CHAPTER 17.  THE ISRAELITES                                                        SECTION 1.  PART XV

PART XV

IN THE NAME OF GOD
THE MOST GRACIOUS AND MERCIFUL GOD

1  TO GOD BE THE GLORY
WHO TOOK HIS SERVANT BY NIGHT FOR A JOURNEY

FROM THE SACRED MOSQUE 
TO THE FARTHEST MOSQUE 

WHOSE PRECINCTS WE DID BLESS 
TO GIVE HIM OUR MESSAGES

FOR HE IS THE ONE WHO IS ALL HEARING 
AND ALL SEEING OF ALL THINGS

2  WE GAVE MOSES THE BOOK TO GIVE DIRECTION 
TO THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL AND TO GIVE INSTRUCTION
TO THEM NOT TO TAKE OTHER THAN GOD FOR PROTECTION

3  OH YOU THAT ARE SPRUNG FROM THOSE WHOM WE CARRIED
IN THE ARK WITH NOAH, FOR HE WAS A DEVOTEE 

4  WE GAVE CLEAR WARNING TO THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL 
THAT TWICE ON THE EARTH THEY WOULD DO EVIL

AND TWICE THEY WOULD ACT ARROGANTLY
AND THAT THEY WOULD BEHAVE INSOLENTLY

5   WHEN IT CAME TO PASS THE FIRST OF OUR WARNINGS
WE SENT AGAINST YOU OUR SERVANTS GIVEN TO TERRIBLE FIGHTING
AND THEY ENTERED THE INTERMOST PARTS OF YOUR DWELLINGS
AND IT WAS A COMPLETELY FULFILLED WARNING 

6  THEN WE GRANTED THE RETURN AGAINST THEM TO YOU 
AND GAVE INCREASES IN RESOURCES AND SONS TO YOU
AND MADE YOU MORE NUMEROUS IN MANPOWER TOO

7  IF YOU DID WELL YOU DID WELL FOR YOURSELVES 
IF YOU DID EVIL YOU DID EVIL 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 BEFORE ENTERED 
AND TO DESTROY ALL THAT FELL INTO THEIR POWER

8  AND IT MAY BE THAT YOUR LORD MAY YET STILL SHOW YOU MERCY 
IF YOU REVERT TO YOUR SINS WE WILL REVERT TO OUR PENALTY 
AND WE ASSUREDLY HAVE MADE HELL READY
AS A PRISON FOR THOSE WHO REJECT FAITH ARROGANTLY

9  THIS QURAN GUIDES TO THAT WHICH IS RIGHT
AND GIVES GLAD TIDINGS TO BELIEVERS WHO DO RIGHT  

THAT THEY WILL HAVE FOR THEIR GOOD DEEDS
A MAGNIFICENT REWARD INDEED

10  AND TO THOSE WHO BELIEVE NOT IN THE HEREAFTER
IT ANNOUNCES THAT FOR THEM IS THE PENALTY OF THE FIRE

257
CHAPTER 17.  THE ISRAELITES                                                       SECTION 2.  PART XV

11  THE PRAYER THAT MAN SHOULD MAKE FOR GOOD DEEDS
HE MAKES IT FOR EVIL, FOR MAN IS GIVEN TO HASTY DEEDS

12  WE HAVE MADE AS TWO OF OUR SIGNS NIGHT AND DAY 
WE HAVE MADE THE SIGN OF THE NIGHT TO PASS AWAY
AND WE HAVE MADE MANIFEST THE SIGN OF THE DAY
TO ENLIGHTEN YOU IN ORDER THAT YOU MAY 
SEEK BOUNTY FROM YOUR LORD AND THAT YOU MAY 
KNOW THE NUMBER AND COUNT OF THE DAYS
AND WE HAVE EXPLAINED ALL THINGS IN ALL WAYS

13  WE HAVE FASTENED ON EVERY MAN'S NECK HIS OWN ACTIONS 
AND ON THE DAY OF RESSURECTION

WE WILL BRING OUT FOR HIM A SCROLL
WHICH HE WILL SEE SPREAD OUT AND UNROLLED

14  READ YOUR BOOK, TO HIM WE WILL SAY
YOUR OWN SOUL WILL BEAR WITNESS AGAINST YOU TODAY

15  WHOEVER AMONG YOU GOES THE RIGHT WAY
FOR HIS OWN SOUL HE GOES THE RIGHT WAY 
AND WHOEVER GOES ASTRAY

DOES SO TO HIS OWN SELF AS THE LOSER
NO BURDEN BEARER CAN BEAR THE BURDEN OF ANOTHER 
NOR WOULD WE CHASTISE UNTIL AFTER WE SEND A MESSENGER

16  WHEN WE DECIDE TO DESTROY POPULATIONS
WE AT FIRST SEND TO THEM CLEAR INSTRUCTIONS
TO THOSE AMONG THEM WHO ARE GIVEN PROVISIONS
AND YET THEY STILL CONTINUALLY PERSIST IN REJECTION
THE WORD IS PROVED TRUE AND THEY ARE BROUGHT TO DESTRUCTION

17  AND HOW MANY GENERATIONS
AFTER NOAH MET WITH DESTRUCTIONS?
AND GOD IS SEER OF HIS SERVANTS TRANSGRESSIONS

18  IF ANY DO WISH FOR THIS LIFE'S TRANSITORY THINGS 
WE READILY GRANT THEM AS WE WILL SUCH THINGS 

TO SUCH PERSONS AS WE WILL, IN THE END WE HAVE PROVIDED 
HELL FOR THEM, THEY WILL BURN IN IT REJECTED

19  THOSE WHO DO WISH FOR THE THINGS OF THE HEREAFTER 
AND STRIVE FOR THEM AND ARE FAITHFUL BELIEVERS
THEIR STRIVING IS ACCEPTED BY THE CREATOR 

20  OF THE BOUNTIES OF GOD WE BESTOW 
FREELY ON ALL OF THESE AS WELL AS ALL OF THOSE
AND THE BOUNTIES OF YOUR LORD TO NO ONE ARE THEY CLOSED  

21  SEE HOW WE HAVE BESTOWED MORE ON SOME THAN ON OTHERS?
BUT SURELY MORE IN RANK IS THE HEREAFTER 
AND IN EXCELLENCE IT IS GREATER

22  TAKE NOT WITH GOD ANOTHER OBJECT OF WORSHIP
OR YOU WILL SIT DISGRACED AND REJECTED

258
CHAPTER 17.  THE ISRAELITES                                                        SECTION 3.  PART XV

23  YOUR LORD HAS DECREED THAT YOU WORSHIP NONE BUT HIM
AND BE KIND TO PARENTS WHETHER ONE OR BOTH OF THEM 
ATTAIN OLD AGE IN YOUR LIFE, DO NOT SAY TO THEM 
A WORD OF CONTEMPT AND DO NOT REPEL THEM
BUT IN TERMS OF HONOR ADDRESS THEM 

24  OUT OF KINDNESS AND MERCY
LOWER TO THEM THE WING OF HUMILITY 
AND SAY, LORD BESTOW ON THEM YOUR MERCY 
FOR EVEN IN MY CHILDHOOD THEY CHERISHED ME

25  YOUR LORD KNOWS BEST WHAT IS IN THE HEARTS OF YOU
IF YOU DO GOOD DEEDS HE IS MOST FORGIVING TO YOU 
WHO TURN TO HIM IN PENITENCE AND ARE TRUE 

26  THEIR DUE RIGHTS TO THE NEAR OF KIN RENDER
AND TO THE NEEDY AND TO THE WAYFARER
BUT DO NOT SQUANDER 
YOUR WEALTH IN A SPENDTHRIFT MANNER 

27  SPENDTHRIFTS ARE BROTHERS OF THE DEVIL 
AND THE DEVIL IS TO HIS LORD UNGRATEFUL

28  EVEN IF YOU HAVE TO TURN AWAY FROM THEM TO PURSUE
THE MERCY FROM YOUR LORD WHICH IS EXPECTED BY YOU 
GIVE TO THEM A WORD OF EASY KINDNESS FROM YOU

29  TIE NOT YOUR HAND TO YOUR NECK NOR STRETCH IT                                  
OUTWARD AND INTO ITS UTMOST LIMITS
SO THAT YOU BECOME STRIPPED AS A RESULT OF IT

30  GOD IS THE PROVIDER 
OF SUSTENANCE IN JUST MEASURE
FOR HE KNOWS ALL HIS SERVANTS DESIRES

259
CHAPTER 17.  THE ISRAELITES                                                       SECTION 4.  PART XV

31  KILL NOT YOUR CHILDREN FOR FEAR OF BEING DESTITUTE
WE PROVIDE SUSTENANCE FOR THEM AS WELL AS FOR YOU 
KILLING THEM IS SINFUL FOR YOU TO DO 

32  NOR COME NEAR TO ADULTERY FOR IT IS SHAMEFUL 
AND AN EVIL OPENING THE ROAD TO OTHER EVILS

33  NOR TAKE LIFE WHICH GOD HAS MADE HOLY
EXCEPT IN ACTING JUSTIFIABLY
AND IF ANYONE IS SLAIN WRONGFULLY 
WE HAVE GIVEN HIS HEIR CLEAR AUTHORITY 
FOR JUSTICE OR TO FORGIVE, BUT LET HIM NOT ACT EXCESSIVELY  
IN THE MATTER OF TAKING LIFE FOR HE IS HELPED LEGALLY

34  COME NOT NEAR TO THE ORPHAN'S PROPERTY 
EXCEPT TO IMPROVE IT UNTIL HE ATTAINS MATURITY

AND FULFILL EVERY COMMITMENT
FOR IT IS ASSURED THAT EVERY COMMITMENT
WILL BE INQUIRED INTO ON THE DAY OF JUDGMENT

35  GIVE FULL MEASURE WHEN MEASURING
AND WEIGH WITH STRAIGHT AND JUST BALANCING 
THAT IS MOST ADVANTAGEOUS AND THE MOST FITTING
IN THE FINAL DETERMINING

36  DO NOT PURSUE THAT OF WHICH YOU HAVE NO UNDERSTANDING
FOR EVERY ACT OF HEARING OR OF SEEING OR OF FEELING 
WILL BE INQUIRED INTO ON THE DAY OF RECKONING

37  NOR WALK ON THE EARTH INSOLENTLY FOR YOU CAN NEITHER
REACH THE MOUNTAINS IN HEIGHT NOR REND THE EARTH ASUNDER

38  THE EVIL OF SUCH THINGS IS HATEFUL 
IN THE SIGHT OF GOD MOST MERCIFUL

39  THIS IS WISDOM REVEALED TO YOU BY GOD 
THEREFORE DO NOT TAKE BESIDES HIM ANOTHER GOD 
OR YOU WILL BE THROWN INTO HELL AND REJECTED BY GOD

40  HAS THEN YOUR LORD AND CHERISHER 
PREFERRED SONS FOR YOU AND FOR HIMSELF DAUGHTERS?
DREADFUL IS THE SAYING THAT YOU UTTER

260
CHAPTER 17.  THE ISRAELITES                                                       SECTION 5.  PART XV

41  WE EXPLAIN THINGS IN VARIOUS WAYS IN THIS QURAN 
IN AN EFFORT SO THAT THEY MAY RECEIVE ADMONITION
BUT IT ONLY AVERTS THEM FROM TRUTH AND REASON

42  SAY, IF THERE WERE OTHER GODS BESIDES GOD ALONE
THEY WOULD HAVE SOUGHT A WAY OF THEIR OWN TO THE THRONE

43  GLORY TO HIM AND HIGHLY EXALTED IS HE 
ABOVE ALL THAT THEY SAY, AND GREAT IS HE

44  THE SEVEN HEAVENS AND THE EARTH AND SURELY
ALL BEINGS THEREIN DECLARE HIS GLORY
AND EVERYTHING DOES CELEBRATE HIS MAJESTY
YOU UNDERSTAND NOT HOW THEY DECLARE HIS GLORY
AND CERTAINLY MOST FORGIVING AND MOST MERCIFUL IS HE

45  WHEN YOU RECITE THE QURAN WE PUT A BARRIER
BETWEEN YOU AND THE DISBELIEVERS IN THE HEREAFTER

46  AND OVER THEIR HEARTS AND MINDS WE PUT COVERINGS 
SO OF THE QURAN THEY HAVE NO UNDERSTANDING 
AND ON THEIR HEARTS WE PUT COVERINGS
AND DEAFEN THEIR HEARING SO THEY HAVE NO UNDERSTANDING

WHEN YOU COMMEMORATE GOD AND HIM ALONE IN THE QURAN
THEY TURN THEIR BACKS ON THE TRUTH IN AVERSION

47  WE KNOW BEST WHY IT IS THAT THEY LISTEN  
WHEN THE WICKED MEET IN PRIVATE CONFERENCE 
THEY SAY, YOU FOLLOW A MAN DEPRIVED OF SENSE 

48  SEE WHAT EXAMPLE OF YOU THEY MAKE?
BUT SURELY THEY HAVE GONE FAR ASTRAY
AND NEVER CAN THEY FIND THE WAY

49  THEY SAY, WHEN WE ARE BONES AND DECAYED FORMATION
WILL WE THEN BE RAISED UP AS A NEW CREATION?

50  SAY, WHETHER YOU ARE STONES OR IRON

51  OR CREATED MATTER WHICH IS HARDEST TO BE
RAISED UP IN THE MINDS OF YOU YET WILL IT BE 
THEY WILL SAY, WHO WILL CAUSE THIS TO BE ?
SAY, HE WHO CREATED YOU ORIGINALLY
THEY WILL SAY, WHEN WILL THAT BE? 
SAY, IT MAY BE SOON POSSIBLY

