بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ طسٓمٓ

Ta. Sin, Mim.

تِلْكَ ءَايَٰتُ ٱلْكِتَٰبِ ٱلْمُبِينِ

THESE ARE MESSAGES of the divine writ, clear in itself and clearly showing the truth!

لَعَلَّكَ بَٰخِعٌۭ نَّفْسَكَ أَلَّا يَكُونُوا۟ مُؤْمِنِينَ

Wouldst thou, perhaps, torment thyself to death [with grief] because they [who live around thee] refuse to believe [in it]?

إِن نَّشَأْ نُنَزِّلْ عَلَيْهِم مِّنَ ٱلسَّمَآءِ ءَايَةًۭ فَظَلَّتْ أَعْنَٰقُهُمْ لَهَا خَٰضِعِينَ

Had We so willed, We could have sent down unto them a message from the skies, so that their necks would [be forced to] bow down before it in humility.

وَمَا يَأْتِيهِم مِّن ذِكْرٍۢ مِّنَ ٱلرَّحْمَٰنِ مُحْدَثٍ إِلَّا كَانُوا۟ عَنْهُ مُعْرِضِينَ

[But We have not willed it:] and so, whenever there comes unto them any fresh reminder from the Most Gracious, they [who are blind of heart] always - turn their backs upon it:

فَقَدْ كَذَّبُوا۟ فَسَيَأْتِيهِمْ أَنۢبَٰٓؤُا۟ مَا كَانُوا۟ بِهِۦ يَسْتَهْزِءُونَ

thus, indeed, have they given the lie (to this message as well). But [in time] they will come to understand what it was that they were wont to deride!

أَوَلَمْ يَرَوْا۟ إِلَى ٱلْأَرْضِ كَمْ أَنۢبَتْنَا فِيهَا مِن كُلِّ زَوْجٍۢ كَرِيمٍ

Have they, then, never considered the earth - how much of every noble kind [of life] We have caused to grow thereon?

إِنَّ فِى ذَٰلِكَ لَءَايَةًۭ ۖ وَمَا كَانَ أَكْثَرُهُم مُّؤْمِنِينَ

In this, behold, there is a message [unto men], even though most of them will not believe [in it].

وَإِنَّ رَبَّكَ لَهُوَ ٱلْعَزِيزُ ٱلرَّحِيمُ

But, verily, thy Sustainer - He alone - is almighty, a dispenser of grace!

وَإِذْ نَادَىٰ رَبُّكَ مُوسَىٰٓ أَنِ ٱئْتِ ٱلْقَوْمَ ٱلظَّٰلِمِينَ

HENCE, [remember how it was] when thy Sustainer summoned Moses: “Go unto those evil doing people.

قَوْمَ فِرْعَوْنَ ۚ أَلَا يَتَّقُونَ

the people of Pharaoh, who refuse to be con­scious of Me!”

قَالَ رَبِّ إِنِّىٓ أَخَافُ أَن يُكَذِّبُونِ

He answered: “O my Sustainer! Behold, I fear that they will give me the lie,

وَيَضِيقُ صَدْرِى وَلَا يَنطَلِقُ لِسَانِى فَأَرْسِلْ إِلَىٰ هَٰرُونَ

and then my breast will be straitened and my tongue will not be free: send, then, [this Thy command] to Aaron.

وَلَهُمْ عَلَىَّ ذَنۢبٌۭ فَأَخَافُ أَن يَقْتُلُونِ

Moreover, they keep a grave charge [pending] against me, and I fear that they will slay me.”

قَالَ كَلَّا ۖ فَٱذْهَبَا بِـَٔايَٰتِنَآ ۖ إِنَّا مَعَكُم مُّسْتَمِعُونَ

Said He: “Not so, indeed! Go forth, then, both of you, with Our messages: verify, We shall be with you, listening [to your call]!

فَأْتِيَا فِرْعَوْنَ فَقُولَآ إِنَّا رَسُولُ رَبِّ ٱلْعَٰلَمِينَ

And go, both of you, unto Pharaoh and say, ‘Behold, we bear a message from the Sustainer of all the worlds:

أَنْ أَرْسِلْ مَعَنَا بَنِىٓ إِسْرَٰٓءِيلَ

Let the children of Israel go with us!’”

قَالَ أَلَمْ نُرَبِّكَ فِينَا وَلِيدًۭا وَلَبِثْتَ فِينَا مِنْ عُمُرِكَ سِنِينَ

[But when Moses had delivered his message, Pharaoh] said: “Did we not bring thee up among us when thou wert a child? And didst thou not spend among us years of thy [later] life?

وَفَعَلْتَ فَعْلَتَكَ ٱلَّتِى فَعَلْتَ وَأَنتَ مِنَ ٱلْكَٰفِرِينَ

And yet thou didst commit that [heinous] deed of thine, and [hast thus shown that] thou art one of the ingrate!”

قَالَ فَعَلْتُهَآ إِذًۭا وَأَنَا۠ مِنَ ٱلضَّآلِّينَ

Replied [Moses]: “I committed it while I was still going astray;

فَفَرَرْتُ مِنكُمْ لَمَّا خِفْتُكُمْ فَوَهَبَ لِى رَبِّى حُكْمًۭا وَجَعَلَنِى مِنَ ٱلْمُرْسَلِينَ

and I fled from you because I feared you. But [since] then my Sustainer has endowed me with the ability to judge [between right and wrong], and has made me one of [His] message-­bearers.

وَتِلْكَ نِعْمَةٌۭ تَمُنُّهَا عَلَىَّ أَنْ عَبَّدتَّ بَنِىٓ إِسْرَٰٓءِيلَ

And [as for] that favour of which thou so tauntingly remindest me - [was it not] due to thy having enslaved the children of Israel?”

قَالَ فِرْعَوْنُ وَمَا رَبُّ ٱلْعَٰلَمِينَ

Said Pharaoh: “And what [and who] is that ‘Sustainer of all the worlds’?”

