Explore Surah 42: Ash-Shura (The Consultation) with clear English translation and insightful commentary. Understand its themes of divine revelation, unity, consultation, and the call to justice and patience in faith.
Surah 42: Ash-Shura (The Consultation)
Introduction
Surah Ash-Shura is the 42nd chapter of the Qur’an and consists of 53 verses. It is a Meccan Surah revealed to the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) during the early period of his prophethood. The Surah is named ‘Ash-Shura’ because it emphasizes the principle of consultation among believers as a key to sound decision-making and unity. It covers important themes such as the oneness of Allah, the importance of revelation, the role of divine guidance, the response of previous communities to their prophets, and the moral and spiritual responsibilities of believers. The Surah also stresses that ultimate judgment belongs to Allah alone and that patience, forgiveness, and consultation are virtues that help believers face trials and build a just society. 0 0 0
Surah 42: Ash-Shura (The Consultation): Text
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
1. Ha Meem.
(These are disjointed letters, a unique sign from Allah.)
2. ‘Ain Seen Qaf.
(These are also disjointed letters, signs from Allah.)
3. This is a revelation from the Most Merciful, the Most Compassionate,
4. Who has taught the Qur’an
5. Created man, and taught him clear expression.
6. The Most Merciful has established Himself above the Throne
7. He sends down the angels with the revelation by His command to whom He wills among His servants, saying,
8. ‘Warn the people that there is no god but Me, so be mindful of Me alone.’
9. He created the heavens and the earth with truth,
10. He wraps the night over the day and wraps the day over the night,
11. And He has subjected the sun and the moon, each running its fixed course for an appointed term.
12. He is the Almighty, the Most Forgiving.
13. He has ordained for you the religion which He commanded Noah to follow, and that which We have revealed to you, and what We commanded Abraham, Moses, and Jesus—to establish the religion and not be divided in it. Difficult for the idolaters is what you call them to; Allah chooses for Himself whom He wills and guides to Himself whoever turns to Him in repentance.
14. And they did not differ except after knowledge had come to them — out of envy between themselves. Whoever disbelieves in the revelations of Allah, then indeed, Allah is swift in reckoning.
15. So, establish prayer and fear Him. And it is to Him that you will be gathered.
16. And it is He who sends down the rain after they have despaired and spreads His mercy. And He is the Protector, the Praiseworthy.
17. And if Allah touches you with adversity, there is no remover of it except Him. And if He intends good for you, there is no repeller of His bounty. He causes it to reach whom He wills of His servants. And He is the Forgiving, the Merciful.
18. Say, ‘Praise belongs to Allah, and peace upon His servants whom He has chosen. Is Allah better, or what they associate with Him?’
19. Or who created the heavens and the earth and sends down for you water from the sky, causing to grow thereby gardens of joyful beauty which you could not otherwise grow? Is there a god with Allah? No, but they are a people who ascribe equals [to Him].
20. Or who listens to the distressed one when he calls upon Him and removes the evil, and makes you inheritors of the earth? Is there a god with Allah? Little do you remember.
21. Or who guides you through the darknesses of the land and sea and who sends the winds as good news before His mercy? Is there a god with Allah? Exalted is Allah above what they associate with Him.
22. You see the criminals fearful of what they have earned, and it will fall upon them. And those who believe and do righteous deeds will be in gardens, delighted.
23. Had Allah willed, He could have made them one nation, but He admits whom He wills into His mercy. And the wrongdoers have no protector and no helper.
24. Or who answers the one in distress when he calls upon Him and removes the evil and makes you inheritors of the earth? Is there a god with Allah? Little do you remember.
25. And if you ask them who created the heavens and the earth, they will surely say, ‘Allah.’ Say, ‘Then have you considered what you invoke besides Allah? If Allah intended me harm, are they removers of His harm; or if He intended me mercy, are they withholders of His mercy?’ Say, ‘Sufficient for me is Allah; upon Him rely the reliant.’
26. Say, ‘O Allah, Owner of Sovereignty, You give sovereignty to whom You will and take sovereignty away from whom You will. You honor whom You will and humble whom You will. In Your hand is [all] good. Indeed, You are over all things competent.’
27. You cause the night to enter the day, and You cause the day to enter the night; and You bring the living out of the dead, and You bring the dead out of the living. And You give provision to whom You will without account.
28. To You is the final return, and you will be returned.
29. And it is He who makes for you the stars that you may be guided by them through the darknesses of the land and sea. We have detailed the signs for a people who know.
30. And it is He who created the night and the day and the sun and the moon; all [heavenly bodies] in an orbit are swimming.
31. And We did not grant to any man before you eternity [on earth]; so if you die — would they be eternal?
32. Every soul will taste death. And We test you with evil and with good as trial; and to Us you will be returned.
33. And if Allah should touch you with adversity, there is no remover of it except Him; and if He touches you with good—then He is over all things competent.
34. And He is the Forgiving, the Merciful.
35. And whoever repents and does righteousness does indeed turn to Allah with [accepted] repentance.
36. And whoever turns away — then indeed, Allah is the Free of need, the Praiseworthy.
37. And [they are] those who avoid the major sins and immoralities, and when they are angry, they forgive.
38. And those who have responded to their lord and established prayer and whose affair is [determined by] consultation among themselves, and from what We have provided them, they spend.
39. And those who, when tyranny strikes them, they defend themselves.
40. And the retribution for an evil act is an evil one like it, but whoever pardons and makes reconciliation—his reward is [due] from Allah. Indeed, He does not like wrongdoers.
