SURAH (35) AL-FATIR (AYA 31 to 45)

وَالَّذِي أَوْحَيْنَا إِلَيْكَ مِنَ الْكِتَابِ هُوَ الْحَقُّ مُصَدِّقًا لِمَا بَيْنَ يَدَيْهِ ۗ إِنَّ اللَّهَ بِعِبَادِهِ لَخَبِيرٌ بَصِيرٌ {35:31}

[Q35:31] Wallaeee awhainaaa ilaika minal Kitaabi huwal haqqu musaddiqal limaa baina yadayh; innaL Laaha bi'ibaadihee la khabeerum Baseer. 
[Q35:31] And that which We have revealed to you of the Book, that is the truth verifying that which is before it; most surely with respect to His servants ALLAH (SWT) is Aware, Seeing.

[Q35:31] Dan Al-Quran yang Kami wahyukan kepadamu (wahai Muhammad) ialah yang benar (segala-galanya) yang tetap mengesahkan Kitab-kitab yang diturunkan sebelumnya. Sesungguhnya ALLAH (SwT) Maha Mengetahui dengan sedalam-dalamnya akan keadaan sekalian hambaNya, lagi Maha Melihat dan memerhatikan. 

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(35:31) (O Prophet), the Book We have revealed to you is the Truth, confirming the Books that came before it. *53 Verily Allah is well aware of His servants and sees everything. *54

*53 It means: This Book is not presenting anything new which might be opposed to the teaching brought by the former Prophets, but it is presenting the same eternal Truth which all the Prophets have been presenting from the very beginning. " 
*54 The object of mentioning these attributes of Allah here is to arouse the people to the aims and ideals in which their true well being lies, to the principles which alone can afford the right guidance and to the rules and regulations which are precisely in accordance with them. None can know these except Allah, because He alone is aware of the nature of His servants and its demands, and He alone watches over their well-being and affairs. The people do not know their own selves as much as their Creator knows them. Therefore, the truth is that, and can only be that, which He has taught by Revelation. 

ثُمَّ أَوْرَثْنَا الْكِتَابَ الَّذِينَ اصْطَفَيْنَا مِنْ عِبَادِنَا ۖ فَمِنْهُمْ ظَالِمٌ لِنَفْسِهِ وَمِنْهُمْ مُقْتَصِدٌ وَمِنْهُمْ سَابِقٌ بِالْخَيْرَاتِ بِإِذْنِ اللَّهِ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ هُوَ الْفَضْلُ الْكَبِيرُ {35:32}

[Q35:32] Summa awrasnal Kitaaballazeenas tafainaa min 'ibaadinaa faminhum zaalimul linafsihee wa minhum muqtasid, wa minhum saabiqum bilkhairaati bi izniL Laah; zaalika huwal fadlul kabeer 
[Q35:32] Then We gave the Book for an inheritance to those whom We chose from among Our servants; but of them is he who makes his soul to suffer a loss, and of them is he who takes a middle course, and of them is he who is foremost in deeds of goodness by ALLAH (SWT)'s permission; this is the great excellence.

[Q35:32] Kemudian Kami jadikan Al-Quran itu diwarisi oleh orang-orang yang Kami pilih dari kalangan hamba-hamba Kami; maka di antara mereka ada yang berlaku zalim kepada dirinya sendiri (dengan tidak mengindahkan ajaran Al-Quran) dan di antaranya ada yang bersikap sederhana dan di antaranya pula ada yang mendahului (orang lain) dalam berbuat kebaikan dengan izin ALLAH (SwT). Yang demikian itu ialah limpah kurnia yang besar (dari ALLAH (SwT) semata-mata). 

THIS VERSE HAS TO BE INTELLIGENTLY STUDIED. The opening words say that ALLAH (SWT) has bequeathed the holy book, the Qur’an, to His chosen servants. The chosen servants of ALLAH (SWT) could be only those who are rightly guided by their knowledge of the word of ALLAH (SWT). THE CORRECT KNOWLEDGE COULD BE ONLY THAT WHICH HAS BEEN GIVEN BY ALLAH (SWT) HIMSELF.

·         THUS it would mean those who are described in the Qur’an as ‘rasikhuna fil ilm’, firmly rooted in knowledge (see commentary of Ali Imran 3:7, 33, 34; Nisa 4:54 and 162; Anam 6:89; Bani Israil 17:107; Mayram 19:58 to 63 an Ankabut 29:49).

·         Verses 56:77 to 79 of Waqi-ah say that the knowledge of the Qur’an is given to the thoroughly purified only and verse 33:33 of Ahzab clearly defines the thoroughly purified, who are none but the Ahlul Bayt of the Holy Prophet (ALLAHuma sali ala Muhammad wa ala ali Muhammad).

·         It is to be noted that the honour of being chosen by ALLAH (SWT) applies to the whole group, that is, to all the holy Imams of the Ahlul Bayt to whom the Qur’an was entrusted. This inference is in complete harmony with the well-known declaration of the Holy Prophet (ALLAHuma sali ala Muhammad wa ala ali Muhammad) commonly known as hadith al thaqalayn i.e., the tradition of the ‘Two Weighty or Vital Things’. Said the Holy Prophet (ALLAHuma sali ala Muhammad wa ala ali Muhammad)

‘I have leave behind me amongst you Two Vital Things, the Holy Book of ALLAH (SWT) (The Holy Qur’an) and my Progeny i.e., (the Ahlul Bait). So long as ye be attached to those Two, never, never shall ye get astray. Never shall these Two be separated from each other until they both meet me at the Cistern (of Kauthar in Paradise).’

