Surah 41. Fussilat

NOW THOSE who are bent on denying the truth say [unto one another]: "Do not listen to this Qur'an, but rather talk frivolously about it, so that you might gain the upper hand!"²⁷

  - Mohammad Asad

This is an allusion to efforts aimed at discrediting the Qur'an by describing it as "invented" by Muhammad for his own - personal and political - ends, as a series of "misunderstood quotations" from earlier scriptures, as the result of "hallucinations", and so forth: all of which implies that the opponents of the Qur'anic message instinctively feel its force, realizing at the same time that it endangers their self-complacent, materialistic outlook on life and ought, therefore, to be combatted. This explains the statement, at the end of verse {28}, that they "knowingly reject" God's messages.

The disbelievers say: "Do not listen this Qur'an and make noise when it is recited so that you may gain the upper hand."

  - Muhammad Farooq-i-Azam Malik

The disbelievers advised 'one another', 'Do not listen to this Quran but drown it out so that you may prevail.'

  - Mustafa Khattab

Those who disbelieve say: Heed not this Qur'an, and drown the hearing of it; haply ye may conquer.

  - Marmaduke Pickthall

The Unbelievers say: "Listen not to this Qur'an but talk at random in the midst of its (reading) that ye may gain the upper hand!" ⁴⁴⁹⁶

  - Abdullah Yusuf Ali

A favourite trick of those who wish to dishonour Revelation is, not only not to listen to it themselves, but to talk loudly and insolently when it is being read, so that even the true listeners may not be able to perform their devotions. They think that they are drowning the voice of Allah: in fact they are piling up misery for themselves in the future. For Allah's voice can never be silenced.

But We shall most certainly give those who are [thus] bent on denying the truth a taste of suffering severe, and We shall most certainly requite them according to the worst of their deeds!

  - Mohammad Asad

We will certainly punish the disbelievers and requite them for the worst of their misdeeds.

  - Muhammad Farooq-i-Azam Malik

So We will certainly make the disbelievers taste a severe punishment, and We will surely repay them according to the worst of their deeds.

  - Mustafa Khattab

But verily We shall cause those who disbelieve to taste an awful doom, and verily We shall requite them the worst of what they used to do.

  - Marmaduke Pickthall

But We will certainly give the Unbelievers a taste of a severe Penalty and We will requite them for the worst of their deeds. ⁴⁴⁹⁷

  - Abdullah Yusuf Ali

Nothing that they can do, however outrageous, will escape its fit punishment. And to reject Allah's Signs is to shut the very door to His Grace and Mercy.

That requital of God's enemies will be the fire [of the hereafter]: in it will they have an abode of unmeasurable duration as an outcome of their having knowingly rejected Our messages.²⁸

  - Mohammad Asad

For the above rendering of the verb jahada, see surah {29}, note [45].

hell that is, the reward for such enemies of Allah, which will be their eternal home: a reward for their denying Our revelations.

  - Muhammad Farooq-i-Azam Malik

That is the reward of Allah's enemies: the Fire, which will be their eternal home- a 'fitting' reward for their denial of Our revelations.

  - Mustafa Khattab

That is the reward of Allah's enemies: the Fire. Therein is their immortal home; payment forasmuch as they denied Our revelations.

  - Marmaduke Pickthall

Such is the requital of the enemies of Allah the Fire: therein will be for them the Eternal Home: a (fit) requital for that they were wont to reject Our Signs.

  - Abdullah Yusuf Ali

And they who [in their life on earth] were bent on denying the truth will [thereupon] exclaim: "O our Sustainer! Show us those of the invisible beings and humans that have led us astray: ²⁹ we shall trample them underfoot, so that they shall be the lowest of all!"³⁰

  - Mohammad Asad

See 6:112 - "against every prophet We have set up as enemies the evil forces (shayatin) from among humans as well as from among invisible beings" - and the corresponding note [98].

Cf. 7:38 .

Wherein, the disbelievers will say: "Our Rabb! Show us those among jinns and mankind who misled us: we shall trample them under our feet so that they become utterly disgraced."

