بِسمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحمٰنِ الرَّحيمِ
In the name of God, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.
Surah 38: S (Sad)
ص
ص وَالقُرءانِ ذِى الذِّكرِ
S. (Saad),* and the Quran that contains the proof.**
*38:1 This Initial (Saad) occurs in suras 7, 19, & 38 a total of 152 times, 19x8 (Appendix 1). **38:1 The word "Zikr" is made distinct from the Quran and clearly points at the Quran's miraculous mathematical code. See 15:6, 9; 16:44; 21:2, 24; 26:5; & 36:11, 69.
بَلِ الَّذينَ كَفَروا فى عِزَّةٍ وَشِقاقٍ
Those who disbelieve have plunged into arrogance and defiance.
كَم أَهلَكنا مِن قَبلِهِم مِن قَرنٍ فَنادَوا وَلاتَ حينَ مَناصٍ
Many a generation before them we annihilated. They called for help, in vain.
وَعَجِبوا أَن جاءَهُم مُنذِرٌ مِنهُم وَقالَ الكٰفِرونَ هٰذا سٰحِرٌ كَذّابٌ
They wondered that a warner should come to them, from among them. The disbelievers said, "A magician, a liar.
أَجَعَلَ الـٔالِهَةَ إِلٰهًا وٰحِدًا إِنَّ هٰذا لَشَىءٌ عُجابٌ
"Did he make the gods into one god? This is really strange."
وَانطَلَقَ المَلَأُ مِنهُم أَنِ امشوا وَاصبِروا عَلىٰ ءالِهَتِكُم إِنَّ هٰذا لَشَىءٌ يُرادُ
The leaders announced, "Go and steadfastly persevere in worshiping your gods. This is what is desired.
ما سَمِعنا بِهٰذا فِى المِلَّةِ الـٔاخِرَةِ إِن هٰذا إِلَّا اختِلٰقٌ
"We never heard of this from the religion of our fathers. This is a lie.
أَءُنزِلَ عَلَيهِ الذِّكرُ مِن بَينِنا بَل هُم فى شَكٍّ مِن ذِكرى بَل لَمّا يَذوقوا عَذابِ
"Why did the proof come down to him, instead of us?" Indeed, they are doubtful of My proof. Indeed, they have not yet tasted My retribution.
أَم عِندَهُم خَزائِنُ رَحمَةِ رَبِّكَ العَزيزِ الوَهّابِ
Do they own the treasures of mercy of your Lord, the Almighty, the Grantor.
أَم لَهُم مُلكُ السَّمٰوٰتِ وَالأَرضِ وَما بَينَهُما فَليَرتَقوا فِى الأَسبٰبِ
Do they possess the sovereignty of the heavens and the earth, and everything between them? Let them help themselves.
جُندٌ ما هُنالِكَ مَهزومٌ مِنَ الأَحزابِ
Instead, whatever forces they can muster - even if all their parties banded together - will be defeated.
كَذَّبَت قَبلَهُم قَومُ نوحٍ وَعادٌ وَفِرعَونُ ذُو الأَوتادِ
Disbelieving before them were the people of Noah, `Ãd, and the mighty Pharaoh.
وَثَمودُ وَقَومُ لوطٍ وَأَصحٰبُ لـَٔيكَةِ أُولٰئِكَ الأَحزابُ
Also, Thamoud, the people of Lot, the dwellers of the Woods (of Midyan); those were the opponents.
إِن كُلٌّ إِلّا كَذَّبَ الرُّسُلَ فَحَقَّ عِقابِ
Each of them disbelieved the messengers and thus, My retribution was inevitable.
وَما يَنظُرُ هٰؤُلاءِ إِلّا صَيحَةً وٰحِدَةً ما لَها مِن فَواقٍ
These people can expect a single blow, from which they never recover.
وَقالوا رَبَّنا عَجِّل لَنا قِطَّنا قَبلَ يَومِ الحِسابِ
They challenged: "Our Lord, why do you not rush the retribution for us, before the Day of Reckoning."
اصبِر عَلىٰ ما يَقولونَ وَاذكُر عَبدَنا داوۥدَ ذَا الأَيدِ إِنَّهُ أَوّابٌ
Be patient in the face of their utterances, and remember our servant David, the resourceful; he was obedient.
