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Reflection on Signs

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Reflection on Signs

التَّفَكُّرُ فِي الآيَات

"Reflection on Signs (التَّفَكُّرُ فِي الآيَات)" is a profound Islamic theme, inviting believers to deeply ponder and contemplate the myriad 'signs' (آيات) that point to Allah's existence, power, and wisdom. These signs are multifaceted, encompassing the explicit verses of the Qur'an, the lessons derived from historical narratives, and the vastness and intricacy of His creation. The Qur'an repeatedly urges us to observe the natural world: from the celestial bodies to the earthly wonders. We are asked to consider [the realm of the heavens and the earth and everything that Allah has created], and to see how the worldly life, though beautiful, is [like rain which We have sent down from the sky] – flourishing then fading. These observations are meant to awaken our hearts and minds to Allah's ultimate reality. Allah highlights specific examples, such as [the earth spread out, with firmly set mountains and rivers], and diverse plants [watered with one water], yet yielding different fruits. Such intricate details are presented as [signs for a people who give thought] and [a people who reason]. This constant encouragement to reflect deepens one's faith, fostering gratitude and a profound awareness of the Divine presence in every aspect of existence, leading to a more meaningful and God-conscious life.

Quran 23 verses

وَلَوْ شِئْنَا لَرَفَعْنَٰهُ بِهَا وَلَٰكِنَّهُۥٓ أَخْلَدَ إِلَى ٱلْأَرْضِ وَٱتَّبَعَ هَوَىٰهُ فَمَثَلُهُۥ كَمَثَلِ ٱلْكَلْبِ إِن تَحْمِلْ عَلَيْهِ يَلْهَثْ أَوْ تَتْرُكْهُ يَلْهَث ذَّٰلِكَ مَثَلُ ٱلْقَوْمِ ٱلَّذِينَ كَذَّبُوا۟ بِـَٔايَٰتِنَا فَٱقْصُصِ ٱلْقَصَصَ لَعَلَّهُمْ يَتَفَكَّرُونَ

Wa law shi'naa larafa'naahu bihaa wa laakin nahooo akhlada ilal ardi watta ba'a hawaah; famasaluhoo kamasalil kalb; in tahmil 'alaihi yalhas aw tatruk hu yalhas; zaalika masalul qawmil lazeena kazzaboo bi Aayaatinaa; faqsusil qasasa la'allahum yatafakkaroon

And if We had willed, we could have elevated him thereby, but he adhered [instead] to the earth and followed his own desire. So his example is like that of the dog: if you chase him, he pants, or if you leave him, he [still] pants. That is the example of the people who denied Our signs. So relate the stories that perhaps they will give thought.

اور اگر ہم چاہتے تو ان آیتوں سے اس (کے درجے) کو بلند کر دیتے مگر وہ تو پستی کی طرف مائل ہوگیا اور اپنی خواہش کے پیچھے چل پڑا۔ تو اس کی مثال کتے کی سی ہوگئی کہ اگر سختی کرو تو زبان نکالے رہے اور یونہی چھوڑ دو تو بھی زبان نکالے رہے۔ یہی مثال ان لوگوں کی ہے جنہوں نے ہماری آیتوں کو جھٹلایا تو ان سے یہ قصہ بیان کردو۔ تاکہ وہ فکر کریں

Commentary

Ma'arif-ul-Quran: The next verse (176) has said: وَلَوْ شِئْنَا لَرَ‌فَعْنَاهُ بِهَا وَلَـٰكِنَّهُ أَخْلَدَ إِلَى الْأَرْ‌ضِ وَاتَّبَعَ هَوَاهُ "And if We so willed, we would have elevated him thereby, but he clung to the earth, and followed his desire." The word' أَخْلَدَ (Akhlada) is a derivative of اِخلَاد which m...
Tafsir al-Jalalayn: And had We willed We would have raised him up to the ranks of the scholars thereby by facilitating his way to good deeds; but he was disposed to at peace in the earth — that is this world — and inclined to it and followed his whims by calling others to them and so We abased him. Therefore his likene...
Tafsir Ibn Kathir (English): Story Bal`am bin Ba`ura `Abdur-Razzaq recorded that `Abdullah bin Mas`ud said that Allah's statement, وَاتْلُ عَلَيْهِمْ نَبَأَ الَّذِى ءاتَيْنَـهُ ءَايَـتِنَا فَانْسَلَخَ مِنْهَا (And recite to them the story of him to whom We gave Our Ayat, but he threw them away) "Is about Bal`am bin Ba`ura' a ma...

أَوَلَمْ يَنظُرُوا۟ فِى مَلَكُوتِ ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ وَمَا خَلَقَ ٱللَّهُ مِن شَىْءٍ وَأَنْ عَسَىٰٓ أَن يَكُونَ قَدِ ٱقْتَرَبَ أَجَلُهُمْ فَبِأَىِّ حَدِيثٍۭ بَعْدَهُۥ يُؤْمِنُونَ

Awalam yanzuroo fee malakootis samaawaati wal ardi wa maa khalaqal laahu min shai'inw wa an 'asaaa ai yakoona qadiqtaraba ajaluhum fabi aiyi hadeesim ba'dahoo yu'minoon

Do they not look into the realm of the heavens and the earth and everything that Allah has created and [think] that perhaps their appointed time has come near? So in what statement hereafter will they believe?

