6. Al-An'aam

(And eat not of that whereon Allah's name hath not been mentioned) of immolated animals intentionally, (for lo! it is abomination) i.e. eating it without a necessity is a sin and declaring it lawful, in denial of the revelation, is an act of disbelief. (Lo! the devils do inspire) whisper to (their minions) Abu'l-Ahwas and his folk (to dispute with you) regarding the consumption of the meat of carrion, idolatry and about the angels being the daughters of Allah. (But if you obey them) in their idolatry and the consumption of the meat of carrion, declaring it lawful without being in dire need of it, (ye will be in truth idolaters) like them.

(Is he who was dead) i.e. the disbeliever; this verse was revealed about 'Ammar Ibn Yasir, Abu Jahl Ibn Hisham (and We have raised him unto life) and We honoured him with faith, referring to 'Ammar Ibn Yasir, (and set for him a light) knowledge (wherein he walketh) wherein he is guided (among men) it is also said that (and set for him a light) means: We set for him a light on the Bridge over hell in the midst of people, (as him whose similitude is in utter darkness) the error of disbelief in this world and the darkness of Gehenna on the Day of Judgement, the reference here is to Abu Jahl (whence he cannot emerge) he cannot free himself from disbelief and error in this world nor from the darkness in the Hereafter? (Thus is their conduct made fair-seeming for the disbelievers) thus We made his works seem fair to Abu Jahl.

(And thus have We made in every city great ones of its wicked ones) their leaders, tyrants and wealthy citizens, as We made in the city of Mecca those who sneer and their friend, Abu Jahl and his folk, (that they should plot therein) that they should engage in transgression and corruption; it is also said that this means: so that they deny therein the prophets. (They do but plot against themselves) He says: the punishment and ruination of the transgressions and corruption they commit will be to their detriment, (though they perceive not) this.

(And when a token cometh unto them) when a verse comes down from heaven informing of what al-Walid Ibn al-Mughirah, 'Abd Yalayl and Abu Mas'ud al-Thaqafi were doing, (they say: We will not believe) in this verse (till we are given) the Scripture like (that which Allah's messengers are given) meaning Muhammad (pbuh). (Allah knoweth best with whom to place His message) He knows best to whom He sends Gabriel with His message. (Humiliation) degradation and abasement (from Allah and heavy punishment will smite the guilty) the idolaters, i.e. al-Walid and his friends (for their scheming) for their denial of the messengers.

(And whomsoever it is Allah's will to guide) to His religion, (He expandeth his bosom) His heart (unto the Surrender) unto accepting Islam, (and whomsoever it is His will to send astray) to leave in error and disbelief, (He maketh his bosom) He leaves his heart (close) like the ferrule of a spear (and narrow) in doubt; this could also mean: the light cannot find a way, or a passage to his heart (as if he were engaged in sheer ascent) like a person who is told to rise in heaven: the heart of such a person is not guided to Islam. (Thus Allah layeth ignominy) Allah leaves denial (upon those) in the heart of those (who believe not) in Muhammad (pbuh), or in the Qur'an, and then He punishes them for their disbelief.

(This is the path of thy Lord) this is the doing of your Lord, (a straight path) a just path; it is also said this means: This Islam is the religion of your Lord which He is pleased with; it is straight and well established. (We have detailed Our revelations) i.e. the Qur'an, by explaining the commands and prohibitions, the causes of humiliation and the reasons for honour (for a people who take heed) for a people who understand and therefore believe. It is also said that (And whomsoever it is Allah's will to guide) was revealed about the Prophet (pbuh) and Abu Jahl; it is also said to have been revealed about 'Ammar Ibn Yasir and Abu Jahl.

(For them) for the believers (is the abode of peace with their Lord) Peace (al-Salam) is Allah and His abode is Paradise. (He be their Protecting Friend) who bestows upon them honour and reward (because of what they used to do) and say of goodness in the life of this world.

(In the day when He will gather them together) the jinn and human beings ((He will say): O ye assembly of the jinn! Many of humankind did ye seduce) how many human beings have erred by seeking help in you. (And their adherents) the adherents of the jinn (among humankind) who sought help in the leaders of the jinn upon camping at a valley or hunting a beast of theirs, used to say: 'we seek refuge in the master of this valley from the foolish among his people', and used to feel safe after saying this, (will say: Our Lord!) O our Lord! (We enjoyed one another) we benefited from one another; the benefit of the human beings was safety from the jinn, and that of the jinn, their status and position among their people (but now we have arrived at the appointed term which Thou appointedst for us) i.e. death. (He) Allah (will say) to them: (Fire is your home) is your dwelling, O group of jinn. (Abide therein for ever) abiding in the Fire, (save him whom Allah willeth (to deliver)) but Allah wills that they abide therein for eternity. (Lo! thy Lord is Wise) He decreed that they will abide in hell for ever, (Aware) of them and of their punishment.

(Thus We let some of the wrong-doers) the idolaters (have power over others) in the life of this world and in the Hereafter; it is also said that this means: We let some of the idolaters have authority over others (because of what they are wont to earn) and say of evil.

(O ye assembly of the jinn and, humankind! Came there not unto you messengers of your own) i.e. human messengers: Muhammad (pbuh) and all other messengers, and among the jinn, the nine who came to the Prophet (pbuh) and then went back to their people to deliver the message; it is also said that the jinn had a prophet of their own called Joseph, (who recounted) recited (unto you My tokens) detailing commands and prohibitions (and warned you of the meeting) the punishment (of this your Day? They) the humans and jinn (will say: We testify against ourselves) that they delivered the message and that we disbelieved them. Allah said: (And the life of the world) that which is in the life of this world of comfort and enjoyment (beguiled them. And they testify against themselves) in the Hereafter (that they were disbelievers) in the life of this world.