Meaning of Quran

Ghafir | The Forgiver

With the name of Allah, the All-Merciful, the Very-Merciful.

[40:1] Ha Mim.

[40:2] This is the revelation of the Book from Allah, the Mighty, the All-Knowing,

[40:3] the One who forgives sins and accepts repentance, the One who is severe in punishment, the One who is the source of all power. There is no god but He. To Him is the ultimate return (of all).

[40:4] No one quarrels about the verses of Allah, except those who disbelieve. So, their (prosperous) movements in the cities should not deceive you.

[40:5] Before these, the people of Nuh and the groups after them had rejected (the messengers). Every group intended to seize their messenger, and raised disputes on the basis of falsehood, so that they might refute the truth with it, hence I seized them. So, how was My punishment?

[40:6] And similarly, the word of your Lord has become due against those who disbelieve that they are the people of the Fire.

[40:7] Those who are bearing the Throne and those who are around it pronounce the purity of your Lord along with His praise, and believe in Him, and pray for the forgiveness of those who believe, (saying): ‘Our Lord, Your mercy and knowledge comprehend everything; so forgive those who repent and follow Your way, and save them from the punishment of the Fire.

[40:8] And, our Lord, admit them to the eternal gardens of Jannah (Paradise) that You have promised for them, and (admit) those as well who did well from among their fathers and wives and children. You, only You, are the Mighty, the Wise,

[40:9] and save them from evils (of punishment). And whomsoever you save from evils that day, it is surely because you bless him with mercy. And that is a great achievement indeed’.

[40:10] Those who disbelieve will be addressed (by a voice saying): Allah‘s hatred (for you), when you were invited to the true faith and you refused, was greater than your hatred for yourselves (today when you are hating your own selves out of remorse).

[40:11] They will say, ‘Our Lord, You gave us death twice and You gave us life twice. Now we confess our sins. So, is there any way to come out of here?

[40:12] (The reply will be, No.) This is because whenever Allah alone was invoked, you used to disbelieve, and if partners were associated with Him, you used to believe. Now the decision lies with Allah, the High, the Great’.

[40:13] It is He who shows you His signs and sends down provision for you from the sky, and no one takes a lesson but the one who turns to Him.

[40:14] So, worship Allah, making your submission exclusive for Him, even though the disbelievers dislike (it).

[40:15] He is High in stations, the Lord of the Throne. He sends the spirit down, under His command, on whomever He wills from among His servants, so that he warns of the Day of Encounter –

[40:16] the day they will come in open view. Nothing about them will remain hidden from Allah. To whom belongs the kingdom today? To Allah alone, the One, the All-Dominant.

[40:17] Today, everyone will be recompensed for what one earned. There is no injustice today. Surely, Allah is swift in reckoning.

[40:18] And warn them of the Day of approaching horror, when hearts will jump up into the throats, (and they will be) choked. There will be neither a friend for the unjust, nor an intercessor to be listened to.

[40:19] He knows the treachery of the eyes and whatever is concealed by hearts.

[40:20] He will give His judgment with the truth. And those whom they invoke besides Him cannot judge anything. Surely, it is Allah who is Hearing, Seeing.

[40:21] Have they not traveled through the earth and seen how was the fate of those who used to be before them? They were stronger than these in power and in traces left on the earth, but Allah seized them because of their sins. There was no one to save them from Allah.

[40:22] That was because messengers used to come to them with clear signs, but they disbelieved. Then, Allah seized them. Surely, He is Strong, severe in punishment.

[40:23] Indeed We sent Musa with Our signs and a manifest proof.

[40:24] to Pharaoh and Haman and Qarun, but they said, ‘He is a sorcerer, a liar’.

[40:25] And when he brought them the truth from Us, they said, ‘Kill the sons of those who have accepted faith with him, and spare the lives of their women’. But the plot of the disbelievers is nothing but a failure.

