Surah 36. Yasin

and no message of their Sustainer's messages²⁵ ever reaches them without their turning away from it.

  - Mohammad Asad

Or: "no sign of their Sustainer's signs" - since the noun ayah, repeated several times in the preceding passage, denotes "a message" as well as "a sign".

Whenever any sign from the revelations of their Rabb comes to them, they turn away from it.

  - Muhammad Farooq-i-Azam Malik

Whenever a sign comes to them from their Lord, they turn away from it.

  - Mustafa Khattab

Never came a token of the tokens of their Lord to them, but they did turn away from it!

  - Marmaduke Pickthall

Not a Sign comes to them from among the Signs of their Lord but they turn away therefrom. ³⁹⁹³

  - Abdullah Yusuf Ali

The Signs of Allah are many, in His great world,-in nature, in the heart of man, and in the Revelation sent through His messengers. They turn away from all of them, as a man who has ruined his eyesight turns away from the light.

Thus, when they are told, "Spend on others out of what God has provided for you as sustenance,"²⁶ those who are bent on denying the truth say unto those who believe, "Shall we feed anyone whom, if [your] God had so willed, He could have fed [Himself]? Clearly, you are but lost in error!"

  - Mohammad Asad

In Qur'anic usage, the verb anfaqa (lit., "he spent") invariably signifies one's spending on others, or for the good of others, whatever the motive. The ethical importance of this "spending on others" is frequently stressed in the Qur'an, and is embodied in the concept of zakah, which denotes "purifying dues" or, in its broader sense, "charity" (see note [34] on 2:43 ).

Whenever they are asked: "Spend out of what Allah has given you." The disbelievers say to the believers: "Should we feed those whom Allah can feed Himself if He so chooses? You are quite obviously in error!"

  - Muhammad Farooq-i-Azam Malik

And when it is said to them, 'Donate from what Allah has provided for you,' the disbelievers say to the believers, 'Why should we feed those whom Allah could have fed if He wanted to? You are clearly astray!'

  - Mustafa Khattab

And when it is said unto them: Spend of that wherewith Allah hath provided you. those who disbelieve say unto those who believe: Shall we feed those whom Allah, if He willed, would feed? Ye are in naught else than error manifest.

  - Marmaduke Pickthall

And when they are told "Spend ye of (the bounties) with which Allah has provided you." You Unbelievers say to those who believe: "Shall we then feed those whom if Allah had so willed He would have fed (himself)? Ye are in nothing but manifest error." ^{3994 3995}

  - Abdullah Yusuf Ali

To selfish men, the good may make an appeal, and say: "Look! Allah has given you wealth, or influence, or knowledge, or talent. Why not spend some of it in charity, i.e., for the good of your fellow-creatures?" But the selfish only think of themselves and laugh such teaching to scorn.

They are too full of themselves to have a corner in their hearts for others. "If" they say, "Allah gave them nothing, why should we?" There is arrogance in this as well as blasphemy: arrogance in thinking that they are favoured because of their merits, and blasphemy in laying the blame of other people's misfortunes on Allah. They further try to turn the tables on the Believers by pretending that the Believers are entirely on a wrong track. They forget that all men are on probation and trial: they hold their gifts on trust: those apparently less favoured, in that they have fewer of this world's goods, may be really more fortunate, because they are learning patience, self-reliance, and the true value of things ephemeral which is apt to be very much exaggerated in men's eyes.

And they add, "When is this promise [of resurrection] to be fulfilled? [Answer this] if you are men of truth!"

  - Mohammad Asad

Further, they say: "When will this promise of resurrection come to pass, if what you say is true?"

  - Muhammad Farooq-i-Azam Malik

And they ask 'the believers', 'When will this threat come to pass, if what you say is true?'

  - Mustafa Khattab

And they say: When will this promise be fulfilled, if ye are truthful?

