Translation of the meanings of surah Al-An'aam (1)

(1) (1) [All] praise is [due] to Allāh, who created the heavens and the earth and made the darkness and the light. Then those who disbelieve equate [others] with their Lord.

(2) (2) It is He who created you from clay and then decreed a term[291] and a specified time [known] to Him;[292] then [still] you are in dispute.

[291]- An appointed time for death [292]- For resurrection.

(3) (3) And He is Allāh, [the only deity] in the heavens and the earth. He knows your secret and what you make public, and He knows that which you earn.

(4) (4) And no sign comes to them from the signs of their Lord except that they turn away therefrom.

(5) (5) For they had denied the truth when it came to them, but there is going to reach them the news of what they used to ridicule.[293]

[293]- They will experience the reality of what they had denied and the consequence of their denial.

(6) (6) Have they not seen how many generations We destroyed before them which We had established upon the earth as We have not established you? And We sent [rain from] the sky upon them in showers and made rivers flow beneath them; then We destroyed them for their sins and brought forth after them a generation of others.

(7) (7) And even if We had sent down to you, [O Muḥammad], a written scripture on a page and they touched it with their hands, the disbelievers would say, "This is not but obvious magic."

(8) (8) And they say, "Why was there not sent down to him an angel?"[294] But if We had sent down an angel, the matter would have been decided;[295] then they would not be reprieved.

[294]- In support of his prophethood (ﷺ). [295]- They would have been destroyed immediately with no chance for repentance.

(9) (9) And if We had made him [i.e., the messenger] an angel, We would have made him [appear as] a man, and We would have covered them with that in which they cover themselves [i.e., confusion and doubt].

(10) (10) And already were messengers ridiculed before you, but those who mocked them were enveloped by that which they used to ridicule.

(11) (11) Say, "Travel through the land; then observe how was the end of the deniers."

(12) (12) Say, "To whom belongs whatever is in the heavens and earth?" Say, "To Allāh." He has decreed upon Himself mercy. He will surely assemble you for the Day of Resurrection, about which there is no doubt. Those who will lose themselves [that Day] do not believe.

(13) (13) And to Him belongs that which reposes by night and by day, and He is the Hearing, the Knowing.

(14) (14) Say, "Is it other than Allāh I should take as a protector, Creator of the heavens and earth, while it is He who feeds and is not fed?" Say, [O Muḥammad], "Indeed, I have been commanded to be the first [among you] who submit [to Allāh] and [was commanded], 'Do not ever be of the polytheists."

(15) (15) Say, "Indeed I fear, if I should disobey my Lord, the punishment of a tremendous Day."

(16) (16) He from whom it is averted that Day - [Allāh] has granted him mercy. And that is the clear attainment.

(17) (17) And if Allāh should touch you with adversity, there is no remover of it except Him. And if He touches you with good - then He is over all things competent.

(18) (18) And He is the subjugator over His servants. And He is the Wise,[296] the Aware.[297]

[296]- Whose wisdom includes precise, perfect and absolute knowledge of all realities and outcomes, according to which He decrees and causes circumstances and occurrences. [297]- Fully acquainted and familiar with every hidden thought, intent and condition of His servants.

(19) (19) Say, "What thing is greatest in testimony?" Say, "Allāh is witness between me and you. And this Qur’ān was revealed to me that I may warn you thereby and whomever it reaches.[298] Do you [truly] testify that with Allāh there are other deities?" Say, "I will not testify [with you]." Say, "Indeed, He is but one God, and indeed, I am free of what you associate [with Him]."

[298]- At every time and place until the Day of Judgement.

(20) (20) Those to whom We have given the Scripture recognize it[299] as they recognize their [own] sons. Those who will lose themselves [in the Hereafter] do not believe.

[299]- The Qur’ān. Also interpreted as "him," meaning Muḥammad (ﷺ).

(21) (21) And who is more unjust than one who invents about Allāh a lie or denies His verses? Indeed, the wrongdoers will not succeed.

(22) (22) And [mention, O Muḥammad], the Day We will gather them all together; then We will say to those who associated others with Allāh, "Where are your 'partners' that you used to claim [with Him]?"

(23) (23) Then there will be no [excuse upon] examination except they will say, "By Allāh, our Lord, we were not those who associated."

(24) (24) See how they will lie about themselves. And lost from them will be what they used to invent.

(25) (25) And among them are those who listen to you,[300] but We have placed over their hearts coverings, lest they understand it, and in their ears deafness. And if they should see every sign, they will not believe in it. Even when they come to you arguing with you, those who disbelieve say, "This is not but legends of the former peoples."

[300]- When you recite the Qur’ān.

(26) (26) And they prevent [others] from him and are [themselves] remote from him. And they do not destroy except themselves, but they perceive [it] not.

(27) (27) If you could but see when they are made to stand before the Fire and will say, "Oh, would that we could be returned [to life on earth] and not deny the signs of our Lord and be among the believers."

(28) (28) But what they concealed before has [now] appeared to them. And even if they were returned, they would return to that which they were forbidden; and indeed, they are liars.

