Al-Qur'an Surah Ar-Ra'd Verse 31

Mufti Taqi Usmani

And even if there were a Qur’ān wherewith the mountains could be moved, or the earth could be split apart, or wherewith the dead are spoken to, (they would not believe). In fact, every decision rests only with Allah. Are the believers not satisfied with the fact that, if Allah willed, He would have brought all the people to the right path?And the disbelievers are continually receiving affliction because of what they did, or it visits somewhere close to their homes, until Allah’s promise will come to pass. Surely, Allah does not go back upon His promise.

Dr. Mustafa Khattab, the Clear Quran

If there were a recitation that could cause mountains to move, or the earth to split, or the dead to speak, ˹it would have been this Quran˺. But all matters are by Allah’s Will. Have the believers not yet realized that had Allah willed, He could have guided all of humanity? And disasters will continue to afflict the disbelievers or strike close to their homes for their misdeeds, until Allah’s promise comes to pass. Surely Allah never fails in His promise.

Ruwwad Translation Center

Even if there were a Qur’an that could cause mountains to move, or split the earth, or cause the dead to speak, [they would still not believe]. To Allah belongs all matters. Do the believers not know that if Allah had willed, He could have guided all humans? Calamities will continue to befall the disbelievers or strike close to their homes because of their deeds, until the promise of Allah comes to pass, for Allah does not fail in His promise.

A. J. Arberry

If only a Koran whereby the mountains were set in motion, or the earth were cleft, or the dead were spoken to -- nay, but God's is the affair altogether. Did not the believers know that, if God had willed, He would have guided men all together? And still the unbelievers are smitten by a shattering for what they wrought, or it alights nigh their habitation, until God's promise comes; and God will not fail the tryst.

Abdul Haleem

If there were ever to be a Quran with which mountains could be moved, the earth shattered, or the dead made to speak [it would have been this one], but everything is truly in God’s hands. Do the believers not realize that if God had so willed, He could have guided all mankind? As for the disbelievers, because of their misdeeds, disaster will not cease to afflict them or fall close to their homes until God’s promise is fulfilled: God never fails to keep His promise.

Abdul Majid Daryabadi

And if there were a Qur'an whereby the mountains could be moved or Whereby the earth could be traversed or whereby the dead could be spoken to, it would be in vain. Aye! the affair belongeth to Allah entirely. Have not then those who believe yet known that had Allah willed, He would have guided all mankind! And a rattling adversity ceaseth not to befall those who disbelieve for that which they have wrought or to alight nigh unto their habitation. until Allah's promise cometh; verily Allah faileth not the tryst.

Abdullah Yusuf Ali

If there were a Qur'an with which mountains were moved, or the earth were cloven asunder, or the dead were made to speak, (this would be the one!) But, truly, the command is with Allah in all things! Do not the Believers know, that, had Allah (so) willed, He could have guided all mankind (to the right)? But the Unbelievers,- never will disaster cease to seize them for their (ill) deeds, or to settle close to their homes, until the promise of Allah come to pass, for, verily, Allah will not fail in His promise.

Abul Ala Maududi

And what would have happened were a Qur'an to be revealed wherewith mountains could be set in motion, or the earth cleft, or the dead made to speak? (To show such signs is not at all difficult for) everything rests entirely with Allah. So, do not the people of faith (still look forward to such a sign in response to the demand of the unbelievers and) despair as a result of knowing that had Allah so willed, He could have guided all to the Truth. Misfortune continues to afflict the unbelievers on account of their misdeeds, or to befall on locations close to their habitation. This will continue until Allah's promise (of chastisement) is fulfilled. Indeed Allah does not go back upon His promise.

Ahmed Ali

Had there been a Qur'an which could have made the mountains move, or the earth to cleave asunder, or the dead to speak, yet all authority belongs to God. Have the believers not learnt that if God had so willed He could have guided all mankind? As for unbelievers, they will be visited by misfortune endlessly for what they have done; or it would sit in their homes till the promised threat of God comes to pass. Surely God does not go back on His promise.

Ahmed Raza Khan

And were such a Qur’an to come that would cause the mountains to move, or the earth to split asunder, or the dead to speak, even then these disbelievers would not believe; in fact, all matters are only at Allah’s discretion; so have not the Muslims despaired in that, had Allah willed, He would have guided all mankind? Disasters shall continue to strike the disbelievers on account of their deeds, or descend near their homes until Allah’s promise comes; indeed Allah does not break the promise.

Ali Quli Qarai

If only it were a Quran whereby the mountains could be moved, or the earth could be toured, or the dead could be spoken to.... Indeed, all dispensation belongs to Allah. Have not the faithful yet realised that had Allah wished He would have guided mankind all together? The faithless will continue to be visited by catastrophes because of their doings—or they will land near their habitations—until Allah’s promise comes to pass. Indeed Allah does not break His promise.

