 Sura 27 of the Meaning of the Glorious Qur'an. Meaning of the Glorious Qur'an translated by Mohammed Marmadjouk Pict Hall. Sura 27. The End. Revealed at Mecca. In the name of Allah, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful. Ta. Sin. These are revelations of the Qur'an in a scripture that make it plain. The guidance and good tidings for believers who establish worship and pay the poor Jew are sure of the hereafter. Lo, as for those who believe not in the hereafter, we have made their works far seeming unto them, so that they are all astray. Those are they for whom is the worst of punishment, and in the hereafter they will be the greatest losers. Lo, as for thee, Mohammed, thou verily receivest the Qur'an from the presence of one wise, aware. Remember when Moses said unto his household, Lo, I spy afar off a fire. I will bring you tidings thence, or bring to you a borrowed flame, that ye may warm yourselves. But when he reached it, he was called, saying, Blessed is whosoever is in the fire, and whosoever is round about it, and glorified be Allah, the Lord of the worlds. O Moses, lo, it is I, Allah, the mighty, the wise. And throw down thy staff. But when he saw it rhythm as it were a demon, he turned to flee headlong. But it was said unto him, O Moses, fear not. The emissaries fear not in my presence. Save him who hath done wrong, and afterward hath changed evil for good. And lo, I am forgiving, merciful. And put thy hand into the bosom of thy robe. It will come forth white, but unheard. This will be one among nine tokens unto Pharaoh and his people. Lo, they were ever evil living folk. But when our tokens came unto them, plain to see, they said, This is mere magic, and they denied them, though their souls acknowledged them for spite and arrogance. Then see the nature of the consequences for the wrongdoers. And we verily gave knowledge unto David and Solomon, and they said, Praise be to Allah, who hath preferred us above many of his believing slaves. And Solomon was David's heir, and he said, O mankind, lo, we have been taught the language of birds, and have been given abundance of all things. This surely is evident favor. And they were gathered together unto Solomon, his armies of the jinn and humankind, and of the birds, and they were set in battle order. Till, when they reached the valley of the ends, an end exclaimed, O ends, enter your dwellings, lest Solomon and his armies crush you on perceiving. And Solomon smiled, laughing at her speech, and said, My Lord, arouse me to be thankful for thy favor, wherewith thou hast favored me and my parents, and to the good that shall be pleasing unto thee, and include me in the number of thy righteous slaves. And he sought among the birds, and said, How is it that I see not the hoopoo, or is he among the absent? I verily will punish him with hard punishment, or I verily will slay him, or he verily shall bring me a plain excuse. But he was not long in coming, and he said, I have found out a thing that thou apprehendest not, and I come unto thee from Sheba with sure tidings. Lo, I found a woman ruling over them, and she hath been giving abundance of all things, and hers is a mighty throne. I found her and her people worshipping the sun instead of Allah, and Satan maketh their words fair seeming unto them, and debareth them from the way of truth, so that they go not aright. So that they worship not Allah, who bringeth forth the hidden in the heavens and the earth, and knoweth what ye hide and what ye proclaim. There is no God save him, the Lord of the tremendous throne. Solomon said, We shall see whether thou speakest truth, or whether thou art of the liars. Go with this, my letter, and throw it down unto them, then turn away and see what answer they return. The Queen of Sheba said, when she received the letter, O chieftains, lo, there hath been thrown unto me a noble letter. Lo, it is from Solomon, and lo, it is, in the name of Allah, the beneficent, the merciful. Exalt not yourselves against me, but come unto me as those who surrender. She said, O chieftains, pronounce for me in my case. I decide in no case till ye are present with me. They said, We are lords of might and lords of great prowess, but it is for thee to command, so consider what thy will command. She said, Lo, kings, when they enter a township, ruin it, and make the honor of its people shame. Thus will they do. But, lo, I am going to send a present unto them, and to see with what answer the messengers return. So, when the envoy came unto Solomon, the King said, What? Would ye help me with wealth? But that which Allah hath given me is better than that which he hath given you. Nay, it is ye and not I who exalt in your gift. Return unto them. We verily shall come unto them with hosts that they cannot resist, and we shall drive them out from thence with shame, and they will be abased. He said, O chiefs, which of you will bring me her throne before they come unto me surrendering? A stalwart of the jinn said, I will bring it thee before thou canst rise from thy place. Lo, I verily am strong and trusty for such work. One with whom was knowledge of the scripture said, I will bring it thee before thy gaze returneth unto thee. And when he saw it set in his presence, Solomon said, This is of the bounty of my Lord, that he may try me whether I give thanks or am ungrateful. Whosoever giveeth thanks, he only giveeth thanks for the good of his own soul, and whosoever is ungrateful is ungrateful only to his own soul's hurt. For lo, my Lord is absolute in independence, bountiful. He said, Does guide her throne for her, that we may see whether she will go a right or be of those not rightly guided. So when she came, it was said unto her, Is thy throne like this? She said, It is as though it were the very one. And Solomon said, We were given the knowledge before her, and we had surrendered to Allah. And all that she was want to worship instead of Allah hindered her, for she came of disbelieving folk. It was said unto her, Enter the hall. And when she saw it, she dimmed it a pole and buried her legs. Solomon said, Lo, it is a hall made smooth of glass. She said, My Lord, lo, I have wronged myself, and I surrender with Solomon unto Allah, the Lord of the worlds. And we verily sent unto Thamud, their brother Sali, saying, Worship Allah, and lo, they then became two parties quarreling. He said, O my people, why will ye hasten on the evil rather than the good? Why will ye not ask pardon of Allah that ye may receive mercy? They said, We augur evil of thee and those with thee. He said, Your evil augury is with Allah. Nay, but ye are folk that are being tested. And there were in the city nine persons who made mischief in the land and reformed not. They said, Swear one to another by Allah that we verily will attack him and his household by night. And afterward we will surely say unto his friend, We witness it not the destruction of his household, and lo, we are truth tellers. So they plotted a plot, and we plotted a plot, while they perceived not. Then see the nature of the consequence of their plotting, for lo, we destroy them and their people, everyone. See, yonder are their dwellings empty and in ruins, because they did wrong. Lo, herein is indeed important for a people who have knowledge. And we save those who believed and used to ward off evil. And lot, when he said unto his folk, Will ye commit abomination knowingly? Must ye need lust after men instead of women? Nay, but here are folk who act senselessly. But the answer of his folk was not, save that they said, expel the household of lot from your township, for they forsooth are folk who would keep clean. Then we saved him and his household save his wife, with that in her to be of those who stayed behind. And we reined the rain upon them, dreadful is the rain of those who have been warned. Say, O Muhammad, praise be to Allah and peace be on his slaves whom he hath chosen. Is Allah best, or all that ye ascribe as partners unto him? It's not he best who created the heavens and the earth, and sendeth down for you water from the sky, wherewith we cause to spring forth joyous orchards, whose trees it never hath been yours to cause to grow. Is there any God beside Allah? Nay, but they are folk who ascribe equals unto him. Is not he best who made the earth a fixed abode, and placed rivers in the folds thereof, and placed firm hills therein, and hath set the barrier between the two seas? Is there any God beside Allah? Nay, but most of them know not. It's not he best who answered the wronged one when he cried unto him, and removed with the evil, and hath made you viceroy of the earth. Is there any God beside Allah? Little do they reflect. It's not he best who guided you in the darkness of the land and the sea. He who sendeth the winds at heralds of his mercy. Is there any God beside Allah? High exalted be Allah from all that they ascribe as partner unto him. It's not he best who produced creation, then reproduced it, and who provided for you from the heaven and the earth. Is there any God beside Allah? Say, bring her proof, if ye are truthful. Say, O Muhammad, none in the heavens and the earth knoweth the unseen save Allah, and they know not when they will be raised again. Nay, but doth their knowledge reach to the hereafter? Nay, for they are endowed concerning it. Nay, for they cannot see it. Yet those who disbelieve say, when we have become dust like our fathers, shall we verily be brought forth again? We will promise this, forsooth, we and our fathers. All this is not but fables of the men of old. Say unto them, O Muhammad, travelling the land and see the nature of the sequel for the guilty, and grieve thou not for them, nor be in distress, because of what they plot against thee. And they say, when will this promise be fulfilled, if ye are truthful? Say, it may be that a part of that which ye would hasten on is close behind you. Low, thy Lord is full of bounty for mankind, but most of them do not give thanks. Low, thy Lord knoweth surely all that their bosoms hide, and all that they proclaim. And there is nothing hidden in the heaven or the earth, but it is in a clear record. Low, this Quran, narrated unto the children of Israel, most of that concerning which they differ. And low, it is a guidance and a mercy for believers. Low, thy Lord will judge between them of his wisdom, and he is the mighty, the wise. Therefore, O Muhammad, put thy trust in Allah, for thou standest on the plain truth. Low, thou canst not make the dead to hear, nor canst thou make the deaf to hear the call when they have turned to flee. Nor canst thou lead the blind out of their error. Thou canst make none to hear. Save those who believe are revelations and who have surrendered. And when the word is fulfilled concerning them, we shall bring forth a beast of the earth to speak unto them, because mankind had not faith in our revelations. And remind them of the day when we shall gather out every nation, a host of those who denied our revelations, and they will be set in array. Till when they come before their Lord he will say, Did you deny my revelations when you could not compass them in knowledge, or what was it that you did? And the word will be fulfilled concerning them, because they have done wrong, and they will not speak. Have they not seen how we have appointed the night that they may rest therein, and the day site giving? Low, therein verily are portents for a people who believe. And remind them of the day when the trumpet will be blown, and all who are in the heavens and the earth will start in fear. Save him who Allah willeth. And all come unto him, humbled. And thou cease the hills, thou dimest solid, flying with the flight of clouds, the doing of Allah who perfecteth all things, lo, he is informed of what ye do. Whoso bringeth a good deed