve Allah. Ye have no other Allah save Him. Will ye not ward off (evil)?
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 7:65]

Prophet Hud, in the progeny of Nuh through Sam, was sent to preach the message of Allah to the people of Ad, who were physically very strong and lived in Arabian peninsula. They were zealous idolaters. In vain Hud tried to bring them to true faith. On account of their ever increasing corruption a three years' famine visited them, but they took no warning and challenged Hud to bring on them what he threatened them with. At last dark clouds appeared on the sky. Thinking that it was going to rain they all assembled under the clouds. A terrible blast of wind destroyed them and their land. It continued for eight days. Under the command of Allah Hud along with his virtuous companions had left the scene of calamity before it fell on the people of Ad. The people mentioned here are known as the tribe of first Ad.


[Shakir 7:66] The chiefs of those who disbelieved from among his people said: Most surely we see you in folly, and most surely we think you to be of the liars.
[Yusufali 7:66] The leaders of the Unbelievers among his people said: "Ah! we see thou art an imbecile!" and "We think thou art a liar!"
[Pickthal 7:66] The chieftains of his people, who were disbelieving, said: Lo! we surely see thee in foolishness, and lo! we deem thee of the liars.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 7:66] (see commentary for verse 65)
[Shakir 7:67] He said: O my people! there is no folly in me, but I am an messenger of the Lord of the worlds.
[Yusufali 7:67] He said: "O my people! I am no imbecile, but (I am) a messenger from the Lord and Cherisher of the worlds!
[Pickthal 7:67] He said: O my people! There is no foolishness in me, but I am a messenger from the Lord of the Worlds.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 7:67] (see commentary for verse 65)
[Shakir 7:68] I deliver to you the messages of my Lord and I am a faithful adviser to you:
[Yusufali 7:68] "I but fulfil towards you the duties of my Lord's mission: I am to you a sincere and trustworthy adviser.
[Pickthal 7:68] I convey unto you the messages of my Lord and am for you a true adviser.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 7:68] (see commentary for verse 65)
[Shakir 7:69] What! do you wonder that a reminder has come to you from your Lord through a man from among you that he might warn you? And remember when He made you successors after Nuh's people and increased you in excellence in respect of make; therefore remember the benefits of Allah, that you may be successful.
[Yusufali 7:69] "Do ye wonder that there hath come to you a message from your Lord through a man of your own people, to warn you? call in remembrance that He made you inheritors after the people of Noah, and gave you a stature tall among the nations. Call in remembrance the benefits (ye have received) from Allah: that so ye may prosper."
[Pickthal 7:69] Marvel ye that there should come unto you a Reminder from your Lord by means of a man among you, that he may warn you? Remember how He made you viceroys after Noah's folk, and gave you growth of stature. Remember (all) the bounties of your Lord, that haply ye may be successful.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 7:69] (see commentary for verse 65)
[Shakir 7:70] They said: Have you come to us that we may serve Allah alone and give up what our fathers used to serve? Then bring to us what you threaten us with, if you are of the truthful ones.
[Yusufali 7:70] They said: "Comest thou to us, that we may worship Allah alone, and give up the cult of our fathers? bring us what thou threatenest us with, if so be that thou tellest the truth!"
[Pickthal 7:70] They said: Hast come unto us that we should serve Allah alone, and forsake what our fathers worshipped? Then bring upon us that wherewith thou threatenest us if thou art of the truthful!
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 7:70] (see commentary for verse 65)
[Shakir 7:71] He said: Indeed uncleanness and wrath from your Lord have lighted upon you; what! do you dispute with me about names which you and your fathers have given? Allah has not sent any authority for them; wait then, I too with you will be of those who wait.
[Yusufali 7:71] He said: "Punishment and wrath have already come upon you from your Lord: dispute ye with me over names which ye have devised - ye and your fathers,- without authority from Allah? then wait: I am amongst you, also waiting."
[Pickthal 7:71] He said: Terror and wrath from your Lord have already fallen on you. Would ye wrangle with me over names which ye have named, ye and your fathers, for which no warrant from Allah hath been revealed? Then await (the consequence), lo! I (also) am of those awaiting (it).
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 7:71] (see commentary for verse 65)
[Shakir 7:72] So We delivered him and those with him by mercy from Us, and We cut off the last of those who rejected Our communications and were not believers.
[Yusufali 7:72] We saved him and those who adhered to him. By Our mercy, and We cut off the roots of those who rejected Our signs and did not believe.
[Pickthal 7:72] And We saved him and those with him by a mercy from Us, and We cut the root of those who denied Our revelations and were not believers.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 7:72] (see commentary for verse 65)
[Shakir 7:73] And to Samood (We sent) their brother Salih. He said: O my people! serve Allah, you have no god other than Him; clear proof indeed has come to you from your Lord; this is (as) Allah's she-camel for you-- a sign, therefore leave her alone to pasture on Allah's earth, and do not touch her with any harm, otherwise painful chastisement will overtake you.
[Yusufali 7:73] To the Thamud people (We sent) Salih, one of their own brethren: He said: "O my people! worship Allah: ye have no other god but Him. Now hath come unto you a clear (Sign) from your Lord! This she-camel of Allah is a Sign unto you: So leave her to graze in Allah's earth, and let her come to no harm, or ye shall be seized with a grievous punishment.
[Pickthal 7:73] And to (the tribe of) Thamud (We sent) their brother Salih. He said: O my people! Serve Allah. Ye have no other Allah save Him. A wonder from your Lord hath come unto you. Lo! this is the camel of Allah, a token unto you; so let her feed in Allah's earth, and touch her not with hurt lest painful torment seize you.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 7:73]

Akhakum (their brother) does not mean "real brother" but "one of them".

Thamud has often been mentioned along with Ad in the Holy Quran. The people of Thamud are known as the tribe of second Ad who lived in Ahqaf, from Umman to Hadhramawt (Ahqaf: 21). Their prophet and warner was Salih. Their territory included both rocky country and fertile valley of Qura, and the crisis in their history is connected with a wonderful she-camel. They were also, like the tribe of Ad, godless and idol worshippers. They used to worship a part of a mountain and offer sacrifices on it. There was scarcity of water and the arrogant privileged classes tried to prevent the access of the poor or their cattle to the springs, while Salih used to intervene on their behalf (Shu-ara: 155 and Qamar: 28), also they tried to monopolise the pasture, a free gift of Allah as per verse 73 of this surah. This particular she-camel was made a test case (Qamar: 27) to see if the arrogant people would see light and come to reason. On their demand Salih, with the pemmission of Allah, made a she-camel come out from the mountain with a baby camel. It was decided that one day the she-camel would drink water from the spring and on the next day the people would take it. The she-camel, after drinking the water, gave as much milk as the whole town could drink, but in spite of Salih's warning that the she-camel was a sign of Allah and if they let her come to any harm, they would be seized with a grievous punishment, they hamstrung her, and insolently defied the order of their Lord. Consequently they were destroyed by a dreadful earthquake, which threw them on the ground and buried them with their houses and their buildings. Salih was saved by Allah's mercy. There was no survivor. His speech is a warning as well as a reference to the sin and folly of the people who belie the signs of Allah in any time.

Thalabi writes in his Tafsir that the Holy Prophet said to Ali:

"The worst of men in the days gone by were those who killed the she camel of Salih. The worst men among the present generation are those who will slay you."

Thalabi says that the name of the killer of the she camel was Qaddar and his mother's name was Quttama. So also Qaddar was the name of Ibn Muljim and Quttama was his mother's name .

Aqa Mahdi Puya says:

In verse 74 it is said that the people of Thamud had hewed the mountains to make houses, which shows that they were a nation of architects, well versed in the art of masonry. They also built palaces in the plains as their abodes but used the houses in the mountains after nightfall to protect themselves, and also kept there those among them who were about to die. Professor Nicholson says that according to the monuments found in Madayan al Salih in the mountain-houses the people of Thamud buried their dead. It does not disprove the Quran. Obviously when the sick died they must have been buried there.


[Shakir 7:74] And remember when He made you successors after Ad and settled you in the land-- you make mansions on its plains and hew out houses in the mountains-- remember therefore Allah's benefits and do not act corruptly in the land, making mischief.
[Yusufali 7:74] "And remember how He made you inheritors after the 'Ad people and gave you habitations in the land: ye build for yourselves palaces and castles in (open) plains, and care out homes in the mountains; so bring to remembrance the benefits (ye have received) from Allah, and refrain from evil and mischief on the earth."
[Pickthal 7:74] And remember how He made you viceroys after A'ad and gave you station in the earth. Ye choose castles in the plains and hew the mountains into dwellings. So remember (all) the bounties of Allah and do not evil, making mischief in the earth.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 7:74] (see commentary for verse 73)
[Shakir 7:75] The chief of those who behaved proudly among his people said to those who were considered weak, to those who believed from among them: Do you know that Salih is sent by his Lord? They said: Surely we are believers in what he has been sent with
[Yusufali 7:75] The leaders of the arrogant party among his people said to those who were reckoned powerless - those among them who believed: "know ye indeed that Salih is a messenger from his Lord?" They said: "We do indeed believe in the revelation which hath been sent through him."
[Pickthal 7:75] The chieftains of his people, who were scornful, said unto those whom they despised, unto such of them as believed: Know ye that Salih is one sent from his Lord? They said: Lo! In that wherewith he hath been sent we are believers.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 7:75] (see commentary for verse 73)
[Shakir 7:76] Those who were haughty said: Surely we are deniers of what you believe in.
[Yusufali 7:76] The Arrogant party said: "For our part, we reject what ye believe in."
[Pickthal 7:76] Those who were scornful said: Lo! in that which ye believe we are disbelievers.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 7:76] (see commentary for verse 73)
[Shakir 7:77] So they slew the she-camel and revolted against their Lord's commandment, and they said: O Salih! bring us what you threatened us with, if you are one of the messengers.
[Yusufali 7:77] Then they ham-strung the she-camel, and insolently defied the order of their Lord, saying: "O Salih! bring about thy threats, if thou art a messenger (of Allah)!"
[Pickthal 7:77] So they hamstrung the she-camel, and they flouted the commandment of their Lord, and they said: O Salih! Bring upon us that thou threatenest if thou art indeed of those sent (from Allah).
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 7:77] (see commentary for verse 73)
[Shakir 7:78] Then the earthquake overtook them, so they became motionless bodies in their abode.
[Yusufali 7:78] So the earthquake took them unawares, and they lay prostrate in their homes in the morning!
[Pickthal 7:78] So the earthquake seized them, and morning found them prostrate in their dwelling-place.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 7:78] (see commentary for verse 73)
[Shakir 7:79] Then he turned away from them and said: O my people I did certainly deliver to you the message of my Lord, and I gave you good advice, but you do not love those who give good advice.
[Yusufali 7:79] So Salih left them, saying: "O my people! I did indeed convey to you the message for which I was sent by my Lord: I gave you good counsel, but ye love not good counsellors!"
[Pickthal 7:79] And (Salih) turned from them and said: O my people! I delivered my Lord's message unto you and gave you good advice, but ye love not good advisers.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 7:79] (see commentary for verse 73)
[Shakir 7:80] And (We sent) Lut when he said to his people: What! do you commit an indecency which any one in the world has not done before you?
[Yusufali 7:80] We also (sent) Lut: He said to his people: "Do ye commit lewdness such as no people in creation (ever) committed before you?
[Pickthal 7:80] And Lot! (Remember) when he said unto his folk: Will ye commit abomination such as no creature ever did before you?
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 7:80]

Lut was a cousin of Ibrahim, his maternal aunt's son. Lut's own sister, Sara, was the first wife of Ibrahim. He was sent as a prophet to the people of Mutafikat, a complex of five towns, Sodom being the largest. He was not one of them but looked upon them as his brethren (Qaf: 13). He was a messenger of Allah, and was therefore free from the shameful features attributed to him in Genesis 19: 30 to 38. The people of Mutafikat were wicked and extremely niggardly. The road connecting Egypt with Syria went through their towns. Those who travelled on this road had to break journey and stay in their towns which they did not like. It is reported that one day Shaytan came to them as a male human being and taught them homo-sexuality in order to stop the travellers from taking shelter with them. From then on they became so addicted to this unnatural wickedness that the word sodomy now literally means male homo-sexuality. They turned a deaf ear to all the warnings given by Lut. Then angel Jibra-il along with some other angels visited Ibrahim and told him that they were going to Sodom to carry out Allah's command. When they entered the town in human form, Lut was watering the fields. He warned them to be on guard against the wickedness of the people and took them to his own house. The wife of Lut was in league with the people and as their agent at once informed them that Lut had brought some travellers as guests. They surrounded Lut's house and shouted at him to deliver the guests to them. Jibra-il made them blind and asked Lut to leave the place along with those who believed. After their departure Allah rained down on them a shower of stones. Everything was buried under the mountain of stones. Nothing was left, no trace of anything could ever be found. According to verse 84 they were criminals.

Once a slave, charged with the murder of his master, was brought to Imam Ali. The slave told him that his master copulated with him by force at midnight when they were alone in the house, therefore, he killed him. When asked by Imam Ali the slave said that his master neither repented nor asked pardon of Allah when he struck him. It was the Holy Prophet who had told him that: "The dead body of a sodomist who had not repented before death is removed from his grave and thrown into the heap of the sodomists of Sodom so that they all shall be raised together on the day of judgement." Accordingly when the grave of the slain master was opened it was found empty. The slave was set free. Then the people came to know that the jurisdiction of Ali's authority was equally applicable over the dead and the alive.

