(Revealed before Hijrah)

Date of Revelation and Context
With this Surah begins a group of Chapters all of which have the same abbreviated letters, Ha Mim, affixed to them and which open with the subject of the revelation of the Qur'an, and belong to the same period. According to Ibn 'Abbas and 'Ikrimah, all these Surahs were revealed at Mecca at a time when opposition to Islam had become persistent, organized and bitter (vv. 56 & 78) and the Holy Prophet's enemies were even seeking to kill him (v. 29).

Towards the close of the last Surah the Holy Prophet was comforted with the assurance that very soon Divine judgment will issue forth between him and his enemies. The forces of darkness will be routed; idolatry will disappear from Arabia, and the whole country will reverberate with the praises of God. The present Surah opens with the most welcome declaration that the Great and Mighty God has revealed the Qur'an in order that Divine Majesty and Holiness be established in the world and disbelief obliterated from it.

Subject-Matter
As mentioned above, the Surah opens with a firm declaration that the time has come when truth will triumph over falsehood and righteousness over evil, and the praises of God will be sung in the land where idolatry had been rampant. This great consummation will be brought about by means of the Qur'an. The enemies of truth will strain every nerve and use their influence and powerful resources to nip the tender plant of Islam in the bud. But they will fail in their evil designs and endeavors.

The Holy Prophet is told not to be deceived and overawed by the glamour of power and great material resources of disbelievers, because they are destined to come to a sad end. He is further told that his opponents are not the only and the first people to oppose truth. There have been people before who also sought to kill their Prophets and exterminate their missions. But God's punishment overtook them. So will punishment seize his opponents.

The Surah then refers to the case of Moses as an illustration of the sad end to which the opponents of the Holy Prophet are bound to come. While Pharaoh rejected Moses's invitation to truth, a 'believing man' from his own household gave a most pathetic but convincing speech, exhorting his people not to seek to kill a man (Moses) whose only fault was that he said that Allah was his Lord, and who possessed sound and solid proofs to support and establish his case. He further warned them that they should not be misled by their wealth, power and material resources, for all these were transitory things. But instead of benefiting by his sincere advice Pharaoh mocked at him.

Next, the Surah makes pointed reference to the invariable Divine law, viz., that help and succor of God are always with His Messengers and with their followers and that failure and frustration continue to dog the footsteps of disbelievers till the end of time. This Divine law operated in the time of every Prophet and it will see its fullest manifestation in the time of the Holy Prophet. The disbelievers are then told that they have no reason to reject the Holy Prophet. His advent is not a novel phenomenon. Just as day follows night in the physical world, so does spiritual awakening follow a period of moral decadence in the spiritual realm. As the world had become spiritually dead, God raised the Holy Prophet to give it a new life.

The Surah closes on the note that when God has made adequate provision for the physical needs of man, He could not have ignored to make a similar provision for his spiritual needs. He has been making this provision from time immemorial. He sent His Messengers and Prophets in the world who invited men to their Lord and Creator; but out of ingratitude and folly the sons of darkness rejected the Divine Message in every age and earned God's displeasure.

بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَنِ الرَّحِيم
[40:1] In the name of Allah, the Gracious, the Merciful.

حم
[40:2] Ha Mim[2592].

تَنزِيلُ الْكِتَابِ مِنَ اللَّهِ الْعَزِيزِ الْعَلِيمِ
[40:3] The revelation of the Book is from Allah, the Mighty, the All-Knowing,

غَافِرِ الذَّنْبِ وَقَابِلِ التَّوْبِ شَدِيدِ الْعِقَابِ ذِي الطَّوْلِ لاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ هُوَ إِلَيْهِ الْمَصِيرُ
[40:4] The Forgiver of sin and the Acceptor of repentance, Severe in punishment, the Possessor of bounty[2593]. There is no God but He. Towards Him is the final return.

مَا يُجَادِلُ فِي آيَاتِ اللَّهِ إِلاَّ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا فَلاَ يَغْرُرْكَ تَقَلُّبُهُمْ فِي الْبِلاَدِ
[40:5] None disputes about the Signs of Allah except those who disbelieve. Let not, then, their going about[2594] in the land deceive thee.

كَذَّبَتْ قَبْلَهُمْ قَوْمُ نُوحٍ وَالأَحْزَابُ مِنْ بَعْدِهِمْ وَهَمَّتْ كُلُّ أُمَّةٍ بِرَسُولِهِمْ لِيَأْخُذُوهُ وَجَادَلُوا بِالْبَاطِلِ لِيُدْحِضُوا بِهِ الْحَقَّ فَأَخَذْتُهُمْ فَكَيْفَ كَانَ عِقَابِ

[40:6] The people of Noah and other groups after them denied Our Signs before these people, and every nation strove to seize their Messenger, and disputed by means of false arguments that they might rebut the truth thereby. Then I seized them, and how terrible was My retribution!

وَكَذَلِكَ حَقَّتْ كَلِمَةُ رَبِّكَ عَلَى الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا أَنَّهُمْ أَصْحَابُ النَّارِ
[40:7] Thus was the word of thy Lord proved true against the disbelievers: that they are the inmates of the Fire.

الَّذِينَ يَحْمِلُونَ الْعَرْشَ وَمَنْ حَوْلَهُ يُسَبِّحُونَ بِحَمْدِ رَبِّهِمْ وَيُؤْمِنُونَ بِهِ وَيَسْتَغْفِرُونَ لِلَّذِينَ آمَنُوا رَبَّنَا وَسِعْتَ كُلَّ شَيْءٍ رَحْمَةً وَعِلْمًا فَاغْفِرْ لِلَّذِينَ تَابُوا وَاتَّبَعُوا سَبِيلَكَ وَقِهِمْ عَذَابَ الْجَحِيمِ

[40:8] Those who bear the Throne[2595], and those who are around it, glorify their Lord with His praise, and believe in Him, and ask forgiveness for those who believe, saying: ‘Our Lord, Thou dost comprehend all things in Thy mercy and knowledge. So forgive those who repent and follow Thy way; and protect them from the punishment of Hell.

