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1 In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful. Sad. By the renowned Qur'an,

1 Sad: By the Qur'an, Full of Admonition: (This is the Truth).

2 Nay, but those who disbelieve are in false pride and schism.

2 But the Unbelievers (are steeped) in self - glory and Separatism.

3 How many a generation We destroyed before them, and they cried out when it was no longer the time for escape!

3 How many generations before them did We destroy? In the end they cried (for mercy) - when there was no longer time for being saved!

4 And they marvel that a warner from among themselves hath come unto them, and the disbelievers say: This is a wizard, a charlatan.

4 So they wonder that a Warner has come to them from among themselves! and the Unbelievers say, "This is a sorcerer telling lies!

5 Maketh he the gods One God ? Lo! that is an astounding thing.

5 "Has he made the gods (all) into one Allah? Truly this is a wonderful thing!"

6 The chiefs among them go about, exhorting: Go and be staunch to your gods! Lo! this is a thing designed.

6 And the leader among them go away (impatiently), (saying), "Walk ye away, and remain constant to your gods! For this is truly a thing designed (against you)!

7 We have not heard of this in later religion. This is naught but an invention.

7 "We never heard (the like) of this among the people of these latter days: this is nothing but a made - up tale!"

8 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.

8 "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!

9 Or are theirs the treasures of the mercy of thy Lord, the Mighty, the Bestower ?

9 Or have they the treasures of the mercy of thy Lord, - the Exalted in Power, the Grantor of Bounties without measure?

10 Or is the kingdom of the heavens and the earth and all that is between them theirs ? Then let them ascend by ropes!

10 Or have they 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)!

11 A defeated host are (all) the factions that are there.

11 But there - will be put to flight even a host of confederates.

12 The folk of Noah before them denied (their messenger) and (so did the tribe of) A'ad, and Pharaoh firmly planted,

12 Before them (were many who) rejected messengers, - the people of Noah, and 'Ad, and Pharaoh, the Lord of Stakes,

13 And (the tribe of) Thamud, and the folk of Lot, and the dwellers in the wood: these were the factions.

13 And Thamud, and the people of Lut, and the Companions of the Wood; - such were the Confederates.

14 Not one of them but did deny the messengers, therefor My doom was justified,

14 Not one (of them) but rejected the messengers, but My punishment came justly and inevitably (on them).

15 These wait for but one Shout, there will be no second thereto.

15 These (today) only wait for a single mighty Blast, which (when it comes) will brook no delay.

16 They say: Our Lord! Hasten on for us our fate before the Day of Reckoning.

16 They say: "Our Lord! hasten to us our sentence (even) before the Day of Account!"

17 Bear with what they say, and remember Our bondman David, lord of might, Lo! he was ever turning in repentance (toward Allah).

17 Have patience at what they say, and remember our servant David, the man of strength: for he ever turned (to Allah).

18 Lo! We subdued the hills to hymn the praises (of their Lord) with him at nightfall and sunrise,

18 It was We that made the hills declare, in unison with him, Our Praises, at eventide and at break of day,

19 And the birds assembled; all were turning unto Him.

19 And the birds gathered (in assemblies): all with him did turn (to Allah).

20 We made his kingdom strong and gave him wisdom and decisive speech.

20 We strengthened his kingdom, and gave him wisdom and sound judgment in speech and decision.

21 And hath the story of the litigants come unto thee ? How they climbed the wall into the royal chamber;

21 Has the Story of the Disputants reached thee? Behold, they climbed over the wall of the private chamber;

22 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.

22 When they entered the presence of David, and he was terrified of them, they said: "Fear not: we are two disputants, one of whom has wronged the other: Decide now between us with truth, and treat us not with injustice, but guide us to the even Path..

23 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.

23 "This man is my brother: He has nine and ninety ewes, and I have (but) one: Yet he says, 'commit her to my care,' and is (moreover) harsh to me in speech."

24 (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.

24 (David) said: "He has undoubtedly wronged thee in demanding thy (single) ewe to be added to his (flock of) ewes: truly many are the partners (in business) who wrong each other: Not so do those who believe and work deeds of righteousness, and how few are they?"... and David gathered that We had tried him: he asked forgiveness of his Lord, fell down, bowing (in prostration), and turned (to Allah in repentance).

25 So We forgave him that; and lo! he had access to Our presence and a happy journey's end.

25 So We forgave him this (lapse): he enjoyed, indeed, a Near Approach to Us, and a beautiful place of (Final) Return.

26 (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.

26 O David! We did indeed make thee a vicegerent on earth: so judge thou between men in truth (and justice): Nor follow thou the lusts (of thy heart), for they will mislead thee from the Path of Allah: for those who wander astray from the Path of Allah, is a Penalty Grievous, for that they forget the Day of Account.

