The Clear Quran: A Thematic English Translation: English Only

by Anonymous

And what will make you realize what ˹attempting˺ the challenging path is? 13. It is to free a slave; 14. or to give food in times of famine 15. to an orphaned relative 16. or to a poor person in distress; 17. and—above all—to be one of those who have faith and urge each other to perseverance and urge each other to compassion. 18. These are the people of the right.

As for the one who is charitable, mindful ˹of God˺, 6. and ˹firmly˺ believes in the finest reward, 7. We will facilitate for them the Way of Ease. 8. And as for the one who is stingy, indifferent ˹to God˺, 9. and ˹staunchly˺ denies the finest reward, 10. We will facilitate for them the path of hardship.

5. So, surely with hardship comes ease. 6. Surely with ˹that˺ hardship comes ˹more˺ ease.

Some scholars believe that this encounter is the fulfilment of Isaiah 29:12, which states, “Then the book will be given to the one who is illiterate, saying, ‘Read this.’ And he will say, ‘I cannot read.’” (The New American Standard Bible).

Does he not know that God sees ˹all˺? 15. But no! If he does not desist, We will certainly drag him by the forelock— 16. a lying, sinful forelock.1308

7. Indeed, those who believe and do good—they are the best of ˹all˺ beings. 8. Their reward with their Lord will be Gardens of Eternity, under which rivers flow, to stay there for ever and ever. God is pleased with them and they are pleased with Him.This is ˹only˺ for those in awe of their Lord.

On that Day people will proceed in separate groups1312 to be shown ˹the consequences of˺ their deeds. 7. So whoever does an atom’s weight of good will see it. 8. And whoever does an atom’s weight of evil will see it.

6. Surely humankind is ungrateful to their Lord— 7. and they certainly attest to this— 8. and they are truly extreme in their love of ˹worldly˺ gains.

the disbelievers are criticized for wasting their lives doing things that do not matter in the Hereafter, most importantly hoarding wealth.

Competition for more ˹gains˺ diverts you ˹from God˺, 2. until you end up in ˹your˺ graves.

Surely humanity is in ˹grave˺ loss, 3. except those who have faith, do good, and urge each other to the truth, and urge each other to perseverance.

This Meccan chapter is critical of those who slander others and withhold God’s bounties.

1. Woe to every backbiter, slanderer, 2. who amasses wealth ˹greedily˺ and counts it ˹repeatedly˺, 3. thinking that their wealth will make them immortal! 4. Not at all!

guides to the most upright way of life 17:9;

Business guidelines 2:188, 2:275, 2:282-283, 4:29, 4:58, 6:152, 17:34-35, 24:36-37, 26:182, 30:39, 55:7-9, 62:9.

Decency: 7:26, 16:81; the veil 24:31; lowering the gaze 24:30-31.