Chapter 25 - 39
The Differentiator (Surah Al-Furqan)
(77 verses in total; revealed in Early Makkah Time – 4th or 5th year of prophethood)
This early but relatively larger chapter continues the theme of making distinction between good and evil, between faith and denials. It gives a glimpse of the hereafter and at the same time gives comfort to the Prophet who was subject to all kinds of derision, insult and name-calling.
Key themes in this chapter are as follows:
God is the sole sovereign in the universe and there is no need for him to have a son
All prophets are human beings who needs to eat like anyone else and earn a living like anyone else
All false gods will deny their association with their devotees on the Day of Judgement
On the day of resurrection, the earth and the sky will undergo convulsion, angels will appear, and God’s presence will become manifest
Good and believing people are humble, devoted to God, take no partners to God, avoid vain and frivolous acts of people, avoid great sins and indecency and seek forgiveness
In the Name of God, the God of Mercy, the Endower of Mercy!
Exalted is God - Who sent down Differentiator1 to His servant so that he might serve as a warner to the world. God’s sovereignty is over the heavens and the earth, Who has not taken a son to Himself and Whose sovereignty allows no partnership. He creates everything and evolves them with precision. Yet, they take besides Him gods who create nothings while they themselves are created, who have no control to benefit or to harm themselves, and who control neither death, nor life, nor resurrection! (v. 1-3)
The deniers say, “This is nothing but lie, something he had forged, and other people had helped him with it. Thus, they have become unjust and liars. They say, “Fables from the past which he has written – now they are being read out to him mornings and evenings.”
Reply, “God has revealed it, Who knows the secrets of the heavens and the earth. God is every Forgiving, Merciful!” (v. 4-6)
The deniers say, “What a Messenger is this? He eats and goes about in the marketplace. Should not an angel be sent down to him to warn along with him? Or, wealth given to him or a garden from which to get provision? The wicked ones say, “You follow none but a person under spell.” See what they compare you to! They have lost their way; so how could they find guidance?
Exalted is God, Who if He wills, can give you better things – gardens with flowing streams and palaces built for you. (v. 7-10)
It is the Hour (hour of resurrection and judgment) that they deny; such deniers of the Hour will face the consequence from the fire. When the fire comes into their sight, they will hear its raging and roaring. They will be chained and cast into a narrow confinement; there they will pray for death. (Angels say:) “Do not cry out for death once – but many times.”
Say: “Is this better or the Perpetual Garden that has been promised for those who acts responsibly? A promise for a reward and destiny!
There they will reside and have everything they wish for – it is a promise from God worth praying for! (v. 11-16)
On the Day God will gather the deniers and their false gods they took beside God, and say, “Was it you (false god) who cause My creatures to deviate or it is they themselves that went astray? The false gods will say, “Glory be to You! It is impossible for us to take a patron other than You, but you granted them and their forefathers to enjoy life until they forgot the Reminder and became lost!” This is how the false gods will prove them to be liars. Now you can neither avoid (the consequence) nor get any help. Anyone who does wrong, God will make him face the grave consequence. God never sent anyone before you (Prophet) but they ate food and went about in the market places. God made some of you a temptation for others. Will you (Prophet) then be steadfast? Your God is always watchful! (v. 17-20)
Those who wish not to meet God, say, “Why have not angels been sent to us?” or “Why do we not see God?” They are too proud of themselves and engage in a great revolt! Yet on the day when they will meet angels (for real), there will be no good outcome for the wicked. They (angels) will say, “There is a strong barrier (between wicked and good people)!” We will account for what they have done and render them insignificant as dust, while the residents of the Garden will reside in a better home and a nicer place to rest! (v. 21-24)
On the day when the sky and the cloud will split, angels will be sent, and they will descend. The sovereignty of Beneficent God will be fully manifest, and it will be a difficult day for the deniers. The wicked will bite their hands and say, “I wish I had taken the path aligned with the Messenger! Shame on me that I had taken such one as a friend instead, who led me away from the Reminder after it was brought to me.” The devil always betrays humankind!
The Messenger has said, “My Sustainer God, these, my people, treat this Qur’an like a thing forsaken!” This is how God makes for every prophet an enemy from among the wicked, while your God is sufficient as a Guide and as a Helper! (v. 25-31)
The deniers say, “Why has not this Qur’an been revealed all at once?” God does it this way to strengthen your heart and to arrange and reveal in a gradual manner to be effective. See they cannot ask a question, but We bring out and expound the truth and offer the best of explanations!
