بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

Transcription
Bismi Allahi alrrahmani alrraheemi
Edip-Layth
In the name of God, the Gracious, the Compassionate.
The Monotheist Group
In the name of God, the Almighty, the Merciful.
Muhammad Asad
In the name of God, The Most Gracious, The Dispenser of Grace:
Rashad Khalifa
In the name of GOD, Most Gracious, Most Merciful. ,
Shabbir Ahmed
All praise is due to God, the Lord/Cherisher/Sustainer of the Universe and everything therein.
Çeviriyazı
Bismillâhir rahmânir rahîm.
Edip Yüksel
Rahman, Rahim Allah'ın ismiyle
Yaşar Nuri Öztürk
Rahman ve Rahim Allah'ın adıyla...
Muhammed Esed
RAHMÂN, RAHÎM ALLAH ADINA
Ali Bulaç
Rahman ve Rahim olan Allah'ın adıyla

43:1 حم

43:1 Hm
Transcription (English)
43:1 Ha-meem
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
43:1 H8M401

Note 1

H10M40. The combination of these two letters/numbers plays an important role in the mathematical system of the Quran based on code 19. For the meaning of these letters see 1:1; 2:1; 40:1; 13:38; 46:10; 74:1.

The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
43:1 HM.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
43:1 Ha. Mim.1

Note 1
See Appendix II.
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
43:1 H. M.,1

Note 1
See Footnote 40:1. The frequency of occurrenceof the letters "H" (Ha) and "M" (Meem) in the seven H.M.-initialed surasis 292, and 1855, respectively. This adds up to 2147, or19x113.
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
43:1 H.M. Ha-Meem (Hakeem the Wise, Majeed the Glorious, states that),1

Note 1


This is the 43rd Surah of the Qur’an and it has 89 brief verses. The title reflects upon a deplorable tendency of mankind, that of seeing the woman as an article of beauty and adornment. All along history man has victimized woman making her a subject of his desires. Ancient religions and even modern philosophies have depicted the woman having been created for man’s pleasure. This flawed idea has been so forcefully and consistently propagated that even to this day one half of mankind is consciously or unconsciously assigned a secondary role in the worlds of thought and action. And the woman, in general, has happily accepted this relegation!



The Qur’an was the first-ever effective voice against this exploitation of women bringing them equal to men in all respects. This Divine Writ recognizes the special roles women have in the society and brings them at par with men concerning all human rights. Ironically, fabricated Ahadith came two centuries after the Qur’an to shackle the poor woman back into the same chains that the Qur’an had broken. So, we see the violation of women’s rights in the so-called Muslim societies no less than other cultures until this day!



With the Glorious Name of God, the Instant and Sustaining Source of all Mercy and Kindness



43:2 والكتب المبين

Transcription (English)
43:2 Waalkitabi almubeeni
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
43:2 The evident book.
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
43:2 And the clarifying Book.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
43:2 CONSIDER this divine writ, clear in itself and clearly showing the truth:2

Note 2
Regarding this rendering of the term mubin, see note 2 on 12:1.
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
43:2 And the enlightening scripture.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
43:2 Witness to itself is this scripture that is clear in itself and shows the truth clearly.

43:3 انا جعلنه قرءنا عربيا لعلكم تعقلون

Transcription (English)
43:3 Inna jaAAalnahu qur-ananAAarabiyyan laAAallakum taAAqiloona
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
43:3 We have made it into an Arabic compilation, perhaps you may understand.2

Note 2

The root of ARaBy (Arabic) is ARB, and also means "excellent" or "perfect" (See 56:37). Since the message of the Quran was sent to all humanity and jinns, the eloquence of the language of the Arabic Quran does not necessarily come from its being in the Arabic language, but its Arabic being ARB, that is, excellent or perfect. In other words, the message of this verse is not about the proper name Arabic, but about its literary meaning. Every Justin might not be just; every Mr. Smart may not be smart. Similarly, each Arabic text is not necessarily arabic (excellent). The language of the Quran is both Arabic and arabic, that is, flawless, and perfect. Though the Quran was revealed to an Arabic speaking prophet in Arabic, since it contains universal truth and is taught by the Gracious (55:2), it is a message to all humanity regardless of their language.

The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
43:3 We have made it an Arabic revelation, perhaps you may comprehend.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
43:3 behold, We have caused it to be a discourse in the Arabic tongue, so that you might encompass it with your reason.3

Note 3
See note 3 on 12:3.
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
43:3 We have rendered it an Arabic Quran, that you may understand.,2

Note 2
Arabic is the most efficient language, especially in expressing commandments, statutes and exacting laws. Hence the revelationof the Quran in Arabic for the clear understanding of all peoples, regardless oftheir tongues. See Appendix4for thedetails.
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
43:3 We have made it a Monograph in clear Arabic language that you may fully understand. [7:158, 12:3, 13:37, 14:4, 25:1, 39:28, 41:3, 42:7]

43:4 وانه فى ام الكتب لدينا لعلى حكيم

Transcription (English)
43:4 Wa-innahu fee ommi alkitabi ladaynalaAAaliyyun hakeemun
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
43:4 It is held honorable and wise in the master record with Us.
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
43:4 And it is held honorable and wise in the master record with Us.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
43:4 And, verily, [originating as it does] in the source, with Us, of all revelation,4 it is indeed sublime, full of wisdom.

Note 4
Cf. last clause of 13:39 - "with Him (indahu) is the source (umm) of all revelation". The term umm (lit., "mother") has often the idiomatic connotation of "origin" or "source" (asl), and sometimes - as in 3:7 - of "essence". In the present context, only the former meaning is applicable. See also note on the last verse 22 of surah 85.
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
43:4 It is preserved with us in the original master, honorable and full of wisdom.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
43:4 In the Database with Us, it is sublime, decisive.

43:5 افنضرب عنكم الذكر صفحا ان كنتم قوما مسرفين

Transcription (English)
43:5 Afanadribu AAankumu alththikrasafhan an kuntum qawman musrifeena
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
43:5 Shall We take away the reminder from you, because you are a transgressing people?
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
43:5 Shall We turn away the Reminder from you, because you are a transgressing people?
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
43:5 [O YOU who deny the truth!] Should We, perchance, withdraw this reminder from you altogether, seeing that you are people bent on wasting your own selves?5

Note 5
For this rendering of the term musrif, see note 21 on the last sentence of 10:12 . The above rhetorical question answers itself, of course, in the negative - implying that God never ceases to "remind" the sinner through His revelations, and always accepts repentance.
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
43:5 Should we just ignore the fact that you have transgressed the limits?,3

Note 3
This refers to our original sin as detailed in the Introduction andAppendix 7 .
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
43:5 Should We withdraw the Reminder from you just because you are a people bent upon wasting yourselves?2

Note 2
Ummul Kitaab = Book of decrees = Literally, ‘Mother of books’ = Tablet of Divine laws = Divine Database

43:6 وكم ارسلنا من نبى فى الاولين

Transcription (English)
43:6 Wakam arsalna min nabiyyin feeal-awwaleena
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
43:6 How many a prophet did We send to the previous generations!
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
43:6 And how many a prophet did We send to the previous generations!
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
43:6 And how many a prophet did We send to people of olden times!
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
The Plan for Redemption43:6 We have sent many a prophet to the previous generations.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
43:6 And how many a Prophet did We send to the previous generations!

43:7 وما ياتيهم من نبى الا كانوا به يستهزءون

Transcription (English)
43:7 Wama ya/teehim min nabiyyin illakanoo bihi yastahzi-oona
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
43:7 Every time a prophet went to them, they ridiculed him.
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
43:7 And every time a prophet went to them, they mocked him.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
43:7 But never yet came a prophet to them without their deriding him –
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
43:7 Every time a prophet went to them, they ridiculed him.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
43:7 But never came to them a Prophet, but they mocked him.

43:8 فاهلكنا اشد منهم بطشا ومضى مثل الاولين

Transcription (English)
43:8 Faahlakna ashadda minhum batshanwamada mathalu al-awwaleena
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
43:8 We have destroyed those who were even more powerful than these, and the example of the previous generations has already been given.
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
43:8 We have destroyed those who were even more powerful than these, and the example of the previous generations has already been given.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
43:8 and so, [in the end,] We destroyed them [even though they were] of greater might than these:6 and the [very] image of those people of old became a thing of the past.

Note 6
I.e., than the people addressed in verse 5 above.
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
43:8 Consequently, we annihilated people who were even more powerful than these. We thus set the examples from the previous communities.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
43:8 And so, We annihilated men stronger in power than these. And the very image of the previous communities became a thing of the past.3

Note 3
Madha mathal= An image of the past, lost and gone

43:9 ولئن سالتهم من خلق السموت والارض ليقولن خلقهن العزيز العليم

Transcription (English)
43:9 Wala-in saaltahum man khalaqa alssamawatiwaal-arda layaqoolunna khalaqahunna alAAazeezualAAaleemu
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
Appreciating God's Power and Blessings43:9 If you asked them: "Who created the heavens and the earth?" They will say, "They were created by the One who is the Noble, the Knowledgeable."
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
43:9 And if you asked them: "Who has created the heavens and the earth?" They will say: "They were created by the One who is the Noble, the Knowledgeable."
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
43:9 Yet thus it is [with most people]: if7 thou ask them, “Who is it that has created the heavens and the earth?" - they will surely answer, “The Almighty, the All-Knowing has created them."

Note 7
See surah 30 note 45.
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
43:9 If you asked them, "Who created the heavens and the earth," they would say, "The Almighty, the Omniscient has created them.",
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
43:9 If you ask them, "Who created the heavens and the earth?” They will answer, “The Almighty, the Knower created them."

43:10 الذى جعل لكم الارض مهدا وجعل لكم فيها سبلا لعلكم تهتدون

Transcription (English)
43:10 Allathee jaAAala lakumu al-ardamahdan wajaAAala lakum feeha subulan laAAallakum tahtadoona
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
43:10 He is the One who made the earth a habitat for you, and He made pathways in it that you may be guided.
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
43:10 He is the One who made the earth a habitat for you, and He made paths in it that you may be guided.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
43:10 He it is who has made the earth a cradle for you, and has provided for you ways [of livelihood] thereon,8 so that you might follow the right path.

Note 8
Cf. 20:53.
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
43:10 He is the One who made the earth habitable for you, and created for you roads therein, that you may follow the right way.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
43:10 He is the One Who has made the earth a cradle for you and has made roads therein and ways of subsistence, so that you may find ways to your destination.4

Note 4
Subula = Ways and means

43:11 والذى نزل من السماء ماء بقدر فانشرنا به بلدة ميتا كذلك تخرجون

Transcription (English)
43:11 Waallathee nazzala mina alssama-imaan biqadarin faansharna bihi baldatan maytan kathalikatukhrajoona
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
43:11 He is the One who sends down water from the sky, in exact measure. We then revive with it a dead land. Similarly, you will be brought out.
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
43:11 And He is the One who sends down water from the sky, in exact measure. We then revive with it a dead land. Similarly, you will be brought-out.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
43:11 And He it is who sends down, again and again, waters from the sky in due measure:9 and [as] We raise therewith dead land to life, even thus will you be brought forth [from the dead].

