Surah 30. Ar-Rum

GOD CREATES [man] in the first instance, and then brings him forth anew:⁹ and, in the end, unto Him you all will be brought back.

  - Mohammad Asad

I.e., He will bring him forth anew: cf. 10:4 and the corresponding note [8]. (A more general formulation of the same statement is found in verse {27} of this surah.)

It is Allah Who originates creation; then repeats it, and then to Him you shall be brought back.

  - Muhammad Farooq-i-Azam Malik

It is Allah Who originates the creation, and will resurrect it. And then to Him you will 'all' be returned.

  - Mustafa Khattab

Allah produceth creation, then He reproduceth it, then unto Him ye will be returned.

  - Marmaduke Pickthall

It is Allah Who begins (the process of) creation; then repeats it; then shall ye be brought back to Him. ³⁵¹⁷

  - Abdullah Yusuf Ali

Nothing exists of its own accord or fortuitously. It is Allah Who originates all creation. What appears to be death may be only transformation: for Allah can and does recreate. And His creative activity is continuous. Our death is but a phenomenal event. What we become after death is the result of a process of recreation by Allah, Who is both the source and the goal of all things. When we are brought back to him, it will be as conscious and responsible beings, to receive the consequences of our brief life on this earth.

And when the Last Hour dawns, those who were lost in sin will be broken in spirit:

  - Mohammad Asad

On the Day when the Hour of Judgement will be established, the criminals shall be in despair.

  - Muhammad Farooq-i-Azam Malik

On the Day the Hour will arrive, the wicked will be dumbstruck.

  - Mustafa Khattab

And in the day when the Hour riseth the righteous will despair.

  - Marmaduke Pickthall

On the Day that the Hour will be established the guilty will be struck dumb with despair. ³⁵¹⁸

  - Abdullah Yusuf Ali

The Hour will be established: in due time the Hour will come when Judgment will be established, and the seeming disturbance of balance in this world will be redressed. Then the Good will rejoice, and the Guilty, faced with the Realities, will lose all their illusions and be struck dumb with despair.

for they will have no intercessors in the beings to whom they were wont to ascribe a share in God's divinity,¹⁰ seeing that [by then] they themselves will have ceased to believe in their erstwhile blasphemous fancies.¹¹

  - Mohammad Asad

Lit., "among their [God-]partners" (see surah {6}, note [15]).

Lit., "they will have rejected those [God-]partners of theirs".

None of their shoraka' (gods which they had set up besides Allah), will be there to intercede for them and they themselves will disown their shoraka'.

  - Muhammad Farooq-i-Azam Malik

There will be no intercessors for them from among their associate-gods, and they will 'totally' deny their associate-gods.

  - Mustafa Khattab

There will be none to intercede for them of those whom they made equal with Allah. And they will reject thee partners (whom they ascribed unto Him).

  - Marmaduke Pickthall

No intercessor will they have among their "Partners" and they will (themselves) reject their "Partners." ³⁵¹⁹

  - Abdullah Yusuf Ali

False worship will then appear in its true colors. Anything to which we offered the worship due to Allah alone, will vanish instead of being of any help. Indeed the deluded false worshipers, whose eyes will now be opened, will themselves reject their falsehoods, as the Truth will now shine with unquestioned splendor.

And when the Last Hour dawns - on that Day will all [men] be sorted out:

  - Mohammad Asad

On that Day when the Hour of Judgement will be established, mankind will be sorted out.

  - Muhammad Farooq-i-Azam Malik

And on the Day the Hour will arrive, the people will then be split 'into two groups'.

  - Mustafa Khattab

In the day when the Hour cometh, that day they will be sundered.

  - Marmaduke Pickthall

On the Day that the Hour will be established that Day shall (all men) be sorted out. ³⁵²⁰

  - Abdullah Yusuf Ali

In the fullness of time good and evil will all be sorted out and separated. The good will reach their destination of felicity in rich and luscious, well-watered meadows, which stand as the type of all that is fair to see and pleasant to feel. The evil will no longer imagine that they are enjoying good fortune, for the testing time will be over, and the grim reality will stare them in the face. They will receive their just Punishment.

as for those who attained to faith and did righteous deeds, they shall be made happy in a garden of delight;

  - Mohammad Asad

Those who have embraced the faith and have done good deeds shall be made happy in a garden of paradise.

