Chapter 20, 135 verses
Ta - Ha.
In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful. Ta. Ha.
Ta, Ha.
We have not sent down the Qur'an to thee to be (an occasion) for thy distress,
We have not revealed unto thee (Muhammad) this Qur'an that thou shouldst be distressed,
We have not sent down to you the Qur'an that you be distressed
But only as an admonition to those who fear (Allah), -
But as a reminder unto him who feareth,
But only as a reminder for those who fear [Allah] -
A revelation from Him Who created the earth and the heavens on high.
A revelation from Him Who created the earth and the high heavens,
A revelation from He who created the earth and highest heavens,
(Allah) Most Gracious is firmly established on the throne (of authority).
The Beneficent One, Who is established on the Throne.
The Most Merciful [who is] above the Throne established.
To Him belongs what is in the heavens and on earth, and all between them, and all beneath the soil.
Unto Him belongeth whatsoever is in the heavens and whatsoever is in the earth, and whatsoever is between them, and whatsoever is beneath the sod.
To Him belongs what is in the heavens and what is on the earth and what is between them and what is under the soil.
If thou pronounce the word aloud, (it is no matter): for verily He knoweth what is secret and what is yet more hidden.
And if thou speakest aloud, then lo! He knoweth the secret (thought) and (that which is yet) more hidden.
And if you speak aloud - then indeed, He knows the secret and what is [even] more hidden.
Allah! there is no god but He! To Him belong the most Beautiful Names.
Allah! There is no God save Him. His are the most beautiful names.
Allah - there is no deity except Him. To Him belong the best names.
Has the story of Moses reached thee?
Hath there come unto thee the story of Moses ?
And has the story of Moses reached you? -
Behold, he saw a fire: So he said to his family, "Tarry ye; I perceive a fire; perhaps I can bring you some burning brand therefrom, or find some guidance at the fire."
When he saw a fire and said unto his folk: Lo! Wait! I see a fire afar off. Peradventure I may bring you a brand therefrom or may find guidance at the fire.
When he saw a fire and said to his family, "Stay here; indeed, I have perceived a fire; perhaps I can bring you a torch or find at the fire some guidance."
But when he came to the fire, a voice was heard: "O Moses!
And when he reached it, he was called by name: O Moses!
And when he came to it, he was called, "O Moses,
"Verily I am thy Lord! therefore (in My presence) put off thy shoes: thou art in the sacred valley Tuwa.
Lo! I, even I, am thy Lord, So take off thy shoes, for lo! thou art in the holy valley of Tuwa.
Indeed, I am your Lord, so remove your sandals. Indeed, you are in the sacred valley of Tuwa.
"I have chosen thee: listen, then, to the inspiration (sent to thee).
And I have chosen thee, so hearken unto that which is inspired.
And I have chosen you, so listen to what is revealed [to you].
"Verily, I am Allah: There is no god but I: So serve thou Me (only), and establish regular prayer for celebrating My praise.
Lo! I, even I, am Allah, There is no God save Me. So serve Me and establish worship for My remembrance.
Indeed, I am Allah. There is no deity except Me, so worship Me and establish prayer for My remembrance.
"Verily the Hour is coming - My design is to keep it hidden - for every soul to receive its reward by the measure of its Endeavour.
Lo! the Hour is surely coming. But I will to keep it hidden, that every soul may be rewarded for that which it striveth (to achieve).
Indeed, the Hour is coming - I almost conceal it - so that every soul may be recompensed according to that for which it strives.
"Therefore let not such as believe not therein but follow their own lusts, divert thee therefrom, lest thou perish!"..
Therefor, let not him turn thee aside from (the thought of) it who believeth not therein but followeth his own desire, lest thou perish.
So do not let one avert you from it who does not believe in it and follows his desire, for you [then] would perish.
"And what is that in the right hand, O Moses?"
And what is that in thy right hand, O Moses ?
And what is that in your right hand, O Moses?"
He said, "It is my rod: on it I lean; with it I beat down fodder for my flocks; and in it I find other uses."
He said: This is my staff whereon I lean, and wherewith I bear down branches for my sheep, and wherein I find other uses.
He said, "It is my staff; I lean upon it, and I bring down leaves for my sheep and I have therein other uses."
(Allah) said, "Throw it, O Moses!"
He said: Cast it down, O Moses!
[Allah] said, "Throw it down, O Moses."
He threw it, and behold! It was a snake, active in motion.
So he cast it down, and lo! it was a serpent, gliding.
So he threw it down, and thereupon it was a snake, moving swiftly.
(Allah) said, "Seize it, and fear not: We shall return it at once to its former condition"..
He said: Grasp it and fear not. We shall return it to its former state.
[Allah] said, "Seize it and fear not; We will return it to its former condition.
"Now draw thy hand close to thy side: It shall come forth white (and shining), without harm (or stain), - as another Sign, -
And thrust thy hand within thine armpit, it will come forth white without hurt. (That will be) another token.
And draw in your hand to your side; it will come out white without disease - another sign,
"In order that We may show thee (two) of our Greater Signs.
