In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
A summary of the Tafsir of al-Tabari.
Abridged by Dr. ‘Aqil ibn Salim al-Shammari.
Surah al-Ahqaf.
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
Ha-Mim.
The revelation of the Book is from Allah, the Exalted in Might, the Wise.
We did not create the heavens and the earth and that which is between them except in truth and for a specified term.
“We created not the heavens and the earth and all that is between them save with truth, and for a term appointed. But those who disbelieve turn away from that whereof they are warned.” (46:3)
Ha-Mim.
This is the revelation of the Qur’an from Allah, the Exalted in His retribution against His enemies.
The Wise in His management of the affairs of His creation.
We did not bring the heavens and the earth and all the various beings between them into existence,
except to establish justice among the creation,
and for a term known to Him for all of that,
which He will bring to an end when it reaches its appointed time.
And those who disbelieved in the oneness of Allah,
are turning away from the warning Allah has given them.
They neither take heed of it nor do they reflect.
“Say (unto them, O Muhammad): Have ye thought on all that ye invoke beside Allah? Show me what they have created of the earth. Or have they any portion in the heavens? Bring me a scripture before this (Scripture), or some vestige of knowledge (in support of what ye say), if ye are truthful.” (46:4)
Or do they have a share in the heavens?
“Say (unto them, O Muhammad): Have ye thought on all that ye invoke beside Allah? Show me what they have created of the earth. Or have they any portion in the heavens? Bring me a scripture before this (Scripture), or some vestige of knowledge (in support of what ye say), if ye are truthful.” (46:4)
Say, O Muhammad, to these polytheists who associate partners with Allah:
"Consider, O people, the deities you worship besides Allah;
show me what they have created from the earth."
Or do your deities, whom you worship, O people, have a share with Allah in the seven heavens,
such that you would have an argument for worshipping them?
For my argument for dedicating worship solely to my Lord is that He has no partner in the creation of these things.
Bring me a book revealed from Allah before this Qur’an,
stating that the deities and idols you worship created anything from the earth,
or that they have a share with Allah in the heavens,
which would serve as an argument for your worship of them.
Or bring me a remnant of knowledge by which one might arrive at the truth of what you claim in this regard,
if you are truthful in your claims about them.
“And who is further astray than those who, instead of Allah, pray unto such as hear not their prayer until the Day of Resurrection, and are unconscious of their prayer,” (46:5)
“And who is further astray than those who, instead of Allah, pray unto such as hear not their prayer until the Day of Resurrection, and are unconscious of their prayer,” (46:5)
“And who is further astray than those who, instead of Allah, pray unto such as hear not their prayer until the Day of Resurrection, and are unconscious of their prayer,” (46:5)
And who is more astray than one who calls upon deities besides Allah,
that will never answer his prayer?
And their deities are unaware of their prayers,
because they neither hear, nor speak, nor understand.
“And when mankind are gathered (to the Judgment) will become enemies for them, and will become deniers of having been worshipped.” (46:6)
And they were deniers of their worship.
And when the people are gathered on the Day of Resurrection,
these deities they called upon in the world will be their enemies,
and their deities whom they worshipped in the world will deny their worship,
for they will say on the Day of Resurrection:
"We did not command them to worship us."
"We disown them before You, O our Lord."
And when Our verses are recited to them as clear proofs,
those who disbelieved say of the truth:
Those who disbelieved say of the truth:
“And when Our clear revelations are recited unto them, those who disbelieve say of the Truth when it reacheth them: This is mere magic.” (46:7)
And when Our clear, radiant arguments are read to these polytheists,
those who denied the oneness of Allah say of the truth when it comes to them from Allah:
"This Qur’an is a deception that deceives us."
"It captivates the hearts of those who hear it, like magic that is evident to anyone who contemplates it as being magic."
Or do they say, "He has invented it"?
“Or say they: He hath invented it? Say (O Muhammad): If I have invented it, still ye have no power to support me against Allah. He is Best Aware of what ye say among yourselves concerning it. He sufficeth for a witness between me and you. And He is the Forgiving, the Merciful.” (46:8)
“Or say they: He hath invented it? Say (O Muhammad): If I have invented it, still ye have no power to support me against Allah. He is Best Aware of what ye say among yourselves concerning it. He sufficeth for a witness between me and you. And He is the Forgiving, the Merciful.” (46:8)
And He is the Forgiving, the Merciful.
Or do these polytheists from Quraysh say,
"Muhammad has invented this Qur’an and fabricated it as a lie"?