  - Muhammad Farooq-i-Azam Malik

As for those who believed and did good, they will be rejoicing in a Garden.

  - Mustafa Khattab

As for those who believed and did good works, they will be made happy in a Garden.

  - Marmaduke Pickthall

Then those who have believed and worked righteous deeds shall be made happy in a Mead of Delight.

  - Abdullah Yusuf Ali

but as for those who refused to acknowledge the truth and gave the lie to Our messages - and [thus] to the announcement¹² of a life to come - they will be given over to suffering.

  - Mohammad Asad

See note [111] on 7:147 .

And those who have rejected Faith, denied Our revelations and the meeting of the hereafter shall be presented for punishment.

  - Muhammad Farooq-i-Azam Malik

And as for those who disbelieved, and denied Our signs and the meeting 'with Allah' in the Hereafter, they will be confined in punishment.

  - Mustafa Khattab

But as for those who disbelieved and denied Our revelations, and denied the meeting of the Hereafter, such will be brought to doom.

  - Marmaduke Pickthall

And those who have rejected Faith and falsely denied Our Signs and the meeting of the Hereafter such shall be brought forth to Punishment.

  - Abdullah Yusuf Ali

EXTOL, then, God's limitless glory when you enter upon the evening hours, and when you rise at morn;

  - Mohammad Asad

Therefore, glorify Allah in the evening and in the morning

  - Muhammad Farooq-i-Azam Malik

So glorify Allah in the evening and in the morning-

  - Mustafa Khattab

So glory be to Allah when ye enter the night and when ye enter the morning--

  - Marmaduke Pickthall

So (give) glory to Allah when ye reach eventide and when ye rise in the morning; ³⁵²¹

  - Abdullah Yusuf Ali

The special times for Allah's remembrance are so described as to include all our activities in life,-when we rise early in the morning, and when we go to rest in the evening; when we are in the midst of our work, at the decline of the sun, and in the late afternoon. It may be noted that these are all striking stages in the passage of the sun through our terrestrial day, as well as stages in our daily working lives. On this are based the hours of the five canonical prayers afterwards prescribed in Madinah; viz. (1) early morning before sunrise (Fajr); (2) when the day begins to decline, just after noon (Zuhr); (3) in the late afternoon, say midway between noon and sunset ('Asr); and (4) and (5) the two evening prayers, one just after sunset (Maghrib); and the other after the evening twilight has all faded from the horizon, the hour indicated for rest and sleep ('Isha). Cf. xi. 114 nn. 1616-17; xvii. 78-79, n. 2275; xx. 130. n. 2655.

and [seeing that] unto Him is due all praise in the heavens and on earth, [glorify Him] in the afternoon as well, and when you enter upon the hour of noon.¹³

  - Mohammad Asad

I.e., "remember God at all times". Apart from this general exhortation, the hours mentioned above circumscribe the times of the five daily prayers incumbent upon a Muslim. The "evening hours" indicate the prayer after sunset (maghrib) as well as that after nightfall ('isha').

- all praise is due to Him in the heavens and the earth - so glorify Him in the late afternoon and when the day begins to decline.

  - Muhammad Farooq-i-Azam Malik

all praise is for Him in the heavens and the earth- as well as in the afternoon, and at noon.¹

  - Mustafa Khattab

 This verse outlines the times of the five daily prayers. The evening refers to Maghrib and ’Ishâ' prayers, the morning refers to Fajr, the afternoon refers to ’Aṣr, and noon refers to Ẓuhr.

Unto Him be praise in the heavens and the earth--and at the sun's decline and in the noonday.

  - Marmaduke Pickthall

Yea To Him be praise in the heavens and on earth; and in the late afternoon and when the day begins to decline.

