Al Shawkani Exegesis – Surat Al Muminoon
(No 23)
Ayah 1-118
Certainly, the believers will have succeeded (1).
Indeed, the Believers in Islam & Prophet Muhammad (SAAS) have succeeded.
They are humbly submissive during their prayer (2).
Those Muslims who are decently & seemly submissive in their daily five-time prayers. 
And they who turn away from ill speech (3).
And who turn their backs to nonsensical speech.
And they who are observant of zakah (4).
And who are attentive & vigilant of zakah (paying out Alms).
And they who guard their private parts (5).
And who guard their private & personal human parts.
Except for their wives or those their right hands possess, for indeed, they will not be blamed (6).
Except from their formally wedded wives or their wives who are wedded through the Muslim Possession of “their right hands”. Hence no blame will be placed upon them.
But whoever seeks beyond that, then those are the transgressors (7).
However, those humankind who desire beyond that, are violators & breachers.
And they who are to their trusts and their promises attentive (8).
And those with whom their trust & promises are observant & mindful.
And they who carefully maintain their prayers (9).
And those who advertently, heedfully & diligently maintain their five Daily Prayer. 
Those are the inheritors (10).
They are the heirs & successors of Jannat Al Firdaws.
Who will inherit al-Firdaus. They will abide therein eternally (11).
Those who shall & will inherit Jannat Al Firdaws, only to abide therein eternally.
And certainly, did We create man from an extract of clay (12).
And evidently, We (SWT) have created humankind from a clay extraction.
Then We placed him as a sperm-drop in a firm lodging (13).
Subsequently, We (SWT) created it as a sperm-drop lodging it in a firm lodging inside the female womb.
Then We made the sperm-drop into a clinging clot, and We made the clot into a lump [of flesh], and We made [from] the lump, bones, and We covered the bones with flesh; then We developed him into another creation. So blessed is Allah, the best of creators (14).
Subsequently, We (SWT) created the sperm drop into a clinging clot. Thence, created the clot into a lump of flesh. Then We (SWT) created from the lump bones, covering the bones with human flesh. Blessed be Allah (SWT) the Supreme Creator of all His Creation.
Then indeed, after that you are to die (15).
Thence, with Allah (SWT)’s Command & after a lifetime on earth humankind will die.
Then indeed you, on the Day of Resurrection, will be resurrected (16).
Hence, on Judgement Day all humankind shall be Resurrected by Allah (SWT)’s Command.
And We have created above you seven layered heavens, and never have We been of [Our] creation unaware (17).
And We (SWT) have Created above the Earth and Humankind “Seven Layered” Heavens & Were non-Oblivious of Our Creation.
And We have sent down rain from the sky in a measured amount and settled it in the earth. And indeed, We are Able to take it away (18).
And We (SWT) have brought down from the skies water in a certain amount and housed it in the earth. And verily We (SWT) can dissipate all of it.
And We brought forth for you thereby gardens of palm trees and grapevines in which for you are abundant fruits and from which you eat (19).
And thus We (SWT) created for humankind gardens of palm trees & grapevines carrying abundant fruits from which humankind are able to consume.
And [We brought forth] a tree issuing from Mount Sinai which produces oil and food for those who eat (20).
And We (SWT) created a Tree emanating & emerging from Mount Sinai producing oil & food for those who eat.
And indeed, for you in livestock is a lesson. We give you drink from that which is in their bellies, and for you in them are numerous benefits, and from them you eat (21).
And truly from domestic livestock is an example. We (SWT) provide humankind with milk contained in their abdomen. Also, there are numerous benefits from them including eating their flesh.
And upon them and on ships you are carried (22).
And upon the livestock and on ships you shall be carried.
And We had certainly sent Noah to his people, and he said, “O my people, worship Allah; you have no deity other than Him; then will you not fear Him?”(23).
And We (SWT) evidently delivered Prophet Nouh to his people, saying” Oh my people Worship Allah (SWT), you have no other deity to worship other than Him (SWT). Thus, will you not fear & submit to Him (SWT)?
