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21. THE PROPHETS

The Prophets

In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful.

1. (The time for giving) an account of their deeds has come near for mankind yet they turn away in heedlessness. 2. There does not come to them (anything) new from the reminder of their Fosterer but they hear it while playing, 3. their hearts (being involved) in pastime. And those who are unjust talk in secret, "Is this (person something) other than a man like yourselves? Why do you then come to magic while you see? 4. Say, "My Fosterer knows what is spoken in the sky and the earth and He is the Hearing, the Knowing." 5. No! They say, "Confused dreams, no, he forged it, no, he is a poet, so let him bring to us a sign like that which was sent through the earlier (prophets)." 6. No city which We destroyed before them believed, so will they believe? 7. And We sent before you only men, to whom We communicated, so ask people who remember if you do not know. 8. And We did not make for them bodies which did not eat food, and they were not those who stayed (as immortals). 9. Then We fulfilled Our promise to them and delivered them and him whom We willed and We destroyed those who committed excesses. 10. We have sent down to you the book in which (there is) a reminder (for) you, will you not then understand? (R 1) 11. And how many a town, which was unjust, did We destroy?

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And We produced after them other people.

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12. So when they felt Our might then they ran away from it. 13. Do not run away but return to the enjoyment in which you were (engulfed) and your dwellings, that you may be questioned. 14. They said, "Sorrowful is our state, we were certainly unjust."

15. So, that call of theirs did not cease till We made them (as) reaped (corn), motionless.

16. And We did not create the sky and earth and that which is between these two, for sport. 17. Had We intended to take to pastime We could have taken it from near Us, if (at all) We were to do (it). 18. No! We hurl the truth against the falsehood and it knocks out its brain and then it departs, and sorrowful is your state because of that which you describe. 19. And whoever (or whatever) is in the skies and the earth is His and those who are with Him do not consider themselves great to serve Him nor/are they tired. 20. They glorify (Him) night and day without slowing down. 21. Or have they taken gods from the earth who will raise them (after their death)? 22. Had there been (other) gods in the (skies and the earth), besides Allah, there would have been disorder, both (in the skies and the earth). So glorified be Allah, the Lord of the throne (of the universe). (He is high above) that which they describe. 23. He cannot be questioned about what He does but they will be questioned.

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24. Or have they taken gods besides Allah? Say, "Bring your proof; this is a reminder for those with me and a reminder for those before me." But the majority of them does not know the truth, therefore they turn away. 25. And We did not send any messenger before you but We communicated to him that, "There is no god except Me, so serve Me." 26. And they say, The Beneficent (Allah) has taken a son." Glorified be He. No, they are (His) honoured servants.

27. They do not precede Him in speech and they act according to His command. 28. He knows that which is before them and that which is behind them, and they cannot mediate except for him (with whom) He is pleased and they are afraid due to fear of Him. 29. And whoever among them says, "I am god besides Him," then that (is the person) whom We will reward with hell, thus do We reward those who are unjust. (R 2)

30. Have not those who do not believe considered that the skies and the earth were both joined together then We tore both of them asunder {1}; and We made every living thing from water, will they not then believe? 31. And We have made mountains in the earth lest it should shake with them and We have made in it wide ways that they may be guided. 32. And We made the sky a guarded roof elevated and inclined (spherical), yet they turn away from its signs. 33. And He it is Who created the night and the day and the sun and the moon, each one moves fast in an orbit. 34. And We did not assign immortality to any man before you. Then if you die will they be immortal?

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35. Every soul tastes death. And We test you with evil and good trial (unfavourable and favourable circumstances), and you will be returned to Us. 36. And when those who do not believe see you, they do not take you but as one to be mocked at (saying), "Is this the one who mentions (about) your gods?" And they, at the mention of the Beneficent (Allah), are rejecters.

37. Man has been created of haste {2}. I will show you My signs, so do not ask Me to hasten. 38. And they say, "When will this promise (come to pass) if you are truthful?" 39. Had those who do not believe but known the time when they will not be able to stop the fire from their faces and from their backs and they will not be helped (they would not have asked you such a question). 40. No! It will come on them suddenly so as to confound them, and they will not be able to turn it away and they will not be given time. 41. And messengers before you were mocked at, then that which they used to mock at, surrounded those of them who ridiculed. (R 3) 42. Say, "Who can guard you from the Beneficent (Allah) in the night and the day?" No! They are the persons who turn away from the remembrance of their Fosterer.