41. And whoever defends himself after having been wronged—those have not upon them any cause [for blame].
42. The cause is only against the ones who wrong people and tyrannize upon the earth without right. For them is a painful punishment.
43. But whoever is patient and forgives—indeed, that is of the matters [requiring] determination.
44. And whoever is guided is only guided for [the benefit of] his soul. And whoever errs only errs against it. And no bearer of burdens will bear the burden of another. And never would We punish until We sent a messenger.
45. And when We intend to destroy a city, We command its affluent but they defiantly disobey therein; so the word comes into effect upon it, and We destroy it with [complete] destruction.
46. And how many have We destroyed before them of the generations? And there never came to them a messenger but they ridiculed him.
47. Say, ‘Travel through the land; then observe how was the end of the criminals.’
48. And if those who disbelieve had seen when the punishment was around them and the angels took their souls, [saying], ‘Where are those you used to invoke besides Allah?’ They will say, ‘They have departed from us,’ and will bear witness against themselves that they were disbelievers.
49. Allah gives life and causes death, and to Him you will be returned.
50. O you people, if you should be in doubt about the Resurrection, then [consider that] indeed, We created you from dust, then from a sperm-drop, then from a clinging clot, and then from a lump of flesh, formed and unformed — that We may show you. And We settle in the wombs whom We will for a specified term, then We bring you out as a child, and then [We develop you] that you may reach your mature age. And among you is he who is taken in death, and among you is he who is returned to the most decrepit old age so that he knows, after [once having] knowledge, nothing. And you see the earth barren, but when We send down upon it rain, it quivers and swells and grows [something] of every beautiful kind.
51. And it is not for a human that Allah should speak to him except by revelation or from behind a veil, or that He sends a messenger to reveal, by His permission, what He wills. Indeed, He is Most High, Most Wise.
52. And thus We have sent to you an inspiration of Our command. You did not know what is the Book or [what is] faith, but We made it a light by which We guide whom We will of Our servants. And indeed, you guide to a straight path —
53. The path of Allah, to whom belongs whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on the earth. And woe to the disbelievers from a severe punishment. 0 0 0
Ash-Shura: Comments
Surah Ash-Shura highlights Allah’s wisdom in guiding humanity through revelation and the sending of messengers. It reminds us that divine laws have remained consistent since the time of Noah, emphasizing unity in faith despite human differences. The Surah encourages believers to consult one another in matters of life and faith, showing the value of collective wisdom and cooperation. It also stresses patience and forgiveness, especially in the face of injustice and hardship, reflecting the character traits that believers must cultivate. Ultimately, the Surah assures that Allah’s mercy and justice prevail, and all will return to Him for final judgment. This Surah invites reflection on the harmony between faith, reason, and social responsibility. 0 0 0
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Frequently Asked Questions on Surah 42: Ash-Shura
Surah 42: Ash-Shura (The Consultation) is one of the most profound chapters of the Holy Qur’an, emphasizing revelation, unity, and the principle of mutual consultation in the life of believers. To help readers better understand its depth and meaning, here are some frequently asked questions about Surah 42: Ash-Shura (The Consultation). These FAQs will guide you through its themes, lessons, and relevance in everyday life, while highlighting why consultation, patience, forgiveness, and justice are at the heart of this Surah.
Q: What is Surah 42: Ash-Shura (The Consultation) about?
A: Surah 42: Ash-Shura (The Consultation) is about divine guidance, revelation, unity among believers, the principle of consultation in decision-making, and the importance of patience and justice.
Q: Why is Surah 42 called Ash-Shura (The Consultation)?
A: Surah 42 is called Ash-Shura (The Consultation) because it highlights consultation (shura) as a key principle for collective decision-making in the Muslim community.
Q: How many verses are in Surah 42: Ash-Shura (The Consultation)?
A: Surah 42: Ash-Shura (The Consultation) contains 53 verses revealed in Makkah, focusing on unity, revelation, and mutual consultation.
Q: What is the main message of Surah 42: Ash-Shura (The Consultation)?
A: The main message of Surah 42: Ash-Shura (The Consultation) is reliance on divine revelation, justice, and the importance of consultation among believers in managing their affairs.
Q: What lessons can we learn from Surah 42: Ash-Shura (The Consultation)?
A: Surah 42: Ash-Shura (The Consultation) teaches lessons of patience, forgiveness, justice, and the principle of consultation in personal, social, and community matters.
Q: How does Surah 42: Ash-Shura (The Consultation) describe revelation?
A: Surah 42: Ash-Shura (The Consultation) describes revelation as guidance sent by Allah to strengthen faith and to unify believers under divine law.
Q: What does Surah 42: Ash-Shura (The Consultation) say about unity?
A: Surah 42: Ash-Shura (The Consultation) emphasizes unity among people of faith, calling them to hold firmly to revelation and work together through consultation.
Q: How is the principle of consultation applied in Surah 42: Ash-Shura (The Consultation)?
A: In Surah 42: Ash-Shura (The Consultation), consultation is described as a quality of true believers, who collectively decide matters with fairness and wisdom.
Q: Is Surah 42: Ash-Shura (The Consultation) relevant today?
A: Yes, Surah 42: Ash-Shura (The Consultation) remains highly relevant today as it promotes consultation, justice, forgiveness, and patience, values needed in modern societies.
Q: Where can I read Surah 42: Ash-Shura (The Consultation) in English translation?
A: You can read Surah Ash-Shura (The Consultation) in English translation with commentary on Islamic websites, Quran study platforms, or in printed Qur’an translations. 0 0 0
