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Lessons from Previous Nations

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Lessons from Previous Nations

عبر الأمم السابقة

The Quran, with its profound wisdom, frequently invites us to reflect upon the stories of previous nations (عبر الأمم السابقة). These aren't simply historical accounts; they are vivid narratives of prophets like Noah, Abraham, Moses, and their peoples, serving as timeless lessons for humanity. Through these accounts, Allah illuminates patterns of faith, defiance, perseverance, and ultimately, divine justice. Believers are encouraged to ponder how earlier communities faced trials and tribulations, such as those [who passed on before you were touched by poverty and hardship], reminding us that challenges are part of the journey towards Allah. The Quran recounts the grandeur and eventual downfall of nations like 'Aad and Thamud, who denied their messengers, illustrating that [Allah is severe in penalty] for those who reject His signs despite clear warnings. These stories provide solace for the righteous and stark warnings for those inclined towards arrogance or disbelief, revealing the consistent principles by which Allah interacts with His creation. While [that was a nation which has passed on, it will have what it earned, and you will have what you have earned], the lessons embedded in their journeys offer invaluable guidance for navigating our own path, fostering humility, gratitude, and steadfastness in faith.

Quran 35 verses

تِلْكَ أُمَّةٌ قَدْ خَلَتْ لَهَا مَا كَسَبَتْ وَلَكُم مَّا كَسَبْتُمْ وَلَا تُسْـَٔلُونَ عَمَّا كَانُوا۟ يَعْمَلُونَ

Tilka ummatun qad khalat lahaa maa kasabat wa lakum maa kasabtum wa laa tus'aloona 'ammaa kaano ya'maloon

That was a nation which has passed on. It will have [the consequence of] what it earned, and you will have what you have earned. And you will not be asked about what they used to do.

یہ جماعت گزرچکی۔ ان کو اُن کے اعمال (کا بدلہ ملے گا) اور تم کو تمھارے اعمال (کا) اور جو عمل وہ کرتے تھے ان کی پرسش تم سے نہیں ہوگی

Commentary

Ma'arif-ul-Quran: Verse 134 tells us that the good deeds of one's forefathers shall not suffice one, if one has not been performing good deeds oneself, and that, similarly, one shall not have to suffer for the misdeeds of one's forefathers, if one's own account is clean. It follows upon this principle that children o...
Tafsir al-Jalalayn: That tilka is the subject of this sentence and denotes Abraham Jacob and his sons and is feminine because it agrees with the gender of its predicate is a community that has passed away has gone before; theirs is what they have earned the reward for their deeds lahā mā kasabat theirs is what they hav...
Tafsir Ibn Kathir (English): Ya`qub's Will and Testament to His Children upon His Death This Ayah contains Allah's criticism of the Arab pagans among the offspring of Isma`il as well as the disbelievers among the Children of Israel Jacob the son of Isaac, the son of Ibrahim. When death came to Jacob, he advised his children to ...

تِلْكَ أُمَّةٌ قَدْ خَلَتْ لَهَا مَا كَسَبَتْ وَلَكُم مَّا كَسَبْتُمْ وَلَا تُسْـَٔلُونَ عَمَّا كَانُوا۟ يَعْمَلُونَ

Tilka ummatun qad khalat lahaa maa kasabat wa lakum maa kasabtum wa laa tus'aloona 'ammaa kaano ya'maloo

That is a nation which has passed on. It will have [the consequence of] what it earned, and you will have what you have earned. And you will not be asked about what they used to do.

یہ جماعت گزر چکی۔ ان کو وہ (ملے گا) جو انہوں نے کیا، اور تم کو وہ جو تم نے کیا۔ اور جو عمل وہ کرتے تھے، اس کی پرسش تم سے نہیں ہوگی

Commentary

Ma'arif-ul-Quran: These three verses bring to an end the section of the Surah in which certain claims of the Jews and the Christians have been refuted -- for example, their assertion that Sayyidna Ibrahim (علیہ السلام) (Abraham), Sayyidna Ismail (علیہ السلام) (Ishmael), Sayyidna Ishaq (علیہ السلام) (Isaac), Sayyidna ...
Tafsir al-Jalalayn: That is a community that has passed away; theirs is what they have earned and yours is what you have earned; you shall not be asked about what they did a similar verse has already been mentioned above.
Tafsir Ibn Kathir (English): Allah directed His Prophet to pre-empt the arguments with the idolators: قُلْ أَتُحَآجُّونَنَا فِى اللَّهِ (Say (O Muhammad to the Jews and Christians), "Dispute you with us about Allah) meaning, "Do you dispute with us regarding the Oneness of Allah, obedience and submission to Him and in avoiding ...

أَمْ حَسِبْتُمْ أَن تَدْخُلُوا۟ ٱلْجَنَّةَ وَلَمَّا يَأْتِكُم مَّثَلُ ٱلَّذِينَ خَلَوْا۟ مِن قَبْلِكُم مَّسَّتْهُمُ ٱلْبَأْسَآءُ وَٱلضَّرَّآءُ وَزُلْزِلُوا۟ حَتَّىٰ يَقُولَ ٱلرَّسُولُ وَٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ مَعَهُۥ مَتَىٰ نَصْرُ ٱللَّهِ أَلَآ إِنَّ نَصْرَ ٱللَّهِ قَرِيبٌ

Am hasibtum an tadkhulul jannata wa lammaa yaa-tikum masalul lazeena khalaw min qablikum massathumul baasaaa'u waddarraaaa'u wa zulziloo hattaa yaqoolar Rasoolu wallazeena aamanoo ma'ahoo mataa nasrul laah; alaaa inna nasral laahiqareeb

Or do you think that you will enter Paradise while such [trial] has not yet come to you as came to those who passed on before you? They were touched by poverty and hardship and were shaken until [even their] messenger and those who believed with him said, "When is the help of Allah?" Unquestionably, the help of Allah is near.

کیا تم یہ خیال کرتے ہو کہ (یوں ہی) بہشت میں داخل ہوجاؤ گے اور ابھی تم کو پہلے لوگوں کی سی (مشکلیں) تو پیش آئی ہی نہیں۔ ان کو (بڑی بڑی) سختیاں اور تکلیفیں پہنچیں اور وہ (صعوبتوں میں) ہلا ہلا دیئے گئے۔ یہاں تک کہ پیغمبر اور مومن لوگ جو ان کے ساتھ تھے سب پکار اٹھے کہ کب خدا کی مدد آئے گی ۔ دیکھو خدا کی مدد (عن) قریب (آيا چاہتی) ہے

Commentary

Ma'arif-ul-Quran: The previous verse has said how hostile the disbelievers have been to prophets (علیہم السلام) and believers and, in a way, has comforted Muslims hurt by the mockery of disbelievers that there is nothing new about this antagonism. This has been there all the time. Further from this point, the present...
Tafsir al-Jalalayn: The following was revealed after the Muslims suffered a trying experience Or did you suppose that you should enter Paradise without there having come upon you the like of what came upon those believers who passed away before you? of trials so that you may endure as they did; a new sentence begins he...
Tafsir Ibn Kathir (English): Victory only comes after succeeding in the Trials Allah said: أَمْ حَسِبْتُمْ أَن تَدْخُلُواْ الْجَنَّةَ (Or think you that you will enter Paradise) before you are tested and tried just like the nations that came before you This is why Allah said: وَلَمَّا يَأْتِكُم مَّثَلُ الَّذِينَ خَلَوْاْ مِن قَ...

كَدَأْبِ ءَالِ فِرْعَوْنَ وَٱلَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِهِمْ كَذَّبُوا۟ بِـَٔايَٰتِنَا فَأَخَذَهُمُ ٱللَّهُ بِذُنُوبِهِمْ وَٱللَّهُ شَدِيدُ ٱلْعِقَابِ

Kadaabi Aali Fir'awna wallazeena min qablihim; kazzaboo bi Aayaatinaa fa akhazahumul laahu bizunoo bihim; wallaahu shadeedul 'iqaab

[Theirs is] like the custom of the people of Pharaoh and those before them. They denied Our signs, so Allah seized them for their sins. And Allah is severe in penalty.