رَبَّنَا وَأَدْخِلْهُمْ جَنَّاتِ عَدْنٍ الَّتِي وَعَدْتَهُم وَمَنْ صَلَحَ مِنْ آبَائِهِمْ وَأَزْوَاجِهِمْ وَذُرِّيَّاتِهِمْ إِنَّكَ أَنْتَ الْعَزِيزُ الْحَكِيمُ

[40:9] ‘And make them, our Lord, enter the Gardens of Eternity which Thou hast promised them, as well as such of their fathers and their wives[2596] and their children as are virtuous. Surely Thou art the Mighty, the Wise.

وَقِهِمُ السَّيِّئَاتِ وَمَنْ تَقِي السَّيِّئَاتِ يَوْمَئِذٍ فَقَدْ رَحِمْتَهُ وَذَلِكَ هُوَ الْفَوْزُ الْعَظِيمُ
[40:10] ‘And protect them from evils; and he whom Thou dost protect from evils on that day — him hast Thou surely shown mercy. And that indeed is the supreme triumph.’

إِنَّ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا يُنَادَوْنَ لَمَقْتُ اللَّهِ أَكْبَرُ مِنْ مَقْتِكُمْ أَنْفُسَكُمْ إِذْ تُدْعَوْنَ إِلَى الإِيمَانِ فَتَكْفُرُونَ
[40:11] An announcement will be made to those who disbelieve in the words: ‘Greater was the abhorrence of Allah when you were called to the faith and you disbelieved than your ownabhorrence of yourselves[2597] today.’

قَالُوا رَبَّنَا أَمَتَّنَا اثْنَتَيْنِ وَأَحْيَيْتَنَا اثْنَتَيْنِ فَاعْتَرَفْنَا بِذُنُوبِنَا فَهَلْ إِلَى خُرُوجٍ مِنْ سَبِيلٍ
[40:12] They will say, ‘Our Lord, Thou hast caused us to die twice[2598], and Thou hast given us life twice, and now we confess our sins. Is then there a way out?’

ذَلِكُمْ بِأَنَّهُ إِذَا دُعِيَ اللَّهُ وَحْدَهُ كَفَرْتُمْ وَإِنْ يُشْرَكْ بِهِ تُؤْمِنُوا فَالْحُكْمُ لِلَّهِ الْعَلِيِّ الْكَبِيرِ
[40:13] It will be said to them, ‘This is because, when Allah was proclaimed as One, you disbelieved, but when partners were associated with Him, you believed. The decision now belongs only to Allah, the High, the Incomparably Great.’

هُوَ الَّذِي يُرِيكُمْ آيَاتِهِ وَيُنَزِّلُ لَكُمْ مِنَ السَّمَاءِ رِزْقًا وَمَا يَتَذَكَّرُ إِلاَّ مَنْ يُنِيبُ
[40:14] He it is Who shows you His Signs, and sends down provision[2599] for you from heaven; but none pays heed save he who turns to God.

فَادْعُوا اللَّهَ مُخْلِصِينَ لَهُ الدِّينَ وَلَوْ كَرِهَ الْكَافِرُونَ
[40:15] Call ye then on Allah, being sincere to Him in religion, though the disbelievers may be averse.

رَفِيعُ الدَّرَجَاتِ ذُو الْعَرْشِ يُلْقِي الرُّوحَ مِنْ أَمْرِهِ عَلَى مَنْ يَشَاءُ مِنْ عِبَادِهِ لِيُنْذِرَ يَوْمَ التَّلاَقِ
[40:16] He is of most exalted attributes, Lord of the Throne[2600]. He sends the Word by His command to whomsoever of His servants He pleases, that He may give warning of the Day of Meeting,

يَوْمَ هُمْ بَارِزُونَ لاَ يَخْفَى عَلَى اللَّهِ مِنْهُمْ شَيْءٌ لِمَنْ الْمُلْكُ الْيَوْمَ لِلَّهِ الْوَاحِدِ الْقَهَّارِ
[40:17] The day when they will all come forth; nothing concerning them will be hidden from Allah. ‘Whose is the kingdom this day?’ ‘It is Allah’s, the One, the Most Supreme.

الْيَوْمَ تُجْزَى كُلُّ نَفْسٍ بِمَا كَسَبَتْ لاَ ظُلْمَ الْيَوْمَ إِنَّ اللَّهَ سَرِيعُ الْحِسَابِ
[40:18] ‘This day will every soul be requited for that which it has earned. No injustice this day. Surely, Allah is Swift at reckoning.’

وَأَنذِرْهُمْ يَوْمَ الآزِفَةِ إِذِ الْقُلُوبُ لَدَى الْحَنَاجِرِ كَاظِمِينَ مَا لِلظَّالِمِينَ مِنْ حَمِيمٍ وَلاَ شَفِيعٍ يُطَاعُ
[40:19] And warn them of the Approaching Day, when the hearts will reach to the throats while they will be full of suppressed grief. The wrongdoers will have no loving friend, nor any intercessor whose intercession will be complied with.

يَعْلَمُ خَائِنَةَ الأَعْيُنِ وَمَا تُخْفِي الصُّدُورُ
[40:20] He knows the treachery[2600A] of the eyes and what the breasts conceal.

وَاللَّهُ يَقْضِي بِالْحَقِّ وَالَّذِينَ يَدْعُونَ مِنْ دُونِهِ لاَ يَقْضُونَ بِشَيْءٍ إِنَّ اللَّهَ هُوَ السَّمِيعُ الْبَصِيرُ
[40:21] And Allah judges with truth, but those on whom they call beside Him cannot judge at all. Surely, Allah is the All-Hearing, the All-Seeing.

أَوَ لَمْ يَسِيرُوا فِي الأَرْضِ فَيَنظُرُوا كَيْفَ كَانَ عَاقِبَةُ الَّذِينَ كَانُوا مِنْ قَبْلِهِمْ كَانُوا هُمْ أَشَدَّ مِنْهُمْ قُوَّةً وَآثَارًا فِي الأَرْضِ فَأَخَذَهُمُ اللَّهُ بِذُنُوبِهِمْ وَمَا كَانَ لَهُمْ مِنِ اللَّهِ مِنْ وَاقٍ

[40:22] Have they not travelled in the earth and seen what was the end of those before them? They were mightier than these in power and in the marks they left in the earth. But Allah seized them for their sins, and they had no protector against Allah.