will have better than its worth, and such are safe from fear that day. And whoso bringeth an ill deed, such will be flung down on their faces in the fire. Are ye rewarded ought save what ye did? Say, I, Muhammad, am commanded only to serve the Lord of this land, which he hath hollowed, and unto whom all things belong. And I am commanded to be of those who surrender unto him, and to recite the Quran, and whoso goeth right, goeth right only for the good of his own soul, and as for him who goeth astray, unto him say, lo, I am only a warner. And say, praise be to Allah who will show you his portents, to which ye shall know them, and thy Lord is not unaware of what ye mortals do. End of Sura 27 Sura 28 of the Meaning of the Glorious Qudan This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information, or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. Recording by Linny The Meaning of the Glorious Qudan Translated by Muhammad Marmadouk Pict Hall Sura 28 The Story Revealed at Mecca In the Name of Allah, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful Ta, Sin, Mim These are revelations of the Scripture that make it plain. We narrate unto thee somewhat of the story of Moses and Pharaoh with truth for folk who believe. Lo, Pharaoh exalted himself in the earth and made its people cased. A tribe among them he oppressed, killing their sons and sparing their women. Lo, he was of those who were corruption. And we desire to show favor unto those who were oppressed in the earth, and to make them examples, and to make them the inheritors, and to establish them in the earth, and to show Pharaoh and Haman and their hosts that which they feared from them. And we inspire the mother of Moses, saying, Suckle him, and when thou fearst for him, then cast him into the river, and fear not, nor grieve. Lo, we shall bring him back unto thee and shall make him one of our messengers. And the family of Pharaoh took him up that he might become for them an enemy and a sorrow. Lo, Pharaoh and Haman and their hosts were ever sinning. And the wife of Pharaoh said, He will be a consolation for me and for thee. Kill him not. Per adventure he may be of use to us, or we may choose him for a son. And they perceived not. And the heart of the mother of Moses became void, and she would have betrayed him if we had not fortified her heart that she might be of the believers. And she said unto his sister, Trace him. So she observed him from afar, and they perceived not. And we had before forbidden foster mothers for him. So she said, Shall I show you a household who will rear him for you and take care of him? So we restored him to his mother that she might be comforted and not grieve, and that she might know that the promise of Allah is true. But most of them know not. And when he reached his full strength and was ripe, we gave him wisdom and knowledge. Thus do we reward the good. And he entered the city at a time of carelessness of its folk. And he found therein two men fighting, one of his own cased and the other of his enemies. And he who was of his cased asked him for help against him who was of his enemies. So Moses struck him with his fist and killed him. And he said, This is of the devils doing. Low, he is an enemy, a mere misleader. He said, My lord, low, I have wronged my soul, so forgive me. Then he forgave him. Low, he is the forgiving, the merciful. He said, My lord, for as much as thou hast favored me when, behold, he who had appealed to him the day before cried out to him for help. Moses said unto him, Low, thou art indeed a mere hothead. And when he would have fallen upon the man who was an enemy unto them both, he said, Oh Moses, wouldst thou kill me as thou didst kill a person yesterday? Thou wouldst be nothing but a tyrant in the land. Thou wouldst not be of the reformers. And the man came from the uttermost part of the city, running. He said, Oh Moses, low, the chiefs take counsel against thee, to slady, therefore escape. Low, I am of those who give the good advice. So he escaped from them, fearing vigilant. He said, My lord, deliver me from the wrongdoing folk. And when he turned his face towards Midian, he said, After my lord will guide me in the right road. And when he came unto the water of Midian, he found there a whole tribe of men watering. And he found, apart from them, two women keeping back their flocks. He said, What ale of you? The two said, We cannot give our flocks to drink till the shepherds return from the water. And our father is a very old man. So he watered their flock for them. Then he turned aside into the shade and said, My lord, I am needy of whatever good thou sendest down for me. Then there came unto him one of the two women walking shyly. She said, Low, my father bideth thee that he may reward thee with a payment for that thou didst water the flock for us. Then when he came unto him and told him the whole story he said, Thou hast escaped from the wrongdoing folk. One of the two women said, O my father, hire him for the best man that thou cast hire in the strong, the trustworthy. He said, Low, I feign would marry thee to one of these two daughters of mine and condition that thou hires thyself to me for the term of the eight pilgrimages. Then, if thou completest ten, it will be of thine own accord hard for thee. Allah willing, thou will find me of the right his. He said, That is settled between thee and me. Whichever of the two terms I fulfill there will be no injustice to me and Allah is surety over what we say. Then when Moses had fulfilled the term and was travelling with his household he saw in the distance a fire and said unto his household, Bid ye here Low, I seen the distance a fire for adventure I shall bring you tidings thence or a brand from the fire yet ye may warm yourselves. And when he reached it he was called from the right side of the valley in the blessed field from the tree. O Moses, Low, I even I am Allah the Lord of the worlds. Throw down thy staff and when he saw it withen as it had been a demon he turned to flee headlong and it was said unto him O Moses, draw nigh in fear not Low, thou art of those who are secure. Thorest thy hand into the boson of thy robe it will come forth wide without hurt and guard thy heart from fear. Then these shall be two proofs from your Lord unto Pharaoh and his chiefs. Low, they are evil living folk. He said, My Lord, Low, I kill the man among them and I fear that they will kill me. My brother Aaron is more eloquent than me in speech. Therefore, send him with me as a helper to confirm me. Low, I fear that they will give the lie to me. He said, We will strengthen thine arm with thy brother and we will give unto you both power so that they cannot reach you for our portents. Ye twain and those who follow you will be the winners. We go to them with our clear tokens, they said. This is not but invented magic. We never heard of this among our father of old. And Moses said, My Lord is best aware of him who bringeth guidance from his presence and whose will be the sequel of the home of bliss. Low, wrong doers will not be successful. And Pharaoh said, Oh chiefs, I know not that ye have a God other than me so kindle for me a fire. Oh Haman, to bake the mud. And set up for me a lofty tower in order that I may serve the gods of Moses. And low, I deem him of the liars. And he and his hosts were haughty in the land without right and deemed that they would never be brought back to us. Therefore we seized him and his hosts and abandoned them unto the sea. Behold the nature of the consequence for evil doers. And we made them patrons that invite unto the fire and on the day of resurrection they will not be helped. And we made a curse to follow them in this world and on the day of resurrection they will be among the hateful. And we verily gave the scripture unto Moses after we had destroyed the generations of old. Clear testimonies for mankind and a guidance and a mercy that happily they might reflect. And thou, Muhammad, was not on the western side of the mount expounded unto Moses the commandment and thou was not among those present, but we brought forth generations and their lives dragged on for them. And thou was not a dweller in Midian reciting unto them our revelations, but we kept sending messengers to men. And thou was not beside the mount when we did call, but the knowledge of it is a mercy from thy Lord that thou mayest warn a folk unto whom no warner came before thee that happily they may give heed. Otherwise, if disaster should afflict them because of that which their own hands have sent before them, they might say, our Lord, why sentest thou no messenger unto us that we might have followed thy revelations and been of the believers? But when there came unto them the truth from our presence, they said, why is he not given the like of what was given unto Moses? Did they not disbelieve in that they say, two magics that support each other, and they say, Lo, in both we are disbelievers. Say unto them, O Muhammad, then bring a scripture from the presence of Allah that giveth clearer guidance than these two that I may follow it if he are truthful. And if they answer thee not, then know that what they follow is their lusts and who go farther astray than he who followed his lust from Allah. Lo, Allah giveth not wrongdoing folk. And now verily we have caused the word to reach them that happily they may give heed. Those unto whom we gave the scripture before it, they believe in it. And when it is recited unto them, they say, we believe in it. Lo, it is the truth from our Lord. Lo, even before it we were of those who surrender unto him. These will be given their reward twice over because they are steadfast and repel evil with good. And spend of that wherewith we have provided them. And when they hear vanity, they withdraw from it and say, unto us are works, and unto you your works. Peace be unto you. We desire not the ignorant. Lo, thou, O Muhammad, guide is not whom thou lovest, but Allah giveth whom he will. And he is best aware of those who walk a ride. And they say, if we were to follow the guidance with thee, we should be torn out of our land. Have we not established for them a sure sanctuary, where unto the procedure of all things is brought in trade, a provision from our presence? But most of them know not. And how many a community have we destroyed that was thankless for its means of livelihood? And yonder are their dwellings, which have not been inhabited after them save a little. And whatsoever you have been given is a comfort of the life of the world and an ornament thereof. And that which Allah hath is better and more lasting. Have ye then no sense as he whom we have brought in trade, and have we not brought in trade? And whatsoever you have been given is a comfort of the life of the world and an ornament thereof. And that which Allah hath is better and more lasting. Is he whom we have promised a fair promise which he will find true like him who suffered to enjoy a while the comfort of the life of the world? Then, on the day of resurrection he will be of those arraigned? On the day when he will call unto them and say, where are my partners whom ye imagined? Those concerning whom the world will have come true will say, Our Lord, these are they whom we let us stray. We let them stray even as we ourselves were stray. We declare our innocence before thee. Us, they never worshipped. And it will be said, Cry unto your so-called partners of Allah. And they will cry unto them. And they will give no answer unto them. And they will see the doom. Ah, if they had but been guided. And on the day when he will call unto them and say, What answers gave ye to the messengers? On that day all tidings for them. Nor will they ask one of another. But as for him who shall repent and believe and do right he happily may be one of