1. Alif Lam Mim. Allah knows best what is meant by that.

2. The Romans have been defeated – this means the People of the Book, whom the Persians, who were not People of the Book and who worshipped idols, defeated. The unbelievers of Makka were delighted by that event. They said to the Muslims, “We will defeat you as Persia defeated the Romans” –

3. …in the land nearby: the land of the Romans which was closest to Persia was al-Jazıra (Mesopotamia) which was where the two armies met, the war beginning with a Persian attack – but after their defeat, they will themselves be victorious over the Persians,

4. …in a few years’ time. The word used for “few” means a number between three and nine. The two armies in fact fought again seven years after this first meeting and the Romans defeated Persia. The affair is Allah’s from beginning to end – both before the defeat of the Romans and after it. All of it is by the will of Allah. On that day, the believers will rejoice – the day when the Romans are victorious will be one on which the believers will rejoice –

5. …in Allah’s help for them against the Persians. The news of the Persian defeat reached them during the Battle of Badr when Jibril revealed it and it added to their joy in defeating the idolators. He grants victory to whomever He wills. He is the Almighty, the Most Merciful to the believers.

6. That is Allah’s promise; He promised them victory. Allah does not break His promise, but most people (the unbelievers of Makka) do not know it – Allah’s promise of victory to the believers.

7. They know an outward aspect of the life of this world – trade, agriculture, building, planting and other such things, but they – the pronoun “they” (hum) is repeated for emphasis – are heedless of the Next World.

8. Have they not reflected within themselves and turned from their heedlessness? Allah did not create the heavens and the earth and everything between them except with truth and for a fixed term. At the end of their term they will come to an end and after that the Resurrection will take place. Yet many people – like the unbelievers of Makka – reject the meeting with their Lord. They do not believe in the Resurrection after death.

9. Have they not travelled in the earth and seen the final fate of those before them – nations previous to them who were destroyed for denying their Messengers? They had greater strength than them – like ‘Ad and Thamud, and cultivated the land – using sophisticated agricultural techniques – and inhabited it in far greater numbers than they (the unbelievers of Makka) do. Their Messengers also came to them with the Clear Signs. Allah would never have wronged them by destroying them without any crime on their part, but they wronged themselves – by denying their Messengers.

10. Then the final fate of those who did evil will be the Worst – meaning Jahannam (Hellfire) and what will be done to them there – because they denied Allah’s Signs (the Qur’an) and mocked at them.

11. Allah originates creation – here meaning humankind – then will regenerate it – recreate them after their death; then you will be returned to Him (read as turja‘üna, and also yurja‘una, “they will be returned”).

12. On the Day the Hour arrives the evildoers will be in despair – lost for words, because all their excuses will prove baseless.

13. None of their partner-gods – those they associated with Allah, who are their idols – will intercede for them. They will reject their partner-gods – and renounce them.

14. On the Day the Hour arrives, that Day they will be split up – separated out into believers and unbelievers.

15. As for those who believe and did right actions, they will be made joyful in a verdant meadow – in a Garden.

16. But as for those who disbelieved and denied Our Signs ( the Qur’an) and the meeting of the Next World – the Resurrection and other associated things – they will be summoned to punishment

17. So glory be to Allah – you should glorify Him and pray to him – when you start the night – when darkness falls, encompassing the prayers of Maghrib and ‘Isha’ – and when you greet the day with the subh prayer.

18. Praise be to Him in the heavens and the earth – an interpolation meaning that the people of the heavens and the earth praise Him – in the afternoon – in the ‘Asr prayer – and when you reach midday – in the Zuhr prayer.

19. He brings forth the living from the dead – for example, by creating man from sperm and birds from eggs – and brings forth the dead – sperm and eggs – from the living, and brings the earth to life with plant-life after it was dead and barren. In the same way you too will be brought forth (read as tukhrajuna and takhrujuna) from the grave.

20. Among His Signs showing His power is that He created you from dust – referring to the fact that Adam originated from dust – and here you are now, widespread human beings consisting of flesh and bone and spread throughout the earth!

21. Among His Signs is that He created spouses for you of your own kind – referring to the fact that hawwa came from the rib of Adam and all other people from the sperm of men and the ova of women – so that you might find tranquility and affection in them; and He has placed affection and compassion between you. There are certainly Signs in that for people who reflect on them.

