Surah Ali 'Imran
Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim
• The Living Sustainer Reveals the Criterion and Defines the Methodology of Interpretation
[1] Alif, Lām, Mīm. [2] Allah—there is no deity except Him, the Ever-Living (al-ḥayy; ḥ-y-y, vitality/life), the Sustainer of existence (al-qayyūm; q-w-m, to stand/maintain). [3] He revealed to you the Book (al-kitāb; k-t-b, written record/law) in truth (ḥaqq; ḥ-q-q, reality/right), confirming preceding scriptures, just as He revealed the Torah (at-tawrāh) and the Gospel (al-injīl). [4] Before this, He sent the Criterion (al-furqān; f-r-q, to separate/distinguish) to guide humanity; those who deny Allah's signs (āyāt; ʾ-y-y, signs/miracles) face severe punishment, for Allah is Mighty (ʿazīz; ʿ-z-z, invincible) and Owner of Retribution (dhu'ntiqām; n-q-m, vengeance/penalty). [5] Nothing in earth or heaven is hidden (yakhfā; kh-f-y, conceal) from Him. [6] He shapes you (yuṣawwirukum; ṣ-w-r, form/fashion) in wombs as He wills; no deity exists but Him, the Exalted in Might, the Wise. [7] He revealed the Book containing precise verses (āyāt muḥkamāt; ḥ-k-m, firm/judicious) which are the "Mother of the Book" (umm al-kitāb)—its foundation—and others allegorical (mutashābihāt; sh-b-h, similar/ambiguous); those with deviation (zaygh; z-y-gh, swerve) in hearts pursue ambiguity seeking discord (fitnah; f-t-n, trial/civil strife) and hidden interpretations, yet none knows its ultimate interpretation (taʾwīl; ʾ-w-l, return/outcome) except Allah, while those grounded in knowledge (rāsi khūna; r-s-kh, firmly rooted) affirm belief in all of it. [8] They pray: "Our Lord, let not our hearts deviate after guidance, and grant us mercy (raḥmah; r-ḥ-m, womb/compassion)." [9] "Our Lord, You will gather (jāmiʿ; j-m-c, collect) mankind for a Day without doubt; Allah never breaks His promise (mīʿād; w-c-d, appointed time)."
• Worldly Wealth Cannot Shield Against Divine Justice
[10] Those who disbelieve (kafarū; k-f-r, to cover/deny)—neither wealth nor children will avail them against Allah; they are fuel (waqūd; w-q-d, kindling) for the Fire. [11] Like the habit of Pharaoh's people and predecessors who denied Our signs, so Allah seized them for their sins (dhunūb; dh-n-b, tail/consequence); Allah is severe in penalty. [12] (Qul; q-w-l, Say) to disbelievers: "You will be overcome and gathered to Hell (jahannam)—a wretched resting place." [13] There was a sign for you in the two armies that met [at Badr]: one fighting in Allah's cause (sabīl; s-b-l, path) and the other disbelieving, seeing them twice their number with naked eyes; Allah supports (yuʾayyidu; ʾ-y-d, strengthen/hand) whom He wills with His aid, a lesson (ʿibrah; ʿ-b-r, crossing/insight) for those with vision. [14] Beautified for people is the love of desires (shahawāt; sh-h-w, appetite): women, sons, heaped piles (qanāṭīr; q-n-ṭ-r, bridges/arches of wealth) of gold and silver, branded horses, livestock, and tillage—this is the enjoyment of worldly life (ad-dunyā; d-n-w, low/near), but with Allah is the best return (maʾāb; ʾ-w-b, return). [15] (Qul) "Shall I inform you of better than that?" For the pious (ittaqaw; w-q-y, to shield/fear) are gardens beneath which rivers flow, abiding eternally, with purified spouses and Allah's good pleasure (riḍwān; r-ḍ-w, satisfaction). [16] Those who say, "Our Lord, we have believed, so forgive us our sins and protect us from the punishment of the Fire." [17] The patient (aṣ-ṣābirīn; ṣ-b-r, restraint/perseverance), the truthful, the obedient, the spenders [in charity], and those seeking forgiveness (al-mustaghfirīn; gh-f-r, to cover/protect) at dawn.
