40: The Believer (Al-Mumin)
Revealed at Makkah
The title of this chapter is taken from the mention of a believer in Moses from among Pharaoh’s people (v. 28) who pleaded for Moses when Pharaoh wanted to kill him. Chapters 40 to 46 form a group all beginning with the letters Ḥā Mīm, and belong to the middle period at Makkah when persecution of Muslims had begun. These chapters offer solace to Muslims, warn their persecutors and foretell the triumph of truth over opposition. This chapter begins with the mention of the Divine plan for the protection of the faithful and goes on to speak of the eventual failure of the opponents. This warning is illustrated from the history of Moses. The chapter then reiterates that prophets of God and believers in them are always helped against their opponents, it mentions that nothing is impossible before the power of Allah and warns the disbelievers that their opposition to the truth will end in failure.
Section 1 (Verses 40:1–40:9): Protection of the Faithful
This verse consists of the two letters ḥā and mīm. These may stand for the Divine name Al-Raḥmān, i.e. the Beneficent. They may also be abbreviations for Ḥamīd (Praised) and Majīd (Glorious), or for Ḥayy (the Living) and Qayyūm (the Self-subsisting), or for Raḥmān (Beneficent) and Raḥīm (Merciful).
40:2
تَنۡزِیۡلُ الۡکِتٰبِ مِنَ اللّٰہِ الۡعَزِیۡزِ الۡعَلِیۡمِ ۙ﴿۲﴾
The revelation of the Book is from Allah, the Mighty, the Knowing,
40:3
غَافِرِ الذَّنۡۢبِ وَ قَابِلِ التَّوۡبِ شَدِیۡدِ الۡعِقَابِ ۙ ذِی الطَّوۡلِ ؕ لَاۤ اِلٰہَ اِلَّا ہُوَ ؕ اِلَیۡہِ الۡمَصِیۡرُ ﴿۳﴾
Forgiver of sin and Acceptor of repentance, Severe to punish, Lord of bounty. There is no God but He; to Him is the eventual coming.
Of the four attributes, the first two and the last refer to Divine forgiveness, mercy and bounty, while only one refers to punishment of evil, and thus the attribute of mercy preponderates even when punishment is spoken of.
40:4
مَا یُجَادِلُ فِیۡۤ اٰیٰتِ اللّٰہِ اِلَّا الَّذِیۡنَ کَفَرُوۡا فَلَا یَغۡرُرۡکَ تَقَلُّبُہُمۡ فِی الۡبِلَادِ ﴿۴﴾
None dispute concerning the messages of Allah but those who disbelieve, so do not let their control in the land deceive you.
40:5
کَذَّبَتۡ قَبۡلَہُمۡ قَوۡمُ نُوۡحٍ وَّ الۡاَحۡزَابُ مِنۡۢ بَعۡدِہِمۡ ۪ وَ ہَمَّتۡ کُلُّ اُمَّۃٍۭ بِرَسُوۡلِہِمۡ لِیَاۡخُذُوۡہُ وَ جٰدَلُوۡا بِالۡبَاطِلِ لِیُدۡحِضُوۡا بِہِ الۡحَقَّ فَاَخَذۡتُہُمۡ ۟ فَکَیۡفَ کَانَ عِقَابِ ﴿۵﴾
Before them the people of Noah and the parties after them rejected (prophets), and every nation purposed against its messenger to destroy him, and disputed by means of falsehood to refute thereby the truth, so I seized them; how (terrible) was then My retribution!
40:6
وَ کَذٰلِکَ حَقَّتۡ کَلِمَتُ رَبِّکَ عَلَی الَّذِیۡنَ کَفَرُوۡۤا اَنَّہُمۡ اَصۡحٰبُ النَّارِ ۘ﴿ؔ۶﴾
And thus did the word of your Lord prove true against those who disbelieve, that they are the companions of the Fire.
40:7
اَلَّذِیۡنَ یَحۡمِلُوۡنَ الۡعَرۡشَ وَ مَنۡ حَوۡلَہٗ یُسَبِّحُوۡنَ بِحَمۡدِ رَبِّہِمۡ وَ یُؤۡمِنُوۡنَ بِہٖ وَ یَسۡتَغۡفِرُوۡنَ لِلَّذِیۡنَ اٰمَنُوۡا ۚ رَبَّنَا وَسِعۡتَ کُلَّ شَیۡءٍ رَّحۡمَۃً وَّ عِلۡمًا فَاغۡفِرۡ لِلَّذِیۡنَ تَابُوۡا وَ اتَّبَعُوۡا سَبِیۡلَکَ وَ قِہِمۡ عَذَابَ الۡجَحِیۡمِ ﴿۷﴾
Those who bear the Throne of Power and those around it celebrate the praise of their Lord and believe in Him and ask protection for those who believe: Our Lord, You embrace all things in mercy and knowledge, so protect those who turn (to You) and follow Your way, and save them from the punishment of hell.
Those who bear the ‘arsh or the Throne of Power are not the bearers of any material thing; see 7:54 footnote 2, for ‘arsh. Generally the words are explained as meaning angels, but may refer to bearers of Divine messages, i.e., the prophets, while those around it are the faithful who, walking in the footsteps of the prophets, carry the Divine message to the world. See also 69:17 footnote.
40:8
رَبَّنَا وَ اَدۡخِلۡہُمۡ جَنّٰتِ عَدۡنِۣ الَّتِیۡ وَعَدۡتَّہُمۡ وَ مَنۡ صَلَحَ مِنۡ اٰبَآئِہِمۡ وَ اَزۡوَاجِہِمۡ وَ ذُرِّیّٰتِہِمۡ ؕ اِنَّکَ اَنۡتَ الۡعَزِیۡزُ الۡحَکِیۡمُ ۙ﴿۸﴾
Our Lord, make them enter the Gardens of perpetuity, which You have promised them and such of their fathers and their wives and their offspring as are good. Surely You are the Mighty, the Wise;
The wives and offspring of the faithful, those of them who do good, are here mentioned as entering paradise along with them.