ان کا حال بھی فرعونیوں اور ان سے پہلے لوگوں کا سا ہوگا جنہوں نے ہماری آیتوں کی تکذیب کی تھی تو خدا نے ان کو ان کے گناہوں کے سبب (عذاب میں) پکڑ لیا تھا اور خدا سخت عذاب کرنے والا ہے

Commentary

Ma'arif-ul-Quran: Sequence The text now shifts from the verbal confrontation with disbelievers on the warnings about the coming physical encounter as pointed out in verse 12 - 'You shall soon be overcome (by Muslims) ' while the verses earlier (10 and 11) serve as the introduction.
Tafsir al-Jalalayn: Their way is as the way as the habit of Pharaoh’s folk and the communities of people before them such as ‘Ād and Thamūd who denied Our signs; God seized them He destroyed them for their sins this statement explains the previous one; God is severe in retribution.
Tafsir Ibn Kathir (English): On the Day of Resurrection, No Wealth or Offspring Shall Avail Allah states that the disbelievers shall be fuel for the Fire, يَوْمَ لاَ يَنفَعُ الظَّـلِمِينَ مَعْذِرَتُهُمْ وَلَهُمُ الْلَّعْنَةُ وَلَهُمْ سُوءُ الدَّارِ (The Day when their excuses will be of no profit to wrongdoers. Theirs will be t...

قَدْ سَأَلَهَا قَوْمٌ مِّن قَبْلِكُمْ ثُمَّ أَصْبَحُوا۟ بِهَا كَٰفِرِينَ

Qad sa alahaa qawmum min qablikum summa asbahoo bihaa kaafireen

A people asked such [questions] before you; then they became thereby disbelievers.

اس طرح کی باتیں تم سے پہلے لوگوں نے بھی پوچھی تھیں (مگر جب بتائی گئیں تو) پھر ان سے منکر ہو گئے

Commentary

Ma'arif-ul-Quran: Commentary The Prohibition of Asking Unnecessary Questions These verses warn people who keep investigating unnecessarily into Divine injunctions. So fond and bent are they in this exercise that they would go to the outer limit of asking questions even about in-junctions which have not been prescribe...
Tafsir al-Jalalayn: Verily a people before you asked about them that is they asked their prophets about such things and they received the response in the form of revealed explications of the rules concerning them; and then they disbelieved in them by neglecting to implement them.
Tafsir Ibn Kathir (English): قُلْ (Say,) O Muhammad , لاَّ يَسْتَوِى الْخَبِيثُ وَالطَّيِّبُ وَلَوْ أَعْجَبَكَ (Not equal are the bad things and the good things, even though they may please you) O human, كَثْرَةُ الْخَبِيثِ (the abundance of bad.) This Ayah means, the little permissible is better than the abundant evil. فَاتَّق...

أَلَمْ يَرَوْا۟ كَمْ أَهْلَكْنَا مِن قَبْلِهِم مِّن قَرْنٍ مَّكَّنَّٰهُمْ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ مَا لَمْ نُمَكِّن لَّكُمْ وَأَرْسَلْنَا ٱلسَّمَآءَ عَلَيْهِم مِّدْرَارًا وَجَعَلْنَا ٱلْأَنْهَٰرَ تَجْرِى مِن تَحْتِهِمْ فَأَهْلَكْنَٰهُم بِذُنُوبِهِمْ وَأَنشَأْنَا مِنۢ بَعْدِهِمْ قَرْنًا ءَاخَرِينَ

Alam yaraw kam ahlaknaa min qablihim min qarnim makkannaahum fil ardi maa lam numakkil lakum wa arsalnas samaaa'a 'alaihim midraaranw wa ja'alnal anhaara tajree min tahtihim fa ahlak naahum bizunoobihim wa anshaanaa mim ba'dihim qarnan aakhareen

Have they not seen how many generations We destroyed before them which We had established upon the earth as We have not established you? And We sent [rain from] the sky upon them in showers and made rivers flow beneath them; then We destroyed them for their sins and brought forth after them a generation of others.

کیا انہوں نے نہیں دیکھا کہ ہم نے ان سے پہلے کتنی امتوں کو ہلاک کر دیا جن کے پاؤں ملک میں ایسے جما دیئے تھے کہ تمہارے پاؤں بھی ایسے نہیں جمائے اور ان پر آسمان سے لگاتار مینہ برسایا اور نہریں بنا دیں جو ان کے (مکانوں کے) نیچے بہہ رہی تھیں پھر ان کو ان کے گناہوں کے سبب ہلاک کر دیا اور ان کے بعد اور امتیں پیدا کر دیں

Commentary

Ma'arif-ul-Quran: Commentary In previous verses, mention was made of grave consequences to be faced by those who avoid or oppose Divine commandments and prophetic teachings. In the present verses, the same deniers of the truth have been given an opportunity to learn and correct themselves by observing conditions arou...
Tafsir al-Jalalayn: Have they not seen in their travels to Syria and to other places how many kam is predicative and not interrogative meaning ‘many’ a generation how many a community of past communities We destroyed before them; We established them We assigned them an established place in the earth through strength an...
Tafsir Ibn Kathir (English): 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 car...

وَلَقَدِ ٱسْتُهْزِئَ بِرُسُلٍ مِّن قَبْلِكَ فَحَاقَ بِٱلَّذِينَ سَخِرُوا۟ مِنْهُم مَّا كَانُوا۟ بِهِۦ يَسْتَهْزِءُونَ

Wa laqadis tuhzi'a bi-Rusulim min qablika fahaaqa billazeena sakhiroo minhum maa kaanoo bihee yastahzi'oon

And already were messengers ridiculed before you, but those who mocked them were enveloped by that which they used to ridicule.

اور تم سے پہلے بھی پیغمبروں کے ساتھ تمسخر ہوتے رہے ہیں سو جو لوگ ان میں سے تمسخر کیا کرتے تھے ان کو تمسخر کی سزا نے آگھیرا

Commentary

Ma'arif-ul-Quran: The third verse (8) was also revealed because of an event which concerns this very ` Abdullah ibn Abi Umaiyyah who, accompanied by Nadr ibn al-Harith and Nawfal ibn Khalid ؓ ، came to the Holy Prophet ﷺ . This time their demand was: ` We shall believe in you only when you go and bring a book from th...
Tafsir al-Jalalayn: And messengers were indeed mocked before you — this is meant as a consolation for the Prophet s — but those who scoffed at them were encompassed by that which they mocked namely by the punishment sent down on them those who mock you will be encompassed likewise.
Tafsir Ibn Kathir (English): 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 كِتَـباً فِى قِرْطَاسٍ فَلَمَسُوهُ بِأَيْدِيهِمْ (And even if We had sent down unto you a Mess...

قُلْ سِيرُوا۟ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ ثُمَّ ٱنظُرُوا۟ كَيْفَ كَانَ عَٰقِبَةُ ٱلْمُكَذِّبِينَ

Qul seeroo fil ardi summan zuroo kaifa kaana 'aaqibatul mukazzibeen

Say, "Travel through the land; then observe how was the end of the deniers."

کہو کہ (اے منکرین رسالت) ملک میں چلو پھرو پھر دیکھو کہ جھٹلانے والوں کا کیا انجام ہوا

Commentary

Ma'arif-ul-Quran: The third verse (8) was also revealed because of an event which concerns this very ` Abdullah ibn Abi Umaiyyah who, accompanied by Nadr ibn al-Harith and Nawfal ibn Khalid ؓ ، came to the Holy Prophet ﷺ . This time their demand was: ` We shall believe in you only when you go and bring a book from th...
Tafsir al-Jalalayn: Say to them ‘Travel in the land and see the nature of the consequence for the deniers’ of the messengers how they were destroyed through chastisement; perhaps they will take heed.
Tafsir Ibn Kathir (English): 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 كِتَـباً فِى قِرْطَاسٍ فَلَمَسُوهُ بِأَيْدِيهِمْ (And even if We had sent down unto you a Mess...

وَلَقَدْ كُذِّبَتْ رُسُلٌ مِّن قَبْلِكَ فَصَبَرُوا۟ عَلَىٰ مَا كُذِّبُوا۟ وَأُوذُوا۟ حَتَّىٰٓ أَتَىٰهُمْ نَصْرُنَا وَلَا مُبَدِّلَ لِكَلِمَٰتِ ٱللَّهِ وَلَقَدْ جَآءَكَ مِن نَّبَإِى۟ ٱلْمُرْسَلِينَ

Wa laqad kuzzibat Rusulum min qablika fasabaroo 'alaa maa kuzziboo wa oozoo hattaaa ataahum nasrunaa; wa laa mubaddila li Kalimaatil laah; wa laqad jaaa'aka min naba'il mursaleen

And certainly were messengers denied before you, but they were patient over [the effects of] denial, and they were harmed until Our victory came to them. And none can alter the words of Allah. And there has certainly come to you some information about the [previous] messengers.

