Surah Aal-Imran Part Two: Verses 64 to 120 | Quran Study Guide

✦

The Surah · Verses 64 to 120

﴾٦٤﴿ قُلْ يَٰٓأَهْلَ ٱلْكِتَٰبِ تَعَالَوْا۟ إِلَىٰ كَلِمَةٍۢ سَوَآءٍۭ بَيْنَنَا وَبَيْنَكُمْ أَلَّا نَعْبُدَ إِلَّا ٱللَّهَ وَلَا نُشْرِكَ بِهِۦ شَيْـًۭٔا وَلَا يَتَّخِذَ بَعْضُنَا بَعْضًا أَرْبَابًۭا مِّن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ ۚ فَإِن تَوَلَّوْا۟ فَقُولُوا۟ ٱشْهَدُوا۟ بِأَنَّا مُسْلِمُونَ

Qul ya Ahlal Kitabi ta'alaw ila Kalimatin sawa'im baynana wa baynakum alla na'buda illal laha wa la nushrika bihi shay'an wa la yattakhidha ba'duna ba'dan arbabam min dunil lah, fa in tawallaw faqulush hadu bi anna muslimun

Say, People of the Book, come to a word that is equal between us and you, that we worship none but Allah and associate nothing with Him, and that none of us take others as lords besides Allah. And if they turn away, say, bear witness that we are submitted.

﴾٦٥﴿ يَٰٓأَهْلَ ٱلْكِتَٰبِ لِمَ تُحَآجُّونَ فِىٓ إِبْرَٰهِيمَ وَمَآ أُنزِلَتِ ٱلتَّوْرَىٰةُ وَٱلْإِنجِيلُ إِلَّا مِنۢ بَعْدِهِۦٓ ۚ أَفَلَا تَعْقِلُونَ

Ya Ahlal Kitabi lima tuhajjuna fi Ibrahima wa ma unzilatit Tawratu wal Injilu illa mim ba'dih, afala ta'qilun

People of the Book, why do you argue about Ibrahim, when the Torah and the Gospel were not sent down until after him. Will you not use your reason.

﴾٦٦﴿ هَٰٓأَنتُمْ هَٰٓؤُلَآءِ حَٰجَجْتُمْ فِيمَا لَكُم بِهِۦ عِلْمٌۭ فَلِمَ تُحَآجُّونَ فِيمَا لَيْسَ لَكُم بِهِۦ عِلْمٌۭ ۚ وَٱللَّهُ يَعْلَمُ وَأَنتُمْ لَا تَعْلَمُونَ

Ha antum ha'ula'i bajajtum fima lakum bihi 'ilmun falima tuhajjuna fima laysa lakum bihi 'ilm, wallahu ya'lamu wa antum la ta'lamun

Here you are, you have argued about what you have knowledge of. So why do you argue about what you have no knowledge of. And Allah knows and you do not know.

﴾٦٧﴿ مَا كَانَ إِبْرَٰهِيمُ يَهُودِيًّۭا وَلَا نَصْرَانِيًّۭا وَلَٰكِن كَانَ حَنِيفًۭا مُّسْلِمًۭا وَمَا كَانَ مِنَ ٱلْمُشْرِكِينَ

Ma kana Ibrahimu Yahudiyyan wa la Nasraniyyan wa lakin kana Hanifam Musliman wa ma kana minal mushrikin

Ibrahim was not a Jew and not a Christian, but he was inclining to truth, submitted. And he was not of those who associate.

﴾٦٨﴿ إِنَّ أَوْلَى ٱلنَّاسِ بِإِبْرَٰهِيمَ لَلَّذِينَ ٱتَّبَعُوهُ وَهَٰذَا ٱلنَّبِىُّ وَٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ وَلِىُّ ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ

Inna awlan nasi bi Ibrahima lalladhinat taba'uhu wa hadhan nabiyyu walladhina amanu, wallahu waliyyul mu'minin

The people closest to Ibrahim are those who followed him, and this Prophet, and those who believed. And Allah is the Protector of the believers.

﴾٦٩﴿ وَدَّت طَّآئِفَةٌۭ مِّنْ أَهْلِ ٱلْكِتَٰبِ لَوْ يُضِلُّونَكُمْ وَمَا يُضِلُّونَ إِلَّآ أَنفُسَهُمْ وَمَا يَشْعُرُونَ

Waddat ta'ifatum min Ahlil Kitabi law yudil lunakum wa ma yudilluna illa anfusahum wa ma yash'urun

A group of the People of the Book would like to lead you astray. And they lead no one astray but themselves, and they do not realize it.

﴾٧٠﴿ يَٰٓأَهْلَ ٱلْكِتَٰبِ لِمَ تَكْفُرُونَ بِـَٔايَٰتِ ٱللَّهِ وَأَنتُمْ تَشْهَدُونَ

Ya Ahlal Kitabi lima takfuruna bi Ayatil lahi wa antum tashhadun

People of the Book, why do you reject the signs of Allah while you are witnesses.

﴾٧١﴿ يَٰٓأَهْلَ ٱلْكِتَٰبِ لِمَ تَلْبِسُونَ ٱلْحَقَّ بِٱلْبَٰطِلِ وَتَكْتُمُونَ ٱلْحَقَّ وَأَنتُمْ تَعْلَمُونَ

Ya Ahlal Kitabi lima talbisunal haqqa bilbatili wa taktumunal haqqa wa antum ta'lamun

People of the Book, why do you dress the truth in falsehood and conceal the truth while you know.

﴾٧٢﴿ وَقَالَت طَّآئِفَةٌۭ مِّنْ أَهْلِ ٱلْكِتَٰبِ ءَامِنُوا۟ بِٱلَّذِىٓ أُنزِلَ عَلَى ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَجْهَ ٱلنَّهَارِ وَٱكْفُرُوٓا۟ ءَاخِرَهُۥ لَعَلَّهُمْ يَرْجِعُونَ

Wa qalat ta'ifatum min Ahlil Kitabi aminu billadhi unzila 'alal ladhina amanu wajhan nahari wakfuru akhirahu la'allahum yarji'un

And a group of the People of the Book said, believe in what was sent down to those who believed at the beginning of the day, and reject it at the end of it, so that they may turn back.

