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

Page 38

by Ali, Abdullah Yusuf

36.006 In order that thou mayest admonish a people, whose fathers had received no admonition, and who therefore remain heedless (of the Signs of Allah).

  36.007 The Word is proved true against the greater part of them: for they do not believe.

  36.008 We have put yokes round their necks right up to their chins, so that their heads are forced up (and they cannot see).

  36.009 And We have put a bar in front of them and a bar behind them, and further, We have covered them up; so that they cannot see.

  36.010 The same is it to them whether thou admonish them or thou do not admonish them: they will not believe.

  36.011 Thou canst but admonish such a one as follows the Message and fears the (Lord) Most Gracious, unseen: give such a one, therefore, good tidings, of Forgiveness and a Reward most generous.

  36.012 Verily We shall give life to the dead, and We record that which they send before and that which they leave behind, and of all things have We taken account in a clear Book (of evidence).

  36.013 Set forth to them, by way of a parable, the (story of) the Companions of the City. Behold, there came messengers to it.

  36.014 When We (first) sent to them two messengers, they rejected them: But We strengthened them with a third: they said, "Truly, we have been sent on a mission to you."

  36.015 The (people) said: "Ye are only men like ourselves; and (Allah) Most Gracious sends no sort of revelation: ye do nothing but lie."

  36.016 They said: "Our Lord doth know that we have been sent on a mission to you:"

  36.017 "And our duty is only to proclaim the clear Message."

  36.018 The (people) said: "for us, we augur an evil omen from you: if ye desist not, we will certainly stone you. And a grievous punishment indeed will be inflicted on you by us."

  36.019 They said: "Your evil omens are with yourselves: (deem ye this an evil omen). If ye are admonished? Nay, but ye are a people transgressing all bounds!"

  36.020 Then there came running, from the farthest part of the City, a man, saying, "O my people! Obey the messengers:"

  36.021 "Obey those who ask no reward of you (for themselves), and who have themselves received Guidance."

  36.022 "It would not be reasonable in me if I did not serve Him Who created me, and to Whom ye shall (all) be brought back."

  36.023 "Shall I take (other) gods besides Him? If (Allah) Most Gracious should intend some adversity for me, of no use whatever will be their intercession for me, nor can they deliver me."

  36.024 "I would indeed, if I were to do so, be in manifest Error."

  36.025 "For me, I have faith in the Lord of you (all): listen, then, to me!"

  36.026 It was said: "Enter thou the Garden." He said: "Ah me! Would that my People knew (what I know)!"-

  36.027 "For that my Lord has granted me Forgiveness and has enrolled me among those held in honour!"

  36.028 And We sent not down against his People, after him, any hosts from heaven, nor was it needful for Us so to do.

  36.029 It was no more than a single mighty Blast, and behold! they were (like ashes) quenched and silent.

  36.030 Ah! Alas for (My) Servants! There comes not a messenger to them but they mock him!

  36.031 See they not how many generations before them we destroyed? Not to them will they return:

  36.032 But each one of them all - will be brought before Us (for judgment).

  36.033 A Sign for them is the earth that is dead: We do give it life, and produce grain therefrom, of which ye do eat.

  36.034 And We produce therein orchard with date-palms and vines, and We cause springs to gush forth therein:

  36.035 That they may enjoy the fruits of this (artistry): It was not their hands that made this: will they not then give thanks?

  36.036 Glory to Allah, Who created in pairs all things that the earth produces, as well as their own (human) kind and (other) things of which they have no knowledge.

  36.037 And a Sign for them is the Night: We withdraw therefrom the Day, and behold they are plunged in darkness;

  36.038 And the sun runs his course for a period determined for him: that is the decree of (Him), the Exalted in Might, the All-Knowing.

  36.039 And the Moon,- We have measured for her mansions (to traverse) till she returns like the old (and withered) lower part of a date-stalk.

  36.040 It is not permitted to the Sun to catch up the Moon, nor can the Night outstrip the Day: Each (just) swims along in (its own) orbit (according to Law).

