42: al-Shooraa الشورى

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

عٓسٓقٓ‏(2)

'Ain. Sin. Qaf.

كَذٰلِكَ يُوْحِىْۤ اِلَيْكَ وَاِلَى الَّذِيْنَ مِنْ قَبْلِكَۙ اللّٰهُ الْعَزِيْزُ الْحَكِيْمُ‏(3)

Thus doth (He) send inspiration to thee as (He did) to those before thee, Allah, Exalted in Power, Full of Wisdom.

لَهٗ مَا فِى السَّمٰوٰتِ وَمَا فِى الْاَرْضِ‌ؕ وَهُوَ الْعَلِىُّ الْعَظِيْمُ‏(4)

To Him belongs all that is in the heavens and on earth: and He is Most High, Most Great.

تَكَادُ السَّمٰوٰتُ يَتَفَطَّرْنَ مِنْ فَوْقِهِنَّ‌ وَالْمَلٰٓئِكَةُ يُسَبِّحُوْنَ بِحَمْدِ رَبِّهِمْ وَيَسْتَغْفِرُوْنَ لِمَنْ فِى الْاَرْضِ‌ؕ اَلَاۤ اِنَّ اللّٰهَ هُوَ الْغَفُوْرُ الرَّحِيْمُ‏(5)

The heavens are almost rent asunder from above them (by Him Glory): and the angels celebrate the Praises of their Lord, and pray for forgiveness for (all) beings on earth: Behold! Verily Allah is He, the Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.

وَالَّذِيْنَ اتَّخَذُوْا مِنْ دُوْنِهٖۤ اَوْلِيَآءَ اللّٰهُ حَفِيْظٌ عَلَيْهِمْ‌ۖ وَمَاۤ اَنْتَ عَلَيْهِمْ بِوَكِيْلٍ‏(6)

And those who take as protectors others besides Him, Allah doth watch over them; and thou art not the disposer of their affairs.

وَكَذٰلِكَ اَوْحَيْنَاۤ اِلَيْكَ قُرْاٰنًا عَرَبِيًّا لِّتُنْذِرَ اُمَّ الْقُرٰى وَمَنْ حَوْلَهَا وَتُنْذِرَ يَوْمَ الْجَمْعِ لَا رَيْبَ فِيْهِ‌ؕ فَرِيْقٌ فِى الْجَنَّةِ وَفَرِيْقٌ فِى السَّعِيْرِ‏(7)

Thus have We sent by inspiration to thee an Arabic Qur'an: that thou mayest warn the Mother of Cities and all around her, and warn (them) of the Day of Assembly, of which there is no doubt: (when) some will be in the Garden, and some in the Blazing Fire.

وَلَوْ شَآءَ اللّٰهُ لَجَعَلَهُمْ اُمَّةً وَّاحِدَةً وَّلٰكِنْ يُّدْخِلُ مَنْ يَّشَآءُ فِىْ رَحْمَتِهٖ‌ؕ وَالظّٰلِمُوْنَ مَا لَهُمْ مِّنْ وَّلِىٍّ وَّلَا نَصِيْرٍ‏(8)

If Allah had so willed, He could have made them a single people; but He admits whom He will to His Mercy; and the Wrong-doers will have no protector nor helper.

اَمِ اتَّخَذُوْا مِنْ دُوْنِهٖۤ اَوْلِيَآءَ‌ۚ فَاللّٰهُ هُوَ الْوَلِىُّ وَهُوَ يُحْىِ الْمَوْتٰى وَهُوَ عَلٰى كُلِّ شَىْءٍ قَدِيْرٌ‏(9)

What! Have they taken (for worship) protectors besides Him? But it is Allah, He is the Protector, and it is He Who gives life to the dead: It is He Who has power over all things,

وَمَا اخْتَلَفْتُمْ فِيْهِ مِنْ شَىْءٍ فَحُكْمُهٗۤ اِلَى اللّٰهِ‌ ؕ ذٰ لِكُمُ اللّٰهُ رَبِّىْ عَلَيْهِ تَوَكَّلْتُۖ وَاِلَيْهِ اُنِيْبُ‏(10)

Whatever it be wherein ye differ, the decision thereof is with Allah: such is Allah my Lord: In Him I trust, and to Him I turn.

