HOLY QUR'AN

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HOLY QUR'AN
Translated by M.H. Shakir

Edited by Yasin T. al-Jibouri

yasinaljibouri@hotmail.com

SURA 38

Saad

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

Saad. By the Qur'an, full of admonishment: (This is the truth.)
But the disbelievers (are steeped) in self-glory and separatism.
How many generations before them did We destroy? In the end they cried (for mercy)! when there was no longer time to be saved!
So they wonder that a warner has come to them from among themselves! And the disbelievers say, “This is a sorcerer telling lies!
“Has he made the gods (all) into one Allah? Indeed this is something quite strange!”
And the leaders among them go away (impatiently), (saying,) “Walk away, and remain constant to your gods! For this is truly a thing designed (against you)!
“We never heard (the like) of this among the people of these latter days: This is nothing but a made-up tale!
“What?! Has the message been sent to him! (of all persons) among us?...” But they are in doubt concerning My (Own) message! Nay, they have not yet tasted My punishment!
Or do they have the treasures of the mercy of your Lord, the One Exalted in power, the Grantor of bounties without measure!
Or do they have the dominion of the heavens and the earth and all between? If so, let them mount up with the ropes and means (to reach that end)!
But even a host of coalitions will be put to flight.
Before them (were many who) rejected the Messengers: The people of Noah, and 'Ad, and Pharaoh, the Lord of Stakes,
And Thamd, and the people of Lot, and the Companions of the Wood; such were the coalitions.

Everyone (of them) rejected the Messengers, but My punishment came justly and inevitably (to them).

(Today) they only wait for a single mighty blast, which (when it comes) will brook no delay.

They say, “Our Lord! Hasten to us our sentence (even) before the Day of Accounting!”

Have patience at what they say, and remember Our servant David, the man of strength, for he always turned (to Allah).

It was We Who made the hills declare Our praises in unison with him, at eventide and at the break of day,

And the birds gathered (in assemblies): All turned with him (to Allah).

We strengthened his kingdom and gave him wisdom and sound Judgment in speech and judgment.

Has the story of the disputants reached you? Behold! They entered into the private chamber;

When they entered the presence of David, and he was terrified of them, they said, “Do not fear: We are two disputants, one of whom has wronged the other: Now decide between us with truth, and do not treat us with injustice, but guide us to the straight path...

“This man is my brother; he has ninety-nine ewes, and I have (only) one: Yet he says, `Commit her to my care,' and is (moreover) harsh to me in speech.”

(David) said, “He has undoubtedly wronged you in demanding your (single) ewe to be added to his (flock of) ewes: Indeed many partners (in business) wrong each other: Those who believe and do deeds of righteousness do not do so, and how few are they?” And David realized that We had tried him: He asked forgiveness of his Lord, fell down, bowing (in prostration) and turned (to Allah in repentance).

So We forgave him this (lapse): He indeed enjoyed a near approach to Us, and a beautiful place of (final) return.

O David! We did indeed make you a vicegerent on earth, so judge between men in truth (and justice), and do not follow the desires (of your heart), for they will mislead you from God's path, for those who wander astray from God's path, (there) is a grievous penalty, because they forget the Day of Accounting.

We did not create heavens and the earth and all between them in vain! That is the thought of disbelievers! But woe unto the disbelievers because of the fire (of hell)!

Shall We treat those who believe and do deeds of righteousness the way we treat those who do mischief on earth? Shall We treat those who guard themselves against evil the same way as those who turn aside from the right?

(Here is) a Book which We have sent down to you, full of blessings so that they may meditate on its Signs, and that men of understanding may receive admonishment.

To David We granted Solomon (for a son)! how excellent in Our service! He always turned (to Us)!

Behold! Coursers of the highest breeding and speed were brought before him at eventide;

And he said, “I do indeed prefer the good (things in life) to aspiring to glorify my Lord,” until (the sun) was hidden in the veil (of the night):

“Bring them back to me.” Then he began to pass his hand over (their) legs and their necks.

And We tried Solomon: We placed a body (without life) on his throne: But he turned (to Us in true devotion):

He said, “O Lord! Forgive me, and grant me a kingdom, which (may not) suit another after me, for You are the Grantor of bounties (without measure).”

Then We subjected the wind to his power, to flow gently to his order, wherever he willed,

And also the evil ones, (including) every kind of builder and diver,

And also others bound together in fetters.

“Such are Our bounties: Whether you bestow them (on others) or withhold them, no account will be asked.”

And he indeed enjoyed a near approach to Us, and a beautiful place of (final) return.

Remember Our servant Job; behold, he cried to his Lord, “The evil one has afflicted me with distress and suffering!”

(The command was given:) “Strike with your foot: Here is (water) for you to wash, cool and refreshing, and (water) to drink.”

And We gave him (back) his family and doubled their number as a grace from Ourselves and a thing for commemoration, for all who have understanding.

“And take in your hand a little green branch and strike with it, and do not break (your oath).” Truly We found him full of patience and constancy: How excellent in Our service! He always turned (to Us)!

And remember Our servants Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, men of power and vision.

We indeed chose them for a special (purpose)! proclaiming the message of the hereafter.

In Our sight, they were indeed of the company of the elite and the good.

And commemorate Ishmael, Elisha, and Zul-Kifl: Each of them was among the company of the good ones.

This is a message (of admonishment), and indeed, for the righteous, (there) is a beautiful place of (final) return,

Gardens of eternity whose doors will (always) be open to them;

There they will recline (at ease); there they can call (at pleasure) for fruit in abundance and (delicious) drink;

And beside them will be chaste women restraining their glances, (companions) of equal age.

Such is the promise made to you for the Day of Accounting!

Indeed such will be Our bounty (to you); it will never fail;

Yes, it is so! But (there) will be an evil place of (final) return for the wrong-doers!

Hell! They will burn in it! an evil bed (to lie on indeed)!

Yes, it is so! Then they shall taste therein! a boiling fluid, and a dark, murky, intensely cold fluid!

And other penalties of a similar kind to suit them!

Here is a host rushing headlong with you! No welcome for them! Indeed, they shall burn in the Fire!

(The followers shall cry to those who misled them,) “Nay! No welcome for you! It is you who have brought this upon us! Now evil is (this) place to stay in!”

They will say, “Our Lord! Whoever brought this upon us! add to him a double penalty in the Fire!”

And they will say, “What has happened to us that we do not see men whom we used to regard among the bad ones?

“Did we treat them (as such) in ridicule or have (our) eyes failed to perceive them?”

Indeed that is just and fitting! the mutual recriminations of the people of the Fire!

Say: “Truly I am a warner: There is no god but the one Allah, Supreme and Irresistible,

“The Lord of the heavens and the earth and all between them, Exalted in might, able to enforce His will, forgiving again and again.”

Say: “That is a supreme message (above all others),

“From which you turn away!

“I have no knowledge of the chiefs on high, when they discuss (matters) among themselves.

“Only this has been revealed to me: That I am to warn plainly and publicly.”

Behold! The Lord said to the angels, “I am about to create man from clay:

“When I have fashioned him (in due proportion) and breathed into him of My spirit, fall down in obeisance to him.”

So the angels prostrated, all of them together;

Except Iblis: He was haughty and became one of those who reject faith.

(Allah) said, “O Iblis! What prevents you from prostrating to one whom I have created with My hands? Are you proud? Or are you one of the high (and mighty) ones?”

(Iblis) said, “I am better than him: You created me from fire, and You created him from clay.”

(Allah) said, “Then get out of here, for you are rejected, accursed.

“And My curse shall be on you till the Day of Judgment.”

(Iblis) said, “O Lord! Then grant me respite till the Day the (dead) are raised.”

(Allah) said, “Then respite is granted (to) you,

“Till the Day of the Appointed Time.”

(Iblis) said, “Then, by Your might, I will put them all in the wrong,

“Except Your servants among them, the sincere and purified ones.”

(Allah) said, “Then it is just and fitting! and I say what is just and fitting,

“That I will certainly fill Hell with you and those who follow you, every one.”

Say: “I ask no reward of you for this (Qur'an), nor am I a pretender.

“This is no less than a message to (all) the nations.

“And you shall certainly know the truth of it (all) after a while.”

