Alif L'ãm M'ïm Suãd.[1] This Book is revealed to you; let there be no hesitation in your heart about it so that you may thereby warn the unbelievers and remind the believers.[2] Say: "O people, follow what has been brought down to you from your Rabb and do not follow other patrons besides Him." Yet little do they take admonition.[3] How many towns have We destroyed for their sins? Our scourge took them all of a sudden at night or while they were taking their afternoon rest,[4] and when our scourge fell upon them, their only cry was: “We have indeed been wrongdoers."[5] On the Day of Judgment We shall question those to whom Rasools were sent and We shall also question the Rasools about Our message and its response.[6] Then We shall tell their whole story as an eye witness for We were never absent at any time or from any place.[7] On that Day, the scale of justice shall be established. Those whose scale of good deeds will be heavy, they are the ones who will attain felicity,[8] and those whose scale is light, they shall find themselves in loss for they had done injustice to Our revelations.[9] We are the One Who established you on earth, and provided you means of your sustenance therein: yet little it is that you pay thanks.[10]

SECTION: 2
Indeed We created you, then We fashioned you, then We asked the angels: "Prostrate yourselves before Adam." They all prostrated accordingly except Iblees (Shaitãn) who did not join those who prostrated.[11] Allah said: “What prevented you from prostrating when I commanded you?” He replied: “I am better than he; you created me from fire and him from clay.”[12] Allah said: “Get down from here. You have no right to brag here of your superiority. Get out, henceforth you are of the petty ones."[13] Shaitãn requested: “Give me respite till the Day of Resurrection."[14] Allah said: “The respite you requested is hereby granted."[15] Shaitãn declared: “Since You let me deviate, now I will lie in ambush for mankind on Your Right Way.[16] I Will come upon them from the front, from the rear, from the right, and from the left, and You will not find most of them to be grateful."[17] Allah said: “Get out from here, you despicable outcast; I will certainly fill hell with you and all of them who follow you."[18]

Allah said: "O Adam! Dwell with your wife in paradise and eat any fruit you please; but never approach this tree or you shall both become wrongdoers."[19] But Shaitãn tempted them so that he might reveal to them the private parts of their bodies which they had never seen before. He told them: “Your Rabb has forbidden you to approach this tree only to prevent you from becoming angels or immortals."[20] And he swore to them both: “I am your sincere adviser."[21] Thus he cunningly seduced them, and when they ate from the tree, their shame became visible to them and they began to cover themselves with the leaves of the garden. Then their Rabb called out to them: “Did I not forbid you to approach that tree, and did not I warn you that Shaitãn was your open enemy?”[22] They both replied: “Our Rabb! We have wronged our souls. If You do not forgive us and have mercy on us, we shall certainly be of the losers.”[23] Allah said: “Go down, some of you are the enemy of others. The Earth will be your dwelling-place and your means of livelihood for a fixed term.”[24] He further said: “Therein you shall live and therein you shall die, and therefrom you shall be raised to life."[25]

SECTION: 3
O children of Adam! We have sent down to you clothing to cover your nakedness and as an adornment, however, the best clothing is the clothing of piety. This is one of Allah’s revelations so that the people may learn a lesson.[26] O children of Adam! Let not Shaitãn seduce you in the same manner as he seduced your parents out of paradise through stripping them of their clothing in order to expose their nakedness. He and his tribe watch you from where you cannot see them. We have permitted the shaitãns to be the guardians over the unbelievers.[27] Whenever they commit a shameful deed, they say: “We found our forefathers doing this and Allah Himself has commanded us to do so." Tell them: “Nay! Allah never commands what is shameful. Do you attribute to Allah something about which you have no knowledge?”[28] O Muhammad, say to them: “My Rabb has commanded justice and that you set your faces in the right direction at the time of every prayer and call on Him with true devotion. You shall return to Him as He created you in the beginning."[29] To one group He has guided while the other group deserved to be left in error due to their own choice; for they took the shaitãns for their protectors instead of Allah, yet they think that they are guided.[30] O Children of Adam! Put on your adornment (proper and decent dress) when you attend your Masjid at the time of every prayer. Eat and drink, but do not be extravagant; surely He does not love the extravagant.[31]