﴾٧٣﴿ وَلَا تُؤْمِنُوٓا۟ إِلَّا لِمَن تَبِعَ دِينَكُمْ قُلْ إِنَّ ٱلْهُدَىٰ هُدَى ٱللَّهِ أَن يُؤْتَىٰٓ أَحَدٌۭ مِّثْلَ مَآ أُوتِيتُمْ أَوْ يُحَآجُّوكُمْ عِندَ رَبِّكُمْ ۗ قُلْ إِنَّ ٱلْفَضْلَ بِيَدِ ٱللَّهِ يُؤْتِيهِ مَن يَشَآءُ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ وَٰسِعٌ عَلِيمٌۭ

Wa la tu'minu illa liman tabi'a dinakum qul innal huda hudal lahi ay yu'ta ahadum mithla ma utitum aw yuhajjukum 'inda Rabbikum, qul innal fadla biyadil lah, yu'tihi may yasha', wallahu Wasi'un 'Alim

And believe no one except those who follow your religion. Say, the guidance is the guidance of Allah. That anyone should be given the like of what you were given, or that they should argue with you before your Lord. Say, the bounty is in the hand of Allah. He gives it to whom He wills. And Allah is Vast, Knowing.

﴾٧٤﴿ يَخْتَصُّ بِرَحْمَتِهِۦ مَن يَشَآءُ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ ذُو ٱلْفَضْلِ ٱلْعَظِيمِ

Yakhtassu birahmatihi may yasha', wallahu dhul fadlil 'azim

He singles out for His mercy whom He wills. And Allah is the holder of great bounty.

﴾٧٥﴿ وَمِنْ أَهْلِ ٱلْكِتَٰبِ مَنْ إِن تَأْمَنْهُ بِقِنطَارٍۢ يُؤَدِّهِۦٓ إِلَيْكَ وَمِنْهُم مَّنْ إِن تَأْمَنْهُ بِدِينَارٍۢ لَّا يُؤَدِّهِۦٓ إِلَيْكَ إِلَّا مَا دُمْتَ عَلَيْهِ قَآئِمًۭا ۗ ذَٰلِكَ بِأَنَّهُمْ قَالُوا۟ لَيْسَ عَلَيْنَا فِى ٱلْأُمِّيِّۦنَ سَبِيلٌۭ وَيَقُولُونَ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ ٱلْكَذِبَ وَهُمْ يَعْلَمُونَ

Wa min Ahlil Kitabi man in tamanhu biqintariy yu'addihi ilayka wa minhum man in tamanhu bidinaril la yu'addihi ilayka illa ma dumta 'alayhi qa'ima, dhalika biannahum qalu laysa 'alayna fil ummiyyina sabilun wa yaquluna 'alal lahil kadhiba wa hum ya'lamun

And among the People of the Book is one who, if you trust him with a great sum, will return it to you. And among them is one who, if you trust him with a single coin, will not return it to you unless you keep standing over him. That is because they said, there is no way against us concerning the unlettered. And they speak lies against Allah while they know.

﴾٧٦﴿ بَلَىٰ مَنْ أَوْفَىٰ بِعَهْدِهِۦ وَٱتَّقَىٰ فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يُحِبُّ ٱلْمُتَّقِينَ

Bala man awfa bi'ahdihi wattaqa fa innal laha yuhibbul muttaqin

Rather, whoever fulfils his covenant and is conscious of Allah, then Allah loves those conscious of Him.

﴾٧٧﴿ إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ يَشْتَرُونَ بِعَهْدِ ٱللَّهِ وَأَيْمَٰنِهِمْ ثَمَنًۭا قَلِيلًا أُو۟لَٰٓئِكَ لَا خَلَٰقَ لَهُمْ فِى ٱلْءَاخِرَةِ وَلَا يُكَلِّمُهُمُ ٱللَّهُ وَلَا يَنظُرُ إِلَيْهِمْ يَوْمَ ٱلْقِيَٰمَةِ وَلَا يُزَكِّيهِمْ وَلَهُمْ عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٌۭ

Innal ladhina yashtaruna bi'ahdil lahi wa aymanihim thamanan qalilan ula'ika la khalaqa lahum fil Akhirati wa la yukallimuhumul lahu wa la yanzuru ilayhim Yawmal Qiyamati wa la yuzakkihim wa lahum 'adhabun 'alim

Those who sell the covenant of Allah and their oaths for a small price will have no share in the Hereafter. And Allah will not speak to them and will not look at them on the Day of Standing and will not purify them, and they will have a painful punishment.

﴾٧٨﴿ وَإِنَّ مِنْهُمْ لَفَرِيقًۭا يَلْوُۥنَ أَلْسِنَتَهُم بِٱلْكِتَٰبِ لِتَحْسَبُوهُ مِنَ ٱلْكِتَٰبِ وَمَا هُوَ مِنَ ٱلْكِتَٰبِ وَيَقُولُونَ هُوَ مِنْ عِندِ ٱللَّهِ وَمَا هُوَ مِنْ عِندِ ٱللَّهِ وَيَقُولُونَ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ ٱلْكَذِبَ وَهُمْ يَعْلَمُونَ

Wa inna minhum lafariqay yalwuna alsinatahum bil Kitabi litahsabuhu minal Kitab, wa ma huwa minal Kitabi wa yaqulun huwa min 'indillahi wa ma huwa min 'indillahi wa yaquluna 'alal lahil kadhiba wa hum ya'lamun

And among them is a group who twist their tongues with the Book so you think it is from the Book, and it is not from the Book. And they say, it is from Allah, and it is not from Allah. And they speak lies against Allah while they know.

﴾٧٩﴿ مَا كَانَ لِبَشَرٍ أَن يُؤْتِيَهُ ٱللَّهُ ٱلْكِتَٰبَ وَٱلْحُكْمَ وَٱلنُّبُوَّةَ ثُمَّ يَقُولَ لِلنَّاسِ كُونُوا۟ عِبَادًۭا لِّى مِن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ وَلَٰكِن كُونُوا۟ رَبَّٰنِيِّۦنَ بِمَا كُنتُمْ تُعَلِّمُونَ ٱلْكِتَٰبَ وَبِمَا كُنتُمْ تَدْرُسُونَ

Ma kana libasharin ay yu'tiyahul lahul Kitaba walhukma wan Nubuwwata thumma yaqula linnasi kunu 'ibadal li min dunil lahi wa lakin kunu rabbaniyyina bima kuntum tu'allimunal Kitaba wa bima kuntum tadrusun

It is not for a human being that Allah should give him the Book and the judgment and the prophethood, and then he says to people, be servants to me instead of Allah. Rather, be people of the Lord, by what you have been teaching of the Book and by what you have been studying.