These will be gathered on their faces and driven to Hell – they are too deep in wickedness and have gone too far from the right path! (v. 32-34)
God gave Moses the Scripture (The Torah) and We (God) designated his brother Aaron as an aid for him. Then We said, “Go to the people who deny Our messages.” Then We annihilated those people as deserved. The people of Noah – they rejected the messenger; We drowned them and made them an object for lesson for humankind. For those who are wicked and unjust, a terrifying destruction is pre-ordained as was evident for Ad, Thamud, the inhabitants of Al-Rass and generations in between. To each We gave examples with warnings and each We treated with destruction as ordained. Certainly, they pass these towns which were rained with destruction. What! They don’t see it. Perhaps they think they will not be raised again! (v. 35-40)
Whenever they encounter you, they ridicule you – “Is this the man whom God had appointed as a messenger? He had almost gotten us away from our gods, but we adhered patiently to our belief.” But they will realize – once the consequence is upon them – who is more deviant from the path! Aren’t these the ones who have taken their desires and passion for their gods? You are in no way a guardian for them. Do you think they care to understand or hear? They are like cattle, or perhaps worse in their deviation from the path. (v. 41-44)
Do you see how God stretches the shades? If He wills, He can make it stay constant, but the sun is the cause of it and We draw it to Ourselves little by little. It is God Who makes the night a cover for you, to sleep for rest and then brings the day as a new rising. It is God Who send winds as glad tiding before His mercy – pure rain waters pouring down from the clouds, that He may give life to a land that appears as dead, giving drinks for the cattle and people God had created. Certainly, We repeat these messages to them so that they may be mindful, but most of humankind are prone to denying. Had it been God’s will, He would have sent a warner in every town! (v. 45-51)
Therefore, do not follow the disbelievers! Strive2 against them with a strenuous striving!
God is the One who makes two bodies of water flow freely, one fresh and sweet and the other bitter and salty. Between them, He puts a barrier – a secure separation! God is the One who created humankind from water and made for them relationships based on family and marriage. Your God is Able! (v. 52-54)
They serve others but God – others who can neither benefit them or harm them! Such disbelievers are ever prone to marginalize God, while We sent you (Prophet) to give good news and to warn. Say: “I wish nothing in return except that you find a way to your God and that you
put your trust and reliance on the Ever-Living God, Who does not die and that you exalt God. God alone is sufficient in knowing the failings of the His creation!3 God Who created the heavens and the earth in six stages and assumed control on the Throne of Power, being Beneficent (to the creation)! Therefore, inquire from those who know.4 (v. 55-59)
When they are reminded, “Be obedient to the God of Mercy.” They say, “What is this God of Mercy? Are we going to obey just because you (Prophet) tell us so?”, only adding to their aversions.5 (v. 60)
Blessed is the God who established stars in heavens and placed the sun and the moon giving lights! God is the One Who makes the day and the night to alternate each other, so that one may be mindful, one may be thankful! (v 60-62)
The true servants of God are those who walk on this earth with humility and when people, devoid of knowledge, address them (harshly), they say, “Peace”. They spend the night in devotion to God – standing and bowing down, and plead, “O God, spare us the chastisement of hell – the torment of which is a lasting evil – an evil place and an evil residence!”
They, when they spend, are neither extravagant nor niggardly - always following a middle path.
They do not (1) invoke any other deity with God, nor (2) slay a soul, which God has forbidden, except in the cause of justice, nor (3) commit adultery. Whoever does such things will meet appropriate reprisals – double the punishment on the day of resurrection – living in humiliation and torment! (v. 63-69)
But saved are those who repent, reaffirm their belief, and do good. God will replace their evils with good – God is Forgiving, Merciful! Whoever repents and does good – that is truly the real turning back to God. They give no false witness, and when they see vanity and frivolous acts, they avoid and pass by with dignity. They say, “Our God, make our spouses and our children a source of joy for us and make us a role model for those who act responsibly and are mindful of You.” (v. 70-74)
They will be rewarded with the highest achievements because of their constancy and patience and met with congratulations and peace! A grand outcome and a beautiful resting place to live in! (v. 75-76)
Say: “What are you without devotion to God? Indeed, you have confirmed your denials; so, wait for the inevitable!” (v. 77)
1Another name given to the Qur’an as was given to the Torah that was revealed to Prophet Moses
2Word used is “Jihad” – implying all forms of striving, not just confronting physical and armed conflicts, a misnomer by pundits in the western media
3The word used is “Yibadihi” – servants as all of God’s creation, including humankind, are to serve God
4There is a rhetorical aspect of this, as if to say – who else would you ask? God who is the only One Who knows.
5There is a tradition among the Muslim, as practiced by the Prophet himself, to pause reciting the Qur’an on such occasions and bow down in reverence to God Almighty