That We may show thee (some) of Our greater portents,
That We may show you [some] of Our greater signs.
"Go thou to Pharaoh, for he has indeed transgressed all bounds."
Go thou unto Pharaoh! Lo! he hath transgressed (the bounds).
Go to Pharaoh. Indeed, he has transgressed."
(Moses) said: "O my Lord! expand me my breast;
(Moses) said: My Lord! relieve my mind
[Moses] said, "My Lord, expand for me my breast [with assurance]
"Ease my task for me;
And ease my task for me;
And ease for me my task
"And remove the impediment from my speech,
And loose a knot from my tongue,
And untie the knot from my tongue
"So they may understand what I say:
That they may understand my saying.
That they may understand my speech.
"And give me a Minister from my family,
Appoint for me a henchman from my folk,
And appoint for me a minister from my family -
"Aaron, my brother;
Aaron, my brother.
Aaron, my brother.
"Add to my strength through him,
Confirm my strength with him
Increase through him my strength
"And make him share my task:
And let him share my task,
And let him share my task
"That we may celebrate Thy praise without stint,
That we may glorify Thee much
That we may exalt You much
"And remember Thee without stint:
And much remember Thee.
And remember You much.
"For Thou art He that (ever) regardeth us."
Lo! Thou art ever Seeing us.
Indeed, You are of us ever Seeing."
(Allah) said: "Granted is thy prayer, O Moses!"
He said: Thou art granted thy request, O Moses.
[Allah] said, "You have been granted your request, O Moses.
"And indeed We conferred a favour on thee another time (before).
And indeed, another time, already We have shown thee favour,
And We had already conferred favor upon you another time,
"Behold! We sent to thy mother, by inspiration, the message:
When we inspired in thy mother that which is inspired,
When We inspired to your mother what We inspired,
"'Throw (the child) into the chest, and throw (the chest) into the river: the river will cast him up on the bank, and he will be taken up by one who is an enemy to Me and an enemy to him': But I cast (the garment of) love over thee from Me: and (this) in order that thou mayest be reared under Mine eye.
Saying: Throw him into the ark, and throw it into the river, then the river shall throw it on to the bank, and there an enemy to Me and an enemy to him shall take him. And I endued thee with love from Me that thou mightest be trained according to My will,
[Saying], 'Cast him into the chest and cast it into the river, and the river will throw it onto the bank; there will take him an enemy to Me and an enemy to him.' And I bestowed upon you love from Me that you would be brought up under My eye.
"Behold! thy sister goeth forth and saith, 'shall I show you one who will nurse and rear the (child)?' So We brought thee back to thy mother, that her eye might be cooled and she should not grieve. Then thou didst slay a man, but We saved thee from trouble, and We tried thee in various ways. Then didst thou tarry a number of years with the people of Midian. Then didst thou come hither as ordained, O Moses!
When thy sister went and said: Shall I show you one who will nurse him ? and we restored thee to thy mother that her eyes might be refreshed and might not sorrow. And thou didst kill a man and We delivered thee from great distress, and tried thee with a heavy trial. And thou didst tarry years among the folk of Midian. Then camest thou (hither) by (My) providence, O Moses,
[And We favored you] when your sister went and said, 'Shall I direct you to someone who will be responsible for him?' So We restored you to your mother that she might be content and not grieve. And you killed someone, but We saved you from retaliation and tried you with a [severe] trial. And you remained [some] years among the people of Madyan. Then you came [here] at the decreed time, O Moses.
"And I have prepared thee for Myself (for service)"..
And I have attached thee to Myself.
And I produced you for Myself.
"Go, thou and thy brother, with My Signs, and slacken not, either of you, in keeping Me in remembrance.
Go, thou and thy brother, with My tokens, and be not faint in remembrance of Me.
Go, you and your brother, with My signs and do not slacken in My remembrance.
"Go, both of you, to Pharaoh, for he has indeed transgressed all bounds;
Go, both of you, unto Pharaoh. Lo! he hath transgressed (the bounds).
Go, both of you, to Pharaoh. Indeed, he has transgressed.
"But speak to him mildly; perchance he may take warning or fear (Allah)."
And speak unto him a gentle word, that peradventure he may heed or fear.
And speak to him with gentle speech that perhaps he may be reminded or fear [Allah]."
They (Moses and Aaron) said: "Our Lord! We fear lest he hasten with insolence against us, or lest he transgress all bounds."
They said: Our Lord! Lo! we fear that he may be beforehand with us or that he may play the tyrant.
They said, "Our Lord, indeed we are afraid that he will hasten [punishment] against us or that he will transgress."
He said: "Fear not: for I am with you: I hear and see (everything).
He said: Fear not. Lo! I am with you twain, Hearing and Seeing.
[Allah] said, "Fear not. Indeed, I am with you both; I hear and I see.
"So go ye both to him, and say, 'Verily we are messengers sent by thy Lord: Send forth, therefore, the Children of Israel with us, and afflict them not: with a Sign, indeed, have we come from thy Lord! and peace to all who follow guidance!