According to the interpretation of Imam Muhammad bin Ali al Baqir and Imam Jafar bin Muhammad as Sadiq the reference in this verse is to the progeny of Ali and Fatimah, which is the progeny of the Holy Prophet (ALLAHuma sali ala Muhammad wa ala ali Muhammad).

(I)                   There are those who do not recognise ALLAH (SWT)'s chosen Imam of the age. They are those "who make their souls suffer."

(II)                 There are those who although recognise the Imam of the age BUT are not fully aware of the laws ordained by ALLAH (SWT) and its proper application in day to day life.

(III)                The Imams of the Ahlul Bayt are ALLAH (SWT)'s chosen guides who live a godly life governed by perfect knowledge and practical application of all the Quranic injunctions. BY THEIR INHERENT example they stand as guides to humanity, constantly calling the people towards truth and godliness, and forbidding evil in every form.

In a tradition related from the Holy Prophet (ALLAHuma sali ala Muhammad wa ala ali Muhammad),

§  Those in the THIRD CATEGORY, the foremost in goodness would enter paradise without any demand of their account.

§  Those in the SECOND CATEGORY, following, the middle course, would have to render account, and then they will be admitted to paradise.

§  Those in the THIRD CATEGORY, who make their souls suffer will also be admitted to paradise, BUT later. This tradition was transmitted through Abu Durda. (Minhaj al Sadiqin and Umdat al Bayan).

SOME ARE UNJUST TO THEMSELVES, SOME ARE THE FOREMOST IN ALL THAT IS GOOD, BY ALLAH (SWT)'S PERMISSION.

From this it is obvious that the last book of ALLAH (SWT) is inherited in the same lineage, BUT only by those of the third category who have been identified as the Ahlul Bayt in Ahzab 33:33, and further identified in Ali Imran 3:61 and confirmed by Waqi-ah 56:77 to 79.

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(35:32) Then We bequeathed the Book to those of Our servants that We chose. *55 Now, some of them wrong themselves and some follow the medium course; and some, by Allah’s leave, vie with each other in acts of goodness. That is the great bounty. *56

*55 This implies the Muslims, who have been sorted out from all mankind so that they may become heirs to the Book of Allah, and convey its message to others after the Holy Prophet Muhammad (upon whom be Allah's peace and blessings). Though this Book has been presented before all human beings, those who accepted it in the first instance, were chosen for the honour to become heirs to a great Book like the Qur'an and the trustees of the teaching and guidance imparted by a great Messenger like the Holy Prophet Muhammad (upon whom be Allah's peace and blessings). 
*56 That is, "All these Muslims are not alike but are divided into three classes: (1) THOSE UNJUST TO THEMSELVES: They are those who believe sincerely and honestly that the Qur'an is the  Book of Allah and Muhammad (upon whom be Allah's peace) the Messenger of Allah, but in practical life do not fully follow the Book of Allah and the Sunnah of His Messenger. They are believers but sinful; culprits but not rebellious; weak of faith but not hypocritical and unbelieving at heart. Therefore, although they are °unjust to themselves," they have been included among the chosen servants of God and among the heirs to the Book; otherwise, obviously the rebels and the hypocrites and the unbelieving people could not be so treated and honoured. This class of the believers have been mentioned first of All because they are most numerous among the Muslims.
(2) THOSE FOLLOWING THE MIDDLE COURSE: They are the people who fulfil the obligations of this inheritance to some extent but not fully. They are obedient as well as erring. They have not left their self altogether free but try as best as they can to turn it to God's obedience; however, at times they give it undue freedom and become involved in sin. Thus, their life becomes a combination of both the good and the evil actions. They are less numerous than the first group but more than the third; that is why they have been mentioned second. 
(3) THOSE EXCELLING IN GOOD DEEDS: They are the people of the first rank among the heirs to the Book, and they are the ones who are doing full justice to the inheritance. They are in the forefront in following and adhering to the Book and the Sunnah; in conveying the message of God to His servants, in offering the sacrifices for the sake of the true Faith, and in every pious and good work. They are not the ones who would commit a sin deliberately, but if they happened to commit a sin inadvertently, they would be filled with remorse as soon as they became conscious of it. They are less numerous than the people of the first two groups, and therefore, have been mentioned last, although they merit the first place in the matter of doing justice to the heritage of the Book of Allah
As for the sentence, "this is the supreme bounty', if it is related with the last sentence, it would mean that to excel in good deeds is the supreme bounty, and the people who excel in good deeds are the best of the Muslim community. And if it is taken to be related with the first sentence, it would mean that to be a heir to the Book of Allah and to be chosen for this heritage is the supreme bounty, and the people who have been so chosen on account of their faith in the Qur'an and the Holy Prophet Muhammad arc the best among the human beings created by Allah. 

