Saba

بِسۡمِ ٱللهِ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ

Whatever program we initiate in our life, will be as per the Pre-Directed Guidelines of Allah, the Most Benevolent and the Most Merciful. (6:162)

ٱلۡحَمۡدُ لِلَّهِ ٱلَّذِي لَهُۥ مَا فِي ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَمَا فِي ٱلۡأَرۡضِ وَلَهُ ٱلۡحَمۡدُ فِي ٱلۡأٓخِرَةِۚ وَهُوَ ٱلۡحَكِيمُ ٱلۡخَبِيرُ١

34:1. All the creations in the universe and on earth and their excellent works glorify the Supremacy of Allah. As all His creations work tirelessly to achieve their ultimate goal as directed by Him, they are all worthy of praise and admiration. It confirms that all the plans of Allah are based on full wisdom and the ability to know with precision what is going on here.

يَعۡلَمُ مَا يَلِجُ فِي ٱلۡأَرۡضِ وَمَا يَخۡرُجُ مِنۡهَا وَمَا يَنزِلُ مِنَ ٱلسَّمَآءِ وَمَا يَعۡرُجُ فِيهَاۚ وَهُوَ ٱلرَّحِيمُ ٱلۡغَفُورُ٢

34:2. And Allah knows best what enters into the earth and what descends from it, what descends from the sky, and what ascends from the earth to the sky. All of His projects reflect His infinite mercy and protect everything.

وَقَالَ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْ لَا تَأۡتِينَا ٱلسَّاعَةُۖ قُلۡ بَلَىٰ وَرَبِّي لَتَأۡتِيَنَّكُمۡ عَٰلِمِ ٱلۡغَيۡبِۖ

34:3. Those who refuse to accept His guidance without thinking about it, reject the established Laws of “The ultimate result of human deeds.” They argue that such results may not happen in their life. Let them know that the results of human deeds are based on the practical laws of Allah that are omnipresent. This may not be obvious to them at present.

لَا يَعۡزُبُ عَنۡهُ مِثۡقَالُ ذَرَّةٖ فِي ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَلَا فِي ٱلۡأَرۡضِ وَلَآ أَصۡغَرُ مِن ذَٰلِكَ وَلَآ أَكۡبَرُ إِلَّا فِي كِتَٰبٖ مُّبِينٖ٣

But Allah knows what is hidden behind the veil. Because Allah is the One who has the power to know every tiny thing that happens in the universe and on earth. And even if the deeds are smaller or larger than the atom, they will not go unrecorded in the record of Allah. Explain this to them.

لِّيَجۡزِيَ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ وَعَمِلُواْ ٱلصَّٰلِحَٰتِۚ أُوْلَٰٓئِكَ لَهُم مَّغۡفِرَةٞ وَرِزۡقٞ كَرِيمٞ٤

34:4. The purpose of informing His programs is to ensure a secure and peaceful life for those who accept His guidance and devise creative social welfare schemes. And to make decent livelihoods available to such a community.

A decent livelihood means all to get a well-to-do living. Instead, unjustly amassing wealth can lead to social unrest and many tragedies. No one can prevent such effects from occurring. This is the law that Rabbu has laid down, “The ultimate result of human deeds.” Therefore,

وَٱلَّذِينَ سَعَوۡ فِيٓ ءَايَٰتِنَا مُعَٰجِزِينَ أُوْلَٰٓئِكَ لَهُمۡ عَذَابٞ مِّن رِّجۡزٍ أَلِيمٞ٥

34:5. It is not possible for any community to create a beautiful society without His guidance. No one can ever change the law of consequences set by Allah. It is therefore inevitable that such societies will experience painful consequences and undesirable conditions.

Some may question how some European and Far East countries have created excellent social systems. If one studies the way they have adopted, he will come to know that the social system they have adopted knowingly or unknowingly is within the framework of Allah’s guidance.

وَيَرَى ٱلَّذِينَ أُوتُواْ ٱلۡعِلۡمَ ٱلَّذِيٓ أُنزِلَ إِلَيۡكَ مِن رَّبِّكَ هُوَ ٱلۡحَقَّ وَيَهۡدِيٓ إِلَىٰ صِرَٰطِ ٱلۡعَزِيزِ ٱلۡحَمِيدِ٦

34:6. On the contrary, those who think and act using intellect find that all the Scriptural advice given to you by Rabbu shows the most right path to the better life of man. And know that they are blessed by the Almighty Rabbu.

That is, they will learn that if they follow the instructions of Rabbu, they will be able to live a better life by creating a better living society. Thus they know that the mighty ways of Rabbu are worthy of praise and admiration.