قَالَ رَبُّ ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ وَمَا بَيْنَهُمَآ ۖ إِن كُنتُم مُّوقِنِينَ

[Moses] answered: “[He is] the Sustainer of the heavens and the earth and all that is between them: if you would but [allow yourselves to] be convinced!”

قَالَ لِمَنْ حَوْلَهُۥٓ أَلَا تَسْتَمِعُونَ

Said [Pharaoh] unto those around him: “Did you hear [what he said]?”

قَالَ رَبُّكُمْ وَرَبُّ ءَابَآئِكُمُ ٱلْأَوَّلِينَ

[And Moses] continued: “[He is] your Sus­tainer, [too,] as well as the Sustainer of your fore­fathers of old!”

قَالَ إِنَّ رَسُولَكُمُ ٱلَّذِىٓ أُرْسِلَ إِلَيْكُمْ لَمَجْنُونٌۭ

[Pharaoh] exclaimed: “Behold, [this] your ‘apostle’ who [claims that he] has been sent unto you is mad indeed!

قَالَ رَبُّ ٱلْمَشْرِقِ وَٱلْمَغْرِبِ وَمَا بَيْنَهُمَآ ۖ إِن كُنتُمْ تَعْقِلُونَ

[But Moses] went on: “[He of whom I speak is] the Sustainer of the east and the west and of all that is between the two”- as you would know] if you would but use your reason!”

قَالَ لَئِنِ ٱتَّخَذْتَ إِلَٰهًا غَيْرِى لَأَجْعَلَنَّكَ مِنَ ٱلْمَسْجُونِينَ

Said [Pharaoh]: “Indeed, if thou choose to worship any deity other than me, I shall most cer­tainly throw thee into prison!

قَالَ أَوَلَوْ جِئْتُكَ بِشَىْءٍۢ مُّبِينٍۢ

Said he: “Even if I should bring about before thee something that clearly shows the truth?”

قَالَ فَأْتِ بِهِۦٓ إِن كُنتَ مِنَ ٱلصَّٰدِقِينَ

[Pharaoh] answered: “Produce it, then, if thou art a man of truth!”

فَأَلْقَىٰ عَصَاهُ فَإِذَا هِىَ ثُعْبَانٌۭ مُّبِينٌۭ

Thereupon [Moses] threw down his staff - and lo! it was a serpent, plainly visible;

وَنَزَعَ يَدَهُۥ فَإِذَا هِىَ بَيْضَآءُ لِلنَّٰظِرِينَ

and he drew forth his hand - and lo! it appeared [shining] white to the beholders.

قَالَ لِلْمَلَإِ حَوْلَهُۥٓ إِنَّ هَٰذَا لَسَٰحِرٌ عَلِيمٌۭ

Said [pharaoh] unto the great ones around him: “Verily, this is indeed a sorcerer of great knowledge

يُرِيدُ أَن يُخْرِجَكُم مِّنْ أَرْضِكُم بِسِحْرِهِۦ فَمَاذَا تَأْمُرُونَ

who wants to drive you out of your land by his sorcery. What, then, do you advise?”

قَالُوٓا۟ أَرْجِهْ وَأَخَاهُ وَٱبْعَثْ فِى ٱلْمَدَآئِنِ حَٰشِرِينَ

They answered: “Let him and his brother wait a while, and send unto all cities heralds

يَأْتُوكَ بِكُلِّ سَحَّارٍ عَلِيمٍۢ

who shall assemble before thee all sorcerers of great knowl­edge”

فَجُمِعَ ٱلسَّحَرَةُ لِمِيقَٰتِ يَوْمٍۢ مَّعْلُومٍۢ

And so the sorcerers were assembled at a set time on a certain day,

وَقِيلَ لِلنَّاسِ هَلْ أَنتُم مُّجْتَمِعُونَ

and the people were asked: Are you all present,

لَعَلَّنَا نَتَّبِعُ ٱلسَّحَرَةَ إِن كَانُوا۟ هُمُ ٱلْغَٰلِبِينَ

so that we might follow [in the footsteps of] the sorcerers if it is they who prevail?”

فَلَمَّا جَآءَ ٱلسَّحَرَةُ قَالُوا۟ لِفِرْعَوْنَ أَئِنَّ لَنَا لَأَجْرًا إِن كُنَّا نَحْنُ ٱلْغَٰلِبِينَ

Now when the sorcerers came, they said unto Pharaoh: “Verily, we ought to have a great reward if it is we who prevail.

قَالَ نَعَمْ وَإِنَّكُمْ إِذًۭا لَّمِنَ ٱلْمُقَرَّبِينَ

Answered he: “Yea - and, verily, in that case you shall be among those who are near unto me.

قَالَ لَهُم مُّوسَىٰٓ أَلْقُوا۟ مَآ أَنتُم مُّلْقُونَ

[And] Moses said unto them: “Throw whatever you are going to throw!”

فَأَلْقَوْا۟ حِبَالَهُمْ وَعِصِيَّهُمْ وَقَالُوا۟ بِعِزَّةِ فِرْعَوْنَ إِنَّا لَنَحْنُ ٱلْغَٰلِبُونَ

Thereupon they threw their [magic ropes and their staffs, and said: “By Pharaoh’s might, behold, it is we indeed who have prevailed!”

فَأَلْقَىٰ مُوسَىٰ عَصَاهُ فَإِذَا هِىَ تَلْقَفُ مَا يَأْفِكُونَ

[But] then Moses threw his staff - and lo! it swallowed up all their deceptions.

فَأُلْقِىَ ٱلسَّحَرَةُ سَٰجِدِينَ

And down fell the sorcerers, prostrating them­selves in adoration,

قَالُوٓا۟ ءَامَنَّا بِرَبِّ ٱلْعَٰلَمِينَ

[and] exclaimed: “We have come to believe in the Sustainer of all the worlds,

رَبِّ مُوسَىٰ وَهَٰرُونَ

the Sustainer of Moses and Aaron!”

