Surah
7. The Heights
In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.
1.
Alif, Lam, Mim, Sad.
2.
A Book revealed unto thee,- So let thy heart be oppressed no more by
any difficulty on that account,- that with it thou mightest warn (the
erring) and teach the Believers).
3.
Follow (O men!) the revelation given unto you from your Lord, and follow
not, as friends or protectors, other than Him. Little it is ye remember
of admonition.
4.
How many towns have We destroyed (for their sins)? Our punishment took
them on a sudden by night or while they slept for their afternoon rest.
5.
When (thus) Our punishment took them, no cry did they utter but this:
"Indeed we did wrong."
6.
Then shall we question those to whom Our message was sent and those
by whom We sent it.
7.
And verily, We shall recount their whole story with knowledge, for We
were never absent (at any time or place).
8.
The balance that day will be true (to nicety): those whose scale (of
good) will be heavy, will prosper:
9.
Those whose scale will be light, will be their souls in perdition, for
that they wrongfully treated Our signs.
10.
It is We Who have placed you with authority on earth, and provided you
therein with means for the fulfilment of your life: small are the thanks
that ye give!
11.
It is We Who created you and gave you shape; then We bade the angels
bow down to Adam, and they bowed down; not so Iblis; He refused to be
of those who bow down.
12.
((Allah)) said: "What prevented thee from bowing down when I commanded
thee?" He said: "I am better than he: Thou didst create me from fire,
and him from clay."
13.
((Allah)) said: "Get thee down from this: it is not for thee to be arrogant
here: get out, for thou art of the meanest (of creatures)."
14.
He said: "Give me respite till the day they are raised up."
15.
((Allah)) said: "Be thou among those who have respite."
16.
He said: "Because thou hast thrown me out of the way, lo! I will lie
in wait for them on thy straight way:
17.
"Then will I assault them from before them and behind them, from their
right and their left: Nor wilt thou find, in most of them, gratitude
(for thy mercies)."
18.
((Allah)) said: "Get out from this, disgraced and expelled. If any of
them follow thee,- Hell will I fill with you all.
19.
"O Adam! dwell thou and thy wife in the Garden, and enjoy (its good
things) as ye wish: but approach not this tree, or ye run into harm
and transgression."
20.
Then began Satan to whisper suggestions to them, bringing openly before
their minds all their shame that was hidden from them (before): he said:
"Your Lord only forbade you this tree, lest ye should become angels
or such beings as live for ever."
21.
And he swore to them both, that he was their sincere adviser.
22.
So by deceit he brought about their fall: when they tasted of the tree,
their shame became manifest to them, and they began to sew together
the leaves of the garden over their bodies. And their Lord called unto
them: "Did I not forbid you that tree, and tell you that Satan was an
avowed enemy unto you?"
23.
They said: "Our Lord! We have wronged our own souls: If thou forgive
us not and bestow not upon us Thy Mercy, we shall certainly be lost."
24.
((Allah)) said: "Get ye down. With enmity between yourselves. On earth
will be your dwelling-place and your means of livelihood,- for a time."
25.
He said: "Therein shall ye live, and therein shall ye die; but from
it shall ye be taken out (at last)."
26.
O ye Children of Adam! We have bestowed raiment upon you to cover your
shame, as well as to be an adornment to you. But the raiment of righteousness,-
that is the best. Such are among the Signs of Allah, that they may receive
admonition!
27.
O ye Children of Adam! Let not Satan seduce you, in the same manner
as He got your parents out of the Garden, stripping them of their raiment,
to expose their shame: for he and his tribe watch you from a position
where ye cannot see them: We made the evil ones friends (only) to those
without faith.
28.
When they do aught that is shameful, they say: "We found our fathers
doing so"; and "(Allah) commanded us thus": Say: "Nay, Allah never commands
what is shameful: do ye say of Allah what ye know not?"
29.
Say: "My Lord hath commanded justice; and that ye set your whole selves
(to Him) at every time and place of prayer, and call upon Him, making
your devotion sincere as in His sight: such as He created you in the
beginning, so shall ye return."
30.
Some He hath guided: Others have (by their choice) deserved the loss
of their way; in that they took the evil ones, in preference to Allah,
for their friends and protectors, and think that they receive guidance.
31.
O Children of Adam! wear your beautiful apparel at every time and place
of prayer: eat and drink: But waste not by excess, for Allah loveth
not the wasters.
