Surah 37. As-Saffat

The decree of our Lord has come to pass against us 'all': we will certainly taste 'the punishment'.

  - Mustafa Khattab

"So now has been proved true against us the Word of our Lord that we shall indeed (have to) taste (the punishment of our sins): ⁴⁰⁵⁴

  - Abdullah Yusuf Ali

Allah's decree of justice requires that every soul should taste the consequences of its own sins, and that decree must be fulfilled. No excuses can serve. It is only Allah's mercy that can save.

We caused you to deviate, for we ourselves were deviant.'

  - Mustafa Khattab

"We led you astray: for truly we were ourselves astray." ⁴⁰⁵⁵

  - Abdullah Yusuf Ali

Further, the misleaders can well urge against those who reproach them for misleading them: "How could you expect anything better from us? You were already warned by Allah's Message that we were astray."

Surely on that Day they will 'all' share in the punishment.

  - Mustafa Khattab

Truly that day they will (all) share in the Penalty.

  - Abdullah Yusuf Ali

That is certainly how We deal with the wicked.

  - Mustafa Khattab

Verily that is how We shall deal with Sinners.

  - Abdullah Yusuf Ali

For whenever it was said to them 'in the world', 'There is no god 'worthy of worship' except Allah,' they acted arrogantly

  - Mustafa Khattab

For they when they were told that there is no god except Allah would puff themselves up with Pride. ⁴⁰⁵⁶

  - Abdullah Yusuf Ali

Selfish arrogance was the seed of sin and rebellion: ii. 34 (of Satan): xxviii. 39 (of Pharaoh); etc. It is that kind of arrogance which prevents man from mending his life and conduct. When he speaks of ancestral ways, or public opinion, or national honour, he is usually thinking of himself or of a small clique which thrives on injustice. The recognition of Allah, the one true God, as the only standard of life and conduct, the Eternal Reality, cuts out Self, and is therefore disagreeable to Sin. If false gods are imagined, who themselves would have weaknesses that fit in with sin, they give countenance to evils, and it becomes difficult to give them up, unless Allah's grace comes to our assistance.

and argued, 'Should we really abandon our gods for a mad poet?'

  - Mustafa Khattab

And say: "What! shall we give up our gods for the sake of a Poet possessed?" ⁴⁰⁵⁷

  - Abdullah Yusuf Ali

Possessed of an evil spirit, or mad. Such was the charge which the Unbelievers sometimes levelled at the holy Prophet in the early stages of his preaching.

In fact, he came with the truth, confirming 'earlier' messengers.

  - Mustafa Khattab

Nay! He has come with the (very) Truth and he confirms (the Message of) the apostles (before Him). ⁴⁰⁵⁸

  - Abdullah Yusuf Ali

The message of Islam, so far from being "mad" or in any way peculiar, is eminently conformable to reason and the true facts of nature as created by Allah. It is the Truth in the purest sense of the term, and confirms the Message of all true Messengers that ever lived.

You will certainly taste the painful torment,

  - Mustafa Khattab

Ye shall indeed taste of the Grievous Penalty

  - Abdullah Yusuf Ali

and will only be rewarded for what you used to do.

  - Mustafa Khattab

But it will be no more than the retribution of (the Evil) that ye have wrought ⁴⁰⁵⁹

  - Abdullah Yusuf Ali

Justice demands that those who sow evil should reap the fruit, but the punishment is due to their own conduct and not to anything external to themselves.

But not the chosen servants of Allah.

  - Mustafa Khattab

But the sincere (and devoted) servants of Allah

  - Abdullah Yusuf Ali

They will have a known provision:

  - Mustafa Khattab

For them is a Sustenance Determined ^{4060 4061}

  - Abdullah Yusuf Ali

"Sustenance": correlated with the Fruits mentioned below: see next verse.

"Determined": Ma'lum: the reward of the Blessed will not be a chance or a fleeting thing. It will follow a firm Decree of Allah, on principles that can be known and understood.

fruits 'of every type'.¹ And they will be honoured

  - Mustafa Khattab

 This implies all sorts of delicacies, not just fruits.

Fruits (Delights) and they (shall enjoy) honor and dignity. ⁴⁰⁶²

  - Abdullah Yusuf Ali

"Fruits": Cf. xxxvi. 57, and n. 4003. The Garden's Delights are figured forth from parallel experiences in our present life, and follow an ascending order: Food and Fruits; Gardens of Bliss, (with all their charm, design, greenery, birds' songs, fountains, etc.); the Home of Happiness and Dignity, with congenial company seated on Thrones; Delicious Drinks from crystal Springs, for social pleasure; and the society of Companions of the opposite sex, with beauty and charm but none of the grossness too often incidental to such companionship in this life.

in the Gardens of Bliss,

  - Mustafa Khattab

In Gardens of Felicity.

  - Abdullah Yusuf Ali

facing each other on thrones.¹

  - Mustafa Khattab

 Facing each other implies that no one will have anything in their hearts against others.

Facing each other on Thrones (of dignity):

  - Abdullah Yusuf Ali

A drink 'of pure wine' will be passed around to them from a flowing stream:

  - Mustafa Khattab

Round will be passed to them a Cup from a clear-flowing fountain

  - Abdullah Yusuf Ali