قَالَ ءَامَنتُمْ لَهُۥ قَبْلَ أَنْ ءَاذَنَ لَكُمْ ۖ إِنَّهُۥ لَكَبِيرُكُمُ ٱلَّذِى عَلَّمَكُمُ ٱلسِّحْرَ فَلَسَوْفَ تَعْلَمُونَ ۚ لَأُقَطِّعَنَّ أَيْدِيَكُمْ وَأَرْجُلَكُم مِّنْ خِلَٰفٍۢ وَلَأُصَلِّبَنَّكُمْ أَجْمَعِينَ

Said [Pharaoh]: “Have you come to believe in him ere I have given you permission? Verily, he must be your master who has taught you magic! But in time you shall come to know [my revenge]: most certainly shall I cut off your hands and your feet in great numbers, because of [your] perverseness, and shall most certainly crucify you in great numbers, all together!”

قَالُوا۟ لَا ضَيْرَ ۖ إِنَّآ إِلَىٰ رَبِّنَا مُنقَلِبُونَ

They answered: “No harm [canst thou do to us]: verily, unto our Sustainer do we turn!

إِنَّا نَطْمَعُ أَن يَغْفِرَ لَنَا رَبُّنَا خَطَٰيَٰنَآ أَن كُنَّآ أَوَّلَ ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ

Behold, we [but] ardently desire that our Sustainer forgive us our faults in return for our having been foremost among the believers!”

۞ وَأَوْحَيْنَآ إِلَىٰ مُوسَىٰٓ أَنْ أَسْرِ بِعِبَادِىٓ إِنَّكُم مُّتَّبَعُونَ

AND [there came a time when] We inspired Moses thus: “Go forth with My servants by night: for, behold, you will he pursued!”

فَأَرْسَلَ فِرْعَوْنُ فِى ٱلْمَدَآئِنِ حَٰشِرِينَ

And Pharaoh sent heralds unto all cities,

إِنَّ هَٰٓؤُلَآءِ لَشِرْذِمَةٌۭ قَلِيلُونَ

[bidding them to call out his troops and to proclaim:] “Behold, these [children of Israel] are but a contemptible band;

وَإِنَّهُمْ لَنَا لَغَآئِظُونَ

but they are indeed filled with hatred of us

وَإِنَّا لَجَمِيعٌ حَٰذِرُونَ

seeing that we are, verily, a nation united, fully prepared against danger –

فَأَخْرَجْنَٰهُم مِّن جَنَّٰتٍۢ وَعُيُونٍۢ

and so we have [rightly] driven them out of [their] gardens and springs,

وَكُنُوزٍۢ وَمَقَامٍۢ كَرِيمٍۢ

and [deprived them of their erstwhile] station of honour!”

كَذَٰلِكَ وَأَوْرَثْنَٰهَا بَنِىٓ إِسْرَٰٓءِيلَ

Thus it was: but [in the course of time] We were to bestow all these [things] as a heritage on the children of Israel.

فَأَتْبَعُوهُم مُّشْرِقِينَ

And so [the Egyptians] caught up with them at sunrise;

فَلَمَّا تَرَٰٓءَا ٱلْجَمْعَانِ قَالَ أَصْحَٰبُ مُوسَىٰٓ إِنَّا لَمُدْرَكُونَ

and as soon as the two hosts came in sight of one another, the followers of Moses exclaimed: “Behold, we shall certainly be overtaken [and defeated]!”

قَالَ كَلَّآ ۖ إِنَّ مَعِىَ رَبِّى سَيَهْدِينِ

He replied: Nay indeed! My Sustainer is with me, [and] He will guide me!”

فَأَوْحَيْنَآ إِلَىٰ مُوسَىٰٓ أَنِ ٱضْرِب بِّعَصَاكَ ٱلْبَحْرَ ۖ فَٱنفَلَقَ فَكَانَ كُلُّ فِرْقٍۢ كَٱلطَّوْدِ ٱلْعَظِيمِ

Thereupon We inspired Moses thus: Strike the sea with thy staff!”- whereupon it parted, and each part appeared like a mountain vast.

وَأَزْلَفْنَا ثَمَّ ٱلْءَاخَرِينَ

And We caused the pursuers to draw near unto that place:

وَأَنجَيْنَا مُوسَىٰ وَمَن مَّعَهُۥٓ أَجْمَعِينَ

and We saved Moses and all who were with him,

ثُمَّ أَغْرَقْنَا ٱلْءَاخَرِينَ

and then We caused the others to drown.

إِنَّ فِى ذَٰلِكَ لَءَايَةًۭ ۖ وَمَا كَانَ أَكْثَرُهُم مُّؤْمِنِينَ

In this [story] behold, there is a message [unto all men], even though most of them will not believe [in it].

وَإِنَّ رَبَّكَ لَهُوَ ٱلْعَزِيزُ ٱلرَّحِيمُ

And yet, verily, thy Sustainer - He alone - is almighty, a dispenser of grace!

وَٱتْلُ عَلَيْهِمْ نَبَأَ إِبْرَٰهِيمَ

And convey unto them the story of Abraham –

إِذْ قَالَ لِأَبِيهِ وَقَوْمِهِۦ مَا تَعْبُدُونَ

[how it was] when he asked his father and his people, “What is it that you worship?”

قَالُوا۟ نَعْبُدُ أَصْنَامًۭا فَنَظَلُّ لَهَا عَٰكِفِينَ

They answered: We worship idols, and we remain ever devoted to them.”

قَالَ هَلْ يَسْمَعُونَكُمْ إِذْ تَدْعُونَ

Said he: “Do [you really think that] they hear you when you invoke them,

أَوْ يَنفَعُونَكُمْ أَوْ يَضُرُّونَ

or benefit you or do you harm?”

قَالُوا۟ بَلْ وَجَدْنَآ ءَابَآءَنَا كَذَٰلِكَ يَفْعَلُونَ

They exclaimed: But we found our fore­fathers doing the same!”

