6. Al-An'aam

The Virtue of Surat Al-An'ām and When it Was Revealed

Al-'Awfi, 'Ikrimah and 'Ata' said that Ibn 'Abbas said, "Surat Al-An'am was revealed in Makkah" At-Tabarani recorded that Ibn 'Abbas said, "All of Surat Al-An'am was revealed in Makkah at night, accompanied by seventy thousand angels, raising their voices in glorification of Allah" As-Suddi said that Murrah said that 'Abdullah said, "Surat Al-An'am was revealed in the company of seventy thousand angels."

بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ الَّذِي خَلَقَ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضَ وَجَعَلَ الظُّلُمَاتِ وَالنُّورَ ثُمَّ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا بِرَبِّهِمْ يَعْدِلُونَ - هُوَ الَّذِي خَلَقَكُم مِّن طِينٍ ثُمَّ قَضَىٰ أَجَلًا وَأَجَلٌ مُّسَمًّى عِندَهُ ثُمَّ أَنتُمْ تَمْتَرُونَ - وَهُوَ اللَّهُ فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَفِي الْأَرْضِ يَعْلَمُ سِرَّكُمْ وَجَهْرَكُمْ وَيَعْلَمُ مَا تَكْسِبُونَ

(1. All praise be to Allah, Who created the heavens and the earth, and originated the darkness and the light, yet those who disbelieve hold others as equal with their Lord.)(2. He it is Who has created you from clay, and then has decreed a stated term. And there is with Him another determined term, yet you doubt.)(3. And He is Allah, in the heavens and the earth, He knows what you conceal and what you reveal, and He knows what you earn.)

All Praise is Due to Allah for His Glorious Ability and Great Power

Allah praises and glorifies His Most Honorable Self for creating the heavens and earth, as a dwelling for His servants, and for making the darkness and the light to benefit them in the night and the day. In this Ayah, Allah describes darkness in the plural, Zulumat [where Zulmah is singular for darkness], while describing the light in the singular, An-Nur, because An-Nur is more honored. In other Ayat, Allah said,

عَنِ الْيَمِينِ وَالشَّمَائِلِ

(To the right and to the lefts.)[16:48] Near the end of this Surah (chapter 6), Allah also said;

وَأَنَّ هَٰذَا صِرَاطِي مُسْتَقِيمًا فَاتَّبِعُوهُ وَلَا تَتَّبِعُوا السُّبُلَ فَتَفَرَّقَ بِكُمْ عَن سَبِيلِهِ

(And verily, this is my straight path, so follow it, and follow no (other) ways, for they will separate you away from His way.)[6:153] Allah said next,

ثُمَّ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا بِرَبِّهِمْ يَعْدِلُونَ

(Yet those who disbelieve hold others as equal with their Lord.) meaning, in spite of all this, some of Allah's servants disbelieve in Him and hold others as partners and rivals with Him. Some of Allah's servants claimed a wife and a son for Allah, hallowed be He far above what they attribute to Him. Allah's statement,

هُوَ الَّذِي خَلَقَكُم مِّن طِينٍ

(He it is Who has created you from clay,) refers to the father of mankind, Adam, from whom mankind originated, multiplied in numbers and spread about, east and west. Allah said,

ثُمَّ قَضَىٰ أَجَلًا وَأَجَلٌ مُّسَمًّى عِندَهُ

(Then has decreed a stated term. And there is with Him another determined term...) His saying;

ثُمَّ قَضَىٰ أَجَلًا

(Then has decreed a stated term,) refers to death, while,

وَأَجَلٌ مُّسَمًّى عِندَهُ

(And there is with Him another determined term...) refers to the Hereafter, according to Sa'id bin Jubayr …

The Virtue of Surat Al-An'ām and When it Was Revealed

Al-'Awfi, 'Ikrimah and 'Ata' said that Ibn 'Abbas said, "Surat Al-An'am was revealed in Makkah" At-Tabarani recorded that Ibn 'Abbas said, "All of Surat Al-An'am was revealed in Makkah at night, accompanied by seventy thousand angels, raising their voices in glorification of Allah" As-Suddi said that Murrah said that 'Abdullah said, "Surat Al-An'am was revealed in the company of seventy thousand angels."

بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ الَّذِي خَلَقَ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضَ وَجَعَلَ الظُّلُمَاتِ وَالنُّورَ ثُمَّ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا بِرَبِّهِمْ يَعْدِلُونَ - هُوَ الَّذِي خَلَقَكُم مِّن طِينٍ ثُمَّ قَضَىٰ أَجَلًا وَأَجَلٌ مُّسَمًّى عِندَهُ ثُمَّ أَنتُمْ تَمْتَرُونَ - وَهُوَ اللَّهُ فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَفِي الْأَرْضِ يَعْلَمُ سِرَّكُمْ وَجَهْرَكُمْ وَيَعْلَمُ مَا تَكْسِبُونَ

(1. All praise be to Allah, Who created the heavens and the earth, and originated the darkness and the light, yet those who disbelieve hold others as equal with their Lord.)(2. He it is Who has created you from clay, and then has decreed a stated term. And there is with Him another determined term, yet you doubt.)(3. And He is Allah, in the heavens and the earth, He knows what you conceal and what you reveal, and He knows what you earn.)

All Praise is Due to Allah for His Glorious Ability and Great Power

Allah praises and glorifies His Most Honorable Self for creating the heavens and earth, as a dwelling for His servants, and for making the darkness and the light to benefit them in the night and the day. In this Ayah, Allah describes darkness in the plural, Zulumat [where Zulmah is singular for darkness], while describing the light in the singular, An-Nur, because An-Nur is more honored. In other Ayat, Allah said,

عَنِ الْيَمِينِ وَالشَّمَائِلِ

(To the right and to the lefts.)[16:48] Near the end of this Surah (chapter 6), Allah also said;

وَأَنَّ هَٰذَا صِرَاطِي مُسْتَقِيمًا فَاتَّبِعُوهُ وَلَا تَتَّبِعُوا السُّبُلَ فَتَفَرَّقَ بِكُمْ عَن سَبِيلِهِ

(And verily, this is my straight path, so follow it, and follow no (other) ways, for they will separate you away from His way.)[6:153] Allah said next,

ثُمَّ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا بِرَبِّهِمْ يَعْدِلُونَ

(Yet those who disbelieve hold others as equal with their Lord.) meaning, in spite of all this, some of Allah's servants disbelieve in Him and hold others as partners and rivals with Him. Some of Allah's servants claimed a wife and a son for Allah, hallowed be He far above what they attribute to Him. Allah's statement,

هُوَ الَّذِي خَلَقَكُم مِّن طِينٍ

(He it is Who has created you from clay,) refers to the father of mankind, Adam, from whom mankind originated, multiplied in numbers and spread about, east and west. Allah said,

ثُمَّ قَضَىٰ أَجَلًا وَأَجَلٌ مُّسَمًّى عِندَهُ

(Then has decreed a stated term. And there is with Him another determined term...) His saying;

ثُمَّ قَضَىٰ أَجَلًا

(Then has decreed a stated term,) refers to death, while,

وَأَجَلٌ مُّسَمًّى عِندَهُ

(And there is with Him another determined term...) refers to the Hereafter, according to Sa'id bin Jubayr …

The Virtue of Surat Al-An'ām and When it Was Revealed

Al-'Awfi, 'Ikrimah and 'Ata' said that Ibn 'Abbas said, "Surat Al-An'am was revealed in Makkah" At-Tabarani recorded that Ibn 'Abbas said, "All of Surat Al-An'am was revealed in Makkah at night, accompanied by seventy thousand angels, raising their voices in glorification of Allah" As-Suddi said that Murrah said that 'Abdullah said, "Surat Al-An'am was revealed in the company of seventy thousand angels."

بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ الَّذِي خَلَقَ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضَ وَجَعَلَ الظُّلُمَاتِ وَالنُّورَ ثُمَّ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا بِرَبِّهِمْ يَعْدِلُونَ - هُوَ الَّذِي خَلَقَكُم مِّن طِينٍ ثُمَّ قَضَىٰ أَجَلًا وَأَجَلٌ مُّسَمًّى عِندَهُ ثُمَّ أَنتُمْ تَمْتَرُونَ - وَهُوَ اللَّهُ فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَفِي الْأَرْضِ يَعْلَمُ سِرَّكُمْ وَجَهْرَكُمْ وَيَعْلَمُ مَا تَكْسِبُونَ

(1. All praise be to Allah, Who created the heavens and the earth, and originated the darkness and the light, yet those who disbelieve hold others as equal with their Lord.)(2. He it is Who has created you from clay, and then has decreed a stated term. And there is with Him another determined term, yet you doubt.)(3. And He is Allah, in the heavens and the earth, He knows what you conceal and what you reveal, and He knows what you earn.)

