Chapter 43 - 58
Gold (Surah Zukhruf)
(89 verses in total; revealed in middle Makkan 5th or 6th year)
This chapter emphasizes the sovereignty of God over human and cosmic affairs and asks people to reflect and make amends to their continued denials and evils before it is too late
Key themes in this chapter are as follows:
· The continued revelation of this Qur’an is not subject to anyone’s desire but God’s plan to guide His creation
· Communities before the generation of the Prophet in Makkah has been dealt with for their lack of faith and goodness and consequently, there fate may not be different if they persist on their deviant path
· The story of Prophet Moses and the community of Pharaoh should be good example to take lessons from
· The Prophet and his community of believers are asked not to be impatient or despair but stay the course – as they are on the right path – and let God deal with those who deny and mock the prophets, as God had done before
In the name of God, the God of Mercy, the Endower of Mercy!
Ha Meem!
The Book that reveals! We have made it an Arabic Qur’an so that you can easily comprehend. It is part of the Source Book (Ummul Kitab) that is with Us – truly exulted, authoritative! Shall We remove this Reminder from you just because you are an arrogant group? Yet, We had sent many prophets to previous generations but none came who was not mocked at. We destroyed those who were more powerful and more prosperous than these people and their examples are before you. (v.1-8)
If you were to ask them, “Who created the heavens and the earth?”, they would say, “It is surely God the Almighty, the Knowing Who created them.” It is God Who made the earth ready for you and created tracks on it that you may find your ways. It is God Who sends down rain from the clouds accordingly to a measure and brings life in the dead soil. This is how will be (your) resurrection! (v. 9-11)
It is God Who created all things in pairs and placed ships and cattle to ride on. Once you are seated firmly on them, remember the grace of God and say, “God be exulted! It is God Who made these subservient to us and we certainly could not do it by us alone. We are sure to return to our Sustainer God.” Yet, they assign as offspring to God, a part of God’s creation. Humankind, to be sure, is ungrateful. What! – God has taken daughters1 from what God creates while preferring sons for yourselves? Yet when one of them is given the news of what they prefer for God (daughters), their face become grim, and they become enraged. What! – something that is decked with trinkets and unable to make a simple speech in its own defense is God’s partner?2 (v. 12-18)
They mark angels – who are the servants of the Beneficent God – as females. Did they witness when angels were created? Their assertions are being recorded and they will be questioned. They say, “If the Beneficent God had willed, we would not have worshipped these idols.” But they have no knowledge and only use guesswork regarding this. Or perhaps they were given a scripture in the past that they claim to follow? No, their answer is, “We follow the tradition of our forefathers. We are directed by their guidance.” This is why whenever We had sent a warner to a town before, their corrupt and wealthy leaders would say, “We follow the traditions of our forefathers. We follow their footsteps.” (But the warner) said, “What if I bring to you a better guidance than the traditions of your forefathers?” and they replied, “We simply refuse to accept what you are sent with!” Then We exacted due consequences from them! Assess how they fared who had denied? (v. 19 -25)
(Recall) when Abraham said to his father and his community, “I have no part in what you worship except God Who created me and Who will guide me.” He established such doctrine (of monotheism) for his posterity so that they may return (time and again). Indeed, I (God) let these people and their fathers enjoy life until the truth comes to them, and a Messenger makes things clear. But when truth arrives to them, they say, “This is enchantment, and we deny it.” They even say, “Why was not this Qur’an revealed to a man of higher stature (wealth and power) from these two cities3? What! – do they allocate the blessings of God? We portion out to them their livelihood in this world, We raise some above others in ranks and We make some serve others, while the blessings of God are better than all their wealth and possessions! (v. 26-32)
Were it not that people might become a community (without faith), We would have given the disbelievers, who deny the Beneficent God, houses of sliver roofs and grand doors, sweeping stairs for going up, and couches of gold ornaments – all these being the provisions of this world’s life, whereas the Hereafter is with God reserved for those who acts responsibly (muttaqin). (v. 33-35)
Whoever neglect the remembrance of the God of Mercy, We assign for them the devil (or evil persons) as associates who prevent them from the right path while they think they are on the right path. When they come back to us, they will say (to their evil associates), “I wish there were a distance of the East and the West between you and me – you are such an evil company!” But you did wrong and such renouncement would profit none – you will face the chastisements. Can you (Prophet) really make the deaf hear, or guide the blind or one who dives into clear error? Whether We take you (Prophet) away or make you witness the promised outcome – We will still exact the consequences from them, and We are Ever Powerful over them! (v. 36-42)