قَالَ أَفَرَءَيْتُم مَّا كُنتُمْ تَعْبُدُونَ

Said [Abraham]: “Have you, then, ever con­sidered what it is that you have been worshipping

أَنتُمْ وَءَابَآؤُكُمُ ٱلْأَقْدَمُونَ

you and those ancient forebears of yours?

فَإِنَّهُمْ عَدُوٌّۭ لِّىٓ إِلَّا رَبَّ ٱلْعَٰلَمِينَ

“Now [as for me, I know that,] verily, these [false deities] are my enemies, [and that none is my helper] save the Sustainer of all the worlds,

ٱلَّذِى خَلَقَنِى فَهُوَ يَهْدِينِ

who has created me and is the One who guides me,

وَٱلَّذِى هُوَ يُطْعِمُنِى وَيَسْقِينِ

and is the One who gives me to eat and to drink,

وَإِذَا مَرِضْتُ فَهُوَ يَشْفِينِ

and when I fall ill, is the One who restores me to health,

وَٱلَّذِى يُمِيتُنِى ثُمَّ يُحْيِينِ

and who will cause me to die and then will bring me back to life –

وَٱلَّذِىٓ أَطْمَعُ أَن يَغْفِرَ لِى خَطِيٓـَٔتِى يَوْمَ ٱلدِّينِ

and who, [hope, will forgive me my faults on Judgment Day!

رَبِّ هَبْ لِى حُكْمًۭا وَأَلْحِقْنِى بِٱلصَّٰلِحِينَ

“O my Sustainer! Endow me with the ability to judge [between right and wrong], and make me one with the righteous,

وَٱجْعَل لِّى لِسَانَ صِدْقٍۢ فِى ٱلْءَاخِرِينَ

and grant me the power to convey the truth unto those who will come after me,

وَٱجْعَلْنِى مِن وَرَثَةِ جَنَّةِ ٱلنَّعِيمِ

and place me among those who shall inherit the garden of bliss!

وَٱغْفِرْ لِأَبِىٓ إِنَّهُۥ كَانَ مِنَ ٱلضَّآلِّينَ

“And forgive my father - for, verily, he is among those who have gone astray –

وَلَا تُخْزِنِى يَوْمَ يُبْعَثُونَ

and do not put me to shame on the Day when all shall be raised from the dead:

يَوْمَ لَا يَنفَعُ مَالٌۭ وَلَا بَنُونَ

the Day on which neither wealth will be of any use, nor children,

إِلَّا مَنْ أَتَى ٱللَّهَ بِقَلْبٍۢ سَلِيمٍۢ

[and when] only he [will be happy] who comes before God with a heart free of evil!”

وَأُزْلِفَتِ ٱلْجَنَّةُ لِلْمُتَّقِينَ

For, [on that Day,] paradise will be brought within sight of the God-conscious,

وَبُرِّزَتِ ٱلْجَحِيمُ لِلْغَاوِينَ

whereas the blazing fire will be laid open before those who had been lost in grievous error;

وَقِيلَ لَهُمْ أَيْنَ مَا كُنتُمْ تَعْبُدُونَ

and they will be asked: “Where now is all that you were wont to worship

مِن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ هَلْ يَنصُرُونَكُمْ أَوْ يَنتَصِرُونَ

instead of God? Can these [things and beings] be of any help to you or to themselves?”

فَكُبْكِبُوا۟ فِيهَا هُمْ وَٱلْغَاوُۥنَ

Thereupon they will be hurled into hell – they, as well as all [others] who had been lost in grievous error,

وَجُنُودُ إِبْلِيسَ أَجْمَعُونَ

and the hosts of Iblis - all together.

قَالُوا۟ وَهُمْ فِيهَا يَخْتَصِمُونَ

And there and then, blaming one another, they [who had grievously sinned in life] will exclaim:

تَٱللَّهِ إِن كُنَّا لَفِى ضَلَٰلٍۢ مُّبِينٍ

“By God, we were most obviously astray

إِذْ نُسَوِّيكُم بِرَبِّ ٱلْعَٰلَمِينَ

when we deemed you [false deities] equal to the Sustainer of all the worlds –

وَمَآ أَضَلَّنَآ إِلَّا ٱلْمُجْرِمُونَ

yet they who have seduced us [into believing in you] are the truly guilty ones!

فَمَا لَنَا مِن شَٰفِعِينَ

And now we have none to intercede for us,

وَلَا صَدِيقٍ حَمِيمٍۢ

nor any loving friend.

فَلَوْ أَنَّ لَنَا كَرَّةًۭ فَنَكُونَ مِنَ ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ

Would that we had a second chance [in life], so that we could be among the believers!”

إِنَّ فِى ذَٰلِكَ لَءَايَةًۭ ۖ وَمَا كَانَ أَكْثَرُهُم مُّؤْمِنِينَ

In all this, behold, there is a message [unto men], even though most of them will not believe [in it].

وَإِنَّ رَبَّكَ لَهُوَ ٱلْعَزِيزُ ٱلرَّحِيمُ

But, verily, thy Sustainer - He alone - is almighty, a dispenser of grace!

كَذَّبَتْ قَوْمُ نُوحٍ ٱلْمُرْسَلِينَ

The people of Noah [too] gave the lie to [one of God’s] message-bearers

إِذْ قَالَ لَهُمْ أَخُوهُمْ نُوحٌ أَلَا تَتَّقُونَ

when their brother Noah said unto them: “Will you not be conscious of God?

إِنِّى لَكُمْ رَسُولٌ أَمِينٌۭ

Behold, I am an apostle [sent by Him] to you, [and therefore] worthy of your trust:

فَٱتَّقُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ وَأَطِيعُونِ

be, then, conscious of God, and pay heed unto me!

وَمَآ أَسْـَٔلُكُمْ عَلَيْهِ مِنْ أَجْرٍ ۖ إِنْ أَجْرِىَ إِلَّا عَلَىٰ رَبِّ ٱلْعَٰلَمِينَ

“And no reward whatever do I ask of you for it: my reward rests with none but the Sustainer of all the worlds.

فَٱتَّقُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ وَأَطِيعُونِ

Hence, remain conscious of God, and pay heed unto me!”

۞ قَالُوٓا۟ أَنُؤْمِنُ لَكَ وَٱتَّبَعَكَ ٱلْأَرْذَلُونَ

They answered: “Shall we place our faith in thee, even though [only] the most abject [of people] follow thee?”

قَالَ وَمَا عِلْمِى بِمَا كَانُوا۟ يَعْمَلُونَ

Said he: “And what knowledge could I have as to what they were doing [before they came to me]?

إِنْ حِسَابُهُمْ إِلَّا عَلَىٰ رَبِّى ۖ لَوْ تَشْعُرُونَ

Their reckoning rests with none but my Sus­tainer: if you could but understand [this]!

وَمَآ أَنَا۠ بِطَارِدِ ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ

Hence, I shall not drive away [any of] those [who profess to be] believers;

إِنْ أَنَا۠ إِلَّا نَذِيرٌۭ مُّبِينٌۭ

I am nothing but a plain warner.”

قَالُوا۟ لَئِن لَّمْ تَنتَهِ يَٰنُوحُ لَتَكُونَنَّ مِنَ ٱلْمَرْجُومِينَ

Said they: “Indeed, if thou desist not, O Noah, thou wilt surely be stoned to death!”

قَالَ رَبِّ إِنَّ قَوْمِى كَذَّبُونِ

[Whereupon] he prayed: “O my Sustainer! Behold, my people have given me the lie:

فَٱفْتَحْ بَيْنِى وَبَيْنَهُمْ فَتْحًۭا وَنَجِّنِى وَمَن مَّعِىَ مِنَ ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ

hence, lay Thou wide open the truth between me and them, and save me and those of the believers who are with me!”

فَأَنجَيْنَٰهُ وَمَن مَّعَهُۥ فِى ٱلْفُلْكِ ٱلْمَشْحُونِ

And so We saved him and those [who were] with him in the fully-laden ark,

ثُمَّ أَغْرَقْنَا بَعْدُ ٱلْبَاقِينَ

and then We caused those who stayed behind to drown.

إِنَّ فِى ذَٰلِكَ لَءَايَةًۭ ۖ وَمَا كَانَ أَكْثَرُهُم مُّؤْمِنِينَ

In this [story], behold, there is a message [unto men], even though most of them will not believe [in it].

وَإِنَّ رَبَّكَ لَهُوَ ٱلْعَزِيزُ ٱلرَّحِيمُ

But, verily, thy Sustainer - He alone - is almighty, a dispenser of grace

كَذَّبَتْ عَادٌ ٱلْمُرْسَلِينَ

[AND the tribe of] Ad gave the lie to [one of God’s] message-bearers

إِذْ قَالَ لَهُمْ أَخُوهُمْ هُودٌ أَلَا تَتَّقُونَ

when their brother Hud said unto them: “Will you not be conscious of God?

إِنِّى لَكُمْ رَسُولٌ أَمِينٌۭ

Behold, I am an apostle [sent by Him] to you, [and therefore] worthy of your trust:

فَٱتَّقُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ وَأَطِيعُونِ

be, then, con­scious of God, and pay heed unto me!

وَمَآ أَسْـَٔلُكُمْ عَلَيْهِ مِنْ أَجْرٍ ۖ إِنْ أَجْرِىَ إِلَّا عَلَىٰ رَبِّ ٱلْعَٰلَمِينَ

“And no reward whatever do I ask of you for it: my reward rests with none but the Sustainer of all the worlds.

أَتَبْنُونَ بِكُلِّ رِيعٍ ءَايَةًۭ تَعْبَثُونَ

“Will you, in your wanton folly, build [idola­trous] altars on every height,

وَتَتَّخِذُونَ مَصَانِعَ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَخْلُدُونَ

and make for yourselves mighty castles, [hoping] that you might become immortal?

وَإِذَا بَطَشْتُم بَطَشْتُمْ جَبَّارِينَ

And will you [always], whenever you lay hand [on others], lay hand [on them] cruelly, without any restraint?

فَٱتَّقُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ وَأَطِيعُونِ

“Be, then, conscious of God and pay heed unto me:

وَٱتَّقُوا۟ ٱلَّذِىٓ أَمَدَّكُم بِمَا تَعْلَمُونَ

and [thus] be conscious of Him who has [so] amply provided you with all [the good] that you might think of

أَمَدَّكُم بِأَنْعَٰمٍۢ وَبَنِينَ

amply provided you with flocks, and children,

وَجَنَّٰتٍۢ وَعُيُونٍ

and gardens, and springs -:

إِنِّىٓ أَخَافُ عَلَيْكُمْ عَذَابَ يَوْمٍ عَظِيمٍۢ

for, verily, I fear lest suffering befall you on an awesome day!”

قَالُوا۟ سَوَآءٌ عَلَيْنَآ أَوَعَظْتَ أَمْ لَمْ تَكُن مِّنَ ٱلْوَٰعِظِينَ

[But] they answered. “It is all one to us whether thou preachest [something new] or art not of those who [like to] preach.

إِنْ هَٰذَآ إِلَّا خُلُقُ ٱلْأَوَّلِينَ

This [religion of ours] is none other than that to which our forebears clung,

وَمَا نَحْنُ بِمُعَذَّبِينَ

and we are not going to be chastised [for adhering to it]!”

فَكَذَّبُوهُ فَأَهْلَكْنَٰهُمْ ۗ إِنَّ فِى ذَٰلِكَ لَءَايَةًۭ ۖ وَمَا كَانَ أَكْثَرُهُم مُّؤْمِنِينَ

And so they gave him the lie: and thereupon We destroyed them. In this [story], behold, there is a message [unto men], even though most of them will not believe [in it].

وَإِنَّ رَبَّكَ لَهُوَ ٱلْعَزِيزُ ٱلرَّحِيمُ

But, verily, thy Sustainer - He alone - is almighty, a dispenser of grace!