[40:26] And Pharaoh said, ‘Let me kill Musa, and let him call his Lord. I am afraid that he will change your religion or he will cause havoc to appear in the land’.

[40:27] And Musa said, ‘I have sought the protection of my Lord and your Lord from every arrogant man who does not believe in the Day of Reckoning’.

[40:28] And said a believing man from the House of Pharaoh who had kept his faith secret, ‘Would you kill a man because he says – Allah is my Lord‘ – while he has come to you with clear signs from your Lord? If he is a liar, his lie will fall back on himself, and if he is truthful, some of that (punishment) of which he warns you will afflict you. Indeed, Allah does not give guidance to anyone who is a transgressor, a liar’.

[40:29] O my people, the kingdom is yours today, while you are dominant on the land. But, who is going to help us against Allah‘s punishment, if it comes upon us? Pharaoh said, ‘I do not give you an opinion unless I myself believe it to be correct, and I do not direct you to anything but to the right way’.

[40:30] Said he who had believed, I fear for you something like a day of the (disbelieving) groups (of the past),

[40:31] like the fate of the people of Nuh and Ad and Thamud and those who were after them – and Allah does not intend to do any injustice to His servants.

[40:32] And O my people, I fear for you a day in which people will call one another,

[40:33] a day when you will turn back on your heels, having no one to save you from Allah – but, whomever Allah lets go astray, for him there is no one to guide.

[40:34] And Yusuf had already come to you earlier with clear signs, but you remained in suspicion about what he brought to you – until when he died, you said, ‘Allah will never send a messenger after him’. That is how Allah lets go astray anyone who crosses limits and lives in doubt, –

[40:35] those who quarrel in Allah‘s verses without any authority having reached them. It is terribly hateful with Allah and with those who believe. That is how Allah stamps a seal on the entire heart of an arrogant tyrant.

[40:36] And Firaun (Pharaoh) said,  ‘O Haman, make a tower for me, perhaps I could reach the ways

[40:37] the ways to the heavens, and peek towards the God of Musa. And indeed I deem him a liar’. That is how his evil deeds were made attractive to Firaun, and (how) he was held back from the way. The evil design of Firaun was (to end) in nothing but ruin.

[40:38] And said he who had believed, ‘O my people, follow me, I will show you the path of guidance.

[40:39] O my people, this life of the world is only a (momentary) benefit, while the Hereafter is, indeed, the place of permanent living.

[40:40] The one who does something evil will not be punished but in its equal proportion, but the one who does a righteous deed, be he male or female, while he is a believer, then, such people will enter the Jannah (Paradise) where they will be provided with bounties beyond reckoning.

[40:41] And O my people, what is wrong with me that I call you to salvation and you call me to the Fire?

[40:42] You invite me to reject my belief in Allah and ascribe to Him partners about whom I have no knowledge, while I invite you to (Him who is) the Mighty, the Most-Forgiving.

[40:43] It is obvious that those (gods) to whom you are inviting me are not worth calling, neither in this world nor in the world to come, and that we have to return back to Allah, and that the transgressors are indeed the people of the Fire.

[40:44] Soon you will remember what I am saying to you. And I entrust my matter to Allah. Surely, Allah has all (His) servants in sight’.

[40:45] Then Allah saved him from the evils of what they designed, and the House of Pharaoh was encircled by an evil punishment.

[40:46] It is the Fire before which they are presented morning and evening. And on the day when the Hour (of final judgment) will take place, (the order will be released,): Admit the family of Pharaoh into the most severe punishment.

[40:47] And (worth remembering is the time) when they (the infidels) will argue with each other in the Fire. So, the weak will say to those who were arrogant, Surely, we used to be your followers, would you, then, stand for us in (suffering at least a) part of the (punishment of) Fire?

[40:48] Those who were arrogant will say, We all are in it. Allah has already passed the judgment between (His) servants.