Aqa Mahdi Puya says:

For the first time sodomy is declared a crime, a most horrible crime; and capital punishment has been ordained. Refer to fiqh.


[Shakir 7:81] Most surely you come to males in lust besides females; nay you are an extravagant people.
[Yusufali 7:81] "For ye practise your lusts on men in preference to women : ye are indeed a people transgressing beyond bounds."
[Pickthal 7:81] Lo! ye come with lust unto men instead of women. Nay, but ye are wanton folk.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 7:81] (see commentary for verse 80)
[Shakir 7:82] And the answer of his people was no other than that they said: Turn them out of your town, surely they are a people who seek to purify (themselves).
[Yusufali 7:82] And his people gave no answer but this: they said, "Drive them out of your city: these are indeed men who want to be clean and pure!"
[Pickthal 7:82] And the answer of his people was only that they said (one to another): Turn them out of your township. They are folk, forsooth, who keep pure.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 7:82] (see commentary for verse 80)
[Shakir 7:83] So We delivered him and his followers, except his wife; she was of those who remained behind.
[Yusufali 7:83] But we saved him and his family, except his wife: she was of those who legged behind.
[Pickthal 7:83] And We rescued him and his household, save his wife, who was of those who stayed behind.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 7:83] (see commentary for verse 80)
[Shakir 7:84] And We rained upon them a rain; consider then what was the end of the guilty.
[Yusufali 7:84] And we rained down on them a shower (of brimstone): Then see what was the end of those who indulged in sin and crime!
[Pickthal 7:84] And We rained a rain upon them. See now the nature of the consequence of evil-doers!
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 7:84] (see commentary for verse 80)
[Shakir 7:85] And to Madyan (We sent) their brother Shu'aib. He said: O my people! serve Allah, you have no god other than Him; clear proof indeed has come to you from your Lord, therefore give full measure and weight and do not diminish to men their things, and do not make mischief in the land after its reform; this is better for you if you are believers:
[Yusufali 7:85] To the Madyan people We sent Shu'aib, one of their own brethren: he said: "O my people! worship Allah; Ye have no other god but Him. Now hath come unto you a clear (Sign) from your Lord! Give just measure and weight, nor withhold from the people the things that are their due; and do no mischief on the earth after it has been set in order: that will be best for you, if ye have Faith.
[Pickthal 7:85] And unto Midian (We sent) their brother, Shu'eyb. He said: O my people! Serve Allah. Ye have no other Allah save Him. Lo! a clear proof hath come unto you from your Lord; so give full measure and full weight and wrong not mankind in their goods, and work not confusion in the earth after the fair ordering thereof. That will be better for you, if ye are believers.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 7:85]

Madyan was the name of one of the sons of Ibrahim. Madyan was married to one of the daughters of Lut. The land Midian takes its name from him.

Shu-ayb, a descendant of Ibrahim, was sent as a prophet by Allah to guide the people of Midian and A-ikah.

Giving short measure or weight, depriving people of rightful dues, creating mischief and disorder, taking to highway robbery, cutting off people from access to the worship of Allah and abusing and exploiting religion itself for their crooked ends, were some of their sins which Shu-ayb wanted to eradicate. The gentle and persuasive arguments of Shu-ayb fell on hard hearts.

The fate of Midian people was the same as that of the people of Thamud. A shower of ashes and cinders accompanying a volcanic eruption seized them, and then an earthquake by night buried all of them in their own homes.

The miraculous staff, which Musa had, is reported to have been given to him by Shu-ayb. Another miracle associated with him was that whenever he wanted to climb a mountain to reach its peak, it used to lower itself for him.


[Shakir 7:86] And do not lie in wait in every path, threatening and turning away from Allah's way him who believes in Him and seeking to make it crooked; and remember when you were few then He multiplied you, and consider what was the end of the mischief-makers.
[Yusufali 7:86] "And squat not on every road, breathing threats, hindering from the path of Allah those who believe in Him, and seeking in it something crooked; But remember how ye were little, and He gave you increase. And hold in your mind's eye what was the end of those who did mischief.
[Pickthal 7:86] Lurk not on every road to threaten (wayfarers), and to turn away from Allah's path him who believeth in Him, and to seek to make it crooked. And remember, when ye were but few, how He did multiply you. And see the nature of the consequence for the corrupters!
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 7:86] (see commentary for verse 85)
[Shakir 7:87] And if there is a party of you who believe in that with which am sent, and another party who do not believe, then wait patiently until Allah judges between us; and He is the best of the Judges.
[Yusufali 7:87] "And if there is a party among you who believes in the message with which I have been sent, and a party which does not believe, hold yourselves in patience until Allah doth decide between us: for He is the best to decide.
[Pickthal 7:87] And if there is a party of you which believeth in that wherewith I have been sent, and there is a party which believeth not, then have patience until Allah judge between us. He is the Best of all who deal in judgment.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 7:87] (see commentary for verse 85)
[Shakir 7:88] The chiefs, those who were proud from among his people said: We will most certainly turn you out, O Shu'aib, and (also; those who believe with you, from our town, or you shall come back to our faith. He said: What! though we dislike (it)?
[Yusufali 7:88] The leaders, the arrogant party among his people, said: "O Shu'aib! we shall certainly drive thee out of our city - (thee) and those who believe with thee; or else ye (thou and they) shall have to return to our ways and religion." He said: "What! even though we do detest (them)?
[Pickthal 7:88] The chieftains of his people, who were scornful, said: Surely we will drive thee out, O Shu'eyb, and those who believe with thee, from our township, unless ye return to our religion. He said: Even though we hate it?
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 7:88] (see commentary for verse 85)
[Shakir 7:89] Indeed we shall have forged a lie against Allah If we go back to your religion after Allah has delivered us from It, and it befits us not that we should go back to it, except if Allah our Lord please: Our Lord comprehends all things :n His knowledge; in Allah do we trust: Our Lord! decide between us and our people with truth; and Thou art the best of deciders.
[Yusufali 7:89] "We should indeed invent a lie against Allah, if we returned to your ways after Allah hath rescued us therefrom; nor could we by any manner of means return thereto unless it be as in the will and plan of Allah, Our Lord. Our Lord can reach out to the utmost recesses of things by His knowledge. In the Allah is our trust. our Lord! decide Thou between us and our people in truth, for Thou art the best to decide."
[Pickthal 7:89] We should have invented a lie against Allah if we returned to your religion after Allah hath rescued us from it. It is not for us to return to it unless Allah our Lord should (so) will. Our Lord comprehendeth all things in knowledge. In Allah do we put our trust. Our Lord! Decide with truth between us and our folk, for Thou art the best of those who make decision.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 7:89] (see commentary for verse 85)
[Shakir 7:90] And the chiefs of those who disbelieved from among his people said: If you follow Shu'aib, you shall then most surely be losers
[Yusufali 7:90] The leaders, the unbelievers among his people, said: "If ye follow Shu'aib, be sure then ye are ruined!"
[Pickthal 7:90] But the chieftains of his people, who were disbelieving, said: If ye follow Shu'eyb, then truly ye shall be the losers.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 7:90] (see commentary for verse 85)
[Shakir 7:91] Then the earthquake overtook them, so they became motionless bodies in their abode.
[Yusufali 7:91] But the earthquake took them unawares, and they lay prostrate in their homes before the morning!
[Pickthal 7:91] So the earthquake seized them and morning found them prostrate in their dwelling-place.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 7:91] (see commentary for verse 85)
[Shakir 7:92] Those who called Shu'aib a liar were as though they had never dwelt therein; those who called Shu'aib a liar, they were the losers.
[Yusufali 7:92] The men who reject Shu'aib became as if they had never been in the homes where they had flourished: the men who rejected Shu'aib - it was they who were ruined!
[Pickthal 7:92] Those who denied Shu'eyb became as though they had not dwelt there. Those who denied Shu'eyb, they were the losers.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 7:92] (see commentary for verse 85)
[Shakir 7:93] So he turned away from them and said: O my people! certainly I delivered to you the messages of my Lord and I gave you good advice; how shall I then be sorry for an unbelieving people?
[Yusufali 7:93] So Shu'aib left them, saying: "O my people! I did indeed convey to you the messages for which I was sent by my Lord: I gave you good counsel, but how shall I lament over a people who refuse to believe!"
[Pickthal 7:93] So he turned from them and said: O my people! I delivered my Lord's messages unto you and gave you good advice; then how can I sorrow for a people that rejected (truth)?
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 7:93] (see commentary for verse 85)
[Shakir 7:94] And We did not send a prophet in a town but We overtook its people with distress and affliction in order that they might humble themselves.
[Yusufali 7:94] Whenever We sent a prophet to a town, We took up its people in suffering and adversity, in order that they might learn humility.
[Pickthal 7:94] And We sent no prophet unto any township but We did afflict its folk with tribulation and adversity that haply they might grow humble.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 7:94]

The prophets of Allah were sent to eradicate corruption and evil-a natural consequence of polytheism. Allah gave enough rope to the people, but neither affluence nor suffering taught them patience, humility, gratitude and kindness to others because they belied the signs of Allah and rejected belief and guidance preached to them by the messengers of Allah. They thought such things happened in all ages, but they were found napping and helpless when wrath of Allah seized them in the midst of their obstinate infidelity. The prophets who were rejected by their own people stood firm on Allah's message, and were able to convince a few to believe in Allah and His message. Those who had heard the message and rejected it found it more difficult to retrace their steps. Evil had blocked the channels of Allah's grace to them. With each step they fell deeper and deeper into the mire.

It must be noted that while all the prophets, having tried their best to reform their people, left them to their fate when nothing positive could be done, but the Holy Prophet, as the "mercy unto the worlds", notwithstanding a more adamant and clever opposition, always felt deeply concerned about the human race. "You may perhaps wear out your heart because they do not come to belief" says Allah to him in ash-Shu-ara: 3.

As said in al Baqarah: 7 (see its commentary) Allah seals up the hearts of those who do not believe.


[Shakir 7:95] Then We gave them good in the place of evil until they became many and said: Distress and happiness did indeed befall our fathers. Then We took them by surprise while they did not perceive.
[Yusufali 7:95] Then We changed their suffering into prosperity, until they grew and multiplied, and began to say: "Our fathers (too) were touched by suffering and affluence" ... Behold! We called them to account of a sudden, while they realised not (their peril).
[Pickthal 7:95] Then changed We the evil plight for good till they grew affluent and said: Tribulation and distress did touch our fathers. Then We seized them unawares, when they perceived not.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 7:95] (see commentary for verse 94)
[Shakir 7:96] And if the people of the towns had believed and guarded (against evil) We would certainly have opened up for them blessings from the heaven and the earth, but they rejected, so We overtook them for what they had earned.
[Yusufali 7:96] If the people of the towns had but believed and feared Allah, We should indeed have opened out to them (All kinds of) blessings from heaven and earth; but they rejected (the truth), and We brought them to book for their misdeeds.
[Pickthal 7:96] And if the people of the townships had believed and kept from evil, surely We should have opened for them blessings from the sky and from the earth. But (unto every messenger) they gave the lie, and so We seized them on account of what they used to earn.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 7:96] (see commentary for verse 94)
[Shakir 7:97] What! do the people of the towns then feel secure from Our punishment coming to them by night while they sleep?
[Yusufali 7:97] Did the people of the towns feel secure against the coming of Our wrath by night while they were asleep?
[Pickthal 7:97] Are the people of the townships then secure from the coming of Our wrath upon them as a night-raid while they sleep?
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 7:97] (see commentary for verse 94)
[Shakir 7:98] What! do the people of the towns feel secure from Our punishment coming to them in the morning while they play?
[Yusufali 7:98] Or else did they feel secure against its coming in broad daylight while they played about (care-free)?
[Pickthal 7:98] Or are the people of the townships then secure from the coming of Our wrath upon them in the daytime while they play?
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 7:98] (see commentary for verse 94)
[Shakir 7:99] What! do they then feel secure from Allah's plan? But none feels secure from Allah's plan except the people who shall perish.
[Yusufali 7:99] Did they then feel secure against the plan of Allah?- but no one can feel secure from the Plan of Allah, except those (doomed) to ruin!
[Pickthal 7:99] Are they then secure from Allah's scheme? None deemeth himself secure from Allah's scheme save folk that perish.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 7:99] (see commentary for verse 94)
[Shakir 7:100] Is it not clear to those who inherit the earth after its (former) residents that if We please We would afflict them on account of their faults and set a seal on their hearts so they would not hear.
[Yusufali 7:100] To those who inherit the earth in succession to its (previous) possessors, is it not a guiding, (lesson) that, if We so willed, We could punish them (too) for their sins, and seal up their hearts so that they could not hear?
[Pickthal 7:100] Is it not an indication to those who inherit the land after its people (who thus reaped the consequence of evil-doing) that, if We will, We can smite them for their sins and print upon their hearts so that they hear not?
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 7:100] (see commentary for verse 94)
[Shakir 7:101] These towns-- We relate to you some of their stories, and certainly their messengers came to them with clear arguments, but they would not believe in what they rejected at first; thus does Allah set a seal over the hearts of the unbelievers
[Yusufali 7:101] Such were the towns whose story We (thus) relate unto thee: There came indeed to them their messengers with clear (signs): But they would not believe what they had rejected before. Thus doth Allah seal up the hearts of those who reject faith.
[Pickthal 7:101] Such were the townships. We relate some tidings of them unto thee (Muhammad). Their messengers verily came unto them with clear proofs (of Allah's Sovereignty), but they could not believe because they had before denied. Thus doth Allah print upon the hearts of disbelievers (that they hear not).
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 7:101] (see commentary for verse 94)
[Shakir 7:102] And We did not find in most of them any (faithfulness to) covenant, and We found most of them to be certainly transgressors.
[Yusufali 7:102] Most of them We found not men (true) to their covenant: but most of them We found rebellious and disobedient.
[Pickthal 7:102] We found no (loyalty to any) covenant in most of them. Nay, most of them We found wrong-doers.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 7:102] (see commentary for verse 94)
[Shakir 7:103] Then we raised after them Musa with Our communications to Firon and his chiefs, but they disbelieved in them; consider then what was the end of the mischief makers.
[Yusufali 7:103] Then after them We sent Moses with Our signs to Pharaoh and his chiefs, but they wrongfully rejected them: So see what was the end of those who made mischief.
[Pickthal 7:103] Then, after them, We sent Moses with our tokens unto Pharaoh and his chiefs, but they repelled them. Now, see the nature of the consequence for the corrupters!
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 7:103]

"The Moses of Quran is a Muhammad in disguise" is an interesting comment of a Christian scholar. There is an instructive parallelism in Musa's mission to Muhammad's mission.