كَذَّبَتْ ثَمُودُ ٱلْمُرْسَلِينَ

[AND the tribe of] Thamud gave the lie to [one of God’s] message-hearers

إِذْ قَالَ لَهُمْ أَخُوهُمْ صَٰلِحٌ أَلَا تَتَّقُونَ

when their brother Salih said unto them: “Will you not be conscious of God?

إِنِّى لَكُمْ رَسُولٌ أَمِينٌۭ

Behold, I am an apostle [sent by Him] to you, [and therefore] worthy of your trust:

فَٱتَّقُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ وَأَطِيعُونِ

be, then, conscious of God, and pay heed unto me!

وَمَآ أَسْـَٔلُكُمْ عَلَيْهِ مِنْ أَجْرٍ ۖ إِنْ أَجْرِىَ إِلَّا عَلَىٰ رَبِّ ٱلْعَٰلَمِينَ

“And no reward whatever do I ask of you for it: my reward rests with none but the Sustainer of all the worlds.

أَتُتْرَكُونَ فِى مَا هَٰهُنَآ ءَامِنِينَ

“Do you think that you will be left secure [forever] in the midst of what you have here and now?

فِى جَنَّٰتٍۢ وَعُيُونٍۢ

amidst [these] gardens and springs

وَزُرُوعٍۢ وَنَخْلٍۢ طَلْعُهَا هَضِيمٌۭ

and fields, and [these] palm-trees with slender spathes? –

وَتَنْحِتُونَ مِنَ ٱلْجِبَالِ بُيُوتًۭا فَٰرِهِينَ

and that you will [always be able to] hew dwellings out of the mountains with [the same] great skill?”

فَٱتَّقُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ وَأَطِيعُونِ

“Be, then, conscious of God, and pay heed unto me,

وَلَا تُطِيعُوٓا۟ أَمْرَ ٱلْمُسْرِفِينَ

and pay no heed to the counsel of those who are given to excesses –

ٱلَّذِينَ يُفْسِدُونَ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ وَلَا يُصْلِحُونَ

those who spread corruption on earth instead of setting things to rights!”

قَالُوٓا۟ إِنَّمَآ أَنتَ مِنَ ٱلْمُسَحَّرِينَ

Said they: “Thou art but one of the be­witched!

مَآ أَنتَ إِلَّا بَشَرٌۭ مِّثْلُنَا فَأْتِ بِـَٔايَةٍ إِن كُنتَ مِنَ ٱلصَّٰدِقِينَ

Thou art nothing but a mortal like our­selves! Come, then, forward with a token [of thy mission] if thou art a man of truth!”

قَالَ هَٰذِهِۦ نَاقَةٌۭ لَّهَا شِرْبٌۭ وَلَكُمْ شِرْبُ يَوْمٍۢ مَّعْلُومٍۢ

Replied he: “This she-camel shall have a share of water, and you shall have a share of water, on the days appointed [therefor];

وَلَا تَمَسُّوهَا بِسُوٓءٍۢ فَيَأْخُذَكُمْ عَذَابُ يَوْمٍ عَظِيمٍۢ

and do her no harm, lest suffering befall you on an awesome day!”

فَعَقَرُوهَا فَأَصْبَحُوا۟ نَٰدِمِينَ

But they cruelly slaughtered her - and then they had cause to regret it:

فَأَخَذَهُمُ ٱلْعَذَابُ ۗ إِنَّ فِى ذَٰلِكَ لَءَايَةًۭ ۖ وَمَا كَانَ أَكْثَرُهُم مُّؤْمِنِينَ

for the suffering [predicted by Salih,] befell them [then and there]. In this [story], behold, there is a message [unto men], even though most of them will not believe [in it].

وَإِنَّ رَبَّكَ لَهُوَ ٱلْعَزِيزُ ٱلرَّحِيمُ

But, verily, thy Sustainer - He alone – is almighty, a dispenser of grace!

كَذَّبَتْ قَوْمُ لُوطٍ ٱلْمُرْسَلِينَ

[AND] the people of Lot gave the lie to [one of God’s] message-bearers

إِذْ قَالَ لَهُمْ أَخُوهُمْ لُوطٌ أَلَا تَتَّقُونَ

when their brother Lot said unto them: “Will you not be conscious of God?

إِنِّى لَكُمْ رَسُولٌ أَمِينٌۭ

Behold, I am an apostle [sent by Him] to you, [and therefore] worthy of your trust:

فَٱتَّقُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ وَأَطِيعُونِ

be, then, conscious of God, and pay heed unto me!

وَمَآ أَسْـَٔلُكُمْ عَلَيْهِ مِنْ أَجْرٍ ۖ إِنْ أَجْرِىَ إِلَّا عَلَىٰ رَبِّ ٱلْعَٰلَمِينَ

“And no reward whatever do I ask of you for it: my reward rests with none but the Sustainer of all the worlds.

أَتَأْتُونَ ٱلذُّكْرَانَ مِنَ ٱلْعَٰلَمِينَ

“Must you, of all people, [lustfully] approach men,

وَتَذَرُونَ مَا خَلَقَ لَكُمْ رَبُّكُم مِّنْ أَزْوَٰجِكُم ۚ بَلْ أَنتُمْ قَوْمٌ عَادُونَ

keeping yourselves aloof from all the [lawful] spouses whom your Sustainer has created for you? Nay, but you are people who transgress all bounds of what is right!”

قَالُوا۟ لَئِن لَّمْ تَنتَهِ يَٰلُوطُ لَتَكُونَنَّ مِنَ ٱلْمُخْرَجِينَ

Said they: “Indeed, If thou desist not, O Lot, thou wilt most certainly be expelled [from this town­ship]!”

قَالَ إِنِّى لِعَمَلِكُم مِّنَ ٱلْقَالِينَ

[Lot] exclaimed: “Behold, I am one of those who utterly abhor your doings!”

رَبِّ نَجِّنِى وَأَهْلِى مِمَّا يَعْمَلُونَ

[And then he prayed:] “O my Sustainer! Save me and my household from all that they are doing!”