Say to them, O Muhammad:
"If I have invented it and fabricated a lie against Allah,
then you cannot protect me at all from the punishment of Allah if He punishes me for my fabrication."
My Lord is most knowing of what you are saying among yourselves regarding this Qur’an.
Sufficient is Allah as a witness between me and you regarding your calling me a liar.
And Allah is the Forgiving, the Merciful to them, in that He will not punish them for it after they repent.
“Say: I am no new thing among the messengers (of Allah), nor know I what will be done with me or with you. I do but follow that which is inspired in me, and I am but a plain warner.” (46:9)
“Say: I am no new thing among the messengers (of Allah), nor know I what will be done with me or with you. I do but follow that which is inspired in me, and I am but a plain warner.” (46:9)
Say, O Muhammad, "I am not the first of Allah’s messengers whom He sent to His creation;
there were many messengers before me sent to nations before you."
“Say: I am no new thing among the messengers (of Allah), nor know I what will be done with me or with you. I do but follow that which is inspired in me, and I am but a plain warner.” (46:9)
I will be driven out just as the prophets before me were driven out,
or I will be killed just as the prophets before me were killed.
Whether the nation of the deniers or the nation of the believers.
Say to them, "I follow nothing but what is revealed to me by Allah in what I command you."
"And I am nothing but a warner to you, warning you of the punishment of Allah."
He has made His warning clear to you and has shown you His call to that which contains your guidance.
“Bethink you: If it is from Allah and ye disbelieve therein, and a witness of the Children of Israel hath already testified to the like thereof and hath believed, and ye are too proud (what plight is yours)? Lo! Allah guideth not wrong-doing folk.” (46:10)
“Bethink you: If it is from Allah and ye disbelieve therein, and a witness of the Children of Israel hath already testified to the like thereof and hath believed, and ye are too proud (what plight is yours)? Lo! Allah guideth not wrong-doing folk.” (46:10)
Then you believed and grew arrogant.
Indeed, Allah does not guide the wrongdoing people.
Say, O Muhammad, to these polytheists:
"Consider, O people, if this Qur’an is from Allah and He revealed it to me,
and you disbelieved in it,
while a witness from the Children of Israel, ‘Abdullah ibn Salam, has testified to the like of this Qur’an,"
which is the Torah.
His testimony was that Muhammad is written in the Torah as a prophet.
The Jews find him written with them in the Torah,
just as he is written in the Qur’an as a prophet.
So ‘Abdullah ibn Salam believed,
while you grew arrogant toward faith.
Indeed, Allah does not grant success in attaining the truth to the disbelieving people,
who wronged themselves by their disbelief in it.
And those who disbelieved said to those who believed:
“And those who disbelieve say of those who believe: If it had been (any) good, they would not have been before us in attaining it. And since they will not be guided by it, they say: This is an ancient lie;” (46:11)
“And those who disbelieve say of those who believe: If it had been (any) good, they would not have been before us in attaining it. And since they will not be guided by it, they say: This is an ancient lie;” (46:11)
And those who denied the prophethood of Muhammad (peace be upon him),
from the Jews of the Children of Israel, said to those who believed in him:
"If your believing in Muhammad regarding what he brought you were good,
you would not have preceded us in believing in him."
And since they were not guided by Muhammad and what he brought from Allah,
they will say, "This Qur’an is ancient falsehoods from the stories of the ancients."
And before it was the Book of Moses, a guide and a mercy.
“When before it there was the Scripture of Moses, an example and a mercy; and this is a confirming Scripture in the Arabic language, that it may warn those who do wrong and bring good tidings for the righteous.” (46:12)
And a bringer of glad tidings to the doers of good.
And before this Book was the Book of Moses, which is the Torah,
a guide for the Children of Israel, by which they are guided,
and a mercy to them, which We revealed to them.
And this Qur’an confirms the Book of Moses, that Muhammad is a sent prophet,
in an Arabic tongue, to warn those who wronged themselves by their disbelief in Allah,
and it is glad tidings for those who obeyed Allah and did good in their faith.
Indeed, those who say, "Our Lord is Allah," and then remain steadfast,
there will be no fear concerning them, nor will they grieve.
“Such are rightful owners of the Garden, immortal therein, as a reward for what they used to do.” (46:14)
Indeed, those who say, "Our Lord is Allah, besides Whom there is no god,"
then remain steadfast in their belief in that, not mixing it with any polytheism,
there will be no fear for them of the terror of the Day of Resurrection,
nor will they grieve for what they left behind after their death.