﴾٨٠﴿ وَلَا يَأْمُرَكُمْ أَن تَتَّخِذُوا۟ ٱلْمَلَٰٓئِكَةَ وَٱلنَّبِيِّۦنَ أَرْبَابًا ۗ أَيَأْمُرُكُم بِٱلْكُفْرِ بَعْدَ إِذْ أَنتُم مُّسْلِمُونَ

Wa la yamurakum an tattakhidhul mala 'ikata wan Nabiyyina arbaba, a yamurukum bilkufri ba'da idh antum muslimun

And he would not order you to take the angels and the prophets as lords. Would he order you to disbelieve after you have submitted.

﴾٨١﴿ وَإِذْ أَخَذَ ٱللَّهُ مِيثَٰقَ ٱلنَّبِيِّۦنَ لَمَآ ءَاتَيْتُكُم مِّن كِتَٰبٍۢ وَحِكْمَةٍۢ ثُمَّ جَآءَكُمْ رَسُولٌۭ مُّصَدِّقٌۭ لِّمَا مَعَكُمْ لَتُؤْمِنُنَّ بِهِۦ وَلَتَنصُرُنَّهُۥ ۚ قَالَ ءَأَقْرَرْتُمْ وَأَخَذْتُمْ عَلَىٰ ذَٰلِكُمْ إِصْرِى ۖ قَالُوٓا۟ أَقْرَرْنَا ۚ قَالَ فَٱشْهَدُوا۟ وَأَنَا۠ مَعَكُم مِّنَ ٱلشَّٰهِدِينَ

Wa idh akhadhal lahu mithaqan Nabiyyina lama ataytukum min Kitabin wa Hikmatin thumma ja'akum Rasulum musaddiqul lima ma'akum latu'minunna bihi wa latansurunnah, qala 'aqrartum wa akhadhtum 'ala dhalikum isri qalu aqrarna, qala fashhadu wa ana ma'akum minash shahidin

And when Allah took the covenant of the prophets, whatever I have given you of a Book and wisdom, then a messenger comes to you confirming what is with you, you will certainly believe in him and you will certainly support him. He said, do you affirm it and take on My burden on that condition. They said, we affirm it. He said, then bear witness, and I am with you among the witnesses.

﴾٨٢﴿ فَمَن تَوَلَّىٰ بَعْدَ ذَٰلِكَ فَأُو۟لَٰٓئِكَ هُمُ ٱلْفَٰسِقُونَ

Faman tawalla ba'da dhalika fa ula'ika humul fasiqun

So whoever turns away after that, those are the defiantly disobedient.

﴾٨٣﴿ أَفَغَيْرَ دِينِ ٱللَّهِ يَبْغُونَ وَلَهُۥٓ أَسْلَمَ مَن فِى ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ طَوْعًۭا وَكَرْهًۭا وَإِلَيْهِ يُرْجَعُونَ

Afaghayra dinil lahi yabghuna wa lahu aslama man fis samawati wal ardi taw'an wa karhan wa ilayhi yurja'un

Is it other than the religion of Allah they seek, when to Him has submitted whoever is in the heavens and the earth, willingly or unwillingly, and to Him they will be returned.

﴾٨٤﴿ قُلْ ءَامَنَّا بِٱللَّهِ وَمَآ أُنزِلَ عَلَيْنَا وَمَآ أُنزِلَ عَلَىٰٓ إِبْرَٰهِيمَ وَإِسْمَٰعِيلَ وَإِسْحَٰقَ وَيَعْقُوبَ وَٱلْأَسْبَاطِ وَمَآ أُوتِىَ مُوسَىٰ وَعِيسَىٰ وَٱلنَّبِيُّونَ مِن رَّبِّهِمْ لَا نُفَرِّقُ بَيْنَ أَحَدٍۢ مِّنْهُمْ وَنَحْنُ لَهُۥ مُسْلِمُونَ

Qul amanna billahi wa ma unzila 'alayna wa ma unzila 'ala Ibrahima wa Isma'ila wa Ishaqa wa Ya'quba wal Asbati wa ma utiya Musa wa 'Isa wan Nabiyyuna mir Rabbihim la nufarriqu bayna ahadim minhum wa nahnu lahu muslimun

Say, we have believed in Allah and what was sent down to us, and what was sent down to Ibrahim and Isma'il and Ishaq and Ya'qub and the descendants, and what was given to Musa and Isa and the prophets from their Lord. We make no distinction between any of them, and we are submitted to Him.

﴾٨٥﴿ وَمَن يَبْتَغِ غَيْرَ ٱلْإِسْلَٰمِ دِينًۭا فَلَن يُقْبَلَ مِنْهُ وَهُوَ فِى ٱلْءَاخِرَةِ مِنَ ٱلْخَٰسِرِينَ

Wa may yabtaghi ghayral Islami dinan falay yuqbala minhu wa huwa fil Akhirati minal khasirin

And whoever seeks a religion other than submission, it will not be accepted from him, and in the Hereafter he will be of the losers.

﴾٨٦﴿ كَيْفَ يَهْدِى ٱللَّهُ قَوْمًۭا كَفَرُوا۟ بَعْدَ إِيمَٰنِهِمْ وَشَهِدُوٓا۟ أَنَّ ٱلرَّسُولَ حَقٌّۭ وَجَآءَهُمُ ٱلْبَيِّنَٰتُ ۚ وَٱللَّهُ لَا يَهْدِى ٱلْقَوْمَ ٱلظَّٰلِمِينَ

Kayfa yahdil lahu qawman kafaru ba'da imanihim wa shahidu annar Rasula haqqun wa ja'ahumul bayyinat, wallahu la yahdil qawmaz zalimin

How will Allah guide a people who disbelieved after their belief, and had witnessed that the Messenger is true, and clear proofs had come to them. And Allah does not guide the wrongdoing people.

﴾٨٧﴿ أُو۟لَٰٓئِكَ جَزَآؤُهُمْ أَنَّ عَلَيْهِمْ لَعْنَةَ ٱللَّهِ وَٱلْمَلَٰٓئِكَةِ وَٱلنَّاسِ أَجْمَعِينَ

Ula'ika jaza'uhum anna 'alayhim la'natal lahi walmala'ikati wannasi ajma'in

Those, their payment is that upon them is the curse of Allah and of the angels and of all people.

﴾٨٨﴿ خَٰلِدِينَ فِيهَا لَا يُخَفَّفُ عَنْهُمُ ٱلْعَذَابُ وَلَا هُمْ يُنظَرُونَ

Khalidina fiha la yukhaffafu 'anhumul 'adhabu wa la hum yunzarun

Remaining in it. The punishment will not be lightened for them, and they will not be given respite.

