Chapter 26 - 43
The Poets (Surah Al-Shu’ara)
(227 verses in total; revealed in Early Makkah Time – around 6th year)
This large but an early chapter is full of narratives of various prophets and tales of their communities to remind the listeners that the current Prophet is no exception, and they are well advised to follow. Perhaps questions were raised about these prophets when mentioned in earlier revelations and now details are given which corroborate biblical stories found in the Torah and the Bible that the Arabs must have been familiar with. But Qur’anic narratives are much more succinct and always follow with lessons to be learned as opposed to mere repetition of history.
Key themes in this chapter are as follows:
Prophet is comforted not to be overly worried that his message will fall on deaf ears – this has happened to previous prophets
As a continuation of the previous chapter, more details about prophet Abraham and Moses are given here as well as several other prophets
The listeners are repeated reminded that these narratives have lessons for them, and it would benefit them if they were to pay attention and reflect on
Prophet is encouraged to continue to convey the message to his close relatives, his clan and his tribes in an around Makkah, without getting disheartened and to be gentle specially those who believe and become his companions
In the Name of God, the God of Mercy, the Endower of Mercy!
Twa, Sin, Meem!
These are the verses of the book that make things clear! Perhaps you will worry yourself to death because these people will not believe. (v. 1-3)
Had We (God) intended, We could have sent a sign from heaven so that their necks would have bowed down to it in humility. Whenever a new revelation comes to them from the God of Mercy, they turn away and reject – so the consequence of their mockery will reach them soon! (v. 4-6)
Do they not see that, on this earth, We help to grow so many wholesome things – these are the signs, yet most of them are deniers? But your God is Mighty, Merciful! (v. 7-9)
(Remember) when God called upon Moses, “Go to the people who are corrupt – the people of Pharaoh. Why do they not abstain from evil works? Moses said, “God, I am afraid that they will reject me. I feel stressed and my words become unconvincing – so let Aaron come as well. They also have a charge against me, and I am afraid they will kill me.” (v. 10-14)
God said, “No way! You both go with Our signs. We are with you, and We do hear! (v. 15)
They came to Pharaoh and said, “We are messengers from the God of the Universe! Let the Children of Israel go with us.” (v. 16-17)
Pharaoh said, “Did we not raise you as a child? You did spend a lifetime with us. Then you committed that crime. You are surely ungrateful.” (v. 18-19)
Moses said, “I did those during a time when I was not properly guided. So, I fled because I was afraid. Now my Sustainer God empowered me with wisdom and assigned me as a messenger. What is that favor that you remind me of – that you have enslaved the Children of Israel?” (v. 20-22)
Pharaoh said, “What do you mean by this ‘God of the Universe’?”
Moses said, “God of the heavens and the earth, and what is in-between, if you really want to be certain.”
Pharaoh turned to those of his close associate, “Do you understand?”
Moses said, “God of yours and of your forefathers!”
Pharaoh said, “Surely this messenger sent to you is out of his mind.”
Moses said, “God of the East and the West, if you really care to use your senses.”
Pharaoh said, “If you accept any god other than me, I will put you in prison.”
Moses said, “How about I show you evidence (of my assertions)?”
Pharaoh said, “Show me if you speak the truth.”
Moses cast down his walking stick and lo, it was a serpent alive! And he brought forth his hand and lo and behold, it appeared white to the viewers! (v. 21-33)
[Pharaoh] said to the chiefs around him, “He is a skilled magician and wishes to drive you out of this land with his magic. What is your advice?” They said, “Give Moses and his brother some time while we convene all skilled magicians.” (v. 34-37)
All the magicians were gathered on a festive day for the appointment and people were called to witness and follow the magician if they were to prevail. The magicians came and said to Pharaoh, “Will there be a reward for us, if we prevail?” He replied, “Yes, you will be favored.” (v. 38-42)
Moses said to them, “Cast your magic if you will.” They cast their ropes and rods and said, “By the power of Pharaoh, we shall prevail.” Then Moses cast down his rod and it swallowed all their falsity. The magicians fell to the ground, prostrating. They said, “We believe in the Sustainer God of the worlds—God of Moses and Aaron.” (v. 43-48)
Pharaoh said, “Do you believe in Him without my permission? He (Moses) must be the chief amongst you who taught you magic. You will know soon—I will cut off your hands and feet from opposite sides and crucify you.” They replied, “You can do no harm, as we turn to our Sustainer God. We hope our Sustainer God will forgive our evils because we are the first to believe.” (v. 49-51)
And We (God) revealed to Moses: “Travel by night with My servants (Children of Israel)—you will indeed be pursued (by Pharaoh). Pharaoh sent deputies across the cities proclaiming, “These are a small band of people who had enraged us while we are a multitude and vigilant.” This is how We expelled them from their gardens and springs, their wealth and their grand dwellings and gave this (Exodus) as a heritage to the Children of Israel. (v. 52-59)
They pursued them at sunrise. When the two groups came to each other’s view, the people around Moses cried out, “We are overtaken.” Moses said, “No way! My Sustainer God is by me; He will guide me.” We revealed to Moses, “March to the sea (and strike) with your staff. The sea parted and each side was like a mountain, towering over. We then brought them near but saved Moses and those with him while We drowned the others. This is a sign but most refused to accept. Your Sustainer God is Mighty, Merciful! (v. 60-68)
