Surah Fussilat

Ta'awwudh · Seeking Refuge

أَعُوذُ بِاللَّهِ مِنَ الشَّيْطَانِ الرَّجِيمِ

A'udhu billahi min ash-shaytani ar-rajim. I seek refuge in Allah from Satan, the accursed.

The Name · Bismillah

بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ

Bismillahi ar-Rahmani ar-Rahim. In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

✦

The Surah · Fussilat

﴾١﴿ حمٓ

Ha Meem

Ha Meem.

﴾٢﴿ تَنزِيلٌۭ مِّنَ ٱلرَّحْمَٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ

Tanzilun mina ar-Rahmani ar-Rahim

A revelation from the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

﴾٣﴿ كِتَٰبٌۭ فُصِّلَتْ ءَايَٰتُهُۥ قُرْءَانًا عَرَبِيًّۭا لِّقَوْمٍۢ يَعْلَمُونَ

Kitabun fussilat ayatuhu Qur'anan 'Arabiyyan liqawmin ya'lamun

A Book whose verses have been laid out in detail, a Quran in Arabic, for a people who know.

﴾٤﴿ بَشِيرًۭا وَنَذِيرًۭا فَأَعْرَضَ أَكْثَرُهُمْ فَهُمْ لَا يَسْمَعُونَ

Bashiran wa nadhiran fa a'rada aktharuhum fahum la yasma'un

Bringing good news and warning. Most of them turned away, so they do not hear.

﴾٥﴿ وَقَالُوا۟ قُلُوبُنَا فِىٓ أَكِنَّةٍۢ مِّمَّا تَدْعُونَآ إِلَيْهِ وَفِىٓ ءَاذَانِنَا وَقْرٌۭ وَمِنۢ بَيْنِنَا وَبَيْنِكَ حِجَابٌۭ فَٱعْمَلْ إِنَّنَا عَٰمِلُونَ

Wa qalu qulubuna fi akinnatin mimma tad'una ilayhi wa fi adhanina waqrun wa min baynina wa baynika hijabun fa'mal innana 'amilun

They said: our hearts are within coverings from what you call us to, and in our ears is deafness, and between us and you is a barrier. So work, we are working.

﴾٦﴿ قُلْ إِنَّمَآ أَنَا۠ بَشَرٌۭ مِّثْلُكُمْ يُوحَىٰٓ إِلَىَّ أَنَّمَآ إِلَٰهُكُمْ إِلَٰهٌۭ وَٰحِدٌۭ فَٱسْتَقِيمُوٓا۟ إِلَيْهِ وَٱسْتَغْفِرُوهُ ۗ وَوَيْلٌۭ لِّلْمُشْرِكِينَ

Qul innama ana basharun mithlukum yuha ilayya annama ilahukum ilahun wahidun fastaqimu ilayhi wastaghfiruh, wa waylun lil-mushrikin

Say: I am only a man like you. It is revealed to me that your God is one God, so go straight to Him and ask His forgiveness. Woe to those who set up partners,

﴾٧﴿ ٱلَّذِينَ لَا يُؤْتُونَ ٱلزَّكَوٰةَ وَهُم بِٱلْءَاخِرَةِ هُمْ كَٰفِرُونَ

Alladhina la yu'tuna az-zakata wa hum bil-akhirati hum kafirun

those who do not give the purifying due and who reject the Hereafter.

﴾٨﴿ إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَعَمِلُوا۟ ٱلصَّٰلِحَٰتِ لَهُمْ أَجْرٌ غَيْرُ مَمْنُونٍۢ

Inna alladhina amanu wa 'amilu as-salihati lahum ajrun ghayru mamnun

Those who believed and did right have a reward that is never cut off.

﴾٩﴿ ۞ قُلْ أَئِنَّكُمْ لَتَكْفُرُونَ بِٱلَّذِى خَلَقَ ٱلْأَرْضَ فِى يَوْمَيْنِ وَتَجْعَلُونَ لَهُۥٓ أَندَادًۭا ۚ ذَٰلِكَ رَبُّ ٱلْعَٰلَمِينَ

Qul a'innakum latakfuruna billadhi khalaqa al-arda fi yawmayni wa taj'aluna lahu andada, dhalika Rabbu al-'alamin

Say: do you reject the One who created the earth in two days, and set up rivals to Him? That is the Lord of all the worlds.

﴾١٠﴿ وَجَعَلَ فِيهَا رَوَٰسِىَ مِن فَوْقِهَا وَبَٰرَكَ فِيهَا وَقَدَّرَ فِيهَآ أَقْوَٰتَهَا فِىٓ أَرْبَعَةِ أَيَّامٍۢ سَوَآءًۭ لِّلسَّآئِلِينَ

Wa ja'ala fiha rawasiya min fawqiha wa baraka fiha wa qaddara fiha aqwataha fi arba'ati ayyamin sawa'an lis-sa'ilin

He placed firm mountains above it, blessed it, and measured out its provisions in four days, equal for those who ask.

﴾١١﴿ ثُمَّ ٱسْتَوَىٰٓ إِلَى ٱلسَّمَآءِ وَهِىَ دُخَانٌۭ فَقَالَ لَهَا وَلِلْأَرْضِ ٱئْتِيَا طَوْعًا أَوْ كَرْهًۭا قَالَتَآ أَتَيْنَا طَآئِعِينَ

Thumma istawa ila as-sama'i wa hiya dukhanun faqala laha wa lil-ardi i'tiya taw'an aw karhan qalata atayna ta'i'in

Then He turned to the sky while it was smoke, and said to it and to the earth: come, willingly or unwillingly. They said: we come willingly.

