7. Al-A'raaf

(Who took their religion for a sport) for falsehood (and pastime) merriment; it is also said this means: a joke and mockery, (and whom the life of the world beguiled) the comfort and luxury of the life of the world beguiled them. (So this day) the Day of Judgement (We have forgotten them) We leave them in hell (even as they forgot) they left (the meeting of this Day) the belief in this Day of theirs (and as they used to deny Our tokens) Our Scripture and Messenger.

(Verily We have brought them a Scripture) Allah says: We have sent them Muhammad (pbuh) with the Qur'an (which We expound with knowledge) with knowledge from Us; it is also said that this means: We have taught it, (a guidance) from error (and a mercy) from torment (for a people who believe) in Muhammad (pbuh) and the Qur'an.

(Await they) what do the people of Mecca wait for when they have refused to believe (aught save the fulfilment thereof) the consequence of what Allah has promised them in the Qur'an? (On the day) which is the Day of Judgement (when the fulfilment thereof) when the consequence of what Allah has promised them in the Qur'an (cometh, those who were before forgetful thereof) those who did not believe in it in the life of this world (will say: The messengers of our Lord did bring the Truth!) with the exposition of the resurrection, Paradise and hell but we denied all. (Have we any intercessors, that they may intercede for us) to avoid the torment? (Or can we be returned) to life on earth, (that we may act) that we may believe and act (otherwise than we used to act) of idolatry? (They have lost their souls) by missing Paradise and abiding in hell, (and that which they devised) that which they worshipped falsely (hath failed them).

(Lo! your Lord is Allah Who created the heavens and the earth in six Days) of the beginning of the life of this world, each day the equivalent of a thousand years, (then mounted He the Throne) then He proceeded to create the Throne; it is also said that this means: He seated Himself on the Throne. (He covereth the night with the day) and the day with the night, (which is in haste to follow it) i.e. the day is in haste to follow the night and the night is in haste to follow the day, (and hath made the sun and the moon and the stars subservient by His command) by His leave. (His verily is all creation) the creation of the heavens and the earth (and commandment) i.e. the judgement of people on the Day of Judgement (Blessed be Allah) the Possessor of grace; it is also said that this means: elevated is Allah; as it is said that this means: far exalted is Allah, (the Lord of the Worlds!) the Master and Disposer of the Worlds.

((O mankind!) Call upon your Lord humbly) openly (and in secret) it is also said that this means: call upon your Lord humbly and out of fear. (Lo! He loveth not aggressors) in their supplications, by calling for that which is not permissible for them against the righteous.

(Work not confusion) through sins and invitation to other than Allah (in the earth after the fair ordering (thereof)) through obedience and calling to Allah, Exalted is He, (and call on Him) worship Him (in fear) of Him and His torment (and hope) in Him that you shall enter His Paradise. (Lo! the mercy of Allah) the Paradise of Allah (is nigh unto the good) the believers who are good in their words and works.

(And He it is Who sendeth the winds as tidings heralding His mercy) before the rain, (till, when they bear a cloud heavy (with rain), We lead it to a dead land) with no vegetation, (and then cause water to descend thereon) on that dead land, (and thereby bring forth) by means of this water (fruits of every kind. Thus) just as We revive the earth with vegetation (bring We forth the dead) We revive and bring forth the dead from their graves. (Haply you may remember) haply you may take heed.

(As for the good land) which is not a swamp, (its vegetation cometh forth by permission of its Lord) by the will of its Lord without toil or effort, just as the sincere believer fulfils that which Allah commands him to do voluntarily and with the good disposition of his soul; (while as for that which is bad) the bad, swampy land, (only the useless cometh forth (from it)) its vegetation comes forth only with toil and great effort. The hypocrite does not perform that which Allah commands him to do except when compelled and without a good disposition of the soul. (Thus do We recount the tokens) We expound the Qur'an by giving the simile of the believer and the disbeliever (for people who give thanks) for people who believe.

(We sent Noah (of old) unto his people, and he said: O my people! Serve Allah) profess Allah's divine Oneness. (Ye have no other God save Him) to Whom I am calling you. (Lo! I fear for you) I know that you be inflicted with (the retribution of an Awful Day) if you do not believe.