Quran Verses about Reflection and people of understanding
The Quran invites people to reflect on the creation of the heavens and the earth, the alternation of night and day, the rain, the plants and their own selves, and to ponder the verses of the Quran. The people of understanding are described as those who remember Allah in every state, reflect on His creation, listen to what is said and follow the best of it, and take heed. Those who do not use their hearts and minds are censured and likened to cattle, and the people of the Fire regret that they did not listen and reflect.
Reflecting on the creation of the heavens, the earth and oneself
إِنَّ فِي خَلۡقِ ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَٱلۡأَرۡضِ وَٱخۡتِلَٰفِ ٱلَّيۡلِ وَٱلنَّهَارِ وَٱلۡفُلۡكِ ٱلَّتِي تَجۡرِي فِي ٱلۡبَحۡرِ بِمَا يَنفَعُ ٱلنَّاسَ وَمَآ أَنزَلَ ٱللَّهُ مِنَ ٱلسَّمَآءِ مِن مَّآءٖ فَأَحۡيَا بِهِ ٱلۡأَرۡضَ بَعۡدَ مَوۡتِهَا وَبَثَّ فِيهَا مِن كُلِّ دَآبَّةٖ وَتَصۡرِيفِ ٱلرِّيَٰحِ وَٱلسَّحَابِ ٱلۡمُسَخَّرِ بَيۡنَ ٱلسَّمَآءِ وَٱلۡأَرۡضِ لَأٓيَٰتٖ لِّقَوۡمٖ يَعۡقِلُونَ ١٦٤
Inna fī khalqis-samāwāti wal-arḍi wakhtilāfil-layli wan-nahāri wal-fulkil-latī tajrī fil-baḥri bimā yanfaʿun-nāsa wa mā anzalallāhu minas-samāʾi mim māʾin fa aḥyā bihil-arḍa baʿda mawtihā wa baththa fīhā min kulli dābbatiw wa taṣrīfir-riyāḥi was-saḥābil-musakhkhari baynas-samāʾi wal-arḍi laʾāyātil liqawmiy yaʿqilūn.
Indeed, in the creation of the heavens and the earth, and the alternation of the night and the day, and the [great] ships which sail through the sea with that which benefits people, and what Allāh has sent down from the heavens of rain, giving life thereby to the earth after its lifelessness and dispersing therein every [kind of] moving creature, and [His] directing of the winds and the clouds controlled between the heaven and earth are signs for a people who use reason.
إِنَّ فِي خَلۡقِ ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَٱلۡأَرۡضِ وَٱخۡتِلَٰفِ ٱلَّيۡلِ وَٱلنَّهَارِ لَأٓيَٰتٖ لِّأُوْلِي ٱلۡأَلۡبَٰبِ ١٩٠
Inna fī khalqis-samāwāti wal-arḍi wakhtilāfil-layli wan-nahāri laʾāyātil liʾulil-albāb.
Indeed, in the creation of the heavens and the earth and the alternation of the night and the day are signs for those of understanding -
ٱلَّذِينَ يَذۡكُرُونَ ٱللَّهَ قِيَٰمٗا وَقُعُودٗا وَعَلَىٰ جُنُوبِهِمۡ وَيَتَفَكَّرُونَ فِي خَلۡقِ ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَٱلۡأَرۡضِ رَبَّنَا مَا خَلَقۡتَ هَٰذَا بَٰطِلٗا سُبۡحَٰنَكَ فَقِنَا عَذَابَ ٱلنَّارِ ١٩١
Al-ladhīna yadhkurūnallāha qiyāmaw wa quʿūdaw wa ʿalā junūbihim wa yatafakkarūna fī khalqis-samāwāti wal-arḍi rabbanā mā khalaqta hādhā bāṭilan subḥānaka faqinā ʿadhāban-nār.
Who remember Allāh while standing or sitting or [lying] on their sides and give thought to the creation of the heavens and the earth, [saying], "Our Lord, You did not create this aimlessly; exalted are You [above such a thing]; then protect us from the punishment of the Fire.
وَهُوَ ٱلَّذِي مَدَّ ٱلۡأَرۡضَ وَجَعَلَ فِيهَا رَوَٰسِيَ وَأَنۡهَٰرٗاۖ وَمِن كُلِّ ٱلثَّمَرَٰتِ جَعَلَ فِيهَا زَوۡجَيۡنِ ٱثۡنَيۡنِۖ يُغۡشِي ٱلَّيۡلَ ٱلنَّهَارَۚ إِنَّ فِي ذَٰلِكَ لَأٓيَٰتٖ لِّقَوۡمٖ يَتَفَكَّرُونَ ٣
Wa huwal-ladhī maddal-arḍa wa jaʿala fīhā rawāsiya wa anhārā, wa min kullith-thamarāti jaʿala fīhā zawjaynithnayn, yughshil-laylan-nahār, inna fī dhālika laʾāyātil liqawmiy yatafakkarūn.
And it is He who spread the earth and placed therein firmly set mountains and rivers; and from all of the fruits He made therein two mates; He causes the night to cover the day. Indeed in that are signs for a people who give thought.