SECTION: 4
O Muhammad, ask them: "Who has forbidden you to wear decent clothes or to eat the good food which Allah has provided for His devotees?" Say: "All these things are for the enjoyment of the believers in the life of this world though shared by others; but these shall be exclusively theirs on the Day of Resurrection. Thus do We make Our revelations clear for those who understand."[32] Say: "My Rabb has forbidden all indecencies whether open or secret, sin and rebellion against justice, committing shirk with Allah for which He has granted no sanction, and saying things about Allah of which you have no knowledge.[33] For every nation there is a fixed term, when their term expires, it can neither be delayed for a moment nor can it be made to come early."[34]

O children of Adam! Whenever there come to you Rasools from among you and recite to you My revelations, those who will become righteous and mend their ways will have nothing to fear or to regret;[35] but those who deny Our revelations and treat them with arrogance, shall be the inmates of hellfire to live therein forever.[36] Who can be more unjust than the one who invents a lie against Allah or rejects His revelations? Such people will have their destined portion from the Book (what was written for them to receive during their life on earth); until when Our messengers (angels of death) arrive to take away their souls, they will ask: “Where are those gods whom you used to invoke besides Allah?” They will reply: “They have forsaken us” and they will bear witness against themselves (admit) that they were indeed kuffãr (unbelievers).[37] Allah will say: “Enter the fire and join the nations of Jinns and men who have gone before you." As each nation will enter hell, it will curse its preceding sister till all are gathered there, the last of them will say about the first one: “Our Rabb! These have led us astray; therefore, give them double punishment of the fire.” He will answer: “There will be double for all, although you may not know because of being predecessor or successor in sin and aggression."[38] Then the first will say to the last: “If we were to blame, you too, were no better than us; now taste the punishment of your misdeeds."[39]

SECTION: 5
Surely, the gates of the Heaven will not be opened for those who deny Our revelations and treat them with arrogance; their admission into paradise will be as impossible as the passing of a camel through the eye of a needle. That is how We shall reward the criminals.[40] Hell shall be their bed and flames shall be their covering. That is how We shall reward the wrongdoers.[41]

As for those who believe and do good deeds - We never burden a soul with more than it can bear - they are worthy of Paradise, wherein they will live forever.[42] We shall remove whatever ill-feeling they may have in their hearts against one another. Rivers will be flowing beneath them; and they will say: “Praise be to Allah Who guided us this way, we would have never found the Right Way if Allah had not guided us. The Rasools of our Rabb have surely preached us the truth." At that time they will hear the announcement: “This is paradise, which you have inherited because of your good deeds."[43]

The residents of paradise will call out to the inmates of the hellfire: “We have indeed found out the promises of our Rabb to be true. Have you, too, found the promise of your Rabb to be true?” “Yes,” they will answer, and a herald will proclaim among them, “the curse of Allah be upon those wrongdoers[44] who hindered other people from the Way of Allah and sought to make it crooked, and who did not believe in the hereafter."[45] Between the two, there shall be a veil, and on the A‘rãf (heights) there will be people who will recognize them by their features. They will call out to the residents of Paradise: “Peace be upon you!” They will not have yet entered it, though they will have the hope."[46] When their eyes shall turn towards the inmates of the hellfire they will say: “Our Rabb! Do not cast us among these wrongdoers."[47]

