 Surah 50 The Letter Kaaf Revealed at Makkah In the name of Allah the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful, Kaaf by the Glorious Quran. Nay, but they marvel that a warner of their own hath come unto them, and the disbelievers say, This is a strange thing. When we are dead and have become dust, shall we be brought back again? That would be a far return. We know that which the earth taketh of them, and with us is a recording book. Nay, but they have denied the truth when it came unto them, therefore they are now in troubled case. Have they not then observed the sky above them? How we have constructed it and beautified it? And how there are no rifts therein? And the earth, have we spread out, and have flung firm hills therein, and have caused of every lovely kind to grow thereon, a vision and a reminder for every penitent slave? And we sent down from the sky blessed water, whereby we give growth unto gardens and the grain of crops, and lofty date-palms with ranged clusters, provision made for men, and wherewith we quicken a dead land. Even so will be the resurrection of the dead. The folk of Noah denied the truth before them, and so did the dwellers at Ar-Vras and the tribe of Tamud, and the tribe of A'ad and Pharaoh and the brethren of Lot, and the dwellers in the wood and the folk of Tuba everyone denied their messengers, therefore my threat took effect. Were we then worn out by the first creation? Yet they are in doubt about a new creation. We verily created man, and we know what his soul whispereth to him, and we are nearer to him than his jugular vein. When the two receivers receive him, seated on the right hand and on the left, but there is within him an observer ready, and the agony of death cometh in truth, and it is said unto him, This is that which thou wast want to shun, and the trumpet is blown, this is the threatened day, and every soul cometh, along with it a driver and a witness. And unto the evil doer it is said, Thou wast in heedlessness of this. Now we have removed from thee thy covering, and piercing is thy sight this day. And unto the evil doer his comrade sayeth, This is that which I have ready, as testimony. And it is said, Do ye twain hurl to yell each rebel in great, Hinderer of good, transgressor, doubter, who setteth up another God, along with Allah? Do ye twain hurl him to the dreadful doom? His comrade sayeth, Our Lord, I did not cause him to rebel, but he was himself far gone in error. He sayeth, Contend not in my presence, when I had already proffered unto you the warning. The sentence that cometh from me cannot be changed, and I am in no wise attirent unto the slaves. On the day when we say unto Hell, art thou filled, and it sayeth, Can there be more to come? And the garden is brought nigh for those who kept from evil no longer distant. And it is said, This is that which ye were promised. It is for every penitent and heedful one, who feareth the beneficent in secret and cometh with the contrite heart. Enter it in peace. This is the day of immortality. There they have all that they desire, and there is more with us. And how many a generation we destroyed before them, who were mightier than these in prowess, so that they overran the lands. Had they any place of refuge when the judgment came? Low therein verily is a reminder for him who hath a heart, or giveth an ear with full intelligence. And verily we created the heavens and the earth, and all that is between them in six days, and not of weariness touched us. Therefore, O Muhammad, bear with what they say, and hymn the praise of thy Lord before the rising and before the setting of the sun. And in the night time hymn his praise, and after the prescribed frustrations. And listen on the day when the cryer cryeth from a near place, the day when they will hear the awful cry in truth. That is the day of coming forth from the graves. Low, we it is who quicken and give death, and unto us is the journeying. On the day when the earth spliteth asunder from them, hastening forth they come. That is a gathering easy for us to make. We are best aware of what they say, and thou, O Muhammad, art in no wise a compeler over them, but warned by the Koran hymn who feareth my threat. End of Surah 50 Surah 51 of the Meaning of the Glorious Koran This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. The Meaning of the Glorious Koran, translated by Muhammad Marmadukh Pikthal, Surah 51. The Winnowing Winds Revealed at Mecca In the name of Allah the most beneficent, the most merciful. By those that winnow with a winnowing, and those that bear the burden of the rain, and those that glide with ease upon the sea, and those who distribute blessings by command. Low that wherewith ye are threatened is true, and low the judgment will indeed befall. By the heavenful of paths, low ye forsooth are of various opinions concerning the truth. He is made to turn away from it who is himself averse. A cursed be the conjecturers who are careless in an abyss. They ask, when is the day of judgment? It is the day when they will be tormented at the fire, and it will be said unto them, taste your torment which ye inflicted. This is what ye sought to hasten. Low those who keep from evil will dwell amid gardens and water springs, taking that which their Lord giveth them. For low a four-time they were doers of good. They used to sleep but little of the night, and ere the dawning of each day would seek forgiveness, and in their wealth the beggar and the outcast had his due share. And in the earth are portents for those whose faith is sure. And also in yourselves, can ye not then see? And in the heaven is your providence, and that which ye are promised. And by the Lord of the heavens and the earth it is truth, even as it is true that ye speak. Had the story of Abraham's honoured guests reached thee, O Muhammad? When they came in unto him and said, Peace, he answered, Peace, and thought, Folk unknown to me. Then he went apart into his house, Folk, so that they brought a fattered calf. And he said it before them, saying, Will ye not eat? Then he conceived a fear of them. They said, Fear not, and gave him tidings of the birth of a wise son. Then his wife came forward, making moan, and smote her face, and cried, A barren old woman. They said, Even so saith the Lord, Lo, he is the wise, the knower. Abraham said, And afterward what is your errand, O ye sent from Allah? They said, Lo, we are sent unto a guilty folk, that we may send upon them stones of clay, marked by the Lord for the destruction of the wanton. Then we brought forth such believers as were there. But we found there but one house of those surrendered to Allah. And we left behind therein a portent for those who fear a painful doom. And in Moses too there is a portent, when we sent him unto Pharaoh with a clear warrant, but he withdrew confiding in his might, and said, A wizard or a madman. So we seized him and his hosts, and flung them in the sea, for he was a reprobate. And in the tribe of Ahad there is a portent, when we sent the fatal wind against them. It spared not that it reached, but made all as dust. Enjoy your brief day for a little while. And in the tribe of Tammud there is a portent, when it was told them, Take your ease a while. But they rebelled against their Lord's decree, and so the thunderbolt overtook them even while they gazed. And they were unable to rise up, nor could they help themselves. And the folk of Noah of wartime, lo, they were licentious folk. We have built the heaven with might, we it is who make the vast extent thereof. And the earth we have laid out, how gracious is the splendor thereof. And all things we have created by pairs, that happily ye may reflect. Therefore flee unto Allah, lo, I am a plain warner unto you from him. And set not any other God along with Allah. Lo, I am a plain warner unto you from him. Even so there came no messenger unto those before him but they said, A wizard or a madman. Have they handed down the saying as an heirloom, one unto another? Nay, but they are forward folk. So withdraw from them, O Muhammad, for thou art in no wise blame worthy, and warn for warning propheteth believers. I created the jinn and humankind only that they might worship me. I seek no livelihood from them, nor do I ask that they should feed me. Lo, Allah, he it is that giveth livelihood, and the Lord of unbreakable might. And lo, for those who now do wrong, there is an evil day like unto the evil day which came for their likes of old. So let them not ask me to hasten on that day. And wo unto those who disbelieve, from that their day which they are promised. End of Surah 51 Surah 52 In the name of Allah the most beneficent, the most merciful, by the mount and a scripture inscribed on a fine parchment enrolled, and the house frequented, and the roof exalted, and the sea kept filled, lo, the doom of thy Lord will surely come to pass. There is none that can ward it off. On the day when the heaven will heave with awful heaving, and the mountains move away with awful movement, then woe that day unto the deniers, who play in talk of grave matters, the day when they are thrust with a disdainful thrust into the fire of hell. And it is said unto them, This is the fire which ye were want to deny. Is this magic, or do ye not see? Endure the heat thereof, and whether ye are patient of it, or impatient of it, is all one for you. Ye are only being paid for what ye used to do. Lo, those who kept their duty dwell in gardens and delight, happy because of what their Lord hath given them, and because their Lord hath warded off from them the torment of hellfire. And it is said unto them, Eat and drink in health, as a reward for what ye used to do. Reclining on ranged couches, and we wed them unto fair ones with wide lovely eyes, and they who believe and whose seed follow them in faith, we cause their seed to join them there, and we deprive them of not of their life's work. Every man is a pledge for that which he hath earned, and we provide them with fruit and meat, such as they desire. There they pass, from hand to hand, a cup wherein is neither vanity nor cause of sin. And there go round, waiting on them men-servants of their own, as they were hidden pearls. And some of them draw near unto others, questioning, saying, Lo of old, when we were with our families, we were ever anxious. But Allah hath been gracious unto us, and hath preserved us from the torment of the breath of fire. Lo we used to pray unto him of old. Lo he is the benign, the merciful. Therefore warn men, O Muhammad, by the grace of Allah thou art neither soothsayer nor madman. Or say they he is a poet, one for whom we may expect the accident of time. Say unto them, except your fill, Lo, I am with you among the expectant. Do their minds command them to do this, or are they an outrageous folk? Or say they hath he invented it? Nay, but they will not believe. And let them produce speech the like thereof if they are truthful. Or were they created out of naught? Or are they the creators? Or did they create the heavens and the earth? Nay, but they are sure of nothing. Or do they own the treasures of thy Lord? Or have they been given charge thereof? Or have they any stairway unto heaven by means of which they overhear decrees? Then let their listener produce some warrant manifest. Or hath he daughters, whereas ye have