Note 9
The grammatical form nazzala implies here recurrence: hence, "again and again".
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
43:11 He is the One who sends down from the sky water, in exact measure, to revive dead lands therewith. Similarly, you will be resurrected.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
43:11 And He is the One Who sends down water from the sky in due measure. And We revive with it many a dead land, thus will you be brought forth.5

Note 5
See 23:18

43:12 والذى خلق الازوج كلها وجعل لكم من الفلك والانعم ما تركبون

Transcription (English)
43:12 Waallathee khalaqa al-azwajakullaha wajaAAala lakum mina alfulki waal-anAAamima tarkaboona
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
43:12 He is the One who created all the pairs. He made for you ships and the livestock to ride.
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
43:12 And He is the One who has created all the pairs, and He made for you of the ships and the livestock that which you can ride.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
43:12 And He it is who has created all opposites.10 And He [it is who] has provided for you all those ships and animals whereon you ride,

Note 10
Lit., "all pairs". Some commentators regard the term azwaj as synonymous in this context with "kinds" (Baghawi, Zamakhshari , Baydawi, Ibn Kathir): i.e., they take the above phrase to mean no more than that God created all kinds of things, beings and phenomena. Others (e.g., Tabari) see in it a reference to the polarity evident in all creation. lbn Abbas (as quoted by Razi) says that it denotes the concept of opposites in general, like "sweet and sour, or white and black, or male and female"; to which Razi adds that everything in creation has its complement, "like high and low, right and left, front and back, past and future, being and attribute", etc., whereas God - and He alone - is unique, without anything that could be termed "opposite" or "similar" or "complementary". Hence, the above sentence is an echo of the statement that "there is nothing that could be compared with Him" (112:4).
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
43:12 He is the One who created all kinds, in pairs (male and female), and He created for you ships and livestock to ride.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
43:12 And He is the One Who has created all things in pairs and He is the One Who has given you all those ships and quadrupeds on which you ride,6

Note 6
See 36:36

43:13 لتستوا على ظهوره ثم تذكروا نعمة ربكم اذا استويتم عليه وتقولوا سبحن الذى سخر لنا هذا وما كنا له مقرنين

Transcription (English)
43:13 Litastawoo AAala thuhoorihithumma tathkuroo niAAmata rabbikum itha istawaytumAAalayhi wataqooloo subhana allathee sakhkhara lanahatha wama kunna lahu muqrineena
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
43:13 So that you may settle on their backs; and then when you have settled on them you may recall your Lord's blessing, by saying: "Glory be to the One who commits this for us, and we could not have done so by ourselves."
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
43:13 So that you may settle on their backs; then recall the blessing of your Lord once you have settled on them, and say: "Glory to the One who has committed this for us, and we could not have done so by ourselves."
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
43:13 in order that you might gain mastery over them,11 and that, whenever you have mastered them, you might remember your Sustainer's blessings and say: “Limitless in His glory is He who has made [all] this subservient to our use - since [but for Him,] we would not have been able to attain to it.

Note 11
Lit., "over its backs" - i.e., according to all classical commentators, the "backs" of the above-mentioned animals and ships alike, the singular form of the pronoun ("its") relating to the collective entity comprised in the concept of "all whereon you ride" (ma tarkabun): in other words, "all that you use or may use by way of transport". As regards my rendering of li-tasta'u as "so that you might gain mastery", I should like to point out that the verb istawa (lit., "he established himself") has often the connotation adopted by me: see Jawhari, Raghib and Lisan al-Arab, art. sawa; also Lane IV, 1478.
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
43:13 As you rest on top of them, you shall appreciate such a blessing from your Lord, and say, "Glory be to the One who subdued this for us. We could not have controlled them by ourselves.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
43:13 So that you may have control of the means of transport, and that upon gaining control of them you may remember your Lord's blessings, and say, "Glorified is He Who has committed all this to our service. (Against His laws) we would not have been able to attain this control.7

Note 7
‘Alayehi: The singular form here refers to ‘transport’ including ships, the quadrupeds, and all else

43:14 وانا الى ربنا لمنقلبون

Transcription (English)
43:14 Wa-inna ila rabbinalamunqaliboona
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
43:14 "We will ultimately return to our Lord."
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
43:14 "And we will ultimately return to our Lord."
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
43:14 Hence, verily, it is unto Him that we must always turn."
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
43:14 "We ultimately return to our Lord.",
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
43:14 So, it is to Him that we must always turn (for help and guidance).”

43:15 وجعلوا له من عباده جزءا ان الانسن لكفور مبين

Transcription (English)
43:15 WajaAAaloo lahu min AAibadihi juz-aninna al-insana lakafoorun mubeenun
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
Misogynistic and Militaristic Culture Condemned43:15 They assigned a share to Him from His own servants! The human being is clearly denying.
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
43:15 And they assigned a share to Him from His own servants! Man is clearly denying.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
43:15 AND YET,12 they attribute to Him offspring from among some of the beings created by Him!13 Verily, most obviously bereft of all gratitude is man!

Note 12
I.e., despite the fact that most people readily admit that God has created all that exists (verse 9 above), some of them tend to forget His uniqueness.

Note 13
Lit., "attribute to Him a part out of [some of] His creatures (ibad)": cf. 6:100 and the corresponding notes. The noun juz' (lit., "part") evidently denotes here "a part of Himself", as implied in the concept of "offspring"; hence my rendering. If, on the other hand, juz is understood in its literal sense, the above sentence could have (as Razi assumes) a more general meaning, namely, "they attribute a part of His divinity to some of the beings created by Him". However, in view of the sequence, which clearly refers to the blasphemous attribution of "offspring" to God, my rendering seems to be preferable.
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
Angels As Daughters: A Blasphemy43:15 They even assigned for Him a share from His own creation! Surely, the human being is profoundly unappreciative.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
43:15 And yet they ‘make’ some of His servants to be a part of Him. Human being is clearly ungrateful.

43:16 ام اتخذ مما يخلق بنات واصفىكم بالبنين

Transcription (English)
43:16 Ami ittakhatha mimma yakhluqubanatin waasfakum bialbaneena
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
43:16 Or has He selected daughters from among His creation, while He has left you with the sons?
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
43:16 Or has He selected daughters from among His creation, while He has left you with the sons?
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
43:16 Or [do you think], perchance, that out of all His creation He has chosen for Himself daughters, and favoured you with sons?14

Note 14
It should be remembered that the people thus addressed were the pagan Arabs, who believed that some of their goddesses, as well as the angels, were "God's daughters". In view of the fact that those pre-Islamic Arabs regarded daughters as a mere liability and their birth as a disgrace, this verse is obviously ironical. (Cf. in this connection 16:57.)
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
43:16 Has He chosen from among His creations daughters for Himself, while blessing you with sons?,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
43:16 What! Has He taken daughters out of what He Himself created and makes you feel honored with sons?

43:17 واذا بشر احدهم بما ضرب للرحمن مثلا ظل وجهه مسودا وهو كظيم

Transcription (English)
43:17 Wa-itha bushshira ahaduhum bimadaraba lilrrahmani mathalan thallawajhuhu muswaddan wahuwa katheemun
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
43:17 When one of them is given news of what he cites as an example for the Gracious, his face becomes dark, and he is miserable!
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
43:17 And if one of them is given news of that which he puts forth as an example for the Almighty, his face becomes dark, and he is miserable!
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
43:17 For [thus it is:] if any of them is given the glad tiding of [the birth of] what he so readily attributes to the Most Gracious,15 his face darkens, and he is filled with suppressed anger:

Note 15
Lit., "what he postulates as a likeness of [or "as likely for"] the Most Gracious": i.e., female offspring, which implies a natural "likeness" to its progenitor.
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
43:17 When one of them is given news (of a daughter) as they claimed for the Most Gracious, his face is darkened with misery and anger!,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
43:17 Yet if any of them is given the glad tiding of what he likens to the Beneficent, his face saddens and he is filled with hidden anger.

43:18 اومن ينشؤا فى الحلية وهو فى الخصام غير مبين

Transcription (English)
43:18 Awaman yunashshao fee alhilyatiwahuwa fee alkhisami ghayru mubeenin
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
43:18 "What good is an offspring that is brought up to be beautiful, and cannot help in a fight?"
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
43:18 "What good is an offspring that is brought up to be beautiful, and cannot help in a fight?"
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
43:18 “What! [Am I to have a daughter -] one who is to be reared [only] for the sake of ornament?"16 and thereupon he finds himself torn by a vague inner conflict.17

Note 16
I.e., one who, from the viewpoint of the pre-Islamic Arabs, would have no function other than "embellishing" a man's life.

Note 17
Lit., "he finds himself in an invisible (ghayr mubin) conflict" - i.e., an inner conflict which he does not quite admit to his consciousness: cf. 16:59 - "[he debates within himself:] Shall he keep this child despite the contempt [which he feels for it] - or shall he bury it in the dust?" (See also, in particular, the corresponding note 66.)
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
43:18 (They say,) "What is good about an offspring that is brought up to be beautiful, and cannot help in war?",
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
43:18 (He says), “What! That which has to be raised in ornament?” And then he finds himself in an inner conflict (whether to let the daughter live or bury her in the dust!)8

Note 8
Wa huwa fil khisamis commonly rendered to mean that the baby girl would grow up to be less eloquent in a conflict. But, after much reflection, I find myself in agreement with Muhammad Asad, since Huwa is a male pronoun referring to the father and not to the baby-girl. Moreover, 16:58 Support the translation done here

43:19 وجعلوا الملئكة الذين هم عبد الرحمن انثا اشهدوا خلقهم ستكتب شهدتهم ويسلون

Transcription (English)
43:19 WajaAAaloo almala-ikata allatheenahum AAibadu alrrahmani inathanashahidoo khalqahum satuktabu shahadatuhum wayus-aloona
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
43:19 They have claimed the controllers who are with the Gracious are females! Have they been made witness to their creation? We will record their testimony, and they will be asked.
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
43:19 And they have claimed the angels who are with the Almighty are females! Have they been made witness to their creation? We will record their testimony, and they will be asked.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
43:19 And [yet] they claim that the angels - who in themselves are but beings created by the Most Gracious - are females:18 [but] did they witness their creation? This false claim of theirs19 will be recorded, and they will be called to account [for it on Judgment Day]!

Note 18
Or: "who are but worshippers [or "creatures"] (ibad) of the Most Gracious" - in either case stressing their having been created and, hence, not being divine.

Note 19
Lit., "their testimony", i.e., regarding the "sex" of the angels, who are spiritual in nature (Razi) and, therefore, sexless.]
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
43:19 They claimed that the angels, who are servants of the Most Gracious, are females! Have they witnessed their creation? Their claims are recorded, and they will be asked.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
43:19 And they ‘make’ the angels who are servants of the Beneficent, females. Did they witness their creation? Their testimony is recorded and they will be held accountable (for their false claims).

43:20 وقالوا لو شاء الرحمن ما عبدنهم ما لهم بذلك من علم ان هم الا يخرصون

Transcription (English)
43:20 Waqaloo law shaa alrrahmanuma AAabadnahum ma lahum bithalika minAAilmin in hum illa yakhrusoona
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
43:20 They said, "If the Gracious willed, we would not have served them." They have no knowledge of this; they only conjecture.
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
43:20 And they said: "If the Almighty had willed, we would not have worshipped them." They have no knowledge of this; they only conjecture.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
43:20 Yet they say, “Had [not] the Most Gracious so willed, we would never have worshipped them!" [But] they cannot have any knowledge of [His having willed] such a thing: they do nothing but guess.20

Note 20
I.e., they cannot have any "knowledge" of something that is devoid of all reality - because, far from having "willed" their sin, God had left it to their free will to make a moral choice between right and wrong. (See in this connection surah 6 note 143.)
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
43:20 They even said, "If the Most Gracious willed, we would not have worshipped them." They have no basis for such a claim; they only conjecture.,4

Note 4
The idol worshipers cannot blame God for their idolatry, since we have absolute freedom of choice to worship God alone, ornot.
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
43:20 Yet they say, "If it had been the will of the Beneficent, we would not have worshiped them." But of that, they have no knowledge. They only wander in the valley of conjecture.9

Note 9
There is no room for fatalism in Divine laws. Humans have been endowed with free will. 6:149, 36:47

43:21 ام ءاتينهم كتبا من قبله فهم به مستمسكون

Transcription (English)
43:21 Am ataynahum kitabanmin qablihi fahum bihi mustamsikoona
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
43:21 Or have We given them a book before this which they are upholding?
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
43:21 Or have We given them a book before this which they are upholding?
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
43:21 Or have We, perchance, vouchsafed them, before this one, a revelation [to the contrary,] to which they are still holding fast?21

Note 21
I.e., a revelation which would allow man to worship other beings beside God, or to attribute "offspring" to Him: a rhetorical question implying its own negation.
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
43:21 Have we given them a book before this, and they are upholding it?,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
43:21 What! Have We given them a scripture before this to which they are holding fast?