40:9
وَ قِہِمُ السَّیِّاٰتِ ؕ وَ مَنۡ تَقِ السَّیِّاٰتِ یَوۡمَئِذٍ فَقَدۡ رَحِمۡتَہٗ ؕ وَ ذٰلِکَ ہُوَ الۡفَوۡزُ الۡعَظِیۡمُ ٪﴿۹﴾
and guard them from evil, and whom You guard from evil this day, You have indeed mercy on him. And that is the mighty achievement.
Section 2 (Verses 40:10–40:20): Failure of Opponents
40:10
اِنَّ الَّذِیۡنَ کَفَرُوۡا یُنَادَوۡنَ لَمَقۡتُ اللّٰہِ اَکۡبَرُ مِنۡ مَّقۡتِکُمۡ اَنۡفُسَکُمۡ اِذۡ تُدۡعَوۡنَ اِلَی الۡاِیۡمَانِ فَتَکۡفُرُوۡنَ ﴿۱۰﴾
Those who disbelieve are told: Certainly Allah’s hatred (of you), when you were called upon to the faith and you rejected, was much greater than your hatred (now) of yourselves.
The violent hatred referred to is the hatred of the evildoers for themselves, when the evil consequences of their evil deeds become manifest to them. How much greater must have been the hatred of Allah, the Fountain-head of purity, for them when they committed those deeds! How Forbearing and Merciful was He not to visit them with immediate punishment!
40:11
قَالُوۡا رَبَّنَاۤ اَمَتَّنَا اثۡنَتَیۡنِ وَ اَحۡیَیۡتَنَا اثۡنَتَیۡنِ فَاعۡتَرَفۡنَا بِذُنُوۡبِنَا فَہَلۡ اِلٰی خُرُوۡجٍ مِّنۡ سَبِیۡلٍ ﴿۱۱﴾
They say: Our Lord, twice have You made us die, and twice have You given us life; so we confess our sins. Is there then a way of escape?
The first state of death is the state of nothingness from which man is brought into existence, the second life being the life after death.
40:12
ذٰلِکُمۡ بِاَنَّہٗۤ اِذَا دُعِیَ اللّٰہُ وَحۡدَہٗ کَفَرۡتُمۡ ۚ وَ اِنۡ یُّشۡرَکۡ بِہٖ تُؤۡمِنُوۡا ؕ فَالۡحُکۡمُ لِلّٰہِ الۡعَلِیِّ الۡکَبِیۡرِ ﴿۱۲﴾
That is because when Allah alone was called upon, you disbelieved, and when partners were set up with Him, you believed. So judgment belongs to Allah, the High, the Great.
40:13
ہُوَ الَّذِیۡ یُرِیۡکُمۡ اٰیٰتِہٖ وَ یُنَزِّلُ لَکُمۡ مِّنَ السَّمَآءِ رِزۡقًا ؕ وَ مَا یَتَذَکَّرُ اِلَّا مَنۡ یُّنِیۡبُ ﴿۱۳﴾
He it is Who shows you His signs and sends down for you sustenance from heaven, and none is mindful but he who turns (to Him).
The meaning is simply that God provides the means of sustenance; or, the sustenance from heaven means the spiritual sustenance.
40:14
فَادۡعُوا اللّٰہَ مُخۡلِصِیۡنَ لَہُ الدِّیۡنَ وَ لَوۡ کَرِہَ الۡکٰفِرُوۡنَ ﴿۱۴﴾
So call upon Allah, being sincere to Him in obedience, though the disbelievers are averse —
40:15
رَفِیۡعُ الدَّرَجٰتِ ذُو الۡعَرۡشِ ۚ یُلۡقِی الرُّوۡحَ مِنۡ اَمۡرِہٖ عَلٰی مَنۡ یَّشَآءُ مِنۡ عِبَادِہٖ لِیُنۡذِرَ یَوۡمَ التَّلَاقِ ﴿ۙ۱۵﴾
Exalter of degrees, Lord of the Throne of Power, He casts the spirit by His command upon whom He pleases of His servants, that he may warn (people) of the day of Meeting —
The rūḥ (spirit) is here spoken of as being granted only to the elect, and the object is to warn people; hence rūḥ means Divine revelation, not the soul which is given to every human being. By the day of Meeting is meant the day of meeting with God.
40:16
یَوۡمَ ہُمۡ بٰرِزُوۡنَ ۬ۚ لَا یَخۡفٰی عَلَی اللّٰہِ مِنۡہُمۡ شَیۡءٌ ؕ لِمَنِ الۡمُلۡکُ الۡیَوۡمَ ؕ لِلّٰہِ الۡوَاحِدِ الۡقَہَّارِ ﴿۱۶﴾
the day when they come forth. Nothing concerning them remains hidden from Allah. To whom belongs the kingdom this day? To Allah, the One, the Subduer (of all).
It is implied that the hidden consequences of deeds will be made manifest on that day, for from Allah nothing is hidden.
40:17
اَلۡیَوۡمَ تُجۡزٰی کُلُّ نَفۡسٍۭ بِمَا کَسَبَتۡ ؕ لَا ظُلۡمَ الۡیَوۡمَ ؕ اِنَّ اللّٰہَ سَرِیۡعُ الۡحِسَابِ ﴿۱۷﴾
This day every soul is rewarded for what it has earned. No injustice this day! Surely Allah is Swift in Reckoning.
40:18
وَ اَنۡذِرۡہُمۡ یَوۡمَ الۡاٰزِفَۃِ اِذِ الۡقُلُوۡبُ لَدَی الۡحَنَاجِرِ کٰظِمِیۡنَ ۬ؕ مَا لِلظّٰلِمِیۡنَ مِنۡ حَمِیۡمٍ وَّ لَا شَفِیۡعٍ یُّطَاعُ ﴿ؕ۱۸﴾
And warn them of the day that draws near, when hearts, grieving inwardly, rise up to the throats. The wrongdoers will have no friend, nor any intercessor who should be obeyed.
In the day that draws near, the nearer punishment of this life is spoken of. The verse depicts the state of the hearts of the disbelievers on the day of their vanquishment.
40:19
یَعۡلَمُ خَآئِنَۃَ الۡاَعۡیُنِ وَ مَا تُخۡفِی الصُّدُوۡرُ ﴿۱۹﴾
He knows the dishonesty of eyes and what the hearts conceal.