کیا انہوں نے آسمان اور زمین کی بادشاہت میں جو چیزیں خدا نے پیدا کی ہیں ان پر نظر نہیں کی اور اس بات پر (خیال نہیں کیا) کہ عجب نہیں ان (کی موت) کا وقت نزدیک پہنچ گیا ہو۔ تو اس کے بعد وہ اور کس بات پر ایمان لائیں گے

Commentary

Ma'arif-ul-Quran: The verse 185 has invited mankind to practice two important things. Firstly, to make thoughtful observation of the creation of Allah, the heavens, the earth and the things existing between them. Secondly, to be mindful of the period of life given to an individual. It does not require to be a genius ...
Tafsir al-Jalalayn: And have they not reflected upon the dominion the kingdom malakūt is mulk of the heaven and of the earth and upon what things God has created min shay’in is an explication of the preceding mā ‘what’ so that they are able to infer the power of their Creator and His Oneness and upon that upon the fact...
Tafsir Ibn Kathir (English): فَبِأَىِّ حَدِيثٍ بَعْدَهُ يُؤْمِنُونَ (In what message after this will they then believe) Allah says, what more warnings, and discouragements should compel them to believe, if the warnings and threats that Muhammad ﷺ brought them from Allah in His Book do not compel them to do so Allah said next,

إِنَّمَا مَثَلُ ٱلْحَيَوٰةِ ٱلدُّنْيَا كَمَآءٍ أَنزَلْنَٰهُ مِنَ ٱلسَّمَآءِ فَٱخْتَلَطَ بِهِۦ نَبَاتُ ٱلْأَرْضِ مِمَّا يَأْكُلُ ٱلنَّاسُ وَٱلْأَنْعَٰمُ حَتَّىٰٓ إِذَآ أَخَذَتِ ٱلْأَرْضُ زُخْرُفَهَا وَٱزَّيَّنَتْ وَظَنَّ أَهْلُهَآ أَنَّهُمْ قَٰدِرُونَ عَلَيْهَآ أَتَىٰهَآ أَمْرُنَا لَيْلًا أَوْ نَهَارًا فَجَعَلْنَٰهَا حَصِيدًا كَأَن لَّمْ تَغْنَ بِٱلْأَمْسِ كَذَٰلِكَ نُفَصِّلُ ٱلْـَٔايَٰتِ لِقَوْمٍ يَتَفَكَّرُونَ

Innamaa masalul hayaatid dunyaa kammaaa'in anzalnaahu minas sammaaa'i fakhtalata bihee nabaatul ardi mimmaa yaakulun naasu wal an'aam; hattaaa izaaa akhazatil ardu zukhrufahaa wazziyanat wa zanna ahluhaaa annahum qaadiroona 'alaihaaa ataahaaa amrunaa lailan aw nahaaran faja'alnaahaa haseedan ka allam taghna bil-ams; kazaalika nufassilul aayaati liqawminy yatafakkaroon

The example of [this] worldly life is but like rain which We have sent down from the sky that the plants of the earth absorb - [those] from which men and livestock eat - until, when the earth has taken on its adornment and is beautified and its people suppose that they have capability over it, there comes to it Our command by night or by day, and We make it as a harvest, as if it had not flourished yesterday. Thus do We explain in detail the signs for a people who give thought.

دنیا کی زندگی کی مثال مینھہ کی سی ہے کہ ہم نے اس کو آسمان سے برسایا۔ پھر اس کے ساتھ سبزہ جسے آدمی اور جانور کھاتے ہیں مل کر نکلا یہاں تک کہ زمین سبزے سے خوشنما اور آراستہ ہوگئی اور زمین والوں نے خیال کیا کہ وہ اس پر پوری دسترس رکھتے ہیں ناگہاں رات کو یا دن کو ہمارا حکم (عذاب) آپہنچا تو ہم نے اس کو کاٹ (کر ایسا کر) ڈالا کہ گویا کل وہاں کچھ تھا ہی نہیں۔ جو لوگ غور کرنے والے ہیں۔ ان کے لیے ہم (اپنی قدرت کی) نشانیاں اسی طرح کھول کھول کر بیان کرتے ہیں

Commentary

Ma'arif-ul-Quran: The warning given in verse 23: إِنَّمَا بَغْيُكُمْ عَلَىٰ أَنفُسِكُم (your rebellion is, in fact, against your own-selves) tells us that the curse of injustice is certain and, much before matters are settled in the Hereafter, one who is guilty of doing injustice must suffer from its evil consequence...
Tafsir al-Jalalayn: The likeness the description of the life of this world is only as water rain which We send down from the heaven then the plants of the earth mingle with it they mingle because of it attaching themselves one to another whereof mankind eat plants such as wheat and barley and so on and cattle eat of pa...
Tafsir Ibn Kathir (English): The Parable of this Life Allah the Almighty has set an example of the similitude of the life of this world, its glitter and the swiftness of its passage, likening it to the plant and vegetation that Allah brings out from the earth. This plant grows from the water that comes down from the sky. These ...

وَهُوَ ٱلَّذِى مَدَّ ٱلْأَرْضَ وَجَعَلَ فِيهَا رَوَٰسِىَ وَأَنْهَٰرًا وَمِن كُلِّ ٱلثَّمَرَٰتِ جَعَلَ فِيهَا زَوْجَيْنِ ٱثْنَيْنِ يُغْشِى ٱلَّيْلَ ٱلنَّهَارَ إِنَّ فِى ذَٰلِكَ لَـَٔايَٰتٍ لِّقَوْمٍ يَتَفَكَّرُونَ

Wa Huwal lazee maddal arda wa ja'ala feehaa rawaasiya wa anhaaraa; wa min kullis samaraati ja'ala feehaa zawjainis yaini Yughshil lailan nahaar; inna fee zaalika la aayaatil liqawminy yatafakkaroon

And it is He who spread the earth and placed therein firmly set mountains and rivers; and from all of the fruits He made therein two mates; He causes the night to cover the day. Indeed in that are signs for a people who give thought.

