The Qur’an chapter 7
The seventh chapter of the Qur’an is called al-ʾAʿrāf, or The Heights. It consists of 206 verses. Here is our commentary.
Disclaimer
We are not Muslims. We have no expertise with the Qur’an.
We are reading the Qur’an as a good-faith effort to to become better-equipped for the ministry of of Interfaith Dialogue with Muslims.
We are Christians who are reading the Qur’an for the first time. Our mindset is to approach the Qur’an with respect and as learners. Our comments are simply whatever stood out to us.
VERSE 1. ALMS
VERSE 2. A Book that has been sent down to you, so let there not be any burden in your chest from it, that you may warn with it; and a reminder to the believers.
2 Timothy 3:16. Every Scripture is God-breathed and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for instruction in righteousness,
VERSE 3. Follow what was sent down to you from your Lord, and do not follow besides Him any supporters. Little do you remember!
VERSE 4. And how many a town have We destroyed; for Our punishment came to them while sleeping, or while resting.
how many a town have We destroyed. This is reminiscent of what Richard Rohr called “the Zeus model of God.”
In the Zeus model of God, God is portrayed as sitting on a mountain, being angry at humans, and smashing their stuff.
VERSE 5. Then their only saying when Our punishment came to them was: “We were wicked!”
VERSE 6. We will question those to whom the message was sent, and We will question the messengers.
VERSE 7. We will narrate to them with knowledge, for We were not absent.
VERSE 8. And the balance on that Day will be the truth. So, those whose weights are heavy on the balance, those are the successful ones.
those whose weights are heavy. When using a balance to buy and sell goods, the weights should be “heavy.”
That is, the weights should be the true weight. They should not be lighter than the true weight.
VERSE 9. And whoever has light weights, then these are the ones who lost their souls for what they transgressed of Our revelations.
whoever has light weights. When using a balance to buy and sell goods, the weights should not be “light.”
That is, the weights should be the true weight. They should not be lighter than the true weight.
VERSE 10. And We granted you dominion on the earth, and made for you in it a habitat; little do you give thanks!
VERSE 11. And We created you, then We shaped you, then We said to the angels: “Yield to Adam;” so they yielded except for Satan, he was not of those who yielded.
Satan. He is in the Qur’an.
VERSE 12. He said: “What has prevented you from yielding when I have ordered you?” He said: “I am far better than him, You created me from fire and created him from clay!”
He said. Presumably the speaker in this verse is Satan.
You created me from fire. Apparently the angels were created from fire.
created him from clay. Apparently humans were created from clay.
VERSE 13. He said: “Descend from it, for it is not for you to be arrogant here; depart, for you are disgraced.”
VERSE 14. He said: “Grant me respite until the Day they are resurrected?”
the Day they are resurrected. The Qur’an attests to the Resurrection.
VERSE 15. He said: “You are granted.”
VERSE 16. He said: “For that which You have caused me to be misled, I will stalk for them on Your straight path.”
VERSE 17. “Then I will come to them from between their hands, and from behind them, and from their right, and from their left; and You will find most of them unthankful.”
most of them unthankful. Most people are unthankful.
VERSE 18. He said: “Get out from this, you are despised and banished. As for those of them who follow you, I will fill Hell with you all!”
VERSE 19. “And O Adam, reside you and your mate in the paradise, and eat from it as you both wish, and do not come near this tree, else you will be of those who have wronged.”
VERSE 20. But the devil whispered to them, to reveal to them what was not apparent to them of their bodies; and he said: “Your Lord did not prohibit you from this tree except that you would become angels, or you would be immortal.”
VERSE 21. And he swore to them: “I am giving good advice.”
I am giving good advice. Deceivers always insist they are doing a good thing for you.
VERSE 22. So he misled them with deception; and when they tasted the tree, their bodies became apparent to them, and they rushed to cover themselves with the leaves of the paradise; and their Lord called to them: “Did I not prohibit you from that tree, and tell you that the devil is your clear enemy?”
VERSE 23. They said: “Our Lord, we have wronged ourselves and if You do not forgive us and have mercy on us, then we will be of the losers!”
They. Presumably Adam and Eve.
Our Lord. They are speaking to the LORD God.
we will be of the losers. In previous contexts, this term seems to denote the people who go to Hell.
VERSE 24. He said: “Descend; for you are enemies to one another; and on the earth you will have residence and provisions until the appointed time.”
VERSE 25. He said: “In it you will live and in it you will die, and from it you will be brought forth.”
VERSE 26. O Children of Adam, We have sent down for you garments to cover your bodies, and to adorn; and the garment of righteousness is the best. That is from the signs of God, perhaps they will remember.
VERSE 27. O Children of Adam, do not let the devil afflict you as he evicted your parents from the paradise; he removes from them their garments to show them their bodies. He and his tribe perceive you from where you do not perceive them. We have made the devils as allies for those who do not believe.
he evicted your parents from the paradise. In the Qur’an, as in the Old Testament, the primeval couple are evicted from the Garden of Eden.
VERSE 28. And if they commit immorality, they say: “We found our fathers doing such, and God ordered us to it.” Say: “God does not order immorality! Do you say about God what you do not know?”
