| | Bijan Moeinian rendition of Surah Those Who Set The Ranks, Drawn up in Ranks, The Rangers(as-Saffat)
--- |
|---|
| 37:1 | | God hereby swears by those who form their ranks to start the battle |
| 37:2 | | And by the angles who are in charge of driving the cloud |
| 37:3 | | And by the angles who bring the verses of Qur’an down to mankin |
| 37:4 | | That your God is One and that there is Only One God |
| 37:5 | | Director of the heavens and the earth and anything between and Lord of the easts [perhaps a reference to the easts and wests and global shapes of the planets] |
| 37:6 | | I (God) have adorned the innermost universe [the one being discovered by astronomy] with exotic planets |
| 37:7 | | I have guarded it against any evil devil [to destroy its existing order.] |
| 37:8 | | These satans cannot break into the communication system of those who are close to God as they are on defensive |
| 37:9 | | They have already been condemned to an everlasting torture |
| 37:10 | | If one of them dares to escape the lower universe, a flashing projectile will be charged against him |
| 37:11 | | Vs.11-deals with the following question: “Is it difficult for God to recreate man to face the Day of Judgment?&rdquo |
| 37:12 | | Ask the disbelievers, who are created from the mud [organic matter]: “Are they more difficult for God to be recreated [on the Day of Resurrection] or the awesome realm of creation?&rdquo |
| 37:13 | | While the believers are at awe [with God’s creative power], the disbelievers making fun [of the possibility of Resurrection.] |
| 37:14 | | When the disbelievers are warned, they take it lightly |
| 37:15 | | When a revelation of God comes to the disbelievers they recourse to the mockery |
| 37:16 | | They say: “This is nonsense … |
| 37:17 | | that we will be raised with bone and flesh after our death.&rdquo |
| 37:18 | | They jokingly ask: “How about our ancestors?&rdquo |
| 37:19 | | Say to them, “absolutely; and you are helpless [on that Day that you are laughing at its happening.] |
| 37:20 | | It will take a snap for them to be recreated and look around [and face the Day of Resurrection.] |
| 37:21 | | Then they will say: “Shame and pity to us; this is indeed the Day of Judgment.&rdquo |
| 37:22 | | It will be confirmed to them: “Yes, this is the same Day of Judgment that you used to deny.&rdquo |
| 37:23 | | Then it will be commanded: “Gather all the unjust people and their associates and those idols that they used to worship, instead of God, and drag them in the road that leads to Hell.&rdquo |
| 37:24 | | “Then take a break and ask why they are not helping each other [as they were used to say:… |
| 37:25 | | “Do not worry, I will take the responsibility”.&rdquo |
| 37:26 | | Of course on that Day they will all submit [but it will be too late.] |
| 37:27 | | That will be an opportunity for mutual blaming |
| 37:28 | | The followers will ask their leaders: “You used to swear that you were our well-wisher [and that in an improbable Day of Judgment you will carry our sins.]&rdquo |
| 37:29 | | The leaders will reply: “[Do not blame us.] You yourself chose the disbelief.&rdquo |
| 37:30 | | [They will continue]: “We did not have any power over you; it was you who chose the rebellion.&rdquo |
| 37:31 | | “The Lord’s Judgment against us was just; now we have to accept the punishment.&rdquo |
| 37:32 | | “We offered you the disbelief for the simple reason that we had chosen the disbelief ourselves.&rdquo |
| 37:33 | | Thus on that Day the disbelievers and their followers will be sentenced to punishment |
| 37:34 | | This is the way that I deal with the disbelievers [that being misled is not an acceptable excuse] |
| 37:35 | | These are the same people that when they were told: “There is no other god beside God”, they revealed their arrogant nature |
| 37:36 | | They used to say: “Shall we give up our gods for the sake of a crazy poet [as they referred to Mohammad.]&rdquo |
| 37:37 | | While he (Mohammad) had come with the truth [as presented by the Prophets before him and nothing of new], confirming the truthfulness of the previous Prophets [who had repeated the same message again and again before Mohammad.] |
