Chapter 21, 112 verses
[The time of] their account has approached for the people, while they are in heedlessness turning away.
In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful. Their reckoning draweth nigh for mankind, while they turn away in heedlessness.
No mention comes to them anew from their Lord except that they listen to it while they are at play
Never cometh there unto them a new reminder from their Lord but they listen to it while they play,
With their hearts distracted. And those who do wrong conceal their private conversation, [saying], "Is this [Prophet] except a human being like you? So would you approach magic while you are aware [of it]?"
With hearts preoccupied. And they confer in secret. The wrong - doers say: Is this other than a mortal like you ? Will ye then succumb to magic when ye see (it) ?
The Prophet said, "My Lord knows whatever is said throughout the heaven and earth, and He is the Hearing, the Knowing."
He saith: My Lord knoweth what is spoken in the heaven and the earth. He is the Hearer, the Knower.
But they say, "[The revelation is but] a mixture of false dreams; rather, he has invented it; rather, he is a poet. So let him bring us a sign just as the previous [messengers] were sent [with miracles]."
Nay, say they, (these are but) muddled dreams; nay, he hath but invented it; nay, he is but a poet. Let him bring us a portent even as those of old (who were God's messengers) were sent (with portents).
Not a [single] city which We destroyed believed before them, so will they believe?
Not a township believed of those which We destroyed before them (though We sent them portents): would they then believe ?
And We sent not before you, [O Muhammad], except men to whom We revealed [the message], so ask the people of the message if you do not know.
And We sent not (as Our messengers) before thee other than men, whom We inspired. Ask the followers of the Reminder if ye know not ?
And We did not make the prophets forms not eating food, nor were they immortal [on earth].
We gave them not bodies that would not eat food, nor were they immortals.
Then We fulfilled for them the promise, and We saved them and whom We willed and destroyed the transgressors.
Then we fulfilled the promise unto them. So we delivered them and whom We would, and We destroyed the prodigals.
We have certainly sent down to you a Book in which is your mention. Then will you not reason?
Now We have revealed unto you a Scripture wherein is your Reminder. Have ye then no sense ?
And how many a city which was unjust have We shattered and produced after it another people.
How many a community that dealt unjustly have We shattered, and raised up after them another folk!
And when its inhabitants perceived Our punishment, at once they fled from it.
And, when they felt Our might, behold them fleeing from it!
[Some angels said], "Do not flee but return to where you were given luxury and to your homes - perhaps you will be questioned."
(But it was said unto them): Flee not, but return to that (existence) which emasculated you and to your dwellings, that ye may be questioned.
They said, "O woe to us! Indeed, we were wrongdoers."
They cried: Alas for us! we were wrong - doers.
And that declaration of theirs did not cease until We made them [as] a harvest [mowed down], extinguished [like a fire].
And this their crying ceased not till We made them as reaped corn, extinct.
And We did not create the heaven and earth and that between them in play.
We created not the heaven and the earth and all that is between them in play.
Had We intended to take a diversion, We could have taken it from [what is] with Us - if [indeed] We were to do so.
If We had wished to find a pastime, We could have found it in Our presence - if We ever did.
Rather, We dash the truth upon falsehood, and it destroys it, and thereupon it departs. And for you is destruction from that which you describe.
Nay, but We hurl the true against the false, and it doth break its head and lo! it vanisheth. And yours will be woe for that which ye ascribe (unto Him).
To Him belongs whoever is in the heavens and the earth. And those near Him are not prevented by arrogance from His worship, nor do they tire.
Unto Him belongeth whosoever is in the heavens and the earth. And those who dwell in His presence are not too proud to worship Him, nor do they weary;
They exalt [Him] night and day [and] do not slacken.
They glorify (Him) night and day; they flag not.
Or have men taken for themselves gods from the earth who resurrect [the dead]?
Or have they chosen gods from the earth who raise the dead ?
Had there been within the heavens and earth gods besides Allah, they both would have been ruined. So exalted is Allah, Lord of the Throne, above what they describe.
If there were therein gods beside Allah, then verily both (the heavens and the earth) had been disordered. Glorified be Allah, the Lord of the Throne, from all that they ascribe (unto Him).
He is not questioned about what He does, but they will be questioned.
He will not be questioned as to that which He doeth, but they will be questioned.
Or have they taken gods besides Him? Say, [O Muhammad], "Produce your proof. This [Qur'an] is the message for those with me and the message of those before me." But most of them do not know the truth, so they are turning away.