40:20
وَ اللّٰہُ یَقۡضِیۡ بِالۡحَقِّ ؕ وَ الَّذِیۡنَ یَدۡعُوۡنَ مِنۡ دُوۡنِہٖ لَا یَقۡضُوۡنَ بِشَیۡءٍ ؕ اِنَّ اللّٰہَ ہُوَ السَّمِیۡعُ الۡبَصِیۡرُ ﴿٪۲۰﴾
And Allah judges with truth. And those whom they call upon besides Him judge not at all! Surely Allah is the Hearing, the Seeing.
Section 3 (Verses 40:21–40:27): A Warning in Moses’ History
40:21
اَوَ لَمۡ یَسِیۡرُوۡا فِی الۡاَرۡضِ فَیَنۡظُرُوۡا کَیۡفَ کَانَ عَاقِبَۃُ الَّذِیۡنَ کَانُوۡا مِنۡ قَبۡلِہِمۡ ؕ کَانُوۡا ہُمۡ اَشَدَّ مِنۡہُمۡ قُوَّۃً وَّ اٰثَارًا فِی الۡاَرۡضِ فَاَخَذَہُمُ اللّٰہُ بِذُنُوۡبِہِمۡ ؕ وَ مَا کَانَ لَہُمۡ مِّنَ اللّٰہِ مِنۡ وَّاقٍ ﴿۲۱﴾
Have they not travelled in the land and seen what was the end of those who were before them? Mightier than these were they in strength and in fortifications in the land, but Allah destroyed them for their sins. And they had none to protect them from Allah.
40:22
ذٰلِکَ بِاَنَّہُمۡ کَانَتۡ تَّاۡتِیۡہِمۡ رُسُلُہُمۡ بِالۡبَیِّنٰتِ فَکَفَرُوۡا فَاَخَذَہُمُ اللّٰہُ ؕ اِنَّہٗ قَوِیٌّ شَدِیۡدُ الۡعِقَابِ ﴿۲۲﴾
That was because their messengers had come to them with clear arguments, but they disbelieved, so Allah destroyed them. Surely He is Strong, Severe in retribution.
40:23
وَ لَقَدۡ اَرۡسَلۡنَا مُوۡسٰی بِاٰیٰتِنَا وَ سُلۡطٰنٍ مُّبِیۡنٍ ﴿ۙ۲۳﴾
And certainly We sent Moses with Our messages and clear authority,
40:24
اِلٰی فِرۡعَوۡنَ وَ ہَامٰنَ وَ قَارُوۡنَ فَقَالُوۡا سٰحِرٌ کَذَّابٌ ﴿۲۴﴾
to Pharaoh and Hāmān and Korah, but they said: A lying enchanter!
The words do not indicate that the message to Pharaoh and Hāmān and Korah was given at one and the same time. All that is meant is that these three were the chief men who did not accept his message and they were destroyed.
40:25
فَلَمَّا جَآءَہُمۡ بِالۡحَقِّ مِنۡ عِنۡدِنَا قَالُوا اقۡتُلُوۡۤا اَبۡنَآءَ الَّذِیۡنَ اٰمَنُوۡا مَعَہٗ وَ اسۡتَحۡیُوۡا نِسَآءَہُمۡ ؕ وَ مَا کَیۡدُ الۡکٰفِرِیۡنَ اِلَّا فِیۡ ضَلٰلٍ ﴿۲۵﴾
So when he brought to them the Truth from Us, they said: Kill the sons of those who believe with him and keep their women alive. And the plot of the disbelievers is bound to fail.
A perusal of the verses that follow will show that the speaker here is only Pharaoh, as advised by his chiefs, both he and Hāmān being mentioned by name, the latter in v. 36, while no mention is made of Korah.
40:26
وَ قَالَ فِرۡعَوۡنُ ذَرُوۡنِیۡۤ اَقۡتُلۡ مُوۡسٰی وَ لۡیَدۡعُ رَبَّہٗ ۚ اِنِّیۡۤ اَخَافُ اَنۡ یُّبَدِّلَ دِیۡنَکُمۡ اَوۡ اَنۡ یُّظۡہِرَ فِی الۡاَرۡضِ الۡفَسَادَ ﴿۲۶﴾
And Pharaoh said: Leave me to kill Moses and let him call upon his Lord. Surely I fear that he will change your religion or that he will make mischief to appear in the land.
40:27
وَ قَالَ مُوۡسٰۤی اِنِّیۡ عُذۡتُ بِرَبِّیۡ وَ رَبِّکُمۡ مِّنۡ کُلِّ مُتَکَبِّرٍ لَّا یُؤۡمِنُ بِیَوۡمِ الۡحِسَابِ ﴿٪۲۷﴾
And Moses said: Truly I seek refuge in my Lord and your Lord from every proud one who does not believe in the day of Reckoning.
Section 4 (Verses 40:28–40:37): A Believer of Pharaoh’s People
40:28
وَ قَالَ رَجُلٌ مُّؤۡمِنٌ ٭ۖ مِّنۡ اٰلِ فِرۡعَوۡنَ یَکۡتُمُ اِیۡمَانَہٗۤ اَتَقۡتُلُوۡنَ رَجُلًا اَنۡ یَّقُوۡلَ رَبِّیَ اللّٰہُ وَ قَدۡ جَآءَکُمۡ بِالۡبَیِّنٰتِ مِنۡ رَّبِّکُمۡ ؕ وَ اِنۡ یَّکُ کَاذِبًا فَعَلَیۡہِ کَذِبُہٗ ۚ وَ اِنۡ یَّکُ صَادِقًا یُّصِبۡکُمۡ بَعۡضُ الَّذِیۡ یَعِدُکُمۡ ؕ اِنَّ اللّٰہَ لَا یَہۡدِیۡ مَنۡ ہُوَ مُسۡرِفٌ کَذَّابٌ ﴿۲۸﴾
And a believing man of Pharaoh’s people, who hid his faith, said: Will you kill a man because he says, My Lord is Allah, and indeed he has brought you clear arguments from your Lord? And if he is a liar, on him will be his lie, but if he is truthful, some of what he threatens you with will afflict you. Surely Allah does not guide one who exceeds all bounds, a liar.
Some of what they are threatened with, will afflict them, because the mercy of Allah wards off some of the deserved punishment.
