Chapter 38, 88 verses
Suad, I swear by the Quran, full of admonition.
In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Sad. [These letters (Sad, etc.) are one of the miracles of the Qur'an, and none but Allah (Alone) knows their meanings]. By the Qur'an full of reminding (explanations and honour for the one who believes in it).
Nay! those who disbelieve are in self - exaltation and opposition.
Nay, those who disbelieve are in false pride and opposition.
How many did We destroy before them of the generations, then they cried while the time of escaping had passed away.
How many a generation have We destroyed before them! And they cried out when there was no longer time for escape.
And they wonder that there has come to them a warner from among themselves, and the disbelievers say: This is an enchanter, a liar.
And they (Arab pagans) wonder that a warner (Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم) has come to them from among themselves. And the disbelievers say: "This (Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم) is a sorcerer, a liar.
What! makes he the gods a single Allah? A strange thing is this, to be sure!
"Has he made the alihah (gods) (all) into One Ilah (God - Allah). Verily, this is a curious thing!"
And the chief persons of them break forth, saying: Go and steadily adhere to your gods; this is most surely a thing sought after.
And the leaders among them went about (saying): "Go on, and remain constant to your alihah (gods)! Verily, this is a thing designed (against you)!
We never heard of this in the former faith; this is nothing but a forgery:
"We have not heard (the like) of this in the religion of these later days (i.e. Christianity). This is nothing but an invention! [Tafsir Al-Qurtubi]
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!
"Has the Reminder been sent down to him (alone) from among us?" Nay, but they are in doubt about My Reminder (this Qur'an)! Nay, but they have not tasted (My) Torment!
Or is it that they have the treasures of the mercy of your Lord, the Mighty, the great Giver?
Or have they the treasures of the Mercy of your Lord, the All-Mighty, the Real Bestower?
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
Or is it that the dominion of the heavens and the earth and all that is between them is theirs? If so, let them ascend up with means (to the heavens)!
A host of deserters of the allies shall be here put to flight.
(As they denied Allah's Message) they will be a defeated host like the Confederates of the old times (who were defeated).
The people of Nuh and Ad, and Firon, the lord of spikes, rejected (apostles) before them.
Before them (were many who) belied (Messengers) - the people of Nuh (Noah); and 'Ad; and Fir'aun (Pharaoh) the man of stakes (with which he used to punish the people),
And Samood and the people of Lut and the dwellers of the thicket; these were the parties.
And Thamud, and the people of Lut (Lot), and the Dwellers of the Wood: such were the Confederates.
There was none of them but called the apostles liars, so just was My retribution.
Not one of them but belied the Messengers; therefore My Torment was justified,
Nor do these await aught but a single cry, there being no delay in it.
And these only wait for a single Saihah [shout (i.e. the blowing of the Trumpet by the angel Israfil -)] there will be no pause or ending thereto [till everything will perish except Allah (the only God full of Majesty, Bounty and Honour)].
And they say: O our Lord! hasten on to us our portion before the day of reckoning.
They say: "Our Lord! Hasten to us Qittana (i.e. our Record of good and bad deeds so that we may see it) before the Day of Reckoning!"
Bear patiently what they say, and remember Our servant Dawood, the possessor of power; surely he was frequent in returning (to Allah).
Be patient (O Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم) of what they say, and remember Our slave Dawud (David), endued with power. Verily, he was ever oft-returning in all matters and in repentance (toward Allah).
Surely We made the mountains to sing the glory (of Allah) in unison with him at the evening and the sunrise,
Verily, We made the mountains to glorify Our Praises with him [Dawud (David)] in the 'Ashi (i.e. after the mid-day till sunset) and Ishraq (i.e. after the sunrise till mid-day).
And the birds gathered together; all joined in singing with him.
And (so did) the birds assembled: all obedient to him [Dawud (David)] [i.e. they came and glorified Allah's Praises along with him]. (Tafsir Al-Qurtubi ).