52  IT WILL BE ON A DAY WHEN HE WILL CALL YOU AND YOU WILL 
ANSWER HIS CALL WITH WORDS OF HIS PRAISE AND YOU WILL 
THINK THAT THE TIME YOU STAYED WAS BUT A LITTLE 

261
CHAPTER 17.  THE ISRAELITES                                                      SECTION 6.  PART XV

53  TELL MY SERVANTS TO SAY WHAT IS BEST ONLY 
FOR AMONG THEM SATAN DOES SOW ENMITY
SATAN IS TO THEM AN AVOWED ENEMY 

54  YOUR LORD KNOWS YOU BEST INDEED
HE GIVES YOU PUNISHMENT OR MERCY 
AND WE HAVE NOT SENT YOU TO BE 
A DISPOSER OF THEIR EVIL DEEDS

55  AND IT IS YOUR LORD AND CHERISHER
THAT KNOWS ALL BEINGS IN HEAVEN AND EARTH 
WE BESTOWED MORE GIFTS ON SOME PROPHETS THAN ON OTHERS 
AND WE GAVE THE PSALMS TO DAVID FROM OUR FAVOR

56  SAY, CALL ON THOSE BESIDES HIM WHO FANCY YOU 
THEY HAVE NOT THE POWER TO REMOVE FROM YOU
YOUR TROUBLES NOR TO CHANGE THEM FOR YOU

57  THOSE WHOM THEY CALL ON THEMSELVES DESIRE 
ACCESS TO THEIR LORD EVEN THOSE WHO ARE NEAR
HOPE FOR HIS MERCY AND HIS WRATH THEY FEAR  
FOR GOD'S WRATH IS SOMETHING TO FEAR

58  THERE IS NOT A POPULATION
BUT WE WILL BRING IT TO DESTRUCTION
OR PUNISH IT BEFORE THE DAY OF RESURRECTION 
WITH A DREADFUL PENALTY AND SEVERE RETRIBUTION
AND THAT IS ON RECORD IN THE ETERNAL TRANSCRIPTION

59  AND WE REFRAIN FROM SENDING THE SIGNS ONLY 
BECAUSE THE MEN OF GENERATIONS FORMERLY
TREATED THEM AS FALSE AND WE CERTAINLY
SENT THE SHE CAMEL TO THE THAMUD CLEARLY
TO OPEN THEIR EYES BUT THEY TREATED HER WRONGFULLY 
WE SEND SIGNS BY WAY OF HORROR TO WARN MEN FROM INIQUITY

60  WE TOLD YOU THAT GOD DOES ENCOMPASS MEN  
WE GRANTED THE VISION WE SHOWED YOU AS A TRIAL FOR MEN 
AS ALSO IN THE QURAN THE CURSED TREE THAT IS MENTIONED  
AND WE PUT INTO THEM HORROR AND WARNING BUT THEN 
IT ONLY INCREASED THEIR COMMISSION OF SIN

262
CHAPTER 17.  THE ISRAELITES                                                        SECTION 7.  PART XV

61  WE SAID TO THE ANGELS, BOW DOWN TO ADAM
AND THEY BOWED DOWN ALL EXCEPT SATAN
HE SAID, SHOULD I BOW DOWN TO ONE 
WHOM YOU CREATED OUT OF A CLAY FORMATION?

62  HE SAID, THIS IS THE ONE WHOM YOU HAVE HONORED ABOVE ME 
IF YOU WILL TO THE DAY OF RESURRECTION GIVE RESPITE TO ME
I WILL BRING HIS DESCENDANTS AWAY FROM YOU SURELY

63  GOD SAID, GO YOUR WAY AND IF ANY OF THEM FOLLOW YOU 
I WILL SURELY FILL HELL WITH ALL OF YOU 

64  LEAD TO DESTRUCTION THOSE WHOM YOU CAN AMONG THEM 
WITH THE SEDUCTIVENESS OF YOUR VOICE AND ASSAULT THEM 
WITH YOUR CAVALRY AND INFANTRY AND SHARE WITH THEM 
WEALTH AND CHILDREN AND MAKE PROMISES TO THEM 
BUT SATAN PROMISES NOTHING BUT DECEIT TO THEM

65  AS FOR MY SERVANTS YOU HAVE NO AUTHORITY OVER THEM 
ENOUGH IS GOD FOR A DISPOSER OF AFFAIRS OF THEM

66  GOD MAKES THE SHIPS GO SMOOTHLY 
FOR YOU THROUGH THE SEA  
IN ORDER THAT YOU MAY SEEK OF HIS BOUNTY 
FOR HE IS TO YOU FULL OF MERCY

67  WHEN DISTRESS SEIZES YOU AT SEA 
AWAY GO THOSE THAT YOU CALL ON EXCEPT HE 
BUT WHEN HE BRINGS YOU BACK TO LAND SAFELY
THEN YOU TURN AWAY FROM HIM MOST UNGRATEFULLY 

68  DO YOU THEN FEEL SECURE THAT HE WILL NOT CAUSE YOU 
TO BE SWALLOWED UP IN THE EARTH UNDERNEATH YOU 
OR HE WILL NOT SEND A TORNADO AGAINST YOU?
THEN YOU WILL FIND NO ONE TO PROTECT YOU

69  OR DO YOU FEEL SECURE THAT HE WILL NOT SEND YOU 
BACK A SECOND TIME TO SEA AND SEND AGAINST YOU 
A TORNADO OR A VIOLENT WIND TO DROWN YOU 
BECAUSE OF YOUR INSOLATE INGRATITUDE
SO THAT YOU FIND NO HELPER AGAINST US TO HELP YOU?

70  WE HAVE HONORED THE SONS OF ADAM AND  PROVIDED THEM 
WITH TRANSPORT ON LAND AND SEA AND WE HAVE GIVEN THEM 
FOR SUSTENANCE GOOD THINGS AND WE CONFERRED ON THEM 
SPECIAL FAVORS ABOVE PART OF OUR CREATION FOR THEM

263
CHAPTER 17.  THE ISRAELITES                                                       SECTION 8.  PART XV

71  ONE DAY WE WILL CALL TOGETHER 
ALL PEOPLE WITH THEIR RESPECTIVE LEADERS 
THOSE TO WHOM WILL BE ARE GIVEN THEIR RECORD 
IN THEIR RIGHT HAND THEY WILL READ IT WITH PLEASURE 
AND THE DEALING WITH THEM WILL NOT BE AT ALL UNFAIR

72  BUT THOSE WHO WERE BLIND IN THIS WORLD PRIOR
WILL SURELY ALSO BE BLIND IN THE HEREAFTER  
AND WILL BE MOST FURTHEST IN ERROR

73  AND THEIR PURPOSE WAS FOR THEM TO TEMPT YOU 
AWAY FROM THAT WHICH WE REVEALED TO YOU 
AND TO IN OUR NAME FALSELY SUBSTITUTE
SOMETHING DIFFERENT AND IN TRUTH
THEY WOULD HAVE MADE A FRIEND OF YOU 

74  HAD WE NOT GIVEN YOU STRENGTH YOU WOULD NEARLY 
HAVE INCLINED TO THEM A LITTLE ASSUREDLY

75  AND WE WOULD HAVE MADE YOU TO TASTE A PORTION 
OF PUNISHMENT IN THIS LIFE AND IN DEATH AN EQUAL PORTION
AND AS HELPERS AGAINST US YOU WOULD HAVE FOUND NO ONE 
 
76  THEIR PURPOSE WAS TO SCARE YOU 
OFF OF THE LAND IN ORDER TO EXPEL YOU 
AND THEY WOULD NOT HAVE STAYED LONG AFTER YOU 

77  WITH THE MESSENGERS WE SENT BEFORE YOU THIS WAS OUR WAY
 AND YOU WILL FIND NO CHANGE IN OUR WAY

264
CHAPTER 17.  THE ISRAELITES                                                        SECTION 9.  PART XV

78  ESTABLISH REGULAR PRAYERS AT THE SUN'S DECLINING
UNTIL NIGHT AND READ AND KEEP UP PRAYER IN THE MORNING 
PRAYER AND READING CARRY THEIR OWN TESTIMONY IN THE MORNING

79  PRAY IN THE SMALL WATCHES OF THE MORNING ADDITIONALLY 
YOUR LORD WILL RAISE YOU TO A STATION OF PRAISE AND GLORY

80  SAY, MY LORD, LET ME ENTER BY THE GATE OF TRUTH AND HONOR 
AND LIKEWISE LET MY EXIT BE BY THE GATE OF TRUTH AND HONOR 
GRANT ME FROM YOUR PRESENCE AN AUTHORITY AS A HELPER

81  AND SAY, TRUTH HAS NOW ARRIVED AND FALSEHOOD PERISHED 
FOR FALSEHOOD IS BY ITS NATURE BOUND TO PERISH

82  WE SEND DOWN STAGE BY STAGE IN THE QURAN, SURELY
TO THOSE WHO BELIEVE IT IS A HEALING AND A MERCY  
BUT IT CAUSES LOSS TO THOSE WHO ACT UNJUSTLY

83  AND WHEN WE BESTOW OUR FAVORS ON MAN HE INDEED 
TURNS AWAY ON HIS SIDE AND WHEN BY EVIL HE IS SEIZED
THEN HE GIVES HIMSELF UP DESPAIRINGLY

84  SAY, EVERYONE ACTS ACCORDING TO HIS OWN WAY
BUT GOD KNOWS BEST WHO IS GUIDED ON THE RIGHT WAY 

265
CHAPTER 17.  THE ISRAELITES                                                     SECTION 10.  PART XV

85  THEY ASK YOU CONCERNING THE SPIRIT OF INSPIRATION
SAY, THE SPIRIT COMES BY MY LORD'S INSTRUCTION 
AND ONLY A LITTLE TO YOU IS MENTIONED 

86  IF WE WISHED WE COULD TAKE AWAY WHAT WE HAVE SENT TO YOU 
THEN YOU WOULD FIND NONE TO PLEAD AGAINST US FOR YOU

87  BUT IT IS FROM YOUR LORD A MERCY                                                                  
FOR HIS BOUNTY IS GREAT TO YOU SURELY

88  SAY, IF ALL MEN AND DEMONS GATHERED TOGETHER 
TO PRODUCE THE LIKE OF THIS QURAN, THEY COULD NEVER 
PRODUCE THE LIKE OF IT EVEN IF THEY BACKED UP EACH OTHER 
AS HELPERS AND SUPPORTERS OF EACH OTHER

89  WE HAVE EXPLAINED IN THIS QURAN EVERY KIND OF SIMILITUDE 
YET MEN REFUSE TO RECEIVE IT EXCEPT WITH INGRATITUDE

90  THEY SAY, YOU WILL NOT BE BELIEVED BY US 
UNTIL YOU CAUSE A SPRING TO GUSH FORTH FROM THE EARTH FOR US 

91  OR UNTIL YOU HAVE A GARDEN OF TREES, VINES AND RIVERS
GUSH FORTH IN THE MIDST CARRYING ABUNDANT WATER 

92  OR YOU CAUSE THE SKY TO FALL IN PIECES ON US 
THE WAY YOU KEEP TELLING US THAT IT WILL HAPPEN TO US 
OR YOU BRING GOD AND THE ANGELS FACE TO FACE BEFORE US

93   OR YOU HAVE A HOUSE OF GOLD OR YOU ASCEND INTO HEAVEN
AND WE WILL NOT EVEN THEN BELIEVE IN YOUR ASCENSION 

UNTIL YOU SEND DOWN TO US A BOOK WE CAN READ OVER
SAY TO THEM, GLORY TO GOD AM I ANYTHING OTHER
THAN A MORTAL MAN, A MESSENGER?

266
CHAPTER 17.  THE ISRAELITES                                                      SECTION 11.  PART XV

94  WHAT KEPT MEN BACK FROM BELIEVING WHEN GUIDANCE CLEAR
CAME TO THEM WAS NOTHING BUT THIS SAYING THEY UTTERED
HAS GOD SENT A MAN LIKE US AS A MESSENGER?

95  SAY, IF THERE WERE ON THE EARTH ANGELS 
WALKING SECURELY, QUIET AND PEACEFUL
WE WOULD HAVE SENT THEM AN ANGEL
FROM THE HEAVENS FOR AN APOSTLE

96  SAY, ENOUGH IS GOD FOR A WITNESS BETWEEN YOU AND ME 
FOR WELL ACQUAINTED WITH HIS SERVANTS IS HE
AND ALL THINGS DOES HE HEAR AND SEE

97  IT IS HE TO WHOM GOD GIVES GUIDANCE THAT HAS GUIDANCE SURE
FOR HE WHOM HE LEAVES ASTRAY YOU WILL FIND NO PROTECTOR 
AND ON JUDGMENT DAY WE WILL GATHER
THEM PRONE ON THEIR FACES ALL TOGETHER
BLIND, DUMB AND DEAF AND THEIR ABODE WILL BE THE FIRE 
AND EVERY TIME IT SHOWS ABATEMEN THEN WE WILL FURTHER
GIVE TO THEM GREATER INCREASES OF THE FIERCENESS OF THE FIRE

98  THAT IS THEIR RECOMPENSE DESERVEDLY
BECAUSE THEY REJECTED OUR SIGNS UNGRATEFULLY

AND SAID, WHEN WE ARE REDUCED TO BONES AND DECAYED FORMATION 
WILL WE REALLY BE RAISED UP TO INTO A NEW CREATION?