27 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!

27 Not without purpose did We create heaven and earth and all between! that were the thought of Unbelievers! but woe to the Unbelievers because of the Fire (of Hell)!

28 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 ?

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

29 (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.

29 (Here is) a Book which We have sent down unto thee, full of blessings, that they may mediate on its Signs, and that men of understanding may receive admonition.

30 And We bestowed on David, Solomon. How excellent a slave! Lo! he was ever turning in repentance (toward Allah).

30 To David We gave Solomon (for a son), - How excellent in Our service! Ever did he turn (to Us)!

31 When there were shown to him at eventide lightfooted coursers

31 Behold, there were brought before him, at eventide coursers of the highest breeding, and swift of foot;

32 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.

32 And he said, "Truly do I love the love of good, with a view to the glory of my Lord," - until (the sun) was hidden in the veil (of night):

33 (Then he said): Bring them back to me, and fell to slashing (with his sword their) legs and necks.

33 "Bring them back to me." then began he to pass his hand over (their) legs and their necks.

34 And verily We tried Solomon, and set upon his throne a (mere) body. Then did he repent.

34 And We did try Solomon: We placed on his throne a body (without life); but he did turn (to Us in true devotion):

35 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.

35 He said, "O my Lord! Forgive me, and grant me a kingdom which, (it may be), suits not another after me: for Thou art the Grantor of Bounties (without measure).

36 So We made the wind subservient unto him, setting fair by his command whithersoever he intended.

36 Then We subjected the wind to his power, to flow gently to his order, Whithersoever he willed, -

37 And the unruly, every builder and diver (made We subservient),

37 As also the evil ones, (including) every kind of builder and diver, -

38 And others linked together in chains,

38 As also others bound together in fetters.

39 (Saying): This is Our gift, so bestow thou, or withhold, without reckoning.

39 "Such are Our Bounties: whether thou bestow them (on others) or withhold them, no account will be asked."

40 And lo! he hath favour with Us, and a happy journey's end.

40 And he enjoyed, indeed, a Near Approach to Us, and a beautiful Place of (Final) Return.

41 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.

41 Commemorate Our Servant Job. Behold he cried to his Lord: "The Evil One has afflicted me with distress and suffering!"

42 (And it was said unto him): Strike the ground with thy foot. This (spring) is a cool bath and a refreshing drink.

42 (The command was given:) "Strike with thy foot: here is (water) wherein to wash, cool and refreshing, and (water) to drink."

43 And We bestowed on him (again) his household and therewith the like thereof, a mercy from Us, and a memorial for men of understanding.

43 And We gave him (back) his people, and doubled their number, - as a Grace from Ourselves, and a thing for commemoration, for all who have Understanding.

44 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).

44 "And take in thy hand a little grass, and strike therewith: and break not (thy oath)." Truly We found him full of patience and constancy. How excellent in Our service! ever did he turn (to Us)!

45 And make mention of Our bondmen, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, men of parts and vision.

45 And commemorate Our Servants Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, possessors of Power and Vision.

46 Lo! We purified them with a pure thought, remembrance of the Home (of the Hereafter).

46 Verily We did choose them for a special (purpose) - proclaiming the Message of the Hereafter.

47 Lo! in Our sight they are verily of the elect, the excellent.

47 They were, in Our sight, truly, of the company of the Elect and the Good.

48 And make mention of Ishmael and Elisha and Dhu'l - Kifl. All are of the chosen.

48 And commemorate Isma'il, Elisha, and Zul - Kifl: Each of them was of the Company of the Good.

49 This is a reminder. And lo! for those who ward off (evil) is a happy journey's end,

49 This is a Message (of admonition): and verily, for the righteous, is a beautiful Place of (Final) Return, -

50 Gardens of Eden, whereof the gates are opened for them,

50 Gardens of Eternity, whose doors will (ever) be open to them;

51 Wherein, reclining, they call for plenteous fruit and cool drink (that is) therein.

51 Therein will they recline (at ease): Therein can they call (at pleasure) for fruit in abundance, and (delicious) drink;

52 And with them are those of modest gaze, companions.

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

53 This it is that ye are promised for the Day of Reckoning.

53 Such is the Promise made, to you for the Day of Account!

54 Lo! this in truth is Our provision, which will never waste away.

54 Truly such will be Our Bounty (to you); it will never fail; -

55 This (is for the righteous). And lo! for the transgressors there with be an evil journey's end,

55 Yea, such! but - for the wrong - doers will be an evil place of (Final) Return! -

56 Hell, where they will burn, an evil resting - place.

56 Hell! - they will burn therein, - an evil bed (indeed, to lie on)! -

57 Here is a boiling and an ice - cold draught, so let them taste it,

57 Yea, such! - then shall they taste it, - a boiling fluid, and a fluid dark, murky, intensely cold! -

58 And other (torment) of the kind in pairs (the two extremes)!

58 And other Penalties of a similar kind, to match them!

59 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.