  - Marmaduke Pickthall

Further they say "When will this promise (come to pass) if what ye say is true?" ³⁹⁹⁶

  - Abdullah Yusuf Ali

In addition to the arrogance and blasphemy referred to in the last note, they not only refuse Faith, but they taunt the men of Faith as if the men of Faith were dealing in falsehood: "If there is a Hereafter, tell us when it will be!" The answer is: "It will come sooner than you expect: you will yet be disputing about things of Faith and neglecting your opportunities in Life, when the Hour will sound, and you will have no time even to make your dispositions in this life: you will be cut off from everyone whom you thought to be near and dear to you, or able to help you!"

[And they are unaware that] nothing awaits them beyond a single blast [of God's punishment],²⁷ which will overtake them while they are still arguing [against resurrection]:

  - Mohammad Asad

Lit., "they wait for nothing but a single blast...", etc.

In fact what they are waiting for is a single blast, which will seize them while they are yet disputing among themselves in their worldly affairs.

  - Muhammad Farooq-i-Azam Malik

They must be awaiting a single Blast,¹ which will seize them while they are 'entrenched' in 'worldly' disputes.

  - Mustafa Khattab

 On the Day of Judgment, the Trumpet will be blown by an angel—causing all to die. When it is blown a second time, everyone will be raised from the dead for judgment (see 39:68).

They await but one Shout, which will surprise them while they are disputing.

  - Marmaduke Pickthall

They will not (have to) wait for aught but a single Blast: it will seize them while they are yet disputing among themselves!

  - Abdullah Yusuf Ali

and so [sudden will be their end that] no testament will they be able to make, nor to their own people will they return!

  - Mohammad Asad

Then neither they will be able to make a will, nor be able to return to their families.

  - Muhammad Farooq-i-Azam Malik

Then they will not be able to make a 'last' will, nor can they return to their own people.

  - Mustafa Khattab

Then they cannot make bequest, nor can they return to their own folk.

  - Marmaduke Pickthall

No (chance) will they then have by will to dispose (of their affairs) nor to return to their own people!

  - Abdullah Yusuf Ali

And [then] the trumpet [of resurrection] will be blown - and lo! out of their graves towards their Sustainer will they all rush forth!

  - Mohammad Asad

Then a trumpet shall be blown and, behold, they will rise up from their graves and hasten to their Rabb.

  - Muhammad Farooq-i-Azam Malik

The Trumpet will be blown 'a second time', then- behold!- they will rush from the graves to their Lord.

  - Mustafa Khattab

And the trumpet is blown and lo! from the graves they hie unto their Lord,

  - Marmaduke Pickthall

The trumpet shall be sounded when behold! from the sepulchers (men) will rush forth to their Lord! ³⁹⁹⁷

  - Abdullah Yusuf Ali

Traditionally, the angel who will sound the Trumpet is Israfil, but the name does not occur in the Qur-an. The Trumpet is mentioned in many places: e.g., vi. 73; lxxviii. 18, etc.

They will say: "Oh, woe unto us! Who has roused us from our sleep [of death]?" Most Gracious has promised! And His message-bearers spoke the truth!"

  - Mohammad Asad

They will say: "Oh, Woe to us! Who has raised us up from our graves? They will be told: "This is what the Compassionate (Allah) had promised and true was the word of the Rasools."

  - Muhammad Farooq-i-Azam Malik

They will cry, 'Woe to us! Who has raised us up from our place of rest? This must be what the Most Compassionate warned us of; the messengers told the truth!'

  - Mustafa Khattab

Crying: Woe upon us! Who hath raised us from our place of sleep? This is that which the Beneficent did promise, and the messengers spoke truth,

  - Marmaduke Pickthall

They will say: "Ah! woe unto us! Who hath raised us up from our beds of repose? (A voice will say:) "This is what (Allah) Most Gracious had promised and true was the word of the apostles!" ³⁹⁹⁸

  - Abdullah Yusuf Ali

The dead will rise as in a stupor, and they will be confused in the new conditions! They will gradually regain their memory and their personality. They will be reminded that Allah in His grace and mercy had already announced the Hereafter in their probationary lives, and the word of Allah's messengers, which then seemed so strange and remote, was true and was now being fulfilled!

