Translation of the meanings of surah Hud (2)

(61) (61) And to Thamūd [We sent] their brother Ṣāliḥ. He said, "O my people, worship Allāh; you have no deity other than Him. He has produced you from the earth and settled you in it, so ask forgiveness of Him and then repent to Him. Indeed, my Lord is near and responsive."

(62) (62) They said, "O Ṣāliḥ, you were among us a man of promise before this. Do you forbid us to worship what our fathers worshipped? And indeed we are, about that to which you invite us, in disquieting doubt."

(63) (63) He said, "O my people, have you considered: if I should be upon clear evidence from my Lord and He has given me mercy from Himself, who would protect me from Allāh if I disobeyed Him? So you would not increase me except in loss.

(64) (64) And O my people, this is the she-camel of Allāh - [she is] to you a sign. So let her feed upon Allāh's earth and do not touch her with harm, or you will be taken by an impending punishment."

(65) (65) But they hamstrung her, so he said, "Enjoy yourselves in your homes for three days. That is a promise not to be denied [i.e., unfailing]."

(66) (66) So when Our command came, We saved Ṣāliḥ and those who believed with him, by mercy from Us, and [saved them] from the disgrace of that day.[561] Indeed, it is your Lord who is the Powerful, the Exalted in Might.

[561]- The day of Thamūd's destruction.

(67) (67) And the shriek[562] seized those who had wronged, and they became within their homes [corpses] fallen prone

[562]- A piercing cry or blast from the sky.

(68) (68) As if they had never prospered therein. Unquestionably, Thamūd denied their Lord; then, away with Thamūd.

(69) (69) And certainly did Our messengers [i.e., angels] come to Abraham with good tidings; they said, "Peace." He said, "Peace," and did not delay in bringing [them] a roasted calf.

(70) (70) But when he saw their hands not reaching for it, he distrusted them and felt from them apprehension.[563] They said, "Fear not. We have been sent to the people of Lot."

[563]- Traditionally, if a guest refused to eat, it meant that he harbored ill will toward the host or intended him harm.

(71) (71) And his wife was standing, and she smiled.[564] Then We gave her good tidings of Isaac and after Isaac, Jacob.

[564]- In pleasure at the news of the forthcoming punishment of the evil people who denied Prophet Lot (upon him be peace).

(72) (72) She said, "Woe to me![565] Shall I give birth while I am an old woman and this, my husband, is an old man? Indeed, this is an amazing thing!"

[565]- An expression of surprise and amazement.

(73) (73) They said, "Are you amazed at the decree of Allāh? May the mercy of Allāh and His blessings be upon you, people of the house. Indeed, He is Praiseworthy and Honorable."

(74) (74) And when the fright had left Abraham and the good tidings had reached him, he began to argue [i.e., plead] with Us[566] concerning the people of Lot.

[566]- i.e., with Our angels.

(75) (75) Indeed, Abraham was forbearing, grieving[567] and [frequently] returning [to Allāh].

[567]- i.e., sighing or moaning during supplication out of grief for people and fear of Allāh.

(76) (76) [The angels said], "O Abraham, give up this [plea]. Indeed, the command of your Lord has come, and indeed, there will reach them a punishment that cannot be repelled."

(77) (77) And when Our messengers, [the angels], came to Lot, he was anguished for them and felt for them great discomfort[568] and said, "This is a trying day."

[568]- Prophet Lot feared for the safety and honor of his guests.

(78) (78) And his people came hastening to him, and before [this] they had been doing evil deeds.[569] He said, "O my people, these are my daughters;[570] they are purer for you. So fear Allāh and do not disgrace me concerning my guests. Is there not among you a man of reason?"

[569]- Referring to their practice of sodomy and homosexual rape of males. [570]- i.e., the women of his community who were available for marriage.

(79) (79) They said, "You have already known that we have not concerning your daughters [i.e., women] any claim [i.e., desire], and indeed, you know what we want."

(80) (80) He said, "If only I had against you some power or could take refuge in a strong support."

(81) (81) They [the angels] said, "O Lot, indeed we are messengers of your Lord; [therefore], they will never reach you. So set out with your family during a portion of the night[571] and let not any among you look back - except your wife; indeed, she will be struck by that which strikes them. Indeed, their appointment is [for] the morning. Is not the morning near?"

[571]- i.e., sometime before dawn.

(82) (82) So when Our command came, We made the highest part [of the city] its lowest and rained upon them stones of layered hard clay, [which were]

(83) (83) Marked from your Lord. And it [i.e., Allāh's punishment] is not from the wrongdoers [very] far.

(84) (84) And to Madyan [We sent] their brother Shuʿayb. He said, "O my people, worship Allāh; you have no deity other than Him. And do not decrease from the measure and the scale. Indeed, I see you in prosperity, but indeed, I fear for you the punishment of an all-encompassing Day.

(85) (85) And O my people, give full measure and weight in justice and do not deprive the people of their due and do not commit abuse on the earth, spreading corruption.

(86) (86) What remains [lawful] from Allāh is best for you, if you would be believers. But I am not a guardian over you."

(87) (87) They said, "O Shuʿayb, does your prayer [i.e., religion] command you that we should leave what our fathers worship or not do with our wealth what we please? Indeed, you are the forbearing, the discerning!"[572]

[572]- This is a sarcastic description implying the opposite.

