Sura 42: Consultation
(Al-Shoorã)
In the name of God, Most Gracious, Most Merciful

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حم

H.M.*

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عسق

‘A.S.Q.*

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كذلك يوحي اليك والى الذين من قبلك الله العزيز الحكيم

Inspiring you, and those before you, is GOD, the Almighty, Most Wise.

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له ما في السماوات وما في الارض وهو العلي العظيم

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

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تكاد السماوات يتفطرن من فوقهن والملائكة يسبحون بحمد ربهم ويستغفرون لمن في الارض الا ان الله هو الغفور الرحيم

The heavens above them almost shatter, out of reverence for Him, and the angels praise and glorify their Lord, and they ask forgiveness for those on earth. Absolutely, GOD is the Forgiver, Most Merciful.

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والذين اتخذوا من دونه اولياء الله حفيظ عليهم وما انت عليهم بوكيل

Those who set up other lords beside Him, GOD is the One in charge of them; you are not their advocate.

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وكذلك اوحينا اليك قرانا عربيا لتنذر ام القرى ومن حولها وتنذر يوم الجمع لا ريب فيه فريق في الجنة وفريق في السعير

We thus reveal to you an Arabic Quran to warn the central community and all around it, and to warn about the Day of Summoning that is inevitable. Some will end up in Heaven, and some in Hell.

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ولو شاء الله لجعلهم امة واحدة ولكن يدخل من يشاء في رحمته والظالمون ما لهم من ولي ولا نصير

Had GOD willed, He could have made them one community. But He redeems into His mercy whomever He wills. As for the transgressors, they have no master, nor a helper.

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ام اتخذوا من دونه اولياء فالله هو الولي وهو يحيي الموتى وهو على كل شيء قدير

Did they find other lords beside Him? GOD is the only Lord and Master. He is the One who resurrects the dead, and He is the Omnipotent One.

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وما اختلفتم فيه من شيء فحكمه الى الله ذلكم الله ربي عليه توكلت واليه انيب

If you dispute any part of this message, the judgment for doing this rests with GOD. Such is GOD my Lord. In Him I trust, and to Him I submit.

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None Equals God

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فاطر السماوات والارض جعل لكم من انفسكم ازواجا ومن الانعام ازواجا يذرؤكم فيه ليس كمثله شيء وهو السميع البصير

Initiator of the heavens and the earth. He created for you from among yourselves spouses—and also for the animals. He thus provides you with the means to multiply. There is nothing that equals Him. He is the Hearer, the Seer.

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له مقاليد السماوات والارض يبسط الرزق لمن يشاء ويقدر انه بكل شيء عليم

To Him belongs absolute control of the heavens and the earth. He is the One who increases the provision for whomever He wills, or reduces it. He is fully aware of all things.

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Only One Religion

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شرع لكم من الدين ما وصى به نوحا والذي اوحينا اليك وما وصينا به ابراهيم وموسى وعيسى ان اقيموا الدين ولا تتفرقوا فيه كبر على المشركين ما تدعوهم اليه الله يجتبي اليه من يشاء ويهدي اليه من ينيب

He decreed for you the same religion decreed for Noah, and what we inspired to you, and what we decreed for Abraham, Moses, and Jesus: “You shall uphold this one religion, and do not divide it.” Monotheists vs. Idol Worshipers The idol worshipers will greatly resent what you invite them to do. GOD redeems to Himself whomever He wills; He guides to Himself only those who totally submit.

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وما تفرقوا الا من بعد ما جاءهم العلم بغيا بينهم ولولا كلمة سبقت من ربك الى اجل مسمى لقضي بينهم وان الذين اورثوا الكتاب من بعدهم لفي شك منه مريب

Ironically, they broke up into sects only after the knowledge had come to them, due to jealousy and resentment among themselves. If it were not for a predetermined decision from your Lord to respite them for a definite interim, they would have been judged immediately. Indeed, the later generations who inherited the scripture are full of doubts.

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Message to the Christians<br>and the Jews

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فلذلك فادع واستقم كما امرت ولا تتبع اهواءهم وقل امنت بما انزل الله من كتاب وامرت لاعدل بينكم الله ربنا وربكم لنا اعمالنا ولكم اعمالكم لا حجة بيننا وبينكم الله يجمع بيننا واليه المصير

This is what you shall preach, and steadfastly maintain what you are commanded to do, and do not follow their wishes. And proclaim: “I believe in all the scriptures sent down by GOD. I was commanded to judge among you equitably. GOD is our Lord and your Lord. We have our deeds and you have your deeds. There is no argument between us and you. GOD will gather us all together; to Him is the ultimate destiny.”

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والذين يحاجون في الله من بعد ما استجيب له حجتهم داحضة عند ربهم وعليهم غضب ولهم عذاب شديد

Those who argue about GOD, after receiving His message, their argument is nullified at their Lord. They have incurred condemnation, and have deserved a severe retribution.