إِنّا سَخَّرنَا الجِبالَ مَعَهُ يُسَبِّحنَ بِالعَشِىِّ وَالإِشراقِ
We committed the mountains in his service, glorifying with him night and day.
وَالطَّيرَ مَحشورَةً كُلٌّ لَهُ أَوّابٌ
Also the birds were committed to serve him; all were obedient to him.
وَشَدَدنا مُلكَهُ وَءاتَينٰهُ الحِكمَةَ وَفَصلَ الخِطابِ
We strengthened his kingship, and endowed him with wisdom and good logic.
وَهَل أَتىٰكَ نَبَؤُا۟ الخَصمِ إِذ تَسَوَّرُوا المِحرابَ
Have you received news of the feuding men who sneaked into his sanctuary?
إِذ دَخَلوا عَلىٰ داوۥدَ فَفَزِعَ مِنهُم قالوا لا تَخَف خَصمانِ بَغىٰ بَعضُنا عَلىٰ بَعضٍ فَاحكُم بَينَنا بِالحَقِّ وَلا تُشطِط وَاهدِنا إِلىٰ سَواءِ الصِّرٰطِ
When they entered his room, he was startled. They said, "Have no fear. We are feuding with one another, and we are seeking your fair judgment. Do not wrong us, and guide us in the right path.
إِنَّ هٰذا أَخى لَهُ تِسعٌ وَتِسعونَ نَعجَةً وَلِىَ نَعجَةٌ وٰحِدَةٌ فَقالَ أَكفِلنيها وَعَزَّنى فِى الخِطابِ
"This brother of mine owns ninety nine* sheep, while I own one sheep. He wants to mix my sheep with his, and continues to pressure me."
*38:23 This is the only place where the number 99 occurs. Thirty different numbers are mentioned in the Quran, and their total comes to 162146, 19x8534. See Appendix 1.
قالَ لَقَد ظَلَمَكَ بِسُؤالِ نَعجَتِكَ إِلىٰ نِعاجِهِ وَإِنَّ كَثيرًا مِنَ الخُلَطاءِ لَيَبغى بَعضُهُم عَلىٰ بَعضٍ إِلَّا الَّذينَ ءامَنوا وَعَمِلُوا الصّٰلِحٰتِ وَقَليلٌ ما هُم وَظَنَّ داوۥدُ أَنَّما فَتَنّٰهُ فَاستَغفَرَ رَبَّهُ وَخَرَّ راكِعًا وَأَنابَ
He said, "He is being unfair to you by asking to combine your sheep with his. Most people who combine their properties treat each other unfairly, except those who believe and work righteousness, and these are so few." Afterwards, David wondered if he made the right judgment. He thought that we were testing him. He then implored his Lord for forgiveness, bowed down, and repented.*
*38:24 In this clear example, 99 on one side vs 1 on the other side, David's extreme care to render the correct judgment caused him to ask forgiveness. Are we this careful?
فَغَفَرنا لَهُ ذٰلِكَ وَإِنَّ لَهُ عِندَنا لَزُلفىٰ وَحُسنَ مَـٔابٍ
We forgave him in this matter. We have granted him a position of honor with us, and a beautiful abode.
يٰداوۥدُ إِنّا جَعَلنٰكَ خَليفَةً فِى الأَرضِ فَاحكُم بَينَ النّاسِ بِالحَقِّ وَلا تَتَّبِعِ الهَوىٰ فَيُضِلَّكَ عَن سَبيلِ اللَّهِ إِنَّ الَّذينَ يَضِلّونَ عَن سَبيلِ اللَّهِ لَهُم عَذابٌ شَديدٌ بِما نَسوا يَومَ الحِسابِ
O David, we have made you a ruler on earth. Therefore, you shall judge among the people equitably, and do not follow your personal opinion, lest it diverts you from the way of God. Surely, those who stray off the way of God incur severe retribution for forgetting the Day of Reckoning.
وَما خَلَقنَا السَّماءَ وَالأَرضَ وَما بَينَهُما بٰطِلًا ذٰلِكَ ظَنُّ الَّذينَ كَفَروا فَوَيلٌ لِلَّذينَ كَفَروا مِنَ النّارِ
We did not create the heaven and the earth, and everything between them, in vain. Such is the thinking of those who disbelieve. Therefore, woe to those who disbelieve; they will suffer in Hell.