The Quran never mentions the Egyptian king or kings by name. It uses the general designation, viz., Firawn, a dynastic title.

During the time of prophet Yusuf the children of Israil prospered in Egypt, but times changed and the Egyptians treated them as their slaves. Musa was raised up as one who had been brought up among themselves to preach unity of Allah to them and to unite and reclaim his own people, rescue them and lead them to a new life. Astrologers had informed Firawn that a boy would be born among the children of Israel who would put an end to his life. Firawn issued orders to all midwives to kill the male babies born to the Israelites but spare the female babies. When Musa was born the attending midwife was overawed by the light radiating from his face and advised his mother to hide him. She reported to the king that a dead girl was born and buried.

Allah revealed to his mother.

"Suckle him. If you are afraid for him, cast him in the river without any fear or regret, for We shall restore him to you, and make him a prophet. (Qasas: 7) Put him in a wooden box and cast it in the river. The river will cast it on the bank. An enemy of Ours, and his, will retrieive it." (Ta Ha: 39)

The mother of Musa did as was directed. Then he was picked up by the family of Firawn unaware that he was. the boy who would destroy them. Asiya, the wife of Firawn, requested Firawn not to kill him and let her adopt him as a son. Musa refused the wet nurse appointed by them. Through his sister his mother was appointed as his nurse. So Musa grew up in the palace of Firawn. Refer to the following verses to know more about Musa- Baqarah: 49 to 71 ; Nisa: 153; Ma-idah: 20 to 26; Yunus: 75 to 92; Hud: 96 to 99; Bani Israil: 101 to 104; Kahf: 60 to 82; Maryam: 51 to 53; Ta Ha: 9 to 98; Muminun: 45 to 49; Shu-ara: 10 to 68; Naml: 7 to 14; Qasas: 7 to 48; Saffat: 114 to 122; Mumin: 23 to 55; Zukhraf: 46 to 56; Ahqaf: 12; Dhariyat: 38 to 40; Saf: 5; Nazi-at: 15 to 26.

When Musa came before Firawn to tell him that he was a prophet from the Lord of the worlds, Firawn was sitting in his court with his ministers and chiefs around him relying upon their own superior worldly power aided by the magic which was a part of the Egyptian religion. Confronting them stood two men, Musa with his mission from Allah, and his brother Harun who was his lieutenant (note the instructive parallelism between "Musa and Harun" and "Muhammad and Ali"-"Ali is to me as Harun was to Musa save that prophethood terminated with me", said the Holy Prophet) .

"I am a messenger from the Lord of the worlds", Musa introduced himself to Firawn and said: "Let the people of Israil go with me; because I have come with a clear sign." Firawn asked Musa to display the sign. Musa threw down his staff and it became a live serpent. He also drew forth his hand from his garment, it was shining bright and white. (See Exodus 4: 1 to 8). These miracles were displayed to prove that Egyptian magic was nothing before the true power of Allah. In Islam the "white hand" of Musa has passed into a proverb, for a symbol of divine glory dazzling to the beholders. Although the Egyptians were impressed by the two signs but they thought that Musa was a clever magician, so, on the advice of his courtiers Firawn summoned the best magicians of Egypt. They cast their spell first. The ropes they threw on the floor turned into swirling snakes. Their trickery made a great impression on the people. Then Musa threw down his staff, it swallowed up their conjurations in no time. The falsehood was exposed and the truth was confirmed. Vanquished and humiliated the magicians fell down prostrate in adoration and said, "We believe in the Lord of the worlds, the Lord of Musa and Harun." Firawn was furious. He threatened them with severe punishment. They answered: "We have (in any case) to go back to our Lord." The same reply the faithful companions of Imam Husayn gave in Karbala. Along with the magicians a large number of Egyptians also came into the fold of true faith. Firawn arrested all of them and kept them in captivity. Musa and his followers camped outside the city. Allah afflicted the people of Firawn with famine and dearth of everything that they might take heed, but they did not believe. Then Allah let loose on them floods and locusts and vermin, but they were a people full of sin (see Exodus 7: 19, 20; and 8: 2 to 6 and 16 to 17 and 21 to 24; and 9: 3 to 6, and 9 to 11, and 22 to 24; and 10: 12 to 14 and 22; and 12: 29). Then Musa and his followers crossed the Red Sea, while Firawn's host which came in pursuit was drowned. See commentary of al Baqarah: 50. After crossing the Red Sea they were in Sinai peninsula. There they met the people who were idolworshippers. The Israelites were at once attracted by their idols, and asked Musa to make them also an idol like theirs. See Exodus 32 : 1. When Allah had exalted them over all the nations of the world, why did they want to seek a god other than Allah? Because idolatry is a national characteristic of the Jews.

For verse 141 see commentary of al Baqarah: 49; and for verse 142 see commentary of al Baqarah: 51, wherein the similarity between "Musa and Harun" and "Muhammad and Ali" has been made clear.

Aqa Mahdi Puya says:

The importance of the number 40 (days, nights, weeks, months or years) for spiritual attainments has been confirmed by many authentic traditions.

The desire of Musa to see Allah was not because he was unsure but like Ibrahim (al Baqarah: 260) he wanted to witness the glory of Allah. Also his companions wanted to see Allah (see al Baqarah: 55). Musa could not withstand the manifestation of the divine glory, because it was reserved for the Holy Prophet about whose advent Musa and Isa had made clear announcement, in advance. See commentary of al Baqarah: 40.

 

Please refer to An-am: 104 according to which no one can see Allah, neither in this world nor in the hereafter. Lan in verse 143 means "never". Musa turned repentant to Allah and declared his firm belief in Him. "First" means not the first in time, but most firm in faith. Only finite beings or things which can be arrested by vision are seen and Allah is an infinite being. So to say that Allah can be visible is an ignorant conjecture, put forward by those who do not believe in the absoluteness of His existence.

Imam Ali said:

O He! O He whom none knows what He is, nor how He is, nor where He is, nor in what respect He is, but He.

Allah chose Musa, above other men and gave him the Tawrat, with instructions to warn his followers that if they rejected the word of Allah, calamities would seize them as in the case of ancient Egyptians, the Ad and the Thamud.

Aqa Mahdi Puya says:

Manifestation in verse 143 does not mean taking form or appearance. In Najm: 18 it is stated that the Holy Prophet witnessed much greater signs (manifestations) of Allah. Allah's absolute infiniteness makes it impossible to attribute corporeality to Him, but it is possible to have spiritual awareness of His being through the faculties developed by devoted concentration of heart and mind-the "meeting with the Lord" in An-am: 155 and Ha Mim: 54 must be understood in this sense.


