THE BEE, CHAPTER NO. 016
016.001 (Inevitable) cometh (to pass) the Command of God: seek ye not then to
hasten it: Glory to Him, and far is He above having the partners they ascribe unto
Him!
016.002 He doth send down His angels with inspiration of His Command, to such of
His servants as He pleaseth, (saying): "Warn (Man) that there is no god but I: so do
your duty unto Me."
016.003 He has created the heavens and the earth for just ends: Far is He above
having the partners they ascribe to Him!
016.004 He has created man from a sperm-drop; and behold this same (man)
becomes an open disputer!
016.005 And cattle He has created for you (men): from them ye derive warmth, and
numerous benefits, and of their (meat) ye eat.
016.006 And ye have a sense of pride and beauty in them as ye drive them home in
the evening, and as ye lead them forth to pasture in the morning.
016.007 And they carry your heavy loads to lands that ye could not (otherwise) reach
except with souls distressed: for your Lord is indeed Most Kind, Most Merciful,
016.008 And (He has created) horses, mules, and donkeys, for you to ride and use for
show; and He has created (other) things of which ye have no knowledge.
016.009 And unto God leads straight the Way, but there are ways that turn aside: if
God had willed, He could have guided all of you.
016.010 It is He who sends down rain from the sky: from it ye drink, and out of it
(grows) the vegetation on which ye feed your cattle.
016.011 With it He produces for you corn, olives, date-palms, grapes and every kind
of fruit: verily in this is a sign for those who give thought.
016.012 He has made subject to you the Night and the Day; the sun and the moon;
and the stars are in subjection by His Command: verily in this are Signs for men who
are wise.
016.013 And the things on this earth which He has multiplied in varying colours (and
qualities): verily in this is a sign for men who celebrate the praises of God (in
gratitude).
016.014 It is He Who has made the sea subject, that ye may eat thereof flesh that is
fresh and tender, and that ye may extract therefrom ornaments to wear; and thou seest
the ships therein that plough the waves, that ye may seek (thus) of the bounty of God
and that ye may be grateful.
016.015 And He has set up on the earth mountains standing firm, lest it should shake
with you; and rivers and roads; that ye may guide yourselves;
016.016 And marks and sign-posts; and by the stars (men) guide themselves.
016.017 Is then He Who creates like one that creates not? Will ye not receive
admonition?
016.018 If ye would count up the favours of God, never would ye be able to number
them: for God is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.
016.019 And God doth know what ye conceal, and what ye reveal.
016.020 Those whom they invoke besides God create nothing and are themselves
created.
016.021 (They are things) dead, lifeless: nor do they know when they will be raised
up.
016.022 Your God is one God: as to those who believe not in the Hereafter, their
hearts refuse to know, and they are arrogant.
016.023 Undoubtedly God doth know what they conceal, and what they reveal:
verily He loveth not the arrogant.
016.024 When it is said to them, "What is it that your Lord has revealed?" they say,
"Tales of the ancients!"
016.025 Let them bear, on the Day of Judgment, their own burdens in full, and also
(something) of the burdens of those without knowledge, whom they misled. Alas,
how grievous the burdens they will bear!
016.026 Those before them did also plot (against God's Way): but God took their
structures from their foundations, and the roof fell down on them from above; and the
Wrath seized them from directions they did not perceive.
016.027 Then, on the Day of Judgment, He will cover them with shame, and say:
"Where are My 'partners' concerning whom ye used to dispute (with the godly)?"
Those endued with knowledge will say: "This Day, indeed, are the Unbelievers
covered with shame and misery,-
016.028 "(Namely) those whose lives the angels take in a state of wrong-doing to
their own souls." Then would they offer submission (with the pretence), "We did no
evil (knowingly)." (The angels will reply), "Nay, but verily God knoweth all that ye
did;
016.029 "So enter the gates of Hell, to dwell therein. Thus evil indeed is the abode of
the arrogant."
016.030 To the righteous (when) it is said, "What is it that your Lord has revealed?"
they say, "All that is good." To those who do good, there is good in this world, and
the Home of the Hereafter is even better and excellent indeed is the Home of the
righteous,-
016.031 Gardens of Eternity which they will enter: beneath them flow (pleasant)
rivers: they will have therein all that they wish: thus doth God reward the righteous,-
016.032 (Namely) those whose lives the angels take in a state of purity, saying (to
them), "Peace be on you; enter ye the Garden, because of (the good) which ye did (in
the world)."
016.033 Do the (ungodly) wait until the angels come to them, or there comes the
Command of thy Lord (for their doom)? So did those who went before them. But God
wronged them not: nay, they wronged their own souls.
016.034 But the evil results of their deeds overtook them, and that very (Wrath) at
which they had scoffed hemmed them in.
016.035 The worshippers of false gods say: "If God had so willed, we should not
have worshipped aught but Him - neither we nor our fathers,- nor should we have
prescribed prohibitions other than His." So did those who went before them. But what
is the mission of apostles but to preach the Clear Message?
016.036 For We assuredly sent amongst every People an apostle, (with the
Command), "Serve God, and eschew Evil": of the People were some whom God
guided, and some on whom error became inevitably (established). So travel through
the earth, and see what was the end of those who denied (the Truth).
016.037 If thou art anxious for their guidance, yet God guideth not such as He leaves
to stray, and there is none to help them.
016.038 They swear their strongest oaths by God, that God will not raise up those
who die: Nay, but it is a promise (binding) on Him in truth: but most among mankind
realise it not.
016.039 (They must be raised up), in order that He may manifest to them the truth of
that wherein they differ, and that the rejecters of Truth may realise that they had
indeed (surrendered to) Falsehood.
016.040 For to anything which We have willed, We but say the word, "Be", and it is.
016.041 To those who leave their homes in the cause of God, after suffering
oppression,- We will assuredly give a goodly home in this world; but truly the reward
of the Hereafter will be greater. If they only realised (this)!
016.042 (They are) those who persevere in patience, and put their trust on their Lord.
016.043 And before thee also the apostles We sent were but men, to whom We
granted inspiration: if ye realise this not, ask of those who possess the Message.
016.044 (We sent them) with Clear Signs and Books of dark prophecies; and We
have sent down unto thee (also) the Message; that thou mayest explain clearly to men
what is sent for them, and that they may give thought.
016.045 Do then those who devise evil (plots) feel secure that God will not cause the
earth to swallow them up, or that the Wrath will not seize them from directions they
little perceive?-
016.046 Or that He may not call them to account in the midst of their goings to and
fro, without a chance of their frustrating Him?-
016.047 Or that He may not call them to account by a process of slow wastage - for
thy Lord is indeed full of kindness and mercy.