sons? Or asketh thou, Muhammad, a fee from them so that they are plunged into debt? Or possess they the unseen so that they can write it down? Or seek they to ensnare the messenger? But those who disbelieve they are ensnared. Or have they any God beside Allah? Glorified be Allah from all that they ascribe as partner unto him. And if they were to see a fragment of the heaven falling they would say a heap of clouds. Then let them be, O Muhammad, till they meet their day in which they will be thunder-stricken, a day in which their guile will not avail them, nor will they be helped. And verily for those who do no wrong there is a punishment beyond that, but most of them know not. So wait patiently, O Muhammad, for thy Lord's decree, for surely thou art in our sight and hymn the praise of thy Lord when thou uprisest, and in the night-time also hymn his praise and at the setting of the stars. End of Surah 52 Surah 53 The Star Revealed at Mecca In the name of Allah the most beneficent, the most merciful. By the star when it setteth, your comrade ereth not, nor is deceived. Nor doth he speak of his own desire. It is not save an inspiration that is inspired, which one of mighty powers hath taught him. One vigorous, and he drew clear to view. When he was on the uppermost horizon, then he drew nigh and came down, till he was distant, two bows length, or even nearer. And he revealed unto his slave that which he revealed. The heart lied not in seeing what it saw. Will ye then dispute with him concerning what he seeth? And verily he saw him yet another time, by the loatry of the utmost boundary, nigh unto which is the garden of abode. When that which shroudeth did enshroud the loatry, the eye turned not aside, nor was yet overbold. Verily he saw one of the greater revelations of his Lord. Have you thought upon all that, and all usah, and manat, the third, the other? Are yours the males, and his the females? That indeed were an unfair division. They are but names which ye have named, ye and your fathers, for that which Allah hath revealed no warrant. They follow but a guess, and that which they themselves desire. And now the guidance from their Lord hath come unto them. Or shall man have what he coveteth? But unto Allah belongeth the afterlife and the former. And how many angels are in the heavens whose intercession availeth not, save after Allah giveth leave to whom he chootheth and accepteth. Lo, it is those who disbelieve in the hereafter who name the angels with the names of females. And they have no knowledge thereof. They follow but a guess, and lo, a guess can never take the place of truth. Then withdraw, O Muhammad, from him who fleeth from our remembrance and desireth but the life of the world. Such is their sum of knowledge. Lo, thy Lord is best aware of him who strayeth, and he is best aware of him who goeth right. And unto Allah belongeth whatsoever is in the heavens and whatsoever is in the earth, that he may reward those who do evil with that which they have done, and reward those who do good with goodness. Those who avoid enormities of sin and abominations save the unwilled offenses for them. Lo, thy Lord is a vast mercy. He is best aware of you from the time when he created you from the earth, and when you were hidden in the bellies of your mothers. Therefore ascribe not purity unto yourselves. He is best aware of him who wardeth off evil. Ditz thou, O Muhammad, observe him who turned away, and gave a little, then was grudging. Hath he knowledge of the unseen, so that he seeeth? Or hath he not had news of what is in the books of Moses, and Abraham who paid his debt, that no laden one shall bear another's load, and that man hath only that for which he maketh effort, and that his effort will be seen, and afterward he will be repaid for it with fullest payment? And that thy Lord he is the goal, and that he it is who maketh laugh and maketh weep, and that he it is who giveth death and giveth life, and that he created the two spouses, the male and the female, from a drop of seed when it is poured forth, and that he ordained the second bringing forth, and that he it is who enricheth and contenteth, and that he it is who is Lord of Sirius, and that he destroyed the former tribe of A'ad, and the tribe of Tamud. He spared not, and the folk of Noah a foretime, lo, they were more unjust and more rebellious, and al-Mutafika he destroyed, so that they're covered them which did not cover, concerning which then of the bounties of thy Lord canst thou dispute. This is a warner of the warners of old. The threatened hour is nigh. None beside Allah can disclose it. Marvel ye then at this statement, and laugh, not weep, while ye amuse yourselves? Rather prostrate yourself before Allah and serve him. End of Surah 53 The Moon Revealed at Mecca In the name of Allah, the most beneficent, the most merciful. The hour drew nigh, and the mood was rent and twain, and if they behold a portent they turn away and say, prolonged illusion. They denied the truth and followed their own lusts, yet everything will come to a decision, and surely there hath come unto them news whereof the purport should deter, effective wisdom, but warnings avail not. So withdraw from them, O Muhammad, on the day when the summoner summoneth unto a painful thing. With downcast eyes they come forth from the graves as they were locusts spread about, hastening toward the summoner, the disbelievers say. This is a hard day. The folk of Noah denied before them, yea, they denied our slave, and said, a madman, and he was repulsed. So he cried unto his Lord, saying, I am vanquished, so give help. Then opened we the gates of heaven with pouring water, and caused the earth to gush forth springs, so that the waters met for a predestined purpose. And we carried him upon a thing of planks and nails that ran upon the waters in our sight, as a reward for him who was rejected. And verily we left it as a token, but is there any that remembereth? Then see how dreadful was my punishment after my warnings. And in truth we have made the Quran easy to remember, but is there any that remembereth? The tribe of A'ad rejected warnings. Then how dreadful was my punishment after my warnings. Lo, we let loose on them a raging wind in a day of constant calamity, sweeping men away as though they were uprooted trunks of palm trees. Then see how dreadful was my punishment after my warnings. And in truth we have made the Quran easy to remember, but is there any that remembereth? The tribe of Tammud rejected warnings, for they said, Is it a mortal man, alone among us, that we are to follow? And indeed we should fall into error and madness. Half the remembrance been given unto him alone among us? Nay, but he is a rash liar. Unto their warner it was said, To-morrow they will know who is the rash liar. Lo, we are sending the she-camel as a test for them. So watch them and have patience, and inform them that the water is to be shared between her and them. Every drinking will be witnessed. But they call their comrade, and he took and hamstrung her. Then see how dreadful was my punishment after my warnings. Lo, we sent upon them one shout, and they became as the dry twigs rejected by the builder of a cattle-fold. And in truth we have made the Quran easy to remember, but is there any that remembereth? The folk of Lot rejected warnings. Lo, we sent a storm of stones upon them all save the family of Lot, whom we rescued in the last watch of the night as grace from us. Thus we reward him who giveth thanks. And he indeed had warned them of our blow, but they did doubt the warnings. They even asked of him his guests for an ill purpose. Then we blinded their eyes and said, Taste now my punishment after my warnings. And in truth the punishment decreed befell them early in the warning. Now taste my punishment after my warnings. And in truth we have made the Quran easy to remember, but is there any that remembereth? And warnings came in truth unto the house of Pharaoh, who denied our revelations every one. Therefore we grasped them with the grasp of the mighty, the powerful. Are your disbelievers better than those, or have you some immunity in the scriptures? Or they say, We are a host, victorious. The hosts will all be routed and will turn and flee. Nay, but the hour of doom is their appointed trists, and the hour will be more wretched and more bitter than all their earthly failure. Lo, the guilty are in error and madness. On the day when they are dragged into the fire upon their faces, it is sent unto them, feel the touch of hell. Lo, we have created everything by measure, and our commandment is but one commandment, as the twinkling of an eye. And verily we have destroyed your fellows, but is there any that remembereth? And everything they did is in the scriptures, and every small and great thing is recorded. Lo, the righteous will dwell among gardens and rivers, firmly established in the favor of a mighty king. Sura 54 Sura 55 of the meaning of the glorious Qur'an by Muhammad Mamadouk Pikthal This is a LibriVox recording, all LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. Recorded in January 2008 in the UK by Shadowcaster. The meaning of the glorious Qur'an by Muhammad Mamadouk Pikthal Sura 55, the beneficent, revealed at Mecca. In the name of Allah, the most beneficent, the most merciful. The beneficent, hath made known the Qur'an, he hath created man, he hath taught him utterance. The sun and the moon are made punctual, the stars and the trees prostrate, and the sky he hath uplifted. And he hath set the measure that he exceed not the measure, but observed the measure strictly, nor fall short thereof. And the earth hath he appointed for his creatures, wherein are fruit and sheathed palm trees. Husked grain and scented herb. Which is it of the favours of your Lord that ye deny? He created man of clay like the potters. And the gin did he create of smokeless fire. Which is it of the favours of your Lord that ye deny? Lord of the two easts and Lord of the two wests. Which is it of the favours of your Lord that ye deny? He hath loosed the two seas, they meet. There is a barrier between them, they encroach not one upon the other. Which is it of the favours of your Lord that ye deny? There cometh forth from both of them the pearl and corral stone. Which is it of the favours of your Lord that ye deny? His are the ships displayed upon the sea like banners. Which is it of the favours of your Lord that ye deny? Everyone that is thereon will pass away. There remaineth but the countenance of thy Lord of might and glory. Which is it of the favours of your Lord that ye deny? All that are in the heavens and the earth entreat him. Every day he exerciseeth universal power. Which is it of the favours of your Lord that ye deny? We shall dispose of you, O ye two independents, man and gin. Which is it of the favours of your Lord that ye deny? O company of gin and men, if ye have power to penetrate all the regions of the heavens and the earth, then penetrate them. You will never penetrate them save with our sanction. Which is it of the favours of your Lord that ye deny? There will be sent against you both heat of fire and flash of brass, and you will not escape. Which is it of the favours of your Lord that ye deny? And when the heavens spliteth asunder and becomes rosy like red hide, which is it of the