99  THE HEAVENS AND THE EARTH GOD CREATED THEM
HAS HE NOT THE POWER TO CREATE THE LIKE OF THEM?

AN APPOINTED TERM HE HAS DECREED 
AND ALL OF THOSE WHO DO ACT UNJUSTLY
REFUSE TO RECEIVE IT EXCEPT UNGRATEFULLY

100  SAY, IF YOU HAD CONTROL OF THE TREASURES OF GOD'S MERCY 
YOU WOULD WITHOUT DOUBT HOLD THEM BACK SELFISHLY
FOR FEAR OF SPENDING THEM FOR MAN IS MISERLY

267
CHAPTER 17.  THE ISRAELITES                                                     SECTION 12.  PART XV

101  AND TO MOSES WE GAVE NINE SIGNS TO HIM
ASK THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL WHEN HE CAME TO THEM 

PHARAOH SAID TO HIM, OH MOSES, I CONSIDER YOU TO BE 
ONE WHO HAS BEEN WORKED UPON BY SORCERY

102  MOSES SAID, YOU KNOW THAT THESE THINGS HAVE BEEN 
SENT DOWN BY THE LORD OF EARTH AND HEAVEN 
AS EVIDENCE TO AWAKEN YOUR EYES OPEN

AND I CONSIDER YOU OH PHARAOH, TO BE ONE
THAT IS DOOMED TO DESTRUCTION 

103  SO PHAROAH INSOLENTLY RESOLVED TO REMOVE THEM 
FROM THE FACE OF THE EARTH BUT WE DROWNED HIM
IN THE SEA AND ALL WHO WERE WITH HIM 

104  WE SAID TO THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL
IN THE LAND OF PROMISE YOU WILL DWELL 
WHEN THE SECOND WARNING WAS FULFILLED
WE GATHERED YOU TOGETHER IN A CROWD MINGLED 

105  WE SENT DOWN THE QURAN IN TRUTH
AND NOW IT HAS CLEARLY DESCENDED IN TRUTH 
AND WE SENT YOU BUT AS A MESSENGER OF TRUTH
AND TO WARN AGAINST THOSE WHO REJECT THE TRUTH

106  IT IS A QURAN WHICH WE HAVE DIVIDED INTO PARTS
IN ORDER THAT YOU MIGHT RECITE IT FROM THE HEART

ACCURATELY TO MEN IN TIME AND SPACES 
AND WE HAVE REVEALED IT BY STAGES

107  SAY, IT IS TRUE WHETHER OR NOT YOU DO BELIEVE IT  
THOSE WHO WERE GIVEN THE KNOWLEDGE BEFORE IT
FALL DOWN IN PROSTRATION WHEN THEY HEAR IT

108  AND THEY SAY, TO GOD BE THE GLORY 
THE PROMISE OF GOD HAS BEEN FULFILLED COMPLETELY

109  THEY FALL DOWN ON THEIR FACES TEARFULLY
AND IT INCREASES THEIR EARNEST HUMILITY

110  SAY, CALL UPON GOD OR CALL ON THE MERCIFUL 
BY WHATEVER NAME YOU CALL HIM, HIS NAMES ARE BEAUTIFUL 
AND NEITHER SPEAK YOUR PRAYER WITH MUCH VOLUME OR TOO LITTLE
BUT SEEK A COURSE BETWEEN THESE IN THE MIDDLE 

111  SAY, PRAISE BE TO GOD WHO BEGETS NO SON 
AND HE HAS NO PARTNERS WITH HIM IN HIS DOMINION 
NOR NEED HE ANY TO PROTECT HIM FROM HUMILIATION
SO GLORIFY HIM FOR HIS GREAT EXALTATION

268
CHAPTER 18.  THE CAVE                                                                    SECTION 1.  PART XV

IN THE NAME OF GOD
THE MOST GRACIOUS AND MERCIFUL GOD

1  TO GOD IS DUE ALL PRAISES
WHO REVEALED THE BOOK TO HIS SERVANT IN TRUTHFULNESS
AND HAS ALLOWED IN IT NO CROOKEDNESS

2  HE HAS MADE IT STRAIGHT AND CLEAR 
IN ORDER THAT HE MAY WARN THE DISBELIEVERS
OF A PUNISHMENT FROM HIM THAT WILL BE SEVERE
AND THAT HE MAY GIVE GOOD NEWS TO THE BELIEVERS 
THAT THEY WILL HAVE A GOOD REWARD FROM THEIR MAKER

3  WHERE THEIR REMAINING
WILL BE EVERLASTING

4  AND TO THOSE WHO SAY, GOD HAS BEGOTTEN A SON
TO WARN THEM OF WHAT THEY HAVE DONE

5  SURELY NO KNOWLEDGE HAVE THEY OF SUCH A THING
NOR HAD THEIR FATHERS AND IT IS A GRIEVOUS THING
THAT ISSUES FROM THEIR MOUTHS AS A SAYING
AND THIS IS A LIE THAT THEY ARE SPEAKING

6  MAYBE YOU WOULD GRIEVE YOURSELF TO DEATH FOR THEM
IF THEY BELIEVE NOT IN THIS ANNOUNCEMENT TO THEM

7  THAT WHICH IS ON THE EARTH 
WE HAVE MADE AS A GLITTERING SHOW IN ORDER 
THAT WE MAY TEST WHICH OF THEM ARE BEST IN MANNER

8  WHAT IS ON EARTH WE WILL MAKE IT
AS DUST AND DRY SOIL WITHOUT GROWTH ON IT

9  OR DO YOU REFLECT THAT THE CAVE'S COMPANIONS 
AND THE INSCRIPTION WERE WONDERS OF OUR REVELATIONS?

10  WHEN THE YOUTHS SOUGHT REFUGE IN THE CAVE
THEY SAID, OUR LORD, GUIDE US ON THE RIGHT WAY

11  THEN WE DREW A VEIL OVER THEIR EARS 
IN THE CAVE FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS
SO THAT THEY COULD NOT HEAR

12  AND THEN WE RAISED THEM FOR THE PURPOSE OF TESTING
WHICH OF THE TWO PARTIES WAS BEST AT CALCULATING 
THE NUMBER OF YEARS OF THEIR STAYING

269
CHAPTER 18.  THE CAVE                                                                    SECTION 2.  PART XV

13  WE RELATE TO YOU THEIR STORY  
THEY WERE YOUTHS WHO BELIEVED TRULY
WE ADVANCED THEM AND GUIDED THEM RIGHTLY

14  WE GAVE STRENGTH TO THEIR HEARTS AND THEY UTTERED
OUR LORD IS THE CREATOR OF HEAVEN AND EARTH AND NEVER 
WILL WE CALL UPON BESIDES HIM ANY OTHER 
IF WE DID AN ENORMITY WOULD WE UTTER

15  OUR PEOPLE WORSHIP BESIDES GOD OTHER DEITIES
FOR WHAT THEY DO WHY DO THEY NOT BRING AN AUTHORITY  
AND WHO DOES MORE WRONG THAN HE WHO LIES AGAINST GOD FALSELY?

16  TURN FROM THEM AND WHAT THEY WORSHIP AS DIETIES 
BETAKE TO THE CAVE AND GOD WILL SHOWER ON YOU HIS MERCIES 
AND DISPOSE OF YOUR AFFAIR FOR YOU TOWARDS COMFORT AND EASE

17  YOU WOULD HAVE SEEN THE SUN WHEN IT ROSE IN THE DAY 
DECLINING TO THE RIGHT FROM THEIR CAVE 
AND WHEN IT SET TO THE LEFT OF THEM TURNING AWAY 
WHILE IN THE OPENING THEY LAID IN THE MIDST OF THE CAVE
AND THESE ARE THE SIGNS OF YOUR LORD,  AND THEY 
WHOM GOD GUIDES IS GUIDED TO THE RIGHT WAY
BUT HE WHOM GOD ALLOWS TO GO ASTRAY 
NO ONE CAN LEAD HIM TO THE RIGHT WAY

270
CHAPTER 18.  THE CAVE                                                                    SECTION 3.  PART XV

18  YOU WOULD HAVE DEEMED THEM AWAKE WHILE THEY WERE SLEEPING 
WE TURNED THEM RIGHT AND LEFT, THEIR DOG STRETCHING 
FORTH HIS TWO FORE-LEGS ON THE THRESHOLDING

IF YOU HAD COME UP ON THEM  
YOU WOULD HAVE TURNED BACK IN FLIGHT FROM THEM  
AND YOU WOULD HAVE BEEN FILLED WITH TERROR OF THEM  

19  SUCH BEING THEIR STATE, FROM SLEEP WE RAISED THEM 
SO THEY MIGHT QUESTION EACH OTHER AND SAID ONE OF THEM 

HOW LONG HAVE YOU STAYED?
THEY SAID, WE HAVE PERHAPS STAYED 
A DAY OR PART OF A DAY AND THEY SAID, NAY
GOD ALONE KNOWS BEST HOW LONG YOU HAVE STAYED 

NOW SEND ONE OF YOU WITH THIS MONEY OF YOURS TO THE TOWN  
LET HIM FIND OUT WHICH IS THE BEST FOOD TO BE FOUND

AND BRING SOME TO YOU THAT YOU MAY SATISFY YOUR HUNGER 
AND LET HIM BEHAVE TOO WITH EXTREME CAUTION AND CARE
AND LET HIM NOT INFORM ANY ONE ABOUT YOU THERE

20  IF THEY CAME UPON YOU THEY WOULD STONE YOU FOR SURE
OR FORCE YOU TO HAVE TO RETURN TO THEIR CULTURE
AND IN THAT CASE  NEVER WOULD YOU PROSPER

21  SO DID WE MAKE THEIR CASE AWARE 
TO THE PEOPLE THAT THEY MIGHT MAKE CLEAR
THAT THE PROMISE OF THE CREATOR IS TRUE AND SURE
THAT THERE CAN BE NO DOUBT ABOUT THE JUDGMENT HOUR
AND YET THEY DISPUTE AMONG THEMSELVES AS TO THEIR AFFAIR

SOME SAID, CONSTRUCT A BUILDING OVER THEM 
BUT THEIR LORD SURELY KNOWS BEST ABOUT THEM 
SAID THOSE WHO PREVAILED OVER THE AFFAIRS OF THEM
LET US BUILD A PLACE OF WORSHIP OVER THEM 

22  SOME SAY THEY WERE THREE, THE DOG BEING 
THE FOURTH, OTHERS SAY THEY WERE FIVE, THE DOG BEING 
THE SIXTH, DOUBTFULLY AND UNKNOWINGLY GUESSING 
YET OTHERS SAY THEY WERE SEVEN, THE DOG BEING 

THE EIGHTH BUT SAY, GOD KNOWS BEST THEIR NUMBER 
IT IS BUT FEW THAT KNOW THEIR REAL CASE, SO DO NOT ENTER 
INTO CONTROVERSIES CONCERNING THEM EXCEPT ON A CLEAR MATTER 
NOR CONSULT ANY OF THEM ABOUT THE SLEEPERS

271
CHAPTER 18.  THE CAVE                                                                    SECTION 4.  PART XV

23  NOR SAY OF ANYTHING, I WILL BE SURE
TO DO SO AND SO TOMORROW FOR SURE

24  WITHOUT ADDING UNLESS IT IS IN GOD'S WAY 
AND REMEMBER GOD WHEN YOU FORGET AND SAY
I HOPE THAT GOD MAY GUIDE ME CLOSER TO THE RIGHT WAY 

25  SO THEY STAYED IN THEIR CAVE THREE HUNDRED YEARS 
AND SOME ADD TO IT NINE MORE YEARS

26  SAY, OF HOW LONG THEY STAYED GOD IS THE BEST KNOWER
OF THE SECRETS OF HEAVEN AND EARTH HE IS THE KNOWER 
HE HEARS EVERYTHING AND SEES EVERYTHING CLEAR 
AND OTHER THAN HIM THEY HAVE NO PROTECTOR 
NOR DOES HE SHARE HIS COMMAND WITH ANYONE WHATSOEVER

27  RECITE AND TEACH YOUR LORD'S REVELATIONS
YOUR LORD'S WORDS CANNOT BE CHANGED BY ANYONE
AND AS A REFUGE OTHER THAN HIM YOU WILL FIND NO ONE

28  AND KEEP YOUR SOUL AGREEING
WITH THOSE WHO CALL ON GOD MORNING AND EVENING 
AND DO NOT LET YOUR EYES PASS BEYOND THEM IN SEEKING 

OF THIS LIFE, THE POMP AND GLITTER 
NOR OBEY ANY WHO OF US NEGLECTS TO REMEMBER 
NAMELY ONE WHO FOLLOWS HIS OWN DESIRES 
AND WHOSE CASE HAS GONE BEYOND ALL BARRIERS 

29  SAY, THE TRUTH IS FROM GOD LET HIM WHO WILL BE A BELIEVER
AND LET HIM WHO SO WILLS BE A DISBELIEVER
FOR THE WRONG DOERS WE HAVE PREPARED A FIRE 
WHICH LIKE THE WALLS OF A TENT WILL HEM THEM IN ITS BORDERS 
WHEN THEY ASK FOR RELIEF THEY WILL BE GRANTED WATER 
LIKE MELTED BRASS THAT WILL SCALD THEIR FACES OVER
AND THE DRINK WILL INDEED BE MOST BITTER
AND A COUCH TO RECLINE ON OF TERROR 

30  AND AS TO THOSE WHO BELIEVE AND ACT RIGHTEOUSLY
WE WILL NOT SUFFER TO PERISH THE REWARD OF ANY 
WHO DO A SINGLE RIGHTEOUS DEED

31  FOR THEM WILL BE GARDENS OF ETERNITY
AND THEY WILL HAVE RIVERS FLOWING BENEATH 
ADORNED WITH BRACELETS OF GOLD THEY WILL BE 
WITH GARMENTS OF SILK AND BROCADE THAT WILL BE HEAVY 

AND THEY THEREIN ON RAISED THRONES WILL RECLINE 
HOW GOOD THE REWARD AND HOW BEAUTIFUL AND HOW FINE
A COUCH ON WHICH TO RECLINE 

]

272
CHAPTER 18.  THE CAVE                                                                    SECTION 5.  PART XV

32  SET FORTH TO THEM
THE PARABLE OF TWO MEN, FOR ONE OF THEM 
WE GAVE TWO GARDENS OF GRAPE VINES SURROUNDING THEM 
WITH DATE PALMS AND IN ADDITION TO THEM
WE PLACED CORN FIELDS IN BETWEEN THE TWO OF THEM

33  EACH OF THOSE GARDENS BROUGHT FORTH FRUIT IN IT 
AND THEY DID NOT FAIL IN THE LEAST IN IT 
WE CAUSED A RIVER TO FLOW IN IT

34  AND THE PRODUCE THIS MAN HAD WAS ABUNDANT
HE SAID TO HIS COMPANION IN THE COURSE OF AN ARGUMENT 
I HAVE MORE WEALTH THAN YOU AND PROVISION
AND MORE POWER IN MY FOLLOWING OF MEN 

35  HE WENT INTO HIS GARDEN 
IN A STATE OF MIND UNJUST TO HIS PERSON
HE SAID, I DEEM THAT THIS WILL NEVER MEET WITH DESTRUCTION

36  NOR DO I THINK EVER WILL COME THE HOUR OF JUDGMENT
AND EVEN IF BACK TO MY LORD I AM SENT
IT TOO WILL BE TO MY BETTERMENT

37  HIS COMPANION SAID TO HIM WHILE ARGUING
DO YOU DISBELIEVE IN HIM WHO CREATED YOUR BEING 
FROM DUST TO A SPERM DROP THEN INTO A HUMAN BEING?

