Chapter 38, 88 verses
In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful. Sad. By the renowned Qur'an,
Sad. By the Qur'an containing reminder...
Suad, I swear by the Quran, full of admonition.
Nay, but those who disbelieve are in false pride and schism.
But those who disbelieve are in pride and dissension.
Nay! those who disbelieve are in self - exaltation and opposition.
How many a generation We destroyed before them, and they cried out when it was no longer the time for escape!
How many a generation have We destroyed before them, and they [then] called out; but it was not a time for escape.
How many did We destroy before them of the generations, then they cried while the time of escaping had passed away.
And they marvel that a warner from among themselves hath come unto them, and the disbelievers say: This is a wizard, a charlatan.
And they wonder that there has come to them a warner from among themselves. And the disbelievers say, "This is a magician and a liar.
And they wonder that there has come to them a warner from among themselves, and the disbelievers say: This is an enchanter, a liar.
Maketh he the gods One God ? Lo! that is an astounding thing.
Has he made the gods [only] one God? Indeed, this is a curious thing."
What! makes he the gods a single Allah? A strange thing is this, to be sure!
The chiefs among them go about, exhorting: Go and be staunch to your gods! Lo! this is a thing designed.
And the eminent among them went forth, [saying], "Continue, and be patient over [the defense of] your gods. Indeed, this is a thing intended.
And the chief persons of them break forth, saying: Go and steadily adhere to your gods; this is most surely a thing sought after.
We have not heard of this in later religion. This is naught but an invention.
We have not heard of this in the latest religion. This is not but a fabrication.
We never heard of this in the former faith; this is nothing but a forgery:
Hath the reminder been unto him (alone) among us ? Nay, but they are in doubt concerning My reminder; nay but they have not yet tasted My doom.
Has the message been revealed to him out of [all of] us?" Rather, they are in doubt about My message. Rather, they have not yet tasted My punishment.
Has the reminder been revealed to him from among us? Nay! they are in doubt as to My reminder. Nay! they have not yet tasted My chastisement!
Or are theirs the treasures of the mercy of thy Lord, the Mighty, the Bestower ?
Or do they have the depositories of the mercy of your Lord, the Exalted in Might, the Bestower?
Or is it that they have the treasures of the mercy of your Lord, the Mighty, the great Giver?
Or is the kingdom of the heavens and the earth and all that is between them theirs ? Then let them ascend by ropes!
Or is theirs the dominion of the heavens and the earth and what is between them? Then let them ascend through [any] ways of access.
Or is it that theirs is the kingdom of the heavens and the earth and what is between them? Then let them ascend by any
A defeated host are (all) the factions that are there.
[They are but] soldiers [who will be] defeated there among the companies [of disbelievers].
A host of deserters of the allies shall be here put to flight.
The folk of Noah before them denied (their messenger) and (so did the tribe of) A'ad, and Pharaoh firmly planted,
The people of Noah denied before them, and [the tribe of] 'Aad and Pharaoh, the owner of stakes,
The people of Nuh and Ad, and Firon, the lord of spikes, rejected (apostles) before them.
And (the tribe of) Thamud, and the folk of Lot, and the dwellers in the wood: these were the factions.
And [the tribe of] Thamud and the people of Lot and the companions of the thicket. Those are the companies.
And Samood and the people of Lut and the dwellers of the thicket; these were the parties.
Not one of them but did deny the messengers, therefor My doom was justified,
Each of them denied the messengers, so My penalty was justified.
There was none of them but called the apostles liars, so just was My retribution.
These wait for but one Shout, there will be no second thereto.
And these [disbelievers] await not but one blast [of the Horn]; for it there will be no delay.
Nor do these await aught but a single cry, there being no delay in it.
They say: Our Lord! Hasten on for us our fate before the Day of Reckoning.
And they say, "Our Lord, hasten for us our share [of the punishment] before the Day of Account"
And they say: O our Lord! hasten on to us our portion before the day of reckoning.
Bear with what they say, and remember Our bondman David, lord of might, Lo! he was ever turning in repentance (toward Allah).
Be patient over what they say and remember Our servant, David, the possessor of strength; indeed, he was one who repeatedly turned back [to Allah].
Bear patiently what they say, and remember Our servant Dawood, the possessor of power; surely he was frequent in returning (to Allah).