32.
Say: Who hath forbidden the beautiful (gifts) of Allah, which He hath
produced for His servants, and the things, clean and pure, (which He
hath provided) for sustenance? Say: They are, in the life of this world,
for those who believe, (and) purely for them on the Day of Judgment.
Thus do We explain the signs in detail for those who understand.
33.
Say: the things that my Lord hath indeed forbidden are: shameful deeds,
whether open or secret; sins and trespasses against truth or reason;
assigning of partners to Allah, for which He hath given no authority;
and saying things about Allah of which ye have no knowledge.
34.
To every people is a term appointed: when their term is reached, not
an hour can they cause delay, nor (an hour) can they advance (it in
anticipation).
35.
O ye Children of Adam! whenever there come to you apostles from amongst
you, rehearsing My signs unto you,- those who are righteous and mend
(their lives),- on them shall be no fear nor shall they grieve.
36.
But those who reject Our signs and treat them with arrogance,- they
are companions of the Fire, to dwell therein (for ever).
37.
Who is more unjust than one who invents a lie against Allah or rejects
His Signs? For such, their portion appointed must reach them from the
Book (of decrees): until, when our messengers (of death) arrive and
take their souls, they say: "Where are the things that ye used to invoke
besides Allah." They will reply, "They have left us in the lurch," And
they will bear witness against themselves, that they had rejected Allah.
38.
He will say: "Enter ye in the company of the peoples who passed away
before you - men and jinns, - into the Fire." Every time a new people
enters, it curses its sister-people (that went before), until they follow
each other, all into the Fire. Saith the last about the first: "Our
Lord! it is these that misled us: so give them a double penalty in the
Fire." He will say: "Doubled for all" : but this ye do not understand.
39.
Then the first will say to the last: "See then! No advantage have ye
over us; so taste ye of the penalty for all that ye did !"
40.
To those who reject Our signs and treat them with arrogance, no opening
will there be of the gates of heaven, nor will they enter the garden,
until the camel can pass through the eye of the needle: Such is Our
reward for those in sin.
41.
For them there is Hell, as a couch (below) and folds and folds of covering
above: such is Our requital of those who do wrong.
42.
But those who believe and work righteousness,- no burden do We place
on any soul, but that which it can bear,- they will be Companions of
the Garden, therein to dwell (for ever).
43.
And We shall remove from their hearts any lurking sense of injury;-
beneath them will be rivers flowing;- and they shall say: "Praise be
to Allah, who hath guided us to this (felicity): never could we have
found guidance, had it not been for the guidance of Allah. indeed it
was the truth, that the apostles of our Lord brought unto us." And they
shall hear the cry: "Behold! the garden before you! Ye have been made
its inheritors, for your deeds (of righteousness)."
44.
The Companions of the Garden will call out to the Companions of the
Fire: "We have indeed found the promises of our Lord to us true: Have
you also found Your Lord's promises true?" They shall say, "Yes"; but
a crier shall proclaim between them: "The curse of Allah is on the wrong-doers;-
45.
"Those who would hinder (men) from the path of Allah and would seek
in it something crooked: they were those who denied the Hereafter."
46.
Between them shall be a veil, and on the heights will be men who would
know every one by his marks: they will call out to the Companions of
the Garden, "peace on you": they will not have entered, but they will
have an assurance (thereof).
47.
When their eyes shall be turned towards the Companions of the Fire,
they will say: "Our Lord! send us not to the company of the wrong-doers."
48.
The men on the heights will call to certain men whom they will know
from their marks, saying: "Of what profit to you were your hoards and
your arrogant ways?
49.
"Behold! are these not the men whom you swore that Allah with His Mercy
would never bless? Enter ye the Garden: no fear shall be on you, nor
shall ye grieve."
50.
The Companions of the Fire will call to the Companions of the Garden:
"Pour down to us water or anything that Allah doth provide for your
sustenance." They will say: "Both these things hath Allah forbidden
to those who rejected Him."
51.
"Such as took their religion to be mere amusement and play, and were
deceived by the life of the world." That day shall We forget them as
they forgot the meeting of this day of theirs, and as they were wont
to reject Our signs.
52.
For We had certainly sent unto them a Book, based on knowledge, which
We explained in detail,- a guide and a mercy to all who believe.
53.