favours of your Lord that ye deny? On that day neither man nor gin will be questioned of his sin. Which is it of the favours of your Lord that ye deny? The guilty will be known by their marks, and will be taken by their forlocks and the feet. Which is it of the favours of your Lord that ye deny? This is hell which the guilty deny. They go circling round between it and fierce, boiling water. Which is it of the favours of your Lord that ye deny? But for him who feareth standing before his Lord, there are two gardens. Which is it of the favours of your Lord that ye deny? Of spreading branches. Which is it of the favours of your Lord that ye deny? Wherein are two fountains flowing? Which is it of the favours of your Lord that ye deny? Gin is every kind of fruit and pears. Which is it of the favours of your Lord that ye deny? Reclining upon couches lined with silver brocade, the fruit of both the gardens near to hand. Which is it of the favours of your Lord that ye deny? Therein are those of modest gaze whom neither man nor gin will have touched before them. Which is it of the favours of your Lord that ye deny? In beauty like jah synth and choral stone. Which is it of the favours of your Lord that ye deny? Is the reward of goodness save out but goodness? Which is it of the favours of your Lord that ye deny? And beside them are two other gardens. Which is it of the favours of your Lord that ye deny? Dark green with foliage. Which is it of the favours of your Lord that ye deny? Wherein are two abundant springs. Which is it of the favours of your Lord that ye deny? Wherein is fruit, the date palm, and pomegranate. Which is it of the favours of your Lord that ye deny? Wherein are found the good and beautiful companions. Which is it of the favours of your Lord that ye deny? Fair ones close guarded in pavilions. Which is it of the favours of your Lord that ye deny? Whom neither man nor gin will have touched before them. Which is it of the favours of your Lord that he deny, reclining on green cushions and fair carpets? Which is it of the favours of your Lord that he deny, blessed be the name of thy Lord, mighty and glorious? End of Surah 55 Surah 56 of the meaning of the glorious Quran. This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. The Meaning of the Glorious Quran. Translated by Muhammad Marmadouk Pikthal Surah 56 The Event Revealed at Mecca In the name of Allah, the most beneficent, the most merciful. When the event befalleth, there is no denying that it will befall, abasing some, exalting others. When the earth is shaken with a shock and the hills are ground to powder so that they become scattered dust. And ye will be three kinds. First, those on the right hand, what of those on the right hand? And then, those on the left hand, what of those on the left hand? And the foremost in the race, the foremost in the race. Those are who will be brought nigh, in gardens of delight, a multitude of those old and a few of those of later time, on lined couches reclining therein face to face, their weight on them, immortal youths, and a cup from a pure spring. Therefrom they get no aching of the head nor any madness, and fruit that they prefer, and flesh of fowls that they desire. And there are fair ones with wide lovely eyes, like under hidden pearls, reward for what they used to do. There here they no vain speaking nor recrimination, not but the saying, peace, and again, peace. And those on the right hand, what of those on the right hand? Among the thordelous loatrees and clustered plantains and spreading shade, and water gushing and fruit and plenty, neither out of reach nor yet forbidden, and raised couches, lo, we have created them a new creation, and made them virgins, lovers, friends, for those on the right hand, a multitude of those of old and a multitude of those of later time. And those on the left hand, what of those on the left hand? In scorching wind and scalding water, and shadow of black smoke, neither cool nor refreshing, lo, here to fore they were a feat with luxury, and used to persist in the awful sin. And they used to say, when we are dead and have become dust and bones, shall we then, forsooth, be raised again? And also our forefathers? Say unto them, O Muhammad, lo, those of old and those of later time, will all be brought together to the trist of an appointed day. Then lo, ye, the airing, the deniers, ye verily will eat of a tree called Zakum, and will fill your bellies wherewith. And thereon ye will drink of boiling water, drinking even as the camel drinketh. This will be their welcome on the day of judgment. We created ye. Will ye then admit the truth? Have ye seen that which ye emit? Do ye create, or are we the creator? We meet out-death among ye, and we are not to be outrun, that we may transfigure ye, and make ye what ye know not. And verily ye know the first creation. Why then do ye not reflect? Have ye seen that which ye cultivate? Is it ye who foster it, or are we the fosterer? If we willed, we verily could make it chafe. Then would ye cease not to exclaim, Lo, we are laden with debt. Nay, but we are deprived. Have ye observed the water which ye drink? Is it ye who shed it from the rain-cloud, or are we the shedder? If we willed, we verily could make it bitter. Why then, give ye not thanks? Have ye observed the fire which ye strike out? Was it ye who made the tree thereof to grow? Or were we the grower? We, even we, appointed it a memorial and a comfort for the dwellers in the wilderness. Therefore, O Muhammad, praise the name of the Lord, the tremendous. Nay, I swear by the places of the stars, and lo, that verily is a tremendous oath, if ye bit new, that this is indeed a noble Koran. In a book kept hidden, which none toucheth, save the purified, a revelation from the Lord of the worlds. Is it this statement that ye scorn, and make denial thereof your livelihood? Why then, when the soul cometh up to the throat of the dying, and ye are at that moment looking, and we are nearer unto him than ye are, but ye see not? Why then, if ye are not in bondage unto us, do ye not force it back, if ye are truthful? Yes, if he is of those brought nigh, then breathe of life and plenty and a garden of delight. And if he is of those on the right hand, then the greeting, peace be unto thee, from those on the right hand. But if he is of rejecters, the airing, then the welcome will be boiling water, and roasting it hellfire. Lo, this is certain truth. Therefore, O Muhammad, praise the name of thy Lord, the tremendous. End of Surah 56 Surah 57 of the Meaning of the Glorious Qur'an This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to tell and to hear, please visit LibriVox.org. The Meaning of the Glorious Qur'an, translated by Muhammad Marmadouk Pikthal. Surah 57, The Iron. Revealed at Medina. In the name of Allah the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful. All that is in the heavens and the earth glorifyeth Allah, and He is the Mighty, the Wise. His is the sovereignty of the heavens and the earth. He quickeneth, and He giveth death, and He is able to do all things. He is the first and the last, and the outward and the inward, and He is knower of all things. He it is who created the heavens and the earth in six days. Then He mounted the throne. He knoweth all that entereth the earth, and all that emergeeth therefrom, and all that cometh down from the sky, and all that ascendeth therein. And He is with you wheresoever ye may be. And Allah is seer of what ye do. His is the sovereignty of the heavens and the earth, and unto Allah all things are brought back. He causeth the night to pass into the day, and He causeth the day to pass into the night, and He is knower of all that is in the breasts. Believe in Allah and His messenger, and spend of that whereof he hath made you trustees, and such of you as believe and spend a right, theirs will be a great reward. What aileth you that ye believe not in Allah when the messenger calleth you to believe in your Lord, and he hath already made a covenant with ye, if ye are believers. He it is who sendeth down clear revelations unto His slave, that he may bring you forth from darkness into light, and lo, for you, Allah is full of pity, merciful. And what aileth you that ye spend not in the way of Allah when unto Allah belongeth the inheritance of the heavens and the earth. Those who spent and fought before the victory are not upon a level with the rest of you. Such are greater in rank than those who spent and fought afterwards. Unto each hath Allah promised good, and Allah is informed of what ye do. Who is he that will lend unto Allah a goodly loan, that he may double it for him, and his may be a rich reward? On the day when thou, Muhammad, wilt see the believers, men and women, their light shining forth before them, and on their right hands, and wilt hear it said unto them, Glad news for you this day, Gardens underneath which rivers flow, wherein ye are immortal. That is the supreme triumph. On the day when the hypocritical men and the hypocritical women will say unto those who believe, Look on us that we may borrow from your light. It will be said, Go back and seek for light. And there will separate from them a wall wherein is a gate. The inner side whereof containeth mercy, while the outer side thereof is toward doom. They will cry unto them, Saying, Were we not with you? They will say, Ye, verily, but ye tempted one another, and hesitated and doubted, and vain desires beguiled you till the ordinance of Allah came to pass, and the deceiver deceived you concerning Allah. So this day no ransom can be taken from you, nor from those who disbelieved. Your home is the fire, that is your patron, and a hapless journey's end. It is not the time right for the hearts of those who believe to submit to Allah's reminder and to the truth which is revealed, that they become not as those who received the scripture of old, but the term was prolonged for them and so their hearts were hardened, and many of them are evil livers. Know that Allah quickeneth the earth after its death. We have made our clear revelations for you, that happily you may understand. Lo, those who give alms, both men and women, and lend unto Allah a goodly loan, it will be doubled for them, and theirs will be a rich reward. And those who believe in Allah and His messengers, they are the loyal and the martyrs are with their Lord. They have their reward and their light, while as for those who disbelieve and deny our revelations, they are owners of hellfire. Know that the life of the world is only play and idle talk and pageantry and boasting among you, and rivalry in respect of wealth and children, as the lightness of vegetation after rain, whereof the growth is pleasing to the husbandmen, but afterward it drieth up and thou seest it turning yellow, then becoming straw. And in the hereafter there is grievous punishment and also forgiveness from Allah and His good pleasure, whereas the life of the world is but a matter of illusion. It's one another for forgiveness from your Lord and a garden whereof the breath is of the heavens and the earth, which is in store for those who believe in Allah and His messengers, such as the bounty of Allah which He bestoweth upon whom He will, and Allah is of infinite bounty. Not of disaster befalleth in the earth or in yourselves, but it is in a book