وَقَالَ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْ هَلۡ نَدُلُّكُمۡ عَلَىٰ رَجُلٖ يُنَبِّئُكُمۡ إِذَا مُزِّقۡتُمۡ كُلَّ مُمَزَّقٍ إِنَّكُمۡ لَفِي خَلۡقٖ جَدِيدٍ٧

34:7. Those who do not accept these facts mockingly talk to each other, “Let me show you a person who says that he is going to change a degenerated society into a new glory?”

أَفۡتَرَىٰ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ كَذِبًا أَم بِهِۦ جِنَّةُۢۗ بَلِ ٱلَّذِينَ لَا يُؤۡمِنُونَ بِٱلۡأٓخِرَةِ فِي ٱلۡعَذَابِ وَٱلضَّلَٰلِ ٱلۡبَعِيدِ٨

34:8. And they say, “We think that by imagining himself, he says something as if Allah is saying.” But the truth is that. Those who refuse to abide by the rules of “The ultimate result of human actions” have strayed far from the straight path. Thus, the suffering that befalls them becomes inevitable.

أَفَلَمۡ يَرَوۡاْ إِلَىٰ مَا بَيۡنَ أَيۡدِيهِمۡ وَمَا خَلۡفَهُم مِّنَ ٱلسَّمَآءِ وَٱلۡأَرۡضِۚ إِن نَّشَأۡ نَخۡسِفۡ بِهِمُ ٱلۡأَرۡضَ أَوۡ نُسۡقِطۡ عَلَيۡهِمۡ كِسَفٗا مِّنَ ٱلسَّمَآءِۚ إِنَّ فِي ذَٰلِكَ لَأٓيَةٗ لِّكُلِّ عَبۡدٖ مُّنِيبٖ٩

34:9. Do they not observe the events that take place from galaxies to earth? Don't they care about what happens in their presence and behind them? If Allah had willed, He could have buried them in the earth. Or just drop pieces of the fireball from the sky. But Allah does not seek to destroy them. There is a lot of evidence in this for thinkers.

That is, a study of world history will reveal the facts of how the destruction of society occurred. Rabbu's guidance aims at providing easy accessibility of livelihood on the earth and the hidden ones to make everyone live better. If the people do not accept it, society will go astray and face destruction. But they take it for granted and ridicule it. Just a moment is enough for Allah to destroy them because they speak so. But Allah's plan gives them the opportunity to change. (See 16:61) Turn on the pages of world history and it will speak the same repeatedly. For example

۞وَلَقَدۡ ءَاتَيۡنَا دَاوُۥدَ مِنَّا فَضۡلٗاۖ يَٰجِبَالُ أَوِّبِي مَعَهُۥ وَٱلطَّيۡرَۖ وَأَلَنَّا لَهُ ٱلۡحَدِيدَ١٠

34:10. The people who lived during the reign of Reformist Dhawoodh Nabi had all kinds of livelihoods more than enough. During his reign, there were wealthy chiefs who had mounted wealth. (See 21:79) He also had prepared cavalry, infantry, and armies from the tribal community. (See 27:15-16) He also established the iron and steel industry.

أَنِ ٱعۡمَلۡ سَٰبِغَٰتٖ وَقَدِّرۡ فِي ٱلسَّرۡدِۖ وَٱعۡمَلُواْ صَٰلِحًاۖ إِنِّي بِمَا تَعۡمَلُونَ بَصِيرٞ١١

34:11. We instructed them to make armor and weapons out of them. We told them to keep them in order and to use them properly as and when required. With all this in control, We instructed him to do good deeds. We advised him not to use them for destruction and to remember that he was always under Our surveillance.

وَلِسُلَيۡمَٰنَ ٱلرِّيحَ غُدُوُّهَا شَهۡرٞ وَرَوَاحُهَا شَهۡرٞۖ

34:12. After Dhawoodh, his son Sulaiman Nabi came to power and he was well aware of the velocity of the winds and their direction. And he made arrangements to manufacture the sailing ships. It traveled fast in the direction of the wind (see also 38:36) and was able to cover a month's journey in just a few hours.

وَأَسَلۡنَا لَهُۥ عَيۡنَ ٱلۡقِطۡرِۖ وَمِنَ ٱلۡجِنِّ مَن يَعۡمَلُ بَيۡنَ يَدَيۡهِ بِإِذۡنِ رَبِّهِۦۖ وَمَن يَزِغۡ مِنۡهُمۡ عَنۡ أَمۡرِنَا نُذِقۡهُ مِنۡ عَذَابِ ٱلسَّعِيرِ١٢

We made available generously from the earth the metals such as iron ore that are needed to build these ships. We arranged the strong tribal to function under his command. These are all arrangements made according to Our action plans. So the law was enacted during his reign that those who act against Our rules will be severely punished.

