Translation of the meanings of surah Al-Hajj (2)

(38) (38) Indeed, Allāh defends those who have believed. Indeed, Allāh does not like everyone treacherous and ungrateful.

(39) (39) Permission [to fight] has been given to those who are being fought,[929] because they were wronged. And indeed, Allāh is competent to give them victory.

[929]- Referring here to the Prophet's companions.

(40) (40) [They are] those who have been evicted from their homes without right - only because they say, "Our Lord is Allāh." And were it not that Allāh checks the people, some by means of others, there would have been demolished monasteries, churches, synagogues, and mosques in which the name of Allāh is much mentioned [i.e., praised]. And Allāh will surely support those who support Him [i.e., His cause]. Indeed, Allāh is Powerful and Exalted in Might.

(41) (41) [And they are] those who, if We give them authority in the land, establish prayer and give zakāh and enjoin what is right and forbid what is wrong. And to Allāh belongs the outcome of [all] matters.

(42) (42) And if they deny you, [O Muḥammad] - so, before them, did the people of Noah and ʿAad and Thamūd deny [their prophets],

(43) (43) And the people of Abraham and the people of Lot.

(44) (44) And the inhabitants of Madyan. And Moses was denied, so I prolonged enjoyment for the disbelievers; then I seized them, and how [terrible] was My reproach.

(45) (45) And how many a city did We destroy while it was committing wrong - so it is [now] fallen into ruin[930] - and [how many] an abandoned well and [how many] a lofty palace.[931]

[930]- Literally, "fallen in upon its roofs," i.e., after the roofs of its buildings had caved in, the walls collapsed over them. [931]- i.e., How many wells have been left inoperative, and how many palaces have been emptied of their occupants in the past.

(46) (46) So have they not traveled through the earth and have hearts by which to reason and ears by which to hear? For indeed, it is not eyes that are blinded, but blinded are the hearts which are within the breasts.

(47) (47) And they urge you to hasten the punishment. But Allāh will never fail in His promise. And indeed, a day with your Lord is like a thousand years of those which you count.

(48) (48) And for how many a city did I prolong enjoyment while it was committing wrong. Then I seized it, and to Me is the [final] destination.

(49) (49) Say, "O people, I am only to you a clear warner."

(50) (50) And those who have believed and done righteous deeds - for them is forgiveness and noble provision.

(51) (51) But the ones who strove against Our verses, [seeking] to cause failure[932] - those are the companions of Hellfire.

[932]- i.e., trying to undermine their credibility and thereby defeat the Prophet (ﷺ).

(52) (52) And We did not send before you any messenger or prophet except that when he spoke [or recited], Satan threw into it [some misunderstanding]. But Allāh abolishes that which Satan throws in; then Allāh makes precise His verses.[933] And Allāh is Knowing and Wise.

[933]- Clarifying those issues which were misunderstood to remove any doubt.

(53) (53) [That is] so He may make what Satan throws in [i.e., asserts] a trial for those within whose hearts is disease[934] and those hard of heart. And indeed, the wrongdoers are in extreme dissension.

[934]- See footnote to 2:10.

(54) (54) And so those who were given knowledge may know that it is the truth from your Lord and [therefore] believe in it, and their hearts humbly submit to it. And indeed is Allāh the Guide of those who have believed to a straight path.

(55) (55) But those who disbelieve will not cease to be in doubt of it until the Hour comes upon them unexpectedly or there comes to them the punishment of a barren Day.[935]

[935]- One which will not be followed by night and therefore will not give birth to a new day, referring to the Day of Resurrection.

(56) (56) [All] sovereignty that Day is for Allāh;[936] He will judge between them. So they who believed and did righteous deeds will be in the Gardens of Pleasure.

[936]- None will compete with Him for authority at that time.

(57) (57) And they who disbelieved and denied Our signs - for those there will be a humiliating punishment.

(58) (58) And those who emigrated for the cause of Allāh and then were killed or died - Allāh will surely provide for them a good provision. And indeed, it is Allāh who is the best of providers.

