Translation of the meanings of surah Al-A'raaf (2)

(104) (104) And Moses said, "O Pharaoh, I am a messenger from the Lord of the worlds

(105) (105) [Who is] obligated not to say about Allāh except the truth. I have come to you with clear evidence from your Lord, so send with me the Children of Israel."[391]

[391]- i.e., free them from oppression and allow them to emigrate.

(106) (106) [Pharaoh] said, "If you have come with a sign, then bring it forth, if you should be of the truthful."

(107) (107) So he [i.e., Moses] threw his staff, and suddenly it was a serpent, manifest.[392]

[392]- i.e., genuine and not imagined, as a miracle from Allāh.

(108) (108) And he drew out his hand; thereupon it was white [with radiance] for the observers.

(109) (109) Said the eminent among the people of Pharaoh, "Indeed, this is a learned magician

(110) (110) Who wants to expel you from your land [through magic], so what do you instruct?"

(111) (111) They said,[393] "Postpone [the matter of] him and his brother and send among the cities gatherers

[393]- After mutual consultation and agreement.

(112) (112) Who will bring you every learned magician."

(113) (113) And the magicians came to Pharaoh. They said, "Indeed for us is a reward if we are the predominant."

(114) (114) He said, "Yes, and, [moreover], you will be among those made near [to me]."

(115) (115) They said, "O Moses, either you throw [your staff], or we will be the ones to throw [first]."

(116) (116) He said, "Throw," and when they threw, they bewitched the eyes of the people and struck terror into them, and they presented a great [feat of] magic.[394]

[394]- Their staffs and ropes appeared as writhing snakes.

(117) (117) And We inspired to Moses, "Throw your staff," and at once it devoured what they were falsifying.

(118) (118) So the truth was established, and abolished was what they were doing.

(119) (119) And they [i.e., Pharaoh and his people] were overcome right there and became debased.

(120) (120) And the magicians fell down in prostration [to Allāh].

(121) (121) They said, "We have believed in the Lord of the worlds,

(122) (122) The Lord of Moses and Aaron."

(123) (123) Said Pharaoh, "You believed in him[395] before I gave you permission. Indeed, this is a conspiracy which you conspired in the city to expel therefrom its people. But you are going to know.

[395]- i.e., in Moses, avoiding the mention of Allāh (Subḥānahu wa ta‘ālā).

(124) (124) I will surely cut off your hands and your feet on opposite sides; then I will surely crucify you all."

(125) (125) They said, "Indeed, to our Lord we will return.

(126) (126) And you do not resent us except because we believed in the signs of our Lord when they came to us. Our Lord, pour upon us patience[396] and let us die as Muslims [in submission to You]."

[396]- To endure the torture to which we will be subjected.

(127) (127) And the eminent among the people of Pharaoh said, "Will you leave Moses and his people to cause corruption in the land and abandon you and your gods?" [Pharaoh] said, "We will kill their sons and keep their women alive; and indeed, we are subjugators over them."

(128) (128) Said Moses to his people, "Seek help through Allāh and be patient. Indeed, the earth belongs to Allāh. He causes to inherit it whom He wills of His servants. And the [best] outcome is for the righteous."

(129) (129) They said, "We have been harmed before you came to us and after you have come to us." He said, "Perhaps your Lord will destroy your enemy and grant you succession in the land and see how you will do."

(130) (130) And We certainly seized[397] the people of Pharaoh with years of famine and a deficiency in fruits that perhaps they would be reminded.

[397]- Imposed on them by way of trial and warning.

(131) (131) But when good [i.e., provision] came to them, they said, "This is ours [by right]." And if a bad [condition] struck them, they saw an evil omen in Moses and those with him. Unquestionably, their fortune is with Allāh, but most of them do not know.

(132) (132) And they said, "No matter what sign you bring us with which to bewitch us, we will not be believers in you."

(133) (133) So We sent upon them the flood and locusts and lice and frogs and blood as distinct signs, but they were arrogant and were a criminal people.

(134) (134) And when the punishment descended upon them, they said, "O Moses, invoke for us your Lord by what He has promised you. If you [can] remove the punishment from us, we will surely believe you, and we will send with you the Children of Israel."