| 37:38 | | It will be said to the disbelievers: “You deserve to taste the awful punishment.&rdquo |
| 37:39 | | “Your punishment is proportionate to your deeds.&rdquo |
| 37:40 | | Only the sincere worshippers of God will be saved |
| 37:41 | | They deserve the blessing which is in reserve for them |
| 37:42 | | All kind of fruits will be at their disposition and they will be honored |
| 37:43 | | In the Gardens of Paradise |
| 37:44 | | They will sit face to face in luxurious couches |
| 37:45 | | They will be offered cups of pure drinks |
| 37:46 | | How delightful will be those drinks |
| 37:47 | | The kind of a drink which will neither harm you nor make you intoxicated |
| 37:48 | | They will be married to the chaste women with shy beautiful eyes |
| 37:49 | | As delicate as an egg under its shell |
| 37:50 | | Then they will engage in conversation |
| 37:51 | | One of them will say:&hellip |
| 37:52 | | “I had a friend [in my previous life on earth] who used to make fun of me asking if believe in this “nonsense” … |
| 37:53 | | of being resurrected and judged after our death and after our bones being turn into dust.&rdquo |
| 37:54 | | He will be said: “watch [perhaps in an interactive kind of device].&rdquo |
| 37:55 | | He will see his friend at the bottom of the Hell |
| 37:56 | | Then he will start to communicate with him saying: “By Lord! you were too close in convincing me to follow you in disbelief.&rdquo |
| 37:57 | | “How grateful I am to my Lord who led me to the right path.&rdquo |
| 37:58 | | “Now you tell me whether or not the death is the end of everything and that… |
| 37:59 | | there will not be any judgment for our worldly deeds.&rdquo |
| 37:60 | | Being admitted to Paradise is… |
| 37:61 | | the greatest success that everyone should strive for |
| 37:62 | | Is the feast of Paradise [as explained before] better or eating the bitter fruit of… |
| 37:63 | | the devilish tree of “zaqqum” given to the wicked one |
| 37:64 | | Zaqqum is the name of a tree which grown at the bottom of the Hell |
| 37:65 | | With devilish looking buds |
| 37:66 | | Forced by hunger, the people of Hell [who do not have nothing else to eat] will fill up their bellies with this devilish fruit |
| 37:67 | | Then they will top it with a disgusting boiling drink |
| 37:68 | | Once the eating “break” is over, they will be herded back to the Hell |
| 37:69 | | These are the same people who followed their traditional religions |
| 37:70 | | Knowing that their religion was keeping them in the wrong path [, they were not brave enough to break up with their wrong beliefs] |
| 37:71 | | Their wrong religions were established by those before them to whom God sent… |
| 37:72 | | warnings through His Prophets |
| 37:73 | | Now see how terrible is the destiny of those who rejected God’s warnings |
| 37:74 | | Only those who sincerely devoted themselves to worship the Lords are saved |
| 37:75 | | [Long before them] Noah [at the height of his desperation and after having invited people to the way of God for some years,] called upon Me. Note what a positive response he got from his Lord |
| 37:76 | | I (God) saved him and his followers from the great catastrophe |
| 37:77 | | And established them on the earth |
| 37:78 | | And left for him praise among generations to come |
| 37:79 | | Peace is with Noah forever [as none will ever talk evil of him] |
| 37:80 | | This is the way that your Lord rewards the righteous |
| 37:81 | | Noah is indeed one of My believing servants |
| 37:82 | | As to the wicked of Noah’s nation, I drowned them all |
| 37:83 | | Abraham was one of the followers of Noah |
| 37:84 | | He submitted whole heartedly to his Lord |
| 37:85 | | He said to his father and his people: “What are these things that you worship?&rdquo |
| 37:86 | | “Do you recourse to the gods that you yourself have fabricated instead of God?&rdquo |
| 37:87 | | “What do you think about the Organizer of the universe?&rdquo |
| 37:88 | | [As he could not get any convincing answer,] Abraham concentrated his attention toward the stars [to find what he was missing] |