يُنۢبِتُ لَكُم بِهِ ٱلزَّرۡعَ وَٱلزَّيۡتُونَ وَٱلنَّخِيلَ وَٱلۡأَعۡنَٰبَ وَمِن كُلِّ ٱلثَّمَرَٰتِۚ إِنَّ فِي ذَٰلِكَ لَأٓيَةٗ لِّقَوۡمٖ يَتَفَكَّرُونَ ١١
Yunbitu lakum bihiz-zarʿa waz-zaytūna wan-nakhīla wal-aʿnāba wa min kullith-thamarāt, inna fī dhālika laʾāyatal liqawmiy yatafakkarūn.
He causes to grow for you thereby the crops, olives, palm trees, grapevines, and of all the fruits. Indeed in that is a sign for a people who give thought.
أَوَلَمۡ يَتَفَكَّرُواْ فِيٓ أَنفُسِهِمۗ مَّا خَلَقَ ٱللَّهُ ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَٱلۡأَرۡضَ وَمَا بَيۡنَهُمَآ إِلَّا بِٱلۡحَقِّ وَأَجَلٖ مُّسَمّٗىۗ وَإِنَّ كَثِيرٗا مِّنَ ٱلنَّاسِ بِلِقَآيِٕ رَبِّهِمۡ لَكَٰفِرُونَ ٨
Awalam yatafakkarū fī anfusihim, mā khalaqallāhus-samāwāti wal-arḍa wa mā baynahumā illā bil-ḥaqqi wa ajalim musammā, wa inna kathīram minan-nāsi biliqāʾi rabbihim lakāfirūn.
Do they not contemplate within themselves?1 Allāh has not created the heavens and the earth and what is between them except in truth and for a specified term. And indeed, many of the people, in the meeting with their Lord, are disbelievers.
Footnotes (1)
- An additional meaning is "Do they not contemplate concerning themselves."
ٱللَّهُ يَتَوَفَّى ٱلۡأَنفُسَ حِينَ مَوۡتِهَا وَٱلَّتِي لَمۡ تَمُتۡ فِي مَنَامِهَاۖ فَيُمۡسِكُ ٱلَّتِي قَضَىٰ عَلَيۡهَا ٱلۡمَوۡتَ وَيُرۡسِلُ ٱلۡأُخۡرَىٰٓ إِلَىٰٓ أَجَلٖ مُّسَمًّىۚ إِنَّ فِي ذَٰلِكَ لَأٓيَٰتٖ لِّقَوۡمٖ يَتَفَكَّرُونَ ٤٢
Allāhu yatawaffal-anfusa ḥīna mawtihā wal-latī lam tamut fī manāmihā, fayumsikul-latī qaḍā ʿalayhal-mawta wa yursilul-ukhrā ilā ajalim musammā, inna fī dhālika laʾāyātil liqawmiy yatafakkarūn.
Allāh takes the souls at the time of their death, and those that do not die [He takes] during their sleep. Then He keeps those for which He has decreed death and releases the others for a specified term. Indeed in that are signs for a people who give thought.
وَسَخَّرَ لَكُم مَّا فِي ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَمَا فِي ٱلۡأَرۡضِ جَمِيعٗا مِّنۡهُۚ إِنَّ فِي ذَٰلِكَ لَأٓيَٰتٖ لِّقَوۡمٖ يَتَفَكَّرُونَ ١٣
Wa sakhkhara lakum mā fis-samāwāti wa mā fil-arḍi jamīʿam minh, inna fī dhālika laʾāyātil liqawmiy yatafakkarūn.
And He has subjected to you whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on the earth - all from Him. Indeed in that are signs for a people who give thought.
أَفَلَا يَنظُرُونَ إِلَى ٱلۡإِبِلِ كَيۡفَ خُلِقَتۡ ١٧
Afalā yanẓurūna ilal-ibili kayfa khuliqat.
Then do they not look at the camels - how they are created?
وَإِلَى ٱلسَّمَآءِ كَيۡفَ رُفِعَتۡ ١٨
Wa ilas-samāʾi kayfa rufiʿat.
And at the sky - how it is raised?
وَإِلَى ٱلۡجِبَالِ كَيۡفَ نُصِبَتۡ ١٩
Wa ilal-jibāli kayfa nuṣibat.
And at the mountains - how they are erected?
وَإِلَى ٱلۡأَرۡضِ كَيۡفَ سُطِحَتۡ ٢٠
Wa ilal-arḍi kayfa suṭiḥat.
And at the earth - how it is spread out?
The command to ponder the Quran
أَفَلَا يَتَدَبَّرُونَ ٱلۡقُرۡءَانَۚ وَلَوۡ كَانَ مِنۡ عِندِ غَيۡرِ ٱللَّهِ لَوَجَدُواْ فِيهِ ٱخۡتِلَٰفٗا كَثِيرٗا ٨٢
Afalā yatadabbarūnal-qurʾān, wa law kāna min ʿindi ghayrillāhi lawajadū fīhikhtilāfan kathīrā.
Then do they not reflect upon the Qur’ān?1 If it had been from [any] other than Allāh, they would have found within it much contradiction.
Footnotes (1)
- i.e., its meanings and its objective.
