Surah 76. Al-Insan

The virtuous will be 'dressed' in garments of fine green silk and rich brocade, and adorned with bracelets of silver, and their Lord will give them a purifying drink.¹

  - Mustafa Khattab

 The word ṭahûr implies that once the believers take that pure drink, there will be no bad feelings in their hearts or ailments in their bodies.

Upon them will be green Garments of fine silk and heavy brocade and they will be adorned with Bracelets of silver; and their Lord will give to them to drink of a Wine Pure and Holy. ^{5853 5854}

  - Abdullah Yusuf Ali

Cf. xviii. 31. The bracelets are there said to be of gold.

This would seem to be the culmination of the honour which the Blessed receive at the Royal and Divine Banquet. The words in the next verse express the sort of speech which will make the Guest a denizen of Heaven.

'And they will be told,' 'All this is surely a reward for you. Your striving has been appreciated.'

  - Mustafa Khattab

"Verily this is a Reward for you and your Endeavor is accepted and recognized."

  - Abdullah Yusuf Ali

Indeed, it is We Who have revealed the Quran to you 'O Prophet' in stages.

  - Mustafa Khattab

It is We Who have sent down the Qur'an to thee by stages. ⁵⁸⁵⁵

  - Abdullah Yusuf Ali

The Qur-an was being revealed stage by stage as the occasion demanded and at the date of this Sura it was still one of the earlier stages. Persecution, abuse, and false charges were being levelled against the man of Allah, but he is bidden to stand firm and do his duty. In a minor degree this applies to all of us who suffer in the cause of Truth.

So be patient with your Lord's decree, and do not yield to any evildoer or 'staunch' disbeliever from among them.

  - Mustafa Khattab

Therefore be patient with constancy to the Command of thy Lord and hearken not to the sinner or the ingrate among them.

  - Abdullah Yusuf Ali

'Always' remember the Name of your Lord morning and evening,

  - Mustafa Khattab

And celebrate the name of thy Lord morning and evening ⁵⁸⁵⁶

  - Abdullah Yusuf Ali

Three methods of Prayer and Devotion are mentioned: (1) to remember and celebrate the holy name of Allah always; (2) to spend a part of the night in humble prostration; and (3) to glorify Him in the long hours of a weary night of waiting and watching. As to (1), "morning and evening" means all the waking hours of our life, but in the special hours of morning and evening the physical world without us, and the inner world within us, combine to make us specially receptive of spiritual influences. The "name" of Allah includes His attributes, as a locked golden casket might include priceless jewels. Any one may carry the casket, even though he may not be worthy to handle the jewels. If he carries the casket, he is in potential possession of the jewels, and he hopes some time to get the key which opens the jewels to him. So the tyro, who celebrates the holy name of Allah, hopes some day to see the "Face" of Allah and be blessed with the privilege of proximity to His Person. For (2) and (3) see next note.

and prostrate before Him during part of the night,¹ and glorify Him long at night.²

  - Mustafa Khattab

 This verse refers to the five daily prayers: the dawn prayer, then noon and afternoon prayers, then sunset and late evening prayers, respectively.

 Extra prayers offered at night. See 73:20.

And part of the night prostrate thyself to Him; and glorify Him a long night through. ⁵⁸⁵⁷

  - Abdullah Yusuf Ali

See last note. (2) Humble prostration to Allah means some visible mode of dedication. That is best done at night, when the soul, free from worldly occupations, is alone with its God. (3) The weary hours of a long night are no longer weary, but become full of meaning when we join in concert with the whole Creation, which glorifies Allah: lvii. 1.

Surely those 'pagans' love this fleeting world, 'totally' neglecting a weighty Day ahead of them.

  - Mustafa Khattab

As to these they love the fleeting life and put away behind them a Day (that will be) hard. ⁵⁸⁵⁸

  - Abdullah Yusuf Ali

Fleeting life: Cf. lxxv. 20. They: the immediate reference was to the Pagan Quraish: the general reference is to the Unbelievers of all ages. They reject, or at least put away the thought of, a Hereafter, a Day that will be hard, for the easy pleasures of a fleeting life.

It is We Who created them and perfected their 'physical' form. But if We will, We can easily replace them with others.

  - Mustafa Khattab

It is We Who created them and We have made their joints strong; but when We will We can substitute the like of them by a complete change. ^{5859 5860}

  - Abdullah Yusuf Ali

Allah has not only created men, but 'made their frame strong", i.e., given them the power and strength to withstand the temptations of Evil and stand firmly in the Path of Right,

If, in spite of Allah's loving care, any particular men or group of men, misuse their powers or wilfully disobey Allah's Law, Allah will set them aside, and substitute others in their place, with like powers. Allah's gifts are free, but let no one think that he can monopolise them or misuse them without being called to answer for the trust. And the man of Allah must not be discouraged by the whole world being at some moment completely against him. Allah can in a moment make a complete change. Either the same men that fought against him will be his zealous adherents, Or another generation will spring up, which will carry the flag of Righteousness to victory. Allah's Will and Plan work in their own good time.

Surely this is a reminder. So let whoever wills take the 'Right' Way to their Lord.

  - Mustafa Khattab

This is an admonition: whosoever will let him take a (straight) Path to his Lord.

  - Abdullah Yusuf Ali

But you cannot will 'to do so' unless Allah wills. Indeed, Allah is All-Knowing, All-Wise.

  - Mustafa Khattab

But ye will not except as Allah wills; for Allah is full of Knowledge and Wisdom. ⁵⁸⁶¹

  - Abdullah Yusuf Ali

Man in himself is weak; he must seek Allah's Grace; without it he can do nothing; with it he can do all, For Allah knows all things, and His wisdom comprehends the good of all.

He admits whoever He wills into His mercy. As for the wrongdoers, He has prepared for them a painful punishment

  - Mustafa Khattab

He will admit to His Mercy Whom He will; but the wrongdoers for them has He prepared a grievous Penalty. ⁵⁸⁶²

  - Abdullah Yusuf Ali

That is according to His just and wise Plan. If the will is right, it obtains Allah's Grace and Mercy. If the will of man rejects Allah, man must suffer the Penalty.