40:29
یٰقَوۡمِ لَکُمُ الۡمُلۡکُ الۡیَوۡمَ ظٰہِرِیۡنَ فِی الۡاَرۡضِ ۫ فَمَنۡ یَّنۡصُرُنَا مِنۡۢ بَاۡسِ اللّٰہِ اِنۡ جَآءَنَا ؕ قَالَ فِرۡعَوۡنُ مَاۤ اُرِیۡکُمۡ اِلَّا مَاۤ اَرٰی وَ مَاۤ اَہۡدِیۡکُمۡ اِلَّا سَبِیۡلَ الرَّشَادِ ﴿۲۹﴾
My people, yours is the kingdom this day, being masters in the land, but who will help us against the punishment of Allah, if it comes to us? Pharaoh said: I only show you what I see and I guide you only to the right way.
40:30
وَ قَالَ الَّذِیۡۤ اٰمَنَ یٰقَوۡمِ اِنِّیۡۤ اَخَافُ عَلَیۡکُمۡ مِّثۡلَ یَوۡمِ الۡاَحۡزَابِ ﴿ۙ۳۰﴾
And he who believed said: My people, surely I fear for you the like of what befell the parties,
40:31
مِثۡلَ دَاۡبِ قَوۡمِ نُوۡحٍ وَّ عَادٍ وَّ ثَمُوۡدَ وَ الَّذِیۡنَ مِنۡۢ بَعۡدِہِمۡ ؕ وَ مَا اللّٰہُ یُرِیۡدُ ظُلۡمًا لِّلۡعِبَادِ ﴿۳۱﴾
the like of what befell the people of Noah and Ād and Thamūd and those after them. And Allah wishes no injustice for (His) servants.
There is nothing extraordinary in an Egyptian knowing how certain people on the borders of Arabia perished.
40:32
وَ یٰقَوۡمِ اِنِّیۡۤ اَخَافُ عَلَیۡکُمۡ یَوۡمَ التَّنَادِ ﴿ۙ۳۲﴾
And, my people, I fear for you the day of Calling out —
The day of calling out to one another is the day of distress on which one will call out to the other for help, none being able to help himself or another. Every day of distress is the day of calling out, and the description need not be limited to the day of Judgment.
40:33
یَوۡمَ تُوَلُّوۡنَ مُدۡبِرِیۡنَ ۚ مَا لَکُمۡ مِّنَ اللّٰہِ مِنۡ عَاصِمٍ ۚ وَ مَنۡ یُّضۡلِلِ اللّٰہُ فَمَا لَہٗ مِنۡ ہَادٍ ﴿۳۳﴾
the day on which you will turn back retreating, having none to save you from Allah; and whomsoever Allah leaves in error there is no guide for him.
40:34
وَ لَقَدۡ جَآءَکُمۡ یُوۡسُفُ مِنۡ قَبۡلُ بِالۡبَیِّنٰتِ فَمَا زِلۡتُمۡ فِیۡ شَکٍّ مِّمَّا جَآءَکُمۡ بِہٖ ؕ حَتّٰۤی اِذَا ہَلَکَ قُلۡتُمۡ لَنۡ یَّبۡعَثَ اللّٰہُ مِنۡۢ بَعۡدِہٖ رَسُوۡلًا ؕ کَذٰلِکَ یُضِلُّ اللّٰہُ مَنۡ ہُوَ مُسۡرِفٌ مُّرۡتَابُۨ ﴿ۚۖ۳۴﴾
And Joseph indeed came to you before with clear arguments, but you ever remained in doubt as to what he brought you; until, when he died, you said: Allah will never raise a messenger after him. Thus does Allah leave him in error who exceeds all bounds, a doubter —
40:35
الَّذِیۡنَ یُجَادِلُوۡنَ فِیۡۤ اٰیٰتِ اللّٰہِ بِغَیۡرِ سُلۡطٰنٍ اَتٰہُمۡ ؕ کَبُرَ مَقۡتًا عِنۡدَ اللّٰہِ وَ عِنۡدَ الَّذِیۡنَ اٰمَنُوۡا ؕ کَذٰلِکَ یَطۡبَعُ اللّٰہُ عَلٰی کُلِّ قَلۡبِ مُتَکَبِّرٍ جَبَّارٍ ﴿۳۵﴾
those who dispute concerning the messages of Allah without any authority that has come to them. Greatly hated is it by Allah and by those who believe. Thus does Allah seal every heart, of a proud, insolent one.
40:36
وَ قَالَ فِرۡعَوۡنُ یٰہَامٰنُ ابۡنِ لِیۡ صَرۡحًا لَّعَلِّیۡۤ اَبۡلُغُ الۡاَسۡبَابَ ﴿ۙ۳۶﴾
And Pharaoh said: Hāmān, build for me a tower that I may attain the means of access —
40:37
اَسۡبَابَ السَّمٰوٰتِ فَاَطَّلِعَ اِلٰۤی اِلٰہِ مُوۡسٰی وَ اِنِّیۡ لَاَظُنُّہٗ کَاذِبًا ؕ وَ کَذٰلِکَ زُیِّنَ لِفِرۡعَوۡنَ سُوۡٓءُ عَمَلِہٖ وَ صُدَّ عَنِ السَّبِیۡلِ ؕ وَ مَا کَیۡدُ فِرۡعَوۡنَ اِلَّا فِیۡ تَبَابٍ ﴿٪۳۷﴾
the means of access to the heavens, then reach the God of Moses, and I surely think him to be liar. And thus the evil of his deed was made to seem good to Pharaoh, and he was turned aside from the way. And the plot of Pharaoh ended only in ruin.
As Moses spoke of the Lord of the heavens and the earth, Pharaoh mocked at the idea by suggesting that he would build a tower to find Moses’ God.
Section 5 (Verses 40:38–40:50): The End of Pharaoh’s People
40:38
وَ قَالَ الَّذِیۡۤ اٰمَنَ یٰقَوۡمِ اتَّبِعُوۡنِ اَہۡدِکُمۡ سَبِیۡلَ الرَّشَادِ ﴿ۚ۳۸﴾
And he who believed said: My people, follow me, I will guide you to the right way.
