RationalWiki:Annotated Qur'an/The Embellishment

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Annotated Qur'an
Sura 43: The Embellishment
Word-by-word translation
Alternate translations and related tafsirs
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Qur'an 43:1[edit]

Ha, Meem.

Qur'an 43:1 Notes[edit]

This is another one of those chapters that starts with random Arabic letters. What do they mean? Why are they here? Islamic scholars have been studying this book for literal centuries and still have no definitive answer.

Qur'an 43:2[edit]

By the Book that makes things clear.

Qur'an 43:2 Notes[edit]

This book doesn't even make those letters in the previous verse "clear" to say nothing of everything else.

Qur'an 43:3[edit]

We made it an Arabic Quran, so that you may understand.

Qur'an 43:3 Notes[edit]

While different sources differ on the exact numbers, many accept that less than a quarter of Muslims worldwide even speak Arabic. Granted, even native Arabic speakers find that the language has changed significantly from Muhammad's time.

Qur'an 43:4[edit]

And it is with Us, in the Source Book, sublime and wise.

Qur'an 43:4 Notes[edit]

Allah must have misspelled "subpar" and "lies".

Qur'an 43:5[edit]

Shall We hold back the Reminder from you, since you are a transgressing people?

Qur'an 43:5 Notes[edit]

This just sounds like Muhammad's frustration at how few people actually believe him.

Qur'an 43:6[edit]

How many a prophet did We send to the ancients?

Qur'an 43:6 Notes[edit]

Exactly zero. You don't exist, Allah. The prophets claiming otherwise were grifting or sincerely mistaken.

Qur'an 43:7[edit]

No messenger came to them, but they ridiculed him.

Qur'an 43:7 Notes[edit]

This says more about the supposed "revelations" than anything.

Qur'an 43:8[edit]

We destroyed people more powerful than they, and so the example of the ancients has passed away.

Qur'an 43:8 Notes[edit]

Allah also seemingly destroyed any evidence of them having ever existed or perishing specifically as described in this book.

Qur'an 43:9[edit]

And if you asked them, “Who created the heavens and the earth?” They would say, “The Mighty, the Knower created them.”

Qur'an 43:9 Notes[edit]

This can't possibly describes the god who believes that he made the earth flat under a solid sky.

Qur'an 43:10[edit]

He who made the earth a habitat for you, and traced pathways for you on it, that you may be guided.

Qur'an 43:10 Notes[edit]

Allah made the vast oceans, ice caps, scorching deserts, rough mountainous terrains, and forests filled with deadly wildlife all for humans? Also, how many people get lost navigating this dangerous world because of a distinct lack of pathways that weren't laid out by the humans already living there?

Qur'an 43:11[edit]

He who sends down water from the sky in due proportion; and so We revive thereby a dead land. Thus you will be brought out.

Qur'an 43:11 Notes[edit]

Allah needs to prove that it is "He who sends down water from the sky" despite not understanding how rain works.

Qur'an 43:12[edit]

He Who created all the pairs; and provided you with ships, and animals on which you ride.

Qur'an 43:12 Notes[edit]

Humans created ships themselves and didn't simply find any out in wilderness. Also, humans found some animals fit for transportation, breeding them selectively to make them more suited for this task. What exactly does this supposed "prophet" who married substantially more than his fair share of 4 wives mean with "pairs"?

Qur'an 43:13[edit]

That you may mount their backs, and remember the favor of your Lord as you sit firmly upon them, and say, “Glory be to Him Who placed these at our service; surely we could not have done it by ourselves.

Qur'an 43:13 Notes[edit]

While humans didn't actually make the animals appear on their own, they did domesticate and selectively breed those beasts who were already out in nature. They also evolved independently of the humans who would ride them.

Qur'an 43:14[edit]

And surely, to our Lord we will return.”

Qur'an 43:14 Notes[edit]

How sure are you?

Qur'an 43:15[edit]

Yet they turn one of His servants into a part of Him. Man is clearly ungrateful.

Qur'an 43:15 Notes[edit]

Man is simply not convinced of this god. Surely, an actual creator god would know more about his creation than some guys in the seventh century and certainly not less.

Qur'an 43:16[edit]

Or has He chosen for Himself daughters from what He creates, and favored you with sons?

Qur'an 43:16 Notes[edit]

This book had an opportunity to actually promote gender equality and solve very real systemic sexism problems that existed back then and even now.

