Surah 61. As-Saff

1.

Whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on the earth glorifies Allah. For He 'alone' is the Almighty, All-Wise.

2.

O believers! Why do you say what you do not do?

3.

How despicable it is in the sight of Allah that you say what you do not do!

4.

Surely Allah loves those who fight in His cause in 'solid' ranks as if they were one concrete structure.

5.

'Remember, O Prophet,' when Moses said to his people, 'O my people! Why do you hurt me when you already know I am Allah's messenger to you?' So when they 'persistently' deviated, Allah caused their hearts to deviate. For Allah does not guide the rebellious people.

6.

And 'remember' when Jesus, son of Mary, said, 'O children of Israel! I am truly Allah's messenger to you, confirming the Torah which came before me, and giving good news of a messenger after me whose name will be Aḥmad.'¹ Yet when the Prophet came to them with clear proofs, they said, 'This is pure magic.'

 Aḥmad is another name for Prophet Muḥammad (ﷺ). Both are derived from ḥa-ma-da which means ‘praise.’ Some Muslim scholars believe this verse refers to John 14:16, where Jesus says: “And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another periklytos, to be with you forever.” Periklytos is a Greek word that means ‘the praised one.’ The name of Prophet Muḥammad (ﷺ) appears several times in the Gospel of Barnabas, which is deemed apocryphal by Christian authorities.

7.

Who does more wrong than the one who fabricates lies about Allah when invited to submit 'to Him'?¹ For Allah does not guide the wrongdoing people.

 Submission to Allah means ‘Islam’ in Arabic.

8.

They wish to extinguish Allah's light with their mouths, but Allah will 'certainly' perfect His light, even to the dismay of the disbelievers.

9.

He is the One Who has sent His Messenger with 'true' guidance and the religion of truth, making it prevail over all others, even to the dismay of the polytheists.

10.

O believers! Shall I guide you to an exchange that will save you from a painful punishment?

11.

'It is to' have faith in Allah and His Messenger, and strive in the cause of Allah with your wealth and your lives. That is best for you, if only you knew.

12.

He will forgive your sins, and admit you into Gardens under which rivers flow, and 'house you in' splendid homes in the Gardens of Eternity. That is the ultimate triumph.

13.

'He will also give you' another favour that you long for: help from Allah and an imminent victory. 'So' give good news 'O Prophet' to the believers.

14.

O believers! Stand up for Allah, as Jesus, son of Mary, asked the disciples, 'Who will stand up with me for Allah?' The disciples replied, 'We will stand up for Allah.' Then a group from the Children of Israel believed while another disbelieved. We then supported the believers against their enemies, so they prevailed.