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SURA 39

Al-Zumar

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

The Revelation of this Book is from Allah, the One Exalted in power, full of wisdom.
Truly it is We Who have revealed the Book to you in truth, so serve Allah, offering Him sincere devotion.
Is it not to Allah that sincere devotion is due? But those who take other than Allah for protectors (say), “We only serve them so that they may bring us nearer to Allah.” Indeed Allah will judge between them concerning what they differ about. But Allah does not guide those who are false and ungrateful.
Had Allah wished to take a son to Himself, He could have chosen whom He pleased out of those He created: But glory be to Him! (He is above such things.) He is Allah, the One, the Supreme.
He created the heavens and the earth in true (proportions): He makes the night overlap the day, and the day overlap the night: He has subjected the sun and the moon (to His law). Each one follows a course for a set time. Is He not the One Exalted in power! He Who forgives again and again?
He created you (all) from a single person: Then created his mate, of like nature, and He sent down for you eight pairs of cattle: He creates you in stages, one after another, in the wombs of your mothers, in three veils of darkness. Such is Allah, your Lord and Cherisher: (All) dominion belongs to Him. There is no god but He: Then how are you turned away?
If you reject (Allah), indeed Allah has no need for you, but He does not like ingratitude in His servants: If you are grateful, He is pleased with you. No bearer of burdens can bear the burden of another. In the end, you return to your Lord, then He will tell you the truth of all that you did (in this life). For He knows well all that is in (men's) hearts.
When some trouble touches man, He cries to his Lord, turning to Him in repentance: But when He bestows a favor on him from Himself, (man) forgets what he cried and prayed for before and sets up rivals for Allah, thus misleading others from God's path. Say: “Enjoy your blasphemy for a little while: Truly you are (one) of the companions of the Fire!”
Is one who worships devoutly during the Hours of the night, prostrating or standing (in adoration), who takes heed of the hereafter and who places his hope in the mercy of his Lord (like one who does not)? Say: “Are they equal, those who know and those who do not? It is those who are endowed with understanding who receive admonishment.”
Say: “O you, My servants who believe! Fear your Lord: (The reward) for those who do good in this world is good. God's earth is spacious! Those who patiently persevere will indeed receive a reward without measure!”
Say: “Truly I am commanded to serve Allah with sincere devotion;
“And I am commanded to be the first of those who bow to Allah in Islam.”
Say: “If I disobeyed my Lord, I would indeed fear the penalty of a mighty Day.”
Say: “I serve Allah with my sincere (and exclusive) devotion:
“Serve what you will besides Him.” Say: “Truly, those in loss are the ones who lose their own souls and their people on the Day of Judgment: Ah! That is indeed the (real and) manifest loss!”
They shall have layers of fire above them and layers (of fire) below them: Allah warns off His servants with this: “O My servants! Then fear Me!”
Those who eschew evil and do not fall into its worship and turn to Allah (in repentance)! (there is) glad tidings for them, so announce the glad tidings to My servants,
Those who listen to the Word, and follow the best (meaning) in it: Those are the ones whom Allah has guided, and those are the ones endowed with understanding.
Is, then, one against whom the decree of punishment is justly due (equal to one who eschews evil)? Would you then deliver one (who is) in the Fire?
But it is for those who fear their Lord that lofty mansions have been built, one above another: Beneath them rivers flow: (Such is) God's promise: Allah never fails in (His) promise.
Do you not see that Allah sends down rain from the sky and leads it through springs in the earth? Then with it He causes produce of various colors to grow: Then it withers; you will see it grow yellow; then He makes it dry up and crumble away. Indeed (there) is a message of remembrance in this for men of understanding.
Is one whose heart Allah has opened to Islam, so that he receives enlightenment from Allah, (no better than a hard-hearted person)? Woe unto those whose hearts are hardened against celebrating God's praises! They are manifestly wandering (in error)!
Allah has revealed (from time to time) the most beautiful message in the form of a Book, consistent with itself, (yet) repeating (its teaching in various aspects): The skins of those who fear their Lord tremble at it; then their skins and their hearts soften to the celebration of God's praises. Such is God's guidance: With it He guides whom He pleases, but those whom Allah leaves to stray can have none to guide (them).
Then is one who has to fear the brunt of the penalty on the Day of Judgment (and receives it) on his face (is like one guarded from it)? It will be said to the wrong-doers, “Taste (the fruits of) what you earned!”
Those before them (also) rejected (the Revelation), so the punishment came to them from directions they did not perceive.
So Allah gave them a taste of humiliation in the present life, but the punishment of the hereafter is greater, if they only knew!
We have put forth every kind of parable for men in this Qur'an, arranged so that they may receive admonishment.
(It is) a Qur'an in Arabic, without any crookedness (in it), so that they may guard themselves against evil.
Allah puts forth a parable: A man serving many partners at odds with each other, and a man serving only one master: Are those two equal in comparison? Praise be to Allah! But most of them have no knowledge.
Truly you will die (one day) and truly they (too) will.
In the end you will (all) settle your disputes in the presence of your Lord, on the Day of Judgment.
Who, then, does more wrong than one who utters a lie concerning Allah and rejects the truth when it comes to him? Is there no abode in Hell for blasphemers?
And he who brings the truth and he who confirms (and supports) it! those are the men who do right.
They shall have all that they desire, in the presence of their Lord: Such is the reward of those who do good deeds:
So that Allah will ward off from them (even) the worst of their deeds and grant them their reward according to the best of what they have done.
Is not Allah enough for His servant? But they try to frighten you with other (gods) besides Him! For those whom Allah leaves to stray, there can be no guide.
And those whom Allah guides, there can be none to lead them astray. Is not Allah Exalted in power, (able to enforce His will,) Lord of retribution?
If indeed you ask them Who it is that created the heavens and the earth, they would be sure to say, “God.” Say: “Do you see then? The things that you invoke besides Allah, can they remove His penalty, if Allah wills some penalty for me? Or if He wills some grace for me, can they keep His grace back?” Say: “God suffices me! Those who trust put their trust in Him.”
Say: “O my people! Do whatever you can: I will do (my part): But you will soon know,
“Who it is to whom a penalty of ignominy comes, and on whom a penalty that abides will descend.”
We have indeed revealed the Book to you in truth, for (instructing) mankind. Then he who receives guidance benefits his own soul: But he who strays injures his own soul. Nor are you set over them to dispose of their affairs.
It is Allah Who takes the souls (of men) at death, and those who do not die (He takes) during their sleep: Those on whom He has passed the decree of death, He keeps back (from returning to life), but the rest He spares till an appointed Term. Indeed (there) are Signs in this for those who reflect.
What?! Do they take others besides Allah for intercessors? Say: “Even if they have neither power whatsoever nor intelligence?”
Say: “(The right to grant) intercession belongs to Allah exclusively: The dominion of the heavens and the earth belongs to Him: In the end, it is to Him that you shall be brought back.”
When Allah, the One and Only, is mentioned, the hearts of those who do not believe in the hereafter are filled with disgust and horror, but when (gods) other than He are mentioned, behold, they are filled with joy!
Say: “O Allah! Creator of the heavens and earth! Knower of all that is hidden and revealed! It is You Who will judge between Your servants in those matters about which they have differed.”
Even if the wrong-doers had all that there is on earth and as much more, they would offer it (in vain) for ransom from the pain of the penalty on the Day of Judgment: But something will confront them from Allah, which they could never have expected!
For the evils of their deeds will confront them, and they will be (completely) encircled by what they used to mock!
Now, when trouble touches man, he cries to Us, but when We bestow a favor on him from Ourselves, he says, “This has been given to me because of a certain knowledge (I have)!” Nay, this is only a trial, but most of them do not understand!
Thus did the (generations) before them say! But all that they did was of no avail to them.
Nay, the evil results of their deeds overtook them. And the wrong-doers of this (generation)! the evil results of their deeds will soon overtake them (too), and they will never be able to frustrate (Our plan)!
Do they not know that Allah increases the provision or restricts it for any He pleases? Indeed (there) are Signs in this for those who believe!
Say: “O My servants who have transgressed against their own souls! Do not despair of God's mercy, for Allah forgives all sins, for He is oft-Forgiving, the Most Merciful.
“Turn to your Lord (in repentance) and bow to His (will) before the penalty comes upon you: After that you will not be helped.
“And follow the best of (the courses) revealed to you from your Lord, before the penalty comes upon you suddenly while you do not perceive (it)!
“Lest a soul should (then) say, `Ah! Woe unto me! I neglected (my duty) towards Allah and was only among those who mocked! '
“Or (lest) it should say, `If only Allah had guided me, I would certainly have been among the righteous! '
“Or (lest) it should say when it (actually) sees the penalty, `If only I had another chance, I would certainly be among those who do good! '
“(The reply will be,) `Nay, My Signs came to you and you rejected them: You were haughty, and you became among those who reject faith!”'
On the Day of Judgment you will see those who told lies against Allah; their faces will be turned black; is there not an abode in Hell for the haughty?
But Allah will deliver the righteous to their place of salvation: No evil shall touch them, nor shall they grieve.
Allah is the Creator of all things, and He is the Guardian and Disposer of all affairs.
The keys of the heavens and the earth belong to Him, and those who reject God's Signs! it is they who will suffer loss.
Say: “Is it someone other than Allah that you order me to worship, O you ignorant ones?”
But it has already been revealed to you! as it was to those before you! (that) if you were to join (gods with Allah), indeed your deeds (in life) will be fruitless, and you will surely be in the ranks of those who lose (all spiritual good).”
Nay, worship only Allah and be among those who offer thanks.
They did not regard Allah justly, such as is due to Him: On the Day of Judgment, the earth will wholly be in His grip only, and the heavens will be rolled up in His right hand: Glory to Him, high above the partners they attribute to Him!
The trumpet will (just) have sounded when everyone in the heavens and on earth will swoon, except those whom it will please Allah (to exempt). Then a second one will sound, and behold! They will be standing and looking on!
And the earth will shine with the glory of its Lord: The record (of deeds) will be placed (open); the Prophets and the witnesses will be brought forward, and a just decision pronounced between them, and they will not be wronged (in the least).
And every soul will be rewarded in full with the fruits of its deeds, and (Allah) knows best all that they do.
The disbelievers will be led to Hell in crowds; until, when they arrive there, its gates will be opened and its keepers will say, “Did no Messenger come to you from among yourselves, reciting your Lord's Signs to you, and warning you of the meeting of this Day of yours?” The answer will be, “True: But the decree of punishment has already been proven true against the disbelievers!”
(To them) will be said: “Enter the gates of Hell, to dwell in it, and (this) abode of the arrogant is evil!”
And those who feared their Lord will be led to the garden in crowds: Until, behold, they arrive there; its gates will be opened, and its keepers will say, “Peace be upon you! You have done well! Enter here, your (eternal) abode.”
They will say, “Praise be to Allah Who has indeed fulfilled His promise to us, and has given us (this) heritage: We can dwell in the garden as we please: How excellent a reward for those who do (righteous deeds)!”
And you will see the angels surrounding the (divine) throne on all sides, glorifying and praising their Lord. The decision between them (at Judgment) will be in (perfect) justice. And the cry (on all sides) will be, “Praise be to Allah, Lord of the worlds!”

