Surah Al-'Insan - سورة الانسان

Tafsir Ibn Kathir (Ibn Kathir explanation) for verse 3 of Surah

 Al-'Insan  - تفسير بن كثير للآية 3 من سورة الانسان

إِنَّا هَدَيْنَـاهُ السَّبِيلَ إِمَّا شَاكِراً وَإِمَّا كَفُوراً

Verily, We guided him to the way, whether he be grateful or ungrateful.

Allah says,

إِنَّا هَدَيْنَـهُ السَّبِيلَ

(Verily, We guided to him the way,) meaning, `We explained it to him, made it clear to him and showed it to him.' This is as Allah says,

وَأَمَّا ثَمُودُ فَهَدَيْنَـهُمْ فَاسْتَحَبُّواْ الْعَمَى عَلَى الْهُدَى

(And as for Thamud, We guided them but they preferred blindness to guidance.) (41:17) Allah also said,

وَهَدَيْنَـهُ النَّجْدَينِ 

(And We guided him to the two ways.) (90:10) meaning, `We explained to him the path of good and the path of evil.' This is the statement of `Ikrimah, `Atiyah, Ibn Zayd and Mujahid from what is well-known from him and the majority. Allah then says,

إِمَّا شَاكِراً وَإِمَّا كَفُوراً

(Whether he be grateful or ungrateful.) This is his decree. Thus, with this he is either wretched or happy. This is like what has been recorded by Muslim in a Hadith from Abu Malik Al-Ash`ari. He said that the Messenger of Allah said,

كُلُّ النَّاسِ يَغْدُو فَبَائِعٌ نَفْسَهُ، فَمُوبِقُهَا أَوْ مُعْتِقُهَا

(All of mankind wakes up in the morning the merchant of his own soul. So he either imprisons it or sets it free. )

Surah Al-'Insan - سورة الانسان

Muhammad Muhsin Khan - Muhammad Taqi-ud-Din al-Hilali Translation

1. Has there not been over man a period of time, when he was nothing to be mentioned?
2. Verily, We have created man from Nutfah drops of mixed semen (discharge of man and woman), in order to try him, so We made him hearer, seer.
3. Verily, We showed him the way, whether he be grateful or ungrateful.
4. Verily, We have prepared for the disbelievers iron chains, iron collars, and a blazing Fire.
5. Verily, the Abrar (pious, who fear Allah and avoid evil), shall drink a cup (of wine) mixed with water from a spring in Paradise called Kafur.
6. A spring wherefrom the slaves of Allah will drink, causing it to gush forth abundantly.
7. They (are those who) fulfill (their) vows, and they fear a Day whose evil will be wide-spreading.
8. And they give food, inspite of their love for it (or for the love of Him), to Miskin (poor), the orphan, and the captive,
9. (Saying): "We feed you seeking Allah's Countenance only. We wish for no reward, nor thanks from you.
10. "Verily, We fear from our Lord a Day, hard and distressful, that will make the faces look horrible (from extreme dislikeness to it)."
11. So Allah saved them from the evil of that Day, and gave them Nadratan (a light of beauty) and joy.
12. And their recompense shall be Paradise, and silken garments, because they were patient.
13. Reclining therein on raised thrones, they will see there neither the excessive heat of the sun, nor the excessive bitter cold, (as in Paradise there is no sun and no moon).
14. And the shade thereof is close upon them, and the bunches of fruit thereof will hang low within their reach.
15. And amongst them will be passed round vessels of silver and cups of crystal,
16. Crystal-clear, made of silver. They will determine the measure thereof according to their wishes.
17. And they will be given to drink there a cup (of wine) mixed with Zanjabil (ginger, etc.),
18. A spring there, called Salsabil.
19. And round about them will (serve) boys of everlasting youth. If you see them, you would think them scattered pearls.
20. And when you look there (in Paradise), you will see a delight (that cannot be imagined), and a great dominion.
21. Their garments will be of fine green silk, and gold embroidery. They will be adorned with bracelets of silver, and their Lord will give them a pure drink.
22. (And it will be said to them): "Verily, this is a reward for you, and your endeavour has been accepted."
23. Verily! It is We Who have sent down the Quran to you (O Muhammad SAW) by stages.
24. Therefore be patient (O Muhammad SAW) and submit to the Command of your Lord (Allah, by doing your duty to Him and by conveying His Message to mankind), and obey neither a sinner nor a disbeliever among them.
25. And remember the Name of your Lord every morning and afternoon [i.e. offering of the Morning (Fajr), Zuhr, and 'Asr prayers].
26. And during night, prostrate yourself to Him (i.e. the offering of Maghrib and 'Isha' prayers), and glorify Him a long night through (i.e. Tahajjud prayer).
27. Verily! These (disbelievers) love the present life of this world, and put behind them a heavy Day (that will be hard).
28. It is We Who created them, and We have made them of strong built. And when We will, We can replace them with others like them with a complete replacement.
29. Verily! This (Verses of the Quran) is an admonition, so whosoever wills, let him take a Path to his Lord (Allah).
30. But you cannot will, unless Allah wills. Verily, Allah is Ever All-Knowing, All-Wise.
31. He will admit to His Mercy whom He will and as for the Zalimun, (polytheists, wrong-doers, etc.) He has prepared a painful torment.