59 Here is a troop rushing headlong with you! No welcome for them! truly, they shall burn in the Fire!

60 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.

60 (The followers shall cry to the misleaders:) "Nay, ye (too)! No welcome for you! It is ye who have brought this upon us! Now evil is (this) place to stay in!"

61 They say: Our Lord! Whoever did prepare this for us, oh, give him double portion of the Fire!

61 They will say: "Our Lord! whoever brought this upon us, - Add to him a double Penalty in the Fire!"

62 And they say: What aileth us that we behold not men whom we were wont to count among the wicked ?

62 And they will say: "What has happened to us that we see not men whom we used to number among the bad ones?

63 Did we take them (wrongly) for a laughing - stock, or have our eyes missed them ?

63 "Did we treat them (as such) in ridicule, or have (our) eyes failed to perceive them?"

64 Lo! that is very truth: the wrangling of the dwellers in the Fire.

64 Truly that is just and fitting, - the mutual recriminations of the People of the Fire!

65 Say (unto them, O Muhammad): I am only a warner, and there is no God save Allah, the One, the Absolute,

65 Say: "Truly am I a Warner: no god is there but the one Allah, Supreme and Irresistible, -

66 Lord of the heavens and the earth and all that is between them, the Mighty, the Pardoning.

66 "The Lord of the heavens and the earth, and all between, - Exalted in Might, able to enforce His Will, forgiving again and again."

67 Say: It is tremendous tidings

67 Say: "That is a Message Supreme (above all), -

68 Whence ye turn away!

68 "From which ye do turn away!

69 I had no knowledge of the Highest Chiefs when they disputed;

69 "No knowledge have I of the Chiefs on high, when they discuss (matters) among themselves.

70 It is revealed unto me only that I may be a plain warner.

70 'Only this has been revealed to me: that I am to give warning plainly and publicly."

71 When thy Lord said unto the angels: Lo! I am about to create a mortal out of mire,

71 Behold, thy Lord said to the angels: "I am about to create man from clay:

72 And when I have fashioned him and breathed into him of My Spirit, then fall down before him prostrate,

72 "When I have fashioned him (in due proportion) and breathed into him of My spirit, fall ye down in obeisance unto him."

73 The angels fell down prostrate, every one,

73 So the angels prostrated themselves, all of them together:

74 Saving Iblis; he was scornful and became one of the disbelievers.

74 Not so Iblis: he was haughty, and became one of those who reject Faith.

75 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 ?

75 (Allah) said: "O Iblis! What prevents thee from prostrating thyself to one whom I have created with my hands? Art thou haughty? Or art thou one of the high (and mighty) ones?"

76 He said: I am better than him. Thou createdst me of fire, whilst him Thou didst create of clay.

76 (Iblis) said: "I am better than he: thou createdst me from fire, and him thou createdst from clay."

77 He said: Go forth from hence, for lo! thou art outcast,

77 (Allah) said: "Then get thee out from here: for thou art rejected, accursed.

78 And lo! My curse is on thee till the Day of Judgment.

78 "And My curse shall be on thee till the Day of Judgment."

79 He said: My Lord! Reprieve me till the day when they are raised.

79 (Iblis) said: "O my Lord! Give me then respite till the Day the (dead) are raised."

80 He said: Lo! thou art of those reprieved

80 (Allah) said: "Respite then is granted thee -

81 Until the day of the time appointed.

81 "Till the Day of the Time Appointed."

82 He said: Then, by Thy might, I surely will beguile them every one,

82 (Iblis) said: "Then, by Thy power, I will put them all in the wrong, -

83 Save Thy single - minded slaves among them.

83 "Except Thy Servants amongst them, sincere and purified (by Thy Grace)."

84 He said: The Truth is, and the Truth I speak,

84 (Allah) said: "Then it is just and fitting - and I say what is just and fitting -

85 That I shall fill hell with thee and with such of them as follow thee, together.

85 "That I will certainly fill Hell with thee and those that follow thee, - every one."

86 Say (O Muhammad, unto mankind): I ask of you no fee for this, and I am no simulating.

86 Say: "No reward do I ask of you for this (Qur'an), nor am I a pretender.

87 Lo! it is naught else than a reminder for all peoples

87 "This is no less than a Message to (all) the Worlds.

88 And ye will come in time to know the truth thereof.

88 "And ye shall certainly know the truth of it (all) after a while."