سورة الشورى   


Surah Name: Ash-Shura' Meaning: The Council

  • Revealed at Makkah
  • Total Number of Rukū / Sections 5
  • Total Number of Āyāt / Parts 53
  • Sūrah / Chapter number 42
  • Rukū / Section 2 contains Āyāt / Parts 10
  • Siparah/ Volume 25

bismillah

وَمَا اخْتَلَفْتُمْ فِيهِ مِن شَيْءٍ فَحُكْمُهُ إِلَى اللَّهِ ذَلِكُمُ اللَّهُ رَبِّي عَلَيْهِ تَوَكَّلْتُ وَإِلَيْهِ أُنِيبُ

Wama ikhtalaftum feehi min shayin fahukmuhu ila Allahi thalikumu Allahu rabbee AAalayhi tawakkaltu wailayhi oneeb(u)

And whatsoever it be in which you differ, the decision thereof is with Allaah-SWT : such is Allah-SWT, my Rabb-SWT In Him-SWT I put my trust, and to Him-SWT turn in penitence.

(42:10)


فَاطِرُ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ جَعَلَ لَكُم مِّنْ أَنفُسِكُمْ أَزْوَاجًا وَمِنَ الْأَنْعَامِ أَزْوَاجًا يَذْرَؤُكُمْ فِيهِ لَيْسَ كَمِثْلِهِ شَيْءٌ وَهُوَ السَّمِيعُ البَصِيرُ

Fatiru a(l)ssamawati wa(a)lardi jaAAala lakum min anfusikum azwajan wamina alanAAami azwajan yathraokum feehi laysa kamithlihi shayon wahuwa a(l)ssameeAAu albaseer(u)

The Originator of the heavens and the earth. He-SWT has made for you mates of yourselves, and for the cattle also mates, whereby He-SWT diffuses you. Not like Him-SWT is anything, and He-SWT is the Hearer, the Beholder.

(42:11)


لَهُ مَقَالِيدُ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ يَبْسُطُ الرِّزْقَ لِمَن يَشَاء وَيَقْدِرُ إِنَّهُ بِكُلِّ شَيْءٍ عَلِيمٌ

Lahu maqaleedu a(l)ssamawati wa(a)lardi yabsutu a(l)rrizqa liman yashao wayaqdiru innahu bikulli shayin AAaleem(un)

His-SWT are the keys of the heavens and the earth, He-SWT expands the provision for whomsoever He-SWT will and also straitens. He-SWT is the Knower of everything.

(42:12)


شَرَعَ لَكُم مِّنَ الدِّينِ مَا وَصَّى بِهِ نُوحًا وَالَّذِي أَوْحَيْنَا إِلَيْكَ وَمَا وَصَّيْنَا بِهِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَمُوسَى وَعِيسَى أَنْ أَقِيمُوا الدِّينَ وَلَا تَتَفَرَّقُوا فِيهِ كَبُرَ عَلَى الْمُشْرِكِينَ مَا تَدْعُوهُمْ إِلَيْهِ اللَّهُ يَجْتَبِي إِلَيْهِ مَن يَشَاء وَيَهْدِي إِلَيْهِ مَن يُنِيبُ

SharaAAa lakum mina a(l)ddeeni ma wassa bihi noohan wa(a)llathee awhayna ilayka wama wassayna bihi ibraheema wamoosa waAAeesa an aqeemoo a(l)ddeena wala tatafarraqoo feehi kabura AAala almushrikeena ma tadAAoohum ilayhi Allahu yajtabee ilayhi man yashao wayahdee ilayhi man yuneeb(u)

He-SWT has ordained for you-SW in the faith what He-SWT had enjoined upon Nuh-AS and what We-SWT have revealed to you-SW, and what We-SWT had enjoined upon Ibrahim-AS and Musa-AS and Isa-AS, saying: Establish the faith, and be not divided in it. Grievous unto the polytheists is that to which you-SW call them. Allaah-SWT chooses for Himself-SWT whom He-SWT will, and guides to Himself-SWT him who turns in penitence.