Do they just wait for the final fulfilment of the event? On the day
the event is finally fulfilled, those who disregarded it before will
say: "The apostles of our Lord did indeed bring true (tidings). Have
we no intercessors now to intercede on our behalf? Or could we be sent
back? then should we behave differently from our behaviour in the past."
In fact they will have lost their souls, and the things they invented
will leave them in the lurch.
54.
Your Guardian-Lord is Allah, Who created the heavens and the earth in
six days, and is firmly established on the throne (of authority): He
draweth the night as a veil o'er the day, each seeking the other in
rapid succession: He created the sun, the moon, and the stars, (all)
governed by laws under His command. Is it not His to create and to govern?
Blessed be Allah, the Cherisher and Sustainer of the worlds!
55.
Call on your Lord with humility and in private: for Allah loveth not
those who trespass beyond bounds.
56.
Do no mischief on the earth, after it hath been set in order, but call
on Him with fear and longing (in your hearts): for the Mercy of Allah
is (always) near to those who do good.
57.
It is He Who sendeth the winds like heralds of glad tidings, going before
His mercy: when they have carried the heavy-laden clouds, We drive them
to a land that is dead, make rain to descend thereon, and produce every
kind of harvest therewith: thus shall We raise up the dead: perchance
ye may remember.
58.
From the land that is clean and good, by the will of its Cherisher,
springs up produce, (rich) after its kind: but from the land that is
bad, springs up nothing but that which is niggardly: thus do we explain
the signs by various (symbols) to those who are grateful.
59.
We sent Noah to his people. He said: "O my people! worship Allah. ye
have no other god but Him. I fear for you the punishment of a dreadful
day!
60.
The leaders of his people said: "Ah! we see thee evidently wandering
(in mind)."
61.
He said: "O my people! No wandering is there in my (mind): on the contrary
I am an apostle from the Lord and Cherisher of the worlds!
62.
"I but fulfil towards you the duties of my Lord's mission: Sincere is
my advice to you, and I know from Allah something that ye know not.
63.
"Do ye wonder that there hath come to you a message from your Lord,
through a man of your own people, to warn you,- so that ye may fear
Allah and haply receive His Mercy?"
64.
But they rejected him, and We delivered him, and those with him, in
the Ark: but We overwhelmed in the flood those who rejected Our signs.
They were indeed a blind people!
65.
To the 'Ad people, (We sent) Hud, one of their (own) brethren: He said:
O my people! worship Allah. ye have no other god but Him will ye not
fear ((Allah))?"
66.
The leaders of the Unbelievers among his people said: "Ah! we see thou
art an imbecile!" and "We think thou art a liar!"
67.
He said: "O my people! I am no imbecile, but (I am) an apostle from
the Lord and Cherisher of the worlds!
68.
"I but fulfil towards you the duties of my Lord's mission: I am to you
a sincere and trustworthy adviser.
69.
"Do ye wonder that there hath come to you a message from your Lord through
a man of your own people, to warn you? call in remembrance that He made
you inheritors after the people of Noah, and gave you a stature tall
among the nations. Call in remembrance the benefits (ye have received)
from Allah. that so ye may prosper."
70.
They said: "Comest thou to us, that we may worship Allah alone, and
give up the cult of our fathers? bring us what thou threatenest us with,
if so be that thou tellest the truth!"
71.
He said: "Punishment and wrath have already come upon you from your
Lord: dispute ye with me over names which ye have devised - ye and your
fathers,- without authority from Allah. then wait: I am amongst you,
also waiting."
72.
We saved him and those who adhered to him. By Our mercy, and We cut
off the roots of those who rejected Our signs and did not believe.
73.
To the Thamud people (We sent) Salih, one of their own brethren: He
said: "O my people! worship Allah. ye have no other god but Him. Now
hath come unto you a clear (Sign) from your Lord! This she-camel of
Allah is a Sign unto you: So leave her to graze in Allah.s earth, and
let her come to no harm, or ye shall be seized with a grievous punishment.
74.
"And remember how He made you inheritors after the 'Ad people and gave
you habitations in the land: ye build for yourselves palaces and castles
in (open) plains, and care out homes in the mountains; so bring to remembrance
the benefits (ye have received) from Allah, and refrain from evil and
mischief on the earth."
75.
The leaders of the arrogant party among his people said to those who
were reckoned powerless - those among them who believed: "know ye indeed
that Salih is an apostle from his Lord?" They said: "We do indeed believe
in the revelation which hath been sent through him."
76.