That is, it needs hard work and full knowledge to build ships. To this end, Ruler Sulaiman Nabi, on the advice of Rabbu, trained the army of strong tribal and engaged them in such hard works. And he always kept them under his watch so that they did not make any mistake. Otherwise, they will pose great dangers. So, he punished the wrongdoers severely. Thus he trained them well and kept them under his control.

يَعۡمَلُونَ لَهُۥ مَا يَشَآءُ مِن مَّحَٰرِيبَ وَتَمَٰثِيلَ وَجِفَانٖ كَٱلۡجَوَابِ وَقُدُورٖ رَّاسِيَٰتٍۚ ٱعۡمَلُوٓاْ ءَالَ دَاوُۥدَ شُكۡرٗاۚ وَقَلِيلٞ مِّنۡ عِبَادِيَ ٱلشَّكُورُ١٣

34:13. He built the Great Synagogues as he wished and made beautiful paintings and sculptures by engaging them. He also made large cauldrons for preparing dishes. Not only this, but he also arranged to manufacture utensils. He used these to provide livelihood facilities to people from all walks of life and ruled in faithfulness to Rabbu’s pieces of advice. But most of the descendants of Ruler Dhawoodh Nabi did not follow the advice of Allah.

After Sulaiman Nabi, his son took the responsibility of ruling. But he did not rule as his father and grandfather and so he was proved to be a useless ruler. (See 38:34) So the golden era of the kingdom of the Sulaiman Nabi began to fall.

فَلَمَّا قَضَيۡنَا عَلَيۡهِ ٱلۡمَوۡتَ مَا دَلَّهُمۡ عَلَىٰ مَوۡتِهِۦٓ إِلَّا دَآبَّةُ ٱلۡأَرۡضِ تَأۡكُلُ مِنسَأَتَهُۥۖ

34:14. Thus after the death of Sulaiman Nabi, those who assumed the responsibility of ruling did not retain the splendor of that great kingdom. Thus, the foundation of Sulaiman’s rule began to tremble. For a long time, the tribal guards who guarded the fort were not aware of the unjust atrocities going on inside the fort.

فَلَمَّا خَرَّ تَبَيَّنَتِ ٱلۡجِنُّ أَن لَّوۡ كَانُواْ يَعۡلَمُونَ ٱلۡغَيۡبَ مَا لَبِثُواْ فِي ٱلۡعَذَابِ ٱلۡمُهِينِ١٤

The atrocities committed by those rulers began to affect the country. Thus, the glorious kingdom of Sulaiman Nabi completely vanished. Only then did the tribal guards could come to know what was going on inside the fort. So, they were very sad and said, “If we had known before what was going on inside the castle, all our hard works would not have gone in vain. We would not have been humiliated so much.”

This is the glory of the reign of Emperor Sulaiman Nabi and the reasons for its downfall. Learn about the true history of the kingdom of Sabah as well.

لَقَدۡ كَانَ لِسَبَإٖ فِي مَسۡكَنِهِمۡ ءَايَةٞۖ جَنَّتَانِ عَن يَمِينٖ وَشِمَالٖۖ كُلُواْ مِن رِّزۡقِ رَبِّكُمۡ وَٱشۡكُرُواْ لَهُۥۚ بَلۡدَةٞ طَيِّبَةٞ وَرَبٌّ غَفُورٞ١٥

34:15. There were fertile lands with oases on both sides of the kingdom of Sabah. They spread evenly to the left and right of the country and strengthened the country's valuable resources. There was a strict order to the ruler to make livelihoods available to all sections of the people as per the ordinance of Rabbu and to rule as per the guidance of Rabbu. Only then the country would prosper and become a secure and peaceful country.

فَأَعۡرَضُواْ فَأَرۡسَلۡنَا عَلَيۡهِمۡ سَيۡلَ ٱلۡعَرِمِ وَبَدَّلۡنَٰهُم بِجَنَّتَيۡهِمۡ جَنَّتَيۡنِ ذَوَاتَيۡ أُكُلٍ خَمۡطٖ وَأَثۡلٖ وَشَيۡءٖ مِّن سِدۡرٖ قَلِيلٖ١٦

34:16. But the rulers of that land, in the course of time, caused ups and downs in the distribution system, disregarding the counsel of Rabbu. Thus, their situation was reversed. The reservoirs which they had built to store water for the oases were broken by the floods and the oases on both sides were destroyed. Thus, the oases, which used to be the source of delicious food, began to rot into a wasteland. The fruits and grains there rotted and turned into a bitter and sour cactus forest. Only the locust trees remained there.