before we bring it into being. Lo, that is easy for Allah. That she grieve not for the sake of that which hath escaped you, nor yet exult because of that which hath been given, Allah loveth not all prideful boasters, who hoard and who enjoin upon the people avarice. And whosoever turneth away, still Allah is the absolute, the owner of praise. We verily sent our messengers with clear proofs, and revealed with them the scripture and the balance, that mankind may observe right measure. And he revealed iron, wherein is mighty power and many uses for mankind, and that Allah may know him who helpeth him and his messengers though unseen. Lo, Allah is strong, almighty. And we verily sent Noah and Abraham and placed the prophethood and the scripture among their seed, and among them there is he who goeth right, but many of them are evil livers. Then we caused our messengers to follow in their footsteps, and we caused Jesus, son of Mary, to follow, and give him the gospel, and placed compassion and mercy in the hearts of those who followed him. But monasticism they invented. We ordained it not for them, only seeking Allah's pleasure, and they observed it not with right observance. So we give those of them who believe their reward, but many of them are evil livers. O ye who believe, be mindful of your duty to Allah and put faith in his messenger. He will give you twofold of his mercy, and will appoint for you a light wherein ye shall walk, and will forgive you. Allah is forgiving, merciful. That the people of the scripture may know that they control not of the bounty of Allah, but that the bounty is in Allah's hand to give to whom he will, and Allah is an infinite bounty. End of Surah 57 Surah 58 of the Meaning of the Glorious Quran This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. The Meaning of the Glorious Quran Translated by Muhammad Marmadouk Pikthal Surah 58 The Pleading Woman Revealed at Medina In the name of Allah, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful. Allah hath heard the saying of her that disputeth with thee, Muhammad, concerning her husband, and complaineth unto Allah, and Allah heareth here colloquially. Lo, Allah is hearer, knower. Such of you as put away your wives by saying they are as their mothers. They are not their mothers. None are their mothers except those who gave them birth. They indeed utter an ill word and a lie. And lo, Allah is forgiving, merciful. Those who put away their wives by saying they are as their mothers and afterward would go back on that which they have said. The penalty is, in that case, is the freeing of a slave before they touch one another. Into this ye are exhorted, and Allah is informed of what you do. And he who findeth not, the wherewithal, let him fast for two successive months before they touch one another, and for him who is unable to do so, the penance is the feeding of sixty needy ones. This that ye may put trust in Allah and his messenger. Such are the limits imposed by Allah, and for disbelievers is a painful doom. Lo, those who oppose Allah and his messenger will be abased, even as those before them were abased, and we have sent down clear tokens, and for disbelievers is a shameful doom. On the day when Allah will raise them all together and inform them of what they did, Allah hath kept account of it while they forgot it. And Allah is witness over all things. Hast thou not seen that Allah knoweth all that is in the heavens and all that is in the earth? There is no secret conference of three, but he is their fourth, nor of five, but he is their sixth. More of less than that, or more, but he is with them, wheresoever they may be, and afterward, on the day of resurrection, he will inform them of what they did. Lo, Allah is knower of all things. Hast thou not observed those who were forbidden conspiracy, and afterwards returned to that which they had been forbidden, and now conspired together for crime and wrongdoing and disobedience toward the messenger? And when they come unto thee, they greet thee with a greeting, wherewith Allah greeted thee not, and say within themselves, Why should Allah punish us for what we say? Hell will suffice them. They will feel the heat thereof, a hapless journey's end. O ye who believe, when ye conspire together, conspire not together for crime and wrongdoing and disobedience toward the messenger, but conspire together for righteousness and piety, and keep your duty toward Allah, unto whom ye will be gathered. Lo, conspiracy is only of the devil, that he may vex those who believe, but he can harm them not at all unless by Allah's leave. In Allah let believers put their trust. O ye who believe, when it is said unto you, Make room in assemblies, then make room, Allah will make way for you hereafter. And when it is said, Come up higher, go up higher, Allah will exalt those who believe among you, and those who have knowledge to high ranks. Allah is informed of what ye do. O ye who believe, when ye hold conference with the messenger, offer in alms before your conference. That is better and purer for you. But if ye cannot find the wherewithal, then lo, Allah is forgiving, merciful. Fear ye to offer alms before your conference. Then when ye do it not, and Allah hath forgiven you, establish worship, and pay the poor due, and obey Allah and his messenger. And Allah is aware of what ye do. Hast thou not seen those who take for friends a folk with whom Allah is wroth? They are neither of you nor of them, and they swear a false oath knowingly. Allah hath prepared for them a dreadful doom. Evil indeed is that which they are want to do. They make a shelter of their oaths, and turn men from the way of Allah, so theirs will be a shameful doom. Their wealth and their children will avail them not against Allah. Such are rightful owners of the fire, and they will abide therein. On the day when Allah will raise them all together, then will they swear unto him as they now swear unto you, and they will fancy that they have some standing. Lo, is it not they who are the liars? The devil hath engrossed them, and so hath caused them to forget remembrance of Allah. They are the devil's party. Lo, is it not the devil's party who will be the losers? Lo, those who oppose Allah and his messenger, they will be among the lowest. Allah hath decreed, Lo, I verily shall conquer, I and my messengers. Lo, Allah is strong, almighty. Thou wilt not find folk who believe in Allah and the last day loving those who oppose Allah and his messenger, even though they be their fathers or their sons or their brethren or their clan. As for such, he hath written faith upon their hearts, and hath strengthened them with a spirit from him, and he will bring them into the gardens underneath which rivers flow, wherein they will abide. Allah is well pleased with them, and they are well pleased with him. They are Allah's party. Lo, is it not Allah's party who are successful? End of Surah 58 Surah 59 of the Meaning of the Glorious Quran This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. The Meaning of the Glorious Quran by Mohamed Marmadouk Pikthal Surah 59 Exile Revealed at Medina In the Name of Allah the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful. All that is in the heavens and all that is in the earth glorifyeth Allah, and he is the Mighty, the Wise. It is he who hath caused those of the people of the Scripture who disbelieve to go forth from their homes unto the first exile. You deemed not that they would go forth, while they deemed that their strongholds would protect them from Allah. But Allah reached them from a place whereof they reckoned not, and cast terror in their hearts, so that they ruined their houses with their own hands and the hands of the believers. So learn a lesson, O ye who have eyes. And if Allah had not decreed migration for them, he verily would have punished them in the world, and theirs in the hereafter is the punishment of the fire. That is because they were opposed to Allah and his messenger, and whoso is opposed to Allah, for him verily Allah is stern in reprisal. And soever palm trees ye cut down, or left standing on their roots it was by Allah's leave, in order that he might confound the evil livers. And that which Allah gave as spoil unto his messenger from them, ye urged not any horse or riding camel for the sake thereof, but Allah giveth his messenger, Lordship, over whom he will. Allah is able to do all things. That which Allah giveth as spoil unto his messenger from the people of the townships, it is for Allah and his messenger, and for the near of kin and orphans and the needy and the wayfarer, that it become not a commodity between the rich among you. And whatsoever the messenger giveth you, take it, and whatsoever he forbideth, abstain from it. And keep your duty to Allah. Lo, Allah is stern in reprisal. And it is for the poor fugitives who have been driven out from their homes and their belongings, who seek bounty from Allah and help Allah and his messenger. They are loyal. Those who entered the city and the faith before them love those who flee unto them for refuge, and find in their breasts no need for that which hath been given them, but prefer the fugitives above themselves, though poverty become their lot. And whoso is saved from his own avarice, such are they who are successful. And those who come into the faith after them say, Our Lord, forgive us and our brethren who were before us in the faith, and place not in our hearts any ranker toward those who believe. Our Lord, thou art full of pity, merciful. Hast thou not observed those who are hypocrites, how they tell their brethren who disbelieve among the people of the Scripture? If ye are driven out, we surely will go out with you, and we will never obey any one against you, and if ye are attacked we verily will help you, and Allah beareth witness that they verily are liars. For indeed if they are driven out they go not with them, and indeed if they are attacked they help them not, and indeed if they had helped them they would have turned and fled, and then they would not have been victorious. Ye are more awful as a fear in their bosoms than Allah. That is because they are a folk who understand not. They will not fight against you in a body save in fortified villages or from behind walls. Their adversity among themselves is very great. You think of them as a whole whereas their hearts are diverse. That is because they are a folk who have no sense. On the likeness of those who suffered a short time before them they taste the ill effects of their own conduct, and theirs is painful punishment. And the hypocrites are, on the likeness of the devil, when he telleth men to disbelieve, then when he disbelieveeth, saith, Low I am quit of thee, Low I fear Allah the Lord of the worlds, and the consequence for both will be that they are in the fire, therein abiding. Such is the reward of evildoers. O ye who believe, observe your duty to Allah, and let every soul look to that which it sendeth on before the morrow, and observe your duty to Allah. Low, Allah is informed of what ye do. And be not ye as those who forgot Allah, therefore he caused them to forget their souls. Such are evildoers. Not equal are the owners of the fire and the owners of the garden. The owners of the garden they are the victorious. If we had cost this Quran to descend upon