43. Or do they have gods besides Us who can guard them? They cannot help themselves nor can they be defended from Us.

44. No! We gave provision to these and their fathers (too) till life lasted on them. Then do they not see that We give the earth its reduction from its borders? Will they then prevail?

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45. Say, "I warn you only according to the communication (I receive), but the deaf do not hear the call when they are warned." 46. And (even) if the breath of the punishment of your Fosterer were to touch them, they would definitely say, "Sorrowful is our state, we were certainly unjust."

47. And We will set up a just balance on the day of resurrection so that no soul will be dealt with unjustly (in any) thing, and if there be (even) the weight of a grain of a mustard seed, We will bring it (to account) and We are sufficient to take account. 48. And We gave to Musa and Harun that which differentiates (between right and wrong) and a light and a reminder for those who guard (against evil), 49. who fear their Fosterer in secret (without having seen Him) and are (also) fearful of the hour of doom. 50. And this is a blessed reminder which We have sent down. Will you then reject it? (R 4, P 16 ) 51. And earlier We gave Ibrahim (instructions to follow) the way (which was) right for him and We knew about him 52. when he said to his father and his people, "What are these images to whose (worship) you stick (devotedly)?" 53. They said, "We found our fathers worshipping them." 54. He said, "Indeed you are and your fathers were in clear error." 55. They said, "Have you (really) brought to us the truth or are you of those who are not serious?" 56. He said, "No! Your Fosterer is the Fosterer of the skies and the earth Who initiated their creation and I am of those who bear witness to that.

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57. And by Allah, I have a definite plot for your idols after you go away turning your backs." 58. So he broke them to pieces, except the big one among them, so that they might return to it. 59. They said, "Who has done this to our gods? He is certainly one of the unjust." 60. They said, "We heard a young man mentioning about them, they call him Ibrahim." 61. They said, "Then bring him before the eyes of the people that they may bear witness." 62. They said, "Did you do this to our gods, O Ibrahim?" 63. He said, "No! He did it, this big one among them, then ask them if they can speak." 64. Then they turned to themselves and said, "Certainly you yourselves are the unjust." 65. Then they were made to hang down their heads (saying), "You surely know that they do not speak." 66. He said, "What! Then do you worship besides Allah, that which can neither benefit you in anything nor harm you? 67. Fie* on you and that which you worship besides Allah! Have you then no sense?" 68. They said, "Burn him and (thereby) help your gods, if (at all) you are to do (anything)." 69. We said, "O fire! Be cool and (a source of) peace for Ibrahim." 70. And they intended to set a plot for him but We made them greater losers. 71. And We delivered him and Lut (and brought them safe) to the land (Syria) in which there was Our blessing for the worlds.

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72. And We granted him Ishaq and Yaqub in addition (as a grandson), and each of them We made righteous.

73. And We made them leaders who guided by Our command and We communicated to them, "Do good deeds and establish worship (salat) and give charity (zakat)," and they were (only) Our servants.

74. And Lut, We gave him wisdom and knowledge, and We delivered him from the town which practiced bad things, they were certainly an evil people, transgressors. 75. And We admitted him into Our mercy, he was certainly of the righteous. (R5)

76. And Nuh, when he prayed (to Us) earlier, We responded to him and saved him and his followers from the great distress. 77. And We helped him against the people who denied Our signs. They were certainly an evil people so We drowned them all together. 78. And Dawood and Sulaiman, when they both gave judgment concerning the field when the people's sheep pastured therein by night, and We did witness their judgment. 79. So We made Sulaiman to understand it, and to each We gave wisdom and knowledge, and We compelled the mountains and the birds to glorify (Us) with Dawood, and it was We Who did (that). 80. And We taught him the (art of) making coats of mail for you that they might protect you in your wars. Will you then be grateful? 81. And (We made) the violent wind to blow for Sulaiman by his command to the land which We had blessed, and We have knowledge of everything.