That is to say, they would have had the matured manpower to mitigate such dangers of natural disasters, if they had treated all uniformly, trained them, and prepared the security forces. Then the rulers could have immediately sent them there and set right the damage in those reservoirs and revived them. But because they did not care about the welfare of the people of the country, the general public was left unable to fix them. So, they became extinct over time.

ذَٰلِكَ جَزَيۡنَٰهُم بِمَا كَفَرُواْۖ وَهَلۡ نُجَٰزِيٓ إِلَّا ٱلۡكَفُورَ١٧

34:17. Such was the reward they received as a result of refusing to accept the advice of Rabbu and acting as they please. Would these catastrophes have occurred if they had acted according to the instruction of Rabbu?

These are not the only destructions that occurred to them. The same thing will happen to those who refuse to obey the advice of Rabbu and live in a state of mindlessness.

وَجَعَلۡنَا بَيۡنَهُمۡ وَبَيۡنَ ٱلۡقُرَى ٱلَّتِي بَٰرَكۡنَا فِيهَا قُرٗى ظَٰهِرَةٗ وَقَدَّرۡنَا فِيهَا ٱلسَّيۡرَۖ سِيرُواْ فِيهَا لَيَالِيَ وَأَيَّامًا ءَامِنِينَ١٨

34:18. Also, know how excellent was that country called ‘Yemen’ (Saba) before that catastrophe occurred, there were good transport facilities connecting different cities of the country. They also had built wide roads for this purpose. And they were able to travel day and night without fear.

فَقَالُواْ رَبَّنَا بَٰعِدۡ بَيۡنَ أَسۡفَارِنَا وَظَلَمُوٓاْ أَنفُسَهُمۡ فَجَعَلۡنَٰهُمۡ أَحَادِيثَ وَمَزَّقۡنَٰهُمۡ كُلَّ مُمَزَّقٍۚ

34:19. But their unrighteous deeds caused chaos and unrest in the country over time. Thus, all the journeys that were easily and fearlessly available became inconvenient. In many cases, traffic was blocked and the bypass had to be rerouted. So, the travel distance was extended. Unable to carry food items, they scattered.

إِنَّ فِي ذَٰلِكَ لَأٓيَٰتٖ لِّكُلِّ صَبَّارٖ شَكُورٖ١٩

These are the consequences of the unjust deeds they have done. The destruction that took place in that country is a lesson for those who want to think with determination and perform in faithfulness to Rabbu.

وَلَقَدۡ صَدَّقَ عَلَيۡهِمۡ إِبۡلِيسُ ظَنَّهُۥ فَٱتَّبَعُوهُ إِلَّا فَرِيقٗا مِّنَ ٱلۡمُؤۡمِنِينَ٢٠

34:20. And the devastation of that country was like the cry of Iblis (See 15: 38-41) It looked as if the Iblis won the challenge with Rabbu that by beautifying all illegal activities of the people he would destroy them. But the followers of the guidance escaped from there.

وَمَا كَانَ لَهُۥ عَلَيۡهِم مِّن سُلۡطَٰنٍ إِلَّا لِنَعۡلَمَ مَن يُؤۡمِنُ بِٱلۡأٓخِرَةِ مِمَّنۡ هُوَ مِنۡهَا فِي شَكّٖۗ وَرَبُّكَ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَيۡءٍ حَفِيظٞ٢١

34:21. Iblis never had any authority over them. But they themselves began to live in submission to the Ibleesee mental will and became entangled in its web. We refer to this event to explain to those who are skeptical about the law that Allah has ordained for “The ultimate result of human deeds.” Surely the mighty power of Allah is reflected in all the events of the world. Will you accept this now?

قُلِ ٱدۡعُواْ ٱلَّذِينَ زَعَمۡتُم مِّن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ لَا يَمۡلِكُونَ مِثۡقَالَ ذَرَّةٖ فِي ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَلَا فِي ٱلۡأَرۡضِ وَمَا لَهُمۡ فِيهِمَا مِن شِرۡكٖ وَمَا لَهُۥ مِنۡهُم مِّن ظَهِيرٖ٢٢

34:22. But the people assume that other supreme powers besides Allah are the guardians of this world. But look at those forces. No answer will come from them. So, no one has any power in the universe or the earth except Allah. They play no part in the good and bad things that happen in your life. Allah never needed anyone’s help. Not going to be needed anymore. Explain this to the people.

وَلَا تَنفَعُ ٱلشَّفَٰعَةُ عِندَهُۥٓ إِلَّا لِمَنۡ أَذِنَ لَهُۥۚ حَتَّىٰٓ إِذَا فُزِّعَ عَن قُلُوبِهِمۡ

34:23. Therefore guidance is given by Rabbu to find sustainable solutions to all the problems that arise in human life. (Ref: 10:57) They are the ones that will last forever in his life. There is no other way to recommend Him. (See 10:3) It will do him no good. So, when the social system is formed on the basis of His guidance, there will never be a state of fear.