فَنَجَّيْنَٰهُ وَأَهْلَهُۥٓ أَجْمَعِينَ

Thereupon We saved him and all his household –

إِلَّا عَجُوزًۭا فِى ٱلْغَٰبِرِينَ

all but an old woman, who was among those that stayed behind;

ثُمَّ دَمَّرْنَا ٱلْءَاخَرِينَ

and then We utterly destroyed the others,

وَأَمْطَرْنَا عَلَيْهِم مَّطَرًۭا ۖ فَسَآءَ مَطَرُ ٱلْمُنذَرِينَ

and rained down upon them a rain [of destruction]: and dire is such rain upon all who let themselves be warned [to no avail]!

إِنَّ فِى ذَٰلِكَ لَءَايَةًۭ ۖ وَمَا كَانَ أَكْثَرُهُم مُّؤْمِنِينَ

In this [story], behold, there is a message [unto men], even though most of them will not be­lieve [in it].

وَإِنَّ رَبَّكَ لَهُوَ ٱلْعَزِيزُ ٱلرَّحِيمُ

But, verily, thy Sustainer - He alone - is almighty, a dispenser of grace!

كَذَّبَ أَصْحَٰبُ لْـَٔيْكَةِ ٱلْمُرْسَلِينَ

[AND] the dwellers of the wooded dales [of Madyan] gave the lie to [one of God’s] message-bearers

إِذْ قَالَ لَهُمْ شُعَيْبٌ أَلَا تَتَّقُونَ

when their brother Shu’ayb said unto them: “Will you not be conscious of God?

إِنِّى لَكُمْ رَسُولٌ أَمِينٌۭ

Behold, I am an apostle [sent by Him] to you, [and therefore] worthy of your trust:

فَٱتَّقُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ وَأَطِيعُونِ

be, then, conscious of God, and pay heed unto me!

وَمَآ أَسْـَٔلُكُمْ عَلَيْهِ مِنْ أَجْرٍ ۖ إِنْ أَجْرِىَ إِلَّا عَلَىٰ رَبِّ ٱلْعَٰلَمِينَ

“And no reward whatever do I ask of you for it: my reward rests with none but the Sustainer of all the worlds.

۞ أَوْفُوا۟ ٱلْكَيْلَ وَلَا تَكُونُوا۟ مِنَ ٱلْمُخْسِرِينَ

“[Always] give full measure, and be not among those who [unjustly] cause loss [to others];

وَزِنُوا۟ بِٱلْقِسْطَاسِ ٱلْمُسْتَقِيمِ

and [in all your dealings] weigh with a true balance,

وَلَا تَبْخَسُوا۟ ٱلنَّاسَ أَشْيَآءَهُمْ وَلَا تَعْثَوْا۟ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ مُفْسِدِينَ

and do not deprive people of what is rightfully theirs; and do not act wickedly on earth by spreading corruption,

وَٱتَّقُوا۟ ٱلَّذِى خَلَقَكُمْ وَٱلْجِبِلَّةَ ٱلْأَوَّلِينَ

but be conscious of Him who has created you, just as [He created] those countless generations of old!”

قَالُوٓا۟ إِنَّمَآ أَنتَ مِنَ ٱلْمُسَحَّرِينَ

Said they: “Thou art but one of the be­witched,

وَمَآ أَنتَ إِلَّا بَشَرٌۭ مِّثْلُنَا وَإِن نَّظُنُّكَ لَمِنَ ٱلْكَٰذِبِينَ

for thou art nothing but a mortal like ourselves! And, behold, we think that thou art a consummate liar!

فَأَسْقِطْ عَلَيْنَا كِسَفًۭا مِّنَ ٱلسَّمَآءِ إِن كُنتَ مِنَ ٱلصَّٰدِقِينَ

Cause, then, fragments of the sky to fall down upon us, if thou art a man of truth!”

قَالَ رَبِّىٓ أَعْلَمُ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ

Answered [Shu’ayb]: “My Sustainer knows fully well what you are doing.”

فَكَذَّبُوهُ فَأَخَذَهُمْ عَذَابُ يَوْمِ ٱلظُّلَّةِ ۚ إِنَّهُۥ كَانَ عَذَابَ يَوْمٍ عَظِيمٍ

But they gave him the lie. And thereupon suffering overtook them on a day dark with shadows: and, verily, it was the suffering of an awesome day!

إِنَّ فِى ذَٰلِكَ لَءَايَةًۭ ۖ وَمَا كَانَ أَكْثَرُهُم مُّؤْمِنِينَ

In this [story], behold, there is a message [unto men], even though most of them will not believe [in it].

وَإِنَّ رَبَّكَ لَهُوَ ٱلْعَزِيزُ ٱلرَّحِيمُ

But, verily, thy Sustainer - He alone - is almighty, a dispenser of grace!

وَإِنَّهُۥ لَتَنزِيلُ رَبِّ ٱلْعَٰلَمِينَ

Now, behold, this [divine writ] has indeed been bestowed from on high by the Sustainer of all the worlds:

نَزَلَ بِهِ ٱلرُّوحُ ٱلْأَمِينُ

trustworthy divine inspiration has alighted with it from on high

عَلَىٰ قَلْبِكَ لِتَكُونَ مِنَ ٱلْمُنذِرِينَ

upon thy heart, [O Muhammad] so that thou mayest be among those who preach

بِلِسَانٍ عَرَبِىٍّۢ مُّبِينٍۢ

in the clear Arabic tongue.

وَإِنَّهُۥ لَفِى زُبُرِ ٱلْأَوَّلِينَ

And, verily, [the essence of] this [revelation] is indeed found in the ancient books of divine wisdom [as well].

أَوَلَمْ يَكُن لَّهُمْ ءَايَةً أَن يَعْلَمَهُۥ عُلَمَٰٓؤُا۟ بَنِىٓ إِسْرَٰٓءِيلَ

Is it not evidence enough for them that [so many] learned men from among the children of Israel have recognized this [as true]?