The Arrogant party said: "For our part, we reject what ye believe in."
77.
Then they ham-strung the she-camel, and insolently defied the order
of their Lord, saying: "O Salih! bring about thy threats, if thou art
an apostle (of Allah.!"
78.
So the earthquake took them unawares, and they lay prostrate in their
homes in the morning!
79.
So Salih left them, saying: "O my people! I did indeed convey to you
the message for which I was sent by my Lord: I gave you good counsel,
but ye love not good counsellors!"
80.
We also (sent) Lut: He said to his people: "Do ye commit lewdness such
as no people in creation (ever) committed before you?
81.
"For ye practise your lusts on men in preference to women : ye are indeed
a people transgressing beyond bounds."
82.
And his people gave no answer but this: they said, "Drive them out of
your city: these are indeed men who want to be clean and pure!"
83.
But we saved him and his family, except his wife: she was of those who
legged behind.
84.
And we rained down on them a shower (of brimstone): Then see what was
the end of those who indulged in sin and crime!
85.
To the Madyan people We sent Shu'aib, one of their own brethren: he
said: "O my people! worship Allah. Ye have no other god but Him. Now
hath come unto you a clear (Sign) from your Lord! Give just measure
and weight, nor withhold from the people the things that are their due;
and do no mischief on the earth after it has been set in order: that
will be best for you, if ye have Faith.
86.
"And squat not on every road, breathing threats, hindering from the
path of Allah those who believe in Him, and seeking in it something
crooked; But remember how ye were little, and He gave you increase.
And hold in your mind's eye what was the end of those who did mischief.
87.
"And if there is a party among you who believes in the message with
which I have been sent, and a party which does not believe, hold yourselves
in patience until Allah doth decide between us: for He is the best to
decide.
88.
The leaders, the arrogant party among his people, said: "O Shu'aib!
we shall certainly drive thee out of our city - (thee) and those who
believe with thee; or else ye (thou and they) shall have to return to
our ways and religion." He said: "What! even though we do detest (them)?
89.
"We should indeed invent a lie against Allah, if we returned to your
ways after Allah hath rescued us therefrom; nor could we by any manner
of means return thereto unless it be as in the will and plan of Allah,
Our Lord. Our Lord can reach out to the utmost recesses of things by
His knowledge. In the Allah is our trust. our Lord! decide Thou between
us and our people in truth, for Thou art the best to decide."
90.
The leaders, the unbelievers among his people, said: "If ye follow Shu'aib,
be sure then ye are ruined!"
91.
But the earthquake took them unawares, and they lay prostrate in their
homes before the morning!
92.
The men who reject Shu'aib became as if they had never been in the homes
where they had flourished: the men who rejected Shu'aib - it was they
who were ruined!
93.
So Shu'aib left them, saying: "O my people! I did indeed convey to you
the messages for which I was sent by my Lord: I gave you good counsel,
but how shall I lament over a people who refuse to believe!"
94.
Whenever We sent a prophet to a town, We took up its people in suffering
and adversity, in order that they might learn humility.
95.
Then We changed their suffering into prosperity, until they grew and
multiplied, and began to say: "Our fathers (too) were touched by suffering
and affluence" ... Behold! We called them to account of a sudden, while
they realised not (their peril).
96.
If the people of the towns had but believed and feared Allah, We should
indeed have opened out to them (All kinds of) blessings from heaven
and earth; but they rejected (the truth), and We brought them to book
for their misdeeds.
97.
Did the people of the towns feel secure against the coming of Our wrath
by night while they were asleep?
98.
Or else did they feel secure against its coming in broad daylight while
they played about (care-free)?
99.
Did they then feel secure against the plan of Allah.- but no one can
feel secure from the Plan of Allah, except those (doomed) to ruin!
100.
To those who inherit the earth in succession to its (previous) possessors,
is it not a guiding, (lesson) that, if We so willed, We could punish
them (too) for their sins, and seal up their hearts so that they could
not hear?
101.
Such were the towns whose story We (thus) relate unto thee: There came
indeed to them their apostles with clear (signs): But they would not
believe what they had rejected before. Thus doth Allah seal up the hearts
of those who reject faith.
102.
Most of them We found not men (true) to their covenant: but most of
them We found rebellious and disobedient.
103.
Then after them We sent Moses with Our signs to Pharaoh and his chiefs,
but they wrongfully rejected them: So see what was the end of those
who made mischief.