(135) (135) But when We removed the punishment from them until a term which they were to reach,[398] then at once they broke their word.

[398]- i.e., a specified term which would end with their reversion to disobedience and disbelief.

(136) (136) So We took retribution from them, and We drowned them in the sea because they denied Our signs and were heedless of them.

(137) (137) And We caused the people who had been oppressed to inherit the eastern regions of the land and the western ones, which We had blessed. And the good word [i.e., decree] of your Lord was fulfilled for the Children of Israel because of what they had patiently endured. And We destroyed [all] that Pharaoh and his people were producing and what they had been building.

(138) (138) And We took the Children of Israel across the sea; then they came upon a people intent in devotion to [some] idols of theirs. They [the Children of Israel] said, "O Moses, make for us a god just as they have gods." He said, "Indeed, you are a people behaving ignorantly.

(139) (139) Indeed, those [worshippers] - destroyed is that in which they are [engaged], and worthless is whatever they were doing."

(140) (140) He said, "Is it other than Allāh I should desire for you as a god[399] while He has preferred you over the worlds?"

[399]- An object of worship.

(141) (141) And [recall, O Children of Israel], when We saved you from the people of Pharaoh, [who were] afflicting you with the worst torment - killing your sons and keeping your women alive. And in that was a great trial from your Lord.

(142) (142) And We made an appointment with Moses for thirty nights and perfected them by [the addition of] ten; so the term of his Lord was completed as forty nights. And Moses said to his brother Aaron, "Take my place among my people, do right [by them],[400] and do not follow the way of the corrupters."

[400]- i.e., keep their affairs in order.

(143) (143) And when Moses arrived at Our appointed time and his Lord spoke to him, he said, "My Lord, show me [Yourself] that I may look at You." [Allāh] said, "You will not see Me,[401] but look at the mountain; if it should remain in place, then you will see Me." But when his Lord appeared to the mountain, He rendered it level,[402] and Moses fell unconscious. And when he awoke, he said, "Exalted are You! I have repented to You, and I am the first [among my people] of the believers."[403]

[401]- That no one can see Allāh in this life. [402]- It crumbled to dust. [403]- This is a severe warning from Allāh against rebellion.

(144) (144) [Allāh] said, "O Moses, I have chosen you over the people with My messages and My words [to you]. So take what I have given you and be among the grateful."

(145) (145) And We wrote for him on the tablets [something] of all things - instruction and explanation for all things, [saying], "Take them with determination and order your people to take the best of it. I will show you the home of the defiantly disobedient."[404]

[404]- This is a severe warning from Allāh against rebellion.

(146) (146) I will turn away from My signs those who are arrogant upon the earth without right; and if they should see every sign, they will not believe in it. And if they see the way of consciousness,[405] they will not adopt it as a way; but if they see the way of error, they will adopt it as a way. That is because they have denied Our signs and they were heedless of them.

[405]- i.e., reason and integrity.

(147) (147) Those who denied Our signs and the meeting of the Hereafter - their deeds have become worthless. Are they recompensed except for what they used to do?

(148) (148) And the people of Moses made, after [his departure], from their ornaments a calf - an image having a lowing sound. Did they not see that it could neither speak to them nor guide them to a way? They took it [for worship], and they were wrongdoers.

(149) (149) And when regret overcame them[406] and they saw that they had gone astray, they said, "If our Lord does not have mercy upon us and forgive us, we will surely be among the losers."

[406]- Literally, "When their hands had been descended upon," i.e., bitten by them out of severe regret.

(150) (150) And when Moses returned to his people, angry and grieved, he said, "How wretched is that by which you have replaced me after [my departure]. Were you impatient over the matter of your Lord?" And he threw down the tablets and seized his brother by [the hair of] his head, pulling him toward him. [Aaron] said, "O son of my mother, indeed the people overpowered me and were about to kill me, so let not the enemies rejoice over me[407] and do not place me among the wrongdoing people."

[407]- i.e., over your humiliation of me.