SECTION: 6
The people of the A'rãf (heights) will call to certain men (famous personalities from among the inmates of Hell) whom they will recognize by their features and say: “Have you found out that neither your riches nor your arrogant pride have availed you?[48] Are the residents of paradise not the same people about whom you swore that Allah will never bestow His mercy on them?” Today the same people are being welcomed with the words, “Enter paradise, you have nothing to fear or to regret."[49] Then the inmates of the fire will cry out to the residents of paradise: “Give us some water or some of the food which Allah has provided you." They will reply: “Allah has prohibited both of these things to the unbelievers,[50] who took their religion to be mere amusement and play and were deceived by their earthly life." Allah will say: “Today We will forget them as they forgot the meeting of this Day; and mocked at Our revelations."[51] For We have certainly brought them a Book which provides clear details based on knowledge and which is a guidance and blessing for the true believers.[52] Now are these people waiting for anything other than the Day of Fulfillment (Day of Judgment)? When the Day of Fulfillment will come, those who have disregarded it, will say: “Indeed the Rasools of our Rabb had come with the truth. Are there any intercessors now, who could intercede on our behalf? Or could we be sent back so that we would not do as we have done before." In fact they would have lost their souls and the things they had invented will leave them in the lurch.[53]

SECTION: 7
Surely your Rabb is Allah Who created the heavens and the earth in six Yõme (time periods) and is firmly established on the throne of authority. He makes the night cover the day and the day follow the night automatically. He created the sun, the moon and the stars, and made them subservient to His will. Take note: His is the creation, and His is the command. Blessed is Allah, the Rabb of the worlds![54] Call on your Rabb with humility and in private; for He does not love the transgressors.[55] Do not create mischief in the land after it has been set in order. Pray to Him with fear and hope. Surely the mercy of Allah is always close to those who do good to others.[56] He is the One Who sends the winds bearing good news of His blessings, so when they lift up heavy clouds, We drive them along to a dead countryside and make the rain fall upon it and bring forth all kinds of fruits from the same dead land. Likewise We will raise the dead to life; this example is given so that you may learn a lesson from this observation.[57] The good soil yields rich produce by the permission of Allah and barren soil yields nothing but poor produce. Thus do We explain Our revelations over and over again for those who pay thanks.[58]

SECTION: 8
Indeed We selected Nüh for the guidance of his people, and he said: “O my people! Worship Allah, you have no god but Him. If you do not listen to what I say, I fear for you the punishment of a Mighty Day."[59] The chiefs of his nation said: “Surely we see that you are in evident error.”[60] He replied: “O my people! I am not in error; on the contrary, I am a Rasool from the Rabb of the worlds.[61] I am appointed to deliver the message of my Rabb and give you friendly advice for I know from Allah something that you do not know.[62] Do you wonder that there has come to you a message from your Rabb through a man from among yourselves to warn you, so that you may fear Allah in order to receive His mercy?”[63] But they denied him, as a result We saved him and all who were with him in the ark, and drowned those who denied Our revelations. Surely they were a blind nation.[64]

SECTION: 9
For the people of ‘Ad We selected their brother Hüd, who said: “O my people! Worship Allah! You have no god but Him. Will you not fear Him?”[65] The chiefs of his nation who denied his message said: “We can see that you are crazy and we think that you are lying."[66] He replied: “O my people! I am not crazy, on the contrary I am a Rasool from the Rabb of the worlds.[67] I am conveying the message of my Rabb to you, and I am an honest adviser to you.[68] Do you wonder that a reminder from your Rabb has come to you through one of your own men to warn you? Remember that He made you successors after the people of Nüh and gave you a tall stature as compared to other people. Therefore, remember the favors that you have received from Allah, so that you may prosper."[69] They replied: “Have you come to us with the demand that we should worship Allah Alone and give up those whom our forefathers used to worship? Well, bring us what you are threatening us with if what you say is true!”[70] Hüd said: “You have already incurred the blight and wrath of your Rabb. Would you dispute with me about mere names which you and your forefathers have invented, and for which Allah has revealed no sanction? If so then wait for the decision of Allah, I too will wait with you."[71] We saved him and his companions by Our mercy and We cut off the roots of (annihilated) those who denied Our revelations and did not become believers.[72]

We also selected Lüt, who said to his people: “Will you do such indecent acts as no one else in the world has committed before you?[80] You satisfy your lust with men (homosexual) instead of women. Indeed you are a nation who has transgressed beyond bounds."[81] His people had no answer but to say: “Drive them out of your town, they pose to be very pious!”[82] So We saved him and his family except his wife, who was of those who lagged behind.[83] We let loose rain of brimstone and every one of them was killed; see what was the outcome for such criminals.[84]