جَنَّاتُ عَدْنٍ يَدْخُلُونَهَا يُحَلَّوْنَ فِيهَا مِنْ أَسَاوِرَ مِنْ ذَهَبٍ وَلُؤْلُؤًا ۖ وَلِبَاسُهُمْ فِيهَا حَرِيرٌ {35:33}

[Q35:33] jannaatu 'adniny yad khuloonahaa yuhallawna feeha min asaawira min zahabinw wa lu'lu'anw wa libaa suhum feehaa hareer. 
[Q35:33] Gardens of perpetuity, they shall enter therein; they shad be made to wear therein bracelets of gold and pearls, and their dress therein shall be silk.

[Q35:33] (Balasan mereka ialah) Syurga-syurga "Adn", yang mereka akan masukinya; mereka dihiaskan di dalamnya dengan gelang-gelang tangan dari emas dan mutiara; dan pakaian mereka di situ adalah dari sutera. 

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(35:33) They shall enter the everlasting Gardens, *57 shall be adorned with bracelets of gold and with pearls, and their apparel therein shall be silk.

*57 One section of the commentators has held the view that this sentence is related with the two sentences immediately preceding it. That is, the ones who excel in good duds are the best of the people and they alone will enter the Gardens. As for the first two groups, nothing has been stated about them so that they became worried concerning their fate and try to improve their lot. This view has been presented by `Allama Zamakhshari forcefully and supported by Imam Razi.
But the majority of the commentators opine that it is related with the whole preceding discourse, which means that all the three classes of the Ummah shall eventually enter Paradise, whether without accountability, or afar the accountability, whether remaining secure from every punishment, or after receiving some punishment. This commentary is supported by the Qur'anic context, for a little below about those who are contrasted with the heirs of the Book, it has been said: "And for those who have disbelieved, there is the fire of Hell." This shows that there is Paradise for all those who have believed in the Hook, and Hell for all those who have refused to believe in it. The same has been supported by the Hadith of the Holy Prophet, which Imam Ahmad, Ibn Jarir, Ibn Abi Hatim, Tabarani, Baihaqi and some other traditionists have related on the authority of Hadrat Abu ad-Darda'. The Holy Prophet said:
Those who have excelled in good works shall enter Paradise without; and those who arc following the middle course, shall be subjected to accountability; but their accountability shall be light. As for those who have been unjust to themselves, they shall be detained throughout the long period of Resurrection and accountability (mahshar). Then Allah shall cover them also with His mercy. And they are the ones who will say: 'Thanks to Allah Who has removed sorrow from us!'"
In this Hadith the Holy Prophet has himself given a complete commentary of the verse under discussion, and stated separately the end to be met by each of the three groups of the believers. The "light accountability" for the ones following the middle course means this: The disbelievers will be punished for their disbelief as well as for each single crime and sin of theirs separately, but, contrary to this, the good and bad deeds of the believers who come with both the good and evil deeds will be judged on the whole: they will not be rewarded for each good deed and punished for each evildeed separately. As for those "who will be detained throughout the period of Resurrection and accountability because they had been unjust to themselves," it means: They will not be thrown into Hell, but will be sentenced to be detained "till the rising of the Court." In other words, they will be exposed to all the severities and rigours of the lengthy Day of Resurrection (and God alone knows how lengthy it will be!) till Allah Almighty will turn to them in His mercy and command at the rising of the Court that they too be admitted into Paradise. The traditionists have cited several sayings to the same effect from many Companions like Hadrat 'Umar, Hadrat `Uthman, Hadrat `Abdullah bin Mas'ud, Hadrat 'Abdullah bin `Abbas, Hadrat `A`ishah, Hadrat Abu Said Khudri and Hadrat Bara bin 'Azib. And obviously, the Companions could not have said any such thing in such matters unless they had heard it from the Holy Prophet himself.
But from this one should not form the impression that `those who have been unjust to themselves" from among the Muslims will only be sentenced to be detained "till the rising of the Court", and none of them will go to Hell at all. Several crimes have been mentioned in the Qur'an and Hadith, whose perpetrator will go to Hell in spite of his faith. For instance, Allah Himself has declared that the believer who kills another believer wilfully shall go to Hell. Likewise, Hell has been mentioned as the punishment of those people also who violate the provisions of the Divine Law of Inheritance. Those who devour interest even after its prohibition have been declared to be "the dwellers of Hell." Besides these, some other major sins also have been mentioned in Hadith, whose perpetrator shall go to Hell. 

وَقَالُوا الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ الَّذِي أَذْهَبَ عَنَّا الْحَزَنَ ۖ إِنَّ رَبَّنَا لَغَفُورٌ شَكُورٌ {35:34}

[Q35:34] Wa qaalul hamdu liLLaahil lazeee azhaba 'annal hazan; inna Rabbanaa la Ghafoorun Shakoor 
[Q35:34] And they shall say: (All) praise is due to ALLAH (SWT), Who has made grief to depart from us; most surely our Lord is Forgiving, Multiplier of rewards,

[Q35:34] Dan (sebagai bersyukur) berkatalah mereka: Segala puji tertentu bagi ALLAH (SwT), yang telah menghapuskan perasaan dukacita dari kami; Sesungguhnya Tuhan kami Maha Pengampun, lagi sentiasa memberi balasan yang sebaik-baiknya (kepada orang-orang yang taat);

A STATE OF PERFECT PEACE OF MIND AND TRANQUILLITY IS INDICATED FOR THE PEOPLE OF PARADISE. They will experience no fear or grief whatsoever.