(151) (151) [Moses] said, "My Lord, forgive me and my brother and admit us into Your mercy, for You are the most merciful of the merciful."

(152) (152) Indeed, those who took the calf [for worship] will obtain anger from their Lord and humiliation in the life of this world, and thus do We recompense the inventors [of falsehood].

(153) (153) But those who committed misdeeds and then repented after them and believed - indeed your Lord, thereafter, is Forgiving and Merciful.

(154) (154) And when the anger subsided in Moses, he took up the tablets; and in their inscription was guidance and mercy for those who are fearful of their Lord.

(155) (155) And Moses chose from his people seventy men for Our appointment.[408] And when the earthquake seized them,[409] he said, "My Lord, if You had willed, You could have destroyed them before and me [as well]. Would You destroy us for what the foolish among us have done? This is not but Your trial by which You send astray whom You will and guide whom You will. You are our Protector, so forgive us and have mercy upon us; and You are the best of forgivers.

[408]- Whereupon they were to apologize to Allāh for having worshipped the calf. [409]- Upon reaching the appointed place, they said to Moses, "We will not believe until we see Allāh outright." So the mountain convulsed, killing them.

(156) (156) And decree for us in this world [that which is] good and [also] in the Hereafter; indeed, we have turned back to You." [Allāh] said, "My punishment - I afflict with it whom I will, but My mercy encompasses all things." So I will decree it [especially] for those who fear Me and give zakāh and those who believe in Our verses-

(157) (157) Those who follow the Messenger, the unlettered prophet, whom they find written [i.e., described] in what they have of the Torah and the Gospel, who enjoins upon them what is right and prohibits them from what is wrong and makes lawful for them what is good and forbids them from what is evil and relieves them of their burden[410] and the shackles which were upon them.[411] So they who have believed in him, honored him, supported him and followed the light which was sent down with him - it is those who will be the successful.

[410]- Difficulties in religious practice. [411]- i.e., extreme measures previously required for repentance, and retribution without recourse to compensation.

(158) (158) Say, [O Muḥammad], "O mankind, indeed I am the Messenger of Allāh to you all, [from Him] to whom belongs the dominion of the heavens and the earth. There is no deity except Him; He gives life and causes death." So believe in Allāh and His Messenger, the unlettered prophet, who believes in Allāh and His words, and follow him that you may be guided.

(159) (159) And among the people of Moses is a community[412] which guides by truth and by it establishes justice.

[412]- Those of them who accepted and followed the final prophet, Muḥammad (ﷺ).

(160) (160) And We divided them into twelve descendant tribes[413] [as distinct] nations. And We inspired to Moses when his people implored him for water, "Strike with your staff the stone," and there gushed forth from it twelve springs. Every people [i.e., tribe] knew its watering place. And We shaded them with clouds and sent down upon them manna and quails, [saying], "Eat from the good things with which We have provided you." And they wronged Us not, but they were [only] wronging themselves.

[413]- From the twelve sons of Jacob.

(161) (161) And [mention, O Muḥammad], when it was said to them, "Dwell in this city [i.e., Jerusalem] and eat from it wherever you will and say, 'Relieve us of our burdens [i.e., sins],' and enter the gate bowing humbly; We will [then] forgive you your sins. We will increase the doers of good [in goodness and reward]."

(162) (162) But those who wronged among them changed [the words] to a statement other than that which had been said to them. So We sent upon them a punishment from the sky for the wrong that they were doing.

(163) (163) And ask them about the town that was by the sea - when they transgressed in [the matter of] the sabbath - when their fish came to them openly on their sabbath day, and the day they had no sabbath they did not come to them. Thus did We give them trial because they were defiantly disobedient.

(164) (164) And when a community among them said, "Why do you advise [or warn] a people whom Allāh is [about] to destroy or to punish with a severe punishment?" they [the advisors] said, "To be absolved before your Lord and perhaps they may fear Him."

(165) (165) And when they [i.e., those advised] forgot that by which they had been reminded, We saved those who had forbidden evil and seized those who wronged, with a wretched punishment, because they were defiantly disobeying.

(166) (166) So when they were insolent about that which they had been forbidden, We said to them, "Be apes, despised."