﴾٨٩﴿ إِلَّا ٱلَّذِينَ تَابُوا۟ مِنۢ بَعْدِ ذَٰلِكَ وَأَصْلَحُوا۟ فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ غَفُورٌۭ رَّحِيمٌ

Illal ladhina tabu mim ba'di dhalika wa aslahu fa innal laha Ghafurur Rahim

Except those who repented after that and set things right. Allah is Forgiving, Merciful.

﴾٩٠﴿ إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ بَعْدَ إِيمَٰنِهِمْ ثُمَّ ٱزْدَادُوا۟ كُفْرًۭا لَّن تُقْبَلَ تَوْبَتُهُمْ وَأُو۟لَٰٓئِكَ هُمُ ٱلضَّآلُّونَ

Innal ladhina kafaru ba'da imanihim thummazdadu kufral lan tuqbala tawbatuhum wa ula'ika humud dallun

Those who disbelieved after their belief and then increased in disbelief, their repentance will not be accepted. And those are the ones who have gone astray.

﴾٩١﴿ إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ وَمَاتُوا۟ وَهُمْ كُفَّارٌۭ فَلَن يُقْبَلَ مِنْ أَحَدِهِم مِّلْءُ ٱلْأَرْضِ ذَهَبًۭا وَلَوِ ٱفْتَدَىٰ بِهِۦٓ ۗ أُو۟لَٰٓئِكَ لَهُمْ عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٌۭ وَمَا لَهُم مِّن نَّٰصِرِينَ

Innal ladhina kafaru wa matu wa hum kuffarun falay yuqbala min ahadihim mil'ul ardi dhahaban wa law iftada bih, ula'ika lahum 'adhabun alimun wa ma lahum min nasirin

Those who disbelieved and died as disbelievers, an earth full of gold would not be accepted from any one of them, even if he offered it as ransom. Those will have a painful punishment, and they will have no helpers.

﴾٩٢﴿ لَن تَنَالُوا۟ ٱلْبِرَّ حَتَّىٰ تُنفِقُوا۟ مِمَّا تُحِبُّونَ ۚ وَمَا تُنفِقُوا۟ مِن شَىْءٍۢ فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ بِهِۦ عَلِيمٌۭ

Lan tanalul birra hatta tunfiqu mimma tuhibbun, wa ma tunfiqu min shay'in fa innal laha bihi 'Alim

You will not reach righteousness until you spend from what you love. And whatever you spend, Allah knows it.

﴾٩٣﴿ كُلُّ ٱلطَّعَامِ كَانَ حِلًّۭا لِّبَنِىٓ إِسْرَٰٓءِيلَ إِلَّا مَا حَرَّمَ إِسْرَٰٓءِيلُ عَلَىٰ نَفْسِهِۦ مِن قَبْلِ أَن تُنَزَّلَ ٱلتَّوْرَىٰةُ ۗ قُلْ فَأْتُوا۟ بِٱلتَّوْرَىٰةِ فَٱتْلُوهَآ إِن كُنتُمْ صَٰدِقِينَ

Kullut ta'ami kana hillal li Bani Isra'ila illa ma harrama Isra'ilu 'ala nafsihi min qabli an tunazzalat Tawrah, qul fatu bit Tawrati fatluha in kuntum sadiqin

All food was lawful to the children of Israel except what Israel forbade to himself before the Torah was sent down. Say, bring the Torah and recite it, if you are truthful.

﴾٩٤﴿ فَمَنِ ٱفْتَرَىٰ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ ٱلْكَذِبَ مِنۢ بَعْدِ ذَٰلِكَ فَأُو۟لَٰٓئِكَ هُمُ ٱلظَّٰلِمُونَ

Famanif tara 'alal lahil kadhiba mim ba'di dhalika fa ula'ika humuz zalimun

So whoever invents a lie against Allah after that, those are the wrongdoers.

﴾٩٥﴿ قُلْ صَدَقَ ٱللَّهُ ۗ فَٱتَّبِعُوا۟ مِلَّةَ إِبْرَٰهِيمَ حَنِيفًۭا وَمَا كَانَ مِنَ ٱلْمُشْرِكِينَ

Qul sadaqal lah, fattabi'u Millata Ibrahima Hanifan wa ma kana minal mushrikin

Say, Allah has spoken the truth. So follow the way of Ibrahim, inclining to truth. And he was not of those who associate.

﴾٩٦﴿ إِنَّ أَوَّلَ بَيْتٍۢ وُضِعَ لِلنَّاسِ لَلَّذِى بِبَكَّةَ مُبَارَكًۭا وَهُدًۭى لِّلْعَٰلَمِينَ

Inna awwala Baytin wudi'a linnasi lalladhi bi Bakkata mubarakan wa hudal lil 'alamin

The first House set up for people is the one at Bakkah, blessed and a guidance for all the worlds.

﴾٩٧﴿ فِيهِ ءَايَٰتٌۢ بَيِّنَٰتٌۭ مَّقَامُ إِبْرَٰهِيمَ ۖ وَمَن دَخَلَهُۥ كَانَ ءَامِنًۭا ۗ وَلِلَّهِ عَلَى ٱلنَّاسِ حِجُّ ٱلْبَيْتِ مَنِ ٱسْتَطَاعَ إِلَيْهِ سَبِيلًۭا ۚ وَمَن كَفَرَ فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ غَنِىٌّ عَنِ ٱلْعَٰلَمِينَ

Fihi Ayatum bayyinatum Maqamu Ibrahima wa man dakhalahu kana amina, wa lillahi 'alan nasi Hijjul Bayti manis tata'a ilayhi sabila, wa man kafara fa innal laha ghaniyyun 'anil 'alamin

In it are clear signs, the standing place of Ibrahim. And whoever enters it is safe. And pilgrimage to the House is a duty owed to Allah by people, for whoever is able to find a way to it. And whoever rejects, then Allah is Free of need of the worlds.

﴾٩٨﴿ قُلْ يَٰٓأَهْلَ ٱلْكِتَٰبِ لِمَ تَكْفُرُونَ بِـَٔايَٰتِ ٱللَّهِ وَٱللَّهُ شَهِيدٌ عَلَىٰ مَا تَعْمَلُونَ

Qul ya Ahlal Kitabi lima takfuruna bi Ayatillahi wallahu shahidun 'ala ma ta'malun

Say, People of the Book, why do you reject the signs of Allah, while Allah is a witness over what you do.