  36.041 And a Sign for them is that We bore their race (through the Flood) in the loaded Ark;

  36.042 And We have created for them similar (vessels) on which they ride.

  36.043 If it were Our Will, We could drown them: then would there be no helper (to hear their cry), nor could they be delivered,

  36.044 Except by way of Mercy from Us, and by way of (world) convenience (to serve them) for a time.

  36.045 When they are told, "Fear ye that which is before you and that which will be after you, in order that ye may receive Mercy," (they turn back).

  36.046 Not a Sign comes to them from among the Signs of their Lord, but they turn away therefrom.

  36.047 And when they are told, "Spend ye of (the bounties) with which Allah has provided you," the Unbelievers say to those who believe: "Shall we then feed those whom, if Allah had so willed, He would have fed, (Himself)?- Ye are in nothing but manifest error."

  36.048 Further, they say, "When will this promise (come to pass), if what ye say is true?"

  36.049 They will not (have to) wait for aught but a single Blast: it will seize them while they are yet disputing among themselves!

  36.050 No (chance) will they then have, by will, to dispose (of their affairs), nor to return to their own people!

  36.051 The trumpet shall be sounded, when behold! from the sepulchres (men) will rush forth to their Lord!

  36.052 They will say: "Ah! Woe unto us! Who hath raised us up from our beds of repose?"... (A voice will say:) "This is what (Allah) Most Gracious had promised. And true was the word of the messengers!"

  36.053 It will be no more than a single Blast, when lo! they will all be brought up before Us!

  36.054 Then, on that Day, not a soul will be wronged in the least, and ye shall but be repaid the meeds of your past Deeds.

  36.055 Verily the Companions of the Garden shall that Day have joy in all that they do;

  36.056 They and their associates will be in groves of (cool) shade, reclining on Thrones (of dignity);

  36.057 (Every) fruit (enjoyment) will be there for them; they shall have whatever they call for;

  36.058 "Peace!" - a word (of salutation) from a Lord Most Merciful!

  36.059 "And O ye in sin! Get ye apart this Day!"

  36.060 "Did I not enjoin on you, O ye Children of Adam, that ye should not worship Satan; for that he was to you an enemy avowed?"-

  36.061 "And that ye should worship Me, (for that) this was the Straight Way?"

  36.062 "But he did lead astray a great multitude of you. Did ye not, then, understand?"

  36.063 "This is the Hell of which ye were (repeatedly) warned!"

  36.064 "Embrace ye the (fire) this Day, for that ye (persistently) rejected (Truth)."

  36.065 That Day shall We set a seal on their mouths. But their hands will speak to us, and their feet bear witness, to all that they did.

  36.066 If it had been our Will, We could surely have blotted out their eyes; then should they have run about groping for the Path, but how could they have seen?

  36.067 And if it had been Our Will, We could have transformed them (to remain) in their places; then should they have been unable to move about, nor could they have returned (after error).

  36.068 If We grant long life to any, We cause him to be reversed in nature: Will they not then understand?

  36.069 We have not instructed the (Prophet) in Poetry, nor is it meet for him: this is no less than a Message and a Qur'an making things clear:

  36.070 That it may give admonition to any (who are)
alive, and that the charge may be proved against those who reject (Truth).

  36.071 See they not that it is We Who have created for them - among the things which Our hands have fashioned - cattle, which are under their dominion?-

  36.072 And that We have subjected them to their (use)? of them some do carry them and some they eat:

  36.073 And they have (other) profits from them (besides), and they get (milk) to drink. Will they not then be grateful?

  36.074 Yet they take (for worship) gods other than Allah, (hoping) that they might be helped!

  36.075 They have not the power to help them: but they will be brought up (before Our Judgment-seat) as a troop (to be condemned).

  36.076 Let not their speech, then, grieve thee. Verily We know what they hide as well as what they disclose.

  36.077 Doth not man see that it is We Who created him from sperm? yet behold! he (stands forth) as an open adversary!

  36.078 And he makes comparisons for Us, and forgets his own (origin and) Creation: He says, "Who can give life to (dry) bones and decomposed ones (at that)?"

  36.079 Say, "He will give them life Who created them for the first time! for He is Well-versed in every kind of creation!"-

  36.080 "The same Who produces for you fire out of the green tree, when behold! ye kindle therewith (your own fires)!"