Qur'an 43:17[edit]

Yet when one of them is given news of what he attributes to the Most Gracious, his face darkens, and he suppresses grief.

Qur'an 43:17 Notes[edit]

Instead, the Quran chooses to talk about something that makes no real sense without external sources.

Qur'an 43:18[edit]

“Someone brought up to be beautiful, and unable to help in a fight?”

Qur'an 43:18 Notes[edit]

This sexist book is trying to make idolators looks bad for not wanting daughters but fails by being so incredibly obtuse.

Qur'an 43:19[edit]

And they appoint the angels, who are servants to the Most Gracious, as females. Have they witnessed their creation? Their claim will be recorded, and they will be questioned.

Qur'an 43:19 Notes[edit]

This may have made sense back when Muhammad was alive, but it certainly fails now.

Qur'an 43:20[edit]

And they say, “Had the Most Gracious willed, we would not have worshiped them.” But they have no knowledge of that; they are merely guessing.

Qur'an 43:20 Notes[edit]

Why would this book in particular have an issue with taking things on faith?

Qur'an 43:21[edit]

Or have We given them a book prior to this one, to which they adhere?

Qur'an 43:21 Notes[edit]

Allah clearly neither has anything resembling a clue what he's saying nor cares.

Qur'an 43:22[edit]

But they say, “We found our parents on a course, and we are guided in their footsteps.”

Qur'an 43:22 Notes[edit]

Kids in Muslim households shouldn't just accept Islam because their parents are Muslims. This door swings both ways.

Qur'an 43:23[edit]

Likewise, We sent no warner before you to any town, but the wealthy among them said, “We found our parents on a course, and we are following in their footsteps.”

Qur'an 43:23 Notes[edit]

Nowadays, Muslims say something similar when presented with ideas that go against the same religion that their family has followed for generations.

Qur'an 43:24[edit]

He would say, “Even if I bring you better guidance than what you found your parents following?” They would say, “We reject what you are sent with.”

Qur'an 43:24 Notes[edit]

Give us this "better guidance" first and foremost. The Quran isn't anywhere near that point.

Qur'an 43:25[edit]

So We wreaked vengeance upon them. Behold, then, what was the fate of those who deny.

Qur'an 43:25 Notes[edit]

What actual morals is this series of verses supposed to convey?

Qur'an 43:26[edit]

When Abraham said to his father and his people, “I am innocent of what you worship.

Qur'an 43:26 Notes[edit]

Exmuslim kids can try saying similar things to their Muslim parents to disastrous effects. Many kids are stuck with their believing parents because even expressing doubt can lead to domestic abuse, violence, or abandonment.

Qur'an 43:27[edit]

Except for He who created me, for He will guide me.”

Qur'an 43:27 Notes[edit]

Prove that a god created you in the first place. Once there, prove that Allah is the specific god in question.

Qur'an 43:28[edit]

And he made it an enduring word in his progeny, so that they may return.

Qur'an 43:28 Notes[edit]

Did any of them get clear proof that Allah even exists?

Qur'an 43:29[edit]

I gave these and their forefathers some enjoyment, until the truth and a manifest messenger came to them.

Qur'an 43:29 Notes[edit]

When will any of this "truth" reach anybody today? How can anybody tell "a manifest messenger" apart from somebody who is blatantly wrong about everything?

Qur'an 43:30[edit]

But when the truth came to them, they said, “This is sorcery, and we refuse to believe in it.”

Qur'an 43:30 Notes[edit]

Allah is just as fictional as sorcery. People don't "refuse to believe in it" when they are sincerely unconvinced.

Qur'an 43:31[edit]

They also said, “If only this Quran was sent down to a man of importance from the two cities.”

Qur'an 43:31 Notes[edit]

Our issue isn't that Allah sent this book down to the wrong person. It's that the book itself is too obviously wrong that to come from an omniscient being at all.

Qur'an 43:32[edit]

Is it they who allocate the mercy of your Lord? It is We who have allocated their livelihood in this life, and We elevated some of them in rank above others, that some of them would take others in service. But your Lord’s mercy is better than what they amass.

Qur'an 43:32 Notes[edit]

Then actually demonstrate that. Show humanity this "mercy" already.

Qur'an 43:33[edit]

Were it not that humanity would become a single community, We would have provided those who disbelieve in the Most Gracious with roofs of silver to their houses, and stairways by which they ascend.