﴾٩٩﴿ قُلْ يَٰٓأَهْلَ ٱلْكِتَٰبِ لِمَ تَصُدُّونَ عَن سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ مَنْ ءَامَنَ تَبْغُونَهَا عِوَجًۭا وَأَنتُمْ شُهَدَآءُ ۗ وَمَا ٱللَّهُ بِغَٰفِلٍ عَمَّا تَعْمَلُونَ

Qul ya Ahlal Kitabi lima tusudduna 'an sabilil lahi man amana tabghunaha 'iwajan wa antum shuhada', wa mal lahu bighafilin 'amma ta'malun

Say, People of the Book, why do you turn away from the way of Allah those who believe, seeking to make it crooked, while you are witnesses. And Allah is not unaware of what you do.

﴾١٠٠﴿ يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوٓا۟ إِن تُطِيعُوا۟ فَرِيقًۭا مِّنَ ٱلَّذِينَ أُوتُوا۟ ٱلْكِتَٰبَ يَرُدُّوكُم بَعْدَ إِيمَٰنِكُمْ كَٰفِرِينَ

Ya ayyuhal ladhina amanu in tuti'u fariqam minal ladhina utul Kitaba yaruddukum ba'da imanikum kafirin

You who believe, if you obey a group of those given the Book, they will turn you back, after your belief, into disbelievers.

﴾١٠١﴿ وَكَيْفَ تَكْفُرُونَ وَأَنتُمْ تُتْلَىٰ عَلَيْكُمْ ءَايَٰتُ ٱللَّهِ وَفِيكُمْ رَسُولُهُۥ ۗ وَمَن يَعْتَصِم بِٱللَّهِ فَقَدْ هُدِىَ إِلَىٰ صِرَٰطٍۢ مُّسْتَقِيمٍۢ

Wa kayfa takfuruna wa antum tutla 'alaykum Ayatul lahi wa fikum Rasuluh, wa may ya'tasim billahi faqad hudiya ila Siratim Mustaqim

And how can you disbelieve while the signs of Allah are being recited to you and His Messenger is among you. And whoever holds fast to Allah has been guided to a straight path.

﴾١٠٢﴿ يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ ٱتَّقُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ حَقَّ تُقَاتِهِۦ وَلَا تَمُوتُنَّ إِلَّا وَأَنتُم مُّسْلِمُونَ

Ya ayyuhal ladhina amanut taqul laha haqqa tuqatihi wa la tamutunna illa wa antum muslimun

You who believe, be conscious of Allah as He deserves to be regarded, and do not die except as those submitted.

﴾١٠٣﴿ وَٱعْتَصِمُوا۟ بِحَبْلِ ٱللَّهِ جَمِيعًۭا وَلَا تَفَرَّقُوا۟ ۚ وَٱذْكُرُوا۟ نِعْمَتَ ٱللَّهِ عَلَيْكُمْ إِذْ كُنتُمْ أَعْدَآءًۭ فَأَلَّفَ بَيْنَ قُلُوبِكُمْ فَأَصْبَحْتُم بِنِعْمَتِهِۦٓ إِخْوَٰنًۭا وَكُنتُمْ عَلَىٰ شَفَا حُفْرَةٍۢ مِّنَ ٱلنَّارِ فَأَنقَذَكُم مِّنْهَا ۗ كَذَٰلِكَ يُبَيِّنُ ٱللَّهُ لَكُمْ ءَايَٰتِهِۦ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَهْتَدُونَ

Wa'tasimu bi Hablil lahi jami'an wa la tafarraqu, wadhkuru ni'matal lahi 'alaykum idh kuntum a'da'an fa allafa bayna qulubikum fa asbahtum bini'matihi ikhwanan wa kuntum 'ala shafa hufratim minan Nari fa anqadhakum minha, kadhalika yubayyinul lahu lakum Ayatihi la'allakum tahtadun

And hold fast, all of you together, to the rope of Allah, and do not separate. And remember the favor of Allah upon you, when you were enemies and He joined your hearts together, and by His favor you became brothers. And you were on the edge of a pit of fire and He saved you from it. In this way Allah makes His signs clear to you, so that you may be guided.

﴾١٠٤﴿ وَلْتَكُن مِّنكُمْ أُمَّةٌۭ يَدْعُونَ إِلَى ٱلْخَيْرِ وَيَأْمُرُونَ بِٱلْمَعْرُوفِ وَيَنْهَوْنَ عَنِ ٱلْمُنكَرِ ۚ وَأُو۟لَٰٓئِكَ هُمُ ٱلْمُفْلِحُونَ

Waltakun minkum ummatuy yad'una ilal khayri wa yamuruna bilma'rufi wa yanhawna 'anil munkar, wa ula'ika humul muflihun

And let there be from among you a community calling to good, ordering what is right and forbidding what is wrong. And those are the ones who succeed.

﴾١٠٥﴿ وَلَا تَكُونُوا۟ كَٱلَّذِينَ تَفَرَّقُوا۟ وَٱخْتَلَفُوا۟ مِنۢ بَعْدِ مَا جَآءَهُمُ ٱلْبَيِّنَٰتُ ۚ وَأُو۟لَٰٓئِكَ لَهُمْ عَذَابٌ عَظِيمٌۭ

Wa la takunu kalladhina tafarraqu wakhtalafu mim ba'di ma ja'ahumul bayyinat, wa ula'ika lahum 'adhabun 'azim

And do not be like those who separated and differed after the clear proofs came to them. And those will have a great punishment.

﴾١٠٦﴿ يَوْمَ تَبْيَضُّ وُجُوهٌۭ وَتَسْوَدُّ وُجُوهٌۭ ۚ فَأَمَّا ٱلَّذِينَ ٱسْوَدَّتْ وُجُوهُهُمْ أَكَفَرْتُم بَعْدَ إِيمَٰنِكُمْ فَذُوقُوا۟ ٱلْعَذَابَ بِمَا كُنتُمْ تَكْفُرُونَ

Yawma tabyaddu wujuhun wa taswaddu wujuh, fa ammal ladhinas waddat wujuhuhum akafartum ba'da imanikum fadhuqul 'adhaba bima kuntum takfurun

On a Day when faces will turn white and faces will turn black. As for those whose faces turn black, did you disbelieve after your belief. So taste the punishment for your disbelief.

﴾١٠٧﴿ وَأَمَّا ٱلَّذِينَ ٱبْيَضَّتْ وُجُوهُهُمْ فَفِى رَحْمَةِ ٱللَّهِ هُمْ فِيهَا خَٰلِدُونَ

Wa ammal ladhinab yaddat wujuhuhum fafi rahmatil lahi hum fiha khalidun

And as for those whose faces turn white, they are in the mercy of Allah, remaining in it.

