Al Shura (Consultation) (42)- 53
1 Ha Mim;
2 `Ain Sin Qaf.
3> Thus doth (He) send Inspiration to thee as (He did) to those before thee Allah Exalted in Power full of Wisdom.
4> To Him belongs all that is in the heavens and on earth: and He is Most High Most Great.
5> The heavens are almost rent asunder from above them (by His Glory): and the angels celebrate the Praises of their Lord and pray for forgiveness for (all) beings on earth: Behold! Verily Allah is He the Oft-Forgiving Most Merciful.
6 And those who take as protectors others besides Him Allah doth watch over them; and thou art not the disposer of their affairs
7> Thus have We sent by inspiration to thee an Arabic Qur'an: that thou mayest warn the Mother of Cities [Qura] and all around her and warn (them) of the Day of Assembly of which there is no doubt: (when) some will be in the Garden and some in the Blazing Fire
#4533 The point of the Qur-an being in Arabic is that it is plain and intelligible to the people through whom and among whom it was promulgated; see next clause. 4534 The City of Makkah. See n. 913 to vi. 92. This is undoubtedly a Makkan verse. Even apart from the Qibla, Makkah is the centre of Islam, and "all around her" is the whole world. 4535 The contrast is again emphasised, as explained in the Summary#
*** Once more, the word for 'cities' in this verse is 'Qura' the same as in 6:92, further confirming, that the modern Arabic usage of 'Madina' is copied from the Hebrew name given to a suburb of Yathrub.
Moreover, the translation is deliberately made false since it should be 'village' and not 'city'. Usually, a 'city' is called 'balad' ***
8 If Allah had so willed He could have made them a single people; but He admits whom He will to His Mercy; and the wrongdoers will have no protector nor helper.
*** In hundreds of verses, the concept of Allah's PREDESTINATION of humanity is asserted.
As many times, if possible, it has to be pointed out to the reader, that this concept NEGATES human FREE WILL and FREEDOM of CHOICE.
Without FREEDOM of CHOICE, there is then no NEED for RELIGION; hence there is no need for PROPHETS and ultimately, no need for MUHAMMAD.
This concept, completely and irrevocably destroys the whole purpose of the Quran***
9> What! Have they taken (for worship) protectors besides Him? But it is Allah He is the Protector and it is He Who gives life to the dead: it is He Who has power over all things.
10 Whatever it be wherein ye differ the decision thereof is with Allah: Such is Allah my Lord: in Him I trust and to Him I turn.
11> (He is) the Creator of the heavens and the earth: He has made for you pairs from among yourselves and pairs among cattle: by this means does He multiply you: there is nothing whatever like unto Him and He is the One that hears and sees (all things).
*** This is of course copied from the Torah
Genesis 1: 25 " And God made the beasts of the earth after their kind, and cattle after their kind, and every thing that creeps upon the earth after its kind; and God saw that it was good" ***
12> To Him belong the keys of the heavens and the earth: He enlarges and restricts the Sustenance to whom He will: for He knows full well all things.
42:13> The same religion has He established for you as that which He enjoined on Noah--the which We have sent by inspiration to thee--and that which We enjoined on Abraham Moses and Jesus: Namely that ye should remain steadfast in Religion and make no divisions therein: to those who worship other things than Allah hard is the (way) to which thou callest them. Allah chooses to Himself those whom He pleases and guides to Himself those who turn (to Him).
*** Muhammad's Quran is an attempted replica in essence of the revelations that inspired the Hebrew prophets before him.
His Quran has absolutely nothing new or more relevant than the precepts and concepts that are plagiarized and/or perverted from the Bible and Hebrew scriptures ***
14 And they became divided only after knowledge reached them through selfish envy as between themselves. Had it not been for a Word that went forth before from thy Lord (tending) to a Term appointed the matter would have been settled between them: but truly those who have inherited the Book after them are in suspicious (disquieting) doubt concerning it
#4544 Cf. ii. 213. If you reject Truth after it has reached you, it can only be through selfish contumacy or envy. 4545 Cf. x. 19, and n. 1407. Allah's decree has allowed a certain Term during which a sinner has the chance of repentance and forgiveness. Were it not so, sin would be punished at once, and the matter would be decided straightway. So also, when people reject Truth from selfish or contumacious motives, they get rope: perchance they may repent. 4546 Cf. xiv. 9 and n. 1884. "Those who have inherited the Book" are the People of the Book, of the ages since the Book or Revelation came to them. Referring to the Jews and Christians, contemporary with our Prophet, how true it is that they were broken up into hostile sects which hated and persecuted each other! Islam came to unite them, and it did. For the present phases of Christianity and Judaism are of later growth.#
*** The interpreter indefatigably continues his preposterous and indecent attacks upon the People of the Book by accusing them of exactly the same malaise and faults that has befallen the Muhammadans from the death of Muhammad until today.