Qur'an 43:33 Notes[edit]

What would be the problem with humanity coming together as a single community?

Qur'an 43:34[edit]

And doors to their houses, and furnishings on which they recline.

Qur'an 43:34 Notes[edit]

Does Allah actually want humanity to be so violently split?

Qur'an 43:35[edit]

And decorations. Yet all that is nothing but the stuff of this life. Yet the Hereafter, with your Lord, is for the righteous.

Qur'an 43:35 Notes[edit]

Why would anybody want to spend an eternal afterlife with this insecure psychotic narcissist?

Qur'an 43:36[edit]

Whoever shuns the remembrance of the Most Gracious, We assign for him a devil, to be his companion.

Qur'an 43:36 Notes[edit]

And this is supposed to be the good guy here?

Qur'an 43:37[edit]

They hinder them from the path, though they think they are guided.

Qur'an 43:37 Notes[edit]

That can happen when Allah makes his "guidance" look so vile and disgusting.

Qur'an 43:38[edit]

Until, when He comes to Us, he will say, “If only there were between me and you the distance of the two Easts.” What an evil companion!

Qur'an 43:38 Notes[edit]

What does "the distance of the two Easts" even mean here? How exactly did Muhammad think this world works?

Qur'an 43:39[edit]

It will not benefit you on that Day, since you did wrong. You are partners in the suffering.

Qur'an 43:39 Notes[edit]

Who needs Satan when Allah already does Satan's job for him?

Qur'an 43:40[edit]

Can you make the deaf hear, or guide the blind, and him who is in evident error?

Qur'an 43:40 Notes[edit]

Scientists are making immense progress in both. Allah, however, brags about sealing people's eyes and ears to keep them from accepting his guidance. This book consistently presents itself as the very "evident error" which it claims to dispel.

Qur'an 43:41[edit]

Even if We take you away, We will wreak vengeance upon them.

Qur'an 43:41 Notes[edit]

Spending an eternity with this psychopath is the good ending.

Qur'an 43:42[edit]

Or show you what We have promised them; for We have absolute power over them.

Qur'an 43:42 Notes[edit]

As you don't actually exist, Allah, your promises mean nothing.

Qur'an 43:43[edit]

So adhere to what is revealed to you. You are upon a straight path.

Qur'an 43:43 Notes[edit]

These revelations are among the least straightforward things ever penned to paper.

Qur'an 43:44[edit]

It is a message for you, and for your people; and you will be questioned.

Qur'an 43:44 Notes[edit]

An omniscient being would have no need to question anybody.

Qur'an 43:45[edit]

Ask those of Our messengers We sent before you: “Did We appoint gods besides the Most Gracious to be worshiped?”

Qur'an 43:45 Notes[edit]

They all either died or were never real in the first place. Then again, Allah was never real enough to send anybody in the first place.

Qur'an 43:46[edit]

We sent Moses with Our revelations to Pharaoh and his dignitaries. He said, “I am the Messenger of the Lord of the Worlds.”

Qur'an 43:46 Notes[edit]

Which pharaoh exactly? Allah would know about the many pharaohs who existed and have more historical evidence supporting them than this Moses fellow.

Qur'an 43:47[edit]

But when he showed them Our signs, they started laughing at them.

Qur'an 43:47 Notes[edit]

Your signs are just that awful, Allah.

Qur'an 43:48[edit]

Each sign We showed them was more marvelous than its counterpart. And We afflicted them with the plagues, so that they may repent.

Qur'an 43:48 Notes[edit]

Allah presented awful "signs" and didn't convince them. They sincerely don't believe that Allah even exists. Allah gets jealous and insecure enough to send plagues and hurt thousands of innocent victims just so that this unnamed pharaoh could realize that it was Allah all along and repent? How does any of that make sense?

Qur'an 43:49[edit]

They said, “O sorcerer, pray to your Lord for us, according to His pledge to you, and then we will be guided.”

Qur'an 43:49 Notes[edit]

This pharaoh made the mistake of asking Allah to be remotely consistent and show some mercy.

Qur'an 43:50[edit]

But when We lifted the torment from them, they immediately broke their promise.

Qur'an 43:50 Notes[edit]

Allah was supposed to be the one guide them.

Qur'an 43:51[edit]

Pharaoh proclaimed among his people, saying, “O my people, do I not own the Kingdom of Egypt, and these rivers flow beneath me? Do you not see?