SECTION: 11
For Madyan We selected their brother Shu‘aib, who said: “O my people! Worship Allah, you have no other god but Him. A clear guidance has come to you from your Rabb. Give just measure and weight, do not undersell others in their goods, and do not create mischief in the land after it has been set in order; this is better for you if you are true believers.[85] Do not sit in ambush on every road to threaten people and hinder from the Way of Allah those who believe in Him, seeking to make His Way crooked. Remember how He multiplied you when you were a few in number and see what was the end of the mischief-makers of prior nations.[86] If there are some among you who believe in the message with which I have been sent and others who disbelieve it, then be patient until Allah judges between us, for He is the best of all judges."[87]

The arrogant proud leaders of his nation said: “O Shu‘aib! We shall certainly drive you and your fellow believers out of our town or you will have to return back to our national ways." He replied: “What! Will you make us turn back against our will?[88] We shall indeed invent a lie against Allah if we return to your ways after Allah has rescued us therefrom. It is not possible for us to turn back unless Allah, our Rabb, want us to. Our Rabb has vast knowledge of everything. We put our trust in Allah." Then they prayed: "Our Rabb! Decide between us and our nation with truth, for you are the best to decide."[89] The leaders who disbelieved from among his nation said: “If you follow Shu`aib, you shall indeed be losers!”[90] Thereupon an earthquake overtook them and they became lifeless bodies in their homes with their faces down.[91] Those who called Shu`aib a liar were as though they never lived therein; those who called Shu`aib a liar were the actual losers.[92] Shu`aib left them saying: “O my people! I did indeed convey to you the messages of my Rabb and I did give you good advice; how shall I then be sorry for the nation that refuses to believe?”[93]

SECTION: 12
Whenever We sent a Prophet to a town We afflicted its people with adversity and misfortunes so that they might humble themselves.[94] Then We changed their adversity into good fortune till they became very affluent and said: “Our forefathers also had their adversity and affluence." Behold! We took them by surprise while they did not even notice it.[95] Had the residents of the towns believed and feared Allah, We would have showered upon them riches from the heavens and the earth, but they disbelieved; so We seized them for their misdeeds.[96] Do the people of these towns now feel secure from Our punishment coming to them by night while they might be fast asleep?[97] Or do the people of these towns feel secure from Our punishment coming to them in broad daylight while they are playing around?[98] Do these people feel secure against the plan of Allah? In fact, only those people feel secure from the plan of Allah who are doomed to destruction.[99]

SECTION: 13
Is it not a guiding lesson to those who inherit the earth after its former occupants, that if We please, We can punish them for their sins and seal their hearts so they would not hear?[100] Those towns whose stories We related to you, can serve as examples. Certainly their Rasools came to them with clear signs, but they persisted in their unbelief and would not believe what they had denied before. That’s why Allah sealed the hearts of those unbelievers.[101] We did not find most of them true to their commitments, rather We found that most of them were transgressors.[102]

Then after them, We sent Musa (Moses) with Our revelations to Fir'on (Pharaoh) and his chiefs but they too treated Our revelations unjustly, so see what was the end of those mischief-makers.[103] Musa said: “O Fir'on! I am a Rasool from the Rabb of the worlds.[104] It is not befitting for me to say anything about Allah except the Truth. I have come to you from your Rabb with clear signs of appointment, therefore, send the children of Israel with me."[105] Fir'on asked: “If you have come with a sign then produce it, if what you say is true."[106] So Musa threw down his staff and all of a sudden it became a real serpent.[107] Then he drew out his hand from his pocket and it became shining white to all the beholders.[108]