فَاطِرُ السَّمٰوٰتِ وَالْاَرْضِ‌ؕ جَعَلَ لَكُمْ مِّنْ اَنْفُسِكُمْ اَزْوَاجًا وَّ مِنَ الْاَنْعَامِ اَزْوَاجًا‌ ۚ يَذْرَؤُكُمْ فِيْهِ‌ ؕ لَيْسَ كَمِثْلِهٖ شَىْءٌ ‌ۚ وَهُوَ السَّمِيْعُ الْبَصِيْرُ‏(11)

(He is) the Creator of the heavens and the earth: He has made for you pairs from among yourselves, and pairs among cattle: by this means does He multiply you: there is nothing whatever like unto Him, and He is the One that hears and sees (all things).

لَهٗ مَقَالِيْدُ السَّمٰوٰتِ وَالْاَرْضِ‌ۚ يَبْسُطُ الرِّزْقَ لِمَنْ يَّشَآءُ وَيَقْدِرُ‌ؕ اِنَّهٗ بِكُلِّ شَىْءٍ عَلِيْمٌ‏(12)

To Him belong the keys of the heavens and the earth: He enlarges and restricts. The Sustenance to whom He will: for He knows full well all things.

شَرَعَ لَكُمْ مِّنَ الدِّيْنِ مَا وَصّٰى بِهٖ نُوْحًا وَّالَّذِىْۤ اَوْحَيْنَاۤ اِلَيْكَ وَمَا وَصَّيْنَا بِهٖۤ اِبْرٰهِيْمَ وَمُوْسٰى وَعِيْسٰٓى اَنْ اَقِيْمُوا الدِّيْنَ وَ لَا تَتَفَرَّقُوْا فِيْهِ‌ؕ كَبُرَ عَلَى الْمُشْرِكِيْنَ مَا تَدْعُوْهُمْ اِلَيْهِ‌ ؕ اَللّٰهُ يَجْتَبِىْۤ اِلَيْهِ مَنْ يَّشَآءُ وَيَهْدِىْۤ اِلَيْهِ مَنْ يُّنِيْبُ‏(13)

The same religion has He established for you as that which He enjoined on Noah - the which We have sent by inspiration to thee - and that which We enjoined on Abraham, Moses, and Jesus: Namely, that ye should remain steadfast in religion, and make no divisions therein: to those who worship other things than Allah, hard is the (way) to which thou callest them. Allah chooses to Himself those whom He pleases, and guides to Himself those who turn (to Him).

وَمَا تَفَرَّقُوْۤا اِلَّا مِنْۢ بَعْدِ مَا جَآءَهُمُ الْعِلْمُ بَغْيًاۢ بَيْنَهُمْ‌ؕ وَلَوْلَا كَلِمَةٌ سَبَقَتْ مِنْ رَّبِّكَ اِلٰٓى اَجَلٍ مُّسَمًّى لَّقُضِىَ بَيْنَهُمْ‌ؕ وَ اِنَّ الَّذِيْنَ اُوْرِثُوا الْكِتٰبَ مِنْۢ بَعْدِهِمْ لَفِىْ شَكٍّ مِّنْهُ مُرِيْبٍ‏(14)

And they became divided only after Knowledge reached them, through selfish envy as between themselves. Had it not been for a Word that went forth before from thy Lord, (tending) to a Term appointed, the matter would have been settled between them: But truly those who have inherited the Book after them are in suspicious (disquieting) doubt concerning it.

فَلِذٰلِكَ فَادْعُ‌ ۚ وَاسْتَقِمْ كَمَاۤ اُمِرْتَ‌ۚ وَلَا تَتَّبِعْ اَهْوَآءَهُمْ‌ۚ وَقُلْ اٰمَنْتُ بِمَاۤ اَنْزَلَ اللّٰهُ مِنْ كِتٰبٍ‌‌ۚ وَاُمِرْتُ لِاَعْدِلَ بَيْنَكُمُ‌ؕ اَللّٰهُ رَبُّنَا وَرَبُّكُمْ‌ؕ لَنَاۤ اَعْمَالُنَا وَلَكُمْ اَعْمَالُكُمْ‌ۚ لَا حُجَّةَ بَيْنَنَا وَبَيْنَكُمُ‌ؕ اَللّٰهُ يَجْمَعُ بَيْنَنَا‌ۚ وَاِلَيْهِ الْمَصِيْرُؕ‏(15)

Now then, for that (reason), call (them to the Faith), and stand steadfast as thou art commanded, nor follow thou their vain desires; but say: “I believe in the Book which Allah has sent down; and I am commanded to judge justly between you. Allah is our Lord and your Lord: for us (is the responsibility for) our deeds, and for you for your deeds. There is no contention between us and you. Allah will bring us together, and to Him is (our) Final Goal.