[Shakir 7:104] And Musa said: O Firon! surely I am a messenger from the Lord of the worlds:
[Yusufali 7:104] Moses said: "O Pharaoh! I am a messenger from the Lord of the worlds,-
[Pickthal 7:104] Moses said: O Pharaoh! Lo! I am a messenger from the Lord of the Worlds,
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 7:104] (see commentary for verse 103)
[Shakir 7:105] (I am) worthy of not saying anything about Allah except the truth: I have come to you indeed with clear proof from your Lord, therefore send with me the children of Israel
[Yusufali 7:105] One for whom it is right to say nothing but truth about Allah. Now have I come unto you (people), from your Lord, with a clear (Sign): So let the Children of Israel depart along with me."
[Pickthal 7:105] Approved upon condition that I speak concerning Allah nothing but the truth. I come unto you (lords of Egypt) with a clear proof from your Lord. So let the Children of Israel go with me.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 7:105] (see commentary for verse 103)
[Shakir 7:106] He said: If you have come with a sign, then bring it, if you are of the truthful ones.
[Yusufali 7:106] (Pharaoh) said: "If indeed thou hast come with a Sign, show it forth,- if thou tellest the truth."
[Pickthal 7:106] (Pharaoh) said: If thou comest with a token, then produce it, if thou art of those who speak the truth.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 7:106] (see commentary for verse 103)
[Shakir 7:107] So he threw his rod, then lo! it was a clear serpent.
[Yusufali 7:107] Then (Moses) threw his rod, and behold! it was a serpent, plain (for all to see)!
[Pickthal 7:107] Then he flung down his staff and lo! it was a serpent manifest;
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 7:107] (see commentary for verse 103)
[Shakir 7:108] And he drew forth his hand, and lo! it was white to the beholders.
[Yusufali 7:108] And he drew out his hand, and behold! it was white to all beholders!
[Pickthal 7:108] And he drew forth his hand (from his bosom), and lo! it was white for the beholders.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 7:108] (see commentary for verse 103)
[Shakir 7:109] The chiefs of Firon's people said: most surely this is an enchanter possessed of knowledge:
[Yusufali 7:109] Said the Chiefs of the people of Pharaoh: "This is indeed a sorcerer well-versed.
[Pickthal 7:109] The chiefs of Pharaoh's people said: Lo! this is some knowing wizard,
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 7:109] (see commentary for verse 103)
[Shakir 7:110] He intends to turn you out of your land. What counsel do you then give?
[Yusufali 7:110] "His plan is to get you out of your land: then what is it ye counsel?"
[Pickthal 7:110] Who would expel you from your land. Now what do ye advise?
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 7:110] (see commentary for verse 103)
[Shakir 7:111] They said: Put him off and his brother, and send collectors into the cities:
[Yusufali 7:111] They said: "Keep him and his brother in suspense (for a while); and send to the cities men to collect-
[Pickthal 7:111] They said (unto Pharaoh): Put him off (a while) - him and his brother - and send into the cities summoners,
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 7:111] (see commentary for verse 103)
[Shakir 7:112] That they may bring to you every enchanter possessed of knowledge.
[Yusufali 7:112] And bring up to thee all (our) sorcerers well-versed."
[Pickthal 7:112] To bring each knowing wizard unto thee.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 7:112] (see commentary for verse 103)
[Shakir 7:113] And the enchanters came to Firon (and) said: We must surely have a reward if we are the prevailing ones.
[Yusufali 7:113] So there came the sorcerers to Pharaoh: They said, "of course we shall have a (suitable) reward if we win!"
[Pickthal 7:113] And the wizards came to Pharaoh, saying: Surely there will be a reward for us if we are victors.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 7:113] (see commentary for verse 103)
[Shakir 7:114] He said: Yes, and you shall certainly be of those who are near (to me).
[Yusufali 7:114] He said: "Yea, (and more),- for ye shall in that case be (raised to posts) nearest (to my person)."
[Pickthal 7:114] He answered: Yes, and surely ye shall be of those brought near (to me).
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 7:114] (see commentary for verse 103)
[Shakir 7:115] They said: O Musa! will you cast, or shall we be the first to cast?
[Yusufali 7:115] They said: "O Moses! wilt thou throw (first), or shall we have the (first) throw?"
[Pickthal 7:115] They said: O Moses! Either throw (first) or let us be the first throwers?
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 7:115] (see commentary for verse 103)
[Shakir 7:116] He said: Cast. So when they cast, they deceived the people's eyes and frightened them, and they produced a mighty enchantment.
[Yusufali 7:116] Said Moses: "Throw ye (first)." So when they threw, they bewitched the eyes of the people, and struck terror into them: for they showed a great (feat of) magic.
[Pickthal 7:116] He said: Throw! And when they threw they cast a spell upon the people's eyes, and overawed them, and produced a mighty spell.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 7:116] (see commentary for verse 103)
[Shakir 7:117] And We revealed to Musa, saying: Cast your rod; then lo! it devoured the lies they told.
[Yusufali 7:117] We put it into Moses's mind by inspiration: "Throw (now) thy rod":and behold! it swallows up straight away all the falsehoods which they fake!
[Pickthal 7:117] And We inspired Moses (saying): Throw thy staff! And lo! it swallowed up their lying show.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 7:117] (see commentary for verse 103)
[Shakir 7:118] So the truth was established, and what they did became null.
[Yusufali 7:118] Thus truth was confirmed, and all that they did was made of no effect.
[Pickthal 7:118] Thus was the Truth vindicated and that which they were doing was made vain.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 7:118] (see commentary for verse 103)
[Shakir 7:119] Thus they were vanquished there, and they went back abased.
[Yusufali 7:119] So the (great ones) were vanquished there and then, and were made to look small.
[Pickthal 7:119] Thus were they there defeated and brought low.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 7:119] (see commentary for verse 103)
[Shakir 7:120] And the enchanters were thrown down, prostrating (themselves).
[Yusufali 7:120] But the sorcerers fell down prostrate in adoration.
[Pickthal 7:120] And the wizards fell down prostrate,
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 7:120] (see commentary for verse 103)
[Shakir 7:121] They said: We believe in the Lord of the worlds,
[Yusufali 7:121] Saying: "We believe in the Lord of the Worlds,-
[Pickthal 7:121] Crying: We believe in the Lord of the Worlds,
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 7:121] (see commentary for verse 103)
[Shakir 7:122] The Lord of Musa and Haroun.
[Yusufali 7:122] "The Lord of Moses and Aaron."
[Pickthal 7:122] The Lord of Moses and Aaron.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 7:122] (see commentary for verse 103)
[Shakir 7:123] Firon said: Do you believe in Him before I have given you permission? Surely this is a plot which you have secretly devised in this city, that you may turn out of it its people, but you shall know:
[Yusufali 7:123] Said Pharaoh: "Believe ye in Him before I give you permission? Surely this is a trick which ye have planned in the city to drive out its people: but soon shall ye know (the consequences).
[Pickthal 7:123] Pharaoh said: Ye believe in Him before I give you leave! Lo! this is the plot that ye have plotted in the city that ye may drive its people hence. But ye shall come to know!
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 7:123] (see commentary for verse 103)
[Shakir 7:124] I will certainly cut off your hands and your feet on opposite sides, then will I crucify you all together.
[Yusufali 7:124] "Be sure I will cut off your hands and your feet on apposite sides, and I will cause you all to die on the cross."
[Pickthal 7:124] Surely I shall have your hands and feet cut off upon alternate sides. Then I shall crucify you every one.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 7:124] (see commentary for verse 103)
[Shakir 7:125] They said: Surely to our Lord shall we go back:
[Yusufali 7:125] They said: "For us, We are but sent back unto our Lord:
[Pickthal 7:125] They said: Lo! We are about to return unto our Lord!
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 7:125] (see commentary for verse 103)
[Shakir 7:126] And you do not take revenge on us except because we have believed in the communications of our Lord when they came to us! Our Lord: Pour out upon us patience and cause us to die in submission.
[Yusufali 7:126] "But thou dost wreak thy vengeance on us simply because we believed in the Signs of our Lord when they reached us! Our Lord! pour out on us patience and constancy, and take our souls unto thee as Muslims (who bow to thy will)!
[Pickthal 7:126] Thou takest vengeance on us only forasmuch as we believed the tokens of our Lord when they came unto us. Our Lord! Vouchsafe unto us steadfastness and make us die as men who have surrendered (unto Thee).
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 7:126] (see commentary for verse 103)
[Shakir 7:127] And the chiefs of Firon's people said: Do you leave Musa and his people to make mischief in the land and to forsake you and your gods? He said: We will slay their sons and spare their women, and surely we are masters over them.
[Yusufali 7:127] Said the chiefs of Pharaoh's people: "Wilt thou leave Moses and his people, to spread mischief in the land, and to abandon thee and thy gods?" He said: "Their male children will we slay; (only) their females will we save alive; and we have over them (power) irresistible."
[Pickthal 7:127] The chiefs of Pharaoh's people said: (O King), wilt thou suffer Moses and his people to make mischief in the land, and flout thee and thy gods? He said: We will slay their sons and spare their women, for lo! we are in power over them.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 7:127] (see commentary for verse 103)
[Shakir 7:128] Musa said to his people: Ask help from Allah and be patient; surely the land is Allah's; He causes such of His servants to inherit it as He pleases, and the end is for those who guard (against evil).
[Yusufali 7:128] Said Moses to his people: "Pray for help from Allah, and (wait) in patience and constancy: for the earth is Allah's, to give as a heritage to such of His servants as He pleaseth; and the end is (best) for the righteous.
[Pickthal 7:128] And Moses said unto his people: Seek help in Allah and endure. Lo! the earth is Allah's. He giveth it for an inheritance to whom He will. And lo! the sequel is for those who keep their duty (unto Him).
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 7:128] (see commentary for verse 103)
[Shakir 7:129] They said: We have been persecuted before you came to us and since you have come to us. He said: It may be that your Lord will destroy your enemy and make you rulers in the land, then He will see how you act.
[Yusufali 7:129] They said: "We have had (nothing but) trouble, both before and after thou camest to us." He said: "It may be that your Lord will destroy your enemy and make you inheritors in the earth; that so He may try you by your deeds."
[Pickthal 7:129] They said: We suffered hurt before thou camest unto us, and since thou hast come unto us. He said: It may be that your Lord is going to destroy your adversary and make you viceroys in the earth, that He may see how ye behave.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 7:129] (see commentary for verse 103)
[Shakir 7:130] And certainly We overtook Firon's people with droughts and diminution of fruits that they may be mindful.
[Yusufali 7:130] We punished the people of Pharaoh with years (of droughts) and shortness of crops; that they might receive admonition.
[Pickthal 7:130] And we straitened Pharaoh's folk with famine and dearth of fruits, that peradventure they might heed.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 7:130] (see commentary for verse 103)
[Shakir 7:131] But when good befell them they said: This is due to us; and when evil afflicted them, they attributed it to the ill-luck of Musa and those with him; surely their evil fortune is only from Allah but most of them do not know.
[Yusufali 7:131] But when good (times) came, they said, "This is due to us;" When gripped by calamity, they ascribed it to evil omens connected with Moses and those with him! Behold! in truth the omens of evil are theirs in Allah's sight, but most of them do not understand!
[Pickthal 7:131] But whenever good befell them, they said: This is ours; and whenever evil smote them they ascribed it to the evil auspices of Moses and those with him. Surely their evil auspice was only with Allah. But most of them knew not.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 7:131] (see commentary for verse 103)
[Shakir 7:132] And they said: Whatever sign you may bring to us to charm us with it-- we will not believe in you.
[Yusufali 7:132] They said (to Moses): "Whatever be the Signs thou bringest, to work therewith thy sorcery on us, we shall never believe in thee.
[Pickthal 7:132] And they said: Whatever portent thou bringest wherewith to bewitch us, we shall not put faith in thee.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 7:132] (see commentary for verse 103)
[Shakir 7:133] Therefore We sent upon them widespread death, and the locusts and the lice and the frog and the blood, clear signs; but they behaved haughtily and they were a guilty people.
[Yusufali 7:133] So We sent (plagues) on them: Wholesale death, Locusts, Lice, Frogs, And Blood: Signs openly self-explained: but they were steeped in arrogance,- a people given to sin.
[Pickthal 7:133] So We sent against them the flood and the locusts and the vermin and the frogs and the blood - a succession of clear signs. But they were arrogant and became a guilty folk.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 7:133] (see commentary for verse 103)
[Shakir 7:134] And when the plague fell upon them, they said: O Musa! pray for us to your Lord as He has promised with you, if you remove the plague from us, we will certainly believe in you and we will certainly send away with you the children of Israel.
[Yusufali 7:134] Every time the penalty fell on them, they said: "O Moses! on your behalf call on thy Lord in virtue of his promise to thee: If thou wilt remove the penalty from us, we shall truly believe in thee, and we shall send away the Children of Israel with thee."
[Pickthal 7:134] And when the terror fell on them they cried: O Moses! Pray for us unto thy Lord, because He hath a covenant with thee. If thou removest the terror from us we verily will trust thee and will let the Children of Israel go with thee.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 7:134] (see commentary for verse 103)
[Shakir 7:135] But when We removed the plague from them till a term which they should attain lo! they broke (the promise).
[Yusufali 7:135] But every time We removed the penalty from them according to a fixed term which they had to fulfil,- Behold! they broke their word!
[Pickthal 7:135] But when We did remove from them the terror for a term which they must reach, behold! they broke their covenant.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 7:135] (see commentary for verse 103)
[Shakir 7:136] Therefore We inflicted retribution on them and drowned them in the sea because they rejected Our signs and were heedless of them.
[Yusufali 7:136] So We exacted retribution from them: We drowned them in the sea, because they rejected Our Signs and failed to take warning from them.
[Pickthal 7:136] Therefore We took retribution from them; therefore We drowned them in the sea: because they denied Our revelations and were heedless of them.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 7:136] (see commentary for verse 103)
[Shakir 7:137] And We made the people who were deemed weak to mhent the eastern lands and the western ones which We had blessed; and the good word of your Lord was fulfilled in the children of Israel because they bore up (sufferings) patiently; and We utterly destroyed what Firon and his people had wrought and what they built.
[Yusufali 7:137] And We made a people, considered weak (and of no account), inheritors of lands in both east and west, - lands whereon We sent down Our blessings. The fair promise of thy Lord was fulfilled for the Children of Israel, because they had patience and constancy, and We levelled to the ground the great works and fine buildings which Pharaoh and his people erected (with such pride).
[Pickthal 7:137] And We caused the folk who were despised to inherit the eastern parts of the land and the western parts thereof which We had blessed. And the fair word of thy Lord was fulfilled for the Children of Israel because of their endurance; and We annihilated (all) that Pharaoh and his folk had done and that they had contrived.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 7:137] (see commentary for verse 103)
[Shakir 7:138] And We made the children of Israel to pass the sea; then they came upon a people who kept to the worship of their idols They said: O Musa! make for us a god as they have (their) gods He said: Surely you are a people acting ignorantly:
[Yusufali 7:138] We took the Children of Israel (with safety) across the sea. They came upon a people devoted entirely to some idols they had. They said: "O Moses! fashion for us a god like unto the gods they have." He said: "Surely ye are a people without knowledge.
[Pickthal 7:138] And We brought the Children of Israel across the sea, and they came unto a people who were given up to idols which they had. They said: O Moses! Make for us a god even as they have gods. He said: Lo! ye are a folk who know not.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 7:138] (see commentary for verse 103)
[Shakir 7:139] (As to) these, surely that about which they are shall be brought to naught and that which they do is vain.
[Yusufali 7:139] "As to these folk,- the cult they are in is (but) a fragment of a ruin, and vain is the (worship) which they practise."
[Pickthal 7:139] Lo! as for these, their way will be destroyed and all that they are doing is in vain.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 7:139] (see commentary for verse 103)
[Shakir 7:140] He said: What! shall I seek for you a god other than Allah while He has made you excel (all) created things?
[Yusufali 7:140] He said: "Shall I seek for you a god other than the (true) Allah, when it is Allah Who hath endowed you with gifts above the nations?"
[Pickthal 7:140] He said: Shall I seek for you a god other than Allah when He hath favoured you above (all) creatures?
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 7:140] (see commentary for verse 103)
[Shakir 7:141] And when We delivered you from Firon's people who subjected you to severe torment, killing your sons and sparing your women, and in this there was a great trial from your Lord.
[Yusufali 7:141] And remember We rescued you from Pharaoh's people, who afflicted you with the worst of penalties, who slew your male children and saved alive your females: in that was a momentous trial from your Lord.
[Pickthal 7:141] And (remember) when We did deliver you from Pharaoh's folk who were afflicting you with dreadful torment, slaughtering your sons and sparing your women. That was a tremendous trial from your Lord.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 7:141] (see commentary for verse 103)
[Shakir 7:142] And We appointed with Musa a time of thirty nights and completed them with ten (more), so the appointed time of his Lord was complete forty nights, and Musa said to his brother Haroun: Take my place among my people, and act well and do not follow the way of the mischief-makers.
[Yusufali 7:142] We appointed for Moses thirty nights, and completed (the period) with ten (more): thus was completed the term (of communion) with his Lord, forty nights. And Moses had charged his brother Aaron (before he went up): "Act for me amongst my people: Do right, and follow not the way of those who do mischief."
[Pickthal 7:142] And when We did appoint for Moses thirty nights (of solitude), and added to them ten, and he completed the whole time appointed by his Lord of forty nights; and Moses said unto his brother, Aaron: Take my place among the people. Do right, and follow not the way of mischief-makers.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 7:142] (see commentary for verse 103)
[Shakir 7:143] And when Musa came at Our appointed time and his Lord spoke to him, he said: My Lord! show me (Thyself), so that I may look upon Thee. He said: You cannot (bear to) see Me but look at the mountain, if it remains firm in its place, then will you see Me; but when his Lord manifested His glory to the mountain He made it crumble and Musa fell down in a swoon; then when he recovered, he said: Glory be to Thee, I turn to Thee, and I am the first of the believers.
[Yusufali 7:143] When Moses came to the place appointed by Us, and his Lord addressed him, He said: "O my Lord! show (Thyself) to me, that I may look upon thee." Allah said: "By no means canst thou see Me (direct); But look upon the mount; if it abide in its place, then shalt thou see Me." When his Lord manifested His glory on the Mount, He made it as dust. And Moses fell down in a swoon. When he recovered his senses he said: "Glory be to Thee! to Thee I turn in repentance, and I am the first to believe."
[Pickthal 7:143] And when Moses came to Our appointed tryst and his Lord had spoken unto him, he said: My Lord! Show me (Thy Self), that I may gaze upon Thee. He said: Thou wilt not see Me, but gaze upon the mountain! If it stand still in its place, then thou wilt see Me. And when his Lord revealed (His) glory to the mountain He sent it crashing down. And Moses fell down senseless. And when he woke he said: Glory unto Thee! I turn unto Thee repentant, and I am the first of (true) believers.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 7:143] (see commentary for verse 103)
[Shakir 7:144] He said: O Musa! surely I have chosen you above the people with My messages and with My words, therefore take hold of what I give to you and be of the grateful ones.
[Yusufali 7:144] (Allah) said: "O Moses! I have chosen thee above (other) men, by the mission I (have given thee) and the words I (have spoken to thee): take then the (revelation) which I give thee, and be of those who give thanks."
[Pickthal 7:144] He said: O Moses! I have preferred thee above mankind by My messages and by My speaking (unto thee). So hold that which I have given thee, and be among the thankful.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 7:144] (see commentary for verse 103)
[Shakir 7:145] And We ordained for him in the tablets admonition of every kind and clear explanation of all things; so take hold of them with firmness and enjoin your people to take hold of what is best thereof; I will show you the abode of the transgressors.
[Yusufali 7:145] And We ordained laws for him in the tablets in all matters, both commanding and explaining all things, (and said): "Take and hold these with firmness, and enjoin thy people to hold fast by the best in the precepts: soon shall I show you the homes of the wicked,- (How they lie desolate)."
[Pickthal 7:145] And We wrote for him, upon the tablets, the lesson to be drawn from all things and the explanation of all things, then (bade him): Hold it fast; and command thy people (saying): Take the better (course made clear) therein. I shall show thee the abode of evil-livers.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 7:145] (see commentary for verse 103)
[Shakir 7:146] I will turn away from My communications those who are unjustly proud in the earth; and if they see every sign they will not believe in It; and if they see the way of rectitude they do not take It for a way, and if they see the way of error. they take it for a way; this is because they rejected Our communications and were heedless of them.
[Yusufali 7:146] Those who behave arrogantly on the earth in defiance of right - them will I turn away from My signs: Even if they see all the signs, they will not believe in them; and if they see the way of right conduct, they will not adopt it as the way; but if they see the way of error, that is the way they will adopt. For they have rejected our signs, and failed to take warning from them.
[Pickthal 7:146] I shall turn away from My revelations those who magnify themselves wrongfully in the earth, and if they see each token believe it not, and if they see the way of righteousness choose it nor for (their) way, and if they see the way of error choose if for (their) way. That is because they deny Our revelations and are used to disregard them.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 7:146]

