6. Al-An'aam

(They indeed are losers who deny their meeting with Allah) i.e. deny their resurrection after death; Allah says: leave them (until, when the Hour cometh on them suddenly, they cry: Alas for us) how great is our sadness, and how sorry we are, (that we neglected it!) that we neglected faith and repentance in our worldly life. (They bear upon their back their burdens) their sins. (Ah, evil is that which they bear) of sins!

(Naught is the life of the world) the comfort and enjoyment of the life of the world is nothing (save a pastime) amusement (and a sport) worthless activity. (Better far is the abode of the Hereafter) i.e. Paradise (for those who keep their duty (to Allah)) for those who ward off disbelief, idolatry and indecencies. (Have ye then no sense?) Do you not comprehend that this world is evanescent and that the Hereafter is everlasting?

(We know well how their talk) their slander, denial and demand for proofs (grieveth thee) O Muhammad, (though in truth they) i.e. al-Harth Ibn 'Amir and his followers (deny not thee (Muhammad)) inwardly (but evil-doers) the idolaters (flout the revelations of Allah) quite openly.

(Messengers indeed have been denied before thee) their people denied them as your people deny you now, (and they were patient under the denial) of their own people (and the persecution) and they were patient in the face of their people's harm (till Our succour reached them) through the destruction of their people. (There is none to alter the decisions of Allah) in that He helps His friends against His enemies. (Already there hath reached thee) O Muhammad ((somewhat) of the tidings of the messengers (We sent before)) how their people denied them, as your people deny you now, and how they were patient.

(Only those can accept) believe and obey (who hear) who give their assent; it is also said: those who comprehend admonition. (As for the dead) the dead of the Battle Badr, Uhud, and the Battle of the Confederates; it is also said that this means: the dead of heart, (Allah will raise them up) after death; (then unto Him they will be returned) in the place of mustering and He will reward them for their works.

(They say) i.e. the disbelievers of Mecca: al-Harth Ibn 'Amir and his folk: Abu Jahl Ibn Hisham, al-Walid Ibn al-Mughira, Umayyah and Ubayy the sons of Khalaf: (Why hath no portent been sent down upon him from his Lord) to prove his prophethood? (Say) to them, O Muhammad: (Lo! Allah is Able to send down a portent) as they have asked. (But most of them know not) they have no knowledge of it being sent.

(There is not an animal in the earth, nor a flying creature flying on two wings) between the earth and sky, (but they are peoples) creations and servants (like unto you) they resemble you in eating, copulation, understanding one another, just as you understand one another: this is a sign for you. (We have neglected nothing in the Book) We have neglected nothing that We have inscribed in the Preserved Tablet; We have mentioned everything in the Qur'an. (Then unto their Lord they) the birds and beasts (will be gathered) with all other created beings on the Day of Judgement.

(Those who deny our revelations) i.e. deny Muhammad and the Qur'an (are deaf) of heart; it is also said that this means: they pretend not to hear the Truth (and dumb) they pretend to be dumb in relation to the Truth and guidance (in darkness) i.e. they adhere to disbelief. (Whom Allah will He sendeth astray) He makes him die in a state of disbelief, (and whom He will) He makes him die such that (He placeth on a straight path) places on the straight path which He is pleased with; it is also said that this means: Allah forsakes whom He will and guides, gives success and firmness in adhering to the straight path (Islam), which He is pleased with, to whom He will.

(Say: Can ye see yourselves) what you are saying, O people of Mecca, (if the punishment of Allah come upon you) such was the case on the Day of Badr, Uhud or the Confederates (or the Hour come upon you) or if torment comes upon you on the Day of Judgement, (calling upon other than Allah? Do ye then call (for help) to any other than Allah) to lift the torment from you? ((Answer that) if ye are truthful) that the idols are His partners.