بِٱلۡبَيِّنَٰتِ وَٱلزُّبُرِۗ وَأَنزَلۡنَآ إِلَيۡكَ ٱلذِّكۡرَ لِتُبَيِّنَ لِلنَّاسِ مَا نُزِّلَ إِلَيۡهِمۡ وَلَعَلَّهُمۡ يَتَفَكَّرُونَ ٤٤
Bil-bayyināti waz-zubur, wa anzalnā ilaykadh-dhikra litubayyina lin-nāsi mā nuzzila ilayhim wa laʿallahum yatafakkarūn.
[We sent them] with clear proofs and written ordinances. And We revealed to you the message [i.e., the Qur’ān] that you may make clear to the people what was sent down to them and that they might give thought.
لَقَدۡ أَنزَلۡنَآ إِلَيۡكُمۡ كِتَٰبٗا فِيهِ ذِكۡرُكُمۡۚ أَفَلَا تَعۡقِلُونَ ١٠
Laqad anzalnā ilaykum kitāban fīhi dhikrukum, afalā taʿqilūn.
We have certainly sent down to you a Book [i.e., the Qur’ān] in which is your mention.1 Then will you not reason?
Footnotes (1)
- This implies the honor of having been mentioned or addressed. Another meaning is "your reminder."
أَفَلَمۡ يَدَّبَّرُواْ ٱلۡقَوۡلَ أَمۡ جَآءَهُم مَّا لَمۡ يَأۡتِ ءَابَآءَهُمُ ٱلۡأَوَّلِينَ ٦٨
Afalam yaddabbarul-qawla am jāʾahum mā lam yaʾti ābāʾahumul-awwalīn.
Then have they not reflected over the word [i.e., the Qur’ān], or has there come to them that which had not come to their forefathers?
كِتَٰبٌ أَنزَلۡنَٰهُ إِلَيۡكَ مُبَٰرَكٞ لِّيَدَّبَّرُوٓاْ ءَايَٰتِهِۦ وَلِيَتَذَكَّرَ أُوْلُواْ ٱلۡأَلۡبَٰبِ ٢٩
Kitābun anzalnāhu ilayka mubārakul liyaddabbarū āyātihī waliyatadhakkara ulul-albāb.
[This is] a blessed Book which We have revealed to you, [O Muḥammad], that they might reflect upon its verses and that those of understanding would be reminded.
أَفَلَا يَتَدَبَّرُونَ ٱلۡقُرۡءَانَ أَمۡ عَلَىٰ قُلُوبٍ أَقۡفَالُهَآ ٢٤
Afalā yatadabbarūnal-qurʾāna am ʿalā qulūbin aqfāluhā.
Then do they not reflect upon the Qur’ān, or are there locks upon [their] hearts?
لَوۡ أَنزَلۡنَا هَٰذَا ٱلۡقُرۡءَانَ عَلَىٰ جَبَلٖ لَّرَأَيۡتَهُۥ خَٰشِعٗا مُّتَصَدِّعٗا مِّنۡ خَشۡيَةِ ٱللَّهِۚ وَتِلۡكَ ٱلۡأَمۡثَٰلُ نَضۡرِبُهَا لِلنَّاسِ لَعَلَّهُمۡ يَتَفَكَّرُونَ ٢١
Law anzalnā hādhal-qurʾāna ʿalā jabalil laraʾaytahū khāshiʿam mutaṣaddiʿam min khashyatillāh, wa tilkal-amthālu naḍribuhā lin-nāsi laʿallahum yatafakkarūn.
If We had sent down this Qur’ān upon a mountain, you would have seen it humbled and splitting from fear of Allāh. And these examples We present to the people that perhaps they will give thought.
The traits of the people of understanding
وَلَكُمۡ فِي ٱلۡقِصَاصِ حَيَوٰةٞ يَٰٓأُوْلِي ٱلۡأَلۡبَٰبِ لَعَلَّكُمۡ تَتَّقُونَ ١٧٩
Wa lakum fil-qiṣāṣi ḥayātuy yāʾulil-albābi laʿallakum tattaqūn.
And there is for you in legal retribution [saving of] life, O you [people] of understanding, that you may become righteous.1
Footnotes (1)
- Or, "that you may avoid [sin]."
يُؤۡتِي ٱلۡحِكۡمَةَ مَن يَشَآءُۚ وَمَن يُؤۡتَ ٱلۡحِكۡمَةَ فَقَدۡ أُوتِيَ خَيۡرٗا كَثِيرٗاۗ وَمَا يَذَّكَّرُ إِلَّآ أُوْلُواْ ٱلۡأَلۡبَٰبِ ٢٦٩
Yuʾtil-ḥikmata may yashāʾ, wa may yuʾtal-ḥikmata faqad ūtiya khayran kathīrā, wa mā yadhdhakkaru illā ulul-albāb.
He gives wisdom1 to whom He wills, and whoever has been given wisdom has certainly been given much good. And none will remember except those of understanding.
Footnotes (1)
- The knowledge and understanding of the religion and of the Qur’ān.