Qur'an 43:51 Notes[edit]

The pharaohs had more evidence supporting their existence than Allah.

Qur'an 43:52[edit]

Am I not better than this miserable wretch, who can barely express himself?

Qur'an 43:52 Notes[edit]

Moses would have been awful even if he did actually exist.

Qur'an 43:53[edit]

Why are bracelets of gold not dropped on him, or they angels came with him in procession?”

Qur'an 43:53 Notes[edit]

I have the sneaking suspicion that this pharaoh isn't meant to be any of the real pharaohs but just another fictional character.

Qur'an 43:54[edit]

Thus he fooled his people, and they obeyed him. They were wicked people.

Qur'an 43:54 Notes[edit]

They were wicked for sincerely believing a figure of authority and being deceived?

Qur'an 43:55[edit]

And when they provoked Our wrath, We took retribution from them, and We drowned them all.

Qur'an 43:55 Notes[edit]

Pharaoh and not Allah is supposed to be the bad guy of this story. Also, how hypocritical is Muhammad for demanding total obedience from his followers with the threat of infinite punishment and still pretending to be remotely better than this Pharaoh fellow.

Qur'an 43:56[edit]

Thus We made them a precedent and an example for the others.

Qur'an 43:56 Notes[edit]

Does this mean that any historical evidence of this story shows it to align with the Quran's retelling?

Qur'an 43:57[edit]

And when the son of Mary was cited as an example, your people opposed.

Qur'an 43:57 Notes[edit]

Most people back then would have either not believed that Jesus even existed or believed in a Jesus not described in this book.

Qur'an 43:58[edit]

They said, “Are our gods better, or he?” They cited him only for argument. In fact, they are a quarrelsome people.

Qur'an 43:58 Notes[edit]

Any gods would be infinitely better than Allah, the bumbling idiot who barely knows anything and gets off on others suffering forever.

Qur'an 43:59[edit]

He was just a servant whom We blessed, and We made him an example for the Children of Israel.

Qur'an 43:59 Notes[edit]

He very likely never existed at all or, at the very least, was nothing like the Quran's depiction of him.

Qur'an 43:60[edit]

Had We willed, We would have made of you angels to be successors on earth.

Qur'an 43:60 Notes[edit]

Allah instead just wants to suffer.

Qur'an 43:61[edit]

He is a portent of the Hour, so have no doubt about it, and follow Me. This is a straight way.

Qur'an 43:61 Notes[edit]

No matter how many times you repeat something with any level of confidence, it will never be true just like that.

Qur'an 43:62[edit]

And let not Satan divert you. He is an open enemy to you.

Qur'an 43:62 Notes[edit]

Allah will be the one to misguide and doom you instead.

Qur'an 43:63[edit]

When Jesus came with the clarifications, he said, “I have come to you with wisdom, and to clarify for you some of what you differ about. So fear God, and obey me.

Qur'an 43:63 Notes[edit]

Is this wisdom in the room with any of us now or ever?

Qur'an 43:64[edit]

God is my Lord and your Lord, so worship Him—this is a straight path.”

Qur'an 43:64 Notes[edit]

Nope. It's all just repetition.

Qur'an 43:65[edit]

But the factions differed among themselves. So woe to the wrongdoers from the suffering of a painful Day.

Qur'an 43:65 Notes[edit]

Simple disagreements are now horrific sins.

Qur'an 43:66[edit]

Are they only waiting for the Hour to come upon them suddenly, while they are unaware?

Qur'an 43:66 Notes[edit]

Read this verse again and see if you can find the problem with it, Allah.

Qur'an 43:67[edit]

On that Day, friends will be enemies of one another, except for the righteous.

Qur'an 43:67 Notes[edit]

Such a day is not even demonstrably possible.

Qur'an 43:68[edit]

O My servants, you have nothing to fear on that Day, nor will you grieve.

Qur'an 43:68 Notes[edit]

Let me get this straight. Believing children will not grieve their disbelieving parents even with the children knowing that the parents are going to suffer forever with no hope of escape. Believing parents will not grieve their disbelieving children even with the parents knowing that the children are going to suffer forever with no hope of escape. Siblings, spouses, best friends, and yet these people won't grieve in that case?

Qur'an 43:69[edit]

Those who believed in Our revelations, and were submissive.

Qur'an 43:69 Notes[edit]

Woe to you psychopathic ass, Muhammad!