Lo! We subdued the hills to hymn the praises (of their Lord) with him at nightfall and sunrise,
Indeed, We subjected the mountains [to praise] with him, exalting [Allah] in the [late] afternoon and [after] sunrise.
Surely We made the mountains to sing the glory (of Allah) in unison with him at the evening and the sunrise,
And the birds assembled; all were turning unto Him.
And the birds were assembled, all with him repeating [praises].
And the birds gathered together; all joined in singing with him.
We made his kingdom strong and gave him wisdom and decisive speech.
And We strengthened his kingdom and gave him wisdom and discernment in speech.
And We strengthened his kingdom and We gave him wisdom and a clear judgment.
And hath the story of the litigants come unto thee ? How they climbed the wall into the royal chamber;
And has there come to you the news of the adversaries, when they climbed over the wall of [his] prayer chamber -
And has there come to you the story of the litigants, when they made an entry into the private chamber by ascending over the walls?
How they burst in upon David, and he was afraid of them. They said: Be not afraid! (We are) two litigants, one of whom hath wronged the other, therefor judge aright between us; be not unjust; and show us the fair way.
When they entered upon David and he was alarmed by them? They said, "Fear not. [We are] two adversaries, one of whom has wronged the other, so judge between us with truth and do not exceed [it] and guide us to the sound path.
When they entered in upon Dawood and he was frightened at them, they said: Fear not; two litigants, of whom one has acted wrongfully towards the other, therefore decide between us with justice, and do not act unjustly, and guide us to the right way.
Lo! this my brother hath ninety and nine ewes while I had one ewe; and he said: Entrust it to me, and he conquered me in speech.
Indeed this, my brother, has ninety - nine ewes, and I have one ewe; so he said, 'Entrust her to me,' and he overpowered me in speech."
Surely this is my brother; he has ninety - nine ewes and I have a single ewe; but he said: Make it over to me, and he has prevailed against me in discourse.
(David) said: He hath wronged thee in demanding thine ewe in addition to his ewes, and lo! many partners oppress one another, save such as believe and do good works, and they are few. And David guessed that We had tried him, and he sought forgiveness of his Lord, and he bowed himself and fell down prostrate and repented.
[David] said, "He has certainly wronged you in demanding your ewe [in addition] to his ewes. And indeed, many associates oppress one another, except for those who believe and do righteous deeds - and few are they." And David became certain that We had tried him, and he asked forgiveness of his Lord and fell down bowing [in prostration] and turned in repentance [to Allah].
He said: Surely he has been unjust to you in demanding your ewe (to add) to his own ewes; and most surely most of the partners act wrongfully towards one another, save those who believe and do good, and very few are they; and Dawood was sure that We had tried him, so he sought the protection of his Lord and he fell down bowing and turned time after time (to Him).
So We forgave him that; and lo! he had access to Our presence and a happy journey's end.
So We forgave him that; and indeed, for him is nearness to Us and a good place of return.
Therefore We rectified for him this, and most surely he had a nearness to Us and an excellent resort.
(And it was said unto him): O David! Lo! We have set thee as a viceroy in the earth; therefor judge aright between mankind, and follow not desire that it beguile thee from the way of Allah. Lo! those who wander from the way of Allah have an awful doom, forasmuch as they forgot the Day of Reckoning.
[We said], "O David, indeed We have made you a successor upon the earth, so judge between the people in truth and do not follow [your own] desire, as it will lead you astray from the way of Allah." Indeed, those who go astray from the way of Allah will have a severe punishment for having forgotten the Day of Account.
o Dawood! surely We have made you a ruler in the land; so judge between men with justice and do not follow desire, lest it should lead you astray from the path of Allah; (as for) those who go astray from the path of Allah, they shall surely have a severe punishment because they forgot the day of reckoning.
And We created not the heaven and the earth and all that is between them in vain. That is the opinion of those who disbelieve. And woe unto those who disbelieve, from the Fire!
And We did not create the heaven and the earth and that between them aimlessly. That is the assumption of those who disbelieve, so woe to those who disbelieve from the Fire.
And We did not create the heaven and the earth and what is between them in vain; that is the opinion of those who disbelieve then woe to those who disbelieve on account of the fire.
Shall We treat those who believe and do good works as those who spread corruption in the earth; or shall We treat the pious as the wicked ?
Or should we treat those who believe and do righteous deeds like corrupters in the land? Or should We treat those who fear Allah like the wicked?