Refer to the commentary of An-am: 110.


[Shakir 7:147] And (as to) those who reject Our communications and the meeting of the hereafter, their deeds are null. Shall they be rewarded except for what they have done?
[Yusufali 7:147] Those who reject Our signs and the meeting in the Hereafter,- vain are their deeds: Can they expect to be rewarded except as they have wrought?
[Pickthal 7:147] Those who deny Our revelations and the meeting of the Hereafter, their works are fruitless. Are they requited aught save what they used to do?
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 7:147] (no commentary available for this verse)
[Shakir 7:148] And Musa's people made of their ornaments a calf after him, a (mere) body, which gave a mooing sound. What! could they not see that it did not speak to them nor guide them m the way? They took it (for worship) and they were unjust.
[Yusufali 7:148] The people of Moses made, in his absence, out of their ornaments, the image of calf, (for worship): it seemed to low: did they not see that it could neither speak to them, nor show them the way? They took it for worship and they did wrong.
[Pickthal 7:148] And the folk of Moses, after (he left them), chose a calf (for worship), (made) out of their ornaments, of saffron hue, which gave a lowing sound. Saw they not that it spake not unto them nor guided them to any way? They chose it, and became wrong-doers.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 7:148]

Aqa Mahdi Puya says:

The making of the golden calf and its worship by the Jews during the absence of Musa on the mountain have been discussed in the commentary of al-Baqarah: 51. Also refer to Ta Ha: 85 to 97, which say that Harun was, in no way, connected with the Samiri's plot to hoodwink the people, on the contrary he warned them to beware as it was a test of their faith, but they did not listen to him. The anger of Musa, in fact, was directed against the mischief-makers, but he brought Harun into picture so that it could be established that he had discharged his responsibility faithfully. It proves that if people accept any one as authority without divine or prophetic sanction, they are led astray as the followers of Musa were duped by Samiri.

Allah forgives those who turn repentant unto Him sincerely and amend, with firm determination not to sin again.


[Shakir 7:149] And when they repented and saw that they had gone astray, they said: If our Lord show not mercy to us and forgive us we shall certainly be of the losers.
[Yusufali 7:149] When they repented, and saw that they had erred, they said: "If our Lord have not mercy upon us and forgive us, we shall indeed be of those who perish."
[Pickthal 7:149] And when they feared the consequences thereof and saw that they had gone astray, they said: Unless our Lord have mercy on us and forgive us, we verily are of the lost.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 7:149] (see commentary for verse 148)
[Shakir 7:150] And when Musa returned to his people, wrathful (and) in violent grief, he said: Evil is it that you have done after me; did you turn away from the bidding of your Lord? And he threw down the tablets and seized his brother by the head, dragging him towards him. He said: Son of my mother! surely the people reckoned me weak and had well-nigh slain me, therefore make not the enemies to rejoice over me and count me not among the unjust people.
[Yusufali 7:150] When Moses came back to his people, angry and grieved, he said: "Evil it is that ye have done in my place in my absence: did ye make haste to bring on the judgment of your Lord?" He put down the tablets, seized his brother by (the hair of) his head, and dragged him to him. Aaron said: "Son of my mother! the people did indeed reckon me as naught, and went near to slaying me! Make not the enemies rejoice over my misfortune, nor count thou me amongst the people of sin."
[Pickthal 7:150] And when Moses returned unto his people, angry and grieved, he said: Evil is that (course) which ye took after I had left you. Would ye hasten on the judgment of your Lord? And he cast down the tablets, and he seized his brother by the head, dragging him toward him. He said: Son of my mother! Lo! the folk did judge me weak and almost killed me. Oh, make not mine enemies to triumph over me and place me not among the evil-doers.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 7:150] (see commentary for verse 148)
[Shakir 7:151] He said: My Lord! forgive me and my brother and cause us to enter into Thy mercy, and Thou art the most Merciful of the merciful ones.
[Yusufali 7:151] Moses prayed: "O my Lord! forgive me and my brother! admit us to Thy mercy! for Thou art the Most Merciful of those who show mercy!"
[Pickthal 7:151] He said: My Lord! Have mercy on me and on my brother; bring us into Thy mercy, Thou the Most Merciful of all who show mercy.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 7:151] (see commentary for verse 148)
[Shakir 7:152] (As for) those who took the calf (for a god), surely wrath from their Lord and disgrace in this world's life shall overtake them, and thus do We recompense the devisers of lies.
[Yusufali 7:152] Those who took the calf (for worship) will indeed be overwhelmed with wrath from their Lord, and with shame in this life: thus do We recompense those who invent (falsehoods).
[Pickthal 7:152] Lo! Those who chose the calf (for worship), terror from their Lord and humiliation will come upon them in the life of the world. Thus do We requite those who invent a lie.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 7:152] (see commentary for verse 148)
[Shakir 7:153] And (as to) those who do evil deeds, then repent after that and believe, your Lord after that is most surely Forgiving, Merciful.
[Yusufali 7:153] But those who do wrong but repent thereafter and (truly) believe,- verily thy Lord is thereafter Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.
[Pickthal 7:153] But those who do ill-deeds and afterward repent and believe - lo! for them, afterward, Allah is Forgiving, Merciful.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 7:153] (see commentary for verse 148)
[Shakir 7:154] And when Musa's anger calmed down he took up the tablets, and in the writing thereof was guidance and mercy for those who fear for the sake of their Lord.
[Yusufali 7:154] When the anger of Moses was appeased, he took up the tablets: in the writing thereon was guidance and Mercy for such as fear their Lord.
[Pickthal 7:154] Then, when the anger of Moses abated, he took up the tablets, and in their inscription there was guidance and mercy for all those who fear their Lord.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 7:154]

It is clearly mentioned in this verse that Musa did not break the tablets as mentioned in Exodus 32: 19. He took up the tablets which were a guidance and mercy from Allah, and guided the people through the laws written on them.


[Shakir 7:155] And Musa chose out of his people seventy men for Our appointment; so when the earthquake overtook them, he said: My Lord! if Thou hadst pleased, Thou hadst destroyed them before and myself (too); wilt Thou destroy us for what the fools among us have done? It is naught but Thy trial, Thou makest err with it whom Thou pleasest and guidest whom Thou pleasest: Thou art our Guardian, therefore forgive us and have mercy on us, and Thou art the best of the forgivers.
[Yusufali 7:155] And Moses chose seventy of his people for Our place of meeting: when they were seized with violent quaking, he prayed: "O my Lord! if it had been Thy will Thou couldst have destroyed, long before, both them and me: wouldst Thou destroy us for the deeds of the foolish ones among us? this is no more than Thy trial: by it Thou causest whom Thou wilt to stray, and Thou leadest whom Thou wilt into the right path. Thou art our Protector: so forgive us and give us Thy mercy; for Thou art the best of those who forgive.
[Pickthal 7:155] And Moses chose of his people seventy men for Our appointed tryst and, when the trembling came on them, he said: My Lord! If Thou hadst willed Thou hadst destroyed them long before, and me with them. Wilt thou destroy us for that which the ignorant among us did? It is but Thy trial (of us). Thou sendest whom Thou wilt astray and guidest whom Thou wilt: Thou art our Protecting Friend, therefore forgive us and have mercy on us, Thou, the Best of all who show forgiveness.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 7:155]

Refer to the commentary of al Baqarah: 55. Seventy of the elders were taken up to the mountain, but when they insisted upon seeing Allah, they were dazed with lightning and thunder, and were raised up on the intercession of Musa. It was a trial to establish the fact that there is freedom of choice by which some go astray and some walk on the right path.


[Shakir 7:156] And ordain for us good in this world's life and m the hereafter, for surely we turn to Thee. He said: (As for) My chastisement, I will afflict with it whom I please, and My mercy encompasses all things; so I will ordain it (specially) for those who guard (against evil) and pay the poor-rate, and those who believe in Our communications.
[Yusufali 7:156] "And ordain for us that which is good, in this life and in the Hereafter: for we have turned unto Thee." He said: "With My punishment I visit whom I will; but My mercy extendeth to all things. That (mercy) I shall ordain for those who do right, and practise regular charity, and those who believe in Our signs;-
[Pickthal 7:156] And ordain for us in this world that which is good, and in the Hereafter (that which is good), Lo! We have turned unto Thee. He said: I smite with My punishment whom I will, and My mercy embraceth all things, therefore I shall ordain it for those who ward off (evil) and pay the poor-due, and those who believe Our revelations;
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 7:156]

"My mercy encompasses everything" shows that the canvas of Allah's mercy enfolds all those sinners who turn repentant unto Him as mentioned in verse 153. While warning people in Bani Israil: 15(No one shall carry another's burden), and in Zilzal: 7 (whosoever has done even an atom's weight of good shall be rewarded), Islam assures the sinners that the doors of Allah's mercy always remain open for those who sincerely turn repentant to Allah (see commentary of al Fatihah: 3).

The theory of a general and unconditional pardon propagated by any religion that the price of the sins committed, being committed and to be committed by all the human beings has been paid by a prophet, gives birth to evil, disorder and corruption. It becomes a licence to sin and make mischief in the world. See Jathiyah: 21 and 22.

Verse 157 says that the divine mercy is available to those who safeguard themselves against evil and follow the teachings of the Holy Prophet, again repeated in verse 158. See commentary of Nisa: 80.

For ummi see commentary of al Baqarah: 78.

The advent of the Holy Prophet had been announced by Musa and Isa. See commentary of al Baqarah: 40.

For amr bil maruf and nahya anil munkar see commentary of Ali Imran : 101 to 115 (Aqa Mahdi Puya's note on page 245.

The Holy Prophet was sent to the whole mankind as a messenger of Allah for all times. See also Nisa: 7 ; Anbiya: 107 and Saba: 28. Matthew 10: 5, 6; and 15: 22 to 26 confirm that Isa was sent to the lost sheep of the children of Israil.

See commentary of al Baqarah: 255 for "There is no god but He and to Him belongs the kingdom of the heavens and the earth"; and for "He gives life and death" refer to the commentary of al Baqarah: 259 and 260.