the successful. Thy Lord, bringeth to pass what he willeth and chooses. They have never any choice. Glorified be Allah and exalted above all that they associate with him. And thy Lord knoweth what their breasts conceal and what they publish. Allah, there is no God save him. His is all praise in the former and the latter state. And his is the command. And unto him ye will be brought back. Say, have you thought if Allah made night everlasting for you till the day of resurrection who is a God beside Allah who could bring you light? Will ye not then hear? Say, have you thought if Allah made day everlasting for you till the day of resurrection who is a God beside Allah who could bring you night wherein ye rest? Will ye not then see? Of his mercy have he appointed for you night and day that therein ye may rest and that ye may seek his bounty and that happily ye may be thankful. And on the day when he shall call unto them and say where are my partners whom ye pretended? And we shall take out from every them they will know that Allah have the truth and all that they invented will have failed them. Now Korah was of Moses folk, but he oppressed them and we gave him so much treasure that the stores thereof would verily have been a burden for a troop of mighty men. When his own folk said unto him, exult not, lo, Allah loveeth not the exultant. But seek the abode of the hereafter in that which Allah have given thee and neglect not by portion of the world and be thou kind even as Allah have been kind to thee and seek not corruption in the earth, lo, Allah loveeth not corrupters. He said, I have been given it only on account of knowledge I possess. Knew he not that Allah had destroyed already of the generations before him men who were mightier than him and strength and greater in respect of following? Then when he forth before his people in his pump those who were desires of the life of the world said, ah would that we had the like of what have been given unto Korah, lo his lord of rare good fortune. But those who had been given knowledge said, wo unto you, the reward of Allah for him who believeth in the earth right is better and only the steadfast will obtain it. So we caused the earth to swallow him in his dwelling place. Then he had no host to help him against Allah, nor was he of those who can save themselves. And morning found those who had coveted his place but yesterday crying, ah well a day, Allah enlarges the provision for whom he will of his slaves and straighteneth it for whom he will. If Allah had not been gracious unto us he would have caused it to swallow us also. Ah, well a day, the disbelievers never prosper. As for that abode of the hereafter we assign it unto those who seek not oppression in the earth nor yet corruption. The sequel is for those who ward off evil. Whoso bringeth a good deed he will have better than the same. While as for him who bringeth an ill deed, those who do ill deeds will be requited only what they did. Lo he who have given thee the Quran for law will surely bring thee home again. Say my lord is best aware of him who bringeth guidance and him who is an error manifest. Thou hadst no hope that the scripture would be inspired in thee, but it is a mercy from thy lord, so never be a helper to the disbelievers. And let them not divert thee from the revelations of Allah after they have been sent down unto thee. But call mankind unto thy lord and be not of those who ascribe partners unto him. And cry not unto any other god along with Allah. There is no god save him. Everything will perish save his countenance. His is the command, and unto him ye will be brought back. End of Surah 28 Surah 29 Do men imagine that they will be left at ease because they say we believe and will not be tested with affliction? Lo we tested those who were before you. Thus Allah knoweth those who are and knoweth those who feign. Or do those who do ill deeds imagine that they can outstrip us? Evil for them is that which they decide. Who so looketh forward to the meeting with Allah let him know that Allah's reckoning is surely nigh, and he is the hearer, the knower. And whosoever striveth, striveth only for himself, for lo Allah is altogether independent of his creatures. And as for those who believe and do good works we verily shall make them enter in among the righteous. Of mankind is he who sayeth we believe in Allah, but if he be made to suffer for the sake of Allah, that of which thou hast no knowledge, then obey them not. Unto me is your return and I shall tell you what you used to do. And as for those who believe and do good works we verily shall make them enter in among the righteous. Of mankind is he who sayeth But if he be made to suffer for the sake of Allah, he mistake it the persecution of mankind for Allah's punishment, and then, if victory cometh from the Lord, we'll say, Lo, we were with you all the while. Is not Allah best aware of what is in the bosoms of his creatures? Verily, Allah knoweth those who believe, and verily he knoweth the hypocrites. Those who disbelieve say unto those who believe, Follow our way of religion, and we verily will bear your sins for you. They cannot bear ought of their sins. Lo, they verily are liars. But they verily will bear their own loathes and other loathes beside their own, and they verily will be questioned on the day of resurrection concerning that which they invented. And verily we sent Noah as our messenger unto his folk, and he continued with them for a thousand years, say fifty years, and the flood engulfed them, for they were wrongdoers. And we rescued him and those with him in the ship, and made of it a portent for the peoples. And Abraham, remember when he said unto his folk, Serve Allah, and keep your duty unto him, that is better for ye, if ye did but know. Ye serve instead of Allah only idols, and ye only invent a lie. Lo, those whom ye serve instead of Allah own no provision for you. So seek your provision from Allah, and serve him, and give thanks unto him, for unto him ye will be brought back. But if ye deny, then nations have denied before you. The messenger is only to convey the message plainly. See they not how Allah produces creation, then reproduces it. Lo, for Allah that is easy. Say, O Muhammad, travel in the land, and see how he originated creation. Then Allah bringeth forth the later growth. Lo, Allah is able to do all things. He punisheth whom he will, and showeth mercy unto whom he will, and unto him ye will be turned. He cannot escape from him in the earth or in the sky, and beside Allah there is for you no friend or helper. Those who disbelieve in the revelations of Allah and in their meeting with him, such have no hope of my mercy, for such there is a painful doom. But the answer of his folk was only that they said kill him or burn him. Then Allah saved him from the fire. Lo, herein verily are portents for folk who believe. He said, Ye have chosen only idols instead of Allah. The love between you is only in the life of the world. Then on the day of the resurrection ye will deny each other and curse each other, and your abode will be the fire, and ye will have no helpers. And Lot believed him, and said, Lo, I am a fugitive unto my Lord. Lo, he only he is the mighty, the wise. And we bestowed on him Isaac and Jacob, and we established the prophethood and the scripture among his seed, and we gave him his reward in the world, and Lo, in the hereafter he verily is among the righteous. And Lot, remember when he said unto his folk, Lo ye commit lewdness such as no creature did before you. For come ye not unto males, and cut ye not the road for travellers, and commit ye not abominations in your meetings. But the answer of his truth was only that they said, Bring Allah's doom upon us if thou art a truth-teller. He said, My Lord, give me victory over folk who work corruption. And when our messengers brought Abraham the good news, they said, Lo, we are about to destroy the people of that township for its people are wrongdoers. He said, Lo, Lot is there. They said, We are best aware of who is there. We are to deliver him and his household, all save his wife, who is of those who stay behind. And when our messengers came unto Lot, he was troubled upon their account, for he could not protect them, but they said, Fear not, nor grieve. Lo, we are to deliver thee and thy household, all save thy wife, who is of those who stay behind. Lo, we are about to bring down upon the folk of this township a fury from the sky because they are evil livers. And verily of that we have left a clear sign for people who have sense. And unto Midian we sent Sheyb, their brother. He said, O my people, serve Allah and look forward to the last day, and do not evil, making mischief in the earth. But they denied him, and the dreadful earthquake took place, and mourning found them prostrate in their dwelling-places. And the tribes of Ad and Tamad, their fate is manifest unto you from their ruined and deserted dwellings. Satan made their deeds seem fair unto them, and so debarred them from the way, though they were keen observers. And Korah, Pharaoh, and Hamun, Moses came unto them with clear proofs of Allah's sovereignty, but they were boastful in the land, and they were not winners in the race. So we took each one in his sin, of them he was on whom we sent a hurricane, and of them was he who was overtaken by the awful cry, and one of them was he whom we caused the earth to swallow, and one of them was he whom we drowned. It was not for Allah to wrong them, but they wronged themselves. The likeness of those who choose other patrons than Allah is as to the likeness of the spider when she taketh unto herself a house, and lo the frailest of all houses is the spider's house, if they but know. Lo, Allah knoweth what thing they invoke instead of him. He is the mighty, the wise. As for these similitudes we coin them for mankind, but none will grasp their meaning save the wise. Allah created the heavens and the earth with truth. Lo, therein is indeed important for believers. Recite that which hath been inspired in thee of the Scripture, and establish worship. Lo, worship preserveth from lewdness and iniquity, but verily remembrance of Allah is more important. And Allah knoweth what ye do. And argue not with the people of the Scripture, unless it be in a way that is better. Save with such of them as do wrong, and say, We believe in that which hath been revealed unto us and revealed unto you. Our God and your God is one, and unto him we surrender. In like manner we have revealed unto thee the Scripture, and unto those whom we gave the Scripture a foretime will believe therein, and of these also there are some who believe therein, and none deny our revelation save the disbelievers. And thou, O Muhammad, was not a reader of any Scripture before it, nor didst thou write it with thy right hand, for then might those have doubted, who follow falsehood. But it is clear revelations in the hearts of those who have been given knowledge, and none deny our revelations save wrong doers. And they say, Why are not portents sent down upon him from his Lord? Say, Portents are with Allah only, and I am but a plain warner. Was it not enough for them that we have sent down unto thee the Scripture which is read unto them? Lo, herein verily is mercy, and a reminder for folk who believe. Say unto them, O Muhammad, Allah suffices for witness between me and you. He knoweth whatsoever is in the heavens and the earth. And those who believe in vanity and disbelieve in Allah, they it is who are the losers. They bid thee hasten on the doom of Allah, and if a term had not been appointed, the doom would assuredly have come unto them ere now, and verily it will come upon them suddenly when they perceive not. They bid thee hasten on the doom, when lo, hell verily will encompass the