Surah 61. As-Saff

ALL THAT IS in the heavens and all that is on earth extols God's limitless glory: for He alone is almighty, truly wise!

  - Mohammad Asad

All that is in the heavens and the earth glorifies Allah. He is the All-Mighty, the All-Wise.

  - Muhammad Farooq-i-Azam Malik

All that is in the heavens and all that is in the earth glorifieth Allah, and He is the Mighty, the Wise.

  - Marmaduke Pickthall

O YOU who have attained to faith! Why do you say one thing and do another?¹

  - Mohammad Asad

Lit., "Why do you say what you do not do?" In the first instance, this may be an allusion to such of the Prophet's Companions as had retreated in disorder from their battle stations at Uhud (see surah {3}, note [90]) despite their previous assertions that they were ready to lay down their lives in the cause of God and His Apostle. In a wider sense, the passage is addressed to all those who claim that they are willing to live up to anything that the divine writ declares to be desirable, and then fall short of this determination.

O believers! Why do you say something which you don't do?

  - Muhammad Farooq-i-Azam Malik

O ye who believe! why say ye that which ye do not?

  - Marmaduke Pickthall

Most loathsome is it in the sight of God that you say what you do not do!

  - Mohammad Asad

It is very hateful in the sight of Allah that you say something which you don't do.

  - Muhammad Farooq-i-Azam Malik

It is most hateful in the sight of Allah that ye say that which ye do not.

  - Marmaduke Pickthall

Verily, God loves [only] those who fight in His cause in [solid] ranks,² as though they were a building firm and compact.

  - Mohammad Asad

I.e., in unison, with their deeds corresponding to their assertions of faith. This moral necessity is further illustrated - by its opposite - in the subsequent reference to Moses and the recalcitrant among his followers.

Indeed Allah loves those who fight for His Cause in battle array as if they were a solid wall.

  - Muhammad Farooq-i-Azam Malik

Lo! Allah loveth those who battle for His cause in ranks, as if they were a solid structure.

  - Marmaduke Pickthall

Now when Moses spoke to his people, [it was this same truth that he had in mind:] "O my people! Why do you cause me grief,³ the while you know that I am an apostle of God sent unto you?" And so, when they swerved from the right way, God let their hearts swerve from the truth:⁴ for God does not bestow His guidance upon iniquitous folk.

  - Mohammad Asad

Sc., "by admitting that I speak in the name of God, and acting contrary to this your assertion": an allusion to the many instances of the contrariness and rebelliousness of the children of Israel evident from their own scriptures.

Thus, persistence in wrong actions is bound to react on man's beliefs as well. As regards God's "letting their hearts swerve from the truth", see surah {14}, note [4]. Cf. also the oft-recurring reference to God's "sealing" a sinner's heart explained in note [7] on 2:7 .

Remember what Musa (Moses) said to his people: "O my people! Why do you vex me while you know that I am the Rasool of Allah towards you?" But inspite of this when they adopted perverseness, Allah let their hearts be perverted. Allah does not guide those who are transgressors.

  - Muhammad Farooq-i-Azam Malik

And (remember) when Moses said unto his people: O my people! Why persecute ye me, when ye well know that I am Allah's messenger unto you? So when they went astray Allah sent their hearts astray. And Allah guideth not the evil-living folk.

  - Marmaduke Pickthall