  - Muhammad Farooq-i-Azam Malik

The disbelievers will 'then' cry, 'Our Lord! Show us those jinn and humans who led us astray: we will put them under our feet so that they will be among the lowest 'in Hell'.'

  - Mustafa Khattab

And those who disbelieve will say: Our Lord! Show us these who beguiled us of the jinn and humankind. We will place them underneath our feet that they may be among the nethermost.

  - Marmaduke Pickthall

And the Unbelievers will say: "Our Lord! show us those among Jinns and men who misled us: we shall crush them beneath our feet so that they become the vilest (before all)." ⁴⁴⁹⁸

  - Abdullah Yusuf Ali

It is one of the qualities of sin and all evil, that it wishes to drag down others in its own camp, and rejoices to see them humiliated and disgraced, just as, in the opposite case, the good rejoice to help and honour others and make them happy wherever they can. Cf. vi. 112-113.

[But,] behold, as for those who say, "Our Sustainer is God," and then steadfastly pursue the right way - upon them do angels often descend, [saying:] "Fear not and grieve not, but receive the glad tiding of that paradise which has been promised to you!

  - Mohammad Asad

As for those who say: "Our God is Allah," and then stay firm on it, the angels will descend on them, saying: "Let nothing fear or grieve you. Rejoice for the good news of paradise that has been promised to you.

  - Muhammad Farooq-i-Azam Malik

Surely those who say, 'Our Lord is Allah,' and then remain steadfast, the angels descend upon them,¹ 'saying,' 'Do not fear, nor grieve. Rather, rejoice in the good news of Paradise, which you have been promised.

  - Mustafa Khattab

 Especially at the time of their death.

Lo! those who say: Our Lord is Allah, and afterward are upright, the angels descend upon them, saying: Fear not nor grieve, but bear good tidings of the paradise which ye are promised.

  - Marmaduke Pickthall

In the case of those who say "Our Lord is Allah" and further stand straight and steadfast the angels descend on them (from time to time): "Fear ye not!" (they suggest) "nor grieve! but receive the Glad Tidings of the Garden (of Bliss) the which ye were promised! ⁴⁴⁹⁹

  - Abdullah Yusuf Ali

The people who succeed in eternal Life are those who recognise and understand the one and only Eternal Reality, that is Allah, and further shape their probationary Life firmly and steadfastly on the principles of that Truth and Reality. They will have their friends and protectors in the good angels, in contrast to the evil ones, who will have no friendship or protection, but only the reproaches of the Satan.

We are close unto you in the life of this world and [will be so] in the life to come; and in that [life to come] you shall have all that your souls may desire, and in it you shall have all that you ever prayed for,

  - Mohammad Asad

We are your protectors in this life and in the hereafter. There you shall find all that your souls desire and all that you can ask for:

  - Muhammad Farooq-i-Azam Malik

We are your supporters in this worldly life and in the Hereafter. There you will have whatever your souls desire, and there you will have whatever you ask for:

  - Mustafa Khattab

We are your protecting friends in the life of the world and in the Hereafter. There ye will have (all) that your souls desire, and there ye will have (all) for which ye pray.

  - Marmaduke Pickthall

"We are your protectors in this life and in the Hereafter: therein shall ye have all that your souls shall desire; therein shall ye have all that ye ask for! ^{4500 4501}

  - Abdullah Yusuf Ali

"Protectors": Cf. n. 4492 to xli. 25 above, and n. 4505 to xli. 34 below.

Cf. xxi. 102, xliii. 71, lii, 22.

as a ready welcome from Him who is much-forgiving, a dispenser of grace!"

  - Mohammad Asad

A hospitable gift from the All-Forgiving, All-Merciful."

  - Muhammad Farooq-i-Azam Malik

an accommodation from the All-Forgiving, Most Merciful 'Lord'.'

  - Mustafa Khattab

A gift of welcome from the Forgiving, the Merciful.

  - Marmaduke Pickthall

"A hospitable gift from One Oft-Forgiving Most Merciful!" ⁴⁵⁰²

  - Abdullah Yusuf Ali

Cf. iii. 198. Through Allah's infinite Mercy and Forgiveness, they will now be in the position of guests to Host, and will receive unnumbered gifts out of all proportion to their own merits.