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SURA 40

Al-Mumin

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

Ha Mim.
The Revelation of this Book is from Allah, the One Exalted in power, full of knowledge,
Who forgives sin, accepts repentance, is strict in punishment, Lord of bounty. There is no god but He: He is the final goal.
None can dispute about God's Signs except the disbelievers. Then do not let their strutting about throughout the land deceive you!
But (there were people) before them who denied (the Signs)! the people of Noah, and the parties (of evil) after them, and every people plotted against their Prophet to seize him, and disputed by means of vanities with which (they sought) to condemn the truth, but it was I Who seized them! And how (terrible) was My requital!
Thus was the decree of Your Lord proved true against the disbelievers; truly they are companions of Fire!
Those who bear the throne (of Allah) and those near to Him glorify and praise their Lord. They believe in Him and implore His forgiveness for those who believe: “Our Lord! Your reach is over all things, in mercy and in knowledge. Then forgive those who turn in repentance and follow Your path, and preserve them from the penalty of the blazing Fire!
“And grant, Lord, that they (may) enter the gardens of eternity which You have promised them and the righteous ones among their fathers, wives and posterity! For You are Exalted in might, full of wisdom.
“And preserve them from (all) ills, and any whom You preserve from ills (on) that Day! on them You will have bestowed mercy indeed, and that will truly be the highest achievement (for them).
The disbelievers will be addressed: “Greater was God's aversion to you than (is) your aversion to your own selves, seeing that you were called to believe and you used to refuse.”
They will say, “Our Lord! Twice You have made us without life, and twice You have given us life! Now have we recognized our sins: Is there any way out (of this)?”
(The answer will be,) “This is so because when Allah was invoked as the sole (object of worship), you rejected faith, but when partners were joined to Him, you believed! The command is with Allah, Most High, Most Great!”
It is He Who shows you His Signs and sends down sustenance for you from the sky: But only those who turn (to Allah) receive admonishment.
Then call upon Allah with sincere devotion to Him, even though the disbelievers may detest it.
High above ranks (or degrees), (He is) the Lord of the throne (of authority): By His command He sends the spirit (of inspiration) to any of His servants He pleases to warn (mankind) of the Day of mutual meeting,
The Day on which they will (all) come forth: Not a single thing concerning them is hidden from Allah. Whose will be the dominion that Day? God's, the One, the Supreme!
That Day, every soul will be requited for what it earned; there will be no injustice (on) that Day, for Allah is swift in taking account.
Warn them of the Day that is (ever) drawing near, when hearts will reach the throats to choke (them); the wrong-doers will have no intimate friend nor intercessor who could be listened to.
(Allah) knows (the tricks) that deceive the eyes, and all that the hearts (of men) conceal.
And Allah will judge with (justice and) truth: But those whom (men) invoke besides Him will not (be in a position) to judge at all. Truly it is Allah (alone) Who hears and sees (all things).
Do they not travel throughout the earth and see what the end of those before them was? They were even superior to them in strength, and in the traces (they have left) in the land: But Allah called them to account for their sins, and they had none to defend them against Allah.
That was so because their Messengers came to them with clear (Signs), but they rejected them, so Allah called them to account, for He is full of strength, strict in punishment.
Of old We sent Moses, with Our Signs and manifest authority,
To Pharaoh, Haman, and Qarun, but they called (him) a sorcerer telling lies! ...
Now, when he came to them in truth from Us, they said, “Slay the sons of those who believe with him and keep their females alive,” but the plots of disbelievers (end) in nothing but error (and delusion)! ...
Pharaoh said, “Leave me to slay Moses, and let him call on his Lord! What I fear is that he will change your religion, or that he will cause mischief in the land!”
Moses said, “I have indeed called upon my Lord and your Lord (for protection) from every arrogant one who does not believe in the Day of Account!”
A believer, a man from among the people of Pharaoh, who had concealed his faith, said, “Will you slay a man because he says, `My Lord is Allah'? When he has indeed come to you with clear (Signs) from your Lord? And if he is a liar, on him is (the sin of) his lie: But, if he is telling the truth, then something of the (calamity) of which He warns you will fall upon you: Truly Allah does not guide anyone who transgresses and lies!
“O my people! Yours is the dominion this day: You have the upper hand in the land: But who will help us from God's punishment, should it befall us?” Pharaoh said, “I only point out to you what I see (myself); and I guide you to the right path!”
Then the man who believed said, “O my people! I truly fear for you something like the Day (of disaster) of the (sinful) parties!
“Something like the fate of the people of Noah, 'Ad, and Thamud, and those who came after them: But Allah never wishes injustice to His servants.
“And, O my people! I fear for you a Day when there will be mutual calling (and wailing),
A Day when you turn your backs and flee: You will have no defender against Allah: Any whom Allah leaves to stray, there is none to guide...
“And Joseph came to you in times gone by, with clear Signs, but you did not cease to doubt the (mission) for which he had come: At length, when he died, you said, `God will not send a Messenger after him.' Thus Allah leaves to stray those who transgress and live in doubt,
“(Those) who dispute about God's Signs, without any authority that has reached them. (Such conduct is) grievous and odious in the sight of Allah and of the believers. Thus Allah seals up the heart of every arrogant and obstinate transgressor.”
Pharaoh said, “O Haman! Build me a lofty palace so that I may attain the ways and means,
“The ways and means of (reaching) the heavens, and so that I may mount up to the Allah of Moses, but as far as I am concerned, I think (Moses) is a liar!” Thus the evil of Pharaoh's deeds was made alluring in his eyes and he was hindered from the path, and Pharaoh's plot led to nothing but perdition (for him).
The man who believed said further, “O my people! Follow me: I will lead you to the right path.
“O my people! This life of the present is nothing but a (temporary) convenience: It is the hereafter that is the home that will last.
“He who does evil will not be requited but by the like of it, and he who does a righteous deed! whether man or woman! and is a believer, will enter the garden (of bliss): There they will have abundance without measure.
“And O my people! How (strange) it is for me to invite you to salvation while you invite me to the Fire!
“You call upon me to blaspheme against Allah and to join with Him partners of whom I have no knowledge, and I call you to the One Exalted in power Who forgives again and again!”
“Without doubt you invite me to one who is not fit to be called to, whether in this world or in the hereafter; We will return to Allah, and the transgressors will be companions of the Fire!
“You will soon remember what I say to you (now); my (own) affair I commit to Allah, for Allah (always) watches over His servants.”
Then Allah saved him from (every) ill that they plotted (against him), but the brunt of the penalty encompassed the people of Pharaoh on all sides.
They will be brought in front of the fire morning and evening, and (the sentence) will be established on the Day of Judgment: “Cast the people of Pharaoh into the severest penalty!”
Behold! They will dispute with each other even in the Fire! The weak ones (who followed) will say to those who had been arrogant, “We only followed you: Then can you bear a share of the penalty of the Fire on our behalf?”
Those who had been arrogant will say, “We are all in this (fire)! Indeed, Allah has judged between (His) servants!”
Those in the Fire will say to the keepers of Hell, “Pray to your Lord to lighten the penalty on us for (at least) a day!”
They will say, “Did your Messengers not come to you with clear Signs?” They will say, “Yes.” They will reply, “Then pray (as you like,) but the prayer of the faithless is nothing but (futile wandering) in (mazes of) error!”
We will, without doubt, help Our Messengers and those who believe (both) in this world's life and on the Day when the witnesses stand forth,
The Day when it will not benefit wrong-doers to present their excuses, but they will (only) have the curse and the home of misery.
We had given Moses the (Book of) guidance, and We gave the Book in inheritance to the Children Of Israel,
A guide and a message to men of understanding.
So patiently persevere, for God's promise is true, and ask forgiveness for your fault, and celebrate your Lord's praises in the evening and in the morn.
Those who dispute about God's Signs without any authority bestowed upon them! there is nothing in their breasts but (a quest for) greatness which they shall never attain: Then seek refuge in Allah: It is He Who hears and sees (all things).
Assuredly the creation of the heavens and the earth is a greater (matter) than the creation of man: Yet most men do not understand.
The blind and those who (clearly) see are not equal: Nor are those who believe and do deeds of righteousness and those who do evil. You learn little by admonishment!
The Hour will certainly come. There is no doubt; yet most men do not believe.
And your Lord says, “Call upon Me; I will answer your (prayer): But those who are too arrogant to serve Me will surely find themselves in Hell! in humiliation!”
It is Allah Who made the night for you so that you may rest in it, and the day helps (you) to see. Truly Allah is full of grace and bounty to men: Yet most men grant no thanks.
Such is Allah, your Lord, the Creator of all things: There is no god but He: Then how are you deluded away from the Truth?!
Those who are wont to reject God's Signs are deluded in this way.
It is Allah Who has made the earth for you as a resting place, and the sky a canopy, and has given you shapes! and made your shapes beautiful! and has provided sustenance for you, of things pure and good; such is Allah, your Lord, so glory to Allah, the Lord of the worlds!
He is the living (One): There is no god but He: Call upon Him, giving Him sincere devotion. Praise be to Allah, Lord of the worlds!
Say: “I have been forbidden to invoke those whom you invoke besides God! seeing that the clear Signs have come to me from my Lord, and I have been commanded to bow (in Islam) to the Lord of the worlds.”
It is He Who has created you from dust, then from a sperm-drop, then from a leech-like clot; then He gets you out (into the light) as a babe. Then He lets you (grow and) reach your age of full strength; then lets you become old! though some of you die before then, and lets you reach an appointed Term, so that you may learn wisdom.
It is He Who gives life and death, and when He decides an affair, He says to it, “Be,” and it is.
Do you not see those who dispute concerning God's Signs? How are they turned away (from the truth)?
Those who reject the Book and the (Revelations) with which We sent Our Messengers: But they shall soon know,
When the yokes (shall be) round their necks, and the chains; they shall be dragged along,
In the boiling fetid fluid, then burned into the Fire;
Then it shall be said to them, “Where are the (deities) to which you gave part-worship,
“In derogation of Allah?” They will reply, “They have abandoned us: Nay, in the past we did not invoke anything (that had real existence).” Thus does Allah leave the disbelievers to stray.
“That was so because you used to rejoice on earth in things other than the truth and used to be insolent.
“Enter the gates of Hell, to dwell therein, and (this) abode of the arrogant is evil!”
So persevere in patience, for God's promise is true! And whether We show you (in this life) some part of what We promise them, or We take your soul (to Our mercy before that, in any case) it is to Us that they shall (all) return.
We sent Messengers before you: We have related the story of some of them to you; (the story of) others We have not related to you. It was not (possible) for any Messenger to bring a Sign except with God's permission, but when God's command was given, the matter was decided in truth and justice, and it was there and then that those who stood on falsehood perished.
It is Allah Who made cattle for you so that you may ride on some of them, and some you eat;
And there are (other) advantages in them for you (besides) so that you may attain through them any need (there may be) in your hearts, and you are carried on them and on ships.
And He always shows you His Signs; then which of God's Signs will you deny?
Do they not travel throughout the earth and see what the end of those before them was? They were more numerous than these and superior in strength and in the traces (they have left) in the land: Yet all that they accomplished was of no avail to them.
For when their Messengers came to them with clear Signs, they exulted in the knowledge (and skill) they had, but that very (anger) at which they were wont to scoff hemmed them in.
But when they saw Our punishment, they said, “We believe in God! the One God! and we reject the partners we used to join with Him.”
But their professing the faith when they (actually) saw Our punishment was not going to benefit them. (Such has been) God's way of dealing with His servants (from ancient times). And even thus did the rejecters of Allah perish (utterly)!