Shall We treat those who believe and do good like the mischief - makers in the earth? Or shall We make those who guard (against evil) like the wicked?
(This is) a Scripture that We have revealed unto thee, full of blessing, that they may ponder its revelations, and that men of understanding may reflect.
[This is] a blessed Book which We have revealed to you, [O Muhammad], that they might reflect upon its verses and that those of understanding would be reminded.
(It is) a Book We have revealed to you abounding in good that they may ponder over its verses, and that those endowed with understanding may be mindful.
And We bestowed on David, Solomon. How excellent a slave! Lo! he was ever turning in repentance (toward Allah).
And to David We gave Solomon. An excellent servant, indeed he was one repeatedly turning back [to Allah].
And We gave to Dawood Sulaiman, most excellent the servant! Surely he was frequent in returning (to Allah).
When there were shown to him at eventide lightfooted coursers
[Mention] when there were exhibited before him in the afternoon the poised [standing] racehorses.
When there were brought to him in the evening (horses) still when standing, swift when running - -
And he said: Lo! I have preferred the good things (of the world) to the remembrance of my Lord; till they were taken out of sight behind the curtain.
And he said, "Indeed, I gave preference to the love of good [things] over the remembrance of my Lord until the sun disappeared into the curtain [of darkness]."
Then he said: Surely I preferred the good things to the remembrance of my Lord - - until the sun set and time for Asr prayer was over, (he said):
(Then he said): Bring them back to me, and fell to slashing (with his sword their) legs and necks.
[He said], "Return them to me," and set about striking [their] legs and necks.
Bring them back to me; so he began to slash (their) legs and necks.
And verily We tried Solomon, and set upon his throne a (mere) body. Then did he repent.
And We certainly tried Solomon and placed on his throne a body; then he returned.
And certainly We tried Sulaiman, and We put on his throne a (mere) body, so he turned (to Allah).
He said: My Lord! Forgive me and bestow on me sovereignty such as shall not belong to any after me. Lo! Thou art the Bestower.
He said, "My Lord, forgive me and grant me a kingdom such as will not belong to anyone after me. Indeed, You are the Bestower."
He said: My Lord! do Thou forgive me and grant me a kingdom which is not fit for (being inherited by) anyone after me;
So We made the wind subservient unto him, setting fair by his command whithersoever he intended.
So We subjected to him the wind blowing by his command, gently, wherever he directed,
Then We made the wind subservient to him; it made his command to run gently wherever he desired,
And the unruly, every builder and diver (made We subservient),
And [also] the devils [of jinn] - every builder and diver
And the shaitans, every builder and diver,
And others linked together in chains,
And others bound together in shackles.
And others fettered in chains.
(Saying): This is Our gift, so bestow thou, or withhold, without reckoning.
[We said], "This is Our gift, so grant or withhold without account."
This is Our free gift, therefore give freely or withhold, without reckoning.
And lo! he hath favour with Us, and a happy journey's end.
And indeed, for him is nearness to Us and a good place of return.
And most surely he had a nearness to Us and an excellent resort.
And make mention (O Muhammad) of Our bondman Job, when he cried unto his Lord (saying): Lo! the devil doth afflict me with distress and torment.
And remember Our servant Job, when he called to his Lord, "Indeed, Satan has touched me with hardship and torment."
And remember Our servant Ayyub, when he called upon his Lord: The Shaitan has afflicted me with toil and torment.
(And it was said unto him): Strike the ground with thy foot. This (spring) is a cool bath and a refreshing drink.
[So he was told], "Strike [the ground] with your foot; this is a [spring for] a cool bath and drink."
Urge with your foot; here is a cool washing - place and a drink.
And We bestowed on him (again) his household and therewith the like thereof, a mercy from Us, and a memorial for men of understanding.
And We granted him his family and a like [number] with them as mercy from Us and a reminder for those of understanding.
And We gave him his family and the like of them with them, as a mercy from Us, and as a reminder to those possessed of understanding.
And (it was said unto him): Take in thine hand a branch and smite therewith, and break not thine oath. Lo! We found him steadfast, how excellent a slave! Lo! he was ever turning in repentance (to his Lord).
[We said], "And take in your hand a bunch [of grass] and strike with it and do not break your oath." Indeed, We found him patient, an excellent servant. Indeed, he was one repeatedly turning back [to Allah].
And take in your hand a green branch and beat her with It and do not break your oath; surely We found him patient; most excellent the servant! Surely he was frequent in returning (to Allah).