016.048 Do they not look at God's creation, (even) among (inanimate) things,- How
their (very) shadows turn round, from the right and the left, prostrating themselves to
God, and that in the humblest manner?
016.049 And to God doth obeisance all that is in the heavens and on earth, whether
moving (living) creatures or the angels: for none are arrogant (before their Lord).
016.050 They all revere their Lord, high above them, and they do all that they are
commanded.
016.051 God has said: "Take not (for worship) two gods: for He is just One God:
then fear Me (and Me alone)."
016.052 To Him belongs whatever is in the heavens and on earth, and to Him is duty
due always: then will ye fear other than God?
016.053 And ye have no good thing but is from God: and moreover, when ye are
touched by distress, unto Him ye cry with groans;
016.054 Yet, when He removes the distress from you, behold! some of you turn to
other gods to join with their Lord-
016.055 (As if) to show their ingratitude for the favours we have bestowed on them!
then enjoy (your brief day): but soon will ye know (your folly)!
016.056 And they (even) assign, to things they do not know, a portion out of that
which We have bestowed for their sustenance! By God, ye shall certainly be called to
account for your false inventions.
016.057 And they assign daughters for God! - Glory be to Him! - and for themselves
(sons,- the issue) they desire!
016.058 When news is brought to one of them, of (the birth of) a female (child), his
face darkens, and he is filled with inward grief!
016.059 With shame does he hide himself from his people, because of the bad news
he has had! Shall he retain it on (sufferance and) contempt, or bury it in the dust? Ah!
what an evil (choice) they decide on?
016.060 To those who believe not in the Hereafter, applies the similitude of evil: to
God applies the highest similitude: for He is the Exalted in Power, full of Wisdom.
016.061 If God were to punish men for their wrong-doing, He would not leave, on
the (earth), a single living creature: but He gives them respite for a stated Term: When
their Term expires, they would not be able to delay (the punishment) for a single
hour, just as they would not be able to anticipate it (for a single hour).
016.062 They attribute to God what they hate (for themselves), and their tongues
assert the falsehood that all good things are for themselves: without doubt for them is
the Fire, and they will be the first to be hastened on into it!
016.063 By God, We (also) sent (Our apostles) to Peoples before thee; but Satan
made, (to the wicked), their own acts seem alluring: He is also their patron today, but
they shall have a most grievous penalty.
016.064 And We sent down the Book to thee for the express purpose, that thou
shouldst make clear to them those things in which they differ, and that it should be a
guide and a mercy to those who believe.
016.065 And God sends down rain from the skies, and gives therewith life to the
earth after its death: verily in this is a Sign for those who listen.
016.066 And verily in cattle (too) will ye find an instructive sign. From what is
within their bodies between excretions and blood, We produce, for your drink, milk,
pure and agreeable to those who drink it.
016.067 And from the fruit of the date-palm and the vine, ye get out wholesome
drink and food: behold, in this also is a sign for those who are wise.
016.068 And thy Lord taught the Bee to build its cells in hills, on trees, and in
(men's) habitations;
016.069 Then to eat of all the produce (of the earth), and find with skill the spacious
paths of its Lord: there issues from within their bodies a drink of varying colours,
wherein is healing for men: verily in this is a Sign for those who give thought.
016.070 It is God who creates you and takes your souls at death; and of you there are
some who are sent back to a feeble age, so that they know nothing after having known
(much): for God is All-Knowing, All-Powerful.
016.071 God has bestowed His gifts of sustenance more freely on some of you than
on others: those more favoured are not going to throw back their gifts to those whom
their right hands possess, so as to be equal in that respect. Will they then deny the
favours of God?
016.072 And God has made for you mates (and companions) of your own nature, and
made for you, out of them, sons and daughters and grandchildren, and provided for
you sustenance of the best: will they then believe in vain things, and be ungrateful for
God's favours?-
016.073 And worship others than God,- such as have no power of providing them,
for sustenance, with anything in heavens or earth, and cannot possibly have such
power?
016.074 Invent not similitudes for God: for God knoweth, and ye know not.
016.075 God sets forth the Parable (of two men: one) a slave under the dominion of
another; He has no power of any sort; and (the other) a man on whom We have
bestowed goodly favours from Ourselves, and he spends thereof (freely), privately
and publicly: are the two equal? (By no means;) praise be to God. But most of them
understand not.
016.076 God sets forth (another) Parable of two men: one of them dumb, with no
power of any sort; a wearisome burden is he to his master; whichever way be directs
him, he brings no good: is such a man equal with one who commands Justice, and is
on a Straight Way?
016.077 To God belongeth the Mystery of the heavens and the earth. And the
Decision of the Hour (of Judgment) is as the twingkling of an eye, or even quicker:
for God hath power over all things.
016.078 It is He Who brought you forth from the wombs of your mothers when ye
knew nothing; and He gave you hearing and sight and intelligence and affections: that
ye may give thanks (to God).
016.079 Do they not look at the birds, held poised in the midst of (the air and) the
sky? Nothing holds them up but (the power of) God. Verily in this are signs for those
who believe.
016.080 It is God Who made your habitations homes of rest and quiet for you; and
made for you, out of the skins of animals, (tents for) dwellings, which ye find so light
(and handy) when ye travel and when ye stop (in your travels); and out of their wool,
and their soft fibres (between wool and hair), and their hair, rich stuff and articles of
convenience (to serve you) for a time.
016.081 It is God Who made out of the things He created, some things to give you
shade; of the hills He made some for your shelter; He made you garments to protect
you from heat, and coats of mail to protect you from your (mutual) violence. Thus
does He complete His favours on you, that ye may bow to His Will (in Islam).
016.082 But if they turn away, thy duty is only to preach the clear Message.
016.083 They recognise the favours of God; then they deny them; and most of them
are (creatures) ungrateful.
016.084 One Day We shall raise from all Peoples a Witness: then will no excuse be
accepted from Unbelievers, nor will they receive any favours.
016.085 When the wrong-doers (actually) see the Penalty, then will it in no way be
mitigated, nor will they then receive respite.
016.086 When those who gave partners to God will see their "partners", they will
say: "Our Lord! these are our 'partners,' those whom we used to invoke besides Thee."
But they will throw back their word at them (and say): "Indeed ye are liars!"
016.087 That Day shall they (openly) show (their) submission to God; and all their
inventions shall leave them in the lurch.
016.088 Those who reject God and hinder (men) from the Path of God - for them
will We add Penalty to Penalty; for that they used to spread mischief.
016.089 One day We shall raise from all Peoples a witness against them, from
amongst themselves: and We shall bring thee as a witness against these (thy people):
and We have sent down to thee the Book explaining all things, a Guide, a Mercy, and
Glad Tidings to Muslims.