(42:13)


وَمَا تَفَرَّقُوا إِلَّا مِن بَعْدِ مَا جَاءهُمُ الْعِلْمُ بَغْيًا بَيْنَهُمْ وَلَوْلَا كَلِمَةٌ سَبَقَتْ مِن رَّبِّكَ إِلَى أَجَلٍ مُّسَمًّى لَّقُضِيَ بَيْنَهُمْ وَإِنَّ الَّذِينَ أُورِثُوا الْكِتَابَ مِن بَعْدِهِمْ لَفِي شَكٍّ مِّنْهُ مُرِيبٍ

Wama tafarraqoo illa min baAAdi ma jaahumu alAAilmu baghyan baynahum walawla kalimatun sabaqat min rabbika ila ajalin musamman laqudiya baynahum wainna allatheena oorithoo alkitaba min baAAdihim lafee shakkin minhu mureeb(in)

And they divided not till knowledge had come to them, through spite among themselves, And had not a word gone forth from your-SW Rabb-SWT for an appointed term, the affair would surely have been judged between them. And verily those who have been made the heirs of the Book after them are in doubt thereof dubitating.

(42:14)


فَلِذَلِكَ فَادْعُ وَاسْتَقِمْ كَمَا أُمِرْتَ وَلَا تَتَّبِعْ أَهْوَاءهُمْ وَقُلْ آمَنتُ بِمَا أَنزَلَ اللَّهُ مِن كِتَابٍ وَأُمِرْتُ لِأَعْدِلَ بَيْنَكُمُ اللَّهُ رَبُّنَا وَرَبُّكُمْ لَنَا أَعْمَالُنَا وَلَكُمْ أَعْمَالُكُمْ لَا حُجَّةَ بَيْنَنَا وَبَيْنَكُمُ اللَّهُ يَجْمَعُ بَيْنَنَا وَإِلَيْهِ الْمَصِيرُ

Falithalika fa(o)dAAu wa(i)staqim kama omirta wala tattabiAA ahwaahum waqul amantu bima anzala Allahu min kitabin waomirtu liaAAdila baynakum Allahu rabbuna warabbukum lana aAAmaluna walakum aAAmalukum la hujjata baynana wabaynakumu Allahu yajmaAAu baynana wailayhi almaseer(u)

Summon you-SW therefore to that and be steadfast as you-SW have been commanded, and follow not their desires And say you-SW: I believe in whatsoever Allah-SWT has sent down of the Book, and I am commanded that I-SW should do justice between you; Allah-SWT is our Rabb-SWT and your Rabb-SWT .Unto us our works and unto you your works; let there be no contention between us and you. Allaah-SWT will assemble us all, and to Him-SWT is the return.

(42:15)


وَالَّذِينَ يُحَاجُّونَ فِي اللَّهِ مِن بَعْدِ مَا اسْتُجِيبَ لَهُ حُجَّتُهُمْ دَاحِضَةٌ عِندَ رَبِّهِمْ وَعَلَيْهِمْ غَضَبٌ وَلَهُمْ عَذَابٌ شَدِيدٌ

Wa(a)llatheena yuhajjoona fee Allahi min baAAdi ma istujeeba lahu hujjatuhum dahidatun AAinda rabbihim waAAalayhim ghadabun walahum AAathabun shaded(un)

And those who contend in respect of the religion of Allah-SWT after it has been acknowledged; their contention is void in the sight of their Rabb-SWT , and upon them shall befall His-SWT wrath and theirs shall be a severe chastisement.