أَم نَجعَلُ الَّذينَ ءامَنوا وَعَمِلُوا الصّٰلِحٰتِ كَالمُفسِدينَ فِى الأَرضِ أَم نَجعَلُ المُتَّقينَ كَالفُجّارِ
Shall we treat those who believe and lead a righteous life as we treat those who commit evil on earth? Shall we treat the righteous as we treat the wicked?
كِتٰبٌ أَنزَلنٰهُ إِلَيكَ مُبٰرَكٌ لِيَدَّبَّروا ءايٰتِهِ وَلِيَتَذَكَّرَ أُولُوا الأَلبٰبِ
This is a scripture that we sent down to you, that is sacred - perhaps they reflect on its verses. Those who possess intelligence will take heed.
وَوَهَبنا لِداوۥدَ سُلَيمٰنَ نِعمَ العَبدُ إِنَّهُ أَوّابٌ
To David we granted Solomon; a good and obedient servant.
إِذ عُرِضَ عَلَيهِ بِالعَشِىِّ الصّٰفِنٰتُ الجِيادُ
One day he became preoccupied with beautiful horses, until the night fell.
فَقالَ إِنّى أَحبَبتُ حُبَّ الخَيرِ عَن ذِكرِ رَبّى حَتّىٰ تَوارَت بِالحِجابِ
He then said, "I enjoyed the material things more than I enjoyed worshiping my Lord, until the sun was gone.*
*38:32 Solomon missed his afternoon prayer because of his horses. To nullify Satan's possible claim that Solomon loved his horses more than loving God, he got rid of his horses.
رُدّوها عَلَىَّ فَطَفِقَ مَسحًا بِالسّوقِ وَالأَعناقِ
"Bring them back." (To bid farewell,) he rubbed their legs and necks.
وَلَقَد فَتَنّا سُلَيمٰنَ وَأَلقَينا عَلىٰ كُرسِيِّهِ جَسَدًا ثُمَّ أَنابَ
We thus put Solomon to the test; we blessed him with vast material wealth, but he steadfastly submitted.*
*38:34 & 41 Solomon and Job represent both ends of the testing spectrum. We are put to the test through wealth, health, or lack of them, to see if we worship God alone under all circumstances.
قالَ رَبِّ اغفِر لى وَهَب لى مُلكًا لا يَنبَغى لِأَحَدٍ مِن بَعدى إِنَّكَ أَنتَ الوَهّابُ
He said, "My Lord, forgive me, and grant me a kingship never attained by anyone else. You are the Grantor."
فَسَخَّرنا لَهُ الرّيحَ تَجرى بِأَمرِهِ رُخاءً حَيثُ أَصابَ
We (answered his prayer and) committed the wind at his disposal, pouring rain wherever he wanted.
وَالشَّيٰطينَ كُلَّ بَنّاءٍ وَغَوّاصٍ
And the devils, building and diving.
وَءاخَرينَ مُقَرَّنينَ فِى الأَصفادِ
Others were placed at his disposal.
هٰذا عَطاؤُنا فَامنُن أَو أَمسِك بِغَيرِ حِسابٍ
"This is our provision to you; you may give generously, or withhold, without limits."
وَإِنَّ لَهُ عِندَنا لَزُلفىٰ وَحُسنَ مَـٔابٍ
He has deserved an honorable position with us, and a wonderful abode.
وَاذكُر عَبدَنا أَيّوبَ إِذ نادىٰ رَبَّهُ أَنّى مَسَّنِىَ الشَّيطٰنُ بِنُصبٍ وَعَذابٍ
Remember our servant Job: he called upon his Lord, "The devil has afflicted me with hardship and pain."
*38:34 & 41 Solomon and Job represent both ends of the testing spectrum. We are put to the test through wealth, health, or lack of them, to see if we worship God alone under all circumstances.
اركُض بِرِجلِكَ هٰذا مُغتَسَلٌ بارِدٌ وَشَرابٌ
"Strike the ground with your foot. A spring will give you healing and a drink."
وَوَهَبنا لَهُ أَهلَهُ وَمِثلَهُم مَعَهُم رَحمَةً مِنّا وَذِكرىٰ لِأُولِى الأَلبٰبِ
We restored his family for him; twice as many. Such is our mercy; a reminder for those who possess intelligence.