016.090 God commands justice, the doing of good, and liberality to kith and kin, and
He forbids all shameful deeds, and injustice and rebellion: He instructs you, that ye
may receive admonition.
016.091 Fulfil the Covenant of God when ye have entered into it, and break not your
oaths after ye have confirmed them; indeed ye have made God your surety; for God
knoweth all that ye do.
016.092 And be not like a woman who breaks into untwisted strands the yarn which
she has spun, after it has become strong. Nor take your oaths to practise deception
between yourselves, lest one party should be more numerous than another: for God
will test you by this; and on the Day of Judgment He will certainly make clear to you
(the truth of) that wherein ye disagree.
016.093 If God so willed, He could make you all one people: But He leaves straying
whom He pleases, and He guides whom He pleases: but ye shall certainly be called to
account for all your actions.
016.094 And take not your oaths, to practise deception between yourselves, with the
result that someone's foot may slip after it was firmly planted, and ye may have to
taste the evil (consequences) of having hindered (men) from the Path of God, and a
Mighty Wrath descend on you.
016.095 Nor sell the covenant of God for a miserable price: for with God is (a prize)
far better for you, if ye only knew.
016.096 What is with you must vanish: what is with God will endure. And We will
certainly bestow, on those who patiently persevere, their reward according to the best
of their actions.
016.097 Whoever works righteousness, man or woman, and has Faith, verily, to him
will We give a new Life, a life that is good and pure and We will bestow on such their
reward according to the best of their actions.
016.098 When thou dost read the Qur'an, seek God's protection from Satan the
rejected one.
016.099 No authority has he over those who believe and put their trust in their Lord.
016.100 His authority is over those only, who take him as patron and who join
partners with God.
016.101 When We substitute one revelation for another,- and God knows best what
He reveals (in stages),- they say, "Thou art but a forger": but most of them understand
not.
016.102 Say, the Holy Spirit has brought the revelation from thy Lord in Truth, in
order to strengthen those who believe, and as a Guide and Glad Tidings to Muslims.
016.103 We know indeed that they say, "It is a man that teaches him." The tongue of
him they wickedly point to is notably foreign, while this is Arabic, pure and clear.
016.104 Those who believe not in the Signs of God,- God will not guide them, and
theirs will be a grievous Penalty.
016.105 It is those who believe not in the Signs of God, that forge falsehood: it is
they who lie!
016.106 Any one who, after accepting faith in God, utters Unbelief,- except under
compulsion, his heart remaining firm in Faith - but such as open their breast to
Unbelief, on them is Wrath from God, and theirs will be a dreadful Penalty.
016.107 This because they love the life of this world better than the Hereafter: and
God will not guide those who reject Faith.
016.108 Those are they whose hearts, ears, and eyes God has sealed up, and they take
no heed.
016.109 Without doubt, in the Hereafter they will perish.
016.110 But verily thy Lord,- to those who leave their homes after trials and
persecutions,- and who thereafter strive and fight for the faith and patiently
persevere,- Thy Lord, after all this is oft-forgiving, Most Merciful.
016.111 One Day every soul will come up struggling for itself, and every soul will be
recompensed (fully) for all its actions, and none will be unjustly dealt with.
016.112 God sets forth a Parable: a city enjoying security and quiet, abundantly
supplied with sustenance from every place: Yet was it ungrateful for the favours of
God: so God made it taste of hunger and terror (in extremes) (closing in on it) like a
garment (from every side), because of the (evil) which (its people) wrought.
016.113 And there came to them an Apostle from among themselves, but they falsely
rejected him; so the Wrath seized them even in the midst of their iniquities.
016.114 So eat of the sustenance which God has provided for you, lawful and good;
and be grateful for the favours of God, if it is He Whom ye serve.
016.115 He has only forbidden you dead meat, and blood, and the flesh of swine, and
any (food) over which the name of other than God has been invoked. But if one is
forced by necessity, without wilful disobedience, nor transgressing due limits,- then
God is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.
016.116 But say not - for any false thing that your tongues may put forth,- "This is
lawful, and this is forbidden," so as to ascribe false things to God. For those who
ascribe false things to God, will never prosper.
016.117 (In such falsehood) is but a paltry profit; but they will have a most grievous
Penalty.
016.118 To the Jews We prohibited such things as We have mentioned to thee
before: We did them no wrong, but they were used to doing wrong to themselves.
016.119 But verily thy Lord,- to those who do wrong in ignorance, but who
thereafter repent and make amends,- thy Lord, after all this, is Oft-Forgiving, Most
Merciful.
016.120 Abraham was indeed a model, devoutly obedient to God, (and) true in Faith,
and he joined not gods with God:
016.121 He showed his gratitude for the favours of God, who chose him, and guided
him to a Straight Way.
016.122 And We gave him Good in this world, and he will be, in the Hereafter, in the
ranks of the Righteous.
016.123 So We have taught thee the inspired (Message), "Follow the ways of
Abraham the True in Faith, and he joined not gods with God."
016.124 The Sabbath was only made (strict) for those who disagreed (as to its
observance); But God will judge between them on the Day of Judgment, as to their
differences.
016.125 Invite (all) to the Way of thy Lord with wisdom and beautiful preaching;
and argue with them in ways that are best and most gracious: for thy Lord knoweth
best, who have strayed from His Path, and who receive guidance.
016.126 And if ye do catch them out, catch them out no worse than they catch you
out: But if ye show patience, that is indeed the best (course) for those who are patient.
016.127 And do thou be patient, for thy patience is but from God; nor grieve over
them: and distress not thyself because of their plots.
016.128 For God is with those who restrain themselves, and those who do good.
ISRA', THE NIGHT JOURNEY, CHILDREN OF ISRAEL, CHAPTER NO. 017
017.001 Glory to (God) Who did take His servant for a Journey by night from the
Sacred Mosque to the farthest Mosque, whose precincts We did bless,- in order that
We might show him some of Our Signs: for He is the One Who heareth and seeth (all
things).
017.002 We gave Moses the Book, and made it a Guide to the Children of Israel,
(commanding): "Take not other than Me as Disposer of (your) affairs."
017.003 O ye that are sprung from those whom We carried (in the Ark) with Noah!
Verily he was a devotee most grateful.
017.004 And We gave (Clear) Warning to the Children of Israel in the Book, that
twice would they do mischief on the earth and be elated with mighty arrogance (and
twice would they be punished)!
017.005 When the first of the warnings came to pass, We sent against you Our
servants given to terrible warfare: They entered the very inmost parts of your homes;
and it was a warning (completely) fulfilled.
017.006 Then did We grant you the Return as against them: We gave you increase in
resources and sons, and made you the more numerous in man-power.