40:39
یٰقَوۡمِ اِنَّمَا ہٰذِہِ الۡحَیٰوۃُ الدُّنۡیَا مَتَاعٌ ۫ وَّ اِنَّ الۡاٰخِرَۃَ ہِیَ دَارُ الۡقَرَارِ ﴿۳۹﴾
My people, this life of the world is but a (passing) enjoyment, and the Hereafter, that is the abode to settle.
40:40
مَنۡ عَمِلَ سَیِّئَۃً فَلَا یُجۡزٰۤی اِلَّا مِثۡلَہَا ۚ وَ مَنۡ عَمِلَ صَالِحًا مِّنۡ ذَکَرٍ اَوۡ اُنۡثٰی وَ ہُوَ مُؤۡمِنٌ فَاُولٰٓئِکَ یَدۡخُلُوۡنَ الۡجَنَّۃَ یُرۡزَقُوۡنَ فِیۡہَا بِغَیۡرِ حِسَابٍ ﴿۴۰﴾
Whoever does evil, he is recompensed only with its like; and whoever does good, whether male or female, and is a believer, these shall enter the Garden, to be given sustenance in it without measure.
40:41
وَ یٰقَوۡمِ مَا لِیۡۤ اَدۡعُوۡکُمۡ اِلَی النَّجٰوۃِ وَ تَدۡعُوۡنَنِیۡۤ اِلَی النَّارِ ﴿ؕ۴۱﴾
And my people, how is it that I call you to salvation and you call me to the Fire?
40:42
تَدۡعُوۡنَنِیۡ لِاَکۡفُرَ بِاللّٰہِ وَ اُشۡرِکَ بِہٖ مَا لَیۡسَ لِیۡ بِہٖ عِلۡمٌ ۫ وَّ اَنَا اَدۡعُوۡکُمۡ اِلَی الۡعَزِیۡزِ الۡغَفَّارِ ﴿۴۲﴾
You call me to disbelieve in Allah and to set up with Him partners of which I have no knowledge, and I call you to the Mighty, the Forgiving.
40:43
لَا جَرَمَ اَنَّمَا تَدۡعُوۡنَنِیۡۤ اِلَیۡہِ لَیۡسَ لَہٗ دَعۡوَۃٌ فِی الدُّنۡیَا وَ لَا فِی الۡاٰخِرَۃِ وَ اَنَّ مَرَدَّنَاۤ اِلَی اللّٰہِ وَ اَنَّ الۡمُسۡرِفِیۡنَ ہُمۡ اَصۡحٰبُ النَّارِ ﴿۴۳﴾
Without doubt, what you call me to has no claim to being invoked in this world, or in the Hereafter, and our return is to Allah, and those who exceed all bounds are companions of the Fire.
40:44
فَسَتَذۡکُرُوۡنَ مَاۤ اَقُوۡلُ لَکُمۡ ؕ وَ اُفَوِّضُ اَمۡرِیۡۤ اِلَی اللّٰہِ ؕ اِنَّ اللّٰہَ بَصِیۡرٌۢ بِالۡعِبَادِ ﴿۴۴﴾
So you will remember what I say to you, and I entrust my affair to Allah. Surely Allah is Seer of the servants.
40:45
فَوَقٰىہُ اللّٰہُ سَیِّاٰتِ مَا مَکَرُوۡا وَ حَاقَ بِاٰلِ فِرۡعَوۡنَ سُوۡٓءُ الۡعَذَابِ ﴿ۚ۴۵﴾
So Allah protected him from the evil that they planned; and evil punishment befell Pharaoh’s people —
40:46
اَلنَّارُ یُعۡرَضُوۡنَ عَلَیۡہَا غُدُوًّا وَّ عَشِیًّا ۚ وَ یَوۡمَ تَقُوۡمُ السَّاعَۃُ ۟ اَدۡخِلُوۡۤا اٰلَ فِرۡعَوۡنَ اَشَدَّ الۡعَذَابِ ﴿۴۶﴾
the Fire. They are brought before it (every) morning and evening, and on the day when the Hour comes to pass: Make Pharaoh’s people enter the most severe punishment.
40:47
وَ اِذۡ یَتَحَآجُّوۡنَ فِی النَّارِ فَیَقُوۡلُ الضُّعَفٰٓؤُا لِلَّذِیۡنَ اسۡتَکۡبَرُوۡۤا اِنَّا کُنَّا لَکُمۡ تَبَعًا فَہَلۡ اَنۡتُمۡ مُّغۡنُوۡنَ عَنَّا نَصِیۡبًا مِّنَ النَّارِ ﴿۴۷﴾
And when they contend with one another in the Fire, the weak saying to those who were proud: Surely we were your followers; will you then avert from us a portion of the Fire?
40:48
قَالَ الَّذِیۡنَ اسۡتَکۡبَرُوۡۤا اِنَّا کُلٌّ فِیۡہَاۤ ۙ اِنَّ اللّٰہَ قَدۡ حَکَمَ بَیۡنَ الۡعِبَادِ ﴿۴۸﴾
Those who were proud say: Now we are all in it, Allah has indeed judged between the servants.
40:49
وَ قَالَ الَّذِیۡنَ فِی النَّارِ لِخَزَنَۃِ جَہَنَّمَ ادۡعُوۡا رَبَّکُمۡ یُخَفِّفۡ عَنَّا یَوۡمًا مِّنَ الۡعَذَابِ ﴿۴۹﴾
And those in the Fire will say to the keepers of hell: Pray to your Lord to lighten our punishment for a day.
40:50
قَالُوۡۤا اَوَ لَمۡ تَکُ تَاۡتِیۡکُمۡ رُسُلُکُمۡ بِالۡبَیِّنٰتِ ؕ قَالُوۡا بَلٰی ؕ قَالُوۡا فَادۡعُوۡا ۚ وَ مَا دُعٰٓؤُا الۡکٰفِرِیۡنَ اِلَّا فِیۡ ضَلٰلٍ ﴿٪۵۰﴾
They will say: Did not your messengers come to you with clear arguments? They will say: Yes, indeed. They will say: Then pray. And the prayer of the disbelievers only goes astray.