They too have been divided into numerous sects;
they too have been at each other's throats for almost 1450 years;
they too have neglected to observe most of Muhammad's instructions;
they too have been backsliders and hypocrites;
they too are weak and easily tempted creatures;
they too deserve the same insults that both the Quran and its interpreters heap upon the People of the Book.
In comparison, the pagan Arabs were infinitely more decent, more fair, more merciful and more 'enlightened' than all of Muhammad's followers ***
15 Now then for that (reason) call (them to the Faith) and stand steadfast as thou art commanded nor follow thou their vain desires; but say: "I believe in the Book which Allah has sent down; and I am commanded to judge justly between you. Allah is Our Lord and your Lord. For us (is the responsibility for) Our deeds and for you for your deeds. There is no contention between us and you. Allah will bring us together and to Him is (Our) final goal.
#4547 How beautifully the mission of Islam is commended in this verse! (1) The more sectarianism and division there is in the world, the more need is there for the Gospel of Unity. (2) It must steadfastly pursue its way. (3) It must not be deflected by worldly or political motives. (4) Its faith must be directly in Allah and in Allah's Revelation. "The Book" mentioned here covers all the revelations sent by Allah to His prophets. (5) it must judge justly between warring factions, as the Religion of Peace and Unity. 4548 The Mission of Islam is further described. (6) The God whom it preaches is not an exclusive God: He is the Lord of the Worlds: to any given person, of whatever faith, 'He is your Allah, as well as mine.' (7) Our Faith is not a question of words; it is deeds which decide; each one of us has personal responsibility for his own conduct. (8) There is no cause of contention whatever, when we preach Unity, Truth, and the Hereafter. (9) If you have doubts, the final arbiter is Allah, and His pleasure is our Goal.#
*** The followers of Muhammad had and have completely disregarded the above verse and its explanations.
There are as many sects and divisions - if not more - among the 'Muslims' of the world as those of the Jews and Christians whom they criticize and denigrate.
They too have lapsed into contumacy and dissention like everybody else and hence cannot and should not put themselves in false sanctimony above any one else.
Muhammadan Islam is not the Gospel of Unity that it is alleged to be because in reality it is purely a reflection of Muhammad and the CULT BELIEF SYSTEM that he concocted and is neither Allah's or God's ***
16 But those who dispute concerning Allah after He has been accepted futile is their dispute in the sight of their Lord: on them is Wrath and for them will be a Penalty Terrible
17 It is Allah Who has sent down the Book in truth and the Balance (by which to weigh conduct). And what will make thee realize that perhaps the Hour is close at hand?
*** The concept of a balance sheet of the deeds by any individual with God has been plagiarized from the Jews and Christians, since the pagan Arabs had no such belief ***
18 Only those wish to hasten it who believe not in it: those who believe hold it in awe and know that it is the Truth. Behold verily those that dispute concerning the Hour are far astray.
42:19> Gracious is Allah to His servants: He gives Sustenance to whom He pleases [man yashaa] : and He has Power and can carry out His Will.
*** Another verse asserting the Quranic concept of PRE-DESTINATION ***
20> To any that desires the tilth of the Hereafter We give increase in his tilth; and to any that desires the tilth of this world We grant somewhat thereof but he has no share or lot in the Hereafter.
*** Muhammad's Quran is obsessed with 'LIFE' after DEATH and advises its followers to SEEK DEATH and NOT LIFE.
This concept is of course the exact opposite to that of the Jews and Christians ***
21 What! have they partners (in godhead) who have established for them some religion without the permission of Allah? Had it not been for the Decree of Judgement the matter would have been decided between them (at once): but verily the wrongdoers will have a grievous Penalty.
22 Thou wilt see the wrongdoers in fear on account of what they have earned and (the burden of) that must (necessarily) fall on them. But those who believe and work righteous deeds will be in the luxuriant meads of the Gardens: they shall have before their Lord all that they wish for: that will indeed be the magnificent Bounty (of Allah).
23> That is (the Bounty) whereof Allah gives Glad Tidings to His Servants who believe and do righteous deeds. Say: "No reward do I ask of you for this except the love of those near of kin." And if anyone earns any good We shall give Him an increase of good in respect thereof: for Allah is Oft-Forgiving Most Ready to appreciate (service).
24 What! do they say "He has forged a falsehood against Allah"? But if Allah willed He could seal up thy heart. And Allah blots out Vanity and proves the Truth by His Words. For He knows well the secrets of all hearts.
25> He is the One that accepts repentance from His Servants and forgives sins: and He knows all that ye do.
26> And He listens to those who believe and do deeds of righteousness and gives them increase of His Bounty: but for the Unbelievers there is a terrible Penalty.