And relate to them the story of Abraham when he said to his father and his community, “What do you worship?” They said: “We worship idols, and we remain ever devoted to them.” (v. 69-71)
He (Abraham) replied, “When you ask, do they hear you? Or, do they do any benefit or bring harm to you?” They said, “No, but we found our forefathers doing the same.” (v. 72-74)
He said, “Do you not realize what you and your forefathers are doing? Surely, these (idols) are enemies to me whereas the Lord of the World is not—Who created me and then guides me; Who gives me food and drinks; Who heals me when I am sick; Who will cause me to die and then raise me back to life; Who will, I hope, forgive me and my mistakes on the Day of Judgement.” (v. 75-82)
He then prayed, “My Sustainer God, grant me wisdom and align me with the righteous. And establish for me a genuine remembrance by later generations. Make me inherit the Garden of Tranquility. Forgive my father as he is one of those who have made mistakes. May You not disgrace me on the day of resurrection.” (v. 83-87)
The day when neither wealth nor children will benefit, except who comes to God with a heart[1] complete with knowledge, wisdom, devotion and without doubt (qalbin salim). (v. 88-89)
The Garden is revealed to those who acted responsibly while the Hell is made visible to those who were misguided and who will be addressed, as a result. “Where are those that you worshipped besides God? Can they help you or even themselves?” (v. 90-93)
They - false deities and the misguided - will be thrown into Hell, and so will be the Devil and his associates. They will quarrel therein and say to one another, “By God, we were truly misguided! We made you (false deities) equal to the God of the Universe! It is those steeped in evil that led us astray. Now we have no one who can intercede, nor a true friend. Only if we could but return, we will certainly become believers.” (v. 94-102)
Indeed, these narratives are evidence for them, yet most of them choose to deny. Your God is Mighty, and an Endower of Mercy! (v. 103-104)
The people of Noah also rejected the messengers. When Noah, their brother said to them, “Will you not align with God? I am a messenger to you, worthy of trust. Act responsibly and obey me. I am not here to seek any benefits from you, my reward is with the God of the Universe. Will you be mindful of God and listen to me? (v. 105-110)
They said, “Shall we believe in you, while the worst among us follow you?”
Noah said, “What knowledge do I have as to what they did? Their accountability is with none but God alone, if you could only perceive. I am not going to drive away anyone who believe. I am here to deliver a clear warning.” (v. 111-115)
They replied, “Noah, if you do not stop, we will stone you to death.”
He prayed, “God, my people had denied me. Judge between us and them as you see fit and give me safe passage and those with me.” (v. 116-118)
We (God) delivered them to safety on a loaded Ark and drowned the rest.
Indeed, these narratives are evidence for them, yet most of them choose to deny. Your God is Mighty, and an Endower of Mercy! (v. 119-122)
People of ‘Ad also denied their messengers.
Hud, their brother said to them, “Will you not align with God? I am a messenger to you, worthy of trust. Act responsibly and obey me. I am not here to seek any benefits from you, my reward is with the God of the Universe. Why do you build monuments in every high place, showing you vanity; build fortresses hoping to be secure forever and when you attack, you act like tyrants. Be mindful of God and follow me. Align with the One Who aids you and you know it well – cattle, children, gardens, and fountains – you are provided with. I am afraid of the consequences (of your denial and ungratefulness) on a terrible day!” (v. 123-135)
They said, “It is the same to us whether you warn us or not. Our way is no more than what our forefathers did, and we will not face any adverse consequences.” This is how they rejected him and as a result We (God) destroyed them. (v. 136-139)
Indeed, these narratives are evidence for them, yet most of them choose to deny. Your God is Mighty, and an Endower of Mercy! (v. 139-140)
People of Thamud also denounced their messengers as liars. Their brother Salih said to them, “Will you not act responsibly? I am a messenger, trustworthy! Show your devotion to God and listen to me. I am not here to ask for any reward from you, my reward is with the Owner of the Worlds! Do you consider yourself well established in your gardens and fountains, your corn fields and palm trees laden with corn and fruits, and fine houses you build on the mountain side? Again, I ask that you align with God and obey me, and do not follow the biddings of those whose greed, lust and corruption knows no limit and who make mischiefs on earth and do not act with goodness.” (v. 141-152)
They said, “You are nothing but delusional! You are only a mortal like us. Bring us a proof if you claim to be truthful.” (v. 153-154)
He said, “Here is the she-camel. She will have her drinks, and you will have your drinks on days predetermined. Do not harm her if you wish to avoid the calamity that will descend on you.” (v. 155-156)
But they hamstrung her and then regretted it as soon as the chastisement overtook them. (v. 157-158)
Indeed, these narratives are evidence for them, yet most of them choose to deny. Your God is Mighty, and an Endower of Mercy! (v. 158-159)
The people of Lot denounced the messengers as liars. Their brother Lot said to them, “Will you not act responsibly? I am a messenger, trustworthy! Show your devotion to God and listen to me. I am not here to ask for any reward from you, my reward is with the Owner of the Worlds! How do you lust after males, while you have wives whom God had made your rightful partners? You are a people transgressing boundaries.” (v. 160-166)
They said, “if you do not stop, we will expel you.”