Section 6 (Verses 40:51–40:60): Messengers Receive Divine Help
40:51
اِنَّا لَنَنۡصُرُ رُسُلَنَا وَ الَّذِیۡنَ اٰمَنُوۡا فِی الۡحَیٰوۃِ الدُّنۡیَا وَ یَوۡمَ یَقُوۡمُ الۡاَشۡہَادُ ﴿ۙ۵۱﴾
We certainly help Our messengers, and those who believe, in this world’s life and on the day when the witnesses arise —
The emphatic promise that the Prophet will be helped in this life, too, was made at a time when he was being persecuted, and there was not the least indication that his powerful opponents would be vanquished.
40:52
یَوۡمَ لَا یَنۡفَعُ الظّٰلِمِیۡنَ مَعۡذِرَتُہُمۡ وَ لَہُمُ اللَّعۡنَۃُ وَ لَہُمۡ سُوۡٓءُ الدَّارِ ﴿۵۲﴾
the day on which their excuse will not benefit the unjust, and for them is a curse and for them is the evil abode.
40:53
وَ لَقَدۡ اٰتَیۡنَا مُوۡسَی الۡہُدٰی وَ اَوۡرَثۡنَا بَنِیۡۤ اِسۡرَآءِیۡلَ الۡکِتٰبَ ﴿ۙ۵۳﴾
And We indeed gave Moses the guidance, and We made the Children of Israel inherit the Book —
40:54
ہُدًی وَّ ذِکۡرٰی لِاُولِی الۡاَلۡبَابِ ﴿۵۴﴾
a guidance and a reminder for those who have understanding.
40:55
فَاصۡبِرۡ اِنَّ وَعۡدَ اللّٰہِ حَقٌّ وَّ اسۡتَغۡفِرۡ لِذَنۡۢبِکَ وَ سَبِّحۡ بِحَمۡدِ رَبِّکَ بِالۡعَشِیِّ وَ الۡاِبۡکَارِ ﴿۵۵﴾
So be patient; surely the promise of Allah is true; and ask protection for your sin and celebrate the praise of your Lord in the evening and the morning.
These words, occurring here and in 47:19, do not negative the claim made repeatedly that the Prophet was sinless. Five times the Holy Prophet is described in the Quran as being one who purified others from sin (2:129, 2:151, 3:164, 9:103, 62:2). How could a sinful man purify others from sins? Again, he is repeatedly spoken of as walking in the way of perfect righteousness and entire submission to Allah. In fact, the Quran does not allow us to attribute sin to any prophet: “They do not speak before He speaks, and according to His command they act” (21:27). The words used here (istighfār and dhanb) not only signify asking for forgiveness of sins, but also asking for covering of sin, which is really the seeking of protection against sin. What the Prophet is asked to seek is a protection from the imperfections of human nature, which make a person liable to sin unless he is protected by Allah. (Editor’s Note: It may be the reader of the Quran who is primarily addressed in the words of this verse.)
40:56
اِنَّ الَّذِیۡنَ یُجَادِلُوۡنَ فِیۡۤ اٰیٰتِ اللّٰہِ بِغَیۡرِ سُلۡطٰنٍ اَتٰہُمۡ ۙ اِنۡ فِیۡ صُدُوۡرِہِمۡ اِلَّا کِبۡرٌ مَّا ہُمۡ بِبَالِغِیۡہِ ۚ فَاسۡتَعِذۡ بِاللّٰہِ ؕ اِنَّہٗ ہُوَ السَّمِیۡعُ الۡبَصِیۡرُ ﴿۵۶﴾
Those who dispute about the messages of Allah without any authority having come to them, there is nothing in their hearts but (a desire) to become great, which they will never attain. So seek refuge in Allah. Surely He is the Hearing, the Seeing.
40:57
لَخَلۡقُ السَّمٰوٰتِ وَ الۡاَرۡضِ اَکۡبَرُ مِنۡ خَلۡقِ النَّاسِ وَ لٰکِنَّ اَکۡثَرَ النَّاسِ لَا یَعۡلَمُوۡنَ ﴿۵۷﴾
Assuredly the creation of the heavens and the earth is greater than the creation of mankind; but most people do not know.
Man is insignificant as compared with the vast creation of the heavens and the earth, yet he considers himself so great that he would not bow his head before the great Creator of this vast creation.
40:58
وَ مَا یَسۡتَوِی الۡاَعۡمٰی وَ الۡبَصِیۡرُ ۬ۙ وَ الَّذِیۡنَ اٰمَنُوۡا وَ عَمِلُوا الصّٰلِحٰتِ وَ لَا الۡمُسِیۡٓءُ ؕ قَلِیۡلًا مَّا تَتَذَکَّرُوۡنَ ﴿۵۸﴾
And the blind and the seeing are not alike, nor those who believe and do good and the evildoers. Little mindful are you!
40:59
اِنَّ السَّاعَۃَ لَاٰتِیَۃٌ لَّا رَیۡبَ فِیۡہَا وَ لٰکِنَّ اَکۡثَرَ النَّاسِ لَا یُؤۡمِنُوۡنَ ﴿۵۹﴾
The Hour is surely coming — there is no doubt in it — but most people do not believe.
40:60
وَ قَالَ رَبُّکُمُ ادۡعُوۡنِیۡۤ اَسۡتَجِبۡ لَکُمۡ ؕ اِنَّ الَّذِیۡنَ یَسۡتَکۡبِرُوۡنَ عَنۡ عِبَادَتِیۡ سَیَدۡخُلُوۡنَ جَہَنَّمَ دٰخِرِیۡنَ ﴿٪۶۰﴾
And your Lord says: Pray to Me, I will answer you. Those who disdain My service will surely enter hell, humiliated.
Section 7 (Verses 40:61–40:68): The Power of Allah
40:61
اَللّٰہُ الَّذِیۡ جَعَلَ لَکُمُ الَّیۡلَ لِتَسۡکُنُوۡا فِیۡہِ وَ النَّہَارَ مُبۡصِرًا ؕ اِنَّ اللّٰہَ لَذُوۡ فَضۡلٍ عَلَی النَّاسِ وَ لٰکِنَّ اَکۡثَرَ النَّاسِ لَا یَشۡکُرُوۡنَ ﴿۶۱﴾
Allah is He Who made for you the night for resting in and the day for seeing. Surely Allah is full of grace to mankind, but most people do not give thanks.