VERSE 29. Say: “My Lord orders justice, and that you set your faces at every temple, and that you call on Him, while being faithful to Him in the system; as He initiated you, so you will return.”
VERSE 30. A group He has guided and a group have deserved misguidance; that is because they have taken the devils as allies besides God; and they think they are guided!
they have taken the devils as allies. Some people walk with devils.
besides God. Those people walk with devils, but also with the LORD God.
VERSE 31. O Children of Adam, dress nicely at every temple, and eat and drink and do not overindulge; He does not like the overindulgers.
dress nicely at every temple. Are Muslims required to dress nicely to go to the Mosque?
If so, that prevents poor people from going to the Mosque, as they probably don’t have nice clothing.
VERSE 32. Say: “Who has made forbidden the nice things that God has brought forth for His servants and the good provisions?” Say: “They are meant for those who believe during this worldly life, and they will be exclusive for them on the Day of Resurrection.” It is such that We explain the revelations for those who know.
the Day of Resurrection. The Qur’an attests to the Resurrection.
VERSE 33. Say: “My Lord has made forbidden immorality; what is public of it and private; and sin, and aggression without cause, and that you set up partners with God that which He has never authorized, and that you say about God what you do not know.”
you say about God what you do not know. Many Christians do this routinely without realizing it.
They speak about the LORD God based on highly limited information. And yet they boldly assert their opinions as if revealed by God.
VERSE 34. And for every nation will be an appointed time; when their time is reached, they will not delay by one hour nor advance.
VERSE 35. O Children of Adam, when messengers come to you from amongst yourselves and narrate to you My revelations; then for those who are aware, and upright, there will be no fear over them nor will they grieve.
messengers come to you. Who are these messengers?
VERSE 36. As for those who reject Our revelations, and become arrogant towards them; then these are the dwellers of the Fire, in it they will abide.
the dwellers of the Fire. What is this realm of fire?
- Is it the place where the angels were created? (see verse 12 above)
- Is it the fires of Hell?
VERSE 37. Who is more wicked than he who invents lies about God, or denies His revelations? These will receive their recompense from the record; so that when Our messengers come to terminate their lives, they will say: “Where are those whom you used to call on besides God?” They said: “They have abandoned us!” And they bore witness upon themselves that they were rejecters.
he who invents lies about God. Many Christians do this routinely without realizing it.
They speak about the LORD God based on highly limited information. And yet they boldly assert their opinions as if revealed by God.
VERSE 38. He said: “Enter with the multitude of nations before you from mankind and Jinn to the Fire!” Every time a nation entered, it cursed its sister nation, until they are all gathered inside it; then the last of them says to the first: “Our Lord, these are the ones who have misguided us, so give them double the retribution of the Fire!” He replied: “Each will receive double, but you do not know.”
the Jinn. What are the Jinn?
According to Wikipedia, Muslim scholars have three different interpretations:
- The Jinn are invisible bodies in which air and fire dominate
- The Jinn are disembodied spirits of the planets
- The Jinn are the souls of the dead
VERSE 39. And the first of them said to the last: “You have no preference over us, so taste the retribution for what you have earned!”
taste the retribution. This is a very strong statement.
VERSE 40. Those who have denied Our revelations, and became arrogant towards them, the gates of the heavens will not open for them, nor will they enter Paradise until the camel passes through the eye of a needle. It is such that We recompense the criminals.
the camel passes through the eye of a needle. The Lord Jesus used this phrase.
VERSE 41. They will have Hell as an abode, and from above them will be covers. It is thus We recompense the wicked.
VERSE 42. As for those who believe and do good; We do not burden a soul except with what it can bear; those are the dwellers of Paradise, in it they will abide.
those who believe and do good. This is a lovely resolution of the age-old debate among Christians concerning faith versus works.
VERSE 43. And We removed what was in their chests of hate; rivers will flow beneath them; and they will say: “Praise be to God who has guided us to this, and we would not have been guided unless God guided us. The messengers of our Lord had come with the truth.” And it was called to them: “This is Paradise; you have inherited it for what you have done.”
their chests of hate. This is a very strong statement.
VERSE 44. And the dwellers of Paradise called the dwellers of the Fire: “We have found what our Lord promised us to be true; did you find what your Lord promised to be true?” They said: “Indeed!” Then a caller announced between them: “The curse of God is on the wicked.”
the dwellers of the Fire. What is this realm of fire?
- Is it the place where the angels were created? (see verse 12 above)
- Is it the fires of Hell?
VERSE 45. “The ones who repel from the path of God, and sought to make it crooked; and regarding the Hereafter they were rejecters.”
VERSE 46. And between them is a veil, and on the elevated platform are men who recognized others by their features. And they called out to the dwellers of Paradise: “Peace be upon you!” They have not yet entered it, but they are hoping.
Peace be upon you. That is, ٱلسَّلَامُ عَلَيْكُمْ, or as-salāmu ʿalaykum.
In Arabic, this is a very common way to greet someone.
VERSE 47. And when their eyes are turned towards the dwellers of the Fire, they say: “Our Lord, do not place us with the wicked people!”
VERSE 48. And the people standing on the elevated platform called on men they recognized by their features, they said: “What good did your large number do for you, or what you were arrogant for?”
What good did your large number do for you. When it comes to our eternal destiny, being among the majority offers no advantage whatsoever.