﴾١٢﴿ فَقَضَىٰهُنَّ سَبْعَ سَمَٰوَاتٍۢ فِى يَوْمَيْنِ وَأَوْحَىٰ فِى كُلِّ سَمَآءٍ أَمْرَهَا ۚ وَزَيَّنَّا ٱلسَّمَآءَ ٱلدُّنْيَا بِمَصَٰبِيحَ وَحِفْظًۭا ۚ ذَٰلِكَ تَقْدِيرُ ٱلْعَزِيزِ ٱلْعَلِيمِ

Faqadahunna sab'a samawatin fi yawmayni wa awha fi kulli sama'in amraha, wa zayyanna as-sama'a ad-dunya bimasabiha wa hifzan, dhalika taqdiru al-'Azizi al-'Alim

So He completed them as seven heavens in two days, and assigned to each heaven its command. We adorned the lowest heaven with lamps, and as protection. That is the determining of the Exalted in Might, the Knowing.

﴾١٣﴿ فَإِنْ أَعْرَضُوا۟ فَقُلْ أَنذَرْتُكُمْ صَٰعِقَةًۭ مِّثْلَ صَٰعِقَةِ عَادٍۢ وَثَمُودَ

Fa in a'radu faqul andhartukum sa'iqatan mithla sa'iqati 'Adin wa Thamud

If they turn away, say: I warn you of a thunderbolt like the thunderbolt of 'Ad and Thamud.

﴾١٤﴿ إِذْ جَآءَتْهُمُ ٱلرُّسُلُ مِنۢ بَيْنِ أَيْدِيهِمْ وَمِنْ خَلْفِهِمْ أَلَّا تَعْبُدُوٓا۟ إِلَّا ٱللَّهَ ۖ قَالُوا۟ لَوْ شَآءَ رَبُّنَا لَأَنزَلَ مَلَٰٓئِكَةًۭ فَإِنَّا بِمَآ أُرْسِلْتُم بِهِۦ كَٰفِرُونَ

Idh ja'at-humu ar-rusulu min bayni aydihim wa min khalfihim alla ta'budu illa Allah, qalu law sha'a Rabbuna la anzala mala'ikatan fa inna bima ursiltum bihi kafirun

When the messengers came to them from before them and behind them, saying do not worship anyone but Allah, they said: had our Lord willed, He would have sent down angels. We reject what you were sent with.

﴾١٥﴿ فَأَمَّا عَادٌۭ فَٱسْتَكْبَرُوا۟ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ بِغَيْرِ ٱلْحَقِّ وَقَالُوا۟ مَنْ أَشَدُّ مِنَّا قُوَّةً ۖ أَوَلَمْ يَرَوْا۟ أَنَّ ٱللَّهَ ٱلَّذِى خَلَقَهُمْ هُوَ أَشَدُّ مِنْهُمْ قُوَّةًۭ ۖ وَكَانُوا۟ بِـَٔايَٰتِنَا يَجْحَدُونَ

Fa amma 'Adun fastakbaru fi al-ardi bighayri al-haqqi wa qalu man ashaddu minna quwwatan, awa lam yaraw anna Allaha alladhi khalaqahum huwa ashaddu minhum quwwatan, wa kanu bi'ayatina yajhadun

As for 'Ad, they were arrogant in the land without right, and they said: who is greater than us in strength? Did they not see that Allah who created them is greater than them in strength? They kept denying Our signs.

﴾١٦﴿ فَأَرْسَلْنَا عَلَيْهِمْ رِيحًۭا صَرْصَرًۭا فِىٓ أَيَّامٍۢ نَّحِسَاتٍۢ لِّنُذِيقَهُمْ عَذَابَ ٱلْخِزْىِ فِى ٱلْحَيَوٰةِ ٱلدُّنْيَا ۖ وَلَعَذَابُ ٱلْءَاخِرَةِ أَخْزَىٰ ۖ وَهُمْ لَا يُنصَرُونَ

Fa arsalna 'alayhim rihan sarsaran fi ayyamin nahisatin linudhiqahum 'adhaba al-khizyi fi al-hayati ad-dunya, wa la'adhabu al-akhirati akhza wa hum la yunsarun

So We sent against them a screaming wind on days of misfortune, to make them taste the punishment of disgrace in this life. The punishment of the Hereafter is more disgracing, and they will not be helped.

﴾١٧﴿ وَأَمَّا ثَمُودُ فَهَدَيْنَٰهُمْ فَٱسْتَحَبُّوا۟ ٱلْعَمَىٰ عَلَى ٱلْهُدَىٰ فَأَخَذَتْهُمْ صَٰعِقَةُ ٱلْعَذَابِ ٱلْهُونِ بِمَا كَانُوا۟ يَكْسِبُونَ

Wa amma Thamudu fahadaynahum fastahabbu al-'ama 'ala al-huda fa akhadhat-hum sa'iqatu al-'adhabi al-huni bima kanu yaksibun

As for Thamud, We guided them, but they preferred blindness over guidance, so the thunderbolt of humiliating punishment seized them for what they were earning.