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SURA 41

Fussilat

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

Ha Mim:
A Revelation from (Allah), Most Gracious, the Most Merciful;
A Book, whose verses are explained in detail; a Qur'an in Arabic for people who understand;
Giving glad tidings and admonishment: Yet most of them turn away, so they do not hear.
They say, “Our hearts are under veils, (concealed) from what you invite us to, and (there is) a deafness in ours ears and a barrier between us and you, so do (what you will), we shall do (what we will!)”
Say: “I am only a man like you: It is revealed to me that your Allah is One, so stand true to Him and plead for His forgiveness.” And woe unto those who join gods with Allah,
Those who do not practice regular charity and who even deny the hereafter.
For those who believe and do deeds of righteousness, (there) is a reward that will never fail.
Say: “Do you deny Him Who created the earth in two days? And do you join equals with Him? He is the Lord of (all) the worlds.
“He set mountains standing firm, high above (the earth) and bestowed blessings therein, and measured in it all things to grant them nourishment in due proportion, in four periods, in accordance with (the needs of) those who seek (sustenance).
“Moreover He comprehended the sky in His design, and it had been (as) a smoke: He said to it and to the earth, `Come together, willingly or unwillingly.' They said, `We come (together) in willing obedience.'
“So He completed them as seven firmaments in two Days and He assigned duty and command to each heavens.” And We adorned the lower heavens with lights and (provided it) with protection. Such is the decree of the Exalted in might, full of knowledge.
But if they turn away, say: “I have warned you of a stunning punishment (like thunder and lightning) like what (overtook) the 'Ad and the Thamud (peoples)!”
Behold! Messengers came to them, from before them and behind them, (preaching,) “Serve none but Allah.” They said, “If our Lord had so pleased, He could certainly have sent angels (to preach): Now we reject your mission (altogether).”
The 'Ad (people) behaved arrogantly through the land, against truth and reason and said, “Who is superior to us in strength?” What?! Did they not see that Allah, Who created them, was superior to them in strength? But they continued to reject Our Signs!
So We sent a furious wind against them through days of disaster so that We might grant them a taste of a penalty of humiliation in this life, but the penalty of the hereafter will be more humiliating still, and they will find no help.
As to the Thamud (people), We gave them guidance, but they preferred blindness (of heart) to guidance; so the stunning punishment of humiliation seized them because of what they had earned.
But We delivered those who believed and practiced righteousness.
On the Day that God's enemies will be gathered together to the Fire, they will be arrayed in ranks.
At length, when they reach the (Fire), their hearing, sight and skins will bear witness against them regarding (all) their deeds.
They will say to their skins, “Why do you bear witness against us?” They will say, “God has given us speech! (He) Who gives speech to everything: He created you the first time, and you were to return to Him.
“You did not seek to hide yourselves, lest your hearing, sight and skins should bear witness against you! But you did think that Allah did not know many of the things you used to do!
“But this thought of yours which you entertained concerning your Lord has brought you to destruction, and (now) you have become among those utterly lost!”
Then, if they have patience, the Fire will be their abode! And if they beg to be received into favor, they will not be received into favor.
And We have appointed for them intimate companions (of like nature), who made alluring to them what was before them and behind them, and the sentence among the previous generations of jinns and men, who have passed away, is proven against them, for they are utterly lost.
The disbelievers say, “Do not listen to this Qur'an, but talk at random in the midst of its (reading) so that you may gain the upper hand!”
But We will certainly grant the disbelievers a taste of a severe penalty, and we will requite them for the worst of their deeds.
Such is the requital of the enemies of God! the Fire: Their eternal home will be in it: A (fit) requital, because they used to reject Our Signs.
And the disbelievers will say, “Our Lord! Show us those, among the jinns and men, who misled us: We shall crush them beneath our feet, so that they become the vilest (before all).”
In the case of those who say, “Our Lord is Allah,” and further, stand straight and steadfast, the angels descend on them (from time to time): “Do not fear!” (they suggest,) “Nor grieve! But receive the glad tidings of the garden (of bliss) which you were promised!
“We are your protectors in this life and in the hereafter: In it you shall have all that your souls desire; in it you shall have all you ask for!
“A hospitable gift from One oft-Forgiving, the Most Merciful!”
Who is better in speech than one who calls (men) to Allah does righteousness and says, “I am (one) of those who bow in Islam”?
Nor can goodness and evil be equal. Repel (evil) with what is better: Then will he whom you once hated become, as it were, your friend and intimate!
And no one will be granted such goodness except those who exercise patience and self-restraint, none but persons of the greatest good fortune.
And if (at any time) an incitement to discord is made to you by the evil one, seek refuge in Allah. He is the One Who hears and knows all things.
Among His Signs are the night and the day, the sun and the moon. Do not worship the sun and the moon, but worship Allah Who created them, if it is Him you wish to serve.
But if they (the disbelievers) are arrogant, (it does not matter:) For in the presence of your Lord are those who celebrate His praises by night and by day. And they never flag (nor regard themselves above it).
And among His Signs is this: You see the earth barren and desolate, but when We send down rain to it, it stirs and swells. Indeed, He Who gives life to the (dead) earth can surely grant life to the dead, for He has power over all things.
Those who pervert the truth in Our Signs are not hidden from Us. Which is better? He who is cast into the Fire, or he who comes safely through on the Day of Judgment? Do what you will: Indeed He sees (clearly) all that you do.
Those who reject the message when it comes to them (are not hidden from Us), and indeed it is a Book of exalted power.
No falsehood can approach it from before or behind it: It is sent down by One full of Wisdom, worthy of all praise.
Nothing is said to you that was not said to the Messengers before you: That your Lord has at His command (all) forgiveness as well as a most grievous penalty.
Had We sent this as a Qur'an (in a language) other than Arabic, they would have said, “Why are not its verses explained in detail? What?! (A Book) not in Arabic and (an Arab messenger)?!” Say: “It is a guide and a healing to those who believe, and for those who do not believe, there is a deafness in the ears, and a blindness in the (eyes); they are (as it were) being called from a distant place!”
We certainly gave Moses the Book before: But disputes arose therein. Had it not been for a word that already went forth from your Lord, (their differences) would have been settled between them: But they remained in a disquieting doubt about it.
Anyone who does righteous deeds benefits his own soul; whoever commits evil, it is against his own soul: Nor is your Lord ever unjust (in the least) to His servants.
To Him is referred the knowledge of the Hour (of Judgment: He knows all): no date-fruit comes out of its sheath, nor does a female conceive (in her womb) nor bring forth (her young), but by His knowledge. The Day that (Allah) propounds to them the (question), “Where are the partners (you attributed) to Me?” They will say, “Certainly, not one of us can bear witness!”
The (deities) they used to invoke in the past will abandon them and they will perceive that they have no way to escape.
Man does not weary of asking for good (things), but if ill touches him, he gives up all hope (and) is lost to despair.
When We grant him some taste of mercy from Us, after adversity had touched him, he is sure to say, “This is due to my (merit): I do not think that the Hour (of Judgment) will (ever) be established, but if I am brought back to my Lord, I shall have (much) good (stored) in His sight!” But We will show the disbelievers the truth of all that they did, and We shall grant them the taste of a severe penalty.
When We bestow favors on man, he turns away and goes far away on his side (instead of coming to Us), and when evil seizes him, (he comes) full of prolonged prayers!
Say: “Do you see if the (Revelation) is (really) from Allah, and you still reject it? Who is more astray than one who is in schism far (from any purpose)?”
We will soon show them Our Signs in the (furthest) regions (of the earth) and in their own selves, until it becomes manifest to them that this is the truth. Is it not enough that your Lord witnesses all things?
Ah indeed! Are they in doubt about the meeting with their Lord? Ah indeed! It is He Who encompasses all things!

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SURA 42

Al-Shura, [Consultation]

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

Ha Mim:
`Ain Sin Qaf.
Thus does (He) send inspiration to you as (He did) to those before you! God, Exalted in power, full of wisdom.
All that is in the heavens and on earth belongs to Him, and He is Most High, Most Great.
The heavens are almost rent asunder from above them (by His glory), and the angels celebrate the praises of their Lord, and pray for forgiveness for (all) beings on earth: Behold! Indeed Allah is He, the oft-Forgiving, the Most Merciful.
And those who take others as protectors besides Him! God watches over them, and you art not the disposer of their affairs.
Thus have We sent an Arabic Qur'an by inspiration to you, so that you may warn the Mother of Cities and all around it, and warn (them) of the Day of Assembly, of which there is no doubt: (When) some will be in the Garden and some in the blazing Fire.
Had Allah so willed, He would have made them a single people, but He admits whomsoever He wills into His mercy, and the wrong-doers will have neither protector nor helper.
What?! Have they taken protectors (for worship) besides Him? But it is God! He is the Protector and it is He Who gives life to the dead: It is He Who has power over all things.
Whatever you may differ about, the decision about it is with Allah: Such is Allah, my Lord: I trust in Him and I turn to Him.
(He is) the Creator of the heavens and the earth: He has made for you mates from among your own selves, and mates among cattle too. Thus does He multiply you (and your cattle): There is nothing whatever like unto Him, and He is the One Who hears and sees (all things).
The keys of the heavens and the earth belong to Him: He increases and restricts the sustenance to whomsoever He wills, for He knows all things fully well.
He has established the same religion for you as the one He enjoined upon Noah! which We sent by inspiration to you! and which We enjoined on Abraham, Moses and Jesus, that you should remain steadfast in religion and make no divisions therein. To those who worship any other than Allah, the (way) to which you call them is hard. Allah chooses to Himself those whom He pleases and guides to Himself those who turn (to Him).
And they became divided only after knowledge reached them! through selfish envy among themselves. Had it not been for a word from your Lord that went forth before, (tending) to an appointed Term, the matter would have been settled between them: But truly those who have inherited the Book after them are in (disquieting) doubt about it.
Now then, for that (reason), call (them to the faith), and stand steadfast as you are commanded, and do not follow their vain desires but say: “I believe in the Book which Allah has sent down, and I am commanded to judge justly between you. Allah is our Lord and your Lord. For us (is the responsibility for) our deeds, and for you are your deeds. There is no contention between us and you. Allah will bring us together, and He is (our) final goal.”
But those who dispute about Allah after He has been accepted! their dispute is futile in the sight of their Lord: (His) Wrath is upon them, and (there) will be a terrible penalty for them.
It is Allah Who has sent down the Book in truth and the balance (by which to weigh conduct). And what will make you realize that the Hour may be close at hand?
Only those who do not believe in it wish to hasten it: Those who believe hold it in awe and know that it is the truth. Behold! Truly those who dispute about the Hour are far astray.
Allah is gracious unto His servants: He gives sustenance to whomsoever He pleases, and He has power and can carry out His will.
To any who desires the tilth of the hereafter, We grant an increase in his tilth, and to any who desires the tilth of this world, We grant some of that, but he has neither share nor lot in the hereafter.
What?! Do they have partners (with Allah) who have established for them some religion without God's permission? Had it not been for the decree of judgement, the matter would have been decided between them (at once): But indeed the wrong-doers will have a grievous penalty.
You will see the wrong-doers in fear on account of what they have earned, and (the burden of) that must fall upon them. But those who believe and do righteous deeds will be in the luxuriant meadows of the gardens: Before their Lord, they shall have all that they wish: That will indeed be the magnificent bounty.
That is (the bounty) of which Allah gives glad tidings to His servants who believe and do righteous deeds. Say (O Muhammed!): “I ask no reward of you for this except the love of those of my near in kin.” And if anyone earns any good, We shall grant Him an increase of good in respect for it, for Allah is oft-Forgiving, Most Ready to appreciate (service).
What?! Do they say, “He has forged a lie against Allah”? But if Allah willed, He would seal up your heart. And Allah blots out vanity and proves the truth by His words, for He knows well the secrets of all hearts.
He is the One Who accepts repentance from His servants and forgives sins, and He knows all that you do.
And He listens to those who believe and do deeds of righteousness, and increases His bounty unto them: But for the disbelievers there is a terrible penalty.
If Allah were to increase the provision of His servants, they would indeed transgress beyond all bounds throughout the earth, but He sends (it) down in due measure as He pleases, for He is well-acquainted, watchful with His servants.
He is the One Who sends down rain (even) after (men) have given up all hope, and unfolds His mercy (far and wide). And He is the Protector, worthy of all praise.
And among His Signs is the creation of the heavens and the earth, and the living creatures He has scattered throughout them, and He has power to gather them together when He wills.
Whatever misfortune happens to you is due to the things your hands have wrought, and for many (of them) He grants forgiveness.
Nor can you frustrate (anything by fleeing) throughout the earth, nor do you have anyone to protect or to help (you) besides Allah.
And among His Signs are the ships, running smoothly through the ocean, (tall) like mountains.
If it be His will, He can cause the wind to be still, then they would become motionless on the (ocean). Indeed (there) are Signs in this for everyone who patiently perseveres and is grateful.
Or He can cause them to perish because of the (evil) which (men) have committed: But He forgives much.
But let those who dispute about Our Signs know that there is no way of escape for them.
Whatever you are given (here) is (but) a convenience of this life. What is with Allah is better and more lasting: (It is) for those who believe and put their trust in their Lord;
Those who avoid the greater crimes and shameful deeds, and when they are angry, they forgive even then;
Those who listen to their Lord and establish regular prayers, who (conduct) their affairs by mutual consultation, who spend out of what sustenance We bestow upon them;
And those who, when an oppressive wrong is inflicted upon them, (are not cowed but) help and defend themselves.
The recompense of an injury is an injury equal to it (in degree): But if a person forgives and reconciles, his reward is due from Allah, for (Allah) does not love those who do wrong.
But indeed if any help and defend themselves after a wrong (done) to them, there is no cause of blame against them.
The blame is only against those who oppress men with wrong-doing and insolently transgress beyond bounds throughout the land, defying right and justice, for them there will be a grievous penalty.
But if any show patience and forgive, that would truly be an exercise of courageous will and resolution in the conduct of affairs.
For any whom Allah leaves to stray, there is no protector after that, and you will see the wrong-doers, when in sight of the penalty, say, “Is there any way (to effect) a return?”
And you will see them brought forward to the (penalty) in a humble frame of mind because of (their) disgrace, looking with a stealthy glance. And the believers will say, “Those are indeed in loss who have given perdition to their own selves and to those belonging to them on the Day of Judgment. Behold! Indeed the wrong-doers are in a lasting penalty!”
And they have no protectors to help them other than Allah, and for any whom Allah leaves to stray, there is no way (to the goal).
Listen to your Lord, before a Day comes which nothing will withhold because of (the ordainment of) Allah! That Day there will be no place of refuge for you nor will there be any room for you to deny (your sins)!
If they turn away, We have not sent you as a guard over them. Your duty is only to convey (the message). And truly, when We grant man a taste of mercy from Ourselves, he exults at it, but when some ill happens to him, on account of the deeds which his hands have sent forth, indeed man is ungrateful then!
The dominion of the heavens and the earth belongs to Allah. He creates whatever He wills (and plans). He bestows male or female (children) according to His will (and plan).
Or He bestows both males and females, and He leaves barren whomsoever He wills, for He is full of knowledge and power.
It is not fitting for a man that Allah should speak to him except by inspiration, or from behind a veil or by sending a messenger to reveal, with God's permission, what Allah wills, for He is Most High, Most Wise.
And thus have We, by Our command, sent rūh (inspiration) to you: You did not know (before) what Revelation was, and what faith was, but We have made the (Qur'an) a light, with which We guide those of Our servants as We will, and indeed you guide (men) to the straight way,
The way of Allah, to Whom belongs whatever in the heavens and on earth: See (how) all affairs tend towards Allah!