• The Sovereignty of Allah and the Definition of True Religion
[18] Allah witnesses (shahida; sh-h-d, testify/witness) there is no deity except Him, as do the angels and people of knowledge, upholding justice (qisṭ; q-s-ṭ, equity); there is no deity except Him, the Exalted in Might, the Wise. [19] Indeed, the religion (dīn; d-y-n, transaction/obligation/way) with Allah is Islam (al-islām; s-l-m, submission/peace); People of the Book differed only after knowledge came, out of envy (baghyan; b-gh-y, transgression) among them. [20] If they argue, (Qul) "I have submitted my face (wajh; w-j-h, countenance/essence) to Allah, and so have those who follow me"; ask People of the Book and unlettered ones: "Have you submitted?" If they submit, they are guided; if they turn away, your duty is only delivery (balāgh; b-l-gh, reach/convey). [21] Those who deny Allah's signs and kill prophets unjustly promise them a painful punishment. [22] Their deeds are nullified (ḥabiṭat; ḥ-b-ṭ, to swell/burst in vain) in this world and the Hereafter. [26] (Qul) "O Allah, Owner of Sovereignty (mulk; m-l-k, dominion), You give sovereignty to whom You will and strip it from whom You will; You honor (tuʿizzu) whom You will and humiliate (tudhillu; dh-l-l, low/submissive) whom You will; in Your hand is all good (khayr)." [27] "You merge night into day and day into night, bring living from dead and dead from living, and provide (tarzuqu; r-z-q, provision) whom You will without account."
• The Selection of Mary and the Miraculous Birth of Jesus
[33] Allah chose (iṣṭafā; ṣ-f-w, to purify/select) Adam, Noah, the family of Abraham, and the family of Imran over the worlds. [35] When the wife of Imran said, "My Lord, I have vowed (nadhartu; n-dh-r, warn/vow) what is in my womb to You, consecrated (muḥarraran; ḥ-r-r, liberated/free), so accept from me." [36] When she delivered her, she said, "My Lord, I delivered a female"—Allah knew best what she delivered—"and the male is not like the female; I named her Mary (maryam) and seek Your protection for her and her offspring." [37] So her Lord accepted her with good acceptance and caused her to grow a good growth, entrusting her to Zechariah (zakariyyā); whenever Zechariah entered the sanctuary (miḥrāb; ḥ-r-b, place of war against shaytan/niche), he found provision with her. He asked, "O Mary, from where is this?" She replied, "It is from Allah." [38] There Zechariah called his Lord, asking for good offspring despite old age. [39] Angels called him while he stood praying: "Allah gives you glad tidings of John (yaḥyā), confirming a Word from Allah (kalimatin min allāh), a leader, chaste, and a prophet." [42] Angels said, "O Mary, Allah has chosen you, purified you, and chosen you above the women of the worlds." [45] "O Mary, Allah gives you glad tidings of a Word from Him, whose name is the Messiah (al-masīḥ; m-s-ḥ, to wipe/anoint), Jesus, son of Mary (ʿīsā ibnu maryam), distinguished in this world and the Hereafter." [47] She said, "My Lord, how will I have a child when no man has touched me?" He said, "Such is Allah; He creates what He wills; when He decrees a matter, He only says to it, 'Be,' and it is (kun fa-yakūn)."
• The Ministry of Jesus, His Ascension, and the Challenge to Truth
[49] [Jesus] will be a messenger to the Children of Israel: "I have come with a sign from your Lord; I design for you from clay (ṭīn) the form of a bird (ṭayr; ṭ-y-r, flying creature), breathe into it, and it becomes a bird by Allah's permission; I heal the blind and leper, and bring the dead to life by Allah's permission." [52] When Jesus sensed disbelief from them, he asked, "Who are my supporters (anṣārī; n-ṣ-r, victory/aid) to Allah?" The disciples (al-ḥawāriyyūn; ḥ-w-r, to bleach/intense white) said, "We are supporters of Allah." [54] They schemed (makarū; m-k-r, plot), and Allah schemed, and Allah is the best of schemers. [55] Allah said, "O Jesus, I will take you (mutawaffīka; w-f-y, complete term/take back), raise you to Myself, and purify you from those who disbelieve." [59] The example of Jesus with Allah is like Adam; He created him from dust, then said "Be," and he was. [61] If they argue with you after knowledge has come, (Qul) "Come, let us call our sons and your sons, our women and your women, ourselves and yourselves, then supplicate earnestly (nabtahil; b-h-l, curse/supplicate humble) and place the curse of Allah on the liars." [64] (Qul) "O People of the Book, come to a word that is equitable (sawāʾ; s-w-y, level/equal) between us and you: that we worship none but Allah and associate nothing with Him."
• Abrahamic Monotheism Distinctions and Covenant of the Prophets
[67] Abraham was neither a Jew nor a Christian, but a true monotheist Muslim (ḥanīfan musliman; ḥ-n-f, incline towards truth), never of the polytheists. [68] The closest people to Abraham are those who followed him, and this Prophet [Muhammad], and those who believe. [79] It is not for a human that Allah gives him the Book and prophethood, then he says to people, "Be worshippers of me instead of Allah," but rather, "Be pious scholars (rabbāniyyīn; r-b-b, lord/sustainer/educator) because of what you have taught of the Book." [81] [Recall] when Allah took the covenant (mīthāq; w-th-q, binding tie) of the prophets: "Whatever I give you of Scripture and wisdom, then a Messenger comes confirming what is with you, you must believe in him and support him." [85] Whoever seeks a religion other than Islam, it will never be accepted from him. [92] You will never attain righteousness (birr; b-r-r, extensive good) until you spend from what you love. [96] The first House (bayt; b-y-t, house) established for mankind is at Bakkah (Mecca), blessed and a guidance for the worlds. [97] In it are clear signs, the Station of Abraham; whoever enters it is safe. Hajj is a duty to Allah for whoever can find a way.