disbelievers. On the day when the doom will overwhelm them from above and from underneath their feet he will say, Taste what you used to do. O my bond men who believe, lo, my earth is spacious, therefore serve only me. Every soul will taste of death. Then unto us you will be returned. Those who believe and do good works, them verily we shall house in lofty dwellings of the garden underneath which rivers flow. There they will dwell secure. How sweet the garden of the toilers, who persevere and put their trust in their Lord. And how many an animal there is that beareth not its own provision. Allah providedth for it and for you. He is the hearer, the knower. And if thou wert to ask, who created the heavens and the earth, and constrained the sun and the moon to their appointed work, they would say, Allah. How then are they turned away? Allah makeeth the provision wide, for whom he will of his bond men, and straighteneth it, for whom he will. Lo, Allah is aware of all things. And if thou wert to ask them, who causeth water to come down from the sky, and therewith revive the earth after its death, they verily would say, Allah. Say praise be to Allah, but most of them have no sense. This life of the world is but a past time and a gain. Lo, the home of the hereafter, that is life if they but knew. And when they mount upon the ships they pray to Allah, making their faith pure for him only, but when he bringeth them safe to land, behold, they ascribe partners unto him. That they may disbelieve in that which we have given them, and that they may take their ease, but they will come to know. Have they not seen that we have appointed a sanctuary, immune from violence, while mankind are ravaged all around them? Do they believe in falsehood and disbelieve in the bounty of Allah? Who doeth greater wrong than he who invented the lie concerning Allah, or denyeth the truth when it comes unto him? Is there not a home in hell for disbelievers? As for those who strive in us, we surely guide them to our paths, and lo, Allah is with the good. End of Surah 29 Surah 30 The Romans Revealed at Mecca In the name of Allah, the most beneficent, the most merciful. The Romans have been defeated in the nearer land, and they, after their defeat, will be victorious. Within ten years, Allah's is the command in the former case, and in the latter, and in that day believers will rejoice, in Allah's help to victory. He helpeth to victory whom he will. He is the mighty, the merciful. It is a promise of Allah. Allah faileth not his promise, but most of mankind know not. They know only some appearance of the life of the world, and are heedless of the hereafter. Have they not pondered upon themselves? Allah created not the heavens and the earth, and that which is between them, save with truth and for a destined end. But truly many of mankind are disbelievers in the meeting with their Lord. Have they not traveled in the land and seen the natures of the consequence for those who were before them? They were stronger than these in power, and they dug the earth and built upon it more than these have built. Messengers of their own came unto them with clear proofs of Allah's sovereignty. Surely Allah wronged them not, but they did wrong themselves. Then evil was the consequence to those who dealt in evil, because they denied the revelations of Allah and made amok of them. Allah produced this creation, then he reproduced it, and unto him ye will be returned. And in the day where the hour riseth, the unrighteous will despair. There will be none to intercede for them of those whom they made equal with Allah, and they will reject their partners whom they ascribed unto him. In the day when the hour cometh, in that day they will be sendered. As for those who believed and did good works, they will be made happy in a garden. But as for those who disbelieved and denied our revelations and denied the meeting of the hereafter, such will be brought to doom. So glory be to Allah when ye enter the night and when ye enter the morning. Under him be praise in the heavens and the earth, and at the suns decline and in the noonday. He bringeth forth the living from the dead, and he bringeth forth the dead from the living, and he reviveeth the earth after her death. And even so will ye be brought forth. And of his signs is this. He created you of dust and behold you human beings ranging widely. And of his signs is this. He created for you help-meats from yourselves that you might find rest in them, and he ordained between you love and mercy. Lo, herein indeed are portents for folk who reflect. And of his signs is the creation of the heavens and the earth, and the difference of your languages and colors. Lo, herein indeed are portents for men of knowledge. And of his signs is your slumber by night and by day, and your seeking of his bounty. Lo, herein indeed are portents for folk who heed. And of his signs is this. He showeth you the lightning for a fear and for a hope, and sendeth down water from the sky, and thereby quickeneth the earth after her death. Lo, herein indeed are portents for folk who understand. And of his signs is this. The heavens and the earth stand fast by his command, and afterward when he calleth you, lo, from the earth you will emerge. Unto him belongeth whosoever is in the heavens and the earth. All are obedient unto him. It is he who produces creation, then reproduces it, and it is easier for him. His is the sublime similitude in the heavens and the earth. He is the mighty, the wise. He coineth for you a similitude of yourselves. Have ye from among those whom your right hands possess, partners in the wealth? We have bestowed upon you, equal with you in respect thereof, so that ye fear them as ye fear each other, that ye ascribe unto us partners out of which we created. Thus we display the revelations for people who have sense. Nay, but those who do wrong follow their own lusts without knowledge. Who is able to guide him whom Allah hath sent astray? For such there are no helpers. So set thy purpose, O Muhammad, for religion as a man by nature upright, the nature framed of Allah in which he hath created man. There is no altering the laws of Allah's creation. That is the right religion, but most men know not. Turning unto him only, and be careful of your duty unto him and establish worship, and be not of those who ascribe partners unto him. Of those who split up their religion and became schismatics, each sect exulting in its tenets, and when harm toucheth men they cry unto their Lord, turning to him in repentance. Then when they have tasted of his mercy, behold, some of them attribute partners to their Lord. So as to disbelieve in that which we have given them, unto such it is said, enjoy yourselves a while, but you will come to know. Or have we revealed unto them any warrant which speaketh that of which they associate with him? And when we cause mankind to taste of mercy they rejoice therein, but if an evil thing befall them as the consequence of their own deeds, lo, they are in despair. See they not that Allah enlargeth the provision for whom he will, and straighteneth it, for whom he will. Lo, herein indeed are portents for folk who believe. So give to the kism in his due, and to the needy, and to the wayfarer. That is best for those who seek Allah's countenance, and such are they who are successful. That which ye give in usury, in order that it may increase on other people's property, hath no increase with Allah. But that which ye give in charity, seek Allah's countenance, hath increase manifold. Allah is he who created you, and then sustained you, then causeth you to die, then giveth life to you again. Is there any of your so-called partners of Allah that doeth odd of that? Praised and exalted be he above what they associate with him. Corruption doth appear on land and sea because of the evil which men's hands have done, that he may make them taste a part of that which they have done in order that they may return. Say, O Muhammad, to the disbelievers, travel in the land and see the nature of the consequence for those who were before you. Most of them were idolaters. So set thy purpose resolutely for their right religion, before the inevitable day cometh from Allah. On that day mankind will be sundered. Whoso disbeliveth must then bear the consequences of his disbelief, while those who do right make provision for themselves, that he may reward out of his bounty those who believe and do good works. Lo, he loveth not the disbelievers in his guidance. And of his signs is this. He sendeth Harold wins to make you taste his mercy, and that the ships may sail at his command, and that you may seek his favor, and that happily ye may be thankful. Verily, we sent before thee, Muhammad, messengers to their own folk. Then we took vengeance upon those who were guilty in regard to them. To help believers is ever incumbent upon us. Allah is he who sendeth the winds so that they raise clouds, and spreadeth them along the sky as pleaseth him, and causeth them to break and thou seest the rain downpouring from within them. And when he maketh it to fall on whom he will of his bondmen, lo, they rejoice, though before that, even before it was sent down upon them, they were in despair. Look therefore at the Prince of Allah's mercy in creation, how he quickeneth the earth after her death. Lo, he verily is the quickener of the dead, and he is able to do all things. And if we sent a wind, and they beheld it yellow, they verily would still continue in their disbelief. For verily thou, Muhammad, canst not make the dead to hear, nor canst thou make the deaf to hear the call when they have turned to flee. Nor canst thou guide the blind out of their error. Now canst make none to hear save those who believe in our revelations, so that they surrender unto him. Allah is he who shaped you out of weakness, then appointed after weakness strength, then after strength appointed weakness and gray hair. He createdth what he will. He is the knower, the mighty. And on the day when the hour riseth, the guilty will vow that they did tarry but an hour, thus were they ever deceived. But those to whom knowledge and faith are given will say, the truth is ye have tarried by Allah's decree until the day of resurrection. This is the day of resurrection, but ye use not to know. In that day their excuses will not profit those who did injustice, nor will they be allowed to make amends. Verily we have coined for mankind in this Quran all kinds of similitudes, and indeed if thou camest unto them with a miracle, those who disbelieve would verily exclaim, ye are but tricksters. Thus doth Allah seal the hearts of those who know not. So have patience, O Muhammad, Allah's promise is the very truth, and let not those who have no certainty make the impatient. End of Surah number 30 Surah 31 of the meaning of the glorious Quran. This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. The meaning of the glorious Quran, translated by Muhammad Marmadukh Pikthal. Surah 31, Lukman, Revealed at Mecca. In the name of Allah, the most beneficent, the most merciful, alif la'mim. These are revelations of the wise scripture, a guidance and a mercy for the good. In those who establish worship and pay the poor due and have sure faith in the hereafter. Such have guidance from their Lord. Such are the successful. And of mankind is he who payeth for mere pastime of discourse, that he may mislead from Allah's way without knowledge, and maketh it the butt of mockery. For such there is a shameful doom. And when our revelations are recited unto him, he turneth away in pride as if he heard them not, as if there were a deafness in his ears. So give him tidings of a painful doom. Lo, those who believe and do good works, for them are the gardens of delight. Wherein they will abide, it is a promise