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(35:34) They will say: “All praise be to Allah Who has taken away all sorrow from us. *58 Surely our Lord is Most Forgiving, Most Appreciative; *59

*58 "Sorrow": Sorrow of every kind: sorrows and Briefs and worries of the world and of the Hereafter with regard to the final end. It means: "Now we have nothing to worry about: now there can be no question of any sorrow and trouble afflicting us here." 
*59 That is "He has forgiven us our errors, has appreciated whatever little provision of deeds we had brought and blessed us with His Paradise as a reward." 

الَّذِي أَحَلَّنَا دَارَ الْمُقَامَةِ مِنْ فَضْلِهِ لَا يَمَسُّنَا فِيهَا نَصَبٌ وَلَا يَمَسُّنَا فِيهَا لُغُوبٌ {35:35}

[Q35:35] Allazeee ahallanaa daaral muqaamati min fadlihee laa yamassunaa feehaa nasabunw wa laa yamassunaa feehaa lughoob.
[Q35:35] Who has made us alight in a house abiding for ever out of. His grace; toil shall not touch us therein, nor shall fatigue therein afflict us.

[Q35:35] Tuhan yang telah menempatkan kami di tempat tinggal yang kekal, dengan limpah kurniaNya semata-mata. Kami tidak akan merasa penat lelah di situ dan Kami juga di situ tidak akan merasa letih lesu. 

THE BLISS IN PARADISE SHALL BE UNIVERSAL, CONTINUOUS AND PERPETUAL. Even the fatigue which can be connected to rejoicing will be absent.

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(35:35) (the Lord) Who, out of His Bounty, has made us dwell in an abode *60 wherein no toil, nor fatigue affects us. *61

*60 That is, "The world was a stage in our journey of life, which we have crossed, and the plain of Resurrection also is a stage of the same journey, which we have also crossed. Now we have reached a place which is our eternal abode: we have not to go elsewhere from here." 
*61 In other words, "All our toils and afflictions have come to an end. Now we do not have to perform any work here in carrying out which we might have to experience any rigour or hardship and after carrying out which we might be fatigued." 

وَالَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا لَهُمْ نَارُ جَهَنَّمَ لَا يُقْضَىٰ عَلَيْهِمْ فَيَمُوتُوا وَلَا يُخَفَّفُ عَنْهُمْ مِنْ عَذَابِهَا ۚ كَذَٰلِكَ نَجْزِي كُلَّ كَفُورٍ {35:36}

[Q35:36] Wallazeena kafaroo lahum naaru Jahannama laa yuqdaa 'alaihim fa yamootoo wa laa yukhaffafu 'anhum min 'azaabihaa; kazaalika najzee kulla kafoor. 
[Q35:36] And (as for) those who disbelieve, for them is the fire of hell; it shall not be finished with them entirely so that they should die, nor shall the chastisement thereof be lightened to them: even thus do We retribute every ungrateful one.

[Q35:36] Dan orang-orang yang kafir, bagi mereka Neraka Jahannam; mereka tidak dijatuhkan hukuman bunuh supaya mereka mati (dan terlepas dari seksa) dan tidak pula diringankan azab Neraka itu dari mereka dan demikianlah Kami membalas tiap-tiap orang yang melampau kufurnya.

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(35:36) As for those who disbelieved, *62 the Fire of Hell awaits them. There they shall not be finished off and die; nor will the torment (of Hell) be lightened for them. Thus do We requite every thankless being.

*62 "Who have disbelieved": Who have refused to believe in the Book which Allah has sent down on Muhammad (upon whom be His peace and blessings). 

وَهُمْ يَصْطَرِخُونَ فِيهَا رَبَّنَا أَخْرِجْنَا نَعْمَلْ صَالِحًا غَيْرَ الَّذِي كُنَّا نَعْمَلُ ۚ أَوَلَمْ نُعَمِّرْكُمْ مَا يَتَذَكَّرُ فِيهِ مَنْ تَذَكَّرَ وَجَاءَكُمُ النَّذِيرُ ۖ فَذُوقُوا فَمَا لِلظَّالِمِينَ مِنْ نَصِيرٍ {35:37}

[Q35:37] Wa hum yastarikhoona feehaa Rabbanaa akhrijnaa na'mal saalihan ghairal lazee kunnaa na'mal; awa lamnu 'ammirkum maa yatazak karu feehi man tazakkara wa jaaa'akumun nazeeru fazooqoo famaa lizzaalimeena min naseer. 
[Q35:37] And they shall cry therein for succour: O our Lord! Take us out, we will do good deeds other than those which we used to do. Did We not preserve you alive long enough, so that he who would be mindful in it should mind? And there came to you the warner; therefore taste; because for the unjust, there is no helper.

[Q35:37] Dan mereka menjerit-jerit di dalam Neraka itu (sambil merayu): Wahai Tuhan kami, keluarkanlah kami (dari azab ini); kami akan mengerjakan amal-amal yang soleh, yang lain dari apa yang kami pernah kerjakan. (lalu ALLAH (SwT) menempelak mereka): Bukankah Kami telah melanjutkan umur kamu dan memberikan masa yang cukup untuk berfikir dan beringat padanya oleh sesiapa yang suka berfikir dan beringat? Dan kamu pula telah didatangi oleh Rasul (Kami) yang memberi amaran oleh itu, rasalah (azab seksa), kerana orang-orang yang zalim tidak akan beroleh sesiapapun yang dapat memberikan pertolongan. 