  - Abdullah Yusuf Ali

He [it is who] brings forth the living out of that which is dead, and brings forth the dead out of that which is alive, and gives life to the earth after it had been lifeless: and even thus will you be brought forth [from death to life].

  - Mohammad Asad

He brings out the living from the dead and the dead from the living, and gives life to the earth after its death. Likewise you shall be brought forth to life after your death.

  - Muhammad Farooq-i-Azam Malik

He brings forth the living from the dead and the dead from the living. And He gives life to the earth after its death. And so will you be brought forth 'from the grave'.

  - Mustafa Khattab

He bringeth forth the living from the dead, and He bringeth forth the dead from the living, and He reviveth the earth after her death. And even so will ye be brought forth.

  - Marmaduke Pickthall

It is He Who brings out the living from the dead and brings out the dead from the living and Who gives life to the earth after it is dead: and thus shall ye be brought out (from the dead). ^{3522 3523}

  - Abdullah Yusuf Ali

Cf. x. 31. From dead matter Allah's creative act produces life and living matter, and even science has not yet been able to explain the mystery of life. Life and living matter again seem to reach maturity and again die, as we see every day. No material thing seems to have perpetual life. But again we see the creative process of Allah constantly at work, and the cycle of life and death seems to go on.

Cf. ii. 164. The earth itself, seemingly so inert, produces vegetable life at once from a single shower of rain, and in various ways sustains animal life. Normally it seems to die in the winter in northern climates, and in a drought everywhere, and the spring revives it in all its glory. Metaphorically many movements, institutions, organizations, seem to die and then to live again, all under the wonderful dispensation of Allah. So will our personality be revived when we die on this earth, in order to reap the fruit of this our probationary life.

And among His wonders is this: He creates you out of dust¹⁴ -and then, lo! you become human beings ranging far and wide!

  - Mohammad Asad

See second half of note [47] on 3:59 , and note [4] on 23:12 .

Of His signs, one is that He created you from dust; and then behold you men are scattered throughout the earth.

  - Muhammad Farooq-i-Azam Malik

One of His signs is that He created you from dust, then- behold!- you are human beings spreading over 'the earth'.

  - Mustafa Khattab

And of His signs is this: He created you of dust, and behold you human beings, ranging widely!

  - Marmaduke Pickthall

Among His Signs is this that He created you from dust; and then Behold ye are men scattered (far and wide)! ³⁵²⁴

  - Abdullah Yusuf Ali

Cf. xviii. 37 and n. 2379. In spite of the lowly origin of man's body, Allah has given him a mind and soul by which he can almost compass the farthest reaches of Time and Space. Is this not enough for a miracle or Sign? From a physical point of view, see how man, a creature of dust, scatters himself over the farthest corners of the earth!

And among His wonders is this: He creates for you mates out of your own kind,¹⁵ so that you might incline towards them, and He engenders love and tenderness between you: in this, behold, there are messages indeed for people who think!

  - Mohammad Asad

Lit., "from among yourselves" (see surah {4}, note [1]).

And of His signs, another one is that He created for you mates from among yourselves that you may find comfort with them, and He planted love and kindness in your hearts; surely there are signs in this for those who think about it.

  - Muhammad Farooq-i-Azam Malik

And one of His signs is that He created for you spouses from among yourselves so that you may find comfort in them. And He has placed between you compassion and mercy. Surely in this are signs for people who reflect.

  - Mustafa Khattab

And of His signs is this: He created for you helpmeets from yourselves that ye might find rest in them, and He ordained between you love and mercy. Lo, herein indeed are portents for folk who reflect.

  - Marmaduke Pickthall

And among His Signs is this that He created for you mates from among yourselves that ye may dwell in tranquillity with them and He has put love and mercy between your (hearts); verily in that are Signs for those who reflect. ^{3525 3526}

  - Abdullah Yusuf Ali

This refers to the wonderful mystery of sex. Children arise out of the union of the sexes. And it is always the female sex that bring forth the offspring, whether female or male. And the father is as necessary as the mother for bringing forth daughters.