40:62
ذٰلِکُمُ اللّٰہُ رَبُّکُمۡ خَالِقُ کُلِّ شَیۡءٍ ۘ لَاۤ اِلٰہَ اِلَّا ہُوَ ۫ۚ فَاَنّٰی تُؤۡفَکُوۡنَ ﴿۶۲﴾
That is Allah, your Lord, the Creator of all things. There is no God but He. How are you then turned away (from truth)!
40:63
کَذٰلِکَ یُؤۡفَکُ الَّذِیۡنَ کَانُوۡا بِاٰیٰتِ اللّٰہِ یَجۡحَدُوۡنَ ﴿۶۳﴾
Thus are turned away those who deny the messages of Allah.
40:64
اَللّٰہُ الَّذِیۡ جَعَلَ لَکُمُ الۡاَرۡضَ قَرَارًا وَّ السَّمَآءَ بِنَآءً وَّ صَوَّرَکُمۡ فَاَحۡسَنَ صُوَرَکُمۡ وَ رَزَقَکُمۡ مِّنَ الطَّیِّبٰتِ ؕ ذٰلِکُمُ اللّٰہُ رَبُّکُمۡ ۚۖ فَتَبٰرَکَ اللّٰہُ رَبُّ الۡعٰلَمِیۡنَ ﴿۶۴﴾
Allah is He Who made the earth a resting-place for you and the heaven a structure, and He formed you, then made goodly your forms, and He provided you with good things. That is Allah, your Lord — so blessed is Allah, the Lord of the worlds.
40:65
ہُوَ الۡحَیُّ لَاۤ اِلٰہَ اِلَّا ہُوَ فَادۡعُوۡہُ مُخۡلِصِیۡنَ لَہُ الدِّیۡنَ ؕ اَلۡحَمۡدُ لِلّٰہِ رَبِّ الۡعٰلَمِیۡنَ ﴿۶۵﴾
He is the Living, there is no God but He; so call on Him, being sincere to Him in obedience. Praise be to Allah, the Lord of the worlds!
40:66
قُلۡ اِنِّیۡ نُہِیۡتُ اَنۡ اَعۡبُدَ الَّذِیۡنَ تَدۡعُوۡنَ مِنۡ دُوۡنِ اللّٰہِ لَمَّا جَآءَنِیَ الۡبَیِّنٰتُ مِنۡ رَّبِّیۡ ۫ وَ اُمِرۡتُ اَنۡ اُسۡلِمَ لِرَبِّ الۡعٰلَمِیۡنَ ﴿۶۶﴾
Say: I am forbidden to serve those whom you call upon besides Allah, when clear arguments have come to me from my Lord; and I am commanded to submit to the Lord of the worlds.
40:67
ہُوَ الَّذِیۡ خَلَقَکُمۡ مِّنۡ تُرَابٍ ثُمَّ مِنۡ نُّطۡفَۃٍ ثُمَّ مِنۡ عَلَقَۃٍ ثُمَّ یُخۡرِجُکُمۡ طِفۡلًا ثُمَّ لِتَبۡلُغُوۡۤا اَشُدَّکُمۡ ثُمَّ لِتَکُوۡنُوۡا شُیُوۡخًا ۚ وَ مِنۡکُمۡ مَّنۡ یُّتَوَفّٰی مِنۡ قَبۡلُ وَ لِتَبۡلُغُوۡۤا اَجَلًا مُّسَمًّی وَّ لَعَلَّکُمۡ تَعۡقِلُوۡنَ ﴿۶۷﴾
He it is Who created you from dust, then from a small life-germ, then from a clot, then He brings you forth as a child, then that you may attain your maturity, then that you may be old; and of you are some who die before and that you may reach an appointed term, and that you may understand.
40:68
ہُوَ الَّذِیۡ یُحۡیٖ وَ یُمِیۡتُ ۚ فَاِذَا قَضٰۤی اَمۡرًا فَاِنَّمَا یَقُوۡلُ لَہٗ کُنۡ فَیَکُوۡنُ ﴿٪۶۸﴾
He it is Who gives life and causes death, so when He decrees an affair, He only says to it, Be, and it is.
Section 8 (Verses 40:69–40:78): The End of Opposition
40:69
اَلَمۡ تَرَ اِلَی الَّذِیۡنَ یُجَادِلُوۡنَ فِیۡۤ اٰیٰتِ اللّٰہِ ؕ اَنّٰی یُصۡرَفُوۡنَ ﴿ۖۛۚ۶۹﴾
Do you not see those who dispute concerning the messages of Allah? How are they turned away (from truth)! —
40:70
الَّذِیۡنَ کَذَّبُوۡا بِالۡکِتٰبِ وَ بِمَاۤ اَرۡسَلۡنَا بِہٖ رُسُلَنَا ۟ۛ فَسَوۡفَ یَعۡلَمُوۡنَ ﴿ۙ۷۰﴾
those who reject the Book and that with which We have sent Our messengers. But they shall soon know.
40:71
اِذِ الۡاَغۡلٰلُ فِیۡۤ اَعۡنَاقِہِمۡ وَ السَّلٰسِلُ ؕ یُسۡحَبُوۡنَ ﴿ۙ۷۱﴾
When the fetters are on their necks and the chains. They are dragged
40:72
فِی الۡحَمِیۡمِ ۬ۙ ثُمَّ فِی النَّارِ یُسۡجَرُوۡنَ ﴿ۚ۷۲﴾
into hot water; then in the Fire they are burned.
40:73
ثُمَّ قِیۡلَ لَہُمۡ اَیۡنَ مَا کُنۡتُمۡ تُشۡرِکُوۡنَ ﴿ۙ۷۳﴾
Then it is said to them: Where are those that you used to set up (as gods)
40:74
مِنۡ دُوۡنِ اللّٰہِ ؕ قَالُوۡا ضَلُّوۡا عَنَّا بَلۡ لَّمۡ نَکُنۡ نَّدۡعُوۡا مِنۡ قَبۡلُ شَیۡئًا ؕ کَذٰلِکَ یُضِلُّ اللّٰہُ الۡکٰفِرِیۡنَ ﴿۷۴﴾
besides Allah? They will say: They have failed us; rather, we did not call upon anything before. Thus does Allah make the disbelievers perplexed.