These are the people of Paradise, abiding therein forever,
as a reward from Us for their righteous deeds which they used to do in the world.
“And We have commended unto man kindness toward parents. His mother beareth him with reluctance, and bringeth him forth with reluctance, and the bearing of him and the weaning of him is thirty months, till, when he attaineth full strength and reacheth forty years, he saith: My Lord! Arouse me that I may give thanks for the favour wherewith Thou hast favoured me and my parents, and that I may do right acceptable unto Thee. And be gracious unto me in the matter of my seed. Lo! I have turned unto Thee repentant, and lo! I am of those who surrender (unto Thee).” (46:15)
“And We have commended unto man kindness toward parents. His mother beareth him with reluctance, and bringeth him forth with reluctance, and the bearing of him and the weaning of him is thirty months, till, when he attaineth full strength and reacheth forty years, he saith: My Lord! Arouse me that I may give thanks for the favour wherewith Thou hast favoured me and my parents, and that I may do right acceptable unto Thee. And be gracious unto me in the matter of my seed. Lo! I have turned unto Thee repentant, and lo! I am of those who surrender (unto Thee).” (46:15)
“And We have commended unto man kindness toward parents. His mother beareth him with reluctance, and bringeth him forth with reluctance, and the bearing of him and the weaning of him is thirty months, till, when he attaineth full strength and reacheth forty years, he saith: My Lord! Arouse me that I may give thanks for the favour wherewith Thou hast favoured me and my parents, and that I may do right acceptable unto Thee. And be gracious unto me in the matter of my seed. Lo! I have turned unto Thee repentant, and lo! I am of those who surrender (unto Thee).” (46:15)
“And We have commended unto man kindness toward parents. His mother beareth him with reluctance, and bringeth him forth with reluctance, and the bearing of him and the weaning of him is thirty months, till, when he attaineth full strength and reacheth forty years, he saith: My Lord! Arouse me that I may give thanks for the favour wherewith Thou hast favoured me and my parents, and that I may do right acceptable unto Thee. And be gracious unto me in the matter of my seed. Lo! I have turned unto Thee repentant, and lo! I am of those who surrender (unto Thee).” (46:15)
He says, "My Lord, enable me to be grateful for Your favor which You have bestowed upon me and upon my parents."
“And We have commended unto man kindness toward parents. His mother beareth him with reluctance, and bringeth him forth with reluctance, and the bearing of him and the weaning of him is thirty months, till, when he attaineth full strength and reacheth forty years, he saith: My Lord! Arouse me that I may give thanks for the favour wherewith Thou hast favoured me and my parents, and that I may do right acceptable unto Thee. And be gracious unto me in the matter of my seed. Lo! I have turned unto Thee repentant, and lo! I am of those who surrender (unto Thee).” (46:15)
“And We have commended unto man kindness toward parents. His mother beareth him with reluctance, and bringeth him forth with reluctance, and the bearing of him and the weaning of him is thirty months, till, when he attaineth full strength and reacheth forty years, he saith: My Lord! Arouse me that I may give thanks for the favour wherewith Thou hast favoured me and my parents, and that I may do right acceptable unto Thee. And be gracious unto me in the matter of my seed. Lo! I have turned unto Thee repentant, and lo! I am of those who surrender (unto Thee).” (46:15)
And We have enjoined upon man kindness to his parents in his treatment of them during their lifetime.
His mother carried him with hardship and gave birth to him with hardship.
And his mother’s carrying of him, his weaning from breastfeeding, and her weaning him from milk,
lasted thirty months.
Until, when he reached his maturity, which is thirty-three years,
and reached forty years, when Allah’s proof against him was completed,
and he recognized what is due to Allah of the right to honor his parents,
this human says:
"My Lord, enable me to be grateful for Your favor which You have bestowed upon me,
in making me know Your oneness and in acting in obedience to You,
and which You bestowed upon my parents before me, and inspire me to do that."
"And enable me to do righteous deeds that You approve of."
"And make righteous for me my affairs in my offspring whom You have granted me."
"Indeed, I have repented for the sins that have passed from me,"
"and indeed, I am of those who submit to You in obedience, surrendering to Your command and prohibition."
“Those are they from whom We accept the best of what they do, and overlook their evil deeds. (They are) among the owners of the Garden. This is the true promise which they were promised (in the world).” (46:16)
“Those are they from whom We accept the best of what they do, and overlook their evil deeds. (They are) among the owners of the Garden. This is the true promise which they were promised (in the world).” (46:16)
The true promise which they were promised.
