Chapter 38, 88 verses
Sad. By the Qur'an containing reminder...
In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful. Sad. By the renowned Qur'an,
But those who disbelieve are in pride and dissension.
Nay, but those who disbelieve are in false pride and schism.
How many a generation have We destroyed before them, and they [then] called out; but it was not a time for escape.
How many a generation We destroyed before them, and they cried out when it was no longer the time for escape!
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 marvel that a warner from among themselves hath come unto them, and the disbelievers say: This is a wizard, a charlatan.
Has he made the gods [only] one God? Indeed, this is a curious thing."
Maketh he the gods One God ? Lo! that is an astounding thing.
And the eminent among them went forth, [saying], "Continue, and be patient over [the defense of] your gods. Indeed, this is a thing intended.
The chiefs among them go about, exhorting: Go and be staunch to your gods! Lo! this is a thing designed.
We have not heard of this in the latest religion. This is not but a fabrication.
We have not heard of this in later religion. This is naught but an invention.
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.
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.
Or do they have the depositories of the mercy of your Lord, the Exalted in Might, the Bestower?
Or are theirs the treasures of the mercy of thy Lord, the Mighty, the Bestower ?
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 the kingdom of the heavens and the earth and all that is between them theirs ? Then let them ascend by ropes!
[They are but] soldiers [who will be] defeated there among the companies [of disbelievers].
A defeated host are (all) the factions that are there.
The people of Noah denied before them, and [the tribe of] 'Aad and Pharaoh, the owner of stakes,
The folk of Noah before them denied (their messenger) and (so did the tribe of) A'ad, and Pharaoh firmly planted,
And [the tribe of] Thamud and the people of Lot and the companions of the thicket. Those are the companies.
And (the tribe of) Thamud, and the folk of Lot, and the dwellers in the wood: these were the factions.
Each of them denied the messengers, so My penalty was justified.
Not one of them but did deny the messengers, therefor My doom was justified,
And these [disbelievers] await not but one blast [of the Horn]; for it there will be no delay.
These wait for but one Shout, there will be no second thereto.
And they say, "Our Lord, hasten for us our share [of the punishment] before the Day of Account"
They say: Our Lord! Hasten on for us our fate before the Day of Reckoning.
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 with what they say, and remember Our bondman David, lord of might, Lo! he was ever turning in repentance (toward Allah).
Indeed, We subjected the mountains [to praise] with him, exalting [Allah] in the [late] afternoon and [after] sunrise.
Lo! We subdued the hills to hymn the praises (of their Lord) with him at nightfall and sunrise,
And the birds were assembled, all with him repeating [praises].
And the birds assembled; all were turning unto Him.
And We strengthened his kingdom and gave him wisdom and discernment in speech.
We made his kingdom strong and gave him wisdom and decisive speech.
And has there come to you the news of the adversaries, when they climbed over the wall of [his] prayer chamber -
And hath the story of the litigants come unto thee ? How they climbed the wall into the royal chamber;
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.
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.
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."
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.
[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].
(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.
So We forgave him that; and indeed, for him is nearness to Us and a good place of return.
So We forgave him that; and lo! he had access to Our presence and a happy journey's end.
[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.
(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.
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 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!
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 works as those who spread corruption in the earth; or shall We treat the pious as the wicked ?
[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.
(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.
And to David We gave Solomon. An excellent servant, indeed he was one repeatedly turning back [to Allah].
And We bestowed on David, Solomon. How excellent a slave! Lo! he was ever turning in repentance (toward Allah).
[Mention] when there were exhibited before him in the afternoon the poised [standing] racehorses.
When there were shown to him at eventide lightfooted coursers
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]."
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.
[He said], "Return them to me," and set about striking [their] legs and necks.
(Then he said): Bring them back to me, and fell to slashing (with his sword their) legs and necks.
And We certainly tried Solomon and placed on his throne a body; then he returned.
And verily We tried Solomon, and set upon his throne a (mere) body. Then did he repent.
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! Forgive me and bestow on me sovereignty such as shall not belong to any after me. Lo! Thou art the Bestower.
So We subjected to him the wind blowing by his command, gently, wherever he directed,
So We made the wind subservient unto him, setting fair by his command whithersoever he intended.
And [also] the devils [of jinn] - every builder and diver
And the unruly, every builder and diver (made We subservient),
And others bound together in shackles.
And others linked together in chains,
[We said], "This is Our gift, so grant or withhold without account."
(Saying): This is Our gift, so bestow thou, or withhold, without reckoning.
And indeed, for him is nearness to Us and a good place of return.
And lo! he hath favour with Us, and a happy journey's end.
And remember Our servant Job, when he called to his Lord, "Indeed, Satan has touched me with hardship and torment."
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.
[So he was told], "Strike [the ground] with your foot; this is a [spring for] a cool bath and drink."
(And it was said unto him): Strike the ground with thy foot. This (spring) is a cool bath and a refreshing drink.
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 bestowed on him (again) his household and therewith the like thereof, a mercy from Us, and a memorial for men of understanding.
[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 (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).
And remember Our servants, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob - those of strength and [religious] vision.
And make mention of Our bondmen, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, men of parts and vision.
Indeed, We chose them for an exclusive quality: remembrance of the home [of the Hereafter].