(167) (167) And [mention] when your Lord declared that He would surely [continue to] send upon them until the Day of Resurrection those who would afflict them with the worst torment. Indeed, your Lord is swift in penalty; but indeed, He is Forgiving and Merciful.

(168) (168) And We divided them throughout the earth into nations. Of them some were righteous, and of them some were otherwise. And We tested them with good [times] and bad that perhaps they would return [to obedience].

(169) (169) And there followed them successors who inherited the Scripture [while] taking the commodities[414] of this lower life and saying, "It will be forgiven for us." And if an offer like it[415] comes to them, they will [again] take it. Was not the covenant of the Scripture [i.e., the Torah] taken from them that they would not say about Allāh except the truth, and they studied what was in it? And the home of the Hereafter is better for those who fear Allāh, so will you not use reason?

[414]- i.e., unlawful gains and pleasures. [415]- i.e., a similar temptation.

(170) (170) But those who hold fast to the Book [i.e., the Qur’ān] and establish prayer - indeed, We will not allow to be lost the reward of the reformers.

(171) (171) And [mention] when We raised the mountain above them as if it was a dark cloud and they were certain that it would fall upon them,[416] [and Allāh said], "Take what We have given you with determination and remember what is in it that you might fear Allāh."

[416]- For their rebellion and disobedience.

(172) (172) And [mention] when your Lord took from the children of Adam - from their loins - their descendants and made them testify of themselves, [saying to them], "Am I not your Lord?" They said, "Yes, we have testified." [This] - lest you should say on the Day of Resurrection, "Indeed, we were of this unaware."

(173) (173) Or [lest] you say, "It was only that our fathers associated [others in worship] with Allāh before, and we were but descendants after them. Then would You destroy us for what the falsifiers have done?"

(174) (174) And thus do We [explain in] detail the verses, and perhaps they will return.[417]

[417]- To the way of Allāh (Subḥānahu wa ta‘ālā), from their diversions and deviations.

(175) (175) And recite to them, [O Muḥammad], the news of him[418] to whom We gave [knowledge of] Our signs, but he detached himself from them; so Satan pursued him, and he became of the deviators.[419]

[418]- A man from the Children of Israel at the time of Moses. [419]- Those who deliberately persist in error to the point of destruction.

(176) (176) And if We had willed, We could have elevated him thereby,[420] but he adhered [instead] to the earth[421] and followed his own desire. So his example is like that of the dog: if you chase him, he pants, or if you leave him, he [still] pants. That is the example of the people who denied Our signs.[422] So relate the stories that perhaps they will give thought.

[420]- i.e., through the revelations, signs or evidences of which he had been given knowledge. [421]- i.e., its worldly pleasures. [422]- Whether or not they have been exposed to Allāh's signs or warnings, it is all the same: they will not believe.

(177) (177) How evil an example [is that of] the people who denied Our signs and used to wrong themselves.

(178) (178) Whoever Allāh guides - he is the [rightly] guided; and whoever He sends astray[423] - it is those who are the losers.

[423]- As a result of persistence in evil and rejection of truth.

(179) (179) And We have certainly created for Hell many of the jinn and mankind. They have hearts with which they do not understand, they have eyes with which they do not see, and they have ears with which they do not hear. Those are like livestock; rather, they are more astray.[424] It is they who are the heedless.

[424]- The reference is to their inability (i.e., refusal) to think and reason, while blindly following (as they are accustomed).

(180) (180) And to Allāh belong the best names, so invoke Him by them. And leave [the company of] those who practice deviation concerning His names.[425] They will be recompensed for what they have been doing.

[425]- i.e., use them improperly or deny them.

(181) (181) And among those We created is a community[426] which guides by truth and thereby establishes justice.

[426]- The followers of Prophet Muḥammad (ﷺ).

(182) (182) But those who deny Our signs - We will progressively lead them [to destruction][427] from where they do not know.

[427]- Allāh will test them with one favor after another in spite of their disobedience, which only increases them in arrogance and sin.

(183) (183) And I will give them time. Indeed, My plan is firm.