And who could be better of speech than he who calls [his fellow-men] unto God, and does what is just and right, and says, "Verily, I am of those who have surrendered themselves to God"?

  - Mohammad Asad

Who is better in speech than the one who calls people towards Allah, does good deeds and says: "I am a Muslim?"

  - Muhammad Farooq-i-Azam Malik

And whose words are better than someone who calls 'others' to Allah, does good, and says, 'I am truly one of those who submit.'?¹

  - Mustafa Khattab

 lit., Muslims.

And who is better in speech than him who prayeth unto his Lord and doeth right, and saith: Lo! I am of those who surrender (unto Him).

  - Marmaduke Pickthall

Who is better in speech than one who calls (men) to Allah works righteousness and says "I am of those who bow in Islam"? ⁴⁵⁰³

  - Abdullah Yusuf Ali

Better in speech: i.e., speaks better counsel; or is more worthy of being listened to. That his word reaches the highest mark of human speech is evidenced by three facts: (1) that he calls all to the Truth of Allah, showing that his thoughts are not centred on himself; (2) every deed of his is righteousness, showing that there is no divergence between his preaching and his conduct; and (3) he completely associates himself with the Will of Allah, showing that he is the full embodiment of Islam. What a fine description of the holy Prophet!

But [since] good and evil cannot be equal, repel thou [evil] with something that is better³¹ - and lo! he between whom and thyself was enmity [may then become] as though he had [always] been close [unto thee], a true friend!

  - Mohammad Asad

See note [44] on 13:22 . In the present instance, the injunction to "repel [evil] with something that is better" relates to scurrilous objections to, and hostile criticism of, the Qur'an. The whole of this passage (verses {33} ff.) connects with verse {26}.

Good deeds are not equal to the evil ones. Repel other's evil deeds with your good deeds. You will see that he with whom you had enmity, will become your close friend.

  - Muhammad Farooq-i-Azam Malik

Good and evil cannot be equal. Respond 'to evil' with what is best, then the one you are in a feud with will be like a close friend.

  - Mustafa Khattab

The good deed and the evil deed are not alike. Repel the evil deed with one which is better, then lo! he, between whom and thee there was enmity (will become) as though he was a bosom friend.

  - Marmaduke Pickthall

Nor can Goodness and Evil be equal. Repel (Evil) with what is better: then will he between whom and thee was hatred become as it were thy friend and intimate! ^{4504 4505}

  - Abdullah Yusuf Ali

You do not return good for evil, for there is no equality or comparison between the two. You repel or destroy evil with something which is far better, just as an antidote is better than poison. You foil hatred with love. You repel ignorance with knowledge, folly and wickedness with the friendly message of Revelation. The man who was in the bondage of sin, you not only liberate from sin, but make him your greatest friend and helper in the cause of Allah! Such is the alchemy of the Word of Allah! Cf. xxiii. 96; xxviii. 54.

Hamim: See n. 4500 above, and Introduction to S. xi.

Yet [to achieve] this is not given to any but those who are wont to be patient in adversity: it is not given to any but those endowed with the greatest good fortune!

  - Mohammad Asad

But none will attain this quality except those who patiently endure and none will attain this quality except those who are truly fortunate.

  - Muhammad Farooq-i-Azam Malik

But this cannot be attained except by those who are patient and who are truly fortunate.

  - Mustafa Khattab

But none is granted it save those who are steadfast, and none is granted it save the owner of great happiness.

  - Marmaduke Pickthall

And no one will be granted such goodness except those who exercise patience and self-restraint none but persons of the greatest good fortune. ⁴⁵⁰⁶

  - Abdullah Yusuf Ali

The moral standard referred to in the last verse can only be reached by the exercise of the highest patience and self-restraint. All sorts of human weaknesses and counsels of pseudo-wisdom and "self-respect" will keep breaking in, but resist them as suggestions of Evil (see next verse). If you reach anywhere near that high standard, you will be indeed most fortunate in a spiritual sense, for Allah's Revelation will have made you great and free.