  36.081 "Is not He Who created the heavens and the earth able to create the like thereof?" - Yea, indeed! for He is the Creator Supreme, of skill and knowledge (infinite)!

  36.082 Verily, when He intends a thing, His Command is, "be", and it is!

  36.083 So glory to Him in Whose hands is the dominion of all things: and to Him will ye be all brought back.

  Chapter 37:

  AS-SAAFFAT (THOSE WHO SET THE RANKS, DRAWN UP IN RANKS) Total Verses: 182 Revealed At: MAKKA

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

  37.001 By those who range themselves in ranks,

  37.002 And so are strong in repelling (evil),

  37.003 And thus proclaim the Message (of Allah)!

  37.004 Verily, verily, your Allah is one!-

  37.005 Lord of the heavens and of the earth and all between them, and Lord of every point at the rising of the sun!

  37.006 We have indeed decked the lower heaven with beauty (in) the stars,-

  37.007 (For beauty) and for guard against all obstinate rebellious evil spirits,

  37.008 (So) they should not strain their ears in the direction of the Exalted Assembly but be cast away from every side,

  37.009 Repulsed, for they are under a perpetual penalty,

  37.010 Except such as snatch away something by stealth, and they are pursued by a flaming fire, of piercing brightness.

  37.011 Just ask their opinion: are they the more difficult to create, or the (other) beings We have created? Them have We created out of a sticky clay!

  37.012 Truly dost thou marvel, while they ridicule,

  37.013 And, when they are admonished, pay no heed,-

  37.014 And, when they see a Sign, turn it to mockery,

  37.015 And say, "This is nothing but evident sorcery!"

  37.016 "What! when we die, and become dust and bones, shall we (then) be raised up (again)?"

  37.017 "And also our fathers of old?"

  37.018 Say thou: "Yea, and ye shall then be humiliated (on account of your evil)."

  37.019 Then it will be a single (compelling) cry; and behold, they will begin to see!

  37.020 They will say, "Ah! Woe to us! This is the Day of Judgment!"

  37.021 (A voice will say,) "This is the Day of Sorting Out, whose truth ye (once) denied!"

  37.022 "Bring ye up", it shall be said, "The wrong-doers and their wives, and the things they worshipped-"

  37.023 "Besides Allah, and lead them to the Way to the (Fierce) Fire!"

  37.024 "But stop them, for they must be asked:"

  37.025 "'What is the matter with you that ye help not each other?'"

  37.026 Nay, but that day they shall submit (to Judgment);

  37.027 And they will turn to one another, and question one another.

  37.028 They will say: "It was ye who used to come to us from the right hand (of power and authority)!"

  37.029 They will reply: "Nay, ye yourselves had no Faith!"

  37.030 "Nor had we any authority over you. Nay, it was ye who were a people in obstinate rebellion!"

  37.031 "So now has been proved true, against us, the word of our Lord that we shall indeed (have to) taste (the punishment of our sins)."

  37.032 "We led you astray: for truly we were ourselves astray."

  37.033 Truly, that Day, they will (all) share in the Penalty.

  37.034 Verily that is how We shall deal with Sinners.

  37.035 For they, when they were told that there is no god except Allah, would puff themselves up with Pride,

  37.036 And say: "What! shall we give up our gods for the sake of a Poet possessed?"

  37.037 Nay! he has come with the (very) Truth, and he confirms (the Message of) the messengers (before him).

  37.038 Ye shall indeed taste of the Grievous Penalty;-

  37.039 But it will be no more than the retribution of (the Evil) that ye have wrought;-

  37.040 But the sincere (and devoted) Servants of Allah,-

  37.041 For them is a Sustenance determined,

  37.042 Fruits (Delights); and they (shall enjoy) honour and dignity,

  37.043 In Gardens of Felicity,

  37.044 Facing each other on Thrones (of Dignity):

  37.045 Round will be passed to them a Cup from a clear-flowing fountain,

  37.046 Crystal-white, of a taste delicious to those who drink (thereof),

  37.047 Free from headiness; nor will they suffer intoxication therefrom.

  37.048 And besides them will be chaste women, restraining their glances, with big eyes (of wonder and beauty).

  37.049 As if they were (delicate) eggs closely guarded.

  37.050 Then they will turn to one another and question one another.

  37.051 One of them will start the talk and say: "I had an intimate companion (on the earth),"

  37.052 "Who used to say, 'what! art thou amongst those who bear witness to the Truth (of the Message)?"

