43 Zukhruf(Gold)

Mecca 63 [89 verses]

Asad’s version

43:31 And they say, too, "Why was not this Qur'an bestowed from on high on some great man of the two cities?" 28

(43:32) But is it they who distribute thy Sustainer's grace? [Nay, as] it is We who distribute their means of livelihood among them in the life of this world, and raise some of them by degrees above others, to the end that they might avail themselves of one another's help - [so, too, it is We who bestow gifts of the spirit upon whomever We will] : and this thy Sustainer's grace is better than all [the worldly wealth] that they may amass.

(43:33) And were it not that [with the prospect of boundless riches before them] all people would become one [evil] community, 29 We might indeed have provided for those who [now] deny the Most Gracious roofs of silver for their houses, and [silver] stairways whereon to ascend,

(43:34) and [silver] doors for their houses, and [silver] couches whereon to recline,

(43:35) and gold [beyond count]... " Yet all this would have been nothing but a [brief] enjoyment of life in this world - whereas [happiness in] the life to come awaits the God-conscious with thy Sustainer.

Ali’s version

وَلَوْلَا أَن يَكُونَ النَّاسُ أُمَّةً وَاحِدَةً لَجَعَلْنَا لِمَن يَكْفُرُ بِالرَّحْمَنِ...

43:33. And were it not that (all) men might become of one (evil) way of life, We would provide, for everyone that blasphemes against (Allah) Most Gracious,

C4636. So little value is attached in the spiritual world to silver or gold, or worldly ranks or adornments, that they would freely be at the disposal of everyone who denied or blasphemed Allah, were it not that in that case there would be too great temptation placed in the way of men, for they might all scramble to sell their spiritual life for wealth!

They might have silver roofs and stair-ways, silver doors and thrones, and all kinds of adornments of gold. But Allah does not allow too great a temptation to be placed in the path of men. He distributes these things differently, some to unjust men, and some to just men, in various degrees, so that the possession of these is no test either of an unjust or a just life. His wisdom searches out motives far more subtle and delicate than any we are even aware of.

...لِبُيُوتِهِمْ سُقُفًا مِّن فَضَّةٍ وَمَعَارِجَ عَلَيْهَا يَظْهَرُونَ ﴿٣٣﴾

silver roofs for their houses and (silver) stair-ways on which to go up.

وَلِبُيُوتِهِمْ أَبْوَابًا وَسُرُرًا عَلَيْهَا يَتَّكِؤُونَ ﴿٣٤﴾

34. And (silver) doors to their houses, and thrones (of silver) on which they could recline,

وَزُخْرُفًا...

35. And also adornments of gold.

C4637. Adornments of gold. the keyword to this Surah.

All false glitter and adornments of this world are as naught. They more often hinder than help.

...وَإِن كُلُّ ذَلِكَ لَمَّا مَتَاعُ الْحَيَاةِ الدُّنْيَا ...

But all this were nothing but conveniences of the present life:

... وَالْآخِرَةُ عِندَ رَبِّكَ لِلْمُتَّقِينَ ﴿٣٥﴾

the Hereafter, in the sight of thy Lord, is for the Righteous.