13. Ar-Ra'd

And from his chain of transmitters on the authority of Ibn 'Abbas that he said in explanation of Allah's words (Alif. Lam. Mim. Ra.): '(Alif. Lam. Mim. Ra.) this means: I am Allah; I know what you do and say; it is also said that this is an oath by which Allah swore. (These are verses of the Scripture) this surah consists of verses of the Scripture. (That which is revealed unto thee from thy Lord is the Truth) He says: The Qur'an is the Truth from your Lord, (but most of mankind) the people of Mecca (believe not) in Muhammad (pbuh) or in the Qur'an.

(Allah it is who raised up the heavens) He created the heavens and raised them up above the earth (without visible supports) He says: you see them without support; it is also said that this means: they have supports which you do not see, (then mounted the Throne) Allah was on the Throne before He raised up the heavens; it is also said that this means: He established Himself on the Throne; and it is also said that this means: as far as His knowledge and power are concerned, that which is near and that which is far are all equal to Him, (and compelled the sun and the moon to be of service) He made the light emanating from the sun and the moon of service to the Children of Adam, (each runneth unto an appointed term) to a fixed time; (He ordereth the course) He looks into the affairs of the servants and He sends the angels with revelation, Scripture and misfortune; (He detaileth the revelations) He explains the Qur'an by expositing the commands and prohibitions, (that haply ye may be certain of the meeting with your Lord) that you may believe in resurrection after death.

(And He it is who spread out the earth) He spread out the earth on water (and placed therein firm hills) He created in the earth firm mountains as pillars (and flowing streams) and placed therein flowing rivers, (and of all fruits) and of all the different kinds of fruit (He placed therein two spouses) sweet and sour are one pair, the white and the red are another pair. (He covereth the night with the day) and the day with the night, i.e. He brings the day and removes the night and brings the night and removes the day. (Lo! Herein) in the difference of that which I have mentioned (verily are portents) signs (for people who take thought) in order to reflect.

(And in the Earth are neighbouring) adjacent (tracts) places: a bad, swampy land close to a good, fertile land, (vineyards and ploughed lands, and date-palms, like) which have the same roots, whether they are ten or less (and unlike) have different roots, (which are watered with one water) they are watered with the rain or water from rivers. (And We have made some of them to excel others in fruit) in bearing and taste. (Lo! Herein) in their difference and different colours (verily are portents) signs (for people who have sense) for people who believe that they are from Allah.

(And if thou wonderest) at their disbelief in you, (then wondrous is their saying) then their saying is more amazing, since they have said: (When we are dust, are we then forsooth (to be raised) in a new creation) are we going to be revived after we die and be raised with souls? (Such) those who deny the Resurrection (are they who disbelieve in their Lord; such) the disbelieving folk (have carcans on their necks) they have chains on their hands tied up to their necks; (such) those who are chained (are rightful owners of the Fire) the dwellers of hell, (they will abide therein) they will dwell therein, never to die or come out of it.

(And they bid thee) O Muhammad (hasten on the evil) to bring chastisement on them, out of derision (rather than the good) rather than ask you for their welfare, i.e. they do not ask you for your welfare, (when exemplary punishments) of those who have perished (have indeed occurred before them. But lo! thy Lord is rich in pardon for mankind) the people of Mecca (despite their wrong) despite their idolatry, that is if they repent and believe, (and lo! thy Lord is strong in punishment!) for those who do not repent of idolatry.

(Those who disbelieve) in Muhammad (pbuh) and in the Qur'an (say: If only some portent sign were sent down upon him) why is not some sign sent to him (from his Lord!) to prove his prophethood as it was sent to earlier messengers (Thou art) O Muhammad (a warner only) a warning messenger, (and for every folk a guide) a prophet; it is also said that this means: a caller who calls them to leave error and follow guidance.

(Allah knoweth that which every female beareth) whether it is a male or a female (and that which the wombs absorb) and the female whose pregnancy is less than nine months (and that which they grow) and the female whose pregnancy is more than nine months. (And everything) the increase, decrease, the delivery of the child and its stay in its mother's womb (with Him is measured).

(He is the Knower of the invisible) that which is unseen by the people (and the visible) that which the people know; it is also said that the invisible refers to that which will happen in the future while the visible refers to that which has already happened, (the Great) there is nothing greater than Him, (the High Exalted) there is nothing more exalted than Him.