﴾١٨﴿ وَنَجَّيْنَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَكَانُوا۟ يَتَّقُونَ

Wa najjayna alladhina amanu wa kanu yattaqun

And We saved those who believed and were mindful of Allah.

﴾١٩﴿ وَيَوْمَ يُحْشَرُ أَعْدَآءُ ٱللَّهِ إِلَى ٱلنَّارِ فَهُمْ يُوزَعُونَ

Wa yawma yuhsharu a'da'u Allahi ila an-nari fahum yuza'un

On the day the enemies of Allah are gathered to the Fire, they are driven in ranks.

﴾٢٠﴿ حَتَّىٰٓ إِذَا مَا جَآءُوهَا شَهِدَ عَلَيْهِمْ سَمْعُهُمْ وَأَبْصَٰرُهُمْ وَجُلُودُهُم بِمَا كَانُوا۟ يَعْمَلُونَ

Hatta idha ma ja'uha shahida 'alayhim sam'uhum wa absaruhum wa juluduhum bima kanu ya'malun

Until, when they reach it, their hearing, their sight, and their skins testify against them about what they used to do.

﴾٢١﴿ وَقَالُوا۟ لِجُلُودِهِمْ لِمَ شَهِدتُّمْ عَلَيْنَا ۖ قَالُوٓا۟ أَنطَقَنَا ٱللَّهُ ٱلَّذِىٓ أَنطَقَ كُلَّ شَىْءٍۢ وَهُوَ خَلَقَكُمْ أَوَّلَ مَرَّةٍۢ وَإِلَيْهِ تُرْجَعُونَ

Wa qalu lijuludihim lima shahidtum 'alayna, qalu antaqana Allahu alladhi antaqa kulla shay'in wa huwa khalaqakum awwala marratin wa ilayhi turja'un

They say to their skins: why did you testify against us? They say: Allah made us speak, the One who made all things speak. He created you the first time, and to Him you are returned.

﴾٢٢﴿ وَمَا كُنتُمْ تَسْتَتِرُونَ أَن يَشْهَدَ عَلَيْكُمْ سَمْعُكُمْ وَلَآ أَبْصَٰرُكُمْ وَلَا جُلُودُكُمْ وَلَٰكِن ظَنَنتُمْ أَنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَا يَعْلَمُ كَثِيرًۭا مِّمَّا تَعْمَلُونَ

Wa ma kuntum tastatiruna an yashhada 'alaykum sam'ukum wa la absarukum wa la juludukum wa lakin zanantum anna Allaha la ya'lamu kathiran mimma ta'malun

You were not concealing yourselves out of any fear that your hearing, your sight, and your skins would testify against you. Rather, you assumed that Allah does not know much of what you do.

﴾٢٣﴿ وَذَٰلِكُمْ ظَنُّكُمُ ٱلَّذِى ظَنَنتُم بِرَبِّكُمْ أَرْدَىٰكُمْ فَأَصْبَحْتُم مِّنَ ٱلْخَٰسِرِينَ

Wa dhalikum zannukumu alladhi zanantum bi-Rabbikum ardakum fa asbahtum mina al-khasirin

That assumption of yours about your Lord is what ruined you, and you became of the losers.

﴾٢٤﴿ فَإِن يَصْبِرُوا۟ فَٱلنَّارُ مَثْوًۭى لَّهُمْ ۖ وَإِن يَسْتَعْتِبُوا۟ فَمَا هُم مِّنَ ٱلْمُعْتَبِينَ

Fa in yasbiru fan-naru mathwan lahum, wa in yasta'tibu fama hum mina al-mu'tabin

If they endure, the Fire is their home. If they ask to make amends, they are not among those granted it.

﴾٢٥﴿ ۞ وَقَيَّضْنَا لَهُمْ قُرَنَآءَ فَزَيَّنُوا۟ لَهُم مَّا بَيْنَ أَيْدِيهِمْ وَمَا خَلْفَهُمْ وَحَقَّ عَلَيْهِمُ ٱلْقَوْلُ فِىٓ أُمَمٍۢ قَدْ خَلَتْ مِن قَبْلِهِم مِّنَ ٱلْجِنِّ وَٱلْإِنسِ ۖ إِنَّهُمْ كَانُوا۟ خَٰسِرِينَ

Wa qayyadna lahum quruna'a fazayyanu lahum ma bayna aydihim wa ma khalfahum wa haqqa 'alayhimu al-qawlu fi umamin qad khalat min qablihim mina al-jinni wal-insi, innahum kanu khasirin

We assigned to them companions who made attractive to them what was in front of them and what was behind them. The word came due against them, among nations of jinn and men that passed before them. They were losers.

﴾٢٦﴿ وَقَالَ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ لَا تَسْمَعُوا۟ لِهَٰذَا ٱلْقُرْءَانِ وَٱلْغَوْا۟ فِيهِ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَغْلِبُونَ

Wa qala alladhina kafaru la tasma'u lihadha al-Qur'ani walghaw fihi la'allakum taghlibun

Those who disbelieved said: do not listen to this Quran, and make noise over it, so that you may overcome.