ALLAH (SWT) HAS ALLOWED MANKIND RESPITE FOR REPENTANCE IN THIS WORLD, BECAUSE in the next world no repentance will be of any avail. One should hasten to repent for sins and amend one's life duly before being overtaken by death. See An-am 6:27 and 28; Araf 17:53; Muminun 40:106 and 107 and Munafiqun 63:10 and 11.

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(35:37) They will cry out in Hell and say: “Our Lord, let us out so that we may act righteously, different from what we did before.” (They will be told): “Did we not grant you an age long enough for anyone to take heed if he had wanted to take heed? *63 Besides, there came a warner to you. So have a taste of the torment now. None may come to the help of the wrong-doers.”

*63 This implies every such age of life in which a person may be able to distinguish between good and evil, truth and falsehood, if he likes to, and turn to right guidance instead of deviation, if he wishes. If a person has died before attaining such an age, he will not be called to any account according to this verse. However, the one who has attained this age will certainly be held answerable for his actions. Then, as long as he lives after attaining this age and gets more and more opportunities for choosing and adopting the right path, his responsibility also will increase accordingly; so much so that the one who does not adopt right guidance even in old age will have no chance left for making any excuse. This same thing has been reported by Hadrat Abu Hurairah and Hadrat Sahl bin Sa'd as-Sa'idi in a Hadith, saying: "The one who lives a short life has an excuse to offer, but there is no room for making an excuse for him who lives for 60 years or more." (Bukhari Ahmad, Nasa'i, Ibn Jarir, Ibn Abi Hatim). 

إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَالِمُ غَيْبِ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ ۚ إِنَّهُ عَلِيمٌ بِذَاتِ الصُّدُورِ {35:38}

[Q35:38] InnaL Laaha 'aalimu ghaibis samaawaati wal ard; innahoo 'aleemum bizaatis sudoor. 
[Q35:38] Surely ALLAH (SWT) is the Knower of what is unseen in the heavens and the earth; surely He is Cognizant of what is in the hearts.

[Q35:38] Sesungguhnya ALLAH (SwT) mengetahui segala rahsia di langit dan di bumi; sesungguhnya Dia mengetahui akan segala (isi hati) yang terkandung di dalam dada.

ALLAH (SWT)'S KNOWLEDGE PERVADES AND ENCOMPASSES EVERYTHING IN HIS CREATION. HE HAS PRIOR KNOWLEDGE OF EVERY THING, ACTION, FEELING, MOTIVE AND PLAN,--- MANIFEST OR HIDDEN. HIS KNOWLEDGE IS ORIGINAL AND COMPLETE.

ALLAH (SWT) is the knower of whatsoever is in the heavens, all that is in the earth, and everything that is in between. Man comprehends only that which his senses communicate to him, therefore the hidden worlds are outside the limit of his knowledge.

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(35:38) Surely Allah knows the Unseen in the heavens and the earth. He even knows the secrets hidden in people’s breasts.

هُوَ الَّذِي جَعَلَكُمْ خَلَائِفَ فِي الْأَرْضِ ۚ فَمَنْ كَفَرَ فَعَلَيْهِ كُفْرُهُ ۖ وَلَا يَزِيدُ الْكَافِرِينَ كُفْرُهُمْ عِنْدَ رَبِّهِمْ إِلَّا مَقْتًا ۖ وَلَا يَزِيدُ الْكَافِرِينَ كُفْرُهُمْ إِلَّا خَسَارًا {35:39}

[Q35:39] Huwal lazee ja'alakum khalaaa'ifa fil ard; faman kafara fa'alaihi kufruhoo; wa laa yazeedul kaafireena kufruhum 'inda Rabbihim illaa maqtanw wa la yazeedul kaafireena kufruhum illaa khasaaraa.
[Q35:39] He it is Who made you rulers in the land; therefore whoever disbelieves, his unbelief is against himself; and their unbelief does not increase the disbelievers with their Lord in anything except hatred; and their unbelief does not increase the disbelievers in anything except loss.

[Q35:39] Dialah yang menjadikan kamu orang-orang yang berkuasa di muka bumi silih berganti; oleh itu sesiapa yang kufur ingkar maka balasan kufurnya itu akan menimpa dirinya sendiri dan orang-orang yang kafir, kufurnya tidak menambahkan mereka di sisi Tuhan mereka melainkan kemurkaan dan kehinaan dan juga orang-orang yang kafir itu, kufurnya tidak menambahkan mereka melainkan kerugian jua. 

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(35:39) It is He Who made you vicegerents in the earth. *64 So whoever disbelieves will bear the burden of his unbelief. *65 The unbelievers’ unbelief adds nothing but Allah’s wrath against them. The unbelievers’ unbelief adds nothing but their own loss.

*64 This can have two meanings: (1) "Now He has settled you on His earth after the passing away of the previous generations and nations;" and (2) "the powers and authority that He has given you over different things in the earth are not meant to make you the owners of these things but are meant to enable you to function as the representatives of their real Owner." 
*65 IF the previous sentence is taken to mean that you have been made successors to the previous nations, this sentence would mean this: "The one who did not learn any lesson from the fate of the previous nations and adopted the conduct of disbelief due to which those nations have gone to their doom, will himself see the evil end of his folly." AND IF the sentence is taken to mean this that Allah has delegated to you powers and authority as His vicegerents in the earth, this sentence would mean: `He who forgot this position of vicegerency and became independent, or he who adopted service of someone else, apart from his real Master, would see the evil end of his rebellious conduct himself."