اور وہ وہی ہے جس نے زمین کو پھیلایا اور اس میں پہاڑ اور دریا پیدا کئے اور ہر طرح کے میوؤں کی دو دو قسمیں بنائیں۔ وہی رات کو دن کا لباس پہناتا ہے۔ غور کرنے والوں کے لیے اس میں بہت سی نشانیاں ہیں

Commentary

Ma'arif-ul-Quran: In the next verse (3), it was said: وَهُوَ الَّذِي مَدَّ الْأَرْ‌ضَ وَجَعَلَ فِيهَا رَ‌وَاسِيَ وَأَنْهَارً‌ا And He is the One who spread out the earth and made mountains and rivers therein. The expression: 'spread out the earth' is not contradictory of its being round - because each part of somethi...
Tafsir al-Jalalayn: And He it is Who spread out extended flat the earth and set created therein firm mountains and rivers and of every fruit He has made in it two kinds of every species. He covers He cloaks the night and its darkness with the day. Surely in that which is mentioned are signs indications of His Oneness e...
Tafsir Ibn Kathir (English): Allah's Signs on the Earth After Allah mentioned the higher worlds, He started asserting His power, wisdom and control over the lower parts of the world. Allah said, وَهُوَ الَّذِى مَدَّ الاٌّرْضَ (And it is He Who spread out the earth) made it spacious in length and width. Allah has placed on the e...

وَفِى ٱلْأَرْضِ قِطَعٌ مُّتَجَٰوِرَٰتٌ وَجَنَّٰتٌ مِّنْ أَعْنَٰبٍ وَزَرْعٌ وَنَخِيلٌ صِنْوَانٌ وَغَيْرُ صِنْوَانٍ يُسْقَىٰ بِمَآءٍ وَٰحِدٍ وَنُفَضِّلُ بَعْضَهَا عَلَىٰ بَعْضٍ فِى ٱلْأُكُلِ إِنَّ فِى ذَٰلِكَ لَـَٔايَٰتٍ لِّقَوْمٍ يَعْقِلُونَ

Wa fil ardi qita'um muta jaawiraatunw wa jannaatum min a'naabinw wa zar'unw wa nakheelun sinwaanunw wa ghairu sinwaaniny yusqaa bimaaa'inw waahid; wa nufaddilu ba'dahaa 'alaa ba'din fil-ukul; inna fee zaalika la aayaatil liqawminy ya'qiloon

And within the land are neighboring plots and gardens of grapevines and crops and palm trees, [growing] several from a root or otherwise, watered with one water; but We make some of them exceed others in [quality of] fruit. Indeed in that are signs for a people who reason.

اور زمین میں کئی طرح کے قطعات ہیں۔ ایک دوسرے سے ملے ہوئے اور انگور کے باغ اور کھیتی اور کھجور کے درخت۔ بعض کی بہت سی شاخیں ہوتی ہیں اور بعض کی اتنی نہیں ہوتیں (باوجود یہ کہ) پانی سب کو ایک ہی ملتا ہے۔ اور ہم بعض میوؤں کو بعض پر لذت میں فضیلت دیتے ہیں۔ اس میں سمجھنے والوں کے لیے بہت سی نشانیاں ہیں

Commentary

Ma'arif-ul-Quran: In the fourth verse it was said: وَفِي الْأَرْ‌ضِ قِطَعٌ مُّتَجَاوِرَ‌اتٌ وَجَنَّاتٌ مِّنْ أَعْنَابٍ وَزَرْ‌عٌ وَنَخِيلٌ صِنْوَانٌ وَغَيْرُ‌ صِنْوَانٍ يُسْقَىٰ بِمَاءٍ وَاحِدٍ وَنُفَضِّلُ بَعْضَهَا عَلَىٰ بَعْضٍ فِي الْأُكُلِ And in the earth there are tracts of land neighboring each other and garde...
Tafsir al-Jalalayn: And on the earth are tracts diverse terrains neighbouring each other joined side by side some good some briny some of little yield and some fruitful — and these constitute proofs of His power exalted be He — and gardens orchards of vines and sown fields read zar‘un in the nominative as a supplement ...
Tafsir Ibn Kathir (English): Allah's Signs on the Earth After Allah mentioned the higher worlds, He started asserting His power, wisdom and control over the lower parts of the world. Allah said, وَهُوَ الَّذِى مَدَّ الاٌّرْضَ (And it is He Who spread out the earth) made it spacious in length and width. Allah has placed on the e...

إِنَّ فِى ذَٰلِكَ لَـَٔايَٰتٍ لِّلْمُتَوَسِّمِينَ

Inna fee zaalika la Aayaatil lilmutawassimeen

Indeed in that are signs for those who discern.

بےشک اس (قصے) میں اہل فراست کے لیے نشانی ہے

Commentary

Ma'arif-ul-Quran: Learn Your Essential Lesson From Sites Ruined by Divine Punishment In verses 75 and 76: إِنَّ فِي ذَٰلِكَ لَآيَاتٍ لِّلْمُتَوَسِّمِينَ ﴿75﴾ وَإِنَّهَا لَبِسَبِيلٍ مُّقِيمٍ ﴿76﴾ (Surely, in that there are signs for those who read signs. And surely, it [ their city ] is located on the straight road), ...
Tafsir al-Jalalayn: Indeed in that which is mentioned there are signs indications of God’s Oneness for those who take note those who observe and take heed.
Tafsir Ibn Kathir (English): The Destruction of the People of Lut Allah said; فَأَخَذَتْهُمُ الصَّيْحَةُ (So the Sayhah overtook them) This is the piercing sound that came to them when the sun rose, which was accompanied by the city being flipped upside down, and stones of baked clay (As-Sijjil) raining down upon them. The disc...

كُلُوا۟ وَٱرْعَوْا۟ أَنْعَٰمَكُمْ إِنَّ فِى ذَٰلِكَ لَـَٔايَٰتٍ لِّأُو۟لِى ٱلنُّهَىٰ

Kuloo war'aw an'aamakum; inna fee zaalika la Aayaatil li ulin nuhaa

Eat [therefrom] and pasture your livestock. Indeed, in that are signs for those of intelligence.