Or have they chosen other gods beside Him ? say: Bring your proof (of their godhead). This is the Reminder of those with me and those before me, but most of them know not the Truth and so they are averse.
And We sent not before you any messenger except that We revealed to him that, "There is no deity except Me, so worship Me."
And We sent no messenger before thee but We inspired him, (saying): There is no God save Me (Allah), so worship Me.
And they say, "The Most Merciful has taken a son." Exalted is He! Rather, they are [but] honored servants.
And they say: The Beneficent hath taken unto Himself a son. Be He Glorified! Nay, but (those whom they call sons) are honoured slaves;
They cannot precede Him in word, and they act by His command.
They speak not until He hath spoken, and they act by His command.
He knows what is [presently] before them and what will be after them, and they cannot intercede except on behalf of one whom He approves. And they, from fear of Him, are apprehensive.
He knoweth what is before them and what is behind them, and they cannot intercede except for him whom He accepteth, and they quake for awe of Him.
And whoever of them should say, "Indeed, I am a god besides Him" - that one We would recompense with Hell. Thus do We recompense the wrongdoers.
And one of them who should say: Lo! I am a god beside Him, that one We should repay with hell. Thus We Repay wrong - doers.
Have those who disbelieved not considered that the heavens and the earth were a joined entity, and We separated them and made from water every living thing? Then will they not believe?
Have not those who disbelieve known that the heavens and the earth were of one piece, then We parted them, and we made every living thing of water ? Will they not then believe ?
And We placed within the earth firmly set mountains, lest it should shift with them, and We made therein [mountain] passes [as] roads that they might be guided.
And We have placed in the earth firm hills lest it quake with them, and We have placed therein ravines as roads that haply they may find their way.
And We made the sky a protected ceiling, but they, from its signs, are turning away.
And we have made the sky a roof withheld (from them). Yet they turn away from its portents.
And it is He who created the night and the day and the sun and the moon; all [heavenly bodies] in an orbit are swimming.
And He it is Who created the night and the day, and the sun and the moon. They float, each in an orbit.
And We did not grant to any man before you eternity [on earth]; so if you die - would they be eternal?
We appointed immortality for no mortal before thee. What! if thou diest, can they be immortal!
Every soul will taste death. And We test you with evil and with good as trial; and to Us you will be returned.
Every soul must taste of death, and We try you with evil and with good, for ordeal. And unto Us ye will be returned.
And when those who disbelieve see you, [O Muhammad], they take you not except in ridicule, [saying], "Is this the one who insults your gods?" And they are, at the mention of the Most Merciful, disbelievers.
And when those who disbelieve behold thee, they but choose thee out for mockery, (saying): Is this he who maketh mention of your gods ? And they would deny all mention of the Beneficent.
Man was created of haste. I will show you My signs, so do not impatiently urge Me.
Man is made of haste. I shall show you My portents, but ask Me not to hasten.
And they say, "When is this promise, if you should be truthful?"
And they say: When will this promise (be fulfilled), if ye are truthful ?
If those who disbelieved but knew the time when they will not avert the Fire from their faces or from their backs and they will not be aided...
If those who disbelieved but knew the time when they will not be able to drive off the fire from their faces and from their backs, and they will not be helped!
Rather, it will come to them unexpectedly and bewilder them, and they will not be able to repel it, nor will they be reprieved.
Nay, but it will come upon them unawares so that it will stupefy them, and they will be unable to repel it, neither will they be reprieved.
And already were messengers ridiculed before you, but those who mocked them were enveloped by what they used to ridicule.
Messengers before thee, indeed, were mocked, but that whereat they mocked surrounded those who scoffed at them.
Say, "Who can protect you at night or by day from the Most Merciful?" But they are, from the remembrance of their Lord, turning away.
Say: Who guardeth you in the night or in the day from the Beneficent ? Nay, but they turn away from mention of their Lord!
Or do they have gods to defend them other than Us? They are unable [even] to help themselves, nor can they be protected from Us.
Or have they gods who can shield them from Us ? They cannot help themselves nor can they be defended from Us.
But, [on the contrary], We have provided good things for these [disbelievers] and their fathers until life was prolonged for them. Then do they not see that We set upon the land, reducing it from its borders? So it is they who will overcome?