﴾٢٧﴿ فَلَنُذِيقَنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ عَذَابًۭا شَدِيدًۭا وَلَنَجْزِيَنَّهُمْ أَسْوَأَ ٱلَّذِى كَانُوا۟ يَعْمَلُونَ

Falanudhiqanna alladhina kafaru 'adhaban shadidan wa lanajziyannahum aswa'a alladhi kanu ya'malun

We will make those who disbelieved taste a severe punishment, and We will repay them for the worst of what they did.

﴾٢٨﴿ ذَٰلِكَ جَزَآءُ أَعْدَآءِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلنَّارُ ۖ لَهُمْ فِيهَا دَارُ ٱلْخُلْدِ ۖ جَزَآءًۢ بِمَا كَانُوا۟ بِـَٔايَٰتِنَا يَجْحَدُونَ

Dhalika jaza'u a'da'i Allahi an-nar, lahum fiha daru al-khuld, jaza'an bima kanu bi'ayatina yajhadun

That is the reward of the enemies of Allah, the Fire. In it they have the home of permanence, a reward for denying Our signs.

﴾٢٩﴿ وَقَالَ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ رَبَّنَآ أَرِنَا ٱلَّذَيْنِ أَضَلَّانَا مِنَ ٱلْجِنِّ وَٱلْإِنسِ نَجْعَلْهُمَا تَحْتَ أَقْدَامِنَا لِيَكُونَا مِنَ ٱلْأَسْفَلِينَ

Wa qala alladhina kafaru Rabbana arina alladhayni adallana mina al-jinni wal-insi naj'alhuma tahta aqdamina liyakuna mina al-asfalin

Those who disbelieved said: our Lord, show us the two who led us astray, of jinn and men, so we may put them under our feet and they will be among the lowest.

﴾٣٠﴿ إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ قَالُوا۟ رَبُّنَا ٱللَّهُ ثُمَّ ٱسْتَقَٰمُوا۟ تَتَنَزَّلُ عَلَيْهِمُ ٱلْمَلَٰٓئِكَةُ أَلَّا تَخَافُوا۟ وَلَا تَحْزَنُوا۟ وَأَبْشِرُوا۟ بِٱلْجَنَّةِ ٱلَّتِى كُنتُمْ تُوعَدُونَ

Inna alladhina qalu Rabbuna Allahu thumma istaqamu tatanazzalu 'alayhimu al-mala'ikatu alla takhafu wa la tahzanu wa abshiru bil-jannati allati kuntum tu'adun

Those who say our Lord is Allah and then stand firm, the angels descend upon them: do not fear and do not grieve, and receive good news of the Garden you were promised.

﴾٣١﴿ نَحْنُ أَوْلِيَآؤُكُمْ فِى ٱلْحَيَوٰةِ ٱلدُّنْيَا وَفِى ٱلْءَاخِرَةِ ۖ وَلَكُمْ فِيهَا مَا تَشْتَهِىٓ أَنفُسُكُمْ وَلَكُمْ فِيهَا مَا تَدَّعُونَ

Nahnu awliya'ukum fi al-hayati ad-dunya wa fi al-akhirah, wa lakum fiha ma tashtahi anfusukum wa lakum fiha ma tadda'un

We are your allies in this life and in the Hereafter. In it you have whatever your souls desire, and in it you have whatever you ask for,

﴾٣٢﴿ نُزُلًۭا مِّنْ غَفُورٍۢ رَّحِيمٍۢ

Nuzulan min Ghafurin Rahim

a hospitality from One who is Forgiving, Merciful.

﴾٣٣﴿ وَمَنْ أَحْسَنُ قَوْلًۭا مِّمَّن دَعَآ إِلَى ٱللَّهِ وَعَمِلَ صَٰلِحًۭا وَقَالَ إِنَّنِى مِنَ ٱلْمُسْلِمِينَ

Wa man ahsanu qawlan mimman da'a ila Allahi wa 'amila salihan wa qala innani mina al-muslimin

Who is better in speech than one who calls to Allah, works righteousness, and says I am of the Muslims?

﴾٣٤﴿ وَلَا تَسْتَوِى ٱلْحَسَنَةُ وَلَا ٱلسَّيِّئَةُ ۚ ٱدْفَعْ بِٱلَّتِى هِىَ أَحْسَنُ فَإِذَا ٱلَّذِى بَيْنَكَ وَبَيْنَهُۥ عَدَٰوَةٌۭ كَأَنَّهُۥ وَلِىٌّ حَمِيمٌۭ

Wa la tastawi al-hasanatu wa la as-sayyi'ah, idfa' billati hiya ahsanu fa idha alladhi baynaka wa baynahu 'adawatun ka-annahu waliyyun hamim

The good deed and the bad deed are not equal. Repel with what is better, and the one between you and whom there is enmity becomes as though he were a devoted friend.

﴾٣٥﴿ وَمَا يُلَقَّىٰهَآ إِلَّا ٱلَّذِينَ صَبَرُوا۟ وَمَا يُلَقَّىٰهَآ إِلَّا ذُو حَظٍّ عَظِيمٍۢ

Wa ma yulaqqaha illa alladhina sabaru wa ma yulaqqaha illa dhu hazzin 'azim

None is granted it except those who are patient, and none is granted it except one of great fortune.