  37.053 "'When we die and become dust and bones, shall we indeed receive rewards and punishments?'"

  37.054 (A voice) said: "Would ye like to look down?"

  37.055 He looked down and saw him in the midst of the Fire.

  37.056 He said: "By Allah! thou wast little short of bringing me to perdition!"

  37.057 "Had it not been for the Grace of my Lord, I should certainly have been among those brought (there)!"

  37.058 "Is it (the case) that we shall not die,"

  37.059 "Except our first death, and that we shall not be punished?"

  37.060 Verily this is the supreme achievement!

  37.061 For the like of this let all strive, who wish to strive.

  37.062 Is that the better entertainment or the Tree of Zaqqum?

  37.063 For We have truly made it (as) a trial for the wrong-doers.

  37.064 For it is a tree that springs out of the bottom of Hell-Fire:

  37.065 The shoots of its fruit-stalks are like the heads of devils:

  37.066 Truly they will eat thereof and fill their bellies therewith.

  37.067 Then on top of that they will be given a mixture made of boiling water.

  37.068 Then shall their return be to the (Blazing) Fire.

  37.069 Truly they found their fathers on the wrong Path;

  37.070 So they (too) were rushed down on their footsteps!

  37.071 And truly before them, many of the ancients went astray;-

  37.072 But We sent aforetime, among them, (messengers) to admonish them;-

  37.073 Then see what was the end of those who were admonished (but heeded not),-

  37.074 Except the sincere (and devoted) Servants of Allah.

  37.075 (In the days of old),
Noah cried to Us, and We are the best to hear prayer.

  37.076 And We delivered him and his people from the Great Calamity,

  37.077 And made his progeny to endure (on this earth);

  37.078 And We left (this blessing) for him among generations to come in later times:

  37.079 "Peace and salutation to Noah among the nations!"

  37.080 Thus indeed do we reward those who do right.

  37.081 For he was one of our believing Servants.

  37.082 Then the rest we overwhelmed in the Flood.

  37.083 Verily among those who followed his Way was Abraham.

  37.084 Behold! he approached his Lord with a sound heart.

  37.085 Behold! he said to his father and to his people, "What is that which ye worship?"

  37.086 "Is it a falsehood- gods other than Allah- that ye desire?"

  37.087 "Then what is your idea about the Lord of the worlds?"

  37.088 Then did he cast a glance at the Stars.

  37.089 And he said, "I am indeed sick (at heart)!"

  37.090 So they turned away from him, and departed.

  37.091 Then did he turn to their gods and said, "Will ye not eat (of the offerings before you)?..."

  37.092 "What is the matter with you that ye speak not (intelligently)?"

  37.093 Then did he turn upon them, striking (them) with the right hand.

  37.094 Then came (the worshippers) with hurried steps, and faced (him).

  37.095 He said: "Worship ye that which ye have (yourselves) carved?"

  37.096 "But Allah has created you and your handwork!"

  37.097 They said, "Build him a furnace, and throw him into the blazing fire!"

  37.098 (This failing), they then sought a stratagem against him, but We made them the ones most humiliated!

  37.099 He said: "I will go to my Lord! He will surely guide me!"

  37.100 "O my Lord! Grant me a righteous (son)!"

  37.101 So We gave him the good news of a boy ready to suffer and forbear.

  37.102 Then, when (the son) reached (the age of) (serious) work with him, he said: "O my son! I see in vision that I offer thee in sacrifice: Now see what is thy view!" (The son) said: "O my father! Do as thou art commanded: thou will find me, if Allah so wills one practising Patience and Constancy!"

  37.103 So when they had both submitted their wills (to Allah), and he had laid him prostrate on his forehead (for sacrifice),

 

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