هُوَ ٱلَّذِيٓ أَنزَلَ عَلَيۡكَ ٱلۡكِتَٰبَ مِنۡهُ ءَايَٰتٞ مُّحۡكَمَٰتٌ هُنَّ أُمُّ ٱلۡكِتَٰبِ وَأُخَرُ مُتَشَٰبِهَٰتٞۖ فَأَمَّا ٱلَّذِينَ فِي قُلُوبِهِمۡ زَيۡغٞ فَيَتَّبِعُونَ مَا تَشَٰبَهَ مِنۡهُ ٱبۡتِغَآءَ ٱلۡفِتۡنَةِ وَٱبۡتِغَآءَ تَأۡوِيلِهِۦۖ وَمَا يَعۡلَمُ تَأۡوِيلَهُۥٓ إِلَّا ٱللَّهُۗ وَٱلرَّٰسِخُونَ فِي ٱلۡعِلۡمِ يَقُولُونَ ءَامَنَّا بِهِۦ كُلّٞ مِّنۡ عِندِ رَبِّنَاۗ وَمَا يَذَّكَّرُ إِلَّآ أُوْلُواْ ٱلۡأَلۡبَٰبِ ٧
Huwal-ladhī anzala ʿalaykal-kitāba minhu āyātum muḥkamātun hunna ummul-kitābi wa ukharu mutashābihāt, fa ammal-ladhīna fī qulūbihim zayghun fayattabiʿūna mā tashābaha minhubtighāʾal-fitnati wabtighāʾa taʾwīlih, wa mā yaʿlamu taʾwīlahū illallāh, war-rāsikhūna fil-ʿilmi yaqūlūna āmannā bihī kullum min ʿindi rabbinā, wa mā yadhdhakkaru illā ulul-albāb.
It is He who has sent down to you, [O Muḥammad], the Book; in it are verses [that are] precise - they are the foundation of the Book - and others unspecific.1 As for those in whose hearts is deviation [from truth], they will follow that of it which is unspecific, seeking discord and seeking an interpretation [suitable to them]. And no one knows its [true] interpretation except Allāh. But those firm in knowledge say, "We believe in it. All [of it] is from our Lord." And no one will be reminded except those of understanding,
Footnotes (1)
- Those which are stated in such a way that they are open to more than one interpretation or whose meaning is known only to Allāh, such as the opening letters of certain sūrahs.
لَقَدۡ كَانَ فِي قَصَصِهِمۡ عِبۡرَةٞ لِّأُوْلِي ٱلۡأَلۡبَٰبِۗ مَا كَانَ حَدِيثٗا يُفۡتَرَىٰ وَلَٰكِن تَصۡدِيقَ ٱلَّذِي بَيۡنَ يَدَيۡهِ وَتَفۡصِيلَ كُلِّ شَيۡءٖ وَهُدٗى وَرَحۡمَةٗ لِّقَوۡمٖ يُؤۡمِنُونَ ١١١
Laqad kāna fī qaṣaṣihim ʿibratul liʾulil-albāb, mā kāna ḥadīthay yuftarā wa lākin taṣdīqal-ladhī bayna yadayhi wa tafṣīla kulli shayʾiw wa hudaw wa raḥmatal liqawmiy yuʾminūn.
There was certainly in their stories a lesson for those of understanding. Never was it [i.e., the Qur’ān] a narration invented, but a confirmation of what was before it and a detailed explanation of all things and guidance and mercy for a people who believe.
۞ أَفَمَن يَعۡلَمُ أَنَّمَآ أُنزِلَ إِلَيۡكَ مِن رَّبِّكَ ٱلۡحَقُّ كَمَنۡ هُوَ أَعۡمَىٰٓۚ إِنَّمَا يَتَذَكَّرُ أُوْلُواْ ٱلۡأَلۡبَٰبِ ١٩
Afamay yaʿlamu annamā unzila ilayka mir rabbikal-ḥaqqu kaman huwa aʿmā, innamā yatadhakkaru ulul-albāb.
Then is he who knows that what has been revealed to you from your Lord is the truth like one who is blind? They will only be reminded who are people of understanding -
أَمَّنۡ هُوَ قَٰنِتٌ ءَانَآءَ ٱلَّيۡلِ سَاجِدٗا وَقَآئِمٗا يَحۡذَرُ ٱلۡأٓخِرَةَ وَيَرۡجُواْ رَحۡمَةَ رَبِّهِۦۗ قُلۡ هَلۡ يَسۡتَوِي ٱلَّذِينَ يَعۡلَمُونَ وَٱلَّذِينَ لَا يَعۡلَمُونَۗ إِنَّمَا يَتَذَكَّرُ أُوْلُواْ ٱلۡأَلۡبَٰبِ ٩
Amman huwa qānitun ānāʾal-layli sājidaw wa qāʾimay yaḥdharul-ākhirata wa yarjū raḥmata rabbih, qul hal yastawil-ladhīna yaʿlamūna wal-ladhīna lā yaʿlamūn, innamā yatadhakkaru ulul-albāb.
Is one who is devoutly obedient during periods of the night, prostrating and standing [in prayer], fearing the Hereafter and hoping for the mercy of his Lord, [like one who does not]? Say, "Are those who know equal to those who do not know?" Only they will remember [who are] people of understanding.
