Surah 46. Al-Ahqaf

Ha-Mim.

  - Mustafa Khattab

Ha Mim. ⁴⁷⁷⁴

  - Abdullah Yusuf Ali

See Introduction to S. xi.

The revelation of this Book is from Allah- the Almighty, All-Wise.

  - Mustafa Khattab

The revelation of the Book is from Allah the Exalted in Power Full of Wisdom. ⁴⁷⁷⁵

  - Abdullah Yusuf Ali

This verse is the same as the second verse of the last Sura, but the theme is worked out differently in the two Sura. In S. xlv. was shown how deniers of Revelation will at last be humbled until they can no longer deny its truth and power. In this Sura is shown how Truth and Revelation will be vindicated by patience and constancy (xlvi. 35).

We only created the heavens and the earth and everything in between for a purpose and an appointed term. Yet the disbelievers are turning away from what they have been warned about.

  - Mustafa Khattab

We created not the heavens and the earth and all between them but for just ends and for a term appointed: but those who reject Faith turn away from that whereof they are warned. ⁴⁷⁷⁶

  - Abdullah Yusuf Ali

Cf. xlv. 22. Many things may appear to us in the present world as strange and inexplicable. But everything made by Allah has a just purpose which must be fulfilled. Nothing in this world is permanent: everything is for an appointed term. The Word of Allah alone abides. All else will pass away after it has fulfilled its purpose. But Unbelievers refuse to face the danger of which they are warned.

Ask 'them, O Prophet', 'Have you considered whatever 'idols' you invoke besides Allah? Show me what they have created on earth! Or do they have a share in 'the creation of' the heavens? Bring me a scripture 'revealed' before this 'Quran' or a shred of knowledge, if what you say is true.'

  - Mustafa Khattab

Say: "Do ye see what it is ye invoke besides Allah? Show me what it is they have created on earth or have they a share in the heavens? Bring me a Book (revealed) before this or any remnant of knowledge (ye may have) if ye are telling the truth!" ^{4777 4778}

  - Abdullah Yusuf Ali

Some people may rush thoughtlessly into false worship, because it is the fashion or an ancestral custom, etc. They are asked to pause and see for themselves. Have the false gods or falsehood created anything? (They destroy much). Or have they any share or lot in the things we associate with the heavens,-spiritual well-being, etc.?

'Or is there any warrant for you from any earlier revelation, assuming that you do not believe in this Revelation? Or can you point to the least scrap or remnant of real knowledge on which you can base what We condemn as your false life?' No, you cannot.

And who could be more astray than those who call upon others besides Allah- 'others' that cannot respond to them until the Day of Judgment, and are 'even' unaware of their calls?

  - Mustafa Khattab

And who is more astray than one who invokes besides Allah such as will not answer him to the Day of Judgement and who (in fact) are unconscious of their call (to them)? ⁴⁷⁷⁹

  - Abdullah Yusuf Ali

As there is no argument at all in favour of your sham worship, what sense is there in it? Either your false gods are senseless stocks and stones which will never answer you to the end of Time, being themselves devoid of understanding, or they are real objects which will disown you at the last. If you worshipped Self, your own misused faculties will witness against you at the last (xli. 20-23). If you worshipped good men or prophets, like Jesus, they will disown you (v. 119). Similarly, if you worshipped angels, they will disown you (xxxiv. 40-41).