قَالُواْ مَاذَا قَالَ رَبُّكُمۡۖ قَالُواْ ٱلۡحَقَّۖ وَهُوَ ٱلۡعَلِيُّ ٱلۡكَبِيرُ٢٣

Every word of Rabbu will become clear among the people. That is, they will realize that Allah's guidance is for the good of the people and that it shows the right path to a better life for man. Thus, they will know that all of Rabbu's plans are all-pervading.

۞قُلۡ مَن يَرۡزُقُكُم مِّنَ ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَٱلۡأَرۡضِۖ قُلِ ٱللَّهُۖ وَإِنَّآ أَوۡ إِيَّاكُمۡ لَعَلَىٰ هُدًى أَوۡ فِي ضَلَٰلٖ مُّبِينٖ٢٤

34:24. But if they do not know the plans of Rabbu, then ask them who will feed you from the skies and the earth. Make it clear to them that Allah is the Provider of food (as in 56: 63-73). So, ask, “Are we on the right path or you?”

That is, Rabbu's guidance is to arrange for the livelihoods available from Him to reach out to all. The government should take this responsibility. And educate people about moral values without fail. Only then will the people realize their responsibility and defend the country in the best possible way. Whichever of these two things is left, the country will go towards destruction. This is the reason for the devastation to Sabah.

قُل لَّا تُسۡ‍َٔلُونَ عَمَّآ أَجۡرَمۡنَا وَلَا نُسۡ‍َٔلُ عَمَّا تَعۡمَلُونَ٢٥

34:25. If you think that whatever we do is evil, you are not going to be asked about it. Similarly, we will not be asked about your activities. That is, everyone will reap the rewards and consequences according to what he does.

قُلۡ يَجۡمَعُ بَيۡنَنَا رَبُّنَا ثُمَّ يَفۡتَحُ بَيۡنَنَا بِٱلۡحَقِّ وَهُوَ ٱلۡفَتَّاحُ ٱلۡعَلِيمُ٢٦

34:26. If you still do not change, “You will meet us on the field. Then those who strive for honesty will surely find success. Then the truth of what we call for honesty will be revealed. Remember. All the judgments of Rabbu are based on wisdom.”

قُلۡ أَرُونِيَ ٱلَّذِينَ أَلۡحَقۡتُم بِهِۦ شُرَكَآءَۖ كَلَّاۚ بَلۡ هُوَ ٱللَّهُ ٱلۡعَزِيزُ ٱلۡحَكِيمُ٢٧

34:27. And ask them, "Whoever you say is equal to the mighty power of Allah, show us their might.” They can not come up with any evidence. So, explain that all the creations of the world were created by the mighty power of Allah. (See 2:164) Explain to them that all of Allah's plans are based on wisdom and that they have the power to control everything.

So, while all the universes function under the command of Allah, one of His creations, the human beings must also function under His guidance. Therefore,

وَمَآ أَرۡسَلۡنَٰكَ إِلَّا كَآفَّةٗ لِّلنَّاسِ بَشِيرٗا وَنَذِيرٗا وَلَٰكِنَّ أَكۡثَرَ ٱلنَّاسِ لَا يَعۡلَمُونَ٢٨

34:28. The entire human race should follow only the guidance of one Allah. We have sent you to explain to the people about the benefits of following it and the adverse consequences of acting against it. But most people do not accept the true nature of these. (See also 7:158)

وَيَقُولُونَ مَتَىٰ هَٰذَا ٱلۡوَعۡدُ إِن كُنتُمۡ صَٰدِقِينَ٢٩

34:29. They ask rather, “If you are truthful, when will the calamities that threaten us most often (34:26) come?”

قُل لَّكُم مِّيعَادُ يَوۡمٖ لَّا تَسۡتَ‍ٔۡخِرُونَ عَنۡهُ سَاعَةٗ وَلَا تَسۡتَقۡدِمُونَ٣٠

34:30. Those destructions, which occur according to the framed laws of Rabbu, will surely come in due time. Explain to them that there will be no delay or ahead of time.

وَقَالَ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْ لَن نُّؤۡمِنَ بِهَٰذَا ٱلۡقُرۡءَانِ وَلَا بِٱلَّذِي بَيۡنَ يَدَيۡهِۗ

34:31. But those who refuse to accept these truths are arrogantly saying, “We will never accept the advice of this Quran or the guidance that is said to have come from Allah before this.”

