Surah 26: Ash-Shu'ara
The Holy Qur’an with English Translation and Short Commentary
[a]In the name of Allah, the Gracious, the Merciful.
[a] 1:1.
Ta Sin Mim.[2094]
[2094] In the Muqatta‘at (abbreviated letters) Ta Sin Mim, Ta stands for Tahir (Lord of Purity), Sin for Sami‘ (All-Hearing) and Mim for Majid (Lord of Dignity), thus indicating that the Surah deals with the means to achieve purity of heart, acceptance of prayer and dignity. This and the next two Chapters form a special group known as the Ta Sin Mim group and all of them bear a very close resemblance to each other in their subject-matter. They were revealed about the same time at Mecca. As these Surahs deal particularly with the life-story of Moses in some detail, some Commentators have taken these abbreviated letters as standing for Mount Sinai and Moses— Ta Sin standing for Turi Sinin (Mount Sinai) and Mim for Musa (Moses).
[b]These are verses of the Book that makes things clear.[2094A]
[b] 12:2; 15:2; 27:2; 28:3.
[2094A] See {note 1356 under 12:2}.
[c]Haply thou wilt grieve thyself to death[2094B] because they believe not.
[c] 18:7.
[2094B] See {note 1664 under 18:7}.
If We please, We can send down to them a Sign from the heaven, so that their necks[2095] will bow down before it.
[2095] The Holy Prophet’s grief will not be in vain. If his people do not cease opposing him, they will be visited with the Sign of punishment which will humiliate and debase their leaders, A‘naq meaning leaders (Lane).
[d]And there comes not to them a new[2096] Reminder from the Gracious God, but they turn away from it.
[d] 21:3, 43.
[2096] The word, 'new' means, 'in a new form,' or 'with new details.' In fact, all Divine Laws are similar in their fundamentals and basic teachings. It is only in details that they differ. Or a new Law is revealed in a changed and improved form in order that it may suit the ideas, needs and requirements of the particular time in which it is revealed. Some Prophets come with a new Law, while others only serve the existing Law.
[a]They have, indeed, treated it as a lie but soon there will come to them the tidings of that at which they mocked.
[a] 6:35; 22:43; 35:26; 40:6.
[b]See they not the earth, how many of every noble species have We caused to grow therein?
[b] 36:34-37.
In that there is a Sign indeed; but most of these would not believe.
And verily thy Lord—He is the Mighty, the Merciful.[2097]
[2097] The words, 'verily thy Lord—He is the Mighty, the Merciful,' imply that the circumstances of the Holy Prophet will resemble those of the Prophets mentioned in this Surah, but whereas the Mighty God had seized and destroyed the enemies of those Prophets, in the case of the Holy Prophet the Mighty God will not only manifest His might and power in giving victory to the Holy Prophet and in making his cause triumph and prosper, but will also show mercy to his people, inasmuch as only a small fraction of them will be destroyed while a great majority will receive Divine forgiveness and mercy and in the end will accept his Message.
[c]And call to mind when thy Lord called Moses, and directed him: ‘Go to the wrongdoing people—
[c] 20:25; 79:17, 18.
‘The people of Pharaoh. Will they not fear God?’