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الله الذي انزل الكتاب بالحق والميزان وما يدريك لعل الساعة قريب

GOD is the One who sent down the scripture, to deliver the truth and the law. For all that you know, the Hour (Day of Judgment) may be very close.

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The Believers Mindful<br>of the Day of Judgment

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يستعجل بها الذين لا يؤمنون بها والذين امنوا مشفقون منها ويعلمون انها الحق الا ان الذين يمارون في الساعة لفي ضلال بعيد

Challenging it are those who do not believe in it. As for those who believe, they are concerned about it, and they know that it is the truth. Absolutely, those who deny the Hour have gone far astray.

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الله لطيف بعباده يرزق من يشاء وهو القوي العزيز

GOD is fully aware of all His creatures; He provides for whomever He wills. He is the Powerful, the Almighty.

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من كان يريد حرث الاخرة نزد له في حرثه ومن كان يريد حرث الدنيا نؤته منها وما له في الاخرة من نصيب

Whoever seeks the rewards of the Hereafter, we multiply the rewards for him. And whoever seeks the materials of this world, we give him therefrom, then he receives no share in the Hereafter.

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The Idols:<br>Innovating New Religious Laws*

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ام لهم شركاء شرعوا لهم من الدين ما لم ياذن به الله ولولا كلمة الفصل لقضي بينهم وان الظالمين لهم عذاب اليم

They follow idols who decree for them religious laws never authorized by GOD. If it were not for the predetermined decision, they would have been judged immediately. Indeed, the transgressors have incurred a painful retribution.*

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ترى الظالمين مشفقين مما كسبوا وهو واقع بهم والذين امنوا وعملوا الصالحات في روضات الجنات لهم ما يشاءون عند ربهم ذلك هو الفضل الكبير

You will see the transgressors worried about everything they had committed; everything will come back and haunt them. As for those who believed and led a righteous life, they will be in the gardens of Paradise. They will receive whatever they wish from their Lord. This is the great blessing.

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ذلك الذي يبشر الله عباده الذين امنوا وعملوا الصالحات قل لا اسالكم عليه اجرا الا المودة في القربى ومن يقترف حسنة نزد له فيها حسنا ان الله غفور شكور

This is the good news from GOD to His servants who believe and lead a righteous life. Say, “I do not ask you for any wage. I do ask each of you to take care of your own relatives.” Anyone who does a righteous work, we multiply his reward for it. GOD is Forgiver, Appreciative.

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God Erases the Falsehood and<br>Affirms the Truth*

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ام يقولون افترى على الله كذبا فان يشا الله يختم على قلبك ويمح الله الباطل ويحق الحق بكلماته انه عليم بذات الصدور

Are they saying, “He (Rashad)* has fabricated lies about GOD!”? If GOD willed, He could have sealed your mind, but GOD erases the falsehood and affirms the truth with His words. He is fully aware of the innermost thoughts.

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وهو الذي يقبل التوبة عن عباده ويعفو عن السيئات ويعلم ما تفعلون

He is the One who accepts the repentance from His servants, and remits the sins. He is fully aware of everything you do.

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ويستجيب الذين امنوا وعملوا الصالحات ويزيدهم من فضله والكافرون لهم عذاب شديد

Responding to Him are those who believe and lead a righteous life. He will shower them with His blessings. As for the disbelievers, they have incurred a severe retribution.

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ولو بسط الله الرزق لعباده لبغوا في الارض ولكن ينزل بقدر ما يشاء انه بعباده خبير بصير

If GOD increased the provision for His servants, they would transgress on earth. This is why He sends it precisely measured to whomever He wills. He is fully Cognizant and Seer of His servants.

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وهو الذي ينزل الغيث من بعد ما قنطوا وينشر رحمته وهو الولي الحميد

He is the One who sends down the rain after they had despaired, and spreads His mercy. He is the only Master, Most Praiseworthy.

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ومن اياته خلق السماوات والارض وما بث فيهما من دابة وهو على جمعهم اذا يشاء قدير

Among His proofs is the creation of the heavens and the earth, and the creatures He spreads in them. He is able to summon them, when He wills.

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Only A Consequence

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وما اصابكم من مصيبة فبما كسبت ايديكم ويعفو عن كثير

Anything bad that happens to you is a consequence of your own deeds, and He overlooks many (of your sins).

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وما انتم بمعجزين في الارض وما لكم من دون الله من ولي ولا نصير

You can never escape, and you have none beside GOD as a Lord and Master.

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ومن اياته الجوار في البحر كالاعلام

Among His proofs are the ships that sail the sea with sails like flags.

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ان يشا يسكن الريح فيظللن رواكد على ظهره ان في ذلك لايات لكل صبار شكور

If He willed, He could have stilled the winds, leaving them motionless on top of the water. These are proofs for those who are steadfast, appreciative.

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او يوبقهن بما كسبوا ويعف عن كثير

He can annihilate them, as a consequence of their own works. Instead, He overlooks many (of their sins).

