۞ It is God Who created you from a single soul and out of it made its spouse to bring it comfort. When he (man) engaged in carnal relations with her, she conceived a light burden which she had to carry. When the baby grew in her womb, they (husband and wife) both prayed to their Lord, "If You grant us a healthy son we shall certainly give you thanks." 189 yet when He grants them a healthy child, they begin to ascribe to others a share in the gift they have received. But God is far above what they associate with Him! 190 Will they associate that which cannot create a thing while they are created? 191 No aid can they give them, nor can they aid themselves! 192 It makes no difference whether you call on them or remain silent. If you call them to the right path, they will not follow you. 193 Those whom you invoke, other than Allah, are worshipers like yourselves. Call them, and let them answer you, if what you say is true! 194 Have they feet on which they can walk? Have they hands with which they can grasp? Have they eyes with which they can see? Have they ears with which they can hear? Say [O Muhammad]: 'Invoke all those to whom you ascribe a share in Allah's divinity, then scheme against me and grant me no respite. 195 My guardian is Allah Who has revealed the Book, and it is He Who protects the righteous. 196 While those you beseech apart from Him cannot help you or even help themselves. 197 And if ye call them towards guidance they will not hear and thou wilt behold them looking at thee, but they see not. 198 Take what is given freely, enjoin what is good, and turn away from the ignorant. 199 And if a false imputation from the Shaitan afflict you, seek refuge in Allah; surely He is Hearing, Knowing. 200 Verily, those who are Al-Muttaqun (the pious - see V. 2:2), when an evil thought comes to them from Shaitan (Satan), they remember (Allah), and (indeed) they then see (aright). 201 But their brothers - the devils increase them in error; then they do not stop short. 202 When you do not bring them a verse, they say, 'Why have you not chosen one' Say: 'I follow only what is revealed to me from my Lord. This (Koran) is a veritable proof from your Lord, guidance and mercy for people who believe' 203 So, when the Quran is recited, listen to it, and be silent that you may receive mercy. [i.e. during the compulsory congregational prayers when the Imam (of a mosque) is leading the prayer (except Surat Al-Fatiha), and also when he is delivering the Friday-prayer Khutbah]. [Tafsir At-Tabari, Vol. 9, Pages 162-4] 204 And remember your Lord within your hearts humbly and with fear, and softly with your tongues, morning and evening, and do not be of the neglectful. 205 [even] the ones [angels] who live in the presence of your Lord are not too proud to worship Him: they glorify Him and prostrate themselves before Him. ۩ 206
True are the words of God the Almighty.
End of Surah: A 'araaf (Al-A 'araaf). Sent down in Mecca after
S (Saad) before
Jinns (Al-Jinn)