These are the ones from whom We will accept the best of what they did in the world of righteous deeds,
and reward them for it,
and overlook their evil deeds, so He will not punish them for them.
We do that for them, as We did for the people of Paradise and its inhabitants.
Allah promised them this promise, in which there is no doubt,
which Allah the Almighty used to promise them.
“And whoso saith unto his parents: Fie upon you both! Do ye threaten me that I shall be brought forth (again) when generations before me have passed away? And they twain cry unto Allah for help (and say): Woe unto thee! Believe! Lo! the promise of Allah is true. But he saith: This is naught save fables of the men of old:” (46:17)
“And whoso saith unto his parents: Fie upon you both! Do ye threaten me that I shall be brought forth (again) when generations before me have passed away? And they twain cry unto Allah for help (and say): Woe unto thee! Believe! Lo! the promise of Allah is true. But he saith: This is naught save fables of the men of old:” (46:17)
And they both call upon Allah for help,
"Woe to you! Believe, for the promise of Allah is true."
"Indeed, the promise of Allah is true."
“And whoso saith unto his parents: Fie upon you both! Do ye threaten me that I shall be brought forth (again) when generations before me have passed away? And they twain cry unto Allah for help (and say): Woe unto thee! Believe! Lo! the promise of Allah is true. But he saith: This is naught save fables of the men of old:” (46:17)
And the one who said to his parents, when they called him to faith in Allah,
"Fie on you both! You threaten me,"
"that I will be brought out from my grave,"
"when generations have passed away before me,"
"and they perished, and none of them were resurrected?"
And his parents were imploring Allah for him to believe in Allah and acknowledge the resurrection,
and they were saying to him,
"Woe to you! Believe in the promise of Allah."
"Indeed, the promise of Allah, which He promised His creation that He will resurrect them from their graves, is true, in which there is no doubt."
Then the enemy of Allah would say, answering his parents,
"This is nothing that you are telling me, that I will be resurrected after my death,"
"except the fables of the ancients."
“Such are those on whom the Word concerning nations of the jinn and mankind which have passed away before them hath effect. Lo! they are the losers.” (46:18)
They have already passed away before them from among the jinn and mankind.
Indeed, they were losers.
These are the ones upon whom the punishment of Allah has become due,
among those upon whom the punishment of Allah befell from the nations that passed before them, from among the jinn and mankind.
Indeed, they were the ones who were cheated by trading guidance for misguidance.
And for all are degrees according to what they have done.
“And for all there will be ranks from what they do, that He may pay them for their deeds; and they will not be wronged.” (46:19)
And for all of these two groups,
the group of faith in Allah and the Last Day,
and the group of disbelief in Allah and the Last Day,
there are stations and ranks with Allah on the Day of Resurrection based on their deeds which they did in the world, whether righteous or evil.
And all of them will not be wronged.
So the evildoer among them will not be punished except for his sin,
and the sin of another will not be borne by him.
And the doer of good among them will not be deprived of the reward of his good deed.
“And on the day when those who disbelieve are exposed to the Fire (it will be said): Ye squandered your good things in the life of the world and sought comfort therein. Now this day ye are rewarded with the doom of ignominy because ye were disdainful in the land without a right, and because ye used to transgress.” (46:20)
“And on the day when those who disbelieve are exposed to the Fire (it will be said): Ye squandered your good things in the life of the world and sought comfort therein. Now this day ye are rewarded with the doom of ignominy because ye were disdainful in the land without a right, and because ye used to transgress.” (46:20)
“And on the day when those who disbelieve are exposed to the Fire (it will be said): Ye squandered your good things in the life of the world and sought comfort therein. Now this day ye are rewarded with the doom of ignominy because ye were disdainful in the land without a right, and because ye used to transgress.” (46:20)
And because you used to act defiantly.
And the Day those who disbelieved in Allah are exposed to the Fire,
“And on the day when those who disbelieve are exposed to the Fire (it will be said): Ye squandered your good things in the life of the world and sought comfort therein. Now this day ye are rewarded with the doom of ignominy because ye were disdainful in the land without a right, and because ye used to transgress.” (46:20)
"Today, O disbelievers, you are being recompensed with the punishment of humiliation, which humiliates you,"
"because you used to act arrogantly in the world upon the face of the earth,"
"refusing to dedicate worship solely to Him,"
"and because you used to disobey His command in it, so you rebelled against Him."
A summary of the Tafsir of al-Tabari.