All Praise is Due to Allah for His Glorious Ability and Great Power

Allah praises and glorifies His Most Honorable Self for creating the heavens and earth, as a dwelling for His servants, and for making the darkness and the light to benefit them in the night and the day. In this Ayah, Allah describes darkness in the plural, Zulumat [where Zulmah is singular for darkness], while describing the light in the singular, An-Nur, because An-Nur is more honored. In other Ayat, Allah said,

عَنِ الْيَمِينِ وَالشَّمَائِلِ

(To the right and to the lefts.)[16:48] Near the end of this Surah (chapter 6), Allah also said;

وَأَنَّ هَٰذَا صِرَاطِي مُسْتَقِيمًا فَاتَّبِعُوهُ وَلَا تَتَّبِعُوا السُّبُلَ فَتَفَرَّقَ بِكُمْ عَن سَبِيلِهِ

(And verily, this is my straight path, so follow it, and follow no (other) ways, for they will separate you away from His way.)[6:153] Allah said next,

ثُمَّ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا بِرَبِّهِمْ يَعْدِلُونَ

(Yet those who disbelieve hold others as equal with their Lord.) meaning, in spite of all this, some of Allah's servants disbelieve in Him and hold others as partners and rivals with Him. Some of Allah's servants claimed a wife and a son for Allah, hallowed be He far above what they attribute to Him. Allah's statement,

هُوَ الَّذِي خَلَقَكُم مِّن طِينٍ

(He it is Who has created you from clay,) refers to the father of mankind, Adam, from whom mankind originated, multiplied in numbers and spread about, east and west. Allah said,

ثُمَّ قَضَىٰ أَجَلًا وَأَجَلٌ مُّسَمًّى عِندَهُ

(Then has decreed a stated term. And there is with Him another determined term...) His saying;

ثُمَّ قَضَىٰ أَجَلًا

(Then has decreed a stated term,) refers to death, while,

وَأَجَلٌ مُّسَمًّى عِندَهُ

(And there is with Him another determined term...) refers to the Hereafter, according to Sa'id bin Jubayr …

And never an Ayah comes to them from the Ayat of their Lord, but that they have been turning away from it (4)Indeed, they rejected the truth when it came to them, but there will come to them the news of that which they used to mock at (5)Have they not seen how many a generation before them We have destroyed whom We had established on the earth such as We have not established you? And We poured out on them rain from the sky in abundance, and made the rivers flow under them. Yet We destroyed them for their sins, and created after them other generations (6)

Threatening the Idolators for their Stubbornness

Allah states that the rebellious, stubborn polytheists will turn away from every Ayah, meaning, sign, miracle and proof that is evidence of Allah's Uniqueness and the truth of His honorable Messengers. They will not contemplate about these Ayat or care about them. Allah said,

فَقَدْ كَذَّبُوا بِالْحَقِّ لَمَّا جَاءَهُمْ فَسَوْفَ يَأْتِيهِمْ أَنبَاءُ مَا كَانُوا بِهِ يَسْتَهْزِئُونَ

(Indeed, they rejected the truth when it came to them, but there will come to them the news of that which they used to mock at.)

This Ayah contains a warning and a stern threat for the disbelievers' rejection of the truth, stating that the disbelievers will surely know the truth of what they used to deny and taste the evil end of their behavior. Allah advises and warns the disbelievers, that they should avoid the torments and afflictions of this life, similar to what befell their likes from previous nations, who were stronger, wealthier, had more offspring, and were more exploitive on the earth. Allah said,

أَلَمْ يَرَوْا كَمْ أَهْلَكْنَا مِن قَبْلِهِم مِّن قَرْنٍ مَّكَّنَّاهُمْ فِي الْأَرْضِ مَا لَمْ نُمَكِّن لَّكُمْ

(Have they not seen how many a generation before them We have destroyed whom We had established on the earth such as We have not established you?) meaning, they had more wealth, children, buildings, abundant provision, riches and soldiers. Allah said next,

وَأَرْسَلْنَا السَّمَاءَ عَلَيْهِم مِّدْرَارًا

(and We poured out on them rain from the sky in abundance,) in reference to rain that comes often,

وَجَعَلْنَا الْأَنْهَارَ تَجْرِي مِن تَحْتِهِمْ

(And made the rivers flow under them.) as rain was abundant and the springs were plentiful, so that We deceived them.