Ali Ünal

If at all through a discourse (qur’an) mountains were moved, or the earth were torn apart, or the dead were made to speak, (all would be only through this Qur’an so that the unbelievers would be compelled, having no choice but, to believe). No, but to God belongs the whole command (to decide what shall be and how it shall be). Do not yet those who believe accept that, if God had so willed, He would indeed have guided all humankind (to faith)? Those who disbelieve will not cease to be struck by severe blows for what they have been contriving, or these will alight close to their homes (to afflict them), until God’s promise (of the final victory of Islam or Judgment Day) is fulfilled. Surely God does not fail to keep the promise.

Amatul Rahman Omar

Had there been a Qur´ân whereby mountains could be moved, or whereby the earth could be torn asunder, or whereby the dead could be made to speak (it is this very Qur´ân indeed). Behold! the commandment and all power belongs to Allâh. Have not those who believe realized yet that if Allâh had (enforced) His will He would have indeed guided all mankind. And as for those who disbelieve, one calamity or the other will continue to befall them owing to their (evil) activities till you come to alight in their neighborhood, until the promise of Allâh (about the conquest of Makkah) comes to pass. Verily, Allâh will not fail (this) promise (of His).

English Literal

And if that a Koran the mountains were made to move/walk with it? Or the earth/Planet Earth was cut to pieces with it? Or the deads were conversed/spoken/talked to with it? But to God (is) the matter/affair/order/command all . Did those who believed not despair ? That (E) if God willed/wanted, He would have guided the people all together . And those who disbelieved disaster still/continues (to) strike them because (of) what they made/did , or (it) takes place/descends near/close from their home/country until God`s promise comes, that God does not break the appointment (promise).

Faridul Haque

And were such a Qur’an to come that would cause the mountains to move, or the earth to split asunder, or the dead to speak, even then these disbelievers would not believe; in fact, all matters are only at Allah’s discretion; so have not the Muslims despaired in that, had Allah willed, He would have guided all mankind? Disasters shall continue to strike the disbelievers on account of their deeds, or descend near their homes until Allah’s promise comes; indeed Allah does not break the promise.

Hamid S. Aziz

Thus have We sent you to a nation before which other nations have passed away, to recite unto them that which We have inspired in you, while they are disbelievers in the Beneficent. Say, "He is my Lord; there is no God but He; On Him do I rely, and unto Him do I turn."

Hilali & Khan

And if there had been a Quran with which mountains could be moved (from their places), or the earth could be cloven asunder, or the dead could be made to speak (it would not have been other than this Quran). But the decision of all things is certainly with Allah. Have not then those who believe yet known that had Allah willed, He could have guided all mankind? And a disaster will not cease to strike those who disbelieve because of their (evil) deeds or it (i.e. the disaster) settle close to their homes, until the Promise of Allah comes to pass. Certainly, Allah does not fail in His Promise.

Maulana Mohammad Ali

Thus We have sent thee among a nation before which other nations have passed away, that thou mightest recite to them what We have revealed to thee, and (still) they deny the Beneficent. Say: He is my Lord, there is no god but He; in Him do I trust and to Him is my return.

Mohammad Habib Shakir

And even if there were a Quran with which the mountains were made to pass away, or the earth were travelled over with it, or the dead were made to speak thereby; nay! the commandment is wholly Allah's, Have not yet those who believe known that if Allah please He would certainly guide all the people? And (as for) those who disbelieve, there will not cease to afflict them because of what they do a repelling calamity, or it will alight close by their abodes, until the promise of Allah comes about; surely Allah will not fail in (His) promise.

Mohammed Marmaduke William Pickthall

Had it been possible for a Lecture to cause the mountains to move, or the earth to be torn asunder, or the dead to speak, (this Qur'an would have done so). Nay, but Allah's is the whole command. Do not those who believe know that, had Allah willed, He could have guided all mankind? As for those who disbelieve, disaster ceaseth not to strike them because of what they do, or it dwelleth near their home until the threat of Allah come to pass. Lo! Allah faileth not to keep the tryst.

Muhammad Sarwar

Even if the Quran would make mountains move, cut the earth into pieces and make the dead able to speak, (the unbelievers still would not believe). All affairs are in the hands of God. Do the believers still hope that they will believe? Had God wanted he could have guided the whole of mankind to the right path. The unbelievers will always suffer afflictions that result from their deeds or the affliction which occur near their homes, until God's promise of punishing them will be fulfilled. God does not disregard His promise.

Qaribullah & Darwish

If only a Koran whereby the mountains were set in motion, or the earth cleaved asunder, or the dead spoken to. No, but to Allah is the affair altogether. Do those who believe know that had Allah willed He could have guided all people? As for those who disbelieve, because of what they do, disaster will not cease to afflict them, or it alights near their home until the promise of Allah comes. Allah will not break His promise.