[Shakir 7:157] Those who follow the Messenger-Prophet, the Ummi, whom they find written down with them in the Taurat and the Injeel (who) enjoins them good and forbids them evil, and makes lawful to them the good things and makes unlawful to them impure things, and removes from them their burden and the shackles which were upon them; so (as for) those who believe in him and honor him and help him, and follow the light which has been sent down with him, these it is that are the successful.
[Yusufali 7:157] "Those who follow the messenger, the unlettered Prophet, whom they find mentioned in their own (scriptures),- in the law and the Gospel;- for he commands them what is just and forbids them what is evil; he allows them as lawful what is good (and pure) and prohibits them from what is bad (and impure); He releases them from their heavy burdens and from the yokes that are upon them. So it is those who believe in him, honour him, help him, and follow the light which is sent down with him,- it is they who will prosper."
[Pickthal 7:157] Those who follow the messenger, the Prophet who can neither read nor write, whom they will find described in the Torah and the Gospel (which are) with them. He will enjoin on them that which is right and forbid them that which is wrong. He will make lawful for them all good things and prohibit for them only the foul; and he will relieve them of their burden and the fetters that they used to wear. Then those who believe in him, and honour him, and help him, and follow the light which is sent down with him: they are the successful.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 7:157] (see commentary for verse 156)
[Shakir 7:158] Say: O people! surely I am the Messenger of Allah to you all, of Him Whose is the kingdom of the heavens and the earth there is no god but He; He brings to life and causes to die therefore believe in Allah and His messenger, the Ummi Prophet who believes in Allah and His words, and follow him so that you may walk in the right way.
[Yusufali 7:158] Say: "O men! I am sent unto you all, as the Messenger of Allah, to Whom belongeth the dominion of the heavens and the earth: there is no god but He: it is He That giveth both life and death. So believe in Allah and His Messenger, the Unlettered Prophet, who believeth in Allah and His words: follow him that (so) ye may be guided."
[Pickthal 7:158] Say (O Muhammad): O mankind! Lo! I am the messenger of Allah to you all - (the messenger of) Him unto Whom belongeth the Sovereignty of the heavens and the earth. There is no Allah save Him. He quickeneth and He giveth death. So believe in Allah and His messenger, the Prophet who can neither read nor write, who believeth in Allah and in His Words, and follow him that haply ye may be led aright.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 7:158] (see commentary for verse 156)
[Shakir 7:159] And of Musa's people was a party who guided (people) with the truth, and thereby did they do justice.
[Yusufali 7:159] Of the people of Moses there is a section who guide and do justice in the light of truth.
[Pickthal 7:159] And of Moses' folk there is a community who lead with truth and establish justice therewith.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 7:159]

Incidents in Jewish history have been referred to in many verses of the Quran. Here they have special reference to their bearing when Islam was preached. See commentary of al Baqarah: 60 for water gushed forth from the rock for the twelve tribes of the Jews when Musa used his staff as directed by Allah. See commentary of al Baqarah: 57 for the shades of clouds and manna and quails.

See commentary of al Baqarah: 57 for the injustice they had done to themselves; and al Baqarah: 58 for entering the gate bowing; and al Baqarah: 59 for wrongfully changing the words; and al Baqarah: 65 for exceeding the limits of the Sabbath.


[Shakir 7:160] And We divided them into twelve tribes, as nations; and We revealed to Musa when his people asked him for water: Strike the rock with your staff, so outnowed from it twelve springs; each tribe knew its drinking place; and We made the clouds to give shade over them and We sent to them manna and quails: Eat of the good things We have given you. And they did not do Us any harm, but they did injustice to their own souls.
[Yusufali 7:160] We divided them into twelve tribes or nations. We directed Moses by inspiration, when his (thirsty) people asked him for water: "Strike the rock with thy staff": out of it there gushed forth twelve springs: Each group knew its own place for water. We gave them the shade of clouds, and sent down to them manna and quails, (saying): "Eat of the good things We have provided for you": (but they rebelled); to Us they did no harm, but they harmed their own souls.
[Pickthal 7:160] We divided them into twelve tribes, nations; and We inspired Moses, when his people asked him for water, saying: Smite with thy staff the rock! And there gushed forth therefrom twelve springs, so that each tribe knew their drinking-place. And we caused the white cloud to overshadow them and sent down for them the manna and the quails (saying): Eat of the good things wherewith we have provided you. They wronged Us not, but they were wont to wrong themselves.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 7:160] (see commentary for verse 159)
[Shakir 7:161] And when it was said to them: Reside in this town and eat from it wherever you wish, and say, Put down from us our heavy burdens: and enter the gate making obeisance, We will forgive you your wrongs: We will give more to those who do good (to others).
[Yusufali 7:161] And remember it was said to them: "Dwell in this town and eat therein as ye wish, but say the word of humility and enter the gate in a posture of humility: We shall forgive you your faults; We shall increase (the portion of) those who do good."
[Pickthal 7:161] And when it was said unto them: Dwell in this township and eat therefrom whence ye will, and say "Repentance," and enter the gate prostrate; We shall forgive you your sins; We shall increase (reward) for the right-doers.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 7:161] (see commentary for verse 159)
[Shakir 7:162] But those who were unjust among them changed it for a saying other than that which had been spoken to them; so We sent upon them a pestilence from heaven because they were unjust.
[Yusufali 7:162] But the transgressors among them changed the word from that which had been given them so we sent on them a plague from heaven. For that they repeatedly transgressed.
[Pickthal 7:162] But those of them who did wrong changed the word which had been told them for another saying, and We sent down upon them wrath from heaven for their wrongdoing.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 7:162] (see commentary for verse 159)
[Shakir 7:163] And ask them about the town which stood by the sea; when they exceeded the limits of the Sabbath, when their fish came to them on the day of their Sabbath, appearing on the surface of the water, and on the day on which they did not keep the Sabbath they did not come to them; thus did We try them because they transgressed.
[Yusufali 7:163] Ask them concerning the town standing close by the sea. Behold! they transgressed in the matter of the Sabbath. For on the day of their Sabbath their fish did come to them, openly holding up their heads, but on the day they had no Sabbath, they came not: thus did We make a trial of them, for they were given to transgression.
[Pickthal 7:163] Ask them (O Muhammad) of the township that was by the sea, how they did break the Sabbath, how their big fish came unto them visibly upon their Sabbath day and on a day when they did not keep Sabbath came they not unto them. Thus did We try them for that they were evil-livers.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 7:163] (see commentary for verse 159)
[Shakir 7:164] And when a party of them said: Why do you admonish a with a severe chastisement? They said: To be free from blame before your Lord, and that haply they may guard (against evil).
[Yusufali 7:164] When some of them said: "Why do ye preach to a people whom Allah will destroy or visit with a terrible punishment?"- said the preachers:" To discharge our duty to your Lord, and perchance they may fear Him."
[Pickthal 7:164] And when a community among them said: Why preach ye to a folk whom Allah is about to destroy or punish with an awful doom, they said: In order to be free from guilt before your Lord, and that haply they may ward off (evil).
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 7:164]

This verse refers to amr bil maruf and nahyal anil munkar. See commentary of Ali Imran : 101 to 115 (Aqa Mahdi Puya's note on page 245).


[Shakir 7:165] So when they neglected what they had been reminded of, We delivered those who forbade evil and We overtook those who were unjust with an evil chastisement because they transgressed.
[Yusufali 7:165] When they disregarded the warnings that had been given them, We rescued those who forbade Evil; but We visited the wrong-doers with a grievous punishment because they were given to transgression.
[Pickthal 7:165] And when they forgot that whereof they had been reminded, We rescued those who forbade wrong, and visited those who did wrong with dreadful punishment because they were evil-livers.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 7:165] (no commentary available for this verse)
[Shakir 7:166] Therefore when they revoltingly persisted in what they had been forbidden, We said to them: Be (as) apes, despised and hated.
[Yusufali 7:166] When in their insolence they transgressed (all) prohibitions, We said to them: "Be ye apes, despised and rejected."
[Pickthal 7:166] So when they took pride in that which they had been forbidden, We said unto them: Be ye apes despised and loathed!
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 7:166]

See commentary of al Baqarah: 65.


[Shakir 7:167] And when your Lord announced that He would certainly send against them to the day of resurrection those who would subject them to severe torment; most surely your Lord is quick to requite (evil) and most surely He is Forgiving, Merciful.
[Yusufali 7:167] Behold! thy Lord did declare that He would send against them, to the Day of Judgment, those who would afflict them with grievous penalty. Thy Lord is quick in retribution, but He is also Oft-forgiving, Most Merciful.
[Pickthal 7:167] And (remember) when thy Lord proclaimed that He would raise against them till the Day of Resurrection those who would lay on them a cruel torment. Lo! verily thy Lord is swift in prosecution and lo! verily He is Forgiving, Merciful.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 7:167]

The beliers of the signs of Allah and the prophethood of the Holy Prophet, in spite of clear prophecies in their book, among the Jews are an accursed group whom Allah shall continue to punish till the day of resurrection in this world, and a painful torment awaits them in the hereafter.


[Shakir 7:168] And We cut them up on the earth into parties, (some) of them being righteous and (others) of them falling short of that, and We tried them with blessings and misfortunes that they might turn.
[Yusufali 7:168] We broke them up into sections on this earth. There are among them some that are the righteous, and some that are the opposite. We have tried them with both prosperity and adversity: In order that they might turn (to us).
[Pickthal 7:168] And We have sundered them in the earth as (separate) nations. Some of them are righteous, and some far from that. And We have tried them with good things and evil things that haply they might return.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 7:168] (see commentary for verse 167)
[Shakir 7:169] Then there came after them an evil posterity who inherited the Book, taking only the frail good of this low life and saying: It will be forgiven us. And if the like good came to them, they would take it (too). Was not a promise taken from them in the Book that they would not speak anything about Allah but the truth, and they have read what is in it; and the abode of the hereafter is better for those who guard (against evil). Do you not then understand?
[Yusufali 7:169] After them succeeded an (evil) generation: They inherited the Book, but they chose (for themselves) the vanities of this world, saying (for excuse): "(Everything) will be forgiven us." (Even so), if similar vanities came their way, they would (again) seize them. Was not the covenant of the Book taken from them, that they would not ascribe to Allah anything but the truth? and they study what is in the Book. But best for the righteous is the home in the Hereafter. Will ye not understand?
[Pickthal 7:169] And a generation hath succeeded them who inherited the scriptures. They grasp the goods of this low life (as the price of evil-doing) and say: It will be forgiven us. And if there came to them (again) the offer of the like, they would accept it (and would sin again). Hath not the covenant of the Scripture been taken on their behalf that they should not speak aught concerning Allah save the truth? And they have studied that which is therein. And the abode of the Hereafter is better, for those who ward off (evil). Have ye then no sense?
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 7:169]

See commentary of al Baqarah: 80 and 88.


[Shakir 7:170] And (as for) those who hold fast by the Book and keep up prayer, surely We do not waste the reward of the right doers.
[Yusufali 7:170] As to those who hold fast by the Book and establish regular prayer,- never shall We suffer the reward of the righteous to perish.
[Pickthal 7:170] And as for those who make (men) keep the Scripture, and establish worship - lo! We squander not the wages of reformers.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 7:170]

"Hold fast by the book" refers to the Quran and the Ahl ul Bayt of the Holy Prophet-see hadith al thaqalayn on page 6. Also refer to al Baqarah: 2 for kitab (the book).


[Shakir 7:171] And when We shook the mountain over them as if it were a covering overhead, and they thought that it was going to fall down upon them: Take hold of what We have given you with firmness, and be mindful of what is in it, so that you may guard (against evil).
[Yusufali 7:171] When We shook the Mount over them, as if it had been a canopy, and they thought it was going to fall on them (We said): "Hold firmly to what We have given you, and bring (ever) to remembrance what is therein; perchance ye may fear Allah."
[Pickthal 7:171] And when We shook the Mount above them as it were a covering, and they supposed that it was going to fall upon them (and We said): Hold fast that which We have given you, and remember that which is therein, that ye may ward off (evil).
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 7:171]

See commentary of al Baqarah: 63.

The word fawq (over) in this verse and al Baqarah: 63 and rafa-na (we raised) in al Baqarah : 63 clearly establish the fact that the mountain was hanging as if it was a canopy or a covering over the heads of the people. To say that the people were made to stand at the foot of the mountain is to change the meaning and application of the words of Allah, because a mountain is always higher and towering than the people if they stand beside it, therefore, the use of words "we raised the mountain over their head as if it was a canopy" become unnecessary.


[Shakir 7:172] And when your Lord brought forth from the children of Adam, from their backs, their descendants, and made them bear witness against their own souls: Am I not your Lord? They said: Yes! we bear witness. Lest you should say on the day of resurrection: Surely we were heedless of this.
[Yusufali 7:172] When thy Lord drew forth from the Children of Adam - from their loins - their descendants, and made them testify concerning themselves, (saying): "Am I not your Lord (who cherishes and sustains you)?"- They said: "Yea! We do testify!" (This), lest ye should say on the Day of Judgment: "Of this we were never mindful":
[Pickthal 7:172] And (remember) when thy Lord brought forth from the Children of Adam, from their reins, their seed, and made them testify of themselves, (saying): Am I not your Lord? They said: Yea, verily. We testify. (That was) lest ye should say at the Day of Resurrection: Lo! of this we were unaware;
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 7:172]

Aqa Mahdi Puya says:

Some commentators refer to mithaq ul alast-that after the creation of Adam Allah brought forth from the loins of Adam all his descendants (all humanity, born or unborn, without any limit of time), conscious of their existence, on the earth or in some state before coming on earth, and that a covenant about His rububiyat was taken from all of them, which is binding on each individual. Some Shia commentators say that the covenant also included the finality of the prophethood of the Holy Prophet and imamat of Ali ibn abi Talib. It is also said that some accepted and some rejected the covenant. Those who accepted it there accept it here also, and those who rejected it there reject it here also. The theory of a covenant taken in the state of pre-existence is found unreasonable in view of the following facts:

(1) The words in the text refer to the descendants (dhurriyyatahum) of the children of Adam, who were brought forth from their loins, not from the loins of Adam.

