Al Shawkani Exegesis – Surat Houd (No 11)
Ayah 1-123
الر ۚ كِتَابٌ أُحْكِمَتْ آيَاتُهُ ثُمَّ فُصِّلَتْ مِن لَّدُنْ حَكِيمٍ خَبِيرٍ.(1)
Alif, Lam, Ra. [This is] a Book whose verses are perfected and then presented in detail from [one who is] Wise and Acquainted (1).
Alif, Lam, Ra [As Previously Mentioned In The Prelude Or The Beginning Of The Previous Surah # 10, In His Exegesis, Imam Al Qurtubi Affirms That These Singular Arabic Letters Are: Both The Mystery and Secret of Allah (SWT) in the Glorious Qur’an.
This “Glorious Book” The Ayat Of Which Have Been Determined, Judged, Idealised & Perfected Thence Offered In Detail From Allah (SWT) Who Is Wise, Aware & Informed.
أَلَّا تَعْبُدُوا إِلَّا اللَّهَ ۚ إِنَّنِي لَكُم مِّنْهُ نَذِيرٌ وَبَشِيرٌ.(2)
[Through a messenger, saying], “Do not worship except Allah. Indeed, I am to you from Him a warner and a bringer of good tidings” (2).
Through The Tongue Of A Messenger,” Saying Do Not Worship Any Deity Except Allah (SWT). Verily, I Am From Him (SWT) A Harbinger Of Glad Tidings & An Omen.
And [saying], “Seek forgiveness of your Lord and repent to Him, [and] He will let you enjoy a good provision for a specified term and give every doer of favor his favor. But if you turn away, then indeed, I fear for you the punishment of a great Day (3).
وَأَنِ اسْتَغْفِرُوا رَبَّكُمْ ثُمَّ تُوبُوا إِلَيْهِ يُمَتِّعْكُم مَّتَاعًا حَسَنًا إِلَىٰ أَجَلٍ مُّسَمًّى وَيُؤْتِ كُلَّ ذِي فَضْلٍ فَضْلَهُ ۖ وَإِن تَوَلَّوْا فَإِنِّي أَخَافُ عَلَيْكُمْ عَذَابَ يَوْمٍ كَبِيرٍ.(3)
And [saying], “Seek forgiveness of your Lord and repent to Him, [and] He will let you enjoy a good provision for a specified term and give every doer of favor his favor. But if you turn away, then indeed, I fear for you the punishment of a great Day (3).
And To Preach Thus, Seeking Forgiveness Of Allah (SWT) Thence Repent To Him (SWT), And He (SWT) Shall Grant You Enjoyment & Decent Sustenance & Supplies For A Specific Time. Granting Every Good Doer His Favor. However, If You Turn Your Backs, To Him (SWT), You Shall Receive The Torment Of A “Great” Day.
إِلَى اللَّهِ مَرْجِعُكُمْ ۖ وَهُوَ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيرٌ.(4)
To Allah is your return, and He is over all things competent (4).
All Humankind Shall Revert & Return To Allah (SWT) & He (SWT) Is The Omnipresent & The All Competent Over All Creation.
أَلَا إِنَّهُمْ يَثْنُونَ صُدُورَهُمْ لِيَسْتَخْفُوا مِنْهُ ۚ أَلَا حِينَ يَسْتَغْشُونَ ثِيَابَهُمْ يَعْلَمُ مَا يُسِرُّونَ وَمَا يُعْلِنُونَ ۚ إِنَّهُ عَلِيمٌ بِذَاتِ الصُّدُورِ.(5)
Unquestionably, they the disbelievers turn away their breasts to hide themselves from Him. Unquestionably, [even] when they cover themselves in their clothing, Allah knows what they conceal and what they declare. Indeed, He is Knowing of that within the breasts (5).
