۞ IT IS HE who has created you [all] out of one living entity, and out of it brought into being its mate, so that man might incline [with love] towards woman. And so, when he has embraced her, she conceives [what at first is] a light burden, and continues to bear it. Then, when she grows heavy [with child,] they both call unto God, their Sustainer, "If Thou indeed grant us a sound [child,] we shall most certainly be among the grateful!" 189 Yet when He gave both of them (the parents) a goodly child, they set up associates with Him, in return for what He had given them. Exalted be Allah above that they associate with Him. 190 Do they attribute as partners to Allah those who created nothing but they themselves are created? 191 Who can neither help them, nor help themselves? 192 And if ye call them to the Guidance, they follow you not. Whether ye call them or are silent is all one for you. 193 Lo! those on whom ye call beside Allah are slaves like unto you. Call on them now, and let them answer you, if ye are truthful! 194 Have they feet wherewith they walk? Or have they hands wherewith they hold? Or have they eyes wherewith they see? Or have they ears wherewith they hear? Say (O Muhammad SAW): "Call your (so-called) partners (of Allah) and then plot against me, and give me no respite! 195 “Indeed my Protector is Allah Who has sent down the Book; and He befriends the righteous.” 196 "And those whom you call upon besides Him (Allah) cannot help you nor can they help themselves." 197 If thou callest them to guidance, they hear not. Thou wilt see them looking at thee, but they see not. 198 Take to forgiveness and enjoin good and turn aside from the ignorant. 199 And O listener! If the devil provokes you, seek the refuge of Allah; indeed He is All Hearing, All Knowing. 200 Verily, they who are conscious of God bethink themselves [of Him] whenever any dark suggestion from Satan touches them - whereupon, lo! they begin to see [things] clearly, 201 As for their brethren [the Satans], they draw them deeper into error and do not relax in their efforts. 202 If thou bring them not a revelation, they say: "Why hast thou not got it together?" Say: "I but follow what is revealed to me from my Lord: this is (nothing but) lights from your Lord, and Guidance, and mercy, for any who have faith." 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 do thou (O reader!) Bring thy Lord to remembrance in thy (very) soul, with humility and in reverence, without loudness in words, in the mornings and evenings; and be not thou of those who are unheedful. 205 Surely those who are with thy Lord wax not too proud to serve Him; they chant His praise, and to Him they bow. ۩ 206
God the Almighty always says the truth.
End of Surah: A 'araaf (Al-A 'araaf). Sent down in Mecca after
S (Saad) before
Jinns (Al-Jinn)