So go ye unto him and say: Lo! we are two messengers of thy Lord. So let the children of Israel go with us, and torment them not. We bring thee a token from thy Lord. And peace will be for him who followeth right guidance.
So go to him and say, 'Indeed, we are messengers of your Lord, so send with us the Children of Israel and do not torment them. We have come to you with a sign from your Lord. And peace will be upon he who follows the guidance.
"'Verily it has been revealed to us that the Penalty (awaits) those who reject and turn away.'"
Lo! it hath been revealed unto us that the doom will be for him who denieth and turneth away.
Indeed, it has been revealed to us that the punishment will be upon whoever denies and turns away.' "
(When this message was delivered), (Pharaoh) said: "Who, then, O Moses, is the Lord of you two?"
(Pharaoh) said: Who then is the Lord of you twain, O Moses ?
[Pharaoh] said, "So who is the Lord of you two, O Moses?"
He said: "Our Lord is He Who gave to each (created) thing its form and nature, and further, gave (it) guidance."
He said: Our Lord is He Who gave unto everything its nature, then guided it aright.
He said, "Our Lord is He who gave each thing its form and then guided [it]."
(Pharaoh) said: "What then is the condition of previous generations?"
He said: What then is the state of the generations of old ?
[Pharaoh] said, "Then what is the case of the former generations?"
He replied: "The knowledge of that is with my Lord, duly recorded: my Lord never errs, nor forgets, -
He said: The knowledge thereof is with my Lord in a Record. My Lord neither erreth nor forgetteth,
[Moses] said, "The knowledge thereof is with my Lord in a record. My Lord neither errs nor forgets."
"He Who has, made for you the earth like a carpet spread out; has enabled you to go about therein by roads (and channels); and has sent down water from the sky." With it have We produced diverse pairs of plants each separate from the others.
Who hath appointed the earth as a bed and hath threaded roads for you therein and hath sent down water from the sky and thereby We have brought forth divers kinds of vegetation,
[It is He] who has made for you the earth as a bed [spread out] and inserted therein for you roadways and sent down from the sky, rain and produced thereby categories of various plants.
Eat (for yourselves) and pasture your cattle: verily, in this are Signs for men endued with understanding.
(Saying): Eat ye and feed your cattle. Lo! herein verily are portents for men of thought.
Eat [therefrom] and pasture your livestock. Indeed, in that are signs for those of intelligence.
From the (earth) did We create you, and into it shall We return you, and from it shall We bring you out once again.
Thereof We created you, and thereunto We return you, and thence We bring you forth a second time.
From the earth We created you, and into it We will return you, and from it We will extract you another time.
And We showed Pharaoh all Our Signs, but he did reject and refuse.
And We verily did show him all Our tokens, but he denied them and refused.
And We certainly showed Pharaoh Our signs - all of them - but he denied and refused.
He said: "Hast thou come to drive us out of our land with thy magic, O Moses?
He said: Hast come to drive us out from our land by thy magic, O Moses ?
He said, "Have you come to us to drive us out of our land with your magic, O Moses?
"But we can surely produce magic to match thine! So make a tryst between us and thee, which we shall not fail to keep - neither we nor thou - in a place where both shall have even chances."
But we surely can produce for thee magic the like thereof; so appoint a tryst between us and you, which neither we nor thou shall fail to keep, at a place convenient (to us both).
Then we will surely bring you magic like it, so make between us and you an appointment, which we will not fail to keep and neither will you, in a place assigned."
Moses said: "Your tryst is the Day of the Festival, and let the people be assembled when the sun is well up."
(Moses) said: Your tryst shall be the day of the feast, and let the people assemble when the sun hath risen high.
[Moses] said, "Your appointment is on the day of the festival when the people assemble at mid - morning."
So Pharaoh withdrew: He concerted his plan, and then came (back).
Then Pharaoh went and gathered his strength, then came (to the appointed tryst).
So Pharaoh went away, put together his plan, and then came [to Moses].
Moses said to him: Woe to you! Forge not ye a lie against Allah, lest He destroy you (at once) utterly by chastisement: the forger must suffer frustration!"
Moses said unto them: Woe unto you! Invent not a lie against Allah, lest He extirpate you by some punishment. He who lieth faileth miserably.
Moses said to the magicians summoned by Pharaoh, "Woe to you! Do not invent a lie against Allah or He will exterminate you with a punishment; and he has failed who invents [such falsehood]."
So they disputed, one with another, over their affair, but they kept their talk secret.
Then they debated one with another what they must do, and they kept their counsel secret.
So they disputed over their affair among themselves and concealed their private conversation.
They said: "These two are certainly (expert) magicians: their object is to drive you out from your land with their magic, and to do away with your most cherished institutions.
They said: Lo! these are two wizards who would drive you out from your country by their magic, and destroy your best traditions;
They said, "Indeed, these are two magicians who want to drive you out of your land with their magic and do away with your most exemplary way.
"Therefore concert your plan, and then assemble in (serried) ranks: He wins (all along) today who gains the upper hand."
So arrange your plan, and come in battle line. Whoso is uppermost this day will be indeed .