Observe & Perceive How The Infidels, Blasphemous & Disbelievers Turn Away Their Thoracic Cavity Away From Him (SWT). Undoubtedly, Whenever They Cover Themselves With Their Own Clothes, Allah (SWT) Is Aware Of What They Hide & What They Divulge. Indeed, Allah (SWT) Is The All Knowledgeable Of What Is Within The Human Chest.
وَمَا مِن دَابَّةٍ فِي الْأَرْضِ إِلَّا عَلَى اللَّهِ رِزْقُهَا وَيَعْلَمُ مُسْتَقَرَّهَا وَمُسْتَوْدَعَهَا ۚ كُلٌّ فِي كِتَابٍ مُّبِينٍ.(6)
And there is no creature on earth but that upon Allah is its provision, and He knows its place of dwelling and place of storage. All is in a clear register (6).
There Is No Four-Legged Animal On Earth But That Which Has Its Sustenance & Provision Upon Allah (SWT) & He (SWT) Knows Its Habitation & Refuge. Each In Its Clear Record.
وَهُوَ الَّذِي خَلَقَ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضَ فِي سِتَّةِ أَيَّامٍ وَكَانَ عَرْشُهُ عَلَى الْمَاءِ لِيَبْلُوَكُمْ أَيُّكُمْ أَحْسَنُ عَمَلًا ۗ وَلَئِن قُلْتَ إِنَّكُم مَّبْعُوثُونَ مِن بَعْدِ الْمَوْتِ لَيَقُولَنَّ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا إِنْ هَٰذَا إِلَّا سِحْرٌ مُّبِين.(7)
And it is He who created the heavens and the earth in six days – and His Throne had been upon water – that He might test you as to which of you is best in deed. But if you say, “Indeed, you are resurrected after death,” those who disbelieve will surely say, “This is not but obvious magic” (7).
And It Is He (SWT) Who Created The Heavens & The Earth In Six Days With His Throne (SWT) Unto Water So That He (SWT) Would Assess & Evaluate Whom Is Best In Actions & Deeds. However, If You Oh Messenger Of Allah (SWT) Say:” You Shall Surely Be Resurrected After Death”. The Disbelievers, The Blasphemous & The Infidels, Reply To You,” This Is None Other Than Explicit & Conspicuous Sorcery”.
وَلَئِنْ أَخَّرْنَا عَنْهُمُ الْعَذَابَ إِلَىٰ أُمَّةٍ مَّعْدُودَةٍ لَّيَقُولُنَّ مَا يَحْبِسُهُ ۗ أَلَا يَوْمَ يَأْتِيهِمْ لَيْسَ مَصْرُوفًا عَنْهُمْ وَحَاقَ بِهِم مَّا كَانُوا بِهِ يَسْتَهْزِئُونَ.(8)
And if We hold back from them the punishment for a limited time, they will surely say, “What detains it?” Unquestionably, on the Day it comes to them, it will not be averted from them, and they will be enveloped by what they used to ridicule (8).
And If We (SWT) Delayed Their Torment For Prescribed Time, They Would Say,” What Keeps It Back? On The Day It Reaches Them, Nothing Will Turn It Away From Them And They Shall Be Completely Encircled By What They Used To Ridicule Mock At.
وَلَئِنْ أَذَقْنَا الْإِنسَانَ مِنَّا رَحْمَةً ثُمَّ نَزَعْنَاهَا مِنْهُ إِنَّهُ لَيَئُوسٌ كَفُورٌ.(9)
And if We give man a taste of mercy from Us and then We withdraw it from him, indeed, he is despairing and ungrateful (9).
And If & When We (SWT) Grant Humankind Mercy Thence Took It Back, He Is In Distress & Desperation, Tending Towards Blasphemy.
وَلَئِنْ أَذَقْنَاهُ نَعْمَاءَ بَعْدَ ضَرَّاءَ مَسَّتْهُ لَيَقُولَنَّ ذَهَبَ السَّيِّئَاتُ عَنِّي ۚ إِنَّهُ لَفَرِحٌ فَخُورٌ.(10)
But if We give him a taste of favor after hardship has touched him, he will surely say, “Bad times have left me.” Indeed, he is exultant and boastful (10).