43:22 بل قالوا انا وجدنا ءاباءنا على امة وانا على ءاثرهم مهتدون

Transcription (English)
43:22 Bal qaloo inna wajadna abaanaAAala ommatin wa-inna AAala atharihimmuhtadoona
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
The Trouble with Following Ancestors Blindly43:22 The fact is, they have said, "We found our fathers following a certain way, and we are following in their footsteps."
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
43:22 The fact is, they have said: "We found our fathers following a certain way, and we are following in their footsteps."
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
43:22 Nay, but they say, “Behold, We found our forefathers agreed on what to believe - and, verily, it is in their footsteps that we find our guidance!"
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
Inherited Traditions Condemned43:22 The fact is that: they said, "We found our parents carrying on certain practices, and we are following in their footsteps.",
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
43:22 Nay, but they say, "We found our fathers following a certain religion, and we find our way in their footprints."

43:23 وكذلك ما ارسلنا من قبلك فى قرية من نذير الا قال مترفوها انا وجدنا ءاباءنا على امة وانا على ءاثرهم مقتدون

Transcription (English)
43:23 Wakathalika ma arsalnamin qablika fee qaryatin min natheerin illa qalamutrafooha inna wajadna abaanaAAala ommatin wa-inna AAala atharihimmuqtadoona
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
43:23 Similarly, We did not send a warner to a town, except its privileged hedonists said, "We found our fathers following a certain way, and we are being guided in their footsteps."
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
43:23 And similarly, We did not send a warner to a town, except its carefree ones said: "We found our fathers following a certain way, and we are being guided in their footsteps."
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
43:23 And thus it is: whenever We sent, before thy time, a warner to any community, those of its people who had lost themselves entirely in the pursuit of pleasures22 would always say, “Behold, we found our forefathers agreed on what to believe - and, verily, it is but in their footsteps that we follow!"23

Note 22
For this rendering of the term mutraf (derived from the verb tarafa), see note 147 on 11:116.

Note 23
Commenting on this passage, Razi says: "Had there been in the Qur'an nothing but these verses, they would have sufficed to show the falsity of the principle postulating [a Muslim's] blind, unquestioning adoption of [another person's] religious opinions (ibtai al-qawl bit-taqlid): for, God has made it clear [in these verses] that those deniers of the truth had not arrived at their convictions by way of reason, and neither on the clear authority of a revealed text, but solely by blindly adopting the opinions of their forebears and predecessors; and all this God has mentioned in terms of blame and sharp disparagement."
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
43:23 Invariably, when we sent a warner to any community, the leaders of that community would say, "We found our parents following certain practices, and we will continue in their footsteps.",
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
43:23 Likewise, whenever We sent before you a warner to any township, its wealthy ones said, "Behold! We have found our forefathers following a certain religion, and we will follow in their footsteps."10

Note 10
Ummah= A community with common beliefs = Those who share a common religion. Mutrifeen= The wealthy = Those given to material possessions = The social and financial elite = Those steeped in luxury = Those who are used to enjoying the fruit of others’ labor = Those who thrive on easy money = Who get wealthy without hard work

43:24 قل اولو جئتكم باهدى مما وجدتم عليه ءاباءكم قالوا انا بما ارسلتم به كفرون

Transcription (English)
43:24 Qala awa law ji/tukum bi-ahdamimma wajadtum AAalayhi abaakum qalooinna bima orsiltum bihi kafiroona
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
43:24 He said, "What if I brought to you better guidance than what you found your fathers upon?" They said, "We reject the message you deliver."
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
43:24 He said: "What if I brought to you better a guidance than what you found your fathers upon?" They said: "We are disbelievers in that with which you have been sent."
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
43:24 [Whereupon each prophet] would say,24 “Why, even though I bring you guidance better than that which you found your forefathers believing in?" - [to which] the others would reply, “Behold, we deny that there is any truth in [what you claim to be] your messages!"

Note 24
Whereas in some of the readings of the Qur'an the opening word of this verse is vocalized as an imperative, qul ("say"), the reading of Hafs ibn Sulayman al-Asadi - on which this translation is based - gives the pronunciation qala ("he said" or, since it is a repeated occurrence, "he would say").
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
43:24 (The messenger) would say, "What if I brought to you better guidance than what you inherited from your parents?" They would say, "We are disbelievers in the message you brought.",
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
43:24 He said, “What! Even though I bring you better guidance than that you found your ancestors following?" They replied, "We deny that there is any truth in what you are sent with.”

43:25 فانتقمنا منهم فانظر كيف كان عقبة المكذبين

Transcription (English)
43:25 Faintaqamna minhum faonthurkayfa kana AAaqibatu almukaththibeena
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
43:25 Consequently, We took revenge upon them. So see what the consequence of the deniers was!
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
43:25 Consequently, We took revenge upon them. So see how was the consequences of the deniers.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
43:25 And so We inflicted Our retribution on them: and behold what happened in the end to those who gave the lie to the truth!
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
43:25 Consequently, we requited them. Note the consequences for the rejectors.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
43:25 And so We requited them. Then see the end of the rejecters.

43:26 واذ قال ابرهيم لابيه وقومه اننى براء مما تعبدون

Transcription (English)
43:26 Wa-ith qala ibraheemuli-abeehi waqawmihi innanee baraon mimma taAAbudoona
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
43:26 When Abraham said to his father and his people: "I am innocent of what you serve."
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
43:26 And when Abraham said to his father and his people: "I am innocent of that which you worship."
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
43:26 AND WHEN Abraham spoke to his father and his people, [he had this very truth in mind:]25 “Verily, far be it from me to worship what you worship!

Note 25
Namely, the inadmissibility of blindly accepting the religious views sanctioned by mere ancestral tradition and thus prevalent in one's environment, and regarding them as valid even though they may conflict with one's reason and/or divine revelation. Abraham's search after truth is mentioned several times in the Qur'an, and particularly in 6:74 ff. and 21:51 ff.
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
Abraham's Example43:26 Abraham said to his father and his people, "I disown what you worship.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
43:26 And when Abraham declared to his father and his people, "I do free myself of what you worship.

43:27 الا الذى فطرنى فانه سيهدين

Transcription (English)
43:27 Illa allathee fataraneefa-innahu sayahdeeni
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
43:27 "Except for the One who initiated me, He will guide me."
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
43:27 "Except for the One who initiated me, He will guide me."
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
43:27 None [do I worship] but Him who has brought me into being: and, behold, it is He who will guide me!"
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
43:27 "Only the One who initiated me can guide me.",
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
43:27 None (shall I serve) but He Who brought me into being, and He is the One Who will guide me.”

43:28 وجعلها كلمة باقية فى عقبه لعلهم يرجعون

Transcription (English)
43:28 WajaAAalaha kalimatan baqiyatanfee AAaqibihi laAAallahum yarjiAAoona
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
43:28 He made it a word to last in his subsequent generations; perhaps they may turn back.
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
43:28 And he made it a word to last in his subsequent generations; perhaps they may turn back.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
43:28 And he uttered this as a word destined to endure among those who would come after him, so that they might [always] return [to it].
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
43:28 This example (of Abraham) was rendered an everlasting lesson for subsequent generations; perhaps they redeem their souls.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
43:28 And he left an enduring lesson for subsequent generations that they may seek inspiration from it.11

Note 11
Take a firm stand against blind following

43:29 بل متعت هؤلاء وءاباءهم حتى جاءهم الحق ورسول مبين

Transcription (English)
43:29 Bal mattaAAtu haola-i waabaahumhatta jaahumu alhaqqu warasoolunmubeenun
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
Ignorance and Arrogance43:29 Indeed, I have given these people and their fathers enjoyment, until the truth came to them, and a clarifying messenger.
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
43:29 Indeed, I have given these people and their fathers to enjoy, until the truth came to them, and a clarifying messenger.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
43:29 Now [as for those who did come after him,] I allowed them - as [I had allowed] their forebears - to enjoy their lives freely until the truth should come unto them through an apostle who would make all things clear:26

Note 26
I.e., God did not impose on them any moral obligations before making the meaning of right and wrong clear to them through a revealed message. Primarily, this is an allusion to the pagan contemporaries of the Prophet, and to the prosperity which they had been allowed to enjoy for a long time (cf. 21:44); in its wider sense, however, this passage implies that God would never call people to task for any wrong they may have done so long as they have not been clearly shown how to discriminate between good and evil (cf. 6:131).
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
43:29 Indeed, I have given these people and their ancestors sufficient chances, then the truth came to them, and a clarifying messenger.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
43:29 Nay, but I allowed them and their ancestors to enjoy life until the truth should come to them through a Messenger who would make all things clear.12

Note 12
Them = The people of Arabia. Previously, they could freely enjoy life without any moral obligations since God does not take people to task before He has sent a Messenger. 6:131, 21:44

43:30 ولما جاءهم الحق قالوا هذا سحر وانا به كفرون

Transcription (English)
43:30 Walamma jaahumu alhaqquqaloo hatha sihrun wa-inna bihi kafiroona
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
43:30 When the truth came to them, they said, "This is magic, and we reject it."
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
43:30 And when the truth came to them, they said: "This is magic, and we reject it."
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
43:30 but now that the truth has come to them, they say, “All this is mere spellbinding eloquence" - and, behold, we deny that there is any truth in it!"27

Note 27
See note 12 on 74:24, where this connotation of sihr appears for the first time in the course of Quranic revelation.
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
43:30 When the truth came to them, they said, "This is magic, and we are disbelievers therein.",
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
43:30 But when the truth has come to them, they say, "This is sorcery, and we do reject it.”

