Al-Qur'an Surah Al-Hadid Verse 25

Mufti Taqi Usmani

We have indeed sent Our messengers with clear proofs, and sent down with them the Book and the Balance, so that people may uphold equity. And We sent down iron in which there is strong power, and benefits for the people; and (We did it) so that Allah knows the one who helps Him and His messengers without seeing (Him). Surely Allah is Strong, Mighty.

Dr. Mustafa Khattab, the Clear Quran

Indeed, We sent Our messengers with clear proofs, and with them We sent down the Scripture and the balance ˹of justice˺ so that people may administer justice. And We sent down iron with its great might, benefits for humanity, and means for Allah to prove who ˹is willing to˺ stand up for Him and His messengers without seeing Him. Surely Allah is All-Powerful, Almighty.

Ruwwad Translation Center

We have sent Our messengers with clear proofs, and sent down with them the Scripture and the criteria of justice, so that the people may uphold justice. And We sent down iron, in which there is great might and benefits for people, so that Allah may make known those who help His cause and His messengers without seeing Him. Indeed, Allah is All-Powerful, All-Mighty.

A. J. Arberry

Indeed, We sent Our Messengers with the clear signs, and We sent down with them the Book and the Balance so that men might uphold justice. And We sent down iron, wherein is great might, and many uses for men, and so that God might know who helps Him, and His Messengers, in the Unseen. Surely God is All-strong, All-mighty.

Abdul Haleem

We sent Our messengers with clear signs, the Scripture and the Balance, so that people could uphold justice: We also sent iron, with its mighty strength and many uses for mankind, so that God could mark out those who would help Him and His messengers though they cannot see Him. Truly God is powerful, almighty.

Abdul Majid Daryabadi

Assuredly We sent Our apostles with evidences, and We sent down With them the book and the balance, that people might observe equity. And We sent down iron wherein is great violence and also advantages Unto mankind, and that Allah may know him who succoureth Him, unseen, and His apostles. Verily Allah is Strong, Mighty.

Abdullah Yusuf Ali

We sent aforetime our messengers with Clear Signs and sent down with them the Book and the Balance (of Right and Wrong), that men may stand forth in justice; and We sent down Iron, in which is (material for) mighty war, as well as many benefits for mankind, that Allah may test who it is that will help, Unseen, Him and His messengers; For Allah is Full of Strength, Exalted in Might (and able to enforce His Will).

Abul Ala Maududi

Indeed We sent Our Messengers with Clear Signs, and sent down with them the Book and the Balance that people may uphold justice. And We sent down iron, wherein there is awesome power and many benefits for people, so that Allah may know who, without even having seen Him, helps Him and His Messengers. Surely Allah is Most Strong, Most Mighty.

Ahmed Ali

We have surely sent apostles with clear signs, and sent with them the Book and the Balance, so that men may stand by justice; and We sent down iron which causes much distress but also has advantages for men, so that God may know who helps Him and His apostles in secret. Verily God is all-powerful and all-mighty.

Ahmed Raza Khan

Indeed We sent Our Noble Messengers with proofs, and sent down the Book and the Balance of Justice along with them, so that people may stay upon justice; and We sent down iron having severe heat and benefits for mankind, and so that Allah may see him, who without seeing aides Him and His Noble Messengers; indeed Allah is Almighty, Dominant.

Ali Quli Qarai

Certainly We sent Our apostles with manifest proofs, and We sent down with them the Book and the Balance, so that mankind may maintain justice; and We sent down iron, in which there is great might and uses for mankind, and so that Allah may know those who help Him and His apostles [with faith] in the Unseen. Indeed Allah is all-strong, all-mighty.

Ali Ünal

Assuredly We have sent Our Messengers with manifest truths (and clear proofs of their being Messengers), and We have sent down with them the Book and the Balance so that (relations among) humankind may live by equity. And We have sent down iron in which is stern might and benefits for humankind, so that God may mark out those who help (the cause of) God and His Messengers, though they do not see Him. Surely God is All-Strong, All-Glorious with irresistible might.

Amatul Rahman Omar

Certainly, We sent Our Messengers with clear proofs and We (also) sent down with them the Code (of Sharî`at - law and justice) and the Balance (- the practice of the Prophet and right use of the Book of God) so that people might conduct themselves with equity and justice. And We have given (to them) iron (which has great strength and) wherein is (material for) violent warfare and for many (other) uses for mankind. All this has been done that Allâh may distinguish those who help Him and His Messengers without having seen Him. Indeed Allâh is All-Powerful, All- Mighty.

English Literal

We had (E) sent Our messengers with the evidences, and We descended with them The Book , and the scale/measuring instrument , (for) the people to keep up/take care of with the just/equitable, and We descended the iron, in it (is) strong (severe) power/might , and benefits/uses for the people, and (it is for) God to know who gives Him victory/aid and His messenger with the unseen/hidden , that truly God (is) strong, glorious/mighty .