فَأَهْلَكْنَاهُم بِذُنُوبِهِمْ

(Yet We destroyed them for their sins) meaning the mistakes and errors that they committed,

وَأَنشَأْنَا مِن بَعْدِهِمْ قَرْنًا آخَرِينَ

(and created after them other generations,) for, these generations of old perished and became as legends and stories,

وَأَنشَأْنَا مِن بَعْدِهِمْ قَرْنًا آخَرِينَ

(And created after them other generations.) so that We test the new generations, as well. Yet, they committed similar errors and were destroyed, as their ancestors were destroyed. Therefore, beware of the same end that might befall you, for you are not dearer to Allah than these previous nations, but the Messenger whom you defied is dearer to Allah than the Messengers they defied. Thus, you are more liable than them to receive torment, if it was not for Allah's mercy and kindness.

And never an Ayah comes to them from the Ayat of their Lord, but that they have been turning away from it (4)Indeed, they rejected the truth when it came to them, but there will come to them the news of that which they used to mock at (5)Have they not seen how many a generation before them We have destroyed whom We had established on the earth such as We have not established you? And We poured out on them rain from the sky in abundance, and made the rivers flow under them. Yet We destroyed them for their sins, and created after them other generations (6)

Threatening the Idolators for their Stubbornness

Allah states that the rebellious, stubborn polytheists will turn away from every Ayah, meaning, sign, miracle and proof that is evidence of Allah's Uniqueness and the truth of His honorable Messengers. They will not contemplate about these Ayat or care about them. Allah said,

فَقَدْ كَذَّبُوا بِالْحَقِّ لَمَّا جَاءَهُمْ فَسَوْفَ يَأْتِيهِمْ أَنبَاءُ مَا كَانُوا بِهِ يَسْتَهْزِئُونَ

(Indeed, they rejected the truth when it came to them, but there will come to them the news of that which they used to mock at.)

This Ayah contains a warning and a stern threat for the disbelievers' rejection of the truth, stating that the disbelievers will surely know the truth of what they used to deny and taste the evil end of their behavior. Allah advises and warns the disbelievers, that they should avoid the torments and afflictions of this life, similar to what befell their likes from previous nations, who were stronger, wealthier, had more offspring, and were more exploitive on the earth. Allah said,

أَلَمْ يَرَوْا كَمْ أَهْلَكْنَا مِن قَبْلِهِم مِّن قَرْنٍ مَّكَّنَّاهُمْ فِي الْأَرْضِ مَا لَمْ نُمَكِّن لَّكُمْ

(Have they not seen how many a generation before them We have destroyed whom We had established on the earth such as We have not established you?) meaning, they had more wealth, children, buildings, abundant provision, riches and soldiers. Allah said next,

وَأَرْسَلْنَا السَّمَاءَ عَلَيْهِم مِّدْرَارًا

(and We poured out on them rain from the sky in abundance,) in reference to rain that comes often,

وَجَعَلْنَا الْأَنْهَارَ تَجْرِي مِن تَحْتِهِمْ

(And made the rivers flow under them.) as rain was abundant and the springs were plentiful, so that We deceived them.

فَأَهْلَكْنَاهُم بِذُنُوبِهِمْ

(Yet We destroyed them for their sins) meaning the mistakes and errors that they committed,

وَأَنشَأْنَا مِن بَعْدِهِمْ قَرْنًا آخَرِينَ

(and created after them other generations,) for, these generations of old perished and became as legends and stories,

وَأَنشَأْنَا مِن بَعْدِهِمْ قَرْنًا آخَرِينَ

(And created after them other generations.) so that We test the new generations, as well. Yet, they committed similar errors and were destroyed, as their ancestors were destroyed. Therefore, beware of the same end that might befall you, for you are not dearer to Allah than these previous nations, but the Messenger whom you defied is dearer to Allah than the Messengers they defied. Thus, you are more liable than them to receive torment, if it was not for Allah's mercy and kindness.