43:31 وقالوا لولا نزل هذا القرءان على رجل من القريتين عظيم

Transcription (English)
43:31 Waqaloo lawla nuzzila hathaalqur-anu AAala rajulin mina alqaryatayni AAatheemun
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
43:31 They said, "If only this Quran was sent down to a great man from the two towns!"
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
43:31 And they said: "If only this Qur'an was sent down to a man of greatness from the two towns!"
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
43:31 And they say, too, “Why was not this Qur'an bestowed from on high on some great man of the two cities?"28

Note 28
I.e., Mecca and Ta'if - implying that if it were really a divine revelation it would have been bestowed on a person of "great standing", and not on Muhammad, who had neither wealth nor a position of eminence in his native city.
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
Muhammad Ridiculed43:31 They said, "If only this Quran was sent down through another man from the two communities (Mecca or Yathrib) who is prominent!",
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
43:31 And they say, "Why was not this Qur’an sent down to some great man of the two towns.”13

Note 13
Makkah and Taaif

43:32 اهم يقسمون رحمت ربك نحن قسمنا بينهم معيشتهم فى الحيوة الدنيا ورفعنا بعضهم فوق بعض درجت ليتخذ بعضهم بعضا سخريا ورحمت ربك خير مما يجمعون

Transcription (English)
43:32 Ahum yaqsimoona rahmata rabbika nahnuqasamna baynahum maAAeeshatahum fee alhayatialddunya warafaAAna baAAdahum fawqabaAAdin darajatin liyattakhitha baAAduhumbaAAdan sukhriyyan warahmatu rabbika khayrun mimmayajmaAAoona
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
43:32 Is it they who assign your Lord's mercy? We have assigned their shares in this worldly life, and We raised some of them above others in ranks, so that they would take one another in service. The mercy from your Lord is far better than what they amass.
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
43:32 Is it they who assign the mercy of your Lord? We have assigned their share in this worldly life, and We raised some of them above others in ranks, so that they would take one another in service. The mercy from your Lord is far better than that which they amass.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
43:32 But is it they who distribute thy Sustainer's grace? [Nay, as] it is We who distribute their means of livelihood among them in the life of this world, and raise some of them by degrees above others, to the end that they might avail themselves of one another's help - [so, too, it is We who bestow gifts of the spirit upon whomever We will]: and this thy Sustainer's grace is better than all [the worldly wealth] that they may amass.
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
43:32 Are they the ones who assign your Lord's mercy? We have assigned their shares in this life, raising some of them above others in ranks, in order to let them serve one another. The mercy from your Lord is far better than any material they may hoard.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
43:32 Are they the ones who distribute your Lord's grace? Nay, it is We Who distribute among them even their material needs in the life of the world. And We raise some of them by degrees above others, so that they might help one another (with different skills). But this grace of your Lord (the revealed guidance) is better than all (the treasures) that they may amass. [10:57-58, 16:53, 16:71]

43:33 ولولا ان يكون الناس امة وحدة لجعلنا لمن يكفر بالرحمن لبيوتهم سقفا من فضة ومعارج عليها يظهرون

Transcription (English)
43:33 Walawla an yakoona alnnasuommatan wahidatan lajaAAalna liman yakfuru bialrrahmanilibuyootihim suqufan min fiddatin wamaAAarijaAAalayha yathharoona
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
43:33 If it were not that all the people would become one cluster, We would have provided for those who reject the Gracious silver roofs for their homes, and stairs upon which they could ascend.
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
43:33 And were it not that all the people would become one nation, We would have provided for those who reject the Almighty silver roofs for their homes, and stairs upon which they could ascend.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
43:33 And were it not that [with the prospect of boundless riches before them] all people would become one [evil] community,29 We might indeed have provided for those who [now] deny the Most Gracious roofs of silver for their houses, and [silver] stairways whereon to ascend,

Note 29
Since "man has been created weak" (4:28), it is almost a "law of nature" that whenever he is exposed to the prospect of great wealth he is liable to lose sight of all spiritual and moral considerations, and to become utterly selfish, greedy and ruthless.
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
Materials of This World: All That The Disbelievers Get43:33 If it were not that all the people might become one (disbelieving) congregation, we would have granted everyone who disbelieves in the Most Gracious mansions with silver roofs, and stairs upon which they could climb.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
43:33 If it were not that mankind would become one big congregation (misguided by wealth), We would have granted those who disbelieve in the Beneficent, mansions with roofs of silver and stairs (of silver) which they would climb.

43:34 ولبيوتهم ابوبا وسررا عليها يتكون

Transcription (English)
43:34 Walibuyootihim abwaban wasururanAAalayha yattaki-oona
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
43:34 For their homes, gates, and furnishings on which they could recline.
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
43:34 And for their homes, gates, and beds on which they could recline.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
43:34 and [silver] doors for their houses, and [silver] couches whereon to recline,
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
43:34 Their mansions would have impressive gates, and luxurious furnishings.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
43:34 And for their houses doors of silver and couches of silver to recline on.

43:35 وزخرفا وان كل ذلك لما متع الحيوة الدنيا والءاخرة عند ربك للمتقين

Transcription (English)
43:35 Wazukhrufan wa-in kullu thalika lammamataAAu alhayati alddunya waal-akhiratuAAinda rabbika lilmuttaqeena
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
43:35 Many ornaments. All these are the pleasures of this worldly life. The Hereafter with your Lord is for the righteous.
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
43:35 And many ornaments. All these are the pleasures of this worldly life. And the Hereafter with your Lord is for the righteous.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
43:35 and gold [beyond count].30 Yet all this would have been nothing but a [brief] enjoyment of life in this world - whereas [happiness in] the life to come awaits the God-conscious with thy Sustainer.

Note 30
The primary meaning of the noun zukhruf is "gold"; its application to "ornaments" or (as in 10:24 ) to "artful adornment" is only secondary (Taj al-'Arus).
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
43:35 Also many ornaments. All these are the temporary materials of this lowly life. The Hereafter - at your Lord - is far better for the righteous.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
43:35 And also adornments of gold. Yet all this would have been but a fleeting delight of the life of the world. But the Hereafter, in the Sight of your Lord, is for the righteous.

43:36 ومن يعش عن ذكر الرحمن نقيض له شيطنا فهو له قرين

Transcription (English)
43:36 Waman yaAAshu AAan thikri alrrahmaninuqayyid lahu shaytanan fahuwa lahu qareenun
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
43:36 Whosoever turns away from the remembrance of the Gracious, We appoint a devil to be his constant companion.
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
43:36 And whoever turns away from the remembrance of the Almighty, We appoint a devil to be his associate.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
43:36 But as for anyone who chooses to remain blind to the remembrance of the Most Gracious, to him We assign an [enduring] evil impulse, to become his other self:31

Note 31
Lit., "to him We assign a satan, and he becomes his other self (qarin)": see note 24 on 41:25. For the psychological connotation of the term shaytan as "evil impulse", see first half of note 16 on 15:17 as well as note 31 on 14:22 .
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
Invisible, Devilish Companions43:36 Anyone who disregards the message of the Most Gracious, we appoint a devil to be his constant companion.5 ,

Note 5
Each one of us has a representative of Satan as a constant companion (Appendix 7).
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
43:36 Whoever closes his eyes to the remembrance of the Beneficent, to him We assign a Satan as an intimate companion.14

Note 14
His desires overtake him

43:37 وانهم ليصدونهم عن السبيل ويحسبون انهم مهتدون

Transcription (English)
43:37 Wa-innahum layasuddoonahum AAani alssabeeliwayahsaboona annahum muhtadoona
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
43:37 They hinder from the path, but they think they are guided!
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
43:37 And they hinder from the path, but they think they are guided!
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
43:37 whereupon, behold, these [evil impulses] bar all such from the path [of truth], making them think that they are guided aright!
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
43:37 Such companions will divert them from the path, yet make them believe that they are guided.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
43:37 Such (satanic forces) hinder them from the Path, but (rationalizing their actions) they think that they are rightly guided.

43:38 حتى اذا جاءنا قال يليت بينى وبينك بعد المشرقين فبئس القرين

Transcription (English)
43:38 Hatta itha jaanaqala ya layta baynee wabaynaka buAAda almashriqaynifabi/sa alqareenu
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
43:38 Until he comes to Us, he will say, "Oh, I wish that between you and me were the distance of the two easts. What a miserable companion!"
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
43:38 Until he comes to Us, he will say, "Oh, I wish that between you and me was the distance of the two easts. What a miserable associate!"
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
43:38 But in the end,32 when he [who has thus sinned] appears before us [on Judgment Day], he will say [to his other self], “Would that between me and thee there had been the distance of east and west!"33 for, evil indeed [has proved] that other self!

Note 32
Lit., "until".

Note 33
Thus do most of the commentators interpret the above phrase which, literally, reads "the two easts" (al-mashriqayn). This interpretation is based on the idiomatic usage, not infrequent in classical Arabic, of referring to two opposites - or two conceptually connected entities - by giving them the designation of one of them in the dual form: e.g., "the two moons", denoting "sun and moon ; "the two Basrahs", i.e., Kufah and Basrah; and so forth.
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
43:38 When he comes before us he will say, "Oh I wish you were as far from me as the two easts. What a miserable companion!",6

Note 6
The "easts" imply the locations of sunrise, moonrise, and the rising of heavenly bodies.
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
43:38 But in the end when he comes to Us, he will say (to his split self), "Ah! I wish I were far apart from you as the East is from the West. Ah! What a miserable companion."

43:39 ولن ينفعكم اليوم اذ ظلمتم انكم فى العذاب مشتركون

Transcription (English)
43:39 Walan yanfaAAakumu alyawma ith thalamtumannakum fee alAAathabi mushtarikoona
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
43:39 It would not benefit you this day, for you have transgressed; you are partners in the retribution.
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
43:39 It would not benefit you this Day, for you have transgressed; you are partners in the retribution.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
43:39 On that Day it will not profit you in the least [to know] that, since you have sinned [together], you are now to share your suffering [as well].34

Note 34
I.e., "you will not be consoled, as would have been the case in earthly suffering, by the knowledge that you are not to suffer alone" (Zamakhshari , Razi, Baydawi). Since this address is formulated in the plural and not in the dual, it evidently relates to all sinners who, in their lifetime, were impelled by their own evil impulses - their "other selves", as it were - to "remain blind to the remembrance of God". In its wider meaning, the above verse implies that all evil deeds, whenever and wherever committed, are but links of one chain, one evil ineluctably leading to another: cf. 14:49 - "on that Day thou wilt see those who were lost in sin linked together (muqarranin) in fetters" - a phrase which has been explained in my corresponding note. It is noteworthy that the participle muqarran is derived from the same verbal root (qarana) as the term qarin (rendered by me in verses 36 and 38 of this surah and in 41:25 as "other self"): and this, I believe, is a further indication, alluded to in the present verse, to the "togetherness" of all evil deeds.
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
43:39 It will not console you on that day, as transgressors, that both of you will share in the retribution.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
43:39 It will not console you on that Day that after doing wrong together, you are now partners in punishment!

43:40 افانت تسمع الصم او تهدى العمى ومن كان فى ضلل مبين

Transcription (English)
43:40 Afaanta tusmiAAu alssumma awtahdee alAAumya waman kana fee dalalinmubeenin
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
43:40 Can you make the deaf hear, or can you guide the blind and those who are far astray?
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
43:40 Can you make the deaf hear, or can you guide the blind and those who are far astray?
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
43:40 CANST THOU, perchance, [O Muhammad,] make the deaf hear, or show the right way to the blind or to such as are obviously lost in error?35

Note 35
This rhetorical question implies a negative answer: cf. 35:22 - "thou canst not make hear such as are [deaf of heart like the dead] in the graves".
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
God's Messenger of the Covenant43:40 Can you make the deaf hear; can you make the blind see, or those who are far astray?,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
43:40 But, can you make the deaf of heart hear or show the way to the blind of heart, or such as obviously wander off the road.

43:41 فاما نذهبن بك فانا منهم منتقمون

Transcription (English)
43:41 Fa-imma nathhabanna bikafa-inna minhum muntaqimoona
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
43:41 For when We take you away, We may seek revenge on them.
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
43:41 So if We take you away, We may then seek revenge on them.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
43:41 But whether We do [or do not] take thee away [ere thy message prevails] - verily, We shall inflict Our retribution on them;
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
43:41 Whether we let you die before it or not, we will surely requite them.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
43:41 (O Prophet) even if We take you away, We will requite them.