وَالَّذِيْنَ يُحَآجُّوْنَ فِى اللّٰهِ مِنْۢ بَعْدِ مَا اسْتُجِيْبَ لَهٗ حُجَّتُهُمْ دَاحِضَةٌ عِنْدَ رَبِّهِمْ وَعَلَيْهِمْ غَضَبٌ وَّلَهُمْ عَذَابٌ شَدِيْدٌ‏(16)

But those who dispute concerning Allah after He has been accepted, futile is their dispute in the Sight of their Lord: on them will be a Penalty terrible.

اَللّٰهُ الَّذِىْۤ اَنْزَلَ الْكِتٰبَ بِالْحَقِّ وَالْمِيْزَانَ‌ؕ وَمَا يُدْرِيْكَ لَعَلَّ السَّاعَةَ قَرِيْبٌ‏(17)

It is Allah Who has sent down the Book in Truth, and the Balance (by which to weigh conduct). And what will make thee realise that perhaps the Hour is close at hand?

يَسْتَعْجِلُ بِهَا الَّذِيْنَ لَا يُؤْمِنُوْنَ بِهَا‌ ۚ وَالَّذِيْنَ اٰمَنُوْا مُشْفِقُوْنَ مِنْهَا ۙ وَيَعْلَمُوْنَ اَنَّهَا الْحَقُّ ‌ ؕ اَلَاۤ اِنَّ الَّذِيْنَ يُمَارُوْنَ فِى السَّاعَةِ لَفِىْ ضَلٰلٍۢ بَعِيْدٍ‏(18)

Only those wish to hasten it who believe not in it: those who believe hold it in awe, and know that it is the Truth. Behold, verily those that dispute concerning the Hour are far astray.

اَللّٰهُ لَطِيْفٌۢ بِعِبَادِهٖ يَرْزُقُ مَنْ يَّشَآءُ‌ۚ وَهُوَ الْقَوِىُّ الْعَزِيْزُ‏(19)

Gracious is Allah to His servants: He gives Sustenance to whom He pleases: and He has power and can carry out His Will.

مَنْ كَانَ يُرِيْدُ حَرْثَ الْاٰخِرَةِ نَزِدْ لَهٗ فِىْ حَرْثِهٖ‌ۚ وَمَنْ كَانَ يُرِيْدُ حَرْثَ الدُّنْيَا نُؤْتِهٖ مِنْهَا وَمَا لَهٗ فِى الْاٰخِرَةِ مِنْ نَّصِيْبٍ‏(20)

To any that desires the tilth of the Hereafter, We give increase in his tilth, and to any that desires the tilth of this world, We grant somewhat thereof, but he has no share or lot in the Hereafter.

اَمْ لَهُمْ شُرَكٰٓؤُا شَرَعُوْا لَهُمْ مِّنَ الدِّيْنِ مَا لَمْ يَاْذَنْۢ بِهِ اللّٰهُ‌ؕ وَلَوْلَا كَلِمَةُ الْفَصْلِ لَقُضِىَ بَيْنَهُمْ‌ؕ وَاِنَّ الظّٰلِمِيْنَ لَهُمْ عَذَابٌ اَلِيْمٌ‏(21)

What! have they partners (in godhead), who have established for them some religion without the permission of Allah? Had it not been for the Decree of Judgment, the matter would have been decided between them (at once). But verily the Wrong-doers will have a grievous Penalty.

