Sura 43: Ornaments
(Al-Zukhruf)
In the name of God, Most Gracious, Most Merciful

---

حم

H.M.*

---

والكتاب المبين

And the enlightening scripture.

---

انا جعلناه قرانا عربيا لعلكم تعقلون

We have rendered it an Arabic Quran, that you may understand.*

---

وانه في ام الكتاب لدينا لعلي حكيم

It is preserved with us in the original master, honorable and full of wisdom.

---

افنضرب عنكم الذكر صفحا ان كنتم قوما مسرفين

Should we just ignore the fact that you have transgressed the limits?*

---

The Plan for Redemption

---

وكم ارسلنا من نبي في الاولين

We have sent many a prophet to the previous generations.

---

وما ياتيهم من نبي الا كانوا به يستهزئون

Every time a prophet went to them, they ridiculed him.

---

فاهلكنا اشد منهم بطشا ومضى مثل الاولين

Consequently, we annihilated people who were even more powerful than these. We thus set the examples from the previous communities.

---

ولئن سالتهم من خلق السماوات والارض ليقولن خلقهن العزيز العليم

If you asked them, “Who created the heavens and the earth,” they would say, “The Almighty, the Omniscient has created them.”

---

الذي جعل لكم الارض مهدا وجعل لكم فيها سبلا لعلكم تهتدون

He is the One who made the earth habitable for you, and created for you roads therein, that you may follow the right way.

---

والذي نزل من السماء ماء بقدر فانشرنا به بلدة ميتا كذلك تخرجون

He is the One who sends down from the sky water, in exact measure, to revive dead lands therewith. Similarly, you will be resurrected.

---

والذي خلق الازواج كلها وجعل لكم من الفلك والانعام ما تركبون

He is the One who created all kinds, in pairs (male and female), and He created for you ships and livestock to ride.

---

لتستووا على ظهوره ثم تذكروا نعمة ربكم اذا استويتم عليه وتقولوا سبحان الذي سخر لنا هذا وما كنا له مقرنين

As you rest on top of them, you shall appreciate such a blessing from your Lord, and say, “Glory be to the One who subdued this for us. We could not have controlled them by ourselves.

---

وانا الى ربنا لمنقلبون

“We ultimately return to our Lord.”

---

Angels As Daughters: A Blasphemy

---

وجعلوا له من عباده جزءا ان الانسان لكفور مبين

They even assigned for Him a share from His own creation! Surely, the human being is profoundly unappreciative.

---

ام اتخذ مما يخلق بنات واصفاكم بالبنين

Has He chosen from among His creations daughters for Himself, while blessing you with sons?

---

واذا بشر احدهم بما ضرب للرحمن مثلا ظل وجهه مسودا وهو كظيم

When one of them is given news (of a daughter) as they claimed for the Most Gracious, his face is darkened with misery and anger!

---

اومن ينشا في الحلية وهو في الخصام غير مبين

(They say,) “What is good about an offspring that is brought up to be beautiful, and cannot help in war?”

---

وجعلوا الملائكة الذين هم عباد الرحمن اناثا اشهدوا خلقهم ستكتب شهادتهم ويسالون

They claimed that the angels, who are servants of the Most Gracious, are females! Have they witnessed their creation? Their claims are recorded, and they will be asked.

---

وقالوا لو شاء الرحمن ما عبدناهم ما لهم بذلك من علم ان هم الا يخرصون

They even said, “If the Most Gracious willed, we would not have worshiped them.” They have no basis for such a claim; they only conjecture.*

---

ام اتيناهم كتابا من قبله فهم به مستمسكون

Have we given them a book before this, and they are upholding it?

---

Inherited Traditions Condemned

---

بل قالوا انا وجدنا اباءنا على امة وانا على اثارهم مهتدون

The fact is: they said, “We found our parents carrying on certain practices, and we are following in their footsteps.”

---

وكذلك ما ارسلنا من قبلك في قرية من نذير الا قال مترفوها انا وجدنا اباءنا على امة وانا على اثارهم مقتدون

Invariably, when we sent a warner to any community, the leaders of that community would say, “We found our parents following certain practices, and we will continue in their footsteps.”