43:42 او نرينك الذى وعدنهم فانا عليهم مقتدرون

Transcription (English)
43:42 Aw nuriyannaka allathee waAAadnahumfa-inna AAalayhim muqtadiroona
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
43:42 Or We may show you what We promised for them; We are in full control over them.
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
43:42 Or We may show you that which We promised for them; for We are able to take them.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
43:42 and whether We show thee [or do not show thee in this world] the fulfillment of what We have promised them - verily, We have full power over them!
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
43:42 Or, we may show you (the retribution) we promised for them. We are in full control over them.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
43:42 Or, We may show you what We promise them. We have full power over them.15

Note 15
If they accept the message, they will be blessed with Divine bounties, instead of getting to suffer. 10:46, 13:40, 23:95, 40:78

43:43 فاستمسك بالذى اوحى اليك انك على صرط مستقيم

Transcription (English)
43:43 Faistamsik biallatheeoohiya ilayka innaka AAala siratinmustaqeemin
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
43:43 You shall hold on to what is inspired to you; you are on a straight path.
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
43:43 You shall hold on to that which is inspired to you; for you are on a straight path.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
43:43 So hold fast to all that has been revealed to thee: for, behold, thou art on a straight way;
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
43:43 You shall steadfastly preach what is revealed to you; you are in the right path.,7

Note 7
The sum of the gematrical value of "Rashad Khalifa" (1230) plus 43 is 1273, 19x67.
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
43:43 So hold fast unto what is revealed to you. You are on a straight path.

43:44 وانه لذكر لك ولقومك وسوف تسلون

Transcription (English)
43:44 Wa-innahu lathikrun laka waliqawmikawasawfa tus-aloona
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
43:44 This is indeed a reminder for you and your people; and you will all be questioned.
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
43:44 And this is indeed a reminder for you and your people; and you will all be questioned.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
43:44 and, verily, this [revelation] shall indeed become [a source of] eminence for thee and thy people:36 but in time you all will be called to account [for what you have done with it].37

Note 36
For the above rendering of dhikr as "[a source of] eminence", see first half of note 13 on 21:10.

Note 37
The meaning is that on the Day of Judgment all prophets will be asked, metaphorically, as to what response they received from their people (cf. 5:109), and those who professed to follow them will be called to account for the spiritual and social use they made - or did not make - of the revelation conveyed to them: and thus, the "eminence" promised to the followers of Muhammad will depend on their actual behaviour and not on their mere profession of faith.
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
43:44 This is a message for you and your people; all of you will be questioned.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
43:44 This (Qur’an) is a Reminder for you and your people. In time, all of you will be brought to account (for what you have done with it). [21:10, 21:24, 25:30]

43:45 وسل من ارسلنا من قبلك من رسلنا اجعلنا من دون الرحمن ءالهة يعبدون

Transcription (English)
43:45 Wais-al man arsalna minqablika min rusulina ajaAAalna min dooni alrrahmanialihatan yuAAbadoona
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
Moses versus the Arrogant, the Oppressor43:45 Ask those of Our messengers whom We sent before you: "Did We ever appoint gods besides the Gracious to be served?"
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
43:45 And ask those of Our messengers whom We sent before you: "Did We ever appoint gods besides the Almighty to be served?"
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
43:45 Yet [above all else,] ask any of Our apostles whom We sent forth before thy time38 whether We have ever allowed that deities other than the Most Gracious be worshipped!

Note 38
I.e., "look into the earlier revelations and ask thyself".
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
43:45 Check the messengers we sent before you: "Have we ever appointed any other gods - beside the Most Gracious - to be worshipped?",
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
43:45 Ask the Messengers We sent before you (through their messages). Did We ever appoint gods to be worshiped other than the Most Gracious?

43:46 ولقد ارسلنا موسى بايتنا الى فرعون وملايه فقال انى رسول رب العلمين

Transcription (English)
43:46 Walaqad arsalna moosa bi-ayatinaila firAAawna wamala-ihi faqala innee rasoolu rabbialAAalameena
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
43:46 We sent Moses with Our signs to Pharaoh and his entourage, saying: "I am a messenger of the Lord of the worlds."
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
43:46 And We sent Moses with Our signs to Pharaoh and his commanders; so he said: "I am a messenger of the Lord of the worlds."
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
43:46 THUS, INDEED,39 have We sent Moses with Our messages unto Pharaoh and his great ones; and he said: “Behold, I am an apostle of the Sustainer of all the worlds!"

Note 39
I.e., in pursuance of the principle, referred to above, that it is not permissible to worship anyone or anything but God.
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
43:46 For example, we sent Moses with our proofs to Pharaoh and his elders, proclaiming: "I am a messenger from the Lord of the universe.",
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
43:46 Thus We sent Moses with Our messages to Pharaoh and his chiefs, and he said, "I am a Messenger of the Lord of the Worlds."

43:47 فلما جاءهم بايتنا اذا هم منها يضحكون

Transcription (English)
43:47 Falamma jaahum bi-ayatinaitha hum minha yadhakoona
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
43:47 But when he came to them with Our signs, they laughed at them.
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
43:47 But when he came to them with Our signs, they laughed at them.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
43:47 But as soon as he came before them with Our [miraculous] signs,40 lo! they derided them,

Note 40
See note 94 on the last sentence of 6:109.
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
43:47 When he showed them our proofs, they laughed at them.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
43:47 But when he presented them Our messages, they laughed at them.

43:48 وما نريهم من ءاية الا هى اكبر من اختها واخذنهم بالعذاب لعلهم يرجعون

Transcription (English)
43:48 Wama nureehim min ayatin illahiya akbaru min okhtiha waakhathnahum bialAAathabilaAAallahum yarjiAAoona
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
43:48 Every sign We showed them was greater than the one before it, and We seized them with the torment, perhaps they would revert.
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
43:48 And every sign We showed them was greater than the one before it, and We seized them with the torment, perhaps they would return.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
43:48 although each sign that We showed them was weigh­tier than the preceding one: and [each time] We took them to task through suffering, so that they might return [to Us].41 42

Note 41
The concept of "returning" to God implies that the instinctive ability to perceive His existence is inherent in human nature as such, and that man's "turning away" from God is only a consequence of spiritual degeneration, and not an original tendency or predisposition: cf. 7:172. The "suffering" (adhab) mentioned above relates to the plagues with which the recalcitrant Egyptians were struck (see 7:130 ff.).

Note 42
Lit., "beneath me", i.e., "at my command": a reference to the imposing irrigation system originating in the Nile and controlled by royal power.
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
Moses and Pharaoh43:48 Every sign we showed them was bigger than the one before it. We afflicted them with the plagues, perhaps they repent.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
43:48 We showed them sign after sign, each greater than the previous like of it, and We took them to task with suffering so that they may turn (to make amends). [7:133]

43:49 وقالوا يايه الساحر ادع لنا ربك بما عهد عندك اننا لمهتدون

Transcription (English)
43:49 Waqaloo ya ayyuha alsahiruodAAu lana rabbaka bima AAahida AAindaka innanalamuhtadoona
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
43:49 They said, "O you magician, implore your Lord for us according to what He has agreed with you; we will then be guided."
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
43:49 And they said: "O you magician, call on your Lord for what pledge He gave you; we will then be guided."
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
43:49 And [every time] they exclaimed: “O thou sorcerer! Pray for us to thy Sustainer on the strength of the covenant [of prophethood] which He has made with thee: for, verily, we shall now follow the right way!"
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
43:49 They said, "O you magician, implore your Lord on our behalf (to relieve this plague), since you have an agreement with Him; we will then be guided.",
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
43:49 But they kept saying, "O Wizard! Pray for us to your Lord according to His covenant with you. We will now accept guidance."

43:50 فلما كشفنا عنهم العذاب اذا هم ينكثون

Transcription (English)
43:50 Falamma kashafna AAanhumualAAathaba itha hum yankuthoona
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
43:50 But when We removed the torment from them, they broke their word.
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
43:50 But when We removed the torment from them, they broke their word.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
43:50 But whenever We removed the suffering from them, lo! they would break their word.
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
43:50 But as soon as we relieved their affliction, they reverted.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
43:50 But as soon as we relieved their affliction, they broke their word.

43:51 ونادى فرعون فى قومه قال يقوم اليس لى ملك مصر وهذه الانهر تجرى من تحتى افلا تبصرون

Transcription (English)
43:51 Wanada firAAawnu fee qawmihi qalaya qawmi alaysa lee mulku misra wahathihial-anharu tajree min tahtee afala tubsiroona
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
43:51 Pharaoh proclaimed among his people: "O my people, do I not possess the kingship of Egypt, and these rivers that flow below me? Do you not see?"
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
43:51 And Pharaoh proclaimed among his people: "O my people, do I not possess the kingship of Egypt, and these rivers that flow below me? Do you not see?"
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
43:51 And Pharaoh issued a call to his people, say­ing: “O my people! Does not the dominion over Egypt belong to me, since all these running waters flow at my feet?43 Can you not, then, see [that I am your lord supreme]?

Note 43
An allusion to the impediment in speech from which Moses suffered (cf. 20:27 and the corresponding note 17), or perhaps to the contents of his message, which to Pharaoh appeared unconvincing.]
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
43:51 Pharaoh announced to his people, "O my people, do I not possess the kingship over Egypt, and these flowing rivers belong to me? Do you not see?,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
43:51 (As Moses was being widely accepted,) Pharaoh kept announcing to his people, "O My people! Is not mine the kingdom of Egypt, and these streams flowing beneath me? Why! Do you not see then, (that I am your Lord Supreme?) [79:24]

43:52 ام انا خير من هذا الذى هو مهين ولا يكاد يبين

Transcription (English)
43:52 Am ana khayrun min hatha allatheehuwa maheenun wala yakadu yubeenu
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
43:52 "Am I not better than this one who is despised and can barely be understood?"
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
43:52 "Am I not better than this one who is despised and he can barely be understood?"
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
43:52 Am I not better than this contemptible man who can hardly make his meaning clear?*
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
43:52 "Which one is better; me or that one who is lowly and can hardly speak?,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
43:52 Am I not better than this despicable fellow who can hardly make his point?

43:53 فلولا القى عليه اسورة من ذهب او جاء معه الملئكة مقترنين

Transcription (English)
43:53 Falawla olqiya AAalayhi aswiratun minthahabin aw jaa maAAahu almala-ikatumuqtarineena
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
43:53 "Why then are not golden bracelets bestowed on him, or the controllers accompanying him?"
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
43:53 "Why then are not golden bracelets bestowed on him, or the angels are accompanying him?"
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
43:53 “And then - why have no golden armlets been bestowed on him?44 or why have no angels come together with him?"

Note 44
In ancient Egypt , golden armlets and necklaces were regarded as princely insignia (cf. Genesis xli, 42), or at least as evidence of high social dignity. This is apparently an echo of the pagan objection to Muhammad, mentioned in verse 31 above: "Why was not this Qur'an bestowed from on high on some great man of the two cities?" The same is the case with the subsequent reference to the "absence of angels".
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
43:53 "How come he does not possess a treasure of gold; how come the angels do not accompany him?",
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
43:53 And then, why have no golden armlets been bestowed on him? Or why have no angels come along escorting him?"16

Note 16
Aswirah = Armlets of gold, which were considered a sign of honor, stature and royalty in many civilizations

43:54 فاستخف قومه فاطاعوه انهم كانوا قوما فسقين

Transcription (English)
43:54 Faistakhaffa qawmahu faataAAoohuinnahum kanoo qawman fasiqeena
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
43:54 He thus convinced his people, and they obeyed him; they were a wicked people.
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
43:54 He thus convinced his people, and they obeyed him; they were a wicked people.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
43:54 Thus he incited his people to levity, and they obeyed him: for, behold, they were people depraved!
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
43:54 He thus fooled his people, and they obeyed him; they were wicked people.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
43:54 Thus he stupefied his people and they obeyed him. They were a community that readily drifted away from the truth.

43:55 فلما ءاسفونا انتقمنا منهم فاغرقنهم اجمعين

Transcription (English)
43:55 Falamma asafoonaintaqamna minhum faaghraqnahum ajmaAAeena
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
43:55 So when they persisted in opposing Us, We sought revenge from them, and drowned them all.
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
43:55 So when they persisted in opposing Us, We sought revenge from them, and drowned them all.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
43:55 But when they continued to challenge Us, We inflicted Our retribution on them, and drowned them all:
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
43:55 When they persisted in opposing us, we punished them and drowned them all.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
43:55 So when they continued to challenge Us, We requited them and drowned them all.