اور تم سے پہلے کبھی پیغمبر جھٹلائے جاتے رہے تو وہ تکذیب اور ایذا پر صبر کرتے رہے یہاں تک کہ ان کے پاس ہماری مدد پہنچتی رہی اور خدا کی باتوں کو کوئی بھی بدلنے والا نہیں۔ اور تم کو پیغمبروں (کے احوال) کی خبریں پہنچ چکی ہیں (تو تم بھی صبر سے کام لو)

Commentary

Ma'arif-ul-Quran: Commentary About the statement: فَإِنَّهُمْ لَا يُكَذِّبُونَكَ (it is not you they are belying, rather, it is the signs of Allah they are denying) in the first verse (33), there is a related event, reported in Tafsir Mazhari on the authority of a narration by As-Suddiy, according to which, once Akhn...
Tafsir al-Jalalayn: Messengers indeed have been denied before you — herein is a consolation for the Prophet s — yet they endured patiently the denial and the persecution until Our victorious help came to them through the destruction of their peoples so be patient until the victorious help comes to you through the destr...
Tafsir Ibn Kathir (English): Comforting the Prophet Allah comforts the Prophet in his grief over his people's denial and defiance of him, قَدْ نَعْلَمُ إِنَّهُ لَيَحْزُنُكَ الَّذِى يَقُولُونَ (We know indeed the grief which their words cause you;) meaning, We know about their denial of you and your sadness and sorrow for them. ...

وَلَقَدْ أَرْسَلْنَآ إِلَىٰٓ أُمَمٍ مِّن قَبْلِكَ فَأَخَذْنَٰهُم بِٱلْبَأْسَآءِ وَٱلضَّرَّآءِ لَعَلَّهُمْ يَتَضَرَّعُونَ

Wa laqad arsalnaaa ilaaa umamim min qablika fa akhaznaahum bilbaasaaa'i waddarraaa'i la'allahum yata darra'oon

And We have already sent [messengers] to nations before you, [O Muhammad]; then We seized them with poverty and hardship that perhaps they might humble themselves [to Us].

اور ہم نے تم سے پہلے بہت سی امتوں کی طرف پیغمبر بھیجے۔ پھر (ان کی نافرمانیوں کے سبب) ہم انہیں سختیوں اور تکلیفوں میں پکڑتے رہے تاکہ عاجزی کریں

Commentary

Ma'arif-ul-Quran: Commentary The verses cited above, if seen in the context of verses appearing immediately previous to them, will show the particular mode in which Shirk and Kufr have been refuted and Tauhid, affirmed. First, the disbelievers of Makkah have been asked: If you are hit by a calamity now, for example, ...
Tafsir al-Jalalayn: Indeed We sent to communities before you min qablika min is extra messengers but they denied them and We seized them with misery abject poverty and hardship illness so that they might be humble abased that they might believe.
Tafsir Ibn Kathir (English): The Idolators Call On Allah Alone During Torment and Distress Allah states that He does what He wills with His creatures and none can resist His decision or avert what He decrees for them. He is the One Who has no partners, Who accepts the supplication from whomever He wills. Allah said, قُلْ أَرَأَ...

قَالَ ٱدْخُلُوا۟ فِىٓ أُمَمٍ قَدْ خَلَتْ مِن قَبْلِكُم مِّنَ ٱلْجِنِّ وَٱلْإِنسِ فِى ٱلنَّارِ كُلَّمَا دَخَلَتْ أُمَّةٌ لَّعَنَتْ أُخْتَهَا حَتَّىٰٓ إِذَا ٱدَّارَكُوا۟ فِيهَا جَمِيعًا قَالَتْ أُخْرَىٰهُمْ لِأُولَىٰهُمْ رَبَّنَا هَٰٓؤُلَآءِ أَضَلُّونَا فَـَٔاتِهِمْ عَذَابًا ضِعْفًا مِّنَ ٱلنَّارِ قَالَ لِكُلٍّ ضِعْفٌ وَلَٰكِن لَّا تَعْلَمُونَ

Qaalad khuloo feee umamin qad khalat min qablikum minal jinni wal insifin naari kullamaa dakhalat ummatul la'anat ukhtahaa hattaaa izad daarakoo feehaa jamee'an qaalat ukhraahum li oolaahum Rabbannaa haaa'u laaa'i adalloonaa fa aatihim 'azaaban di'fam minan naari qaala likullin di funw wa laakil laa ta'lamoon

[Allah] will say, "Enter among nations which had passed on before you of jinn and mankind into the Fire." Every time a nation enters, it will curse its sister until, when they have all overtaken one another therein, the last of them will say about the first of them "Our Lord, these had misled us, so give them a double punishment of the Fire. He will say, "For each is double, but you do not know."

تو خدا فرمائے گا کہ جنّوں اور انسانوں کی جو جماعتیں تم سے پہلے ہو گزری ہیں ان کے ساتھ تم بھی داخل جہنم ہو جاؤ۔ جب ایک جماعت (وہاں) جا داخل ہو گئی تو اپنی (مذہبی) بہن (یعنی اپنے جیسی دوسری جماعت) پر لعنت کرے گی۔ یہاں تک کہ جب سب اس میں داخل ہو جائیں گے تو پچھلی جماعت پہلی کی نسبت کہے گی کہ اے پروردگار! ان ہی لوگوں نے ہم کو گمراہ کیا تھا تو ان کو آتش جہنم کا دگنا عذاب دے۔ خدا فرمائے گا کہ (تم) سب کو دگنا (عذاب دیا جائے گا) مگر تم نہیں جانتے

Commentary

Ma'arif-ul-Quran: The first and the second verse both mentioned two crimes committed by disbelievers. They took Halal as Haram and made the Haram become Halal for themselves by themselves. The third verse (34) describes their sad end and the punishment they would have in the Hereafter. It was said: وَلِكُلِّ أُمَّةٍ ...
Tafsir al-Jalalayn: He exalted be He will say to them on the Day of Resurrection ‘Enter into the Fire among the number of communities of jinn and mankind who passed away before you’ fī’l-nār ‘into the Fire’ is semantically connected to udkhulū ‘enter’. Every time a community enters the Fire it curses its sister-communi...
Tafsir Ibn Kathir (English): People of the Fire will dispute and curse Each Other Allahmentioned what He will say to those who associate others withHim, invent lies about Him, and reject His Ayat, ادْخُلُواْ فِى أُمَمٍ (Enter you in the company of nations), who are your likes and similar to you in conduct, قَدْ خَلَتْ مِن قَبْل...

أَوَعَجِبْتُمْ أَن جَآءَكُمْ ذِكْرٌ مِّن رَّبِّكُمْ عَلَىٰ رَجُلٍ مِّنكُمْ لِيُنذِرَكُمْ وَٱذْكُرُوٓا۟ إِذْ جَعَلَكُمْ خُلَفَآءَ مِنۢ بَعْدِ قَوْمِ نُوحٍ وَزَادَكُمْ فِى ٱلْخَلْقِ بَصْۜطَةً فَٱذْكُرُوٓا۟ ءَالَآءَ ٱللَّهِ لَعَلَّكُمْ تُفْلِحُونَ

awa 'ajibtum an jaaa'akum zikrum mir Rabbikum 'alaa rajulim minkum liyunzirakum; wazkurooo iz ja'alakum khulafaaa'a mim ba'di qawmi noohinw wa zaadakum filkhalqi bastatan fazkurooo aalaaa'al laahi la'allakum tuflihoon

Then do you wonder that there has come to you a reminder from your Lord through a man from among you, that he may warn you? And remember when He made you successors after the people of Noah and increased you in stature extensively. So remember the favors of Allah that you might succeed.

کیا تم کو اس بات سے تعجب ہوا ہے کہ تم میں سے ایک شخص کے ہاتھ تمہارے پروردگار کی طرف سے تمہارے پاس نصیحت آئی تاکہ وہ تمہیں ڈرائے اور یاد کرو تو کرو جب اس نے تم کو قوم نوح کے بعد سردار بنایا۔ اور تم کو پھیلاؤ زیادہ دیا۔ پس خدا کی نعمتوں کو یاد کرو۔ تاکہ نجات حاصل کرو

Commentary

Ma'arif-ul-Quran: (3)-Once again, the objection of the people of ` Ad mentioned in the fifth verse (69) is the same as raised by the people of Sayyidna Nuh (علیہ السلام) before them - that is, how can we take a human being like us as our superior? Had it been an angel, maybe we would have done that.' In answer to thi...
Tafsir al-Jalalayn: Or do you marvel that a reminder from your Lord should come to you through the tongue of a man from among you that he may warn you? And remember when He made you vicegerents on earth after the people of Noah and increased your stature in extension in strength and in height — the tallest of them meas...
Tafsir Ibn Kathir (English): The Story of Hud, Peace be upon Him, and the Lineage of the People of `Ad Allah says, just as We sent Nuh to his people, similarly, to the `Ad people, We sent Hud one of their own brethren. Muhammad bin Ishaq said that the tribe of `Ad were the descendants of `Ad, son of Iram, son of `Aws, son of Sa...