ذَلِكَ بِأَنَّهُمْ كَانَتْ تَأْتِيهِمْ رُسُلُهُمْ بِالْبَيِّنَاتِ فَكَفَرُوا فَأَخَذَهُمُ اللَّهُ إِنَّهُ قَوِيٌّ شَدِيدُ الْعِقَابِ
[40:23] That was because their Messengers came to them with manifest Signs, but they disbelieved; so Allah seized them. Surely He is Powerful, Severe in punishment.

وَلَقَدْ أَرْسَلْنَا مُوسَى بِآيَاتِنَا وَسُلْطَانٍ مُبِينٍ
[40:24] And We did send Moses, with Our Signs and manifest authority,

إِلَى فِرْعَوْنَ وَهَامَانَ وَقَارُونَ فَقَالُوا سَاحِرٌ كَذَّابٌ
[40:25] Unto Pharaoh and Haman and Korah[2601]; but they said, ‘He is a magician and an impostor.’

فَلَمَّا جَاءَهُمْ بِالْحَقِّ مِنْ عِنْدِنَا قَالُوا اقْتُلُوا أَبْنَاءَ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا مَعَهُ وَاسْتَحْيُوا نِسَاءَهُمْ وَمَا كَيْدُ الْكَافِرِينَ إِلاَّ فِي ضَلاَلٍ

[40:26] And when he came to them with truth from Us, they said: ‘Slay the sons of those who have believed with him, and let their women live.’ But the design of the disbelievers is but a thing wasted.

وَقَالَ فِرْعَوْنُ ذَرُونِي أَقْتُلْ مُوسَى وَلْيَدْعُ رَبَّهُ إِنِّي أَخَافُ أَنْ يُبَدِّلَ دِينَكُمْ أَوْ أَنْ يُظْهِرَ فِي الأَرْضِ الْفَسَادَ

[40:27] And Pharaoh said: ‘Leave me alone that I may kill Moses; and let him call on his Lord. I fear lest he should change your religion or cause disorder to show itself in the land.’

وَقَالَ مُوسَى إِنِّي عُذْتُ بِرَبِّي وَرَبِّكُمْ مِنْ كُلِّ مُتَكَبِّرٍ لاَ يُؤْمِنُ بِيَوْمِ الْحِسَابِ
[40:28] And Moses said, ‘I take refuge[2602] with my Lord and your Lord from every arrogant person who believes not in the Day of Reckoning.’

وَقَالَ رَجُلٌ مُؤْمِنٌ مِنْ آلِ فِرْعَوْنَ يَكْتُمُ إِيمَانَهُ أَتَقْتُلُونَ رَجُلاً أَنْ يَقُولَ رَبِّيَ اللَّهُ وَقَدْ جَاءَكُمْ بِالْبَيِّنَاتِ مِنْ رَبِّكُمْ وَإِنْ يَكُ كَاذِبًا فَعَلَيْهِ كَذِبُهُ وَإِنْ يَكُ صَادِقًا يُصِبْكُمْ بَعْضُ الَّذِي يَعِدُكُمْ إِنَّ اللَّهَ لاَ يَهْدِي مَنْ هُوَ مُسْرِفٌ كَذَّابٌ

[40:29] And a believing man from among the people of Pharaoh, who concealed his faith[2603], said, “Will you slay a man because he says, ‘My Lord is Allah,’ while he has brought you clear proofs from your Lord? And if he be a liar, on him will be the sin of his lie; but if he is truthful, then some of that which he threatens you with will surely befall you. Certainly Allah guides not one who is a transgressor, and a liar.

يَاقَوْمِ لَكُمُ الْمُلْكُ الْيَوْمَ ظَاهِرِينَ فِي الأَرْضِ فَمَنْ يَنصُرُنَا مِنْ بَأْسِ اللَّهِ إِنْ جَاءَنَا قَالَ فِرْعَوْنُ مَا أُرِيكُمْ إِلاَّ مَا أَرَى وَمَا أَهْدِيكُمْ إِلاَّ سَبِيلَ الرَّشَادِ

[40:30] “O my people, yours is the sovereignty this day, you being dominant in the land. But who will help us and protect us from the punishment of Allah if it comes upon us?” Pharaoh said: ‘I only point out to you that which I see myself, and I guide you only to the path of rectitude.

وَقَالَ الَّذِي آمَنَ يَاقَوْمِ إِنِّي أَخَافُ عَلَيْكُمْ مِثْلَ يَوْمِ الأَحْزَابِ
[40:31] And he who believed said: “O my people, I fear for you something like the day of the parties,

مِثْلَ دَأْبِ قَوْمِ نُوحٍ وَعَادٍ وَثَمُودَ وَالَّذِينَ مِنْ بَعْدِهِمْ وَمَا اللَّهُ يُرِيدُ ظُلْمًا لِلْعِبَادِ
[40:32] “Like the case of the people of Noah, and ‘Ad and Thamud and those after them. And Allah intends no injustice to His servants.

وَيَاقَوْمِ إِنِّي أَخَافُ عَلَيْكُمْ يَوْمَ التَّنَادِ
[40:33] “And O my people, I fear for you the day of mutual calling and wailing,[2604]

يَوْمَ تُوَلُّونَ مُدْبِرِينَ مَا لَكُمْ مِنَ اللَّهِ مِنْ عَاصِمٍ وَمَنْ يُضْلِلِ اللَّهُ فَمَا لَهُ مِنْ هَادٍ
[40:34] “A day when you shall turn your backs fleeing. No defender shall you have against Allah. And for him whom Allah adjudges astray shall be no guide.