104.
Moses said: "O Pharaoh! I am an apostle from the Lord of the worlds,-
105.
One for whom it is right to say nothing but truth about Allah. Now have
I come unto you (people), from your Lord, with a clear (Sign): So let
the Children of Israel depart along with me."
106.
(Pharaoh) said: "If indeed thou hast come with a Sign, show it forth,-
if thou tellest the truth."
107.
Then (Moses) threw his rod, and behold! it was a serpent, plain (for
all to see)!
108.
And he drew out his hand, and behold! it was white to all beholders!
109.
Said the Chiefs of the people of Pharaoh: "This is indeed a sorcerer
well- versed.
110.
"His plan is to get you out of your land: then what is it ye counsel?"
111.
They said: "Keep him and his brother in suspense (for a while); and
send to the cities men to collect-
112.
And bring up to thee all (our) sorcerers well-versed."
113.
So there came the sorcerers to Pharaoh: They said, "of course we shall
have a (suitable) reward if we win!"
114.
He said: "Yea, (and more),- for ye shall in that case be (raised to
posts) nearest (to my person)."
115.
They said: "O Moses! wilt thou throw (first), or shall we have the (first)
throw?"
116.
Said Moses: "Throw ye (first)." So when they threw, they bewitched the
eyes of the people, and struck terror into them: for they showed a great
(feat of) magic.
117.
We put it into Moses's mind by inspiration: "Throw (now) thy rod":and
behold! it swallows up straight away all the falsehoods which they fake!
118.
Thus truth was confirmed, and all that they did was made of no effect.
119.
So the (great ones) were vanquished there and then, and were made to
look small.
120.
But the sorcerers fell down prostrate in adoration.
121.
Saying: "We believe in the Lord of the Worlds,-
122.
"The Lord of Moses and Aaron."
123.
Said Pharaoh: "Believe ye in Him before I give you permission? Surely
this is a trick which ye have planned in the city to drive out its people:
but soon shall ye know (the consequences).
124.
"Be sure I will cut off your hands and your feet on apposite sides,
and I will cause you all to die on the cross."
125.
They said: "For us, We are but sent back unto our Lord:
126.
"But thou dost wreak thy vengeance on us simply because we believed
in the Signs of our Lord when they reached us! Our Lord! pour out on
us patience and constancy, and take our souls unto thee as Muslims (who
bow to thy will)!
127.
Said the chiefs of Pharaoh's people: "Wilt thou leave Moses and his
people, to spread mischief in the land, and to abandon thee and thy
gods?" He said: "Their male children will we slay; (only) their females
will we save alive; and we have over them (power) irresistible."
128.
Said Moses to his people: "Pray for help from Allah, and (wait) in patience
and constancy: for the earth is Allah.s, to give as a heritage to such
of His servants as He pleaseth; and the end is (best) for the righteous.
129.
They said: "We have had (nothing but) trouble, both before and after
thou camest to us." He said: "It may be that your Lord will destroy
your enemy and make you inheritors in the earth; that so He may try
you by your deeds."
130.
We punished the people of Pharaoh with years (of droughts) and shortness
of crops; that they might receive admonition.
131.
But when good (times) came, they said, "This is due to us;" When gripped
by calamity, they ascribed it to evil omens connected with Moses and
those with him! Behold! in truth the omens of evil are theirs in Allah.s
sight, but most of them do not understand!
132.
They said (to Moses): "Whatever be the Signs thou bringest, to work
therewith thy sorcery on us, we shall never believe in thee.
133.
So We sent (plagues) on them: Wholesale death, Locusts, Lice, Frogs,
And Blood: Signs openly self-explained: but they were steeped in arrogance,-
a people given to sin.
134.
Every time the penalty fell on them, they said: "O Moses! on your behalf
call on thy Lord in virtue of his promise to thee: If thou wilt remove
the penalty from us, we shall truly believe in thee, and we shall send
away the Children of Israel with thee."
135.
But every time We removed the penalty from them according to a fixed
term which they had to fulfil,- Behold! they broke their word!
136.
So We exacted retribution from them: We drowned them in the sea, because
they rejected Our Signs and failed to take warning from them.
137.
And We made a people, considered weak (and of no account), inheritors
of lands in both east and west, - lands whereon We sent down Our blessings.
The fair promise of thy Lord was fulfilled for the Children of Israel,
because they had patience and constancy, and We levelled to the ground
the great works and fine buildings which Pharaoh and his people erected
(with such pride).