38  BUT I THINK FOR MY PART THAT HE IS GOD, MY LORD 
AND NONE WILL I ASSOCIATE WITH MY LORD

39  WHY DID YOU NOT AS YOU WENT INTO YOUR GARDEN
SAY, 
LET GOD'S WILL BE DONE?  
THERE IS NO POWER BUT WITH GOD IN HIS CREATION
AND IF YOU SEE ME LESS THAN YOU IN WEALTH AND SONS

40  MAYBE MY LORD WILL GIVE ME BETTER THAN YOUR GARDEN 
AND HE MIGHT SEND THUNDERBOLTS ON YOUR GARDEN 
BY WAY OF RECKONING FROM HEAVEN
MAKING IT BUT SLIPPERY SAND

41  OR THE WATER OF THE GARDEN WILL RUN OFF OF IT
UNDERGROUND SO THAT YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE TO FIND IT

42  SO HIS FRUITS AND ENJOYMENT 
WERE ENCOMPASSED WITH RUIN AND ABASEMENT 

AND HE THEN REMAINED TWISTING AND TURNING HIS HANDS OVER 
WHAT HE HAD SPENT ON HIS PROPERTY THAT TUMBLED OVER
HE SAID, WOULD I HAD NEVER ASCRIBED PARTNERS 
TO MY LORD AND CHERISHER

43  NOR HAD HE ANYONE AGAINST GOD AS A HELPER
NOR WAS HE ABLE TO BE HIS OWN DELIVERER 

44  PROTECTION COMES FROM GOD, THE TRUE ONE ONLY
AND HE IS THE BEST TO REWARD AND TO GIVE SUCCESS AMPLY

273
CHAPTER 18.  THE CAVE                                                                    SECTION 6.  PART XV

45  SET FORTH TO THEM THE PARABLE OF THIS WORD'S LIFE 
IT IS LIKE THE RAIN WHICH WE SEND DOWN FROM THE SKY 
THE EARTH'S VEGETATION ABSORBS IT AND IT BECOMES DRY 
AS STUBBLE WHICH THE WINDS SCATTER FAR AND WIDE
IT IS ONLY GOD WHO PREVAILS OVER ALL THINGS IN LIFE

46  WEALTH AND SONS ARE THINGS THAT ALLURE
IN THE LIFE OF THIS WORLD BUT THE THINGS THAT ENDURE 
ARE GOOD DEEDS THAT ARE BEST IN THE SIGHT OF YOUR LORD 
AND BEST AS FOUNDATIONS FOR HOPES AND REWARDS

47  ONE DAY WE WILL REMOVE THE MOUNTAINS
AND YOU WILL SEE THE EARTH AS A LEVEL PLAIN 

AND WE WILL GATHER ALL OF THEM 
NOR WILL WE LEAVE OUT ANY ONE OF THEM

48  AND THEY WILL BE MARSHALED BEFORE THE THRONE
NOW HAVE YOU COME BEFORE US BARE AND ALONE 

AS WE CREATED YOU BEFORE AND IT WAS THOUGHT BY YOU 
THAT WE WOULD NOT FULFILL THE APPOINTMENT MADE TO YOU 

49  AND BEFORE YOU WILL BE PLACED THE BOOK OF DEEDS
AND YOU WILL SEE THE SINFUL IN GREAT ANXIETY 
BECAUSE OF WHAT IS RECORDED THERE TO SEE
THEY WILL SAY, WOE TO US WHAT A BOOK IS THIS INDEED
NOTHING SMALL OR GREAT DOES IT LEAVE
BUT IT RECORDS IT ALL ACCURATELY
THEY WILL FIND ALL THAT THEY DID PLACED BEFORE THEM CLEARLY
AND YOUR LORD WILL TREAT NOT ONE OF THEM UNJUSTLY

274
CHAPTER 18.  THE CAVE                                                                     SECTION 7.  PART XV

50  WE SAID TO THE ANGELS, BOW DOWN TO ADAM
AND THEY BOWED DOWN ALL EXCEPT SATAN
FOR HE WAS SURELY ONE OF THE DEMONS

AND HE BROKE HIS LORD'S DECREE 
WILL YOU TAKE HIM AND HIS PROGENY 
AS PROTECTORS FOR YOU RATHER THAN ME 
AND THEY ARE TO YOU YOUR AVOWED ENEMIES?  
THE EXCHANGE FOR YOU WOULD BE EVIL INDEED

51  I CALLED THEM NOT TO WITNESS THE CREATION 
OF NEITHER THE EARTH NOR THE HEAVENS 
NOR EVEN THEIR OWN CREATION 
NOR IS IT FOR ME TO HAVE AS PATRONS
THOSE WHO DELIBERATELY LEAD MEN TO PERDITION

52   ONE DAY HE WILL SAY TO THEM
THOSE WHO YOU THOUGHT WERE MY PARTNERS, CALL ON THEM
AND THEY WILL CALL ON THEM 
BUT THEY WILL NOT LISTEN TO THEM 
AND WE WILL CAUSE A SEPARATION BETWEEN THEM

53  THE SINFUL WILL SEE THE FIRE AND KNOW THAT THEY 
HAVE TO FALL IN IT AND KNOW THAT THEY 
WILL NOT BE ABLE TO TURN AWAY 

275
CHAPTER 18.  THE CAVE                                                                    SECTION 8.  PART XV

54  WE HAVE EXPLAINED IN DETAIL IN THIS QURAN EVERY KIND
OF PARABLE OR SIMILITUDE FOR THE BENEFIT OF MANKIND 
BUT CONTENTIOUS IN MOST THINGS IS MANKIND

55  AND WHAT IS THERE TO KEEP BACK MEN FROM AMONG THEM 
FROM BELIEVING NOW THAT GUIDANCE HAS COME TO THEM
OR FROM PRAYING FOR GOD'S FORGIVENESS FOR THEM?  
THEY ASK THAT THE ANCIENT'S WAYS BEFORE THEM
TO BE AGAIN REPEATED WITH THEM 
OR GOD'S WRATH BE BROUGHT FACE TO FACE TO THEM 

56  WE ONLY SEND THE MESSENGERS TO GIVE GOOD NEWS
AND AS WARNERS, BUT THE DISBELIEVERS DISPUTE 
WITH VAIN ARGUMENTS TO WEAKEN THE TRUTH 

AND THEY TREAT MY SIGNS AS A MOCKERY 
ALSO THE WARNING THEY DO NOT TAKE SERIOUSLY

57  WHO DOES MORE WRONG THAN THEY WHO RECEIVE REMINDERS 
OF THE SIGNS OF THEIR LORD AND THEN ARE REJECTORS 
FORGETTING THE DEEDS THAT THEY HAVE SENT PRIOR
AND WE HAVE SET VEILS OVER THEIR HEARTS AS A COVER
SO THEY DO NOT UNDERSTAND AND DEAFNESS IN THEIR EARS 
AND IF YOU CALL THEM TO GUIDANCE CLEAR
EVEN THEN THEY WILL NOT ACCEPT GUIDANCE EVER

58  BUT YOUR LORD IS FULL OF FORGIVENESS AND MERCY 
IF HE WERE TO CALL THEM TO ACCOUNT IMMEDIATELY
FOR ALL THAT THEY HAVE EARNED JUSTLY
THEN HE WOULD HAVE HASTENED THEIR PENALTY 

BUT AN APPOINTED TIME HAVE THEY
BEYOND WHICH THEY HAVE NO STAY

59  THESE WERE THE POPULATIONS 
WE DESTROYED FOR THEIR TRANSGRESSIONS
WE FIXED AN APPOINTED TIME FOR THEIR DESTRUCTION

276
CHAPTER 18.  THE CAVE                                                                    SECTION 9.  PART XV

60  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

61  BUT WHEN THEY REACHED THE JUNCTION
THEY FORGOT ABOUT THEIR FISH WHICH TOOK DIRECTION
THROUGH THE SEA AS IN A TUNNEL IN A STRAIGHT DIRECTION

62  WHEN THEY HAD PASSED ON SOME DISTANCE 
MOSES SAID TO HIS ATTENDANT 

BRING US OUR EARLY MEAL FOR WE HAVE SURELY 
SUFFERED MUCH FATIGUE AT THIS STAGE OF OUR JOURNEY

63  HE REPLIED, DID YOU SEE WHAT HAPPENED WHEN WE 
BETOOK OURSELVES TO THE ROCK?  I INDEED 
FORGOT ABOUT THE FISH AND NONE BUT SATAN MADE ME 
FORGET TO TELL YOU ABOUT IT IMMEDIATELY
AND IN A MARVELOUS WAY IT TOOK ITS WAY THROUGH THE SEA

64  THEN MOSES SAID, THAT WAS WHAT WE WERE SEEKING 
SO THEY WENT BACK ON THEIR FOOTSTEPS FOLLOWING 
THE PATH ON WHICH THEY HAD BEEN TRAVELING

65  THEY FOUND ONE OF OUR SERVANTS ON WHOM WE 
HAD FROM OURSELVES BESTOWED MERCY 
AND WHOM WE HAD TAUGHT KNOWLEDGE CLEARLY

66  MOSES SAID TO HIM, MAY I FOLLOW YOU SO THAT YOU 
MAY TEACH ME THE TRUTH WHICH HAS BEEN TAUGHT TO YOU? 

67  THE OTHER SAID, YOU WILL NOT BE 
ABLE TO HAVE PATIENCE WITH ME  

68  AND HOW CAN YOU HAVE PATIENCE ABOUT THINGS 
ABOUT WHICH YOU HAVE NOT A COMPLETE UNDERSTANDING? 

69  MOSES SAID, IF GOD SO WILLS YOU WILL FIND ME 
TRULY PATIENT AND ACTING OBEDIENTLY

70  THE OTHER SAID, IF YOU FOLLOW ME 
THEN ASK NO QUESTIONS ABOUT ANYTHING OF ME 
UNTIL I MYSELF SPEAK TO YOU CONCERNING IT VOLUNTARILY

277
CHAPTER 18.  THE CAVE                                                                  SECTION 10.  PART XV

71  SO THEY BOTH PROCEEDED
UNTIL WHEN THEY CAME TO A BOAT AND HE SCUTTLED IT
AND MOSES SAID, HAVE YOU SCUTTLED IT
IN ORDER TO DROWN THOSE WHO USE IT?  
WHAT YOU HAVE DONE, STRANGE IS IT

72  HE ANSWERED, DID I NOT TELL YOU THAT INDEED
YOU CANNOT HAVE PATIENCE WITH ME?

73  MOSES SAID, DO NOT REBUKE ME FOR REMEMBERING NOT
 BY RAISING DIFFICULTIES IN MY CASE AND GRIEVE ME NOT

74  THEY PROCEEDED UNTIL WHEN HE MET A MAN WHO WAS YOUNG 
AND HE KILLED HIM AND MOSES SAID, HAVE YOU SLAIN ONE 
WHO IS INNOCENT AND WHO HAS KILLED NO ONE? 
A FOUL UNHEARD OF THING HAVE YOU DONE

PART  XVI

75  HE SAID, DID I NOT SAY TO YOU CLEARLY
THAT YOU COULD NOT HAVE PATIENCE WITH ME?

76  MOSES SAID, IF I ASK YOU ABOUT ANYTHING AFTER THIS 
THEN DO NOT KEEP ME IN YOUR COMPANY AFTER THIS
THEN WOULD YOU HAVE FROM ME AMPLE EXCUSES 

77  AND THEN THEY DID PROCEED UNTIL WHEN THEY CAME TO A TOWN
THEY ASKED THE PEOPLE FOR FOOD BUT THEY TURNED THEM DOWN 
THEY FOUND THERE A WALL ON THE POINT OF FALLING DOWN

BUT HE SET IT UP STRAIGHT AND MOSES SAID, IF YOU HAD PLEASED  
YOU COULD HAVE EXACTED SOME RECOMPENSE FOR IT INDEED

78  HE SAID, THIS IS THE PARTING BETWEEN YOU AND ME
NOW I WILL TELL THE INTERPRETATION TO YOU CLEARLY
OF THOSE THINGS OF WHICH YOU COULD NOT BEAR PATIENTLY