تَرَى الظّٰلِمِيْنَ مُشْفِقِيْنَ مِمَّا كَسَبُوْا وَهُوَ وَاقِعٌۢ بِهِمْ‌ؕ وَالَّذِيْنَ اٰمَنُوْا وَعَمِلُوا الصّٰلِحٰتِ فِىْ رَوْضَاتِ الْجَنّٰتِ‌ۚ لَهُمْ مَّا يَشَآءُوْنَ عِنْدَ رَبِّهِمْ‌ؕ ذٰلِكَ هُوَ الْفَضْلُ الْكَبِيْرُ‏(22)

Thou wilt see the Wrong-doers in fear on account of what they have earned, and (the burden of) that must (necessarily) fall on them. But those who believe and work righteous deeds will be in the luxuriant meads of the Gardens: they shall have, before their Lord, all that they wish for. That will indeed be the magnificent Bounty (of Allah).

ذٰ لِكَ الَّذِىْ يُبَشِّرُ اللّٰهُ عِبَادَهُ الَّذِيْنَ اٰمَنُوْا وَعَمِلُوا الصّٰلِحٰتِ‌ؕ قُلْ لَّاۤ اَسْئَلُكُمْ عَلَيْهِ اَجْرًا اِلَّا الْمَوَدَّةَ فِى الْقُرْبٰى‌ؕ وَمَنْ يَّقْتَرِفْ حَسَنَةً نَّزِدْ لَهٗ فِيْهَا حُسْنًا‌ ؕ اِنَّ اللّٰهَ غَفُوْرٌ شَكُوْرٌ‏(23)

That is (the Bounty) whereof Allah gives Glad Tidings to His Servants who believe and do righteous deeds. Say: “No reward do I ask of you for this except the love of those near of kin.” And if any one earns any good, We shall give him an increase of good in respect thereof: for Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Ready to appreciate (service).

اَمْ يَقُوْلُوْنَ افْتَرٰى عَلَى اللّٰهِ كَذِبًا‌ ۚ فَاِنْ يَّشَاِ اللّٰهُ يَخْتِمْ عَلٰى قَلْبِكَ‌ ؕ وَيَمْحُ اللّٰهُ الْبَاطِلَ وَيُحِقُّ الْحَقَّ بِكَلِمٰتِهٖۤ‌ ؕ اِنَّهٗ عَلِيْمٌۢ بِذَاتِ الصُّدُوْرِ‏(24)

What! Do they say, “He has forged a falsehood against Allah”? But if Allah willed, He could seal up thy heart. And Allah blots out Vanity, and proves the Truth by His Words. For He knows well the secrets of all hearts.

وَهُوَ الَّذِىْ يَقْبَلُ التَّوْبَةَ عَنْ عِبَادِهٖ وَيَعْفُوْا عَنِ السَّيِّاٰتِ وَيَعْلَمُ مَا تَفْعَلُوْنَ ۙ‏(25)

He is the One that accepts repentance from His Servants and forgives sins: and He knows all that ye do.

وَيَسْتَجِيْبُ الَّذِيْنَ اٰمَنُوْا وَعَمِلُوا الصّٰلِحٰتِ وَيَزِيْدُهُمْ مِّنْ فَضْلِهٖ‌ؕ وَالْكٰفِرُوْنَ لَهُمْ عَذَابٌ شَدِيْدٌ‏(26)

And He listens to those who believe and do deeds of righteousness, and gives them increase of His Bounty: but for the Unbelievers their is a terrible Penalty.

وَلَوْ بَسَطَ اللّٰهُ الرِّزْقَ لِعِبَادِهٖ لَبَغَوْا فِى الْاَرْضِ وَلٰكِنْ يُّنَزِّلُ بِقَدَرٍ مَّا يَشَآءُ ‌ؕ اِنَّهٗ بِعِبَادِهٖ خَبِيْرٌۢ بَصِيْرٌ‏(27)

If Allah were to enlarge the provision for His Servants, they would indeed transgress beyond all bounds through the earth; but he sends (it) down in due measure as He pleases. For He is with His Servants Well-acquainted, Watchful.

وَهُوَ الَّذِىْ يُنَزِّلُ الْغَيْثَ مِنْۢ بَعْدِ مَا قَنَطُوْا وَيَنْشُرُ رَحْمَتَهٗ‌ ؕ وَهُوَ الْوَلِىُّ الْحَمِيْدُ‏(28)

He is the One that sends down rain (even) after (men) have given up all hope, and scatters His Mercy (far and wide). And He is the Protector, Worthy of all Praise.