of Allah in truth. He is the mighty, the wise. He hath created the heavens without supports that she can see, and hath cast into the earth firm hills, so that it quake not with you, and he hath dispersed therein all kinds of beasts. And we send down water from the sky, and we cause plants of every goodly kind to grow therein. This is the creation of Allah. Now show me that which those ye worship besides him hath created. Nay, but the wrongdoers are in error manifest. And verily we gave Lukman wisdom, saying, Give thanks unto Allah, and whosoever giveth thanks, he giveth thanks for the good of his soul. And whosoever refuseth, Lo, Allah is absolute, owner of praise. And remember when Lukman said unto his son, when he was exhorting him, O my dear son, ascribe no partners unto Allah, Lo to ascribe partners unto him is a tremendous wrong. And we have enjoined upon man concerning his partners, his mother beareth him in weakness upon weakness, and his weaning is in two years. Give thanks unto me and unto thy parents. Unto me is the journeying. But if they strive with thee to make thee ascribe unto me as partner, that of which thou hast no knowledge, then obey them not. Consort with them in the world kindly, and follow the path of him who repenteth unto me. Then unto me will be your return, and I shall tell you what ye use to do. O my dear son, lo, though it be but the weight of a grain of mustard seed, and though it be in a rock, or in the heavens, or in the earth, Allah will bring it forth. Lo, Allah is subtle, aware. O my dear son, establish worship and enjoin kindness and forbid iniquity, and persevere whatever may befall thee. Lo, that is of the steadfast heart of things. Turn not thy cheek in scorn toward a folk, nor walk with pertness in the land. Lo, Allah loveth not each braggart boaster. Be modest in thy bearing, and subdue thy voice. Both the harshest of all voices is the voice of the ass. See ye not how Allah hath made serviceable unto you, whatsoever is in the skies, and whatsoever is in the earth, and hath loaded with you his favours, both without and within? Yet of mankind is he who disputeth concerning Allah, without knowledge or guidance or a scripture giving light. And if it be said unto them, follow that which Allah hath revealed, they say, Nay, but we follow that wherein we found our fathers. What? Even though the devil were inviting them unto the doom of flame? Whosoever surrendereth his purpose to Allah while doing good, he verily hath grasped the firm handhold. Unto Allah belongeth the sequel of all things. And whosoever disbeliveth, let not his disbelief afflict thee, O unto us is their return, and we shall tell them what they did. Lo, Allah is aware of what is in the breasts of men. We give them comfort for a little, and then we drive them to a heavy doom. If thou shouldst ask them, who created the heavens and the earth? They would answer Allah, say, Praise be to Allah, but most of them know not. Unto Allah belongeth whatsoever is in the heavens and the earth. Lo, Allah, he is the Absolute, the Owner of Praise. And if all the trees in the earth were pens, and the sea, with seven more seas to it, were ink, the words of Allah could not be exhausted. Lo, Allah is mighty, wise. Your creation and your raising from the dead are only as the creation and raising of a single soul. Lo, Allah is hearer, knower. Hast thou not seen how Allah causeth the night to pass into the day, and causeth the day to pass into the night, and hath subdued the sun and the moon to do their work, each running unto an appointed term, and that Allah is informed of what ye do? That is so because Allah, he is the true, and that which they invoke beside him is the false, and because Allah, he is the sublime, the great. Hast thou not seen how the ships glide on the sea by Allah's grace, that he may show you of his wonders? Lo, therein indeed are portents for every steadfast, grateful heart. And if a wave enshroudeth them, like awnings, they cry unto Allah, making their faith pure for him only. But when he bringeth them safe to land, some of them compromise. None denyeth our signs save every traitor ingrate. O mankind, keep your duty to your Lord, and fear the day when the parent will not be able to avail the child in ought, nor the child to avail the parent. Lo, Allah's promise is the very truth. Let not the life of the world beguile you, nor let the deceiver beguile you in regard to Allah. Lo, Allah, with him is knowledge of the hour. He sendeth down the rain, and knoweth that which is in the wombs. No soul knoweth what it will earn to-morrow, and no soul knoweth in what land it will die. Lo, Allah is knower, aware. End of Surah No. 31 THE PROSTRATION Revealed at Mecca In the name of Allah, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful. Alif, La Mem. The revelation of the Scripture, whereof there is no doubt, is from the Lord of the worlds. Or say they, He hath invented it? Nay, but it is the truth from thy Lord, that thou mayest warn a folk to whom no warner came before thee, that happily they may walk aright. Allah it is who created the heavens and the earth, and that which is between them, in six days. Then he mounted the throne. Ye have not beside him a protecting friend or mediator. Will ye not then remember? He directeth the ordinance from the heaven unto the earth. Then it ascendeth unto him in a day, whereof the measure is a thousand years of that ye reckon. Such is the knower of the invisible and the visible, the mighty, the merciful, who made all things good which he created. Then he began the creation of man from clay. Then he made his seed from a draft of despised fluid. Then he fashioned him, and breathed into him of his spirit. And he appointed for you hearing, and sight, and hearts. Small thanks, kippie! And they say, When we are lost in the earth, how can we then be recreated? Nay, but they are disbelievers in the meeting with their Lord. Say the angel of death, who hath charged concerning you, will gather you, and afterward unto your Lord ye will be returned. Kuts thou but see when the guilty hang their heads before the Lord, and say, Our Lord, we have now seen and heard, so send us back, we will do right, now we are sure. And if we had so willed we could have given every soul its guidance, but the word from me concerning evildoers took effect, that I will fill hell with the jinn and mankind together. So taste the evil of your deeds, for as much as you forgot the meeting of this, your day, lo, we forget you. Taste the doom of immortality because of what you used to do. Only those believe in our revelations, who, when they are reminded of them, fall down prostrate and hymn the praise of their Lord, and they are not scornful, who forsake their beds to cry unto their Lord in fear and hope, and spend of that we have bestowed on them. No soul knoweth what is kept hid for them of joy as a reward for what they used to do. Is he who is a believer like unto him who is an evil liver? They are not alike. But as for those who believe and do good works, for them are the gardens of retreat, a welcome in reward for what they used to do. And as for those who do evil, their retreat is the fire. Whenever they desire to issue forth from thence they are brought back thither. To them it is said, Taste the torment of the fire which he used to deny. And verily we make them taste the lower punishment before the greater, that happily they may return. And who doth greater wrong than he who is reminded of the revelations of his Lord, then turneth away from them? Lo, we shall require the guilty. We verily gave Moses the scripture, so be not ye in doubt of his receiving it, and we appointed it a guidance for the children of Israel. But when they became steadfast and believed firmly in our revelations, we appointed from them leaders who guided by our command. Lo, thy Lord will judge between them on the day of resurrection, concerning that wherein they used to differ. Is it not a guidance for them to observe how many generations we destroyed before them, amid whose dwelling places they do walk? Lo, therein verily are portents. Will they not then heed? Have they not seen how we lead the water to the barren land, therewith bring forth crops whereof their cattle eat, and they themselves? Will they not then see? And then they say, when cometh this victory of yours, if ye are truthful? Say unto them, on the day of the victory the faith of those who disbelieve, and who then will believe, will not avail them, neither will they be reprieved. So withdraw from them, O Muhammad, and await the event. Lo, they also are awaiting it. End of Surah thirty-two Surah thirty-three of the Meaning of the Glorious Quran This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. The Meaning of the Glorious Quran. Translated by Muhammad Omarudh Pikthal Surah thirty-three The Clans Revealed at Medina In the name of Allah, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful O Prophet, keep thy duty to Allah and obey not the disbelievers and the hypocrites. Lo, Allah is knower, wise. And follow that which is inspired in thee from thy Lord. Lo, Allah is aware of what ye do. And put thy trust in Allah, for Allah is sufficient as trustee. Allah hath not assigned unto any man two hearts within his body, nor hath he made your wives whom ye declare to be your mothers, nor hath he made those whom ye claim to be your sons, your sons. This is but a saying of your mouths. But Allah sayeth the truth, and he showeth the way. Proclaim their real parentage. That will be more equitable in the sight of Allah. And if ye know not their fathers, then they are your brethren in faith, and all your clients. And there is no sin for you in the mistakes that ye make, unintentionally. But what's your heart's purpose? That will be a sin for you. Allah is ever forgiving, merciful. The prophet is closer to the believers than their selves, and his wives are as their mothers. And the owners of kinship are closer one to another in the ordinance of Allah than other believers, and the fugitives who fled from Mecca, except that ye should do kindness to your friends. This is written in the Book of Nature. And when we exacted a covenant from the prophets, and from thee, O Muhammad, and from Noah and Abraham, and Moses and Jesus, son of Mary, we took from them a solemn covenant, that he may ask the loyal of their loyalty, and he hath prepared a painful doom for the unfaithful. O ye who believe, remember Allah's favour unto you when there came against you hosts, and we sent against them a great wind, and hosts ye could not see. And Allah is ever seer of what ye do. When they came upon you from above you and from below you, and when eyes grew wild and hearts reached to the throats, and ye were imagining vain thoughts concerning Allah, there were the believers sorely tried and shaken with a mighty shock. And when the hypocrites, and those in whose hearts is a disease, were saying, Allah and his messenger promised us not but delusion, and twenty-party of them said, O folk of Yathrib, there is no stand possible for you, therefore turn back. And certain of them even sought permission of the prophets, saying, Our homes lie open to the enemy, and they lay not open, but they wish to flee. If the enemy had entered from all sides, and they had been exhorted to treachery, they would have committed it, and would have hesitated thereupon but little. And verily they had already sworn unto Allah that they would not turn their backs to the foe, and oath to Allah must be answered for. Say, Flight will not avail you if ye flee from death or killing, and then ye dwell in comfort but a little while. Say, Who is he who can preserve you from Allah if he intendeth harm for you, or intendeth mercy for you? They will not find that they have any friend or helper other