40: al-Ghaafir غافر

Text and Translation

بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمٰنِ الرَّحِيْمِ

BISMIL LAAHIR RAHMAANIR RAHEEM

In the Name of Allah, the All-merciful, the All-compassionate

حٰمٓ‌ ۚ‏(1)

Ha Mim

تَنْزِيْلُ الْكِتٰبِ مِنَ اللّٰهِ الْعَزِيْزِ الْعَلِيْمِۙ‏(2)

The revelation of this Book is from Allah, Exalted in Power, Full of Knowledge,

غَافِرِ الذَّنْۢبِ وَقَابِلِ التَّوْبِ شَدِيْدِ الْعِقَابِ ذِى الطَّوْلِؕ لَاۤ اِلٰهَ اِلَّا هُوَؕ اِلَيْهِ الْمَصِيْرُ‏(3)

Who forgiveth sin, accepteth repentance, is strict in punishment, and hath a long reach (in all things). there is no god but He: to Him is the final goal.

مَا يُجَادِلُ فِىْۤ اٰيٰتِ اللّٰهِ اِلَّا الَّذِيْنَ كَفَرُوْا فَلَا يَغْرُرْكَ تَقَلُّبُهُمْ فِى الْبِلَادِ‏(4)

None can dispute about the Signs of Allah but the Unbelievers. Let not, then, their strutting about through the land deceive thee!

كَذَّبَتْ قَبْلَهُمْ قَوْمُ نُوْحٍ وَّ الْاَحْزَابُ مِنْۢ بَعْدِهِمْ وَهَمَّتْ كُلُّ اُمَّةٍۢ بِرَسُوْلِهِمْ لِيَاْخُذُوْهُ ؕ وَجَادَلُوْا بِالْبَاطِلِ لِيُدْحِضُوْا بِهِ الْحَقَّ فَاَخَذْتُهُمْ فَكَيْفَ كَانَ عِقَابِ‏(5)

But (there were people) before them, who denied (the Signs), the People of Noah, and the Confederates (of Evil) after them; and every People plotted against their prophet, to seize him, and disputed by means of vanities, therewith to condemn the Truth; but it was I that seized them! and how (terrible) was My Requital!

وَكَذٰلِكَ حَقَّتْ كَلِمَتُ رَبِّكَ عَلَى الَّذِيْنَ كَفَرُوْۤا اَنَّهُمْ اَصْحٰبُ النَّارِ ؔ‌ۘ‏(6)

Thus was the Decree of thy Lord proved true against the Unbelievers; that truly they are Companions of the Fire!

اَلَّذِيْنَ يَحْمِلُوْنَ الْعَرْشَ وَمَنْ حَوْلَهٗ يُسَبِّحُوْنَ بِحَمْدِ رَبِّهِمْ وَيُؤْمِنُوْنَ بِهٖ وَيَسْتَغْفِرُوْنَ لِلَّذِيْنَ اٰمَنُوْا‌ ۚ رَبَّنَا وَسِعْتَ كُلَّ شَىْءٍ رَّحْمَةً وَّعِلْمًا فَاغْفِرْ لِلَّذِيْنَ تَابُوْا وَاتَّبَعُوْا سَبِيْلَكَ وَقِهِمْ عَذَابَ الْجَحِيْمِ‏(7)

Those who sustain the Throne (of Allah) and those around it Sing Glory and Praise to their Lord; believe in Him; and implore Forgiveness for those who believe: “Our Lord! Thy Reach is over all things, in Mercy and Knowledge. Forgive, then, those who turn in Repentance, and follow Thy Path; and preserve them from the Penalty of the Blazing Fire!

رَبَّنَا وَاَدْخِلْهُمْ جَنّٰتِ عَدْنِ اۨلَّتِىْ وَعَدْتَّهُمْ وَمَنْ صَلَحَ مِنْ اٰبَآئِهِمْ وَاَزْوَاجِهِمْ وَذُرِّيّٰتِهِمْ ؕ اِنَّكَ اَنْتَ الْعَزِيْزُ الْحَكِيْمُ ۙ‏(8)

“And grant, our Lord! that they enter the Gardens of Eternity, which Thou hast promised to them, and to the righteous among their fathers, their wives, and their posterity! For Thou art (He), the Exalted in Might, Full of Wisdom.