﴾١٠٨﴿ تِلْكَ ءَايَٰتُ ٱللَّهِ نَتْلُوهَا عَلَيْكَ بِٱلْحَقِّ ۗ وَمَا ٱللَّهُ يُرِيدُ ظُلْمًۭا لِّلْعَٰلَمِينَ

Tilka Ayatul lahi natluha 'alayka bilhaqq, wa mal lahu yuridu zulmal lil 'alamin

Those are the signs of Allah, which We recite to you in truth. And Allah does not want injustice for the worlds.

﴾١٠٩﴿ وَلِلَّهِ مَا فِى ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَمَا فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ ۚ وَإِلَى ٱللَّهِ تُرْجَعُ ٱلْأُمُورُ

Wa lillahi ma fis samawati wa ma fil ard, wa ilal lahi turja'ul umur

And to Allah belongs whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on the earth. And to Allah all matters return.

﴾١١٠﴿ كُنتُمْ خَيْرَ أُمَّةٍ أُخْرِجَتْ لِلنَّاسِ تَأْمُرُونَ بِٱلْمَعْرُوفِ وَتَنْهَوْنَ عَنِ ٱلْمُنكَرِ وَتُؤْمِنُونَ بِٱللَّهِ ۗ وَلَوْ ءَامَنَ أَهْلُ ٱلْكِتَٰبِ لَكَانَ خَيْرًۭا لَّهُم ۚ مِّنْهُمُ ٱلْمُؤْمِنُونَ وَأَكْثَرُهُمُ ٱلْفَٰسِقُونَ

Kuntum khayra ummatin ukhrijat linnasi tamuruna bilma'rufi wa tanhawna 'anil munkari wa tu'minuna billah, wa law amana Ahlul Kitabi lakana khayral lahum minhumul mu'minuna wa aktharuhumul fasiqun

You are the best community brought out for people, ordering what is right and forbidding what is wrong and believing in Allah. And if the People of the Book had believed, it would have been better for them. Among them are believers, and most of them are defiantly disobedient.

﴾١١١﴿ لَن يَضُرُّوكُمْ إِلَّآ أَذًۭى ۖ وَإِن يُقَٰتِلُوكُمْ يُوَلُّوكُمُ ٱلْأَدْبَارَ ثُمَّ لَا يُنصَرُونَ

Lay yadurrukum illa adhan wa ay yuqatilukum yuwallukumul adbara thumma la yunsarun

They will not harm you except with some hurt. And if they fight you they will turn their backs to you, and then they will not be helped.

﴾١١٢﴿ ضُرِبَتْ عَلَيْهِمُ ٱلذِّلَّةُ أَيْنَ مَا ثُقِفُوٓا۟ إِلَّا بِحَبْلٍۢ مِّنَ ٱللَّهِ وَحَبْلٍۢ مِّنَ ٱلنَّاسِ وَبَآءُو بِغَضَبٍۢ مِّنَ ٱللَّهِ وَضُرِبَتْ عَلَيْهِمُ ٱلْمَسْكَنَةُ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ بِأَنَّهُمْ كَانُوا۟ يَكْفُرُونَ بِـَٔايَٰتِ ٱللَّهِ وَيَقْتُلُونَ ٱلْأَنۢبِيَآءَ بِغَيْرِ حَقٍّۢ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ بِمَا عَصَوا۟ وَّكَانُوا۟ يَعْتَدُونَ

Duribat 'alayhimuz zillatu ayna ma thuqifu illa bihablim minal lahi wa hablim minan nasi wa ba'u bighadabim minallahi wa duribat 'alayhimul maskanah, dhalika bi annahum kanu yakfuruna bi Ayatil lahi wa yaqtulunal Anbiya'a bighayri haqq, dhalika bima 'asaw wa kanu ya'tadun

Humiliation is stamped on them wherever they are found, except by a rope from Allah and a rope from people. And they have returned with anger from Allah, and poverty is stamped on them. That is because they rejected the signs of Allah and killed the prophets without right. That is for what they disobeyed and were crossing the limits.

﴾١١٣﴿ لَيْسُوا۟ سَوَآءًۭ ۗ مِّنْ أَهْلِ ٱلْكِتَٰبِ أُمَّةٌۭ قَآئِمَةٌۭ يَتْلُونَ ءَايَٰتِ ٱللَّهِ ءَانَآءَ ٱلَّيْلِ وَهُمْ يَسْجُدُونَ

Laysu sawa'an, min Ahlil Kitabi ummatun qa'imatuy yatluna Ayatil lahi ana'al layli wa hum yasjudun

They are not all the same. Among the People of the Book is an upright community, reciting the signs of Allah through the hours of the night, and they prostrate.

﴾١١٤﴿ يُؤْمِنُونَ بِٱللَّهِ وَٱلْيَوْمِ ٱلْءَاخِرِ وَيَأْمُرُونَ بِٱلْمَعْرُوفِ وَيَنْهَوْنَ عَنِ ٱلْمُنكَرِ وَيُسَٰرِعُونَ فِى ٱلْخَيْرَٰتِ وَأُو۟لَٰٓئِكَ مِنَ ٱلصَّٰلِحِينَ

Yu'minuna billahi wal Yawmil Akhiri wa yamuruna bilma'rufi wa yanhawna 'anil munkari wa yusari'una fil khayrati wa ula'ika minas salihin

They believe in Allah and the Last Day, and they order what is right and forbid what is wrong, and they race in the good things. And those are among the righteous.

﴾١١٥﴿ وَمَا يَفْعَلُوا۟ مِنْ خَيْرٍۢ فَلَن يُكْفَرُوهُ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ عَلِيمٌۢ بِٱلْمُتَّقِينَ

Wa ma yaf'alu min khayrin falay yukfaruh, wallahu 'alimun bilmuttaqin

And whatever good they do, they will not be denied it. And Allah knows those conscious of Him.

﴾١١٦﴿ إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ لَن تُغْنِىَ عَنْهُمْ أَمْوَٰلُهُمْ وَلَآ أَوْلَٰدُهُم مِّنَ ٱللَّهِ شَيْـًۭٔا ۖ وَأُو۟لَٰٓئِكَ أَصْحَٰبُ ٱلنَّارِ ۚ هُمْ فِيهَا خَٰلِدُونَ

Innal ladhina kafaru lan tughniya 'anhum amwaluhum wa la awladuhum minal lahi shay'an wa ula'ika Ashabun Nar, hum fiha khalidun

Those who disbelieved, neither their wealth nor their children will help them against Allah in anything. And those are the companions of the Fire, remaining in it.

