3. Aal-i-Imraan

(Lo! those who disbelieve the revelations of Allah) in Muhammad and the Qur'an, (and slay the Prophets) i.e. ally themselves with those who slay the prophets (wrongfully) without them having committed any crime, (and slay those of mankind) who believed in the prophets (who enjoin equity) Allah's divine Oneness: (promise them a painful doom) which will spread out to their hearts.

(Those are they whose works) good deeds (have failed) made void (in the world and the Hereafter) that is, they will not be given reward for them in the Hereafter; (and they have no helpers) who will save them from Allah's punishment.

(That) opposition, denial and punishment (is because they say: The Fire will not touch us) in the Hereafter (save for a certain number of days) about 40 days. A group from among the Jews said: the Fire will not touch us except for a limited number of days: seven days of days of the Hereafter-each day equalling a thousand years-as punishment for the days in which our forefathers worshipped the calf. (That which they used to invent has deceived them) their lie about not being punished; it is also said this refers to their claim that punishment shall be postponed (regarding their religion) i.e. their firm adherence to their religion: Judaism.

(How (will it be with them)) how shall they act, O Muhammad, (when We have brought them all together) after they die (to a Day) on a day (of which there is no doubt, when every soul) righteous or sinner (will be paid in full what it has earned) of good or evil, (and they will not be wronged) their good works will not be decreased and their sins will not be increased.

(Say: O Allah!) say O Allah! Lead us to goodness (Owner of Sovereignty!) O Master of kings and Owner of sovereignty (Thou givest sovereignty unto whom Thou wilt) i.e. unto Muhammad and his followers, (and Thou withdrawest sovereignty from whom Thou wilt) i.e. from the people of Persia and Byzantium. (Thou exaltest whom Thou wilt) i.e. Muhammad (and Thou abasest whom Thou wilt) i.e. 'Abdullah Ibn Ubayy Ibn Salul, the people of Persia and the people of Byzantium. (In Thy hand is the good) exaltation, abasement, sovereignty, spoils, triumph and power. (Lo! Thou art Able to do all things) whether it is exaltation, abasement, sovereignty, spoils, triumph or power. This verse was revealed about 'Abdullah Ibn Ubayy Ibn Salul, the hypocrite, who said after the Conquest of Mecca: �How on earth can they have sovereignty over Persia and Byzantium?� It is also said that it was revealed about the Quraysh who said: �the king of Persia sleeps on couches made of silk brocade, if you are truly a prophet, show us your dominion?�

Then he showed Allah's might by saying: (Thou causest the night to pass into the day) You increase the length of the day over the length of the night, such that the day is longer than the night, (and Thou causest the day to pass into the night) You increase the length of the night over the length of the day, such that the night is longer than the day. (And Thou bringest forth the living from the dead) He says: You bring forth a living creature from a sperm drop, (and Thou bringest forth the dead from the living) and You bring forth a sperm drop from man; it is also said that this verse means: You bring forth the living (a chicken) from the dead (an egg), and You bring forth the dead (a grain) from the living (a spike of grain). (And Thou givest sustenance to whom Thou choosest, without stint) without measure, exerting power or showing off Your blessings; it is also said that this means: You give wealth in abundance to whomever You choose without straitness or inconvenience.

(Let not the believers take) the believers ought not to take [the hypocrites:] 'Abdullah Ibn Ubayy and his companions [and] (disbelievers) the Jews (for their friends) so as to become mighty and honourable (in preference to believers) who are sincere. (Whoso doeth that) seeking might and honour [by taking the hypocrites and disbelievers as friends] (hath no connection with Allah) has no honour, mercy or protection from Allah (unless (it be) that ye but guard yourselves against them) save yourselves from them, (taking (as it were) security) saving yourselves from them by speaking in a friendly way towards them with, while your hearts dislikes this. (Allah bideth you beware (only) of Himself) regarding the shunning of unlawful killing, unlawful sex, unlawful property, consuming intoxicants, false testimony and associating partners with Allah. (Unto Allah is the journeying) the return after death.

(Say) O Muhammad!: (Whether ye hide that which is in your breasts) what is in your hearts of hatred and enmity towards Muhammad (pbuh) (or reveal it) by showing abuse, defamation and waging war, (Allah knoweth it) Allah will record it and requite for it. (He knoweth that which is in the heavens and that which is in the earth) of good and evil, what is secret and what is revealed, (and Allah is Able to do all things) regarding the dwellers of the heavens and the dwellers of earth. This verse was revealed about the hypocrites and the Jews.

(On the day) the Day of Judgement (when every soul will find itself confronted with all that it hath done) written in its register (of good and all that it hath done of evil) it will also find it written in its register ((every soul) will long that there might be a mighty apace of distance) a long period of time separating them: from sunrise to sunset (between it and that (evil). Allah bideth you beware of Him) upon committing an act of disobedience. (And Allah is full of pity for (His) bondmen) He is full of pity for the believers.