We have now studied the contents of nearly nine-tenths of the Koran. We have found that the arrangement of the Suras in the present Text is not haphazard, but that they follow a distinct logical order more helpful for study than the chronological order. The comprehensive scheme of building up the new Ummat or Brotherhood and its spiritual implications is now complete. The remaining tenth of the Koran may be roughly considered in two parts. The first contains ten Suras (Suras 57 to 66), all revealed in Medina, and each dealing with some special point which needs emphasis in the social life of the Ummat. The second (Suras 67 to 114) contain short Meccan lyrics, each dealing with some aspect of spiritual life, expressed in language of great mystic beauty.
The present Medina Sura is chiefly concerned with spiritual humility and the avoidance of arrogance, and a warning that retirement from the world may not be the best way of seeking the good pleasure of Allah. Its probable date is after the Conquest of Mecca, A.H. 8.
Summary. -- Allah's Power and Knowledge extend to all things: Follow His Light direct, without doubt or fear or halfheartedness, but with humility, generous charity, and faith, and not in a life of isolation from the world. (Verses 1 to 29 and commentary C.236).
C.236-(Verses 1 to 29)-Allah is all-in-all: Follow His Law and His Light, and obey His Apostle, who invites you to deeds of goodness and charity. Strive and spend your resources and yourselves in the Cause of Allah: He will grant you a Light to go before you and guide you to your Eternal Goal, where no Evil can enter. When success crowns your efforts, even then is the time to humble yourselves before Allah, in sincere witness to His Love. The pleasures here below are deceptive: Be foremost in seeking Allah and His Good Pleasure: Trust Him: Be not like those who mistook mere renunciation of the world for Allah's service. Allah's Grace is for all: Be your love and your service for all.
57:1 SURA 57. Hadid, or Iron. In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful. Whatever is in the heavens and on earth, -- let it declare the Praises and Glory of Allah; for He is the Exalted in Might, the Wise.
57:2 To Him belongs the dominion of the heavens and the earth: It is He Who gives Life and Death; and He has Power over all things.
57:3 He is the First and the Last, the Evident and the Immanent: And He has full knowledge of all things.
57:4 He it is Who created the heavens and the earth in six Days, and is moreover firmly established on the Throne (of authority). He knows what enters within the earth and what comes forth out of it, what comes down from heaven and what mounts up to it. And He is with you wheresoever ye may be. And Allah sees well all that ye do.
57:5 To Him belongs the dominion of the heavens and the earth: And all affairs are referred back to Allah.
57:6 He merges Night into Day, and He merges Day into Night; and He has full knowledge of the secrets of (all) hearts.
57:7 Believe in Allah and His Apostle, and spend (in charity) out of the (substance) whereof He has made you heirs. For, those of you who believe and spend (in charity), -- for them is a great Reward.
57:8 What cause have ye why ye should not believe in Allah? -- And the Apostle invites you to believe in your Lord, and has indeed taken your Covenant, if ye are men of faith.
57:9 He is the One Who sends to His Servant manifest Signs, that He may lead you from the depths of Darkness into the Light. And verily Allah is to you most kind and Merciful.
57:10 And what cause have ye why ye should not spend in the cause of Allah? -- For to Allah belongs the heritage of the heavens and the earth. Not equal among you are those who spent (freely) and fought, before the Victory, (with those who did so later). Those are higher in rank than those who spent (freely) and fought afterwards. But to all has Allah promised a goodly (reward). And Allah is well acquainted with all that ye do.
57:11 Section 2. Who is he that will loan to Allah a beautiful loan? For (Allah) will increase it manifold to his credit, and he will have (besides) a liberal reward.
57:12 One Day shalt thou see the believing men and the believing women -- how their Light runs forward before them and by their right hands: (Their greeting will be): "Good News for you this Day! Gardens beneath which flow rivers! To dwell therein for aye! This is indeed the highest Achievement!"
57:13 One Day will the Hypocrites -- men and women -- say to the Believers: "Wait for us! Let us borrow (a light) from your Light!" It will be said: "Turn ye back to your rear! Then seek a light (where ye can)!" So a wall will be put up betwixt them, with a gate therein. Within it will be Mercy throughout, and without it, all alongside, will be (Wrath and) Punishment!