He said, “I detest what you do. May God give us safe passage from your evils – me and my followers.”
We (God) gave safe passage to him and to all his followers, except an old woman (the wife of Lot)[2] who remained behind. We destroyed them – We brought down a destructive rain over them; how awful that rain was on those who had been duly warned. (v. 167-173)
Indeed, these narratives are evidence for them, yet most of them choose to deny. Your God is Mighty, and an Endower of Mercy! (v. 174-175)
The forest-dwellers also denied their messengers.
Shu’aib said to them, “Will you not act responsibly? I am a messenger, trustworthy! Show your devotion to God and listen to me. I am not here to ask for any reward from you, my reward is with the Owner of the Worlds! Give what is due and do not be like those who sell others short! Use proper measures – a true balance! Do not act unjustly regarding the dues of others and do not spread corruption on earth, making mischief. Be mindful and stand in awe of God, Who created you and former generations!”[3] (v. 176-184)
They said, “You are nothing but delusional! You are just a mortal like us, and we deem you to be a liar. If you speak the truth, then let a portion of the sky fall on us.” Shu’aib said, “My God knows best your (evil) doings!”
But they rejected him, and the Day of Covering descended on them with its chastisement. It was a day of terrifying consequences with grievous torments. (v. 185-189)
Indeed, these narratives are evidence for them, yet most of them choose to deny. Your God is Mighty, and an Endower of Mercy! (v. 190-191)
This indeed is a revelation from the God of the Universe, brought by the Faithful Spirit[4], to your heart that you (Prophet) may caution using plain Arabic dialect – a matter foretold in previous scriptures[5]. (v. 192-196)
Is it not evidence to them that the learned Jewish men attest to this? If We had revealed it to a non-Arab and he were to recite it to them, they would not have believed in it. This is how We cause the hearts of the wicked to receive it – they do not believe until they see the awful chastisement. It comes to them suddenly, while they were least expecting it. (v. 197-202)
They will say, “Can we be given more time?”, instead of demanding that such chastisement be brought sooner (as they did before). See how We let them enjoy for years and then when the promised consequences catch up with them, they are no longer able to enjoy themselves. (v. 203-207)
We (God) never destroy a town without the benefit of its warner who reminds them. We are never unfair and unjust! (v. 208-209)
The devils (including Jinns) did not bring down this revelation – it is unfitting for them, and they have no such authority – they are far removed from even hearing it. Therefore, do not associate anyone with God, lest you become subject to such chastisement. (v. 210-213)
(Prophet) warn your closest kins and tribes and be gentle to those who follow you. But if they disobey, then say, “I am not accountable for your conduct,” and rely on God Almighty, God of Mercy, who sees you when you stand up (for worship) and your movements with those who worship as well. God is full of Hearing and Knowing! (v. 214-220)
Shall We (God) inform you (Prophet) as to who is touched by the devil (and evil) – it is the liar and sinful who listens (to evils) and most of them lie and deny (the truth). And so many poets - who wander across the valleys and say things they do not do themselves - attract such deviators but not those who believe, are mindful of God and defend their rights when faced with oppression. Those who do wrong will know (soon) their final turn to their destiny. (v. 221-227)
1A heart that is “Salim” – sound heart (devoid of impurities that destroys life).
2This old lady was the wife of Lot (7:83).
3A call appropriate for our time to Wall Street, big businesses, corrupt government, and people blinded by wealth and power.
4Understood to be Angel Gabriel.
5See Old and New Testaments – Deut 18:19, John 16:13, and Acts 3:21-22.