017.007 If ye did well, ye did well for yourselves; if ye did evil, (ye did it) against
yourselves. So when the second of the warnings came to pass, (We permitted your
enemies) to disfigure your faces, and to enter your Temple as they had entered it
before, and to visit with destruction all that fell into their power.
017.008 It may be that your Lord may (yet) show Mercy unto you; but if ye revert (to
your sins), We shall revert (to Our punishments): And we have made Hell a prison for
those who reject (all Faith).
017.009 Verily this Qur'an doth guide to that which is most right (or stable), and
giveth the Glad Tidings to the Believers who work deeds of righteousness, that they
shall have a magnificent reward;
017.010 And to those who believe not in the Hereafter, (it announceth) that We have
prepared for them a Penalty Grievous (indeed).
017.011 The prayer that man should make for good, he maketh for evil; for man is
given to hasty (deeds).
017.012 We have made the Night and the Day as two (of Our) Signs: the Sign of the
Night have We obscured, while the Sign of the Day We have made to enlighten you;
that ye may seek bounty from your Lord, and that ye may know the number and count
of the years: all things have We explained in detail.
017.013 Every man's fate We have fastened on his own neck: On the Day of
Judgment We shall bring out for him a scroll, which he will see spread open.
017.014 (It will be said to him:) "Read thine (own) record: Sufficient is thy soul this
day to make out an account against thee."
017.015 Who receiveth guidance, receiveth it for his own benefit: who goeth astray
doth so to his own loss: No bearer of burdens can bear the burden of another: nor
would We visit with Our Wrath until We had sent an apostle (to give warning).
017.016 When We decide to destroy a population, We (first) send a definite order to
those among them who are given the good things of this life and yet transgress; so
that the word is proved true against them: then (it is) We destroy them utterly.
017.017 How many generations have We destroyed after Noah? and enough is thy
Lord to note and see the sins of His servants.
017.018 If any do wish for the transitory things (of this life), We readily grant them -
such things as We will, to such person as We will: in the end have We provided Hell
for them: they will burn therein, disgraced and rejected.
017.019 Those who do wish for the (things of) the Hereafter, and strive therefor with
all due striving, and have Faith,- they are the ones whose striving is acceptable (to
God).
017.020 Of the bounties of thy Lord We bestow freely on all- These as well as those:
The bounties of thy Lord are not closed (to anyone).
017.021 See how We have bestowed more on some than on others; but verily the
Hereafter is more in rank and gradation and more in excellence.
017.022 Take not with God another object of worship; or thou (O man!) wilt sit in
disgrace and destitution.
017.023 Thy Lord hath decreed that ye worship none but Him, and that ye be kind to
parents. Whether one or both of them attain old age in thy life, say not to them a word
of contempt, nor repel them, but address them in terms of honour.
017.024 And, out of kindness, lower to them the wing of humility, and say: "My
Lord! bestow on them thy Mercy even as they cherished me in childhood."
017.025 Your Lord knoweth best what is in your hearts: If ye do deeds of
righteousness, verily He is Most Forgiving to those who turn to Him again and again
(in true penitence).
017.026 And render to the kindred their due rights, as (also) to those in want, and to
the wayfarer: But squander not (your wealth) in the manner of a spendthrift.
017.027 Verily spendthrifts are brothers of the Evil Ones; and the Evil One is to his
Lord (himself) ungrateful.
017.028 And even if thou hast to turn away from them in pursuit of the Mercy from
thy Lord which thou dost expect, yet speak to them a word of easy kindness.
017.029 Make not thy hand tied (like a niggard's) to thy neck, nor stretch it forth to
its utmost reach, so that thou become blameworthy and destitute.
017.030 Verily thy Lord doth provide sustenance in abundance for whom He
pleaseth, and He provideth in a just measure. For He doth know and regard all His
servants.
017.031 Kill not your children for fear of want: We shall provide sustenance for
them as well as for you. Verily the killing of them is a great sin.
017.032 Nor come nigh to adultery: for it is a shameful (deed) and an evil, opening
the road (to other evils).
017.033 Nor take life - which God has made sacred - except for just cause. And if
anyone is slain wrongfully, we have given his heir authority (to demand qisas or to
forgive): but let him nor exceed bounds in the matter of taking life; for he is helped
(by the Law).
017.034 Come not nigh to the orphan's property except to improve it, until he attains
the age of full strength; and fulfil (every) engagement, for (every) engagement will be
enquired into (on the Day of Reckoning).
017.035 Give full measure when ye measure, and weigh with a balance that is
straight: that is the most fitting and the most advantageous in the final determination.
017.036 And pursue not that of which thou hast no knowledge; for every act of
hearing, or of seeing or of (feeling in) the heart will be enquired into (on the Day of
Reckoning).
017.037 Nor walk on the earth with insolence: for thou canst not rend the earth
asunder, nor reach the mountains in height.
017.038 Of all such things the evil is hateful in the sight of thy Lord.
017.039 These are among the (precepts of) wisdom, which thy Lord has revealed to
thee. Take not, with God, another object of worship, lest thou shouldst be thrown into
Hell, blameworthy and rejected.
017.040 Has then your Lord (O Pagans!) preferred for you sons, and taken for
Himself daughters among the angels? Truly ye utter a most dreadful saying!
017.041 We have explained (things) in various (ways) in this Qur'an, in order that
they may receive admonition, but it only increases their flight (from the Truth)!
017.042 Say: If there had been (other) gods with Him, as they say,- behold, they
would certainly have sought out a way to the Lord of the Throne!
017.043 Glory to Him! He is high above all that they say!- Exalted and Great
(beyond measure)!
017.044 The seven heavens and the earth, and all beings therein, declare His glory:
there is not a thing but celebrates His praise; And yet ye understand not how they
declare His glory! Verily He is Oft-Forbear, Most Forgiving!
017.045 When thou dost recite the Qur'an, We put, between thee and those who
believe not in the Hereafter, a veil invisible:
017.046 And We put coverings over their hearts (and minds) lest they should
understand the Qur'an, and deafness into their ears: when thou dost commemorate thy
Lord and Him alone in the Qur'an, they turn on their backs, fleeing (from the Truth).
017.047 We know best why it is they listen, when they listen to thee; and when they
meet in private conference, behold, the wicked say, "Ye follow none other than a man
bewitched!"
017.048 See what similes they strike for thee: but they have gone astray, and never
can they find a way.
017.049 They say: "What! when we are reduced to bones and dust, should we really
be raised up (to be) a new creation?"
017.050 Say: "(Nay!) be ye stones or iron,
017.051 "Or created matter which, in your minds, is hardest (to be raised up),- (Yet
shall ye be raised up)!" then will they say: "Who will cause us to return?" Say: "He
who created you first!" Then will they wag their heads towards thee, and say, "When
will that be?" Say, "May be it will be quite soon!