And never an Ayah comes to them from the Ayat of their Lord, but that they have been turning away from it (4)Indeed, they rejected the truth when it came to them, but there will come to them the news of that which they used to mock at (5)Have they not seen how many a generation before them We have destroyed whom We had established on the earth such as We have not established you? And We poured out on them rain from the sky in abundance, and made the rivers flow under them. Yet We destroyed them for their sins, and created after them other generations (6)

Threatening the Idolators for their Stubbornness

Allah states that the rebellious, stubborn polytheists will turn away from every Ayah, meaning, sign, miracle and proof that is evidence of Allah's Uniqueness and the truth of His honorable Messengers. They will not contemplate about these Ayat or care about them. Allah said,

فَقَدْ كَذَّبُوا بِالْحَقِّ لَمَّا جَاءَهُمْ فَسَوْفَ يَأْتِيهِمْ أَنبَاءُ مَا كَانُوا بِهِ يَسْتَهْزِئُونَ

(Indeed, they rejected the truth when it came to them, but there will come to them the news of that which they used to mock at.)

This Ayah contains a warning and a stern threat for the disbelievers' rejection of the truth, stating that the disbelievers will surely know the truth of what they used to deny and taste the evil end of their behavior. Allah advises and warns the disbelievers, that they should avoid the torments and afflictions of this life, similar to what befell their likes from previous nations, who were stronger, wealthier, had more offspring, and were more exploitive on the earth. Allah said,

أَلَمْ يَرَوْا كَمْ أَهْلَكْنَا مِن قَبْلِهِم مِّن قَرْنٍ مَّكَّنَّاهُمْ فِي الْأَرْضِ مَا لَمْ نُمَكِّن لَّكُمْ

(Have they not seen how many a generation before them We have destroyed whom We had established on the earth such as We have not established you?) meaning, they had more wealth, children, buildings, abundant provision, riches and soldiers. Allah said next,

وَأَرْسَلْنَا السَّمَاءَ عَلَيْهِم مِّدْرَارًا

(and We poured out on them rain from the sky in abundance,) in reference to rain that comes often,

وَجَعَلْنَا الْأَنْهَارَ تَجْرِي مِن تَحْتِهِمْ

(And made the rivers flow under them.) as rain was abundant and the springs were plentiful, so that We deceived them.

فَأَهْلَكْنَاهُم بِذُنُوبِهِمْ

(Yet We destroyed them for their sins) meaning the mistakes and errors that they committed,

وَأَنشَأْنَا مِن بَعْدِهِمْ قَرْنًا آخَرِينَ

(and created after them other generations,) for, these generations of old perished and became as legends and stories,

وَأَنشَأْنَا مِن بَعْدِهِمْ قَرْنًا آخَرِينَ

(And created after them other generations.) so that We test the new generations, as well. Yet, they committed similar errors and were destroyed, as their ancestors were destroyed. Therefore, beware of the same end that might befall you, for you are not dearer to Allah than these previous nations, but the Messenger whom you defied is dearer to Allah than the Messengers they defied. Thus, you are more liable than them to receive torment, if it was not for Allah's mercy and kindness.

And even if We had sent down unto you a Message written on paper so that they could touch it with their hands, the disbelievers would have said: "This is nothing but obvious magic! (7)And they say: "Why has not an angel been sent down to him" Had We sent down an angel, the matter would have been judged at once, and no respite would be granted to them (8)And had We appointed him an angel, We indeed would have made him a man, and We would have certainly caused them confusion in a matter which they have already covered with confusion (9)And indeed Messengers were mocked before you, but their scoffers were surrounded by the very thing that they used to mock at (10)Say: "Travel in the land and see what was the end of those who rejected truth. (11)

Censuring the Rebellious and their Refusal to Accept Human Messengers

Allah describes the rebellion and stubbornness of the idolators in defying the truth and arguing against it,

وَلَوْ نَزَّلْنَا عَلَيْكَ كِتَابًا فِي قِرْطَاسٍ فَلَمَسُوهُ بِأَيْدِيهِمْ

(And even if We had sent down unto you a Message written on paper so that they could touch it with their hands,) meaning, if they saw this Message's descent and were eye-witnesses to that,

لَقَالَ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا إِنْ هَٰذَا إِلَّا سِحْرٌ مُّبِينٌ

(the disbelievers would have said: "This is nothing but obvious magic!") This is similar to Allah's description of the disbelievers' defiance of facts and truth,

وَلَوْ فَتَحْنَا عَلَيْهِم بَابًا مِّنَ السَّمَاءِ فَظَلُّوا فِيهِ يَعْرُجُونَ - لَقَالُوا إِنَّمَا سُكِّرَتْ أَبْصَارُنَا بَلْ نَحْنُ قَوْمٌ مَّسْحُورُونَ

(And even if We opened to them a gate from the heaven and they were to continue ascending thereto. They would surely say: "Our eyes have been (as if) dazzled. Nay, we are a people bewitched.")[15:14-15], and,

وَإِن يَرَوْا كِسْفًا مِّنَ السَّمَاءِ سَاقِطًا يَقُولُوا سَحَابٌ مَّرْكُومٌ

(And if they were to see a piece of the heaven falling down, they would say, "Clouds gathered in heaps!")[52:44].