[40:49] And those in the Fire will say to the keepers of Jahannam (Hell), ‘Pray to your Lord to lighten the punishment for us some day’.

[40:50] They will say, ‘Had your messengers not been coming to you with open signs?’ They will say, ‘Of course, (they had come)’. They (the keepers) will say, ‘Then, keep praying’. – but praying of disbelievers (in the Hereafter) is only in vain.

[40:51] Surely, We do help Our messengers and the believers, in the worldly life, as well as (we will help them) on the day in which witnesses will stand (to give their testimony)

[40:52] a day when apology of the unjust will bring them no benefit, and on them shall be the curse, and for them will be the evil abode.

[40:53] We gave Guidance to Musa, while We made the children of Isra‘il inherit the Book

[40:54] as a guide and advice for people of understanding.

[40:55] So, be patient — surely the promise of Allah is true – and seek forgiveness for your sins, and proclaim the purity and praise of your Lord in the afternoon and at dawn.

[40:56] Surely, those who quarrel in Allah‘s verses without any authority having reached them, there is nothing in their hearts but pride of greatness that they are not (able) to reach. So, seek refuge with Allah. Surely, He is the All-Hearing, the AllSeeing.

[40:57] Certainly, the creation of the heavens and the earth is greater than the creation of human beings, but most human beings do not know.

[40:58] The blind one and the sighted one are not equal, and those who believed and did good deeds and the evil ones are not (equal) either. Little you heed to the advice!

[40:59] Certainly, the Hour is bound to come. There is no doubt about it, but most people do not believe it.

[40:60] Your Lord has said, ‘Call Me’, I will respond to you. Definitely, those who show arrogance against worshipping Me shall enter Jahannam (Hell) with disgrace.

[40:61] Allah is the One who made for you the night, so that you may have rest in it, and the day to let you see. Surely, Allah is most kind to people, but most people do not offer gratitude.

[40:62] This is Allah, your Lord, the Creator of everything. There is no god but He. Then, from where are you being reversed (by your selfish desires)?

[40:63] Similarly reversed were those who used to deny Our verses.

[40:64] Allah is the One who made for you the earth a place to live, and the sky a roof, and shaped you, and made your shapes so good – and provided you with a lot of good things. That is Allah, your Lord. So, Glorious is Allah, the Lord of the worlds.

[40:65] He is Ever-living. There is no god but He. So worship Him making your submission exclusive for Him. All praise belongs to Allah, the Lord of all the worlds.

[40:66] Say, ‘I have been ordered not to worship those whom you invoke besides Allah when clear signs from my Lord have (already) come to me, and I have been ordered that I should submit to the Lord of the worlds’.

[40:67] He is the One who created you from dust, then from a drop of semen, then from a clot. After that, He takes you out as an infant. Then, (He makes you grow) so that you reach your full maturity, and, thereafter, become old – and some of you die earlier – and so that you reach the appointed term, and so that you understand.

[40:68] He is the One who gives life and brings death, and when He decides to do something, He only says to it: Be. and it comes to be.

[40:69] Have you not seen those who quarrel in Allah‘s verses? From where are they being turned away (by their selfish desires?)

[40:70] – those who rejected the Book and what We sent with Our messengers. So, they will soon come to know,

[40:71] when shackles will be round their necks and chains. They will be dragged.

[40:72] into the hot water after which they will be thrown into the fire as fuel.

[40:73] Then, it will be said to them, Where are those whom you used to associate (in worship)

[40:74] besides Allah? They will say, ‘They are lost to us, rather, we used to invoke nothing at all’. This is how Allah makes disbelievers get lost.

[40:75] (It will be said to them,). This is because you used to rejoice on the earth wrongfully and because you used to show arrogance.

[40:76] Enter the gates of Jahannam to live in it forever. So, how evil is the abode of the arrogant.