017.052 "It will be on a Day when He will call you, and ye will answer (His call)
with (words of) His praise, and ye will think that ye tarried but a little while!"
017.053 Say to My servants that they should (only) say those things that are best: for
Satan doth sow dissensions among them: For Satan is to man an avowed enemy.
017.054 It is your Lord that knoweth you best: If He please, He granteth you mercy,
or if He please, punishment: We have not sent thee to be a disposer of their affairs for
them.
017.055 And it is your Lord that knoweth best all beings that are in the heavens and
on earth: We did bestow on some prophets more (and other) gifts than on others: and
We gave to David (the gift of) the Psalms.
017.056 Say: "Call on those - besides Him - whom ye fancy: they have neither the
power to remove your troubles from you nor to change them."
017.057 Those whom they call upon do desire (for themselves) means of access to
their Lord, - even those who are nearest: they hope for His Mercy and fear His Wrath:
for the Wrath of thy Lord is something to take heed of.
017.058 There is not a population but We shall destroy it before the Day of Judgment
or punish it with a dreadful Penalty: that is written in the (eternal) Record.
017.059 And We refrain from sending the signs, only because the men of former
generations treated them as false: We sent the she-camel to the Thamud to open their
eyes, but they treated her wrongfully: We only send the Signs by way of terror (and
warning from evil).
017.060 Behold! We told thee that thy Lord doth encompass mankind round about:
We granted the vision which We showed thee, but as a trial for men,- as also the
Cursed Tree (mentioned) in the Qur'an: We put terror (and warning) into them, but it
only increases their inordinate transgression!
017.061 Behold! We said to the angels: "Bow down unto Adam": They bowed down
except Iblis: He said, "Shall I bow down to one whom Thou didst create from clay?"
017.062 He said: "Seest Thou? this is the one whom Thou hast honoured above me!
If Thou wilt but respite me to the Day of Judgment, I will surely bring his
descendants under my sway - all but a few!"
017.063 (God) said: "Go thy way; if any of them follow thee, verily Hell will be the
recompense of you (all)- an ample recompense.
017.064 "Lead to destruction those whom thou canst among them, with thy
(seductive) voice; make assaults on them with thy cavalry and thy infantry; mutually
share with them wealth and children; and make promises to them." But Satan
promises them nothing but deceit.
017.065 "As for My servants, no authority shalt thou have over them:" Enough is thy
Lord for a Disposer of affairs.
017.066 Your Lord is He That maketh the Ship go smoothly for you through the sea,
in order that ye may seek of his Bounty. For he is unto you most Merciful.
017.067 When distress seizes you at sea, those that ye call upon - besides Himself -
leave you in the lurch! but when He brings you back safe to land, ye turn away (from
Him). Most ungrateful is man!
017.068 Do ye then feel secure that He will not cause you to be swallowed up
beneath the earth when ye are on land, or that He will not send against you a violent
tornado (with showers of stones) so that ye shall find no one to carry out your affairs
for you?
017.069 Or do ye feel secure that He will not send you back a second time to sea and
send against you a heavy gale to drown you because of your ingratitude, so that ye
find no helper. Therein against Us?
017.070 We have honoured the sons of Adam; provided them with transport on land
and sea; given them for sustenance things good and pure; and conferred on them
special favours, above a great part of our creation.
017.071 One day We shall call together all human beings with their (respective)
Imams: those who are given their record in their right hand will read it (with
pleasure), and they will not be dealt with unjustly in the least.
017.072 But those who were blind in this world, will be blind in the hereafter, and
most astray from the Path.
017.073 And their purpose was to tempt thee away from that which We had revealed
unto thee, to substitute in our name something quite different; (in that case), behold!
they would certainly have made thee (their) friend!
017.074 And had We not given thee strength, thou wouldst nearly have inclined to
them a little.
017.075 In that case We should have made thee taste an equal portion (of
punishment) in this life, and an equal portion in death: and moreover thou wouldst
have found none to help thee against Us!
017.076 Their purpose was to scare thee off the land, in order to expel thee; but in
that case they would not have stayed (therein) after thee, except for a little while.
017.077 (This was Our) way with the apostles We sent before thee: thou wilt find no
change in Our ways.
017.078 Establish regular prayers - at the sun's decline till the darkness of the night,
and the morning prayer and reading: for the prayer and reading in the morning carry
their testimony.
017.079 And pray in the small watches of the morning: (it would be) an additional
prayer (or spiritual profit) for thee: soon will thy Lord raise thee to a Station of Praise
and Glory!
017.080 Say: "O my Lord! Let my entry be by the Gate of Truth and Honour, and
likewise my exit by the Gate of Truth and Honour; and grant me from Thy Presence
an authority to aid (me)."
017.081 And say: "Truth has (now) arrived, and Falsehood perished: for Falsehood is
(by its nature) bound to perish."
017.082 We send down (stage by stage) in the Qur'an that which is a healing and a
mercy to those who believe: to the unjust it causes nothing but loss after loss.
017.083 Yet when We bestow Our favours on man, he turns away and becomes
remote on his side (instead of coming to Us), and when evil seizes him he gives
himself up to despair!
017.084 Say: "Everyone acts according to his own disposition: But your Lord knows
best who it is that is best guided on the Way."
017.085 They ask thee concerning the Spirit (of inspiration). Say: "The Spirit
(cometh) by command of my Lord: of knowledge it is only a little that is
communicated to you, (O men!)"
017.086 If it were Our Will, We could take away that which We have sent thee by
inspiration:then wouldst thou find none to plead thy affair in that matter as against
Us,-
017.087 Except for Mercy from thy Lord: for his bounty is to thee (indeed) great.
017.088 Say: "If the whole of mankind and Jinns were to gather together to produce
the like of this Qur'an, they could not produce the like thereof, even if they backed up
each other with help and support.
017.089 And We have explained to man, in this Qur'an, every kind of similitude: yet
the greater part of men refuse (to receive it) except with ingratitude!
017.090 They say: "We shall not believe in thee, until thou cause a spring to gush
forth for us from the earth,
017.091 "Or (until) thou have a garden of date trees and vines, and cause rivers to
gush forth in their midst, carrying abundant water;
017.092 "Or thou cause the sky to fall in pieces, as thou sayest (will happen), against
us; or thou bring God and the angels before (us) face to face:
017.093 "Or thou have a house adorned with gold, or thou mount a ladder right into
the skies. No, we shall not even believe in thy mounting until thou send down to us a
book that we could read." Say: "Glory to my Lord! Am I aught but a man,- an
apostle?"