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SURA 43

Al-Zukhruf

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

Ha Mim,
By the Book that makes things clear,
We have made it a Qur'an in Arabic so that you may be able to understand (and learn wisdom).
And indeed it is in the Mother Book, in Our presence, high (in dignity), full of wisdom.
Shall We then take the message away from you and repel (you) because you are a people transgressing beyond bounds?
But how many Prophets did We send among the peoples of old?
And a Prophet never came to them except that they mocked him.
So We destroyed (them)! (They were) stronger in power than these, and (thus) the case of the peoples of old has passed by.
If you were to question them, “Who created the heavens and the earth?” They would surely reply, “They were created by (Him), the One Exalted in power, full of knowledge.”
(Yes, the Same Who) made the earth for you (like a carpet) spread out, and made roads (and channels) in it for you, so that you may find guidance (on the way);
Who sends down rain from the sky (from time to time) in due measure, and with it We raise to life a land that is dead; even so will you be raised (from death);
Who has created all things in pairs, and has made for you ships and cattle on which you ride,
So that you may sit firm and square on their backs, and when so seated, you may celebrate the (kind) favor from your Lord. Say, “Glory to Him Who has subjected these to our (use), for we could never have accomplished this (by ourselves),
“And we must surely return to our Lord!”
Yet they attribute to some of His servants a share with Him (in His Godhead)! Truly man is an avowed blasphemous ingrate!
What?! Has He taken daughters out of what He Himself creates and chosen sons for you?
When news is brought to one of them of (the birth of) what he sets up as a likeness to (Allah) Most Gracious, his face darkens, and he is filled with inward grief!
Is then one brought up among trinkets, unable to grant a clear account in a dispute, (is to be associated with Allah)?
And they make angels who themselves serve Allah females. Did they witness their creation? Their “evidence” will be recorded, and they will be called to account!
(“Ah!”) they say, “If it had been the will of (Allah) Most Gracious, We would not have worshipped such (deities)!” They have no knowledge of that! They do nothing but lie!
What?! Have We given them a Book before this, to which they are holding fast?
Nay! They say, “We found our fathers following a certain religion, and we follow in their footsteps.”
Likewise, whenever We sent a warner before you to any people, the wealthy ones among them said, “We found our fathers following a certain religion, and we will certainly follow in their footsteps.”
He said, “What?! Even if I brought you better guidance than what you found your fathers following?” They said, “For us, We deny that you (Prophets) are sent (on a mission at all).”
So We exacted retribution upon them: Now see what the end of those who rejected (truth) was!
Behold! Abraham said to his father and people, “I do indeed clear myself of what you worship:
“(I worship) only Him Who made me, and He will certainly guide me.”
And he left it as a word to endure among those who came after him so that they might turn back (to Allah).
Yes, I have given the good things of this life to these (men) and their fathers, until the truth has come to them, and a Messenger making things clear.
But when the truth came to them, they said, “This is sorcery, and we reject it.”
They also say, “Why is not this Qur'an sent down to some leading man in either of the two (main) cities?”
Is it they who would appropriate your Lord's mercy? It is We Who allot to them their livelihood in the life of this world, and We raise some of them above others in ranks, so that some may command work from others. But your Lord's mercy is better than the (wealth) they amass.
And were it not that (all) men might become of one (evil) way of life, We would provide, for everyone who blasphemes against (Allah), Most Gracious, silver roofs for their houses and (silver) stairways on which they ascend,
And (silver) doors to their houses, and thrones (of silver) on which they could recline,
And also adornments of gold. But all this is nothing but conveniences of the present life: The hereafter, in your Lord's sight, is for the righteous.
If anyone withdraws himself from remembering (Allah) Most Gracious, We appoint for him an evil one to be his truly intimate companion.
Such (evil ones) truly hinder them from the path, but they think that they are being guided aright!
At length, when (such one) comes to Us, he says (to his evil companion), “Would that between me and you (there) was the distance of East and West!” Ah! The companion is evil (indeed)!
When you have done wrong, it will avail you nothing that Day so that you shall be partners in retribution!
Can you make the deaf hear, or can you grant direction to the blind or to those who (wander) in manifest error?
Even if We take you away, We shall be sure to exact retribution upon them,
Or We shall show you that (accomplished) which We have promised them, for indeed We shall prevail over them.
So hold fast to the Revelation sent down to you: Truly you are on the straight way.
The (Qur'an) is indeed the message, for you and for your people, and you shall (all) soon be brought to account.
And question our Messengers whom We sent before you: Did We appoint any deities other than (Allah) Most Gracious, to be worshipped?
In the past, We sent Moses with Our Signs to Pharaoh and his chiefs: He said, “I am a Messenger of the Lord of the Worlds.”
But when he came to them with Our Signs, behold, they ridiculed them.
We showed them Sign after Sign, each greater than the other, and We seized them with punishment, so that they might turn (to Us).
And they said, “O sorcerer! Invoke your Lord for us according to His covenant with you, for we shall indeed accept guidance.”
But when We removed the penalty from them, behold, they broke their word.
And Pharaoh proclaimed among his people, saying, “O my people! Does not the domination of Egypt belong to me, (witness) these streams flowing underneath my (palace)? What?! Do you not see then?
“Am I not better than this (Moses), who is a contemptible wretch and can scarcely express himself clearly?
“Then why are not gold bracelets bestowed upon him or (why) do angels (not) come with him, accompanying him in procession?”
Thus did he make fools of his people, and they obeyed him: Indeed they were a people rebellious (against Allah).
When at length they provoked Us, We exacted retribution upon them, and We drowned them all:
And We made them (a people) of the past and an example to later generations.
When (Jesus) the son of Mary is held up as an example, behold, your people raise a clamor at it (in ridicule)!
And they say, “Are our gods best, or he?” They set forth this to you, only by way of argument: Yes, they are a contentious people.
He was no more than a servant: We bestowed Our favor unto him, and We made him an example to the Children of Israel.
And if it were Our will, We could make angels from among you, succeeding each other on the earth.
And (Jesus) shall be a Sign (for the coming of) the Hour (of Judgment), so have no doubt about the (Hour), but follow Me: This is a straight way.
Do not let the evil one hinder you, for he is an avowed enemy to you.
When Jesus came with clear Signs, he said, “Now I have come to you with wisdom, and to make clear to you some of the (points) on which you dispute, so fear Allah and obey me.
“For Allah is my Lord and your Lord, so worship Him: This is a straight way.”
But sects from among themselves fell into disagreement: Then woe unto the wrong-doers from the penalty of a grievous Day!
Do they only wait for the Hour! that it should come on them all of a sudden, while they do not perceive?
Friends on that Day will be foes of one another! except the righteous.
My devotees! No fear shall be on you that Day, nor shall you grieve,
(Being) those who have believed in Our Signs and bowed (to Our will) in Islam.
Enter the garden, you and your wives, rejoicing.
Bowls and goblets of gold will be passed round to them: There will be all that the souls could desire there, all that the eyes could delight in, and you shall abide in it (forever).
Such will be the garden of which you are made heirs for your (good) deeds (in life).
You shall have an abundance of fruit in it, from which you shall have satisfaction.
The sinners will be in the punishment of Hell, to dwell in it (forever):
In no way will the (punishment) be lightened for them, and they will be overwhelmed there in despair.
In no way shall We be unjust to them: But it is they who have been unjust to their own selves.
They will cry, “O Malik! Would that your Lord put an end to us!” He will say, “Nay, but you shall abide!”
Truly We have brought the truth to you: But most of you have a hatred for the truth.
What?! Have they settled some plan (among themselves)? But it is We Who settle things.
Or do they think that We do not hear their secrets and their private counsels? Indeed (We do), and Our messengers are with them, recording.
Say: “If (Allah) Most Gracious had a son, I would be the foremost to worship.”
Glory to the Lord of the heavens and the earth, Lord of the throne (of authority)! (He is free) from the things they attribute (to Him)!
So leave them to babble and play (with vanities) until they meet that Day of theirs which they have been promised.
It is He Who is Allah in heavens and Allah on earth, and He is full of wisdom and knowledge.
And blessed is He to Whom belongs the dominion of the heavens and the earth, and all between them: The knowledge of the Hour (of Judgment) is with Him, and to Him you shall all return.
And those whom they invoke besides Allah have no power of intercession; only he who bears witness to the truth and they know (him).
If you ask them who created them, they will certainly say, “God;” How then are they deluded away (from the truth)?
(Allah has knowledge) of the (Prophet's) cry, “O Lord! Truly these are a people who will not believe!”
But turn away from them, and say “Peace!” But soon shall they know!