But the eminent among those who disbelieved from his people said, “This “is not but a man like yourselves who wishes to take precedence over you; and if Allah had willed [to send a messenger], He would have sent down angels. We have not heard of this among our forefathers (24).
However, the outstanding amongst the blasphemous disbelievers from Prophet Nouh’s people said, “Here is a man like yourselves who has both priority & seniority in knowledge” & if Allah (SWT) Had Desired He would have delivered Angles which we blasphemous disbelievers had not heard of amongst our forefathers. 
He is not but a man possessed with madness, so wait concerning him for a time” (25).
His blasphemous disbelieving followers said he is a man touched with insanity, therefore observe him for a while.
[Noah] said, “My Lord, support me because they have denied me.”
Prophet Nouh supplicated to Allah (SWT) saying “Oh Lord give me victory over what they have denied me.”
So We inspired to him, “Construct the ship under Our observation, and Our inspiration, and when Our command comes and the oven overflows, put into the ship from each [creature] two mates and your family, except those for whom the decree [of destruction] has proceeded. And do not address Me concerning those who have wronged; indeed, they are to be drowned (27).
We (SWT) thus inspired Prophet Nouh to construct the ship with Our Stimulation & Motivation and once Our Command arrives and the oven overflows, place into the ship from each living creature & humankind two mates (male & female) including your family. And do not approach me regarding those who are unjust & abberant; verily they shall be drowned.
And when you have boarded the ship, you and those with you, then say, ‘Praise to Allah who has saved us form the wrongdoing people’ (28).
The Command of Allah (SWT) desecnded upon Prophet Nouh & his followers saying “Praise Be To Allah (SWT) who has saved us from the unjust & wrongdoers.
And say, ‘My Lord, let me land at a blessed landing place, and You are the best to accommodate [us]’ (29).
And Say Oh Prophet Nouh, Oh Allah (SWT) facilitate my blessed landing with my followers , and You (SWT) are the Best Accommodator & Houser.
Indeed in that are signs, and indeed, We are ever testing [Our servants] (30).
Verily, in that are signs (Ayat), and indeed, We (SWT) are ever testing [Our Faithful Servants].
Then We produced after them a generation of others (31).
Subsequently, We (SWT) created after them a later generation.
And We sent among them a messenger from themselves, [saying], “Worship Allah ; you have no deity other than Him; then will you not fear Him?”(32).
And thence, We (SWT) delivered amongst themselves a messenger advising them to Worship Allah (SWT) since humankind have no other diety other than He (SWT)? Therefore, will you not have piety towards him?
And the eminent among his people who disbelieved and denied the meeting of the Hereafter while We had given them luxury in the worldly life said, “This is not but a man like yourselves. He eats of that from which you eat and drinks of what you drink (33).
And the practical blasphemous disbelievers who denied the Prophecy of Prophet Nouh as well disclaiming the meeting of the Hereafter despite granting them worldly lifetime luxury, said (describing Prophet Nouh). This is only a human who eats & drinks like you.
And if you should obey a man like yourselves, indeed, you would then be loosers (34).
And if you happen to obey a man similar to you, you would certainly be vanquished. 
Does he promise you that when you have died and become dust and bones that you will be brought forth [once more]? (35).
Does he (Prophet Nouh) pledge a commitment that when you perish becoming dust & bones that you shall be reserrected once again ?
How far, how far, is that which you are promised (36).
No way to that which you are promised.
Life is not but our worldly life – we die and live, but we will not be resurrected (37).
The blasphemous disbelievers following Prophet Noah, said verily, our life is our worldly life & we die & live and shall not be ressurected in the hereafter.
He is not but a man who has invented a lie about Allah , and we will not believe him” (38).
They went on to describe Prophet Nouh as a man who fabricated a lie about Allah (SWT) and thus he will not be believed.
He said, “My Lord, support me because they have denied me” (39).