SECTION: 14
The chiefs of Fir'on’s nation said: “He indeed is a skilled sorcerer[109] who intends to drive you out from your land." Fir'on asked: "So what do you propose?"[110] They said: “Put him and his brother off for a while; and send the collectors to all the cities[111] and summon every skillful sorcerer to you."[112] The sorcerers came to Fir'on and said: “We must certainly have some suitable reward if we prevail!”[113] "Yes," he answered. “Not only reward but more: you shall certainly become my favored friends."[114] Then they asked Musa: “Will you cast, or should we be the first ones to cast?”[115] Musa said: “You cast." So when they cast, they bewitched the eyes of the people and terrified them by a display of a mighty sorcery.[116] We inspired Musa to cast his staff. No sooner did he cast his staff than it became a serpent and began to swallow up the creation of their sorcery![117] Thus the truth prevailed and all that they did collapsed.[118] Fir'on and his people were defeated and put to humiliation,[119] and the sorcerers, since they were professionals and knew that it was not sorcery, fell down in prostration,[120] saying: “we believe in the Rabb of the worlds,[121] the Rabb of Musa and Haroon."[122] Fir'on said: “How dare you believe in Him without my permission? In fact this was a plot which you all had planned to drive the people out of their city, but soon you will know its consequences.[123] I will have your hands and your feet cut off on opposite sides and then crucify you all."[124] They answered: “We will surely return to our Rabb.[125] Look at your verdict, you want to take revenge simply because we believed in the signs of our Rabb when they came before us! O Rabb! Give us patience and cause us die as Muslims."[126]

SECTION: 15
The chiefs of Fir'on’s (Pharaoh's) nation asked him: “Will you leave Musa (Moses) and his nation free to commit mischief in the land and to forsake you and your gods?” He said: “We will put their sons to death and spare their daughters; we have irresistible power over them."[127] Musa said to his people: “Seek help from Allah and be patient. The land belongs to Allah. He gives it as a heritage to those of His devotees whom He pleases. You should know that final success is for the righteous."[128] They said: “We were oppressed before you came to us and since you have come to us." He replied: “It is quite possible that your Rabb may destroy your enemy and make you vicegerent in the land; then He will see how you act."[129]

SECTION: 16
We afflicted Fir'on’s people with several years of famine and shortages of fruit so that they might come to their senses.[130] But whenever they had good times they said “It is our due,” and whenever evil befell them, they ascribed that bad luck to Musa and those with him. Behold! In fact their misfortune was in the hands of Allah; yet most of them do not know.[131] They said to Musa: “No matter what sign you may bring us to put your magic spell, we are not going to believe you."[132] So We plagued them with storms, locusts, lice, frogs and blood: clear cut signs, yet they persisted in their arrogance, for they were a criminal nation.[133] Every time the plague befell them, they said: “O Musa! Pray for us to your Rabb as He has made the promise with you, if you help remove the plague from us, we shall truly believe in you and send the Children of Israel with you."[134] But every time We removed the plague from them and the appointed time for the release of the Children of Israel came, lo! They broke their promise.[135] Therefore, We inflicted retribution on them and drowned them in the sea, for they denied Our signs and became heedless of them.[136] Thus We made that nation which was oppressed, the inheritors of the eastern and western lands which We had blessed. That’s how the fair promise of your Rabb was fulfilled for the Children of Israel because they had endured with patience; and We levelled to the ground the great works and fine buildings which Fir'on and his nation had erected with such pride.[137]

We made the Children of Israel cross the (Red) sea. On their way they came across a people who were worshipping their idols. They said: “O Musa (Moses) fashion for us an Ilãh (a god for worship) like the gods of these people." He replied: “You are indeed very ignorant people,[138] don’t you realize, what these people are following is doomed to destruction and their deeds are in vain."[139] He further said: “Should I seek for you a god for worship other than Allah: when it is He who has exalted you above all the worlds[140] and while Allah says, "Remember that We rescued you from people of Fir‘on (Pharaoh), who subjected you to cruel torment, putting your sons to death and sparing your women and in that condition of slavery there was a great trial from your Rabb."[141]

