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

SÛRAH LXI

As-Ṣaff, “The Ranks,” takes its name from a word in v. 4. In the copy of the Koran which I have followed, it is stated to have been revealed at Mecca, though its contents evidently refer to the Madman period. It may have been revealed while the Prophet and his companions were encamped in the valley of Mecca during the negotiations of the Truce of Ḥûdeybiyah, with which some of its verses are associated by tradition.

In that case the date of revelation would be the sixth year of the Hijrah.

The Ranks

1. All that is in the heavens and all that is in the earth glorifieth Allah, and He is the Mighty, the Wise.

2. O ye who believe! Why say ye that which ye do not?

3. It is most hateful in the sight of Allah that ye say that which ye do not.

4. Lo! Allah loveth those who battle for His cause in ranks, as if they were a solid structure.

5. And (remember) when Moses said unto his people: O my people! Why persecute ye me, when ye well know that I am Allah’s messenger unto you? So when they went astray Allah sent their hearts astray. And Allah guideth not the evil-living folk.

6. And when Jesus son of Mary said: O Children of Israel! Lo! I am the messenger of Allah unto you, confirming that which was (revealed) before me in the Torah,¹