وَ مِنْ اٰيٰتِهٖ خَلْقُ السَّمٰوٰتِ وَالْاَرْضِ وَمَا بَثَّ فِيْهِمَا مِنْ دَآبَّةٍ‌ ؕ وَهُوَ عَلٰى جَمْعِهِمْ اِذَا يَشَآءُ قَدِيْرٌ‏(29)

And among His Signs is the creation of the heavens and the earth, and the living creatures that He has scattered through them: and He has power to gather them together when He wills.

وَمَاۤ اَصَابَكُمْ مِّنْ مُّصِيْبَةٍ فَبِمَا كَسَبَتْ اَيْدِيْكُمْ وَيَعْفُوْا عَنْ كَثِيْرٍؕ‏(30)

Whatever misfortune happens to you, is because on the things your hands have wrought, and for many (of them) He grants forgiveness.

وَمَاۤ اَنْتُمْ بِمُعْجِزِيْنَ فِى الْاَرْضِ ۖۚ وَمَا لَكُمْ مِّنْ دُوْنِ اللّٰهِ مِنْ وَّلِىٍّ وَّلَا نَصِيْرٍ‏(31)

Nor can ye frustrate (aught), (fleeing) through the earth; nor have ye, besides Allah, any one to protect or to help.

وَمِنْ اٰيٰتِهِ الْجَوَارِ فِى الْبَحْرِ كَالْاَعْلَامِؕ‏(32)

And among His Signs are the ships, smooth-running through the ocean, (tall) as mountains.

اِنْ يَّشَاْ يُسْكِنِ الرِّيْحَ فَيَظْلَلْنَ رَوَاكِدَ عَلٰى ظَهْرِهٖؕ اِنَّ فِىْ ذٰلِكَ لَاٰيٰتٍ لِّكُلِّ صَبَّارٍ شَكُوْرٍۙ‏(33)

If it be His Will He can still the Wind: then would they become motionless on the back of the (ocean). Verily in this are Signs for everyone who patiently perseveres and is grateful.

اَوْ يُوْبِقْهُنَّ بِمَا كَسَبُوْا وَيَعْفُ عَنْ كَثِيْرٍ‏(34)

Or He can cause them to perish because of the (evil) which (the men) have earned; but much doth He forgive.

وَّيَعْلَمَ الَّذِيْنَ يُجَادِلُوْنَ فِىْۤ اٰيٰتِنَا ؕ مَا لَهُمْ مِّنْ مَّحِيْصٍ‏(35)

But let those know, who dispute about Our Signs, that there is for them no way of escape.

فَمَاۤ اُوْتِيْتُمْ مِّنْ شَىْءٍ فَمَتَاعُ الْحَيٰوةِ الدُّنْيَا‌ۚ وَمَا عِنْدَ اللّٰهِ خَيْرٌ وَّاَبْقٰى لِلَّذِيْنَ اٰمَنُوْا وَعَلٰى رَبِّهِمْ يَتَوَكَّلُوْنَۚ‏(36)

Whatever ye are given (here) is (but) a convenience of this life: but that which is with Allah is better and more lasting: (it is) for those who believe and put their trust in their Lord:

وَالَّذِيْنَ يَجْتَنِبُوْنَ كَبٰٓئِرَ الْاِثْمِ وَالْفَوَاحِشَ وَاِذَا مَا غَضِبُوْا هُمْ يَغْفِرُوْنَ‌ۚ‏(37)

Those who avoid the greater crimes and shameful deeds, and, when they are angry even then forgive;

وَالَّذِيْنَ اسْتَجَابُوا لِرَبِّهِمْ وَاَقَامُوْا الصَّلٰوةَ وَاَمْرُهُمْ شُوْرٰى بَيْنَهُمْ وَمِمَّا رَزَقْنٰهُمْ يُنْفِقُوْنَ‌ۚ‏(38)

Those who hearken to their Lord, and establish regular Prayer; who (conduct) their affairs by mutual Consultation; who spend out of what We bestow on them for Sustenance;

وَالَّذِيْنَ اِذَاۤ اَصَابَهُمُ الْبَغْىُ هُمْ يَنْتَصِرُوْنَ‏(39)