﴾٣٦﴿ وَإِمَّا يَنزَغَنَّكَ مِنَ ٱلشَّيْطَٰنِ نَزْغٌۭ فَٱسْتَعِذْ بِٱللَّهِ ۖ إِنَّهُۥ هُوَ ٱلسَّمِيعُ ٱلْعَلِيمُ

Wa imma yanzaghannaka mina ash-shaytani nazghun fasta'idh billah, innahu huwa as-Sami'u al-'Alim

If a prompting from Shaytan provokes you, seek refuge in Allah. He is the Hearing, the Knowing.

﴾٣٧﴿ وَمِنْ ءَايَٰتِهِ ٱلَّيْلُ وَٱلنَّهَارُ وَٱلشَّمْسُ وَٱلْقَمَرُ ۚ لَا تَسْجُدُوا۟ لِلشَّمْسِ وَلَا لِلْقَمَرِ وَٱسْجُدُوا۟ لِلَّهِ ٱلَّذِى خَلَقَهُنَّ إِن كُنتُمْ إِيَّاهُ تَعْبُدُونَ

Wa min ayatihi al-laylu wan-naharu wash-shamsu wal-qamar, la tasjudu lish-shamsi wa la lil-qamari wasjudu lillahi alladhi khalaqahunna in kuntum iyyahu ta'budun

Among His signs are the night and the day, the sun and the moon. Do not prostrate to the sun or to the moon. Prostrate to Allah who created them, if it is Him you worship.

﴾٣٨﴿ فَإِنِ ٱسْتَكْبَرُوا۟ فَٱلَّذِينَ عِندَ رَبِّكَ يُسَبِّحُونَ لَهُۥ بِٱلَّيْلِ وَٱلنَّهَارِ وَهُمْ لَا يَسْـَٔمُونَ ۩

Fa ini istakbaru falladhina 'inda Rabbika yusabbihuna lahu bil-layli wan-nahari wa hum la yas'amun

If they are arrogant, those who are with your Lord glorify Him by night and by day, and they do not tire.

﴾٣٩﴿ وَمِنْ ءَايَٰتِهِۦٓ أَنَّكَ تَرَى ٱلْأَرْضَ خَٰشِعَةًۭ فَإِذَآ أَنزَلْنَا عَلَيْهَا ٱلْمَآءَ ٱهْتَزَّتْ وَرَبَتْ ۚ إِنَّ ٱلَّذِىٓ أَحْيَاهَا لَمُحْىِ ٱلْمَوْتَىٰٓ ۚ إِنَّهُۥ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَىْءٍۢ قَدِيرٌ

Wa min ayatihi annaka tara al-arda khashi'atan fa idha anzalna 'alayha al-ma'a ihtazzat wa rabat, inna alladhi ahyaha lamuhyi al-mawta, innahu 'ala kulli shay'in Qadir

Among His signs is that you see the earth still and lifeless, and when We send down water on it, it stirs and swells. The One who gave it life gives life to the dead. He is capable of all things.

﴾٤٠﴿ إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ يُلْحِدُونَ فِىٓ ءَايَٰتِنَا لَا يَخْفَوْنَ عَلَيْنَآ ۗ أَفَمَن يُلْقَىٰ فِى ٱلنَّارِ خَيْرٌ أَم مَّن يَأْتِىٓ ءَامِنًۭا يَوْمَ ٱلْقِيَٰمَةِ ۚ ٱعْمَلُوا۟ مَا شِئْتُمْ ۖ إِنَّهُۥ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ بَصِيرٌ

Inna alladhina yulhiduna fi ayatina la yakhfawna 'alayna, afaman yulqa fi an-nari khayrun am man ya'ti aminan Yawma al-Qiyamah, i'malu ma shi'tum innahu bima ta'maluna Basir

Those who distort Our signs are not hidden from Us. Is one thrown into the Fire better, or one who comes secure on the Day of Resurrection? Do what you want. He sees what you do.

﴾٤١﴿ إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ بِٱلذِّكْرِ لَمَّا جَآءَهُمْ ۖ وَإِنَّهُۥ لَكِتَٰبٌ عَزِيزٌۭ

Inna alladhina kafaru bidh-dhikri lamma ja'ahum, wa innahu lakitabun 'Aziz

Those who rejected the reminder when it came to them, and it is a mighty Book.

﴾٤٢﴿ لَّا يَأْتِيهِ ٱلْبَٰطِلُ مِنۢ بَيْنِ يَدَيْهِ وَلَا مِنْ خَلْفِهِۦ ۖ تَنزِيلٌۭ مِّنْ حَكِيمٍ حَمِيدٍۢ

La ya'tihi al-batilu min bayni yadayhi wa la min khalfih, tanzilun min Hakimin Hamid

Falsehood does not come to it from in front of it or from behind it. A revelation from One who is Wise, Praiseworthy.

﴾٤٣﴿ مَّا يُقَالُ لَكَ إِلَّا مَا قَدْ قِيلَ لِلرُّسُلِ مِن قَبْلِكَ ۚ إِنَّ رَبَّكَ لَذُو مَغْفِرَةٍۢ وَذُو عِقَابٍ أَلِيمٍۢ

Ma yuqalu laka illa ma qad qila lir-rusuli min qablik, inna Rabbaka ladhu maghfiratin wa dhu 'iqabin alim

Nothing is said to you except what was already said to the messengers before you. Your Lord is the possessor of forgiveness and the possessor of painful punishment.