Prophet Nouh Supplicated to Allah (SWT) saying” Oh Allah (SWT) Grant me your support & assistance since my followers have rejected me”.
Allah said, “After a little, they will surely become regretful” (40).
Allah (SWT) Responded, “After a short while they shall evidently be remorseful”.
So the shriek seized them in truth, and We made them as [plant] stubble. Then away with the wrongdoing people (41).
Thus the scream & cry seised them in truth, and We (SWT) made them into stems & rods. Then away with the trangressors.
Then We produced after them other generations (42).
Subsequently, We (SWT) delivered after them other generations.
No nation will precede its time [of termination], nor will they remain [thereafter] (43).
Allah (SWT) Decreed that no nation of humankind shall surpass its time of existence, nor will they remain thereafter.
Then We sent Our messengers in succession. Every time there came to a nation its messenger, they denied him, so We made them follow one another [to destruction], and We made them narrations. So away with a people who do not believe (44).
Thence, We (SWT) successively delivered Our Messengers. Each occasion a Messenger arrived to a nation, he was denied Prophecy. We (SWT) therefore made them follow each other until destruction. Therefore, away with blasphemous nonbelievers.
Then We sent Moses and his brother Aaron with Our signs and a clear authority (45).
Subsequently, We (SWT) Delivered Prophet Mousa & His brother Haroun with Our Ayat & Definite Authority.
To Pharaoh and his establishment, but they were arrogant and were a haughty people (46).
To the Egyptian Pharaoh, his organization & followers. However they were arrogant & conceited people.
They said, “Should we believe two men like ourselves while their people are for us in servitude”? (47).
The Pharaoh followers said,” Is it appropriate for us to believe in two men like us, while their people are in bondage & slavery to us?
So they denied them and were of those destroyed (48).
Hence, upon their denial they were amongst those destroyed.
And We certainly gave Moses the Scripture that perhaps they would be guided (49).
And We (SWT) evidently granted Prophet Mousa the Toura, that the Israelites maybe Guided.
And We made the son of Mary and his mother a sign and sheltered them within a high ground having level [areas] and flowing water (50).
And We (SWT) made Mariam & her Son Issah as a Marvel Miracle, sheltering them on high level ground with flowing water.
[ Allah said], “O messengers, eat from the good foods and work righteousness. Indeed, I, of what you do, am Knowing (51).
Allah (SWT) Commanded all messengers to consume from fresh decsent foods & perform righteous deeds. Verily, I (SWT) am aware & knowleagable of what you do. 
And indeed this, your religion, is one religion, and I am your Lord, so fear Me.”
And verily this is your single unique nation-religion & I (SWT) am your creator, hence be pious & do not associate with Me (SWT) any other deity.
But the people divided their religion among them into sects – each faction, in what it has, rejoicing (53).
However, humankind subdivided their religion into various sects & factions. Each delighted with what they had chosen.
So, leave them in their confusion for a time (54).
Hence leave those confused in their confusion for a while.
Do they think that what We extend to them of wealth and children (55).
Do those blasphemous disbelievers believe that what We (SWT) provide them with wealth and offspring.
Is [because] We hasten for them good things? Rather, they do not perceive
(56).
Is that because We (SWT) speed up for them good deeds? Preferentially, they do not recognize, understand or realize. 
Indeed, they are apprehensive from fear of their Lord (57).
Evidently, those who are apprehensive & fearful of Allah (SWT).
And they who believe in the signs of their Lord (58).
And those who believe in the Ayat of Allah (SWT).
And they who do not associate anything with their Lord (59).
And those who do not associate any deity with Allah (SWT).
And they who give what they give while their hearts are fearful because they will be returning to their Lord (60)-
And those who give out Zakat (Alams) & charity while their hearts are apprehensive that they will be returning to Allah (SWT).
It is those who hasten to good deeds, and they outstrip [others] therein (61).
Those are the righteous Muslim Believers who expedite their exceptional & splendid deeds, thus overtaking others.
And We charge no soul except [with that within] its capacity, and with Us is a record which speaks with truth; and they will not be wronged.