وَٱذْكُرُوٓا۟ إِذْ جَعَلَكُمْ خُلَفَآءَ مِنۢ بَعْدِ عَادٍ وَبَوَّأَكُمْ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ تَتَّخِذُونَ مِن سُهُولِهَا قُصُورًا وَتَنْحِتُونَ ٱلْجِبَالَ بُيُوتًا فَٱذْكُرُوٓا۟ ءَالَآءَ ٱللَّهِ وَلَا تَعْثَوْا۟ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ مُفْسِدِينَ

Wazkkurooo iz ja'alakum khulafaaa'a mim ba'di 'Aadinw wa bawwa akum fil ardi tattakhizoona min suhoolihaa qusooranw wa tanhitoonal jibaala buyootan fazkurooo aalaaa'al laahi wa laa ta'saw fil ardi mufsideen

And remember when He made you successors after the 'Aad and settled you in the land, [and] you take for yourselves palaces from its plains and carve from the mountains, homes. Then remember the favors of Allah and do not commit abuse on the earth, spreading corruption."

اور یاد تو کرو جب اس نے تم کو قوم عاد کے بعد سردار بنایا اور زمین پر آباد کیا کہ نرم زمین سے (مٹی لے لے کر) محل تعمیر کرتے ہو اور پہاڑوں کو تراش تراش کر گھر بناتے ہو۔ پس خدا کی نعمتوں کو یاد کرو اور زمین میں فساد نہ کرتے پھرو

Commentary

Ma'arif-ul-Quran: In the second verse (74), concern has been shown for these pledge-breaking and contumacious people lest they find themselves subjected to Divine punishment. For this purpose they have been reminded of the favours and blessings of Allah Ta` ala upon them in the hope that they would alter their uncomp...
Tafsir al-Jalalayn: And remember how He made you vicegerents on earth after ‘Ād and gave you habitations in the land making castles in its plains in which you lodge during summer and hewing its mountains into houses in which you lodge during winter buyūtan ‘houses’ is in the accusative because of the implied circumstan...
Tafsir Ibn Kathir (English): Thamud: Their Land and Their Lineage Scholars of Tafsir and genealogy say that (the tribe of Thamud descended from) Thamud bin `Athir bin Iram bin Sam bin Nuh, and he is brother of Jadis son of `Athir, similarly the tribe of Tasm, and they were from the ancient Arabs, Al-`Aribah, before the time of ...

أَوَلَمْ يَهْدِ لِلَّذِينَ يَرِثُونَ ٱلْأَرْضَ مِنۢ بَعْدِ أَهْلِهَآ أَن لَّوْ نَشَآءُ أَصَبْنَٰهُم بِذُنُوبِهِمْ وَنَطْبَعُ عَلَىٰ قُلُوبِهِمْ فَهُمْ لَا يَسْمَعُونَ

Awa lam yahdi lillazeena yarisoonal arda mim ba'di ahlihaaa al law nashaaa'u asabnaahum bizunoobihim; wa natba'u 'alaa quloobihim fahum laa yasma'oon

Has it not become clear to those who inherited the earth after its [previous] people that if We willed, We could afflict them for their sins? But We seal over their hearts so they do not hear.

کیا ان لوگوں کو جو اہلِ زمین کے (مرجانے کے) بعد زمین کے مالک ہوتے ہیں، یہ امر موجب ہدایت نہیں ہوا کہ اگر ہم چاہیں تو ان کے گناہوں کے سبب ان پر مصیبت ڈال دیں۔ اور ان کے دلوں پر مہر لگادیں کہ کچھ سن ہی نہ سکیں

Commentary

Ma'arif-ul-Quran: After relating events of the early people, the above verses invite the people of Arabia and the people of the world to take lesson from these events by abstaining from deeds that incurred Allah's wrath, and by following the practices that led the prophets and their believers to eternal success. The ...
Tafsir al-Jalalayn: Has it not been shown has it not become clear to those who inherit the earth as a place of habitation after the destruction of those who inhabited it that an is the softened form and constitutes the subject of the verb its noun having been omitted in other words understand it as annahu if We will We...
Tafsir Ibn Kathir (English): Ibn `Abbas commented on Allah's statement, أَوَلَمْ يَهْدِ لِلَّذِينَ يَرِثُونَ الأَرْضَ مِن بَعْدِ أَهْلِهَآ (Is it not a guidance for those who inherit the earth from its previous inhabitants. ..) "(Allah says,) did We not make clear to them that had We willed, We would have punished them because ...

وَلَقَدْ أَهْلَكْنَا ٱلْقُرُونَ مِن قَبْلِكُمْ لَمَّا ظَلَمُوا۟ وَجَآءَتْهُمْ رُسُلُهُم بِٱلْبَيِّنَٰتِ وَمَا كَانُوا۟ لِيُؤْمِنُوا۟ كَذَٰلِكَ نَجْزِى ٱلْقَوْمَ ٱلْمُجْرِمِينَ

Wa laqad ahlaknal quroona min qablikum lammaa zalamoo wa jaaa'at hum Rusuluhum bil baiyinaati wa maa kaanoo liyu'minoo; kazaalika najzil qawmal mujrimeen

And We had already destroyed generations before you when they wronged, and their messengers had come to them with clear proofs, but they were not to believe. Thus do We recompense the criminal people

اور تم سے پہلے ہم کئی امتوں کو جب انہوں نے ظلم کا راستہ اختیار کیا ہلاک کرچکے ہیں۔ اور ان کے پاس پیغمبر کھلی نشانیاں لے کر آئے مگر وہ ایسے نہ تھے کہ ایمان لاتے۔ ہم گنہگار لوگوں کو اسی طرح بدلہ دیا کرتے ہیں

Commentary

Ma'arif-ul-Quran: The subject of verse 12 has been emphasized from a different angle in verse 13. It has been said: Let no one miscalculate that punishment cannot come in this world just because Allah Ta` ala gives respite to those who deny and disbelieve. The history of past peoples shows that different kinds of pun...
Tafsir al-Jalalayn: And indeed We have destroyed generations communities before you O people of Mecca when they did evil by way of idolatry and indeed their messengers brought them clear proofs indicating their truthfulness; but they would not believe wa-mā kānū li-yu’minū this is a supplement to zalamū ‘they did evil’...
Tafsir Ibn Kathir (English): The Admonition held in the Destruction of the Previous Generations Allah tells us about what happened to past generations when they belied the Messengers ﷺ and the clear signs and proofs the latter brought to them. Allah then made this nation successors after them. He sent to them a Messenger to tes...

فَلَوْلَا كَانَ مِنَ ٱلْقُرُونِ مِن قَبْلِكُمْ أُو۟لُوا۟ بَقِيَّةٍ يَنْهَوْنَ عَنِ ٱلْفَسَادِ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ إِلَّا قَلِيلًا مِّمَّنْ أَنجَيْنَا مِنْهُمْ وَٱتَّبَعَ ٱلَّذِينَ ظَلَمُوا۟ مَآ أُتْرِفُوا۟ فِيهِ وَكَانُوا۟ مُجْرِمِينَ

Falw laa kaana minal qurooni min qablikum ooloo baqiyyatiny yanhawna 'anil fasaadi fil ardi illaa qaleelam mimman anjainaa minhum; wattaba'al lazeena zalamoo maaa utrifoo feehi wa kaanoo mujrimeen

So why were there not among the generations before you those of enduring discrimination forbidding corruption on earth - except a few of those We saved from among them? But those who wronged pursued what luxury they were given therein, and they were criminals.