than Allah. Allah already knoweth those of you who hinder, and those who say unto their brethren, Come hither unto us, and they come not to the stress of battle save a little, being sparing of their help to you, believers. But when the fear cometh, then thou, Muhammad, seeest them regarding thee with rolling eyes, like one who fainteth unto death, then when the fear departeth they scald you with sharp tongues in their greed for wealth from the spoil. Such have not believed, therefore Allah maketh their deeds fruitless, and that is easy for Allah. They hold that the clans have not retired for good, and if the clans should advance again they would feign be in the desert with the wandering Arabs asking for the news of you, and if they were among you they would not give battle save a little. Surely in the messenger of Allah ye have a good example for him who looketh into Allah in the last day, and remembereth Allah much. And when the true believers saw the clans they said, This is that which Allah and his messenger promised us. Allah and his messenger are true. It did but confirm them in their faith and resignation. Of the believers are men who are true to that which they covenanted with Allah. Some of them have paid their vow by death and battle, and some of them are still waiting, and they have not altered in the least. That Allah may reward the true men for their truth and punish the hypocrites if he will, or relent toward them if he will. Lo, Allah is forgiving, merciful. And Allah repulsed the disbelievers in their wrath. They gained no good. Allah averted their attack from the believers. Allah is ever strong, mighty. And he brought those of the people of the scripture who supported them down from their strongholds and cast panic into their hearts. Some of you slew, and you made captive some. And he caused you to inherit their land and their houses and their wealth, and land you have not trodden. Allah is ever able to do all things. O Prophet, say unto thy wives, If you desire the world's life and its adornment, come, I will content you and will release you with a fair release. But if you desire Allah and his messenger and the abode of the hereafter, then lo, Allah hath prepared for the good among you an immense reward. O ye wives of the Prophet, whosoever of you commiteth manifest lewdness, the punishment for her will be doubled, and that is easy for Allah. And whosoever of you is submissive unto Allah and his messenger and doeth right, we shall give her her reward twice over, and we have prepared for her a rich provision. O ye wives of the Prophet, ye are not like any other women. If ye keep your duty to Allah, then be not soft of speech, lest he in whose heart is a disease aspire to you. But utter customary speech, and stay in your houses, bedisen not yourselves with the bedisement of the time of ignorance. Be regular in prayer, and pay the poor due, and obey Allah and his messenger. Allah's wish is but to remove uncleanness far from you, o folk of the household, and cleanse you with a thorough cleansing. And bear in mind that which is recited in your houses of the revelations of Allah and wisdom. Lo, Allah is subtle, aware. Lo, men who surrender unto Allah, and women who surrender, and men who believe, and women who believe, and men who obey, and women who obey, and men who speak the truth, and women who speak the truth, and men who persevere in righteousness, and women who persevere, and men who are humble, and women who are humble, and men who give alms, and women who give alms, and men who fast, and women who fast, and men who guard their modesty, and women who guard their modesty, and men who remember Allah much, and women who remember, Allah hath prepared for them forgiveness and a vast reward. And it becomeeth not a believing man or a believing woman, when Allah and his messenger have decided an affair for them, that they should, after that, claim any say in their affair, and whoso is rebellious to Allah and his messenger, he verily goeth astray in error manifest. And when thou setst unto him, on whom Allah hath conferred favor, and thou hath conferred favor, keep thy wife to thyself, and fear Allah, and thou didst hide in thy mind that which Allah was to bring to light, and thou didst fear mankind, whereas Allah hath a better right than thou shouldst fear him. So when Zaid had performed that necessary formality of divorce from her, we gave her unto thee in marriage, so that henceforth there may be no sin for believers in respective wives of their adopted sons, when the latter have performed the necessary formality of release from them. The commandment of Allah must be fulfilled. There is no reproach for the prophet in that which Allah maketh his due. That was Allah's way with those who passed away of old, and the commandment of Allah is certain destiny. Who delivered the messages of Allah and feared him, and feared none save Allah? Allah keepeth good account. Muhammad is not the father of any man among you, but he is the messenger of Allah and the seal of the prophets, and Allah is ever aware of all things. O ye who believe, remember Allah with much remembrance, and glorify him early and late. He it is who blesseth you, and his angels bless you, that he may bring you forth from darkness into light, and he is ever merciful to the believers. Their salutation on the day when they shall meet him will be peace, and he hath prepared for them a goodly recompense. O Prophet, lo, we have sent thee as a witness and a bringer of good tidings and a warner, and as a summoner unto Allah by his permission, and as a lamp that giveth light. An announce unto the believers the good tidings that they will have great bounty from Allah, and incline not to the disbelievers and the hypocrites. Disregard their noxious talk, and put thy trust in Allah. Allah is sufficient as trustee. O ye who believe, if ye wed believing women and divorce them before you have touched them, then there is no period that ye should reckon, but content them and release them handsomely. O Prophet, lo, we have made lawful unto thee thy wives, unto whom thou has paid their dowries, and those whom thy right hand possesses, of those whom Allah hath given thee as spoils of war, and the daughters of thine uncle on thy father's side, and the daughters of thine aunt's on the father's side, and the daughters of thine uncle on the mother's side, and the daughters of thine aunt's on the mother's side, who emigrated with thee, and a believing woman, if she give herself unto the Prophet, and the Prophet desire to ask her in marriage, a privilege for thee only, not for the rest of believers. We are aware of that which we enjoined upon them concerning their wives, and those whom their right hands possess, that thou mayest be free from blame, for Allah is ever forgiving, merciful. Thou canst defer whom thou wilt of them, and receive unto thee whom thou wilt, and whomesoever thou desirest of those whom thou hast set aside temporarily, it is no sin for thee to receive her again, that is better, that they may be comforted and not grieve, and may all be pleased with what thou givest them. Allah knoweth what is in your hearts, O men, and Allah is ever forgiving, Clement. It is not allowed thee to take other women henceforth, nor that thou should change them for other wives, even though their beauty pleas thee, save those whom thy right hand possesses. And Allah is ever watcher over all things. O ye who believe, enter not the dwellings of the Prophet for a meal without waiting for the proper time, unless permission be granted you. But if ye are invited, enter, and when your meal is ended, then disperse. Linger not for conversation. Lo, that would cause annoyance to the Prophet, and he would be shy of asking you to go. But Allah is not shy of the truth. And when ye ask of them, the wives of the Prophet, anything, ask it of them from behind a curtain. That is purer for your hearts and for their hearts. And it is not for you to cause annoyance to the Messenger of Allah, nor that ye should ever marry his wives after him. Lo, that in Allah's sight would be an enormity. Whether ye divulge a thing or keep it hidden, lo, Allah is ever knower of all things. It is no sin for them, thy wives, to converse freely with their fathers, or their sons, or their brothers, or their brothers' sons, or the sons of their sisters, or of their own women or their slaves. O women, keep your duty to Allah. Lo, Allah is ever witness over all things. Lo, Allah and his angels shower blessings upon the Prophet. O ye who believe, ask blessings on him, and salute him with a worthy salutation. Lo, those whom align Allah and his Messenger, Allah hath cursed them in the world and they hereafter, and hath prepared for them the doom of the disdain. And those whom align, believing men and believing women, undeservedly, they bear the guilt of slander and manifest sin. O Prophet, tell thy wives and thy daughters and the women of the believers to draw their cloaks close round them when they go abroad. That will be better, so that they may be recognized and not annoyed. Allah is ever forgiving, merciful. If the hypocrites and those in whose hearts is the disease and the alarmists in the city do not cease, we verily shall urge thee on against them when they will be your neighbors in it but a little while. A cursed they will be seized wherever found and slain with a fierce slaughter. That was the way of Allah in the case of those who passed away of old. Thou wilt not find for the way of Allah aught of power to change. Men ask thee of the hour, say, the knowledge of it is with Allah only. What can convey the knowledge unto me? It may be that the hour is nigh. Lo, Allah hath cursed the disbelievers and hath prepared for them a flaming fire wherein they will abide for ever. They will find then no protecting friend nor helper. On the day when the faces are turned over in the fire they say, O, would that we had obeyed Allah and had obeyed his messenger. And they say, Our Lord, lo, we obeyed our princes and great men and they misled us from the way. Our Lord, O, give them double torment and curse them with a mighty curse. O ye who believe, be not as those who slandered Moses, but Allah proved his innocence of that which they alleged, and he was well esteemed in Allah's sight. O ye who believe, guard your duty to Allah and speak words straight to the point. He will adjust your works for you and will forgive your sins. Whosoever obeyeth Allah and his messenger, he verily hath gained a signal victory. Lo, we offered the trust unto the heavens and the earth and the hills, but they shrank from bearing it and were afraid of it. And man assumed it. Lo, he hath proved a tyrant and a fool. So Allah punisheth hypocritical men and hypocritical women, and idolatrous men and idolatrous women. But Allah pardoneth believing men and believing women, and Allah is ever forgiving, merciful. CHAPTER 3 Sabah Revealed at Mecca In the name of Allah the most beneficent, the most merciful. Praise be to Allah, unto whom belongeth whatsoever is in the heavens and whatsoever is in the earth. His is the praise and the hereafter, and he is the wise, the aware. He knoweth that which goeth into the earth and that which cometh forth from it, and that descendeth from the heaven and that which ascendeth into it. He is the merciful, the forgiving. Those who disbelieve say, the hour will never come unto us. Say, Nay, by my Lord, but it is coming unto you surely. He is the knower of the unseen. Not an Adam's weight, or less than that, or greater, escapeeth him in the heavens, or in the earth. But it is in a clear record, that he may reward those who believe and do good works. For them is pardon and a rich provision. But those who strive against our revelations, challenging us, theirs will be a painful doom