﴾١١٧﴿ مَثَلُ مَا يُنفِقُونَ فِى هَٰذِهِ ٱلْحَيَوٰةِ ٱلدُّنْيَا كَمَثَلِ رِيحٍۢ فِيهَا صِرٌّ أَصَابَتْ حَرْثَ قَوْمٍۢ ظَلَمُوٓا۟ أَنفُسَهُمْ فَأَهْلَكَتْهُ ۚ وَمَا ظَلَمَهُمُ ٱللَّهُ وَلَٰكِنْ أَنفُسَهُمْ يَظْلِمُونَ

Mathalu ma yunfiquna fi hadhihil hayatid dunya kamathali rihin fiha sirrun asabat hartha qawmin zalamu anfusahum fa ahlakath, wa ma zalamahumul lahu wa lakin anfusahum yazlimun

The likeness of what they spend in this life of the world is like the likeness of a wind carrying bitter cold, which struck the crop of a people who wronged themselves, and destroyed it. And Allah did not wrong them, but they were wronging themselves.

﴾١١٨﴿ يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ لَا تَتَّخِذُوا۟ بِطَانَةًۭ مِّن دُونِكُمْ لَا يَأْلُونَكُمْ خَبَالًۭا وَدُّوا۟ مَا عَنِتُّمْ قَدْ بَدَتِ ٱلْبَغْضَآءُ مِنْ أَفْوَٰهِهِمْ وَمَا تُخْفِى صُدُورُهُمْ أَكْبَرُ ۚ قَدْ بَيَّنَّا لَكُمُ ٱلْءَايَٰتِ ۖ إِن كُنتُمْ تَعْقِلُونَ

Ya ayyuhal ladhina amanu la tattakhidhu bitanatam min dunikum la ya'lunakum khabalan waddu ma 'anittum qad badatil baghda'u min afwahihim, wa ma tukhfi suduruhum akbar, qad bayyanna lakumul Ayati in kuntum ta'qilun

You who believe, do not take as close confidants those outside yourselves. They will not fall short in corrupting you. They wish for what distresses you. Hatred has already shown itself from their mouths, and what their chests hide is greater. We have made the signs clear to you, if you use your reason.

﴾١١٩﴿ هَٰٓأَنتُمْ أُو۟لَآءِ تُحِبُّونَهُمْ وَلَا يُحِبُّونَكُمْ وَتُؤْمِنُونَ بِٱلْكِتَٰبِ كُلِّهِۦ وَإِذَا لَقُوكُمْ قَالُوٓا۟ ءَامَنَّا وَإِذَا خَلَوْا۟ عَضُّوا۟ عَلَيْكُمُ ٱلْأَنَامِلَ مِنَ ٱلْغَيْظِ ۚ قُلْ مُوتُوا۟ بِغَيْظِكُمْ ۗ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ عَلِيمٌۢ بِذَاتِ ٱلصُّدُورِ

Ha antum ula'i tuhibbunahum wa la yuhibbunakum wa tu'minuna bil kitabi kullihi wa idha laqukum qalu amanna wa idha khalaw 'addu 'alaykumul anamila minal ghaydh, qul mutu bighaydhikum, innal laha 'alimum bidhatis sudur

Here you are, you love them and they do not love you, and you believe in the Book, all of it. And when they meet you they say, we believe. And when they are alone they bite their fingertips at you in rage. Say, die in your rage. Allah knows what is in the chests.

﴾١٢٠﴿ إِن تَمْسَسْكُمْ حَسَنَةٌۭ تَسُؤْهُمْ وَإِن تُصِبْكُمْ سَيِّئَةٌۭ يَفْرَحُوا۟ بِهَا ۖ وَإِن تَصْبِرُوا۟ وَتَتَّقُوا۟ لَا يَضُرُّكُمْ كَيْدُهُمْ شَيْـًٔا ۗ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ بِمَا يَعْمَلُونَ مُحِيطٌۭ

In tamsaskum hasanatun tasu'hum wa in tusibkum sayyi'atuy yafrahu biha wa in tasbiru wa tattaqu la yadurrukum kayduhum shay'a, innal laha bima ya'maluna muhit

If something good touches you it distresses them. And if something bad strikes you they rejoice at it. And if you are patient and conscious of Allah, their scheming will not harm you at all. Allah encompasses what they do.

Tafsir · The Reading

Overview

Hold to the Rope.

This passage contains the two most quoted verses in Muslim public life, and they sit fifty verses apart on purpose.

Verse 64 is the invitation outward. Come to a word that is equal between us and you. Not come to our position. A kalimatin sawa’, a word level between the two parties, and the three terms of it are stated. Worship none but Allah. Associate nothing with Him. And take no one among ourselves as lords besides Allah. The third term is the one that costs the speaker something, because it applies to the speaker’s own community as much as the audience.

Verse 103 is the instruction inward. Hold fast, all of you together, to the rope of Allah, and do not separate. And the argument attached to it is not doctrinal. It is a memory. You were enemies. He joined your hearts. You were on the edge of a pit and He pulled you back.

Between the two, the passage handles the men who twist their tongues with the Book, the ones who would return a fortune and the ones who will not return a single coin, the covenant taken from every prophet, and the standard set for what counts as giving.

And it ends by describing the people the community is warned not to take into its confidence, and giving one instruction for surviving them: be patient and be conscious of Allah.

Verses 64 to 95

What You Have No Knowledge Of.

Verse 64 is worth reading as a piece of construction. It does not ask them to accept the Quran, or the Prophet, peace be upon him, or anything specific to the new community. It proposes three terms, and every one of them is already inside their own scripture. And the third term, that none of us take others as lords besides Allah, is aimed at the practice of deferring to religious authority absolutely, which is a failure available to every community including the one issuing the invitation.

And the close is honest about what happens if it is refused. If they turn away, say, bear witness that we are submitted. Not a threat. A statement of position, and an end to the conversation.

Verse 66 makes an argument that would improve most public disagreement. Here you are, you have argued about what you have knowledge of. So why do you argue about what you have no knowledge of. There is a subject where they had real standing, and a subject where they had none, and they were arguing at the same volume in both.

Verse 75 gives a description of a mixed community and it is scrupulously fair. Among them is one who, if you trust him with a great sum, will return it to you. And among them is one who, if you trust him with a single coin, will not return it unless you stand over him. The best case is described first, and it is the more extreme case: a fortune returned unprompted. Then the worst. The chapter refuses to characterize a people by either end.

And then the belief that made the second man possible: they said, there is no way against us concerning the unlettered. A theology that graded the obligation by the identity of the counterparty. Verse 76 answers it with a rule that has no counterparty in it at all: whoever fulfils his covenant and is conscious of Allah, then Allah loves those conscious of Him.