22. Among His Signs is the creation of the heavens and earth and the variety of your languages – Arabic, Persian, and all other languages– and colours – white, black and other colours; and there is also the variety of skin shades in different children of the same man and woman. There are certainly Signs of the power of Allah in that for every being (read as ‘alamın and also as‘alimın, meaning “all who know”).

23. Among His Signs are your sleep by night – because He wills rest for you – and day and your seeking after His bounty – your livelihood, by His will. There are certainly Signs in that for people who hear – reflect and understand.

24. Among His Signs is that He shows you lightning, a source of fear – for those exposed to it by travel – and eager hope – for those safe at home, because of the rain that comes with it – and sends down water from the sky, bringing the dead earth back to life by it – making plants grow. There are certainly Signs in that for people who use their intellect and reflect.

25. Among His Signs is that heaven and earth hold firm – without visible support – by His command (will). Then, when He calls you forth from the earth – when Isrfıl blows the trumpet for the Resurrection – you will emerge at once from your graves, alive. People’s emergence at the summons is one of the Signs of Allah.

26. Everyone in the heavens and earth belongs to Him as His property, creation and slaves: all are submissive to Him and obey Him.

27. It is He who originated the creation of mankind and then regenerates it after its destruction. That is very easy for Him. Bringing them back is easier than originating them since it is easier to repeat something than to do it for the first time. They are both equally easy for Allah. His is the most exalted designation in the heavens and the earth – a reference to the formula: “There is no god but Allah.” He is the Almighty in His kingdom, the All-Wise in His creation.

28. He has made an example for you – of the idolators – from among yourselves. Are any of the slaves you own partners with you in what We have provided for you in terms of property and other things – so that you and they are equal in respect of it, you fearing them the same as one another – making them your equals as free men? The question implies a negative response: they are not equal partners with you. So how can you make some of Allah’s property partners with Him? In that way We make Our Signs clear for people who use their intellect and reflect.

29. Yet those who do wrong by committing shirk pursue their whims and desires without any knowledge. Who can guide those whom Allah has led astray? They have no guide. They will have no helpers. No one will be able to defend them against the punishment of Allah.

30. So, Muhammad, set your face firmly towards the Din, as a pure natural believer – make your din sincere for Allah alone, both you and those who follow you – Allah’s natural pattern on which He made mankind – His din, so hold fast to it. There is no changing Allah’s creation – the dın of Allah cannot be altered by attributing partners to Him. That is the true Din – the affirmation of Allah’s unity – but most people, including the unbelievers of Makka, do not know it…

31. …turning towards Him in obedience to what He commands and forbids. Be fearful of Him and establish the prayer. Do not be among the idolators:

32. …those who split up (read as farraqü and also fariqu, in which case the meaning is that they abandon the din which they are commanded to adhere to) their din, and form into sects based on their disagreement about what to worship, each faction exulting and rejoicing in what they have.

33. When harm or hardship touches people they call on their Lord, turning in repentance to Him rather than to others. But then, when He gives them a taste of mercy – such as abundant rainfall – from Him, a group of them immediately associate others with their Lord…

34. … showing ingratitude for what We have given them. ‘ Enjoy yourselves; you will soon know the end of your enjoyment.’ This is meant as a threat. This verse brings a change of person from third to second person plural.

35. Or have We sent down some authority – the word for authority (sultan) may mean either evidence or an actual Book – to them, which advocates associating others with Him? This implies a negative response. Does Scripture command them to associate with Him? It certainly does not.

36. When We give people – including the unbelievers of Makka and others – a taste of mercy (blessing), they rejoice in it exultantly; but when something bad – such as a time of hardship – happens to them because of what they themselves have done, they immediately lose all hope of mercy. The believer should be thankful for blessings and always hope for good from his Lord in times of hardship.

37. Do they not see and know that Allah expands provision for whoever He wills as a test and also restricts it as He wills as a test? There are certainly Signs in that for people who believe.

38. Give relatives their due – in terms of kindness and sadaqa – and the poor and travellers the sadaqa due to them. The community of the Prophet followed him in that. That is best for those who seek the pleasure of Allah – Allah’s reward for what they do. They are the ones who are successful.

39. What you give with usurious intent, aiming to get back a greater amount from people’s wealth – when you give a gift in order to get something more in return for it, it is designated as usury because of the desired increase in the transaction and it does not become greater with Allah – the givers receive no reward. But any - thing you give as zakat (sadaqa), seeking the Face of Allah – all who do that will get back twice as much: a double reward. There is a change in person at the end of the ayat from second person to third person plural.