138.
We took the Children of Israel (with safety) across the sea. They came
upon a people devoted entirely to some idols they had. They said: "O
Moses! fashion for us a god like unto the gods they have." He said:
"Surely ye are a people without knowledge.
139.
"As to these folk,- the cult they are in is (but) a fragment of a ruin,
and vain is the (worship) which they practise."
140.
He said: "Shall I seek for you a god other than the (true) Allah, when
it is Allah Who hath endowed you with gifts above the nations?"
141.
And remember We rescued you from Pharaoh's people, who afflicted you
with the worst of penalties, who slew your male children and saved alive
your females: in that was a momentous trial from your Lord.
142.
We appointed for Moses thirty nights, and completed (the period) with
ten (more): thus was completed the term (of communion) with his Lord,
forty nights. And Moses had charged his brother Aaron (before he went
up): "Act for me amongst my people: Do right, and follow not the way
of those who do mischief."
143.
When Moses came to the place appointed by Us, and his Lord addressed
him, He said: "O my Lord! show (Thyself) to me, that I may look upon
thee." Allah said: "By no means canst thou see Me (direct); But look
upon the mount; if it abide in its place, then shalt thou see Me." When
his Lord manifested His glory on the Mount, He made it as dust. And
Moses fell down in a swoon. When he recovered his senses he said: "Glory
be to Thee! to Thee I turn in repentance, and I am the first to believe."
144.
((Allah)) said: "O Moses! I have chosen thee above (other) men, by the
mission I (have given thee) and the words I (have spoken to thee): take
then the (revelation) which I give thee, and be of those who give thanks."
145.
And We ordained laws for him in the tablets in all matters, both commanding
and explaining all things, (and said): "Take and hold these with firmness,
and enjoin thy people to hold fast by the best in the precepts: soon
shall I show you the homes of the wicked,- (How they lie desolate)."
146.
Those who behave arrogantly on the earth in defiance of right - them
will I turn away from My signs: Even if they see all the signs, they
will not believe in them; and if they see the way of right conduct,
they will not adopt it as the way; but if they see the way of error,
that is the way they will adopt. For they have rejected our signs, and
failed to take warning from them.
147.
Those who reject Our signs and the meeting in the Hereafter,- vain are
their deeds: Can they expect to be rewarded except as they have wrought?
148.
The people of Moses made, in his absence, out of their ornaments, the
image of calf, (for worship): it seemed to low: did they not see that
it could neither speak to them, nor show them the way? They took it
for worship and they did wrong.
149.
When they repented, and saw that they had erred, they said: "If our
Lord have not mercy upon us and forgive us, we shall indeed be of those
who perish."
150.
When Moses came back to his people, angry and grieved, he said: "Evil
it is that ye have done in my place in my absence: did ye make haste
to bring on the judgment of your Lord?" He put down the tablets, seized
his brother by (the hair of) his head, and dragged him to him. Aaron
said: "Son of my mother! the people did indeed reckon me as naught,
and went near to slaying me! Make not the enemies rejoice over my misfortune,
nor count thou me amongst the people of sin."
151.
Moses prayed: "O my Lord! forgive me and my brother! admit us to Thy
mercy! for Thou art the Most Merciful of those who show mercy!"
152.
Those who took the calf (for worship) will indeed be overwhelmed with
wrath from their Lord, and with shame in this life: thus do We recompense
those who invent (falsehoods).
153.
But those who do wrong but repent thereafter and (truly) believe,- verily
thy Lord is thereafter Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.
154.
When the anger of Moses was appeased, he took up the tablets: in the
writing thereon was guidance and Mercy for such as fear their Lord.
155.
And Moses chose seventy of his people for Our place of meeting: when
they were seized with violent quaking, he prayed: "O my Lord! if it
had been Thy will Thou couldst have destroyed, long before, both them
and me: wouldst Thou destroy us for the deeds of the foolish ones among
us? this is no more than Thy trial: by it Thou causest whom Thou wilt
to stray, and Thou leadest whom Thou wilt into the right path. Thou
art our Protector: so forgive us and give us Thy mercy; for Thou art
the best of those who forgive.
156.
"And ordain for us that which is good, in this life and in the Hereafter:
for we have turned unto Thee." He said: "With My punishment I visit
whom I will; but My mercy extendeth to all things. That (mercy) I shall
ordain for those who do right, and practise regular charity, and those
who believe in Our signs;-
157.