(2) The question "Am I not your Lord?" was addressed to all. All of them said "yes". It was a unanimous reply. There was no difference of opinion.

(3) Allah made each of them witness over himself so that no one may say: "I was not aware (conscious) of this," or that, having no choice of his or her own, blindly followed the ancestors. If this refers to the state of pre-existence nobody would remember it, nor the reminders or warnings of any prophet would help to recall as to what took place prior to existence, therefore, on the day of reckoning every person will say: "I do not remember."

(4) It suggests compulsion, whereas man has free choice to believe or not to believe.

The true meaning of the verse is that Allah brings forth from every human being his offspring and makes each one aware of one's self or soul when one reaches maturity; and at that stage of full consciousness he knows that there is a (supreme and uncaused) creator who has brought him into existence. This acknowledgement is the result of an inherent awareness in every human being, which makes him responsible for his belief or disbelief, his good deeds or evil deeds. At this stage each individual becomes free from the blind influence of others.

This verse does not refer to any state of development prior to the state when every man becomes a witness over himself.

To presume the existence of the cognitive self (I) prior to the present life, is to accept the possibility of the transmigration of the soul from one body to another body-a doctrine rejected by Islam on the basis of theological and rational arguments. There are stages through which the human soul passes till it reaches full consciousness, but there is no possibility of the existence of any conscious stage, prior to the present consciousness, which cannot be remembered. All that has been said in this connection about the existence of cognitive self in the state of pre-existence is based upon conjecture relied upon by the old pagan cults to believe in the false theories of transmigration. Sayyid Murtada, Shaykh Mufid and Abul Ali Tabrasi have rejected the possibility of a conscious life in any state of pre existence.

Also refer to the commentary of Ali Imran: 81. Another interpretation of this verse is as under:

Allah, the omnipotent creator, after creating Adam from clay, asked him and every soul to be born in his progeny, who, in the infinite knowledge of the almighty Allah, would come on this earth: "Am I not your Lord?" All of them said: "Yes. We bear witness". It was done so that men may not say that they did not know who their Lord-Creator is. This applies to verse 173 also. The Holy Prophet said that if only men knew when Ali was appointed mawla and amir al muminin, they would not deny his superiority over all other created beings. According to Firdaws al Akhyar by Dayami, chap. 14, p. 274; and Tafsir of al Ayyashi, when the almighty Lord decided to create the universe, He assembled all His creatures together before Himself and asked them: "Who is your Lord?" Thereupon the first to answer was the Holy Prophet, and next was Ali ibna abi Talib, and then all the Imams who were to be his descendants. They all said: "You are our Lord." Then the almighty Lord made them the repositories of divine knowledge and said to the angels: "Behold, these are the repositories of My knowledge and these are the trusted ones from among all My creatures and they shall be the guides of all in everything."

Then the Lord commanded all the descendants of Adam to acknowledge Him as their Lord and to promise obedience to them, and all said: "We promise." The angels also said: "We bear witness".


[Shakir 7:173] Or you should say: Only our fathers associated others (with Allah) before, and we were an offspring after them: Wilt Thou then destroy us for what the vain doers did?
[Yusufali 7:173] Or lest ye should say: "Our fathers before us may have taken false gods, but we are (their) descendants after them: wilt Thou then destroy us because of the deeds of men who were futile?"
[Pickthal 7:173] Or lest ye should say: (It is) only (that) our fathers ascribed partners to Allah of old and we were (their) seed after them. Wilt Thou destroy us on account of that which those who follow falsehood did?
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 7:173] (see commentary for verse 172)
[Shakir 7:174] And thus do We make clear the communications, and that haply they might return.
[Yusufali 7:174] Thus do We explain the signs in detail; and perchance they may turn (unto Us).
[Pickthal 7:174] Thus we detail the revelations, that haply they may return.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 7:174] (no commentary available for this verse)
[Shakir 7:175] And recite to them the narrative of him to whom We give Our communications, but he withdraws himself from them, so the Shaitan overtakes him, so he is of those who go astray.
[Yusufali 7:175] Relate to them the story of the man to whom We sent Our signs, but he passed them by: so Satan followed him up, and he went astray.
[Pickthal 7:175] Recite unto them the tale of him to whom We gave Our revelations, but he sloughed them off, so Satan overtook him and he became of those who lead astray.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 7:175]

It is said that "The news of the man whom We gave Our signs" refers to Balam, in the days of Firawn, who knew the ism al azam. Firawn asked him to pray for Musa's arrest. He agreed and sat on his donkey to go to a particular place to recite the ism al azam for Musa's arrest, but the donkey did not budge. He beat the animal to its death. Then he realised that he had totally forgotten the ism al azam. He died as an infidel.

Aqa Mahdi Puya says:

Some commentators think the narrative relates to Balam. Some think the person referred here is Umayya ibn Abu Salt who read the old scriptures and knew that Allah would send a prophet about that time, but when the promised prophet, the Holy Prophet did arrive, he refused to acknowledge him. Some think it relates to Amru ibn Numan ibn Sayfi, an ascetic, who believed in the creed of Ibrahim but mixed it with the false beliefs of Christian monks, and when he was censured by the Holy Prophet, he turned against him.

Imam Muhammad bin Ali al Baqir said: "Though it relates to Balam, but Allah intends to set an example for those who receive true guidance from Allah, yet prefer to act according to their own desires in order to lay hands on the worldly gains."

Earthly desires eventually bring man low to the level of beasts and even worse. If he follows the guidance he receives from Allah he is blessed with exalted spiritual honour. He who rejects Allah and His guidance is like a dog who lolls out his tongue, whether he is attacked and pursued, or left alone. It is part of his nature to slobber and be contemptible. Imam Ali has compared such men to a restive she camel who shows unwillingness to tackle when her rider draws rein, and goes aimlessly in any direction, and stumbles when he applies no check to her.


[Shakir 7:176] And if We had pleased, We would certainly have exalted him thereby; but he clung to the earth and followed his low desire, so his parable is as the parable of the dog; if you attack him he lolls out his tongue; and if you leave him alone he lolls out his tongue; this is the parable of the people who reject Our communications; therefore relate the narrative that they may reflect.
[Yusufali 7:176] If it had been Our will, We should have elevated him with Our signs; but he inclined to the earth, and followed his own vain desires. His similitude is that of a dog: if you attack him, he lolls out his tongue, or if you leave him alone, he (still) lolls out his tongue. That is the similitude of those who reject Our signs; So relate the story; perchance they may reflect.
[Pickthal 7:176] And had We willed We could have raised him by their means, but he clung to the earth and followed his own lust. Therefor his likeness is as the likeness of a dog: if thou attackest him he panteth with his tongue out, and if thou leavest him he panteth with his tongue out. Such is the likeness of the people who deny Our revelations. Narrate unto them the history (of the men of old), that haply they may take thought.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 7:176] (see commentary for verse 175)
[Shakir 7:177] Evil is the likeness of the people who reject Our communications and are unjust to their own souls.
[Yusufali 7:177] Evil as an example are people who reject Our signs and wrong their own souls.
[Pickthal 7:177] Evil as an example are the folk who denied Our revelations, and were wont to wrong themselves.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 7:177] (see commentary for verse 175)
[Shakir 7:178] Whomsoever Allah guides, he is the one who follows the right way; and whomsoever He causes to err, these are the losers.
[Yusufali 7:178] Whom Allah doth guide,- he is on the right path: whom He rejects from His guidance,- such are the persons who perish.
[Pickthal 7:178] He whom Allah leadeth, he indeed is led aright, while he whom Allah sendeth astray - they indeed are losers.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 7:178] (no commentary available for this verse)
[Shakir 7:179] And certainly We have created for hell many of the jinn and the men; they have hearts with which they do not understand, and they have eyes with which they do not see, and they have ears with which they do not hear; they are as cattle, nay, they are in worse errors; these are the heedless ones.
[Yusufali 7:179] Many are the Jinns and men we have made for Hell: They have hearts wherewith they understand not, eyes wherewith they see not, and ears wherewith they hear not. They are like cattle,- nay more misguided: for they are heedless (of warning).
[Pickthal 7:179] Already have We urged unto hell many of the jinn and humankind, having hearts wherewith they understand not, and having eyes wherewith they see not, and having ears wherewith they hear not. These are as the cattle - nay, but they are worse! These are the neglectful.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 7:179]

Those who do not use the profit yielding faculties, given to them, which can help them to find out the truth, have been referred to in this verse. Those who misuse or neglect the faculties, which can make them real human beings, superior to all created beings, finally deteriorate to the animal state.


[Shakir 7:180] And Allah's are the best names, therefore call on Him thereby, and leave alone those who violate the sanctity of His names; they shall be recompensed for what they did.
[Yusufali 7:180] The most beautiful names belong to Allah: so call on him by them; but shun such men as use profanity in his names: for what they do, they will soon be requited.
[Pickthal 7:180] Allah's are the fairest names. Invoke Him by them. And leave the company of those who blaspheme His names. They will be requited what they do.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 7:180]

Excellent or most beautiful names of Allah are those which give us the idea of His infinite attributes, such as rahman and rahim, rabbul alamin and maliki yawmiddin etcetera. There are people who use His names profanely- which suggest things derogatory to His unity and infiniteness-such as calling Him the father of Isa. Violating the sanctity of His holy names, assigning to Him attributes which negate His absoluteness, omnipotence and hayy al qayyum (self-subsisting) existence, or calling others with names exclusively owned by Him is polytheism. Only the names the Holy Prophet has taught us in view of His unity, wisdom, might and will, and the names mentioned in the Quran should be used.


[Shakir 7:181] And of those whom We have created are a people who guide with the truth and thereby they do justice.
[Yusufali 7:181] Of those We have created are people who direct (others) with truth. And dispense justice therewith.
[Pickthal 7:181] And of those whom We created there is a nation who guide with the Truth and establish justice therewith.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 7:181]

Those who have been thoroughly purified by Allah (Ahzab: 33), the Ahl ul Bayt of the Holy Prophet, are the people who guide mankind with truth. Also refer to the commentary of al Baqarah: 143.

Aqa Mahdi Puya says:

Since the creation of man there had been and should always be a person, present in this world, to guide others with truth. In view of this fact the Holy Prophet has said: "Whosoever dies without recognising the Imam (guide) of his age (in order to follow his guidance) dies the death of an ignorant pagan." According to many authentic traditions this condition remains valid up to the reappearance of the last Imam of the house of the Holy Prophet, the al Qa-im, because after the Holy Prophet, the number of such persons was restricted to twelve by the Holy Prophet himself.


[Shakir 7:182] And (as to) those who reject Our communications, We draw them near (to destruction) by degrees from whence they know not.
[Yusufali 7:182] Those who reject Our signs, We shall gradually visit with punishment, in ways they perceive not;
[Pickthal 7:182] And those who deny Our revelations - step by step We lead them on from whence they know not.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 7:182]

The most important signs of Allah have been referred to in the preceding verse. The beliers of His signs in verse 182 may enjoy a temporary respite but Allah shall punish them in a way that they will not know.


[Shakir 7:183] And I grant them respite; surely My scheme is effective.
[Yusufali 7:183] Respite will I grant unto them: for My scheme is strong (and unfailing).
[Pickthal 7:183] I give them rein (for) lo! My scheme is strong.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 7:183] (see commentary for verse 182)
[Shakir 7:184] Do they not reflect that their companion has not unsoundness in mind; he is only a plain warner.
[Yusufali 7:184] Do they not reflect? Their companion is not seized with madness: he is but a perspicuous warner.
[Pickthal 7:184] Have they not bethought them (that) there is no madness in their comrade? He is but a plain warner.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 7:184]

Aqa Mahdi Puya says:

The total absorption of the Holy Prophet in prayer and communion with Allah misled his opponents to think that he was seized with madness. Refer to Najm: 2 to 5. If he was possessed he was possessed by Allah. That is why he was never dazzled by worldly power, wealth or position. True in thought, word and deed, kind and considerate to the weak, merciful even to adversaries, undeterred by fear of the strong or the mockery of the cynics or the indifference of the heedless, he stood out firmly against the evil of polytheism.


[Shakir 7:185] Do they not consider the kingdom of the heavens and the earth and whatever things Allah has created, and that may be their doom shall have drawn nigh; what announcement would they then believe in after this?
[Yusufali 7:185] Do they see nothing in the government of the heavens and the earth and all that Allah hath created? (Do they not see) that it may well be that their terms is nigh drawing to an end? In what message after this will they then believe?
[Pickthal 7:185] Have they not considered the dominion of the heavens and the earth, and what things Allah hath created, and that it may be that their own term draweth nigh? In what fact after this will they believe?
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 7:185]

The universe, created by Him, should convince a thinking mind of man's limitations and Allah's power, glory and goodness. Man's term will draw to an end. If he does not pay attention to His signs and believe, he shall never have another chance.