﴾٤٤﴿ وَلَوْ جَعَلْنَٰهُ قُرْءَانًا أَعْجَمِيًّۭا لَّقَالُوا۟ لَوْلَا فُصِّلَتْ ءَايَٰتُهُۥٓ ۖ ءَا۬عْجَمِىٌّۭ وَعَرَبِىٌّۭ ۗ قُلْ هُوَ لِلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ هُدًۭى وَشِفَآءٌۭ ۖ وَٱلَّذِينَ لَا يُؤْمِنُونَ فِىٓ ءَاذَانِهِمْ وَقْرٌۭ وَهُوَ عَلَيْهِمْ عَمًى ۚ أُو۟لَٰٓئِكَ يُنَادَوْنَ مِن مَّكَانٍۭ بَعِيدٍۢ

Wa law ja'alnahu Qur'anan a'jamiyyan laqalu lawla fussilat ayatuh, a'jamiyyun wa 'Arabiyy, qul huwa lilladhina amanu hudan wa shifa', walladhina la yu'minuna fi adhanihim waqrun wa huwa 'alayhim 'aman, ula'ika yunadawna min makanin ba'id

Had We made it a Quran in a foreign tongue, they would have said: why are its verses not laid out in detail? A foreign tongue and an Arab? Say: for those who believe it is guidance and healing. As for those who do not believe, in their ears is deafness and it is blindness to them. They are called from a distant place.

﴾٤٥﴿ وَلَقَدْ ءَاتَيْنَا مُوسَى ٱلْكِتَٰبَ فَٱخْتُلِفَ فِيهِ ۗ وَلَوْلَا كَلِمَةٌۭ سَبَقَتْ مِن رَّبِّكَ لَقُضِىَ بَيْنَهُمْ ۚ وَإِنَّهُمْ لَفِى شَكٍّۢ مِّنْهُ مُرِيبٍۢ

Wa laqad atayna Musa al-kitaba fakhtulifa fih, wa lawla kalimatun sabaqat min Rabbika laqudiya baynahum, wa innahum lafi shakkin minhu murib

We gave Musa the Book, and it was disputed over. Were it not for a word already given by your Lord, the matter between them would have been settled. They are in deep doubt about it.

﴾٤٦﴿ مَّنْ عَمِلَ صَٰلِحًۭا فَلِنَفْسِهِۦ ۖ وَمَنْ أَسَآءَ فَعَلَيْهَا ۗ وَمَا رَبُّكَ بِظَلَّٰمٍۢ لِّلْعَبِيدِ

Man 'amila salihan falinafsihi wa man asa'a fa'alayha, wa ma Rabbuka bizallamin lil-'abid

Whoever does righteousness, it is for himself, and whoever does evil, it is against himself. Your Lord is not unjust to His servants.

﴾٤٧﴿ ۞ إِلَيْهِ يُرَدُّ عِلْمُ ٱلسَّاعَةِ ۚ وَمَا تَخْرُجُ مِن ثَمَرَٰتٍۢ مِّنْ أَكْمَامِهَا وَمَا تَحْمِلُ مِنْ أُنثَىٰ وَلَا تَضَعُ إِلَّا بِعِلْمِهِۦ ۚ وَيَوْمَ يُنَادِيهِمْ أَيْنَ شُرَكَآءِى قَالُوٓا۟ ءَاذَنَّٰكَ مَا مِنَّا مِن شَهِيدٍۢ

Ilayhi yuraddu 'ilmu as-sa'ah, wa ma takhruju min thamaratin min akmamiha wa ma tahmilu min untha wa la tada'u illa bi'ilmih, wa yawma yunadihim ayna shuraka'i qalu adhannaka ma minna min shahid

To Him is referred the knowledge of the Hour. No fruit comes out of its covering, and no female carries or delivers, except with His knowledge. On the day He calls to them, where are My partners, they will say: we declare to You, none of us is a witness to that.

﴾٤٨﴿ وَضَلَّ عَنْهُم مَّا كَانُوا۟ يَدْعُونَ مِن قَبْلُ ۖ وَظَنُّوا۟ مَا لَهُم مِّن مَّحِيصٍۢ

Wa dalla 'anhum ma kanu yad'una min qablu wa zannu ma lahum min mahis

What they used to call on before will be lost to them, and they will know there is no escape for them.

﴾٤٩﴿ لَّا يَسْـَٔمُ ٱلْإِنسَٰنُ مِن دُعَآءِ ٱلْخَيْرِ وَإِن مَّسَّهُ ٱلشَّرُّ فَيَـُٔوسٌۭ قَنُوطٌۭ

La yas'amu al-insanu min du'a'i al-khayri wa in massahu ash-sharru fa ya'usun qanut

Man does not tire of praying for good, and if evil touches him he is despairing and hopeless.