SECTION: 17
We summoned Musa to the mount of Tür for thirty nights and added ten more to complete the term of forty nights for communion with his Rabb. (Before leaving) Musa asked his brother Haroon (Aaron): “You will be in my place among my people, set a good example and do not follow the way of mischief-makers."[142] When Musa came to Our appointed place and his Rabb spoke to him, he asked: “O my Rabb! Give me power of sight to see You." He answered: “You cannot see Me. Look at the mountain; if it remains firm in its place then soon you might be able to see Me”. When his Rabb manifested His glory on the mountain, it turned into small pieces of fine dust and Musa fell down unconscious. When Musa recovered he said: “Glory be to You! Accept my repentance and I am the first of the believers."[143] Allah said: “O Musa! I have chosen you from among mankind to deliver My message and to have conversation with Me: so take what I give you and be thankful."[144]

We inscribed for him upon tablets all kind of instructions and details of every thing, concerning all branches of life, and said: “Observe these with firmness and enjoin your people to follow them according to the best of their abilities. Soon I shall show you the homes of the transgressors.[145] I will turn away from My signs the eyes of those who are unjustly arrogant in the land, so that even if they see each and every sign they will not believe in it. If they see the Right Way before them they will not follow it; but if they see a crooked way they will follow it; this is because they denied Our revelations and were heedless of them.[146] Those who deny Our signs and the meeting of the Hereafter, their deeds are null. Should they be rewarded except for what they have done?”[147]

SECTION: 18
In his absence the nation of Musa (Moses) made an image of a calf for worship from their jewelry which produced a mooing sound. Did they not see that it could neither speak to them nor give them the guidance? Yet they took it for worship and became wrongdoers.[148] When they felt ashamed about what they had done and realized that they had gone astray, they said: “If our Rabb does not have mercy on us and pardon us, we shall become losers."[149] When Musa came back to his people, he was extremely angry and sorrowful, and he said: “What an evil thing you have done in my place in my absence! Have you tried to hasten the retribution of your Rabb?” He put down the Holy Tablets and seized his brother by the hair of his head and dragged him closer. Haroon (Aaron) cried: “O son of my mother! The people overpowered me and almost killed me; do not make my enemies happy over me and do not count me among the wrongdoers."[150] At this Musa said: “O Rabb! Forgive me and my brother! And admit us to Your mercy, for You are the Most Merciful of all."[151]

SECTION: 19
Those who worshipped the calf have indeed incurred the wrath of their Rabb and disgrace in this life; thus do We recompense those who invent falsehoods.[152] As for those who do evil deeds, then repent and become true believers thereafter, your Rabb is most surely the Forgiving, Merciful.[153] When Musa’s anger calmed down he took up the Holy Tablets in whose writing there was guidance and mercy for those that fear their Rabb.[154] Musa chose seventy men from his nation to accompany him to Our place of meeting. On their way when they were seized by a violent earthquake, he prayed: “O my Rabb! Had it been Your will, You could have destroyed them long ago, and myself too. Would You destroy us for the offense committed by some fools among us? That trial was ordained by You, to confound whom You willed and to guide whom You pleased. You are our Guardian, therefore, forgive us and have mercy on us; for You are the best of all forgivers![155] O Allah ordain for us what is good in this life and in the Hereafter, surely we have turned to You." He replied: “I will inflict My punishment upon whom I please; yet My mercy encompasses everything. I will ordain special mercy for those who do righteous deeds, pay Zakah and believe in Our revelations." [156]

Now, special mercy is assigned to those who follow the Rasool, the unlettered Prophet (Muhammad) - whom they shall find described in the Taurãt (Torah) and the Injeel (Gospel). Who enjoins them what is good and forbids what is evil; makes pure things Halãl (lawful) for them and impure things Harãm (unlawful); relieves them from their heavy burdens and from the yokes that were around their necks. Therefore, those who believe in him, honor him, help him, and follow the Light which is sent down with him, will be the ones who will be successful in this life and the hereafter”.[157]