---

قال اولو جئتكم باهدى مما وجدتم عليه اباءكم قالوا انا بما ارسلتم به كافرون

(The messenger) would say, “What if I brought to you better guidance than what you inherited from your parents?” They would say, “We are disbelievers in the message you brought.”

---

فانتقمنا منهم فانظر كيف كان عاقبة المكذبين

Consequently, we requited them Note the consequences for the rejectors.

---

Abraham’s Example

---

واذ قال ابراهيم لابيه وقومه انني براء مما تعبدون

Abraham said to his father and his people, “I disown what you worship.

---

الا الذي فطرني فانه سيهدين

“Only the One who initiated me can guide me.”

---

وجعلها كلمة باقية في عقبه لعلهم يرجعون

This example (of Abraham) was rendered an everlasting lesson for subsequent generations; perhaps they redeem their souls.

---

بل متعت هؤلاء واباءهم حتى جاءهم الحق ورسول مبين

Indeed, I have given these people and their ancestors sufficient chances, then the truth came to them, and a clarifying messenger.

---

ولما جاءهم الحق قالوا هذا سحر وانا به كافرون

When the truth came to them, they said, “This is magic, and we are disbelievers therein.”

---

Muhammad Ridiculed

---

وقالوا لولا نزل هذا القران على رجل من القريتين عظيم

They said, “If only this Quran was sent down through another man from the two communities (Mecca or Yathrib) who is prominent!”

---

اهم يقسمون رحمت ربك نحن قسمنا بينهم معيشتهم في الحياة الدنيا ورفعنا بعضهم فوق بعض درجات ليتخذ بعضهم بعضا سخريا ورحمت ربك خير مما يجمعون

Are they the ones who assign your Lord’s mercy? We have assigned their shares in this life, raising some of them above others in ranks, in order to let them serve one another. The mercy from your Lord is far better than any material they may hoard.

---

Materials of This World:<br>All That The Disbelievers Get

---

ولولا ان يكون الناس امة واحدة لجعلنا لمن يكفر بالرحمن لبيوتهم سقفا من فضة ومعارج عليها يظهرون

If it were not that all the people might become one (disbelieving) congregation, we would have granted everyone who disbelieves in the Most Gracious mansions with silver roofs, and stairs upon which they could climb.

---

ولبيوتهم ابوابا وسررا عليها يتكئون

Their mansions would have impressive gates, and luxurious furnishings.

---

وزخرفا وان كل ذلك لما متاع الحياة الدنيا والاخرة عند ربك للمتقين

Also many ornaments. All these are the temporary materials of this lowly life. The Hereafter—at your Lord—is far better for the righteous.

---

Invisible, Devilish, Companions*

---

ومن يعش عن ذكر الرحمن نقيض له شيطانا فهو له قرين

Anyone who disregards the message of the Most Gracious, we appoint a devil to be his constant companion.*

---

وانهم ليصدونهم عن السبيل ويحسبون انهم مهتدون

Such companions will divert them from the path, yet make them believe that they are guided.

---

حتى اذا جاءنا قال يا ليت بيني وبينك بعد المشرقين فبئس القرين

When he comes before us he will say, “Oh I wish you were as far from me as the two easts.* What a miserable companion!”

---

ولن ينفعكم اليوم اذ ظلمتم انكم في العذاب مشتركون

It will not console you on that day, as transgressors, that both of you will share in the retribution.

---

God’s Messenger of<br>the Covenant

---

افانت تسمع الصم او تهدي العمي ومن كان في ضلال مبين

Can you make the deaf hear; can you make the blind see, or those who are far astray?

---

فاما نذهبن بك فانا منهم منتقمون

Whether we let you die before it or not, we will surely requite them.

---

او نرينك الذي وعدناهم فانا عليهم مقتدرون

Or, we may show you (the retribution) we promised for them. We are in full control over them.