Safi-ur-Rahman al-Mubarakpuri

And if there had been a Qur'an with which mountains could be moved (from their places), or the earth could be cloven asunder, or the dead could be made to speak (it would not have been other than this Qur'an). But the decision of all things is certainly with Allah. Have not then those who believed yet known that had Allah willed, He could have guided all mankind And a disaster will not cease to strike those who disbelieved because of their (evil) deeds or it (i.e. the disaster) settles close to their homes, until the promise of Allah comes to pass. Certainly, Allah breaks not His promise.

Wahiduddin Khan

Even if there were a Quran by which mountains could be set in motion, by which the earth could be rent asunder, or by which the dead could be made to speak [they would not believe in it]. Surely all things are subject to God's will. Are the faithful unaware that, had He pleased, God could have guided all mankind? Calamity shall not cease to strike those who deny the truth because of their misdeeds or to strike near their homes, until God's promise be fulfilled. God will not fail to keep His promise.

Talal Itani

Even if there were a Quran, by which mountains could be set in motion, or by which the earth could be shattered, or by which the dead could be made to speak. In fact, every decision rests with God. Did the believers not give up and realize that had God willed, He would have guided all humanity? Disasters will continue to strike those who disbelieve, because of their deeds, or they fall near their homes, until God’s promise comes true. God never breaks a promise.

Tafsir jalalayn

The following was revealed when they said to him, `If you are [truly] a prophet, then make these mountains of Mecca drift away before us, and make for us rivers and springs in it, that we may plant and sow seeds, and resurrect for us our dead fathers to speak to us and tell us that you are a prophet'; Even if it were a Qur'n whereby the mountains were set in motion, moved from their places, or the earth were cleft, torn, or the dead were spoken to, such that they would respond, they still would not believe. Nay, but the affair belongs entirely to God, and none other, so that none believes except he whom He wills that he believes, and no other; even if they were given what they request [of signs]. The following was revealed when the Companions were keen that what was requested [of signs] should be manifested, hoping that they [the ones requesting them] might believe; Have they not realised, those who believe, that (an is softened, in other words [understand it as] annahu) had God willed, He could have guided all mankind?, to faith, without [the need for] any sign? And the disbelievers, from among the people of Mecca, continue to be struck by devastation, a catastrophe that devastates them through all manner of hardship, such as being killed, taken captive, and [suffering] war or drought, because of what they wrought, because of their actions, that is, their disbelief; or you alight, O Muhammad (s), together with your army, near their home -- Mecca -- until God's promise, of victory against them, comes to pass; truly God does not break His promise; and indeed, he alighted at Hudaybiyya until the conquest of Mecca took place;

Tafseer Ibn Kathir

Virtues of the Qur'an and the Denial of Disbelievers

Allah praises the Qur'an which He has revealed to Muhammad, peace be upon him, and prefers it to all other divinely revealed Books before it,

وَلَوْ أَنَّ قُرْانًا سُيِّرَتْ بِهِ الْجِبَالُ أَوْ قُطِّعَتْ بِهِ الَارْضُ

أَوْ كُلِّمَ بِهِ الْمَوْتَى

And if there had been a Qur'an with which mountains could be moved (from their places), or the earth could be cloven asunder, or the dead could be made to speak (it would not have been other than this Qur'an).

Allah says, `If there were a Book among the previous Divine Books with which the mountains could be moved from their places, or the earth could be cleaved asunder, or the dead speak in their graves, it would have been this Qur'an and none else.'

Or, this Qur'an is more worthy to cause all this, because of its marvelous eloquence that defies the ability of mankind and the Jinns, even if all of them gather their forces together to invent something like it or even a Surah like it.

Yet, these idolators disbelieve in the Qur'an and reject it.

Allah said,

بَل لِّلّهِ الَامْرُ جَمِيعًا

But the decision of all things is certainly with Allah.

The decision over all affairs is with Allah Alone, whatever He wills, occurs and whatever He does not will, never occurs.

Certainly, he whom Allah misguides, will never find enlightenment and he whom Allah guides, will never be misled.

Ibn Abbas commented,

"He will only do what He wills and He decided that He will not do that."

Ibn Ishaq reported a chain for this, and Ibn Jarir At-Tabari agreed with it.

We should state here that it is possible to call other Divine Books, Qur'an', since this Qur'an is based on all of them.

Imam Ahmad recorded that Abu Hurayrah said that the Messenger of Allah said,

خُفِّفَتْ عَلَى دَاوُدَ الْقِرَاءَةُ فَكَانَ يَأْمُرُ بِدَابَّتِهِ أَنْ تُسْرَجَ فَكَانَ يَقْرَأُ الْقُرْانَ مِنْ قَبْلِ أَنْ تُسْرَجَ دَابَّتُهُ وَكَانَ لَا يَأْكُلُ إِلاَّ مِنْ عَمَلِ يَدَيْه

Reciting was made easy for (Prophet) Dawud (David) in that he used to order that his animal be prepared for him to ride and in the meantime he would read the entire Qur'an. He used to eat only from what his hand made.

