Chapter 38, 88 verses
Sad. By the Qur'an containing reminder...
Sad: By the Qur'an, Full of Admonition: (This is the Truth).
Suad, I swear by the Quran, full of admonition.
But those who disbelieve are in pride and dissension.
But the Unbelievers (are steeped) in self - glory and Separatism.
Nay! those who disbelieve are in self - exaltation and opposition.
How many a generation have We destroyed before them, and they [then] called out; but it was not a time for escape.
How many generations before them did We destroy? In the end they cried (for mercy) - when there was no longer time for being saved!
How many did We destroy before them of the generations, then they cried while the time of escaping had passed away.
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.
So they wonder that a Warner has come to them from among themselves! and the Unbelievers say, "This is a sorcerer telling lies!
And they wonder that there has come to them a warner from among themselves, and the disbelievers say: This is an enchanter, a liar.
Has he made the gods [only] one God? Indeed, this is a curious thing."
"Has he made the gods (all) into one Allah? Truly this is a wonderful thing!"
What! makes he the gods a single Allah? A strange thing is this, to be sure!
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 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)!
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 the latest religion. This is not but a fabrication.
"We never heard (the like) of this among the people of these latter days: this is nothing but a made - up tale!"
We never heard of this in the former faith; this is nothing but a forgery:
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.
"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!
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 do they have the depositories of the mercy of your Lord, the Exalted in Might, the Bestower?
Or have they the treasures of the mercy of thy Lord, - the Exalted in Power, the Grantor of Bounties without measure?
Or is it that they have the treasures of the mercy of your Lord, the Mighty, the great Giver?
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 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)!
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
[They are but] soldiers [who will be] defeated there among the companies [of disbelievers].
But there - will be put to flight even a host of confederates.
A host of deserters of the allies shall be here put to flight.
The people of Noah denied before them, and [the tribe of] 'Aad and Pharaoh, the owner of stakes,
Before them (were many who) rejected messengers, - the people of Noah, and 'Ad, and Pharaoh, the Lord 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 people of Lot and the companions of the thicket. Those are the companies.
And Thamud, and the people of Lut, and the Companions of the Wood; - such were the Confederates.
And Samood and the people of Lut and the dwellers of the thicket; these were the parties.
Each of them denied the messengers, so My penalty was justified.
Not one (of them) but rejected the messengers, but My punishment came justly and inevitably (on them).
There was none of them but called the apostles liars, so just was My retribution.
And these [disbelievers] await not but one blast [of the Horn]; for it there will be no delay.
These (today) only wait for a single mighty Blast, which (when it comes) will brook no delay.
Nor do these await aught but a single cry, there being no delay in it.
And they say, "Our Lord, hasten for us our share [of the punishment] before the Day of Account"
They say: "Our Lord! hasten to us our sentence (even) before the Day of Account!"
And they say: O our Lord! hasten on to us our portion 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].
Have patience at what they say, and remember our servant David, the man of strength: for he ever turned (to Allah).
Bear patiently what they say, and remember Our servant Dawood, the possessor of power; surely he was frequent in returning (to Allah).
Indeed, We subjected the mountains [to praise] with him, exalting [Allah] in the [late] afternoon and [after] sunrise.
It was We that made the hills declare, in unison with him, Our Praises, at eventide and at break of day,
Surely We made the mountains to sing the glory (of Allah) in unison with him at the evening and the sunrise,
And the birds were assembled, all with him repeating [praises].
And the birds gathered (in assemblies): all with him did turn (to Allah).
And the birds gathered together; all joined in singing with him.
And We strengthened his kingdom and gave him wisdom and discernment in speech.
We strengthened his kingdom, and gave him wisdom and sound judgment in speech and decision.
And We strengthened his kingdom and We gave him wisdom and a clear judgment.
And has there come to you the news of the adversaries, when they climbed over the wall of [his] prayer chamber -
Has the Story of the Disputants reached thee? Behold, they climbed over the wall of the private 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?
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 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..
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.
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."
"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."
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 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 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).
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 indeed, for him is nearness to Us and a good place of return.
So We forgave him this (lapse): he enjoyed, indeed, a Near Approach to Us, and a beautiful place of (Final) Return.
Therefore We rectified for him this, and most surely he had a nearness to Us and an excellent resort.
[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 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.
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 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.
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)!
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.
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 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?
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 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.
(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.
(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 to David We gave Solomon. An excellent servant, indeed he was one repeatedly turning back [to Allah].
To David We gave Solomon (for a son), - How excellent in Our service! Ever did he turn (to Us)!
And We gave to Dawood Sulaiman, most excellent the servant! Surely he was frequent in returning (to Allah).
[Mention] when there were exhibited before him in the afternoon the poised [standing] racehorses.
Behold, there were brought before him, at eventide coursers of the highest breeding, and swift of foot;
When there were brought to him in the evening (horses) still when standing, swift when running - -
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, "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):
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], "Return them to me," and set about striking [their] legs and necks.
"Bring them back to me." then began he to pass his hand over (their) legs and their necks.