79  AS FOR THE BOAT IT BELONGED TO POOR PEOPLE
WHO WORKED ON THE WATER AND I MADE IT UNSERVICEABLE 

FOR THERE WAS AFTER THEM A KING WHO SEIZED
EVERY BOAT ON THE WATER FORCIBLY

80  AS FOR THE YOUTH, HIS PARENTS WERE OF THOSE WHO BELIEVED
AND WE FEARED THAT HE WOULD GRIEVE THEM SHAMEFULLY
BY ACTING REBELLIOUS AND UNGRATEFULLY 

81  SO WE DESIRED THAT THEIR LORD WOULD GIVE THEM A SON 
BETTER IN PURITY OF CONDUCT AND CLOSER IN AFFECTION

278
CHAPTER 18.  THE CAVE                                               SECTION 10 (CONT'D). PART  XVI

82  AS FOR THE WALL IN THE TOWN
IT BELONGED TO TWO ORPHAN YOUTHS IN THE TOWN 

THERE WAS BENEATH IT A BURIED TREASURE 
AND TO WHICH THEY WERE TO BE THE INHERITORS 
FOR THEIR FATHER HAD BEEN A RIGHTEOUS BELIEVER
SO YOUR LORD HAS DESIRED THAT THEY SHOULD MATURE 
TO THEIR AGE OF FULL STRENGTH AND GET OUT THEIR TREASURE 
A MERCY FROM YOUR LORD AND A FAVOR 

SO I DID IT NOT OF MY OWN DOING
THIS IS THE INTERPRETATION OF THOSE THINGS 
OF WHICH YOU WERE UNABLE TO HOLD PATIENCE IN ASKING

279
 CHAPTER 18.  THE CAVE                                                                SECTION 11.  PART  XVI

83  CONCERNING ZUL-QARNAIN, THEY ASK YOU
SAY, I WILL RECITE SOME OF HIS STORY TO YOU

84  WE GAVE ESTABLISHED POWER ON THE EARTH TO HIM
AND GAVE THE WAYS AND  MEANS TO ALL THINGS TO HIM

85  SO A COURSE WAS FOLLOWED BY HIM

86  WHEN HE REACHED THE SETTING OF THE SUN IN HIS JOURNEY 
HE FOUND IT SET IN A SPRING OF WATER THAT WAS MURKY 
AND THERE HE FOUND A PEOPLE AND WE DECREED
OH ZUL-QARNAIN, YOU HAVE AUTHORITY 
EITHER TO PUNISH THEM OR SHOW THEM MERCY

87  HE SAID, WHOEVER DOES WRONG WE WILL PUNISH HIM SEVERELY
THEN WILL HE BE SENT BACK TO HIS LORD AND HE ADDITIONALLY
WILL PUNISH HIM WITH AN EXEMPLARY PENALTY

88  BUT WHOEVER BELIEVES AND ACTS RIGHTEOUSLY
WILL BE REWARDED AND HIS TASK WILL BE EASY  
AS WE WILL ORDER IT AT OUR DECREE 

89  THEN FOLLOWED ANOTHER WAY DID HE

90  UNTIL WHEN HE CAME TO THE SUN'S RISING AND HE FOUND IT 
RISING ON A PEOPLE WHOM WE HAD GIVEN NO COVER FROM IT

91  HE LEFT THEM AS THEY WERE AND WE CERTAINLY
UNDERSTOOD WHAT WAS BEFORE HIM COMPLETELY

92  THEN FOLLOWED ANOTHER WAY DID HE

93  UNTIL HE REACHED BETWEEN TWO MOUNTAINS A VALLEY
AND HE FOUND BENEATH THEM A PEOPLE WHO SCARCELY
COULD UNDERSTAND A WORD HARDLY

94  THEY SAID, OH ZUL-QARNAIN, THE GOG AND MAGOG PEOPLE                      
DO GREAT MISCHIEF ON EARTH AND MUCH EVIL

SHALL WE RENDER TO YOU A TRIBUTE FROM US
IN ORDER THAT YOU MIGHT ERECT FOR US 
A BARRIER BETWEEN THEM AND US? 

95  HE SAID, THE POWER IN WHICH MY LORD HAS ESTABLISHED ME 
IS BETTER THAN ANY TRIBUTE THAT YOU WOULD GIVE TO ME
THEREFORE WITH YOUR STRENGTH AND LABOR HELP ME
I WILL ERECT BETWEEN US A BARRIER STRONGLY

96  BRING FOR ME BLOCKS OF IRON
WHEN HE HAD FILLED UP THE SPACE BETWEEN THE TWO MOUNTAINS 

HE SAID, BLOW WITH YOUR BELLOWS, THEN WHEN IT WAS RED  
HE SAID, BRING ME THAT I MAY POUR OVER IT MOLTEN LEAD

97  SO WERE THEY MADE POWERLESS TO SCALE IT 
NOR WERE THEY ABLE TO DIG THROUGH IT

CHAPTER 18.  THE CAVE                                              SECTION 11 (CONT'D).  PART  XVI

98  HE SAID, THIS IS A MERCY FROM GOD 
BUT WHEN COMES TO PASS THE PROMISE OF GOD 

THEN HE WILL MAKE IT INTO DUST
THE PROMISE OF GOD IS TRUE AND JUST

99  ON THAT DAY WE WILL LEAVE THEM TOGETHER
AND THEY WILL SURGE LIKE WAVES ON ONE ANOTHER 
WHEN THE TRUMPET IS BLOWN WE WILL GATHER THEM TOGETHER

100  WE WILL PRESENT HELL THAT DAY TO THE DISBELIEVERS 

101  DISBELIEVERS WHOSE EYES HAD BEEN UNDER A COVER
FROM REMEMBRANCE OF ME AND HAD BEEN UNABLE  TO HEAR

280
CHAPTER 18.  THE CAVE                                                                SECTION 12.  PART  XVI

102  DO THE DISBELIEVERS THINK THAN THEY CAN REALLY  
TAKE MY SERVANTS AS PROTECTORS BESIDES ME?  

SURELY WE HAVE PREPARED HELL AS THE PUNISHMENT 
FOR THE DISBELIEVERS FOR THEIR ENTERTAINMENT

103  SAY, SHALL WE TELL YOU OF THOSE WHO LOSE 
MOST IN RESPECT OF THEIR DEEDS AMONG YOU?

104  THOSE WHOSE EFFORTS IN THIS WORLD HAVE BEEN WASTED 
THINKING THEY WERE ACQUIRING GOOD BY THE WORK THEY DID  

105  THEY ARE THOSE WHO DENY THE SIGNS OF THEIR LORD 
AND THE FACT OF THEIR HAVING TO MEET THEIR LORD 

AND VAIN WILL BE THEIR ACCOMPLISHMENTS
NOR WILL WE GIVE THEM WEIGHT ON THE DAY OF JUDGMENT

106  THEIR REWARD IS HELL BECAUSE THEY REJECTED FAITH IN ME 
AND TOOK MY SIGNS AND MY MESSENGERS BY WAY OF MOCKERY

107  AS TO THOSE WHO BELIEVE AND WORK RIGHTEOUS DEEDS
THEY HAVE FOR THEIR ENTERTAINMENT GARDENS OF ETERNITY

108  THEY WILL DWELL FOREVER IN THEM
NO CHANGE WILL THEY WISH FOR FROM THEM

109  SAY, IF THE OCEAN 
WERE INK FOR THE WORDS OF MY LORD TO BE WRITTEN 
THEN ASSUREDLY EXHAUSTED WOULD BE THE OCEAN
BEFORE THE WORDS OF GOD COULD BE WRITTEN 
EVEN IF WE ADDED TO IT ANOTHER OCEAN 

110  SAY, I AM BUT A MAN LIKE YOU 
BUT INSPIRATION HAS COME TO ME FOR YOU

THAT YOUR GOD IS ONE GOD 
WHOEVER EXPECTS TO MEET HIS GOD
LET HIM WORK RIGHTEOUSNESS AND IN HIS WORSHIP OF GOD
ADMIT NO ONE AS A PARTNER WITH GOD

281
CHAPTER 19.  MARY                                                                           SECTION 1.  PART  XVI

IN THE NAME OF GOD
THE MOST GRACIOUS AND MERCIFUL GOD

1  SUFFICIENT GUIDE, BLESSED, KNOWING, TRUTHFUL GOD

2  THIS IS A MENTION OF THE MERCY OF GOD
TO ZACHARIAH, A SERVANT OF GOD

3  HE CRIED A SECRET CALL TO GOD

4  MY LORD, WEAK ARE MY BONES AND THE HAIR OF MY HEAD 
DOES GLISTEN WITH GRAY BUT I AM NOT UNBLESSED 

5  NOW I FEAR WHAT MY RELATIVES WILL DO AFTER ME 
AND MY WIFE IS BARREN SO GIVE AN HEIR TO ME 

6  ONE THAT WILL TRULY REPRESENT ME 
AND WHO WILL REPRESENT JACOB'S POSTERITY
AND MAKE HIM ONE WITH WHOM YOU ARE PLEASED

7  HIS PRAYER WAS ANSWERED, WE GIVE YOU NEWS OF A SON
HIS NAME WILL BE JOHN AND BY THAT NAME ON NONE 
HAVE WE BEFORE CONFERRED DISTINCTION 

8  HE SAID, OH MY LORD, HOW WILL I HAVE A SON
NOW WHEN I AM OLD AND MY WIFE IS BARREN? 

9  HE SAID, SO IT WILL BE, THAT IS EASY FOR ME 
I CREATED YOU WHEN YOU WERE NOTHING PREVIOUSLY 

10  ZAKARIYA SAID, OH MY LORD, GIVE A SIGN TO ME
THE ANSWER WAS, YOUR SIGN WILL BE 
FOR THREE DAYS TO NO MAN WILL YOU SPEAK
ALTHOUGH YOU ARE NOT DUMB AND ARE ABLE TO SPEAK

11  ZAKARIYA CAME TO HIS PEOPLE AND BY SIGNS PROCLAIMING
TO GLORIFY GOD MORNING AND EVENING 

12  TO HIS SON CAME THE COMMAND, OH JOHN, TAKE HOLD FIRMLY 
TO THE BOOK WITH MIGHT, AND WE ASSUREDLY
GAVE HIM WISDOM IN HIS ADOLESCENCE

13  AND FROM US PITY FOR ALL CREATURES AND PURITY 
AND ALSO DEVOUT AND DUTIFUL WAS HE 

14  AND KIND TO HIS PARENTS AND ALSO WAS HE 
NOT OVERBEARING NOR ACTED REBELLIOUSLY

15  SO PEACE ON HIM THE DAY 
HE WAS BORN AND THE DAY 
THAT HE DIED AND THE DAY 
THAT HE WILL AGAIN BE RAISED  

282
CHAPTER 19.  MARY                                                                           SECTION 2.  PART  XVI

16  RELATE IN THE BOOK THE STORY OF MARY
WHEN SHE WITHDREW TO A PLACE IN THE EAST FROM HER FAMILY 

17  FROM THEM SHE PLACED A SCREEN TO SCREEN HER
THEN WE SENT OUR ANGEL TO HER 
AND HE APPEARED AS A MAN BEFORE HER 

18  SHE SAID, I SEEK REFUGE FROM YOU TO THE BENEFICENT GOD 
COME NOT NEAR ME IF YOU DO FEAR GOD

19  HE SAID, I AM ONLY A MESSENGER FROM THE HOLY ONE 
TO ANNOUNCE TO YOU THE GIFT OF A HOLY SON 

20  SHE SAID, HOW WILL I HAVE A SON
WHEN NO MAN HAS TOUCHED ME NOR AM I AN UNCHASTE ONE?

21  AND HE SAID, SO IT WILL BE, YOUR LORD SAID, THAT IS EASY FOR ME 
WE WISH TO MAKE HIM A SIGN TO MEN AND FROM US A MERCY 
AND IT IS A MATTER ALREADY DECREED 

22  SO SHE CONCEIVED HIM 
AND WITHDREW TO A REMOTE PLACE WITH HIM 

23  AND THE PAINS OF CHILDBIRTH DROVE HER 
TO THE TRUNK OF A PALM TREE AND SHE CRIED AS SHE SUFFERED

AND SAID, IF ONLY BEFORE THIS I COULD HAVE DIED 
AND BEEN A THING FORGOTTEN AND OUT OF SIGHT

24  FROM BENEATH THE PALM TREE A VOICE CRIED TO HER
GRIEVE NOT FOR GOD HAS PROVIDED BENEATH YOU A RIVER

25  SHAKE THE TRUNK OF THE PALM TREE TOWARDS YOU
FRESH RIPE DATES WILL FALL UPON YOU

26  SO EAT AND DRINK AND COMFORT YOUR EYE
AND IF YOU SEE ANY MAN SAY, THAT I

HAVE VOWED TO GOD MOST GRACIOUS A DAY OF FASTING
AND I WILL NOT ENTER INTO TALK WITH ANY HUMAN BEING

27  AND AT LENGTH SHE BROUGHT TO HER PEOPLE THE BABY 
CARRYING HIM IN HER ARMS AND THEY SAID, OH MARY
A STRANGE THING HAVE YOU BROUGHT SURELY