Verse 78 describes forgery by tone of voice. They twist their tongues with the Book so you think it is from the Book. The technique is delivery. Read something in the cadence of scripture and an untrained ear cannot tell where the quotation stops.

Verse 79 then closes the door on a specific corruption. It is not for a human being that Allah should give him the Book and the judgment and the prophethood, and then he says to people, be servants to me instead of Allah. Nobody who was actually given these things has ever used them that way. The alternative is stated in the same breath: be rabbaniyyin, people of the Lord, by what you have been teaching of the Book and by what you have been studying. Teaching and studying, both named, as the two things that produce the right kind of scholar.

Verse 81 is the covenant taken from the prophets, and its terms are startling. Whatever I have given you of a Book and wisdom, then a messenger comes to you confirming what is with you, you will certainly believe in him and you will certainly support him. Every prophet was bound in advance to accept a later one. No man given a Book was given it on the understanding that it was the last word.

And verse 92 sets the standard for giving in eight words. You will not reach righteousness until you spend from what you love. Not from what you have. From what you love. The verse defines birr by the cost of the thing rather than the amount of it.

Verses 96 to 110

Do Not Separate.

Verse 102 gives the standard and verse 103 gives the method, and they are consecutive for a reason. Be conscious of Allah as He deserves to be regarded, and do not die except as those submitted. Then: and hold fast, all of you together, to the rope of Allah, and do not separate.

The word jami’an, all together, attaches to the holding, not only to the rope. It is possible for each person to hold the rope alone and for the community to be in pieces, and the verse forecloses that reading with one word.

And then the argument, which is entirely from memory. Remember the favor of Allah upon you, when you were enemies and He joined your hearts together. The two tribes being addressed had a feud behind them that nothing had ever resolved. And then the image: you were on the edge of a pit of fire and He saved you from it. Shafa hufratin, the lip of a hole. Not near it. On the edge of it, mid-slip.

Verse 104 does something the previous verse might have made unnecessary. And let there be from among you a community calling to good, ordering what is right and forbidding what is wrong. Unity was commanded in verse 103. Verse 104 immediately establishes that unity does not mean everyone falls silent. A group whose function is to keep saying what needs saying is named as a requirement of the same community.

Verse 110 is the verse most often quoted about this community and least often quoted in full. You are the best community brought out for people. And then, immediately, the three things that make it so: ordering what is right, forbidding what is wrong, and believing in Allah. The description is conditional on the conduct, and two of the three conditions are about what you do for other people. The verse is not a statement of rank. It is a job description, and the sentence collapses the moment the work stops.

And then verse 110 continues into something the triumphalist reading never reaches: among them are believers, and most of them are defiantly disobedient. Even in the verse that praises this community, the other one is not written off entirely.

Verses 111 to 120

They Are Not All the Same.

Verse 113 begins with three words that should be attached to every generalization anyone ever makes about a people. Laysu sawa’an. They are not all the same.

And then the description of the ones being excepted, and it is generous beyond what the argument required. An upright community, reciting the signs of Allah through the hours of the night, and they prostrate. They believe in Allah and the Last Day, and they order what is right and forbid what is wrong, and they race in the good things. And those are among the righteous.

Verse 115 then guarantees the accounting. And whatever good they do, they will not be denied it. The verb means to have something covered over or refused acknowledgment. Their work will not be treated as though it had not happened.

Verse 117 gives the likeness for spending done without belief. A wind carrying bitter cold, striking a standing crop and destroying it. The crop was real. The labour was real. The harvest was days away. And the loss is attributed at the end of the verse not to the wind but to the owners: and Allah did not wrong them, but they were wronging themselves.

Verse 118 is a warning about proximity rather than about association. Do not take as bitanah those outside yourselves. Bitanah is the lining of a garment, the layer against the skin, and it is used for a man’s innermost circle, the people who know what he is thinking before he acts. The verse is not about who you may deal with, trade with, or live beside. It is about who is inside the lining.

And the tests it gives are behavioural and checkable. They will not fall short in corrupting you. They wish for what distresses you. Hatred has already shown itself from their mouths, and what their chests hide is greater. That last clause is the one to hold: what has already leaked out is the smaller portion.

Verse 119 is one of the most human verses in the chapter. Here you are, you love them and they do not love you. The affection is real and it is one-directional, and the Quran says so to people who did not want to hear it. And it names the specific detail: when they are alone they bite their fingertips at you in rage. A physical description of contained fury.

And then verse 120, which is the instruction the whole passage resolves into, and it is remarkably small. If something good touches you it distresses them. And if something bad strikes you they rejoice at it. And if you are patient and conscious of Allah, their scheming will not harm you at all. No counter-plan is ordered. No exposure, no retaliation, no strategy. Two things: sabr and taqwa. And the guarantee attached to them is total.

Structural Summary

Verses Sixty-Four to One Hundred and Twenty. Hold to the Rope.

An invitation to level ground, with the costly term aimed at the speaker too. Two subjects argued at the same volume, one of them known and one not. A fortune returned and a coin withheld, in the same community. An obligation graded by the identity of the counterparty, answered with a rule that has none. Forgery accomplished by cadence. Teaching and studying named as what produces the right scholar. Every prophet bound in advance to accept a later one. Righteousness measured by the cost of the thing rather than the amount. All together attached to the holding and not only to the rope. A lip of a hole, mid-slip. Unity commanded, and a group required to keep speaking. A job description mistaken for a rank. Three words attached to every generalization. A garment lining as the image for the inner circle. What leaked out named as the smaller portion. Affection running one way and said out loud. And a guarantee attached to two things only.

The Practice · Daily Integration

Verses Sixty-Four to One Hundred and Twenty. Do It Specifically.

One. Verse 66 separates what you know from what you do not. Take the argument you had most recently. Identify which parts you actually had grounds for. Concede the rest, by name, to the person you argued with.

Two. Verse 92 sets the standard at what you love rather than what you have. Choose one possession you would be reluctant to part with. Give it away this week to someone who needs it more.

Three. Verse 118 warns about the lining rather than the garment. List the four or five people whose opinion actually moves your decisions. Ask honestly whether each of them wants for you what you want for yourself.

آمِين

Prepared with discipline · Ameen

Verse-By-Verse · Test Yourself

The Quiz

Two questions per verse. Translation and a key Arabic word. Walk through it slow. The goal is comprehension, not speed.

Verses 64 to 791 / 19

Verse 64

What are the three terms of the word offered as equal between the two parties in verse 64?