Al-Bukhari collected this Hadith.

The Qur'an mentioned here is refers to the Zabur.

Allah said next,

أَفَلَمْ يَيْأَسِ الَّذِينَ امَنُواْ

Have not then those who believed yet known,

that not all people would believe and understand and that,

أَن لَّوْ يَشَاء اللّهُ لَهَدَى النَّاسَ جَمِيعًا

had Allah willed, He could have guided all mankind,

Surely, there is not a miracle or evidence more eloquent or effective on the heart and mind than this Qur'an. Had Allah revealed it to a mountain, you would see the mountain shake and humbled from fear of Allah.

The Sahih recorded that the Messenger of Allah said,

مَا مِنْ نَبِيَ إِلاَّ وَقَدْ أُوتِيَ مَا امَنَ عَلَى مِثْلِهِ الْبَشَرُ وَإِنَّمَا كَانَ الَّذِي أُوتِيتُهُ وَحْيًا أَوْحَاهُ اللهُ إِلَيَّ فَأَرْجُو أَنْ أَكُونَ أَكْثَرَهُمْ تَابِعًا يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَة

Every Prophet was given (a miracle) the type of which would make (some) people believe. What I was given, however, is a revelation from Allah to me, and I hope that I will have the most following among them (Prophets) on the Day of Resurrection.

This Hadith indicates that every Prophet's miracle disappeared upon his death, but this Qur'an will remain as evidence for all times. Verily, the miracle of the Qur'an will never end, nor will it become old the more it is read, nor will scholars ever have enough of it.

The Qur'an is serious and is not meant for jest; any tyrant that abandons it, Allah will destroy him; he who seeks guidance in other than the Qur'an, then Allah will misguide him.

Allah said next,

وَلَا يَزَالُ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْ تُصِيبُهُم بِمَا صَنَعُواْ قَارِعَةٌ

أَوْ تَحُلُّ قَرِيبًا مِّن دَارِهِمْ

And a disaster will not cease to strike those who disbelieved because of their (evil) deeds or it settles close to their homes,

because of their denial, disasters will still strike them in this life or strike those all around them, as a lesson and example for them.

Allah said in other Ayat,

وَلَقَدْ أَهْلَكْنَا مَا حَوْلَكُمْ مِّنَ الْقُرَى وَصَرَّفْنَا الاٌّيَـتِ لَعَلَّهُمْ يَرْجِعُونَ

And indeed We have destroyed towns round about you, and We have shown (them) the Ayat in various ways that they might return (to the truth). (46;27)

and,

أَفَلَ يَرَوْنَ أَنَّا نَأْتِى الاٌّرْضَ نَنقُصُهَا مِنْ أَطْرَافِهَأ أَفَهُمُ الْغَـلِبُونَ

See they not that We gradually reduce the land (in their control) from its outlying borders! Is it then they who will overcome! (21;44)

Qatadah narrated that Al-Hasan commented on Allah's statement,
أَوْ تَحُلُّ قَرِيبًا مِّن دَارِهِمْ
(or it settles close to their homes),

"It is in reference to the disaster."

This is the apparent meaning here.

Al-`Awfi reported that bin Abbas said about,

تُصِيبُهُم بِمَا صَنَعُواْ قَارِعَةٌ
(And a Qari`ah (disaster) strikes them because of their (evil) deeds),

"A torment that descends on them from heaven,

أَوْ تَحُلُّ قَرِيبًا مِّن دَارِهِمْ
(or it settles close to their homes),

when the Messenger of Allah camps near their area and fights them."

Similar was reported from Mujahid and Qatadah.

Ikrimah said in another narration he reported from Ibn Abbas that,

قَارِعَةٌ
(Qari'ah), means affliction.

These scholars also said that,

حَتَّى يَأْتِيَ وَعْدُ اللّهِ

until the promise of Allah comes to pass.

refers to the conquering of Makkah.

Al-Hasan Al-Basri said that;

it refers to the Day of Resurrection.

Allah said next,

إِنَّ اللّهَ لَا يُخْلِفُ الْمِيعَادَ



Certainly, Allah breaks not His promise.

to His Messengers to aid them and their followers in this life and the Hereafter,

فَلَ تَحْسَبَنَّ اللَّهَ مُخْلِفَ وَعْدِهِ رُسُلَهُ إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزِيزٌ ذُو انتِقَامٍ

So think not that Allah will fail to keep His promise to His Messengers. Certainly, Allah is All-Mighty, All-Able of Retribution. (14;47)