وَلَقَدْ جَاءَكُمْ يُوسُفُ مِنْ قَبْلُ بِالْبَيِّنَاتِ فَمَا زِلْتُمْ فِي شَكٍّ مِمَّا جَاءَكُمْ بِهِ حَتَّى إِذَا هَلَكَ قُلْتُمْ لَنْ يَبْعَثَ اللَّهُ مِنْ بَعْدِهِ رَسُولاً كَذَلِكَ يُضِلُّ اللَّهُ مَنْ هُوَ مُسْرِفٌ مُرْتَابٌ

[40:35] “And Joseph did come to you before with clear proofs, but you ceased not to be in doubt concerning that with which he came to you till, when he died, you said: ‘Allah will never raise up a Messenger after him[2605].’ Thus does Allah adjudge as lost those who transgress, and are doubters,

الَّذِينَ يُجَادِلُونَ فِي آيَاتِ اللَّهِ بِغَيْرِ سُلْطَانٍ أَتَاهُمْ كَبُرَ مَقْتًا عِنْدَ اللَّهِ وَعِنْدَ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا كَذَلِكَ يَطْبَعُ اللَّهُ عَلَى كُلِّ قَلْبِ مُتَكَبِّرٍ جَبَّارٍ

[40:36] “Those who dispute concerning the Signs of Allah without any authority having come to them. Grievously hateful is this in the sight of Allah and in the sight of those who believe. Thus does Allah seal up the heart of every arrogant, haughty person.”

وَقَالَ فِرْعَوْنُ يَا هَامَانُ ابْنِ لِي صَرْحًا لَعَلِّي أَبْلُغُ الأَسْبَابَ
[40:37] And Pharaoh said: ‘O Haman, build thou for me a lofty building that I may attain to the means of approach,

أَسْبَابَ السَّمَاوَاتِ فَأَطَّلِعَ إِلَى إِلَهِ مُوسَى وَإِنِّي لَأَظُنُّهُ كَاذِبًا وَكَذَلِكَ زُيِّنَ لِفِرْعَوْنَ سُوءُ عَمَلِهِ وَصُدَّ عَنِ السَّبِيلِ وَمَا كَيْدُ فِرْعَوْنَ إِلاَّ فِي تَبَابٍ

[40:38] ‘The means of approach to the heavens, so that I may have a look at the God of Moses[2606], and I surely think him to be a liar.’ And thus the evil of his doing was made to look fair in the eyes of Pharaoh, and he was turned away from the right path; and the design of Pharaoh ended in nothing but ruin.

وَقَالَ الَّذِي آمَنَ يَاقَوْمِ اتَّبِعُونِي أَهْدِكُمْ سَبِيلَ الرَّشَادِ
[40:39] And he who believed said: ‘O my people, follow me. I will guide you to the path of rectitude.

يَاقَوْمِ إِنَّمَا هَذِهِ الْحَيَاةُ الدُّنْيَا مَتَاعٌ وَإِنَّ الآخِرَةَ هِيَ دَارُ الْقَرَارِ
[40:40] ‘O my people, this life of the world is but a temporary provision; and the Hereafter is certainly the home for permanent stay.[2607]

مَنْ عَمِلَ سَيِّئَةً فَلاَ يُجْزَى إِلاَّ مِثْلَهَا وَمَنْ عَمِلَ صَالِحًا مِنْ ذَكَرٍ أَوْ أُنْثَى وَهُوَ مُؤْمِنٌ فَأُوْلَئِكَ يَدْخُلُونَ الْجَنَّةَ يُرْزَقُونَ فِيهَا بِغَيْرِ حِسَابٍ

[40:41] ‘Whoso does evil will be requited only with the like of it; but whoso does good, whether male or female, and is a believer — these will enter the Garden; they will be provided therein without measure.[2608]

وَيَاقَوْمِ مَا لِي أَدْعُوكُمْ إِلَى النَّجَاةِ وَتَدْعُونَنِي إِلَى النَّارِ
[40:42] ‘And O my people, how strange it is that I call you to salvation, and you call me to the Fire.

تَدْعُونَنِي ِلأَكْفُرَ بِاللَّهِ وَأُشْرِكَ بِهِ مَا لَيْسَ لِي بِهِ عِلْمٌ وَأَنَا أَدْعُوكُمْ إِلَى الْعَزِيزِ الْغَفَّارِ
[40:43] ‘You invite me to disbelieve in Allah and to associate with Him that of which I have no knowledge, while I invite you to the Mighty, the Great Forgiver.

لاَ جَرَمَ أَنَّمَا تَدْعُونَنِي إِلَيْهِ لَيْسَ لَهُ دَعْوَةٌ فِي الدُّنْيَا وَلاَ فِي الآخِرَةِ وَأَنَّ مَرَدَّنَا إِلَى اللَّهِ وَأَنَّ الْمُسْرِفِينَ هُمْ أَصْحَابُ النَّارِ

[40:44] ‘Surely that to which you call me has no title[2608A] to be called upon in this world or in the Hereafter; and that our return is certainly to Allah and that the transgressors will be the inmates of the Fire.

فَسَتَذْكُرُونَ مَا أَقُولُ لَكُمْ وَأُفَوِّضُ أَمْرِي إِلَى اللَّهِ إِنَّ اللَّهَ بَصِيرٌ بِالْعِبَادِ
[40:45] ‘So you will soon remember what I say to you. And I entrust my cause to Allah. Verily, Allah sees all His servants.’

فَوَقَاهُ اللَّهُ سَيِّئَاتِ مَا مَكَرُوا وَحَاقَ بِآلِ فِرْعَوْنَ سُوءُ الْعَذَابِ
[40:46] The result was that Allah preserved him from the evils of whatever they plotted, and a grievous punishment encompassed the people of Pharaoh —

النَّارُ يُعْرَضُونَ عَلَيْهَا غُدُوًّا وَعَشِيًّا وَيَوْمَ تَقُومُ السَّاعَةُ أَدْخِلُوا آلَ فِرْعَوْنَ أَشَدَّ الْعَذَابِ
[40:47] The Fire. They are exposed to it morning and evening[2609]. And on the day when the Hour will come, it will be said: ‘Cast Pharaoh’s people into the severest punishment.’