27 If Allah were to enlarge the provision for His Servants they would indeed transgress beyond all bounds through the earth; but He sends (it) down in due measure as He pleases: for He is with His Servants well-acquainted Watchful.
28> He is the One that sends down rain (even) after (men) have given up all hope and scatters His Mercy (far and wide). And He is the Protector Worthy Of all Praise.
42:29> And among His Signs is the creation of the heavens and the earth and the living creatures that He has scattered through them: and He has power to gather them together when He wills.
30 Whatever misfortune happens to you is because of the things your hands have wrought and for many (of them) He grants forgiveness.
31> Nor can ye frustrate (aught) (fleeing) through the earth; nor have ye besides Allah anyone to protect or to help.
32 And among His Signs are the ships smooth-running through the ocean (tall) as mountains.
33 If it be His Will He can still the Wind: then would they become motionless on the back of the (ocean). Verily in this are Signs for everyone who patiently perseveres and is grateful.
34 Or He can cause them to perish because of the (evil) which (the men) have earned: but much doth He forgive.
35 But let those know who dispute about Our Signs that there is for them no way of escape
36 Whatever ye are given (here) is (but) a convenience of this Life: but that which is with Allah is better and more lasting: (it is) for those who believe and put their trust in their Lord;
37 Those who avoid the greater crimes and shameful deeds and when they are angry even then forgive
38> Those who hearken to their Lord and establish regular prayer; who (conduct) their affairs by mutual Consultation; who spend out of what We bestow on them for Sustenance;
39> And those who when an oppressive wrong is inflicted on them (are not cowed but) help and defend themselves.
42:40 > The recompense for an injury is an injury equal thereto (in degree): but if a person forgives and makes reconciliation His reward is due from Allah: for (Allah) loveth not those who do wrong.
#4581 See last note. When you stand up for rights, either on private or public grounds, it may be through processes of law, or by way of private defence in so far as the law permits private action. But in all cases you must not seek a compensation greater than the injury suffered. The most you can do is to demand equal redress, i.e., a harm equivalent to the harm done to you. Even this may serve to curb your unregenerate soul, or a community bent on revenge. But the ideal mode is not to slake your thirst for vengeance, but to follow better ways leading to the reform of the offender or his reconciliation. See xli. 34, and xxiii. 96. You can take steps to prevent repetition, by physical or moral means; the best moral means would be to turn hatred into friendship by forgiveness and love. In that case the compensation or reward (if we must use such terms) is infinitely greater, for it wins the good pleasure of Allah. But this active righting of wrongs, whether by physical or by moral or spiritual means, which are commended as better, is an antithesis to the monkish doctrine, when you are smitten on one cheek, to turn the other also. This would not suppress, but encourage wrong-doing. It is practised by none but poltroons, and is preached only by hypocrites, or men who want to make slaves of others by depriving them of the power of self-defence. It occurs in two of the four canonical Gospels (Matt. v. 39, and Luke vi. 29), but we need not therefore assume that it was preached by Jesus. 4582 To love Allah is the highest motive of our conduct, for it leads to the love of Allah's creatures; to win the approbation and love of Allah, is the highest reward, far transcending any compensation or satisfaction we can obtain in this life. 4583 Allah does not love those who do wrong. If, therefore we tolerate wrong, or encourage wrong by allowing it to run rampant when we can prevent it, we fail in our duty to Allah#
*** These legal rules are from the Torah with some modifications to suit the Arab traditions
Exodus 21: "23 And if any further harm follows, then you shall give life for life,24. Eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot,25. Burning for burning, wound for wound, bruise for bruise"
The rules mean, that one cannot in retaliation or punishment, exact MORE THAN
the same ***
41> But indeed if any do help and defend themselves after a wrong (done) to them against such there is no cause of blame.
42> The blame is only against those who oppress men with wrong-doing and insolently transgress beyond bounds through the land defying right and justice: for such there will be a Penalty grievous.
43> But indeed if any show patience and forgive that would truly be an exercise of courageous will and resolution in the conduct of affairs.
44> For any whom Allah leaves astray [youthillily] there is no protector thereafter and thou wilt see the wrongdoers when in sight of the Penalty Say: "Is there any way (to effect) a return?
*** The verse above has been deliberately mistranslated to cover up the fact, that it asserts the concept of PRE-DESTINATION, since the Arabic word youthillily means 'misguide'/'deliberately guide to the wrong path' ***
45> And thou wilt see them brought forward to the (Penalty) in a humble frame of mind because of (their) disgrace (and) looking with a stealthy glance. And the Believers will say: "Those are indeed in loss who have given the perdition their own selves and those belonging to them on the Day of Judgement. Behold! truly the wrongdoers are in a lasting Penalty!"
46> And no protectors have they to help them other than Allah: and for any whom Allah leaves to stray there is no way (to the Goal).