قُلْ أَرَأَيْتُمْ شُرَكَاءَكُمُ الَّذِينَ تَدْعُونَ مِنْ دُونِ اللَّهِ أَرُونِي مَاذَا خَلَقُوا مِنَ الْأَرْضِ أَمْ لَهُمْ شِرْكٌ فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ أَمْ آتَيْنَاهُمْ كِتَابًا فَهُمْ عَلَىٰ بَيِّنَتٍ مِنْهُ ۚ بَلْ إِنْ يَعِدُ الظَّالِمُونَ بَعْضُهُمْ بَعْضًا إِلَّا غُرُورًا {35:40}

[Q35:40] Qul ara'aytum shurakaaa'a kumul lazeena tad'oona min dooniL Laah; aroonee maazaa khalaqoo minal ardi am lahum shirkun fis samaawaati am aatainaahum Kitaaban fahum 'alaa baiyinatim minh; bal iny ya'iiduz zaalimoona ba'duhum ba'dan illaa ghurooraa. 
[Q35:40] Say: Have you considered your associates which you call upon besides ALLAH (SWT)? Show me what part of the earth they have created, or have they any share in the heavens; or, have We given them a book so that they follow a clear argument thereof? Nay, the unjust do not hold out promises one to another but only to deceive.

[Q35:40] Katakanlah (wahai Muhammad): Sudahkah kamu mengetahui kekuasaan dan kelayakan makhluk-makhluk yang kamu jadikan sekutu-sekutu, yang kamu seru dan sembah selain ALLAH (SwT)? Tunjukkanlah kepadaku apa yang mereka telah ciptakan dari bahagian bumi ini? Atau adakah mereka mempunyai sebarang perkongsian (dengan ALLAH (SwT)) dalam mencipta dan menguruskan langit? Atau pernahkah Kami memberi mereka sebuah Kitab (mengakui mereka menjadi kongsi Kami), maka (dengan itu menjadilah) perkongsian mereka berdasarkan keterangan yang terdapat dari Kitab itu? (Tidak ada sesuatu alasan pun) bahkan orang-orang yang zalim itu, terpedaya dengan kata-kata yang disebutkan oleh setengahnya kepada yang lain, kata-kata yang hanya menjanjikan perkara yang tidak benar. 

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(35:40) Say to them (O Prophet): “Have you ever seen those of your associates  *66 upon whom you call apart from Allah? Show me what have they created in the earth? Or do they have any partnership (with Allah) in the heavens? Or have We given them a Book so that they have a clear proof (for associating others with Allah in His Divinity)?” *67 Nay, what these wrong-doers promise each other is nothing but delusion. *68

*66 "Associates of yours", because they are not in fact the associates of Allah, but the ones whom the polytheists themselves have made associates of Allah. 
*67 That is, "Do they possess a written sanction from Us in which We might have indicated that We have given such and such persons the powers to heal the sick, or to get jobs for the jobless, or to fulfil needs of the needy, or that We have made such and such beings Our representatives in such and such parts of the earth and now it is in their hands to make or mar the destinies of the people of those parts; therefore, Our servants now should pray to them and present gifts and offerings before them, and for whatever blessings they receive they should thank those "demigods" only? If you possess any such sanction, produce it. And if you have no such sanction, you should consider on what grounds you have invented these polytheistic creeds and practices. When you are asked as to what sign is there in the heavens and the earth that may point to your self invented gods as being God's associates, you cannot point out any. When you are asked to product any Divine sanction from any Book of Allah, or from your own possession, or from the possession of your self-invented gods, which may testify to God s having Himself delegated to them those powers which you assign to them, you do not produce any. What then is the basis of your these creeds and concepts? Are you the owners of the Divine rights and powers that you may assign and distribute them to whomsoever you please?"
*68 That is, "These religious guides, saints, priests, sorcerers, preachers and attendants of shrines and their agents are befooling the people for selfish motives, and are concocting stories to give them false hopes that if they became the followers of such and such personalities, apart from God, they would have all their wishes and needs fulfilled in the world, and all their sins, no matter-how grave and numerous, forgiven by Allah in the Hereafter." 

إِنَّ اللَّهَ يُمْسِكُ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضَ أَنْ تَزُولَا ۚ وَلَئِنْ زَالَتَا إِنْ أَمْسَكَهُمَا مِنْ أَحَدٍ مِنْ بَعْدِهِ ۚ إِنَّهُ كَانَ حَلِيمًا غَفُورًا {41}

[Q35:41] InnaL Laaha yumsikus samaawaati wal arda an tazoolaaa; wa la'in zaalataaa in amsa kahumaa min ahadim mim ba'dih; innahoo kaana Haleeman Ghafooraa. 
[Q35:41] Surely ALLAH (SWT) upholds the heavens and the earth lest they come to naught; and if they should come to naught, there is none who can uphold them after Him; surely He is the Forbearing, the Forgiving.

