The Noble Qur'an Encyclopedia

Alif Lām Mīm Ra[1]. These are the verses of the Book. That which has been sent down to you [O Prophet] from your Lord is the truth, but most people do not believe.

It is Allah Who raised the heavens without any pillars that you can see, and then He rose over the Throne[2]. He subjected the sun and the moon, each running its course for an appointed term. He governs all affairs, and explains the signs in detail, so that you may be certain of the meeting with your Lord.

It is He Who spread out the earth and placed therein firm mountains and rivers, and created therein fruits of every kind in pairs. He causes the night to cover the day. Indeed, there are signs in this for people who reflect.

And on the earth there are neighboring [yet different] tracts of land, and gardens of grapevines, grains and palm trees – some growing in clusters from one root or standing alone. They are all irrigated with the same water, yet We cause some of them to excel others in taste. Indeed, there are signs in this for people of understanding.

If you wonder, then wondrous is their saying, “What! When we become dust, will we be created anew?” They are the ones who disbelieve in their Lord, and they are the ones who will have shackles around their necks. Such are the people of the Fire; they will abide therein forever.

They ask you [O Prophet] to hasten the punishment before the good[3], even though there have already been similar punishments before them. But your Lord is indeed forgiving to people despite their wrongdoing, and your Lord is indeed severe in punishment.

The disbelievers say, “Why has no sign[4] been sent down to him from his Lord?” You are only a warner, and for every people there is a guide.

Allah knows what every female bears[5], and what the wombs may fall short or increase[6]. With Him everything is precisely measured.

He is the Knower of the unseen and the seen, the All-Great, the Most Exalted.

It is the same [to Him] whether one of you speaks secretly or in public, and whether one is hidden in the darkness of the night or walks about openly in the daylight.

For each person there are successive angels[7] in front of him and behind him, guarding him by the command of Allah. Allah does not change the condition of a people until they change their own attitude and conduct[8]. But if Allah intends punishment for a people[9], then it cannot be averted, nor will there be any protector for them besides Him.

It is He Who shows you lightening [causing] fear and hope[10] and forms heavy clouds[11].

The thunder glorifies His praise, and so do the angels in awe of Him. He sends thunderbolts, striking therewith whom He wills, yet they dispute about Allah, Who is severe in might.

To Him alone should all supplication be addressed[12]. But those whom they supplicate besides Him do not respond to them in any way, except like one who stretches out his hands for water to reach his mouth, but it will never reach it[13]. The supplication of the disbelievers is all in vain.

To Allah prostrates[14] whoever is in the heavens and on earth, willingly or unwillingly, and so do their shadows in the morning and evening.

Say, “Who is the Lord of the heavens and earth?” Say, “Allah.” Say, “Have you taken besides Him protectors, those who have no power to benefit or harm themselves[15]?” Say, “Can the blind person be equal to the seeing[16], or can the darkness be equal to the light?” Or do they ascribe to Allah partners who created the like of His creation[17], so they are confused between two creations? Say, “Allah is the Creator of all things, and He is the One, the Subjugator.”

He sends down rain from the sky, causing the valleys to flow, each according to its capacity, and the torrent carries along rising foam, similar to the slag produced from metal that people melt in the fire to make ornaments or tools. This is how Allah compares truth to falsehood: as for the residue, it is then cast away, but that which benefits people remains on the earth[18]. This is how Allah sets forth comparisons.

Those who respond to their Lord will have the best reward[19]. As for those who do not respond to Him, even if they were to possess all that is on earth and the likes thereof, they would surely offer it to ransom themselves; they will have the worst reckoning[20], and their abode will be Hell. What a terrible resting place!

Is the one who knows that what has been sent down from your Lord is the truth like the one who is blind[21]? None will take heed except the people of understanding,

those who fulfill the covenant of Allah and do not break the pledge,

and those who maintain [the ties] which Allah has ordered to be maintained[22], and fear their Lord, and are afraid of a terrible reckoning,

and those who observe patience, seeking the pleasure of their Lord, and establish prayer, and spend from what We have provided for them, secretly and in public, and repel evil with good – it is they who will have the final abode[23],

Gardens of Eternity, which they will enter together with their righteous parents, their spouses and their offspring. Angels will enter upon them from every gate,

“Peace be on you, for what you have patiently endured. How excellent is the final abode!”

As for those who break the covenant of Allah after it has been ratified, and sever the ties that Allah has commanded to be maintained, and spread corruption in the land – it is they who are cursed, and for them there will be the worst abode[24].

Allah extends provision to whom He wills or restricts it. They rejoice in the life of this world, although the life of this world, compared to the Hereafter, is nothing but a fleeting pleasure.

Those who disbelieve say, “Why has no sign been sent down to him from his Lord?” Say, “Allah causes to stray whom He wills and guides to Himself who turns to Him,

those who believe and whose hearts find tranquility in the remembrance of Allah, for indeed in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find tranquility.

Those who believe and do righteous deeds, for them there will be bliss[25] and a good return.”

Thus did We send you to a community before which other communities had passed away, so that you may recite to them what We have revealed to you, yet they disbelieve in the Most Compassionate. Say, “He is my Lord; none has the right to be worshiped except Him. In Him I put my trust, and to Him is my return.”

Even if there were a Qur’an that could cause mountains to move[26], or split the earth, or cause the dead to speak, [they would still not believe]. To Allah belongs all matters. Do the believers not know that if Allah had willed, He could have guided all humans? Calamities will continue to befall the disbelievers or strike close to their homes because of their deeds, until the promise of Allah comes to pass, for Allah does not fail in His promise.

There were messengers before you who were ridiculed, but I gave respite to those who disbelieved, then I seized them[27]. How [terrible] was My chastisement!

Is He Who watches every soul in whatever it does [like others]? Yet they ascribe partners to Allah. Say, “Name them! Or do you presume to inform Him of something that He does not know on earth, or it is just a show of words?” No, but the falsehood of the disbelievers is made appealing to them, and they are hindered from the [straight] path. Whoever Allah causes to stray, he will have none to guide.

They will be punished in this life, but the punishment of the Hereafter is more severe, and they will have no protector against Allah.

The likeness of Paradise, which is promised to the righteous is that under it rivers flow; its fruit is eternal, so is its shade. Such is the end of those who fear Allah, but the end of the disbelievers is Fire!

Those whom We gave the Scripture[28] rejoice at that which is sent down to you [O Prophet], but there are some factions who deny part of it. Say, “I have only been commanded to worship Allah, and associate none with Him. To Him I call and to Him is my return.”

Thus We have sent it down as a commandment in Arabic. If you were to follow their[29] desires after the knowledge that has come to you, you would have no supporter or protector against Allah.

We have sent messengers before you and gave them wives and offspring[30]. It was not for any messenger to bring a sign except with Allah’s permission. Every matter has a destined time.

Allah eliminates what He wills or affirms it[31], and with Him is the Master Book[32].

Whether We show you [O Prophet] part of what We warn them or cause you to die [before that], your duty is only to convey the message, and the reckoning is for Us.

Do they not see that We advance to the land, diminishing it from its sides[33]? It is Allah Who decrees; there is none to reverse His decree, and He is swift in reckoning.

Those who came before them did devise plans, but Allah has the ultimate plan. He knows what every soul does, and the disbelievers will come to know who will have the final abode.

Those who disbelieve say, “You are not a messenger.” Say, “Allah is sufficient as a Witness between me and you, as well as those who have knowledge of the Scripture[34].”