کہ (خود بھی) کھاؤ اور اپنے چارپایوں کو بھی چراؤ۔ بےشک ان (باتوں) میں عقل والوں کے لئے (بہت سی) نشانیاں ہیں

Commentary

Ma'arif-ul-Quran: The next verse (54) says إِنَّ فِي ذَٰلِكَ لَآيَاتٍ لِّأُولِي النُّهَىٰ (Surely, in that there are signs for the people of understanding. (20:54). The word النُّهَىٰ is the plural of نُھیَۃ (nuhyah) which is used in the same sense as عققل (aql: Intelligence) because it enables wise and intelligent p...
Tafsir al-Jalalayn: Eat thereof and pasture your cattle therein an‘ām ‘cattle’ is the plural of na‘am which are camels cows and sheep; one says ra‘atu’l-an‘āmu ‘the cattle grazed’ or ra‘aytuhā ‘I grazed them’; the imperative here is meant as a permissive and a reminder of God’s grace the sentence being a circumstantial...
Tafsir Ibn Kathir (English): The Completion of Musa's Reply to Fir`awn This is from the completion of Musa's speech concerning the description of His Lord when Fir`awn asked him about Him. He (Musa) said, الَّذِى أَعْطَى كُلَّ شَىءٍ خَلْقَهُ ثُمَّ هَدَى (He Who gave to each thing its form and nature, then guided it aright.) The...

فَرَجَعُوٓا۟ إِلَىٰٓ أَنفُسِهِمْ فَقَالُوٓا۟ إِنَّكُمْ أَنتُمُ ٱلظَّٰلِمُونَ

Faraja'ooo ilaaa anfusihim faqaalooo innakum antumuz zaalimoon

So they returned to [blaming] themselves and said [to each other], "Indeed, you are the wrongdoers."

انہوں نے اپنے دل غور کیا تو آپس میں کہنے لگے بےشک تم ہی بےانصاف ہو

Commentary

Ma'arif-ul-Quran: The words of Sayyidna Ibrahim (علیہ السلام) were not untrue, but only allusions قَالَ بَلْ فَعَلَهُ كَبِيرُ‌هُمْ هَـٰذَا فَاسْأَلُوهُمْ إِن كَانُوا يَنطِقُونَ (He said, "Rather, this is done by this chief of theirs. So, ask them if they were to speak." - 21:63) When the community of Sayyidna Ibrahim...
Tafsir al-Jalalayn: So they turned thinking to themselves in reflection and they said to themselves ‘Truly it is you who are the evildoers’ for worshipping that which cannot speak.
Tafsir Ibn Kathir (English): The People's admission of their gods' incapability, and Ibrahim's preaching Allah tells us that when Ibrahim said what he said, his people فَرَجَعُواْ إِلَى أَنفُسِهِمْ (turned to themselves) meaning, they blamed themselves for not taking precautions and protecting their gods. They said: إِنَّكُمْ أ...

أَفَلَمْ يَسِيرُوا۟ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ فَتَكُونَ لَهُمْ قُلُوبٌ يَعْقِلُونَ بِهَآ أَوْ ءَاذَانٌ يَسْمَعُونَ بِهَا فَإِنَّهَا لَا تَعْمَى ٱلْأَبْصَٰرُ وَلَٰكِن تَعْمَى ٱلْقُلُوبُ ٱلَّتِى فِى ٱلصُّدُورِ

Afalam yaseeroo fil ardi fatakoona lahum quloobuny ya'qiloona bihaaa aw aazaanuny yasm'oona bihaa fa innahaa laa ta'mal absaaru wa laakin ta'mal quloobul latee fissudoor

So have they not traveled through the earth and have hearts by which to reason and ears by which to hear? For indeed, it is not eyes that are blinded, but blinded are the hearts which are within the breasts.

کیا ان لوگوں نے ملک میں سیر نہیں کی تاکہ ان کے دل (ایسے) ہوتے کہ ان سے سمجھ سکتے۔ اور کان (ایسے) ہوتے کہ ان سے سن سکتے۔ بات یہ ہے کہ آنکھیں اندھی نہیں ہوتیں بلکہ دل جو سینوں میں ہیں (وہ) اندھے ہوتے ہیں

Commentary

Ma'arif-ul-Quran: Commentary Travels undertaken to acquire insight into things and to learn lessons from the past is one of the religious objectives أَفَلَمْ يَسِيرُ‌وا فِي الْأَرْ‌ضِ فَتَكُونَ لَهُمْ قُلُوبٌ (Have they not, then, travelled on earth so that they should have hearts - 22:46) This verse encourages trave...
Tafsir al-Jalalayn: Have they namely the disbelievers of Mecca not travelled in the land so that they may have hearts with which to comprehend what befell deniers before them or ears with which to hear? the stories of how they were destroyed and their dwelling-places were ruined and so take heed? Indeed it is not the e...
Tafsir Ibn Kathir (English): The Consequences for the Disbelievers Here Allah consoles His Prophet Muhammad ﷺ for the disbelief of those among his people who opposed him. وَإِن يُكَذِّبُوكَ فَقَدْ كَذَّبَتْ قَبْلَهُمْ قَوْمُ نُوحٍ (And if they deny you, so did deny before them the people of Nuh) until His saying, وَكُذِّبَ مُوس...

أَفَلَمْ يَدَّبَّرُوا۟ ٱلْقَوْلَ أَمْ جَآءَهُم مَّا لَمْ يَأْتِ ءَابَآءَهُمُ ٱلْأَوَّلِينَ

Afalam yaddabbarrul qawla am jaaa'ahum maa lam yaati aabaaa'ahumul awwaleen

Then have they not reflected over the Qur'an, or has there come to them that which had not come to their forefathers?