VERSE 49. “Were these not the ones whom you swore God would not grant them of His mercy?” Enter Paradise, there is no fear for you nor will you grieve.
VERSE 50. And the dwellers of the Fire called on the dwellers of Paradise: “Give us some water, or what God has provided for you?” They said: “God has forbidden them for the rejecters.”
VERSE 51. The ones who took their system for distraction and play, and were preoccupied with this worldly life. Today We forget them as they forgot their meeting on this Day, and they did not heed Our revelations.
VERSE 52. And We have come to them with a Book which We have detailed with knowledge; a guidance and a mercy to those who believe.
a Book. Presumably this refers to the Qur’an.
VERSE 53. Are they waiting for what it says to come true? On the Day it comes true, those who previously forgot it will say: “The messengers of our Lord have come with the truth! Are there any intercessors to intercede for us? Or can we be sent back and we will work differently than what we did?” They have lost their souls and what they have invented has abandoned them.
The messengers. This suggests Muslim evangelists.
VERSE 54. Your Lord is God who has created the heavens and the earth in six days, then He settled upon the Throne. The night runs away from the day, which seeks it continually; and the sun and the moon and the stars are commissioned by His command; to Him is the creation and the command. Glory to God, Lord of the worlds.
VERSE 55. Call on your Lord in humility and in secret. He does not like the aggressors.
VERSE 56. And do not corrupt the earth after it has been made right; and call on Him fearing and hoping. Surely the mercy of God is near the righteous.
do not corrupt the earth. Is this a call to be good stewards of the earth?
VERSE 57. He is the One who sends the winds to be dispersed between His hands of mercy; so when it carries a heavy cloud, We drive it to a dead land, and We send down the water with it and We bring forth fruits of all kind. It is thus that We will bring out the dead, perhaps you will remember.
VERSE 58. And the good land, its plants are brought forth with the permission of its Lord. And for the one that is rotten, it does not bring forth except very little. It is such that We dispatch the signs for a people who are thankful.
We dispatch the signs. The LORD God still produces miraculous signs.
VERSE 59. We had sent Noah to his people, so he said: “My people, serve God, you have no god besides Him. I fear for you the retribution of a great Day!”
We had sent Noah to his people. Noah was like a missionary to his people.
VERSE 60. The leaders from his people said: “We see that you are clearly misguided.”
you are clearly misguided. Noah’s own people rejected him.
VERSE 61. He said: “My people, I am not misguided, but I am a messenger from the Lord of the worlds.”
VERSE 62. “To deliver to you the messages of my Lord, and I advise you, and I know from God what you do not know.”
VERSE 63. “Are you surprised that a reminder has come to you from your Lord through a man from among you to warn you, that you may be righteous, and that you may receive mercy?”
VERSE 64. They denied him, so We saved him and those with him in the ship, and We drowned those who denied Our revelations; they were a blind people.
in the ship. That is, Noah’s Ark.
VERSE 65. And to ‘Aad We sent their brother Hud, he said: “My people, serve God, you have no god besides Him. Will you not be righteous?”
VERSE 66. The leaders who rejected from among his people said: “We see you in foolishness, and we think you are one of the liars.”
We see you in foolishness. This is a typical way to reject a messenger.
we think you are one of the liars. This is another typical way to reject a messenger.
VERSE 67. He said: “My people, there is no foolishness in me, but I am a messenger from the Lord of the worlds.”
VERSE 68. “To deliver to you the messages of my Lord, and to you I am a trustworthy advisor.”
VERSE 69. “Are you surprised that a reminder has come to you from your Lord through a man from among you to warn you? And remember that He made you successors after the people of Noah, and He increased you in status. So remember the grace of God, that you may succeed.”
VERSE 70. They said: “Have you come to us to serve God alone and abandon what our fathers had served? Bring us what you promise if you are of the truthful ones!”
abandon what our fathers had served. This is a typical way to reject a messenger.
Most people base their lives on the status quo. If a messenger seems to reject the status quo, most people will reject the messenger.
VERSE 71. He said: “You have incurred from your Lord foulness and wrath. Do you argue with me over names which you and your fathers have created with no authority being sent down by God? Wait then, and I will wait with you.”
foulness and wrath. From the divine perspective, their status quo was foulness and wrath.
VERSE 72. We saved him and those with him by a mercy from Us, and We destroyed the remnant of those who rejected Our revelations, they were never believers.
they were never believers. Many people live as if they are a believer. But they are not actually believers.
Instead, their belief is merely shallow or superficial or cultural. Or maybe they are going along with the believing culture in order to fit in.
VERSE 73. And to Thamud, We sent their brother Saleh, he said: “My people, serve God, you have no god besides Him; clarity has come to you from your Lord, this is the camel of God, in her you have a sign, so leave her to eat in God’s earth, and do not harm her, else the painful retribution will take you.”
VERSE 74. “And remember that He made you successors after ‘Aad, and He established you in the land so that you make palaces on its plains, and you carve homes in the mountains. So remember the grace of God, and do not roam the earth as corrupters.”
do not roam the earth. Does the Qur’an prohibit people from being vagabonds?
VERSE 75. The leaders who were arrogant from among his people said to those who were weak and believed from among them: “How do you know that Saleh was sent from his Lord?” They said: “It is in that which he has been sent that we believe.”