---

فاستمسك بالذي اوحي اليك انك على صراط مستقيم

You shall steadfastly preach what is revealed to you; you are in the right path.*

---

وانه لذكر لك ولقومك وسوف تسالون

This is a message for you and your people; all of you will be questioned.

---

واسال من ارسلنا من قبلك من رسلنا اجعلنا من دون الرحمن الهة يعبدون

Check the messengers we sent before you: “Have we ever appointed any other gods—beside the Most Gracious—to be worshiped?”

---

ولقد ارسلنا موسى باياتنا الى فرعون وملئه فقال اني رسول رب العالمين

For example, we sent Moses with our proofs to Pharaoh and his elders, proclaiming: “I am a messenger from the Lord of the universe.”

---

فلما جاءهم باياتنا اذا هم منها يضحكون

When he showed them our proofs, they laughed at them.

---

Moses and Pharaoh

---

وما نريهم من اية الا هي اكبر من اختها واخذناهم بالعذاب لعلهم يرجعون

Every sign we showed them was bigger than the one before it. We afflicted them with the plagues, perhaps they repent.

---

وقالوا يا ايه الساحر ادع لنا ربك بما عهد عندك اننا لمهتدون

They said, “O you magician, implore your Lord on our behalf, since you have an agreement with Him (to relieve this plague); we will then be guided.”

---

فلما كشفنا عنهم العذاب اذا هم ينكثون

But as soon as we relieved their affliction, they reverted.

---

ونادى فرعون في قومه قال يا قوم اليس لي ملك مصر وهذه الانهار تجري من تحتي افلا تبصرون

Pharaoh announced to his people, “O my people, do I not possess the kingship over Egypt, and these flowing rivers belong to me? Do you not see?

---

ام انا خير من هذا الذي هو مهين ولا يكاد يبين

“Which one is better; me or that one who is lowly and can hardly speak?

---

فلولا القي عليه اسورة من ذهب او جاء معه الملائكة مقترنين

“How come he does not possess a treasure of gold; how come the angels do not accompany him?”

---

فاستخف قومه فاطاعوه انهم كانوا قوما فاسقين

He thus fooled his people, and they obeyed him; they were wicked people.

---

فلما اسفونا انتقمنا منهم فاغرقناهم اجمعين

When they persisted in opposing us, we punished them and drowned them all.

---

فجعلناهم سلفا ومثلا للاخرين

We rendered them a precedent and an example for the others.

---

Jesus: Another Example

---

ولما ضرب ابن مريم مثلا اذا قومك منه يصدون

When the son of Mary was cited as an example, your people disregarded it.

---

وقالوا االهتنا خير ام هو ما ضربوه لك الا جدلا بل هم قوم خصمون

They said, “Is it better to worship our gods, or to worship him?” They said this only to argue with you. Indeed, they are people who have joined the opposition.

---

ان هو الا عبد انعمنا عليه وجعلناه مثلا لبني اسرائيل

He was no more than a servant whom we blessed, and we sent him as an example for the Children of Israel.

---

ولو نشاء لجعلنا منكم ملائكة في الارض يخلفون

If we willed, we could have made you angels who colonize and reproduce on earth.

---

Jesus and the End of the World*

---

وانه لعلم للساعة فلا تمترن بها واتبعون هذا صراط مستقيم

He is to serve as a marker for knowing the end of the world, * so you can no longer harbor any doubt about it. You shall follow Me; this is the right path.

---

ولا يصدنكم الشيطان انه لكم عدو مبين

Let not the devil repel you; he is your most ardent enemy.

---

ولما جاء عيسى بالبينات قال قد جئتكم بالحكمة ولابين لكم بعض الذي تختلفون فيه فاتقوا الله واطيعون

When Jesus went with the proofs, he said, “I bring to you wisdom, and to clarify some of the matters in which you dispute. You shall reverence GOD and obey me.

---

ان الله هو ربي وربكم فاعبدوه هذا صراط مستقيم

“GOD is my Lord and your Lord, you shall worship Him alone. This is the right path.”