Qur'an 43:70[edit]

Enter the Garden, you and your spouses, Joyfully.

Qur'an 43:70 Notes[edit]

What if many of these believers are forced to separate from their spouses on that day? It happens!

Qur'an 43:71[edit]

They will be served around with trays of gold, and cups. Therein is whatever the souls desire and delights the eyes. Therein you will stay forever.

Qur'an 43:71 Notes[edit]

My soul desires an afterlife in which nobody would ever suffer no matter what, but this evil desire will probably put me in the realm of infinite agony.

Qur'an 43:72[edit]

Such is the Garden you are made to inherit, because of what you used to do.

Qur'an 43:72 Notes[edit]

How exactly would the people staying there not eventually get bored after their googolth millennium or so?

Qur'an 43:73[edit]

Therein you will have abundant fruit, from which you eat.

Qur'an 43:73 Notes[edit]

Fruit is delicious but not the only good stuff to eat.

Qur'an 43:74[edit]

As for the sinners, they will be in the torment of Hell forever.

Qur'an 43:74 Notes[edit]

Simply the knowledge of people suffering forever is enough to make Heaven entirely unenjoyable.

Qur'an 43:75[edit]

It will never be eased for them. In it, they will be devastated.

Qur'an 43:75 Notes[edit]

Allah is still good somehow.

Qur'an 43:76[edit]

We did them no injustice, but it was they who were the unjust.

Qur'an 43:76 Notes[edit]

Just own up to your injustice if you desire such infinite suffering, Allah!

Qur'an 43:77[edit]

And they will cry, “O Malek, let your Lord finish us off.” He will say, “You are staying.”

Qur'an 43:77 Notes[edit]

The Quran didn't specify this for some reason, but Malek is apparently the warden of Hell.

Qur'an 43:78[edit]

We have given you the truth, but most of you hate the truth.

Qur'an 43:78 Notes[edit]

Allah, more than anybody who actually exists, hates the truth.

Qur'an 43:79[edit]

Have they contrived some scheme? We too are contriving.

Qur'an 43:79 Notes[edit]

We get it, Allah. You plan on making the vast majority of humanity suffer forever and want to rub salt in their gaping wounds by letting some humans avoid this suffering.

Qur'an 43:80[edit]

Or do they think that We cannot hear their secrets and their conspiracies? Yes indeed, Our messengers are by them, writing down.

Qur'an 43:80 Notes[edit]

We get it, Allah. You don't have to keep going like this.

Qur'an 43:81[edit]

Say, “If the Most Gracious had a son, I would be the first to worship.”

Qur'an 43:81 Notes[edit]

So many people already believe that he has a literal son who is somehow the same god.

Qur'an 43:82[edit]

Glorified be the Lord of the heavens and the earth, the Lord of the Throne, beyond what they describe.

Qur'an 43:82 Notes[edit]

Allah is most definitely not worthy of any glory.

Qur'an 43:83[edit]

So leave them to blunder and play, until they encounter their Day which they are promised.

Qur'an 43:83 Notes[edit]

As if Allah's promise means anything whatsoever.

Qur'an 43:84[edit]

It is He who is God in heaven, and God on earth. He is the Wise, the Knower.

Qur'an 43:84 Notes[edit]

This book repeatedly proves otherwise.

Qur'an 43:85[edit]

And blessed is He Who has sovereignty over the heavens and the earth and what is between them. He alone has knowledge of the Hour, and to Him you will be returned.

Qur'an 43:85 Notes[edit]

Allah, as a fictional character, has equally fictional knowledge instead of actual knowledge of anything remotely real.

Qur'an 43:86[edit]

Those they invoke besides Him are incapable of intercession; only those who testify to the truth and have knowledge.

Qur'an 43:86 Notes[edit]

Qur'an 43:87[edit]

And if you asked them, “Who created them?”, they would say, “God.” Why then do they deviate?

Qur'an 43:87 Notes[edit]

What about those who would not give this evidently incorrect answer?

Qur'an 43:88[edit]

As for his statement: “My Lord, these are a people who do not believe.”

Qur'an 43:88 Notes[edit]

What reason do they have to accept this utterly asinine belief system?

Qur'an 43:89[edit]

Pardon them, and say, “Peace.” They will come to know.

Qur'an 43:89 Notes[edit]

What does the word "Peace" even mean to Allah?