وَلَوۡ تَرَىٰٓ إِذِ ٱلظَّٰلِمُونَ مَوۡقُوفُونَ عِندَ رَبِّهِمۡ يَرۡجِعُ بَعۡضُهُمۡ إِلَىٰ بَعۡضٍ ٱلۡقَوۡلَ يَقُولُ ٱلَّذِينَ ٱسۡتُضۡعِفُواْ لِلَّذِينَ ٱسۡتَكۡبَرُواْ لَوۡلَآ أَنتُمۡ لَكُنَّا مُؤۡمِنِينَ٣١

But if you happen to see them on the day when their consequences befall them in due time, they will bow their heads, and some of them will be complaining against the other. The weak will say to their leaders, “If you had not led us astray, we would have surely been the followers.”

قَالَ ٱلَّذِينَ ٱسۡتَكۡبَرُواْ لِلَّذِينَ ٱسۡتُضۡعِفُوٓاْ أَنَحۡنُ صَدَدۡنَٰكُمۡ عَنِ ٱلۡهُدَىٰ بَعۡدَ إِذۡ جَآءَكُمۖ بَلۡ كُنتُم مُّجۡرِمِينَ٣٢

34:32. But the chiefs of the arrogant leaders will say unto the weak, “Did we restrain you from following the right way? Not so. You were guilty of not accepting the right path.”

وَقَالَ ٱلَّذِينَ ٱسۡتُضۡعِفُواْ لِلَّذِينَ ٱسۡتَكۡبَرُواْ بَلۡ مَكۡرُ ٱلَّيۡلِ وَٱلنَّهَارِ إِذۡ تَأۡمُرُونَنَآ أَن نَّكۡفُرَ بِٱللَّهِ وَنَجۡعَلَ لَهُۥٓ أَندَادٗاۚ

34:33. Those who are weak will say to the leaders who until then looked great, “No. You have done many maneuvers day and night, compelling us to refuse the guidance of Allah and follow other means equating it.” (See 33:66-68) Those leaders will see the suffering that lies ahead.

وَأَسَرُّواْ ٱلنَّدَامَةَ لَمَّا رَأَوُاْ ٱلۡعَذَابَۚ وَجَعَلۡنَا ٱلۡأَغۡلَٰلَ فِيٓ أَعۡنَاقِ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْۖ هَلۡ يُجۡزَوۡنَ إِلَّا مَا كَانُواْ يَعۡمَلُونَ٣٣

On the other hand, they will try to escape from the torment of accusations against them. But they will not be able to move here or there just as the chains are tied on their necks. So, such punishments will be given for the evil deeds they have done.

وَمَآ أَرۡسَلۡنَا فِي قَرۡيَةٖ مِّن نَّذِيرٍ إِلَّا قَالَ مُتۡرَفُوهَآ إِنَّا بِمَآ أُرۡسِلۡتُم بِهِۦ كَٰفِرُونَ٣٤

34:34. And whenever the reformist preached His guidance to the people, the rich leaders, and the affluents were not without opposing. This has been the case everywhere for a long time.

وَقَالُواْ نَحۡنُ أَكۡثَرُ أَمۡوَٰلٗا وَأَوۡلَٰدٗا وَمَا نَحۡنُ بِمُعَذَّبِينَ٣٥

34:35. And they said, “We have too much wealth and strength. So, no one can hurt us.”

قُلۡ إِنَّ رَبِّي يَبۡسُطُ ٱلرِّزۡقَ لِمَن يَشَآءُ وَيَقۡدِرُ وَلَٰكِنَّ أَكۡثَرَ ٱلنَّاسِ لَا يَعۡلَمُونَ٣٦

34:36. O Social Reformist! Tell them, “All of these livelihoods are available according to the arrangements made by Rabbu.” Those who work for it skillfully get more, and those who work incompetently get very little. (See 13:26,17:30) But most innocent people are not aware of this fact. Explain this to them.

وَمَآ أَمۡوَٰلُكُمۡ وَلَآ أَوۡلَٰدُكُم بِٱلَّتِي تُقَرِّبُكُمۡ عِندَنَا زُلۡفَىٰٓ إِلَّا مَنۡ ءَامَنَ وَعَمِلَ صَٰلِحٗا فَأُوْلَٰٓئِكَ لَهُمۡ جَزَآءُ ٱلضِّعۡفِ بِمَا عَمِلُواْ وَهُمۡ فِي ٱلۡغُرُفَٰتِ ءَامِنُونَ٣٧

34:37. And neither your riches nor your strength will add to your pride. But those who accept Allah's guidance and work on creative social welfare programs deserve pride and admiration. The rewards for the good deeds they do will be doubled. That means they will have decent livelihoods, mansions with all amenities, and comfortable life. Explain this to them.