---

فاختلف الاحزاب من بينهم فويل للذين ظلموا من عذاب يوم اليم

The opponents disputed among themselves. Woe to those who transgress from the retribution of a painful day.

---

هل ينظرون الا الساعة ان تاتيهم بغتة وهم لا يشعرون

Are they waiting for the Hour (Day of Judgment) to come to them suddenly when they least expect it?

---

الاخلاء يومئذ بعضهم لبعض عدو الا المتقين

The close friends on that day will become enemies of one another, except for the righteous.

---

The Righteous

---

يا عباد لا خوف عليكم اليوم ولا انتم تحزنون

O My servants, you will have no fear on that day, nor will you grieve.

---

الذين امنوا باياتنا وكانوا مسلمين

They are the ones who believed in our revelations, and were submitters.

---

ادخلوا الجنة انتم وازواجكم تحبرون

Enter Paradise, together with your spouses, and rejoice.

---

يطاف عليهم بصحاف من ذهب واكواب وفيها ما تشتهيه الانفس وتلذ الاعين وانتم فيها خالدون

Offered to them will be golden trays and cups, and they will find everything the hearts desire and the eyes wish for. You live therein forever.

---

وتلك الجنة التي اورثتموها بما كنتم تعملون

Such is the Paradise that you inherit, in return for your works.

---

لكم فيها فاكهة كثيرة منها تاكلون

You will have in it all kinds of fruits, from which you eat.

---

ان المجرمين في عذاب جهنم خالدون

Surely, the guilty will abide in the retribution of Gehenna forever.

---

لا يفتر عنهم وهم فيه مبلسون

Never will the retribution be commuted for them; they will be confined therein.

---

وما ظلمناهم ولكن كانوا هم الظالمين

It is not us who wronged them; it is they who wronged their own souls.

---

ونادوا يا مالك ليقض علينا ربك قال انكم ماكثون

They will implore: “O Mãlek, let your Lord finish us off.” He will say, “You are staying forever.

---

They Hate The Truth

---

لقد جئناكم بالحق ولكن اكثركم للحق كارهون

“We have given you the truth, but most of you hate the truth.”

---

ام ابرموا امرا فانا مبرمون

Have they schemed some scheme? We too are scheming.

---

ام يحسبون انا لا نسمع سرهم ونجواهم بلى ورسلنا لديهم يكتبون

Do they think that we do not hear their secrets and conspiracies? Yes indeed; our messengers are with them, recording.

---

قل ان كان للرحمن ولد فانا اول العابدين

Proclaim: “If the Most Gracious did have a son, I would still be the foremost worshiper.”

---

سبحان رب السماوات والارض رب العرش عما يصفون

Be He glorified; He is the Lord of the heavens and the earth, the Lord with the great dominion, far above their claims.

---

فذرهم يخوضوا ويلعبوا حتى يلاقوا يومهم الذي يوعدون

Let them blunder and play until they meet their day that is awaiting them.

---

وهو الذي في السماء اله وفي الارض اله وهو الحكيم العليم

He is the only One who is a deity in the heaven and a deity on earth. He is the Most Wise, the Omniscient.

---

وتبارك الذي له ملك السماوات والارض وما بينهما وعنده علم الساعة واليه ترجعون

Most Exalted is the One who possesses all sovereignty of the heavens and the earth, and everything between them. With Him is the knowledge about the Hour (end of the world), and to Him you will be returned.

---

ولا يملك الذين يدعون من دونه الشفاعة الا من شهد بالحق وهم يعلمون

None of those whom they idolize beside Him possess any power to intercede, unless their intercession coincides with the truth, and they fully know.

---

ولئن سالتهم من خلقهم ليقولن الله فانى يؤفكون

If you asked them who created them, they would say, “GOD.” Why then did they deviate?

---

وقيله يا رب ان هؤلاء قوم لا يؤمنون

It will be proclaimed: “O my Lord, these people do not believe.”

---

فاصفح عنهم وقل سلام فسوف يعلمون

You shall disregard them and say, “Peace;” they will surely find out.

---