Fuṣṣilat (Surah 41)
Fuṣṣilat (Verses Perfectly Explained)
Makki SurahIntroduction
This Meccan sûrah, which takes its name from the description of the Quran in verse 3, rebukes the pagans for turning away from the truth; abusing the Quran; and for denying Allah, the sole Creator of the heavens and the earth. The deniers are warned that their own bodily organs will testify against them on Judgment Day, landing them in Hell forever. Reference to the destruction of the arrogant, ungrateful peoples of ’Ȃd and Thamûd is made because the pagan Arabs used to pass by their ruins on their journeys to Syria and Yemen, respectively. A profound description of the righteous is given in verses 30-36. The truth of the Quran is emphasized at the end of this sûrah and the beginning of the next. In the Name of Allah—the Most Compassionate, Most Merciful
بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ
In the Name of Allah—the Most Compassionate, Most Merciful.
The Deniers of the Truth
1. Ḥâ-Mĩm. 2. (This is) a revelation from the Most Compassionate, Most Merciful. 3. (It is) a Book whose verses are perfectly explained—a Quran in Arabic for people who know, 4. delivering good news and warning. Yet most of them turn away, so they do not hear. 5. They say, “Our hearts are veiled against what you are calling us to, there is deafness in our ears, and there is a barrier between us and you. So do (whatever you want) and so shall we!”
Surah 41 - Fuṣṣilat (Verses Perfectly Explained) - Verses 1-5
A Message to the Deniers
6. Say, (O Prophet,) “I am only a man like you, (but) it has been revealed to me that your God is only One God. So take the Straight Way towards Him, and seek His forgiveness. And woe to the polytheists 7. those who do not pay alms-tax and are in denial of the Hereafter. 8. (But) those who believe and do good will certainly have a never-ending reward.
Surah 41 - Fuṣṣilat (Verses Perfectly Explained) - Verses 6-8
A Question to the Deniers
9. Ask (them, O Prophet), “How can you disbelieve in the One Who created the earth in two Days? And how can you set up equals with Him? That is the Lord of all worlds. 10. He placed on the earth firm mountains, standing high, showered His blessings upon it, and ordained (all) its means of sustenance—totaling four Days exactly —for all who ask. 11. Then He turned towards the heaven when it was (still like) smoke, saying to it and to the earth, ‘Submit, willingly or unwillingly.’ They both responded, ‘We submit willingly.’ 12. So He formed the heaven into seven heavens in two Days, assigning to each its mandate. And We adorned the lowest heaven with (stars like) lamps (for beauty) and for protection. That is the design of the Almighty, All-Knowing.”
Surah 41 - Fuṣṣilat (Verses Perfectly Explained) - Verses 9-12
The Fate of ’Ȃd and Thamûd
13. If they turn away, then say, (O Prophet,) “I warn you of a (mighty) blast, like the one that befell ’Ȃd and Thamûd.” 14. The messengers had come to them from all angles, (proclaiming,) “Worship none but Allah.” They responded, “Had our Lord willed, He could have easily sent down angels (instead). So we totally reject what you have been sent with.” 15. As for ’Ȃd, they acted arrogantly throughout the land with no right, boasting, “Who is superior to us in might?” Did they not see that Allah (Himself), Who created them, was far superior to them in might? Still they persisted in denying Our signs. 16. So We sent against them a furious wind, for (several) miserable days, to make them taste a humiliating punishment in this worldly life. But far more humiliating will be the punishment of the Hereafter. And they will not be helped. 17. As for Thamûd, We showed them guidance, but they preferred blindness over guidance. So the blast of a disgracing punishment overtook them for what they used to commit. 18. And We delivered those who were faithful and were mindful (of Allah).