وَإِذْ يَتَحَاجُّونَ فِي النَّارِ فَيَقُولُ الضُّعَفَاءُ لِلَّذِينَ اسْتَكْبَرُوا إِنَّا كُنَّا لَكُمْ تَبَعًا فَهَلْ أَنْتُمْ مُغْنُونَ عَنَّا نَصِيبًا مِنَ النَّارِ

[40:48] And when they will dispute with one another in the Fire, the weak will say to those who were proud, ‘Verily, we were your followers; will you then relieve us of a portion of the Fire?’

قَالَ الَّذِينَ اسْتَكْبَرُوا إِنَّا كُلٌّ فِيهَا إِنَّ اللَّهَ قَدْ حَكَمَ بَيْنَ الْعِبَادِ
[40:49] Those, who were proud, will say: ‘We are all in it. Allah has already judged between His servants.’

وَقَالَ الَّذِينَ فِي النَّارِ لِخَزَنَةِ جَهَنَّمَ ادْعُوا رَبَّكُمْ يُخَفِّفْ عَنَّا يَوْمًا مِنَ الْعَذَابِ
[40:50] And those in the Fire will say to the Keepers of Hell, ‘Pray to your Lord that He may lighten for us the punishment for a single day.’

قَالُوا أَوَ لَمْ تَكُ تَأْتِيكُمْ رُسُلُكُمْ بِالْبَيِّنَاتِ قَالُوا بَلَى قَالُوا فَادْعُوا وَمَا دُعَاءُ الْكَافِرِينَ إِلاَّ فِي ضَلاَلٍ
[40:51] They will say: ‘Did not your Messengers come to you with manifest Signs?’ They will say: ‘Yea.’ The Keepers will say, ‘Then pray on.’ But the prayer of disbelievers is of no avail.[2610]

إِنَّا لَنَنصُرُ رُسُلَنَا وَالَّذِينَ آمَنُوا فِي الْحَيَاةِ الدُّنْيَا وَيَوْمَ يَقُومُ الأَشْهَادُ
[40:52] Most surely We help Our Messengers and those who believe[2611], both in the present life and on the day when the witnesses will stand forth,

يَوْمَ لاَ يَنفَعُ الظَّالِمِينَ مَعْذِرَتُهُمْ وَلَهُمُ اللَّعْنَةُ وَلَهُمْ سُوءُ الدَّارِ
[40:53] The day when their excuses will not profit the wrongdoers, and theirs will be the curse and theirs the evil abode.

وَلَقَدْ آتَيْنَا مُوسَى الْهُدَى وَأَوْرَثْنَا بَنِي إِسْرَائِيلَ الْكِتَابَ
[40:54] And indeed We gave Moses the guidance, and made the children of Israel the inheritors of the Book —

هُدًى وَذِكْرَى ِلأَولِي الأَلْبَابِ
[40:55] A guidance and a reminder for men of understanding.

فَاصْبِرْ إِنَّ وَعْدَ اللَّهِ حَقٌّ وَاسْتَغْفِرْ لِذَنْبِكَ وَسَبِّحْ بِحَمْدِ رَبِّكَ بِالْعَشِيِّ وَالإِبْكَارِ
[40:56] So have patience. Surely the promise of Allah is true. And ask forgiveness[2612] for thy frailty[2612A], and glorify thy Lord with His praise in the evening and in the morning.

إِنَّ الَّذِينَ يُجَادِلُونَ فِي آيَاتِ اللَّهِ بِغَيْرِ سُلْطَانٍ أَتَاهُمْ إِنْ فِي صُدُورِهِمْ إِلاَّ كِبْرٌ مَا هُمْ بِبَالِغِيهِ فَاسْتَعِذْ بِاللَّهِ إِنَّهُ هُوَ السَّمِيعُ الْبَصِيرُ

[40:57] Those who dispute concerning the Signs of Allah without any authority having come to them — there is nothing in their breasts but a feeling of greatness[2613] which they will never attain. So seek refuge in Allah. Surely He is the All-Hearing, the All-Seeing.

لَخَلْقُ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالأَرْضِ أَكْبَرُ مِنْ خَلْقِ النَّاسِ وَلَكِنَّ أَكْثَرَ النَّاسِ لاَ يَعْلَمُونَ
[40:58] Certainly, the creation of the heavens and the earth is greater than the creation of mankind[2614]; but most men know not.

وَمَا يَسْتَوِي الأَعْمَى وَالْبَصِيرُ وَالَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَعَمِلُوا الصَّالِحَاتِ وَلاَ الْمُسِيءُ قَلِيلاً مَا تَتَذَكَّرُونَ

[40:59] And the blind and the seeing are not equal; neither are those who believe and do good deeds equal to those who do evil. Little do you reflect.

إِنَّ السَّاعَةَ لَآتِيَةٌ لاَ رَيْبَ فِيهَا وَلَكِنَّ أَكْثَرَ النَّاسِ لاَ يُؤْمِنُونَ
[40:60] The Hour will surely come; there is no doubt about it; yet most men believe not.

وَقَالَ رَبُّكُمْ ادْعُونِي أَسْتَجِبْ لَكُمْ إِنَّ الَّذِينَ يَسْتَكْبِرُونَ عَنْ عِبَادَتِي سَيَدْخُلُونَ جَهَنَّمَ دَاخِرِينَ
[40:61] And your Lord says: ‘Pray unto Me; I will answer your prayer. But those who are too proud to worship Me will surely enter Hell, despised.’

اللَّهُ الَّذِي جَعَلَ لَكُمُ اللَّيْلَ لِتَسْكُنُوا فِيهِ وَالنَّهَارَ مُبْصِرًا إِنَّ اللَّهَ لَذُو فَضْلٍ عَلَى النَّاسِ وَلَكِنَّ أَكْثَرَ النَّاسِ لاَ يَشْكُرُونَ

[40:62] It is Allah Who has made the night for you that you may rest therein, and the day to enable you to see. Verily, Allah is the Lord of bounty for mankind, yet most men are ungrateful.