017.094 What kept men back from belief when Guidance came to them, was nothing
but this: they said, "Has God sent a man (like us) to be (His) Apostle?"
017.095 Say, "If there were settled, on earth, angels walking about in peace and
quiet, We should certainly have sent them down from the heavens an angel for an
apostle."
017.096 Say: "Enough is God for a witness between me and you: for He is well
acquainted with His servants, and He sees (all things).
017.097 It is he whom God guides, that is on true Guidance; but he whom He leaves
astray - for such wilt thou find no protector besides Him. On the Day of Judgment We
shall gather, them together, prone on their faces, blind, dumb, and deaf: their abode
will be Hell: every time it shows abatement, We shall increase from them the
fierceness of the Fire.
017.098 That is their recompense, because they rejected Our signs, and said, "When
we are reduced to bones and broken dust, should we really be raised up (to be) a new
Creation?"
017.099 See they not that God, Who created the heavens and the earth, has power to
create the like of them (anew)? Only He has decreed a term appointed, of which there
is no doubt. But the unjust refuse (to receive it) except with ingratitude.
017.100 Say: "If ye had control of the Treasures of the Mercy of my Lord, behold, ye
would keep them back, for fear of spending them: for man is (every) niggardly!"
017.101 To Moses We did give Nine Clear Sings: As the Children of Israel: when he
came to them, Pharaoh said to him: "O Moses! I consider thee, indeed, to have been
worked upon by sorcery!
017.102 Moses said, "Thou knowest well that these things have been sent down by
none but the Lord of the heavens and the earth as eye-opening evidence: and I
consider thee indeed, O Pharaoh, to be one doomed to destruction!"
017.103 So he resolved to remove them from the face of the earth: but We did drown
him and all who were with him.
017.104 And We said thereafter to the Children of Israel, "Dwell securely in the land
(of promise)": but when the second of the warnings came to pass, We gathered you
together in a mingled crowd.
017.105 We sent down the (Qur'an) in Truth, and in Truth has it descended: and We
sent thee but to give Glad Tidings and to warn (sinners).
017.106 (It is) a Qur'an which We have divided (into parts from time to time), in
order that thou mightest recite it to men at intervals: We have revealed it by stages.
017.107 Say: "Whether ye believe in it or not, it is true that those who were given
knowledge beforehand, when it is recited to them, fall down on their faces in humble
prostration,
017.108 "And they say: 'Glory to our Lord! Truly has the promise of our Lord been
fulfilled!'"
017.109 They fall down on their faces in tears, and it increases their (earnest)
humility.
017.110 Say: "Call upon God, or call upon Rahman: by whatever name ye call upon
Him, (it is well): for to Him belong the Most Beautiful Names. Neither speak thy
Prayer aloud, nor speak it in a low tone, but seek a middle course between."
017.111 Say: "Praise be to God, who begets no son, and has no partner in (His)
dominion: Nor (needs) He any to protect Him from humiliation: yea, magnify Him
for His greatness and glory!"
THE CAVE, CHAPTER NO. 018
018.001 Praise be to God, Who hath sent to His Servant the Book, and hath allowed
therein no Crookedness:
018.002 (He hath made it) Straight (and Clear) in order that He may warn (the
godless) of a terrible Punishment from Him, and that He may give Glad Tidings to the
Believers who work righteous deeds, that they shall have a goodly Reward,
018.003 Wherein they shall remain for ever:
018.004 Further, that He may warn those (also) who say, "God hath begotten a son":
018.005 No knowledge have they of such a thing, nor had their fathers. It is a
grievous thing that issues from their mouths as a saying what they say is nothing but
falsehood!
018.006 Thou wouldst only, perchance, fret thyself to death, following after them, in
grief, if they believe not in this Message.
018.007 That which is on earth we have made but as a glittering show for the earth,
in order that We may test them - as to which of them are best in conduct.
018.008 Verily what is on earth we shall make but as dust and dry soil (without
growth or herbage).
018.009 Or dost thou reflect that the Companions of the Cave and of the Inscription
were wonders among Our Sign?
018.010 Behold, the youths betook themselves to the Cave: they said, "Our Lord!
bestow on us Mercy from Thyself, and dispose of our affair for us in the right way!"
018.011 Then We draw (a veil) over their ears, for a number of years, in the Cave,
(so that they heard not):
018.012 Then We roused them, in order to test which of the two parties was best at
calculating the term of years they had tarried!
018.013 We relate to thee their story in truth: they were youths who believed in their
Lord, and We advanced them in guidance:
018.014 We gave strength to their hearts: Behold, they stood up and said: "Our Lord
is the Lord of the heavens and of the earth: never shall we call upon any god other
than Him: if we did, we should indeed have uttered an enormity!
018.015 "These our people have taken for worship gods other than Him: why do they
not bring forward an authority clear (and convincing) for what they do? Who doth
more wrong than such as invent a falsehood against God?
018.016 "When ye turn away from them and the things they worship other than God,
betake yourselves to the Cave: Your Lord will shower His mercies on you and
disposes of your affair towards comfort and ease."
018.017 Thou wouldst have seen the sun, when it rose, declining to the right from
their Cave, and when it set, turning away from them to the left, while they lay in the
open space in the midst of the Cave. Such are among the Signs of God: He whom
God, guides is rightly guided; but he whom God leaves to stray,- for him wilt thou
find no protector to lead him to the Right Way.
018.018 Thou wouldst have deemed them awake, whilst they were asleep, and We
turned them on their right and on their left sides: their dog stretching forth his two
fore-legs on the threshold: if thou hadst come up on to them, thou wouldst have
certainly turned back from them in flight, and wouldst certainly have been filled with
terror of them.
018.019 Such (being their state), we raised them up (from sleep), that they might
question each other. Said one of them, "How long have ye stayed (here)?" They said,
"We have stayed (perhaps) a day, or part of a day." (At length) they (all) said, "God
(alone) knows best how long ye have stayed here.... Now send ye then one of you
with this money of yours to the town: let him find out which is the best food (to be
had) and bring some to you, that (ye may) satisfy your hunger therewith: And let him
behave with care and courtesy, and let him not inform any one about you.
018.020 "For if they should come upon you, they would stone you or force you to
return to their cult, and in that case ye would never attain prosperity."
018.021 Thus did We make their case known to the people, that they might know
that the promise of God is true, and that there can be no doubt about the Hour of
Judgment. Behold, they dispute among themselves as to their affair. (Some) said,
"Construct a building over them": Their Lord knows best about them: those who
prevailed over their affair said, "Let us surely build a place of worship over them."