تو جو اُمتیں تم سے پہلے گزر چکی ہیں، ان میں ایسے ہوش مند کیوں نہ ہوئے جو ملک میں خرابی کرنے سے روکتے ہاں (ایسے) تھوڑے سے (تھے) جن کو ہم نے ان میں سے مخلصی بخشی۔ اور جو ظالم تھے وہ ان ہی باتوں کے پیچھے لگے رہے جس میں عیش وآرام تھا اور وہ گناہوں میں ڈوبے ہوئے تھے

Commentary

Ma'arif-ul-Quran: Given in the third and the fourth verse (116, 117) is the reason why Divine punishment came upon past peoples as well as the instruction as to how they could have stayed safe from it. It was said: How sad that among them there could have been at least some good and wise people who would have stopped...
Tafsir al-Jalalayn: If only there had been among the generations past communities before you men possessing a remnant of good sense men of religion and virtue forbidding corruption in the earth this statement is intended to be a negation in other words ‘there never were such men among them’ except but a few of those wh...
Tafsir Ibn Kathir (English): There must be a Group of People Who forbid Lewdness Allah, the Exalted, says that there should have been a group of wise people present among the past generations who called to good and forbade the evil and corruption that took place among them in the land. His statement, إِلاَّ قَلِيلاً (except a f...

وَمَا مَنَعَ ٱلنَّاسَ أَن يُؤْمِنُوٓا۟ إِذْ جَآءَهُمُ ٱلْهُدَىٰ وَيَسْتَغْفِرُوا۟ رَبَّهُمْ إِلَّآ أَن تَأْتِيَهُمْ سُنَّةُ ٱلْأَوَّلِينَ أَوْ يَأْتِيَهُمُ ٱلْعَذَابُ قُبُلًا

Wa maa mana'an naasa any yu'minooo iz jaaa'ahumul hudaa wa yastaghfiroo Rabbahum illaaa an taatiyahum sunnatul awwaleena aw yaatiyahumul 'azaabu qubulaa

And nothing has prevented the people from believing when guidance came to them and from asking forgiveness of their Lord except that there [must] befall them the [accustomed] precedent of the former peoples or that the punishment should come [directly] before them.

اور لوگوں کے پاس جب ہدایت آگئی تو ان کو کس چیز نے منع کیا کہ ایمان لائیں۔ اور اپنے پروردگار سے بخشش مانگیں۔ بجز اس کے کہ (اس بات کے منتظر ہوں کہ) انہیں بھی پہلوں کا سا معاملہ پیش آئے یا ان پر عذاب سامنے آموجود ہو

Commentary

Ma'arif-ul-Quran: The statement: وَكَانَ الْإِنسَانُ أَكْثَرَ‌ شَيْءٍ جَدَلًا (And man is the most quarrel-some of all things - 54) has been testified through a Hadith narrated by Sayyidna 'Anas ؓ in which the Holy Prophet ﷺ has been reported to have said, "On the day of Qiyamah, a man from among the disbelievers wil...
Tafsir al-Jalalayn: And nothing prevented people that is the disbelievers of Mecca from believing an yu’minū is after al-nāsa ‘people’ constitutes the second direct object clause when the guidance the Qur’ān came to them and from asking forgiveness of their Lord without that there should come upon them the precedent of...
Tafsir Ibn Kathir (English): The Rebellion of the Disbelievers Allah tells us about the rebellion of the disbelievers in ancient times and in more recent times, and how they rejected the obvious truth even when they witnessed clear signs and proofs. Nothing stopped them from following the truth except their demand to witness wi...

مَآ ءَامَنَتْ قَبْلَهُم مِّن قَرْيَةٍ أَهْلَكْنَٰهَآ أَفَهُمْ يُؤْمِنُونَ

Maaa aaamanat qablahum min qaryatin ahlaknaahaa a-fahum yu'minoon

Not a [single] city which We destroyed believed before them, so will they believe?

ان سے پہلے جن بستیوں کو ہم نے ہلاک کیا وہ ایمان نہیں لاتی تھیں۔ تو کیا یہ ایمان لے آئیں گے

Commentary

Ma'arif-ul-Quran: Then in اَفَھُم یؤمِنُونَ (Will they believe?) there is a hint that there was no likelihood of these people accepting the true faith even after seeing the miracles of their choice. Hence they were not shown the desired miracle.
Tafsir al-Jalalayn: No town before them ever believed — meaning none of its inhabitants — of those that We destroyed for the denial of the signs brought to them. Would they then believe? No.
Tafsir Ibn Kathir (English): Which was revealed in Makkah The Virtues of Surat Al-Anbiya' Al-Bukhari recorded that `Abdur-Rahman bin Yazid said that `Abdullah said, "Banu Isra'il, Al-Kahf, Maryam, Ta Ha and Al-Anbiya' - they are among the earliest and most beautiful Surahs and they are my treasure." بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَـنِ ...

ثُمَّ أَنشَأْنَا مِنۢ بَعْدِهِمْ قَرْنًا ءَاخَرِينَ

Summaa anshaana mim ba'dihim qarnan aakhareen

Then We produced after them a generation of others.

پھر ان کے بعد ہم نے ایک اور جماعت پیدا کی

Commentary

Ma'arif-ul-Quran: In the earlier verses the story of Sayyidna Nuh (علیہ السلام) was told who was sent to his people to guide them along the path of righteousness and the following verses contain a brief account of some other prophets without mentioning their names and the people for whose guidance they were sent. Fro...
Tafsir al-Jalalayn: Then after them We brought forth another generation another people namely and these were the people of ‘Ād.
Tafsir Ibn Kathir (English): The Story of `Ad or Thamud Allah tells us that after the people of Nuh, He created another nation. It was said that this was `Ad, because they were the successors of the people of Nuh. Or it was said that they were Thamud, because Allah says: فَأَخَذَتْهُمُ الصَّيْحَةُ بِالْحَقِّ (So, the Sayhah ove...

ثُمَّ أَنشَأْنَا مِنۢ بَعْدِهِمْ قُرُونًا ءَاخَرِينَ

Summa anshaanaa mim ba'dihim quroonan aakhareen

Then We produced after them other generations.

پھر ان کے بعد ہم نے اور جماعتیں پیدا کیں

Commentary

Ma'arif-ul-Quran: Commentary وَآوَيْنَاهُمَا إِلَىٰ رَبْوَةٍ ذَاتِ قَرَارٍ وَمَعِينٍ (and We gave them shelter on a height, a place of rest and running springs). According to Bayan-ul-Qur’ an, this verse refers to the event that a tyrant was resolute to kill Sayyidna ` Isa and his mother (علیہما السلام) right from hi...
Tafsir al-Jalalayn: Then after them We brought forth other generations other peoples.
Tafsir Ibn Kathir (English): Mention of Other Nations Allah says: ثُمَّ أَنشَأْنَا مِن بَعْدِهِمْ قُرُوناً ءَاخَرِينَ (Then, after them, We created other generations.) meaning, nations and peoples. مَّا تَسْبِقُ مِنْ أُمَّةٍ أَجَلَهَا وَمَا يَسْتَـْخِرُونَ (No nation can advance their term, nor can they delay it.) means, they a...

ثُمَّ أَرْسَلْنَا رُسُلَنَا تَتْرَا كُلَّ مَا جَآءَ أُمَّةً رَّسُولُهَا كَذَّبُوهُ فَأَتْبَعْنَا بَعْضَهُم بَعْضًا وَجَعَلْنَٰهُمْ أَحَادِيثَ فَبُعْدًا لِّقَوْمٍ لَّا يُؤْمِنُونَ

Summa arsalnaa Rusulanaa tatraa kulla maa jaaa'a ummatar Rasooluhaa kazzabooh; fa atba'naa ba'dahum ba'danw wa ja'alnaahum ahaadees; fabu'dal liqawmil laa yu'minoon

Then We sent Our messengers in succession. Every time there came to a nation its messenger, they denied him, so We made them follow one another [to destruction], and We made them narrations. So away with a people who do not believe.

پھر ہم نے پے درپے اپنے پیغمبر بھیجتے رہے۔ جب کسی اُمت کے پاس اس کا پیغمبر آتا تھا تو وہ اسے جھٹلاتے تھے تو ہم بھی بعض کو بعض کے پیچھے (ہلاک کرتے اور ان پر عذاب) لاتے رہے اور ان کے افسانے بناتے رہے۔ پس جو لوگ ایمان نہیں لاتے ان پر لعنت

Commentary

Ma'arif-ul-Quran: Commentary وَآوَيْنَاهُمَا إِلَىٰ رَبْوَةٍ ذَاتِ قَرَارٍ وَمَعِينٍ (and We gave them shelter on a height, a place of rest and running springs). According to Bayan-ul-Qur’ an, this verse refers to the event that a tyrant was resolute to kill Sayyidna ` Isa and his mother (علیہما السلام) right from hi...
Tafsir al-Jalalayn: Then sent We Our messengers successively read tatran or tatrā one following the other with a long interval between every two. Whenever there came to a community jā’a ummatan read pronouncing both hamzas or without pronouncing the second one between it and the wāw vowel its messenger they denied him;...
Tafsir Ibn Kathir (English): Mention of Other Nations Allah says: ثُمَّ أَنشَأْنَا مِن بَعْدِهِمْ قُرُوناً ءَاخَرِينَ (Then, after them, We created other generations.) meaning, nations and peoples. مَّا تَسْبِقُ مِنْ أُمَّةٍ أَجَلَهَا وَمَا يَسْتَـْخِرُونَ (No nation can advance their term, nor can they delay it.) means, they a...