The leaders who were arrogant. Many leaders have an arrogant personality.
VERSE 76. Those who were arrogant said: “In that which you believe, we reject!”
VERSE 77. They thus killed the camel and defied the command of their Lord, and they said: “O Saleh, bring us what you promised us if you are of the messengers!”
VERSE 78. The earthquake took them, thus they became lifeless in their home.
VERSE 79. Thus he turned away from them, and said: “My people, I have delivered to you the message of my Lord and advised you; but you do not like the advisers.”
you do not like the advisers. This is a typical way to reject a messenger.
VERSE 80. And Lot, he said to his people: “Do you commit immorality such as none of those of the worlds had done before?”
VERSE 81. “You are approaching the men out of desire instead of the women! Indeed, you are an overindulgent people.”
approaching the men out of desire. This verse notes a homosexual impulse among men.
you are an overindulgent people. That homosexual impulse is spoken against.
VERSE 82. The only response of his people was: “Drive them out of your town, for they are a people who make out to be pure!”
VERSE 83. We saved him and his family, except for his wife; she was of those who were destroyed.
except for his wife. In literature, when a character must die, it is often a woman who is killed whilst the man is spared.
This might reflect a misogynistic impulse in the author.
VERSE 84. And We rained down upon them a rain, so see how was the punishment for the criminals.
VERSE 85. And to Midyan, their brother Shu’ayb, he said: “My people, serve God, you have no god besides Him. Clarity has come to you from your Lord, so give full weight and measure, and do not hold back from the people what belongs to them, and do not make corruption on the earth after it has been set right. That is better for you if you believe.”
give full weight. When using a balance to buy and sell goods, the weights should be “heavy.”
That is, the weights should be the true weight. They should not be lighter than the true weight.
VERSE 86. “And do not stand on every path, robbing, and turning away from the path of God those who believe in Him, and you seek to make it crooked. And remember that you were few and He multiplied you; and see how is the retribution of the corrupters.”
VERSE 87. “And if a group of you believes in what I have been sent with, and a group disbelieves, then wait until God judges between us. He is the best of judges.”
VERSE 88. And the leaders who became arrogant from among his people said: “We will drive you out of our town Shu’ayb, along with those who have believed with you, or you shall return to our creed!” He said: “Will you force us?”
the leaders who became arrogant. Many leaders have an arrogant personality.
VERSE 89. “We will then be inventing lies about God if we return to your creed after God has saved us from it; and we will not return to it except if God our Lord wills, our Lord encompasses everything with knowledge, in God we put our trust. Our Lord, make an opening between us and between our people with the truth, you are the best of openers.”
if we return to your creed. An artifact of Christian history is the Nicene Creed.
The Nicene Creed, also called the Creed of Constantinople, is the defining statement of belief of mainstream Christianity and in those Christian denominations that adhere to it.
VERSE 90. And the leaders who rejected from among his people said: “If you follow Shu’ayb, then you are losers.”
losers. In previous contexts, this term seems to denote the people who go to Hell.
VERSE 91. The earthquake took them, thus they became lifeless in their home.
VERSE 92. Those who denied Shu’ayb, it is as if they had never prospered therein. Those who denied Shu’ayb, they were the losers.
Shu’ayb. This was an ancient Midianite prophet in Islam.
VERSE 93. Thus he turned away from them, and said: “My people, I have delivered to you the messages of my Lord and advised you. How can I feel sorry over a rejecting people?”
VERSE 94. And We do not send a prophet to any town, except afterwards We afflict its people with adversity and hardship that they may implore.
We afflict its people with adversity and hardship. Apparently the LORD God deliberately inflicts suffering upon people.
VERSE 95. Then We replaced the bad with good, until they neglected and said: “Our fathers were touched by both hardship and prosperity.” We then take them suddenly, while they are unaware.
VERSE 96. And if only the people of the towns had believed and been aware, then We would have opened for them blessings from the heavens and the earth; but they denied, so We took them for what they had earned.
VERSE 97. Are the people of the towns sure that Our punishment will not come to them at night while they are sleeping?
Our punishment. This calls to mind the notion of divine punishment.
VERSE 98. Or are the people of the towns sure that Our punishment will not come to them during the late morning while they are playing?
Our punishment. This calls to mind the notion of divine punishment.
VERSE 99. Have they become secure about the scheming of God? None are secure about the scheming of God except the people who are the losers.
the losers. In previous contexts, this term seems to denote the people who go to Hell.
VERSE 100. Is it not a guide for those who inherited the land after them, that if We wished We could have punished them immediately for their sins? And We stamp on their hearts, so they do not hear.
We wished We could have punished them immediately. Apparently God wishes he can punish people.
This is reminiscent of what Richard Rohr called “the Zeus model of God.”
In the Zeus model of God, God is portrayed as sitting on a mountain, being angry at humans, and smashing their stuff.
VERSE 101. These are the towns whose news We narrate to you; their messengers had come to them with proofs, but they would not believe in what they had denied before. It is such that God stamps on the hearts of the rejecters.
VERSE 102. And We did not find most of them up to their pledge, rather, We found most of them wicked.
VERSE 103. Then after them We sent Moses with Our signs to Pharaoh and his commanders. But they did wrong in them, so see how is the end of the corrupters.
