۞ It was He who created you from a single soul, and from it made its mate so that he may find comfort in her. Once he has covered her, she conceives and goes about with a light burden. When it grows heavy, they both call to God, their Lord, "If You bestow on us a healthy child, we will surely be grateful," 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 Do they associate with Him those who create nothing and are themselves created? 191 They can give them no help, nor can they help themselves. 192 If ye call them to guidance, they will not obey: For you it is the same whether ye call them or ye hold your peace! 193 Verily those whom ye call upon besides Allah are servants like unto you: Call upon them, and let them listen to your prayer, if ye are (indeed) truthful! 194 Have they feet with which they walk, or have they hands with which they hold, or have they eyes with which they see, or have they ears with which they hear? Say: Call your associates, then make a struggle (to prevail) against me and give me no respite. 195 "Verily, my Wali (Protector, Supporter, and Helper, etc.) is Allah Who has revealed the Book (the Quran), and He protects (supports and helps) the righteous. 196 And those on whom you call, apart from God, have no power to help you, neither they help themselves.' 197 When you call upon them for guidance, they do not hear. When you think they are looking at you, (in fact) they cannot see." 198 Take the abundance, and bid to what is honourable, and turn away from the ignorant. 199 If a suggestion from Satan assail thy (mind), seek refuge with Allah; for He heareth and knoweth (all things). 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 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 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 Lo! those who are with thy Lord are not too proud to do Him service, but they praise Him and prostrate 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)