فَتِلْكَ بُيُوتُهُمْ خَاوِيَةًۢ بِمَا ظَلَمُوٓا۟ إِنَّ فِى ذَٰلِكَ لَـَٔايَةً لِّقَوْمٍ يَعْلَمُونَ

Fatilka buyootuhum khaa wiyatam bimaa zalamoo; inna fee zaalika la Aayatal liqaw miny-ya'lamoon

So those are their houses, desolate because of the wrong they had done. Indeed in that is a sign for people who know.

اب یہ ان کے گھر ان کے ظلم کے سبب خالی پڑے ہیں۔ جو لوگ دانش رکھتے ہیں، ان کے لئے اس میں نشانی ہے

Commentary

Ma'arif-ul-Quran: لَنُبَيِّتَنَّهُ وَأَهْلَهُ ثُمَّ لَنَقُولَنَّ لِوَلِيِّهِ مَا شَهِدْنَا مَهْلِكَ أَهْلِهِ وَإِنَّا لَصَادِقُونَ We shall attack him (Salih علیہ السلام) and his family at night, then will say to his heir, We did not witness the destruction of his family and we are really truthful - 27:49. The plan w...
Tafsir al-Jalalayn: So those then are their houses lying deserted khāwiyatan is in the accusative because it is a circumstantial qualifier the operator of which is the import of the demonstrative pronoun tilka ‘those’ because of the evil which they did that is their disbelief. Surely in that there is a sign a lesson fo...
Tafsir Ibn Kathir (English): The Plot of the Mischief-Makers and the End of the People of Thamud Allah tells us about the evildoers of Thamud and their leaders who used to call their people to misguidance and disbelief, and to deny Salih. Eventually they killed the she-camel and were about to kill Salih too. They plotted to let...

نَتْلُوا۟ عَلَيْكَ مِن نَّبَإِ مُوسَىٰ وَفِرْعَوْنَ بِٱلْحَقِّ لِقَوْمٍ يُؤْمِنُونَ

Natloo 'alaika min naba-i Moosaa wa Fi'awna bilhaqqi liqawminy yu'miinoon

We recite to you from the news of Moses and Pharaoh in truth for a people who believe.

(اے محمدﷺ) ہم تمہیں موسٰی اور فرعون کے کچھ حالات مومن لوگوں کو سنانے کے لئے صحیح صحیح سناتے ہیں

Commentary

Ma'arif-ul-Quran: Commentary Surah Al-Qasas is the very last among the Makki Surahs. It was revealed between Makkah and Juhfah (Rabigh) during the migration. It is mentioned in some narrations that during the journey from Makkah to Madinah when the Holy Prophet ﷺ reached near Juhfah or Rabigh, Jibra'il (علیہ السلام) ...
Tafsir al-Jalalayn: We will recount narrate to you something of the tale of Moses and Pharaoh truthfully for a people who believe for their sake since they are the ones to benefit from such an account.
Tafsir Ibn Kathir (English): Which was revealed in Makkah Imam Ahmad bin Hanbal, may Allah have mercy on him, recorded that Ma`diykarib said: "We came to `Abdullah and asked him to recite to us: طسم (Ta Sin Mim.) the two hundred. He said, `I do not know it; you should go to someone who learned it from the Messenger of Allah ﷺ K...

وَلَقَدْ ءَاتَيْنَا مُوسَى ٱلْكِتَٰبَ مِنۢ بَعْدِ مَآ أَهْلَكْنَا ٱلْقُرُونَ ٱلْأُولَىٰ بَصَآئِرَ لِلنَّاسِ وَهُدًى وَرَحْمَةً لَّعَلَّهُمْ يَتَذَكَّرُونَ

Wa laqad aatainaa Moosal Kitaaba mim ba'di maaa ahlaknal quroonal oolaa basaaa'ira linnaasi wa hudanw wa rahmatal la'allahum yata zakkkaroon

And We gave Moses the Scripture, after We had destroyed the former generations, as enlightenment for the people and guidance and mercy that they might be reminded.

اور ہم نے پہلی اُمتوں کے ہلاک کرنے کے بعد موسٰی کو کتاب دی جو لوگوں کے لئے بصیرت اور ہدایت اور رحمت ہے تاکہ وہ نصیحت پکڑیں

Commentary

Ma'arif-ul-Quran: Commentary وَلَقَدْ آتَيْنَا مُوسَى الْكِتَابَ مِن بَعْدِ مَا أَهْلَكْنَا الْقُرُ‌ونَ الْأُولَىٰ بَصَائِرَ‌ لِلنَّاسِ (And We gave Musa, after We destroyed the earlier generations, the Book having insights for people - 28:43). The words "earlier generations" refer to the people of Nuh, Hud, Salilh, ...
Tafsir al-Jalalayn: And verily We gave Moses the Scripture the Torah after We had destroyed the former generations the people of Noah ‘Ād Thamūd and others containing eye-openers for mankind basā’ira is a circumstantial qualifier referring to al-kitāb ‘the Scripture’ the plural of basīra which is the perceptive light o...
Tafsir Ibn Kathir (English): The Blessings which Allah bestowed upon Musa Allah tells us about the blessings which He gave His servant and Messenger Musa, the speaker, may the best of peace and blessings from his Lord be upon him, He revealed the Tawrah to him after He destroyed Fir`awn and his chiefs. مِن بَعْدِ مَآ أَهْلَكْنَ...

قَالَ إِنَّمَآ أُوتِيتُهُۥ عَلَىٰ عِلْمٍ عِندِىٓ أَوَلَمْ يَعْلَمْ أَنَّ ٱللَّهَ قَدْ أَهْلَكَ مِن قَبْلِهِۦ مِنَ ٱلْقُرُونِ مَنْ هُوَ أَشَدُّ مِنْهُ قُوَّةً وَأَكْثَرُ جَمْعًا وَلَا يُسْـَٔلُ عَن ذُنُوبِهِمُ ٱلْمُجْرِمُونَ

Qaala innamaaa ootee tuhoo 'alaa 'ilmin 'indeee; awalam ya'lam annal laaha qad ahlaka min qablihee minal qurooni man huwa ashaddu minhu quwwatanw wa aksaru jam'aa; wa laa yus'alu 'an zunoobihimul mujrimoon

He said, "I was only given it because of knowledge I have." Did he not know that Allah had destroyed before him of generations those who were greater than him in power and greater in accumulation [of wealth]? But the criminals, about their sins, will not be asked.

بولا کہ یہ (مال) مجھے میری دانش (کے زور) سے ملا ہے کیا اس کو معلوم نہیں کہ خدا نے اس سے پہلے بہت سی اُمتیں جو اس سے قوت میں بڑھ کر اور جمعیت میں بیشتر تھیں ہلاک کر ڈالی ہیں۔ اور گنہگاروں سے اُن کے گناہوں کے بارے میں پوچھا نہیں جائے گا

Commentary

Ma'arif-ul-Quran: إِنَّمَا أُوتِيتُهُ عَلَىٰ عِلْمٍ عِندِي (This is given to me because of knowledge (I have) with me- 28:78). Some commentators are of the view that "knowledge" in this sentence refers to the understanding of Torah. As reported in some narrations, Qarun remembered Torah by heart and was an authority ...
Tafsir al-Jalalayn: He said ‘In fact I have been given it that is this wealth because of knowledge I possess’ in other words in return for it — he was the most knowledgeable of the Children of Israel in the Torah after Moses and Aaron. God exalted be He says Does he not know that God had already destroyed before him ge...
Tafsir Ibn Kathir (English): Allah informs us how Qarun responded to the exhortations of his people when they sought to guide him قَالَ إِنَّمَآ أُوتِيتُهُ عَلَى عِلْمٍ عِندِى (He said: "This has been given to me only because of the knowledge I possess.") meaning, `I have no need of your advice; Allah has only given me this wea...