Nay, but We gave these and their fathers ease until life grew long for them. See they not how we aim to the land, reducing it of its outlying parts ? Can they then be the victors ?
Say, "I only warn you by revelation." But the deaf do not hear the call when they are warned.
Say (O Muhammad, unto mankind): I warn you only by the Inspiration. But the deaf hear not the call when they are warned.
And if [as much as] a whiff of the punishment of your Lord should touch them, they would surely say, "O woe to us! Indeed, we have been wrongdoers."
And if a breath of thy Lord's punishment were to touch them, they assuredly would say: Alas for us! Lo! we were wrong - doers.
And We place the scales of justice for the Day of Resurrection, so no soul will be treated unjustly at all. And if there is [even] the weight of a mustard seed, We will bring it forth. And sufficient are We as accountant.
And We set a just balance for the Day of Resurrection so that no soul is wronged in aught. Though it be of the weight of a grain of mustard seed, We bring it. And We suffice for reckoners.
And We had already given Moses and Aaron the criterion and a light and a reminder for the righteous
And We verily gave Moses and Aaron the Criterion (of right and wrong) and a light and a Reminder for those who keep from evil,
Who fear their Lord unseen, while they are of the Hour apprehensive.
Those who fear their Lord in secret and who dread the Hour (of doom).
And this [Qur'an] is a blessed message which We have sent down. Then are you with it unacquainted?
This is a blessed Reminder that we have revealed: Will ye then reject it ?
And We had certainly given Abraham his sound judgement before, and We were of him well - Knowing
And We verily gave Abraham of old his proper course, and We were Aware of him,
When he said to his father and his people, "What are these statues to which you are devoted?"
When he said unto his father and his folk: What are these images unto which ye pay devotion ?
They said, "We found our fathers worshippers of them."
They said: We found our fathers worshippers of them.
He said, "You were certainly, you and your fathers, in manifest error."
He said: Verily ye and your fathers were in plain error.
They said, "Have you come to us with truth, or are you of those who jest?"
They said: Bringest thou unto us the truth, or art thou some jester ?
He said, "[No], rather, your Lord is the Lord of the heavens and the earth who created them, and I, to that, am of those who testify.
He said: Nay, but your Lord is the Lord of the heavens and the earth, Who created them; and I am of those who testify unto that.
And [I swear] by Allah, I will surely plan against your idols after you have turned and gone away."
And, by Allah, I shall circumvent your idols after ye have gone away and turned your backs.
So he made them into fragments, except a large one among them, that they might return to it [and question].
Then he reduced them to fragments, all save the chief of them, that haply they might have recourse to it.
They said, "Who has done this to our gods? Indeed, he is of the wrongdoers."
They said: Who hath done this to our gods ? Surely it must be some evil - doer.
They said, "We heard a young man mention them who is called Abraham."
They said: We heard a youth make mention of them, who is called Abraham.
They said, "Then bring him before the eyes of the people that they may testify."
They said: Then bring him (hither) before the people's eyes that they may testify.
They said, "Have you done this to our gods, O Abraham?"
They said: Is it thou who hast done this to our gods, O Abraham ?
He said, "Rather, this - the largest of them - did it, so ask them, if they should [be able to] speak."
He said: But this, their chief hath done it. So question them, if they can speak.
So they returned to [blaming] themselves and said [to each other], "Indeed, you are the wrongdoers."
Then gathered they apart and said: Lo! ye yourselves are the wrong - doers.
Then they reversed themselves, [saying], "You have already known that these do not speak!"
And they were utterly confounded, and they said: Well thou knowest that these speak not.
He said, "Then do you worship instead of Allah that which does not benefit you at all or harm you?
He said: Worship ye then instead of Allah that which cannot profit you at all, nor harm you ?
Uff to you and to what you worship instead of Allah. Then will you not use reason?"
Fie on you and all that ye worship instead of Allah! Have ye then no sense ?
They said, "Burn him and support your gods - if you are to act."
They cried: Burn him and stand by your gods, if ye will be doing.
Allah said, "O fire, be coolness and safety upon Abraham."
We said: O fire, be coolness and peace for Abraham,
And they intended for him harm, but We made them the greatest losers.
And they wished to set a snare for him, but We made them the greater losers.
And We delivered him and Lot to the land which We had blessed for the worlds.
And We rescued him and Lot (and brought them) to the land which We have blessed for (all) peoples.
And We gave him Isaac and Jacob in addition, and all [of them] We made righteous.
