Translation
In the name of God, the most Merciful and the Instiller of Mercy [to His creatures].
Alif Lam Mim Swad. (This is) A Book that has been inspired to you. Let there be no doubt about it in your heart so that you may caution people with it, and it may serve as a conscious reminder for those who have attained faith. Follow what has been revealed to you from your Sustainer God and take no others besides Him as Guardians; little it is that you reflect to develop consciousness.
How many communities (that were unmindful) have We brought to their consequences [ruins] while they rested at night or slept at noon? When they suddenly faced their consequences due, their only response was: “Indeed, we have done wrong (to ourselves)!” We [God] will question everyone who received the message, and We will question the message bearers as well so that We can confer to them realities (of life and their doings); We are never absent (from their lives). On that day judgment will be rendered with truth and fairness—for those whose good deeds outweigh their evil deeds will be successful, whereas those whose evils outweigh their goodness will have destroyed themselves because of their rejection of God’s messages. You should know that We have given you firm footings on this planet Earth and provided all means to sustain your lives; yet you hardly ever give thanks (to God). 360
We (God) created you and shaped you (physically and with human intellect and choices) and said to the Angels: “Submit to Adam.” They all submitted except Iblis (the Devil), who did not follow through (see also 2:34, 15:28, 20:116). He (God) said (to the Devil): “What got in the way when I commanded you to submit (to Adam)?” He (the Devil) said: “I am better than him (Adam); You created me from fire, whereas you created him from dust (see also 3:59).” God said: “You are removed from your current state; you cannot behave arrogantly (in this state); go forth, and you will be among those who are humiliated.” The Devil pleaded: “Respite me till the day people will be resurrected.” God replied: “Yes, you are those who have been given such respite.” The Devil asserted: “Since You caused my downfall (on their account), I will lie in wait for them along Your Straight Path; I will approach them from their front, from behind them, from their right and from their left. You will find most of them not thankful to You.” God replied: “Be gone as despised and disowned. Whoever among the people follow you, I will certainly bring its consequences [Hellfire] to you all.” 361
Interpretation
360 These few verses provide spiritual nourishment and encouragement to the Prophet to have firm conviction in the revelations and inspirations he had received from God. He is expected to demonstrate and effectively communicate to mankind that God alone is the source of every creation, our lives, and our purpose. We need to develop consciousness regarding our origin and bring purpose to our existence. God not only created us but also made the planet Earth suitable for human habitation and provided all that is necessary to sustain and uplift our lives. Being thankful to God is something we should all strive for. Lack of such thankfulness and ignoring the guidance from God will cause our fall from His grace. Such failures can manifest suddenly or gradually over our lifetime so that when we become aware of such an outcome, we have very little opportunity to correct it; we can only regret the wrongful turns in our lives.
361 The fall of the Devil (Iblis) from God’s grace is another example that reinforces the consequences of arrogance and misplaced pride that destroy our existence and our individual souls in the eyes of God and in the eyes of mankind. The story of Adam and Eve and the Devil is repeated several times in the Qur’an (chapters 2, 7, and 20) over many years to be a constant reminder of our humble origin with divine grace; the fall of the Devil for not honoring Adam as God commanded, due to his pride and arrogance; our fall from grace as Adam and Eve listened to the misinformation from the Devil and wished for something that only God could grant (the desire for permanency); and the Devil’s securing permission from God to tempt and lead people away from goodness toward evil, only to be a party to his misfortune.
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REFLECTION
The stories of Adam and Eve and the Devil; the nature of our creation and the natural world to sustain us; and our godly endowment of knowledge, wisdom, and choice—these are collective sources of guidance that comes from the Creator Himself so that we can become conscious and purpose-filled human beings and human communities.
Action
Pride and arrogance have no place in our human discourse, and exercising our knowledge and wisdom through proper understanding of our creation and existence on this planet is something that each and every one of us is capable of doing and should strive for to attain God’s grace and to create a peaceful world.
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Key Arabic terms
107: khalaqnakum summa sawwarnakum (created and shaped you)
108: aghwaitani (the fall from grace, life made evil, or to be disappointed)