And We strengthened his kingdom and We gave him wisdom and a clear judgment.
We made his kingdom strong and gave him Al-Hikmah (Prophethood) and sound judgement in speech and decision.
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?
And has the news of the litigants reached you? When they climbed over the wall into (his) Mihrab (a praying place or a private room);
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.
When they entered in upon Dawud (David), he was terrified of them. They said: "Fear not! (We are) two litigants, one of whom has wronged the other, therefore judge between us with truth, and treat us not with injustice, and guide us to the Right Way.
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.
Verily, this my brother (in religion) has ninety-nine ewes, while I have (only) one ewe, and he says: "Hand it over to me, and he overpowered me in speech."
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).
[Dawud (David)] said (immediately without listening to the opponent): "He has wronged you in demanding your ewe in addition to his ewes. And, verily, many partners oppress one another, except those who believe and do righteous good deeds, and they are few." And Dawud (David) guessed that We have tried him and he sought Forgiveness of his Lord, and he fell down prostrate and turned (to Allah) in repentance.
Therefore We rectified for him this, and most surely he had a nearness to Us and an excellent resort.
So We forgave him that, and verily, for him is a near access to Us, and a good place of (final) return (Paradise).
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.
O Dawud (David)! Verily! We have placed you as a successor on the earth; so judge you between men in truth (and justice) and follow not your desire - for it will mislead you from the Path of Allah. Verily, those who wander astray from the Path of Allah (shall) have a severe torment, because they forgot the Day of Reckoning.
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.
And We created not the heaven and the earth and all that is between them without purpose! That is the consideration of those who disbelieve! Then woe to those who disbelieve (in Islamic Monotheism) from the Fire!
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?
Shall We treat those who believe (in the Oneness of Allah - Islamic Monotheism) and do righteous good deeds as Mufsidun (those who associate partners in worship with Allah and commit crimes) on earth? Or shall We treat the Muttaqun (the pious - See V.2:2) as the Fujjar (criminals, disbelievers, the wicked)?
(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.
(This is) a Book (the Qur'an) which We have sent down to you, full of blessings, that they may ponder over its Verses, and that men of understanding may remember.
And We gave to Dawood Sulaiman, most excellent the servant! Surely he was frequent in returning (to Allah).
And to Dawud (David) We gave Sulaiman (Solomon). How excellent a slave! Verily, he was ever oft-returning in repentance (to Us)!
When there were brought to him in the evening (horses) still when standing, swift when running - -
When there were displayed before him, in the afternoon, well trained horses of the highest breed [for Jihad (holy fighting in Allah's Cause)].
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):
He said: "I did love the good (these horses) instead of remembering my Lord (in my 'Asr prayer)" till the time was over, and (the sun) had hidden in the veil (of night).
Bring them back to me; so he began to slash (their) legs and necks.
Then he said "Bring them (horses) back to me." Then he began to pass his hand over their legs and their necks (till the end of the display).
And certainly We tried Sulaiman, and We put on his throne a (mere) body, so he turned (to Allah).
And indeed, We did try Sulaiman (Solomon) and We placed on his throne Jasad (a devil, so he lost his kingdom for a while) and he did return (to Allah with obedience and in repentance, and to his throne and kingdom by the Grace of Allah).
He said: My Lord! do Thou forgive me and grant me a kingdom which is not fit for (being inherited by) anyone after me;
He said: "My Lord! Forgive me, and bestow upon me a kingdom such as shall not belong to any other after me: Verily, You are the Bestower."
Then We made the wind subservient to him; it made his command to run gently wherever he desired,
So, We subjected to him the wind; it blew gently by his order whithersoever he willed,
And the shaitans, every builder and diver,
And also the Shayatin (devils) from the jinn (including) every kind of builder and diver,
And others fettered in chains.
And also others bound in fetters.
This is Our free gift, therefore give freely or withhold, without reckoning.
