The Qur'an. Translated by Abdullah Yusuf Ali. Published by MobileReference (mobi).

by Ali, Abdullah Yusuf

  19.004 Praying: "O my Lord! infirm indeed are my bones, and the hair of my head doth glisten with grey: but never am I unblest, O my Lord, in my prayer to Thee!"

  19.005 "Now I fear (what) my relatives (and colleagues) (will do) after me: but my wife is barren: so give me an heir as from Thyself,"-

  19.006 "(One that) will (truly) represent me, and represent the posterity of Jacob; and make him, O my Lord! one with whom Thou art well-pleased!"

  19.007 (His prayer was answered): "O Zakariya! We give thee good news of a son: His name shall be Yahya: on none by that name have We conferred distinction before."

  19.008 He said: "O my Lord! How shall I have a son, when my wife is barren and I have grown quite decrepit from old age?"

  19.009 He said: "So (it will be) thy Lord saith, 'that is easy for Me: I did indeed create thee before, when thou hadst been nothing!'"

  19.010 (Zakariya) said: "O my Lord! give me a Sign." "Thy Sign," was the answer, "Shall be that thou shalt speak to no man for three nights, although thou art not dumb."

  19.011 So Zakariya came out to his people from him chamber: He told them by signs to celebrate Allah's praises in the morning and in the evening.

  19.012 (To his son came the command): "O Yahya! take hold of the Book with might": and We gave him Wisdom even as a youth,

  19.013 And piety (for all creatures) as from Us, and purity: He was devout,

  19.014 And kind to his parents, and he was not overbearing or rebellious.

  19.015 So Peace on him the day he was born, the day that he dies, and the day that he will be raised up to life (again)!

  19.016 Relate in the Book (the story of) Mary, when she withdrew from her family to a place in the East.

  19.017 She placed a screen (to screen herself) from them; then We sent her our angel, and he appeared before her as a man in all respects.

  19.018 She said: "I seek refuge from thee to (Allah) Most Gracious: (come not near) if thou dost fear Allah."

  19.019 He said: "Nay, I am only a messenger from thy Lord, (to announce) to thee the gift of a holy son."

  19.020 She said: "How shall I have a son, seeing that no man has touched me, and I am not unchaste?"

  19.021 He said: "So (it will be): Thy Lord saith, 'that is easy for Me: and (We wish) to appoint him as a Sign unto men and a Mercy from Us': It is a matter (so) decreed."

  19.022 So she conceived him, and she retired with him to a remote place.

  19.023 And the pains of childbirth drove her to the trunk of a palm-tree: She cried (in her anguish): "Ah! would that I had died before this! would that I had been a thing forgotten and out of sight!"

  19.024 But (a voice) cried to her from beneath the (palm-tree): "Grieve not! for thy Lord hath provided a rivulet beneath thee;"

  19.025 "And shake towards thyself the trunk of the palm-tree: It will let fall fresh ripe dates upon thee."

  19.026 "So eat and drink and cool (thine) eye. And if thou dost see any man, say, 'I have vowed a fast to (Allah) Most Gracious, and this day will I enter into not talk with any human being'"

  19.027 At length she brought the (babe) to her people, carrying him (in her arms). They said: "O Mary! truly an amazing thing hast thou brought!"

  19.028 "O sister of Aaron! Thy father was not a man of evil, nor thy mother a woman unchaste!"

  19.029 But she pointed to the babe. They said: "How can we talk to one who is a child in the cradle?"

  19.030 He said: "I am indeed a servant of Allah: He hath given me revelation and made me a prophet;"

  19.031 "And He hath made me blessed wheresoever I be, and hath enjoined on me Prayer and Charity as long as I live;"

  19.032 "(He) hath made me kind to my mother, and not overbearing or miserable;"

  19.033 "So peace is on me the day I was born, the day that I die, and the day that I shall be raised up to life (again)"!