Faridul Haque

Indeed We sent Our Noble Messengers with proofs, and sent down the Book and the Balance of Justice along with them, so that people may stay upon justice; and We sent down iron having severe heat and benefits for mankind, and so that Allah may see him, who without seeing aides Him and His Noble Messengers; indeed Allah is Almighty, Dominant.

Hamid S. Aziz

Certainly We sent Our messengers with clear arguments, and sent down with them the Book and the Balance that men may conduct themselves with equity; and We have sent down Iron, wherein is mighty power (or War) and advantages to men, and that Allah may know who helps Him and His messengers in secret (unseen or in his heart); surely Allah is Strong, Mighty.

Hilali & Khan

Indeed We have sent Our Messengers with clear proofs, and revealed with them the Scripture and the Balance (justice) that mankind may keep up justice. And We brought forth iron wherein is mighty power (in matters of war), as well as many benefits for mankind, that Allah may test who it is that will help Him (His religion), and His Messengers in the unseen. Verily, Allah is All-Strong, All-Mighty.

Maulana Mohammad Ali

Such as are niggardly and enjoin niggardliness on men. And whoever turns back, then surely Allah is the Self-Sufficient, the Praised.

Mohammad Habib Shakir

Certainly We sent Our apostles with clear arguments, and sent down with them the Book and the balance that men may conduct themselves with equity; and We have made the iron, wherein is great violence and advantages to men, and that Allah may know who helps Him and His apostles in the secret; surely Allah is Strong, Mighty.

Mohammed Marmaduke William Pickthall

We verily sent Our messengers with clear proofs, and revealed with them the Scripture and the Balance, that mankind may observe right measure; and He revealed iron, wherein is mighty power and (many) uses for mankind, and that Allah may know him who helpeth Him and His messengers, though unseen. Lo! Allah is Strong, Almighty.

Muhammad Sarwar

We sent Our Messengers with clear evidence (to support their truthfulness), and sent with them the Book and the Balance so that people would maintain justice. We sent down iron - in which there is strong power and benefit for the people - so that God would know who would help Him and His Messenger without seeing the unseen. God is All-powerful and Majestic.

Qaribullah & Darwish

We have sent Our Messengers with proofs, and sent them with the Book and the Scales, so that people might establish the Scale (of justice). We have sent down iron in which there is great might and diverse benefit for people, so that Allah knows those who help Him and His Messengers in the Unseen. Indeed, Allah is the Strong, the Almighty.

Safi-ur-Rahman al-Mubarakpuri

Indeed We have sent Our Messengers with clear proofs, and revealed with them the Scripture and the Mizan that mankind may keep up justice. And We brought forth iron wherein is mighty power, as well as many benefits for mankind, that Allah may test who it is that will help Him (His religion) and His Messengers in the unseen. Verily, Allah is Powerful, Almighty.

Wahiduddin Khan

We sent Our messengers with evidence and, with them, We sent down the Book and the Scales of Justice, so that men might act in all fairness. We sent down iron with its great inherent strength and its many benefits for mankind, so that God might know who would stand up for God, though unseen, and His messengers. God is powerful, and almighty.

Talal Itani

We sent Our messengers with the clear proofs, and We sent down with them the Book and the Balance, that humanity may uphold justice. And We sent down iron, in which is violent force, and benefits for humanity. That God may know who supports Him and His messengers invisibly. God is Strong and Powerful.

Tafsir jalalayn

We have verily sent Our messengers, the angels, to prophets, with clear signs, with the definitive proofs, and We revealed with them the Scripture and the Balance, justice, so that mankind may uphold justice. And We sent down iron, We caused it to be extracted from mineral ores, wherein is great might, with which one may wage battle, and [many] uses for mankind, and so that God may know, a knowledge of direct vision (li- ya`lama'Llhu is a supplement to li-yaqma'l-nsu, `so that mankind may uphold') those who help Him, by helping [to uphold] His religion through [the use of] instruments of war made of metal and otherwise, and His messengers through the Unseen (bi'l-ghaybi; a circumstantial qualifier referring to the [suffixed pronoun] h', `Him', of yansuruhu, `[who] aid Him'), that is to say, while He [God] is not seen by them in this world. Ibn `Abbs said; `They help Him even though they do not see Him' (yansurnahu wa-l yubsirnahu). Assuredly God is Strong, Mighty, without any need of being helped, but such [help] benefits those who proffer it.

Tafseer Ibn Kathir

The Prophets were given Miracles and Sent with truth and Justice

Allah the Exalted said next,

لَقَدْ أَرْسَلْنَا رُسُلَنَا بِالْبَيِّنَاتِ

Indeed We have sent Our Messengers with clear proofs.

in reference to the miracles, the unequivocal evidences and the plain proofs,

وَأَنزَلْنَا مَعَهُمُ الْكِتَابَ

and revealed with them the Scripture,

which contains the true text,

وَالْمِيزَانَ

and the Mizan,

that is, justice, according to Mujahid, Qatadah and others.