47> Hearken ye to your Lord before there come a Day which there will be no putting back because of (the ordainment of) Allah! That Day there will be for you no place of refuge nor will there be for you any room for denial (of your sins)!
48 If then they turn away We have not sent thee as a guard over them. Thy duty is but to convey (the Message). And truly when We give man a taste of Mercy from Ourselves He doth exult thereat but when some ill happens to him on account of the deeds which His hands have sent forth truly then is man ungrateful!
49> To Allah belongs the dominion of the heavens and the earth. He creates what He wills (and plans). He bestows (children) male or female according to His Will (and Plan).
50> Or He bestows both males and females and He leaves barren whom He will: for He is Full of knowledge and power.
51 It is not fitting for a man that Allah should speak to him except by inspiration of from behind a veil or by the sending of a Messenger to reveal with Allah's permission what Allah wills: for He is Most High Most Wise.
#4597 This leads us on to the higher spiritual meaning of verses 49-50, as leading up to verses 51-53. Man is but a speck in Allah's creation. His growth and family relationships are not by any means comparable to Allah's creative acts, whose various stages are referred to in n. 120 to ii. 117, n. 916 to vi. 94, and n. 923 to vi. 98. That being so in the mysteries of man's daily life, how much more profound is the contrast between man and Allah in the apprehension of the higher spiritual problems concerned with Revelation? How can man be fit to speak to Allah? He is not fit. But there are three ways in which Allah, in His infinite Mercy, communicates with man, as described in verses 51-53. 4598 Allah is Most High, Most Wise: man is, in spite of his high destiny, often the lowest of the low (xcv. 5). Yet Allah, out of His infinite Mercy and Grace, has bestowed His revelation on man. How does it come about? Three ways are mentioned: (1) Wahyun, Inspiration; (2) from behind a veil; and (3) by the sending of a Messenger: see the notes following. Wahyun, Inspiration, is interpreted to be of two kinds: (1) a suggestion thrown by Allah into the heart or mind of man, by which man understands the substance of the Message, whether it is a command or prohibition, or an explanation of a great truth; and (2) verbal or literal inspiration, by which the actual words of Allah are conveyed in human language. 4599 Behind a veil: not of course a material veil, but the veil of Light. Muslim relates a tradition that the Prophet said: "His veil is Light: were He to withdraw it, then would the august splendours of His countenance surely consume everything that comes within His Sight." (4600 Messenger: Rasul: the angel Gabriel, through whom the revelations were given to the holy Prophet.#
*** As usual, both the Quran and its interpreter are WRONG, because the Almighty did and can communicate with a mere man such as occurred between the Almighty and Abraham as well as with Moses.
They conveniently ignore to mention this very unique type of revelation, because it makes the SECOND HAND 'revelations' to Muhammad of a lesser magnitude and importance.
It proves, that contrary to the assertions of both Muhammad and his Quran, that Moses was undoubtedly SUPERIOR to him.
If it were true that Muhammad and 'Islam' are the messenger of Allah and his religion par excellence, then why did not Allah reveal himself directly to Muhammad instead of going through another messenger, the angel Gabriel? ***
52 And thus have We by Our command sent inspiration to thee [ awehayna ilayka Ruha] : thou knowest not (before) what was Revelation and what was Faith; but We have made the (Qur'an) a Light wherewith We guide such of Our servants as We will; and verily thou dost guide (men) to the Straight Way
#4601 Before the receipt of his mission in his fortieth year, the holy Prophet, though a man of steadfast virtue and purity and unflinching in his search for Truth, was yet unacquainted with Revelation in the highest sense of the term and with the certainty that comes from perfected Faith, or realised nearness to Allah. Ruh, which I have here translated Inspiration has also been understood by some Commentators to refer to the angel Gabriel, the vehicle of Revelation. The Light of the Qur-an made all things clear to man, and to the world. 4602 The Qur-an and the inspired Prophet who proclaimed it, are here identified. They were a Guide to men, showing the Straight Way. This Way is described in various ways: for example, see i. 6, and n. 22; xviii. 1-2, and notes 2326-27; and xc. 11-18#
*** The above is willfully the wrong interpretation of the verse. All these explanations are just misleading intellectual garbage and have nothing whatsoever to do with its real meaning.
The verse is actually confirming and asserting the fact, that before the Quranic 'revelations', Muhammad knew nothing - was IGNORANT - of the previous ones to Abraham, Moses and the others in the Bible.
It is just a further affirmation - and contrary to the interpreters of the Quran - that neither Muhammad nor the pagan Arabs, had any knowledge of the previous revelations and hence that the pagan Arabs could not have known any of the Biblical stories or personalities in their traditions ***
53> The Way of Allah to whom belongs whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on earth: Behold (how) all affairs tend towards Allah!