Hence, if it should happen that a prompting from Satan stirs thee up [to blind anger], seek refuge with God: behold, He alone is all-hearing, all-knowing!³²

  - Mohammad Asad

I.e., He alone sees what is in the hearts of men, and He alone understands the innermost motivations, of which they themselves are unconscious, of those who criticize the Qur'an adversely. - See {7:199-200} and the corresponding notes, especially note [164].

If any time you are tempted by Shaitan, seek refuge with Allah. It is He Who hears all and knows all.

  - Muhammad Farooq-i-Azam Malik

And if you are tempted by Satan, then seek refuge with Allah. Indeed, He 'alone' is the All-Hearing, All-Knowing.

  - Mustafa Khattab

And if a whisper from the devil reach thee (O Muhammad) then seek refuge in Allah. Lo! He is the Hearer, the Knower.

  - Marmaduke Pickthall

And if (at any time) an incitement to discord is made to thee by the Evil One seek refuge in Allah. He is the One Who hears and knows all things. ⁴⁵⁰⁷

  - Abdullah Yusuf Ali

Nazaga has in it the idea of discord, slander, disharmony, as well as incitements to such disturbances in the soul. They can only proceed from evil, and should be resisted with the help of Allah. See also last note.

Now among His signs are the night and the day, as well as the sun and the moon: [hence,] adore not the sun or the moon, but prostrate yourselves in adoration before God, who has created them - if it is Him whom you [really] worship.³³

  - Mohammad Asad

This, according to Razi, connects with the phrase "calling [one's fellow-men] unto God" in verse {33} above. God is the sole cause and source of all that exists; and whatever exists is but a wondrous sign of His creative power. Hence, it is a blasphemy - apart from being unreasonable to ascribe real power (which is the meaning of "adoration" in this context) to anything created, whether it be a concrete phenomenon, or an abstract force of nature, or a set of circumstances, or even an idea.

Among His signs are the night and the day and the sun and moon. Do not prostrate yourselves before the sun or the moon; rather prostrate yourselves before Allah, Who created them both, if you truly are His worshippers.

  - Muhammad Farooq-i-Azam Malik

Among His signs are the day and the night, the sun and the moon. Do not prostrate to the sun or the moon, but prostrate to Allah, Who created them 'all', if you 'truly' worship Him 'alone'.

  - Mustafa Khattab

And of His portents are the night and the day and the sun and the moon. Adore not the sun nor the moon; but adore Allah Who created them, if it is in truth Him whom ye worship.

  - Marmaduke Pickthall

Among His Signs are the Night and the Day and the sun and moon. Adore not the Sun and the Moon but adore Allah Who created them if it is Him ye wish to serve. ⁴⁵⁰⁸

  - Abdullah Yusuf Ali

Night and Day are opposites, and yet, by the alchemy of Allah, they can both subserve the purpose of human good, because the Night can give rest while the Day can promote activity. The Sun and the Moon are similarly complementary. So, in moral and spiritual affairs, seeming opposites may by Allah's alchemy be made to subserve the purposes of Good. They are but instruments: Allah is the Cause. Adore Allah, and not the things which He has created. Use the things which He has created, but do not adore them.

And though some be too proud [to listen to this call], they who [in their hearts] are with thy Sustainer extol His limitless glory by night and by day, and never grow weary [thereof].

  - Mohammad Asad

So if the unbelievers disdain His worship, let them remember that the angels who are nearest to your Rabb, glorify Him day and night and never feel tired.

  - Muhammad Farooq-i-Azam Malik

But if the pagans are too proud, then 'let them know that' those 'angels' nearest to your Lord glorify Him day and night, and never grow weary.

  - Mustafa Khattab

But if they are too proud still those who are with thy Lord glorify Him night and day, and tire not.

  - Marmaduke Pickthall

But if they (Unbelievers) are arrogant (no matter): for in the presence of thy Lord are those who celebrate His praises by night and by day. And they never flag (nor feel themselves above it). ⁴⁵⁰⁹

  - Abdullah Yusuf Ali

It does not in any way affect Allah if men rebel against Him. It is men's own loss. Allah's glory is being celebrated night and day by angels and men who receive the privilege of approaching His presence. To them it is delight and an honour to be in the sunshine of Truth and Happiness.