وَخُذ بِيَدِكَ ضِغثًا فَاضرِب بِهِ وَلا تَحنَث إِنّا وَجَدنٰهُ صابِرًا نِعمَ العَبدُ إِنَّهُ أَوّابٌ
"Now, you shall travel the land and preach the message, to fulfill your pledge." We found him steadfast. What a good servant! He was a submitter.
وَاذكُر عِبٰدَنا إِبرٰهيمَ وَإِسحٰقَ وَيَعقوبَ أُولِى الأَيدى وَالأَبصٰرِ
Remember also our servants Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. They were resourceful, and possessed vision.
إِنّا أَخلَصنٰهُم بِخالِصَةٍ ذِكرَى الدّارِ
We bestowed upon them a great blessing: awareness of the Hereafter.
وَإِنَّهُم عِندَنا لَمِنَ المُصطَفَينَ الأَخيارِ
They were chosen, for they were among the most righteous.
وَاذكُر إِسمٰعيلَ وَاليَسَعَ وَذَا الكِفلِ وَكُلٌّ مِنَ الأَخيارِ
Remember Ismail, Elisha, and Zal-Kifl; among the most righteous.
هٰذا ذِكرٌ وَإِنَّ لِلمُتَّقينَ لَحُسنَ مَـٔابٍ
This is a reminder: The righteous have deserved a wonderful destiny.
جَنّٰتِ عَدنٍ مُفَتَّحَةً لَهُمُ الأَبوٰبُ
The gardens of Eden will open up their gates for them.
مُتَّكِـٔينَ فيها يَدعونَ فيها بِفٰكِهَةٍ كَثيرَةٍ وَشَرابٍ
Relaxing therein, they will be given many kinds of fruits and drinks.
وَعِندَهُم قٰصِرٰتُ الطَّرفِ أَترابٌ
They will have wonderful spouses.
هٰذا ما توعَدونَ لِيَومِ الحِسابِ
This is what you have deserved on the Day of Reckoning.
إِنَّ هٰذا لَرِزقُنا ما لَهُ مِن نَفادٍ
Our provisions are inexhaustible.
هٰذا وَإِنَّ لِلطّٰغينَ لَشَرَّ مَـٔابٍ
As for the transgressors, they have incurred a miserable destiny.
جَهَنَّمَ يَصلَونَها فَبِئسَ المِهادُ
Hell is where they burn; what a miserable abode!
هٰذا فَليَذوقوهُ حَميمٌ وَغَسّاقٌ
What they taste therein will be hellish drinks and bitter food.
وَءاخَرُ مِن شَكلِهِ أَزوٰجٌ
And much more of the same kind.
هٰذا فَوجٌ مُقتَحِمٌ مَعَكُم لا مَرحَبًا بِهِم إِنَّهُم صالُوا النّارِ
"This is a group to be thrown into Hell with you." They will not be welcomed (by the residents of Hell). They have deserved to burn in the hellfire.
قالوا بَل أَنتُم لا مَرحَبًا بِكُم أَنتُم قَدَّمتُموهُ لَنا فَبِئسَ القَرارُ
The newcomers will respond, "Nor are you welcomed. You are the ones who preceded us and misled us. Therefore, suffer this miserable end."
قالوا رَبَّنا مَن قَدَّمَ لَنا هٰذا فَزِدهُ عَذابًا ضِعفًا فِى النّارِ
They will also say, "Our Lord, these are the ones who led us into this; double the retribution of hellfire for them."
وَقالوا ما لَنا لا نَرىٰ رِجالًا كُنّا نَعُدُّهُم مِنَ الأَشرارِ
They will say, "How come we do not see (in Hell) people we used to count among the wicked?
أَتَّخَذنٰهُم سِخرِيًّا أَم زاغَت عَنهُمُ الأَبصٰرُ
"We used to ridicule them; we used to turn our eyes away from them."
إِنَّ ذٰلِكَ لَحَقٌّ تَخاصُمُ أَهلِ النّارِ
This is a predetermined fact: the people of Hell will feud with one another.
قُل إِنَّما أَنا۠ مُنذِرٌ وَما مِن إِلٰهٍ إِلَّا اللَّهُ الوٰحِدُ القَهّارُ
Say, "I warn you; there is no other god beside God, the One, the Supreme.