SECTION: 20
O Muhammad, say: “O mankind! I am the Rasool of Allah towards all of you from He to whom belongs the kingdom of the heavens and the earth. There is no deity but Him. He brings to life and causes to die. Therefore, believe in Allah and His Rasool, the unlettered Prophet (Muhammad) who believes in Allah and His Word. Follow him so that you may be rightly guided."[158]

In the nation of Musa (Moses) there were some who guided others with the truth and thereby established justice.[159] We divided them into twelve tribes, as nations; and when his thirsty people asked him for water, We revealed to Musa: “Strike the rock with your staff." Thereupon twelve springs gushed out from the rock, each tribe was specified its drinking place. We caused the clouds to cast shadow over them and sent down to them manna and salva for their food, saying: “Eat of the pure things We have provided for you,” but they rebelled and by doing so they did not harm Us but they did injustice to their own souls.[160] When it was said to them: “Reside in this town and eat therein whatever you please and say ‘Hittatun’ (forgive us) and enter the gate in a posture of humility; We will forgive you your sins and increase all the more the reward for such righteous people."[161] But the wicked among them changed that word which was said to them, as a result We sent down a scourge upon them from heaven for their wrong doings.[162]

SECTION: 21
Ask them, about the town which was situated on the sea shore, what happened when they transgressed in the matter of Sabbath. On the day of their Sabbath the fish appeared before them on the surface of the water but on the days other than their Sabbath they never came near them; thus did We tempt them because they transgressed.[163] Also remind them about the conversation among some of them, when some of them asked: “Why do you admonish a people whom Allah will destroy or sternly punish?” They replied: “To be able to offer an excuse before our Rabb that we did discharge our duty, and also in the hope that they may refrain from His disobedience."[164] However, when they disregarded the reminder, We delivered those who forbade evil and We overtook those who were wrongdoers with stern punishment because of their transgression.[165] But when after that they persisted in their forbidden ways, We said to them: “Be detested apes."[166] Also remind them when your Rabb declared that He would raise against them others who would afflict them with grievous torment till the Day of Resurrection. Swift is the retribution of your Rabb, yet He is also the Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.[167] We broke their unity as a nation and dispersed them into different communities all over the earth - some of them are righteous and others are the opposite - We tested them with both blessings and misfortunes so that they might turn to the Right Way.[168]

Then they were succeeded by an evil generation who inherited the Book; they indulged in the vanities of this nether life, saying: “We expect to be forgiven” assuming that they are favorites of Allah and somehow He will spare them. Yet if similar vanities come their way they would again seize them. Was not a covenant taken from them in the Book that they would not speak anything about Allah except the truth? And they have studied what is in the Book. Best for the righteous is the home of the hereafter, don’t you understand?[169] As for those who strictly observe the Book and establish Salah, surely We never let the reward of such righteous people go waste.[170] Remember when We suspended the mountain over them as though it was an umbrella and they feared it was going to fall on them and We said: “Hold firmly to the Book that We have given you and be mindful of what is in it, so that you may guard yourselves against evil."[170]

SECTION: 22
O Prophet, remind mankind about the incident when your Rabb brought into existence the offspring from the loins of Adam and his descendants (virtually each single individual of mankind) and made them testify about themselves. Allah asked them: “Am I not your Rabb?” They all replied: “Yes! We bear witness that You are." This We did, lest you mankind should say on the Day of Resurrection: “We were not aware of this fact that You are our Rabb and that there will be a Day of Judgment.[172] or lest you should say: "Our forefathers started the practice of shirk and we just followed, being their descendants. Will you then destroy us on account of following the sin committed by those wrongdoers?”[173] Thus do We spell out Our revelations so that you might return to the Right Way.[174]

Tell them the story of that person to whom We sent our revelations but he turned away from them, as a result Shaitãn persuaded him until he become one of the misguided.[175] Had it been Our will, We would have exalted him through those revelations; but he clung to this earthly life and followed his own desires. His similitude is that of a dog: if you chase him he lolls out his tongue and if you leave him alone he still lolls out his tongue. Such are those who deny Our revelations, tell them these parables, so that they might think over their behavior to Our revelations.[176] Very bad is the example of those people who deny Our revelations and wrong their own souls.[177] Only he whom Allah guides is rightly guided; and whom He confounds will become the losers.[178]