And make mention of Our bondmen, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, men of parts and vision.
And remember Our servants, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob - those of strength and [religious] vision.
And remember Our servants Ibrahim and Ishaq and Yaqoub, men of power and insight.
Lo! We purified them with a pure thought, remembrance of the Home (of the Hereafter).
Indeed, We chose them for an exclusive quality: remembrance of the home [of the Hereafter].
Surely We purified them by a pure quality, the keeping in mind of the (final) abode.
Lo! in Our sight they are verily of the elect, the excellent.
And indeed they are, to Us, among the chosen and outstanding.
And most surely they were with Us, of the elect, the best.
And make mention of Ishmael and Elisha and Dhu'l - Kifl. All are of the chosen.
And remember Ishmael, Elisha and Dhul - Kifl, and all are among the outstanding.
And remember Ismail and Al - Yasha and Zulkifl; and they were all of the best.
This is a reminder. And lo! for those who ward off (evil) is a happy journey's end,
This is a reminder. And indeed, for the righteous is a good place of return
This is a reminder; and most surely there is an excellent resort for those who guard (against evil),
Gardens of Eden, whereof the gates are opened for them,
Gardens of perpetual residence, whose doors will be opened to them.
The gardens of perpetuity, the doors are opened for them.
Wherein, reclining, they call for plenteous fruit and cool drink (that is) therein.
Reclining within them, they will call therein for abundant fruit and drink.
Reclining therein, calling therein for many fruits and drink.
And with them are those of modest gaze, companions.
And with them will be women limiting [their] glances and of equal age.
And with them shall be those restraining their eyes, equals in age.
This it is that ye are promised for the Day of Reckoning.
This is what you, [the righteous], are promised for the Day of Account.
This is what you are promised for the day of reckoning.
Lo! this in truth is Our provision, which will never waste away.
Indeed, this is Our provision; for it there is no depletion.
Most surely this is Our sustenance; it shall never come to an end;
This (is for the righteous). And lo! for the transgressors there with be an evil journey's end,
This [is so]. But indeed, for the transgressors is an evil place of return -
This (shall be so); and most surely there is an evil resort for the inordinate ones;
Hell, where they will burn, an evil resting - place.
Hell, which they will [enter to] burn, and wretched is the resting place.
Hell; they shall enter it, so evil is the resting - place.
Here is a boiling and an ice - cold draught, so let them taste it,
This - so let them taste it - is scalding water and [foul] purulence.
This (shall be so); so let them taste it, boiling and intensely cold (drink).
And other (torment) of the kind in pairs (the two extremes)!
And other [punishments] of its type [in various] kinds.
And other (punishment) of the same kind - - of various sorts.
Here is an army rushing blindly with you. (Those who are already in the Fire say): No word of welcome for them. Lo! they will roast at the Fire.
[Its inhabitants will say], "This is a company bursting in with you. No welcome for them. Indeed, they will burn in the Fire."
This is an army plunging in without consideration along with you; no welcome for them, surely they shall enter fire.
They say: Nay, but you (misleaders), for you there is no word of welcome. Ye prepared this for us (by your misleading). Now hapless is the plight.
They will say, "Nor you! No welcome for you. You, [our leaders], brought this upon us, and wretched is the settlement."
They shall say: Nay! you - - no welcome to you: you did proffer it to us, so evil is the resting - place.
They say: Our Lord! Whoever did prepare this for us, oh, give him double portion of the Fire!
They will say, "Our Lord, whoever brought this upon us - increase for him double punishment in the Fire."
They shall say: Our Lord! whoever prepared it first for us, add Thou to him a double chastisement in the fire.
And they say: What aileth us that we behold not men whom we were wont to count among the wicked ?
And they will say, "Why do we not see men whom we used to count among the worst?
And they shall say: What is the matter with us that we do not see men whom we used to count among the vicious?
Did we take them (wrongly) for a laughing - stock, or have our eyes missed them ?
Is it [because] we took them in ridicule, or has [our] vision turned away from them?"
Was it that we (only) took them in scorn, or have our eyes (now) turned aside from them?
Lo! that is very truth: the wrangling of the dwellers in the Fire.
Indeed, that is truth - the quarreling of the people of the Fire.
That most surely is the truth: the contending one with another of the inmates of the fire.