وَقِهِمُ السَّيِّاٰتِ ؕ وَمَنْ تَقِ السَّيِّاٰتِ يَوْمَئِذٍ فَقَدْ رَحِمْتَهٗ ؕ وَذٰ لِكَ هُوَ الْفَوْزُ الْعَظِيْمُ‏(9)

“And preserve them from (all) ills; and any whom Thou dost preserve from ills that Day, on them wilt Thou have bestowed Mercy indeed: and that will be truly (for them) the highest Achievement”.

اِنَّ الَّذِيْنَ كَفَرُوْا يُنَادَوْنَ لَمَقْتُ اللّٰهِ اَكْبَرُ مِنْ مَّقْتِكُمْ اَنْفُسَكُمْ اِذْ تُدْعَوْنَ اِلَى الْاِيْمَانِ فَتَكْفُرُوْنَ‏(10)

The Unbelievers will be addressed: “Greater was the aversion of Allah to you than (is) your aversion to yourselves, seeing that ye were called to the Faith and ye used to refuse.”

قَالُوْا رَبَّنَاۤ اَمَتَّنَا اثْنَتَيْنِ وَاَحْيَيْتَنَا اثْنَتَيْنِ فَاعْتَرَفْنَا بِذُنُوْبِنَا فَهَلْ اِلٰى خُرُوْجٍ مِّنْ سَبِيْلٍ‏(11)

They will say: “Our Lord! twice hast Thou made us without life, and twice hast Thou given us Life! Now have we recognised our sins: Is there any way out (of this)?”

ذٰ لِكُمْ بِاَنَّهٗۤ اِذَا دُعِىَ اللّٰهُ وَحْدَهٗ كَفَرْتُمْ ۚ وَاِنْ يُّشْرَكْ بِهٖ تُؤْمِنُوْا ؕ فَالْحُكْمُ لِلّٰهِ الْعَلِىِّ الْكَبِيْرِ‏(12)

(The answer will be:) “This is because, when Allah was invoked as the Only (object of worship), ye did reject Faith, but when partners were joined to Him, ye believed! the Command is with Allah, Most High, Most Great!”

هُوَ الَّذِىْ يُرِيْكُمْ اٰيٰتِهٖ وَيُنَزِّلُ لَكُمْ مِّنَ السَّمَآءِ رِزْقًا ؕ وَمَا يَتَذَكَّرُ اِلَّا مَنْ يُّنِيْبُ‏(13)

He it is Who showeth you his Signs, and sendeth down sustenance for you from the sky: but only those receive admonition who turn (to Allah).

فَادْعُوا اللّٰهَ مُخْلِصِيْنَ لَهُ الدِّيْنَ وَلَوْ كَرِهَ الْكٰفِرُوْنَ‏(14)

Call ye, then, upon Allah with sincere devotion to Him, even though the Unbelievers may detest it.

رَفِيْعُ الدَّرَجٰتِ ذُو الْعَرْشِ‌ ۚ يُلْقِى الرُّوْحَ مِنْ اَمْرِهٖ عَلٰى مَنْ يَّشَآءُ مِنْ عِبَادِهٖ لِيُنْذِرَ يَوْمَ التَّلَاقِ ۙ‏(15)

Raised high above ranks (or degrees), (He is) the Lord of the Throne (of Authority): by His Command doth He send the Spirit (of inspiration) to any of His servants he pleases, that it may warn (men) of the Day of Mutual Meeting,

يَوْمَ هُمْ بَارِزُوْنَ ۚ لَا يَخْفٰى عَلَى اللّٰهِ مِنْهُمْ شَىْءٌ ؕ لِمَنِ الْمُلْكُ الْيَوْمَ ؕ لِلّٰهِ الْوَاحِدِ الْقَهَّارِ‏(16)

The Day whereon they will (all) come forth: not a single thing concerning them is hidden from Allah. Whose will be the dominion that Day?” That of Allah, the One the Irresistible!