[Shakir 7:186] Whomsoever Allah causes to err, there is no guide for him; and He leaves them alone in their inordinacy, blindly wandering on.
[Yusufali 7:186] To such as Allah rejects from His guidance, there can be no guide: He will leave them in their trespasses, wandering in distraction.
[Pickthal 7:186] Those whom Allah sendeth astray, there is no guide for them. He leaveth them to wander blindly on in their contumacy.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 7:186]

Refer to the commentary of al Baqarah: 8 to 20.


[Shakir 7:187] They ask you about the hour, when will be its taking place? Say: The knowledge of it is only with my Lord; none but He shall manifest it at its time; it will be momentous in the heavens and the earth; it will not come on you but of a sudden. They ask you as if you were solicitous about it. Say: Its knowledge is only with Allah, but most people do not know.
[Yusufali 7:187] They ask thee about the (final) Hour - when will be its appointed time? Say: "The knowledge thereof is with my Lord (alone): None but He can reveal as to when it will occur. Heavy were its burden through the heavens and the earth. Only, all of a sudden will it come to you." They ask thee as if thou Wert eager in search thereof: Say: "The knowledge thereof is with Allah (alone), but most men know not."
[Pickthal 7:187] They ask thee of the (destined) Hour, when will it come to port. Say: Knowledge thereof is with my Lord only. He alone will manifest it at its proper time. It is heavy in the heavens and the earth. It cometh not to you save unawares. They question thee as if thou couldst be well informed thereof. Say: Knowledge thereof is with Allah only, but most of mankind know not.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 7:187]

Isa also gave a similar reply when asked about the end of this world and the day of judgement.

"But about that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, not even the son; only the Father." (Matthew 24: 36 and Mark 13: 32)

Aqa Mahdi Puya says:

About the sa-at (hour) and "when will be its appointed time" the Quran says that none knows it save Allah. See Nazi-at 42 to 44. "To your Lord is the end of it" says verse 44 of an Nazi-at.

The word sa-at refers to the end of the creatures' striving unto their destiny. The destiny is fixed. It may be individual or collective. There are many grades also. It is a relative term applicable to resurrection or destiny of an individual, or a community or any part of the universe. Many worlds have been created and reached their destinies and experienced their resurrections. There are many worlds which are in the early stages of becoming, and many are drawing to their end. So no finite being knows the hour of termination. Allah is the end, unto Him everything is journeying and to Him everything shall return. He is free and independent of the application of time and space, because they are finite, applicable only to dimensional beings. The resurrection is beyond dimensions.

The fact of coming of the final hour is a certainty. The appointed time is not known to finite beings. Our duty is to be prepared for it at all times.


[Shakir 7:188] Say: I do not control any benefit or harm for my own soul except as Allah please; and had I known the unseen I would have had much of good and no evil would have touched me; I am nothing but a warner and the giver of good news to a people who believe.
[Yusufali 7:188] Say: "I have no power over any good or harm to myself except as Allah willeth. If I had knowledge of the unseen, I should have multiplied all good, and no evil should have touched me: I am but a warner, and a bringer of glad tidings to those who have faith."
[Pickthal 7:188] Say: For myself I have no power to benefit, nor power to hurt, save that which Allah willeth. Had I knowledge of the Unseen, I should have abundance of wealth, and adversity would not touch me. I am but a warner, and a bearer of good tidings unto folk who believe.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 7:188]

The Holy Prophet had to pronounce these words, lest his followers may deify him as the followers of Isa made him god or son of God. It should be remembered that he was the last prophet of Allah, so he could not leave behind the slightest possibility of this nature.

He was a nadhir (warner) to the sinners-the eternal punishment they will be afflicted with in the hereafter.

He was a bashir (giver of glad tidings) to the virtuous-the reward of eternal happiness they will enjoy in the hereafter.


[Shakir 7:189] He it is Who created you from a single being, and of the same (kind) did He make his mate, that he might incline to her; so when he covers her she bears a light burden, then moves about with it; but when it grows heavy, they both call upon Allah, their Lord: If Thou givest us a good one, we shall certainly be of the grateful ones.
[Yusufali 7:189] It is He Who created you from a single person, and made his mate of like nature, in order that he might dwell with her (in love). When they are united, she bears a light burden and carries it about (unnoticed). When she grows heavy, they both pray to Allah their Lord, (saying): "If Thou givest us a goodly child, we vow we shall (ever) be grateful."
[Pickthal 7:189] He it is Who did create you from a single soul, and therefrom did make his mate that he might take rest in her. And when he covered her she bore a light burden, and she passed (unnoticed) with it, but when it became heavy they cried unto Allah, their Lord, saying: If thou givest unto us aright we shall be of the thankful.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 7:189]

Refer to an Nisa: 1.

Aqa Mahdi Puya says:

There is a general reference to the creation of man, whether male or female, from a single source. They must live in peace and harmony with love and affection for each other. When a child is born to a mother, the parents vow to make the child a true servant of Allah if He gives them a goodly child, but neglect their duties when the child begins to grow. That is how polytheism took roots in human society.


[Shakir 7:190] But when He gives them a good one, thcy set up with Him associates in what He has given them; but high is Allah above what they associate (with Him).
[Yusufali 7:190] But when He giveth them a goodly child, they ascribe to others a share in the gift they have received: but Allah is exalted high above the partners they ascribe to Him.
[Pickthal 7:190] But when He gave unto them aright, they ascribed unto Him partners in respect of that which He had given them. High is He Exalted above all that they associate (with Him).
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 7:190] (see commentary for verse 189)
[Shakir 7:191] What! they associate (with Him) that which does not create any thing, while they are themselves created!
[Yusufali 7:191] Do they indeed ascribe to Him as partners things that can create nothing, but are themselves created?
[Pickthal 7:191] Attribute they as partners to Allah those who created naught, but are themselves created,
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 7:191] (see commentary for verse 189)
[Shakir 7:192] And they have no power to give them help, nor can they help themselves.
[Yusufali 7:192] No aid can they give them, nor can they aid themselves!
[Pickthal 7:192] And cannot give them help, nor can they help themselves?
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 7:192] (see commentary for verse 189)
[Shakir 7:193] And if you invite them to guidance, they will not follow you; it is the same to you whether you invite them or you are silent.
[Yusufali 7:193] If ye call them to guidance, they will not obey: For you it is the same whether ye call them or ye hold your peace!
[Pickthal 7:193] And if ye call them to the Guidance, they follow you not. Whether ye call them or are silent is all one for you.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 7:193]

See commentary of al Baqarah: 6.


[Shakir 7:194] Surely those whom you call on besides Allah are in a state of subjugation like yourselves; therefore call on them, then let them answer you if you are truthful.
[Yusufali 7:194] Verily those whom ye call upon besides Allah are servants like unto you: Call upon them, and let them listen to your prayer, if ye are (indeed) truthful!
[Pickthal 7:194] Lo! those on whom ye call beside Allah are slaves like unto you. Call on them now, and let them answer you, if ye are truthful!
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 7:194] (no commentary available for this verse)
[Shakir 7:195] Have they feet with which they walk, or have they hands with which they hold, or have they eyes with which they see, or have they ears with which they hear? Say: Call your associates, then make a struggle (to prevail) against me and give me no respite.
[Yusufali 7:195] Have they feet to walk with? Or hands to lay hold with? Or eyes to see with? Or ears to hear with? Say: "Call your 'god-partners', scheme (your worst) against me, and give me no respite!
[Pickthal 7:195] Have they feet wherewith they walk, or have they hands wherewith they hold, or have they eyes wherewith they see, or have they ears wherewith they hear? Say: Call upon your (so-called) partners (of Allah), and then contrive against me, spare me not!
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 7:195]

When the Holy Prophet asked the idolaters not to associate others as partners of Allah, they thought that for the Holy Prophet's denial of their (false) gods he would be punished by them. This verse was revealed to put a stop to the wishful thinking of the polytheists.


[Shakir 7:196] Surely my guardian is Allah, Who revealed the Book, and He befriends the good.
[Yusufali 7:196] "For my Protector is Allah, Who revealed the Book (from time to time), and He will choose and befriend the righteous.
[Pickthal 7:196] Lo! my Protecting Friend is Allah Who revealeth the Scripture. He befriendeth the righteous.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 7:196]

The Holy Prophet says that Allah who sent down His book to him is a sufficient protector for him, but the false gods of the polytheists would never be able to come to their help.


[Shakir 7:197] And those whom you call upon besides Him are not able to help you, nor can they help themselves.
[Yusufali 7:197] "But those ye call upon besides Him, are unable to help you, and indeed to help themselves."
[Pickthal 7:197] They on whom ye call beside Him have no power to help you, nor can they help you, nor can they help themselves.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 7:197] (see commentary for verse 196)
[Shakir 7:198] And if you invite them to guidance, they do not hear; and you see them looking towards you, yet they do not see.
[Yusufali 7:198] If thou callest them to guidance, they hear not. Thou wilt see them looking at thee, but they see not.
[Pickthal 7:198] And if ye (Muslims) call them to the guidance they hear not; and thou (Muhammad) seest them looking toward thee, but they see not.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 7:198] (no commentary available for this verse)
[Shakir 7:199] Take to forgiveness and enjoin good and turn aside from the ignorant.
[Yusufali 7:199] Hold to forgiveness; command what is right; But turn away from the ignorant.
[Pickthal 7:199] Keep to forgiveness (O Muhammad), and enjoin kindness, and turn away from the ignorant.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 7:199] (no commentary available for this verse)
[Shakir 7:200] And if a false imputation from the Shaitan afflict you, seek refuge in Allah; surely He is Hearing, Knowing.
[Yusufali 7:200] If a suggestion from Satan assail thy (mind), seek refuge with Allah; for He heareth and knoweth (all things).
[Pickthal 7:200] And if a slander from the devil wound thee, then seek refuge in Allah. Lo! He is Hearer, Knower.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 7:200] (no commentary available for this verse)
[Shakir 7:201] Surely those who guard (against evil), when a visitation from the Shaitan afflicts them they become mindful, then lo! they see.
[Yusufali 7:201] Those who fear Allah, when a thought of evil from Satan assaults them, bring Allah to remembrance, when lo! they see (aright)!
[Pickthal 7:201] Lo! those who ward off (evil), when a glamour from the devil troubleth them, they do but remember (Allah's Guidance) and behold them seers!
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 7:201] (no commentary available for this verse)
[Shakir 7:202] And their brethren increase them in error, then they cease not.
[Yusufali 7:202] But their brethren (the evil ones) plunge them deeper into error, and never relax (their efforts).
[Pickthal 7:202] Their brethren plunge them further into error and cease not.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 7:202] (no commentary available for this verse)
[Shakir 7:203] And when you bring them not a revelation they say: Why do you not forge it? Say: I only follow what is revealed to me from my Lord; these are clear proofs from your Lord and a guidance and a mercy for a people who believe.
[Yusufali 7:203] If thou bring them not a revelation, they say: "Why hast thou not got it together?" Say: "I but follow what is revealed to me from my Lord: this is (nothing but) lights from your Lord, and Guidance, and mercy, for any who have faith."
[Pickthal 7:203] And when thou bringest not a verse for them they say: Why hast thou not chosen it? Say: I follow only that which is inspired in me from my Lord. This (Qur'an) is insight from your Lord, and a guidance and a mercy for a people that believe.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 7:203] (no commentary available for this verse)
[Shakir 7:204] And when the Quran is recited, then listen to it and remain silent, that mercy may be shown to you.
[Yusufali 7:204] When the Qur'an is read, listen to it with attention, and hold your peace: that ye may receive Mercy.
[Pickthal 7:204] And when the Qur'an is recited, give ear to it and pay heed, that ye may obtain mercy.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 7:204]

Aqa Mahdi Puya says:

Listening to the recital of the Quran is highly commendable, but it becomes obligatory when it is recited in congregational prayer or in the sermon of Friday prayer. Refer to fiqh.


[Shakir 7:205] And remember your Lord within yourself humbly and fearing and in a voice not loud in the morning and the evening and be not of the heedless ones.
[Yusufali 7:205] And do thou (O reader!) Bring thy Lord to remembrance in thy (very) soul, with humility and in reverence, without loudness in words, in the mornings and evenings; and be not thou of those who are unheedful.
[Pickthal 7:205] And do thou (O Muhammad) remember thy Lord within thyself humbly and with awe, below thy breath, at morn and evening. And be not thou of the neglectful.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 7:205]

In congregational prayers those who are praying the salat should only listen the verses of the Quran the imam of jamat recites as if they are repeating them.


[Shakir 7:206] Surely those who are with your Lord are not too proud to serve Him, and they declare His glory and prostrate in humility before Him.
[Yusufali 7:206] Those who are near to thy Lord, disdain not to do Him worship: They celebrate His praises, and prostrate before Him.
[Pickthal 7:206] Lo! those who are with thy Lord are not too proud to do Him service, but they praise Him and prostrate before Him.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 7:206]

To celebrate His praises after the salat; and then to prostrate oneself in adoration before Allah (sajdah) is said to be the sunnah of the Holy Prophet.

Sajdah becomes obligatory, according to the Ahl ul Bayt, when the particular verse of sajdah in the following surahs is recited.

(1) Sajdah
(2) Ham Mim
(3) Najm
(4) Alaq


 

 

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