Nothing will there have been but one single blast-and lo! before Us will all of them be arraigned [and be told]:

  - Mohammad Asad

It will be no more than a single blast, and then they will all be gathered before Us.

  - Muhammad Farooq-i-Azam Malik

It will only take one Blast, then at once they will all be brought before Us.

  - Mustafa Khattab

It is but one Shout, and behold them brought together before Us!

  - Marmaduke Pickthall

It will be no more than a single Blast when lo! they will all be brought up before Us! ³⁹⁹⁹

  - Abdullah Yusuf Ali

Time and Space, as we know them here, will be no more. The whole gathering will be as in the twinkling of an eye. Cf. xxxvi. 49 above.

"Today, then, no human being shall be wronged in the least, nor shall you be requited for aught but what you were doing [on earth].

  - Mohammad Asad

On that Day no soul will suffer the least injustice and you shall be rewarded according to your deeds.

  - Muhammad Farooq-i-Azam Malik

On that Day no soul will be wronged in the least, nor will you be rewarded except for what you used to do.

  - Mustafa Khattab

This day no soul is wronged in aught; nor are ye requited aught save what ye used to do.

  - Marmaduke Pickthall

Then on that Day not a soul will be wronged in the least and ye shall but be repaid the meeds of your past Deeds. ⁴⁰⁰⁰

  - Abdullah Yusuf Ali

The Judgment will be on the highest standard of Justice and Grace. Not the least merit will go unrewarded, though the reward will be for the righteous far more than their deserts. No penalty will be exacted but that which the doer himself by his past deeds brought on himself. Cf. xxviii. 84.

"Behold, those who are destined for paradise shall today have joy in whatever they do:

  - Mohammad Asad

Surely, on that Day, the residents of paradise will be busy with their joy;

  - Muhammad Farooq-i-Azam Malik

Indeed, on that Day the residents of Paradise will be busy enjoying themselves.

  - Mustafa Khattab

Lo! those who merit paradise this day are happily employed,

  - Marmaduke Pickthall

Verily the Companions of the Garden shall that Day have joy in all that they do; ⁴⁰⁰¹

  - Abdullah Yusuf Ali

Notice the subtle gradation in the description. First, in this verse, we have the nature of the mise en scene and the nature of the joy therein. It will be a Garden i.e., everything agreeable to see and hear and feel and taste and smell; delightfully green lawns and meadows, trees and shrubs; the murmur of streams and the songs of birds: the delicate texture of flowers and leaves and the shapes of beauty in clouds and mist; the flavours of fruits; and the perfumes of flowers and scents. The joy in the Garden will be an active joy, without fatigue: whatever we do in it, every employment in which we engage there, will be a source of joy without alloy.

in happiness will they and their spouses on couches recline;²⁸

  - Mohammad Asad

In the Qur'anic descriptions of paradise, the term zill ("shade") and its plural zilal is often used as a metaphor for "happiness" - thus, for instance, in 4:57 , where zill zalil signifies "happiness abounding" (see surah {4}, note [74]) - while the "couches" on which the blessed are to recline are obviously a symbol of inner fulfilment and peace of mind, as pointed out by Razi in his comments on 18:31 and 55:54 .

they and their spouses will be in shady groves reclining on soft couches.

  - Muhammad Farooq-i-Azam Malik

They and their spouses will be in 'cool' shade, reclining on 'canopied' couches.

  - Mustafa Khattab

They and their wives, in pleasant shade, on thrones reclining;

  - Marmaduke Pickthall

They and their associates will be in groves of (cool) shade reclining on thrones (of dignity); ⁴⁰⁰²

  - Abdullah Yusuf Ali

Secondly, the joy or happiness is figured to be, not solitary, but shared by associates.