(29) (29) And they say, "There is none but our worldly life, and we will not be resurrected."

(30) (30) If you could but see when they will be made to stand before their Lord. He will say, "Is this not the truth?" They will say, "Yes, by our Lord." He will [then] say, "So taste the punishment for what you used to deny."

(31) (31) Those will have lost who deny the meeting with Allāh, until when the Hour [of resurrection] comes upon them unexpectedly, they will say, "Oh, [how great is] our regret over what we neglected concerning it [i.e., the Hour]," while they bear their burdens [i.e., sins] on their backs. Unquestionably, evil is that which they bear.

(32) (32) And the worldly life is not but amusement and diversion; but the home of the Hereafter is best for those who fear Allāh, so will you not reason?

(33) (33) We know that you, [O Muḥammad], are saddened by what they say. And indeed, they do not call you untruthful, but it is the verses of Allāh that the wrongdoers reject.

(34) (34) And certainly were messengers denied before you, but they were patient over the denial, and they were harmed until Our victory came to them. And none can alter the words [i.e., decrees] of Allāh. And there has certainly come to you some information about the [previous] messengers.

(35) (35) And if their evasion is difficult for you, then if you are able to seek a tunnel into the earth or a stairway into the sky to bring them a sign, [then do so]. But if Allāh had willed, He would have united them upon guidance. So never be of the ignorant.

(36) (36) Only those who hear will respond. But the dead[301] - Allāh will resurrect them; then to Him they will be returned.

[301]- i.e., the dead of heart, meaning the disbelievers.

(37) (37) And they say, "Why has a sign not been sent down to him from his Lord?" Say, "Indeed, Allāh is Able to send down a sign, but most of them do not know."

(38) (38) And there is no creature on [or within] the earth or bird that flies with its wings except [that they are] communities like you. We have not neglected in the Register[302] a thing. Then unto their Lord they will be gathered.

[302]- The Preserved Slate (al-Lawḥ al-Maḥfūth), in which all things are recorded.

(39) (39) But those who deny Our verses are deaf and dumb within darknesses. Whomever Allāh wills - He sends astray; and whomever He wills - He puts him on a straight path.

(40) (40) Say, "Have you considered:[303] if there came to you the punishment of Allāh or there came to you the Hour - is it other than Allāh you would invoke, if you should be truthful?"

[303]- The meaning is understood to be "Tell me..."

(41) (41) No, it is Him [alone] you would invoke, and He would remove that for which you invoked Him if He willed, and you would forget what you associate [with Him].

(42) (42) And We have already sent [messengers] to nations before you, [O Muḥammad]; then We seized them with poverty and hardship that perhaps they might humble themselves [to Us].

(43) (43) Then why, when Our punishment came to them, did they not humble themselves? But their hearts became hardened, and Satan made attractive to them that which they were doing.

(44) (44) So when they forgot that by which they had been reminded,[304] We opened to them the doors of every [good] thing until, when they rejoiced in that which they were given, We seized them suddenly, and they were [then] in despair.

[304]- i.e., their trial by poverty and hardship or the warnings of their prophets.

(45) (45) So the people that committed wrong were eliminated. And praise to Allāh, Lord of the worlds.

(46) (46) Say, "Have you considered:[305] if Allāh should take away your hearing and your sight and set a seal upon your hearts, which deity other than Allāh could bring them [back] to you?" Look how We diversify[306] the verses; then they [still] turn away.

[305]- See footnote to verse 40. [306]- Repeat in various ways for emphasis and clarification.

(47) (47) Say, "Have you considered: if the punishment of Allāh should come to you unexpectedly or manifestly,[307] will any be destroyed but the wrongdoing people?"

[307]- i.e., before your eyes.

(48) (48) And We send not the messengers except as bringers of good tidings and warners. So whoever believes and reforms - there will be no fear concerning them, nor will they grieve.

(49) (49) But those who deny Our verses - the punishment will touch[308] them for their defiant disobedience.

[308]- i.e., reach and afflict.

(50) (50) Say, [O Muḥammad], "I do not tell you that I have the depositories [containing the provision] of Allāh or that I know the unseen, nor do I tell you that I am an angel. I only follow what is revealed to me." Say, "Is the blind equivalent to the seeing? Then will you not give thought?"

(51) (51) And warn by it [i.e., the Qur’ān] those who fear that they will be gathered before their Lord - for them besides Him will be no protector and no intercessor - that they might become righteous.

(52) (52) And do not send away those who call upon their Lord morning and afternoon, seeking His face [i.e., favor]. Not upon you is anything of their account and not upon them is anything of your account.[309] So were you to send them away, you would [then] be of the wrongdoers.

[309]- No one is held accountable for the deeds or intentions of another. That is left to Allāh's judgement.

(53) (53) And thus We have tried some of them through others that they [i.e., the disbelievers] might say, "Is it these whom Allāh has favored among us?" Is not Allāh most knowing of those who are grateful?[310]

[310]- Those referred to in verses 52-54 are the poor Muslims who were sincere believers and students of the Prophet (ﷺ). The influential leaders of Quraysh had disdained to sit with them, saying to Prophet Muḥammad (ﷺ), "Perhaps if you evicted them, we would follow you."