40. Allah is He who created you, then provides for you, then will cause you to die and then bring you back to life. Can any of your partner-gods – those you associate with Allah – do any of that? Glory be to Him and He is exalted above anything they associate with Him!

41. Corruption has appeared in both land – wastelands have appeared through lack of rain and plant – and sea – rivers have dried up – because of what people’s own hands have brought about – by their disobedience to Allah, so that they may taste (read as yudhiqahum and also nudhiqahum, “We may make them taste”) the negative results of something of what they have done, so that perhaps they will turn back and repent.

42. Say to the unbelievers of Makka: ‘Travel about the earth and see the final fate of those before. Most of them were idolaters.’ So they were destroyed for their shirk; and their houses and dwelling places are deserted.

43. So set your face firmly towards the True Din (Islam) before a Day (the Day of Rising) comes from Allah which cannot be turned back. On that Day they will be split up – separated after the Reckoning, going either to the Garden or the Fire.

44. Those who disbelieved will find that their unbelief was against themselves . The evil effects of their unbelief will come back on them. Those who did right were making the way towards their place in the Garden easy for themselves;

45. …so that He might repay with His bounty those who believed and did right actions. He certainly does not love the unbelievers. The believers will be rewarded and the unbelievers punished.

46. Among His Signs is that He sends the winds bearing good news of rain to give you a taste of His mercy – rain and fertility – and to make the ships run by His command (will) and to enable you to seek His bounty – provision gained by trading across the seas – so that perhaps you may be thankful for these blessings and affirm Allah’s unity.

47. Before you We sent other Messengers to their people, and they too brought them the Clear Signs – clear evidence of their truthfulness in respect of their Message to them; but they denied them. Then Allah destroyed those who denied. We took revenge on those who did evil; and it is Our duty to help the believers against the unbelievers by destroying them and rescuing the believers.

48. It is Allah who sends the winds which stir up clouds – and make them move which He spreads about the sky however He wills – in greater or smaller quantity. He forms them into dark clumps (read as kisafan and kasfan) and you see the rain come pouring out from the middle of them. When He makes it fall on those of His slaves He wills, they rejoice in the rain,

49. …even though befo r e He sent it down on them they were in despair – of rain coming.

50. So look at the effects (read as athari, and also in the singular form, athari) of the mercy of Allah in bringing rain, how He brings the dead earth back to life after it was dry and arid. Truly He is the One Who brings the dead to life. He has power over all things.

51. But if We send a wind – which harms the plants – and they see it (the plant-life) turning yellow, still they persist after that yellowing in disbelieving – remaining ungrateful for Allah’s blessing of rain.

52. You will not make dead men hear; you will not make deaf men hear the call, when they turn their backs in flight.

53. You will not guide blind men away from their misguidance. You will not make anyone hear – understand and accept – except for those who believe in Our Signs (the Qur’an) and so are Muslims, affirming Allah’s unity.

54. It is Allah who created you from a weak beginning, base liquid, then after weakness (read as da‘f and du‘f) – a reference to childhood – gave you strength – a reference to adulthood, then after strength ordained weakness (read as da‘f and du‘f) – a reference to old age – and grey hair. He creates whatever He wills in respect of weakness and strength, youth and old age. He is All-Knowing of how to manage His creation, All- Powerful in doing whatever He wishes.

55. On the Day the Last Hour arrives, the evildoers (unbelievers) will swear they have not even tarried for an hour in the grave. Allah says: That is the extent to which they are deceived . They fail to grasp the truth of Resurrection in the same way that they fail to grasp the truth about the length of time they remain in the grave.

56. Those – referring to the angels and others – who have been given knowledge and belief will say, ‘You tarried in accordance with Allah’s Decree until the Day of Rising, which you denied. And this is the Day of Rising, but you did not know it.’

57. On that Day the excuses of those who did wrong – their reasons for denying it – will not help (read as yanfa‘u and tanfa‘u) them, nor will they be able to appease Allah. They will not be able to find anything with which to placate Allah.

58. We have made all kinds of examples for people in this Qur’an. If you – Muhammad – bring them a Sign – such as the Staff and Hand which Musa was give n, those who disbelieve will say, ‘You and your Companions are just purveyors of falsehood!’

59. In that way – the way their hearts are oblivious – Allah seals up the hearts of those who do not know about his Oneness.

60. So be steadfast. Allah’s promise to help you against them is true. Do not let those who have no certainty about the Resurrection unsettle you. Do not let them move you to levity and cause you to abandon steadfastness.