Marmaduke Pickthall, The Meaning of The Glorious Koran. An Explanatory Translation (1930)

SÛRAH VI

Al-An‘âm “Cattle” takes its name from a word in v. 137, repeated in vv. 139, 140, where cattle are mentioned in connection with superstitious practices condemned by Al-Islâm.

With the possible exception of nine verses, which some authorities — e.g. Ibn Salâmah — ascribe to the Madînah period, the whole of this Sûrah belongs to the year before the Hijrah. It is related, on the authority of Ibn ‘Abbâs, that it was revealed in a single visitation. It is placed here on account of the subject, vindication of the Divine Unity, which fitly follows on the subjects of the previous Sûrahs. The note of certain triumph is remarkable in the circumstances of its revelation, when the Prophet, after thirteen years of effort, saw himself obliged to flee from Mecca and seek help from strangers.

A late Meccan Sûrah.

Cattle

1. Praise be to Allah, Who hath created the heavens and the earth, and hath appointed darkness and light. Yet those who disbelieve ascribe rivals unto their Lord.

2. He it is Who hath created you from clay, and hath decreed a term for you. A term is fixed with Him. Yet still ye doubt!

3. He is Allah in the heavens and in the earth. He knoweth both your secret and your utterance, and He knoweth what ye earn.

4. Never came there unto them a revelation of the revelations of Allah but they did turn away from it.