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ويعلم الذين يجادلون في اياتنا ما لهم من محيص

Those who argue against our proofs will find out that they have no basis.

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فما اوتيتم من شيء فمتاع الحياة الدنيا وما عند الله خير وابقى للذين امنوا وعلى ربهم يتوكلون

Whatever you are given is no more than temporary material of this life. What GOD possesses is far better and everlasting, for those who believe and trust in their Lord.

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Traits of the Believers

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والذين يجتنبون كبائر الاثم والفواحش واذا ما غضبوا هم يغفرون

They avoid gross sins and vice, and when angered they forgive.

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والذين استجابوا لربهم واقاموا الصلاة وامرهم شورى بينهم ومما رزقناهم ينفقون

They respond to their Lord by observing the Contact Prayers (Salat). Their affairs are decided after due consultation among themselves, and from our provisions to them they give (to charity).

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والذين اذا اصابهم البغي هم ينتصرون

When gross injustice befalls them, they stand up for their rights.

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وجزاء سيئة سيئة مثلها فمن عفا واصلح فاجره على الله انه لا يحب الظالمين

Although the just requital for an injustice is an equivalent retribution, those who pardon and maintain righteousness are rewarded by GOD. He does not love the unjust.

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ولمن انتصر بعد ظلمه فاولئك ما عليهم من سبيل

Certainly, those who stand up for their rights, when injustice befalls them, are not committing any error.

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انما السبيل على الذين يظلمون الناس ويبغون في الارض بغير الحق اولئك لهم عذاب اليم

The wrong ones are those who treat the people unjustly, and resort to aggression without provocation. These have incurred a painful retribution.

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ولمن صبر وغفر ان ذلك لمن عزم الامور

Resorting to patience and forgiveness reflects a true strength of character.

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ومن يضلل الله فما له من ولي من بعده وترى الظالمين لما راوا العذاب يقولون هل الى مرد من سبيل

Whomever GOD sends astray will never find any other lord, and you will see such transgressors, when they see the retribution, saying, “Can we get another chance?”

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وتراهم يعرضون عليها خاشعين من الذل ينظرون من طرف خفي وقال الذين امنوا ان الخاسرين الذين خسروا انفسهم واهليهم يوم القيامة الا ان الظالمين في عذاب مقيم

You will see them facing it, humiliated and debased, and looking, yet trying to avoid looking. Those who believed will proclaim: “The real losers are those who lost their souls and their families on the Day of Resurrection. The transgressors have deserved an everlasting retribution.”

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وما كان لهم من اولياء ينصرونهم من دون الله ومن يضلل الله فما له من سبيل

There will be no allies to help them against GOD. Whomever GOD sends astray can never be guided.

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استجيبوا لربكم من قبل ان ياتي يوم لا مرد له من الله ما لكم من ملجا يومئذ وما لكم من نكير

You shall respond to your Lord before a day comes which is decreed inevitable by GOD. There will be no refuge for you on that day, nor an advocate.

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Sole Mission of the Messenger

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فان اعرضوا فما ارسلناك عليهم حفيظا ان عليك الا البلاغ وانا اذا اذقنا الانسان منا رحمة فرح بها وان تصبهم سيئة بما قدمت ايديهم فان الانسان كفور

If they turn away, we did not send you as their guardian. Your sole mission is delivering the message. When we shower the human beings with mercy, they become proud, and when adversity afflicts them, as a consequence of their own deeds, the human beings turn into disbelievers.

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لله ملك السماوات والارض يخلق ما يشاء يهب لمن يشاء اناثا ويهب لمن يشاء الذكور

To GOD belongs the sovereignty of the heavens and the earth. He creates whatever He wills, granting daughters to whomever He wills, and granting sons to whomever He wills.

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او يزوجهم ذكرانا واناثا ويجعل من يشاء عقيما انه عليم قدير

Or, He may have the males and the females marry each other, then render whomever He wills sterile. He is Omniscient, Omnipotent.

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How God Communicates With Us

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وما كان لبشر ان يكلمه الله الا وحيا او من وراء حجاب او يرسل رسولا فيوحي باذنه ما يشاء انه علي حكيم

No human being can communicate with GOD except through inspiration, or from behind a barrier, or by sending a messenger through whom He reveals what He wills. He is the Most High, Most Wise.

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وكذلك اوحينا اليك روحا من امرنا ما كنت تدري ما الكتاب ولا الايمان ولكن جعلناه نورا نهدي به من نشاء من عبادنا وانك لتهدي الى صراط مستقيم

Thus, we inspired to you a revelation proclaiming our commandments. You had no idea about the scripture, or faith. Yet, we made this a beacon to guide whomever we choose from among our servants. Surely, you guide in a straight path.

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صراط الله الذي له ما في السماوات وما في الارض الا الى الله تصير الامور

The path of GOD, to whom belongs everything in the heavens and everything on earth. Absolutely, all matters are controlled by GOD.

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