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-Dhariyat.
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
He said, "What is your business, O messengers?"
They said, "We have been sent to a people who are criminals."
“That we may send upon them stones of clay,” (51:33)
“Marked by thy Lord for (the destruction of) the wanton.” (51:34)
Ibrahim (peace be upon him) said to his guests,
"What is your mission, O messengers?"
They replied, "We have been sent to a people who have committed crimes through their disbelief in Allah."
"To rain down upon them stones of clay,"
"Marked by your Lord, O Ibrahim,"
"For those who transgress the limits of Allah."
“Then we brought forth such believers as were there.” (51:35)
“But We found there but one house of those surrendered (to Allah).” (51:36)
“And We left behind therein a portent for those who fear a painful doom.” (51:37)
So We brought out those who were in the city of the people of Lut (peace be upon him),
From among those who believed in Allah.
They were Lut and his two daughters.
We found in that city only one house of Muslims,
Which was the house of Lut.
And We left in that city a lesson,
And a sign for those who fear the painful punishment of Allah in the Hereafter.
“And in Moses (too, there is a portent) when We sent him unto Pharaoh with clear warrant,” (51:38)
“But he withdrew (confiding) in his might, and said: A wizard or a madman.” (51:39)
So We seized him and his hosts and cast them into the sea,
While he was blameworthy.
And in the story of Musa ibn Imran (peace be upon him),
When We sent him to Pharaoh with a clear proof, which showed anyone who saw it that it was a sign from Musa confirming the truth of what he called to.
But Pharaoh turned away with his forces, his soldiers, and his companions,
And said of Musa,
"He is a sorcerer who bewitches people's eyes, or a madman possessed by a jinn."
So We seized Pharaoh and his hosts with Our wrath and indignation,
And We cast them into the sea, drowning them therein.
Pharaoh had indeed committed deeds for which he was to be blamed.
“And in (the tribe of) A'ad (there is a portent) when we sent the fatal wind against them.” (51:41)
“It spared naught that it reached, but made it (all) as dust.” (51:42)
And in the story of 'Ad, there is also a sign and a lesson in what We did to them,
When We sent against them the barren wind, which does not fertilize trees.
“It spared naught that it reached, but made it (all) as dust.” (51:42)
Which withered the vegetation of the earth and trampled it.
“And in (the tribe of) Thamud (there is a portent) when it was told them: Take your ease awhile.” (51:43)
“But they rebelled against their Lord's decree, and so the thunderbolt overtook them even while they gazed;” (51:44)
“And they were unable to rise up, nor could they help themselves.” (51:45)
And in the story of Thamud, there is also a lesson, when their Lord said to them, "Enjoy yourselves for a while."
But they grew arrogant and rebelled against the obedience of Allah.
So the thunderbolt of punishment seized them suddenly while they were awaiting its arrival.
This is because Thamud had been promised the punishment three days before it descended upon them.
They were unable to defend themselves against the punishment of Allah when it fell upon them.
Nor were they able to take vengeance against the One who inflicted upon them the retribution that befell them.
“And the folk of Noah aforetime. Lo! they were licentious folk.” (51:46)
And in the story of the people of Nuh (peace be upon him), there is also a lesson, for We destroyed them before Thamud; they were indeed those who disobeyed the command of Allah and departed from His obedience.
And the heaven We constructed with strength, and indeed, We are expanding it.
“And the earth have We laid out, how gracious is the Spreader (thereof)!” (51:48)
“And all things We have created by pairs, that haply ye may reflect.” (51:49)
We raised the heaven as a ceiling with power, and indeed, We are possessors of vastness in creating it and creating whatever We will to create.
And the earth We spread out as a resting place for the creation; how excellent are We as the preparers thereof.
And of all things We created two kinds, such as misery and happiness, guidance and misguidance.
Allah created for everything He created a counterpart that differs in its meaning, so that you may remember and take heed.
So know, O you who associate partners with Allah, that your Lord, who deserves your worship,
Is the One who is capable of creating a thing and its opposite.
“Therefor flee unto Allah; lo! I am a plain warner unto you from him.” (51:50)
"And do not make with Allah another deity; indeed, I am to you from Him a clear warner."
So flee, O people, from the punishment of Allah to His mercy by believing in Him.
I am a warner to you from Allah, clarifying His warning to you.
And do not make, O people, along with the One you worship who created you, another deity besides Him.
I am to you, O people, a clear warner from His punishment, having made the warning manifest to you.
“Even so there came no messenger unto those before them but they said: A wizard or a madman!” (51:52)
“Have they handed down (the saying) as an heirloom one unto another? Nay, but they are froward folk.” (51:53)
Just as the Quraysh denied their Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him),
So too did the nations who denied their messengers.
No messenger came to those people we mentioned before them, but they said, "He is a sorcerer or a madman."
Just as the Quraysh said to Muhammad (peace be upon him).
Did these deniers bequeath to their predecessors and their past fathers the denial of Muhammad (peace be upon him)?
So they accepted that from them?
No, these polytheists did not bequeath that to their successors.
Rather, they are a people who transgress and are tyrannical against the command of their Lord.
So turn away from them, for you are not to be blamed.
“And warn, for warning profiteth believers.” (51:55)
So turn away, O Muhammad, from these polytheists.
For you, O Muhammad, are not to be blamed for any shortcoming in your warning.
You have indeed warned and conveyed what you were sent with.
And remind, O Muhammad, those to whom you were sent.
For the reminder benefits those who believe in Allah.
“I created the jinn and humankind only that they might worship Me.” (51:56)
“I seek no livelihood from them, nor do I ask that they should feed Me.” (51:57)
“Lo! Allah! He it is that giveth livelihood, the Lord of unbreakable might.” (51:58)
I did not create the jinn and mankind except to worship Us and submit to Our command.
I do not want from those I created among the jinn and mankind any provision that they should provide for My creation.
Nor do I want them to feed them.
Indeed, it is Allah who is the Provider, the Possessor of firm strength, the Sustainer of His creation.
“And lo! for those who (now) do wrong there is an evil day like unto the evil day (which came for) their likes (of old); so let them not ask Me to hasten on (that day).” (51:59)
So woe to those who disbelieved from their day which they are promised.
For those who associated partners with Allah have a share and a portion of Allah's punishment descending upon them,
Like the share of their companions who passed away before them from the nations, so let them not hasten it.
The *wayd* is the flowing discharge in Hell, consisting of pus and blood,
For those who disbelieved in Allah and denied His oneness, on the day they are promised the descent of Allah's punishment.