"Those who follow the apostle, the unlettered Prophet, whom they find
mentioned in their own (scriptures),- in the law and the Gospel;- for
he commands them what is just and forbids them what is evil; he allows
them as lawful what is good (and pure) and prohibits them from what
is bad (and impure); He releases them from their heavy burdens and from
the yokes that are upon them. So it is those who believe in him, honour
him, help him, and follow the light which is sent down with him,- it
is they who will prosper."
158.
Say: "O men! I am sent unto you all, as the Messenger of Allah, to Whom
belongeth the dominion of the heavens and the earth: there is no god
but He: it is He That giveth both life and death. So believe in Allah
and His Messenger, the Unlettered Prophet, who believeth in Allah and
His words: follow him that (so) ye may be guided."
159.
Of the people of Moses there is a section who guide and do justice in
the light of truth.
160.
We divided them into twelve tribes or nations. We directed Moses by
inspiration, when his (thirsty) people asked him for water: "Strike
the rock with thy staff": out of it there gushed forth twelve springs:
Each group knew its own place for water. We gave them the shade of clouds,
and sent down to them manna and quails, (saying): "Eat of the good things
We have provided for you": (but they rebelled); to Us they did no harm,
but they harmed their own souls.
161.
And remember it was said to them: "Dwell in this town and eat therein
as ye wish, but say the word of humility and enter the gate in a posture
of humility: We shall forgive you your faults; We shall increase (the
portion of) those who do good."
162.
But the transgressors among them changed the word from that which had
been given them so we sent on them a plague from heaven. For that they
repeatedly transgressed.
163.
Ask them concerning the town standing close by the sea. Behold! they
transgressed in the matter of the Sabbath. For on the day of their Sabbath
their fish did come to them, openly holding up their heads, but on the
day they had no Sabbath, they came not: thus did We make a trial of
them, for they were given to transgression.
164.
When some of them said: "Why do ye preach to a people whom Allah will
destroy or visit with a terrible punishment?"- said the preachers:"
To discharge our duty to your Lord, and perchance they may fear Him."
165.
When they disregarded the warnings that had been given them, We rescued
those who forbade Evil; but We visited the wrong-doers with a grievous
punishment because they were given to transgression.
166.
When in their insolence they transgressed (all) prohibitions, We said
to them: "Be ye apes, despised and rejected."
167.
Behold! thy Lord did declare that He would send against them, to the
Day of Judgment, those who would afflict them with grievous penalty.
Thy Lord is quick in retribution, but He is also Oft-forgiving, Most
Merciful.
168.
We broke them up into sections on this earth. There are among them some
that are the righteous, and some that are the opposite. We have tried
them with both prosperity and adversity: In order that they might turn
(to us).
169.
After them succeeded an (evil) generation: They inherited the Book,
but they chose (for themselves) the vanities of this world, saying (for
excuse): "(Everything) will be forgiven us." (Even so), if similar vanities
came their way, they would (again) seize them. Was not the covenant
of the Book taken from them, that they would not ascribe to Allah anything
but the truth? and they study what is in the Book. But best for the
righteous is the home in the Hereafter. Will ye not understand?
170.
As to those who hold fast by the Book and establish regular prayer,-
never shall We suffer the reward of the righteous to perish.
171.
When We shook the Mount over them, as if it had been a canopy, and they
thought it was going to fall on them (We said): "Hold firmly to what
We have given you, and bring (ever) to remembrance what is therein;
perchance ye may fear Allah."
172.
When thy Lord drew forth from the Children of Adam - from their loins
- their descendants, and made them testify concerning themselves, (saying):
"Am I not your Lord (who cherishes and sustains you)?"- They said: "Yea!
We do testify!" (This), lest ye should say on the Day of Judgment: "Of
this we were never mindful":
173.
Or lest ye should say: "Our fathers before us may have taken false gods,
but we are (their) descendants after them: wilt Thou then destroy us
because of the deeds of men who were futile?"
174.
Thus do We explain the signs in detail; and perchance they may turn
(unto Us).
175.
Relate to them the story of the man to whom We sent Our signs, but he
passed them by: so Satan followed him up, and he went astray.
176.
