13. Ar-Ra'd

Then the following was revealed about 'Abdullah Ibn Umayyah al-Makhzumi and his companions who said to the Prophet: make the mountains disappear by means of your Qur'an; or make springs gush out of them, just as David did with the fount of copper, as you claim; or bring for us a wind by means of which we travel to Historic Syria and return, just as it was done by Solomon, according to you; or bring our dead to life as did Jesus, as you claim. So Allah said: (Had it been possible for a Lecture) other than the Qur'an which has been revealed to Muhammad (pbuh) (to cause the mountains to move) by means of which mountains are made to disappear from the face of the earth, (or the earth to be torn asunder) by means of which to travel long distances, (or the dead to speak) or by means of which the dead are brought back to life, the Qur'an which was revealed to Muhammad (pbuh) would have done so. (Nay, but Allah's is the whole command) rather, Allah can do all these things, if He wills. (Do not those who believe) in Muhammad (pbuh) and in the Qur'an (know that had Allah willed, He could have guided all mankind)?) if he willed, He would have honoured all mankind with His religion (As for those who disbelieve) in the Scriptures and messengers, i.e. the disbelievers of Mecca, (disaster) a military detachment; and it is said this means: a thunderbolt (ceaseth not to strike them because of what they do) in their state of disbelief, (or it dwelleth near) or make camp with your Companions near (their home) near their city Mecca, in 'Usfan (until the threat of Allah) the Conquest of Mecca (come to pass. Lo! Allah faileth not to keep the tryst) i.e. the Conquest of Mecca; as it is said this means: resurrection after death.

(And verily messengers (of Allah) were mocked before thee) their people mocked them just as your people are mocking you, (but long I bore with those who disbelieved) but I gave respite to those who disbelieved. (At length I seized them) with chastisement, (and how (awful) was My punishment!) see how I upbraid them with chastisement.

(Is He Who is aware of the deserts of every soul) He says: Allah oversees every soul and that which it earns of good and evil, provision and warding off; is He therefore ((as he who is aware of nothing)? Yet they ascribe unto Allah partners) idols which they worship. (Say) to them, O Muhammad: (Name them) enumerate their benefit and governance if they are Allah's partners. (Is it that ye would inform Him) are you going to inform Him (of something which He knoweth not) to exist (in the earth) which benefits or harms beside Allah? (Or is it but a way of speaking) or is it just out of false talk, false testimony and lying that they do worship them? (Nay, but their contrivance) their speech and deeds (is made seeming fair for those who disbelieve) in Muhammad (pbuh) and in the Qur'an (and they are kept from the right road) they were sent astray from Religion. (He whom Allah sendeth astray) from His religion, (for him there is no guide) no one to give him success.

(For them is torment in the life of the world) by being killed in Badr, (and verily the doom of the Hereafter is more painful) than the torment of the life of this world, (and they have no defender) no one to save them from this torment nor any refuge (from Allah) from Allah's torment.

(A similitude of the Garden) the likeness of the description of Paradise (which is promised unto those who keep their duty (to Allah)) those who ward off disbelief, idolatry and indecencies: (Underneath it) beneath its trees and habitations (rivers) rivers of wine, water, honey and milk (flow; its food is everlasting) its fruits are everlasting and never ending, (and its shade) is also everlasting and without any flaws; (this) Paradise (is the reward) the destination (of those who keep their duty) of those who ward off disbelief, idolatry and indecencies, (while the reward) the destination (of disbelievers is the Fire).

(Those unto whom We gave the Scripture) the Torah, the reference here is to 'Abdullah Ibn Salam and his companions (rejoice in that which is revealed unto thee) of the remembrance of the All-Merciful. (And of the clans) i.e. the Jews (there are who deny some of it) some of the Qur'an, except the surah of Joseph and the portions of it in which the All-Merciful is mentioned; it is also said that the clans her refers to the Confederates, i.e. the disbelievers of Mecca as well as other disbelievers, who deny some of the Qur'an in which the All-Merciful is mentioned. (Say) O Muhammad: (I am commanded only that I serve Allah) in all sincerity (and ascribe unto Him no partner. Unto Him I cry) I call people unto Him, (and unto Him is my return) my return in the Hereafter.

(Thus have We revealed it) thus have We sent Gabriel with the Qur'an, (a decisive utterance) the whole Qur'an is Allah's judgement (in Arabic) in the Arabic usage (and if thou shouldst follow their desires) their religion and Qiblah (after that which hath come unto thee of knowledge) after Abraham's Religion and Qiblah were made clear to you, (then truly wouldst thou have from Allah) from Allah's torment (no protecting friend) nearby to benefit you (nor defender) to save you from the torment.

(And verily We sent messengers (to mankind) before thee) just as We have sent you, (and We appointed for them wives) more than you have of wives, such as David and Solomon (and offspring) more than your offspring, such was the case with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. This verse was revealed about the Jews because they said: Had Muhammad been a prophet, he would have been too preoccupied to get married, (and it was not (given) to any messenger that he should bring a portent) a sign (save by Allah's leave) save by Allah's command. (For everything there is a time prescribed) an appointed time.

(Allah effaceth what He will) from the scroll of the guardian angels which does not entail a reward or punishment, (and establisheth (what He will)) and leaves that which entails a reward or punishment, (and with Him is the source of ordinance) the source of the Book, i.e. the Preserved or Guarded Tablet, in which nothing is added or taken away.