[Q35:41] Sesungguhnya ALLAH (SwT) menahan dan memelihara langit dan bumi supaya tidak berganjak dari peraturan dan keadaan yang ditetapkan baginya dan jika keduanya (ditakdirkan) berganjak maka tidak ada sesiapapun yang dapat menahannya daripada berlaku demikian selain dari ALLAH (SwT). Sesungguhnya Dia Maha Penyabar, lagi Maha Pengampun.

This is a clear assertion THAT DIMENSIONAL CREATION WHETHER TERRESTRIAL OR CELESTIAL, IS NOT EXISTING BY ITSELF, BUT is the outcome of a cohesive power, unexplainable in dimensional terms.

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(35:41) Surely Allah holds the heavens and the earth, lest they should be displaced there, for if they were displaced none would be able to hold them after Him. *69 Surely He is Most Forbearing, Most Forgiving. *70

*69 That is, "This limitless universe is being sustained by Allah alone. No angel, or jinn, or prophet, or saint can sustain it. Not to speak of sustaining the universe these helpless creatures do not even have the power to sustain their own selves. Each one of them is entirely dependent on Allah Almighty for his birth and survival every moment. To think that any one of them has any share in the attributes and powers of Divinity is sheer folly and deception. " 
*70 That is, "It is Allah's Clemency and Forbearance that He is not seizing the culprits immediately in punishment in spite of All kinds of disobedience which are being shown towards Him" 

وَأَقْسَمُوا بِاللَّهِ جَهْدَ أَيْمَانِهِمْ لَئِنْ جَاءَهُمْ نَذِيرٌ لَيَكُونُنَّ أَهْدَىٰ مِنْ إِحْدَى الْأُمَمِ ۖ فَلَمَّا جَاءَهُمْ نَذِيرٌ مَا زَادَهُمْ إِلَّا نُفُورًا{42}

[Q35:42] Wa aqsamoo biLLaahi jahda aymaanihim la'in jaaa'ahum nazeerul layakoonunna ahdaa min ihdal umami falam maa jaaa'ahum nazeerum maa zaadahum illaa nufooraa,
[Q35:42] And they swore by ALLAH (SWT) with the strongest of their oaths that if there came to them a warner they would be better guided than any of the nations; but when there came to them a warner it increased them in naught but aversion.

[Q35:42] Dan mereka bersumpah dengan nama ALLAH (SwT) dengan sebebar-benar sumpahnya: Demi sesungguhnya jika datang kepada mereka seorang Rasul pemberi ingatan dan amaran, sudah tentu mereka akan menjadi orang-orang yang lebih betul jalan agamanya dari sebarang umat yang lain. Setelah datang kepada mereka seorang Rasul pemberi ingatan dan amaran, (maka kedatangannya itu) hanya menyebabkan mereka bertambah liar dari kebenaran, 

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(35:42) Swearing by Allah their strongest oaths they claimed that if a warner came to them they would be better-guided than any other people. *71 But when a warner did come to them, his coming only increased their aversion (to the Truth).

*71 Before the advent of the Holy Prophet, the same thing used to be said by the Arabs, in general, and by the Quraish, in particular, when they witnessed the moral degeneration of the Jews and the Christians. Mention of this saying of theirs has also been made in Surah Al-An'am:156-157 above, and in Surah AsSaffat: 167-169 below.

اسْتِكْبَارًا فِي الْأَرْضِ وَمَكْرَ السَّيِّئِ ۚ وَلَا يَحِيقُ الْمَكْرُ السَّيِّئُ إِلَّا بِأَهْلِهِ ۚ فَهَلْ يَنْظُرُونَ إِلَّا سُنَّتَ الْأَوَّلِينَ ۚ فَلَنْ تَجِدَ لِسُنَّتِ اللَّهِ تَبْدِيلًا ۖ وَلَنْ تَجِدَ لِسُنَّتِ اللَّهِ تَحْوِيلًا {35:43}

[Q35:43] Istakbaaran fil ardi wa makras sayyi'; wa laa yaheequl makrus sayyi'u illaa bi ahlih; fahal yanzuroona illaa sunnatal awwaleen; falan tajida lisunnatiL Laahi tabdeelanw wa lan tajida lisunnatiL Laahi tahweela. 
[Q35:43] (In) behaving proudly in the land and in planning evil; and the evil plans shall not beset any save the authors of it. Then should they wait for aught except the way of the former people? For you shall not find any alteration in the course of ALLAH (SWT); and you shall not find any change in the course of ALLAH (SWT).

[Q35:43] Sambil bersikap sombong takbur di muka bumi dan berusaha merancangkan rancangan-rancangan jahat (terhadap Rasul itu), sedang rancangan yang jahat itu tidak menimpa melainkan orang yang menjalankannya. (Dengan keadaan yang demikian, maka) tidak ada yang mereka tunggu selain daripada berlakunya kebinasaan menimpa mereka (sebagaimana yang telah menimpa) orang-orang kafir yang telah lalu. Kerana engkau tidak sekali-kali akan mendapati sebarang perubahan bagi "Sunnatullah" (undang-undang peraturan ALLAH (SwT)) dan engkau tidak sekali-kali akan mendapati sebarang penukaran bagi perjalanan "Sunnatullah" itu.

To all the ancient people who rebelled against the truth and lived beyond the control of faith in ALLAH (SWT), were dealt with respite---FIRST, they were shown mercy and given the repite to correct their belief AND amend the ways of their life, THEN apostles were sent to them to admonish them and exhort them to goodness in thought and deeds and LASTLY when they did not avail of any of the apportunities of the grace and the mercy shown to them and the guidance made available for them, they were dealt with justice and paid the recompense in the punishment that they themselves earned.