of wrath. Those who have been given knowledge to see what is revealed unto thee from thy Lord is the truth and leadeth into the path of the mighty, the owner of praise. Those who disbelieve say, shall we show you a man who will tell you that when you have become dispersed in dust, with most complete dispersal still, even then ye will be created anew? Have he invented a lie concerning Allah, or is there in him a madness? Nay, but those who disbelieve in the hereafter are in torment and far error. Have they not observed what is before them and what is behind them of the sky and the earth? If we will we can make the earth swallow them, or cause obliteration from the sky to fall on them. Lo, herein surely is important for every slave who turneth to Allah repentant. And assuredly we gave David grace from us, saying, O ye hills and birds, echo his psalms of praise, and we made the iron supple unto him, saying, Make thou long coats of mail and measure the links thereof. And do ye write, Lo, I am seer of what ye do. And unto Solomon we gave the wind, whereof the morning course was a month's journey and the evening course a month's journey. We caused the fount of copper to gush forth for him, and we gave him certain of the jinn who worked before him by permission of his Lord. And such of them is deviated from our command. We caused to taste the punishment of flaming fire. They made for him what he willed, synagogues and statues, basins like wells and boilers built into the ground. Give thanks, O house of David. Few of my bond men are thankful. And when we decreed death for him, nothing showed his death to them save a creeping creature of the earth which not away his staff. And when he fell the jinn saw clearly how, if they had known the unseen, they would not have continued in despised toil. There was indeed a sign for Sheba in their dwelling place. Two gardens on the right hand and the left, as who should say, Eat of the provision of your Lord and render thanks to him. A fair land and an indulgent Lord. But they were forward, so we sent on them the flood of Imram, and in exchange for their two gardens gave them two gardens bearing bitter fruit, the tamarisk and here and there a loatree. This we awarded them because of their ingratitude. Punish we ever any save the ingrates? And we set between them and the towns which we had blessed, towns easy to be seen, and we made the stage between them easy, saying, Travel in them safely both by night and day. But they said, Our Lord, make the stage between our journeys longer, and they wronged themselves, therefore we made them by words, in the land, and scattered them abroad, a total scattering. Lo, herein verily are portents for each steadfast, grateful heart. And Satan indeed found his calculation true concerning them, for they follow him, all save a group of true believers. And he had no warrant whatsoever against them, save that we would know him who believeth in the hereafter from him who is in doubt thereof, and thy Lord, O Muhammad, taketh note of all things. Say, O Muhammad, call upon those whom ye set up beside Allah. They possess not an atom's weight, either in the heavens or in the earth, nor have they any share in either, nor hath he an auxiliary among them. No intercession availeth with him, save for whom he permiteth. Yet when fear is banished from their hearts they say, What was it that your Lord said? They say the truth, and he is the sublime, the great. Say who giveth you provision from the sky and the earth? Say Allah, Lo, we or you assuredly are right guided or in error manifest. Say ye will not be asked of what we committed, nor shall we be asked of what ye do. Say our Lord will bring us all together, then he will judge between us with truth. He is the all-knowing judge. Say show me those whom ye have joined unto him as partners. Nay ye dare not, for he is Allah, the mighty, the wise. And we have not sent thee, O Muhammad, save as a bringer of good tidings, and a warner unto all mankind, but most of mankind know not. And they say, When is this promise to be fulfilled if ye are truthful? Say, O Muhammad, yours is the promise of a day which she cannot postpone nor hasten by an hour. And those who disbelieve say, We believe not in this Quran, nor in that which was before it, but, O, if thou couldst see, when the wrongdoers are brought up before their Lord, how they cast the blame one to another, how those who were despised in the earth say unto those who were proud, but for you we should have been believers. Those who were proud say unto those who were despised. Did we drive you away from the guidance after it had come unto you? Nay, but ye were guilty. Those who were despised say unto those who were proud. Nay, but it was your scheming night and day when ye commanded us to disbelieve in Allah and set up rivals unto him. And they are filled with remorse when they behold the doom, and we place carcans on the necks of those who disbelieved. Are they requited, ought, save what they used to do? And we sent not unto any township a warner, but its pampered ones declared, Lo, we are disbelievers in that wherewith ye have been sent. And they say, We are more than you in wealth and children. We are not the punished. Say, O Muhammad, Lo, my Lord enlargeth the provision for whom he will, and narrow it it for whom he will. But most of mankind know not. And it is not your wealth nor your children that will bring you nearer unto us, but he who believeth and doeth good he draweth nearer. As for such, theirs will be twofold reward for what they did, and they will dwell secure in lofty halls. And as for those who strive against our revelations, challenging, they will be brought to the doom. Say, My Lord enlargeth the provision for whom he will of his bondman, and narrow it it for him. And whatsoever ye spend for good he replaceeth it, and he is the best of providers. Was it you that these men used to worship? And on the day when he will gather them all together, he will say unto the angels, Did these worship you? They will say, Be thou glorified, thou alone art our guardian, not them. Nay, but they worshiped the jinn. Most of them were believers in them. That day ye will possess no use nor hunt one for another. And we shall say unto those who did wrong, taste the doom of the fire which ye used to deny. And if our revelations are recited unto them in plain terms they say, This is not else than a man who would turn you away from what your fathers used to worship. And they say, This is not else than an invented lie. Those who disbelieve say of the truth when it reaches them, This is not else than mere magic. And we have given them no scriptures which they study, nor sent we unto them before thee any warner. Those before them denied, and those have not attained a tithe of that which we bestowed on them of old, yet they denied my messengers. How intense then was my abhorrence of them. Say unto them, O Muhammad, I extort you unto one thing only, that ye awake for Allah's sake, by twos and singly, and then reflect, There is no madness in your comrade. He is not else than a warner unto you in face of a terrific doom. Say whatever reward I might have asked of you is yours. My reward is the affair of Allah only. He is witness over all things. Say lo, my Lord hurleth the truth. He is the knower of things hidden. Say the truth hath come, and falsehood showeth not its face, and will not return. Say if I err, I err only to my own loss. And if I am rightly guided, it is because of that which my Lord hath revealed unto me. Lo he is nearer, hennai. Couldst thou but see when they are terrified with no escape, and are seized from near at hand, and say, We now believe they are in, but how can they reach faith from afar off, when they disbelieved in it of your? They aim at the unseen from afar off. And a gulf is set between them and that which they desire, as was done for the people of their kind of old. Lo, they were in hopeless doubt. End of Surah 34 Surah 35 of the Meaning of the Glorious Qur'an. This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. The Meaning of the Glorious Qur'an. Translated by Mohammed Marmadouk Pikthal. Surah 35 The Angels Revealed at Mecca. In the name of Allah, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful. Praise be to Allah, the Creator of the heavens and the earth, who appointed the angels, messengers, having wings, two, three and four. He multiplieth in creation what He will. Lo, Allah is able to do all things. That which Allah openeth unto mankind of mercy, none can withhold it, and that which He withholdeth, none can release thereafter. He is the Mighty, the Wise. O mankind, remember Allah's grace toward you. Is there any Creator other than Allah who provided for you from the sky and the earth? There is no God save Him. Wither then are you turned. And if they deny thee, O Mohammed, messengers of Allah were denied before thee. Unto Allah all things are brought back. O mankind, lo, the promise of Allah is true. So let not the life of the world beguile you, and let not the avowed beguiler beguile you with regard to Allah. Lo, the devil is an enemy for you, so treat him as an enemy. He summoneth his faction to be owners of the flaming fire. Those who disbelieve, theirs will be an awful doom. And those who believe and do good works, theirs will be forgiveness and a great reward. Is he the evil of whose deeds is made far-seeming unto him, so that he demeth it good, other than Satan's dupe? Allah verily sendeth whom he will astray, and guideeth whom he will, so let not thy soul expire in signs for them. Lo, Allah is aware of what they do. And Allah it is who sendeth the winds, and they raise a cloud. Then we lead it unto a dead land, and revive therewith the earth after its death. Such is the resurrection. Who so desireth power should know that all power belongeth to Allah? Under him good words ascend, and the pious deed death he exalt. But those who plot iniquities, theirs will be an awful doom, and the plotting of such folk will come to not. Allah created you from dust, then from a little fluid, then he made you pears, the male and female. No female bareth or bringeth forth save with his knowledge, and no one groweth old who groweth old, nor is ought lessened of his life, but it is recorded in a book. Lo, that is easy for Allah. And the two seas are not alike, this fresh, sweet, good to drink, this other bitter, salt. And from them both ye eat fresh meat, and derive the ornament that ye wear, and thou seest the ship cleaving them with its prow that ye may seek of his bounty, and that haply ye may give thanks. He maketh the night to pass into the day, and he maketh the day to pass into the night. He hath subdued the sun and moon to service, each runneth unto an appointed term. Such is Allah, your Lord. His is the sovereignty, and those unto whom ye pray instead of him own not so much as the white spot on a date-stone. If ye pray unto them they hear not your prayer, and if they heard they could not grant it to you. On the day of resurrection they will disown association with you. None can inform you like him who is aware. O mankind, ye are the poor in your relation to Allah, and Allah he is the Absolute, the owner of praise. If he will he can be rid of you and bring instead of you some new creation. That is not a hard thing for Allah. And no burden soul can bear another's burden, and if one heavy laden cryeth for help with his load not of it will be lifted even though he unto whom he cryeth be of kin. Thou warnest only those who fear their Lord in secret and have established worship. He who groweth in goodness groweth only for himself. He cannot by his merit redeem others. Unto Allah is the journeying. The blind man is not equal with the seer, nor is darkness tantamount to light, nor is the shadow equal with the