VERSE 104. And Moses said: “O Pharaoh, I am a messenger from the Lord of the worlds.”
VERSE 105. “It is not proper for me to say about God except the truth; I have come to you with a proof from your Lord. So send with me the Children of Israel.”
except the truth. A true prophet is an emissary. They speak the objective truth of God.
However, in our day, many Christians who call themselves prophets are merely promoting their own personal preferences.
VERSE 106. He said: “If you have come with a sign then bring it, if you are of the truthful?”
VERSE 107. He cast his staff and it manifested into a serpent.
VERSE 108. And he drew out his hand, and it became pure white for the onlookers.
VERSE 109. The commanders from among the people of Pharaoh said: “This is a knowledgeable magician!”
This is a knowledgeable magician. They interpreted Moses according to their own knowledge.
VERSE 110. “He wishes to drive you out of your land; what is your command?”
He wishes to drive you out of your land. This was not true. Moses did not want to drive the Egyptian people out of their land.
Rather, Moses merely wanted the Hebrew people to escape from their slavery in Egypt.
VERSE 111. They said: “Delay him and his brother, and send gatherers to the cities.”
VERSE 112. “They will come to you with every knowledgeable magician.”
VERSE 113. And the magicians came to Pharaoh, they said: “We shall be rewarded if we are the winners.”
VERSE 114. He said: “Yes, and you shall be made near to me.”
VERSE 115. They said: “O Moses, either you cast, or we will cast?”
VERSE 116. He said: “You cast.” So when they cast, they bewitched the eyes of the people, and instilled terror in them, and they came with a great magic.
they bewitched the eyes of the people. How did the magicians do that?
they came with a great magic. How were they able to do great magic?
VERSE 117. And We inspired Moses: “Cast your staff;” then it was eating up what they fabricated!
VERSE 118. Thus the truth was set, and what they did was made of no effect.
Thus the truth was set. A true prophet is an emissary. They deliver the objective truth of God.
However, in our day, many Christians who call themselves prophets are merely promoting their own personal preferences.
VERSE 119. They were thus defeated there and then, and they turned in disgrace.
VERSE 120. And the magicians went down prostrating.
The magicians changed their worldview.
VERSE 121. They said: “We believe in the Lord of the worlds.”
The magicians believe in the God of Moses.
VERSE 122. “The Lord of Moses and Aaron.”
VERSE 123. Pharaoh said: “Have you become believers before I have given you permission? This is surely some scheme which you have schemed in the city to drive its people out; you will reveal what you know.”
VERSE 124. “I will cut off your hands and feet from alternate sides, then I will crucify you all.”
I will crucify you all. To our knowledge, crucifixion was not practiced in ancient Egypt.
Rather, crucifixion was a weapon of the Roman Empire.
VERSE 125. They said: “It is to our Lord that we will return.”
VERSE 126. “And you are only seeking revenge on us because we believed in the signs of our Lord when they came to us. Our Lord, provide us with patience, and let us die as submitters.”
submitters. To submit yourself to God is the essence of Islam. After all, the word “Islam” means voluntary submission to the will of God.
VERSE 127. And the commanders from among the people of Pharaoh said: “Will you let Moses and his people corrupt the land, and abandon you and your gods?” He said: “We will kill their sons and rape their women; we will be supreme over them.”
He said. Presumably this refers to Pharaoh.
VERSE 128. Moses said to his people: “Seek help with God, and be patient; the earth is for God, He will inherit it to whom He pleases of His servants; and the ending will be for the righteous.”
VERSE 129. They said: “We were being harmed before you came to us and since you have come to us.” He said: “Perhaps your Lord will destroy your enemy, and make you successors in the land, so He sees how you work?”
VERSE 130. And We afflicted the people of Pharaoh for years with a shortage in crops, perhaps they would remember.
a shortage in crops. This probably refers to the famine.
VERSE 131. When any good came to them, they said: “This is ours,” and when any bad afflicted them, they blamed it on Moses and those with him. Their blame is with God, but most of them do not know.
VERSE 132. And they said: “No matter what you bring us of a sign to bewitch us with, we will never believe in you.”
VERSE 133. So We sent them the flood, and the locust, and the lice, and the frogs, and the blood; all detailed signs; but they turned arrogant, they were a criminal people.
they turned arrogant. If a person is confronted with the truth, and if they reject it, they become arrogant.
This is witnessed all the time with political leaders. When confronted with a truth they do not like, they arrogantly deny it.
VERSE 134. And when the affliction befell them, they said: “O Moses, call on your Lord for what He has pledged with you, that if you remove this affliction from us, then we will believe in you and we will send with you the Children of Israel.”
VERSE 135. So when We removed from them the affliction, until a future time, they broke their pledge.
they broke their pledge. This is witnessed all the time with political leaders.
VERSE 136. We thus took vengeance upon them and drowned them in the running water; for their denial of Our signs, and their disregard of them.
drowned them in the running water. That is, the Red Sea.
VERSE 137. And We let the people who were being oppressed inherit the east and the west of the land that We had blessed in. And the good word of your Lord was completed towards the Children of Israel for their patience; and We destroyed what Pharaoh and his people were doing, and what they contrived.