40:75
ذٰلِکُمۡ بِمَا کُنۡتُمۡ تَفۡرَحُوۡنَ فِی الۡاَرۡضِ بِغَیۡرِ الۡحَقِّ وَ بِمَا کُنۡتُمۡ تَمۡرَحُوۡنَ ﴿ۚ۷۵﴾
That is because you exulted in the land unjustly and because you behaved insolently.
40:76
اُدۡخُلُوۡۤا اَبۡوَابَ جَہَنَّمَ خٰلِدِیۡنَ فِیۡہَا ۚ فَبِئۡسَ مَثۡوَی الۡمُتَکَبِّرِیۡنَ ﴿۷۶﴾
Enter the gates of hell to abide in it; and evil is the abode of the proud.
40:77
فَاصۡبِرۡ اِنَّ وَعۡدَ اللّٰہِ حَقٌّ ۚ فَاِمَّا نُرِیَنَّکَ بَعۡضَ الَّذِیۡ نَعِدُہُمۡ اَوۡ نَتَوَفَّیَنَّکَ فَاِلَیۡنَا یُرۡجَعُوۡنَ ﴿۷۷﴾
Therefore be patient, surely the promise of Allah is true. But whether We show you part of what We promise them, or cause you to die (before it), to Us shall they be returned.
This only emphasizes that they must suffer the evil consequences of their deeds, whether the Prophet lives to see their punishment or dies before it.
40:78
وَ لَقَدۡ اَرۡسَلۡنَا رُسُلًا مِّنۡ قَبۡلِکَ مِنۡہُمۡ مَّنۡ قَصَصۡنَا عَلَیۡکَ وَ مِنۡہُمۡ مَّنۡ لَّمۡ نَقۡصُصۡ عَلَیۡکَ ؕ وَ مَا کَانَ لِرَسُوۡلٍ اَنۡ یَّاۡتِیَ بِاٰیَۃٍ اِلَّا بِاِذۡنِ اللّٰہِ ۚ فَاِذَا جَآءَ اَمۡرُ اللّٰہِ قُضِیَ بِالۡحَقِّ وَ خَسِرَ ہُنَالِکَ الۡمُبۡطِلُوۡنَ ﴿٪۷۸﴾
And certainly We sent messengers before you — among them are those We have mentioned to you and among them are those We have not mentioned to you. Nor was it possible for a messenger to bring a sign except with Allah’s permission; so when Allah’s command comes, judgment is given with truth, and those who treat (it) as a lie are lost.
Section 9 (Verses 40:79–40:85): The End of Opposition
40:79
اَللّٰہُ الَّذِیۡ جَعَلَ لَکُمُ الۡاَنۡعَامَ لِتَرۡکَبُوۡا مِنۡہَا وَ مِنۡہَا تَاۡکُلُوۡنَ ﴿۫۷۹﴾
Allah is He Who made the cattle for you that you may ride on some of them, and some of them you eat.
40:80
وَ لَکُمۡ فِیۡہَا مَنَافِعُ وَ لِتَبۡلُغُوۡا عَلَیۡہَا حَاجَۃً فِیۡ صُدُوۡرِکُمۡ وَ عَلَیۡہَا وَ عَلَی الۡفُلۡکِ تُحۡمَلُوۡنَ ﴿ؕ۸۰﴾
And there are advantages in them for you, and that you may attain through them (many) a need which is in your hearts, and on them and on ships you are borne.
That is, they are of use to you in carrying your burdens and yourselves from one place to another, and serve other needs.
40:81
وَ یُرِیۡکُمۡ اٰیٰتِہٖ ٭ۖ فَاَیَّ اٰیٰتِ اللّٰہِ تُنۡکِرُوۡنَ ﴿۸۱﴾
And He shows you His signs; which then of Allah’s signs will you deny?
40:82
اَفَلَمۡ یَسِیۡرُوۡا فِی الۡاَرۡضِ فَیَنۡظُرُوۡا کَیۡفَ کَانَ عَاقِبَۃُ الَّذِیۡنَ مِنۡ قَبۡلِہِمۡ ؕ کَانُوۡۤا اَکۡثَرَ مِنۡہُمۡ وَ اَشَدَّ قُوَّۃً وَّ اٰثَارًا فِی الۡاَرۡضِ فَمَاۤ اَغۡنٰی عَنۡہُمۡ مَّا کَانُوۡا یَکۡسِبُوۡنَ ﴿۸۲﴾
Do they not travel in the land and see what was the end of those before them? They were more numerous than these and greater in strength and in fortifications in the land, but what they earned did not avail them.
40:83
فَلَمَّا جَآءَتۡہُمۡ رُسُلُہُمۡ بِالۡبَیِّنٰتِ فَرِحُوۡا بِمَا عِنۡدَہُمۡ مِّنَ الۡعِلۡمِ وَ حَاقَ بِہِمۡ مَّا کَانُوۡا بِہٖ یَسۡتَہۡزِءُوۡنَ ﴿۸۳﴾
Then when their messengers came to them with clear arguments, they exulted in whatever knowledge they (already) had, and what they used to deride befell them.
40:84
فَلَمَّا رَاَوۡا بَاۡسَنَا قَالُوۡۤا اٰمَنَّا بِاللّٰہِ وَحۡدَہٗ وَ کَفَرۡنَا بِمَا کُنَّا بِہٖ مُشۡرِکِیۡنَ ﴿۸۴﴾
So when they saw Our punishment, they said: We believe in Allah alone, and we deny what we used to set up as partners with Him.
40:85
فَلَمۡ یَکُ یَنۡفَعُہُمۡ اِیۡمَانُہُمۡ لَمَّا رَاَوۡا بَاۡسَنَا ؕ سُنَّتَ اللّٰہِ الَّتِیۡ قَدۡ خَلَتۡ فِیۡ عِبَادِہٖ ۚ وَ خَسِرَ ہُنَالِکَ الۡکٰفِرُوۡنَ ﴿٪۸۵﴾
But their faith could not benefit them when they saw Our punishment. Such is Allah’s law, which ever takes its course in the matter of His servants; and there the disbelievers are lost.