If it had been Our will, We should have elevated him with Our signs;
but he inclined to the earth, and followed his own vain desires. His
similitude is that of a dog: if you attack him, he lolls out his tongue,
or if you leave him alone, he (still) lolls out his tongue. That is
the similitude of those who reject Our signs; So relate the story; perchance
they may reflect.
177.
Evil as an example are people who reject Our signs and wrong their own
souls.
178.
Whom Allah doth guide,- he is on the right path: whom He rejects from
His guidance,- such are the persons who perish.
179.
Many are the Jinns and men we have made for Hell: They have hearts wherewith
they understand not, eyes wherewith they see not, and ears wherewith
they hear not. They are like cattle,- nay more misguided: for they are
heedless (of warning).
180.
The most beautiful names belong to Allah. so call on him by them; but
shun such men as use profanity in his names: for what they do, they
will soon be requited.
181.
Of those We have created are people who direct (others) with truth.
And dispense justice therewith.
182.
Those who reject Our signs, We shall gradually visit with punishment,
in ways they perceive not;
183.
Respite will I grant unto them: for My scheme is strong (and unfailing).
184.
Do they not reflect? Their companion is not seized with madness: he
is but a perspicuous warner.
185.
Do they see nothing in the government of the heavens and the earth and
all that Allah hath created? (Do they not see) that it may well be that
their terms is nigh drawing to an end? In what message after this will
they then believe?
186.
To such as Allah rejects from His guidance, there can be no guide: He
will leave them in their trespasses, wandering in distraction.
187.
They ask thee about the (final) Hour - when will be its appointed time?
Say: "The knowledge thereof is with my Lord (alone): None but He can
reveal as to when it will occur. Heavy were its burden through the heavens
and the earth. Only, all of a sudden will it come to you." They ask
thee as if thou Wert eager in search thereof: Say: "The knowledge thereof
is with Allah (alone), but most men know not."
188.
Say: "I have no power over any good or harm to myself except as Allah
willeth. If I had knowledge of the unseen, I should have multiplied
all good, and no evil should have touched me: I am but a warner, and
a bringer of glad tidings to those who have faith."
189.
It is He Who created you from a single person, and made his mate of
like nature, in order that he might dwell with her (in love). When they
are united, she bears a light burden and carries it about (unnoticed).
When she grows heavy, they both pray to Allah their Lord, (saying):
"If Thou givest us a goodly child, we vow we shall (ever) be grateful."
190.
But when He giveth them a goodly child, they ascribe to others a share
in the gift they have received: but Allah is exalted high above the
partners they ascribe to Him.
191.
Do they indeed ascribe to Him as partners things that can create nothing,
but are themselves created?
192.
No aid can they give them, nor can they aid themselves!
193.
If ye call them to guidance, they will not obey: For you it is the same
whether ye call them or ye hold your peace!
194.
Verily those whom ye call upon besides Allah are servants like unto
you: Call upon them, and let them listen to your prayer, if ye are (indeed)
truthful!
195.
Have they feet to walk with? Or hands to lay hold with? Or eyes to see
with? Or ears to hear with? Say: "Call your 'god-partners', scheme (your
worst) against me, and give me no respite!
196.
"For my Protector is Allah, Who revealed the Book (from time to time),
and He will choose and befriend the righteous.
197.
"But those ye call upon besides Him, are unable to help you, and indeed
to help themselves."
198.
If thou callest them to guidance, they hear not. Thou wilt see them
looking at thee, but they see not.
199.
Hold to forgiveness; command what is right; But turn away from the ignorant.
200.
If a suggestion from Satan assail thy (mind), seek refuge with Allah.
for He heareth and knoweth (all things).
201.
Those who fear Allah, when a thought of evil from Satan assaults them,
bring Allah to remembrance, when lo! they see (aright)!
202.
But their brethren (the evil ones) plunge them deeper into error, and
never relax (their efforts).
203.
If thou bring them not a revelation, they say: "Why hast thou not got
it together?" Say: "I but follow what is revealed to me from my Lord:
this is (nothing but) lights from your Lord, and Guidance, and mercy,
for any who have faith."
204.
When the Qur'an is read, listen to it with attention, and hold your
peace: that ye may receive Mercy.
205.
And do thou (O reader!) Bring thy Lord to remembrance in thy (very)
soul, with humility and in reverence, without loudness in words, in
the mornings and evenings; and be not thou of those who are unheedful.
206.
Those who are near to thy Lord, disdain not to do Him worship: They
celebrate His praises, and bow down before Him.