﴾٥٠﴿ وَلَئِنْ أَذَقْنَٰهُ رَحْمَةًۭ مِّنَّا مِنۢ بَعْدِ ضَرَّآءَ مَسَّتْهُ لَيَقُولَنَّ هَٰذَا لِى وَمَآ أَظُنُّ ٱلسَّاعَةَ قَآئِمَةًۭ وَلَئِن رُّجِعْتُ إِلَىٰ رَبِّىٓ إِنَّ لِى عِندَهُۥ لَلْحُسْنَىٰ ۚ فَلَنُنَبِّئَنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ بِمَا عَمِلُوا۟ وَلَنُذِيقَنَّهُم مِّنْ عَذَابٍ غَلِيظٍۢ

Wa la'in adhaqnahu rahmatan minna min ba'di darra'a massat-hu layaqulanna hadha li wa ma azunnu as-sa'ata qa'imatan wa la'in ruji'tu ila Rabbi inna li 'indahu lalhusna, falanunabbi'anna alladhina kafaru bima 'amilu wa lanudhiqannahum min 'adhabin ghaliz

If We let him taste mercy from Us after hardship touched him, he says: this is mine, and I do not think the Hour is coming, and if I am returned to my Lord, I will have the best with Him. We will inform those who disbelieved of what they did, and We will make them taste a harsh punishment.

﴾٥١﴿ وَإِذَآ أَنْعَمْنَا عَلَى ٱلْإِنسَٰنِ أَعْرَضَ وَنَـَٔا بِجَانِبِهِۦ وَإِذَا مَسَّهُ ٱلشَّرُّ فَذُو دُعَآءٍ عَرِيضٍۢ

Wa idha an'amna 'ala al-insani a'rada wa na'a bijanibihi wa idha massahu ash-sharru fadhu du'a'in 'arid

When We favor man, he turns away and moves aside, and when evil touches him, he is full of long prayer.

﴾٥٢﴿ قُلْ أَرَءَيْتُمْ إِن كَانَ مِنْ عِندِ ٱللَّهِ ثُمَّ كَفَرْتُم بِهِۦ مَنْ أَضَلُّ مِمَّنْ هُوَ فِى شِقَاقٍۭ بَعِيدٍۢ

Qul ara'aytum in kana min 'indi Allahi thumma kafartum bihi man adallu mimman huwa fi shiqaqin ba'id

Say: tell me, if it is from Allah and then you rejected it, who is more astray than one who is in far opposition?

﴾٥٣﴿ سَنُرِيهِمْ ءَايَٰتِنَا فِى ٱلْءَافَاقِ وَفِىٓ أَنفُسِهِمْ حَتَّىٰ يَتَبَيَّنَ لَهُمْ أَنَّهُ ٱلْحَقُّ ۗ أَوَلَمْ يَكْفِ بِرَبِّكَ أَنَّهُۥ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَىْءٍۢ شَهِيدٌ

Sanurihim ayatina fi al-afaqi wa fi anfusihim hatta yatabayyana lahum annahu al-haqq, awa lam yakfi bi-Rabbika annahu 'ala kulli shay'in Shahid

We will show them Our signs in the horizons and within themselves, until it becomes clear to them that it is the truth. Is it not sufficient that your Lord is a Witness over all things?

﴾٥٤﴿ أَلَآ إِنَّهُمْ فِى مِرْيَةٍۢ مِّن لِّقَآءِ رَبِّهِمْ ۗ أَلَآ إِنَّهُۥ بِكُلِّ شَىْءٍۢ مُّحِيطٌۢ

Ala innahum fi miryatin min liqa'i Rabbihim, ala innahu bikulli shay'in Muhit

They are in doubt about the meeting with their Lord. He encompasses all things.

The Tafsir · The Breakdown

What The Surah Means

Overview

Surah Fussilat is fifty-four verses, chapter 41, Makki. Its name comes from the second verse, describing a Book whose verses have been laid out in detail. It contains the account Ibn Kathir records of Utbah ibn Rabi'ah, sent by the Quraysh to negotiate, who was recited this surah and returned to them with a changed face.

The surah contains the most practical instruction in the Quran for a man dealing with hostility, in verses 34 and 35, and one of the most disturbing images in the Book, in verses 20 to 22, where a man's own body testifies against him and then explains why.

Repel with what is better, and the one between you and whom there is enmity becomes as though he were a devoted friend.

Verses 5 and 20–22 · The Body Testifies

They said: our hearts are within coverings from what you call us to, and in our ears is deafness.

Qulubuna fi akinnatin mimma tad'una ilayh wa fi adhanina waqr: they describe their own condition accurately and present it as a defense. The Quran records the self-description without correcting it, because it is true.

Hatta idha ma ja'uha shahida 'alayhim sam'uhum wa absaruhum wa juluduhum bima kanu ya'malun: until when they reach it, their hearing, their sight, and their skins testify against them about what they used to do. The instruments of perception become witnesses.

Wa qalu lijuludihim lima shahidtum 'alayna, qalu antaqana Allahu alladhi antaqa kulla shay': and they say to their skins, why did you testify against us. They say, Allah made us speak, the One who made all things speak. The argument is not with a judge. It is with their own body.

Wa ma kuntum tastatiruna an yashhada 'alaykum sam'ukum wa la absarukum wa la juludukum: you were not concealing yourselves out of fear that your hearing, your sight, and your skins would testify against you. The verse names exactly what a man does hide from and what he does not.

Wa lakin zanantum anna Allaha la ya'lamu kathiran mimma ta'malun: rather, you assumed that Allah does not know much of what you do. The root of the whole behavior is named as an assumption about the limits of His knowledge.

You hid from people. You did not think to hide from your own skin.

Verses 30–36 · Stand Firm, and Repel With Better

Those who say our Lord is Allah and then stand firm, the angels descend upon them.