رَبُّ السَّمٰوٰتِ وَالأَرضِ وَما بَينَهُمَا العَزيزُ الغَفّٰرُ
"The Lord of the heavens and the earth, and everything between them; the Almighty, the Forgiving."
قُل هُوَ نَبَؤٌا۟ عَظيمٌ
Say, "Here is awesome news.
أَنتُم عَنهُ مُعرِضونَ
"That you are totally oblivious to.
ما كانَ لِىَ مِن عِلمٍ بِالمَلَإِ الأَعلىٰ إِذ يَختَصِمونَ
"I had no knowledge previously, about the feud in the High Society.*
*38:69 The feud in the High Society was triggered by Satan's challenge to God's absolute authority. This is definitely the most important event in the history of the human race. We failed to make a firm stand regarding God's absolute authority. This life represents the third and final chance to redeem ourselves (See the Introduction and Appendix 7).
إِن يوحىٰ إِلَىَّ إِلّا أَنَّما أَنا۠ نَذيرٌ مُبينٌ
"I am inspired that my sole mission is to deliver the warnings to you."
إِذ قالَ رَبُّكَ لِلمَلٰئِكَةِ إِنّى خٰلِقٌ بَشَرًا مِن طينٍ
Your Lord said to the angels, "I am creating a human being from clay.
فَإِذا سَوَّيتُهُ وَنَفَختُ فيهِ مِن روحى فَقَعوا لَهُ سٰجِدينَ
"Once I design him, and blow into him from My spirit, you shall fall prostrate before him."
فَسَجَدَ المَلٰئِكَةُ كُلُّهُم أَجمَعونَ
The angels fell prostrate, all of them,
إِلّا إِبليسَ استَكبَرَ وَكانَ مِنَ الكٰفِرينَ
except Satan; he refused, and was too arrogant, unappreciative.
قالَ يٰإِبليسُ ما مَنَعَكَ أَن تَسجُدَ لِما خَلَقتُ بِيَدَىَّ أَستَكبَرتَ أَم كُنتَ مِنَ العالينَ
He said, "O Satan, what prevented you from prostrating before what I created with My hands? Are you too arrogant? Have you rebelled?"
قالَ أَنا۠ خَيرٌ مِنهُ خَلَقتَنى مِن نارٍ وَخَلَقتَهُ مِن طينٍ
He said, "I am better than he; You created me from fire, and created him from clay."
قالَ فَاخرُج مِنها فَإِنَّكَ رَجيمٌ
He said, "Therefore, you must be exiled, you will be banished.
وَإِنَّ عَلَيكَ لَعنَتى إِلىٰ يَومِ الدّينِ
"You have incurred My condemnation until the Day of Judgment."
قالَ رَبِّ فَأَنظِرنى إِلىٰ يَومِ يُبعَثونَ
He said, "My Lord, respite me till the Day of Resurrection."
قالَ فَإِنَّكَ مِنَ المُنظَرينَ
He said, "You are respited.
إِلىٰ يَومِ الوَقتِ المَعلومِ
"Until the appointed day."
قالَ فَبِعِزَّتِكَ لَأُغوِيَنَّهُم أَجمَعينَ
He said, "I swear by Your majesty, that I will send them all astray.
إِلّا عِبادَكَ مِنهُمُ المُخلَصينَ
"Except Your worshipers who are devoted absolutely to You alone."
قالَ فَالحَقُّ وَالحَقَّ أَقولُ
He said, "This is the truth, and the truth is all that I utter.
لَأَملَأَنَّ جَهَنَّمَ مِنكَ وَمِمَّن تَبِعَكَ مِنهُم أَجمَعينَ
"I will fill Hell with you and all those who follow you."
قُل ما أَسـَٔلُكُم عَلَيهِ مِن أَجرٍ وَما أَنا۠ مِنَ المُتَكَلِّفينَ
Say, "I do not ask you for any wage, and I am not an imposter.
إِن هُوَ إِلّا ذِكرٌ لِلعٰلَمينَ
"This is a reminder for the world.
وَلَتَعلَمُنَّ نَبَأَهُ بَعدَ حينٍ
"And you will certainly find out in awhile."