a mountain, thou, O Muhammad, had verily has seen it humbled, rent asunder by the fear of Allah. Such similitudes we coin for mankind that happily they may reflect. He is Allah, then whom there is no other God, the knower of the invisible and the visible. He is the beneficent, merciful. He is Allah, then whom there is no other God, the sovereign Lord, the Holy One, peace, the Keeper of Faith, the Guardian, the Majestic, the Compeller, the Superb, glorified be Allah from all that they ascribe as partner unto him. He is Allah, the Creator, the Shaper out of not, the Fashioner. His are the most beautiful names. All that is in the heavens and the earth glorifyeth him, and he is the Mighty, the Wise. End of Surah 59 Surah 60 In the name of Allah, the most beneficent, the most merciful. O ye who believe! Who is not my enemy and your enemy for allies? Do ye give them friendship that when they disbelieve in that truth which hath come unto you, driving out the messenger, and you, because ye believe in Allah your Lord? If ye have come forth to strive in my way, and seeking my good pleasure, show them not friendship. Do ye sow friendship unto them in secret, when I am best aware of what ye hide and what ye proclaim? And whosoever doeth it among you, he verily hath strayed from the right way. If they have the upper hand of you, they will be your foes, and will stretch out their hands and their tongues toward you with evil intent, and they long for you to disbelieve. Your ties of kindred and your children will avail you not upon the day of resurrection. He will part you. Allah is seer of what ye do. There is a goodly pattern for you in Abraham and those with him, when they tell their folk, Lo, we are guiltless of you, and all that ye worship beside Allah. We have done with you, and there hath arisen between us and you hostility and hate for ever, until ye believe in Allah only. Save that which Abraham promised his father, when he said, I will ask forgiveness for thee, though I own nothing for thee from Allah, our Lord. In thee we put our trust, and unto thee we turn repentant, and unto thee is the journeying. Our Lord, make us not a prey for those who disbelieve, and forgive us, our Lord. Lo, thou, only thou are the mighty, the wise. Verily ye have in them a good pattern for everyone who looketh to Allah and the last day. And whosoever may turn away, lo, still Allah, he is the absolute, the owner of praise. It may be that Allah will ordain love between you and those of them with whom ye are at enmity. Allah is mighty, and Allah is forgiving, merciful. Allah forbideth you not those who ward not against you on account of religion, and drove you not out from your homes, that ye should show them kindness and deal justly with them. Lo, Allah loveth the just dealers. Allah forbideth you only those who ward against you on account of religion, and have driven you out from your homes, and helped to drive you out, that you make friends of them. Whosoever maketh friends of them, all such are wrongdoers. O ye who believe, when believing women come unto you as fugitives, examine them. Allah is best aware of their faith. Then if ye know them for true believers, send them not back unto the disbelievers. They are not lawful for them, the disbelievers, nor are they the disbelievers lawful for them. And give them the disbelievers, that which they have spent upon them. And it is no sin for you to marry such women when you have given them their dues. And hold not to the ties of disbelieving women, and ask for the return of that which ye have spent, and let them, the disbelievers, ask for that which they have spent. That is the wise judgment of Allah. He judges between you. Allah is knower, wise. And if any of your wives have gone from you unto the disbelievers, and afterward ye have your turn of triumph, then give unto those whose wives have gone the like of that which they have spent, and keep your duty to Allah in whom you are believers. O Prophet, if believing women come unto thee, taking oath of allegiance unto thee, that they will ascribe no thing as partner unto Allah, and will neither steal nor commit adultery nor kill their children, nor produce any lie that they have devised between their hands and feet, nor disobey thee in what is right, then accept their allegiance and ask Allah to forgive them. Lo, Allah is forgiving, merciful. O ye who believe, be not friendly with a folk with whom Allah is Roth, a folk who have despaired of the hereafter as the disbelievers despair of those who are in the graves. End of Surah 60 Surah 61 to 65 of the meaning of the Glorious Quran. This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. Recording by Nicholas James Bridgewater. The meaning of the Glorious Quran, translated by Muhammad Mamadouk Pikthal. Surah 61, the ranks revealed at Medina. In the name of Allah, the most beneficent, the most merciful, all that is in the heavens and all that is in the earth glorifies Allah, and he is the mighty, the wise. O ye who believe, why say ye that which ye do not? It is most hateful in the sight of Allah that ye say that which ye do not. Lo, Allah loveth them who battle for his cause in ranks, as if they were a solid structure. And remember when Moses said unto his people, O my people, why persecute ye me when ye well know that I am Allah's messenger unto you? So when they went astray, Allah sent their hearts astray, and Allah guideeth not the evil living folk. And when Jesus, son of Mary, said, O children of Israel, lo, I am the messenger of Allah unto you, confirming that which was revealed before me in the Torah, and bringing good tidings of a messenger who cometh after me, whose name is the praised one. Yet when he hath come unto them with clear proofs, they say, this is mere magic. And who doeth greater wrong than he who inventeth a lie against Allah when he is summoned unto al-Islam? And Allah guideeth not wrongdoing folk. Fain would they put out the light of Allah with their mouths, but Allah will perfect his light, however much the disbelievers are averse. He it is who hath sent his messenger with the guidance and the religion of truth, that he may make it the conqueror of all religion, however much idolaters may be averse. O ye who believe, shall I show you a commerce that will save you from a painful doom? You should believe in Allah and his messenger, and should strive for the cause of Allah with your wealth and your lives. That is better for you if you did but know. He will forgive you your sins and bring you into gardens underneath which rivers flow and pleasant dwellings in gardens of Eden. That is the supreme triumph. And he will give you another blessing which he love. Help from Allah and present victory. Give good tidings, O Muhammad, to the believers. O ye who believe, be Allah's helpers, even as Jesus, son of Mary, said unto the disciples, who are my helpers for Allah? They said, we are Allah's helpers and a party of the children of Israel believed while a party disbelieved. Then we strengthened those who believed against their foe and they became the uppermost. Surah 62, the congregation revealed at Medina, in the name of Allah, the most magnificent, the most merciful. All that is in the heavens and all that is in the earth glorifyeth Allah, the sovereign Lord, the Holy One, the mighty, the wise. He it is who are sent among the unlettered ones a messenger of their own to recite unto them his revelations and to make them grow and to teach them the scripture and wisdom, though here to fore they were indeed in error manifest. Along with others of them who have not yet joined them, he is the mighty, the wise. That is the bounty of Allah which he giveth unto whom he will. Allah is of infinite bounty. The likeness of those who are untrusted with the law of Moses, yet apply it not, is as the likeness of the ass-carrying books. Wretched is the likeness of folk who deny the revelations of Allah and Allah guideeth not wrongdoing folk. Say, O Muhammad, O ye who are Jews. If ye claim that ye are favored of Allah apart from all mankind, then long for death if ye are truthful. But they will never long for it because of all that their own hands have sent before and Allah is aware of evil doers. Say unto them, O Muhammad, lo, the death from which ye shrink will surely meet you and afterward ye will be returned unto the knower of the invisible and the visible and he will tell you what ye used to do. O ye who believe, when the call is heard for the prayer of the day of congregation, haste unto remembrance of Allah and leave your trading, that is better for you if ye did but know. And when the prayer is ended, then disperse in the land and seek of Allah's bounty and remember Allah much that ye may be successful. But when they spy some merchandise or pastime, they break away to it and leave the standing, say that which Allah hath is better than pastime and than merchandise and Allah is the best of providers. Surah 63, The Hippocrates, revealed at Medina, in the name of Allah, the most beneficent, the most merciful. When the Hippocrates come unto thee, O Muhammad, they say, we bear witness that thou art indeed Allah's messenger and Allah knoweth that thou art indeed his messenger and Allah bearth witness that the Hippocrates indeed are speaking falsely. They make their faith a pretext so that they may turn men from the way of Allah verily evil as that which they are want to do. That is because they believed, then disbelieved, therefore their hearts are sealed so that they understand not. And when thou seest them, their figures please thee and if they speak, thou giveest ear unto their speech. There as though they were blocks of wood in striped cloaks, they deem every shout to be against them. They are the enemy, so beware of them. Allah confound them, how they are perverted. And when it is said unto them, come, the messenger of Allah will ask forgiveness for you. They avert their faces and thou seest them turning away, disdainful. Whether thou ask forgiveness for them or ask not forgiveness for them is all one for them. Allah will not forgive them. Lo, Allah guideeth not the evil living folk. There it is who say, spend not on behalf of those who dwell with Allah's messenger that they may disperse and go away from you when Allah's are the treasures of the heavens and the earth. But the Hippocrates comprehend not. They say, surely if we return to Al-Madinah, the mightier will soon drive out the weaker. When might belongeth to Allah and to his messenger and to the believers, but the Hippocrates know not. O ye who believe, let not your wealth nor your children distract you from remembrance of Allah. Those who do so, they are the losers. And spend of that wherewith we have provided you before death cometh unto one of you, and he sayeth, my Lord, if only thou wouldst reprieve me for a little while, then I would give alms and be among the righteous. But Allah reprieveeth no soul when its term cometh, and Allah is informed of what ye do. Surah 64, Mutual Disillusion, Revealed at Makkah. In the name of Allah, the most beneficent, the most merciful. All that is in the heavens and all that is in the earth glorifyeth Allah, unto him belongeth sovereignty and unto him belongeth praise and he is able to do all things. He it is who created you, but one of you is a disbeliever and one of you is a