کیا انہوں نے اس کلام میں غور نہیں کیا یا ان کے پاس کوئی ایسی چیز آئی ہے جو ان کے اگلے باپ دادا کے پاس نہیں تھی

Commentary

Ma'arif-ul-Quran: The verses 68, 69 and 70 mention five reasons which might possibly have prevented the unbelievers from accepting the faith brought by the Holy Prophet ﷺ ، and also give a rebuttal of each of these causes. Thus on the one hand all the arguments advanced by the infidels for not accepting the true fait...
Tafsir al-Jalalayn: God exalted be He says Have they not contemplated yaddabbarū should actually be yatadabbarū but the tā’ has been assimilated with the dāl the discourse namely the Qur’ān that is proof of the Prophet’s sincerity or has there come upon them that which has not come upon their forefathers?
Tafsir Ibn Kathir (English): Refutation and Condemnation of the Idolators Allah denounces the idolators for not understanding the Qur'an or contemplating its meaning, and for turning away from it, even though they had been addressed specifically in this Book which Allah did not reveal to any Messenger more perfect and noble, an...

وَهُوَ ٱلَّذِى يُحْىِۦ وَيُمِيتُ وَلَهُ ٱخْتِلَٰفُ ٱلَّيْلِ وَٱلنَّهَارِ أَفَلَا تَعْقِلُونَ

Wa Huwal lazee yuhyee wa yumeetu wa lahukh tilaaful laili wannahaar; afalaa ta'qiloon

And it is He who gives life and causes death, and His is the alternation of the night and the day. Then will you not reason?

اور وہی ہے جو زندگی بخشتا ہے اور موت دیتا ہے اور رات اور دن کا بدلتے رہنا اسی کا تصرف ہے، کیا تم سمجھتے نہیں

Commentary

Ma'arif-ul-Quran: وَلَقَدْ أَخَذْنَاهُم بِالْعَذَابِ فَمَا اسْتَكَانُوا لِرَ‌بِّهِمْ وَمَا يَتَضَرَّ‌عُونَ And We have already seized them with punishment, but they did not turn humble to their Lord, nor do they supplicate in humility. (23:76) In the preceding verse it has been stated that when the unbelievers are su...
Tafsir al-Jalalayn: And He it is Who gives life by breathing the Spirit into the embryo mudgha and brings death and due to Him is the alternation of night and day in darkness and brightness and through increase and diminution. Will you not then comprehend? His handiwork exalted be He and so reflect?
Tafsir Ibn Kathir (English): وَلَقَدْ أَخَذْنَـهُمْ بِالْعَذَابِ (And indeed We seized them with punishment,) means, `We tried and tested them with difficulties and calamities.' His saying: فَمَا اسْتَكَانُواْ لِرَبِّهِمْ وَمَا يَتَضَرَّعُونَ (but they humbled not themselves to their Lord, nor did they invoke with submission to...

سَيَقُولُونَ لِلَّهِ قُلْ أَفَلَا تَذَكَّرُونَ

Sa-yaqooloona lillaah; qul afalaa tazakkkaroon

They will say, "To Allah." Say, "Then will you not remember?"

جھٹ بول اٹھیں گے کہ خدا کا۔ کہو کہ پھر تم سوچتے کیوں نہیں؟

Commentary

Ma'arif-ul-Quran: وَلَقَدْ أَخَذْنَاهُم بِالْعَذَابِ فَمَا اسْتَكَانُوا لِرَ‌بِّهِمْ وَمَا يَتَضَرَّ‌عُونَ And We have already seized them with punishment, but they did not turn humble to their Lord, nor do they supplicate in humility. (23:76) In the preceding verse it has been stated that when the unbelievers are su...
Tafsir al-Jalalayn: They will say ‘To God’. Say to them ‘Will you not then remember?’ tadhakkarūna the second tā’ of tatadhakkarūna has been assimilated with the dhāl will you not then be admonished and so realise that the One Who has the power to originate creation also has the power to resurrect after death?
Tafsir Ibn Kathir (English): The Idolators believe in Tawhid Ar-Rububiyyah, which requires them to believe in Tawhid Al-Uluhiyyah Allah states that the fact that He is One and that He is independent in His creation, control, dominion and guides one to realize that there is no God except Him and that none should be worshipped ex...

وَٱلَّذِينَ إِذَا ذُكِّرُوا۟ بِـَٔايَٰتِ رَبِّهِمْ لَمْ يَخِرُّوا۟ عَلَيْهَا صُمًّا وَعُمْيَانًا

Wallazeena izaa zukkiroo bi Aayaati Rabbihim lam yakhirroo 'alaihaa summanw wa'umyaanaa

And those who, when reminded of the verses of their Lord, do not fall upon them deaf and blind.

اور وہ کہ جب ان کو پروردگار کی باتیں سمجھائی جاتی ہیں تو اُن پر اندھے اور بہرے ہو کر نہیں گرتے (بلکہ غور سے سنتے ہیں)

Commentary

Ma'arif-ul-Quran: The Twelveth Characteristic وَالَّذِينَ إِذَا ذُكِّرُ‌وا بِآيَاتِ رَ‌بِّهِمْ لَمْ يَخِرُّ‌وا عَلَيْهَا صُمًّا وَعُمْيَانًا And those who, when they are reminded of the verses of their Lord, do not fall at them as deaf and blind ones - 25:73 That is when the blessed servants of Allah are reminded of ...
Tafsir al-Jalalayn: and those who when they are reminded when they are admonished of the revelations of their Lord that is reminded of the Qur’ān do not fall on them deaf and blind but fall on them listening contemplating benefiting and obedient;
Tafsir Ibn Kathir (English): More Attributes of the Servants of the Most Gracious These are further attributes of the servants of the Most Gracious. They do not bear witness to falsehood, including lies, immorality, disbelief, foul speech and false words. `Amr bin Qays said, this refers to gatherings of sexual immorality. It wa...