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82. And of the devils were those who dived for him and did works other than that, and We were the Custodians for them. 83. And lyub, when he prayed to his Fosterer, "Harm has afflicted me and You are the Most Merciful of those who are merciful."

84. So We responded to him and We removed that which was of harm to him, and We gave him his people (family) and with them (more) like them, a mercy from Us and a reminder for those who serve (worship). 85. And Ismael and Idris and Zul Kifl each one was of the patient ones. 86. And We admitted them into Our mercy, they were certainly of the righteous ones. 87. And Zan Nun when he went away in anger thinking that We have no power over him, then he prayed from the depths of darkness that, "There is no god but You, glory be to You, it was I (who) was of the unjust ones." 88. So We responded to him and delivered him from the distress, and thus do We deliver the believers. 89. And Zakariyya when he prayed to his Fosterer, "My Fosterer! Do not leave me alone, though you are the Best of inheritors."

90. So We responded to him and We granted to him Yahya by setting right for him his wife (who was barren). They were certainly those who were quick in doing good deeds and prayed to Us hoping and fearing and they were humble before Us. 91. And she who guarded her chastity, so We breathed into her from Our spirit and We made her and her son a sign for the worlds. 92. This community of yours is certainly one community and I

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am your Fosterer so you all serve Me.

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93. And their (followers) divided their (religious) affair among themselves (becoming sects), each one will return to Us. (R6) 94. So whoever does works of righteousness while he is a believer, then there will be no rejection of his striving and We will certainly record it for him. 95. And there is a prohibition on (the people of) the town which We have destroyed, that they will not return 96. until when Yajooj and Majooj are opened (or are made to conquer) and they set (themselves) free (or fall) from every elevated place. 97. And the true promise will come near, so as a consequence of this, the eyes of those who do not believe will stare (in horror): "Sorrowful is our state, we were indeed heedless of this, no, we were the unjust ones." 98. You and that which you worshipped besides Allah are certainly fuel of hell, you will be presented to it. 99. Had these been gods they would not have been presented to the (hell) and each will stay in it. 100. There will be the sound of blazing fire for them therein and therein they will not (be able to) hear. 101. Those for whom the good has gone forth from Us, they will certainly be kept far away from it. 102. They will not hear its slightest sound and they will stay in (such a state that they will have) what their souls will. 103. The great horror will not grieve them, and the angels will I meet them (saying), "This is your day which you were promised. 104. The day We will roll up the sky (by pulling together all

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that is in it), like the rolling up of the sheet for writings (in the form of a roll), as We began the first creation We will get it reproduced, a promise binding on Us, We will certainly fulfil it { 3 }. 105. And We had written in the book, after the reminder, that My righteous servants will inherit the earth. 106. There is certainly a message in this for a people who serve Us. 107. And We have not sent you but as a mercy for the worlds. 108. Say, "It is communicated to me that the God of you all is only One God. Will you then submit (as Muslims)?" 109. But if they turn back then say, "I have announced (the message) to all of you equally, and I do not know whether that which you are promised is near or far. 110. He certainly knows (that which is) manifest in speech and He knows that which you hide. 111. And I do not know perhaps it may be a trial for you and a provision till a time." 112. He said, "My Fosterer! Judge with truth. And Our Fosterer is the Beneficent (Allah) Whose help is sought over that which you describe." (R 7, P 16 ) Summarized Commentary
Chapter 21 (Revealed at Makkah)

Part 17 Vs 1 Moment by moment every human being is going near to his death. After death we will directly wake up on the day of resurrection being unconscious of thousands of years we spent in the state of death, as we are unconscious of time during our normal sleep in this world 39:42 In

view of this the day of judgment is as far ahead in time as our death and we do not know when we will die still we are heedless. Vs 215 Infidels do not take the Divine books seriously considering it impossible for a human