(184) (184) Then do they not give thought? There is in their companion [i.e., Muḥammad (ﷺ)] no madness. He is not but a clear warner.

(185) (185) Do they not look into the realm of the heavens and the earth and everything that Allāh has created and [think] that perhaps their appointed time has come near? So in what statement [i.e., message] hereafter will they believe?

(186) (186) Whoever Allāh sends astray - there is no guide for him. And He leaves them in their transgression, wandering blindly.

(187) (187) They ask you, [O Muḥammad], about the Hour: when is its arrival?[428] Say, "Its knowledge is only with my Lord. None will reveal its time except Him. It lays heavily[429] upon the heavens and the earth. It will not come upon you except unexpectedly." They ask you as if you are familiar with it. Say, "Its knowledge is only with Allāh, but most of the people do not know."

[428]- Literally, "resting" or "establishment." [429]- i.e., it is a source of concern, worry or fear.

(188) (188) Say, "I hold not for myself [the power of] benefit or harm, except what Allāh has willed. And if I knew the unseen, I could have acquired much wealth, and no harm would have touched me. I am not except a warner and a bringer of good tidings to a people who believe."

(189) (189) It is He who created you from one soul and created from it its mate that he[430] might dwell in security with her. And when he [i.e., man] covers her,[431] she carries a light burden [i.e., a pregnancy] and continues therein. And when it becomes heavy, they both invoke Allāh, their Lord, "If You should give us a good[432] [child], we will surely be among the grateful."

[430]- i.e., man or every descendent of Adam. [431]- An allusion to sexual intercourse. [432]- Physically sound or righteous.

(190) (190) But when He gives them a good [child], they[433] ascribe partners to Him concerning that which He has given them. Exalted is Allāh above what they associate with Him.

[433]- The ungrateful man and woman or the polytheistic man and woman.

(191) (191) Do they associate with Him those who create nothing and they are [themselves] created?

(192) (192) And they [i.e., the false deities] are unable to [give] them help, nor can they help themselves.

(193) (193) And if you [believers] invite them to guidance, they will not follow you. It is all the same for you whether you invite them or you are silent.

(194) (194) Indeed, those you [polytheists] call upon besides Allāh are servants [i.e., creations] like you. So call upon them and let them respond to you, if you should be truthful.

(195) (195) Do they have feet by which they walk? Or do they have hands by which they strike? Or do they have eyes by which they see? Or do they have ears by which they hear? Say, [O Muḥammad], "Call your 'partners' and then conspire against me and give me no respite.

(196) (196) Indeed, my protector is Allāh, who has sent down the Book; and He is an ally to the righteous.

(197) (197) And those you call upon besides Him are unable to help you, nor can they help themselves."

(198) (198) And if you invite them to guidance, they do not hear; and you see them looking at you while they do not see.

(199) (199) Take what is given freely,[434] enjoin what is good, and turn away from the ignorant.

[434]- From the dispositions of men or from their wealth. In other words, be easy in dealing with them and avoid causing them difficulty.

(200) (200) And if an evil suggestion comes to you from Satan, then seek refuge in Allāh. Indeed, He is Hearing and Knowing.

(201) (201) Indeed, those who fear Allāh - when an impulse touches them from Satan, they remember [Him] and at once they have insight.

(202) (202) But their brothers[435] - they [i.e., the devils] increase them in error; then they do not stop short.

[435]- Those among mankind who listen to the devils and obey their orders.

(203) (203) And when you, [O Muḥammad], do not bring them a sign [i.e., miracle], they say, "Why have you not contrived it?" Say, "I only follow what is revealed to me from my Lord. This [Qur’ān] is enlightenment from your Lord and guidance and mercy for a people who believe."

(204) (204) So when the Qur’ān is recited, then listen to it and pay attention that you may receive mercy.

(205) (205) And remember your Lord within yourself in humility and in fear without being apparent in speech - in the mornings and the evenings. And do not be among the heedless.

(206) (206) Indeed, those who are near your Lord [i.e., the angels] are not prevented by arrogance from His worship, and they exalt Him, and to Him they prostrate.