Therefore, stay committed to the revelations that have been sent to you and rest assured that you are on the right path. This is a Reminder for you and for your community and you will be questioned
(about your life). (If in doubt) ask those of Our messengers who were sent before, “Did We ever appoint false deities to be worshipped in place of God, the Merciful?” (v. 43-45)
We indeed sent Moses with Our Messages to Pharaoh and his chiefs. Moses said, “I am the messenger from the God of the universe!” He produced the evidence We gifted him with but Pharoah and his ministers made fun of them (Moses and Aaron). We showed them signs of greater significance in succession and finally let them face consequence in the hope that they might amend. They called out, “O Magicians (Moses and Aaron), pray to your Lord who made a covenant with you – we will follow the guidance.” But when We removed the chastisement, they reneged their promise! (v. 46-50)
Pharaoh boasted among his people, “O my people, is not the kingdom of Egypt with the Nile flowing through it mine? Can you not see? Am I not better than this fellow who is despicable and can hardly express himself? Why doesn’t he have ornaments of gold on him, or angels in formation with him?” This is how he incited his people, and they rallied behind him. These were a community that transgressed. This is how they provoked Us - We exacted Our retribution by drowning them all, making them a thing of the past and setting them as an example for later generations! (v. 51-56)
Your people clamor when the son of Mary4 is mentioned as an example and they say, “is he or our gods better?” They only bring it up to you to initiate a dispute – they are indeed contentious in nature! He (Jesus) was none but a servant whom We blessed and established as an example for the Children of Israel. If We had pleased, We could have placed angels among you to oversee the world! (v. 57-60)
Indeed this (Qur’an) contains the knowledge of the Hour – therefore, have no doubts and follow Me! This is the Straight Path! Do not let the devil get in the way – he is an avowed enemy! When Jesus came with reasoned arguments and said, “I have come with wisdom and to clear up some of your differing doctrines. Therefore, be mindful of God and follow me. Indeed, God is my Sustainer and your Sustainer. This is the Straight Path! (v. 61-64)
But groups among them entertained different opinions – too bad for those who did wrong as they will face the consequence on a difficult day. They wait for the Hour? It will creep up on them suddenly, without ever realizing its approach - when friends will become enemies of one another, except those who acted responsibly and were mindful! (v65-67)
O My servants, there is no fear for you this day, nor any need to grieve – you had believed in Our Message and were devoted to Us! Enter the Garden – you all and your spouses – being content! There is golden bowls and drinking cups to go around, satisfying your yearnings and your sights and you will reside in that state. This is the Garden that you have inherited as a reward for your conducts. In it are abundant provisions to relish! (v. 68-73)
The guilty ones will find themselves in the torment of Hell – it will not be reduced for them, and they will be in despair. We did them no wrong, but they wronged themselves. They will cry, “Our Master, let your God make an end to us.” The angel will say, “(No,) you stay here.” (v. 74-77)
We bring the truth to you but most of you do not care about the truth. Do you think you can determine your affairs? But it is We (God) Who settle (your) affairs! Do they think that We do not hear their secrets talks and their private plotting? Yes, We do – our messengers are with them – always, writing down! (v. 78-80)
Say (Prophet), “The God of Mercy has no son. I am foremost5 among those who serve God. Exulted is the God of the heavens and the earth, God of Power – free from all partners that they attribute!” So let them engage in their vain talks and idle sports until the day is upon them which has been promised. It is God Who is the Sustainer of the heavens and the Sustainer of the earth. God is the Wise and the Knowing! Blessed is the God Who owns the heavens and the earth and all that is in between – with God is the knowledge of the Hour and to God you all will be brought back! The partners whom they invoke have no power of intercession (with God), except those who acknowledge the truth as they recognize (the truth)! (v. 81-86)
If you were to ask them, “Who created you?”, they would reply, “It is God.” Yet they turn back. (We heard) your cry (of desperation), “O our God, this is a nation that does not believe.” Stay undisturbed and say, “Peace!”, they will come to know soon enough! (v. 87-89)
1Arab used to think of angels as females and God’s daughters while they would prefer to have sons. They were dismissive of women but had female deities (4:117)
2See Abraham’s argument (21:63) against gods that his forefathers worshipped and God’s argument (20:89) against the golden calf that Jews adopted in opposition to their living God
3Makkha and Taif – two prominent cities at the time of the Prophet
4Qur’an constantly refers to Jesus as ‘son of Mary’, perhaps to remind people that he is a mortal and to refute Christian claim that he is ‘son of God’