قَالَ أَفَرَءَيْتُم مَّا كُنتُمْ تَعْبُدُونَ

Qaala afara 'aitum maa kuntum ta'budoon

He said, "Then do you see what you have been worshipping,

ابراہیم نے کہا کیا تم نے دیکھا کہ جن کو تم پوجتے رہے ہو

Commentary

Ma'arif-ul-Quran: The reasoning for this he gave إِنَّ مَعِيَ رَ‌بِّي سَيَهْدِينِ (62) "Indeed with me is my Lord. He will guide me." Such are the moments for the test of faith, when Sayyidna Musa (علیہ السلام) was not terror stricken at all, as if he was seeing for himself the way out. Almost the same thing happened...
Tafsir al-Jalalayn: He said ‘Have you considered what you have been worshipping
Tafsir Ibn Kathir (English): How the Close Friend of Allah, Ibrahim spoke out against Shirk Here Allah tells us about His servant, Messenger and Close Friend, Ibrahim, upon him be peace, the leader of the pure monotheists. Allah commanded His Messenger Muhammad ﷺ to recite this story to his Ummah so that they could follow this ...

أَوَلَمْ يَرَوْا۟ أَنَّا نَسُوقُ ٱلْمَآءَ إِلَى ٱلْأَرْضِ ٱلْجُرُزِ فَنُخْرِجُ بِهِۦ زَرْعًا تَأْكُلُ مِنْهُ أَنْعَٰمُهُمْ وَأَنفُسُهُمْ أَفَلَا يُبْصِرُونَ

Awalam yaraw annaa nasooqul maaa'a ilal lardil juruzi fanukhriju bihee zar'an taakulu minhu an'aamuhum wa anfusuhum afalaa yubsiroon

Have they not seen that We drive the water [in clouds] to barren land and bring forth thereby crops from which their livestock eat and [they] themselves? Then do they not see?

کیا اُنہوں نے نہیں دیکھا کہ ہم بنجر زمین کی طرف پانی رواں کرتے ہیں پھر اس سے کھیتی پیدا کرتے ہیں جس میں سے ان کے چوپائے بھی کھاتے ہیں اور وہ خود بھی (کھاتے ہیں) تو یہ دیکھتے کیوں نہیں۔

Commentary

Ma'arif-ul-Quran: The word: جُرُز (al-juruz) in verse 27: أَوَلَمْ يَرَ‌وْا أَنَّا نَسُوقُ الْمَاءَ إِلَى الْأَرْ‌ضِ الْجُرُ‌زِ فَنُخْرِ‌جُ (Have they not seen that We drive water to the dry land, then We bring forth crops thereby - 27) means barren land where trees do not grow. A wise system of irrigation Usually th...
Tafsir al-Jalalayn: Or have they not seen how We drive the water to barren land juruz this is arid land that contains no vegetation and therewith bring forth crops whereof their cattle and they themselves eat? Can they not see? this and so realise that We have the power to bring them back to life after death.
Tafsir Ibn Kathir (English): Learning the Lessons of the Past Allah says: will these people who deny the Messengers not learn from the nations who came before them, whom Allah destroyed for their rejection of His Messengers and their opposition to what the Messengers brought them of the straight path No trace is left of them wh...

أَفَلَمْ يَرَوْا۟ إِلَىٰ مَا بَيْنَ أَيْدِيهِمْ وَمَا خَلْفَهُم مِّنَ ٱلسَّمَآءِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ إِن نَّشَأْ نَخْسِفْ بِهِمُ ٱلْأَرْضَ أَوْ نُسْقِطْ عَلَيْهِمْ كِسَفًا مِّنَ ٱلسَّمَآءِ إِنَّ فِى ذَٰلِكَ لَـَٔايَةً لِّكُلِّ عَبْدٍ مُّنِيبٍ

Afalam yaraw ilaa maa baina aydeehim wa maa khalfahum minas samaaa'i wal ard; in nashad nakhsif bihimul arda aw nusqit 'alaihim kisafam minas samaaa'; inna fee zaalika la Aayatal likulli 'abdim muneeb

Then, do they not look at what is before them and what is behind them of the heaven and earth? If We should will, We could cause the earth to swallow them or [could] let fall upon them fragments from the sky. Indeed in that is a sign for every servant turning back [to Allah].

کیا انہوں نے اس کو نہیں دیکھا جو ان کے آگے اور پیچھے ہے یعنی آسمان اور زمین۔ اگر ہم چاہیں تو ان کو زمین میں دھنسا دیں یا ان پر آسمان کے ٹکڑے گرا دیں۔ اس میں ہر بندے کے لئے جو رجوع کرنے والا ہے ایک نشانی ہے

Commentary

Ma'arif-ul-Quran: The last verse (9): أَفَلَمْ يَرَ‌وْا إِلَىٰ مَا بَيْنَ أَيْدِيهِمْ وَمَا خَلْفَهُم (Have they not, then, looked to the sky and the earth that lies before them and behind them? ) carries two chastening messages: (1) It proves that one can come to believe in the coming of the Qiyamah by pondering ov...
Tafsir al-Jalalayn: Have they not observed what is before them and what is behind them in other words what is above them and what is beneath them of heaven and earth? If We will it We can make the earth swallow them or let fall on them fragments read kisfan or kisafan ‘large pieces’ from the heaven a variant reading ha...
Tafsir Ibn Kathir (English): The Disbelievers' Denial of Life after Death, and the Refutation of Their View Here Allah tells us how the disbelievers and heretics denied that the Hour will come, and mocked the Messenger ﷺ for speaking of it. وَقَالَ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْ هَلْ نَدُلُّكُمْ عَلَى رَجُلٍ يُنَبِّئُكُمْ إِذَا مُزِّقْتُم...