believer and Allah is seer of what ye do. He created the heavens and the earth with truth and he shaped you and made good your shapes and unto him is the journeying. He knoweth all that is in the heavens and the earth and he knoweth what ye conceal and what ye publish and Allah is aware of what is in the breasts of men. Hath not the story reached you of those who disbelieved of old and so did taste the ill effects of their conduct and theirs will be a painful doom. That was because their messengers from Allah kept coming unto them with clear proofs of Allah's sovereignty, but they said, shall mere mortals guide us? So they disbelieved and turned away and Allah was independent of them. Allah is absolute owner of praise. Those who disbelieve assert that they will not be raised again. Say unto them, O Muhammad, ye verily by my Lord ye will be raised again and then ye will be informed of what ye did and that is easy for Allah. So believe in Allah and his messenger and the light which we have revealed and the law is informed of what ye do. The day when he shall gather you unto the day of assembling, that will be a day of mutual disillusion and whoso believeth in Allah and doeth right, he will remit him from his evil deeds and will bring him unto gardens underneath which rivers flow therein to abide forever. That is the supreme triumph. But those who disbelieve and deny a revelations, such are owners of the fire, they will abide therein, a hapless journey's end. No calamity befalleth saved by Allah's leave and whosoever believeth in Allah, he guideeth his heart and Allah is knower of all things. Obey Allah and obey his messenger but if ye turn away, then the duty of our messenger is only to convey the message plainly. Allah, there is no God save him. In Allah, therefore, let believers put their trust. O ye who believe, lo, among your wives and your children, there are enemies for you. Therefore beware of them and if ye have face and overlook and forgive, then lo, Allah is forgiving, merciful. Your wealth and your children are only a temptation whereas Allah with him is an immense reward. So keep your duty to Allah as best ye can and listen and obey and spend. That is better for your souls and whoso is saved from his own greed, such are the successful. If ye lend unto Allah a goodly loan, he will double it for you and will forgive you for Allah is responsive, clement, knower of the invisible and the visible, the mighty, the wise. Surah 65, Divorce, revealed at Medina, in the name of Allah, the most beneficent, the most merciful. O Prophet, when ye men put away women, put them away for their legal period and reckon the period and keep your duty to Allah, your Lord. Expel them not from their houses nor let them go forth unless they commit open immorality, such are the limits imposed by Allah and whoso transgresseth the law's limits, he verily wrongeth his soul. Thou knowest not, it may be that Allah will afterward bring some new thing to pass. Then when they have reached their term, take them back in kindness or part from them in kindness and call to witness to just men among you and keep your testimony upright for Allah. Whoso believeth in Allah and the last day is exhorted to act thus and whosoever keepeth his duty to Allah, Allah will appoint a way out for him and will provide for him from a quarter whence he hath no expectation and whosoever puteth his trust in Allah, he will suffice him. Lo, Allah bringeth his command to pass. Allah hath a set measure for all things and for such of your women as despair of menstruation. If ye doubt, their period of waiting shall be three months, along with those who have it not. And for those with child, their period shall be till they bring forth their burden and whosoever keepeth his duty to Allah, he maketh his course easy for him. That is the commandment of Allah which he revealeth unto you and whosoever keepeth his duty to Allah, he will remit from him his evil deeds and magnify reward for him. Loge them where ye dwell, according to your wealth, and harass them not, so as to straighten life for them. And if they are with child, then spend for them till they bring forth their burden. Then, if they give suck for you, give them their due payment and consult together in kindness. But if ye make difficulties for one another, then let some other woman give suck for him, the father of the child. Let him who hath abundance spend of his abundance, and he whose provision is measured, let him spend of that which Allah hath given him. Allah asketh not of any soul, save that which he hath given it. Allah will vouchsafe after hardship ease. And how many a community revolted against the ordinance of its Lord and His messengers, and we called it to a stern account and punished it with dire punishment, so that it tasted the ill effects of its conduct, and the consequence of its conduct was loss. Allah hath prepared for them stern punishment, so keep your duty to Allah, O men of understanding. O ye who believe, now Allah hath sent down unto you a reminder, a messenger reciting unto you the revelations of Allah made plain, that he may bring forth those who believe and do good works from darkness unto light. And whoso believeth in Allah and doeth right, he will bring him into gardens, underneath which rivers flow, therein to abide forever. Allah hath made good provision for him. Allah it is who hath created seven heavens, and of the earth alike thereof. The commandment cometh down among them slowly, that ye may know that Allah is able to do all things, and that Allah surroundeth all things in knowledge. End of Surah 61-65 of the meaning of the Glorious Quran. Recorded by Nicholas James Bridgewater in Tehran, Iran. Surah 66-70 of the meaning of the Glorious Quran. This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. Recording by Nicholas James Bridgewater. The meaning of the Glorious Quran. Translated by Muhammad Mamadouk Pikthal. Surah 66. Prohibition revealed at Medina. In the name of Allah, the most beneficent, the most merciful. O Prophet, why banish thou that which Allah hath made lawful for thee, seeking to please thy wives, and Allah is forgiving, merciful. Allah hath made lawful for you, Muslims, absolution from your oaths of such a kind, and Allah is your protector, he is the knower, the wise. When the Prophet confided a fact unto one of his wives, and when she afterward divulged it, and Allah apprised him thereof, he made known to her part thereof, and passed over part. And when he told it her, she said, Who hath told thee? He said, the knower, the aware hath told me. If ye twain turn unto Allah repentant, ye have cause to do so, for your hearts desire the ban, and if ye aid one another against him, Muhammad, then lo Allah even he is his protecting friend, and Gabriel and the righteous among the believers, and furthermore the angels are his helpers. It may happen that his Lord, if he divorce you, will give him in your stead wives better than you, submissive to Allah believing pious, penitent, devout, inclined to fasting, widows and maids. O ye who believe, ward off from yourselves and your families a fire whereof the fuel is men and stones, over which are set angels strong, severe, who resist not Allah in that which he commanded them, but do that which they are commanded. Then it will be said, O ye who disbelieve, make no excuses for yourselves this day, ye are only being paid for what ye used to do. O ye who believe, turn unto Allah in sincere repentance. It may be that your Lord will remit from you your evil deeds and bring you into gardens underneath which rivers flow, on the day when Allah will not abase the prophet, and those who believe with him, their light will run before them, and on their right hands, they will say, Our Lord, perfect our light for us, and forgive us, lo, thou art able to do all things. O prophet, strive against the disbelievers and the hypocrites, and be stern with them. Hell will be their home, a hapless journey's end. Allah cites an example for those who disbelieve. The wife of Noah and the wife of Lot, who were under two of our righteous slaves, yet betrayed them so that they, the husbands, availed them not against Allah, and it was said unto them, Enter the fire along with those who enter. And Allah cites an example for those who believe. The wife of Pharaoh, when she said, My Lord, build for me a home with thee in the garden, and deliver me from Pharaoh and his work, and deliver me from evil doing folk. And Mary, daughter of Imran, whose body was chased, therefore we breathe therein something of our spirit, and she put faith in the words of her Lord, and his scriptures, and was of the obedient. Surah 67, The Sovereignty, Revealed at Makkah In the name of Allah, the most beneficent, the most merciful. Blessed is he in whose hand is the sovereignty, and he is able to do all things, who hath created life and death, that he may try you, which of you is best in conduct, and he is the mighty, the forgiving, who hath created seven heavens in harmony. Thou, Muhammad, canst see no fault in the beneficent one's creation. Then look again, canst thou see any rifts? Then look again, and yet again, thy sight will return unto thee weakened and made dim. And verily, we have beautified the world's heaven with lamps, and we have made the missiles for the devils, and for them we have prepared the doom of flame, and for those who disbelieve in their Lord, there is the doom of hell, a hapless journey's end. When they are flung therein, they hear its roaring as it boileth up, as it would burst with rage. Whenever a fresh host is flung therein, the wardens there have asked them, came there unto you no warner? They say, ye, verily, a warner came unto us, but we denied and said, a law hath not revealed, ye are in not but a great error. And they say, had we been want to listen nor have sense, we had not been among the dwellers in the flames. So they acknowledge their sins, but far removed from mercy are the dwellers in the flames. Lo, those who fear their Lord in secret, theirs will be forgiveness and a great reward, and keep your opinion secret or proclaim it, lo, he is knower of all that is in the breasts of men. Should he not know what he created? And he is the subtle, the aware. He it is who hath made the earth subservient unto you, so walk in the paths thereof and eat of his providence, and unto him will be the resurrection of the dead. Have ye taken security from him who is in the heaven, that he will not cause the earth to swallow you, when lo, it is convulsed? Or have ye taken security from him who is in the heaven, that he will not let loose on you a hurricane? But ye shall know the manner of my warning, and verily those before them denied, then see the manner of my wrath with them. Have they not seen the birds above them spreading out their wings and closing them? Not a podotham save the beneficent, lo, he is seer of all things. Or who is he that will be an army unto you to help you instead of the beneficent? The disbelievers are in naught but illusion. Or who is he that will provide for you, if he should withhold his providence? Nay, but they are set in pride and froadness. Is he who goeth groping on his face more rightly guided, or he who walketh upright on a straight road? Say unto them, O Muhammad, he it is who gave you being, and hath assigned