وَلَقَدْ فَتَنَّا ٱلَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِهِمْ فَلَيَعْلَمَنَّ ٱللَّهُ ٱلَّذِينَ صَدَقُوا۟ وَلَيَعْلَمَنَّ ٱلْكَٰذِبِينَ

Wa laqad fatannal lazeena min qablihim fala ya'lamannal laahul lazeena sadaqoo wa la ya'lamannal kaazibeen

But We have certainly tried those before them, and Allah will surely make evident those who are truthful, and He will surely make evident the liars.

اور جو لوگ اُن سے پہلے ہو چکے ہیں ہم نے اُن کو بھی آزمایا تھا (اور ان کو بھی آزمائیں گے) سو خدا اُن کو ضرور معلوم کریں گے جو (اپنے ایمان میں) سچے ہیں اور اُن کو بھی جو جھوٹے ہیں

Commentary

Ma'arif-ul-Quran: فَلَيَعْلَمَنَّ اللَّـهُ الَّذِينَ صَدَقُوا (So Allah will surely know the ones who are truthful - 29:3). It means that through tests and hardships the good and the bad, and the sincere and non-sincere will be differentiated, because if the hypocrites are mixed up with the sincere believers and are ...
Tafsir al-Jalalayn: And certainly We tried those who were before them. So God shall surely know those who are sincere in their faith — a knowledge of direct vision — and He shall surely know those who are liars regarding it.
Tafsir Ibn Kathir (English): Which was revealed in Makkah بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَـنِ الرَّحِيمِ In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. The Believers are tested so that it may be known Who is Sincere and Who is Lying Allah says: الم Alif Lam Mim. In the beginning of the Tafsir of Surah Al-Baqarah, we discus...

كَمْ أَهْلَكْنَا مِن قَبْلِهِم مِّن قَرْنٍ فَنَادَوا۟ وَّلَاتَ حِينَ مَنَاصٍ

Kam ahlaknaa min qablihim min qarnin fanaadaw wa laata heena manaas

How many a generation have We destroyed before them, and they [then] called out; but it was not a time for escape.

ہم نے ان سے پہلے بہت سی اُمتوں کو ہلاک کردیا تو وہ (عذاب کے وقت) لگے فریاد کرنے اور وہ رہائی کا وقت نہیں تھا

Commentary

Ma'arif-ul-Quran: Commentary The background of the revelation The background of the revelation of the initial verses of this Surah was that Abu Talib, the uncle of the Holy Prophet ﷺ was doing his best as his guardian, despite that he had not yet embraced Islam. When he fell sick, the chiefs of the tribe of Quraish h...
Tafsir al-Jalalayn: How many — in other words many — a generation a community of past communities We have destroyed before them and they cried out when the chastisement was sent down on them when it was no longer the time for escape that is to say the time was not one for fleeing the suffixed tā’ of wa-lāta is extra; t...
Tafsir Ibn Kathir (English): Which was revealed in Makkah بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَـنِ الرَّحِيمِ In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. وَالْقُرْءَانِ ذِى الذِّكْرِ (By the Qur'an full of reminding.) means, by the Qur'an which includes all that is in it as a reminder and a benefit to people in this life and...

كَذَّبَتْ قَبْلَهُمْ قَوْمُ نُوحٍ وَعَادٌ وَفِرْعَوْنُ ذُو ٱلْأَوْتَادِ

Kazzabat qablahum qawmu Lootinw-wa 'Aadunw wa Fir'awnu zul awtaad

The people of Noah denied before them, and [the tribe of] 'Aad and Pharaoh, the owner of stakes,

ان سے پہلے نوح کی قوم اور عاد اور میخوں والا فرعون (اور اس کی قوم کے لوگ) بھی جھٹلا چکے ہیں

Commentary

Ma'arif-ul-Quran: وَفِرْ‌عَوْنُ ذُو الْأَوْتَادِ (and Fir'aun, the man of the stakes - 12). The literal meaning of this expression appearing in verse 12 is 'Pharaoh of the stakes or pegs'. The commentators have explained this phrase in different ways. Some of them have said that this phrase refers to the stability of...
Tafsir al-Jalalayn: Before them the people of Noah denied the inflection of the verb kadhdabat ‘denied’ that is governed by qawmu ‘people’ is in the feminine person because of the implicit sense and so did those of ‘Ād and Pharaoh he of the stakes — he used to fix four stakes for the person who incurred his wrath and t...
Tafsir Ibn Kathir (English): A Reminder of Those Who were destroyed among the Previous Nations Allah tells us about those past nations and the punishment and vengeance that struck them for their going against the Messengers and disbelieving in the Prophets, peace be upon them. We have already seen their stories in detail in num...

وَثَمُودُ وَقَوْمُ لُوطٍ وَأَصْحَٰبُ لْـَٔيْكَةِ أُو۟لَٰٓئِكَ ٱلْأَحْزَابُ

Wa Samoodu wa qawmu Lootinw wa Ashaabul 'Aykah; ulaaa'ikal Ahzaab

And [the tribe of] Thamud and the people of Lot and the companions of the thicket. Those are the companies.

اور ثمود اور لوط کی قوم اور بن کے رہنے والے بھی۔ یہی وہ گروہ ہیں

Commentary

Ma'arif-ul-Quran: أُولَـٰئِكَ الْأَحْزَابُ (They were the [ strong ] groups. - 38:13) One explanation of this statement is that it is the description of the word 'groups' in verse 11. In other words, 'these are the groups or Confederates that have been pointed out in this verse.' Maulana Thanavi (رح) has gone by this...
Tafsir al-Jalalayn: and Thamūd and the people of Lot and the dwellers in the wood a small forest namely the people of Shu‘ayb peace be upon him — those were the factions.
Tafsir Ibn Kathir (English): A Reminder of Those Who were destroyed among the Previous Nations Allah tells us about those past nations and the punishment and vengeance that struck them for their going against the Messengers and disbelieving in the Prophets, peace be upon them. We have already seen their stories in detail in num...

وَكَذَٰلِكَ مَآ أَرْسَلْنَا مِن قَبْلِكَ فِى قَرْيَةٍ مِّن نَّذِيرٍ إِلَّا قَالَ مُتْرَفُوهَآ إِنَّا وَجَدْنَآ ءَابَآءَنَا عَلَىٰٓ أُمَّةٍ وَإِنَّا عَلَىٰٓ ءَاثَٰرِهِم مُّقْتَدُونَ

Wa kazaalika maaa arsalnaa min qablika fee qaryatim min nazeerin illaa qaala mutrafoohaaa innaa wajadnaaa aabaaa'anaa 'alaaa ummatinw wa innaa 'alaaa aasaarihim muqtadoon

And similarly, We did not send before you any warner into a city except that its affluent said, "Indeed, we found our fathers upon a religion, and we are, in their footsteps, following."

اور اسی طرح ہم نے تم سے پہلے کسی بستی میں کوئی ہدایت کرنے والا نہیں بھیجا مگر وہاں کے خوشحال لوگوں نے کہا کہ ہم نے اپنے باپ دادا کو ایک راہ پر پایا اور ہم قدم بقدم ان ہی کے پیچھے چلتے ہیں

Commentary

Ma'arif-ul-Quran: أَوَمَن يُنَشَّأُ فِي الْحِلْيَةِ (Is it that (Allah has chosen) those (as His offspring) who are grown up in ornaments,... 43:18). This tells us that use of ornaments and adornment in accordance with 'Shari'ah is permissible for women. As such, there is consensus on this issue, but at the same time...
Tafsir al-Jalalayn: And thus We never sent a warner before you into any city without that its affluent folk those of comfortable means said the like of what your people say ‘Lo! we found our fathers following a certain creed and so we are indeed following in their footsteps’.
Tafsir Ibn Kathir (English): The Idolators have no Proof Allah condemns the idolators for worshipping others instead of Allah with no evidence or proof for doing so. أَمْ ءَاتَيْنَـهُمْ كِتَـباً مِّن قَبْلِهِ (Or have We given them any Book before this) means, before their idolatry. فَهُم بِهِ مُسْتَمْسِكُونَ (to which they are...

أَكُفَّارُكُمْ خَيْرٌ مِّنْ أُو۟لَٰٓئِكُمْ أَمْ لَكُم بَرَآءَةٌ فِى ٱلزُّبُرِ

Akuffaarukum khairum min ulaaa'ikum am lakum baraaa'atun fiz Zubur

Are your disbelievers better than those [former ones], or have you immunity in the scripture?