And If & When We (SWT) Grant Him A Taste Of Grace After Hardship Which Touched & Affected Him, He Would Say:” Bad Times Have Gone Away”. Verily, He Is Both Exultant & Boastful.
إِلَّا الَّذِينَ صَبَرُوا وَعَمِلُوا الصَّالِحَاتِ أُولَٰئِكَ لَهُم مَّغْفِرَةٌ وَأَجْرٌ كَبِيرٌ.(11)
Except for those who are patient and do righteous deeds; those will have forgiveness and great reward (11).
Only For Those Who Have Persevered & Displayed Patience As Well As Those Who Have Done Righteous Deeds. They Shall Get From Allah (SWT) Forgiveness & Great Reward.
فَلَعَلَّكَ تَارِكٌ بَعْضَ مَا يُوحَىٰ إِلَيْكَ وَضَائِقٌ بِهِ صَدْرُكَ أَن يَقُولُوا لَوْلَا أُنزِلَ عَلَيْهِ كَنزٌ أَوْ جَاءَ مَعَهُ مَلَكٌ ۚ إِنَّمَا أَنتَ نَذِيرٌ ۚ وَاللَّهُ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ وَكِيلٌ.(12)
Then would you possibly leave [out] some of what is revealed to you, or is your breast constrained by it because they say, “Why has there not been sent down to him a treasure or come with him an angel?” But you are only a warner. And Allah is Disposer of all things (12).
Then Perchance You May Feel The Inclination To Give Up A Part Of What Is Revealed To You And Your Chest Constrained By It Because They (The Disbelievers & Infidels) Would Inquire:” Why Was A Treasure Not Been Sent Upon Him Or An Angle With Him?”, However, You Are Only An Omen. And Allah (SWT) Is Guardian & Custodian Over All Things.
أَمْ يَقُولُونَ افْتَرَاهُ ۖ قُلْ فَأْتُوا بِعَشْرِ سُوَرٍ مِّثْلِهِ مُفْتَرَيَاتٍ وَادْعُوا مَنِ اسْتَطَعْتُم مِّن دُونِ اللَّهِ إِن كُنتُمْ صَادِقِين.(13)
Or do they say, “He invented it”? Say, “Then bring ten surahs like it that have been invented and call upon [for assistance] whomever you can besides Allah, if you should be truthful” (13).
Or They (Infidels & Blasphemous) May Say,” He, Muhammad [SAAS] “Forged The Glorious Qur’an”. Say Oh Prophet Of Allah (SWT): “Then Bring Ten Similar “Invented” Qura’nic Sowar (Chapters) And Invite To Your Aid Whomsoever You Want Besides Allah (SWT), If You Happen To Be Honest & Sincere.
فَإِلَّمْ يَسْتَجِيبُوا لَكُمْ فَاعْلَمُوا أَنَّمَا أُنزِلَ بِعِلْمِ اللَّهِ وَأَن لَّا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ ۖ فَهَلْ أَنتُم مُّسْلِمُونَ.(14)
And if they do not respond to you – then know that the Qur’an was revealed with the knowledge of Allah and that there is no
deity except Him. Then, would you [not] be Muslims? (14).
And If They Do Not Reply To You, Then Be Sure That The Glorious Qur’an Was Revealed With The Knowledge Of Allah (SWT) & That There Is No Other Deity But He (SWT). Thus Are You Not Muslims?
مَن كَانَ يُرِيدُ الْحَيَاةَ الدُّنْيَا وَزِينَتَهَا نُوَفِّ إِلَيْهِمْ أَعْمَالَهُمْ فِيهَا وَهُمْ فِيهَا لَا يُبْخَسُونَ.(15)
Whoever desires the life of this world and its adornments – We fully repay them for their deeds therein, and they therein will not be deprived (15).