ذَلِكُمُ اللَّهُ رَبُّكُمْ خَالِقُ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ لاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ هُوَ فَأَنَّا تُؤْفَكُونَ
[40:63] Such is Allah, your Lord, the Creator of all things. There is no God but He. How then are you turned away?

كَذَلِكَ يُؤْفَكُ الَّذِينَ كَانُوا بِآيَاتِ اللَّهِ يَجْحَدُونَ
[40:64] Thus indeed are turned away those who deny the Signs of Allah.

اللَّهُ الَّذِي جَعَلَ لَكُمُ الأَرْضَ قَرَارًا وَالسَّمَاءَ بِنَاءً وَصَوَّرَكُمْ فَأَحْسَنَ صُوَرَكُمْ وَرَزَقَكُمْ مِنَ الطَّيِّبَاتِ ذَلِكُمُ اللَّهُ رَبُّكُمْ فَتَبَارَكَ اللَّهُ رَبُّ الْعَالَمِينَ

[40:65] Allah it is Who has made for you the earth a resting-place, and the heaven a canopy, and has given you shape and made your shapes perfect, and has provided you with good things. Such is Allah, your Lord. So blessed is Allah, the Lord of the worlds.

هُوَ الْحَيُّ لاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ هُوَ فَادْعُوهُ مُخْلِصِينَ لَهُ الدِّينَ الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ
[40:66] He is the Living God. There is no God but He. So pray unto Him, being sincere to Him in religion. All praise belongs to Allah, the Lord of the worlds.

قُلْ إِنِّي نُهِيتُ أَنْ أَعْبُدَ الَّذِينَ تَدْعُونَ مِنْ دُونِ اللَّهِ لَمَّا جَاءَنِيَ الْبَيِّنَاتُ مِنْ رَبِّي وَأُمِرْتُ أَنْ أُسْلِمَ لِرَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ

[40:67] Say, ‘I have been forbidden to worship those whom you call upon beside Allah since there have come unto me clear proofs from my Lord; and I have been commanded to submit myself to the Lord of the worlds.’

هُوَ الَّذِي خَلَقَكُمْ مِنْ تُرَابٍ ثُمَّ مِنْ نُطْفَةٍ ثُمَّ مِنْ عَلَقَةٍ ثُمَّ يُخْرِجُكُمْ طِفْلاً ثُمَّ لِتَبْلُغُوا أَشُدَّكُمْ ثُمَّ لِتَكُونُوا شُيُوخًا وَمِنْكُمْ مَنْ يُتَوَفَّى مِنْ قَبْلُ وَلِتَبْلُغُوا أَجَلاً مُسَمًّى وَلَعَلَّكُمْ تَعْقِلُونَ

[40:68] He it is Who created you from dust[2615], then from a sperm-drop, then from a clot; then He brings you forth as a child; then He lets you grow that you may attain your full strength; then He lets you become old — though some among you are caused to die before — and He lets you live that you may reach a term appointed, and that you may learn wisdom.

هُوَ الَّذِي يُحْيِ وَيُمِيتُ فَإِذَا قَضَى أَمْرًا فَإِنَّمَا يَقُولُ لَهُ كُنْ فَيَكُونُ
[40:69] He it is Who gives life and causes death. And when He decrees a thing, He says to it only, ‘Be!,’ and it is.[2616]

أَلَمْ تَرَى إِلَى الَّذِينَ يُجَادِلُونَ فِي آيَاتِ اللَّهِ أَنَّى يُصْرَفُونَ
[40:70] Hast thou not seen those who dispute concerning the Signs of Allah? How they are being turned away from the truth!

الَّذِينَ كَذَّبُوا بِالْكِتَابِ وَبِمَا أَرْسَلْنَا بِهِ رُسُلَنَا فَسَوْفَ يَعْلَمُونَ
[40:71] Those who reject the Book and that with which We sent Our Messengers. But soon will they come to know,

إِذِ الأَغْلاَلُ فِي أَعْنَاقِهِمْ وَالسَّلاَسِلُ يُسْحَبُونَ
[40:72] When the iron-collars will be round their necks, and chains too. They will be dragged

فِي الْحَمِيمِ ثُمَّ فِي النَّارِ يُسْجَرُونَ
[40:73] Into boiling water; then in the Fire will they be burnt.

ثُمَّ قِيلَ لَهُمْ أَيْنَ مَا كُنْتُمْ تُشْرِكُونَ
[40:74] Then it will be said to them, ‘Where are those whom you associated with God

مِنْ دُونِ اللَّهِ قَالُوا ضَلُّوا عَنَّا بَلْ لَمْ نَكُنْ نَدْعُو مِنْ قَبْلُ شَيْئًا كَذَلِكَ يُضِلُّ اللَّهُ الْكَافِرِينَ
[40:75] ‘Beside Allah?’ They will say, ‘They have vanished away from us. Nay, we never prayed to anything before.’ Thus will Allah confound the disbelievers.

ذَلِكُمْ بِمَا كُنْتُمْ تَفْرَحُونَ فِي الأَرْضِ بِغَيْرِ الْحَقِّ وَبِمَا كُنْتُمْ تَمْرَحُونَ
[40:76] ‘That is because you exulted in the earth without justification, and because you behaved insolently.

ادْخُلُوا أَبْوَابَ جَهَنَّمَ خَالِدِينَ فِيهَا فَبِئْسَ مَثْوَى الْمُتَكَبِّرِينَ
[40:77] ‘Enter ye the gates of Hell, to abide therein. And evil is the abode of the proud.’