And We bestowed upon him Isaac, and Jacob as a grandson. Each of them We made righteous.
And We made them leaders guiding by Our command. And We inspired to them the doing of good deeds, establishment of prayer, and giving of zakah; and they were worshippers of Us.
And We made them chiefs who guide by Our command, and We inspired in them the doing of good deeds and the right establishment of worship and the giving of alms, and they were worshippers of Us (alone).
And to Lot We gave judgement and knowledge, and We saved him from the city that was committing wicked deeds. Indeed, they were a people of evil, defiantly disobedient.
And unto Lot we gave judgment and knowledge, and We delivered him from the community that did abominations. Lo! they were folk of evil, lewd.
And We admitted him into Our mercy. Indeed, he was of the righteous.
And We brought him in unto Our mercy. Lo! he was of the righteous.
And [mention] Noah, when he called [to Allah] before [that time], so We responded to him and saved him and his family from the great flood.
And Noah, when he cried of old, We heard his prayer and saved him and his household from the great affliction.
And We saved him from the people who denied Our signs. Indeed, they were a people of evil, so We drowned them, all together.
And delivered him from the people who denied Our revelations. Lo! they were folk of evil, therefor did We drown them all.
And [mention] David and Solomon, when they judged concerning the field - when the sheep of a people overran it [at night], and We were witness to their judgement.
And David and Solomon, when they gave judgment concerning the field, when people's sheep had strayed and browsed therein by night; and We were witnesses to their judgment.
And We gave understanding of the case to Solomon, and to each [of them] We gave judgement and knowledge. And We subjected the mountains to exalt [Us], along with David and [also] the birds. And We were doing [that].
And We made Solomon to understand (the case); and unto each of them We gave judgment and knowledge. And we subdued the hills and the birds to hymn (His) praise along with David. We were the doers (thereof).
And We taught him the fashioning of coats of armor to protect you from your [enemy in] battle. So will you then be grateful?
And We taught him the art of making garments (of mail) to protect you in your daring. Are ye then thankful ?
And to Solomon [We subjected] the wind, blowing forcefully, proceeding by his command toward the land which We had blessed. And We are ever, of all things, Knowing.
And unto Solomon (We subdued) the wind in its raging. It set by his command toward the land which We had blessed. And of everything We are Aware.
And of the devils were those who dived for him and did work other than that. And We were of them a guardian.
And of the evil ones (subdued We unto him) some who dived (for pearls) for him and did other work, and We were warders unto them.
And [mention] Job, when he called to his Lord, "Indeed, adversity has touched me, and you are the Most Merciful of the merciful."
And Job, when he cried unto his Lord, (saying): Lo! adversity afflicteth me, and Thou art Most Merciful of all who show mercy.
So We responded to him and removed what afflicted him of adversity. And We gave him [back] his family and the like thereof with them as mercy from Us and a reminder for the worshippers [of Allah].
Then We heard his prayer and removed that adversity from which he suffered, and We gave him his household (that he had lost) and the like thereof along with them, a mercy from Our store, and a remembrance for the worshippers;
And [mention] Ishmael and Idrees and Dhul - Kifl; all were of the patient.
And (mention) Ishmael, and Idris, and Dhu'l - Kifl. All were of the steadfast.
And We admitted them into Our mercy. Indeed, they were of the righteous.
And We brought them in unto Our mercy. Lo! they are among the righteous.
And [mention] the man of the fish, when he went off in anger and thought that We would not decree [anything] upon him. And he called out within the darknesses, "There is no deity except You; exalted are You. Indeed, I have been of the wrongdoers."
And (mention) Dhu'n - Nun, when he went off in anger and deemed that We had no power over him, but he cried out in the darkness, saying: There is no God save Thee. Be Thou Glorified! Lo! I have been a wrong - doer.
So We responded to him and saved him from the distress. And thus do We save the believers.
Then we heard his prayer and saved him from the anguish. Thus we save believers.
And [mention] Zechariah, when he called to his Lord, "My Lord, do not leave me alone [with no heir], while you are the best of inheritors."
And Zachariah, when he cried unto his Lord: My Lord! Leave me not childless, though Thou art the Best of inheritors.
So We responded to him, and We gave to him John, and amended for him his wife. Indeed, they used to hasten to good deeds and supplicate Us in hope and fear, and they were to Us humbly submissive.