It is indirectly asked whether the people would also like to pass through all those stages or they would repent for their past, asking forgiveness for it and he righteous in the future?

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(35:43) They began to wax even more proud on earth and contrived evil designs although the contriving of evil designs only overtakes their authors. Are they waiting, then, for anything except what happened to the nations before them? *72 You shall not find any change in the Way of Allah; and you shall not find anything that can ever alter the Way of Allah.

*72 That is, this Law of Allah that the nation which repudiates its Prophet, is destroyed should be applied in their case as well. 

أَوَلَمْ يَسِيرُوا فِي الْأَرْضِ فَيَنْظُرُوا كَيْفَ كَانَ عَاقِبَةُ الَّذِينَ مِنْ قَبْلِهِمْ وَكَانُوا أَشَدَّ مِنْهُمْ قُوَّةً ۚ وَمَا كَانَ اللَّهُ لِيُعْجِزَهُ مِنْ شَيْءٍ فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَلَا فِي الْأَرْضِ ۚ إِنَّهُ كَانَ عَلِيمًا قَدِيرًا {35:44}

[Q35:44] Awalam yaseeroo fil ardi fa yanzuroo kaifa kaana 'aaqibatul lazeena min qablihim wa kaanoo ashadda minhum quwwah; wa maa kaanaL Laahu liyu'jizahoo min shai'in fis samaawaati wa laa fil ard; innahoo kaana 'Aleeman Qadeeraa. 
[Q35:44] Have they not travelled in the land and seen how was the end of those before them while they were stronger than these in power? And ALLAH (SWT) is not such that any thing in the heavens or in the earth should escape Him; surely He is Knowing, Powerful.

[Q35:44] (Dan sebagai buktinya): Tidakkah orang-orang (yang tidak mahu beriman) itu telah mengembara di muka bumi, lalu mereka menyaksikan bagaimana kesudahan orang-orang kafir yang terdahulu dari mereka, sedang orang-orang itu lebih kekuatannya dari mereka? Dan (sudah tetap) bahawa kekuasaan ALLAH (SwT) tidak dapat dilemahkan atau dihalangi oleh sesuatupun samada di langit atau di bumi; sesungguhnya Dia adalah Maha Mengetahui, lagi Maha Kuasa. 

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(35:44) Have they not journeyed in the earth to behold the end of those who went before them though they were stronger than them in might? Nothing in the heavens nor on earth can frustrate Him in the least. He is All-Knowing, All-Powerful.

وَلَوْ يُؤَاخِذُ اللَّهُ النَّاسَ بِمَا كَسَبُوا مَا تَرَكَ عَلَىٰ ظَهْرِهَا مِنْ دَابَّةٍ وَلَٰكِنْ يُؤَخِّرُهُمْ إِلَىٰ أَجَلٍ مُسَمًّى ۖ فَإِذَا جَاءَ أَجَلُهُمْ فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ كَانَ بِعِبَادِهِ بَصِيرًا {35:45}

[Q35:45] Wa law yu'aakhizuL Laahun naasa bima kasaboo maa taraka 'alaa zahrihaa min daaabbatinw wa laakiny yu'akhkhiruhum ilaaa ajalim musamman fa izaa jaaa'a ajaluhum fa innaL Laaha kaana bi'ibaadihee Baseeraa. 
[Q35:45] And were ALLAH (SWT) to punish men for what they earn, He would not leave on the back of it any creature, but He respites them till an appointed term; so when their doom shall come, then surely ALLAH (SWT) is Seeing with respect to His servants.

[Q35:45] Dan kalaulah ALLAH (SwT) mengirakan kesalahan manusia serta terus menyeksa mereka disebabkan amal-amal jahat yang mereka telah kerjakan, tentulah la tidak membiarkan tinggal di muka bumi sesuatu makhluk yang bergerak; akan tetapi (dia tidak bertindak dengan serta merta, bahkan) Dia memberi tempoh kepada mereka hingga ke suatu masa yang tertentu; kemudian apabila sampai tempoh mereka (maka ALLAH (SwT) akan membalas masing-masing dengan adilnya), kerana sesungguhnya ALLAH (SwT) sentiasa Melihat keadaan hamba-hambaNya.

IF ALLAH (SWT) HAD DEALT WITH ALL THE SINNERS ON EARTH WITH HIS STRICT JUSTICE, EVERYONE WOULD HAVE LONG SINCE PERISHED. It is only His mercy that allows mankind time to repent and mend their ways. That is why the holy Ahlul Bayt have taught us to be continuously praying:

"O Lord, show us Your mercy, do not let us face Your justice."

NO ONE GIVEN SUCH RESPITE BY ALLAH (SWT) COULD EVER THEN ESCAPE HIS ETERNAL AWARENESS AND ALL-ENCOMPASSING KNOWLEDGE.

While men make hasty decisions against apparent evils in the course of their struggle for existence, ALLAH (SWT) in His total all-pervading awareness, remains far exalted above such action. 

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(35:45) If Allah were to take people to task for their deeds, He would not leave any living creature on earth, but He grants them respite to an appointed time. When their appointed time comes to an end, surely Allah fully observes His servants.