ٱلَّذِينَ يَسۡتَمِعُونَ ٱلۡقَوۡلَ فَيَتَّبِعُونَ أَحۡسَنَهُۥٓۚ أُوْلَٰٓئِكَ ٱلَّذِينَ هَدَىٰهُمُ ٱللَّهُۖ وَأُوْلَٰٓئِكَ هُمۡ أُوْلُواْ ٱلۡأَلۡبَٰبِ ١٨
Al-ladhīna yastamiʿūnal-qawla fayattabiʿūna aḥsanah, ulāʾikal-ladhīna hadāhumullāh, wa ulāʾika hum ulul-albāb.
Who listen to speech and follow the best of it. Those are the ones Allāh has guided, and those are people of understanding.
هُدٗى وَذِكۡرَىٰ لِأُوْلِي ٱلۡأَلۡبَٰبِ ٥٤
Hudaw wa dhikrā liʾulil-albāb.
As guidance and a reminder for those of understanding.
أَعَدَّ ٱللَّهُ لَهُمۡ عَذَابٗا شَدِيدٗاۖ فَٱتَّقُواْ ٱللَّهَ يَٰٓأُوْلِي ٱلۡأَلۡبَٰبِ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْۚ قَدۡ أَنزَلَ ٱللَّهُ إِلَيۡكُمۡ ذِكۡرٗا ١٠
Aʿaddallāhu lahum ʿadhāban shadīdā, fattaqullāha yāʾulil-albābil-ladhīna āmanū, qad anzalallāhu ilaykum dhikrā.
Allāh has prepared for them a severe punishment; so fear Allāh, O you of understanding who have believed. Allāh has sent down to you a message [i.e., the Qur’ān].1
Footnotes (1)
- Some scholars have interpreted "dhikr" here as "a reminder," meaning the Messenger (ﷺ), since he is mentioned in the following verse.
The call to use reason
۞ أَتَأۡمُرُونَ ٱلنَّاسَ بِٱلۡبِرِّ وَتَنسَوۡنَ أَنفُسَكُمۡ وَأَنتُمۡ تَتۡلُونَ ٱلۡكِتَٰبَۚ أَفَلَا تَعۡقِلُونَ ٤٤
Ataʾmurūnan-nāsa bil-birri wa tansawna anfusakum wa antum tatlūnal-kitāb, afalā taʿqilūn.
Do you order righteousness of the people and forget1 yourselves while you recite the Scripture? Then will you not reason?
Footnotes (1)
- Make exceptions of.
۞ يَسۡـَٔلُونَكَ عَنِ ٱلۡخَمۡرِ وَٱلۡمَيۡسِرِۖ قُلۡ فِيهِمَآ إِثۡمٞ كَبِيرٞ وَمَنَٰفِعُ لِلنَّاسِ وَإِثۡمُهُمَآ أَكۡبَرُ مِن نَّفۡعِهِمَاۗ وَيَسۡـَٔلُونَكَ مَاذَا يُنفِقُونَۖ قُلِ ٱلۡعَفۡوَۗ كَذَٰلِكَ يُبَيِّنُ ٱللَّهُ لَكُمُ ٱلۡأٓيَٰتِ لَعَلَّكُمۡ تَتَفَكَّرُونَ ٢١٩
Yasʾalūnaka ʿanil-khamri wal-maysir, qul fīhimā ithmun kabīruw wa manāfiʿu lin-nāsi wa ithmuhumā akbaru min nafʿihimā, wa yasʾalūnaka mādhā yunfiqūn, qulil-ʿafw, kadhālika yubayyinullāhu lakumul-āyāti laʿallakum tatafakkarūn.
They ask you about wine1 and gambling. Say, "In them is great sin and [yet, some] benefit for people. But their sin is greater than their benefit." And they ask you what they should spend. Say, "The excess [beyond needs]." Thus Allāh makes clear to you the verses [of revelation] that you might give thought
Footnotes (1)
- The word "khamr" (wine) includes all intoxicants. The final prohibition is given in 5:90-91.
كَذَٰلِكَ يُبَيِّنُ ٱللَّهُ لَكُمۡ ءَايَٰتِهِۦ لَعَلَّكُمۡ تَعۡقِلُونَ ٢٤٢
Kadhālika yubayyinullāhu lakum āyātihī laʿallakum taʿqilūn.
Thus does Allāh make clear to you His verses [i.e., laws] that you might use reason.
أَيَوَدُّ أَحَدُكُمۡ أَن تَكُونَ لَهُۥ جَنَّةٞ مِّن نَّخِيلٖ وَأَعۡنَابٖ تَجۡرِي مِن تَحۡتِهَا ٱلۡأَنۡهَٰرُ لَهُۥ فِيهَا مِن كُلِّ ٱلثَّمَرَٰتِ وَأَصَابَهُ ٱلۡكِبَرُ وَلَهُۥ ذُرِّيَّةٞ ضُعَفَآءُ فَأَصَابَهَآ إِعۡصَارٞ فِيهِ نَارٞ فَٱحۡتَرَقَتۡۗ كَذَٰلِكَ يُبَيِّنُ ٱللَّهُ لَكُمُ ٱلۡأٓيَٰتِ لَعَلَّكُمۡ تَتَفَكَّرُونَ ٢٦٦
Ayawaddu aḥadukum an takūna lahū jannatum min nakhīliw wa aʿnābin tajrī min taḥtihal-anhāru lahū fīhā min kullith-thamarāti wa aṣābahul-kibaru wa lahū dhurriyyatun ḍuʿafāʾu fa aṣābahā iʿṣārun fīhi nārun faḥtaraqat, kadhālika yubayyinullāhu lakumul-āyāti laʿallakum tatafakkarūn.