Then We heard his prayer, and bestowed upon him John, and adjusted his wife (to bear a child) for him. Lo! they used to vie one with the other in good deeds, and they cried unto Us in longing and in fear, and were submissive unto Us.
And [mention] the one who guarded her chastity, so We blew into her [garment] through Our angel [Gabriel], and We made her and her son a sign for the worlds.
And she who was chaste, therefor We breathed into her (something) of Our Spirit and made her and her son a token for (all) peoples.
Indeed this, your religion, is one religion, and I am your Lord, so worship Me.
Lo! this, your religion, is one religion, and I am your Lord, so worship Me.
And [yet] they divided their affair among themselves, [but] all to Us will return.
And they have broken their religion (into fragments) among them, (yet) all are returning unto Us.
So whoever does righteous deeds while he is a believer - no denial will there be for his effort, and indeed We, of it, are recorders.
Then whoso doeth some good works and is a believer, there will be no rejection of his effort. Lo! We record (it) for him.
And there is prohibition upon [the people of] a city which We have destroyed that they will [ever] return
And there is a ban upon any community which We have destroyed: that they shall not return.
Until when [the dam of] Gog and Magog has been opened and they, from every elevation, descend
Until, when Gog and Magog are let loose, and they hasten out of every mound,
And [when] the true promise has approached; then suddenly the eyes of those who disbelieved will be staring [in horror, while they say], "O woe to us; we had been unmindful of this; rather, we were wrongdoers."
And the True Promise draweth nigh; then behold them, staring wide (in terror), the eyes of those who disbelieve! (They say): Alas for us! We (lived) in forgetfulness of this. Ah, but we were wrong - doers!
Indeed, you [disbelievers] and what you worship other than Allah are the firewood of Hell. You will be coming to [enter] it.
Lo! ye (idolaters) and that which ye worship beside Allah are fuel of hell. Thereunto ye will come.
Had these [false deities] been [actual] gods, they would not have come to it, but all are eternal therein.
If these had been gods they would not have come thither, but all will abide therein.
For them therein is heavy sighing, and they therein will not hear.
Therein wailing is their portion, and therein they hear not.
Indeed, those for whom the best [reward] has preceded from Us - they are from it far removed.
Lo! those unto whom kindness hath gone forth before from Us, they will be far removed from thence.
They will not hear its sound, while they are, in that which their souls desire, abiding eternally.
They will not hear the slightest sound thereof, while they abide in that which their souls desire.
They will not be grieved by the greatest terror, and the angels will meet them, [saying], "This is your Day which you have been promised" -
The Supreme Horror will not grieve them, and the angels will welcome them, (saying): This is your Day which ye were promised;
The Day when We will fold the heaven like the folding of a [written] sheet for the records. As We began the first creation, We will repeat it. [That is] a promise binding upon Us. Indeed, We will do it.
The Day when We shall roll up the heavens as a recorder rolleth up a written scroll. As We began the first creation, We shall repeat it. (It is) a promise (binding) upon Us. Lo! We are to perform it.
And We have already written in the book [of Psalms] after the [previous] mention that the land [of Paradise] is inherited by My righteous servants.
And verily we have written in the Scripture, after the Reminder: My righteous slaves will inherit the earth:
Indeed, in this [Qur'an] is notification for a worshipping people.
Lo! there is a plain statement for folk who are devout.
And We have not sent you, [O Muhammad], except as a mercy to the worlds.
We sent thee not save as a mercy for the peoples.
Say, "It is only revealed to me that your god is but one God; so will you be Muslims [in submission to Him]?"
Say: It is only inspired in me that your God is One God. Will ye then surrender (unto Him) ?
But if they turn away, then say, "I have announced to [all of] you equally. And I know not whether near or far is that which you are promised.
But if they are averse, then say: I have warned you all alike, although I know not whether nigh or far is that which ye are promised.
Indeed, He knows what is declared of speech, and He knows what you conceal.
Lo! He knoweth that which is said openly, and that which ye conceal.
And I know not; perhaps it is a trial for you and enjoyment for a time."
And I know not but that this may be a trial for you, and enjoyment for a while.
[The Prophet] has said, "My Lord, judge [between us] in truth. And our Lord is the Most Merciful, the one whose help is sought against that which you describe."
He saith: My Lord! Judge Thou with truth. Our Lord is the Beneficent, Whose help is to be implored against that which ye ascribe (unto Him).