[Allah said to Sulaiman (Solomon)]: "This is Our gift: so spend you or withhold, no account will be asked (of you)."
And most surely he had a nearness to Us and an excellent resort.
And verily, for him is a near access to Us, and a good (final) return (Paradise).
And remember Our servant Ayyub, when he called upon his Lord: The Shaitan has afflicted me with toil and torment.
And remember Our slave Ayyub (Job), when he invoked his Lord (saying): "Verily Shaitan (Satan) has touched me with distress (by ruining my health) and torment (by ruining my wealth)!
Urge with your foot; here is a cool washing - place and a drink.
(Allah said to him): "Strike the ground with your foot: This is (a spring of) water to wash in, cool and a (refreshing) drink."
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 We gave him (back) his family, and along with them the like thereof, as a Mercy from Us, and a Reminder for those who understand.
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 take in your hand a bundle of thin grass and strike therewith (your wife), and break not your oath. Truly! We found him patient. How excellent a slave! Verily he was ever oft-returning in repentance (to Us)!
And remember Our servants Ibrahim and Ishaq and Yaqoub, men of power and insight.
And remember Our slaves, Ibrahim (Abraham), Ishaq (Isaac), and Ya'qub (Jacob), (all) owners of strength (in worshipping Us) and (also) of religious understanding.
Surely We purified them by a pure quality, the keeping in mind of the (final) abode.
Verily, We did choose them by granting them (a good thing, - i.e.) the remembrance of the Home [in the Hereafter and they used to make the people remember it, and also they used to invite the people to obey Allah and to do good deeds for the Hereafter].
And most surely they were with Us, of the elect, the best.
And they are with Us, verily, of the chosen and the best!
And remember Ismail and Al - Yasha and Zulkifl; and they were all of the best.
And remember Isma'il (Ishmael), Alyasa' (Elisha), and Dhul-Kifl (Isaiah), all are among the best.
This is a reminder; and most surely there is an excellent resort for those who guard (against evil),
This is a Reminder. And verily, for the Muttaqun (the pious - See V.2:2) is a good final return (Paradise),
The gardens of perpetuity, the doors are opened for them.
'Adn (Eden) Paradise (everlasting Gardens), whose doors will be opened for them.
Reclining therein, calling therein for many fruits and drink.
Therein they will recline; therein they will call for fruits in abundance and drinks;
And with them shall be those restraining their eyes, equals in age.
And beside them will be Qasirat-at-Tarf [chaste females (wives) restraining their glances (desiring none except their husbands)], (and) of equal ages.
This is what you are promised for the day of reckoning.
This it is what you (Al-Muttaqun - the pious - see V.2:2) are promised for the Day of Reckoning!
Most surely this is Our sustenance; it shall never come to an end;
(It will be said to them)! Verily, this is Our Provision which will never finish.
This (shall be so); and most surely there is an evil resort for the inordinate ones;
This is so! And for the Taghun (transgressors, the disobedient to Allah and His Messenger - disbelievers in the Oneness of Allah, criminals) will be an evil final return (Fire).
Hell; they shall enter it, so evil is the resting - place.
Hell! Where they will burn, and worst (indeed) is that place to rest!
This (shall be so); so let them taste it, boiling and intensely cold (drink).
This is so! Then let them taste it - a boiling fluid and dirty wound discharges.
And other (punishment) of the same kind - - of various sorts.
And other (torments) of similar kind - all together!
This is an army plunging in without consideration along with you; no welcome for them, surely they shall enter fire.
This is a troop entering with you (in Hell), no welcome for them! Verily, they shall burn in the Fire!
They shall say: Nay! you - - no welcome to you: you did proffer it to us, so evil is the resting - place.
(The followers of the misleaders will say): "Nay, you (too)! No welcome for you! It is you (misleaders) who brought this upon us (because you misled us in the world), so evil is this place to stay in!"