018.022 (Some) say they were three, the dog being the fourth among them; (others)
say they were five, the dog being the sixth,- doubtfully guessing at the unknown; (yet
others) say they were seven, the dog being the eighth. Say thou: "My Lord knoweth
best their number; It is but few that know their (real case)." Enter not, therefore, into
controversies concerning them, except on a matter that is clear, nor consult any of
them about (the affair of) the Sleepers.
018.023 Nor say of anything, "I shall be sure to do so and so tomorrow"-
018.024 Without adding, "So please God!" and call thy Lord to mind when thou
forgettest, and say, "I hope that my Lord will guide me ever closer (even) than this to
the right road."
018.025 So they stayed in their Cave three hundred years, and (some) add nine
(more)
018.026 Say: "God knows best how long they stayed: with Him is (the knowledge of)
the secrets of the heavens and the earth: how clearly He sees, how finely He hears
(everything)! They have no protector other than Him; nor does He share His
Command with any person whatsoever.
018.027 And recite (and teach) what has been revealed to thee of the Book of thy
Lord: none can change His Words, and none wilt thou find as a refuge other than
Him.
018.028 And keep thy soul content with those who call on their Lord morning and
evening, seeking His Face; and let not thine eyes pass beyond them, seeking the pomp
and glitter of this Life; no obey any whose heart We have permitted to neglect the
remembrance of Us, one who follows his own desires, whose case has gone beyond
all bounds.
018.029 Say, "The truth is from your Lord": Let him who will believe, and let him
who will, reject (it): for the wrong-doers We have prepared a Fire whose (smoke and
flames), like the walls and roof of a tent, will hem them in: if they implore relief they
will be granted water like melted brass, that will scald their faces, how dreadful the
drink! How uncomfortable a couch to recline on!
018.030 As to those who believe and work righteousness, verily We shall not suffer
to perish the reward of any who do a (single) righteous deed.
018.031 For them will be Gardens of Eternity; beneath them rivers will flow; they
will be adorned therein with bracelets of gold, and they will wear green garments of
fine silk and heavy brocade: They will recline therein on raised thrones. How good
the recompense! How beautiful a couch to recline on!
018.032 Set forth to them the parable of two men: for one of them We provided two
gardens of grape-vines and surrounded them with date palms; in between the two We
placed corn-fields.
018.033 Each of those gardens brought forth its produce, and failed not in the least
therein: in the midst of them We caused a river to flow.
018.034 (Abundant) was the produce this man had : he said to his companion, in the
course of a mutual argument: "more wealth have I than you, and more honour and
power in (my following of) men."
018.035 He went into his garden in a state (of mind) unjust to his soul: He said, "I
deem not that this will ever perish,
018.036 "Nor do I deem that the Hour (of Judgment) will (ever) come: Even if I am
brought back to my Lord, I shall surely find (there) something better in exchange."
018.037 His companion said to him, in the course of the argument with him: "Dost
thou deny Him Who created thee out of dust, then out of a sperm-drop, then fashioned
thee into a man?
018.038 "But (I think) for my part that He is God, My Lord, and none shall I
associate with my Lord.
018.039 "Why didst thou not, as thou wentest into thy garden, say: 'God's will (be
done)! There is no power but with God!' If thou dost see me less than thee in wealth
and sons,
018.040 "It may be that my Lord will give me something better than thy garden, and
that He will send on thy garden thunderbolts (by way of reckoning) from heaven,
making it (but) slippery sand!-
018.041 "Or the water of the garden will run off underground so that thou wilt never
be able to find it."
018.042 So his fruits (and enjoyment) were encompassed (with ruin), and he
remained twisting and turning his hands over what he had spent on his property,
which had (now) tumbled to pieces to its very foundations, and he could only say,
"Woe is me! Would I had never ascribed partners to my Lord and Cherisher!"
018.043 Nor had he numbers to help him against God, nor was he able to deliver
himself.
018.044 There, the (only) protection comes from God, the True One. He is the Best
to reward, and the Best to give success.
018.045 Set forth to them the similitude of the life of this world: It is like the rain
which we send down from the skies: the earth's vegetation absorbs it, but soon it
becomes dry stubble, which the winds do scatter: it is (only) God who prevails over
all things.
018.046 Wealth and sons are allurements of the life of this world: But the things that
endure, good deeds, are best in the sight of thy Lord, as rewards, and best as (the
foundation for) hopes.
018.047 One Day We shall remove the mountains, and thou wilt see the earth as a
level stretch, and We shall gather them, all together, nor shall We leave out any one
of them.
018.048 And they will be marshalled before thy Lord in ranks, (with the
announcement), "Now have ye come to Us (bare) as We created you first: aye, ye
thought We shall not fulfil the appointment made to you to meet (Us)!":
018.049 And the Book (of Deeds) will be placed (before you); and thou wilt see the
sinful in great terror because of what is (recorded) therein; they will say, "Ah! woe to
us! what a Book is this! It leaves out nothing small or great, but takes account
thereof!" They will find all that they did, placed before them: And not one will thy
Lord treat with injustice.
018.050 Behold! We said to the angels, "Bow down to Adam": They bowed down
except Iblis. He was one of the Jinns, and he broke the Command of his Lord. Will ye
then take him and his progeny as protectors rather than Me? And they are enemies to
you! Evil would be the exchange for the wrong-doers!
018.051 I called them not to witness the creation of the heavens and the earth, nor
(even) their own creation: nor is it for helpers such as Me to take as lead (men) astray!
018.052 One Day He will say, "Call on those whom ye thought to be My partners,"
and they will call on them, but they will not listen to them; and We shall make for
them a place of common perdition.
018.053 And the Sinful shall see the fire and apprehend that they have to fall therein:
no means will they find to turn away therefrom.
018.054 We have explained in detail in this Qur'an, for the benefit of mankind, every
kind of similitude: but man is, in most things, contentious.
018.055 And what is there to keep back men from believing, now that Guidance has
come to them, nor from praying for forgiveness from their Lord, but that (they ask
that) the ways of the ancients be repeated with them, or the Wrath be brought to them
face to face?
018.056 We only send the apostles to give Glad Tidings and to give warnings: But
the unbelievers dispute with vain argument, in order therewith to weaken the truth,
and they treat My Signs as a jest, as also the fact that they are warned!
018.057 And who doth more wrong than one who is reminded of the Signs of his
Lord, but turns away from them, forgetting the (deeds) which his hands have sent
forth? Verily We have set veils over their hearts lest they should understand this, and
over their ears, deafness, if thou callest them to guidance, even then will they never
accept guidance.
018.058 But your Lord is Most forgiving, full of Mercy. If He were to call them (at
once) to account for what they have earned, then surely He would have earned, then
surely He would have hastened their punishment: but they have their appointed time,
beyond which they will find no refuge.