Would one of you like to have a garden of palm trees and grapevines underneath which rivers flow in which he has from every fruit? But he is afflicted with old age and has weak [i.e., immature] offspring, and it is hit by a whirlwind containing fire and is burned. Thus does Allāh make clear to you [His] verses that you might give thought.
يَٰٓأَهۡلَ ٱلۡكِتَٰبِ لِمَ تُحَآجُّونَ فِيٓ إِبۡرَٰهِيمَ وَمَآ أُنزِلَتِ ٱلتَّوۡرَىٰةُ وَٱلۡإِنجِيلُ إِلَّا مِنۢ بَعۡدِهِۦٓۚ أَفَلَا تَعۡقِلُونَ ٦٥
Yāʾahlal-kitābi lima tuḥājjūna fī ibrāhīma wa mā unzilatit-tawrātu wal-injīlu illā mim baʿdih, afalā taʿqilūn.
O People of the Scripture, why do you argue about Abraham while the Torah and the Gospel were not revealed until after him? Then will you not reason?
قُل لَّآ أَقُولُ لَكُمۡ عِندِي خَزَآئِنُ ٱللَّهِ وَلَآ أَعۡلَمُ ٱلۡغَيۡبَ وَلَآ أَقُولُ لَكُمۡ إِنِّي مَلَكٌۖ إِنۡ أَتَّبِعُ إِلَّا مَا يُوحَىٰٓ إِلَيَّۚ قُلۡ هَلۡ يَسۡتَوِي ٱلۡأَعۡمَىٰ وَٱلۡبَصِيرُۚ أَفَلَا تَتَفَكَّرُونَ ٥٠
Qul lā aqūlu lakum ʿindī khazāʾinullāhi wa lā aʿlamul-ghayba wa lā aqūlu lakum innī malak, in attabiʿu illā mā yūḥā ilayy, qul hal yastawil-aʿmā wal-baṣīr, afalā tatafakkarūn.
Say, [O Muḥammad], "I do not tell you that I have the depositories [containing the provision] of Allāh or that I know the unseen, nor do I tell you that I am an angel. I only follow what is revealed to me." Say, "Is the blind equivalent to the seeing? Then will you not give thought?"
وَلَوۡ شِئۡنَا لَرَفَعۡنَٰهُ بِهَا وَلَٰكِنَّهُۥٓ أَخۡلَدَ إِلَى ٱلۡأَرۡضِ وَٱتَّبَعَ هَوَىٰهُۚ فَمَثَلُهُۥ كَمَثَلِ ٱلۡكَلۡبِ إِن تَحۡمِلۡ عَلَيۡهِ يَلۡهَثۡ أَوۡ تَتۡرُكۡهُ يَلۡهَثۚ ذَّٰلِكَ مَثَلُ ٱلۡقَوۡمِ ٱلَّذِينَ كَذَّبُواْ بِـَٔايَٰتِنَاۚ فَٱقۡصُصِ ٱلۡقَصَصَ لَعَلَّهُمۡ يَتَفَكَّرُونَ ١٧٦
Wa law shiʾnā larafaʿnāhu bihā wa lākinnahū akhlada ilal-arḍi wattabaʿa hawāh, famathaluhū kamathalil-kalbi in taḥmil ʿalayhi yalhath aw tatrukhu yalhath, dhālika mathalul-qawmil-ladhīna kadhdhabū biʾāyātinā, faqṣuṣil-qaṣaṣa laʿallahum yatafakkarūn.
And if We had willed, We could have elevated him thereby,1 but he adhered [instead] to the earth2 and followed his own desire. So his example is like that of the dog: if you chase him, he pants, or if you leave him, he [still] pants. That is the example of the people who denied Our signs.3 So relate the stories that perhaps they will give thought.
Footnotes (3)
- i.e., through the revelations, signs or evidences of which he had been given knowledge.
- i.e., its worldly pleasures.
- Whether or not they have been exposed to Allāh's signs or warnings, it is all the same: they will not believe.
أَوَلَمۡ يَتَفَكَّرُواْۗ مَا بِصَاحِبِهِم مِّن جِنَّةٍۚ إِنۡ هُوَ إِلَّا نَذِيرٞ مُّبِينٌ ١٨٤
Awalam yatafakkarū, mā biṣāḥibihim min jinnah, in huwa illā nadhīrum mubīn.
Then do they not give thought? There is in their companion [i.e., Muḥammad (ﷺ)] no madness. He is not but a clear warner.