They shall say: Our Lord! whoever prepared it first for us, add Thou to him a double chastisement in the fire.
They will say: "Our Lord! Whoever brought this upon us, add to him a double torment in the Fire!"
And they shall say: What is the matter with us that we do not see men whom we used to count among the vicious?
And they will say: "What is the matter with us that we see not men whom we used to count among the bad ones?"
Was it that we (only) took them in scorn, or have our eyes (now) turned aside from them?
Did we take them as an object of mockery, or have (our) eyes failed to perceive them?"
That most surely is the truth: the contending one with another of the inmates of the fire.
Verily, that is the very truth - the mutual dispute of the people of the Fire!
Say: I am only a warner, and there is no god but Allah, the One, the Subduer (of all):
Say (O Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم): "I am only a warner and there is no Ilah (God) except Allah (none has the right to be worshipped but Allah) the One, the Irresistible,
The Lord of the heavens and the earth and what is between them, the Mighty, the most Forgiving.
"The Lord of the heavens and the earth and all that is between them, the All-Mighty, the Oft-Forgiving."
Say: It is a message of importance,
Say: "That (this Qur'an) is a great news,
(And) you are turning aside from it:
"From which you turn away!
I had no knowledge of the exalted chiefs when they contended:
"I had no knowledge of the chiefs (angels) on high when they were disputing and discussing (about the creation of Adam).
Naught is revealed to me save that I am a plain warner.
"Only this has been revealed to me, that I am a plain warner."
When your Lord said to the angels; Surely I am going to create a mortal from dust:
(Remember) when your Lord said to the angels: "Truly I am going to create man from clay".
So when I have made him complete and breathed into him of My spirit, then fall down making obeisance to him.
So when I have fashioned him and breathed into him (his) soul created by Me, then you fall down prostrate to him."
And the angels did obeisance, all of them,
So the angels prostrated themselves, all of them:
But not Iblis: he was proud and he was one of the unbelievers.
Except Iblis (Satan): he was proud and was one of the disbelievers.
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?
(Allah) said: "O Iblis (Satan)! What prevents you from prostrating yourself to one whom I have created with Both My Hands . Are you too proud (to fall prostrate to Adam) or are you one of the high exalted?"
He said: I am better than he; Thou hast created me of fire, and him Thou didst create of dust.
[Iblis (Satan)] said: "I am better than he. You created me from fire, and You created him from clay."
He said: Then get out of it, for surely you are driven away:
(Allah) said: "Then get out from here; for verily you are outcast.
And surely My curse is on you to the day of judgment.
"And verily My Curse is on you till the Day of Recompense."
He said: My Lord! then respite me to the day that they are raised.
[Iblis (Satan)] said: "My Lord! Give me then respite till the Day the (dead) are resurrected."
He said: Surely you are of the respited ones,
(Allah) said: "Verily! You are of those allowed respite."
Till the period of the time made known.
"Till the Day of the time appointed."
He said: Then by Thy Might I will surely make them live an evil life, all,
[Iblis (Satan)] said: "By Your Might, then I will surely mislead them all,
Except Thy servants from among them, the purified ones.
"Except Your chosen slaves amongst them (i.e. faithful, obedient, true believers of Islamic Monotheism)."
He said: The truth then is and the truth do I speak:
(Allah) said: "The Truth is - and the Truth I say -
That I will most certainly fill hell with you and with those among them who follow you, all.
That I will fill Hell with you [Iblis (Satan)] and those of them (mankind) that follow you, together."
Say: I do not ask you for any reward for it; nor am I of those who affect:
Say (O Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم): "No wage do I ask of you for this (the Qur'an), nor am I one of the Mutakallifun (those who pretend and fabricate things which do not exist).
It is nothing but a reminder to the nations;
"It (this Qur'an) is only a Reminder for all the 'Alamin (mankind and jinn).
And most certainly you will come to know about it after a time.
"And you shall certainly know the truth of it after a while".