Cf. vii. 189. Unregenerate man is pugnacious in the male sex, but rest and tranquility are found in the normal relations of a father and mother dwelling together and bringing up a family. A man's chivalry to the opposite sex is natural and Allah-given. The friendship of two men between each other is quite different in quality and temper from the feeling which unspoilt nature expects as between men and women. There is a special kind of love and tenderness between them. And as woman is the weaker vessel, that tenderness may from a certain aspect be likened to mercy, the protecting kindness which the strong should give to the weak.

And among his wonders is the creation of the heavens and the earth, and the diversity of your tongues and colours: for in this, behold, there are messages indeed for all who are possessed of [innate] knowledge!

  - Mohammad Asad

And yet others of His signs are the creation of the heavens and the earth, and the difference of your languages and colors; surely there are signs in this for the knowledgeable.

  - Muhammad Farooq-i-Azam Malik

And one of His signs is the creation of the heavens and the earth, and the diversity of your languages and colours. Surely in this are signs for those of 'sound' knowledge.

  - Mustafa Khattab

And of His signs is the creation of the heavens and the earth, and the difference of your languages and colors. Lo! herein indeed are portents for men of knowledge.

  - Marmaduke Pickthall

And among His Signs is the creation of the heavens and the earth and the variations in your languages and your colors: verily in that are Signs for those who know. ³⁵²⁷

  - Abdullah Yusuf Ali

The variations in languages and colors may be viewed from the geographical aspect or from the aspect of periods of time. All mankind were created of a single pair of parents; yet they have spread to different countries and climates and developed different languages and different shades of complexions. And yet their basic unity remains unaltered. They feel in the same way, and are all equally under Allah's care. Then there are the variations in time. Old languages die out and new ones are evolved. New conditions of life and thought are constantly evolving new words and expressions, new syntactical structures, and new modes of pronunciation. Even old races die, and new races are born.

And among His wonders is your sleep, at night or in daytime, as well as your [ability to go about in] quest of some of His bounties: in this, behold, there are messages indeed for people who [are willing to] listen!

  - Mohammad Asad

And among His signs is your sleep at night and quest for His bounty during the day; surly there are signs in this for those who pay heed.

  - Muhammad Farooq-i-Azam Malik

And one of His signs is your sleep by night and by day 'for rest' as well as your seeking His bounty 'in both'. Surely in this are signs for people who listen.

  - Mustafa Khattab

And of His signs is your slumber by night and by day, and your seeking of His bounty. Lo! herein indeed are portents for folk who heed.

  - Marmaduke Pickthall

And among His Signs is the sleep that ye take by night and by day and the quest that ye (make for livelihood) out of His Bounty: verily in that are Signs for those who hearken. ^{3528 3529}

  - Abdullah Yusuf Ali

If we consider deeply, sleep and dreams, the refreshment we get from sleep to wakefulness as well as from wakefulness to sleep, as also the state of our thoughts and feelings and sub-conscious self in these conditions, are both wonderful and mysterious. Normally we sleep by night and do our ordinary work "in quest of the Bounty of Allah" by day. But sleep and rest may come and be necessary by day, and we may have to work by night. And our work for our livelihood may pass by insensible transitions to our work or thought or service of a higher and spiritual kind. These processes suggest a background of things which we know but vaguely, but which are as much miracles as other Signs of Allah.

From verse 20 to verse 25 are mentioned a series of Signs or Miracles, which should awaken our souls and lead us to true Reality if we try to understand Allah. (1) There is our own origin and destiny, which must necessarily be our subjective startingpoint: "I think; therefore I am": no particular exertion of our being is here necessary (xxx. 20). (2) The first beginnings of social life arise through sex and love: see iv. 1, and n. 506; to understand this in all its bearing, we must "reflect" (xxx. 21). (3) The next point is to understand our diversities in speech, color, etc., arising from differences of climate and external conditions; yet there is unity beneath that diversity, which we shall realize by extended knowledge (xxx. 22). (4) Next we turn to our psychological conditions, sleep, rest, visions, insight, etc.; here we want teaching and guidance, to which we must hearken (xxx. 23). (5) Next, we must approach the higher reaches of spiritual hopes and fears, as symbolized by such subtle forces of nature as lightning and electricity, which may kill the foolish or bring prosperity in its train by rain and abundant harvest; to understand the highest spiritual hopes and fears so symbolized, we want the highest wisdom (xxx. 24). (6) And lastly, we may become so transformed that we rise above all petty, worldly, ephemeral things: Allah calls to us and we rise, as from our dead selves to a Height which we can only describe as the Heaven of stability: here no human processes serve, for the Call of Allah Himself has come (xxx. 25-27).