57:14 (Those without) will call out, "Were we not with you?" (The others) will reply, "True! But ye led yourselves into temptation; ye looked forward (to our ruin); ye doubted (Allah's Promise); and (your false) desires deceived you; until there issued the Command of Allah. And the Deceiver deceived you in respect of Allah.
57:15 "This Day shall no ransom be accepted of you, nor of those who reject Allah. Your abode is the Fire: That is the proper place to claim you: And an evil refuge it is!"
57:16 Has not the time arrived for the Believers that their hearts in all humility should engage in the remembrance of Allah and of the Truth which has been revealed (to them), and that they should not become like those to whom was given Revelation aforetime, but long ages passed over them and their hearts grew hard? For many among them are rebellious transgressors.
57:17 Know ye (all) that Allah giveth life to the earth after its death! Already have We shown the Signs plainly to you, that ye may learn wisdom.
57:18 For those who give in Charity, men and women, and loan to Allah a Beautiful Loan, it shall be increased manifold (to their credit), and they shall have (besides) a liberal reward.
57:19 And those who believe in Allah and His apostles -- they are the Sincere (Lovers of Truth), and the Witnesses (who testify), in the eyes of their Lord: They shall have their Reward and their Light. But those who reject Allah and deny Our Signs, -- they are the Companions of Hellfire.
57:20 Section 3. Know ye (all), that the life of this world is but play and amusement, pomp and mutual boasting and multiplying, (in rivalry) among yourselves, riches and children. Here is a similitude: How rain and the growth which it brings forth, delight (the hearts of) the tillers; soon it withers; thou wilt see it grow yellow; then it becomes dry and crumbles away. But in the Hereafter is a Penalty severe (for the devotees of wrong). And Forgiveness from Allah and (His) Good Pleasure (for the devotees of Allah). And what is the life of this world, but goods and chattels of deception?
57:21 Be ye foremost (in seeking) forgiveness from your Lord, and a Garden (of Bliss), the width whereof is as the width of heaven and earth, prepared for those who believe in Allah and His apostles: That is the Grace of Allah, which He bestows on whom He pleases: And Allah is the Lord of Grace abounding.
57:22 No misfortune can happen on earth or in your souls but it is recorded in a decree before We bring it into existence: That is truly easy for Allah:
57:23 In order that ye may not despair over matters that pass you by, nor exult over favors bestowed upon you. For Allah loveth not any vainglorious boaster, --
57:24 Such persons as are covetous and commend covetousness to men. And if any turn back (from Allah's Way), verily Allah is free of all needs, Worthy of all praise.
57:25 We sent aforetime Our apostles with Clear signs and sent down with them the Book and the Balance (of Right and wrong), that men may stand forth in justice; and We sent down Iron, in which is (material for) mighty war, as well as many benefits for mankind, that Allah may test who it is that will help, unseen, Him and His apostles: For Allah is Full of Strength, Exalted in Might (and able to enforce His Will).
57:26 Section 4. And We sent Noah and Abraham, and established in their line Prophethood and Revelation: And some of them were on right guidance, but many of them became rebellious transgressors.
57:27 Then, in their wake, We followed them up with (others of) Our apostles: We sent after them Jesus the son of Mary, and bestowed on him the Gospel; and We ordained in the hearts of those who followed him Compassion and Mercy. But the Monasticism which they invented for themselves, We did not prescribe for them: (We commanded) only the seeking for the Good Pleasure of Allah; but that they did not foster as they should have done. Yet We bestowed, on those among them who believed, their (due) reward, but many of them are rebellious transgressors.
57:28 O ye that believe! Fear Allah, and believe in His Apostle, and He will bestow on you a double portion of His Mercy: He will provide for you a Light by which ye shall walk (straight in your path), and He will forgive you (your past): For Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful:
57:29 That the People of the Book may know that they have no power whatever over the Grace of Allah, that (His) Grace is (entirely) in His hand, to bestow it on whomsoever He Wills. For Allah is the Lord of Grace abounding.