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SURA 44

Dukhkhan

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

Ha Mim.
By the Book that makes things clear,
We sent it down during a blessed night, for We (always) wish to warn (against evil).
In that (night) every affair of wisdom is made distinct,
By command from Our presence. For We (always) send (Revelations),
As a mercy from your Lord, for He hears and knows (all things);
The Lord of the heavens and the earth and all between them, if you (only) have a sure faith.
There is no god but He: It is He Who gives life and death! the Lord and Cherisher of you and your ancestors.
Yet they are in doubt, sporting.
Then watch for the Day on which the sky will bring forth a sort of plainly visible smoke (or mist),
Enveloping the people: This will be a grievous penalty.
(They will say,) “Our Lord! Remove the penalty from us, for we truly believe!”
How shall the message be (effective) for them, seeing that a Messenger explaining things clearly has (already) come to them?
Yet they turn away from him and say, “Tutored (by others), a man possessed!”
We shall indeed remove the penalty for a while, (but) truly you will revert (to your ways).
One Day We shall seize you with a mighty onslaught. We will indeed exact retribution!
Before them, We tried the people of Pharaoh: A most honorable Messenger came to them,
Saying, “Deliver God's servants to me: I am a Messenger to you worthy of all trust;
“And do not be arrogant against Allah, for I come to you with manifest authority.
“For me, I have sought safety with my Lord and your Lord, against your harm to me.
“If you do not believe me, at least keep away from me.”
(But they were aggressive:) Then he cried to his Lord, “These are indeed people given to sinning.”
(The reply came:) “March out with My servants at night, for you are surely to be pursued.
“And leave the sea as a furrow (divided). For they are a host (destined) to be drowned.”
How many were the gardens and springs they left behind?
And corn-fields and noble buildings,
And wealth (and conveniences of life), in which they had taken such delight?!
Thus (was their end)! And We made other people inherit (those things)!
Neither the heavens nor the earth sheds a tear over them, nor were they given a respite.
We delivered the Children of Israel from a humiliating punishment,
Inflicted by Pharaoh, for he was arrogant (even) among inordinate transgressors.
Before that, We chose them over the nations, knowingly,
And granted them Signs in which there was a manifest trial.
As to these (Quraish), they truly say,
“There is nothing beyond our first death, and we shall not be raised again.
“Then bring (back) our forefathers if what you say is true!”
What?! Are they better than the people of Tubba' and those who were before them? We destroyed them because they were guilty of sinning.
We did not create the heavens, the earth and all between them merely in (idle) sport:
We created them only for just ends, but most of them do not understand.
Truly the Day of sorting out is the time appointed for all of them,
The Day when no friend can avail his friend in anything, and they can receive no help,
Except those who receive God's mercy, for He is Exalted in might, the Most Merciful.
Truly the tree of Zaqqum
Will be the food of the sinful,
Like molten brass; it will boil their bellies,
Like the boiling of scalding water.
(A voice will cry,) “Seize him and drag him into the midst of the blazing Fire!
“Then pour over his head the penalty of boiling water;
“Taste (this)! Truly you were mighty, honored!
“Truly this is what you used to doubt!”
As for the righteous, (they will be) in a position of security,
Among gardens and springs;
Dressed in fine silk and rich brocade, they will face each other
It is so, and We shall join them to companions with beautiful, large, lustrous eyes.
There they can call for every kind of fruit in peace and security;
Nor will they taste death there, except the first death, and He will preserve them from the penalty of the blazing Fire,
As a bounty from your Lord! That will be the supreme achievement!
We have really made this (Qur'an) easy, in your tongue, so that they may heed.
So wait and watch, for they (too) are waiting.

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SURA 45

Al-Jathiya

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

Ha Mim.
The Revelation of the Book is from Allah, the One Exalted in power, full of wisdom.
Truly (there) are Signs in the heavens and the earth for those who believe,
And in the creation of yourselves and the fact that animals are scattered (throughout the earth, there) are Signs for those of sure faith,
And in the alternation of night and day, and the fact that Allah sends down sustenance from the cloud, and revives the earth with it after its death, and in the change of the winds! (there) are Signs for those who are wise.
Such are God's Signs, which We recite to you in truth: Then in what exposition will they believe after (rejecting) Allah and His Signs?
Woe unto each sinful dealer in falsehoods:
He hears God's Signs recited to him, yet he is obstinate and proud, as if he had not heard them: Then announce a grievous penalty to him!
And when he learns something of Our Signs, he takes them in jest, for such there will be a humiliating penalty.
Hell is in front of them, and they have earned nothing, and any protector they may have taken to themselves besides Allah is of no avail to them: (There) is a tremendous penalty for them.
This is (true) guidance, and for those who reject their Lord's Signs (there) is a grievous penalty of abomination.
It is Allah Who has made the sea subservient to you so that ships may sail through it by His command, so that you may seek of His bounty and you may be grateful.
And He has made subservient to you all that is in the heavens and on earth; behold, (there) are truly Signs in that for those who reflect.
Tell those who believe to forgive those who do not look forward to the Days of Allah: It is for Him to recompense each people (for good or evil) according to what they earn.
If anyone does a righteous deed, it works to the benefit of his own soul: If he commits evil, it works against (his own soul). In the end (all of) you will be brought back to your Lord.
We granted the Children of Israel the Book, the power of command, and Prophethood; We granted them good and pure things for sustenance, and We favored them to other nations.
And We granted them clear Signs in affairs (of religion): It was only after knowledge had been granted to them that they fell into schisms through insolent envy among themselves. Truly your Lord will judge between them on the Day of Judgment as to those matters in which they set up differences.
Then We put you on the (right) way in religion, so follow that (way) and do not follow the desires of those who do not know.
They will be of no use to you in God's sight: It is only wrong-doers (who stand as) protectors, one of another, but Allah is the Protector of the righteous.
These are clear evidences to men, and a guidance and mercy to those of sure faith.
What?! Do those who seek the evil ways think that We shall hold them equal with those who believe and do righteous deeds? That their life and death will be equal? They make an ill judgment.
Allah created the heavens and the earth for just ends so that each soul may find the recompense of what it has earned and none of them shall be wronged.
Have you considered such a person who takes his own vain desire as his god? Allah has left him astray, knowing (him as such), and sealed his hearing and his heart (and understanding) and put a cover on his sight: Who, then, will guide him after Allah (has withdrawn guidance)? Then will you not receive admonishment?
And they say, “What is there but our life in this world? We die and live, and nothing but time destroys us.” But they have no knowledge of that; they merely surmise:
And when Our clear Signs are recited to them, their argument is nothing but their saying, “Bring (back) our forefathers, if what you say is true!”
Say: “It is Allah Who gives you life, then He makes you die, then He will gather you together for the Day of Judgment about which there is no doubt.” Yet most people do not understand.
The dominion of the heavens and the earth belongs to Allah. The Day that the Hour of Judgment is established, on that Day the dealers in falsehood will perish!
And you will see every sect kneeling: Every sect will be called to account: “This Day you shall be recompensed for all that you did!
“This record of Ours speaks about you in truth, for We were accustomed to recording all that you did.”
As for those who believed and did righteous deeds, their Lord will admit them into His mercy: That will be the achievement for all to see.
As for those who reject Allah, (they will be told,) “Were not Our Signs recited to you? But you were arrogant and were sinning!
“And when you were told that God's promise was true, and that the Hour was no doubt (approaching), you used to say, `We do not know what the Hour is: We only think it is an idea, and we have no firm assurance.”'
Then the evil (fruits) of what they did will appear to them, and they will be completely encircled by what they used to ridicule!
It will also be said, “This Day We will forget you as you forgot the meeting of this Day of yours! Your abode is the Fire and you have no helpers!
“This (is so) because you used to take God's Signs in jest, and the life of the world deceived you.” Therefore, on that Day, they shall not be brought forth (from) it, nor shall they be received into grace.
Then praise be to Allah, Lord of the heavens and Lord of the earth, Lord and Cherisher of all the worlds!
Glory be to Him throughout the heavens and the earth, and He is Exalted in power, full of wisdom!