VERSE 138. And We let the Children of Israel cross the sea, then they came upon a people who were devoted to statues made for them; they said: “O Moses, make for us a god like they have gods?” He said: “You are an ignorant people!”
the sea. That is, the Red Sea.
VERSE 139. “These people are ruined for what they are in, and evil is what they do.”
VERSE 140. He said: “Shall I seek other than God as a god for you when He has preferred you over the worlds?”
VERSE 141. And We had saved you from the people of Pharaoh, they were afflicting you with the worst punishment; they used to kill your sons and rape your women; and in that was a great test from your Lord.
VERSE 142. And We set a meeting for Moses in thirty nights, and We complemented them with ten, so the designated time of his Lord was set at forty nights. And Moses said to his brother Aaron: “Be my successor with my people and be upright, and do not follow the path of the corrupters.”
VERSE 143. So when Moses came to Our designated time, and his Lord spoke to him, he said: “My Lord, let me look upon you.” He said: “You will not see Me, but look upon the mountain, if it stays in its place then you will see Me.” So when his Lord revealed Himself to the mountain, He caused it to crumble; thus Moses fell unconscious. When he awoke, he said: “Glory to You, I repent to You and I am the first of those who believe.”
when his Lord revealed Himself to the mountain, He caused it to crumble. This is not attested in the Old Testament.
VERSE 144. He said: “O Moses, I have chosen you over the people with My message and My words; so take what I have given you and be of the thankful.”
be of the thankful. We are to be thankful.
VERSE 145. And We wrote for him in the tablets from everything a lesson, and a detailing of all things. Take it with strength and order your people to take the best of it. I will show you the abode of the wicked.
VERSE 146. I will turn away from My revelations those who are arrogant on the earth without right, and if they see every sign they do not believe in it, and if they see the path of guidance they do not take it as a path; and if they see the path of mischief, they take it as a path. That is because they have denied Our revelations and were heedless of them.
those who are arrogant. The Qur’an opposes people who are arrogant.
Perhaps this is because the essence of Islam is to submit yourself to God. An arrogant person will not submit themselves to Another.
VERSE 147. And those who deny Our revelations and the meeting of the Hereafter, their works have collapsed. Are they not being recompensed except for what they used to do?
VERSE 148. And the people of Moses, in his absence, made from their jewelry the form of a calf that emitted a cry. Did they not see that it could not speak to them, nor guide them to any way? They took it and they were wicked.
the form of a calf. That is, the Golden Calf.
that emitted a cry. This is not attested in the Old Testament.
VERSE 149. And when they realized what their hands had done, and they saw that they had gone astray, they said: “If our Lord will not have mercy on us and forgive us, then we will be of the losers!”
we will be of the losers. In previous contexts, this term seems to denote the people who go to Hell.
VERSE 150. And when Moses returned to his people, angry and grieved, he said: “Miserable is what you have done after I was gone; do you wish to hasten the action of your Lord?” And he cast the tablets, and took his brother by his head dragging him towards him. He said: “Son of my mother, the people overpowered me and nearly killed me, so do not make the enemies rejoice over me, and do not make me with the wicked people.”
the people overpowered me and nearly killed me. This was not even remotely true.
VERSE 151. He said: “My Lord, forgive me and my brother, and admit us in Your mercy; and You are the Most Merciful of those who show mercy.”
forgive me and my brother. Moses asks God to forgive both himself and Aaron.
VERSE 152. Those who took the calf will be dealt with a wrath from their Lord and a humiliation in this worldly life. It is such that We punish the fabricators.
VERSE 153. As for those who commit sin but then repent afterwards and believe; your Lord after that is Forgiving, Merciful.
VERSE 154. And when the anger subsided from Moses, he took the tablets; and in its inscription was a guidance and a mercy for those who reverence their Lord.
VERSE 155. And Moses selected from his people seventy men for Our designated time; so when the earthquake seized them, he said: “My Lord, if You wished You could have destroyed them before this, and me as well. Will you destroy us for what the foolish among us have done? It is all Your test, You misguide with it whom You please and You guide with it whom You please. You are our Supporter, so forgive us and have mercy on us; You are the Best Forgiver.”
Moses selected from his people seventy men. See Numbers 11:16-23. The Seventy Elders.
VERSE 156. “And decree for us good in this world, and in the Hereafter; we have been guided towards You.” He said: “My punishment, I afflict with it whom I choose, and My mercy encompasses all things. I will thus decree it for those who are aware and contribute towards purification, and those who believe in Our revelations.”
VERSE 157. Those who follow the messenger, the gentile prophet, whom they find written for them in the Torah and the Gospel; he advocates them for good and prohibits them from vice, and he makes permissible for them the good things, and he makes forbidden for them the vile things, and he removes their burden and the shackles that are upon them. So those who believe in him, and support him, and help him persevere, and follow the light that was sent down with him; these are the successful ones.
the messenger, the gentile prophet. Perhaps this refers to the prophet Mohammed.
the Torah. This prophet has spoken through the Old Testament.
and the Gospel. This prophet has also spoken through the New Testament.
VERSE 158. Say: “O people, I am a messenger of God to you all. The One who has the sovereignty of the heavens and the earth, there is no god except He; He gives life and causes death.” So believe in God and His messenger, the gentile prophet, who believes in God and His words; and follow him that you may be guided.