Certainly, We have destined many Jinns and human beings for hell; those are the ones who have hearts with which they do not understand, they have eyes with which they do not see, they have ears with which they do not hear. They are like animals - or even worse than them , because they are those who are heedless.[179] Allah has the most excellent names (over ninety-nine attributes); call on Him by them ; and shun those people who use profanity in His Names, such people shall be requited for their misdeeds.[180] Among those whom We have created, there are some people who guide others with the truth and establish justice therewith.[181]

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Those who deny Our revelations, We draw them step by step closer to destruction in ways that they do not realize,[182] and even though I grant them respite; My plan is surely effective.[183] Has it never occurred to them that their companion is not a madman; he is merely a plain Warner.[184] Have they not pondered over the kingdom of the heavens and the earth and whatever Allah has created, and that maybe their hour of death has come closer? In what message after this would they then believe?[185] None can guide those whom Allah confounds and leaves them blundering about in their rebellious transgression.[186] They ask you about the Hour of Doom and when will it take place. Say: “Knowledge about it rests only with my Rabb: He Himself will disclose it at the proper time. Heavy is its weight in the heavens and the earth. It will not come gradually but all of a sudden. They ask you as if you yourself were in search of it. Tell them: “The knowledge about it rests only with Allah though most people do not understand."[187] Further tell them: “I have no power to acquire benefit or avert any harm from myself, only that happens which Allah wants. Had I possessed the knowledge of the unseen, I would have acquired many benefits to myself; and no harm would have touched me. I am no more than a Warner and bearer of good news for the true believers."[188]

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He is the one who created you from a single being and from that being He created his mate, so that he might find comfort with her. When he covers her, she conceives a light burden and walks around with it. When it grows heavy they both pray to Allah their Rabb saying: “If You will grant us a healthy child, we will be truly thankful."[189] But when He gives them a healthy child, they both begin to associate partners with Him in what He has given them; but Allah is exalted far above the shirk they commit of associating other deities with Him as His partners.[190] Do they associate with Him those deities who can create nothing but are themselves created,[191] they have neither the ability to help them, nor can they help themselves?[192] If you invite them to guidance they will not follow you. It will be all the same for you whether you call them or hold your peace.[193] In fact those whom you call besides Allah are bondmen, like yourselves. Well call them, and let them answer you, if what you say is true![194] Have they feet to walk with? Have they hands to hold with? Have they eyes to see with? Have they ears to hear with? O Muhammad, say: “Call on your shorakã' (partners you have set up besides Allah) and collectively plot against me and give me no respite![195] My protector is Allah Who has revealed this Book and He is the protecting friend of the righteous.[196] On the contrary, those whom you call besides Him have neither the ability to help you, nor can they help themselves.[197] If you call them to guidance, they cannot even hear what you say, although it appears as if they are looking at you, they do not see.[198]

Show forgiveness, speak for justice and avoid the ignorant.[199] If Shaitãn tempts you, seek refuge with Allah; for He is the one Who is All Hearing, Knowing.[200] Those who fear Allah, when they are tempted by Shaitãn, they have but to remember Allah and they shall see the light (right course of action)![201] As for Shaitãn’s brothers, they drag them deeper into error and never relax their efforts.[202] When you, O Muhammad, do not bring them a revelation, they say: “Have you not yet invented?” Tell them: “I follow only what is revealed to me from my Rabb. This Book contains veritable insight from your Rabb, a guidance and blessing for the true believers."[203] When the Qur’an is recited, listen to it with complete silence so that you may be shown mercy.[204] Bring your Rabb to remembrance deep in your soul with humility and in reverence without raising your voice, both in the mornings and in the evenings; and be not of those who are heedless.[205] Surely those who are close to your Rabb do not feel too proud to worship Him; they declare His glory and prostrate themselves before Him.[206]