وَقَالُوا لَوْلَا أُنزِلَ عَلَيْهِ مَلَكٌ

(And they say: "Why has not an angel been sent down to him?") to convey the Message with admonition along with him. Allah replied,

وَلَوْ أَنزَلْنَا مَلَكًا لَّقُضِيَ الْأَمْرُ ثُمَّ لَا يُنظَرُونَ

(Had We sent down an angel, the matter would have been judged at once, and no respite would be granted to them.)

Consequently, even if the angels descend, while the disbelievers still had the same attitude, then the torment will surely befall them from Allah as a consequence. Allah said in other Ayat,

مَا نُنَزِّلُ الْمَلَائِكَةَ إِلَّا بِالْحَقِّ وَمَا كَانُوا إِذًا مُّنظَرِينَ

(We send not the angels down except with the truth (i.e. for torment, etc.), and in that case, they (the disbelievers) would have no respite!)[15:8], and,

يَوْمَ يَرَوْنَ الْمَلَائِكَةَ لَا بُشْرَىٰ يَوْمَئِذٍ لِّلْمُجْرِمِينَ

(On the Day they will see the angels, no glad tidings will there be for the criminals that day.)[25:22] Allah's statement,

وَلَوْ جَعَلْنَاهُ مَلَكًا لَّجَعَلْنَاهُ رَجُلًا وَلَلَبَسْنَا عَلَيْهِم مَّا يَلْبِسُونَ

(And had We appointed him an angel, We indeed would have made him a man, and We would have certainly caused them confusion in a matter …

And even if We had sent down unto you a Message written on paper so that they could touch it with their hands, the disbelievers would have said: "This is nothing but obvious magic! (7)And they say: "Why has not an angel been sent down to him" Had We sent down an angel, the matter would have been judged at once, and no respite would be granted to them (8)And had We appointed him an angel, We indeed would have made him a man, and We would have certainly caused them confusion in a matter which they have already covered with confusion (9)And indeed Messengers were mocked before you, but their scoffers were surrounded by the very thing that they used to mock at (10)Say: "Travel in the land and see what was the end of those who rejected truth. (11)

Censuring the Rebellious and their Refusal to Accept Human Messengers

Allah describes the rebellion and stubbornness of the idolators in defying the truth and arguing against it,

وَلَوْ نَزَّلْنَا عَلَيْكَ كِتَابًا فِي قِرْطَاسٍ فَلَمَسُوهُ بِأَيْدِيهِمْ

(And even if We had sent down unto you a Message written on paper so that they could touch it with their hands,) meaning, if they saw this Message's descent and were eye-witnesses to that,

لَقَالَ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا إِنْ هَٰذَا إِلَّا سِحْرٌ مُّبِينٌ

(the disbelievers would have said: "This is nothing but obvious magic!") This is similar to Allah's description of the disbelievers' defiance of facts and truth,

وَلَوْ فَتَحْنَا عَلَيْهِم بَابًا مِّنَ السَّمَاءِ فَظَلُّوا فِيهِ يَعْرُجُونَ - لَقَالُوا إِنَّمَا سُكِّرَتْ أَبْصَارُنَا بَلْ نَحْنُ قَوْمٌ مَّسْحُورُونَ

(And even if We opened to them a gate from the heaven and they were to continue ascending thereto. They would surely say: "Our eyes have been (as if) dazzled. Nay, we are a people bewitched.")[15:14-15], and,

وَإِن يَرَوْا كِسْفًا مِّنَ السَّمَاءِ سَاقِطًا يَقُولُوا سَحَابٌ مَّرْكُومٌ

(And if they were to see a piece of the heaven falling down, they would say, "Clouds gathered in heaps!")[52:44].