VERSE 159. And from among the people of Moses are a nation who guide with the truth and with it they become just.
VERSE 160. And We separated them into twelve patriarch nations; and We inspired Moses when his people wanted to drink: “Strike the rock with your staff,” thus twelve springs burst out of it. Each people then knew from where to drink. And We shaded them with clouds and We sent down to them manna and quail: “Eat from the good things that We have provided for you.” They did not wrong Us, but it was their souls that they wronged.
VERSE 161. And they were told: “Reside in this town and eat from it as you please, and say: “Our load is removed,” and enter the passageway by crouching, We will forgive for you your wrongdoings, and We will increase for the good doers.”
enter the passageway by crouching. This is an interesting requirement.
VERSE 162. Those who were transgressors among them altered what was said to them with something different; so We sent to them an affliction from the heaven for what transgression they were in.
altered what was said to them with something different. People often do this. They lie about what was said, so as to make the other person look bad.
VERSE 163. And ask them about the town which was by the sea, after they had transgressed the Sabbath; their fish would come to them openly on the day of their Sabbath, and when they are not in Sabbath, they do not come to them! It is such that We afflicted them for what wickedness they were in.
We afflicted them. To punish the wicked people, God changed the daily habits of fish.
VERSE 164. And a nation from among them said: “Why do you preach to a people whom God will destroy or punish a painful retribution?” They said: “A plea to your Lord, and perhaps they may be aware.”
VERSE 165. So when they forgot that which they were reminded of, We saved those who prohibited wickedness, and We took those who transgressed with a grievous retribution for what wickedness they were in.
VERSE 166. So when they persisted in that which they had been prohibited from, We said to them: “Be despicable apes!”
VERSE 167. And your Lord has sworn that He will send upon them, until the Day of Resurrection, people who would inflict severe punishments on them. Your Lord is swift to punish, and He is Forgiving, Merciful.
VERSE 168. And We divided them through the land as nations. From them are the upright, and from them are other than that. And We tested them with good things and bad, perhaps they will return.
We divided them. God punished them by dividing them.
Division is indeed a punishment. It is the opposite of Unity.
VERSE 169. Then, a generation came after them who inherited the Book, but they opted for the materialism of that which is lower; and they say: “It will be forgiven for us.” And they continue to opt for the materialism if it comes to them; was not the covenant of the Book taken on them that they would only say the truth about God, and they studied what was in it? And the abode of the Hereafter is better for those who are aware. Do you not comprehend?
they opted for the materialism. They became materialistic. Like many people of today.
VERSE 170. As for those who hold fast to the Book, and they hold the Connection; We will not waste the reward of the righteous.
VERSE 171. And We raised the mountain above them as if it were a cloud, and they thought it would fall on them: “Take what We have given you with strength and remember what is in it that you may be righteous.”
We raised the mountain above them. This is not recorded in the Old Testament.
they thought it would fall on them. This too is not recorded in the Old Testament. But it harmonizes with a passage in the New Testament where people ask the mountains to fall on them:
Revelation 6:16. They told the mountains and the rocks, “Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him who sits on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb,
VERSE 172. And your Lord took for the children of Adam from their backs, their progeny; and He made them witness over themselves: “Am I not your Lord?” They said: “Yes, we bear witness.” Thus you cannot say on the Day of Resurrection that you were unaware of this.
from their backs. Apparently the Old Testament people carried their babies on their backs.
VERSE 173. Nor can you say: “It was our fathers who set up partners before and we were simply a progeny who came after them. Would You destroy us for what the innovators did?”
the innovators. Or “the falsifiers” (see Qur’an.com).
VERSE 174. It is such that We explain the revelations, perhaps they will return.
VERSE 175. And recite to them the news of the person whom Our revelations were given to him, but he removed himself from them, and thus the devil followed him, and he became of those who went astray.
the person whom Our revelations were given. This may have been Bal’am ibn Ba’ûrâ’.
He was a scholar who lived at the time of Moses but later deviated from the truth. See footnote 1 at Qur’an.com.
VERSE 176. And if We had wished, We could have raised him with it, but he stuck to the earth and he followed his desire. His example is like the dog, if you scold him he pants, and if you leave him he pants; such is the example of the people who deny Our revelations. So narrate the stories, perhaps they will think.
VERSE 177. Miserable is the example of the people who denied Our revelations, and it was their souls that they had wronged.
VERSE 178. Whoever God guides, then he is the guided one; and whoever He misguides, then these are the losers.
Whoever God guides. If God guides you, you are guided.
whoever He misguides. If God misguides you, you are a loser. In previous contexts, this term seems to denote the people who go to Hell.
Apparently God misguides some people, on purpose, so they go to Hell.
VERSE 179. And We have given to Hell many of the Jinn and mankind; they had hearts with which they did not understand, and they had eyes with which they did not see, and they had ears with which they did not hear. They are like hoofed animals; no, they are even more astray. These are the unaware ones.
VERSE 180. And to God belongs the most beautiful names, so call Him by them; and leave alone those who deviate His names. They will be punished for what they used to do.
to God belongs the most beautiful names. The LORD God has many names.
call Him by them. We are free to call the LORD God by any of his names.