28  OH SISTER OF AARON, YOUR FATHER WAS NOT AN EVIL  MAN 
NOR WAS YOUR MOTHER AN UNCHASTE WOMAN 

29  BUT SHE POINTED TO THE CHILD 
THEY SAID, HOW CAN WE TALK TO ONE WHO IS A CHILD? 

283
CHAPTER 19.  MARY                                                          SECTION 2 (CONT'D). PART  XVI

30  HE SAID, I AM A SERVANT OF GOD INDEED
AND HE HAS GIVEN REVELATION TO ME 
AND HAS MADE A PROPHET OF ME 

31  HE HAS MADE ME  BLESSED WHEREVER I MAY BE 
AND HAS ENJOINED ON ME PRAYER AND CHARITY 

32  HE HAS MADE ME KIND TO MY MOTHER AND NOT TO BE 
NEITHER OVERBEARING OR UNEASY 

33  PEACE ON ME THE DAY I WAS BORN AND THE DAY I DIE
AND THE DAY THAT I AM AGAIN RAISED UP TO LIFE

34  THIS WAS JESUS, THE SON OF MARY
A STATEMENT OF TRUTH ABOUT WHICH THEY DISPUTE VAINLY   

35  IT IS NOT BEFITTING TO GOD'S MAJESTY 
THAT HE SHOULD BEGET A SON, TO HIM BE THE GLORY 

WHEN HE DETERMINES A MATTER ALL THAT HAPPENS IS
HE ONLY SAYS TO IT BE, AND IT IS

36  SURELY GOD IS MY LORD AND YOUR LORD 
SO SERVE HIM THAT IS THE STRAIGHT WAY WITH YOUR LORD

37  AMONG THEMSELVES THE SECTS DIFFER 
AND WOE BE TO THE REBELLIOUS DISBELIEVERS 
FOR THE COMING OF A MOMENTOUS DAY OF THEIRS

38  HOW PLAINLY WILL THEY SEE AND HEAR 
THE DAY THAT BEFORE US THEY WILL APPEAR 
BUT THE UNJUST ARE SURELY IN MANIFEST ERROR  

39  BUT WARN THEM OF THE DAY OF DISTRESS
WHEN THE MATTER WILL BE DECIDED WITH JUSTICE
FOR THEY ARE DISBELIEVERS AND THEY ARE HEEDLESS 

40  WE WILL INHERIT THE EARTH AND ITS BEINGS 
AND TO US WILL THEY ALL BE RETURNING

284
CHAPTER 19.  MARY                                                                           SECTION 3.  PART  XVI

41  ALSO MENTION IN THE BOOK ABRAHAM'S STORY
FOR HE WAS A MAN OF TRUTH AND A PROPHET WAS HE

42  HE SAID TO HIS FATHER, WHY ARE YOU WORSHIPPING 
THAT WHICH HAS NO HEARING AND NO SEEING
AND WHICH CAN PROFIT YOU NOTHING?

43  OH MY FATHER, KNOWLEDGE HAS COME TO ME 
WHICH HAS NOT REACHED YOU SO FOLLOW ME 
I WILL GUIDE YOU TO A  STRAIGHT WAY INDEED

44  OH MY FATHER, SERVE NOT SATAN 
FOR REBELLIOUS AGAINST GOD IS SATAN

45  MY FATHER, I FEAR THAT A PENALTY WILL AFFLICT YOU 
FROM GOD SO THAT SATAN BECOMES A FRIEND TO YOU 

46  THE FATHER REPLIED, OH ABRAHAM, ARE MY GODS HATED BY YOU?
AND IF YOU DO NOT DESIST I WILL INDEED STONE YOU 
NOW FOR A GOOD LONG WHILE AWAY WITH YOU

47  ABRAHAM SAID TO HIS FATHER, PEACE BE UPON YOU 
I WILL PRAY TO GOD  FOR FORGIVENESS FOR YOU
AND HE IS MOST KIND AND MERCIFUL TOO

48  AND I WILL TURN AWAY FROM YOU TO MY LORD
AND FROM ALL THOSE YOU WORSHIP BESIDES MY LORD
AND I WILL CALL ON MY LORD 
PERHAPS BY MY PRAYER TO MY LORD 
I WILL BE NOT UNBLESSED BY MY LORD

49  WHEN HE HAD TURNED AWAY FROM THEM AND THEIR GODS 
WHOM THEY WORSHIPPED BESIDES GOD
ISAAC AND JACOB WERE BESTOWED ON HIM BY GOD
AND EACH OF THEM WERE ORDAINED AS PROPHETS OF GOD

50  WE BESTOWED OF OUR MERCY ON THEM 
AND WE GRANTED HONOR AND TRUTH TO THEM 

285
CHAPTER 19.  MARY                                                                           SECTION 4.  PART  XVI

51  THE STORY OF MOSES IN THE BOOK WE ALSO MENTION
HE WAS A MESSENGER AND A PROPHET SPECIALLY CHOSEN

52  WE CALLED HIM FROM THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE MOUNTAIN
AND MADE HIM DRAW NEAR TO US FOR MYSTIC COMMUNION

53  OUT OF OUR MERCY WE GAVE HIM AARON HIS BROTHER 
ALSO A PROPHET AND A MESSENGER

54  AND ALSO MENTION IN THE BOOK ISHMAEL'S STORY 
FOR HE WAS TRUE TO WHAT HE PROMISED STRICTLY  
AND A MESSENGER AND A PROPHET WAS HE 

55  HE ENJOINED ON HIS PEOPLE CHARITY AND PRAYER TO GOD
AND HE WAS MOST ACCEPTABLE IN THE SIGHT OF GOD

56  ALSO MENTION IN THE BOOK IDRIS'S STORY
FOR HE WAS A PROPHET AND A MAN OF SINCERITY 

57  WE RAISED HIM TO A STATION THAT WAS LOFTY

58  THOSE WERE SOME OF THE PROPHETS ON WHOM GOD DID BESTOW 
HIS GRACE OF THE POSTERITY OF ADAM AND OF THOSE 
WHOM WE CARRIED IN THE ARK WITH NOAH AND OF THOSE
OF THE POSTERITY OF ABRAHAM AND ISRAEL WERE OF THOSE 
OF WHOM WE BLESSED AND GUIDED AND OF WHOM WE CHOSE

AND WHENEVER THEY HEARD GOD'S REVELATIONS 
THEY WOULD FALL DOWN IN PROSTRATION 
AND IN TEARS OF ADORATION

 59  BUT A POSTERITY FOLLOWED THEM AFTER
WHO FOLLOWED LUSTS AND MISSED PRAYERS 
THEREFORE SOON WILL THEY FACE DISASTER

60  EXCEPT THOSE WHO REPENT AND BELIEVE 
AND WORK RIGHTEOUSNESS FOR THESE 
WILL ENTER THE GARDEN AND WILL NOT BE 
TREATED UNJUST IN THE LEAST DEGREE

61  GARDENS OF ETERNITY THOSE WHICH GOD HAS PROMISED
TO HIS SERVANTS IN THE UNSEEN FOR HIS PROMISE 
MUST COME TO PASS AS PROMISED

62  THEY WILL NOT HEAR ANY TALKING VAINLY 
AND THEY WILL HEAR SALUTATIONS OF PEACE ONLY
AND THEY WILL HAVE SUSTENANCE DAILY AND NIGHTLY

63  THIS IS THE GARDEN WHICH WE GIVE AS AN INHERITANCE  
TO THOSE WHO GUARD AGAINST EVIL OF OUR SERVANTS 

64  THE ANGELS SAY, WE DESCEND ONLY BY OUR LORD'S ORDER 
TO HIM BELONGS WHAT IS BEFORE US AND WHAT IS AFTER 
AND WHAT IS BETWEEN AND HE FORGETS NOTHING EVER

65  LORD OF THE HEAVENS AND THE EARTH IN ITS ENTIRETY
AND ALL THAT IS BETWEEN THEM, SO WORSHIP HIM ONLY
AND BE CONSTANT AND WORSHIP HIM PATIENTLY  
KNOW YOU OF ANY WHO IS WORTHY OF THE SAME NAME AS HE?

286
CHAPTER 19.  MARY                                                                          SECTION 5.  PART  XVI

66   MAN SAYS, WHEN I AM DEAD
WILL I REALLY BE RAISED UP ALIVE FROM THE DEAD?

67  DOES MAN NOT REMEMBER OUR CREATING
HIM BEFORE WHEN HE WAS NOTHING? 

68  BY YOUR LORD, WITHOUT DOUBT WE WILL GATHER THEM
WE WILL ALSO GATHER THE EVIL ONES WITH THEM 
THEN ON THEIR KNEES WE WILL BRING THEM 
ROUND ABOUT HELL ALL OF THEM

69  THEN WILL WE CERTAINLY DRAG OUT THE UNRIGHTEOUS
ALL OF THOSE WHO WERE WORST IN BEING REBELLIOUS 
AGAINST THEIR LORD, GOD IS MOST GRACIOUS

70  AND CERTAINLY WE KNOW BEST WHO IS IT
THAT IS MOST WORTHY OF BEING BURNED IN IT 

71  NOT ONE OF YOU BUT WILL PASS OVER IT 
THIS IS WITH GOD A DECREE WHICH MUST BE ACCOMPLISHED

72  THOSE WHO GUARDED AGAINST EVIL WE WILL SAVE FROM IT
WE WILL LEAVE THE WRONG DOERS HUMBLED TO THEIR KNEES IN IT

73  WHEN OUR MESSAGES ARE RECITED CLEAR
THE DISBELIEVERS SAY TO THE BELIEVERS

WHICH OF THE TWO SIDES IS BEST IN POINT OF POSITION 
AND WHICH MAKES THE BEST SHOW IN CONSULTATION?

74  BUT HOW MANY COUNTLESS GENERATIONS 
BEFORE THEM HAVE WE BROUGHT TO DESTRUCTION
WHO WERE EVEN BETTER IN GLITTER AND POSSESSIONS? 

75  SAY, IF ANY GO ASTRAY AMONG THEM
GOD EXTENDS THE ROPE TO THEM

UNTIL WHEN THEY SEE THEIR LORD'S WARNING 
BEING FULFILLED EITHER IN PUNISHING
OR IN THE HOUR APPROACHING 

THEN THEY WILL REALIZE AT LENGTH 
WHO IS WORST IN POSITION AND WEAKEST IN STRENGTH

76   GOD GUIDES THOSE WHO SEEK THE GUIDANCE OF THEIR LORD 
AND THE THINGS THAT ENDURE IN THE SIGHT OF YOUR LORD 
GOOD DEEDS ARE SURELY BEST AS REWARDS 
AND BEST IN RESPECT OF THEIR RETURNS FROM YOUR LORD

77  HAVE YOU SEEN HIM WHO REJECTS GOD'S MESSAGES
AND THEN SAYS, I WILL BE GIVEN CHILDREN AND RICHES?

78  HAS HE KNOWLEDGE OF THE UNSEEN EVENTS
OR HAS HE TAKEN A COVENANT WITH THE BENEFICENT?
 
79   BY NO MEANS AND WE WILL RECORD WHAT HE DECREES
AND WE WILL ADD AND ADD TO HIS PENALTIES

80  TO US WILL RETURN ALL THAT HE SPEAKS ON  
AND HE WILL APPEAR BEFORE US BARE AND ALONE 

287
CHAPTER 19.  MARY                                                         SECTION 5 (CONT'D).  PART  XVI

81  AND THEY HAVE TAKEN FOR WORSHIP GODS 
TO GIVE THEM POWER AND GLORY OTHER THAN GOD

82  INSTEAD THEY WILL REJECT THEIR WORSHIPPING THEM
AND BECOME ADVERSARIES AGAINST THEM

                                                                                                                    SECTION 6

83  SEE YOU NOT THAT WE HAVE SET THE DOERS OF INIQUITY
AGAINST THE DISBELIEVERS TO INCITE THEM WITH FURY

84  SO MAKE NO HASTE AGAINST THEM 
FOR WE COUNT OUT A NUMBER OF DAYS TO THEM 

85  THE DAY THAT WE WILL GATHER 
THE RIGHTEOUS TO GOD MOST GRACIOUS TOGETHER
LIKE A BAND PRESENTED BEFORE A KING FOR HONORS

86  AND WE WILL DRIVE THE SINNERS
TO HELL LIKE THIRSTY CATTLE DRIVEN TO WATER
 
87  NONE WILL HAVE THE POWER OF INTERCESSION 
BUT THOSE WHO HAVE RECEIVED PERMISSION 
FROM GOD THE MOST GRACIOUS ONE

88  THEY SAY, GOD THE MOST GRACIOUS ONE
THAT HE HAS BEGOTTEN A SON 

89  CERTAINLY YOUR ASSERTION
IS AN ABOMINATION

90  AT IT THE SKIES ARE READY TO BURST IN AN EXPLOSION
AND THE EARTH TO SPLIT APART IN UTTER DESTRUCTION
AND THE MOUNTAINS TO FALL DOWN IN RUINATION
 
91  THAT THEY SHOULD ASCRIBE A SON 
TO GOD, THE MOST GRACIOUS ONE

92  IT IS NOT IN HARMONY WITH MAJESTY OF THE HOLY ONE
THAT HE, GOD MOST GRACIOUS SHOULD BEGET A SON

93  OF THE BEINGS IN HEAVEN AND EARTH THERE IS NOT ONE
BUT MUST COME AS A SERVANT TO GOD, THE MOST GRACIOUS ONE

94  HE DOES TAKE AN ACCOUNT OF THEM ALL
AND HAS EXACTLY NUMBERED THEM ALL

95  AND EVERYONE OF THEM WILL COME TO HIM
ALONE ON JUDGMENT DAY WITH NO HELPER WITH HIM

96  ON THOSE WHO BELIEVE AND WORK DEEDS OF RIGHTEOUSNESS 
WILL GOD MOST GRACIOUS BESTOW LOVE AND KINDNESS

97  AND SO HAVE WE MADE THE QURAN EASY IN YOUR OWN TONGUE 
SO WITH IT YOU MAY GIVE GOOD NEWS TO THE RIGHTEOUS ONES 
AND ALSO GIVE WARNINGS TO THE WRONG DOING ONES

98  HOW MANY GENERATIONS HAVE WE DESTROYED BEFORE THEM 
AND CAN YOU NOW FIND EVEN A SINGLE ONE OF THEM 
OR HEAR SO MUCH AS A WHISPER FROM THEM?