(اے اہل عرب) کیا تمہارے کافر ان لوگوں سے بہتر ہیں یا تمہارے لئے (پہلی) کتابوں میں کوئی فارغ خطی لکھ دی گئی ہے

Commentary

Ma'arif-ul-Quran: Lexicological analysis The word زُبُر zubur (in verse 43) is the plural of zabur, which stands for any written book. It specifically refers to the Scripture that was revealed to Prophet Dawud (علیہ السلام) . أَدْهَىٰ وَأَمَرُّ‌ (...more calamitous and more bitter...54:46). The word adha means more o...
Tafsir al-Jalalayn: Are your disbelievers O Quraysh better than those? mentioned beginning from the people of Noah to those of Pharaoh which is why they have not been chastised? Or have you O disbelievers of Quraysh been granted some immunity from chastisement in the Scriptures? the Books? the interrogative in both ins...
Tafsir Ibn Kathir (English): The Story of Fir`awn and His People Allah the Exalted narrates to us the story of Fir`awn and his people. A Messenger came to them from Allah, Musa supported by his brother Harun. Their Messengers delivered good news if they believe, and a warning if they rejected the Message. Allah supported Musa a...

وَإِذْ قَالَ مُوسَىٰ لِقَوْمِهِۦ يَٰقَوْمِ لِمَ تُؤْذُونَنِى وَقَد تَّعْلَمُونَ أَنِّى رَسُولُ ٱللَّهِ إِلَيْكُمْ فَلَمَّا زَاغُوٓا۟ أَزَاغَ ٱللَّهُ قُلُوبَهُمْ وَٱللَّهُ لَا يَهْدِى ٱلْقَوْمَ ٱلْفَٰسِقِينَ

Wa iz qaala Moosa liqawmihee yaa qawmi lima tu'zoonanee wa qat ta'lamoona annee Rasoolul laahi ilaikum falammaa zaaghooo azaaghal laahu quloobahum; wallaahu laa yahdil qawmal faasiqeen

And [mention, O Muhammad], when Moses said to his people, "O my people, why do you harm me while you certainly know that I am the messenger of Allah to you?" And when they deviated, Allah caused their hearts to deviate. And Allah does not guide the defiantly disobedient people.

اور وہ وقت یاد کرنے کے لائق ہے جب موسیٰ نے اپنی قوم سے کہا کہ اے قوم! تم مجھے کیوں ایذا دیتے ہو حالانکہ تم جانتے ہو کہ میں تمہارے پاس خدا کا بھیجا ہوا آیا ہوں۔ تو جب ان لوگوں نے کج روی کی خدا نے بھی ان کے دل ٹیڑھے کردیئے۔ اور خدا نافرمانوں کو ہدایت نہیں دیتا

Commentary

Ma'arif-ul-Quran: إِنَّ اللَّـهَ يُحِبُّ الَّذِينَ يُقَاتِلُونَ فِي سَبِيلِهِ صَفًّا كَأَنَّهُم بُنْيَانٌ مَّرْ‌صُوصٌ (Surely Allah loves those who fight in His way in firm rows, as if they were a solid edifice...61:4) The main subject of this Surah for which it was revealed is to mention the dearest action in the si...
Tafsir al-Jalalayn: And mention when Moses said to his people ‘O my people why do you harm me — for they had said that he had a hernia in his testicles which he did not have and they denied him — when certainly qad is for confirmation you know that I am the messenger of God to you?’ annī rasūlu’Llāhi ilaykum this sente...
Tafsir Ibn Kathir (English): Musa admonishes His People for annoying Him Allah states that His servant and Messenger Musa, son of `Imran, to whom Allah spoke directly, said to his people, لِمَ تُؤْذُونَنِى وَقَد تَّعْلَمُونَ أَنِّى رَسُولُ اللَّهِ إِلَيْكُمْ (Why do you annoy me while you know certainly that I am the Messenger ...

مَثَلُ ٱلَّذِينَ حُمِّلُوا۟ ٱلتَّوْرَىٰةَ ثُمَّ لَمْ يَحْمِلُوهَا كَمَثَلِ ٱلْحِمَارِ يَحْمِلُ أَسْفَارًۢا بِئْسَ مَثَلُ ٱلْقَوْمِ ٱلَّذِينَ كَذَّبُوا۟ بِـَٔايَٰتِ ٱللَّهِ وَٱللَّهُ لَا يَهْدِى ٱلْقَوْمَ ٱلظَّٰلِمِينَ

Masalul lazeena hum milut tawraata summa lam yahmiloonhaa kamasalil himaari yah milu asfaaraa; bi'sa masalul qawmil lazeena kaazzaboo bi aayaatil laah; wallaahu laa yahdil qawmazzaalimeen

The example of those who were entrusted with the Torah and then did not take it on is like that of a donkey who carries volumes [of books]. Wretched is the example of the people who deny the signs of Allah. And Allah does not guide the wrongdoing people.

جن لوگوں (کے سر) پر تورات لدوائی گئی پھر انہوں نے اس (کے بار تعمیل) کو نہ اٹھایا ان کی مثال گدھے کی سی ہے جن پر بڑی بڑی کتابیں لدی ہوں۔ جو لوگ خدا کی آیتوں کی تکذیب کرتے ہیں ان کی مثال بری ہے۔ اور خدا ظالم لوگوں کو ہدایت نہیں دیتا

Commentary

Ma'arif-ul-Quran: مَثَلُ الَّذِينَ حُمِّلُوا التَّوْرَ‌اةَ ثُمَّ لَمْ يَحْمِلُوهَا كَمَثَلِ الْحِمَارِ‌ يَحْمِلُ أَسْفَارً‌ا (The example of those who were ordered to bear (the responsibility of acting upon) the Torah, then they did not bear it, is like a donkey that carries a load of books...5) The word asfar is the...
Tafsir al-Jalalayn: The likeness of those who were entrusted with the Torah those who were charged with implementing it then failed to uphold it then failed to act in accordance with it in what pertains to the descriptions of the Prophet s and so did not believe in him is as the likeness of an ass carrying books in tha...
Tafsir Ibn Kathir (English): Admonishing the Jews and challenging Them to wish for Death Allah the Exalted admonishes the Jews who were entrusted with the Tawrah and were ordered to abide by it. However, they did not abide by it, and this is why Allah resembled them to the donkey that carries volumes of books. Surely, when the ...

أَلَمْ نُهْلِكِ ٱلْأَوَّلِينَ

Alam nuhlikil awwaleen

Did We not destroy the former peoples?

کیا ہم نے پہلے لوگوں کو ہلاک نہیں کر ڈالا

Commentary

Ma'arif-ul-Quran: أَلَمْ نُهْلِكِ الْأَوَّلِينَ (Did We not destroy the earlier people?...77:16) It refers to the nations of ` Ad, Thamud, nation of Lut (علیہ السلام) and Fir'aun (The Pharaoh) who were destroyed because of their obstinacy.
Tafsir al-Jalalayn: Did We not destroy the ancients for their denial in other words We certainly destroyed them
Tafsir Ibn Kathir (English): The Call to contemplate the various Manifestations of Allah's Power Allah says, أَلَمْ نُهْلِكِ الاٌّوَّلِينَ (Did We not destroy the ancients) meaning, those who rejected the Messengers and opposed what they came to them with. ثُمَّ نُتْبِعُهُمُ الاٌّخِرِينَ (So shall We make later generations to f...

هَلْ أَتَىٰكَ حَدِيثُ ٱلْجُنُودِ

Hal ataaka hadeesul junood

Has there reached you the story of the soldiers -

بھلا تم کو لشکروں کا حال معلوم ہوا ہے

Commentary

Ma'arif-ul-Quran: إِنَّ الَّذِينَ فَتَنُوا الْمُؤْمِنِينَ وَالْمُؤْمِنَاتِ ثُمَّ لَمْ يَتُوبُوا (Surely, those who persecuted the believing men and the believing women, then did not repent,...85:10) This verse describes the torment of the wrong-doers who burned the Muslims in the fire pit only on account of their fai...
Tafsir al-Jalalayn: Have you O Muhammad (s) received the story of the hosts
Tafsir Ibn Kathir (English): The Reward of the Righteous, and the Harsh Seizing of the Disbelieving Enemies of Allah Allah informs about His believing servants that لَهُمْ جَنَّـتٍ تَجْرِى مِن تَحْتِهَا الأَنْهَـرُ (for them will be Gardens under which rivers flow.) This is the opposite of what he has prepared for His enemies o...

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