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SURA 46

Al-Ah'qaaf

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

Ha Mim.
The Revelation of the Book is from Allah, the One Exalted in power, full of wisdom.
We created the heavens and the earth and everything between them only for just ends and for an appointed term, but those who reject faith turn away from what they are warned about.
Say: “Do you see what it is that you invoke besides Allah? Show me what they have created on earth, or do they have a share in the heavens? Bring me a Book (revealed) before this or any remnant of knowledge (you may have), if you are telling the truth!”
And who is more astray than one who invokes, besides Allah, those who will not answer him on the Day Of Judgment and who (in fact) are unconscious of the call (upon them)?
And when mankind is gathered together (at the Resurrection), they will be hostile to them and reject their worship (altogether)!
When Our clear Signs are recited to them, the disbelievers say of the truth when it comes to them, “This is evident sorcery!”
Or do they say, “He has forged it”? Say: “If I had forged it, then you could not obtain a single (blessing) for me from Allah. He knows best what you talk about (so glibly)! He suffices for a Witness between me and you! And He is oft-Forgiving, the Most Merciful.”
Say: “I am no bringer of new-fangled doctrine among the Messengers, nor do I know what will be done with me or with you. I only follow what is revealed to me by inspiration; I am but an open and clear warner.”
Say: “Do you see? (This teaching) is from Allah and you still reject it, and a witness from among the Children of Israel testifies to its similarity (with earlier scriptures) and has believed while you are arrogant. (How unjust you are!) Truly, Allah does not guide the unjust people.”
The disbelievers say of those who believe, “Had (this message) been a good thing, (such men) would not have gone to it first, before us!” And seeing that they do not guide themselves by it, they will say, “This is an ancient falsehood!”
And before this, the Book of Moses was a guide and a mercy, and this Book confirms (it) in the Arabic tongue; to admonish the unjust and as glad tidings to those who do right.
Truly those who say, “Our Lord is Allah,” and remain firm (on that path)! on them shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve.
These shall be the companions of the Garden, dwelling therein (forever): A recompense for their (good) deeds.
We have enjoined on man kindness to his parents: His mother bore him in pain, and in pain she gave him birth. The carrying of the (child) till his weaning is (a period of) thirty months. At length, when he reaches the age of full strength and attains the age of forty, he says, “Lord! Grant me that I may be able to be grateful for the favors which You have bestowed upon me and upon both my parents, and that I may do righteous deeds You may approve, and be gracious to me regarding my offspring. Truly I have turned to You and truly I bow (to You) in Islam.”
Such are those from whom We shall accept the best of their deeds and overlook their ill deeds: (They shall be) among the companions of the Garden: A promise of truth which was made to them (in this life).
But (there is one) who says to his parents, “Fie upon you! Do you hold out the promise to me that I shall be raised up, even though generations have passed before me (without rising again)?” And they both seek God's aid (and rebuke the son), “Woe unto you! Have faith! For God's promise is true.” But he says, “This is nothing but tales of the ancients!”
Such are they against whom the sentence is proved among the previous generations of jinns and men that have passed away, for they will be (utterly) lost.
And degrees are (assigned) to all according to the deeds they (have done), so that (Allah) may reward their deeds, and no injustice (shall) be done to them.
And on the Day the disbelievers are placed before the Fire, (it will be said to them,) “You received your good things in the life of the world, and you took your pleasure out of them, but today you shall be rewarded with a penalty of humiliation because you were arrogant on earth without a just cause, and you (always) transgressed.”
Mention (Hud), one of 'Ad's (own) kin: Regarding the winding sand tracts. Behold! He warned his people, but there have been warners before him and after him: “Worship none other than Allah: Truly I fear the penalty of a mighty Day for you.”
They said, “Have you come to turn us away from our gods? Then bring upon us the (calamity) with which you threaten us, if you are telling the truth!”
He said, “The knowledge (of when it will come) is only with Allah: I proclaim to you the mission for which I have been sent, but I see that you are an ignorant people! ...”
Then, when they saw the (penalty as) a cloud traversing the sky, coming to meet their valleys, they said, “This cloud will grant us rain!” “No, it is the (calamity) you were asking to be hastened! A wind in which (there) is a grievous penalty!
“It will destroy everything by its Lord's command!” Then by the morning, nothing was to be seen except (the ruins of) their houses! Thus do We recompense those given to sinning!
And We had firmly established them in a (prosperity and) power which We have not granted to you (Quraish!) And We had endowed them with (faculties of) hearing and seeing, heart and intellect, but their (faculties of) hearing and seeing, heart and intellect were of no avail to them when they went on rejecting God's Signs, and they were (completely) encircled by what they used to ridicule!
We previously destroyed generations around you, and We have shown the Signs in various ways so that they may turn (to Us).
Why then was no help forthcoming to them from those whom they worshipped as gods, besides Allah, as a means of access (to Allah)? Nay! They abandoned them; but that was their falsehood and their own invention.
Behold! We turned towards you a party of the jinns to listen to the Qur'an: When they stood in its presence, they said, “Listen in silence!” When the (recitation) was no more, they returned to their people to warn (them of their sins).
They said, “O people! We have heard a Book revealed after Moses, confirming what came before it: It guides (mankind) to the truth and the straight path.
“O our people, listen to the one who invites (you) to Allah and believe in Him: He will forgive you your faults and deliver you from a grievous penalty.
“If anyone does not listen to the one who invites (us) to Allah, he cannot frustrate (God's plan) on earth, and he can have no protectors besides Allah; such men (wander) in manifest error.”
Do they not see that Allah, Who created the heavens and the earth, and never wearied with their creation, is able to grant life to the dead? Yes, He truly has power over all things.
And on the Day when the disbelievers are placed before the Fire, (they will be asked,) “Is this not the truth?” They will say, “Yes, by our Lord!” (One will say,) “Then taste the penalty because you used to deny (the truth)!”
Therefore patiently persevere, as did (all) Messengers of steady purpose, and be in no haste about the (disbelievers). On the Day that they see the (punishment) promised them, (it will be) as if they had not tarried more than an Hour in a single Day. (You are only) to proclaim the message, but shall any be destroyed except those who transgress?

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SURA 47

Muhammad

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

Those who reject Allah and hinder (men) from God's path! God will cause their deeds to be of no avail.
But those who believe and do deeds of righteousness and believe in the (Revelation) revealed to Muhammad! For it is the truth from their Lord! He will remove their ills and improve their condition.
This is so because those who reject Allah follow vanities, while those who believe follow the truth from their Lord: Thus Allah sets forth lessons for men by similitudes.
Therefore, when you meet the disbelievers (in battle), strike at their necks; at length, when you have thoroughly subdued them, bind a bond firmly (on them): After that (is the time for) either generosity or ransom: Until the war lays down its burdens. Thus (are you commanded), but if it had been God's will, He (Himself) could certainly have exacted retribution from them; but (He lets you fight) in order to test you, some through others. But those who are killed in God's way! He will never let their deeds be lost.
Soon He will guide them and improve their condition,
And admit them into the garden which He has announced for them.
O you who believe! If you aid (the cause of) Allah, He will aid you, and plant your feet firmly.
But those who reject (Allah)! for them is destruction, and (Allah) will cause their deeds to be of no avail.
That is so because they hate God's Revelation; so He has made their deeds futile.
Do they not travel throughout the earth and see what the end of those before them (who did evil) was? Allah brought utter destruction upon them, and similar (fate awaits) those who reject Allah.
That is so because Allah is the Protector of those who believe, but those who reject Allah have no protector.
Truly Allah will admit those who believe and do righteous deeds into gardens beneath which rivers flow; while those who reject Allah will enjoy (this world) and eat as cattle eat, and the Fire will be their abode.
And how many cities, with more power than your city which has driven you out, have We destroyed (for their sins)? There was none to aid them.
Then is one who is on a clear (path) from his Lord not better than one to whom the evil of his conduct seems pleasing and follows his own desires?
This is a parable of the Garden which the righteous are promised: In it (there) are rivers of incorruptible water; rivers of milk of which the taste never changes; rivers of wine, a joy to those who drink, and rivers of pure and clear honey. In it are all kinds of fruits, and a grace from their Lord. (Can those in such bliss) be compared to those who shall dwell forever in the Fire and be given boiling water to drink, so (much so) that it cuts their bowels (to pieces)?
And among them are men who listen to you, but in the end, when they go out from you, they say to those who have received knowledge, “What is it that he said just then?” Such are men whose hearts Allah has sealed and who follow their own lust.
But to those who receive guidance He increases (the light of) guidance and bestows piety and restraint (from evil) upon them.
Then do they only wait for the Hour! that it should come on them suddenly? But some tokens of it have already come, and when it (actually) is upon them, how can they benefit then by admonishment?
Know, therefore, that there is no god but Allah, and ask forgiveness for your fault, and for believing men and women, for Allah knows how you move about and how you dwell in your homes.
Those who believe say, “Why is not a Sura sent down (for us)?” But when a Sura of basic or categorical meaning is revealed, and fighting is mentioned in it, you will see those in whose hearts there is a disease looking at you with a look of one in a swoon at the approach of death, but it would be more fitting for them
To obey and say what is just, and when a matter is resolved, it would be best for them if they were true to Allah.
Then, is it to be expected of you, if you were put in authority, that you will do mischief in the land and break your ties of kith and kin?
Such are the men whom Allah has cursed, for He has made them deaf, and He blinded their vision.
Do they not then earnestly seek to understand the Qur'an, or are their hearts locked up?
Those who turn back as apostates after guidance was clearly shown to them! the evil one has instigated them and buoyed them up with false hopes.
This is so because they said to those who hate what Allah has revealed, “We will obey you in part of (this) matter;” but Allah knows their (inner) secrets.
But how (will it be) when the angels take their souls at death and strike their faces and their backs?
This is so because they followed what caused God's Wrath, and they hated God's good pleasure; so He made their deeds of no effect.
Or do those with diseased hearts think that Allah will not bring all their rancor to light?
Had We so willed, We would have shown them up to you, and you would have known them by their marks, but surely you will know them by the tone of their speech! And Allah knows all that you do.
And We shall try you until We test those among you who strive their utmost and persevere in patience, and We shall try your reported (mettle).
Those who reject Allah, hinder (mankind) from God's path and resist the Messenger, after guidance has been clearly shown to them, will not harm Allah in the least, but He will make their deeds of no effect.
O you who believe! Obey Allah and obey the Messenger, and do not render your deeds vain!
Those who reject Allah and hinder (mankind) from God's path, then die rejecting God! God will never forgive them.
Do not be weary and faint-hearted, crying for peace, when you should have the upper hand, for Allah is with you and will never put you in loss on account of your (good) deeds.
The life of this world is but play and amusement, and if you believe and guard yourselves against evil, He will grant you recompense and will not ask you for your possessions!
If He were to ask you for all of them and press you, you would covetously withhold (them), and He would bring out all your ill-feeling.
Behold! You are those invited to spend (of substance) in God's way, but some among you are stingy. Yet any who are stingy are so at the expense of their own souls. But Allah is free of all wants, and it is you who are needy. If you turn back (from the path), He will substitute another people in your place; then they would not be like you!