Inna alladhina qalu Rabbuna Allahu thumma istaqamu tatanazzalu 'alayhimu al-mala'ikatu alla takhafu wa la tahzanu: the same formula as Al-Ahqaf 13, and here the result is angels descending with an instruction not to fear and not to grieve. Nahnu awliya'ukum fi al-hayati ad-dunya wa fi al-akhirah. We are your allies in this life and in the Hereafter.

Wa man ahsanu qawlan mimman da'a ila Allahi wa 'amila salihan wa qala innani mina al-muslimin: who is better in speech than one who calls to Allah, works righteousness, and says I am of the Muslims. Three components. The call, the work behind it, and the open identification.

Wa la tastawi al-hasanatu wa la as-sayyi'ah, idfa' billati hiya ahsan: the good deed and the bad deed are not equal. Repel with what is better. Not with the equivalent. With the better one.

Fa idha alladhi baynaka wa baynahu 'adawatun ka-annahu waliyyun hamim: then the one between you and whom there is enmity becomes as though he were a devoted friend. The outcome is stated as a mechanism, not as a hope.

Wa ma yulaqqaha illa alladhina sabaru, wa ma yulaqqaha illa dhu hazzin 'azim: and none is granted it except those who are patient, and none is granted it except one of great fortune. The Quran immediately concedes that almost nobody can do this, which is why it names the two qualifications.

Wa imma yanzaghannaka mina ash-shaytani nazghun fasta'idh billah: and if a prompting from Shaytan provokes you, seek refuge in Allah. The instruction assumes the provocation will land.

Repel with the better one and the enemy turns into a friend. Only the patient are given the capacity to do it.

Verses 46–54 · Horizons and Selves

Whoever does righteousness, it is for himself, and whoever does evil, it is against himself.

Man 'amila salihan falinafsih wa man asa'a fa'alayha, wa ma Rabbuka bizallamin lil-'abid: your Lord is not unjust to His servants. The accounting is described as self directed in both directions.

Wa la yas'amu al-insanu min du'a'i al-khayr, wa in massahu ash-sharru fa ya'usun qanut: man does not tire of praying for good, and if evil touches him he is despairing and hopeless. The asymmetry is the observation. Endless appetite for good, no tolerance for the reverse.

Wa la'in adhaqnahu rahmatan minna min ba'di darra'a massat-hu layaqulanna hadha li: and if We let him taste mercy after hardship touched him, he says, this is mine. Hadha li, this belongs to me. Two words that describe the whole failure.

Sanurihim ayatina fi al-afaqi wa fi anfusihim hatta yatabayyana lahum annahu al-haqq: We will show them Our signs in the horizons and within themselves until it becomes clear to them that it is the truth. Two directions of evidence, outward and inward, and the promise is that the clarity will arrive.

Awa lam yakfi bi-Rabbika annahu 'ala kulli shay'in shahid: is it not sufficient that your Lord is a Witness over all things. Ala innahum fi miryatin min liqa'i Rabbihim, ala innahu bikulli shay'in muhit. He encompasses all things.

When the relief came, he said this is mine. Two words, and they are the whole disease.

Structural Summary

Fifty-Four Verses. Repel With What Is Better.

Verses 1–8The DetailingA Book laid out in detail in Arabic, met with hearts in coverings and a declared deafness.

Verses 9–18The MakingThe earth and the heavens ordered, and 'Ad who asked who is greater than us in strength.

Verses 19–24The TestimonyHearing, sight, and skins testifying, and the assumption underneath it that He does not know much of what you do.

Verses 25–29The CompanionsCompanions assigned who make the present and the future seem attractive.

Verses 30–32The StandingSay our Lord is Allah and stand firm, and the angels descend with do not fear and do not grieve.

Verses 33–36The MethodThe best speech, repelling with what is better, and the enemy who becomes a devoted friend.

Verses 37–54The SignsDo not prostrate to the sun or the moon, signs in the horizons and in yourselves, and He encompasses all things.

Why This Surah Is For You

Verses 34 and 35 are the most practical instruction in the Quran for a man with enemies. Repel with the better one, and the hostility converts. Then the Quran concedes the difficulty by naming who can actually do it. The patient, and the one with a great share. It is not asking you to be nice. It is describing a capacity that has to be built.

Verse 22 identifies the exact shape of a double life. You were not hiding out of any fear that your own hearing and sight and skin would testify. You hid from people, because you assumed the limits of what is known. The assumption is the sin the verse names.

Verse 50 is two words long in its diagnosis. Hadha li. This is mine. Said the moment relief arrives after hardship, by a man who was praying for it the week before. Watch for it in yourself after a recovery.

Verse 33 defines the best speech as three things together. Calling to Allah, doing the work, and saying plainly that you are of the Muslims. Any two without the third is something else.

The Practice · Daily Integration

Fifty-Four Verses. Convert the Enemy.

Take one hostility this month and apply verse 34. Not neutrality. The better response, deliberately chosen.

When provocation lands, use verse 36 before you use anything else. The instruction assumes it will land.

Catch hadha li after your next recovery. Verse 50 is a two word test.

Watch for the signs in both directions named in verse 53. Horizons and yourself, and the promise attached is clarity.

Repel with the better one and the enemy turns. Only the patient are given the capacity.

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.

Verse 11 / 108

Verse 1

حمٓ

Ha Meem

What does verse 1 say?