(88) (88) He said, "O my people, have you considered: if I am upon clear evidence from my Lord and He has provided me with a good provision from Him...?[573] And I do not intend to differ from you in that which I have forbidden you; I only intend reform as much as I am able. And my success is not but through Allāh. Upon Him I have relied, and to Him I return.[574]

[573]- The conclusion of the sentence is estimated as "...would it not be my duty to warn you against corruption and disobedience?" [574]- i.e., I turn to Allāh frequently in supplication and repentance.

(89) (89) And O my people, let not [your] dissension from me cause you to be struck by that similar to what struck the people of Noah or the people of Hūd or the people of Ṣāliḥ. And the people of Lot are not from you far away.

(90) (90) And ask forgiveness of your Lord and then repent to Him. Indeed, my Lord is Merciful and Affectionate."

(91) (91) They said, "O Shuʿayb, we do not understand much of what you say, and indeed, we consider you among us as weak. And if not for your family, we would have stoned you [to death]; and you are not to us one respected."

(92) (92) He said, "O my people, is my family more respected for power by you than Allāh? But you put Him behind your backs [in neglect]. Indeed, my Lord is encompassing of what you do.

(93) (93) And O my people, work according to your position; indeed, I am working. You are going to know to whom will come a punishment that will disgrace him and who is a liar. So watch; indeed, I am with you a watcher, [awaiting the outcome]."

(94) (94) And when Our command came, We saved Shuʿayb and those who believed with him, by mercy from Us. And the shriek seized those who had wronged, and they became within their homes [corpses] fallen prone

(95) (95) As if they had never prospered therein. Then, away with Madyan as Thamūd was taken away.

(96) (96) And We did certainly send Moses with Our signs and a clear authority[575]

[575]- i.e., evidences from Allāh.

(97) (97) To Pharaoh and his establishment, but they followed the command of Pharaoh, and the command of Pharaoh was not [at all] discerning.

(98) (98) He will precede his people on the Day of Resurrection and lead them into the Fire; and wretched is the place to which they are led.

(99) (99) And they were followed in this [world] with a curse and on the Day of Resurrection. And wretched is the gift[576] which is given.

[576]- i.e., the curse which follows them in both worlds.

(100) (100) That is from the news of the cities, which We relate to you; of them, some are [still] standing and some are [as] a harvest [mowed down].[577]

[577]- Their structures have been completely destroyed.

(101) (101) And We did not wrong them, but they wronged themselves. And they were not availed at all by their gods which they invoked other than Allāh when there came the command of your Lord. And they did not increase them in other than ruin.

(102) (102) And thus is the seizure of your Lord when He seizes the cities while they are committing wrong. Indeed, His seizure is painful and severe.

(103) (103) Indeed in that is a sign for those who fear the punishment of the Hereafter. That is a Day for which the people will be collected, and that is a Day [which will be] witnessed.

(104) (104) And We do not delay it except for a limited term.

(105) (105) The Day it comes no soul will speak except by His permission. And among them will be the wretched and the prosperous.

(106) (106) As for those who were [destined to be] wretched, they will be in the Fire. For them therein is [violent] exhaling and inhaling.[578]

[578]- i.e., their sighs and sobs, resembling the bray of a donkey.

(107) (107) [They will be] abiding therein as long as the heavens and the earth endure, except what your Lord should will. Indeed, your Lord is an effecter of what He intends.

(108) (108) And as for those who were [destined to be] prosperous, they will be in Paradise, abiding therein as long as the heavens and the earth endure, except what your Lord should will - a bestowal uninterrupted.

(109) (109) So do not be in doubt, [O Muḥammad], as to what these [polytheists] are worshipping. They worship not except as their fathers worshipped before. And indeed, We will give them their share undiminished.

(110) (110) And We had certainly given Moses the Scripture, but it came under disagreement. And if not for a word[579] that preceded from your Lord, it would have been judged between them. And indeed they are, concerning it [i.e., the Qur’ān], in disquieting doubt.

[579]- See footnote to 10:19.

(111) (111) And indeed, each [of the believers and disbelievers] - your Lord will fully compensate them for their deeds. Indeed, He is Aware of what they do.

(112) (112) So remain on a right course as you have been commanded, [you] and those who have turned back with you [to Allāh], and do not transgress. Indeed, He is Seeing of what you do.

(113) (113) And do not incline toward those who do wrong, lest you be touched by the Fire, and you would not have other than Allāh any protectors; then you would not be helped.

(114) (114) And establish prayer at the two ends of the day and at the approach of the night. Indeed, good deeds do away with misdeeds. That is a reminder for those who remember.

(115) (115) And be patient, for indeed, Allāh does not allow to be lost the reward of those who do good.

(116) (116) So why were there not[580] among the generations before you those of enduring discrimination forbidding corruption on earth - except a few of those We saved from among them? But those who wronged pursued what luxury they were given therein, and they were criminals.

[580]- Meaning "If only there had been..."

(117) (117) And your Lord would not have destroyed the cities unjustly while their people were reformers.

(118) (118) And if your Lord had willed, He could have made mankind one community; but they will not cease to differ,

(119) (119) Except whom your Lord has given mercy, and for that He created them. But the word of your Lord is to be fulfilled that, "I will surely fill Hell with jinn and men all together."

(120) (120) And each [story] We relate to you from the news of the messengers is that by which We make firm your heart. And there has come to you, in this, the truth and an instruction and a reminder for the believers.

(121) (121) And say to those who do not believe, "Work according to your position; indeed, we are working.

(122) (122) And wait; indeed, we are waiting."

(123) (123) And to Allāh belong the unseen [aspects] of the heavens and the earth and to Him will be returned the matter, all of it, so worship Him and rely upon Him. And your Lord is not unaware of that which you do.