اَ لْيَوْمَ تُجْزٰى كُلُّ نَفْسٍۢ بِمَا كَسَبَتْ ؕ لَا ظُلْمَ الْيَوْمَ ؕ اِنَّ اللّٰهَ سَرِيْعُ الْحِسَابِ‏(17)

That Day will every soul be requited for what it earned; no injustice will there be that Day, for Allah is Swift in taking account.

وَاَنْذِرْهُمْ يَوْمَ الْاٰزِفَةِ اِذِ الْقُلُوْبُ لَدَى الْحَنَاجِرِ كٰظِمِيْنَ ؕ مَا لِلظّٰلِمِيْنَ مِنْ حَمِيْمٍ وَّلَا شَفِيْعٍ يُّطَاعُ ؕ‏(18)

Warn them of the Day that is (ever) drawing near, when the hearts will (come) right up to the throats to choke (them); No intimate friend nor intercessor will the wrong-doers have, who could be listened to.

يَعْلَمُ خَآئِنَةَ الْاَعْيُنِ وَمَا تُخْفِى الصُّدُوْرُ‏(19)

(Allah) knows of (the tricks) that deceive with the eyes, and all that the hearts (of men) conceal.

وَاللّٰهُ يَقْضِىْ بِالْحَقِّؕ وَالَّذِيْنَ يَدْعُوْنَ مِنْ دُوْنِهٖ لَا يَقْضُوْنَ بِشَىْءٍؕ اِنَّ اللّٰهَ هُوَ السَّمِيْعُ الْبَصِيْرُ‏(20)

And Allah will judge with (justice and) Truth: but those whom (men) invoke besides Him, will not (be in a position) to judge at all. Verily it is Allah (alone) Who hears and sees (all things).

اَوَلَمْ يَسِيْرُوْا فِى الْاَرْضِ فَيَنْظُرُوْا كَيْفَ كَانَ عَاقِبَةُ الَّذِيْنَ كَانُوْا مِنْ قَبْلِهِمْؕ كَانُوْا هُمْ اَشَدَّ مِنْهُمْ قُوَّةً وَّاٰثَارًا فِى الْاَرْضِ فَاَخَذَهُمُ اللّٰهُ بِذُنُوْبِهِمْؕ وَمَا كَانَ لَهُمْ مِّنَ اللّٰهِ مِنْ وَّاقٍ‏(21)

Do they not travel through the earth and see what was the End of those before them? They were even superior to them in strength, and in the traces (they have left) in the land: but Allah did call them to account for their sins, and none had they to defend them against Allah.

ذٰلِكَ بِاَنَّهُمْ كَانَتْ تَّاْتِيْهِمْ رُسُلُهُمْ بِالْبَيِّنٰتِ فَكَفَرُوْا فَاَخَذَهُمُ اللّٰهُؕ اِنَّهٗ قَوِىٌّ شَدِيْدُ الْعِقَابِ‏(22)

That was because there came to them their messengers with Clear (Signs), but they rejected them: So Allah called them to account: for He is Full of Strength, Strict in Punishment.

وَلَقَدْ اَرْسَلْنَا مُوْسٰى بِاٰيٰتِنَا وَسُلْطٰنٍ مُّبِيْنٍۙ‏(23)

Of old We sent Moses, with Our Signs and an authority manifest,

اِلٰى فِرْعَوْنَ وَ هَامٰنَ وَقَارُوْنَ فَقَالُوْا سٰحِرٌ كَذَّابٌ‏(24)

To Pharaoh, Haman, and Qarun; but they called (him)” a sorcerer telling lies!”...

فَلَمَّا جَآءَهُمْ بِالْحَقِّ مِنْ عِنْدِنَا قَالُوْا اقْتُلُوْۤا اَبْنَآءَ الَّذِيْنَ اٰمَنُوْا مَعَهٗ وَاسْتَحْيُوْا نِسَآءَهُمْؕ وَمَا كَيْدُ الْكٰفِرِيْنَ اِلَّا فِىْ ضَلٰلٍ‏(25)

Now, when he came to them in Truth, from Us, they said, “Slay the sons of those who believe with him, and keep alive their females,” but the plots of Unbelievers (end) in nothing but errors (and delusions)!...