  19.034 Such (was) Jesus the son of Mary: (it is) a statement of truth, about which they (vainly) dispute.

  19.035 It is not befitting to (the majesty of) Allah that He should beget a son. Glory be to Him! when He determines a matter, He only says to it, "Be", and it is.

  it is. 19.036 Verily Allah is my Lord and your Lord: Him therefore serve ye: this is a Way that is straight.

  19.037 But the sects differ among themselves: and woe to the unbelievers because of the (coming) Judgment of a Momentous Day!

  19.038 How plainly will they see and hear, the Day that they will appear before Us! but the unjust today are in error manifest!

  19.039 But warn them of the Day of Distress, when the matter will be determined: for (behold,) they are negligent and they do not believe!

  19.040 It is We Who will inherit the earth, and all beings thereon: to Us will they all be returned.

  19.041 (Also) mention in the Book (the story of) Abraham: He was a man of Truth, a prophet.

  19.042 Behold, he said to his father: "O my father! why worship that which heareth not and seeth not, and can profit thee nothing?"

  19.043 "O my father! to me hath come knowledge which hath not reached thee: so follow me: I will guide thee to a way that is even and straight."

  19.044 "O my father! serve not Satan: for Satan is a rebel against (Allah) Most Gracious."

  19.045 "O my father! I fear lest a Penalty afflict thee from (Allah) Most Gracious, so that thou become to Satan a friend."

  19.046 (The father) replied: "Dost thou hate my gods, O Abraham? If thou forbear not, I will indeed stone thee: Now get away from me for a good long while!"

  19.047 Abraham said: "Peace be on thee: I will pray to my Lord for thy forgiveness: for He is to me Most Gracious."

  19.048 "And I will turn away from you (all) and from those whom ye invoke besides Allah: I will call on my Lord: perhaps, by my prayer to my Lord, I shall be not unblest."

  19.049 When he had turned away from them and from those whom they worshipped besides Allah, We bestowed on him Isaac and Jacob, and each one of them We made a prophet.

  19.050 And We bestowed of Our Mercy on them, and We granted them lofty honour on the tongue of truth.

  19.051 Also mention in the Book (the story of) Moses: for he was specially chosen, and he was a messenger (and) a prophet.

  19.052 And we called him from the right side of Mount (Sinai), and made him draw near to Us, for mystic (converse).

  19.053 And, out of Our Mercy, We gave him his brother Aaron, (also) a prophet.

  19.054 Also mention in the Book (the story of) Isma'il: He was (strictly) true to what he promised, and he was a messenger (and) a prophet.

  19.055 He used to enjoin on his people Prayer and Charity, and he was most acceptable in the sight of his Lord.

  19.056 Also mention in the Book the case of Idris: He was a man of truth (and sincerity), (and) a prophet:

  19.057 And We raised him to a lofty station.

  19.058 Those were some of the prophets on whom Allah did bestow His Grace,- of the posterity of Adam, and of those who We carried (in the Ark) with Noah, and of the posterity of Abraham and Israel of those whom We guided and chose. Whenever the Signs of (Allah) Most Gracious were rehearsed to them, they would fall down in prostrate adoration and in tears.

  19.059 But after them there followed a posterity who missed prayers and followed after lusts soon, then, will they face Destruction,-

  19.060 Except those who repent and believe, and work righteousness: for these will enter the Garden and will not be wronged in the least,-

  19.061 Gardens of Eternity, those which (Allah) Most Gracious has promised to His servants in the Unseen: for His promise must (necessarily) come to pass.

  19.062 They will not there hear any vain discourse, but only salutations of Peace: And they will have therein their sustenance, morning and evening.

  19.063 Such is the Garden which We give as an inheritance to those of Our servants who guard against Evil.

  19.064 (The angels say:) "We descend not but by command of thy Lord: to Him belongeth what is before us and what is behind us,
and what is between: and thy Lord never doth forget,"-

  19.065 "Lord of the heavens and of the earth, and of all that is between them; so worship Him, and be constant and patient in His worship: knowest thou of any who is worthy of the same Name as He?"