(42:16)


اللَّهُ الَّذِي أَنزَلَ الْكِتَابَ بِالْحَقِّ وَالْمِيزَانَ وَمَا يُدْرِيكَ لَعَلَّ السَّاعَةَ قَرِيبٌ

Allahu allathee anzala alkitaba bi(a)lhaqqi wa(a)lmeezani wama yudreeka laAAalla a(l)ssaAAata qareeb(un)

Allah-SWT it is Who-SWT has sent down the Book with the truth and the balance. And what shall make you know? It may be that the Hour is near.

(42:17)


يَسْتَعْجِلُ بِهَا الَّذِينَ لَا يُؤْمِنُونَ بِهَا وَالَّذِينَ آمَنُوا مُشْفِقُونَ مِنْهَا وَيَعْلَمُونَ أَنَّهَا الْحَقُّ أَلَا إِنَّ الَّذِينَ يُمَارُونَ فِي السَّاعَةِ لَفِي ضَلَالٍ بَعِيدٍ

YastaAAjilu biha allatheena la yuminoona biha wa(a)llatheena amanoo mushfiqoona minha wayaAAlamoona annaha alhaqqu ala inna allatheena yumaroona fee a(l)ssaAAati lafee dalalin baAAeed(in)

It is only those who do not believe therein seek to hasten it, and those who believe therein are fearful thereof, and know that it is the truth. Lo! Verily those who debate concerning the Hour are in error far-off.

(42:18)


اللَّهُ لَطِيفٌ بِعِبَادِهِ يَرْزُقُ مَن يَشَاء وَهُوَ الْقَوِيُّ العَزِيزُ

Allahu lateefun biAAibadihi yarzuqu man yashao wahuwa alqawiyyu alAAazeez(u)

Allah-SWT is Gentle to His-SWT bondmen He-SWT provides for whomsoever He-SWT will, and He-SWT is the Strong, the Mighty.

(42:19)


In The Name of Allah-SWT the Most Gracious, The Most Merciful
SECRETS OF REVELATION:

The Holy Prophet-SW may inform those who dispute Allah-SWT's Unity that the decision lies with Him-SWT , He-SWT Who-SWT has substantiated this belief by evidences and miracles. He-SWT will admit the believers in Jannah and drive the non believers into Hell. This Magnificent Being-SWT is my Rabb-SWT on Whom-SWT I rely despite all possible persecution by the infidels and turn only to Him-SWT for all my needs. He-SWT indeed is the Rabb-SWT of the entire Universe including the infidels. He-SWT is the Creator of heavens and the earth. He-SWT created mankind in pairs for the purpose of procreation to preserve the human race. He-SWT also created the animals in pairs to serve mankind throughout time. There is no one like Him-SWT . He-SWT is All-Hearing and All-Seeing. He-SWT is the Creator as well as the Controller of all the treasures of the heavens and the earth. The keys to all treasures lie with Him-SWT and He-SWT distributes them at His-SWT free will. He-SWT gives affluence to some, power and reign to others, while some get the knowledge and the honor. He-SWT blesses some with health and physical strength and others with spiritual excellence. He-SWT straitens His-SWT bounties for whoever He-SWT chooses, being well Aware of all affairs and endows everyone by His-SWT Wisdom in the best interest of the recipient.

 

Allah-SWT has decreed for the Holy Prophet-SW the same Din He-SWT had handed down to Prophet Nuh-AS which means that the fundamentals like Allah-SWT's Unity, His-SWT Messengership, the Akhirah, the Jannah and the Hell, the Angels, the modes of worship such as Salat and Fasting etc are the same. The prohibition of stealing, plundering, adultery and other such vices is also common. And the same very Din was also decreed for Prophets Ibrahim-AS, Musa-AS and Isa-AS

 

Fundamentals same in all divine religions; reference is from Prophet Nuh-AS


Do not try to create any differences in Din. As said earlier, the fundamentals in all Divine religions were common; changes were made in the commandments as dictated by needs. Allah-SWT made concessions for each nation to facilitate them. Here the reference starts from Prophet Nuh-AS, though Aadam-AS was the first Prophet. According to the commentators it was in the era of Prophet Nuh-AS that polytheism raised its ugly head. The polytheists of Arabia claimed to believe in the Prophethood of Ibrahim-AS and of conformity to his ways, though there were also the followers of Prophets Musa-AS and 'Isa-AS. This Ayah addresses all of them and urges them not to create any discord in the reality now being handed down to them. Rather they must uphold the Din being expounded by the Holy Prophet-SW which indeed was the Din of all the preceding Prophets-AS.