So resolve upon your plan and then come [forward] in line. And he has succeeded today who overcomes."
They said: "O Moses! whether wilt thou that thou throw (first) or that we be the first to throw?"
They said: O Moses! Either throw first, or let us be the first to throw ?
They said, "O Moses, either you throw or we will be the first to throw."
He said, "Nay, throw ye first!" Then behold their ropes and their rods - so it seemed to him on account of their magic - began to be in lively motion!
He said: Nay, do ye throw! Then lo! their cords and their staves, by their magic, appeared to him as though they ran.
He said, "Rather, you throw." And suddenly their ropes and staffs seemed to him from their magic that they were moving [like snakes].
So Moses conceived in his mind a (sort of) fear.
And Moses conceived a fear in his mind.
And he sensed within himself apprehension, did Moses.
We said: "Fear not! for thou hast indeed the upper hand:
We said: Fear not! Lo! thou art the higher.
Allah said, "Fear not. Indeed, it is you who are superior.
"Throw that which is in thy right hand: Quickly will it swallow up that which they have faked what they have faked is but a magician's trick: and the magician thrives not, (no matter) where he goes."
Throw that which is in thy right hand! It will eat up that which they have made. Lo! that which they have made is but a wizard's artifice, and a wizard shall not be to whatever point (of skill) he may attain.
And throw what is in your right hand; it will swallow up what they have crafted. What they have crafted is but the trick of a magician, and the magician will not succeed wherever he is."
So the magicians were thrown down to prostration: they said, "We believe in the Lord of Aaron and Moses".
Then the wizards were (all) flung down prostrate, crying: We believe in the Lord of Aaron and Moses.
So the magicians fell down in prostration. They said, "We have believed in the Lord of Aaron and Moses."
(Pharaoh) said: "Believe ye in Him before I give you permission? Surely this must be your leader, who has taught you magic! be sure I will cut off your hands and feet on opposite sides, and I will have you crucified on trunks of palm - trees: so shall ye know for certain, which of us can give the more severe and the more lasting punishment!"
(Pharaoh) said: Ye put faith in him before I give you leave. Lo! he is your chief who taught you magic. Now surely I shall cut off your hands and your feet alternately, and I shall crucify you on the trunks of palm trees, and ye shall know for certain which of us hath sterner and more lasting punishment.
[Pharaoh] said, "You believed him before I gave you permission. Indeed, he is your leader who has taught you magic. So I will surely cut off your hands and your feet on opposite sides, and I will crucify you on the trunks of palm trees, and you will surely know which of us is more severe in [giving] punishment and more enduring."
They said: "Never shall we regard thee as more than the Clear Signs that have come to us, or than Him Who created us! so decree whatever thou desirest to decree: for thou canst only decree (touching) the life of this world.
They said: We choose thee not above the clear proofs that have come unto us, and above Him Who created us. So decree what thou wilt decree. Thou wilt end for us only this life of the world.
They said, "Never will we prefer you over what has come to us of clear proofs and [over] He who created us. So decree whatever you are to decree. You can only decree for this worldly life.
"For us, we have believed in our Lord: may He forgive us our faults, and the magic to which thou didst compel us: for Allah is Best and Most Abiding."
Lo! we believe in our Lord, that He may forgive us our sins and the magic unto which thou didst force us. Allah is better and more lasting.
Indeed, we have believed in our Lord that He may forgive us our sins and what you compelled us [to do] of magic. And Allah is better and more enduring."
Verily he who comes to his Lord as a sinner (at Judgment), - for him is Hell: therein shall he neither die nor live.
Lo! whoso cometh guilty unto his Lord, verily for him is hell. There he will neither die nor live.
Indeed, whoever comes to his Lord as a criminal - indeed, for him is Hell; he will neither die therein nor live.
But such as come to Him as Believers who have worked righteous deeds, - for them are ranks exalted, -
But whoso cometh unto Him a believer, having done good works, for such are the high stations;
But whoever comes to Him as a believer having done righteous deeds - for those will be the highest degrees [in position]:
Gardens of Eternity, beneath which flow rivers: they will dwell therein for aye: such is the reward of those who purify themselves (from evil).
Gardens of Eden underneath which rivers flow, wherein they will abide for ever. That is the reward of him who groweth.
Gardens of perpetual residence beneath which rivers flow, wherein they abide eternally. And that is the reward of one who purifies himself.
We sent an inspiration to Moses: "Travel by night with My servants, and strike a dry path for them through the sea, without fear of being overtaken (by Pharaoh) and without (any other) fear."
And verily We inspired Moses, saying: Take away My slaves by night and strike for them a dry path in the sea, fearing not to be overtaken, neither being afraid (of the sea).
And We had inspired to Moses, "Travel by night with My servants and strike for them a dry path through the sea; you will not fear being overtaken [by Pharaoh] nor be afraid [of drowning]."
Then Pharaoh pursued them with his forces, but the waters completely overwhelmed them and covered them up.
Then Pharaoh followed them with his hosts and there covered them that which did cover them of the sea.
So Pharaoh pursued them with his soldiers, and there covered them from the sea that which covered them,
Pharaoh led his people astray instead of leading them aright.