unto you ears and eyes and hearts. Small thanks give ye, say, he it is who multipleth you in the earth, and unto whom ye will be gathered. And they say, when will this promise be fulfilled, if ye are truthful? Say, the knowledge is with Allah only, and I am but a plain warner. But when they see it nigh, the faces of those who disbelieve will be awry, and it will be said unto them, this is that for which ye used to call. Say, O Muhammad, have ye thought, whether Allah causeth me, Muhammad, and those with me to perish, or hath mercy on us? Still, who will protect the disbelievers from a painful doom? Say, he is the beneficent, in him we believe, and in him we put our trust, and ye will soon know who it is that is in error manifest. Say, have ye thought, if all your water were to disappear into the earth, who then could bring you gushing water? Surah 68, the pen, revealed at Makkah, in the name of Allah, the most beneficent, the most merciful. Noon, by the pen and that which they write therewith, thou art not for thy Lord's favour unto thee a madman, and lo, thine verily will be your reward unfailing. And lo, thou art of a tremendous nature, and thou wilt see, and they will see, which of you is the demented. Lo, thy Lord is best aware of him who strayeth from his way, and he is best aware of those who walk a right. Therefore obey not thou the rejecters, who would have had thee compromise, that they may compromise. Neither obey thou each feeble oathmonger, detractor, spreader abroad of slanders, hinderer of the good, transgressor, malefactor, greedy therewithal, intrusive. It is because he is possessed of wealth and children, that when our revelations are recited unto him he saith, mere fables of the men of old. We shall brand him on the nose, lo, we have tried them as we tried the owners of the garden when they vowed that they would pluck its fruit next morning, and made no exception for the will of Allah. Then a visitation from thy Lord came upon it while they slept, and in the morning it was as if plucked, and they cried out one unto another in the morning, saying, run unto your field if ye would pluck the fruit. So they went off, saying one unto another in low tones, no needy man shall enter it today against you. They went be times strong in this purpose, but when they sought, they said, lo, we are an error, nay, but we are desolate. The best among them said, said I not unto you, why glorify ye not Allah? They said, glorify be our Lord. Lo, we have been wrongdoers. Then some of them drew near unto others, self-approaching. They said, alas for us, in truth we were outrageous. It may be that our Lord will give us better than this in place thereof, lo, we beseech our Lord. Such was the punishment, and verily the punishment of the hereafter is greater if they did but know. Lo, for those who keep from evil are gardens of bliss with their Lord. Shall we then treat those who have surrendered as we treat the guilty? What ale of you? How foolishly ye judge, or have ye a scripture wherein ye learn that ye shall indeed have all that ye choose? Or have ye a covenant on oath from us that reaches to the day of judgment that yours shall be all that ye ordain? Ask them, O Muhammad, which of them will vouch for that? Or have they other gods, then let them bring their other gods if they are truthful, on the day when it befalleth in earnest, and they are ordered to prostrate themselves but are not able, with eyes downcast, a basement stupefying them, and they had been summoned to prostrate themselves while they were yet unhurt? Leave me to deal with those who give the lie to this pronouncement. We shall lead them on by steps from whence they know not. Yet I bear with them, for lo, my scheme is firm. Or dost thou, Muhammad, ask a fee from them so that they are heavily taxed? Or is the unseen theirs that they can write thereof? But wait thou, for thy Lord's decree, and be not like him of the fish who cried out in despair? Had it not been that favour from his Lord had reached him, he surely had been cast into the wilderness while he was reprobate. But his Lord chose him and placed him among the righteous. And lo, those who disbelieve would feign disconcert thee with their eyes when they hear the reminder, and they say, lo, he is indeed mad when it is not else than a reminder to creation. Surah 69, the reality, revealed at Makkah. In the name of Allah, the most beneficent, the most merciful. The reality. What is the reality? Ah, what will convey unto thee what the reality is. The tribes of Thamud and Aad disbelieved in the judgment to come. As for Thamud, they were destroyed by the lightning. And as for Aad, they were destroyed by a fierce roaring wind. Which he imposed on them for seven long nights and eight long days, so that thou mightest have seen men lying overthrown as they were hollow trunks of palm trees. Canst thou, O Muhammad, see any remnant of them? And Pharaoh, and those before him, and the communities that were destroyed, brought error, and they disobeyed the messenger of their Lord. Therefore did he grip them with a tightening grip. Lo, when the waters rose, we carried you upon the ship, that we might make it a memorial for you, and that remembering ears that heard the story might remember. And when the trumpet shall sound one blast, and the earth with the mountain shall be lifted up and crushed with one crash, then on that day will the event befall, and the heaven will split asunder, for that day it will be frail, and the angels will be on the sides thereof, and eight will uphold the throne of thy Lord that day above them. On that day ye will be exposed, not a secret of you will be hidden, then as for him who is given his record in his right hand, he will say, Take, read my book. Then he will be in a blissful state, in a high garden, whereof the clusters are an easy reach, and it will be said unto those therein, Eat and drink at ease, for that which he sent on before you in past days. But as for him who is given his record in his left hand, he will say, O would that I had not been given my book, and knew not what my reckoning, O would that it had been death. My wealth hath not availed me, my power hath gone from me. It will be said, Take him, and fetter him, and then expose him to hellfire, and then insert him in a chamber of the length is seventy cubits. Lo, he used not to believe in Allah the tremendous, and urged not on the feeding of the wretched. Therefore hath he no lover here this day, nor any food save filth, which none but sinners eat. But nay I swear by all that ye see, and all that ye see not, that it is indeed the speech of an illustrious messenger. It is not poet's speech, little is it that he believe, nor diviner's speech, little is it that he remember. It is a revelation from the Lord of the worlds. And if he had invented false sayings concerning us, we assuredly had taken him by the right hand, and then severed his life artery, and not one of you could have held us off from him. And lo, it is a warrant unto those who ward off evil, and lo, we know that some among you will deny it, and lo, it is indeed an anguish for the disbelievers, and lo, it is absolute truth. So glorify the name of thy tremendous Lord, Surah 70, the ascending stairways, revealed at Makkah, in the name of Allah, the most beneficent, the most merciful. A questioner questioned concerning the doom about to fall upon the disbelievers, which none can repel from Allah, Lord of the ascending stairways, whereby the angels and the spirit ascend unto him in a day whereof the span is fifty thousand years, but be patient, O Muhammad, with a patience fair to see. Lo, they behold it afar off, while we behold it nigh. The day when the sky will become as molten copper, and the hills become as flakes of wool, and no familiar friend will ask a question of his friend, though they will be given sight of them. The guilty man will long to be able to ransom himself for the punishment of that day at the price of his children, and his spouse, and his brother, and his kin that harbored him, and all that are in the earth, if then it might deliver him. But nay, for lo, it is the fire of hell, eager to roast, it calleth him who turned and fled from truth, and hoarded wealth, and withheld it. Lo, man was created anxious, fretful when evil befalleth him, and when good befalleth him grudging save worshipers, who are constant at their worship, and in whose wealth there is a right acknowledged for the beggar and the destitute, and those who believe in the day of judgment, and those who are fearful of their Lord's doom. Lo, the doom of their Lord is that before which none can feel secure, and those who preserve their chastity save with their wives, and those whom their right hands possess, for thus they are not blameworthy. But whoso seeketh more than that, those are they who are transgressors, and those who keep their pledges and their covenant, and those who stand by their testimony, and those who are attentive at their worship. These will dwell in gardens honoured. What aileth those who disbelieve, that they keep staring toward the old Muhammad, opened eyed, on the right and on the left, in groups? Doth every man among them hope to enter the Garden of Delight? Nay, verily, lo, we created them from what they know. But nay, I swear by the law of the rising places and the setting places of the planets, that we verily are able to replace them by others better than them, and we are not to be outrun. So let them chat and play until they meet their day, which they are promised, the day when they come forth from the graves in haste, as racing to a goal with eyes aghast, a basement stupefying them, such is the day which they are promised. End of Surah 66-70 of the Meaning of the Glorious Qur'an Recorded by Nicholas James Bridgewater in Tehran, Iran Surah 71-75 of the Meaning of the Glorious Qur'an This is a LibraVox recording. All LibraVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibraVox.org Recording by Nicholas James Bridgewater The Meaning of the Glorious Qur'an Translated by Muhammad Mamadouk Pikthal Surah 71 In the Name of Allah, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful, Lo, we send Noah unto his people, saying, Warn thy people, ere the painful doom come unto them. He said, O my people, lo, I am a plain warner unto you. Bidding you, serve Allah, and keep your duty unto him, and obey me, that he may forgive you somewhat of your sins, and respite you to an appointed term. Lo, the term of Allah, when it cometh, cannot be delayed, if ye but new. He said, My Lord, lo, I have called unto my people night and day, but all my calling doth but add to their repugnance. And lo, whenever I call unto them, that thou mayest pardon them, they thrust their fingers in their ears and cover themselves with their garments, and persist in their effusal, and magnify themselves in pride. And lo, I have called unto them aloud, and lo, I have made public proclamation unto them, and I have appealed to them in private, and I have said, Seek pardon of your Lord. Lo, he was ever forgiving. He will let loose the sky for you in plenteous rain, and will help you with wealth and sons, and will assign unto you gardens, and will assign unto you rivers. What aleth you, that ye hope not toward Allah for dignity, when he created you by diverse stages? Seeing