| 37:89 | | Being disappointed,] he said: “I feel bad.&rdquo |
| 37:90 | | So they left him alone and went [to some kind of general gathering.] |
| 37:91 | | [At their absence,] Abraham went to the temple and [started to talk to the idols and] said: “Do you want something to eat?&rdquo |
| 37:92 | | Then he asked: “How come you do not talk?&rdquo |
| 37:93 | | Then he strokes them down with his right hand [with a sword or a weapon of some kind.] |
| 37:94 | | [When people returned, they concluded that the only present one in the city, i.e., Abraham could have destroyed their gods so] they rushed toward Abraham [asking in rage why he has done it.] |
| 37:95 | | Abraham said: “Why do you worship something that you have carved with your own hands?&rdquo |
| 37:96 | | “Whereas it is God who [should be worshipped as He is the One Who has] created you and whatever you make&rdquo |
| 37:97 | | They said: “Let us make a big fire and throw him in [and see how his God will save him.] |
| 37:98 | | They plotted a plan against him and God defeated them in their own plan [as the fire did not have any effect upon Abraham.] |
| 37:99 | | Then Abraham said: “Now I am leaving you, putting my trust in God.&rdquo |
| 37:100 | | One day Abraham prayed: “O Lord, grant me a righteous son.&rdquo |
| 37:101 | | God [answered his prayers in appropriate time and] gave him the good news: a wonderful son |
| 37:102 | | When the boy grew up, one day Abraham told him: “My son, I have seen in my dream that I am sacrificing you; what do you think about it?” The son said: “My dear father, do whatever God has ordered you to do. God willing, I will bear in this process.&rdquo |
| 37:103 | | When they both submitted [to what they were thinking is the Lord’s order]…. |
| 37:104 | | and Abraham started to slaughter his son, I (God) called out:… |
| 37:105 | | “O Abraham, you fulfilled what you saw in your dream [he saw that he is sacrificing not that he has sacrificed]. Thus I reward the righteous [by not letting them being hurt in their trials.] |
| 37:106 | | This was indeed a great test |
| 37:107 | | Then I asked them to sacrifice an animal |
| 37:108 | | Praise is for Abraham for generations to come [as millions of people gather every year in celebration of the event where it took place.] |
| 37:109 | | Peace is with Abraham |
| 37:110 | | This is the way that God rewards the righteous |
| 37:111 | | Abraham was indeed one of My believing servants |
| 37:112 | | Then I gave Abraham the good news of the upcoming birth of Isaac; a righteous Prophet to be |
| 37:113 | | I blessed Abraham and Isaac. Now among their offspring some are righteous and some are wicked |
| 37:114 | | I also blessed Moses and Aaron |
| 37:115 | | I delivered them and their people from a great distress (Pharaoh’s slavery. |
| 37:116 | | I supported them till they succeeded |
| 37:117 | | I revealed to them the scriptures |
| 37:118 | | And guided them to the right path |
| 37:119 | | Praise is for them both for generations to come |
| 37:120 | | Peace is with Moses and Aaron |
| 37:121 | | This is the way that God rewards the righteous |
| 37:122 | | They were indeed among my believing servants |
| 37:123 | | Elias was also one of My Prophets |
| 37:124 | | He invited his people to be righteous |
| 37:125 | | He said: “How do you dare to worship an idol known as Ba’al instead of the Supreme Creator?&rdquo |
| 37:126 | | “God is your Lord as well as the Lord of your forefathers.&rdquo |
| 37:127 | | The people of Elias did not listen to him; therefore, they will be called to answer for their disbelief |
| 37:128 | | Except those among them who served God whole heartedly |
| 37:129 | | Praise is for Elias for generations to come |
| 37:130 | | Peace is with Elias and his followers |
| 37:131 | | This is the way that God rewards the righteous |
| 37:132 | | Elias was indeed one of our believing servants |
| 37:133 | | Lot also was a Prophets |
| 37:134 | | I saved him and his household from the disaster [which overtook his people] |
| 37:135 | | Except [his] old ugly woman who had to be punished [for not obeying him] |