And Pharaoh led his folk astray, he did not guide them.
And Pharaoh led his people astray and did not guide [them].
O ye Children of Israel! We delivered you from your enemy, and We made a Covenant with you on the right side of Mount (Sinai), and We sent down to you Manna and quails:
O Children of Israel! We delivered you from your enemy, and we made a covenant with you on the holy mountain's side, and sent down on you the manna and the quails,
O Children of Israel, We delivered you from your enemy, and We made an appointment with you at the right side of the mount, and We sent down to you manna and quails,
(Saying): "Eat of the good things We have provided for your sustenance, but commit no excess therein, lest My Wrath should justly descend on you: and those on whom descends My Wrath do perish indeed!
(Saying): Eat of the good things wherewith We have provided you, and transgress not in respect thereof lest My wrath come upon you: and he on whom My wrath cometh, he is lost indeed.
[Saying], "Eat from the good things with which We have provided you and do not transgress [or oppress others] therein, lest My anger should descend upon you. And he upon whom My anger descends has certainly fallen."
"But, without doubt, I am (also) He that forgives again and again, to those who repent, believe, and do right, who, - in fine, are ready to receive true guidance."
And lo! verily I am Forgiving toward him who repenteth and believeth and doeth good, and afterward walketh aright.
But indeed, I am the Perpetual Forgiver of whoever repents and believes and does righteousness and then continues in guidance.
(When Moses was up on the Mount, Allah said:) "What made thee hasten in advance of thy people, O Moses?"
And (it was said): What hath made thee hasten from thy folk, O Moses ?
[Allah] said, "And what made you hasten from your people, O Moses?"
He replied: "Behold, they are close on my footsteps: I hastened to thee, O my Lord, to please thee."
He said: They are close upon my track. I hastened unto Thee, my Lord, that Thou mightest be well pleased.
He said, "They are close upon my tracks, and I hastened to You, my Lord, that You be pleased."
(Allah) said: "We have tested thy people in thy absence: the Samiri has led them astray."
He said: Lo! We have tried thy folk in thine absence, and As - Samiri hath misled them.
[Allah] said, "But indeed, We have tried your people after you [departed], and the Samiri has led them astray."
So Moses returned to his people in a state of indignation and sorrow. He said: "O my people! did not your Lord make a handsome promise to you? Did then the promise seem to you long (in coming)? Or did ye desire that Wrath should descend from your Lord on you, and so ye broke your promise to me?"
Then Moses went back unto his folk, angry and sad. He said: O my people! Hath not your Lord promised you a fair promise ? Did the time appointed then appear too long for you, or did ye wish that wrath from your Lord should come upon you, that ye broke tryst with me ?
So Moses returned to his people, angry and grieved. He said, "O my people, did your Lord not make you a good promise? Then, was the time [of its fulfillment] too long for you, or did you wish that wrath from your Lord descend upon you, so you broke your promise [of obedience] to me?"
They said: "We broke not the promise to thee, as far as lay in our power: but we were made to carry the weight of the ornaments of the (whole) people, and we threw them (into the fire), and that was what the Samiri suggested.
They said: We broke not tryst with thee of our own will, but we were laden with burdens of ornaments of the folk, then cast them (in the fire), for thus As - Samiri proposed.
They said, "We did not break our promise to you by our will, but we were made to carry burdens from the ornaments of the people [of Pharaoh], so we threw them [into the fire], and thus did the Samiri throw."
"Then he brought out (of the fire) before the (people) the image of a calf: It seemed to low: so they said: This is your god, and the god of Moses, but (Moses) has forgotten!"
Then he produced for them a calf, of saffron hue, which gave forth a lowing sound. And they cried: This is your god and the god of Moses, but he hath forgotten.
And he extracted for them [the statue of] a calf which had a lowing sound, and they said, "This is your god and the god of Moses, but he forgot."
Could they not see that it could not return them a word (for answer), and that it had no power either to harm them or to do them good?
See they not, then, that it returneth no saying unto them and possesseth for them neither hurt nor use ?
Did they not see that it could not return to them any speech and that it did not possess for them any harm or benefit?
Aaron had already, before this said to them: "O my people! ye are being tested in this: for verily your Lord is (Allah) Most Gracious; so follow me and obey my command."
And Aaron indeed had told them beforehand: O my people! Ye are but being seduced therewith, for lo! your Lord is the Beneficent, so follow me and obey my order.
And Aaron had already told them before [the return of Moses], "O my people, you are only being tested by it, and indeed, your Lord is the Most Merciful, so follow me and obey my order."
They had said: "We will not abandon this cult, but we will devote ourselves to it until Moses returns to us."
They said: We shall by no means cease to be its votaries till Moses return unto us.
They said, "We will never cease being devoted to the calf until Moses returns to us."
(Moses) said: "O Aaron! what kept thee back, when thou sawest them going wrong,
He (Moses) said: O Aaron! What held thee back when thou didst see them gone astray,
[Moses] said, "O Aaron, what prevented you, when you saw them going astray,
"From following me? Didst thou then disobey my order?"