فَاصْبِرْ إِنَّ وَعْدَ اللَّهِ حَقٌّ فَإِمَّا نُرِيَنَّكَ بَعْضَ الَّذِي نَعِدُهُمْ أَوْ نَتَوَفَّيَنَّكَ فَإِلَيْنَا يُرْجَعُونَ
[40:78] Then have patience. Surely, the promise of Allah is true. And whether We show thee part of what We have promised them, or whether We cause thee to die before the fulfilment of Our promise, to Us in any case will they be brought back.[2617]

وَلَقَدْ أَرْسَلْنَا رُسُلاً مِنْ قَبْلِكَ مِنْهُمْ مَنْ قَصَصْنَا عَلَيْكَ وَمِنْهُمْ مَنْ لَمْ نَقْصُصْ عَلَيْكَ وَمَا كَانَ لِرَسُولٍ أَنْ يَأْتِيَ بِآيَةٍ إِلاَّ بِإِذْنِ اللَّهِ فَإِذَا جَاءَ أَمْرُ اللَّهِ قُضِيَ بِالْحَقِّ وَخَسِرَ هُنَالِكَ الْمُبْطِلُونَ

[40:79] And We did send Messengers before thee; of them are some whom We have mentioned to thee, and of them there are some whom We have not mentioned to thee; and it is not possible for any Messenger to bring a Sign except by the leave of Allah[2618]. But when Allah’s decree came, the matter was decided with truth, and then there perished those who uttered falsehoods.

اللَّهُ الَّذِي جَعَلَ لَكُمُ الأَنْعَامَ لِتَرْكَبُوا مِنْهَا وَمِنْهَا تَأْكُلُونَ
[40:80] It is Allah Who has made cattle for you, that you may ride on some of them, and eat of some of them —

وَلَكُمْ فِيهَا مَنَافِعُ وَلِتَبْلُغُوا عَلَيْهَا حَاجَةً فِي صُدُورِكُمْ وَعَلَيْهَا وَعَلَى الْفُلْكِ تُحْمَلُونَ
[40:81] And you have other advantages in them — and that, by means of them, you may satisfy any desire[2619] that there may be in your breasts. And on them and on ships are you borne.

وَيُرِيكُمْ آيَاتِهِ فَأَيَّ آيَاتِ اللَّهِ تُنكِرُونَ
[40:82] And He shows you His Signs; which then of the Signs of Allah will you deny?

أَفَلَمْ يَسِيرُوا فِي الأَرْضِ فَيَنظُرُوا كَيْفَ كَانَ عَاقِبَةُ الَّذِينَ مِنْ قَبْلِهِمْ كَانُوا أَكْثَرَ مِنْهُمْ وَأَشَدَّ قُوَّةً وَآثَارًا فِي الأَرْضِ فَمَا أَغْنَى عَنْهُمْ مَا كَانُوا يَكْسِبُونَ

[40:83] Have they not travelled in the earth that they might see what was the end of those who were before them? They were more numerous than these, and mightier in power and in the marks they left behind them in the earth. But all that which they earned was of no avail to them.

فَلَمَّا جَاءَتْهُمْ رُسُلُهُمْ بِالْبَيِّنَاتِ فَرِحُوا بِمَا عِنْدَهُمْ مِنَ الْعِلْمِ وَحَاقَ بِهِمْ مَا كَانُوا بِهِ يَسْتَهْزِئُون
[40:84] And when their Messengers came to them with manifest Signs, they exulted in the knowledge which they possessed. And that at which they mocked encompassed them.

فَلَمَّا رَأَوْا بَأْسَنَا قَالُوا آمَنَّا بِاللَّهِ وَحْدَهُ وَكَفَرْنَا بِمَا كُنَّا بِهِ مُشْرِكِينَ
[40:85] And when they saw Our punishment, they said: ‘We believe in Allah alone and we reject all that which we used to associate with Him.’

فَلَمْ يَكُ يَنْفَعُهُمْ إِيمَانُهُمْ لَمَّا رَأَوْا بَأْسَنَا سُنَّةَ اللَّهِ الَّتِي قَدْ خَلَتْ فِي عِبَادِهِ وَخَسِرَ هُنَالِكَ الْكَافِرُونَ

[40:86] But their faith could not profit them at the time when they saw Our punishment.[2620] This is Allah’s law that has ever been in operation in respect of His servants. And thus have perished those who disbelieved.

2592. The abbreviated letters Ha Mim stand for the Divine attributes Hamid, Majid (Praiseworthy and Lord of Honor), or for Hayy, Qayyum (Living, Self-subsisting and All-Sustaining). Both these groups of Divine attributes have a strong bearing on the subject-matter of this Surah. The Surah makes repeated reference to the Glory. Majesty and Power of God as the word 'Arsh which signifies these attributes and which has been twice mentioned in the first few verses, shows. The second main theme is the rise of a spiritually dead people to new life. Both the attributes Hayy (Living) and Qayyum (Self-subsisting and All-Sustaining) have an obvious connection with this subject. This fact explains why the abbreviated letters Ha Mim have been placed in the beginning. It is worthy of particular note that the present and next six Chapters form a special group. Each of them opening with the same abbreviated letters, which indicates that a deep connection exists between their subject-matter.

2593.  Taul means, beneficence; bounty; excellence; superabundance; power; wealth; ampleness of circumstances; superiority. ascendancy (Lane).

2594. Believers are told not to be deceived by the glamour of the material power of disbelievers, as it is bound to fall into decay in the long run.

2595. As 'Arsh signifies Divine attributes (see 986 & 1233), the words, 'Those who bear the Throne,' would, therefore, mean, those beings or persons through whom those attributes are manifested. As the laws of nature work through the angels, and the Prophets are the instruments through whom God's Word is preached to mankind, the words, 'Those who bear the Throne,' may signify both the angels and the Divine Messengers, and the words, 'those who are around it,' may signify subordinate angels who assist the principal angels in executing the affairs of the world or the true followers of the Prophets who preach and disseminate the teachings of the Prophets. See also 986.

2596.  The verse lays down a great principle. No work is accomplished and no success achieved by anyone in this world single-handed. Several other persons, consciously or unconsciously, make their contribution to it. These conscious or unconscious associates and helpers primarily are a person's parents, wife and children. So these near relatives will also be allowed to participate in the blessings which will be bestowed upon believers for his good works.

2597.  It is human nature that when a person is confronted with the evil consequences of his bad deeds, he begins to curse himself. The disbelievers are told that when they are face to face with punishment they feel disgusted with themselves. But the Merciful and Gracious God was more disgusted with them when they rejected His Message and opposed and persecuted His Messengers.