And We (SWT) do not burden any humankind except that within its capacity & each soul shall be justly treated. We (SWT) have a registry of all humankind who will not be wronged.
But their hearts are covered with confusion over this, and they have [evil] deeds besides disbelief which they are doing (63).
However, their hearts are filled with confusion regarding this issue, having, in addition to blasphemy, wickedness to which they perpetrate.
Until when We seize their affluent ones with punishment, at once they are crying [to Allah] for help (64).
Until upon seizing their wealthy & opulent ones with chastisement they Supplicate to Allah (SWT) for help & assistance. 
Do not cry out today. Indeed, you will not be helped out (65).
Do not supplicate to Allah (SWT). Verily, you shall not be assisted by Him (SWT). 
My verses had already been recited to you, but you were turning back on your heels (66).
Allah (SWT) said, “My Ayat” were recited to you, even though you were turning your backs on your heels.
In arrogance regarding it, conversing by night, speaking evil (67).
During night the residents of Makkah, would utter arrogant terms & speak immoral & evil words regarding the Glorious Qur’an.
Then have they not reflected over the Qur’an, or has there come to them that which had not come to their forefathers? (68).
Therefore, have they not given honest consideration of the Glorious Qur’an or did their forefathers not receive the message?
Or did they not know their Messenger, so they are toward him disacknowledging? (69).
Or they had not been aware of their Messenger, thus they were deniers of him. 
Or do they say, “In him is madness?” Rather, he brought them the truth, but most of them, to the truth, are averse.
Or do they claim he [Mohammad (SAAS)] had madness in him. Nevertheless, he provided them with the truth though the Glorious Qur’an. Despite that, most of them were antagonistic.
But if the Truth had followed their inclinations, the heavens and the earth and whoever is in them would have been ruined. Rather, We have brought them their message, but they, from their message, are turning away (71).
Had Allah (SWT) acted in accordance with & abided by their desires in having partners, all creation of (SWT) [the heavens & earth] would be demolished & ruined. Despite revealing Islam & the Glorious Qur’an to the unjust & aberrant, they turn their backs.
Or do you, [O Muhammad], ask them for payment? But the reward of your Lord is best, and He is the best of providers (72).
Alternatively, Oh Muhammad (SAAS), if you happen to ask those who intend to follow you for remittance, then the true reward is from Allah (SWT) & He (SWT) is the True & Best Despenser.
But indeed, those who do not believe in the Hereafter are deviating from the path (74).
Verily, those humankind who disbelieve in the Hereafter and in the end of time are unaware & ignorant of reality.
And even if We gave them mercy and removed what was upon them of affliction, they would persist in their transgression, wandering blindly (75).
And even though We (SWT) bestowed upon them mercy removing the affliction they were in, they would persist in their wrongdoing & infringement wandering recklessly.
And We had gripped them with suffering [as a warning], but they did not yield to their Lord, nor did they humbly supplicate, [and will continue thus] (76).
And We (SWT) Seized them with our Torment to Warn them of our punishment; they nevertheless did not react humbly & supplicate to Allah (SWT).
Until when We have opened before them a door of severe punishment, immediately they will be therein in despair (77).
Up until We (SWT) opened before them the gate of severe torment of the Hereafter, they will be hopeless & in anguish therein.
And it is He who produced for you hearing and vision and hearts; little are you grateful (78).
And it is He (SWT) who created for all humankind their hearing, vision & hearts, however they are seldom thankful.
And it is He who has multiplied you throughout the earth, and to Him you will be gathered (79).
And it is He (SWT) who has multiplied & reproduced humankind within the earth and to Him (SWT) all shall be gathered on Judgment Day.
And it is He who gives life and causes death, and his is the alternation of the night and the day. Then will you not reason? (80).
And it is He (SWT) who Grants life & is the Originator of death. And to Him (SWT) belongs the sequential alternation of night & day. Thus, will you humankind not reason?
Rather, they say what the former people said (81).
Rather, they say like the previous people said.