That thou followedst me not ? Hast thou then disobeyed my order ?
From following me? Then have you disobeyed my order?"
(Aaron) replied: "O son of my mother! Seize (me) not by my beard nor by (the hair of) my head! Truly I feared lest thou shouldst say, 'Thou has caused a division among the children of Israel, and thou didst not respect my word!'"
He said: O son of my mother! Clutch not my beard nor my head! I feared lest thou shouldst say: Thou hast caused division among the Children of Israel, and hast not waited for my word.
[Aaron] said, "O son of my mother, do not seize [me] by my beard or by my head. Indeed, I feared that you would say, 'You caused division among the Children of Israel, and you did not observe [or await] my word.' "
(Moses) said: "What then is thy case, O Samiri?"
(Moses) said: And what hast thou to say, O Samiri ?
[Moses] said, "And what is your case, O Samiri?"
He replied: "I saw what they saw not: so I took a handful (of dust) from the footprint of the Messenger, and threw it (into the calf): thus did my soul suggest to me."
He said: I perceived what they perceive not, so I seized a handful from the footsteps of the messenger, and then threw it in. Thus my soul commended to me.
He said, "I saw what they did not see, so I took a handful [of dust] from the track of the messenger and threw it, and thus did my soul entice me."
(Moses) said: "Get thee gone! but thy (punishment) in this life will be that thou wilt say, 'touch me not'; and moreover (for a future penalty) thou hast a promise that will not fail: Now look at thy god, of whom thou hast become a devoted worshipper: We will certainly (melt) it in a blazing fire and scatter it broadcast in the sea!"
(Moses) said: Then go! and lo! in this life it is for thee to say: Touch me not! and lo! there is for thee a tryst thou canst not break. Now look upon thy god of which thou hast remained a votary. Verily we will burn it and will scatter its dust over the sea.
[Moses] said, "Then go. And indeed, it is [decreed] for you in [this] life to say, 'No contact.' And indeed, you have an appointment [in the Hereafter] you will not fail to keep. And look at your 'god' to which you remained devoted. We will surely burn it and blow it into the sea with a blast.
But the god of you all is the One Allah: there is no god but He: all things He comprehends in His knowledge.
Your God is only Allah, than Whom there is no other God. He embraceth all things in His knowledge.
Your god is only Allah, except for whom there is no deity. He has encompassed all things in knowledge."
Thus do We relate to thee some stories of what happened before: for We have sent thee a Message from Our own Presence.
Thus relate We unto thee (Muhammad) some tidings of that which happened of old, and We have given thee from Our presence a reminder.
Thus, [O Muhammad], We relate to you from the news of what has preceded. And We have certainly given you from Us the Qur'an.
If any do turn away therefrom, verily they will bear a burden on the Day of judgment;
Whoso turneth away from it, he verily will bear a burden on the Day of Resurrection,
Whoever turns away from it - then indeed, he will bear on the Day of Resurrection a burden,
They will abide in this (state): and grievous will the burden be to them on that Day, -
Abiding under it - an evil burden for them on the Day of Resurrection,
[Abiding] eternally therein, and evil it is for them on the Day of Resurrection as a load -
The Day when the Trumpet will be sounded: that Day, We shall gather the sinful, blear - eyed (with terror).
The day when the Trumpet is blown. On that day we assemble the guilty white - eyed (with terror),
The Day the Horn will be blown. And We will gather the criminals, that Day, blue - eyed.
In whispers will they consult each other: "Yet tarried not longer than ten (Days);
Murmuring among themselves: Ye have tarried but ten (days).
They will murmur among themselves, "You remained not but ten [days in the world]."
We know best what they will say, when their leader most eminent in conduct will say: "Ye tarried not longer than a day!"
We are Best Aware of what they utter when their best in conduct say: Ye have tarried but a day.
We are most knowing of what they say when the best of them in manner will say, "You remained not but one day."
They ask thee concerning the Mountains: say, "My Lord will uproot them and scatter them as dust;
They will ask thee of the mountains (on that day). Say: My Lord will break them into scattered dust.
And they ask you about the mountains, so say, "My Lord will blow them away with a blast.
"He will leave them as plains smooth and level;
And leave it as an empty plain,
And He will leave the earth a level plain;
"Nothing crooked or curved wilt thou see in their place."
Wherein thou seest neither curve nor ruggedness.
You will not see therein a depression or an elevation."
On that Day will they follow the Caller (straight): no crookedness (can they show) him: all sounds shall humble themselves in the Presence of (Allah) Most Gracious: nothing shalt thou hear but the tramp of their feet (as they march).
On that day they follow the summoner who deceiveth not, and voices are hushed for the Beneficent, and thou hearest but a faint murmur.
That Day, everyone will follow [the call of] the Caller [with] no deviation therefrom, and [all] voices will be stilled before the Most Merciful, so you will not hear except a whisper [of footsteps].
On that Day shall no intercession avail except for those for whom permission has been granted by (Allah) Most Gracious and whose word is acceptable to Him.