قُلْ إِنَّمَآ أَعِظُكُم بِوَٰحِدَةٍ أَن تَقُومُوا۟ لِلَّهِ مَثْنَىٰ وَفُرَٰدَىٰ ثُمَّ تَتَفَكَّرُوا۟ مَا بِصَاحِبِكُم مِّن جِنَّةٍ إِنْ هُوَ إِلَّا نَذِيرٌ لَّكُم بَيْنَ يَدَىْ عَذَابٍ شَدِيدٍ

Qul innamaaa a'izukum biwaahidatin an taqoomoo lillaahi masnaa wa furaadaa summa tatafakkaroo; maa bisaahibikum min jinnah; in huwa illaa nazeerul lakum baina yadai 'azaabin shadeed

Say, "I only advise you of one [thing] - that you stand for Allah, [seeking truth] in pairs and individually, and then give thought." There is not in your companion any madness. He is only a warner to you before a severe punishment.

کہہ دو کہ میں تمہیں صرف ایک بات کی نصیحت کرتا ہوں کہ تم خدا کے لئے دو دو اور اکیلے اکیلے کھڑے ہوجاؤ پھر غور کرو۔ تمہارے رفیق کو سودا نہیں وہ تم کو عذاب سخت (کے آنے) سے پہلے صرف ڈرانے والے ہیں

Commentary

Ma'arif-ul-Quran: Call to the disbelievers of Makkah In verse 46: إِنَّمَا أَعِظُكُم بِوَاحِدَةٍ (I advise you for one thing only), in order to negate any excuse for the people of Makkah, they have been shown a shortcut to ascertain truth. For this, they had to do just one thing: Stand for Allah, in pairs and singles...
Tafsir al-Jalalayn: Say ‘I will give you just one piece of admonition namely that you rise up for God in other words for His sake in twos and individually and then reflect and realise that there is no madness in your companion Muhammad (s). He is just a warner to you before the befalling of a severe chastisement’ in th...
Tafsir Ibn Kathir (English): Refutation of Their Accusation that the Prophet was Insane Allah says: `Say, O Muhammad, to these disbelievers who claim that you are crazy,' إِنَّمَآ أَعِظُكُمْ بِوَحِدَةٍ I exhort you to one (thing) only, meaning, I am only telling you to one thing, and that is: أَن تَقُومُواْ لِلَّهِ مَثْنَى وَفُ...

وَبِٱلَّيْلِ أَفَلَا تَعْقِلُونَ

Wa billail; afalaa ta'qiloon

And at night. Then will you not use reason?

اور رات کو بھی۔ تو کیا تم عقل نہیں رکھتے

Commentary

Ma'arif-ul-Quran: Commentary Mentioned in these verses is the fifth event that relates to Sayyidna Lut (علیہ السلام) . This event has appeared at several places earlier, therefore, no more details are needed. Here, the people of Makkah have been particularly admonished that they passed by the site of Sadum (Sodom) da...
Tafsir al-Jalalayn: and at night will you O people of Mecca not then understand? what befell them and so take heed therefrom?
Tafsir Ibn Kathir (English): The Destruction of the People of Lut (Lot) Allah tells us that He sent His servant and Messenger Lut, peace be upon him, to his people, and they denied him, so Allah saved him from among them, him and his family with the exception of his wife, who was destroyed along with her people. Allah destroyed...

سَنُرِيهِمْ ءَايَٰتِنَا فِى ٱلْـَٔافَاقِ وَفِىٓ أَنفُسِهِمْ حَتَّىٰ يَتَبَيَّنَ لَهُمْ أَنَّهُ ٱلْحَقُّ أَوَلَمْ يَكْفِ بِرَبِّكَ أَنَّهُۥ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَىْءٍ شَهِيدٌ

Sanureehim Aayaatinaa fil aafaaqi wa feee anfusihim hattaa yatabaiyana lahum annahul haqq; awa lam yakfi bi Rabbika annahoo 'alaa kulli shai-in Shaheed

We will show them Our signs in the horizons and within themselves until it becomes clear to them that it is the truth. But is it not sufficient concerning your Lord that He is, over all things, a Witness?

ہم عنقریب ان کو اطراف (عالم) میں بھی اور خود ان کی ذات میں بھی اپنی نشانیاں دکھائیں گے یہاں تک کہ ان پر ظاہر ہوجائے گا کہ (قرآن) حق ہے۔ کیا تم کو یہ کافی نہیں کہ تمہارا پروردگار ہر چیز سے خبردار ہے

Commentary

Ma'arif-ul-Quran: سَنُرِ‌يهِمْ آيَاتِنَا فِي الْآفَاقِ وَفِي أَنفُسِهِمْ (We will show them Our signs in the universe and within their own beings - 53). The word "Afaq' used in the text literally means ` horizons' which includes all sides of the whole universe. (That is why it is translated above as ` universe' ) In ...
Tafsir al-Jalalayn: We shall show them Our signs in the horizons in all the regions of the heavens and the earth in the way of the luminous celestial bodies the varieties of vegetation and trees and in their own souls in the way of the exquisite craftsmanship and unique wisdom inherent in their creation until it become...
Tafsir Ibn Kathir (English): The Qur'an and the Proofs of its Truth Allah says: قُلْ (Say) -- `O Muhammad, to these idolators who disbelieve in the Qur'an'-- أَرَءَيْتُمْ إِن كَانَ (Tell me, if it) -- this Qur'an -- مِنْ عِندِ اللَّهِ ثُمَّ كَفَرْتُمْ بِهِ (is from Allah, and you disbelieve in it) means, `what do you think your...

أَفَلَا يَتَدَبَّرُونَ ٱلْقُرْءَانَ أَمْ عَلَىٰ قُلُوبٍ أَقْفَالُهَآ

Afalaa yatadabbaroonal Qur-aana am 'alaa quloobin aqfaaluhaa

Then do they not reflect upon the Qur'an, or are there locks upon [their] hearts?