Whosoever Requests This Earthly Lifetime & Its Decoration & Embellishment, We (SWT) Shall Recompense Them For Their Worldly Actions And They Shall Not Be Dispossessed & Deprived From Their Deeds Therein.
أُولَٰئِكَ الَّذِينَ لَيْسَ لَهُمْ فِي الْآخِرَةِ إِلَّا النَّارُ ۖ وَحَبِطَ مَا صَنَعُوا فِيهَا وَبَاطِلٌ مَّا كَانُوا يَعْمَلُونَ.(16)
Those are the ones for whom there is not in the Hereafter but the Fire. And lost is what they did therein, and worthless is what they used to do (16).
Those Are The Ones For Which There Is Nothing But Fire In The Hereafter And Vein Are What They Did Therein And Of No Effect Or Value Are The Actions Which They Perpetrate.
أَفَمَن كَانَ عَلَىٰ بَيِّنَةٍ مِّن رَّبِّهِ وَيَتْلُوهُ شَاهِدٌ مِّنْهُ وَمِن قَبْلِهِ كِتَابُ مُوسَىٰ إِمَامًا وَرَحْمَةً ۚ أُولَٰئِكَ يُؤْمِنُونَ بِهِ ۚ وَمَن يَكْفُرْ بِهِ مِنَ الْأَحْزَابِ فَالنَّارُ مَوْعِدُهُ ۚ فَلَا تَكُ فِي مِرْيَةٍ مِّنْهُ ۚ إِنَّهُ الْحَقُّ مِن رَّبِّكَ وَلَٰكِنَّ أَكْثَرَ النَّاسِ لَا يُؤْمِن(17)
So is one who [stands] upon a clear evidence from his Lord [like the aforementioned]? And a witness from Him follows it, and before it was the Scripture of Moses to lead and as mercy. Those [believers in the former revelations] believe in the Qur’an. But whoever disbelieves in it from the [various] factions – the Fire is his promised destination. So be not in doubt about it. Indeed, it is the truth from your Lord, but most of the people do not believe (17).
Thus Is One Who Holds Clear Evidence From Allah (SWT) In Following The Footsteps Of The Prophet & Messenger Muhammad [SAAS] & Who Recites The Glorious Qur’an Or The Miracles Mentioned Therein; As Like Those Christians Who Believe In The Injeel & Those Jews Who Believe In The Tawra [Before]. Of Course Both Judaism & Christianity Believe In The Glorious Qur’an & Its Prophet & Messenger Muhammad. However, Those Disbelievers, Infidels & Polytheists Who Have Suspicions, Then They Shall Face The Hereafter’s Hell Fire On Judgment Day.
وَمَنْ أَظْلَمُ مِمَّنِ افْتَرَىٰ عَلَى اللَّهِ كَذِبًا ۚ أُولَٰئِكَ يُعْرَضُونَ عَلَىٰ رَبِّهِمْ وَيَقُولُ الْأَشْهَادُ هَٰؤُلَاءِ الَّذِينَ كَذَبُوا عَلَىٰ رَبِّهِمْ ۚ أَلَا لَعْنَةُ اللَّهِ عَلَى الظَّالِمِينَ.(18)
And who is more unjust than he who invents a lie about Allah? Those will be presented before their Lord, and the witnesses will say, “These are the ones who lied against their Lord.” Unquestionably, the curse of Allah is upon the wrongdoers (18).
And Who Is More Unjust & Wrong Than Those Who Invent Lies About Allah (SWT). They Shall Be Displayed In Front Of Allah (SWT) [On Judgment Day] And The “Witnesses” Shall Say:” These Are The People Who Commit Falsehood & Lying Against Allah (SWT). Undoubtedly, The Malediction & Imprecation Is Upon The Unjust Of Humankind.