Lo! We purified them with a pure thought, remembrance of the Home (of the Hereafter).
And indeed they are, to Us, among the chosen and outstanding.
Lo! in Our sight they are verily of the elect, the excellent.
And remember Ishmael, Elisha and Dhul - Kifl, and all are among the outstanding.
And make mention of Ishmael and Elisha and Dhu'l - Kifl. All are of the chosen.
This is a reminder. And indeed, for the righteous is a good place of return
This is a reminder. And lo! for those who ward off (evil) is a happy journey's end,
Gardens of perpetual residence, whose doors will be opened to them.
Gardens of Eden, whereof the gates are opened for them,
Reclining within them, they will call therein for abundant fruit and drink.
Wherein, reclining, they call for plenteous fruit and cool drink (that is) therein.
And with them will be women limiting [their] glances and of equal age.
And with them are those of modest gaze, companions.
This is what you, [the righteous], are promised for the Day of Account.
This it is that ye are promised for the Day of Reckoning.
Indeed, this is Our provision; for it there is no depletion.
Lo! this in truth is Our provision, which will never waste away.
This [is so]. But indeed, for the transgressors is an evil place of return -
This (is for the righteous). And lo! for the transgressors there with be an evil journey's end,
Hell, which they will [enter to] burn, and wretched is the resting place.
Hell, where they will burn, an evil resting - place.
This - so let them taste it - is scalding water and [foul] purulence.
Here is a boiling and an ice - cold draught, so let them taste it,
And other [punishments] of its type [in various] kinds.
And other (torment) of the kind in pairs (the two extremes)!
[Its inhabitants will say], "This is a company bursting in with you. No welcome for them. Indeed, they will burn in the Fire."
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.
They will say, "Nor you! No welcome for you. You, [our leaders], brought this upon us, and wretched is the settlement."
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, "Our Lord, whoever brought this upon us - increase for him double punishment in the Fire."
They say: Our Lord! Whoever did prepare this for us, oh, give him double portion of the Fire!
And they will say, "Why do we not see men whom we used to count among the worst?
And they say: What aileth us that we behold not men whom we were wont to count among the wicked ?
Is it [because] we took them in ridicule, or has [our] vision turned away from them?"
Did we take them (wrongly) for a laughing - stock, or have our eyes missed them ?
Indeed, that is truth - the quarreling of the people of the Fire.
Lo! that is very truth: the wrangling of the dwellers in the Fire.
Say, [O Muhammad], "I am only a warner, and there is not any deity except Allah, the One, the Prevailing.
Say (unto them, O Muhammad): I am only a warner, and there is no God save Allah, the One, the Absolute,
Lord of the heavens and the earth and whatever is between them, the Exalted in Might, the Perpetual Forgiver."
Lord of the heavens and the earth and all that is between them, the Mighty, the Pardoning.
Say, "It is great news
Say: It is tremendous tidings
From which you turn away.
Whence ye turn away!
I had no knowledge of the exalted assembly [of angels] when they were disputing [the creation of Adam].
I had no knowledge of the Highest Chiefs when they disputed;
It has not been revealed to me except that I am a clear warner."
It is revealed unto me only that I may be a plain warner.
[So mention] when your Lord said to the angels, "Indeed, I am going to create a human being from clay.
When thy Lord said unto the angels: Lo! I am about to create a mortal out of mire,
So when I have proportioned him and breathed into him of My [created] soul, then fall down to him in prostration."
And when I have fashioned him and breathed into him of My Spirit, then fall down before him prostrate,
So the angels prostrated - all of them entirely.
The angels fell down prostrate, every one,
Except Iblees; he was arrogant and became among the disbelievers.
Saving Iblis; he was scornful and became one of the disbelievers.
[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 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 ?
He said, "I am better than him. You created me from fire and created him from clay."
He said: I am better than him. Thou createdst me of fire, whilst him Thou didst create of clay.
[Allah] said, "Then get out of Paradise, for indeed, you are expelled.
He said: Go forth from hence, for lo! thou art outcast,
And indeed, upon you is My curse until the Day of Recompense."
And lo! My curse is on thee till the Day of Judgment.
He said, "My Lord, then reprieve me until the Day they are resurrected."
He said: My Lord! Reprieve me till the day when they are raised.
[Allah] said, "So indeed, you are of those reprieved
He said: Lo! thou art of those reprieved
Until the Day of the time well - known."
Until the day of the time appointed.
[Iblees] said, "By your might, I will surely mislead them all
He said: Then, by Thy might, I surely will beguile them every one,
Except, among them, Your chosen servants."
Save Thy single - minded slaves among them.
[Allah] said, "The truth [is My oath], and the truth I say -
He said: The Truth is, and the Truth I speak,
[That] I will surely fill Hell with you and those of them that follow you all together."
That I shall fill hell with thee and with such of them as follow thee, together.
Say, [O Muhammad], "I do not ask you for the Qur'an any payment, and I am not of the pretentious
Say (O Muhammad, unto mankind): I ask of you no fee for this, and I am no simulating.
It is but a reminder to the worlds.
Lo! it is naught else than a reminder for all peoples
And you will surely know [the truth of] its information after a time."
And ye will come in time to know the truth thereof.