43:56 فجعلنهم سلفا ومثلا للءاخرين

Transcription (English)
43:56 FajaAAalnahum salafan wamathalan lil-akhireena
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
43:56 We thus made them a thing of the past (salaf), and an example for the others.3

Note 3

The word salaf (past, ancestors, predecessors) is currently used as a label by the radical Sunnis who reject sectarian jurisprudence, yet rely directly on hadith and sunna; they claim to be the followers of the prophet and his companions, whom they call salaf. The Salafi movement started with Ibn Taymiyya, a charismatic scholar who rejected some major tenets of orthodox teachings. Orthodox Sunni sects promote blindly following the fatwas or jurisprudence of a particular sect and discourage from interpreting and inferring directly from hadith. Ibn Taymiyya argued that every Muslim must have direct access to hadith books and learn their religion through studying them, rather than being bound by the views of earlier scholars. Though Salafis justifiably rejected many polytheistic teachings and rituals, such as sectarian jurisprudence, intercession and imploring shrines, they unfortunately indulged in fabricated hadith, and advocated a narrow (mis)understanding of the Quran, such as rejecting the use of metaphors. Since, they set hadith sources as partners with God in practicing Islam, they ended up with a religion that reflected a concoction of Arabic, Jewish and Christian culture from medieval times. The majority of salafis live in Saudi Arabia and they promote a Taliban-style tyrannical system that produces an ignorant, misogynistic and backward crowd who subject themselves to being herded like sheep by the moral police. As we noted in relation to the words hadith, sunna, and ijma, the word salaf too has negative connotations in the Quran. This is a miraculous prophecy of the Quran; major sects who abandoned the Quran by setting up various lists of "holy" idols and teachings as partners with God in His system, use labels and names that are convicted by the Quran. The word salaf in all its derivatives, occurs eight times (2:285; 4:22; 5:95; 8:38; 10:30; 69:24; 43:56), and in only one occurrence, here, is it used as a reference to a community of people who were ignorant, aggressive and oppressive. For the prophetic reference of the Quran regarding other sectarian labels, see: 33:38.

The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
43:56 We thus made them a thing of the past, and an example for the others.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
43:56 and so We made them a thing of the past, and an example to those who would come after them.
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
43:56 We rendered them a precedent and an example for the others.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
43:56 And so We made them history and an example for later generations.

43:57 ولما ضرب ابن مريم مثلا اذا قومك منه يصدون

Transcription (English)
43:57 Walamma duriba ibnu maryamamathalan itha qawmuka minhu yasiddoona
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
Reaction of Arab Nationalists to Jesus43:57 When the son of Mary was cited as an example, your people turned away from it.
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
43:57 And when the son of Mary was put forth as an example, your people turned away from it.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
43:57 NOW WHENEVER [the nature of] the son of Mary is set forth as an example, [O Muhammad,] lo! thy people raise an outcry on this score,
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
Jesus: Another Example43:57 When the son of Mary was cited as an example, your people disregarded it.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
43:57 When the son of Mary is mentioned as an example (O Prophet) your people raise an outcry (of ridicule) about it.

43:58 وقالوا ءالهتنا خير ام هو ما ضربوه لك الا جدلا بل هم قوم خصمون

Transcription (English)
43:58 Waqaloo aalihatunakhayrun am huwa ma daraboohu laka illajadalan bal hum qawmun khasimoona
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
43:58 They said, "Are our gods better or is he?" They only cited this to argue with you. Indeed, they are a quarrelsome people.
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
43:58 And they said: "Our gods are better or is he?" They only put this forth to argue with you. Indeed, they are a quarrelsome people.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
43:58 and say, “Which is better - our deities or he?"45 [But] it is only in the spirit of dispute that they put this comparison before thee: yea, they are conten­tious folk!46

Note 45
Objecting to the Quranic condemnation of their idolatrous worship of angels - whom they describe here as "our deities" - the pagan Quraysh pointed to the parallel Christian worship of Jesus as "the son of God", and even as "God incarnate", and argued more or less thus: "The Qur'an states that Jesus was purely human - and yet the Christians, whom the same Qur'an describes as 'followers of earlier revelation' (ahl al-kitab), consider him divine. Hence, are we not rather justified in our worshipping angels, who are certainly superior to a mere human being?" The fallacy inherent in this "argument" is disposed of in the sequence.

Note 46
Since the Qur'an condemns explicitly, and in many places, the deification of Jesus by the Christians, this unwarranted deification cannot be used as an argument in favour of the pagan worship of angels and, thus, against the Qur'an: in the words of Zamakhshari , such an argument amounts to "applying a false analogy to a false proposition" (qiyas batil bi-batil).
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
43:58 They said, "Is it better to worship our gods, or to worship him?" They said this only to argue with you. Indeed, they are people who have joined the opposition.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
43:58 They say, "Which is better, our gods or he?” They set forth this comparison only to argue with you. They are a contentious people.

43:59 ان هو الا عبد انعمنا عليه وجعلنه مثلا لبنى اسرءيل

Transcription (English)
43:59 In huwa illa AAabdun anAAamnaAAalayhi wajaAAalnahu mathalan libanee isra-eela
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
43:59 He was no more than a servant whom We blessed, and We made him an example for the Children of Israel.
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
43:59 He was no more than a servant whom We blessed, and We made him an example for the Children of Israel.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
43:59 [As for Jesus,] he was nothing but [a human being -] a servant [of Ours] whom We had graced [with prophethood], and whom We made an example for the children of Israel .
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
43:59 He was no more than a servant whom we blessed, and we sent him as an example for the Children of Israel.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
43:59 He was none but a servant whom We had graced (with revelation) and whom We made an example for the Children of Israel.

43:60 ولو نشاء لجعلنا منكم ملئكة فى الارض يخلفون

Transcription (English)
43:60 Walaw nashao lajaAAalna minkummala-ikatan fee al-ardi yakhlufoona
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
43:60 If We willed, We could have made some of you controllers to be successors on earth.
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
43:60 And if We willed, We could have made some of you angels to be successors on the earth.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
43:60 And had We so willed, [O you who worship angels,] We could indeed have made you into angels succeeding one another on earth!47

Note 47
Implying not only that Jesus was not a supernatural being, but that the angels, too, are mere created beings finite in their existence - as indicated by the phrase "succeeding one another" - and, therefore, utterly removed from the status of divinity (Baydawi).
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
43:60 If we willed, we could have made you angels who colonize and reproduce on earth.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
43:60 Had We so willed We could have made you humans into angels succeeding one another on earth.17

Note 17
Verses 43:57: The idolaters in this instance are referring to angels being their gods, and claim that angels are better than Jesus who was a mortal human being according to the Qur’an. Furthermore, angels being devoid of free will are obviously sinless, whereas humans, endowed with free will, are accountable for their actions. These verses are refuting divinity of angels by stating that they succeed one another. Also being refuted is the Doctrine of Atonement whereby mere acceptance of Jesus as the ‘Savior’ is believed to render humans sinless like angels. But God willed the earth to be populated by the imperfect humans given the capacity to make their own choices

43:61 وانه لعلم للساعة فلا تمترن بها واتبعون هذا صرط مستقيم

Transcription (English)
43:61 Wa-innahu laAAilmun lilssaAAatifala tamtarunna biha waittabiAAooni hathasiratun mustaqeemun
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
Jesus' Birth as a Sign for the End of the World43:61 He was a sign for knowing the moment. You should have no doubt about it. Follow Me; this is a straight path.4

Note 4

The Quran contains some hints regarding the time of the end of the world (20:15; 15:87). See 47:18

The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
43:61 And he was a lesson for the Hour. So have no doubt about it. And follow Me; this is a straight path.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
43:61 AND, BEHOLD, this [divine writ] is indeed a means to know [that] the Last Hour [is bound to come];48 hence, have no doubt whatever about it, but follow Me: this [alone] is a straight way.

Note 48
Whereas most of the commentators regard the pronoun hu in innahu as relating to Jesus and, consequently, interpret the above phrase as "he is indeed a means to know [i.e., an indication of the coming of] the Last Hour", some authorities - e.g., Qatadah, Al-Hasan al-Basri and Sa'id ibn Jubayr (all of them quoted by Tabari, Baghawi and Ibn Kathir) - relate the pronoun to the Qur'an, and understand the phrase in the sense adopted in my rendering. The specific mention of the Last Hour in the above context is meant to stress man's ultimate responsibility before the Creator and, therefore, the fact that worship is due to Him alone: and so this parenthetic passage follows logically upon the mention of the false deification of Jesus.
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
Jesus and the End of the World43:61 He is to serve as a marker for knowing the end of the world, so you can no longer harbor any doubt about it. You shall follow Me; this is the right path.8 ,

Note 8
As detailed in Appendix25, the End of theWorld is given in the Quran, and the birthdate of Jesus provided one of thesignificant signs that the calculations are correct. We learn that the worldwill end in the year 2280 (19x120) after the birth of Jesus (see47:18). Additionally, both the lunar year (1710)& the solar year (2280) are divisible by 570 (19x30), the number of yearsfrom the birth of Jesus to the birth of Muhammad. Thus, the birthdate ofJesus is a marker.
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
43:61 This (Qur’an) gives knowledge of the oncoming Revolution. So, bear no doubt about it, and follow Me. This alone is the straight path.18

Note 18
Many commentators regard Innahu in this verse as relating to Jesus and then postulate that Jesus is the sign of the Resurrection Day. In my opinion, this fallacy is the result of: 1. Missing the context of free will in the last few verses. 2. Taking the Hour only to mean the Resurrection Day. But 'The Hour' is frequently mentioned in the Qur’an to indicate Revolution, the ultimate outcome, and the culmination of the Law of Requital. The Revolution alluded to here points to the advent of Prophet Muhammad S. 3. Losing sight of the capital format of M in ‘follow Me’, that is God. There is no ‘Qul’, say to them, or tell them O Prophet, in this verse. 'Follow Me' would then clearly signify 'Follow God’s revelation, the Qur’an'. It is not Jesus asking to follow him. Here is my understanding of the verse: ‘Jesus has already foretold the advent of Muhammad S and a benevolent revolution at his hands. So, follow My commands given in this Book’

43:62 ولا يصدنكم الشيطن انه لكم عدو مبين

Transcription (English)
43:62 Wala yasuddannakumu alshshaytanuinnahu lakum AAaduwwun mubeenun
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
43:62 Let not the devil repel you; he is to you a clear enemy.
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
43:62 And let not the devil repel you; he is to you a clear enemy.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
43:62 And let not Satan bars you [from it] - for, verily, he is your open foe!
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
43:62 Let not the devil repel you; he is your most ardent enemy.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
43:62 And let not Satan bar you from it. He is your open enemy.

43:63 ولما جاء عيسى بالبينت قال قد جئتكم بالحكمة ولابين لكم بعض الذى تختلفون فيه فاتقوا الله واطيعون

Transcription (English)
43:63 Walamma jaa AAeesa bialbayyinatiqala qad ji/tukum bialhikmati wali-obayyinalakum baAAda allathee takhtalifoona feehi faittaqooAllaha waateeAAooni
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
43:63 When Jesus came with the proofs, he said, "I have come to you with the wisdom, and to clarify some of the matters in which you dispute. So be aware of God and obey me."
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
43:63 And when Jesus came with the proofs, he said: "I have come to you with the wisdom, and to clarify some of the matters in which you dispute. So be aware of God and obey me."
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
43:63 NOW WHEN Jesus came [to his people] with all evidence of the truth, he said: “I have now come unto you with wisdom,49 and to make clear Unto you some of that on which you are at variance:50 hence, be conscious of God, and pay heed unto me.