وَقَالَ فِرْعَوْنُ ذَرُوْنِىْۤ اَقْتُلْ مُوْسٰى وَلْيَدْعُ رَبَّهٗ‌ۚ اِنِّىْۤ اَخَافُ اَنْ يُّبَدِّلَ دِيْنَكُمْ اَوْ اَنْ يُّظْهِرَ فِى الْاَرْضِ الْفَسَادَ‏(26)

Said Pharaoh: “Leave me to slay Moses; and let him call on his Lord! What I fear is lest he should change your religion, or lest he should cause mischief to appear in the land!”

وَقَالَ مُوْسٰٓى اِنِّىْ عُذْتُ بِرَبِّىْ وَرَبِّكُمْ مِّنْ كُلِّ مُتَكَبِّرٍ لَّا يُؤْمِنُ بِيَوْمِ الْحِسَابِ‏(27)

Moses said: “I have indeed called upon my Lord and your Lord (for protection) from every arrogant one who believes not in the Day of Account!”

وَقَالَ رَجُلٌ مُّؤْمِنٌ ‌ۖ مِّنْ اٰلِ فِرْعَوْنَ يَكْتُمُ اِيْمَانَهٗۤ اَتَقْتُلُوْنَ رَجُلًا اَنْ يَّقُوْلَ رَبِّىَ اللّٰهُ وَقَدْ جَآءَكُمْ بِالْبَيِّنٰتِ مِنْ رَّبِّكُمْ ؕ وَاِنْ يَّكُ كَاذِبًا فَعَلَيْهِ كَذِبُهٗ ؕ وَاِنْ يَّكُ صَادِقًا يُّصِبْكُمْ بَعْضُ الَّذِىْ يَعِدُكُمْ ۚ اِنَّ اللّٰهَ لَا يَهْدِىْ مَنْ هُوَ مُسْرِفٌ كَذَّابٌ‏(28)

A believer, a man from among the people of Pharaoh, who had concealed his faith, said: “Will ye slay a man because he says, 'My Lord is Allah'? when he has indeed come to you with Clear (Signs) from your Lord? and if he be a liar, on him is (the sin of) his lie: but, if he is telling the Truth, then will fall on you something of the (calamity) of which he warns you: Truly Allah guides not one who transgresses and lies!

يٰقَوْمِ لَكُمُ الْمُلْكُ الْيَوْمَ ظٰهِرِيْنَ فِى الْاَرْضِ فَمَنْ يَّنْصُرُنَا مِنْۢ بَاْسِ اللّٰهِ اِنْ جَآءَنَا ؕ قَالَ فِرْعَوْنُ مَاۤ اُرِيْكُمْ اِلَّا مَاۤ اَرٰى وَمَاۤ اَهْدِيْكُمْ اِلَّا سَبِيْلَ الرَّشَادِ‏(29)

“O my People! Yours is the dominion this day: Ye have the upper hand in the land: but who will help us from the Punishment of Allah, should it befall us?” Pharaoh said: “I but point out to you that which I see (myself); Nor do I guide you but to the Path of Right!”

وَقَالَ الَّذِىْۤ اٰمَنَ يٰقَوْمِ اِنِّىْۤ اَخَافُ عَلَيْكُمْ مِّثْلَ يَوْمِ الْاَحْزَابِۙ‏(30)

Then said the man who believed: “O my people! Truly I do fear for you something like the Day (of disaster) of the Confederates (in sin)!-

مِثْلَ دَاْبِ قَوْمِ نُوْحٍ وَّعَادٍ وَّثَمُوْدَ وَالَّذِيْنَ مِنْۢ بَعْدِهِمْؕ وَمَا اللّٰهُ يُرِيْدُ ظُلْمًا لِّلْعِبَادِ‏(31)

“Something like the fate of the People of Noah, the 'Ad, and the Thamud, and those who came after them: but Allah never wishes injustice to his Servants.