not how Allah hath created seven heavens in harmony, and hath made the moon a light therein, and made the sun a lamp, and Allah hath caused you to grow as a growth from the earth, and afterward he maketh you return there too, and he will bring you forth again, a new forth-bringing, and Allah hath made the earth a wide expanse for you, that ye may thread the valleyways thereof. Noah said, My Lord, lo, they have disobeyed me, and followed one whose wealth and children increase him in not-save ruin. And they have plotted a mighty plot, and they have said, Forsake not your gods, forsake not wud, nor suwa'a, nor yagooth, an yaoq, an nasr, and they have led many astray, and thou increases the wrong doers in not-save error, because of their sins they were drowned, then made to enter a fire, and they found they had no helpers in place of Allah. And Noah said, My Lord, leave not one of the disbelievers in the land, if thou shouldst leave them, they will mislead thy slaves, and will beget none-save lewd ingrates. My Lord, forgive me, and my parents, and him who entereth my house believing, and believing men, and believing women, and increase not the wrong doers in ought-save ruin. Surah 72 The Jinn Revealed at Makkah In the name of Allah, the most beneficent, the most merciful, say, O Muhammad. It is revealed unto me that a company of the Jinn gave ear, and they said, Lo, we have heard a marvellous Qur'an, which guideeth unto righteousness, so we believe in it, and we ascribe no partner unto our Lord, and we believe that he, exalted be the glory of our Lord, hath taken neither wife nor son, and that the foolish one among us used to speak concerning Allah an atrocious lie. And lo, we had supposed that humankind and Jinn would not speak a lie concerning Allah, and indeed, O Muhammad, individuals of humankind used to invoke the protection of individuals of the Jinn, so that they increased them in revolt against Allah. And indeed they supposed, even as ye suppose, that Allah would not raise anyone from the dead, and the Jinn who had listened to the Qur'an said, We had sought the heaven, but had found it filled with strong waters and meteors, and we used to sit on places high therein to listen. But he who listeneth now findeth a flame in wait for him. And we know not whether harm is boded unto all who are in the earth, or whether their Lord intended guidance for them. And among us there are righteous folk, and among us there are far from that. We are sects having different rules, and we know that we cannot escape from Allah in the earth, nor can we escape by flight. And when we heard the guidance, we believed therein, and whoso believeth in his Lord, he feareth neither loss nor oppression. And there are among us some who have surrendered to Allah. And there are among us some who are unjust, and whoso hath surrendered to Allah, such have taken the right path purposefully. And as for those who are unjust, they are firewood for hell. If they, the idolaters, tread the right path, we shall give them to drink of water in abundance, that we may test them thereby, and whoso turneth away from the remembrance of his Lord, he will thrust him into ever-growing torment. And the places of worship are only for Allah, so pray not unto anyone, along with Allah. And when the slave of Allah stood up in prayer to him, they crowded on him, almost stifling. Say unto them, O Muhammad, I pray unto Allah only, and ascribe unto him no partner. Say, Lo, I control not hurt nor benefit for you. Say, Lo, none can protect me from Allah, nor can I find any refuge beside him. Mine is but conveyance of the truth from Allah and his messages, and whoso disobeyeth Allah and his messenger, lo, his is fire of hell wherein such dwell forever. Till the day when they shall behold that which they are promised they made out. But then they will know for certain who is weaker in allies, and less in multitude. Say, O Muhammad, unto the disbelievers, I know not whether that which ye are promised is nigh, or if my Lord hath set a distant term for it. He is the knower of the unseen, and he revealeth unto none his secret. Save unto every messenger whom he hath chosen, and then he maketh a guard to go before him, and a guard behind him, that he may know that they hath indeed conveyed the messages of their Lord, he surroundeth all their doings, and he keepeth count of all things. Surah 73, the enshrouded one, revealed at Makkah. In the name of Allah, the most beneficent, the most merciful. O thou wrapped up in thy raiment, keep vigil the night long, save a little, a half thereof, or a bait a little thereof, or add a little there too, and chant the Qur'an in measure, for we shall charge thee with a word of weight. Lo, the vigil of the night is a time when impression is more keen, and speech more certain. Lo, thou hast by day a chain of business, so remember the name of thy Lord, and devote thyself with a complete devotion. Lord of the East and the West, there is no God save him, so choose thou him alone for thy defender, and bear with patience what they utter, and part from them with a fair leave taking. Leave me to deal with the deniers, lords of ease and comfort in this life, and do thou respite them awhile. Lo, with us are heavy fetters, and a raging fire, and food which choketh up a taker, and a painful doom. On the day when the earth and the hills rock, and the hills become a heap of running sand. Lo, we have sent unto you a messenger as witness against you, even as we sent unto Pharaoh a messenger, but Pharaoh rebelled against the messenger, whereupon we seized him with no gentle grip. Then how, if ye disbelieve, will ye protect yourselves upon the day which will turn children grey? The very heaven being then rent asunder, his promise is to be fulfilled. Lo, this is a reminder, let him who will then choose away unto his Lord. Lo, thy Lord knoweth how thou keepest vigil, sometimes nearly two thirds of the night, or sometimes half, or a third thereof, as do a party of those with thee. Allah measureeth the night and the day. He knoweth that ye count it not, and turneth unto you in mercy. Recite, then, of the Qur'an, that which is easy for you. He knoweth that there are sick folk among you, while others travel in the land in search of Allah's bounty, and others still are fighting for the cause of Allah. So recite of it that which is easy for you, and establish worship, and pay the poor due, and so lend unto Allah a goodly loan. Whatsoever good ye send before you for your souls, ye will find it with Allah, better and greater in the recompense, and seek forgiveness of Allah. Lo, Allah is forgiving, merciful. Surah 74, the cloaked one, revealed at Makkah. In the name of Allah, the most beneficent, the most merciful. O thou enveloped in thy cloak, arise and warn, thy Lord magnify, thy raiment purify, pollution shun, and show not favour, seeking worldly gain, for the sake of thy Lord be patient. For when the trumpet shall sound, surely that day will be a day of anguish, not of ease for disbelievers. Leave me to deal with him whom I created lonely, and then bestowed upon him ample means, and sons abiding in his presence, and made life smooth for him. Yet he desireth that I should give more. Nay, for lo, he hath been stubborn to our revelations. On him I shall impose a fearful doom, for lo, he did consider. Then he planned, self-destroyed as he how he planned, again self-destroyed as he how he planned. Then looked he, then frowned he, and showed displeasure, then turned he away in pride, and said, This is not else than magic from of old. This is not else than speech of mortal man. Him shall I fling unto the burning. Ah, what will convey unto thee what that burning is? It leaveeth not, it spareth not, it shriveleth the man, above it are nineteen. We have appointed only angels to be warders of the fire, and their number have we made to be a stumbling block for those who disbelieve, that those to whom the Scripture hath been given may have certainty, and that believers may increase in faith, and that those to whom the Scripture hath been given and believers may not doubt, and that those in whose hearts there is disease and disbelievers may say, What meaneth Allah by this similitude? Thus Allah sendeth astray whom he will, and whom he will he guideth. None knoweth the hosts of thy Lord save him. This is not else than a reminder unto mortals. Nay, by the moon, and the night when it withdraweth, and the day when it shineth forth. Lo, this is one of the greatest portents, as a warning unto men, unto him of you who will advance or hang back. Every soul is a pledge for its own deeds. Save those who will stand on the right hand. In gardens they will ask one another concerning the guilty. What hath brought you to this burning? They will answer, We were not of those who prayed. Nor did we feed the wretched. We used to wade in vain dispute with all waders, and we used to deny the day of judgment, till the inevitable came unto us. The mediation of no mediators will avail them then. Why now turn they away from the admonishment, as they were frightened asses fleeing from a lion? Nay, but every one of them desireth that he should be given open pages from Allah. Nay, verily, they fear not the hereafter. Nay, verily, lo, this is an admonishment. So whosoever will may heed, and they will not heed unless Allah willeth it. He is the fount of fear. He is the fount of mercy. Surah 75. The Rising of the Dead. Revealed at Makkah. In the name of Allah, the most beneficent, the most merciful. Nay, I swear by the day of resurrection. Nay, I swear by the accusing soul that this scripture is true. Thinketh man that we shall not assemble his bones. Yea, verily, we are able to restore his very fingers. But man would feign deny what is before him. He asketh, when will be this day of resurrection? But when sight is confounded, and the moon is eclipsed, and sun and moon are united, on that day man will cry, whither to flee, alas, no refuge, unto thy Lord is the recourse that day. On that day man is told the tale of that which he hath sent before, and left behind. Oh, but man is a telling witness against himself. Although he tender his excuses, stir not thy tongue herewith to hasten it. Lo, upon us resteth the putting together thereof, and the reading thereof, and when we read it, follow thou the reading. Then lo, upon us resteth the explanation thereof. Nay, but ye do love the fleeting now, and neglect the hereafter. That day will faces be resplendent, looking toward their Lord, and that day will other faces be despondent. Thou wilt know that some great disaster is about to fall on them. Nay, but when the life cometh up to the throat, and men say, Where is the wizard who can save him now? And he knoweth that it is the parting, and agony is heaped on agony, unto thy Lord that day will be the driving, for he neither trusted nor prayed, but he denied and flouted. Then went he to his folk with glee, near unto thee and near. Again near unto thee and near is the doom. Thinketh man that he is to be left aimless? Was he not to drop of fluid which gushed forth? Then he became a clot. Then Allah shaped and fashioned, and made of him a pair, the male and female. Is not he who doeth so able to bring the dead to life? End of Surahs 71-75. Recording by Nicholas James Bridgewater. Recorded in Blynavon, Wales.