Bring them back to me; so he began to slash (their) legs and necks.
And We certainly tried Solomon and placed on his throne a body; then he returned.
And We did try Solomon: We placed on his throne a body (without life); but he did turn (to Us in true devotion):
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 grant me a kingdom such as will not belong to anyone after me. Indeed, You are the Bestower."
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).
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 subjected to him the wind blowing by his command, gently, wherever he directed,
Then We subjected the wind to his power, to flow gently to his order, Whithersoever he willed, -
Then We made the wind subservient to him; it made his command to run gently wherever he desired,
And [also] the devils [of jinn] - every builder and diver
As also the evil ones, (including) every kind of builder and diver, -
And the shaitans, every builder and diver,
And others bound together in shackles.
As also others bound together in fetters.
And others fettered in chains.
[We said], "This is Our gift, so grant or withhold without account."
"Such are Our Bounties: whether thou bestow them (on others) or withhold them, no account will be asked."
This is Our free gift, therefore give freely or withhold, without reckoning.
And indeed, for him is nearness to Us and a good place of return.
And he enjoyed, indeed, a Near Approach to Us, and a beautiful Place of (Final) Return.
And most surely he had a nearness to Us and an excellent resort.
And remember Our servant Job, when he called to his Lord, "Indeed, Satan has touched me with hardship and torment."
Commemorate Our Servant Job. Behold he cried to his Lord: "The Evil One has afflicted me with distress and suffering!"
And remember Our servant Ayyub, when he called upon his Lord: The Shaitan has afflicted me with toil and torment.
[So he was told], "Strike [the ground] with your foot; this is a [spring for] a cool bath and drink."
(The command was given:) "Strike with thy foot: here is (water) wherein to wash, cool and refreshing, and (water) to drink."
Urge with your foot; here is a cool washing - place and a 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 gave him (back) his people, and doubled their number, - as a Grace from Ourselves, and a thing for commemoration, for all who have 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.
[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 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)!
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 remember Our servants, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob - those of strength and [religious] vision.
And commemorate Our Servants Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, possessors of Power and Vision.
And remember Our servants Ibrahim and Ishaq and Yaqoub, men of power and insight.
Indeed, We chose them for an exclusive quality: remembrance of the home [of the Hereafter].
Verily We did choose them for a special (purpose) - proclaiming the Message of the Hereafter.
Surely We purified them by a pure quality, the keeping in mind of the (final) abode.
And indeed they are, to Us, among the chosen and outstanding.
They were, in Our sight, truly, of the company of the Elect and the Good.
And most surely they were with Us, of the elect, the best.
And remember Ishmael, Elisha and Dhul - Kifl, and all are among the outstanding.
And commemorate Isma'il, Elisha, and Zul - Kifl: Each of them was of the Company of the Good.
And remember Ismail and Al - Yasha and Zulkifl; and they were all of the best.
This is a reminder. And indeed, for the righteous is a good place of return
This is a Message (of admonition): and verily, for the righteous, is a beautiful Place of (Final) Return, -
This is a reminder; and most surely there is an excellent resort for those who guard (against evil),
Gardens of perpetual residence, whose doors will be opened to them.
Gardens of Eternity, whose doors will (ever) be open to them;
The gardens of perpetuity, the doors are opened for them.
Reclining within them, they will call therein for abundant fruit and drink.
Therein will they recline (at ease): Therein can they call (at pleasure) for fruit in abundance, and (delicious) drink;
Reclining therein, calling therein for many fruits and drink.
And with them will be women limiting [their] glances and of equal age.
And beside them will be chaste women restraining their glances, (companions) of equal age.
And with them shall be those restraining their eyes, equals in age.
This is what you, [the righteous], are promised for the Day of Account.
Such is the Promise made, to you for the Day of Account!
This is what you are promised for the day of reckoning.
Indeed, this is Our provision; for it there is no depletion.
Truly such will be Our Bounty (to you); it will never fail; -
Most surely this is Our sustenance; it shall never come to an end;
This [is so]. But indeed, for the transgressors is an evil place of return -
Yea, such! but - for the wrong - doers will be an evil place of (Final) Return! -
This (shall be so); and most surely there is an evil resort for the inordinate ones;
Hell, which they will [enter to] burn, and wretched is the resting place.
Hell! - they will burn therein, - an evil bed (indeed, to lie on)! -
Hell; they shall enter it, so evil is the resting - place.
This - so let them taste it - is scalding water and [foul] purulence.
Yea, such! - then shall they taste it, - a boiling fluid, and a fluid dark, murky, intensely cold! -
This (shall be so); so let them taste it, boiling and intensely cold (drink).
And other [punishments] of its type [in various] kinds.
And other Penalties of a similar kind, to match them!
And other (punishment) of the same kind - - of various sorts.
[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 a troop rushing headlong with you! No welcome for them! truly, they shall 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 will say, "Nor you! No welcome for you. You, [our leaders], brought this upon us, and wretched is the settlement."
(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!"
They shall say: Nay! you - - no welcome to you: you did proffer it to us, so evil is the resting - place.