الَّذِينَ يَصُدُّونَ عَن سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ وَيَبْغُونَهَا عِوَجًا وَهُم بِالْآخِرَةِ هُمْ كَافِرُونَ.(19)
Who averted [people] from the way of Allah and sought to make it [seem] deviant while they, concerning the Hereafter, were disbelievers (19).
Those Who Avoided, Evaded & Averted People From The Path Of Allah (SWT) But Sought To Make It Appear Aberrant & Deviating Vis-Vis The Hereafter Infidels & Disbelievers On Judgment Day.
أُولَٰئِكَ لَمْ يَكُونُوا مُعْجِزِينَ فِي الْأَرْضِ وَمَا كَانَ لَهُم مِّن دُونِ اللَّهِ مِنْ أَوْلِيَاءَ ۘ يُضَاعَفُ لَهُمُ الْعَذَابُ ۚ مَا كَانُوا يَسْتَطِيعُونَ السَّمْعَ وَمَا كَانُوا يُبْصِرُونَ.(20)
Those were not causing failure [to Allah] on earth, nor did they have besides Allah any protectors. For them the punishment will be multiplied. They were not able to hear, nor did they see (20).
Those Were Unable To Become Appropriate & Adequate To Allah (SWT) On Earth; Nor Did They Have Any Custodian Or Protector Other Than Allah (SWT). For Them, Torment Shall Be Multiplied Since They Were Unable To Hear Nor To See.
أُولَٰئِكَ الَّذِينَ خَسِرُوا أَنفُسَهُمْ وَضَلَّ عَنْهُم مَّا كَانُوا يَفْتَرُونَ.(21)
Those are the ones who will have lost themselves, and lost from them is what they used to invent (21).
Those Are The Losers Of Their Souls As Well As The Losers Of What They Used To Conjure Up About Allah (SWT).
لَا جَرَمَ أَنَّهُمْ فِي الْآخِرَةِ هُمُ الْأَخْسَرُونَ.(22)
Assuredly, it is they in the Hereafter who will be the greatest losers (22).
Undoubtedly, They Shall Be The Ultimate Losers In The Hereafter.
إِنَّ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَعَمِلُوا الصَّالِحَاتِ وَأَخْبَتُوا إِلَىٰ رَبِّهِمْ أُولَٰئِكَ أَصْحَابُ الْجَنَّةِ ۖ هُمْ فِيهَا خَالِدُونَ.(23)
Indeed, they who have believed and done righteous deeds and humbled themselves to their Lord – those are the companions of Paradise; they will abide eternally therein (23).
Verily, Those Who Have Believed In Allah (SWT), Performed Righteous Deeds & Who Were Unassertive & Unpresuming To Allah (SWT) – Those Are The Companions Of Al Jannah. They Shall Remain & Stay Therein Eternally.
مَثَلُ الْفَرِيقَيْنِ كَالْأَعْمَىٰ وَالْأَصَمِّ وَالْبَصِيرِ وَالسَّمِيعِ ۚ هَلْ يَسْتَوِيَانِ مَثَلًا ۚ أَفَلَا تَذَكَّرُونَ.(24)
The example of the two parties is like the blind and deaf, and the seeing and hearing. Are they equal in comparison? Then, will you not remember? (24)
This Is Like An Example Of Two Cliques Or Two Cohorts: One Visionless & Non-Hearing Compared To The Seeing & Hearing Clique. Are They Similar Upon Comparison? Should You Not Remember?
وَلَقَدْ أَرْسَلْنَا نُوحًا إِلَىٰ قَوْمِهِ إِنِّي لَكُمْ نَذِيرٌ مُّبِينٌ.(25)
And We had certainly sent Noah to his people, [saying], “Indeed, I am to you a clear warner (25).
And We (SWT) Dispatched & Delivered Prophet Nooh (Noah) [AS] (As Revealed in The Glorious Qu’ran) To His Followers; Warning Them & Saying:” I Am Definite Omen To You.