بھلا یہ لوگ قرآن میں غور نہیں کرتے یا (ان کے) دلوں پر قفل لگ رہے ہیں

Commentary

Ma'arif-ul-Quran: أَمْ عَلَىٰ قُلُوبٍ أَقْفَالُهَا (or do they have locks on their hearts? - 47:24) The meaning of this phrase is synonymous with similar phrases in other verses of the Qur'an where words like khatm or tab' "[ Allah ] has set a seal [ on their hearts ] have been used to describe how the disbelievers r...
Tafsir al-Jalalayn: Do they not contemplate the Qur’ān? and so recognise the truth. Or am here is like bal ‘nay but’ is it that there are locks on their hearts? so they are unable to comprehend it.
Tafsir Ibn Kathir (English): The Command to reflect upon the Qur'an Commanding the people to reflect and ponder upon the Qur'an, and prohibiting them from turning away from it, Allah says, أَفَلاَ يَتَدَبَّرُونَ الْقُرْءَانَ أَمْ عَلَى قُلُوبٍ أَقْفَالُهَآ (Will they not then reflect upon the Qur'an, or are there locks upon the...

إِنَّ فِى ذَٰلِكَ لَذِكْرَىٰ لِمَن كَانَ لَهُۥ قَلْبٌ أَوْ أَلْقَى ٱلسَّمْعَ وَهُوَ شَهِيدٌ

Inna fee zaalika lazikraa liman kaana lahoo qalbun aw alqas sam'a wa huwa shaheed

Indeed in that is a reminder for whoever has a heart or who listens while he is present [in mind].

جو شخص دل (آگاہ) رکھتا ہے یا دل سے متوجہ ہو کر سنتا ہے اس کے لئے اس میں نصیحت ہے

Commentary

Ma'arif-ul-Quran: Channels of Acquiring Knowledge لِمَن كَانَ لَهُ قَلْبٌ ( who has a heart - 50:37). Ibn ` Abbas ؓ has said that here the word qalb [ heart ] means ` aql [ intellect ], because the centre of intellect is heart. Some scholars of Qur'an say that "heart" here refers to life, because the axis of life is ...
Tafsir al-Jalalayn: Assuredly there is in that which is mentioned a reminder an admonition for him who has a heart a mind or gives ear or listens to admonitions in full witness present in heart and mind.
Tafsir Ibn Kathir (English): Warning the Disbelievers of the imminent Torment; commanding the Prophet to pray and have Patience Allah the Exalted asks, `how many We have destroyed before these denying disbelievers' مِّن قَرْنٍ هُمْ أَشَدُّ مِنْهُم بَطْشاً (a generation who were stronger in power than they.) they were more numer...

وَفِىٓ أَنفُسِكُمْ أَفَلَا تُبْصِرُونَ

Wa feee anfusikum; afalaa tubsiroon

And in yourselves. Then will you not see?

اور خود تمہارے نفوس میں تو کیا تم دیکھتے نہیں؟

Commentary

Ma'arif-ul-Quran: Thus Allah says: وَفِي أَنفُسِكُمْ أَفَلَا تُبْصِرُ‌ونَ (... and in your own selves! So, do you not perceive? ....51:21). Out of the innumerous signs of Allah's power which are present everywhere in the universe, including the heavenly and celestial beings and creatures, only those signs are referre...
Tafsir al-Jalalayn: and in your souls there are also signs from the beginning of your creation to its end and in the marvelous aspects of your creation. Will you not then perceive? all that and thus infer therefrom the Creator of it and His power.
Tafsir Ibn Kathir (English): Qualities of Those Who have Taqwa and Their Reward Allah the Exalted informs about those who have Taqwa, that on the Day of their Return they will be amidst gardens and springs. To the contrary the miserable ones will be amidst torment, punishment, fire and chains. Allah said, ءَاخِذِينَ مَآ ءَاتَـه...

لَوْ أَنزَلْنَا هَٰذَا ٱلْقُرْءَانَ عَلَىٰ جَبَلٍ لَّرَأَيْتَهُۥ خَٰشِعًا مُّتَصَدِّعًا مِّنْ خَشْيَةِ ٱللَّهِ وَتِلْكَ ٱلْأَمْثَٰلُ نَضْرِبُهَا لِلنَّاسِ لَعَلَّهُمْ يَتَفَكَّرُونَ

Law anzalnaa haazal quraana 'alaa jabilil lara aytahoo khaashi'am muta saddi'am min khashiyatil laah; wa tilkal amsaalu nadribuhaa linnaasi la'allahum yatafakkaroon

If We had sent down this Qur'an upon a mountain, you would have seen it humbled and coming apart from fear of Allah. And these examples We present to the people that perhaps they will give thought.

اگر ہم یہ قرآن کسی پہاڑ پر نازل کرتے تو تم اس کو دیکھتے کہ خدا کے خوف سے دبا اور پھٹا جاتا ہے۔ اور یہ باتیں ہم لوگوں کے لئے بیان کرتے ہیں تاکہ وہ فکر کریں

Commentary

Ma'arif-ul-Quran: لَوْ أَنزَلْنَا هَـٰذَا الْقُرْ‌آنَ عَلَىٰ جَبَلٍ (Had We sent down this Qur'an to a mountain, ....59:21) This is a parable that Allah is using to illustrate the fact that if the Holy Qur'an were to be revealed on such strong, firm and unmovable mountain and endowed with intelligence like man, it wo...
Tafsir al-Jalalayn: Had We sent down this Qur’ān upon a mountain and had it the mountain been endowed with a faculty of discernment like man you would have surely seen it humbled rent asunder by the fear of God. And such similitudes as those mentioned — do We strike for mankind that perhaps they may reflect and so beco...
Tafsir Ibn Kathir (English): Asserting the Greatness of the Qur'an Allah the Exalted emphasizes the greatness of the Qur'an, its high status and of being worthy of making hearts humble and rent asunder upon hearing it, because of the true promises and sure threats that it contains, لَوْ أَنزَلْنَا هَـذَا الْقُرْءَانَ عَلَى جَبَ...

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