They will say, "Our Lord, whoever brought this upon us - increase for him double punishment in the Fire."
They will say: "Our Lord! whoever brought this upon us, - Add to him a double Penalty 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 will say, "Why do we not see men whom we used to count among the worst?
And they will say: "What has happened to us that we see not men whom we used to number among the bad ones?
And they shall say: What is the matter with us that we do not see men whom we used to count among the vicious?
Is it [because] we took them in ridicule, or has [our] vision turned away from them?"
"Did we treat them (as such) in ridicule, or have (our) eyes failed to perceive them?"
Was it that we (only) took them in scorn, or have our eyes (now) turned aside from them?
Indeed, that is truth - the quarreling of the people of the Fire.
Truly that is just and fitting, - the mutual recriminations of the People of the Fire!
That most surely is the truth: the contending one with another of the inmates of the fire.
Say, [O Muhammad], "I am only a warner, and there is not any deity except Allah, the One, the Prevailing.
Say: "Truly am I a Warner: no god is there but the one Allah, Supreme and Irresistible, -
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 whatever is between them, the Exalted in Might, the Perpetual Forgiver."
"The Lord of the heavens and the earth, and all between, - Exalted in Might, able to enforce His Will, forgiving again and again."
The Lord of the heavens and the earth and what is between them, the Mighty, the most Forgiving.
Say, "It is great news
Say: "That is a Message Supreme (above all), -
Say: It is a message of importance,
From which you turn away.
"From which ye do turn away!
(And) you are turning aside from it:
I had no knowledge of the exalted assembly [of angels] when they were disputing [the creation of Adam].
"No knowledge have I of the Chiefs on high, when they discuss (matters) among themselves.
I had no knowledge of the exalted chiefs when they contended:
It has not been revealed to me except that I am a clear warner."
'Only this has been revealed to me: that I am to give warning plainly and publicly."
Naught is revealed to me save that I am a plain warner.
[So mention] when your Lord said to the angels, "Indeed, I am going to create a human being from clay.
Behold, thy Lord said to the angels: "I am about to create man from clay:
When your Lord said to the angels; Surely I am going to create a mortal from dust:
So when I have proportioned him and breathed into him of My [created] soul, then fall down to him in prostration."
"When I have fashioned him (in due proportion) and breathed into him of My spirit, fall ye down in obeisance unto him."
So when I have made him complete and breathed into him of My spirit, then fall down making obeisance to him.
So the angels prostrated - all of them entirely.
So the angels prostrated themselves, all of them together:
And the angels did obeisance, all of them,
Except Iblees; he was arrogant and became among the disbelievers.
Not so Iblis: he was haughty, and became one of those who reject Faith.
But not Iblis: he was proud and he was one of the unbelievers.
[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?"
(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?"
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. You created me from fire and created him from clay."
(Iblis) said: "I am better than he: thou createdst me from fire, and him thou createdst from clay."
He said: I am better than he; Thou hast created me of fire, and him Thou didst create of dust.
[Allah] said, "Then get out of Paradise, for indeed, you are expelled.
(Allah) said: "Then get thee out from here: for thou art rejected, accursed.
He said: Then get out of it, for surely you are driven away:
And indeed, upon you is My curse until the Day of Recompense."
"And My curse shall be on thee till the Day of Judgment."
And surely My curse is on you to the day of judgment.
He said, "My Lord, then reprieve me until the Day they are resurrected."
(Iblis) said: "O my Lord! Give me then respite till the Day the (dead) are raised."
He said: My Lord! then respite me to the day that they are raised.
[Allah] said, "So indeed, you are of those reprieved
(Allah) said: "Respite then is granted thee -
He said: Surely you are of the respited ones,
Until the Day of the time well - known."
"Till the Day of the Time Appointed."
Till the period of the time made known.
[Iblees] said, "By your might, I will surely mislead them all
(Iblis) said: "Then, by Thy power, I will put them all in the wrong, -
He said: Then by Thy Might I will surely make them live an evil life, all,
Except, among them, Your chosen servants."
"Except Thy Servants amongst them, sincere and purified (by Thy Grace)."
Except Thy servants from among them, the purified ones.
[Allah] said, "The truth [is My oath], and the truth I say -
(Allah) said: "Then it is just and fitting - and I say what is just and fitting -
He said: The truth then is and the truth do I speak:
[That] I will surely fill Hell with you and those of them that follow you all together."
"That I will certainly fill Hell with thee and those that follow thee, - every one."
That I will most certainly fill hell with you and with those among them who follow you, all.
Say, [O Muhammad], "I do not ask you for the Qur'an any payment, and I am not of the pretentious
Say: "No reward do I ask of you for this (Qur'an), nor am I a pretender.
Say: I do not ask you for any reward for it; nor am I of those who affect:
It is but a reminder to the worlds.
"This is no less than a Message to (all) the Worlds.
It is nothing but a reminder to the nations;
And you will surely know [the truth of] its information after a time."
"And ye shall certainly know the truth of it (all) after a while."
And most certainly you will come to know about it after a time.