[40:77] Therefore, be patient. Surely, Allah‘s promise is true. Then, (O Prophet,) whether We show you (in your life) a part of the promise We are making to them, or make you die (before they are punished), in any case, they have to be returned to Us.

[40:78] We had sent messengers before you. Among them, there are those whose history We have narrated to you, and of them, there are those whose history We did not narrate to you. And it is not up to a messenger that he could come up with a sign without permission from Allah. So, when the command of Allah will come, matters will stand decided justly, and on that occasion, all adherents of falsehood will turn into losers.

[40:79] Allah is the One who made for you the cattle, so that you may ride some of them, and of them, you eat;

[40:80] and for you, there are (other) benefits in them and so that, (by riding) on them, you meet any need you have in your hearts, and on them and on boats you are carried.

[40:81] He shows you His signs. Then, which of the signs of Allah would you (still) deny?

[40:82] Have they not traveled through the earth and seen how was the fate of those before them? Most of them were more in numbers than these, and superior in vigor and vestiges left on the earth. So then, whatever they used to earn did not work for them at all.

[40:83] When their messengers came to them with manifest signs, they exulted because of whatever knowledge they had, and they were encircled by what they used to ridicule.

[40:84] When they saw Our punishment, they said, We have (now) come to believe in Allah alone, and We have rejected everything we used to ascribe (to Him) as partners…

[40:85] But, their profession of faith was not (competent) to benefit them, once they had seen Our punishment – a customary practice of Allah that has been there all along in the matter of His servants – and hence, the disbelievers became the losers.

Tafsir

Overview of Surah Al-Ghafir

  1. Title and Position: Surah Al-Ghafir is the 40th chapter of the Quran. The title “Al-Ghafir” means “The Forgiver,” referring to one of the attributes of God.
  2. Verses and Structure: This surah consists of 85 verses. It is known for its profound theological discourse and historical narratives.
  3. Themes and Messages: The central themes of Surah Al-Ghafir include the majesty and forgiveness of God, the reality of the hereafter, and the stories of past peoples and prophets.
  4. Significance in Islamic Thought: The surah is significant for its emphasis on God’s mercy and forgiveness, as well as its detailed discussions on faith and rejection of truth.

Detailed Explanation

  1. Attributes of God: The surah opens by highlighting God’s attributes as the Forgiver of Sin, the Acceptor of Repentance, and the Severe in Punishment, emphasizing the balance between mercy and justice.
  2. Narratives of Past Nations: It recounts stories from the past, particularly the story of the Pharaoh and his confrontation with Moses, illustrating the consequences of arrogance and denial of truth.
  3. Believers within Pharaoh’s Court: A unique aspect of this surah is the story of a believing man within Pharaoh’s court, who secretly maintained his faith and tried to guide his people.
  4. The Reality of the Day of Judgment: Surah Al-Ghafir describes the Day of Judgment, where every soul will be recompensed for its deeds, emphasizing the importance of belief and righteous action.
  5. Consolation and Guidance to the Prophet Muhammad: The surah provides support and consolation to Prophet Muhammad, reassuring him in the face of opposition and disbelief.

FAQs

  1. What is the significance of the title “Al-Ghafir”?
    • The title “Al-Ghafir,” meaning “The Forgiver,” reflects the surah’s emphasis on God’s attribute as a forgiver of sins for those who repent and believe.
  2. How does Surah Al-Ghafir address the concept of divine mercy?
    • It portrays God’s immense mercy and readiness to forgive, balanced with His justice in dealing with those who persist in disbelief and wrongdoing.
  3. What can we learn from the story of the believer in Pharaoh’s court in Surah Al-Ghafir?
    • This story teaches the importance of maintaining faith in challenging circumstances and the impact of a single believer in a hostile environment.
  4. How does Surah Al-Ghafir guide Muslims in dealing with challenges to their faith?
    • It offers guidance and encouragement to remain steadfast in faith, despite opposition or societal pressure, and to trust in God’s plan and justice.

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