Say (unto them, O Muhammad): I am only a warner, and there is no God save Allah, the One, the Absolute,
Say, [O Muhammad], "I am only a warner, and there is not any deity except Allah, the One, the Prevailing.
Say: I am only a warner, and there is no god but Allah, the One, the Subduer (of all):
Lord of the heavens and the earth and all that is between them, the Mighty, the Pardoning.
Lord of the heavens and the earth and whatever is between them, the Exalted in Might, the Perpetual Forgiver."
The Lord of the heavens and the earth and what is between them, the Mighty, the most Forgiving.
Say: It is tremendous tidings
Say, "It is great news
Say: It is a message of importance,
Whence ye turn away!
From which you turn away.
(And) you are turning aside from it:
I had no knowledge of the Highest Chiefs when they disputed;
I had no knowledge of the exalted assembly [of angels] when they were disputing [the creation of Adam].
I had no knowledge of the exalted chiefs when they contended:
It is revealed unto me only that I may be a plain warner.
It has not been revealed to me except that I am a clear warner."
Naught is revealed to me save that I am a plain warner.
When thy Lord said unto the angels: Lo! I am about to create a mortal out of mire,
[So mention] when your Lord said to the angels, "Indeed, I am going to create a human being from clay.
When your Lord said to the angels; Surely I am going to create a mortal from dust:
And when I have fashioned him and breathed into him of My Spirit, then fall down before him prostrate,
So when I have proportioned him and breathed into him of My [created] soul, then fall down to him in prostration."
So when I have made him complete and breathed into him of My spirit, then fall down making obeisance to him.
The angels fell down prostrate, every one,
So the angels prostrated - all of them entirely.
And the angels did obeisance, all of them,
Saving Iblis; he was scornful and became one of the disbelievers.
Except Iblees; he was arrogant and became among the disbelievers.
But not Iblis: he was proud and he was one of the unbelievers.
He said: O Iblis! What hindereth thee from falling prostrate before that which I have created with both My hands ? Art thou too proud or art thou of the high exalted ?
[Allah] said, "O Iblees, what prevented you from prostrating to that which I created with My hands? Were you arrogant [then], or were you [already] among the haughty?"
He said: O Iblis! what prevented you that you should do obeisance to him whom I created with My two hands? Are you proud or are you of the exalted ones?
He said: I am better than him. Thou createdst me of fire, whilst him Thou didst create of clay.
He said, "I am better than him. You created me from fire and created him from clay."
He said: I am better than he; Thou hast created me of fire, and him Thou didst create of dust.
He said: Go forth from hence, for lo! thou art outcast,
[Allah] said, "Then get out of Paradise, for indeed, you are expelled.
He said: Then get out of it, for surely you are driven away:
And lo! My curse is on thee till the Day of Judgment.
And indeed, upon you is My curse until the Day of Recompense."
And surely My curse is on you to the day of judgment.
He said: My Lord! Reprieve me till the day when they are raised.
He said, "My Lord, then reprieve me until the Day they are resurrected."
He said: My Lord! then respite me to the day that they are raised.
He said: Lo! thou art of those reprieved
[Allah] said, "So indeed, you are of those reprieved
He said: Surely you are of the respited ones,
Until the day of the time appointed.
Until the Day of the time well - known."
Till the period of the time made known.
He said: Then, by Thy might, I surely will beguile them every one,
[Iblees] said, "By your might, I will surely mislead them all
He said: Then by Thy Might I will surely make them live an evil life, all,
Save Thy single - minded slaves among them.
Except, among them, Your chosen servants."
Except Thy servants from among them, the purified ones.
He said: The Truth is, and the Truth I speak,
[Allah] said, "The truth [is My oath], and the truth I say -
He said: The truth then is and the truth do I speak:
That I shall fill hell with thee and with such of them as follow thee, together.
[That] I will surely fill Hell with you and those of them that follow you all together."
That I will most certainly fill hell with you and with those among them who follow you, all.
Say (O Muhammad, unto mankind): I ask of you no fee for this, and I am no simulating.
Say, [O Muhammad], "I do not ask you for the Qur'an any payment, and I am not of the pretentious
Say: I do not ask you for any reward for it; nor am I of those who affect:
Lo! it is naught else than a reminder for all peoples
It is but a reminder to the worlds.
It is nothing but a reminder to the nations;
And ye will come in time to know the truth thereof.
And you will surely know [the truth of] its information after a time."
And most certainly you will come to know about it after a time.