وَٱلَّذِينَ يَسۡعَوۡنَ فِيٓ ءَايَٰتِنَا مُعَٰجِزِينَ أُوْلَٰٓئِكَ فِي ٱلۡعَذَابِ مُحۡضَرُونَ٣٨

34:38. Rather, those who fail to form a social system based on His guidance will receive severe punishment. Explain this to them as well.

قُلۡ إِنَّ رَبِّي يَبۡسُطُ ٱلرِّزۡقَ لِمَن يَشَآءُ مِنۡ عِبَادِهِۦ وَيَقۡدِرُ لَهُۥۚ وَمَآ أَنفَقۡتُم مِّن شَيۡءٖ فَهُوَ يُخۡلِفُهُۥۖ وَهُوَ خَيۡرُ ٱلرَّٰزِقِينَ٣٩

34:39. O, Reformist! Tell them, “All living facilities are available according to the arrangements made by Allah. Those who work hard get more, and those who work less get less” (53:39). So those who are financially helping to accomplish Rabbu’s action plans will get multiple rewards. Only those who act in accordance with the plans of Allah will reap greater benefits.

وَيَوۡمَ يَحۡشُرُهُمۡ جَمِيعٗا ثُمَّ يَقُولُ لِلۡمَلَٰٓئِكَةِ أَهَٰٓؤُلَآءِ إِيَّاكُمۡ كَانُواْ يَعۡبُدُونَ٤٠

34:40. Therefore, at the time of assembling all together, (see 6.:22) the universal forces of nature, (Malaika) will be asked, “Are these the ones who worshiped you?”

قَالُواْ سُبۡحَٰنَكَ أَنتَ وَلِيُّنَا مِن دُونِهِمۖ بَلۡ كَانُواْ يَعۡبُدُونَ ٱلۡجِنَّۖ أَكۡثَرُهُم بِهِم مُّؤۡمِنُونَ٤١

34:41. And the universal natural forces will answer to Him, “You have created us, You are our Protector. How can we tell them to come and worship us?” The real fact is that they all worshiped invisible forces as deities. They also believed that they would protect them.

فَٱلۡيَوۡمَ لَا يَمۡلِكُ بَعۡضُكُمۡ لِبَعۡضٖ نَّفۡعٗا وَلَا ضَرّٗا وَنَقُولُ لِلَّذِينَ ظَلَمُواْ ذُوقُواْ عَذَابَ ٱلنَّارِ ٱلَّتِي كُنتُم بِهَا تُكَذِّبُونَ٤٢

34:42. “None of you can help or harm anyone today. When We have told you that if you do evil deeds, you will suffer painful torments, you did not care. You have been saying that they were all lies. Enjoy the pain you lied about.”

وَإِذَا تُتۡلَىٰ عَلَيۡهِمۡ ءَايَٰتُنَا بَيِّنَٰتٖ قَالُواْ مَا هَٰذَآ إِلَّا رَجُلٞ يُرِيدُ أَن يَصُدَّكُمۡ عَمَّا كَانَ يَعۡبُدُ ءَابَآؤُكُمۡ

34:43. Do you know the reason why they refused to accept the guidance of Allah when it was substantiated? That is the reformist was an ordinary man. And they did not like to abandon the worship of the deities which they had worshiped traditionally. So, they did not come forward to accept Allah's guidance.

وَقَالُواْ مَا هَٰذَآ إِلَّآ إِفۡكٞ مُّفۡتَرٗىۚ وَقَالَ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْ لِلۡحَقِّ لَمَّا جَآءَهُمۡ إِنۡ هَٰذَآ إِلَّا سِحۡرٞ مُّبِينٞ٤٣

But without saying this openly, they claim that there is no evidence for the advice given by the reformist and that he is fabricating on his own. And when they were told the best way to a better human life, they just refused to say that those were all deceptive talk.

وَمَآ ءَاتَيۡنَٰهُم مِّن كُتُبٖ يَدۡرُسُونَهَاۖ وَمَآ أَرۡسَلۡنَآ إِلَيۡهِمۡ قَبۡلَكَ مِن نَّذِيرٖ٤٤

34:44. There is no evidence to support their claim. Because they had never received any Scriptural advice before. O, Reformist! No one has ever come before you to tell them about the ill effects of wrongdoing. (See 36: 6)

At least if any such scriptures had come to them, they would have known what the Reformist says is true or fabricated. Their claim would have had some sense. They have no evidence of that too!

وَكَذَّبَ ٱلَّذِينَ مِن قَبۡلِهِمۡ وَمَا بَلَغُواْ مِعۡشَارَ مَآ ءَاتَيۡنَٰهُمۡ فَكَذَّبُواْ رُسُلِيۖ فَكَيۡفَ كَانَ نَكِيرِ٤٥

34:45. And whenever any reformist preached the guidance of Allah, they belied it. And they were so rich that you do not have even a tenth of the livelihood they had. They lived with that level of wealth. Yet they refused to accept Rabbu's advice. So, the social disorders that took place there have taken them to the abyss of hell. So, tell them to look at what happened to those who refused to accept Allah's guidance.