[only] delight will there be for them, and theirs shall be all that they could ask for:

  - Mohammad Asad

They will have all kinds of fruit and they will get whatever they call for;

  - Muhammad Farooq-i-Azam Malik

There they will have fruits and whatever they desire.

  - Mustafa Khattab

Theirs the fruit (of their good deeds) and theirs (all) that they ask;

  - Marmaduke Pickthall

(Every) fruit (enjoyment) will be there for them; they shall have whatever they call for; ⁴⁰⁰³

  - Abdullah Yusuf Ali

Thirdly, besides any external conditions of Bliss, the Bliss in the Hereafter has an inner quality.

peace and fulfilment²⁹ through the word of a Sustainer who dispenses all grace.

  - Mohammad Asad

This composite expression is, I believe, the nearest approach in English to the concept of salam in the above context. For a further explanation of this term, see note [29] on 5:16 , where salam is rendered as "salvation".

they will be greeted with the word "Salaam (Peace)" from the Lord of Mercy (Allah).

  - Muhammad Farooq-i-Azam Malik

And 'Peace!' will be 'their' greeting from the Merciful Lord.

  - Mustafa Khattab

The word from a Merciful Lord (for them) is: Peace!

  - Marmaduke Pickthall

"Peace! a Word (of salutation) from a Lord Most Merciful! ⁴⁰⁰⁴

  - Abdullah Yusuf Ali

Fourthly, we reach the highest grade of bliss, the salutation "Peace!" from Allah Most Merciful. Cf. x. 10. That Word sums up the attainment of the final Goal. For it explains the nature of the Most High;-He is not only a Lord and Cherisher, but a Lord Whose supreme glory is Mercy, Peace, and Harmony!

"But stand aside today, O you who were lost in sin!

  - Mohammad Asad

While to the sinners He will say: "Get aside today, you criminals!

  - Muhammad Farooq-i-Azam Malik

'Then the disbelievers will be told,' 'Step away 'from the believers' this Day, O wicked ones!

  - Mustafa Khattab

But avaunt ye, O ye guilty, this day!

  - Marmaduke Pickthall

And O ye in sin! get ye apart this Day! ⁴⁰⁰⁵

  - Abdullah Yusuf Ali

Notice how this finely balanced passage, after reaching the summit of sublimity in describing the state of the Blessed, in the word Salam, gradually takes us down to contemplate the state of the Sinners in a graduated descent. In the first place, it refers to their negative state, their state of isolation. From this Day of Judgment, they will no longer have the chance of being with the Blessed and perhaps of profiting spiritually by that proximity. The first feature of the Day of Judgment is that it is a Day of Separation-of sorting out. Each soul now finds its own true level, as the period of probation is over.

Did I not enjoin on you, O you children of Adam, that you should not worship Satan-since, verily, he is your open foe ³⁰

  - Mohammad Asad

For the meaning of what the Qur'an describes as "worship of Satan", see note [33] on 19:44 .

Did I not enjoin you, O children of Adam, not to worship Shaitan, who is your open enemy,

  - Muhammad Farooq-i-Azam Malik

Did I not command you, O Children of Adam, not to follow Satan, for he is truly your sworn enemy,

  - Mustafa Khattab

Did I not charge you, O ye sons of Adam, that ye worship not the devil Lo! he is your open foe!

  - Marmaduke Pickthall

"Did I not enjoin on you O ye children of Adam that ye should not worship Satan; for that he was to you an enemy avowed? ⁴⁰⁰⁶

  - Abdullah Yusuf Ali

Secondly, there is a gentle reproach to the wrong-doers, more in sorrow than in anger. They are addressed as "children of Adam", to emphasise two facts, (1) that they have disgraced their ancestry, for Adam after his Fall repented and was forgiven, and the high Destiny of mankind has been the prize open to all his descendants, and (2) that Allah Most Merciful has throughout the ages continued to warn mankind against the snares laid by Satan, the avowed enemy of man, and that Allah's Grace was ever on the watch to help all to freedom from those snares.