13. Ar-Ra'd

(For him are angels ranged before him) He has angels who succeed one another: the angels of the night succeed the angels of the day and vice versa (and behind him who guard him by Allah's command) and who drive him to the things destined. (Lo! Allah changeth not the condition of a folk) the blessing and safety of a people (until they (first) change that which is in their hearts) by failing to give thanks; (and if Allah willeth misfortune) a chastisement or destruction (for a folk there is none that can repel it) there is none that can repel Allah's decree concerning them, (nor have they) for those whom Allah wants to destroy (a defender) who can save them from Allah's chastisement; it is also said that this means: none can give them a refuge to which they can escape (beside Him) beside Allah.

(He it is Who showeth you the lightning) rain, (a fear) for the traveller in that his clothes will be soaked (and a hope) for the sedentary for his land gets irrigated, (and raises) He creates and raises (the heavy clouds) which carry rain.

(The thunder hymneth His praise) by His command; it is an angel; it is also said: it is the voice of the sky (and (so do) the angels) and also the angels hymn His praise (for awe of Him) the angels have awe towards Allah. (He launcheth the thunder bolts) i.e. fire (and smiteth with them whom He will) He destroys by means of fire whoever He will, referring here to Zayd Ibn Qays whom Allah destroyed by fire, along with his friend 'Amir Ibn al-Tufayl who was killed as a result of being stabbed in his waist (while they dispute (in doubt) concerning Allah) while they dispute with Muhammad (pbuh) concerning the Religion of Allah, (and He is mighty in wrath) His chastisement is severe.

(Unto Him is the real prayer) the Religion of the Truth: the confession that there is no god save Allah, which is the declaration of one's sincerity to Allah. (Those unto whom they pray) worship (beside Allah respond to them not at all) of benefit when they call upon them, (save as (if the response to) one who stretcheth forth his hands towards water) from far ((asking) that it may come unto his mouth and it will never reach it) in such state, hard as he may try. Allah says: just as water cannot possibly reach the mouth of such a man, the idols will also not benefit those who worship them. (The prayer of disbelievers) the worship of the disbelievers (goeth (far) astray) it is void and they will not find it.

(And unto Allah falleth prostrate) pray to and worship (whosoever is in the heavens) the angels (and the earth) the believing servants, (willingly) this refers to the dwellers of heaven for their worship is performed without any hardship (or unwillingly) this refers to the dwellers of earth, for their worship is performed with some hardship; it is also said that (willingly) is in reference to the sincere believers while (unwillingly) refers to the hypocrites; it is also said that (willingly) refers to those who were born Muslim while (unwillingly) refers to those who were coerced to embrace Islam, (as do their shadows) the shadows of those who prostrate to Allah also prostrate (in the morning and the evening hours) in the morning they do so on the right side and in the evening on the left side.

(Say) O Muhammad, to the people of Mecca: (Who is Lord) who is the Creator (of the heaven and the earth?) if they answer and say Allah, then fine; if not, (Say: Allah) is their Creator! (Say) O Muhammad: (Take ye) worship you (then (others) beside Him) beside Allah (for protectors) lords from among idols, (which, even for themselves, have neither benefit) neither procuring benefit (nor hurt) nor driving away harm? (Say) to them, O Muhammad: (Is the blind man equal to the seer) is the unbeliever equal to the believer, (or is darkness equal to light) i.e. disbelief and faith? (Or assign they) describe (unto Allah partners) from among idols (who created) creation (the like of His creation so that the creation (which they made and His creation) seemed alike to them) such that they do not distinguish Allah's creation from the creation of their idols? (Say) O Muhammad: (Allah is the Creator of all things) while their idols have created nothing, (and He is the One, the Almighty) He is All-Conquering above His created beings.

Allah then gave a simile of the Truth and falsehood, saying: (He sendeth down water from the sky) He says: He sent Gabriel with the Qur'an and explained therein the Truth and falsehood, (so that valleys flow according to their measure) so the illumined hearts bore the Truth in proportion of their size and light, (and the flood beareth) the darkened hearts bore ((on its surface) swelling foam) much falsehood due to their whims (from that which they felt in the Fire) this is another simile. He says: and of that which you cast in the fire of gold and silver contains adulteration just as the foam of the sea does have salt (in order to make ornaments) which you were. Allah says here: the Truth is like gold and silver which benefit people, and falsehood is like the impurities which are derived from the casting of gold and silver, which are of no benefit. Likewise falsehood benefits no one (and tools) ore and copper (riseth a foam like unto it) He says: these also have impurities, i.e. just as the foam of the sea. This is another simile. He says: the Truth is like ore and copper from which people benefit, just as people benefit from the Truth. And falsehood is like the impurities resulting from the casting of ore and copper, which are of no benefit, just as falsehood is of no benefit to anyone, (thus Allah coineth (the similitude of)) thus Allah explains (the true and the false. Then, as for the foam, it passeth away as scum upon the banks) it goes just as it comes: it is of no benefit to its owner, (while, as for that which is of use to mankind) pure water, gold, silver, ore and copper, (it remaineth in the earth) it is useful just as the Truth is. (Thus Allah coineth the similitudes) Allah explains the similes of the Truth and falsehood.

(For those who answered Allah's call) in the life of this world by accepting monotheism (is bliss) theirs is Paradise in the Hereafter; (and for those who answered not His call) the call of their Lord, thus rejecting monotheism, (if they had all that is in the earth) of gold and silver, (and therewith the like thereof) and its double with it, (they would proffer it as ransom) they would offer to ransom themselves. (Such will have a woeful reckoning) a severe chastisement, (and their habitation) their destination (will be hell, a dire abode) an evil resting place and destination.

(Is he who knoweth) who believes (that what is revealed unto thee from thy Lord) i.e. the Qur'an (is the Truth like him who is blind) disbeliever? (But only men of understanding) intelligent people (heed) take admonition from what is revealed to them in the Qur'an;