Translation of the meanings of surah Hud (1)

(1) (1) Alif, Lām, Rā.[546] [This is] a Book whose verses are perfected and then presented in detail from [one who is] Wise and Aware[547]

[546]- See footnote to 2:1. [547]- Refer to footnotes of 6:18.

(2) (2) [Through a messenger, saying], "Do not worship except Allāh. Indeed, I am to you from Him a warner and a bringer of good tidings,"

(3) (3) And [saying], "Seek forgiveness of your Lord and repent to Him, [and] He will let you enjoy a good provision for a specified term and give every doer of favor his favor [i.e., reward]. But if you turn away, then indeed, I fear for you the punishment of a great Day.

(4) (4) To Allāh is your return, and He is over all things competent."

(5) (5) Unquestionably, they [i.e., the disbelievers] turn away their breasts to hide themselves from him. Unquestionably, [even] when they cover themselves in their clothing, He [i.e., Allāh] knows what they conceal and what they declare. Indeed, He is Knowing of that within the breasts.

(6) (6) And there is no creature on earth but that upon Allāh is its provision, and He knows its place of dwelling and place of storage.[548] All is in a clear register.

[548]- Before birth and after death.

(7) (7) And it is He who created the heavens and the earth in six days - and His Throne had been upon water - that He might test you as to which of you is best in deed. But if you say, "Indeed, you are resurrected after death," those who disbelieve will surely say, "This is not but obvious magic."

(8) (8) And if We hold back from them the punishment for a limited time, they will surely say,[549] "What detains it?" Unquestionably, on the Day it comes to them, it will not be averted from them, and they will be enveloped by what they used to ridicule.

[549]- In ridicule and disbelief.

(9) (9) And if We give man a taste of mercy from Us and then We withdraw it from him, indeed, he is despairing and ungrateful.

(10) (10) But if We give him a taste of favor after hardship has touched him, he will surely say, "Bad times have left me." Indeed, he is exultant and boastful -

(11) (11) Except for those who are patient and do righteous deeds; those will have forgiveness and great reward.

(12) (12) Then would you possibly leave [out] some of what is revealed to you,[550] or is your breast constrained by it because they say, "Why has there not been sent down to him a treasure or come with him an angel?" But you are only a warner. And Allāh is Disposer of all things.

[550]- Knowing of the Prophet's difficulties, Allāh (Subḥānahu wa ta‘ālā) urges him to patience, certain that he would not fail to convey the message in its entirety.

(13) (13) Or do they say, "He invented it"? Say, "Then bring ten sūrahs like it that have been invented and call upon [for assistance] whomever you can besides Allāh, if you should be truthful."

(14) (14) And if they do not respond to you - then know that it [i.e., the Qur’ān] was revealed with the knowledge of Allāh[551] and that there is no deity except Him. Then,[552] would you [not] be Muslims?

[551]- i.e., that knowledge which no one possesses except Him (Subḥānahu wa ta‘ālā). [552]- After having been convinced by such evidence.

(15) (15) Whoever desires the life of this world and its adornments - We fully repay them for their deeds therein,[553] and they therein will not be deprived.

[553]- i.e., during worldly life.

(16) (16) Those are the ones for whom there is not in the Hereafter but the Fire. And lost is what they did therein,[554] and worthless is what they used to do.

[554]- i.e., during worldly life.

(17) (17) So is one who [stands] upon a clear evidence from his Lord [like the aforementioned]? And a witness[555] from Him follows it,[556] and before it was the Scripture of Moses to lead and as mercy. Those [believers in the former revelations] believe in it [i.e., the Qur’ān]. But whoever disbelieves in it from the [various] factions - the Fire is his promised destination. So be not in doubt about it. Indeed, it is the truth from your Lord, but most of the people do not believe.

[555]- Referring to Prophet Muḥammad (ﷺ) or to the angel Gabriel. [556]- Testifying to its truth. Additionally, it can mean "recites it," i.e., the Qur’ān.

(18) (18) And who is more unjust than he who invents a lie about Allāh? Those will be presented before their Lord, and the witnesses will say, "These are the ones who lied against their Lord." Unquestionably, the curse of Allāh is upon the wrongdoers.

(19) (19) Who averted [people] from the way of Allāh and sought to make it [seem] deviant while they, concerning the Hereafter, were disbelievers.

(20) (20) Those were not causing failure [to Allāh] on earth, nor did they have besides Allāh any protectors. For them the punishment will be multiplied. They were not able to hear, nor did they see.[557]

[557]- They refused to listen to the truth or to perceive it.

(21) (21) Those are the ones who will have lost themselves, and lost from them is what they used to invent.

(22) (22) Assuredly, it is they in the Hereafter who will be the greatest losers.

(23) (23) Indeed, they who have believed and done righteous deeds and humbled themselves to their Lord - those are the companions of Paradise; they will abide eternally therein.

(24) (24) The example of the two parties is like the blind and deaf, and the seeing and hearing. Are they equal in comparison? Then, will you not remember?

(25) (25) And We had certainly sent Noah to his people, [saying], "Indeed, I am to you a clear warner

(26) (26) That you not worship except Allāh. Indeed, I fear for you the punishment of a painful day."

(27) (27) So the eminent among those who disbelieved from his people said, "We do not see you but as a man like ourselves, and we do not see you followed except by those who are the lowest of us [and] at first suggestion.[558] And we do not see in you over us any merit; rather, we think you are liars."

[558]- i.e., without any thought or hesitation.

(28) (28) He said, "O my people, have you considered: if I should be upon clear evidence from my Lord while He has given me mercy from Himself but it has been made unapparent to you, should we force it upon you while you are averse to it?