And among His wonders is this: He displays before you the lightning, giving rise to [both] fear and hope,¹⁶ and sends down water from the skies, giving life thereby to the earth after it had been lifeless: in this, behold, there are messages indeed for people who use their reason!

  - Mohammad Asad

I.e., hope of rain - an oft-recurring Qur'anic symbol of faith and spiritual life (cf. 13:12 ).

And of His signs is the showing of lightning, in which there is fear as well as hope, and He sends down rainwater from the sky and with it gives life to the earth after its death; surely there are signs in this for those who use their common sense.

  - Muhammad Farooq-i-Azam Malik

And one of His signs is that He shows you lightning, inspiring 'you with' hope and fear.¹ And He sends down rain from the sky, reviving the earth after its death. Surely in this are signs for people who understand.

  - Mustafa Khattab

 Hope of rain and fear of torment.

And of His signs is this: He showeth you the lightning for a fear and for a hope, and sendeth down water from the sky, and thereby quickeneth the earth after her death. Lo! herein indeed are portents for folk who understand.

  - Marmaduke Pickthall

And among His Signs He shows you the lightning by way both of fear and of hope and He sends down rain from the sky and with it gives life to the earth after it is dead: verily in that are Signs for those who are wise. ³⁵³⁰

  - Abdullah Yusuf Ali

See last note, item (5). Cf. xiii. 12. To cowards lightning and thunder appear as terrible forces of nature: lightning seems to kill and destroy where its irresistible progress is not assisted by proper lightning-conductors. But lightning is also a herald of rain-bearing clouds and showers that bring fertility and prosperity in their train. This double aspect is also symbolical of spiritual fears and hopes, fears lest we may not be found receptive or worthy of the irresistible perspicuous Message of Allah, and hopes that we may receive it in the right spirit and be blessed by its mighty power of transformation to achieve spiritual well-being. Note that the repetition of the phrase "gives life to the earth after it is dead" connects this verse, with verse 19 above; in other words, the Revelation, which we must receive with wisdom and understanding, is a Sign of Allah's own power and mercy, and is vouchsafed in order to safeguard our own final Future.

And among His wonders is this: the skies and the earth stand firm at His behest.¹⁷ [Remember all this: for] in the end, when He will call you forth from the earth with a single call-lo! you will [all] emerge [for judgment].

  - Mohammad Asad

Cf. 13:2 , where God is spoken of as having "raised the skies without any supports that you could see" - a phrase explained in the corresponding note [4].

And of His signs are the firmly standing heaven and earth by His command; then as soon as He will summon you out of the earth, you shall come forth at one call.

  - Muhammad Farooq-i-Azam Malik

And one of His signs is that the heavens and the earth persist by His command. Then when He calls you out of the earth just once, you will instantly come forth.

  - Mustafa Khattab

And of His signs is this: The heavens and the earth stand fast by His command, and afterward, when He calleth you, lo! from the earth ye will emerge.

  - Marmaduke Pickthall

And among His Signs is this that heaven and earth stand by His Command: then when He calls you by a single call from the earth behold ye (straightway) come forth. ³⁵³¹

  - Abdullah Yusuf Ali

In the physical world, the sky and the earth, as we see them, stand unsupported, by the artistry of Allah. They bear witness to Allah, and in that our physical life depends on them-the earth for its produce and the sky for rain, the heat of the sun, and other phenomena of nature-they call to our mind our relation to Allah Who made them and us. How can we then be so dense as not to realize that our higher Future, our Ma'ad, is bound up with the call and the mercy of Allah?