Note 49
I.e., with divine revelation.

Note 50
According to Tabari, the restrictive allusion to "some of that…", etc., bears on the realm of faith and morals alone, since it was not a part of Jesus' mission to deal with problems of his people's worldly life. This observation coincides with the image of Jesus forthcoming from the (admittedly fragmentary) description of his teachings available to us in the Synoptic Gospels.
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
43:63 When Jesus went with the proofs, he said, "I bring to you wisdom, and to clarify some of the matters in which you dispute. You shall reverence GOD and obey me.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
43:63 When Jesus came with the evident truth, he said, "I have come to you with wisdom and to make clear to you some of the issues on which you differ. So, be mindful of God and heed me.

43:64 ان الله هو ربى وربكم فاعبدوه هذا صرط مستقيم

Transcription (English)
43:64 Inna Allaha huwa rabbee warabbukum faoAAbudoohuhatha siratun mustaqeemun
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
43:64 "God is my Lord and your Lord. So serve Him. This is a straight path."
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
43:64 "God is my Lord and your Lord. So serve Him. This is a straight path."
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
43:64 “Verily, God is my Sustainer as well as your Sustainer; so worship [none but] Him: this [alone] is a straight way!"
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
43:64 "GOD is my Lord and your Lord, you shall worship Him alone. This is the right path.",
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
43:64 Verily, God - He is my Lord and your Lord. So obey Him alone: this is a straight way."

43:65 فاختلف الاحزاب من بينهم فويل للذين ظلموا من عذاب يوم اليم

Transcription (English)
43:65 Faikhtalafa al-ahzabumin baynihim fawaylun lillatheena thalamoomin AAathabi yawmin aleemin
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
43:65 The groups disputed among themselves. Woe to those who have been wicked from the retribution of a painful day.
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
43:65 The Confederates disputed among themselves. So, woe to those who have been wicked from the retribution of a painful Day.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
43:65 But factions from among those [who came after Jesus] began to hold divergent views:51 woe, then, unto those who are bent on evildoing - [woe] for the suffering [that will befall them] on a grie­vous Day!

Note 51
Sc., regarding the nature of Jesus and the inadmissibility of worshipping anyone but God: an allusion to subsequent developments in Christianity.
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
43:65 The opponents disputed among themselves. Woe to those who transgress from the retribution of a painful day.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
43:65 (This was the true Monotheism he had brought but) factions among them began to hold different views. Then anguish of an awful Day awaits those who wrongfully deviated.

43:66 هل ينظرون الا الساعة ان تاتيهم بغتة وهم لا يشعرون

Transcription (English)
43:66 Hal yanthuroona illa alssaAAataan ta/tiyahum baghtatan wahum la yashAAuroona
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
43:66 Do they only wait for the moment to come to them suddenly, while they do not perceive?
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
43:66 Do they only wait for the Hour to come to them suddenly, while they do not perceive?
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
43:66 ARE THEY [who are lost in sin] but waiting for the Last Hour - [waiting] that it come upon them of a sudden, without their being aware [of its approach]?
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
43:66 Are they waiting for the Hour (Day of Judgment) to come to them suddenly when they least expect it?,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
43:66 Do they only wait for the Hour that will come upon them all of a sudden while they perceive not?19

Note 19
See 43:58 above

43:67 الاخلاء يومئذ بعضهم لبعض عدو الا المتقين

Transcription (English)
43:67 Al-akhillao yawma-ithin baAAduhumlibaAAdin AAaduwwun illa almuttaqeena
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
43:67 Friends on that day will become enemies of one another, except for the righteous.
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
43:67 Friends on that Day will become enemies of one another, except for the righteous.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
43:67 On that Day, [erstwhile] friends will be foes unto one another52 - [all] save the God-conscious.

Note 52
I.e., they will hate one another - those who realize that they have been led astray by their erstwhile friends, and the latter, because they see that they will be held responsible for the sins of those whom they have led astray.
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
43:67 The close friends on that day will become enemies of one another, except for the righteous.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
43:67 Friends on that Day will be foes to one another, except the righteous.20

Note 20
The Divine Ideology will keep them close

43:68 يعباد لا خوف عليكم اليوم ولا انتم تحزنون

Transcription (English)
43:68 Ya AAibadi la khawfunAAalaykumu alyawma wala antum tahzanoona
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
43:68 "O My servants, you will have no fear on this day, nor will you grieve."
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
43:68 "O My servants, you will have no fear on this Day, nor will you grieve."
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
43:68 [And God will say:] “O you servants of Mine! No fear need you have today, and neither shall you grieve –
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
The Righteous43:68 O My servants, you will have no fear on that day, nor will you grieve.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
43:68 (And God will say) O My servants! No fear shall be on you today nor shall you grieve.

43:69 الذين ءامنوا بايتنا وكانوا مسلمين

Transcription (English)
43:69 Allatheena amanoo bi-ayatinawakanoo muslimeena
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
43:69 They are the ones who acknowledged Our signs, and had peacefully surrendered.
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
43:69 They are the ones who believed in Our revelations, and had submitted.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
43:69 [O you] who have attained to faith in Our messages and have surrendered your own selves unto Us!
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
43:69 They are the ones who believed in our revelations, and were submitters.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
43:69 You who believed in Our messages and surrendered to Us.

43:70 ادخلوا الجنة انتم وازوجكم تحبرون

Transcription (English)
43:70 Odkhuloo aljannata antum waazwajukumtuhbaroona
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
Paradise and Hell43:70 "Enter Paradise, together with your spouses, in happiness."
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
43:70 "Enter the Paradise, together with your spouses, in happiness."
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
43:70 Enter paradise, you and your spouses, with happiness blest!"
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
43:70 Enter Paradise, together with your spouses, and rejoice.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
43:70 Enter the Garden, you and your spouses, rejoicing and singing.21

Note 21
Hibr = Singing in delight, lovely music

43:71 يطاف عليهم بصحاف من ذهب واكواب وفيها ما تشتهيه الانفس وتلذ الاعين وانتم فيها خلدون

Transcription (English)
43:71 Yutafu AAalayhim bisihafinmin thahabin waakwabin wafeeha matashtaheehi al-anfusu watalaththu al-aAAyunu waantum feehakhalidoona
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
43:71 They will be served with golden trays and cups, and they will find everything the self desires and the eyes wish for, and you will abide therein forever.
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
43:71 They will be served with golden trays and cups, and they will find everything the self desires and the eyes wish for, and you will abide therein.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
43:71 [And there] they will be waited upon with trays and goblets of gold; and there will be found all that the souls might desire, and [all that] the eyes might delight in. And therein shall you abide, [O you who believe:]
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
43:71 Offered to them will be golden trays and cups, and they will find everything the hearts desire and the eyes wish for. You live therein forever.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
43:71 Therein they will be served around in trays and goblets of gold. And therein is all that a person might desire and the eyes might delight in. And you are immortal therein.

43:72 وتلك الجنة التى اورثتموها بما كنتم تعملون

Transcription (English)
43:72 Watilka aljannatu allatee oorithtumoohabima kuntum taAAmaloona
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
43:72 This is the Paradise that you have inherited, in return for your works.
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
43:72 And this is the Paradise that you have inherited, in return for your works.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
43:72 for such will be the paradise which you shall have inherited by virtue of your past deeds:
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
43:72 Such is the Paradise that you inherit, in return for your works.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
43:72 Such is the Paradise that you shall have inherited by virtue of your deeds.

43:73 لكم فيها فكهة كثيرة منها تاكلون

Transcription (English)
43:73 Lakum feeha fakihatunkatheeratun minha ta/kuloona
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
43:73 In it you will have all kinds of fruits, from which you eat.
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
43:73 In it you will have all kinds of fruits, from which you eat.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
43:73 fruits [of those deeds] shall you have in abundance, [and] thereof shall you partake!
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
43:73 You will have in it all kinds of fruits, from which you eat.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
43:73 You will have plenty of the fruits of your good deeds.

43:74 ان المجرمين فى عذاب جهنم خلدون

Transcription (English)
43:74 Inna almujrimeena fee AAathabijahannama khalidoona
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
43:74 Surely, the criminals will abide in the retribution of hell forever.
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
43:74 Surely, the criminals will abide in the retribution of Hell.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
43:74 [But,] behold, they who are lost in sin shall abide in the suffering of hell:53

Note 53
I.e., for an unspecified period: see the last paragraph of 6:128 and the corresponding note, as well as the saying of the Prophet quoted in note 10 on 40:12, indicating that - in accordance with the Quranic statement, "God has willed upon Himself the law of grace and mercy" (6:12 and 54) - the otherworldly suffering described as "hell" will not be of unlimited duration. Among the theologians who hold this view is Razi, who stresses in his comments on the above passage that the expression "they shall abide (khalidun) in the suffering of hell" indicates only an indeterminate duration, but "does not convey the meaning of perpetuity" (la yafidu d-dawam).
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
43:74 Surely, the guilty will abide in the retribution of Gehenna forever.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
43:74 Those who stole the fruit of others' labor will abide in the suffering of Hell.

43:75 لا يفتر عنهم وهم فيه مبلسون

Transcription (English)
43:75 La yufattaru AAanhum wahum feehimublisoona
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
43:75 It will not be removed from them; they will be confined therein.
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
43:75 It will not be removed from them; they will be confined therein.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
43:75 it will not be lightened for them; and therein they will be lost in hopeless despair.
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
43:75 Never will the retribution be commuted for them; they will be confined therein.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
43:75 It will not be relaxed for them, and they will be in despair.

43:76 وما ظلمنهم ولكن كانوا هم الظلمين

Transcription (English)
43:76 Wama thalamnahumwalakin kanoo humu alththalimeena
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
43:76 We did not wrong them, but it was they who were the wrongdoers.
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
43:76 And We did not wrong them, but it was they who were the wrongdoers.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
43:76 And it is not We who will be doing wrong unto them, but it is they who will have wronged them­selves.
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
43:76 It is not us who wronged them; it is they who wronged their own souls.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
43:76 And it is not We Who wrong them, but it is they who used to hurt their own ‘self’ by doing wrong to others.

43:77 ونادوا يملك ليقض علينا ربك قال انكم مكثون

Transcription (English)
43:77 Wanadaw ya maliku liyaqdiAAalayna rabbuka qala innakum makithoona
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
43:77 They called out: "O Malek/angel, please let your Lord terminate us!" He will say, "No, you are remaining."
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
43:77 And they called out: "O Malek, please let your Lord terminate us!" He will say: "No, you are remaining."
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
43:77 And they will cry: “O thou [angel] who rulest [over hell]! Let thy Sustainer put an end to us!" - whereupon] he will reply: “Verily, you must live on [in this state]
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
43:77 They will implore: "O Maalek, let your Lord finish us off." He will say, "You are staying forever.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
43:77 And they will cry, "O Keeper (of Hell)! Let your Lord finish us!" He will answer, "You must live on."

43:78 لقد جئنكم بالحق ولكن اكثركم للحق كرهون

Transcription (English)
43:78 Laqad ji/nakum bialhaqqiwalakinna aktharakum lilhaqqi karihoona
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
They Hate the Truth43:78 We have come to you with the truth, but most of you hate the truth.
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
43:78 We have come to you with the truth,but most of you hate the truth.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
43:78 INDEED, [O you sinners,] We have conveyed the truth unto you; but most of you abhor the truth.54

Note 54
As is evident from verses 81 below, this is a reference to the truth of God's oneness and uniqueness, which those who believe in Jesus as "the son of God" refuse, as it were, to acknowledge: thus, the discourse returns here to the question of the "nature" of Jesus touched upon in verses 57-65.
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
They Hate The Truth43:78 "We have given you the truth, but most of you hate the truth.",
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
43:78 We have brought to you the truth, but most of you resent the truth.