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being to be a messenger of Allah (SWT). They regard the message as magic, confused dreams, forgery, poetry etc. therefore they demanded a miracle from prophet Muhammed (PBH) as a proof of his Prophet hood. All messengers were human beings who ate food and died like ordinary human beings. Their communities did not believe and regretted after seeing the punishment but the messengers and their followers were saved. The Quran is a reminder yet they do not believe. Vs 1617 The Universe was created with a set purpose i.e. to test human beings. 11:7. Vs 1829 The Quran is the truth through which is knocked down the falsehood of polytheism, hypocrisy, infidelity etc. Everything belongs to Allah (SWT) and those who are near Him, probably the angels or pious human beings, humble themselves before Him, glorifying Him throughout without getting tired. If there were more than one gods then there would have been disorder because each god would have tried to implement his order which could clash with the orders of other gods. There is perfect order in the universe, everything following the laws layed down for it, the so called laws of nature, this itself is sufficient to prove that there is only one God and that is Allah (SWT) in Whose kingdom there is monarchy and not democracy, therefore no one can question Him whereas all others will be questioned. All messengers came with a common message that:There is no god except Allah (SWT). Isa and Zubair (PBT) were honoured servants of Allah (SWT) and not His sons, they obeyed Him and were afraid of Him. Whoever from His creation claims that he is God, he will be punished in hell. Vs 30 Refer to Explanatory notes 21:30 on Origin of the Universe and 15:26. on Origin of life Vs 31 See Vs 16:15 Theory of Isostacy Vs 32 This may refer to the atmosphere which protects us from harmful radiation.

The Prophets
Vs 33 1400 years back it was revealed that heavenly bodies float in orbits, but we were unfortunate in not to making a note of this. Vs 3435 Everyone has to die no one is immortal except Allah (SWT) 55:26 27. During this life we are undergoing a TEST through favourable and unfavourable circumstances, those who are good are grateful in prosperity and patient in adversity and those who are bad are ungrateful in prosperity and impatient in adversity. Vs 36 The infidels used to mock at Prophet Muhammed (PBH) and reject Allah (SWT). Vs 37 Speed appears to be the summary of mans progress in the fields of Science and technology for which his hasty temperament is responsible. He has invented vehicles which are progressively moving faster and faster and machines which keep on increasing the rate of production. If man were not created hasty by temperament then this progress would have been impossible. Again the credit of all inventions goes to Allah (SWT). Vs 3840 Had the infidels known the severity of the punishment they would not have asked about its time. The end will come suddenly. Vs 4143 Infidels were surrounded with punishment which they used to laugh at. Such punishment can come any time and no one will be able to help against it. Vs 44 See Vs 13:41 Vs 4547 The deaf are heedless of the warning. They will realize this injustice they did to themselves when they experience the punishment. On the day of resurrection everyone will be paid exactly according to his account of deeds. Vs 4850 Like the Torah given to Musa and Harun (PBT) the Quran was revealed to Prophet Muhammed (PBH), therefore the Quran too, should be accepted as a Divine revelation.

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Vs 5175 For details of Ibrahim (PBH) see Commentary Ch.19 Vs.41-50 page No 414 Vs 7694 Mention is made of Prophets who were kings and others who suffered a lot. The earlier ones exhibited gratitude and later were patient, but all were helped by Allah (SWT) against their enemies. For details see word Nos: Nuh (PBH) 638. Dawood and Sulaiman (PBT) 345, Iyub (PBH) 809, Yunus (PBH) 810, Zakaryya (PBH) 643 and Maryam (PBH) 318. This community of Prophets was a single community i.e. they came with a common message indicating that there was only one religion right from Adam (PBH) to Muhammed (PBH) and that was Islam but their followers divided and distorted it. Therefore the striving of, one who believes in Islam and does good work in accordance with the final Divine book, the Quran, revealed to the last Prophet Muhammed (PBH), will be accepted.

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Vs 9596 See commentary Ch.18 Vs: 83 101 page No. 403 Vs 97103 Details of punishment of sinner in the life after death and the safety of good people from it, are given. Vs 104 Details given in Explanatory notes. No. 3 Ch.21Vs.104. Vs 105112 This appears to be the rule: If you want to rule a land then become righteous otherwise your enemies will be made to rule you? Prophet Muhammed (PBH) and his companions (R.A.) were righteous therefore they were made to rule a large part of the earth communicating to all that There is only One God i.e. Allah (SWT), Who knows their internal spirit and their announcements. Holding the government may be for trial or as a provision. The prophet (PBH) prayed for true judgment and help from Allah (SWT) our Fosterer and Benefactor.

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