وَيٰقَوْمِ اِنِّىْۤ اَخَافُ عَلَيْكُمْ يَوْمَ التَّنَادِۙ‏(32)

“And O my people! I fear for you a Day when there will be Mutual calling (and wailing),

يَوْمَ تُوَلُّوْنَ مُدْبِرِيْنَ‌ۚ مَا لَكُمْ مِّنَ اللّٰهِ مِنْ عَاصِمٍۚ وَمَنْ يُّضْلِلِ اللّٰهُ فَمَا لَهٗ مِنْ هَادٍ‏(33)

“A Day when ye shall turn your backs and flee: No defender shall ye have from Allah: Any whom Allah leaves to stray, there is none to guide...

وَلَقَدْ جَآءَكُمْ يُوْسُفُ مِنْ قَبْلُ بِالْبَيِّنٰتِ فَمَا زِلْتُمْ فِىْ شَكٍّ مِّمَّا جَآءَكُمْ بِهٖ ؕ حَتّٰٓى اِذَا هَلَكَ قُلْتُمْ لَنْ يَّبْعَثَ اللّٰهُ مِنْۢ بَعْدِهٖ رَسُوْلًا ؕ كَذٰلِكَ يُضِلُّ اللّٰهُ مَنْ هُوَ مُسْرِفٌ مُّرْتَابٌ ۚ ۖ‏(34)

“And to you there came Joseph in times gone by, with Clear Signs, but ye ceased not to doubt of the (Mission) for which he had come: At length, when he died, ye said: 'No messenger will Allah send after him.' thus doth Allah leave to stray such as transgress and live in doubt,

اۨلَّذِيْنَ يُجَادِلُوْنَ فِىْۤ اٰيٰتِ اللّٰهِ بِغَيْرِ سُلْطٰنٍ اَتٰٮهُمْ ؕ كَبُرَ مَقْتًا عِنْدَ اللّٰهِ وَعِنْدَ الَّذِيْنَ اٰمَنُوْا ؕ كَذٰلِكَ يَطْبَعُ اللّٰهُ عَلٰى كُلِّ قَلْبِ مُتَكَبِّرٍ جَبَّارٍ‏(35)

“(Such) as dispute about the Signs of Allah, without any authority that hath reached them, grievous and odious (is such conduct) in the sight of Allah and of the Believers. Thus doth Allah, seal up every heart - of arrogant and obstinate Transgressors.”

وَقَالَ فِرْعَوْنُ يٰهَامٰنُ ابْنِ لِىْ صَرْحًا لَّعَلِّىْۤ اَبْلُغُ الْاَسْبَابَۙ‏(36)

Pharaoh said: “O Haman! Build me a lofty palace, that I may attain the ways and means-

اَسْبَابَ السَّمٰوٰتِ فَاَطَّلِعَ اِلٰٓى اِلٰهِ مُوْسٰى وَاِنِّىْ لَاَظُنُّهٗ كَاذِبًا ؕ وَكَذٰلِكَ زُيِّنَ لِفِرْعَوْنَ سُوْٓءُ عَمَلِهٖ وَصُدَّ عَنِ السَّبِيْلِ ؕ وَمَا كَيْدُ فِرْعَوْنَ اِلَّا فِىْ تَبَابٍ‏(37)

“The ways and means of (reaching) the heavens, and that I may mount up to the god of Moses: But as far as I am concerned, I think (Moses) is a liar!” Thus was made alluring, in Pharaoh's eyes, the evil of his deeds, and he was hindered from the Path; and the plot of Pharaoh led to nothing but perdition (for him).

وَقَالَ الَّذِىْۤ اٰمَنَ يٰقَوْمِ اتَّبِعُوْنِ اَهْدِكُمْ سَبِيْلَ الرَّشَادِ‌ۚ‏(38)

The man who believed said further: “O my people! Follow me: I will lead you to the Path of Right.

يٰقَوْمِ اِنَّمَا هٰذِهِ الْحَيٰوةُ الدُّنْيَا مَتَاعٌ وَّاِنَّ الْاٰخِرَةَ هِىَ دَارُ الْقَرَارِ‏(39)