Surah As-Saff: Thematic English Translation (Mustafa Çevik)

Everything in the heavens and on the earth, showing the perfection of the orders Allah has established, submitting to the laws He has made and carrying out its tasks, reminds us of Allah (glorifies Him).

(Ought not the human being who witnesses this truth also to submit to and live by the order of life to which Allah invites him?)

Allah is the Possessor of supreme knowledge, power, judgment, and wisdom.

O you who claim to have believed! Why do you say what you will not or cannot do?

Know well that saying what you will not do is conduct that is met with hatred in Allah’s sight and deserves His punishment.

Allah loves those who, for the sake of living the Islamic life to which He invites, form ranks, closely joined together, standing like a single solid building, and fight as one heart those who attack them.

These are the ones who have truly believed, who say what they will do and do what they say.

Long ago Moses said to his people, “O my people! Why do you hurt me, not believing in what I say in Allah’s name and not striving to live the life that is His call, when you know that I am a prophet sent to you by Allah?” Thereupon his people once again would not listen to him, stirred up mischief, rebelled, and turned away from the call. So Allah left them to themselves and let them remain in their error.

Allah never helps those who turn away from the right path to which they are invited.

And once Jesus son of Mary said to the Children of Israel: “O Children of Israel! I am a prophet sent to confirm what remains of Allah’s verses in the Torah in your hands, to set the right in place of what has been distorted, and to give the good news of a prophet who will come after me, whose name will be ‘Ahmad.’” But despite the clear miracles, proofs, and knowledge Jesus brought, the Children of Israel called the miracles Jesus set before them sorcery, and Jesus a sorcerer.

Who could be more ignorant and more unjust than one who, though invited to obedience and submission (servanthood) to Allah, does not believe it, calls it a lie, and turns away from it?

Allah does not help and guide such ignorant wrongdoers, nor bring them to His right path. Such people are trying to put out Allah’s light by blowing on it. Though they may not wish it, Allah will perfect His light and with this light bring whoever wishes it out of darkness into light.

Though those who associate partners with Him may not wish it, Allah has sent the Prophet and the Book to make Islam, the true religion (order), prevail over man-made religions.

O you who believe! Shall I tell you of a profitable trade that will save you from a painful punishment in this world and the Hereafter? If you follow Allah’s call as faith requires, follow His Messenger, and strive in this cause with your wealth and your lives, this is a very profitable and very good trade for you.

Allah will forgive these people’s sins and settle them in mansions in Gardens through which rivers flow, the home of everlasting happiness and blessings. This is the greatest gain and reward.

Allah will also help these believers in their worldly lives and soon grant them victory over their aggressive enemies. O Prophet! Give the believers this good news.

O you who believe! Never shrink from making sacrifices with your wealth and your lives in the cause of living and keeping alive the Allah-centered life that is the reason for your creation; be supporters of the order that is Allah’s call.

When Jesus son of Mary asked the disciples, “Who are my helpers in Allah’s way?” the disciples answered, “We are your helpers in the way of living and keeping alive the Islamic life to which Allah invites us.” Some of the Children of Israel believed in Jesus’ call, while many denied it. And We supported those who believed and made them steadfast and superior against their enemies.