They said, “When we have died and become dust and bones, are we indeed to be resurrected? (82).
The blasphemous disbelievers said,” If & when we die becoming dust & bones, are we to be resurrected? 
We have been promised this, we and our forefathers, before; this is not but legends of the former peoples” (83).
They go on to say, we have been assured of this pledge for us & our fathers before. However, this pledge is only legends of previous peoples.
Say, [O Muhammad], “To whom belongs the earth and whoever is in it, if you should know?”(84).
Oh Muhammad (SAAS), Question the residents of Makkah, “who owns the earth & whoever is on it if they happen to know?”.
They will say, “To Allah.” Say, “Then will you not remember?”(85).
They will reply, “To Allah (SWT), Answer them Oh Muhammad (SAAS), “Will you then not remember?”
Say, “Who is Lord of the seven heavens and Lord of the Great Throne?”(86).
Question them Oh Muhammad (SAAS), “Who is Master & Lord of the Supreme Throne?”
They will say, “[They belong] to Allah .” Say, “Then will you not fear Him?”(87).
Their reply will be, It belongs to Allah (SWT). Reply to them Oh Muhammad (SAAS), hence will you not be fearful of Him?
Say, “In whose hand is the realm of all things – and He protects while none can protect against Him – if you should know?”(88).
Oh Muhammad (SAAS) ask your Muslim followers, “Who holds the domain of all & everything, protecting yet no power can protect against Him (SWT), if you happen to know”?
They will say, “[All belongs] to Allah.” Say, “Then how are you deluded?” (89).
Their response will be that all & everything belongs to Allah (SWT), respond to them, then how are they misled & fooled?
Rather, We (SWT) have brought them the truth, and indeed they are liars (90).
We (SWT) preferably have shown them the truth and verily they are liars.
Allah has not taken any son, nor has there ever been any deity with Him. [If there had been], then each deity would have taken what it created, and some of them would have sought to overcome others. Exalted is Allah above what they describe [concerning Him].
Allah (SWT) is the One & Only Creator of the Heavens & Earth without any offspring to inherit Him or partners to share. Had Allah (SWT) begotten offspring or had He partners as deities, then they would have competed. Esteemed & Superior is Allah (SWT) over what they describe.
[He is] Knower of the unseen and the witnessed, so high is He above what they associate [with Him] (92).
He (SWT) is knowledgeable of the invisible & witness of the unseen. He (SWT) is high above what humankind associates with.
Say, [O Muhammad], “My Lord, if You should show me that which they are promised, (93).
Say Oh Muhammad (SAAS), “Oh Allah (SWT) if you happen to reveal to me that which they are promised”,
My Lord, then do not place me among the wrongdoing people” (94).
Oh Muhammad (SAAS), Supplicate to Allah (SWT) that you shall not be amongst the unjust & aberrant.
And indeed, We can show you what We have promised them.
And We (SWT) verily can reveal to you Oh Muhammad (SAAS) what We (SWT) promised them.
Repel by [means of] what is best, [their] evil. We know most of what they describe (96).
Oh Muhammad (SAAS), ward off the sinister actions of the blasphemous disbelievers, We (SWT) are aware of what they recount & describe.
And say, “My Lord, I seek refuge in You from the incitements of the devils, (97).
And Say Oh Muhammad (SAAS), Oh Allah (SWT) “I seek sanctuary from the provocations of the devils”.
And I seek refuge in You, my Lord, lest they be present with me” (98).
And I, Muhammad (SAAS) seek refuge in you Oh Allah (SWT) that they will be present with me. 
[For such is the state of the disbelievers], until, when death comes to one of them, he says, “My Lord, send me back” (99).
Until & when death arrives to any of the blasphemous disbelievers, they would plead to Allah (SWT) saying, Oh Allah (SWT) return me, return me back to life.
That I might do righteousness in that which I left behind.” No! It is only a word he is saying, and behind them is a barrier until the Day they are resurrected (100).