إِنَّمَا مَثَلُ ٱلۡحَيَوٰةِ ٱلدُّنۡيَا كَمَآءٍ أَنزَلۡنَٰهُ مِنَ ٱلسَّمَآءِ فَٱخۡتَلَطَ بِهِۦ نَبَاتُ ٱلۡأَرۡضِ مِمَّا يَأۡكُلُ ٱلنَّاسُ وَٱلۡأَنۡعَٰمُ حَتَّىٰٓ إِذَآ أَخَذَتِ ٱلۡأَرۡضُ زُخۡرُفَهَا وَٱزَّيَّنَتۡ وَظَنَّ أَهۡلُهَآ أَنَّهُمۡ قَٰدِرُونَ عَلَيۡهَآ أَتَىٰهَآ أَمۡرُنَا لَيۡلًا أَوۡ نَهَارٗا فَجَعَلۡنَٰهَا حَصِيدٗا كَأَن لَّمۡ تَغۡنَ بِٱلۡأَمۡسِۚ كَذَٰلِكَ نُفَصِّلُ ٱلۡأٓيَٰتِ لِقَوۡمٖ يَتَفَكَّرُونَ ٢٤
Innamā mathalul-ḥayātid-dunyā kamāʾin anzalnāhu minas-samāʾi fakhtalaṭa bihī nabātul-arḍi mimmā yaʾkulun-nāsu wal-anʿāmu ḥattā idhā akhadhatil-arḍu zukhrufahā wazzayyanat wa ẓanna ahluhā annahum qādirūna ʿalayhā atāhā amrunā laylan aw nahāran fajaʿalnāhā ḥaṣīdan kaʾal lam taghna bil-ams, kadhālika nufaṣṣilul-āyāti liqawmiy yatafakkarūn.
The example of [this] worldly life is but like rain which We have sent down from the sky that the plants of the earth absorb - [those] from which men and livestock eat - until, when the earth has taken on its adornment and is beautified and its people suppose that they have capability over it, there comes to it Our command by night or by day, and We make it as a harvest,1 as if it had not flourished yesterday. Thus do We explain in detail the signs for a people who give thought.
Footnotes (1)
- Its vegetation having been cut down or uprooted, i.e., utterly destroyed.
ضَرَبَ لَكُم مَّثَلٗا مِّنۡ أَنفُسِكُمۡۖ هَل لَّكُم مِّن مَّا مَلَكَتۡ أَيۡمَٰنُكُم مِّن شُرَكَآءَ فِي مَا رَزَقۡنَٰكُمۡ فَأَنتُمۡ فِيهِ سَوَآءٞ تَخَافُونَهُمۡ كَخِيفَتِكُمۡ أَنفُسَكُمۡۚ كَذَٰلِكَ نُفَصِّلُ ٱلۡأٓيَٰتِ لِقَوۡمٖ يَعۡقِلُونَ ٢٨
Ḍaraba lakum mathalam min anfusikum, hal lakum mim mā malakat aymānukum min shurakāʾa fī mā razaqnākum fa antum fīhi sawāʾun takhāfūnahum kakhīfatikum anfusakum, kadhālika nufaṣṣilul-āyāti liqawmiy yaʿqilūn.
He presents to you an example from yourselves. Do you have among those whom your right hands possess [i.e., slaves] any partners in what We have provided for you so that you are equal therein [and] would fear them as your fear of one another [within a partnership]?1 Thus do We detail the verses for a people who use reason.
Footnotes (1)
- See footnote to 16:71.
۞ قُلۡ إِنَّمَآ أَعِظُكُم بِوَٰحِدَةٍۖ أَن تَقُومُواْ لِلَّهِ مَثۡنَىٰ وَفُرَٰدَىٰ ثُمَّ تَتَفَكَّرُواْۚ مَا بِصَاحِبِكُم مِّن جِنَّةٍۚ إِنۡ هُوَ إِلَّا نَذِيرٞ لَّكُم بَيۡنَ يَدَيۡ عَذَابٖ شَدِيدٖ ٤٦
Qul innamā aʿiẓukum biwāḥidah, an taqūmū lillāhi mathnā wa furādā thumma tatafakkarū, mā biṣāḥibikum min jinnah, in huwa illā nadhīrul lakum bayna yaday ʿadhābin shadīd.
Say, "I only advise you of one [thing] - that you stand for Allāh, [seeking truth] in pairs and individually, and then give thought." There is not in your companion any madness. He is only a warner to you before a severe punishment.
Censure of those who do not use reason
وَمَثَلُ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْ كَمَثَلِ ٱلَّذِي يَنۡعِقُ بِمَا لَا يَسۡمَعُ إِلَّا دُعَآءٗ وَنِدَآءٗۚ صُمُّۢ بُكۡمٌ عُمۡيٞ فَهُمۡ لَا يَعۡقِلُونَ ١٧١
Wa mathalul-ladhīna kafarū kamathalil-ladhī yanʿiqu bimā lā yasmaʿu illā duʿāʾaw wa nidāʾā, ṣummum bukmun ʿumyun fahum lā yaʿqilūn.
The example of those who disbelieve is like that of one who shouts at what hears nothing but calls and cries [i.e., cattle or sheep] - deaf, dumb and blind, so they do not understand.