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SURA 48

Al-Fat'h

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

Truly We have granted you a manifest victory:
That Allah may forgive your past and future faults, fulfill His favor to you and guide you on the straight way,
And that Allah may help you with a mighty help.
It is He Who sent tranquility into the hearts of the believers so that they might add faith to their faith, for the forces of the heavens and earth belong to Allah, and Allah is full of knowledge and wisdom;
That He may admit the men and women who believe to Gardens beneath which rivers flow, to dwell in them forever, and remove their ills from them, and in God's sight, that is the highest achievement,
And that He may punish the hypocrites, men and women, and the polytheists, men and women, who imagine an evil opinion of Allah. Evil encircles them: God's Wrath is upon them: He has cursed them and prepared Hell for them, and it is an evil destination.
For the forces of the heavens and the earth belong to Allah, and Allah is Exalted in power, full of wisdom.
We have truly sent you as a witness, a bearer of glad tidings, and a warner:
So that you (O men) may believe in Allah and His Messenger, that you may assist and honor Him and celebrate His praises in the morn and the eve.
Truly those who pledge their fealty to you do no less than pledge their fealty to Allah: God's hand is above their hands: Then anyone who violates his oath does so to the harm of his own soul, and anyone who fulfills what he has promised God! God will soon grant him a great reward.
The desert Arabs who lagged behind will say to you, “We were engaged in (looking after) our flocks and herds, and our families; ask forgiveness for us.” They say with their tongues what is not in their hearts. Say: “Who then has any power at all (to intervene) on your behalf with Allah, if His will is to render you to loss or to do you good? But Allah is well acquainted with all that you do.
“Nay! You thought that the Messenger and the believers would never return to their families; this seemed pleasing to your hearts, and you conceived an evil thought, for you are a people lost (in wickedness).”
And if any do not believe in Allah and His Messenger, We have prepared a blazing fire for those who reject Allah!
The dominion of the heavens and the earth belongs to Allah: He forgives whomsoever He wills, and He punishes whomsoever He wills, but Allah is oft-Forgiving, the Most Merciful.
Those who lagged behind (will say), when you (are free to) march and take booty (in war), “Permit us to follow you.” They wish to change God's decree: Say: “You will not follow us thus: Allah has already declared (this) beforehand.” Then they will say, “But you are jealous of us.” Nay! They understand (such things) very little.
Say to the desert Arabs who lagged behind: “You shall be summoned (to fight) against a people given to vehement war: Then you shall fight, or they will submit. Then if you show obedience, Allah will grant you a goodly reward, but if you turn back as you did before, He will punish you with a grievous penalty.”
There is no blame on the blind, nor on the sick (if they do not join the war), but he who obeys Allah and His Messenger! (Allah) will admit him into gardens beneath which rivers flow, and he who turns back, (Allah) will punish him with a grievous penalty.
God's good pleasure was on the believers when they swore fealty to you under the tree: He knew what was in their hearts, and He sent down tranquility upon them, and He rewarded them with a speedy victory;
And they will acquire many gains (besides), and Allah is Exalted in power, full of wisdom.
Allah has promised you many gains you will acquire, and He has given you these beforehand, and He has restrained the hands of men from you so that it may be a Sign for the believers, and that He may guide you to a straight path;
And (there are) other gains, which are not within your power but which Allah has compassed, and Allah has power over all things.
Should the disbelievers fight you, they would certainly turn their backs; then they would find neither protector nor helper.
(Such has been) the practice Allah already (approved) in the past: You will find no change in the practice (approved) by Allah.
And it is He Who has restrained their hands from you and your hand from them in the midst of Mecca, after He granted you victory over them. And Allah well sees all that you do.
They are the ones who denied (the) Revelation and hindered you from the sacred mosque and detained the sacrificial animals from reaching their place of sacrifice. Had there not been believing men and believing women whom you did not know that you were trampling down and on whose account a crime would have accrued to you without (your) knowledge, (Allah would have allowed you to force your way, but He held your hands back) that He may admit whomsoever He wills into His mercy. If they had been apart, We would certainly have punished the disbelievers among them with a grievous penalty.
While the disbelievers nurtured disdain and bias in their hearts! the disdain and bias of ignorance! God sent down His tranquility unto His Messenger and unto the believers, and made them stick close to the command of self-restraint, and they were well entitled to it and worthy thereof. And Allah has full knowledge of all things.
Truly Allah fulfilled the vision for His Messenger: You shall enter the sacred mosque, if Allah wills, with minds secure, heads shaved, hair cut short and without fear. For He knew what you did not (know), and He granted, besides this, a speedy victory.
It is He Who has sent His Messenger with guidance and the religion of Truth to proclaim it over all religions, and Allah is enough for a Witness.
Muhammad is God's Messenger, and those who are with him are strong against the disbelievers, compassionate among each other. You will see them bow and prostrate (in prayer), seeking God's grace and (His) good pleasure. On their faces are their marks, (being) the traces of their prostration. This is their similitude in the Torah, and their similitude in the Gospel: Like a seed which sends forth its blade, then makes it strong; then it becomes thick and it stands on its own stem, (filling) the one who sows with wonder and delight. As a result, it fills the disbelievers with rage. Allah has promised forgiveness and a great reward to those among them who believe and do righteous deeds.

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SURA 49

Al-Hujurat

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

O you who believe! Do not be forward in the presence of Allah and His Messenger, but fear Allah, for Allah hears and knows all things.
O you who believe! Do not raise your voices above the voice of the Prophet, nor speak loudly to him as you speak loudly to one another, lest your deeds should become vain while you do not perceive (it).
Those who lower their voices in the presence of God's Messenger! God has tested their hearts for piety: (There) is forgiveness and a great reward for them.
Those who shout out to you from beyond the inner apartments, most of them lack understanding.
If only they had patience until you could come out to them, it would be best for them, but Allah is oft-Forgiving, the Most Merciful.
O you who believe! If a wicked person comes to you with any news, ascertain the truth, lest you should harm people unwittingly and afterwards become full of repentance for what you have done.
And know that God's Messenger is among you: If he were to follow your (wishes) in many matters, you would certainly fall into misfortune, but Allah has endeared the faith to you and has made it beautiful in your hearts, and He has made disbelief, wickedness and rebellion hateful to you: Such indeed are those who walk in righteousness;
A grace and favor from Allah, and Allah is full of knowledge and wisdom.
If two parties among the believers fall into a quarrel, make peace between them, but if one of them transgresses beyond bounds against the other, then fight the one that transgresses until it complies with God's command; but if it complies, then make peace between them with justice and be fair, for Allah loves those who are fair (and just).
Believers are but a single brotherhood, so make peace and reconciliation between your two (contending) brothers, and fear Allah so that you may receive mercy.
O you who believe! Do not let some men among you ridicule others: It may be that the (latter) are better than the (former): Nor let some women ridicule others: It may be that the (latter) are better than the (former): Nor defame nor be sarcastic to each other, nor call each other by (offensive) nicknames: A name connoting wickedness is ill-seeming, (to be used of one) after having believed, and those who do not desist are (indeed) wrong-doers.
O you who believe! Avoid suspicion as much (as possible), for suspicion in some cases is a sin, and do not spy on each other, nor speak ill of others by way of backbiting. Would any of you like to eat the flesh of his dead brother? Nay! You would abhor it...but fear Allah, for Allah is oft-Returning, the Most Merciful.
O mankind! We created you from a single (couple) of a male and a female and made you into nations and tribes so that you may know each other, (not that you may despise each other). Truly the most honored of you in God's sight is (he who is) the most righteous among you. And Allah has full knowledge and is well acquainted (with all things).
The desert Arabs say, “We believe.” Say: “You have no faith; (only) say, `We have submitted our wills to Allah.' For faith has not yet entered your hearts. But if you obey Allah and His Messenger, He will not diminish any of your deeds, for Allah is oft-Forgiving, the Most Merciful.”
Only those are believers who have believed in Allah and His Messenger and have never since doubted, but have striven with their possessions and their persons in God's cause: Such are the sincere ones.
Say: “What?! Will you instruct Allah about your religion?” But Allah knows all that is in the heavens and on earth: He has full knowledge of all things.
They think they oblige you when they embrace Islam. Say: “Do not count your Islam as a favor to me. Nay! Allah has conferred a favor on you that He has guided you to the faith, if you are true and sincere.
“Truly Allah knows the secrets of the heavens and the earth, and Allah sees well all that you do.”

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SURA 50

Qaf

In the name of Allah, Most Gracious Most Merciful.

Qaf. I swear by the glorious Quran (that Muhammad is God's Messenger).
But they wonder that a warner has come to them from among themselves. So the disbelievers say, “This is a strange thing!
“What?! When we die and become dust, (shall we live again)? That is a (sort of) return far (from our understanding).”
We already know how much of them the earth diminishes: With Us is a record guarding (the full account).
But they deny the truth when it comes to them, so they are in a confused state.
Do they not look at the sky above them, how We have made it and adorned it, and there are no flaws in it?
And the earth We have spread out, and set mountains standing firm on it, and produced in it every kind of beautiful growth (in pairs),
To be observed and commemorated by every devotee turning (to Allah).
And We send down from the sky rain charged with blessing, and with it We produce gardens and grain to harvest;
And tall (and stately) palm-trees, with shoots of fruit-stalks, piled one over the other;
As sustenance for (God's) servants, and with it We grant (new) life to land that is dead: Thus will the Resurrection be.
Before them, (the hereafter) was denied by the people of Noah, the companions of the Rass, the Thamud,
The 'Ad, Pharaoh, the brothers of Lot,
The Companions of the Wood, and the people of Tubba; each one (of them) rejected the Messengers, and My warning was duly fulfilled (in their regard).
Then were We weary with the first creation, that they should be in confused doubt about a new creation?
We have created man and We know what dark suggestions his soul makes to him, for We are nearer to him than his life-vein.
Behold! Two (guardian angels) appointed to receive (his deeds) receive (and note them), one on the right and one on the left.
Not a word does he utter but there is a sentinel by him, ready (to note it).
And the stupor of death will bring truth (before his eyes): “This was the thing you were trying to escape!”
And the trumpet shall be blown: That will be the Day against which warning (had been given).
And every soul will come forth: An (angel) will be with each to drive, and an (angel) to bear witness.
(It will be said,) “You were heedless of this; now We have removed the veil, and your sight is sharp (on) this Day!”
And his companion will say, “Here is (his record) ready with me!”
(The sentence will be,) “Throw, throw into Hell every contumacious rejector (of Allah)!
“Who forbade what was good, transgressed all bounds, cast doubts and suspicions;
“Who set up another god besides Allah: Throw him into a severe penalty.”
His companion will say, “Our Lord! I did not make him transgress, but he (himself) was far astray.”
He will say, “Do not dispute with each other in My presence: I had already sent you warning in advance.
“The Word does not change before Me, and I do not suffer the least injustice to My servants.”
One Day We will ask Hell, “Are you filled to the full?” It will say, “Are there any more (to come)?”
And the Garden will be brought near to the righteous! no longer distant.
(A voice will say,) “This is what was promised for you, for everyone who turned (to Allah) in sincere repentance, who safeguarded (His law),
“Who feared (Allah) Most Gracious in the unseen, and brought a heart turned in devotion (to Him):
“Enter in peace and security; this is a Day of eternal life!”
All that they wish for! and more besides! will be for them there in Our presence.
But how many generations before them did We destroy (for their sins), who are stronger than them? Then they wandered through the land: Was there any place of escape (for them)?
Truly (there) is a message in this for any that has a heart and understanding or who gives ear and earnestly witnesses (the truth).
We created the heavens and the earth and all between them in six days, nor did any weariness touch Us.
Bear them with patience, all that they say, and celebrate the praises of your Lord, before the rising of the sun and before (its) setting,
And during part of the night; (also) celebrate His praises, and (likewise) after the postures of adoration.
And listen on the Day when the Caller calls out from a place quite near,
The Day when they hear a (mighty) blast in (very) truth: That will be the Day of Resurrection.
Truly it is We Who grant life and death, and We are the final goal,
(On) the Day when the Earth is rent asunder, from (mankind) hurrying out: That will be a gathering together! (and is) quite easy for Us.
We know best what they say, and you are not one to overawe them by force. So admonish with the Qur'an those who fear My warning!