018.059 Such were the populations we destroyed when they committed iniquities;
but we fixed an appointed time for their destruction.
018.060 Behold, Moses said to his attendant, "I will not give up until I reach the
junction of the two seas or (until) I spend years and years in travel."
018.061 But when they reached the Junction, they forgot (about) their Fish, which
took its course through the sea (straight) as in a tunnel.
018.062 When they had passed on (some distance), Moses said to his attendant:
"Bring us our early meal; truly we have suffered much fatigue at this (stage of) our
journey."
018.063 He replied: "Sawest thou (what happened) when we betook ourselves to the
rock? I did indeed forget (about) the Fish: none but Satan made me forget to tell (you)
about it: it took its course through the sea in a marvellous way!"
018.064 Moses said: "That was what we were seeking after:" So they went back on
their footsteps, following (the path they had come).
018.065 So they found one of Our servants, on whom We had bestowed Mercy from
Ourselves and whom We had taught knowledge from Our own Presence.
018.066 Moses said to him: "May I follow thee, on the footing that thou teach me
something of the (Higher) Truth which thou hast been taught?"
018.067 (The other) said: "Verily thou wilt not be able to have patience with me!"
018.068 "And how canst thou have patience about things about which thy
understanding is not complete?"
018.069 Moses said: "Thou wilt find me, if God so will, (truly) patient: nor shall I
disobey thee in aught."
018.070 The other said: "If then thou wouldst follow me, ask me no questions about
anything until I myself speak to thee concerning it."
018.071 So they both proceeded: until, when they were in the boat, he scuttled it.
Said Moses: "Hast thou scuttled it in order to drown those in it? Truly a strange thing
hast thou done!"
018.072 He answered: "Did I not tell thee that thou canst have no patience with me?"
018.073 Moses said: "Rebuke me not for forgetting, nor grieve me by raising
difficulties in my case."
018.074 Then they proceeded: until, when they met a young man, he slew him.
Moses said: "Hast thou slain an innocent person who had slain none? Truly a foul
(unheard of) thing hast thou done!"
018.075 He answered: "Did I not tell thee that thou canst have no patience with me?"
018.076 (Moses) said: "If ever I ask thee about anything after this, keep me not in thy
company: then wouldst thou have received (full) excuse from my side."
018.077 Then they proceeded: until, when they came to the inhabitants of a town,
they asked them for food, but they refused them hospitality. They found there a wall
on the point of falling down, but he set it up straight. (Moses) said: "If thou hadst
wished, surely thou couldst have exacted some recompense for it!"
018.078 He answered: "This is the parting between me and thee: now will I tell thee
the interpretation of (those things) over which thou wast unable to hold patience.
018.079 "As for the boat, it belonged to certain men in dire want: they plied on the
water: I but wished to render it unserviceable, for there was after them a certain king
who seized on every boat by force.
018.080 "As for the youth, his parents were people of Faith, and we feared that he
would grieve them by obstinate rebellion and ingratitude (to God and man).
018.081 "So we desired that their Lord would give them in exchange (a son) better in
purity (of conduct) and closer in affection.
018.082 "As for the wall, it belonged to two youths, orphans, in the Town; there was,
beneath it, a buried treasure, to which they were entitled: their father had been a
righteous man: So thy Lord desired that they should attain their age of full strength
and get out their treasure - a mercy (and favour) from thy Lord. I did it not of my own
accord. Such is the interpretation of (those things) over which thou wast unable to
hold patience."
018.083 They ask thee concerning Zul-qarnain. Say, "I will rehearse to you
something of his story."
018.084 Verily We established his power on earth, and We gave him the ways and
the means to all ends.
018.085 One (such) way he followed,
018.086 Until, when he reached the setting of the sun, he found it set in a spring of
murky water: Near it he found a People: We said: "O Zul-qarnain! (thou hast
authority,) either to punish them, or to treat them with kindness."
018.087 He said: "Whoever doth wrong, him shall we punish; then shall he be sent
back to his Lord; and He will punish him with a punishment unheard-of (before).
018.088 "But whoever believes, and works righteousness,- he shall have a goodly
reward, and easy will be his task as We order it by our Command."
018.089 Then followed he (another) way,
018.090 Until, when he came to the rising of the sun, he found it rising on a people
for whom We had provided no covering protection against the sun.
018.091 (He left them) as they were: We completely understood what was before
him.
018.092 Then followed he (another) way,
018.093 Until, when he reached (a tract) between two mountains, he found, beneath
them, a people who scarcely understood a word.
018.094 They said: "O Zul-qarnain! the Gog and Magog (People) do great mischief
on earth: shall we then render thee tribute in order that thou mightest erect a barrier
between us and them?
018.095 He said: "(The power) in which my Lord has established me is better (than
tribute): Help me therefore with strength (and labour): I will erect a strong barrier
between you and them:
018.096 "Bring me blocks of iron." At length, when he had filled up the space
between the two steep mountain-sides, He said, "Blow (with your bellows)" Then,
when he had made it (red) as fire, he said: "Bring me, that I may pour over it, molten
lead."
018.097 Thus were they made powerless to scale it or to dig through it.
018.098 He said: "This is a mercy from my Lord: But when the promise of my Lord
comes to pass, He will make it into dust; and the promise of my Lord is true."
018.099 On that day We shall leave them to surge like waves on one another: the
trumpet will be blown, and We shall collect them all together.
018.100 And We shall present Hell that day for Unbelievers to see, all spread out,-
018.101 (Unbelievers) whose eyes had been under a veil from remembrance of Me,
and who had been unable even to hear.
018.102 Do the Unbelievers think that they can take My servants as protectors
besides Me? Verily We have prepared Hell for the Unbelievers for (their)
entertainment.
018.103 Say: "Shall we tell you of those who lose most in respect of their deeds?-
018.104 "Those whose efforts have been wasted in this life, while they thought that
they were acquiring good by their works?"
018.105 They are those who deny the Signs of their Lord and the fact of their having
to meet Him (in the Hereafter): vain will be their works, nor shall We, on the Day of
Judgment, give them any weight.
018.106 That is their reward, Hell, because they rejected Faith, and took My Signs
and My Messengers by way of jest.
018.107 As to those who believe and work righteous deeds, they have, for their
entertainment, the Gardens of Paradise,
018.108 Wherein they shall dwell (for aye): no change will they wish for from them.
018.109 Say: "If the ocean were ink (wherewith to write out) the words of my Lord,
sooner would the ocean be exhausted than would the words of my Lord, even if we
added another ocean like it, for its aid."
018.110 Say: "I am but a man like yourselves, (but) the inspiration has come to me,
that your God is one God: whoever expects to meet his Lord, let him work
righteousness, and, in the worship of his Lord, admit no one as partner.