On that day no intercession availeth save (that of) him unto whom the Beneficent hath given leave and whose word He accepteth.
That Day, no intercession will benefit except [that of] one to whom the Most Merciful has given permission and has accepted his word.
He knows what (appears to His creatures as) before or after or behind them: but they shall not compass it with their knowledge.
He knoweth (all) that is before them and (all) that is behind them, while they cannot compass it in knowledge.
Allah knows what is [presently] before them and what will be after them, but they do not encompass it in knowledge.
(All) faces shall be humbled before (Him) - the Living, the Self - Subsisting, Eternal: hopeless indeed will be the man that carries iniquity (on his back).
And faces humble themselves before the Living, the Eternal. And he who beareth (a burden of) wrongdoing is indeed a failure (on that day).
And [all] faces will be humbled before the Ever - Living, the Sustainer of existence. And he will have failed who carries injustice.
But he who works deeds of righteousness, and has faith, will have no fear of harm nor of any curtailment (of what is his due).
And he who hath done some good works, being a believer, he feareth not injustice nor begrudging (of his wage).
But he who does of righteous deeds while he is a believer - he will neither fear injustice nor deprivation.
Thus have We sent this down - an arabic Qur'an - and explained therein in detail some of the warnings, in order that they may fear Allah, or that it may cause their remembrance (of Him).
Thus we have revealed it as a Lecture in Arabic, and have displayed therein certain threats, that peradventure they may keep from evil or that it may cause them to take heed.
And thus We have sent it down as an Arabic Qur'an and have diversified therein the warnings that perhaps they will avoid [sin] or it would cause them remembrance.
High above all is Allah, the King, the Truth! Be not in haste with the Qur'an before its revelation to thee is completed, but say, "O my Lord! advance me in knowledge."
Then exalted be Allah, the True King! And hasten not (O Muhammad) with the Qur'an ere its revelation hath been perfected unto thee, and say: My Lord! Increase me in knowledge.
So high [above all] is Allah, the Sovereign, the Truth. And, [O Muhammad], do not hasten with [recitation of] the Qur'an before its revelation is completed to you, and say, "My Lord, increase me in knowledge."
We had already, beforehand, taken the covenant of Adam, but he forgot: and We found on his part no firm resolve.
And verily We made a covenant of old with Adam, but he forgot, and We found no constancy in him.
And We had already taken a promise from Adam before, but he forgot; and We found not in him determination.
When We said to the angels, "Prostrate yourselves to Adam", they prostrated themselves, but not Iblis: he refused.
And when We said unto the angels: Fall prostrate before Adam, they fell prostrate (all) save Iblis; he refused.
And [mention] when We said to the angels, "Prostrate to Adam," and they prostrated, except Iblees; he refused.
Then We said: "O Adam! verily, this is an enemy to thee and thy wife: so let him not get you both out of the Garden, so that thou art landed in misery.
Therefor we said: O Adam! This is an enemy unto thee and unto thy wife, so let him not drive you both out of the Garden so that thou come to toil.
So We said, "O Adam, indeed this is an enemy to you and to your wife. Then let him not remove you from Paradise so you would suffer.
"There is therein (enough provision) for thee not to go hungry nor to go naked,
It is (vouchsafed) unto thee that thou hungerest not therein nor art naked,
Indeed, it is [promised] for you not to be hungry therein or be unclothed.
"Nor to suffer from thirst, nor from the sun's heat."
And that thou thirstest not therein nor art exposed to the sun's heat.
And indeed, you will not be thirsty therein or be hot from the sun."
But Satan whispered evil to him: he said, "O Adam! shall I lead thee to the Tree of Eternity and to a kingdom that never decays?"
But the devil whispered to him, saying: O Adam! Shall I show thee the tree of immortality and power that wasteth not away ?
Then Satan whispered to him; he said, "O Adam, shall I direct you to the tree of eternity and possession that will not deteriorate?"
In the result, they both ate of the tree, and so their nakedness appeared to them: they began to sew together, for their covering, leaves from the Garden: thus did Adam disobey his Lord, and allow himself to be seduced.
Then they twain ate thereof, so that their shame became apparent unto them, and they began to hide by heaping on themselves some of the leaves of the Garden. And Adam disobeyed his Lord, so went astray.
And Adam and his wife ate of it, and their private parts became apparent to them, and they began to fasten over themselves from the leaves of Paradise. And Adam disobeyed his Lord and erred.
But his Lord chose him (for His Grace): He turned to him, and gave him Guidance.
Then his Lord chose him, and relented toward him, and guided him.
Then his Lord chose him and turned to him in forgiveness and guided [him].
He said: "Get ye down, both of you, - all together, from the Garden, with enmity one to another: but if, as is sure, there comes to you Guidance from Me, whosoever follows My Guidance, will not lose his way, nor fall into misery.
He said: Go down hence, both of you, one of you a foe unto the other. But when there come unto you from Me a guidance, then whoso followeth My guidance, he will not go astray nor come to grief.
[Allah] said, "Descend from Paradise - all, [your descendants] being enemies to one another. And if there should come to you guidance from Me - then whoever follows My guidance will neither go astray [in the world] nor suffer [in the Hereafter].