وَلَوْ نَزَّلْنَٰهُ عَلَىٰ بَعْضِ ٱلْأَعْجَمِينَ

But [even] had We bestowed it from on high upon any of the non-Arabs,

فَقَرَأَهُۥ عَلَيْهِم مَّا كَانُوا۟ بِهِۦ مُؤْمِنِينَ

and had he recited it unto them [in his own tongue], they would not have believed in it.

كَذَٰلِكَ سَلَكْنَٰهُ فِى قُلُوبِ ٱلْمُجْرِمِينَ

Thus have We caused this [message] to pass [unheeded] through the hearts of those who are lost in sin:

لَا يُؤْمِنُونَ بِهِۦ حَتَّىٰ يَرَوُا۟ ٱلْعَذَابَ ٱلْأَلِيمَ

they will not believe in it till they behold the grievous suffering

فَيَأْتِيَهُم بَغْتَةًۭ وَهُمْ لَا يَشْعُرُونَ

that will come upon them [on resurrection,] all of a sudden, without their being aware [of its approach];

فَيَقُولُوا۟ هَلْ نَحْنُ مُنظَرُونَ

and then they will exclaim, “Could we have a respite?”

أَفَبِعَذَابِنَا يَسْتَعْجِلُونَ

Do they, then, [really] wish that Our chas­tisement be hastened on?

أَفَرَءَيْتَ إِن مَّتَّعْنَٰهُمْ سِنِينَ

But hast thou ever considered [this]: If We do allow them to enjoy [this life] for some years,

ثُمَّ جَآءَهُم مَّا كَانُوا۟ يُوعَدُونَ

and thereupon that [chastisement] which they were promised befalls them –

مَآ أَغْنَىٰ عَنْهُم مَّا كَانُوا۟ يُمَتَّعُونَ

of what avail to them will be all their past enjoyments?

وَمَآ أَهْلَكْنَا مِن قَرْيَةٍ إِلَّا لَهَا مُنذِرُونَ

And withal, never have We destroyed any community unless it had been warned

ذِكْرَىٰ وَمَا كُنَّا ظَٰلِمِينَ

and reminded: for, never do We wrong [anyone].

وَمَا تَنَزَّلَتْ بِهِ ٱلشَّيَٰطِينُ

And [this divine writ is such a reminder:] no evil spirits have brought it down:

وَمَا يَنۢبَغِى لَهُمْ وَمَا يَسْتَطِيعُونَ

for, neither does it suit their ends, nor is it in their power [to impart it to man]:

إِنَّهُمْ عَنِ ٱلسَّمْعِ لَمَعْزُولُونَ

verily, [even] from hearing it are they utterly debarred!

فَلَا تَدْعُ مَعَ ٱللَّهِ إِلَٰهًا ءَاخَرَ فَتَكُونَ مِنَ ٱلْمُعَذَّبِينَ

Hence, [O man,] do not invoke any other deity side by side with God, lest thou find thyself among those who are made to suffer [on Judgment Day].

وَأَنذِرْ عَشِيرَتَكَ ٱلْأَقْرَبِينَ

And warn [whomever thou canst reach, beginning with] thy kinsfolk,

وَٱخْفِضْ جَنَاحَكَ لِمَنِ ٱتَّبَعَكَ مِنَ ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ

and spread the wings of thy tenderness over all of the believers who may follow thee;

فَإِنْ عَصَوْكَ فَقُلْ إِنِّى بَرِىٓءٌۭ مِّمَّا تَعْمَلُونَ

but if they disobey thee, say, “I am free of responsibility for aught that you may do!” –

وَتَوَكَّلْ عَلَى ٱلْعَزِيزِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ

and place thy trust in the Almighty, the Dispenser of Grace,

ٱلَّذِى يَرَىٰكَ حِينَ تَقُومُ

who sees thee when thou standest [alone],

وَتَقَلُّبَكَ فِى ٱلسَّٰجِدِينَ

and [sees] thy behaviour among those who prostrate themselves [before Him]:

إِنَّهُۥ هُوَ ٱلسَّمِيعُ ٱلْعَلِيمُ

for, verily, He alone is all-hearing, all-knowing!

هَلْ أُنَبِّئُكُمْ عَلَىٰ مَن تَنَزَّلُ ٱلشَّيَٰطِينُ

[And] shall I tell you upon whom it is that those evil spirits descend?

تَنَزَّلُ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ أَفَّاكٍ أَثِيمٍۢ

They descend upon all sinful self-deceivers

يُلْقُونَ ٱلسَّمْعَ وَأَكْثَرُهُمْ كَٰذِبُونَ

who readily lend ear [to every falsehood], and most of whom lie to others as well.

وَٱلشُّعَرَآءُ يَتَّبِعُهُمُ ٱلْغَاوُۥنَ

And as for the poets [they, too, are prone to deceive themselves: and so, only] those who are lost in grievous error would follow them.

أَلَمْ تَرَ أَنَّهُمْ فِى كُلِّ وَادٍۢ يَهِيمُونَ

Art thou not aware that they roam confusedly through all the valleys [of words and thoughts],

وَأَنَّهُمْ يَقُولُونَ مَا لَا يَفْعَلُونَ

and that they [so often] say what they do not do [or feel]?

إِلَّا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَعَمِلُوا۟ ٱلصَّٰلِحَٰتِ وَذَكَرُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ كَثِيرًۭا وَٱنتَصَرُوا۟ مِنۢ بَعْدِ مَا ظُلِمُوا۟ ۗ وَسَيَعْلَمُ ٱلَّذِينَ ظَلَمُوٓا۟ أَىَّ مُنقَلَبٍۢ يَنقَلِبُونَ

[Most of them are of this kind] save those who have attained to faith, and do righteous deeds, and remember God unceasingly, and defend them­selves [only] after having been wronged, and [trust in God’s promise that] those who are bent on wrong­doing will in time come to know how evil a turn their destinies are bound to take!