وَلَقَدۡ ذَرَأۡنَا لِجَهَنَّمَ كَثِيرٗا مِّنَ ٱلۡجِنِّ وَٱلۡإِنسِۖ لَهُمۡ قُلُوبٞ لَّا يَفۡقَهُونَ بِهَا وَلَهُمۡ أَعۡيُنٞ لَّا يُبۡصِرُونَ بِهَا وَلَهُمۡ ءَاذَانٞ لَّا يَسۡمَعُونَ بِهَآۚ أُوْلَٰٓئِكَ كَٱلۡأَنۡعَٰمِ بَلۡ هُمۡ أَضَلُّۚ أُوْلَٰٓئِكَ هُمُ ٱلۡغَٰفِلُونَ ١٧٩
Wa laqad dharaʾnā lijahannama kathīram minal-jinni wal-ins, lahum qulūbul lā yafqahūna bihā wa lahum aʿyunul lā yubṣirūna bihā wa lahum ādhānul lā yasmaʿūna bihā, ulāʾika kal-anʿāmi bal hum aḍall, ulāʾika humul-ghāfilūn.
And We have certainly created for Hell many of the jinn and mankind. They have hearts with which they do not understand, they have eyes with which they do not see, and they have ears with which they do not hear. Those are like livestock; rather, they are more astray.1 It is they who are the heedless.
Footnotes (1)
- The reference is to their inability (i.e., refusal) to think and reason, while blindly following (as they are accustomed).
۞ إِنَّ شَرَّ ٱلدَّوَآبِّ عِندَ ٱللَّهِ ٱلصُّمُّ ٱلۡبُكۡمُ ٱلَّذِينَ لَا يَعۡقِلُونَ ٢٢
Inna sharrad-dawābbi ʿindallāhiṣ-ṣummul-bukmul-ladhīna lā yaʿqilūn.
Indeed, the worst of living creatures in the sight of Allāh are the deaf and dumb who do not use reason [i.e., the disbelievers].
إِنَّ شَرَّ ٱلدَّوَآبِّ عِندَ ٱللَّهِ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْ فَهُمۡ لَا يُؤۡمِنُونَ ٥٥
Inna sharrad-dawābbi ʿindallāhil-ladhīna kafarū fahum lā yuʾminūn.
Indeed, the worst of living creatures in the sight of Allāh are those who have disbelieved, and they will not [ever] believe-
وَمَا كَانَ لِنَفۡسٍ أَن تُؤۡمِنَ إِلَّا بِإِذۡنِ ٱللَّهِۚ وَيَجۡعَلُ ٱلرِّجۡسَ عَلَى ٱلَّذِينَ لَا يَعۡقِلُونَ ١٠٠
Wa mā kāna linafsin an tuʾmina illā biʾidhnillāh, wa yajʿalur-rijsa ʿalal-ladhīna lā yaʿqilūn.
And it is not for a soul [i.e., anyone] to believe except by permission of Allāh, and He will place defilement1 upon those who will not use reason.
Footnotes (1)
- Among its meanings are filth, wrath, punishment, disbelief, confusion and error.
أَفَلَمۡ يَسِيرُواْ فِي ٱلۡأَرۡضِ فَتَكُونَ لَهُمۡ قُلُوبٞ يَعۡقِلُونَ بِهَآ أَوۡ ءَاذَانٞ يَسۡمَعُونَ بِهَاۖ فَإِنَّهَا لَا تَعۡمَى ٱلۡأَبۡصَٰرُ وَلَٰكِن تَعۡمَى ٱلۡقُلُوبُ ٱلَّتِي فِي ٱلصُّدُورِ ٤٦
Afalam yasīrū fil-arḍi fatakūna lahum qulūbuy yaʿqilūna bihā aw ādhānuy yasmaʿūna bihā, fa innahā lā taʿmal-abṣāru wa lākin taʿmal-qulūbul-latī fiṣ-ṣudūr.
So have they not traveled through the earth and have hearts by which to reason and ears by which to hear? For indeed, it is not eyes that are blinded, but blinded are the hearts which are within the breasts.
أَمۡ تَحۡسَبُ أَنَّ أَكۡثَرَهُمۡ يَسۡمَعُونَ أَوۡ يَعۡقِلُونَۚ إِنۡ هُمۡ إِلَّا كَٱلۡأَنۡعَٰمِ بَلۡ هُمۡ أَضَلُّ سَبِيلًا ٤٤
Am taḥsabu anna aktharahum yasmaʿūna aw yaʿqilūn, in hum illā kal-anʿāmi bal hum aḍallu sabīlā.
Or do you think that most of them hear or reason? They are not except like livestock.1 Rather, they are [even] more astray in [their] way.
Footnotes (1)
- i.e., cattle or sheep, that follow without question wherever they are led.
وَقَالُواْ لَوۡ كُنَّا نَسۡمَعُ أَوۡ نَعۡقِلُ مَا كُنَّا فِيٓ أَصۡحَٰبِ ٱلسَّعِيرِ ١٠
Wa qālū law kunnā nasmaʿu aw naʿqilu mā kunnā fī aṣḥābis-saʿīr.
And they will say, "If only we had been listening or reasoning, we would not be among the companions of the Blaze."