Surah Az Zukhruf Notes (1-10)

Source: Ibn Kathir

Which was revealed in Makkah

(1) Ha-Mim. [These letters are one of the miracles of the Quran, and none but Allah (Alone) knows their meanings].

(2) By the manifest Book (that makes things clear, i.e. this Quran).

(Ha-Mim. By the manifest Book.) means, plain and clear in both wording and meaning, because it was revealed in the language of the Arabs, which is the most eloquent language for communication among people.

(3) We verily, have made it a Quran in Arabic, that you may be able to understand (its meanings and its admonitions).

(Verily, We have made it) meaning, revealed it,

(a Qur'an in Arabic) meaning, in the language of the Arabs, eloquent and clear;

(that you may be able to understand.) means, that you may understand it and ponder its meanings. This is like the Ayah:

(In the plain Arabic language.) (26:195)

(4) And Verily, it (this Quran) is in the Mother of the Book (i.e. Al-Lauh Al-Mahfuz), before Us, indeed Exalted, full of Wisdom.

(And verily, it is in the Mother of the Book with Us, indeed exalted, full of wisdom.) This explains the high status of the Qur'an among the hosts on high (the angels), so that the people of earth will respect it, venerate it and obey it.

(And verily, it) means, the Qur'an,

(is in the Mother of the Book) meaning, Al-Lawh Al-Mahfuz (the Preserved Tablet). This was the view of Ibn `Abbas and Mujahid.

(with Us,) means, in Our presence. This was the view of Qatadah and others.

(indeed exalted) means, occupying a position of honor and virtue. This was the view of Qatadah.

(full of wisdom.) means, clear, with no confusion or deviation. All of this indicates its noble status and virtue, as Allah says elsewhere:

(That (this) is indeed an honorable recitation. In a Book well-guarded. Which none can touch but the pure. A revelation from the Lord of the all that exists.) (56:77-80)

(Nay, indeed it is an admonition. So whoever wills, let him pay attention to it. (It is) in Records held (greatly) in honor, exalted, purified, in the hands of scribes (angels), honorable and obedient.) (80:11-16)

(5) Shall We then (warn you not and) take away the Reminder (this Quran) from you, because you are a people Musrifun

(Shall We then take away the Reminder (this Qur'an) from you, because you are a people excessive.) means, `do you think that We will forgive you and not punish you, when you do not do as you have been commanded' This was the view of Ibn `Abbas, may Allah be pleased with him, Abu Salih, Mujahid and As-Suddi, and was the view favored by Ibn Jarir.

(Shall We then take away the Reminder (this Qur'an) from you,) Qatadah said, "By Allah, if this Qur'an had been taken away when the first generations of this Ummah rejected it, they would have been doomed, but Allah by His mercy persisted in sending it and calling them to it for twenty years, or for as long as He willed.'' What Qatadah said is very good, and his point is that Allah, by His grace and mercy towards His creation, did not stop calling them to the truth and to the wise Reminder, i.e., the Qur'an, even though they were heedless and turned away from it. Indeed, He sent it so that those who were decreed to be guided might be guided by it, and so that proof might be established against those who were decreed to be.

Consolation to the Prophet for the Disbelief of Quraysh

(6) And how many a Prophet have We sent amongst the men of old.

Then Allah consoles His Prophet for the disbelief of his people, and commands him to bear it with patience.

(And how many a Prophet have We sent amongst the men of old.) meaning, among the sects 

(communities) of old.

(7) And never came there a Prophet to them but they used to mock at him.

(And never came there a Prophet to them but they used to mock at him.) means, they disbelieved him and mock at him.

(8) Then We destroyed men stronger (in power) than these, and the example of the ancients has passed away (before them).

(Then We destroyed men stronger than these) means, `We destroyed those who disbelieved in the Messengers, and they were stronger in power than these who disbelieve in you, O Muhammad.' This is like the Ayah:

(Have they not traveled through the earth and seen what was the end of those before them They were more in number than them and mightier in strength) (40:82). 

The Idolators' admission that Allah is the Sole Creator, and Further Evidence of that

(9) And indeed if you ask them, "Who has created the heavens and the earth?" They will surely say: "The All-Mighty, the All-Knower created them."

Allah says: `If you, O Muhammad, were to ask these idolators who associate others with Allah and worship others besides Him,'

("Who has created the heavens and the earth'' They will surely say: "The All-Mighty, the All-Knower created them.'') In other words, they will admit that the Creator of all that is Allah Alone, with no partner or associate, yet they still worship others -- idols and false gods -- alongside Him.

(10) Who has made for you the earth like a bed, and has made for you roads therein, in order that you may find your way,

(Who has made for you the earth like a bed,) means, smooth, stable and firm, so that you can travel about in it, and stand on it and sleep and walk about, even though it is created above water, but He has strengthened it with the mountains, lest it should shake.

(and has made for you roads therein,) means, paths between the mountains and the valleys.

(in order that you may find your way.) means, in your journeys from city to city, region to region, land to land.