  19.066 Man says: "What! When I am dead, shall I then be raised up alive?"

  19.067 But does not man call to mind that We created him before out of nothing?

  19.068 So, by thy Lord, without doubt, We shall gather them together, and (also) the Evil Ones (with them); then shall We bring them forth on their knees round about Hell;

  19.069 Then shall We certainly drag out from every sect all those who were worst in obstinate rebellion against (Allah) Most Gracious.

  19.070 And certainly We know best those who are most worthy of being burned therein.

  19.071 Not one of you but will pass over it: this is, with thy Lord, a Decree which must be accomplished.

  19.072 But We shall save those who guarded against evil, and We shall leave the wrong-doers therein, (humbled) to their knees.

  19.073 When Our Clear Signs are rehearsed to them, the Unbelievers say to those who believe, "Which of the two sides is best in point of position? Which makes the best show in council?"

  19.074 But how many (countless) generations before them have we destroyed, who were even better in equipment and in glitter to the eye?

  19.075 Say: "If any men go astray, (Allah) Most Gracious extends (the rope) to them, until, when they see the warning of Allah (being fulfilled) - either in punishment or in (the approach of) the Hour,- they will at length realise who is worst in position, and (who) weakest in forces!"

  19.076 "And Allah doth advance in guidance those who seek guidance: and the things that endure, Good Deeds, are best in the sight of thy Lord, as rewards, and best in respect of (their) eventual return."

  19.077 Hast thou then seen the (sort of) man who rejects Our Signs, yet says: "I shall certainly be given wealth and children?"

  19.078 Has he penetrated to the Unseen, or has he taken a contract with (Allah) Most Gracious?

  19.079 Nay! We shall record what he says, and We shall add and add to his punishment.

  19.080 To Us shall return all that he talks of and he shall appear before Us bare and alone.

  19.081 And they have taken (for worship) gods other than Allah, to give them power and glory!

  19.082 Instead, they shall reject their worship, and become adversaries against them.

  19.083 Seest thou not that We have set the Evil Ones on against the unbelievers, to incite them with fury?

  19.084 So make no haste against them, for We but count out to them a (limited) number (of days).

  19.085 The day We shall gather the righteous to (Allah) Most Gracious, like a band presented before a king for honours,

  19.086 And We shall drive the sinners to Hell, like thirsty cattle driven down to water,-

  19.087 None shall have the power of intercession, but such a one as has received permission (or promise) from (Allah) Most Gracious.

  19.088 They say: "(Allah) Most Gracious has begotten a son!"

  19.089 Indeed ye have put forth a thing most monstrous!

  19.090 At it the skies are ready to burst, the earth to split asunder, and the mountains to fall down in utter ruin,

  19.091 That they should invoke a son for (Allah) Most Gracious.

  19.092 For it is not consonant with the majesty of (Allah) Most Gracious that He should beget a son.

  19.093 Not one of the beings in the heavens and the earth but must come to (Allah) Most Gracious as a servant.

  19.094 He does take an account of them (all), and hath numbered them (all) exactly.

  19.095 And everyone of them will come to Him singly on the Day of Judgment.

  19.096 On those who believe and work deeds of righteousness, will (Allah) Most Gracious bestow love.

  19.097 So have We made the (Qur'an) easy in thine own tongue, that with it thou mayest give Glad Tidings to the righteous, and warnings to people given to contention.

  19.098 But how many (countless) generations before them have We destroyed? Canst thou find a single one of them (now) or hear (so much as) a whisper of them?

  Chapter 20:

  TA-HA (TA-HA) Total Verses: 135 Revealed At: MAKKA

  In the name of Allah, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful.

  20.001 Ta-Ha.

  20.002 We have not sent down the Qur'an to thee to be (an occasion) for thy distress,

  20.003 But only as an admonition to those who fear (Allah),-

  20.004 A revelation from Him Who created the earth and the heavens on high.

  20.005 (Allah) Most Gracious is firmly established on the throne (of authority).