288
CHAPTER 20.  TA HA                                                                          SECTION 1.  PART  XVI

IN THE NAME OF GOD 
THE MOST GRACIOUS AND MERCIFUL GOD

1  OH MAN OF GOD

2  WE HAVE NOT SENT DOWN THE QURAN TO YOU 
TO BE AN OCCASION OF DISTRESS FOR YOU

3  BUT IT IS A REMINDER 
FOR HIM WHO FEARS 

4  IT IS A REVELATION OF INSPIRATION
FROM HIM WHO CREATED THE EARTH AND THE HEAVENS

5  GOD MOST GRACIOUS IS FIRMLY
ESTABLISHED ON THE THRONE OF AUTHORITY

6  TO HIM BELONGS ALL THAT IS IN THE HEAVENS AND THE EARTH
AND ALL BETWEEN THEM AND UNDER THE SOIL OF THE EARTH

7  IF YOU PRONOUNCE THE WORD LOUDLY
IT IS NO MATTER, FOR SURELY 

HE KNOWS WHAT IS SECRET AND EVEN
WHAT IS YET MORE HIDDEN  

8  GOD, THERE IS NO GOD BUT HE
THE MOST BEAUTIFUL NAMES HAS HE

9  HAS THERE COME TO YOU MOSES' STORY? 

10  HE SAW A FIRE SO HE SAID TO HIS FAMILY 

STAY HERE I PERCEIVE A FIRE 
PERHAPS I CAN BRING YOU A BURNING BRANCH FROM THE FIRE
OR FIND SOME GUIDANCE FOR YOU AT THE FIRE

11  A VOICE WAS HEARD, OH MOSES, WHEN HE CAME TO THE FIRE

12  I AM YOUR LORD, PULL OFF YOUR SHOES BEFORE ME
FOR YOU ARE IN THE SACRED VALLEY

13  AND I HAVE CHOSEN YOU 
SO LISTEN TO THE INSPIRATION SENT TO YOU

14  I AM GOD, THERE IS NO GOD BUT ME SO SERVE ME ONLY 
AND ESTABLISH REGULAR PRAYER IN REMEMBRANCE OF ME

15  SURELY THE HOUR IS COMING 
TO KEEP IT HIDDEN IS MY CHOOSING

SO THAT EVERY SOUL MAY BE REWARDED AMPLY 
FOR WHAT IT STRIVES FOR EARNESTLY

16  THEREFORE LET NOT THOSE WHO BELIEVE NOT IN IT 
BUT FOLLOW THEIR OWN LUSTS DIVERT YOU FROM IT 
OR ELSE YOU WILL PERISH AS A RESULT OF IT

289
CHAPTER 20.  TA HA                                                         SECTION 1 (CONT'D).  PART  XVI

17  AND WHAT IS THIS
IN YOUR RIGHT HAND, OH MOSES?

18  HE ANSWERED AND SAID, THIS IS MY STAFF, I LEAN ON IT
AND FOR MY SHEEP I BEAT THE LEAVES WITH IT
AND I HAVE OTHER USES FOR IT

19  GOD SAID, OH MOSES, THROW IT

20  SO HE THREW IT 
AND A SNAKE IN MOTION WAS IT

21  GOD SAID, SEIZE IT 
AND FEAR NOT, WE WILL RETURN IT 
AT ONCE TO THE FORMER CONDITION OF IT

22  NOW DRAW YOUR HAND CLOSE TO YOUR SIDE 
IT WILL COME FORTH WHITE AND WITH A SHINE 
WITHOUT HARM OR STAIN AS ANOTHER SIGN

23  THAT WE MAY SHOW YOU OF OUR GREATER SIGNS 

24  GO TO PHARAOH FOR HE HAS INDEED
TRANSGRESSED ALL BOUNDARIES

290
CHAPTER 20.  TA HA                                                                          SECTION 2.  PART  XVI

25  MOSES SAID, OH MY LORD, EXPAND MY BREAST FOR ME

26  AND EASE MY TASK FOR ME

27  AND REMOVE THE IMPEDIMENT OF MY SPEECH FROM ME

28  SO THAT THEY MAY UNDERSTAND ME

29  AND GIVE ME A MINISTER FROM MY FAMILY

30  AARON MY BROTHER TO HELP ME

31  AND THROUGH HIM ADD STRENGTH TO ME

32  AND MAKE HIM SHARE MY TASK WITH ME

33  THAT WE MAY GLORIFY YOU GREATLY

34  AND REMEMBER YOU HONORABLY

35  FOR YOU ARE THE SEER OVER US SURELY

36  GOD SAID, OH MOSES, YOUR PRAYER IS ANSWERED 

37  AND WE CONFERRED ON YOU BEFORE ANOTHER FAVOR

38  WHEN WE SENT BY INSPIRATION THE MESSAGE TO YOUR MOTHER

39  PUT THE CHILD IN THE CHEST AND THROW IT INTO THE RIVER 

AND THE RIVER WILL CAST HIM UP ON THE BANK SAFELY
AND HE WILL BE TAKEN UP BY ONE WHO IS AN ENEMY  
AND I SHED ON YOU LOVE FROM ME AND MERCY 
AND THAT REARED UP UNDER MY EYE YOU MAY BE 

40  YOUR SISTER WENT FORTH AND SAID, SHALL I SHOW YOU 
ONE WHO WILL NURSE AND REAR THE CHILD FOR YOU

SO WE BROUGHT YOU BACK TO YOUR MOTHER
SO THAT HER EYE MIGHT FIND COMFORT
AND SO THAT SHE WOULD NOT SUFFER 
THEN YOU KILLED A MAN AND WE SAVED YOU FROM YOUR ERROR
AND WE TRIED YOU IN VARIOUS MANNERS
THEN YOU STAYED WITH THE MIDIANS FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS
THEN AS ORDAINED, OH MOSES, YOU CAME HERE

41  AND I HAVE PREPARED YOU FOR MY SERVICES

42  GO YOU AND YOUR BROTHER WITH MY MESSAGES
AND BE NOT SLACK IN MY REMEMBRANCES

43  GO BOTH OF YOU TO PHARAOH, FOR HE HAS INDEED
TRANSGRESSED BEYOND ALL BOUNDARIES

291
CHAPTER 20.  TA HA                                                         SECTION 2 (CONT'D). PART  XVI

44  BUT SPEAK TO HIM MILDLY 
PERCHANCE THAT HE MAY FEAR GOD AND TAKE HEED

45  MOSES AND AARON SAID, OUR LORD WE FEAR THAT HE 
SHOULD HASTEN AGAINST US INSOLENTLY

46  HE SAID, FEAR NOT FOR I AM WITH YOU
AND I HEAR AND SEE ALL THAT YOU DO

47  SO GO BOTH OF YOU TO HIM AND SAY, WE ARE APOSTLES 
SENT BY GOD SO SEND WITH US THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL 

AND DO NOT AFFLICT THEM FOR WE HAVE INDEED
COME FROM GOD WITH A MESSAGE OF PEACE 
TO ALL WHO FOLLOW GUIDANCE SURELY

48  IT HAS BEN REVEALED TO US THAT THE PENALTY 
AWAITS THOSE WHO REJECT AND TURN AWAY ARROGANTLY

49  WHEN THIS MESSAGE TO PHARAOH WAS DELIVERED 
HE SAID, OH MOSES, WHO IS THIS GOD YOU SERVE?

50  HE SAID, OUR LORD IS HE WHO EVERYTHING HE CREATED IT
HE GAVE FORM TO IT AND GAVE ITS NATURE TO IT
AND FURTHER HE GAVE GUIDANCE TO IT 

51  PHARAOH SAID, WHAT IS THE CONDITION 
OF FORMER GENERATIONS?

52  HE SAID, THE KNOWLEDGE OF THAT IS IN A BOOK WITH GOD
AND NEVER ERRING OR FORGETTING IS GOD

53  HE HAS MADE THE EARTH FOR YOU LIKE A CARPET SPREAD OUT
AND HAS ENABLED YOU TO BY ROADS AND CHANNELS GO ABOUT

AND HAS SENT DOWN FROM THE SKY WATERS
WITH IT HE HAS PRODUCED PAIRS OF PLANTS AND DIVERS
EACH OF THEM SEPARATE FROM THE OTHERS

54  ENJOY YOURSELVES PASTURING YOUR CATTLE AND EATING
THERE ARE SIGNS IN THIS FOR MEN OF UNDERSTANDING

292
CHAPTER 20.  TA HA                                                                          SECTION 3.  PART  XVI

55  FROM THE EARTH WE CREATED YOU
AND INTO THE EARTH WE WILL RETURN YOU
AND FROM IT ONCE AGAIN WE WILL RAISE YOU

56  AND WE SHOWED PHARAOH ALL THE SIGNS
BUT HE REFUSED AND REJECTED THE SIGNS

57  HE SAID, HAVE YOU COME TO DRIVE US
OUT OF OUR LAND WITH YOUR MAGIC, OH MOSES

58  WE TOO CAN PRODUCE MAGIC LIKE YOU
SO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT BETWEEN US AND YOU
IN A CENTRAL PLACE WHICH WE WILL KEEP, US AND YOU

59  MOSES SAID, YOUR APPOINTMENT IS THE DAY OF THE FESTIVAL
AND LET THE PEOPLE BE GATHERED WHEN THE SUN IS UP WELL

60  PHARAOH WENT BACK AND SETTLED HIS PLAN
AND THEN HE CAME BACK AGAIN

61  MOSES SAID TO HIM, WOE TO YOU
DO NOT LIE AGAINST GOD OR HE WILL DESTROY YOU
SURELY HE FAILS WHO LIES AMONG YOU

62  SO WITH ONE ANOTHER THEY DISPUTED 
ABOUT THEIR AFFAIR AND KEPT IT SECRET

63  AND THEY SAID, THESE TWO ARE CERTAINLY EXPERT MAGICIANS
WHO WILL DRIVE YOU FROM YOUR LAND WITH THEIR ILLUSIONS
AND DO AWAY WITH YOUR MOST CHERISHED INSTITUTIONS

64  SO ASSEMBLE IN RANKS AND SETTLE YOUR PLAN 
HE SUCCEEDS WHO GAINS THE UPPER HAND

65  THEY SAID, OH MOSES, WILL YOU THROW
OR WILL WE BE THE FIRST TO THROW?

66  MOSES SAID, YOU WILL BE THE FIRST TO THROW
THEN THEIR ROPES AND THEIR RODS THEY DID THROW

AND ON ACCOUNT OF THEIR ILLUSION
IT SEEMED TO HIM TO BE IN MOTION

67  SO WHEN HE SAW THIS
FEAR ROSE IN MOSES

68  WE SAID, FEAR NOT THEIR PLAN
YOU HAVE THE UPPER HAND

69  THROW THAT WHICH IS IN YOUR RIGHT HAND
IT WILL EAT UP ALL THEY HAVE PLANNED

WHAT THEY HAVE IS ONLY A TRICK OF AN ENCHANTER
AND NEVER WILL SUCCEED THE TRICK OF AN ENCHANTER

293
CHAPTER 20.  TA HA                                                         SECTION 3 (CONT'D). PART  XVI

70  SO THE MAGICIANS FELL DOWN IN PROSTRATION
THEY SAID, WE BELIEVE IN THE GOD OF MOSES AND AARON

71  PHARAOH SAID, BELIEVE HIM BEFORE I GIVE YOU PERMISSION?
THIS MUST BE YOUR LEADER WHO TAUGHT YOU ILLUSION

I WILL CUT OFF YOUR HANDS AND YOUR FEET ON BOTH SIDES
AND ON TRUNKS OF PALM TREES HAVE YOU CRUCIFIED

SO YOU WILL KNOW SURELY
WHICH OF US CAN GIVE THE WORST PENALTY

72  THEY SAID, WE CANNOT PREFER YOU TO WHAT HAS COME TO US
OF CLEAR ARGUMENTS AND TO HIM WHO MADE US
SO DECIDE WHAT YOU WILL FOR US
YOU CAN ONLY DECIDE ABOUT THIS WORLD FOR US

73  WE BELIEVE IN OUR LORD THAT OUR FAULTS HE MAY FORGIVE US
FROM PERFORMING THE MAGIC TO WHICH YOU COMPELLED US
AND GOD IS BEST AND EVER ABIDING FOR US

74  HE WHO COMES TO HIS LORD AT JUDGMENT AS A SINNER 
FOR HIM IS HELL, IN IT HE WILL NOT DIE OR LIVE EITHER  

75  BUT THOSE WHO COME TO HIM AS BELIEVERS
WHO HAVE DONE GOOD DEEDS, THEY ARE HIGH ACHIEVERS

76  IN GARDENS OF ETERNITY WHEREIN FLOW RIVERS
THEY WILL DWELL THEREIN FOR EVER
THIS IS THE REWARD FOR THOSE WHO ARE NOT SINNERS

294
CHAPTER 20.  TA HA                                                                          SECTION 4.  PART  XVI

77  WE  SENT TO MOSES AN INSPIRATION
TRAVEL BY NIGHT WITH MY SERVANTS

AND STRIKE A DRY PATH FOR THEM THROUGH THE SEA 
WITHOUT FEAR OF BEING OVERTAKEN BY PHARAOH'S ARMY

78  THEN WITH HIS FORCES PHARAOH PURSUED THEM 
BUT THE WATERS OVERWHELMED THEM AND COVERED THEM 

79  PHARAOH LED HIS PEOPLE ASTRAY 
INSTEAD OF LEADING THEM TO THE RIGHT WAY

80  OH CHILDREN OF ISRAEL, FROM YOUR ENEMY WE DELIVERED YOU 
AND WE MADE A COVENANT ON MOUNT SINAI WITH YOU 
AND WE SENT DOWN MANNA AND QUAILS TO YOU 

81  SO EAT OF THE GOOD THINGS WE HAVE PROVIDED FOR YOU
BE NOT INORDINATE OR MY WRATH WILL COME UPON YOU
THOSE ON WHOM MY WRATH DESCENDS PERISH THROUGH 

82  BUT WITHOUT DOUBT, I AM ALSO HE
WHO FORGIVES THOSE WHO REPENT AND BELIEVE
AND THOSE WHO ARE READY TO BE GUIDED RIGHTLY

83  WHEN HE WAS UP ON THE MOUNTAIN GOD SAID TO MOSES
WHAT MADE YOU HASTEN BEFORE YOUR PEOPLE MOSES?

84  HE SAID, THEY ARE CLOSE BEHIND AND I HASTENED TO YOU
OH MY LORD, THAT I MAY PLEASE YOU

85  GOD SAID, WE HAVE TESTED YOUR PEOPLE WHILE YOU WERE AWAY
AND THE SAMIRI HAS LED THEM ASTRAY

86  SO MOSES RETURNED TO HIS PEOPLE 
IN A STATE OF SORROW AND SAID, OH MY PEOPLE 

DID NOT GOD MAKE A HANDSOME PROMISE TO YOU
DID THEN THE PROMISE SEEM TOO LONG IN COMING TO YOU 
OR DID YOU DESIRE THAT HIS WRATH SHOULD DESCEND ON YOU  
SO YOUR PROMISE TO ME WAS BROKEN BY YOU?