43:79 ام ابرموا امرا فانا مبرمون

Transcription (English)
43:79 Am abramoo amran fa-inna mubrimoona
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
43:79 Or have they devised some scheme? We will also devise.
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
43:79 Or have they devised some scheme? We will also devise.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
43:79 Why - can they [who deny the truth ever] determine what [the truth] should be?55

Note 55
The verb barama or abrama signifies, literally, "he twined" or "twisted [something] together", e.g., the strands that are to form a rope; or "he twisted [something] well" or "strongly". Tropically, it connotes the act of "establishing" or "determining" a thing, a proposition, a course of events, etc. (Jawhari). According to the Lisan al-Arab, the phrase abrama al-amr has the meaning of "he determined (ahkama) the case". In the present context, the term amr, having no definite article, signifies "anything" or - in its widest sense - "anything that should [or "could"] be": and so, taking the preceding verse into account, we arrive at the meaning of arbitrarily "determining what [the truth] should be" - i.e., in contradiction to what the Qur'an postulates as the truth.
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
43:79 Have they schemed some scheme? We too are scheming.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
43:79 What! Have they devised a plan? Nay, We determine the outcome.

43:80 ام يحسبون انا لا نسمع سرهم ونجوىهم بلى ورسلنا لديهم يكتبون

Transcription (English)
43:80 Am yahsaboona anna lanasmaAAu sirrahum wanajwahum bala warusulunaladayhim yaktuboona
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
43:80 Or do they think that We do not hear their secrets and private counsel? Yes indeed; and Our messengers are with them, recording.
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
43:80 Or do they think that We do not hear their secrets and their private counsel? Yes indeed; and Our messengers are with them, recording.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
43:80 Or do they, perchance, think that We do not hear their hidden thoughts and their secret confabulations?56 Yea, indeed, [We do,] and Our heavenly forces57 are with them, recording [all].

Note 56
This is most probably an allusion to the centuries-long subtle Christian controversies on the question as to whether or not Jesus was "the son of God" and, hence, divine. These controversies were often influenced by a subconscious leaning of some of the early Christian thinkers towards ancient, mostly Mithraistic, cults and concepts which were in the beginning strongly opposed by unitarian theologians, foremost among them Arius, Patriarch of Alexandria (about 280 -336 C.E.). However, at the politically-motivated Council of Nicaea (325 C.E.), the Arian views - which until then had been shared by the overwhelming majority of articulate Christians - were condemned as "heretical", and the doctrine of Christ's divinity was officially formulated in the so-called Nicene Creed as the basis of Christian beliefs. (See also note 60 on verse 83 below).

Note 57
Lit., "Our messengers, i.e., angels.
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
43:80 Do they think that we do not hear their secrets and conspiracies? Yes indeed; our messengers are with them, recording.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
43:80 Or do they think that We do not hear their secret plans and private meetings? Yes indeed, We do, and Our envoys are with them, recording. [10:21]

43:81 قل ان كان للرحمن ولد فانا اول العبدين

Transcription (English)
43:81 Qul in kana lilrrahmaniwaladun faana awwalu alAAabideena
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
43:81 Say, "If the Gracious had a son, I would be the first to serve!"
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
43:81 Say: "If the Almighty had a son, I would be the first to serve!"
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
43:81 Say [O Prophet]: “If the Most Gracious [truly] had a son, I would be the first to worship him!"
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
43:81 Proclaim: "If the Most Gracious did have a son, I would still be the foremost worshiper.",
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
43:81 Say (O Prophet), "The Beneficent One has no son. I am the foremost to serve Him alone."22

Note 22
Contrary to many translations, it is ‘Him’ = God alone, rather than ‘him’ = Jesus. I cannot believe in a god who has children, as the idolaters do. 43:82

43:82 سبحن رب السموت والارض رب العرش عما يصفون

Transcription (English)
43:82 Subhana rabbi alssamawatiwaal-ardi rabbi alAAarshi AAamma yasifoona
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
43:82 Glorified be the Lord of the heavens and the earth, the Lord of the Throne, from what they describe.
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
43:82 Glory be to the Lord of the heavens and the earth, the Lord of the Throne, from what they describe.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
43:82 Utterly remote, in His glory, is the Sustainer of the heavens and the earth - the Sustainer, in almigh­tiness enthroned58 from all that they may attribute to Him by way of definition!59

Note 58
Cf. the last clause of surah 9 and the corresponding note 171.

Note 59
See note 88 on the last sentence of 6:100.
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
43:82 Be He glorified; He is the Lord of the heavens and the earth, the Lord with the great dominion, far above their claims.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
43:82 Glorified is the Lord of the heavens and earth, the Lord of Supreme Control, above what they ascribe to Him.

43:83 فذرهم يخوضوا ويلعبوا حتى يلقوا يومهم الذى يوعدون

Transcription (English)
43:83 Fatharhum yakhoodoowayalAAaboo hatta yulaqoo yawmahumu allatheeyooAAadoona
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
43:83 So leave them to speak nonsense and play until they meet their day, which they have been promised.
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
43:83 So leave them to speak nonsense and play until they meet their Day which they have been promised.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
43:83 But leave them to indulge in idle talk and play [with words]60 until they face that [Judgment] Day of theirs which they have been promised:

Note 60
Evidently an allusion to the verbal subtleties of the Nicene Creed, and particularly the statement, "Jesus Christ, the Son of God, begotten, not made [i.e., not created], by the Father as His only Son, of the same substance as the Father, God of God…", etc.
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
43:83 Let them blunder and play until they meet their day that is awaiting them.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
43:83 So let them chatter and play until they meet their Day which they have been promised.

43:84 وهو الذى فى السماء اله وفى الارض اله وهو الحكيم العليم

Transcription (English)
43:84 Wahuwa allathee fee alssama-iilahun wafee al-ardi ilahun wahuwa alhakeemualAAaleemu
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
43:84 He is the One who is a god in the heaven and a god on earth. He is the Wise, the Knowledgeable.
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
43:84 And He is the One who is a god in the heaven and a god on the earth. And He is the Wise, the Knowledgeable.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
43:84 for [then they will come to know that] it is He [alone] who is God in heaven and God on earth, and [that] He alone is truly wise, all-knowing.
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
43:84 He is the only One who is a deity in the heaven and a deity on earth. He is the Most Wise, the Omniscient.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
43:84 He is the One Who is God in the heaven and God on the earth. And He is the Wise, the Knower.

43:85 وتبارك الذى له ملك السموت والارض وما بينهما وعنده علم الساعة واليه ترجعون

Transcription (English)
43:85 Watabaraka allathee lahu mulkualssamawati waal-ardi wamabaynahuma waAAindahu AAilmu alssaAAatiwa-ilayhi turjaAAoona
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
43:85 Blessed is the One who possesses the sovereignty of the heavens and the earth, and everything between them; and with Him is the knowledge of the moment, and to Him you will be returned.
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
43:85 And blessed is the One who possesses the sovereignty of the heavens and the earth, and everything between them; and with Him is the knowledge of the Hour, and to Him you will be returned.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
43:85 And hallowed be He unto whom the dominion over the heavens and the earth and all that is between them belongs, and with whom the knowledge of the Last Hour rests, and unto whom you all shall be brought back!
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
43:85 Most Exalted is the One who possesses all sovereignty of the heavens and the earth, and everything between them. With Him is the knowledge about the Hour (end of the world), and to Him you will be returned.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
43:85 And Blessed is He to Whom belongs the Kingdom of the highs and the lows and all that is between them. And with Him is the knowledge of the Hour, and to Him you shall be returned.23

Note 23
He knows when mankind will rally around the Divine Ideology, and every step of yours is getting closer to it

43:86 ولا يملك الذين يدعون من دونه الشفعة الا من شهد بالحق وهم يعلمون

Transcription (English)
43:86 Wala yamliku allatheenayadAAoona min doonihi alshshafaAAata illaman shahida bialhaqqi wahum yaAAlamoona
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
Those Who Expect to be Saved by the Intercession of Prophets and Saints will be Surprised43:86 Those whom they call on beside Him do not possess any intercession; except those who bear witness to the truth, and they fully know.5

Note 5

See 25:30 and 2:48.

The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
43:86 And those whom they call on besides Him do not possess any intercession; except those who bear witness to the truth, and they fully know.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
43:86 And those [beings] whom some invoke beside God61 have it not in their power to intercede [on Judgment Day] for any but such as have [in their lifetime] borne witness to the truth, and have been aware [that God is one and unique].62

Note 61
A reference to falsely deified saints or prophets and, particularly (in view of the context), to Jesus.

Note 62
For an explanation of the Quranic concept of "intercession", see 10:3 - "There is none that could intercede with Him unless He grants leave therefor" - and the corresponding note 7. My interpolation, at the end of the above verse, of the words "that God is one and unique" is based on Razi's interpretation of this passage, implying that a mere oral "bearing witness to the truth" is useless if it is not the outcome of an inner awareness of God's oneness and uniqueness.
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
43:86 None of those whom they idolize beside Him possess any power to intercede, unless their intercession coincides with the truth, and they fully know.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
43:86 And those whom they call instead of Him possess no power of intercession, except such who stand up to witness in truth and they know. [2:255]

43:87 ولئن سالتهم من خلقهم ليقولن الله فانى يؤفكون

Transcription (English)
43:87 Wala-in saaltahum man khalaqahumlayaqoolunna Allahu faanna yu/fakoona
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
43:87 If you asked them who created them, they would say, "God." Why then do they deviate?
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
43:87 And if you asked them who has created them, they would say, "God." Why then do they deviate?
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
43:87 Now if thou ask those [who worship any being other than God] as to who it is that has created them, they are sure to answer, “God." How perverted, then, are their minds!
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
43:87 If you asked them who created them, they would say, "GOD." Why then did they deviate?,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
43:87 And if you ask them who created them, they will say, “God.” Why then do they deviate (and refuse to acknowledge His sovereignty in their lives)? [43:9]

43:88 وقيله يرب ان هؤلاء قوم لا يؤمنون

Transcription (English)
43:88 Waqeelihi ya rabbi inna haola-iqawmun la yu/minoona
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
43:88 It will be said, "O my Lord, these are a people who do not acknowledge."
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
43:88 And it will be said: "O my Lord, these are a people who do not believe."
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
43:88 [But God has full knowledge of the true be­liever]63 and of his [despairing] cry: “O my Sustainer! Verily, these are people who will not believe!"

Note 63
Razi (on whose commentary the above interpolation is based), regards this as a reference to the Prophet Muhammad. It seems, however, that the meaning is wider, embracing every believer, of whatever denomination, who is distressed at the blindness of people who attribute divinity or divine qualities to any being other than God Himself.
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
43:88 It will be proclaimed: "O my Lord, these people do not believe.",
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
43:88 And he (the Prophet) exclaims, "O My Lord! These are people who do not accept the truth."24

Note 24
His call will be heard. 18:6, 26:3

43:89 فاصفح عنهم وقل سلم فسوف يعلمون

Transcription (English)
43:89 Faisfah AAanhum waqulsalamun fasawfa yaAAlamoona
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
43:89 So disregard them and say, "Peace." For they will come to know.
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
43:89 So disregard them and say: "Peace." For they will come to know.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
43:89 Yet bear thou with them, and say, “Peace [be upon you]!" - for in time they will come to know [the truth].
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
43:89 You shall disregard them and say, "Peace;" they will surely find out.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
43:89 Then bear with them, and say, "Peace!" In time, they will come to know what they do not know now.