(59) (59) He will surely cause them to enter an entrance with which they will be pleased, and indeed, Allāh is Knowing and Forbearing.

(60) (60) That [is so]. And whoever responds [to injustice] with the equivalent of that with which he was harmed and then is tyrannized - Allāh will surely aid him. Indeed, Allāh is Pardoning and Forgiving.[937]

[937]- In spite of His ability to take vengeance. The statement contains a suggestion that the believers pardon as well.

(61) (61) That[938] is because Allāh causes the night to enter the day and causes the day to enter the night and because Allāh is Hearing and Seeing.

[938]- i.e., Allāh's capability to give assistance or victory to the oppressed.

(62) (62) That is because Allāh is the True Reality, and that which they call upon other than Him is falsehood, and because Allāh is the Most High, the Grand.

(63) (63) Do you not see that Allāh has sent down rain from the sky and the earth becomes green? Indeed, Allāh is Subtle[939] and Aware.[940]

[939]- Refer to footnote of 6:103. [940]- Of His creation and of the needs of His creatures.

(64) (64) To Him belongs what is in the heavens and what is on the earth. And indeed, Allāh is the Free of need, the Praiseworthy.

(65) (65) Do you not see that Allāh has subjected to you whatever is on the earth and the ships which run through the sea by His command? And He restrains the sky from falling upon the earth, unless by His permission. Indeed Allāh, to the people, is Kind and Merciful.

(66) (66) And He is the one who gave you life; then He causes you to die and then will [again] give you life. Indeed, mankind is ungrateful.

(67) (67) For every [religious] community We have appointed rites which they perform. So, [O Muḥammad], let them [i.e., the disbelievers] not contend with you over the matter but invite [them] to your Lord. Indeed, you are upon straight guidance.

(68) (68) And if they dispute with you, then say, "Allāh is most knowing of what you do.

(69) (69) Allāh will judge between you on the Day of Resurrection concerning that over which you used to differ."

(70) (70) Do you not know that Allāh knows what is in the heaven and earth? Indeed, that is in a Record.[941] Indeed that, for Allāh, is easy.

[941]- The Preserved Slate (al-Lawḥ al-Maḥfūth), which is with Allāh.

(71) (71) And they worship besides Allāh that for which He has not sent down authority and that of which they have no knowledge. And there will not be for the wrongdoers any helper.

(72) (72) And when Our verses are recited to them as clear evidences, you recognize in the faces of those who disbelieve disapproval. They are almost on the verge of assaulting those who recite to them Our verses. Say, "Then shall I inform you of [what is] worse than that?[942] [It is] the Fire which Allāh has promised those who disbelieve, and wretched is the destination."

[942]- i.e., worse than the rage you feel against those who recite Allāh's verses or worse than your threats against them.

(73) (73) O people, an example is presented, so listen to it. Indeed, those you invoke besides Allāh will never create [as much as] a fly, even if they gathered together for it [i.e., that purpose]. And if the fly should steal from them a [tiny] thing, they could not recover it from him. Weak are the pursuer and pursued.[943]

[943]- A comparison is made here to the worshipper of a false deity and that which he worships.

(74) (74) They have not appraised Allāh with true appraisal.[944] Indeed, Allāh is Powerful and Exalted in Might.

[944]- They have not assessed Him with the assessment due to Him, meaning that they did not take into account His perfect attributes.

(75) (75) Allāh chooses from the angels messengers and from the people. Indeed, Allāh is Hearing and Seeing.

(76) (76) He knows what is [presently] before them and what will be after them.[945] And to Allāh will be returned [all] matters.

[945]- See footnote to 2:255.

(77) (77) O you who have believed, bow and prostrate and worship your Lord and do good - that you may succeed.

(78) (78) And strive for Allāh with the striving due to Him. He has chosen you and has not placed upon you in the religion any difficulty. [It is] the religion of your father, Abraham. He [i.e., Allāh] named you "Muslims" before [in former scriptures] and in this [revelation] that the Messenger may be a witness over you and you may be witnesses over the people. So establish prayer and give zakāh and hold fast to Allāh. He is your protector; and excellent is the protector, and excellent is the helper.