For among His signs is this: thou seest the earth lying desolate - and lo! when We send down water upon it, it stirs and swells [with life]! Verily, He who brings it to life can surely give life to the dead [of heart as well]: for, behold, He has the power to will anything.³⁴

  - Mohammad Asad

Although the allusion to the reviving earth often occurs in the Qur'an as a parable of man's ultimate resurrection, in the present context (and in tune with the entire passage comprising verses {33-39}) it appears to be an illustration of God's power to bestow spiritual life upon hearts that have hitherto remained closed to the truth of His existence and omnipotence. Hence, it implies a call to the believer never to abandon the hope that "those who deny the truth" may one day grasp the truth of the Qur'anic message.

And among His other signs is the earth that you see barren; but when We send down rain upon it, it stirs to life and it's yield increases. Surely He Who gives it life, will raise the dead to life. Surely He has power over all things.

  - Muhammad Farooq-i-Azam Malik

And among His signs is that you see the earth devoid of life, but as soon as We send down rain upon it, it begins to stir 'to life' and swell. Indeed, the One Who revives it can easily revive the dead. He is certainly Most Capable of everything.

  - Mustafa Khattab

And of His portents (is this): that thou seest the earth lowly, but when We send down water thereon it thrilleth and groweth. Lo! He who quickeneth it is verily the Quickener of the dead. Lo! He is Able to do all things.

  - Marmaduke Pickthall

And among His Signs is this: thou seest the earth barren and desolate; but when We send down rain to it it is stirred to life and yields increase. Truly He Who gives life to the (dead) earth can surely give life to (men) who are dead. For He has power over all things. ^{4510 4511}

  - Abdullah Yusuf Ali

Evil makes of the souls of men what drought makes of land: it kills life, beauty, and fruitfulness. Allah's Word in the spiritual world has the same wonderful effect as rain has on barren land: it gives life, beauty, and fruitfulness. And the effect of Allah's Word is also seen through the lives of men who repel evil with what is better. They also convert dead souls (which harbour spite and hatred) into living souls, which come into the main current of spiritual life, and help in carrying out Allah's beneficent Purpose.

Why should we wonder then at the potency of Allah's Word, whether in our probationary lives here, or in the eternal life of the Hereafter.

VERILY, they who distort the meaning of Our messages are not hidden from Us: hence, which [of the two] will be in a better state - he that is [destined to be] cast into the fire, or he that shall come secure [before Us] on Resurrection Day? Do what you will: verily, He sees all that you do.

  - Mohammad Asad

Those who pervert Our revelations are not hidden from Us. Just consider who is better? The one who is cast into the fire or the one who emerges safe on the Day of Resurrection? Do as you like; surely He is watching all your actions.

  - Muhammad Farooq-i-Azam Malik

Indeed, those who abuse Our revelations¹ are not hidden from Us. Who is better: the one who will be cast into the Fire or the one who will be secure on Judgment Day? Do whatever you want. He is certainly All-Seeing of what you do.

  - Mustafa Khattab

 This refers to the noise the disbelievers used to make when the Quran was recited (see 41:26), or those who twist the meaning of Quranic passages and take them out of context.

Lo! those who distort Our revelations are not hid from Us. Is he who is hurled into the Fire better, or he who cometh secure on the Day of Resurrection? Do what ye will. Lo! He is Seer of what ye do.

  - Marmaduke Pickthall

Those who pervert the Truth in Our Signs are not hidden from Us. Which is better? He that is cast into the Fire or he that comes safe through on the Day of Judgement? Do what ye will: Verily He seeth (clearly) all that ye do. ⁴⁵¹²

  - Abdullah Yusuf Ali

Pervert the Truth in Our Signs; either by corrupting the scriptures or turning them to false and selfish uses; or by neglecting the Signs of Allah in nature around them, or silencing His voice in their own conscience. Everything is known to Allah. Why not work for true salvation at the final Judgment?