This Ayah refers to the truth that is attested to by the sound, straight minds that oppose misguided opinions and ideas, just as Allah said in other Ayat,

أَفَمَن كَانَ عَلَى بَيِّنَةٍ مِّن رَّبِّهِ وَيَتْلُوهُ شَاهِدٌ مِّنْهُ

Can they (Muslims) who rely on a clear proof from their Lord, and whom a witness from Him follows it (be equal with the disbelievers), (11;17)

فِطْرَةَ اللَّهِ الَّتِى فَطَرَ النَّاسَ عَلَيْهَا

Allah's Fitra (religion) with which He has created mankind. (30;30)

and,

وَالسَّمَأءَ رَفَعَهَا وَوَضَعَ الْمِيزَانَ

And the heaven;He has raised it high, and He has set up the Mizan. (55;7)

This is why Allah said here,

لِيَقُومَ النَّاسُ بِالْقِسْطِ

that mankind may keep up justice,

truth and fairness that is found in the obedience of the Messengers, in all that they conveyed from their Lord, and following all they commanded. Surely, what the Prophets brought forth is the truth, beyond which there is no truth, just as Allah said,

وَتَمَّتْ كَلِمَةُ رَبِّكَ صِدْقاً وَعَدْلاً

And the Word of your Lord has been fulfilled in truth and in justice. (6;115),

His Word is true in what it conveys, and just in all its orders and prohibitions. This is why the believers say, when they take up their rooms in Paradise and assume their high grades and lined thrones,

الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ الَّذِى هَدَانَا لِهَـذَا وَمَا كُنَّا لِنَهْتَدِىَ لَوْلا أَنْ هَدَانَا اللَّهُ لَقَدْ جَأءَتْ رُسُلُ رَبِّنَا بِالْحَقِّ

All praise is due to Allah, Who has guided us to this, and never could we have found guidance, were it not that Allah had guided us! Indeed, the Messengers of our Lord did come with the truth. (7;43)
The Benefits of Iron

Allah said,

وَأَنزَلْنَا الْحَدِيدَ فِيهِ بَأْسٌ شَدِيدٌ وَمَنَافِعُ لِلنَّاسِ

And We brought forth iron wherein is mighty power, as well as many benefits for mankind,

meaning, `We made iron a deterrent for those who refuse the truth and oppose it after the proof has been established against them.'

Allah's Messenger remained in Makkah for thirteen years. During that time, the revelation continued being sent to him, containing arguments against the idolators and explaining Tawhid with detail and proofs. When the evidence was established against those who defied the Messenger, Allah decreed the Hijrah. Then He ordered the believers to fight the disbelievers using swords, using them to strike the necks and foreheads of those who opposed, rejected and denied the Qur'an.

Imam Ahmad and Abu Dawud recorded that Abdullah bin Umar said that the Messenger of Allah said,

بُعِثْتُ بِالسَّيْفِ بَيْنَ يَدَيِ السَّاعَةِ حَتْى يُعْبَدَ اللهُ وَحْدَهُ لَا شَرِيكَ لَهُ وَجُعِلَ رِزْقِي تَحْتَ ظِلِّ رُمْحِي وَجُعِلَ الذِّلَّةُ والصَّغَارُ عَلَى مَنْ خَالَفَ أَمْرِي وَمَنْ تَشَبَّهَ بِقَوْمٍ فَهُوَ مِنْهُم

I was sent with the sword just before the Hour so that Allah be worshipped alone without partners. My provision was placed under the shadow of my spear, and those who defy my order were disgraced and humiliated, and he who imitates a people is one of them.

This is why Allah the Exalted said,
فِيهِ بَأْسٌ شَدِيدٌ
(wherein is mighty power), in reference to weapons, such as swords, spears, daggers, arrows, shields, and so forth,
وَمَنَافِعُ لِلنَّاسِ
(as well as many benefits for mankind), meaning, in their livelihood, such as using it to make coins, hammers, axes, saws chisels, shovels and various tools that people use for tilting the land, sowing, cooking, making dough and manufacturing other objects necessary for their livelihood.

Allah's statement,

وَلِيَعْلَمَ اللَّهُ مَن يَنصُرُهُ وَرُسُلَهُ بِالْغَيْبِ

that Allah may test who it is that will help Him (His religion) and His Messengers in the unseen.

meaning, whose intention by carrying weapons is the defense of Allah (His religion) and His Messenger,

إِنَّ اللَّهَ قَوِيٌّ عَزِيزٌ




Verily, Allah is Powerful, Almighty.

meaning, surely, Allah is Powerful, Almighty, and He gives victory to those who give victory and aid to Him. However, Allah does not need mankind's help, but He ordered Jihad to test people with each other.