(54) (54) And when those come to you who believe in Our verses, say, "Peace be upon you. Your Lord has decreed upon Himself mercy: that any of you who does wrong out of ignorance and then repents after that and corrects himself - indeed, He is Forgiving and Merciful."

(55) (55) And thus do We detail the verses, and [thus] the way of the criminals will become evident.

(56) (56) Say, "Indeed, I have been forbidden to worship those you invoke besides Allāh." Say, "I will not follow your desires, for I would then have gone astray, and I would not be of the [rightly] guided."

(57) (57) Say, "Indeed, I am on clear evidence from my Lord, and you have denied it. I do not have that for which you are impatient.[311] The decision is only for Allāh. He relates the truth, and He is the best of deciders."

[311]- The disbelievers would challenge the Prophet (ﷺ), telling him to bring on Allāh's punishment if he should be truthful in his warning.

(58) (58) Say, "If I had that for which you are impatient, the matter would have been decided between me and you, but Allāh is most knowing of the wrongdoers."

(59) (59) And with Him are the keys of the unseen; none knows them except Him. And He knows what is on the land and in the sea. Not a leaf falls but that He knows it. And no grain is there within the darknesses of the earth and no moist or dry [thing] but that it is [written] in a clear record.

(60) (60) And it is He who takes your souls by night[312] and knows what you have committed by day. Then He revives you therein [i.e., by day] that a specified term[313] may be fulfilled. Then to Him will be your return; then He will inform you about what you used to do.

[312]- i.e., when you sleep. [313]- One's decreed life span.

(61) (61) And He is the subjugator over His servants, and He sends over you guardian-angels until, when death comes to one of you, Our messengers [i.e., angels of death] take him, and they do not fail [in their duties].

(62) (62) Then they [i.e., His servants] are returned to Allāh, their true Lord. Unquestionably, His is the judgement, and He is the swiftest of accountants.

(63) (63) Say, "Who rescues you from the darknesses of the land and sea [when] you call upon Him imploring [aloud] and privately, 'If He should save us from this [crisis], we will surely be among the thankful.'"

(64) (64) Say, "It is Allāh who saves you from it and from every distress; then you [still] associate others with Him."

(65) (65) Say, "He is the [one] Able to send upon you affliction from above you or from beneath your feet or to confuse you [so you become] sects[314] and make you taste the violence of one another." Look how We diversify the signs that they might understand.

[314]- Following your own inclinations rather than the truth, biased and hostile toward each other.

(66) (66) But your people have denied it while it is the truth. Say, "I am not over you a manager [i.e., authority]."

(67) (67) For every news [i.e., happening] is a finality;[315] and you are going to know.

[315]- Other shades of meaning include "a permanence," "a realization" and "a time of stability."

(68) (68) And when you see those who engage in [offensive] discourse[316] concerning Our verses, then turn away from them until they enter into another conversation. And if Satan should cause you to forget, then do not remain after the reminder with the wrongdoing people.

[316]- i.e., denials or mockery.

(69) (69) And those who fear Allāh are not held accountable for them [i.e., the disbelievers] at all, but [only for] a reminder - that perhaps they will fear Him.

(70) (70) And leave those who take their religion as amusement and diversion and whom the worldly life has deluded. But remind with it [i.e., the Qur’ān], lest a soul be given up to destruction for what it earned; it will have other than Allāh no protector and no intercessor. And if it should offer every compensation, it would not be taken from it [i.e., that soul]. Those are the ones who are given to destruction for what they have earned. For them will be a drink of scalding water and a painful punishment because they used to disbelieve.

(71) (71) Say, "Shall we invoke[317] instead of Allāh that which neither benefits us nor harms us and be turned back on our heels after Allāh has guided us? [We would then be] like one whom the devils enticed [to wander] upon the earth confused, [while] he has companions inviting him to guidance, [calling], 'Come to us.'"[318] Say, "Indeed, the guidance of Allāh is the [only] guidance; and we have been commanded to submit to the Lord of the worlds.

[317]- i.e., worship. [318]- The example given is of one who has lost his way and is further confused by the evil ones who tempt him to follow various directions, all leading to destruction. Although his sincere friends call him back to the right path, he ignores them.

(72) (72) And to establish prayer and fear Him." And it is He to whom you will be gathered.

(73) (73) And it is He who created the heavens and earth in truth. And the day [i.e., whenever] He says, "Be," and it is, His word is the truth.[319] And His is the dominion [on] the Day the Horn is blown. [He is] Knower of the unseen[320] and the witnessed;[321] and He is the Wise, the Aware.

[319]- When interpreted as the "Day" (of resurrection), the sentence would read: "And the Day He says, 'Be,' and it is, His word will be the truth." [320]- That which is absent, invisible, or beyond the perception of the senses or of the mind and therefore is unknown to man, except for what Allāh chooses to reveal. [321]- What is present, visible and known to man. The knowledge of Allāh (Subḥānahu wa ta‘ālā) includes the reality of all things and all occurrences, no matter how they might appear to human beings.