وَقَالُوا لَوْلَا أُنزِلَ عَلَيْهِ مَلَكٌ

(And they say: "Why has not an angel been sent down to him?") to convey the Message with admonition along with him. Allah replied,

وَلَوْ أَنزَلْنَا مَلَكًا لَّقُضِيَ الْأَمْرُ ثُمَّ لَا يُنظَرُونَ

(Had We sent down an angel, the matter would have been judged at once, and no respite would be granted to them.)

Consequently, even if the angels descend, while the disbelievers still had the same attitude, then the torment will surely befall them from Allah as a consequence. Allah said in other Ayat,

مَا نُنَزِّلُ الْمَلَائِكَةَ إِلَّا بِالْحَقِّ وَمَا كَانُوا إِذًا مُّنظَرِينَ

(We send not the angels down except with the truth (i.e. for torment, etc.), and in that case, they (the disbelievers) would have no respite!)[15:8], and,

يَوْمَ يَرَوْنَ الْمَلَائِكَةَ لَا بُشْرَىٰ يَوْمَئِذٍ لِّلْمُجْرِمِينَ

(On the Day they will see the angels, no glad tidings will there be for the criminals that day.)[25:22] Allah's statement,

وَلَوْ جَعَلْنَاهُ مَلَكًا لَّجَعَلْنَاهُ رَجُلًا وَلَلَبَسْنَا عَلَيْهِم مَّا يَلْبِسُونَ

(And had We appointed him an angel, We indeed would have made him a man, and We would have certainly caused them confusion in a matter …

And even if We had sent down unto you a Message written on paper so that they could touch it with their hands, the disbelievers would have said: "This is nothing but obvious magic! (7)And they say: "Why has not an angel been sent down to him" Had We sent down an angel, the matter would have been judged at once, and no respite would be granted to them (8)And had We appointed him an angel, We indeed would have made him a man, and We would have certainly caused them confusion in a matter which they have already covered with confusion (9)And indeed Messengers were mocked before you, but their scoffers were surrounded by the very thing that they used to mock at (10)Say: "Travel in the land and see what was the end of those who rejected truth. (11)

Censuring the Rebellious and their Refusal to Accept Human Messengers

Allah describes the rebellion and stubbornness of the idolators in defying the truth and arguing against it,

وَلَوْ نَزَّلْنَا عَلَيْكَ كِتَابًا فِي قِرْطَاسٍ فَلَمَسُوهُ بِأَيْدِيهِمْ

(And even if We had sent down unto you a Message written on paper so that they could touch it with their hands,) meaning, if they saw this Message's descent and were eye-witnesses to that,

لَقَالَ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا إِنْ هَٰذَا إِلَّا سِحْرٌ مُّبِينٌ

(the disbelievers would have said: "This is nothing but obvious magic!") This is similar to Allah's description of the disbelievers' defiance of facts and truth,

وَلَوْ فَتَحْنَا عَلَيْهِم بَابًا مِّنَ السَّمَاءِ فَظَلُّوا فِيهِ يَعْرُجُونَ - لَقَالُوا إِنَّمَا سُكِّرَتْ أَبْصَارُنَا بَلْ نَحْنُ قَوْمٌ مَّسْحُورُونَ

(And even if We opened to them a gate from the heaven and they were to continue ascending thereto. They would surely say: "Our eyes have been (as if) dazzled. Nay, we are a people bewitched.")[15:14-15], and,

وَإِن يَرَوْا كِسْفًا مِّنَ السَّمَاءِ سَاقِطًا يَقُولُوا سَحَابٌ مَّرْكُومٌ

(And if they were to see a piece of the heaven falling down, they would say, "Clouds gathered in heaps!")[52:44].

وَقَالُوا لَوْلَا أُنزِلَ عَلَيْهِ مَلَكٌ

(And they say: "Why has not an angel been sent down to him?") to convey the Message with admonition along with him. Allah replied,

وَلَوْ أَنزَلْنَا مَلَكًا لَّقُضِيَ الْأَمْرُ ثُمَّ لَا يُنظَرُونَ

(Had We sent down an angel, the matter would have been judged at once, and no respite would be granted to them.)