They would say, “Perhaps I might perform righteous & good deeds in my previous lifetime existence. Absolutely Not. Indeed, it is only a word they are saying, and a barrier behind them exists until Resurrection Day.
So, when the Horn is blown, no relationship will there be among them that Day, nor will they ask about one another (101).
Thus, when the Horn (of the End of Time) is blown, no genealogy shall exist amongst them, nor will they ask about each other. 
And those whose scales are heavy [with good deeds] – it is they who are successful (102).
Whosoever’s scales are heavy with righteous deeds in the worldly lifetime, then those are successful & prosperous.
But those whose scales are light – those are the ones who have lost their souls, [being] in Hell, abiding eternally (103).
Conversely, humankind whose worldly lifetime deeds are weightless, then those are the ones who have lost their souls in the Hellfire, abiding therein eternally.
The Fire will sear their faces, and they therein will have taut smiles (104).
The fire will burn their faces, and they shall have taut smiles with their teeth exposed due to severe soreness.
[It will be said]. “Were not My verses recited to you and you used to deny them?” (105).
Allah (SWT) will say, “Were my Ayat not recited to you, while you were in denial”? 
They will say, “Our Lord, our wretchedness overcame us, and we were a people astray (106).
The Aberrant disbeliever’s response to SWT’s Query,” O Allah (SWT) our despairing & destressed hearts overcame us thus, becoming astray.
Our Lord, remove us from it, and if we were to return [to evil], we would indeed be wrongdoers.”(107).
Oh Allah (SWT) put an end to blasphemous disbelief, and if we happen to revert to it, then we would indeed be aberrant wrongdoers.
He will say, “Remain despised therein and do not speak to Me (108).
Allah (SWT) will say remain therein loathed & detested without responding back to Me.
Indeed, there was a party of My servants who said, ‘Our Lord, we have believed, so forgive us and have mercy upon us, and You are the best of the merciful’ (109).
Verily, Allah (SWT) will say a group of My servants who say, Oh Allah (SWT) we have Submitted to you thus Forgive us & Grant us your Mercy for You SWT are the Supreme Sovereign in Mercy.
But you took them in mockery to the point that they made you forget My remembrance, and you used to laugh at them (110).
However, you mocked them to the extent that they made you forget Allah (SWT)’s Remembrance & you used to laugh at them.
Indeed, I have rewarded them this Day for their patient endurance – that they are the attainers [of success]” (111).
Verily, I (SWT) have Rewarded the righteous believers their patient endurance that they are the achievers of success. 
[Allah] will say, “How long did you remain on earth in number of years?”(112).
Allah (SWT) Said: “How long did you persist on the face of the earth in years?”.
They will say, “We remained a day or part of a day; ask those who enumerate” (113).
They said, “We stayed for a day or a few days. Ask those who identified them.
He will say, “You stayed not but a little – if only you had known (114).
Allah (SWT) Said: “You Muslims stayed only a short time on earth for you to be involved with submission to Allah (SWT) and in your five-time daily prayers to Him (SWT).
Then did you think that We created you uselessly and that to Us you would not be returned?”
Therefore, did you humankind think that We (SWT) Created you without reason & that you would not be returned to Us (SWT) ?
So exalted is Allah, the Sovereign, the Truth; there is no deity except Him, Lord of the Noble Throne.
Thus, Grand & Superior is Allah (SWT), the Absolute Sovereign, the Ultimate Truth. No divine deity exists except He (SWT).
And whoever invokes besides Allah another deity for which he has no proof – then his account is only with his Lord. Indeed, the disbelievers will not succeed.
And whosoever supplicates for a deity other than Allah (SWT) for which he/she has no proof, then he/she shall have their rendition with Allah (SWT). Indeed, the blasphemous disbelievers will not succeed.
And, [O Muhammad], say, “My Lord, forgive and have mercy, and You are the best of the merciful” (118).
And Oh Muhammad (SAAS), say, Oh Allah (SWT) Forgive & Have Mercy on your humankind creation for you are the best amongst the Merciful.