sun's full heat, nor are the living equal with the dead. Lo, Allah maketh whom he will to hear. Thou canst not reach those who are in the graves. Thou art but a warner. Lo, we have sent thee with the truth, a bearer of glad tidings and a warner, and there is not a nation but a warner have passed among them. And if they deny thee, those before them also denied. Their messengers came unto them with clear proofs of Allah's sovereignty, and with the Psalms and the Scripture giving light. Then seized I those who disbelieved, and how intense was my abhorrence. Hast thou not seen that Allah causeth water to fall from the sky, and we produce therewith fruit of diverse hues, and among the hills are streaks white and red of diverse hues, and others raven black, and of men and beasts and cattle, in like manner diverse hues? The air you died among his bond men fear Allah alone. Lo, Allah is mighty, forgiving. Lo, those who read the Scripture of Allah and establish worship, and spend of that which we have bestowed on them secretly and openly, they look forward to imperishable gain, that he will pay them their wages and increase them of his grace. Lo, he is forgiving, responsive. As for that which we inspire in thee of the Scripture, it is the truth confirming that which was revealed before it. Lo, Allah is indeed observer, seer of his slaves. Then we gave the Scripture as inheritance unto those whom we elected of our bond men. But of them are some who wrong themselves, and of them are some who are lukewarm, and of them are some who outstrip others through good deeds, by Allah's leave. That is the great favor. Gardens of Eden, they enter them wearing armlets of gold and pearl, and their raiment therein is silk. And they say, Praise be to Allah, who hath put grief away from us. Lo, our Lord is forgiving, bountiful. Who of his grace hath installed us in the mansions of eternity, where toil touches hath not, nor can weariness affect us. But as for those who disbelieve, for them is fire of hell. It taketh not complete effect upon them, so that they can die, nor is its torment lightened for them. Thus we punish every ingrate. And they will cry for help there, saying, Our Lord, release us. We will do right, not the wrong that we used to do. Did not we grant you a life long enough for him who reflected to reflect therein? And the warner came unto you. Now taste the flavor of your deeds, for evildoers have no helper. Lo, Allah is the knower of the unseen of the heavens and the earth. Lo, he is aware of the secret of men's breasts. He it is who hath made you regions in the earth, so he who disbeliveth his disbelief be on his own head. Their disbelief increases for the disbelievers in their Lord's sight, not save abhorrence. Their disbelief increases for the disbelievers, not save loss. Say, have you seen your partner gods to whom you pray beside Allah? Show me what they created in the earth. Or have they any portion in the heavens? Or have we given them a scripture, so they act on clear proof therefrom? Nay, the evildoers promise one another only to deceive. Lo, Allah graspeth the heavens and the earth that they deviate not, and if they were to deviate there is not one that could grasp them after him. Lo, he is ever clement, forgiving. And they swore by Allah their most binding oath, that if a warner came unto them they would be more tractable than any of the nations. Yet when a warner came unto them it aroused in them not save repugnance, shown in their behavior arrogantly in the land and plotting evil. And the plot encloseeth but the men who make it. Then can they expect ought save treatment of the folk of old? Thou wilt not find for Allah's way of treatment any substitute, nor wilt thou find for Allah's way of treatment odd of power to change. Have they not traveled in the land and seen the nature of the consequence for those who were before them, and they were mightier than these in power? Allah is not such that ought in the heavens or in the earth escapeeth him. Lo, he is the wise, the mighty. If Allah took mankind to task by that which they deserve, he would not leave a living creature on the surface of the earth, but he reprieved them unto an appointed term, and when their term cometh, then verily they will know that Allah is ever seer of his slaves. End of Surah 35 Yassin Revealed at Mecca In the name of Allah the most beneficent, the most merciful, Yassin. By the wise Qur'an, lo, thou art of those sent on a straight path, a revelation of the mighty, the merciful, that thou mayest warn a folk whose fathers were not warned, so they are heedless. Already hath the judgment, for their infidelity proved true of most of them, for they believe not. Lo, we have put on their necks, carcings, reaching into the chins, so that they are made stiff-necked, and we have set a bar before them and a bar behind them, and thus have covered them so that they see not. Whether thou warn them or thou warn them not, it is alike for them, for they believe not. Thou warnest only him who followeth the reminder and feareth the beneficent in secret. To him bear tidings of forgiveness and a rich reward. Lo, we it is who bring the dead to life. We record that which they send before them and their footprints, and all things we have kept in a clear register. Coin for them a similitude, the people of the city, when those sent from Allah came unto them. When we sent unto them twain, and they denied them both. So we reinforced them with a third, and they said, Lo, we have been sent unto you. They said, ye are but mortals, like unto us. The beneficent hath not revealed, ye do but lie. They answered, Our Lord knoweth that we are indeed sent unto you, and our duty is but plain conveyance of the message. The people of the city said, We auger ill of you. If ye desist not, we shall surely stone you, and grievous torture will befall you at our hands. They said, Your evil augury be with you. Is it because ye are reminded of the truth? Nay, but ye are forward folk. And there came from the uttermost part of the city a man running. He cried, O my people, follow those who have been sent. Follow those who ask of ye no fee, and who are rightly guided. For what cause should I not serve him who hath created me? And unto whom will ye be brought back? Will I take other gods in place of him when, if the beneficent should wish me any harm, their intercession will avail me not, nor can they save? Then truly I should be an error manifest. Lo, I have believed in your Lord, so hear me. It was said unto him, Enter paradise. He said, Would that my people knew, with what munificence my Lord hath pardoned me, and made me of the honoured ones. We sent not down against his people after him a host from heaven, nor do we ever send. It was but one shout, and lo, they were extinct. Ah! The anguish for the bondmen! Never came there unto them a messenger, but they did mock him. Have they not seen how many generations we destroyed before them, which indeed returned not unto them? But all without exception will be brought before us. A token unto them is the dead earth. We revive it, and we bring forth from it grain, so that they eat thereof. And we have placed therein gardens of the date-palm and grapes, and we have caused springs of water to gush forth therein, that they may eat of the fruit thereof, and their hands made it not. Will they not, then, give thanks? Glory be to him who created all the sexual pairs, of that which the earth groweth, and of themselves, and of that which they know not. A token unto them is night. We strip it of the day, and lo, they are in darkness. And the sun runneth on unto a resting place for him. That is the measuring of the mighty, the wise. And for the moon we have appointed mansions till she return like an old shriveled palm-leaf. It is not for the sun to overtake the moon, nor doth the night outstrip the day. They float each in an orbit. And a token unto them is that we bear their offspring in the laden ship, and have created for them of the like thereof whereon they ride. And if we will, we drown them, and there is no hope for them, neither can they be saved, unless by mercy from us and as comfort for a while. When it is said unto them, Beware of that which is before you and that which is behind you, that happily you may find mercy, they are heedless. Never came a token of the tokens of their Lord to them, but they did turn away from it. And when it is said unto them, Spend of that wherewith Allah hath provided you, those who disbelieve say unto those who believe, Shall we feed those whom Allah, if he willed, would feed? Ye are not else than error manifest. And they say, When will this promise be fulfilled if ye are truthful? They await but one shout, which will surprise them while they are disputing. When they cannot make the quest, nor can they return to their own folk. And the trumpet is blown, and lo, from the grave they hide unto their Lord, crying, Woe upon us! Who hath raised us from our place of sleep? This is that which the beneficent did promise, and the messenger spoke truth. It is but one shout, and behold, them brought together before us. This day no soul is wronged in ought, nor are ye requited ought save what ye used to do. Lo, those who merit paradise this day are happily employed. They and their wives, in pleasant shade, on thrones reclining. There's the fruit of their good deeds, and there's all that they ask. The word from a merciful Lord for them is peace. But Avante, O guilty this day, did I not charge ye, O sons of Adam, that ye worship not the devil? Lo, he is your open foe. But that ye worship me, that was the right path. Yet he hath led astray of you a great multitude. Had ye then no sense? This is hell which ye were promised if ye followed him. Burn therein this day, for that ye disbelieved. This day we seal up their mouths, and their hands speak out to us, and their feet bear witness as to what they used to earn. And had we willed, we verily could have quenched their eyesight so that they should struggle for the way. Then how could they have seen? And had we willed, we verily could have fixed them in their place, making them powerless to go forward or turn back. He whom we bring unto old age, we reverse him in creation, making him go back to weakness after strength. Have ye then no sense? And we have not taught him, Mohammed, poetry, nor is it meet for him. This is not else than a reminder and a lecture making plain, to warn whosoever liveth, and that the word may be fulfilled against the disbelievers. Have they not now seen how we created for them of our handiwork the cattle, so that they are their owners, and have subdued them unto them, so that some of them they have for writing, some for food? Benefits and diver strings have they from them. Will they not then give thanks? And they have taken other gods beside Allah in order that they may be help. It is not in their power to help them, but they, the worshippers, are unto them a host in arms. So let not their speech grieve thee, O Mohammed, lo, we know what they conceal and what proclaim. Have not man seen that we have created him from a drop of seed? Yet lo, he is an open opponent. And hath he coined for us a similitude, and hath forgotten the fact of his creation, saying, Who will revive these bones when they have rotted away? Say he will revive them, who produce them at the first, for he is knower of every creation, who hath appointed for you fire from the green tree, and behold ye kindle from it. Is not he who created the heavens and the earth able to create the like of them? I that he is, for he is the all wise creator. But his command, when he intended the thing, is only that he saith unto it, Be, and it is. Therefore glory be to him in whose hand is the dominion over all things. Unto him you will be brought back. End of Surah 36