• The Necessity of Unity and the Prohibition of Hypocritical Intimacy
[102] O you who have believed, fear Allah as He deserves to be feared (ḥaqqa tuqātih) and do not die except as Muslims. [103] Hold firmly to the rope of Allah (ḥabl allāh; ḥ-b-l, cord/covenant) all together and do not become divided (tafarraqū; f-r-q, separate/scatter). Remember Allah's favor: you were enemies and He united your hearts. [104] Let there be a community (ummah; ʾ-m-m, mother/source/nation) among you inviting to good (khayr), enjoining right (maʿrūf; ʿ-r-f, known/recognized good), and forbidding wrong (munkar; n-k-r, denied/objectionable). [110] You are the best nation produced for mankind, enjoining right, forbidding wrong, and believing in Allah. [118] O you who have believed, do not take as intimates (biṭānah; b-ṭ-n, belly/inner lining) those other than yourselves; they will not spare you ruin and wish for your distress; hatred has appeared from their mouths, and what their breasts conceal is greater.
• The Battle of Uhud: Lessons on Discipline, Defeat, and Divine Will
[121] [Remember] when you left your family at morning to post believers at battle stations. [123] Allah already aided you at Badr when you were weak. [125] Yes, if you remain patient and fear Allah, and they come at you firmly, your Lord will reinforce you with five thousand marked angels. [133] Hasten to forgiveness from your Lord and a Paradise as wide as heavens and earth. [134] [Prepared for] those who spend in ease and hardship, restrain anger (kāẓimīn al-ghayẓ; k-ẓ-m, to shut/suppress), and pardon people. [139] Do not weaken (tahinū; w-h-n, feebleness) and do not grieve (taḥzanū), for you will be superior if you are believers. [140] If a wound touches you, a similar wound touched the [opposing] people; We alternate these days (ayyām) among men so Allah may make evident those who believe and take martyrs (shuhadāʾ) from you. [144] Muhammad is not but a messenger; messengers have passed before him; so if he dies or is killed, will you turn back on your heels? [152] Allah fulfilled His promise until you lost courage, disputed the order, and disobeyed after He showed you what you love [war booty]; among you are those desiring the world, and among you are those desiring the Hereafter. [159] By mercy from Allah, you [Muhammad] were lenient with them; had you been rude and hard-hearted, they would have disbanded; so pardon them, ask forgiveness for them, and consult them (shāwirhum; sh-w-r, extract honey/consult) in the matter; when you have decided (ʿazamta; ʿ-z-m, determination), rely on Allah (tawakkal; w-k-l, entrust).
• The Reality of Death, the Status of Martyrs, and the Vanity of the World
[169] Never think of those killed in the cause of Allah as dead; rather, they are alive (aḥyāʾ) with their Lord, receiving provision. [173] Those to whom people said, "Indeed, the people have gathered against you, so fear them," but it increased them in faith (īmān), and they said, "Sufficient for us is Allah, and [He is] the best Disposer of affairs (wakīl)." [185] Every soul will taste death (dhāʾiqat al-mawt); you will be paid in full on the Day of Resurrection; whoever is removed from the Fire and admitted to Paradise has succeeded (fāza; f-w-z, triumph/escape); worldly life is only enjoyment of delusion (ghurūr; gh-r-r, deception). [186] You will surely be tested (tublawunna; b-l-w, test/try) in your possessions and yourselves and hear much abuse from those given the Book before you and polytheists; but if you are patient and fear Allah, that is of the matters [requiring] determination.
• Conclusion: Cosmic Reflection and the Command to Vigilance
[190] Indeed, in the creation of heavens and earth and the alternation of night and day are signs for those of understanding (ulī al-albāb; l-b-b, core/intellect). [191] Those who remember Allah standing, sitting, and on their sides, and reflect (yatafakkarūn; f-k-r, contemplate) on the creation: "Our Lord, You did not create this in vain (bāṭilan; b-ṭ-l, false/void); exalted are You, so protect us from the Fire." [193] "Our Lord, we heard a caller inviting to faith... so we believed." [195] Their Lord responded to them: "I never waste the deed of any worker among you, male or female, you are of one another." [200] O you who have believed, persevere (iṣbirū), endure (ṣābirū; competitive patience), station yourselves (rābiṭū; r-b-ṭ, tie/guard frontier), and fear Allah that you may succeed (tufliḥūn; f-l-ḥ, plough/succeed).