VERSE 181. And from among those We created is a nation who guides with the truth, and with it they are just.
VERSE 182. As for those who deny Our revelations, We will entice them from where they do not know.
VERSE 183. And I will encourage them, for My planning is formidable.
VERSE 184. Do they not reflect? Their companion has no madness; but he is a clear warner.
warner. That is, one who gives clear warning.
VERSE 185. Have they not looked at the dominion of the heavens and the earth, and all that God has created? Perhaps their time is drawing near; so in which narrative after this one will they believe?
VERSE 186. Whoever God misguides, then there is none to guide him; and He leaves them blindly wandering in their transgression.
God misguides. Apparently the LORD God deliberately misguides people.
VERSE 187. They ask you regarding the Hour: “When will be its time?” Say: “Its knowledge is with my Lord, none can reveal its coming except He. It is heavy through the heavens and the earth; it will not come to you except suddenly.” They ask you, as if you are responsible for it! Say: “Its knowledge is with God, but most of the people do not know.”
When will be its time? Christians often ask this question with regard to the triumphal return of the Lord Jesus at the End of Days.
VERSE 188. Say: “I do not possess for myself any benefit or harm, except what God wills. And if I could know the future, then I would have increased my good fortune, and no harm would have come to me. I am but a warner and a bearer of good news to a people who believe.”
VERSE 189. He is the One who has created you from one person, and He made from it its mate to reside with. When he dwelled with her, she became pregnant with a light load, and she continued with it; then when it became heavy, they called on God, their Lord: “If You give us an upright child, then we will be among the thankful.”
Yusaf Ali translation at My Islam:
It is He Who created you from a single person, and made his mate of like nature, in order that he might dwell with her (in love). When they are united, she bears a light burden and carries it about (unnoticed). When she grows heavy, they both pray to Allah their Lord, (saying): “If Thou givest us a goodly child, we vow we shall (ever) be grateful.”
VERSE 190. But when He gave them an upright child, they set up partners with Him in what He had given them. God be exalted above what they set up as partners.
VERSE 191. Do they set up those who do not create anything, while they are created?
VERSE 192. And they cannot give them aid, nor can they aid themselves?
VERSE 193. And if you invite them to the guidance they will not follow you. It is the same whether you invite them or simply keep quiet.
if you invite them to the guidance. This is the essence of evangelism. It is to invite people to the Divine revelation.
VERSE 194. Those whom you call on besides God are servants like you; so let them answer for you if you are truthful.
VERSE 195. Do they have feet with which to walk? Or, do they have hands with which to strike? Or, do they have eyes with which to see? Or, do they have ears with which to hear? Say: “Call on your partners, then plan against me. You will not be given respite.”
plan against me. To plan against God is foolish.
VERSE 196. “My supporter is God who sent down the Book; and He takes care of the righteous.”
the Book. Presumably the Qur’an.
VERSE 197. As for those whom you call on besides Him, they cannot aid you, nor can they aid themselves.
VERSE 198. And when you invite them to the guidance, they do not listen. And you see them looking at you, while they do not see.
you invite them to the guidance. This is the essence of evangelism. It is to invite people to the Divine revelation.
VERSE 199. Take to pardoning, and order what is good, and turn away from the ignorant ones.
VERSE 200. And if bitterness from the devil afflicts you, then seek refuge with God. He is the Hearer, the Knower.
if bitterness … afflicts you. Some people are very bitter.
VERSE 201. Those who are pious, when any evil from the devil touches them, they remember, then they can see.
VERSE 202. And their brethren attempt to drive them towards error, they do not cease.
VERSE 203. And because you do not bring them a sign, they say: “If only you had brought one.” Say: “I only follow what is inspired to me from my Lord. This is an evidence from your Lord, and a guide and mercy to a people who believe.”
you do not bring them a sign. In our era, we believers are not normally able to deliver a sign from God.
VERSE 204. And if the Qur’an is being read, then listen to it and pay attention, that you may receive mercy.
the Qur’an. The Qur’an mentions itself!
VERSE 205. And remember your Lord within yourself, in humility and in reverence; and without loudness in words, during the morning and the evening. And do not be of the careless ones.
without loudness. Christians should heed this. They are often angry and shouting.
VERSE 206. Those who are at your Lord, they are never too proud to serve Him, and they glorify Him, and to Him they yield.
THE QUR’AN
CHAPTERS: 01, 02, 03, 04, 05, 06, 07, 08, 09, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99, 100, 101, 102, 103, 104, 105, 106, 107, 108, 109, 110, 111, 112, 113, 114
RESOURCES: Summary, Outline, Memorize, Phrases, Adventures
Here at the Explore the Faith website, we are using the Modern Literal Translation of the Qur’an by Free Minds. According to their About Us page, all their work at that site, unless specified, may be copied and/or distributed on condition that reference is given back to www.free-minds.org. According to Wikisource, the Modern Literal Translation “is in the public domain worldwide because it has been so released by the copyright holder.”
To help our understanding, we are consulting The Sublime Quran, Revised Edition, translated by Laleh Bakhtiar, Ph.D., distributed by Kazi Publications.
Unless otherwise noted, all Bible quotations on this page are from the World English Bible and the World Messianic Edition. These translations have no copyright restrictions. They are in the Public Domain.