| 37:136 | | The rest were completely destroyed |
| 37:137 | | You pass by their ruins [when you travel] by day and night; … |
| 37:138 | | will you not take a lesson |
| 37:139 | | Jonah was also one of My Prophets |
| 37:140 | | Once he escaped [from a predicament] by taking refuge in a loaded ship |
| 37:141 | | [Due to the overweight, they had to throw some people out.] He agreed to participate in the casting of lots and lost |
| 37:142 | | Eventually a big fish swallowed him and he was the only one to be blamed for his destiny [as he fled his place of mission without asking God’s permission] |
| 37:143 | | If it was not in account of his sincere recourse to God,… |
| 37:144 | | he would have stayed in the belly of the fish till the Day of Resurrection |
| 37:145 | | I ordered him to be thrown out in a bare shore; absolutely exhausted |
| 37:146 | | I ordered a fruit tree to grow so that he may eat from its fruit |
| 37:147 | | Then I appointed him as a Prophet to a nation of some hundred thousand people |
| 37:148 | | As they chose to believe in him, we let them live [comfortably] until the day that they were supposed to face their natural deaths. The next few verses deals with the man’s attributing children to God in account of his ignorance |
| 37:149 | | Ask the disbelievers: “How come you want to have only sons [and kill your daughter considering having them a matter of shame] and then you say that God has daughters?&rdquo |
| 37:150 | | Why do they say that the angels are of female gender? Were they present in their creation |
| 37:151 | | Saying that God has begotten a son is an insult to the God’s dignity. &hellip |
| 37:152 | | Such people are nothing but plain liars |
| 37:153 | | Has God begotten a girl instead of a son?&hellip |
| 37:154 | | What is wrong with these people |
| 37:155 | | Why don’t they use their brain before saying something of such blasphemy magnitude |
| 37:156 | | Do they have any logical proof for their assigning children to God |
| 37:157 | | Bring your book [the book in which it is written God has begotten children] as a proof if you are not a bunch of liars |
| 37:158 | | They even [fantasize and] say that there is a blood relationship between God and the Extra-Terrestrials (Jinns); though Jinns know very well that they are the creatures of the Lord |
| 37:159 | | Glory to God Who is far above their descriptions |
| 37:160 | | Only those servants of God who have devoted themselves wholeheartedly to him are in the right path |
| 37:161 | | Indeed the disbelievers (and whatever they worship) &hellip |
| 37:162 | | can not over power the Lord… |
| 37:163 | | and will all be burnt in the Hell |
| 37:164 | | The Angels declare:… |
| 37:165 | | “[Not to speak of being God’s children], we all have our ranks. … |
| 37:166 | | We are the ranged servant and the glorifiers of God&rdquo |
| 37:167 | | The Disbelievers used to say |
| 37:168 | | “Had we received the correct (authentic/pure and nothing added to) guidance from… |
| 37:169 | | the previous generations, We would have been sincere worshippers of God.&rdquo |
| 37:170 | | Now that their wish is granted to them, they prefer to continue their way of disbelief |
| 37:171 | | My decision is already… |
| 37:172 | | revealed to My Prophets: They will have the final victory |
| 37:173 | | Victory belongs to the soldiers of God |
| 37:174 | | So (Mohammad), leave them alone for a while |
| 37:175 | | And look forward to [their punishment] as they are looking forward to also |
| 37:176 | | Why do they want to face [as they jokingly used to ask Mohammad to hasten] their punishment as soon as possible |
| 37:177 | | It will be a miserable Day when they face their punishment. They are sufficiently warned |
| 37:178 | | So leave them alone for a while |
| 37:179 | | And look forward to as they are looking forward to also |
| 37:180 | | Glorified is your Lord, Lord of Honor and far above their claims [of having a child, not being able to recreate them, having partners, etc.] |
| 37:181 | | My salutations to the Prophets |
| 37:182 | | All praise is only for God; the Lord of the universe |