  20.006 To Him belongs what is in the heavens and on earth, and all between them, and all beneath the soil.

  20.007 If thou pronounce the word aloud, (it is no matter): for verily He knoweth what is secret and what is yet more hidden.

  20.008 Allah! there is no god but He! To Him belong the most Beautiful Names.

  20.009 Has the story of Moses reached thee?

  20.010 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."

  20.011 But when he came to the fire, a voice was heard: "O Moses!"

  20.012 "Verily I am thy Lord! therefore (in My presence) put off thy shoes: thou art in the sacred valley Tuwa."

  20.013 "I have chosen thee: listen, then, to the inspiration (sent to thee)."

  20.014 "Verily, I am Allah: There is no god but I: So serve thou Me (only), and establish regular prayer for celebrating My praise."

  20.015 "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."

  20.016 "Therefore let not such as believe not therein but follow their own lusts, divert thee therefrom, lest thou perish!"..

  20.017 "And what is that in the right hand, O Moses?"

  20.018 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."

  20.019 (Allah) said, "Throw it, O Moses!"

  20.020 He threw it, and behold! It was a snake, active in motion.

  20.021 (Allah) said, "Seize it, and fear not: We shall return it at once to its former condition"..

  20.022 "Now draw thy hand close to thy side: It shall come forth white (and shining), without harm (or stain),- as another Sign,"-

  20.023 "In order that We may show thee (two) of our Greater Signs."

  20.024 "Go thou to Pharaoh, for he has indeed transgressed all bounds."

  20.025 (Moses) said: "O my Lord! expand me my breast;"

  20.026 "Ease my task for me;"

  20.027 "And remove the impediment from my speech,"

  20.028 "So they may understand what I say:"

  20.029 "And give me a Minister from my family,"

  20.030 "Aaron, my brother;"

  20.031 "Add to my strength through him,"

  20.032 "And make him share my task:"

  20.033 "That we may celebrate Thy praise without stint,"

  20.034 "And remember Thee without stint:"

  20.035 "For Thou art He that (ever) regardeth us."

  20.036 (Allah) said: "Granted is thy prayer, O Moses!"

  20.037 "And indeed We conferred a favour on thee another time (before)."

  20.038 "Behold! We sent to thy mother, by inspiration, the message:"

  20.039 "'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."

  20.040 "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!"

  20.041 "And I have prepared thee for Myself (for service)"..

  20.042 "Go, thou and thy brother, with My Signs, and slacken not, either of you, in keeping Me in remembrance."

  20.043 "Go, both of you, to Pharaoh, for he has indeed transgressed all bounds;"

  20.044 "But speak to him mildly; perchance he may take warning or fear (Allah)."

  20.045 They (Moses and Aaron) said: "Our Lord! We fear lest he hasten with insolence against us, or lest he transgress all bounds."

  20.046 He said: "Fear not: for I am with you: I hear and see (everything)."

  20.047 "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!"

  20.048 "'Verily it has been revealed to us that the Penalty (awaits) those who reject and turn away.'"

  20.049 (When this message was delivered), (Pharaoh) said: "Who, then, O Moses, is the Lord of you two?"

  20.050 He said: "Our Lord is He Who gave to each (created) thing its form and nature, and further, gave (it) guidance."

  20.051 (Pharaoh) said: "What then is the condition of previous generations?"

  20.052 He replied: "The knowledge of that is with my Lord, duly recorded: my Lord never errs, nor forgets,"-

  20.053 "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.

  20.054 Eat (for yourselves) and pasture your cattle: verily, in this are Signs for men endued with understanding.

  20.055 From the (earth) did We create you, and into it shall We return you, and from it shall We bring you out once again.

  20.056 And We showed Pharaoh all Our Signs, but he did reject and refuse.

  20.057 He said: "Hast thou come to drive us out of our land with thy magic, O Moses?"

  20.058 "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."