"But whosoever turns away from My Message, verily for him is a life narrowed down, and We shall raise him up blind on the Day of Judgment."
But he who turneth away from remembrance of Me, his will be a narrow life, and I shall bring him blind to the assembly on the Day of Resurrection.
And whoever turns away from My remembrance - indeed, he will have a depressed life, and We will gather him on the Day of Resurrection blind."
He will say: "O my Lord! why hast Thou raised me up blind, while I had sight (before)?"
He will say: My Lord! Wherefor hast Thou gathered me (hither) blind, when I was wont to see ?
He will say, "My Lord, why have you raised me blind while I was [once] seeing?"
(Allah) will say: "Thus didst Thou, when Our Signs came unto thee, disregard them: so wilt thou, this day, be disregarded."
He will say: So (it must be). Our revelations came unto thee but thou didst forget them. In like manner thou art forgotten this Day.
[Allah] will say, "Thus did Our signs come to you, and you forgot them; and thus will you this Day be forgotten."
And thus do We recompense him who transgresses beyond bounds and believes not in the Signs of his Lord: and the Penalty of the Hereafter is far more grievous and more enduring.
Thus do We reward him who is prodigal and believeth not the revelations of his Lord; and verily the doom of the Hereafter will be sterner and more lasting.
And thus do We recompense he who transgressed and did not believe in the signs of his Lord. And the punishment of the Hereafter is more severe and more enduring.
Is it not a warning to such men (to call to mind) how many generations before them We destroyed, in whose haunts they (now) move? Verily, in this are Signs for men endued with understanding.
Is it not a guidance for them (to know) how many a generation We destroyed before them, amid whose dwellings they walk ? Lo! therein verily are signs for men of thought.
Then, has it not become clear to them how many generations We destroyed before them as they walk among their dwellings? Indeed in that are signs for those of intelligence.
Had it not been for a Word that went forth before from thy Lord, (their punishment) must necessarily have come; but there is a Term appointed (for respite).
And but for a decree that had already gone forth from thy Lord, and a term already fixed, the judgment would have been inevitable (in this world).
And if not for a word that preceded from your Lord, punishment would have been an obligation [due immediately], and [if not for] a specified term [decreed].
Therefore be patient with what they say, and celebrate (constantly) the praises of thy Lord, before the rising of the sun, and before its setting; yea, celebrate them for part of the hours of the night, and at the sides of the day: that thou mayest have (spiritual) joy.
Therefor (O Muhammad), bear with what they say, and celebrate the praise of thy Lord ere the rising of the sun and ere the going down thereof. And glorify Him some hours of the night and at the two ends of the day, that thou mayst find acceptance.
So be patient over what they say and exalt [Allah] with praise of your Lord before the rising of the sun and before its setting; and during periods of the night [exalt Him] and at the ends of the day, that you may be satisfied.
Nor strain thine eyes in longing for the things We have given for enjoyment to parties of them, the splendour of the life of this world, through which We test them: but the provision of thy Lord is better and more enduring.
And strain not thine eyes toward that which We cause some wedded pairs among them to enjoy, the flower of the life of the world, that We may try them thereby. The provision of thy Lord is better and more lasting.
And do not extend your eyes toward that by which We have given enjoyment to [some] categories of them, [its being but] the splendor of worldly life by which We test them. And the provision of your Lord is better and more enduring.
Enjoin prayer on thy people, and be constant therein. We ask thee not to provide sustenance: We provide it for thee. But the (fruit of) the Hereafter is for righteousness.
And enjoin upon thy people worship, and be constant therein. We ask not of thee a provision: We provided for thee. And the sequel is for righteousness.
And enjoin prayer upon your family [and people] and be steadfast therein. We ask you not for provision; We provide for you, and the [best] outcome is for [those of] righteousness.
They say: "Why does he not bring us a sign from his Lord?" Has not a Clear Sign come to them of all that was in the former Books of revelation?
And they say: If only he would bring us a miracle from his Lord! Hath there not come unto them the proof of what is in the former scriptures ?
And they say, "Why does he not bring us a sign from his Lord?" Has there not come to them evidence of what was in the former scriptures?
And if We had inflicted on them a penalty before this, they would have said: "Our Lord! If only Thou hadst sent us a messenger, we should certainly have followed Thy Signs before we were humbled and put to shame."
And if we had destroyed them with some punishment before it, they would assuredly have said: Our Lord! If only Thou hadst sent unto us a messenger, so that we might have followed Thy revelations before we were (thus) humbled and disgraced!
And if We had destroyed them with a punishment before him, they would have said, "Our Lord, why did You not send to us a messenger so we could have followed Your verses before we were humiliated and disgraced?"
Say: "Each one (of us) is waiting: wait ye, therefore, and soon shall ye know who it is that is on the straight and even way, and who it is that has received Guidance."
Say: Each is awaiting; so await ye! Ye will come to know who are the owners of the path of equity, and who is right.
Say, "Each [of us] is waiting; so wait. For you will know who are the companions of the sound path and who is guided."