 

Upholding din is obligatory and discord forbidden


There are two aspects of this upholding. The first is to accept it from the core of the heart and follow it practically. The second aspect is to convey it to others. Creating discord means promoting differences in the basic and categorical Injunctions and beliefs that are common in all the Divine religions. Such discord is forbidden. For instance, the polytheists had disputed the belief in Allah-SWT's Unity. The Christians and the Jews had adulterated their belief in the Prophets-AS and had replaced the categorical Injunctions with rituals It does not, however, apply to a situation where subsidiary issues, not directly addressed by any Quranic Injunctions or Sunnah are resolved through Ijtehad .The differences of opinion in this case do not fall under discord. In fact such a diversity of opinion existed even amongst the Companions-RAU termed as a blessing by the Holy Prophet-SW. The polytheists find his-SW invitation to Allah-SWT unbearable and cannot tolerate to hear the mention of His-SWT Unity. But Allah-SWT chooses His-SWT bondmen and guides all to His-SWT Path who seek it earnestly

 

Two Modes of Guidance


There are two ways to follow the right path; firstly when Allah-SWT chooses someone for the guidance of mankind, like the Prophets-AS and the selected Aulia'. He-SWT says: "We-SWT endowed them with a passion to pursue the Akhirah”. This is limited. The second and the general rule is that whoever develops a desire to follow Allah-SWT ‘s Din is duly guided by Him--SWT   

 

And those who created discord over absolute truths, whether from the preceding or from this Ummah, did it wittingly out of spite only for vested interests and to gain authority or wealth. They promoted dissension and went their own ways. Had there not been a Day already ordained for the purpose they would have been dealt with right away for this grave crime. And now that they have been blessed with a Book through the Holy Prophet-SW, they are haunted by doubt and reluctance like their predecessors. It has made them restless. The Holy Prophet-SW need not pay any heed to what they say as they want him-SW to give up propagation of Din. Instead he-SW must stand his-SW ground and continue with his-SW task of inviting people to Allah-SWT . He-SW may tell them that he-SW believes in what is revealed in the Quran, and that he-SW is enjoined to treat them with justice in all absolute truths like the Unity of Allah-SWT , the equality of all of His-SWT Prophets-AS to practice what he-SW preaches and to arbitrate with equity in their disputes brought to him-SW. And that Allaah-SWT is his-SW Rabb-SWT as well as theirs. Both will face the outcome of their actions and there will be no room for any argument as clear Signs have been manifested

 

It is in Allah-SWT's Court that final verdict will be given. He-SWT will gather everyone on the Day of Reckoning and to Him-SWT is the return. Those who indulge in baseless arguments over His-SWT Being-SWT and His-SWT Attributes are wasting their time, whereas the sensible and the equitious have accepted Islam. Its outcome can be seen in the way their lives have changed for the better. And the defiant will be afflicted with a severe doom

 

Allah-SWT has revealed this Book and ordained justice in every matter. Al meezan or the Scale denotes justice in every affair of life. And Qayamah is lurking may be around the corner. The infidels ask sarcastically to let the Qayamah commence right way, yet the believers shiver at the very thought of it. Mark that all those who harbour doubts and argue over its occurrence have indeed erred. Allah-SWT is very Kind to His-SWT servants. Others get provisions, no matter where they may be out of His-SWT general Mercy. Indeed He-SWT is Prevailing, and can do whatever He-SWT likes.

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