Consequently, even if the angels descend, while the disbelievers still had the same attitude, then the torment will surely befall them from Allah as a consequence. Allah said in other Ayat,

مَا نُنَزِّلُ الْمَلَائِكَةَ إِلَّا بِالْحَقِّ وَمَا كَانُوا إِذًا مُّنظَرِينَ

(We send not the angels down except with the truth (i.e. for torment, etc.), and in that case, they (the disbelievers) would have no respite!)[15:8], and,

يَوْمَ يَرَوْنَ الْمَلَائِكَةَ لَا بُشْرَىٰ يَوْمَئِذٍ لِّلْمُجْرِمِينَ

(On the Day they will see the angels, no glad tidings will there be for the criminals that day.)[25:22] Allah's statement,

وَلَوْ جَعَلْنَاهُ مَلَكًا لَّجَعَلْنَاهُ رَجُلًا وَلَلَبَسْنَا عَلَيْهِم مَّا يَلْبِسُونَ

(And had We appointed him an angel, We indeed would have made him a man, and We would have certainly caused them confusion in a matter …

And even if We had sent down unto you a Message written on paper so that they could touch it with their hands, the disbelievers would have said: "This is nothing but obvious magic! (7)And they say: "Why has not an angel been sent down to him" Had We sent down an angel, the matter would have been judged at once, and no respite would be granted to them (8)And had We appointed him an angel, We indeed would have made him a man, and We would have certainly caused them confusion in a matter which they have already covered with confusion (9)And indeed Messengers were mocked before you, but their scoffers were surrounded by the very thing that they used to mock at (10)Say: "Travel in the land and see what was the end of those who rejected truth. (11)

Censuring the Rebellious and their Refusal to Accept Human Messengers

Allah describes the rebellion and stubbornness of the idolators in defying the truth and arguing against it,

وَلَوْ نَزَّلْنَا عَلَيْكَ كِتَابًا فِي قِرْطَاسٍ فَلَمَسُوهُ بِأَيْدِيهِمْ

(And even if We had sent down unto you a Message written on paper so that they could touch it with their hands,) meaning, if they saw this Message's descent and were eye-witnesses to that,

لَقَالَ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا إِنْ هَٰذَا إِلَّا سِحْرٌ مُّبِينٌ

(the disbelievers would have said: "This is nothing but obvious magic!") This is similar to Allah's description of the disbelievers' defiance of facts and truth,

وَلَوْ فَتَحْنَا عَلَيْهِم بَابًا مِّنَ السَّمَاءِ فَظَلُّوا فِيهِ يَعْرُجُونَ - لَقَالُوا إِنَّمَا سُكِّرَتْ أَبْصَارُنَا بَلْ نَحْنُ قَوْمٌ مَّسْحُورُونَ

(And even if We opened to them a gate from the heaven and they were to continue ascending thereto. They would surely say: "Our eyes have been (as if) dazzled. Nay, we are a people bewitched.")[15:14-15], and,

وَإِن يَرَوْا كِسْفًا مِّنَ السَّمَاءِ سَاقِطًا يَقُولُوا سَحَابٌ مَّرْكُومٌ

(And if they were to see a piece of the heaven falling down, they would say, "Clouds gathered in heaps!")[52:44].

وَقَالُوا لَوْلَا أُنزِلَ عَلَيْهِ مَلَكٌ

(And they say: "Why has not an angel been sent down to him?") to convey the Message with admonition along with him. Allah replied,

وَلَوْ أَنزَلْنَا مَلَكًا لَّقُضِيَ الْأَمْرُ ثُمَّ لَا يُنظَرُونَ

(Had We sent down an angel, the matter would have been judged at once, and no respite would be granted to them.)

Consequently, even if the angels descend, while the disbelievers still had the same attitude, then the torment will surely befall them from Allah as a consequence. Allah said in other Ayat,

مَا نُنَزِّلُ الْمَلَائِكَةَ إِلَّا بِالْحَقِّ وَمَا كَانُوا إِذًا مُّنظَرِينَ

(We send not the angels down except with the truth (i.e. for torment, etc.), and in that case, they (the disbelievers) would have no respite!)[15:8], and,

يَوْمَ يَرَوْنَ الْمَلَائِكَةَ لَا بُشْرَىٰ يَوْمَئِذٍ لِّلْمُجْرِمِينَ

(On the Day they will see the angels, no glad tidings will there be for the criminals that day.)[25:22] Allah's statement,

وَلَوْ جَعَلْنَاهُ مَلَكًا لَّجَعَلْنَاهُ رَجُلًا وَلَلَبَسْنَا عَلَيْهِم مَّا يَلْبِسُونَ

(And had We appointed him an angel, We indeed would have made him a man, and We would have certainly caused them confusion in a matter …