(29) (29) And O my people, I ask not of you for it any wealth. My reward is not but from Allāh. And I am not one to drive away those who have believed. Indeed, they will meet their Lord, but I see that you are a people behaving ignorantly.

(30) (30) And O my people, who would protect me from Allāh if I drove them away? Then will you not be reminded?

(31) (31) And 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, nor do I say of those upon whom your eyes look down that Allāh will never grant them any good. Allāh is most knowing of what is within their souls. Indeed, I would then be among the wrongdoers [i.e., the unjust]."

(32) (32) They said, "O Noah, you have disputed [i.e., opposed] us and been frequent in dispute of us. So bring us what you threaten us, if you should be of the truthful."

(33) (33) He said, "Allāh will only bring it to you if He wills, and you will not cause [Him] failure.

(34) (34) And my advice will not benefit you - although I wished to advise you - if Allāh should intend to put you in error. He is your Lord, and to Him you will be returned."

(35) (35) Or do they say [about Prophet Muḥammad (ﷺ)], "He invented it"? Say, "If I have invented it, then upon me is [the consequence of] my crime; but I am innocent of what [crimes] you commit."

(36) (36) And it was revealed to Noah that, "No one will believe from your people except those who have already believed, so do not be distressed by what they have been doing.

(37) (37) And construct the ship under Our observation and Our inspiration and do not address Me concerning those who have wronged; indeed, they are [to be] drowned."

(38) (38) And he constructed the ship, and whenever an assembly of the eminent of his people passed by him, they ridiculed him. He said, "If you ridicule us, then we will ridicule you just as you ridicule.

(39) (39) And you are going to know who will get a punishment that will disgrace him [on earth] and upon whom will descend an enduring punishment [in the Hereafter]."

(40) (40) [So it was], until when Our command came and the oven overflowed,[559] We said, "Load upon it [i.e., the ship] of each [creature] two mates and your family, except those about whom the word [i.e., decree] has preceded, and [include] whoever has believed." But none had believed with him, except a few.

[559]- As a sign to Noah of the imminence of the flood. The tannūr is a large, rounded oven. The word can also mean the earth's lowlands.

(41) (41) And [Noah] said, "Embark therein; in the name of Allāh [are] its course and its anchorage. Indeed, my Lord is Forgiving and Merciful."

(42) (42) And it sailed with them through waves like mountains, and Noah called to his son who was apart [from them], "O my son, come aboard with us and be not with the disbelievers."

(43) (43) [But] he said, "I will take refuge on a mountain to protect me from the water." [Noah] said, "There is no protector today from the decree of Allāh, except for whom He gives mercy." And the waves came between them, and he was among the drowned.

(44) (44) And it was said, "O earth, swallow your water, and O sky, withhold [your rain]." And the water subsided, and the matter was accomplished, and it [i.e., the ship] came to rest on the [mountain of] Jūdiyy. And it was said, "Away with the wrongdoing people."

(45) (45) And Noah called to his Lord and said, "My Lord, indeed my son is of my family; and indeed, Your promise is true; and You are the most just of judges!"

(46) (46) He said, "O Noah, indeed he is not of your family; indeed, he is [one whose] work was other than righteous, so ask Me not for that about which you have no knowledge. Indeed, I advise you, lest you be among the ignorant."

(47) (47) [Noah] said, "My Lord, I seek refuge in You from asking that of which I have no knowledge. And unless You forgive me and have mercy upon me, I will be among the losers."

(48) (48) It was said, "O Noah, disembark in security from Us and blessings upon you and upon nations [descending] from those with you. But other nations [of them] We will grant enjoyment; then there will touch them from Us a painful punishment."

(49) (49) That is from the news of the unseen which We reveal to you, [O Muḥammad]. You knew it not, neither you nor your people, before this. So be patient; indeed, the [best] outcome is for the righteous.

(50) (50) And to ʿAad [We sent] their brother Hūd. He said, "O my people, worship Allāh; you have no deity other than Him. You are not but inventors [of falsehood].

(51) (51) O my people, I do not ask you for it [i.e., my advice] any reward. My reward is only from the one who created me. Then will you not reason?

(52) (52) And O my people, ask forgiveness of your Lord and then repent to Him. He will send [rain from] the sky upon you in showers and increase you in strength [added] to your strength. And do not turn away, [being] criminals."

(53) (53) They said, "O Hūd, you have not brought us clear evidence, and we are not ones to leave our gods on your say-so. Nor are we believers in you.

(54) (54) We only say that some of our gods have possessed you with evil [i.e., insanity]." He said, "Indeed, I call Allāh to witness, and witness [yourselves] that I am free from whatever you associate with Allāh

(55) (55) Other than Him. So plot against me all together; then do not give me respite.

(56) (56) Indeed, I have relied upon Allāh, my Lord and your Lord. There is no creature but that He holds it by its forelock [i.e., controls it]. Indeed, my Lord is on a path [that is] straight.

(57) (57) But if you turn away, then I have already conveyed that with which I was sent to you. My Lord will give succession to a people other than you, and you will not harm Him at all. Indeed my Lord is, over all things, Guardian."[560]

[560]- Protecting and preserving the existence and attributes of His creations.

(58) (58) And when Our command came, We saved Hūd and those who believed with him, by mercy from Us; and We saved them from a harsh punishment.

(59) (59) And that was ʿAad, who rejected the signs of their Lord and disobeyed His messengers and followed the order of every obstinate tyrant.

(60) (60) And they were [therefore] followed in this world with a curse and [as well] on the Day of Resurrection. Unquestionably, ʿAad denied their Lord; then away with ʿAad, the people of Hūd.