۞قُلۡ إِنَّمَآ أَعِظُكُم بِوَٰحِدَةٍۖ أَن تَقُومُواْ لِلَّهِ مَثۡنَىٰ وَفُرَٰدَىٰ ثُمَّ تَتَفَكَّرُواْۚ مَا بِصَاحِبِكُم مِّن جِنَّةٍۚ إِنۡ هُوَ إِلَّا نَذِيرٞ لَّكُم بَيۡنَ يَدَيۡ عَذَابٖ شَدِيدٖ٤٦

34:46. O, Reformist! Tell them, “I don’t want to discuss too much with you. I advise you on only one thing. Think calmly for the sake of Allah, one by one or two. Am I crazy and/or lacking sense? Am I not taking precautionary measures against the consequences of your evil deeds? I advise you so that you do not fall into destruction. What else am I saying besides this?”

قُلۡ مَا سَأَلۡتُكُم مِّنۡ أَجۡرٖ فَهُوَ لَكُمۡۖ إِنۡ أَجۡرِيَ إِلَّا عَلَى ٱللَّهِۖ وَهُوَ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَيۡءٖ شَهِيدٞ٤٧

34:47. “Do I expect any retribution from you for advising you in this way? Let all the benefits be yours. The livelihoods I need are available from my Rabbu. May Allah be witness to everything that happens here!”

قُلۡ إِنَّ رَبِّي يَقۡذِفُ بِٱلۡحَقِّ عَلَّٰمُ ٱلۡغُيُوبِ٤٨

34:48. “Surely the plans of my Rabbu are beneficial. So, they must defeat the evil forces that cause destruction. (See also 21:18) These facts are invisible to human knowledge. My Rabbu is the Knower of all such hidden things.”

قُلۡ جَآءَ ٱلۡحَقُّ وَمَا يُبۡدِئُ ٱلۡبَٰطِلُ وَمَا يُعِيدُ٤٩

34:49. “Thus came the guidelines with creative welfare plans. So, the pseudo-anarchic regime will come to an end. These are the things that have been going on for a long time. Nothing new is going to happen. (See 17:81)

قُلۡ إِن ضَلَلۡتُ فَإِنَّمَآ أَضِلُّ عَلَىٰ نَفۡسِيۖ وَإِنِ ٱهۡتَدَيۡتُ فَبِمَا يُوحِيٓ إِلَيَّ رَبِّيٓۚ إِنَّهُۥ سَمِيعٞ قَرِيبٞ٥٠

34:50. “So, in this cold war that takes place between Dharma and Adharma, if anything goes wrong, it is from my side. My Rabbu is not responsible for that. If I succeed in my goal, it will be achieved by acting in the right way shown by my Rabbu. My Rabbu is the All-Hearing, the All-Knowing. So, nothing can happen without His knowledge.”

وَلَوۡ تَرَىٰٓ إِذۡ فَزِعُواْ فَلَا فَوۡتَ وَأُخِذُواْ مِن مَّكَانٖ قَرِيبٖ٥١

34:51. And if you have the opportunity to look at the social enemies in this struggle, you will see them trembling with fear. They will try to escape. But they can't. There will be no difficulty in catching them.

وَقَالُوٓاْ ءَامَنَّا بِهِۦ وَأَنَّىٰ لَهُمُ ٱلتَّنَاوُشُ مِن مَّكَانِۢ بَعِيدٖ٥٢

34:52. It is only during such a period that they will say that they accept His guidance. But how can their talk be taken for granted after so far going astray?

وَقَدۡ كَفَرُواْ بِهِۦ مِن قَبۡلُۖ وَيَقۡذِفُونَ بِٱلۡغَيۡبِ مِن مَّكَانِۢ بَعِيدٖ٥٣

34:53. The reason is that before this they refused to accept the right path and conspired against it. They tried to shoot arrows in the dark. They now say that they believe as their effort has gone unfulfilled.

وَحِيلَ بَيۡنَهُمۡ وَبَيۡنَ مَا يَشۡتَهُونَ كَمَا فُعِلَ بِأَشۡيَاعِهِم مِّن قَبۡلُۚ إِنَّهُمۡ كَانُواْ فِي شَكّٖ مُّرِيبِۢ٥٤

34:54. They will suffer the same fate as the previous social miscreants. That is, they never succeeded in their plots. The same thing will happen to these people also. If you inform them about this, they are skeptical that anything like this will not happen.