2598.  The state before birth is a sort of death and the end of this life is the second death. The birth and the Resurrection are the two lives.

2599. All sustenance, spiritual as well as physical, descends from heaven. Water, upon which all life depends (21:31), comes down from heaven and so does revelation upon which man's spiritual life depends.

2600. The expression, Dhu'l 'Arsh (Lord of the Throne), is like Dhu'l Rahmah (Lord of Mercy) and refutes the popular wrong notion that 'Arsh is something material.

2600A. Look of anger, contempt or lust.

2601.  For Korah and Haman see 2198 and 2231. Every Prophet of God had had his Pharaoh, Haman and Korah. These names respectively may symbolize power, priesthood and material wealth, as Haman was the head of priestly class, and Korah an extremely rich man among Pharaoh's nobles. Unlimited political power, servile priesthood and uncontrolled capitalism are the three evils which have ever retarded and arrested the political, economic, moral and spiritual growth of a people, and naturally it is against these enemies of man that Heavenly Reformers have waged relentless war in every age.

2602. God is the ultimate refuge of His Prophets and the Elect. They knock at His door when they see darkness all around them and when the powers of evil are determined to exterminate the truth preached by them.

2603. The believing man had kept hidden his faith in order to give expression to it on a suitable occasion. The bold manner in which he expressed his belief and spoke to the people of Pharaoh shows that the concealment was not due to fear.

2604. The day when people will take fright and disperse in different directions; or when they will hate and oppose each other and will become separated, or when they will call one another for help (Aqrab).

2605. Prophets have been coming in the world from time immemorial but so perverse is men's thinking that whenever there comes a new Prophet they reject and oppose him and when he dies those who had believed in him said that no more Prophets would come and that the door of revelation is shut for ever.

2606. Pharaoh sarcastically said that he wanted to go up to heavens to have a peep at Moses's God, but God made him see a manifestation of His power in the depths of the sea.

2607.  The speech of 'the believing man' shows that true believers are fully convinced of the righteousness of their cause. It is this rock-like faith which enables them to suffer gladly all sorts of hardships and privations.

2608.  Whereas the requital of the evil deeds of disbelievers will be proportionate to their deeds, the reward of the good deeds of believers will be without limit or measure. This is the Islamic conception of Heaven and Hell.

2608A. Is not fit to be called upon; ought not to be called upon; has no title or claim to be called upon.

2609.  The implied reference in the words, 'They are exposed to it morning and evening,' may be to the punishment the disbelievers are made to suffer in Barzakh which is an intervening stage and where the realization of pain or joy is incomplete. The complete and full manifestation of Heaven and Hell will take place on the Day of Judgment.

2610. The efforts and prayers of disbelievers against God's Prophets prove abortive. not that all their prayers as such are not accepted. God does answer the prayers of a distressed person when he calls upon Him whether he be a believer or a disbeliever (27:63).

2611. The verse holds out an emphatic promise to Divine Messengers and their followers that God's help and succor will always be with them and that, try as they might, the evil designs of disbelievers against them are bound to fail.

2612.  Ghafar al-Mata'a means, he put the goods in the bag and covered and protected them. Ghufran and Maghfirah are both infinitive nouns from Ghafara and mean, protection and preservation. Mighfar means helmet, because it protects the head. Dhanb means, such natural failings or frailties as adhere to human nature or such errors as bring about harmful results. Dhanaba-hu means, he followed his trail, not quitting his track (Lane & Mufradat). Istighfar is not only needed by ordinary believers but also by holy men of God, even by God's great Prophets. While the former offer Istighfar to seek protection against future sins as well as from the evil consequences of past lapses, the latter seek protection from human shortcomings and weaknesses that may hinder the progress of their cause. The Prophets also
are human and though they are immune to sin, yet they, too, are heirs to human failings and frailties; so they also need offering Istighfar to seek Divine help and protection. See also 2765.

2612A.  Dhanbaka, means, sins committed against thee; sins alleged by thy enemies to have been committed by thee; thine human shortcomings and frailties. See 2765.

2613. Kibr signifies pride; desire or ambition to become great; great designs (Lane).

2614. According to learned scholars and Commentators, such as Baghvi, Ibn Hajr and others, the word al-Nas in the verse signifies the Dajjal. This interpretation finds its confirmation in a well-known saying of the Holy Prophet, viz., 'From the creation of Adam to the Day of Resurrection there has not been a greater creation than that of the Dajjal (Bukhari). This Hadith points to the mightiness and all powerfulness of the Dajjal; and as he is a great deceiver and beguiler, the Faithful are warned to be on their guard against being deceived or intimidated by his glamour and material glory. In view of this Hadith the implication of the verse seems to be that the forces of darkness, of which the Dajjal is the
greatest representative, however, mighty and powerful they may be, will not be able to retard the progress of Islam, and that these forces will eventually be vanquished by it. The verse may also mean that quite insignificant as compared to the great universe created by God, man in his conceit and arrogance refuses to respond to the Divine Call.

2615. See 1932

2616.  It is the will and decree of God, Who gives life and causes death that a people-the Arabs-who were morally and spiritually as good as dead, should now rise to a new life through the Holy Prophet; and none can thwart and frustrate Allah's decree.

2617. The verse embodies two religious principles: (1) Truth must prevail in the long run; but before success comes to men of God they have to go through severe trials and tribulations and their faith has to be tested and proved up to the mark. (2) Prophecies containing warnings of punishment to disbelievers are conditional and subject to postponement, revocation or even cancellation. The word Ba'd signifies that not all prophecies containing threats are literally fulfilled. They change with the change in the attitude of disbelievers.

2618.  Though the prophecies containing warnings and threats meant for disbelievers are subject to postponement, revocation or cancellation, yet if, by closing the door of repentance upon themselves, they make themselves deserving of Divine punishment, they are punished. But it is not for the Prophet to say when and how they will be punished.

2619. Hajah means; want; need; desire; object of want or need (Lane).

2620. When the cup of the iniquities of disbelievers becomes full, and the Divine decree that they should be punished comes into operation, no profession of faith on their part is of any avail, and repentance then is too late.