87  THEY SAID, WE BROKE NOT THE PROMISE TO YOU 
AS FAR AS LAY IN OUR POWER TO DO

BUT WE WERE MADE TO CARRY THE BURDENS
OF THE PEOPLE'S ORNAMENTS 

AND WE THREW THEM INTO THE FIRE
ACCORDING TO THE SIMIRI'S ORDER

88  HE BROUGHT FORTH FROM THE FIRE A CALF FOR THEM
WHICH HAD A HOLLOW SOUND TO THEM

HE SAID, THIS IS YOUR GOD AND THE GOD OF MOSES
BUT THIS HAS BEEN FORGOTTEN BY MOSES

89  COULD THEY NOT SEE THAT IT COULD NOT RETURN A WORD TO THEM 
AND THAT IT HAD NO POWER EITHER TO HARM OR PROFIT THEM?

295
CHAPTER 20.  TA HA                                                                          SECTION 5.  PART  XVI

90  AARON HAD SAID TO THEM PRIOR 
OH MY PEOPLE, YOU ARE BEING TESTED IN THIS MATTER
FOR GOD MOST GRACIOUS IS YOUR LORD AND CHERISHER
SO FOLLOW ME AND OBEY MY ORDERS

91  THEY SAID, WE WILL NOT ABANDON THIS CULT, BUT IN TURN
WE WILL DEVOTE OURSELVES TO IT UNTIL MOSES RETURNS 
 
92  MOSES SAID, OH AARON, WHAT KEPT YOU 
BACK WHEN THEIR WRONG DOING WAS SEEN BY YOU? 

93  AND YOU FOLLOWED NOT MY ADVICE TO YOU
HAVE YOU THEN DISOBEYED MY ORDERS TOO?

94  AARON REPLIED, SON OF MY MOTHER, SEIZE ME NOT BY MY BEARD 
NOR BY THE HAIR OF MY HEAD FOR TRULY I FEARED 

UNLESS YOU SHOULD SAY, YOU HAVE CAUSED A DIVISION 
AMONG THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL AND DID NOT LISTEN
OR RESPECT MY WORD EVEN

95  MOSES SAID, OH SAMIRI, WHAT WAS YOUR CASE THEN

96  HE REPLIED, I SAW WHAT THEY SAW NOT SO I TOOK A HANDFUL
OF DUST FROM THE FOOTPRINT OF THE APOSTLE 

THEN IT WAS THROWN INTO THE CALF BY ME
SO DID MY SOUL SUGGEST TO ME

97  MOSES SAID, GET OUT BUT YOUR PUNISHMENT WILL BE 
IN THIS LIFE. YOU WILL SAY TO MEN, DO NOT TOUCH ME
AND MOREOVER FOR A FUTURE PENALTY 
YOU HAVE A PROMISE THAT WILL NOT FAIL INDEED
LOOK AT YOUR GOD WHOM YOU WORSHIPPED DEVOTEDLY
FOR WE WILL MELT IT IN A FIRE BLAZING FIERCELY
AND SCATTER IT BROADCAST INTO THE SEA

98  THE GOD OF YOU ALL IS THE ONE GOD, THERE IS NO GOD BUT HE 
ALL THINGS HE COMPREHENDS IN HIS KNOWLEDGE COMPLETELY

99  SO DO WE RELATE TO YOU 
SOME STORIES OF WHAT HAPPENED BEFORE YOU
WE HAVE SENT THE MESSAGE FROM OUR OWN PRESENCE TO YOU

100  IF FROM IT ANY DO TURN AWAY 
THEY WILL BEAR A BURDEN ON JUDGMENT DAY 

101  THEY WILL ABIDE IN THIS STATE AND GRIEVOUS THE BURDEN 
WILL BE TO THEM ON THAT DAY FOR CERTAIN

102  THE DAY WHEN THE TRUMPET IS BLOWN WE WILL GATHER 
THE GUILTY BLUE EYED ON THAT DAY ALL TOGETHER

103  IN WHISPERS TO EACH OTHER WILL THEY SAY 
YOU STAYED NOT LONGER THAN TEN DAYS

104  WE KNOW BEST WHAT THEY WILL SAY 
THEIR LEADER MOST EMINENT IN CONDUCT WILL SAY 
YOU STAYED LONGER THAN JUST A DAY

296
CHAPTER 20.  TA HA                                                                          SECTION 6.  PART  XVI

105  THEY ASK YOU ABOUT THE MOUNTAINS, SAY TO THEM
MY LORD WILL UPROOT THEM AND LIKE DUST SCATTER THEM

106  AND LIKE PLAINS SMOOTH AND LEVEL HE WILL LEAVE THEM

107  YOU WILL SEE NO CROOKEDNESS
IN THEIR PLACE AND NO UNEVENNESS

108  ON THAT DAY THE CALLER THEY WILL FOLLOW HIM
STRAIGHT AND NO CROOKEDNESS CAN THEY SHOW HIM 

AND ALL SOUNDS WILL BE HUMBLING
IN THE PRESENCE OF GOD MOST GRACIOUS AND NOTHING 
WILL YOU HEAR BUT THE TRAMPLING OF THEIR FEET WHILE MARCHING

109  ON THAT DAY NO INTERCESSION
WILL AVAIL EXCEPT FOR THOSE WHOM GOD GIVES PERMISSION 
AND WHOSE WORD BY HIM HAS FOUND RECEPTION

110  HE KNOWS WHAT APPEARS 
TO HIS CREATURES BEFORE THEM OR AFTER 
BUT THEY WILL NOT COMPASS IT WITH KNOWLEDGE OF THEIRS

111  ALL FACES WILL BE HUMBLED BEFORE HIM, THE LIVING 
THE ETERNAL, THE SELF SUBSISTING 

112  HOPELESS INDEED WILL BE 
THE MAN THAT CARRIES ON HIS BACK INIQUITY 
BUT HE WHO IS A BELIEVER AND DOES GOOD DEEDS 
WILL HAVE NO FEAR NOR WILL HE GRIEVE

113  WE SENT DOWN AN ARABIC QURAN EXPLAINING
IN IT IN DETAIL SOME OF THE WARNINGS 
IN ORDER THAT THEY MAY BE GOD FEARING 
AND MAY REMEMBER GOD IN THEIR REMEMBERING

114  HIGH ABOVE ALL IS GOD, THE TRUTH, THE KING 
BE NOT IN HASTE WITH THE QURAN BEFORE ITS REVEALING 
TO YOU IS COMPLETED BUT SAY, MY LORD, ADVANCE ME IN LEARNING 

115  WE HAD BEFORE TAKEN THE COVENANT OF ADAM ALREADY 
BUT HE FORGOT AND WE FOUND ON HIS PART NO FIRM CERTAINTY

297
CHAPTER 20.  TA HA                                                                          SECTION 7.  PART  XVI

116  WHEN WE SAID TO THE ANGELS, BOW DOWN TO ADAM
AND THEY ALL BOWED DOWN, ALL EXCEPT SATAN
HE REFUSED TO BOW DOWN IN SUBMISSION

116  THEN WE SAID, OH ADAM, SURELY THIS IS AN ENEMY 
TO YOU AND YOUR WIFE SO LET HIM NOT WITH HIS TRICKERY
GET YOU BOTH OUT OF THIS GARDEN AND CAUSE YOU MISERY 

118  THERE ARE PROVISIONS IN IT AMPLY
FOR YOU NOT TO BE NAKED OR HUNGRY 

119  NOR TO SUFFER FROM THE SUN'S HEAT OR BE THIRSTY

120  BUT SATAN WHISPERED EVIL TO HIM AND SAID SEDUCTIVELY
OH ADAM, SHALL I LEAD YOU TO THE TREE OF ETERNITY 
AND TO A KINGDOM THAT DECAYS NOT ETERNALLY?

121  THEY ATE OF THE TREE AND THEIR EVIL INCLINATIONS
APPEARED TO THEM IN MANIFESTATION
THEY COVERED THEMSELVES WITH LEAVES FROM THE GARDEN 
SO ADAM DISOBEYED HIS LORD YIELDING TO SEDUCTION  

122  BUT HIS LORD CHOSE HIM 
FOR HIS GRACE AND HE TURNED TO HIM 
AND HE DID GIVE CLEAR GUIDANCE TO HIM 

123  HE SAID, GET OUT BOTH OF YOU ALL TOGETHER 
FROM THE GARDEN WITH ENMITY TO ONE ANOTHER 

BUT WHEN THERE COMES TO YOU GUIDANCE FROM ME
WHOSOEVER FOLLOWS MY GUIDANCE WILL SURELY
NOT LOSE HIS WAY NOR FALL INTO MISERY

124  BUT WHOEVER TURNS AWAY FROM MY MESSAGE HAUGHTILY
FOR HIM IS A LIFE NARROWED DOWN AND WE WILL SURELY
ON THE DAY OF JUDGMENT RAISE HIM UP BLINDLY

125  HE WILL SAY, OH MY LORD, WHY HAVE YOU RAISED ME 
UP BLIND WHILE BEFORE I COULD SEE

126  GOD WILL SAY, OUR SIGNS WERE DISREGARDED BY YOU 
SO THIS DAY WE WILL DISREGARD YOU

127  SO DO WE RECOMPENSE HE WHO TRANSGRESSES 
BEYOND BOUNDS AND BELIEVES NOT IN GOD'S MESSAGES

AND THE PENALTY OF THE HEREAFTER 
IS FAR MORE ENDURING AND SEVERE 

128  IS IT NOT TO SUCH MEN A WARNING TO THEM
TO CALL TO MIND HOW MANY GENERATIONS BEFORE THEM 
 
WE DESTROYED IN WHOSE DWELLINGS THEY ARE NOW LIVING? 
IN THIS IS A SIGN FOR MEN WITH UNDERSTANDING

298
CHAPTER 20.  TA HA                                                                          SECTION 8.  PART  XVI

129  HAD IT NOT BEEN FOR A WORD THAT WENT 
BEFORE FROM YOUR LORD? THEIR PUNISHMENT 

MUST NECESSARILY HAVE COME TO THEM
BUT THERE IS A TERM APPOINTED FOR THEM

130  THEREFORE BEAR WITH WHAT THEY SAY PATIENTLY
AND CELEBRATE THE PRAISES OF YOUR LORD CONSTANTLY 

BEFORE THE SUN'S RISING 
AND BEFORE ITS SETTING 

CELEBRATE THEM FOR PART OF THE HOURS OF THE NIGHT 
AND AT THE SIDES OF THE DAY IN SO THAT YOU MIGHT 
HAVE INCREASE IN WISDOM AND SPIRITUAL DELIGHT

131  NOR STRAIN YOUR EYES IN LONGING FOR THE THINGS 
WE HAVE GIVEN TO PARTIES OF THEM FOR FUN LOVING
OF WHICH WE GIVE TO THEM FOR TESTING  
BUT THE PROVISION OF YOUR LORD IS LONGER LASTING 

132  ENJOIN PRAYER ON YOUR PEOPLE, BE CONSTANT AND BE TRUE
WE DO NOT ASK YOU TO PROVIDE FOR US, WE PROVIDE FOR YOU 

BUT THE FRUIT OF THE HEREAFTER 
IS FOR THE RIGHTEOUS BELIEVERS

133  AND THEY SAY, WHY DOES HE NOT BRING US A SIGN FROM GOD
HAS THERE NOT COME TO THEM CLEAR INDICATIONS FROM GOD
OF ALL THAT WAS IN THE FORMER REVELATIONS FROM GOD?

134  AND IF WE HAD INFLICTED ON THEM A PENALTY 
BEFORE THIS THEY WOULD HAVE SAID, OUR LORD, IF ONLY 
YOU HAD SENT US AN APOSTLE WE WOULD HAVE CERTAINLY  
FOLLOWED YOUR SIGNS BEFORE WE WERE PUT INTO HUMILITY

135  SAY, EACH ONE OF US IS WAITING, SO WAIT
SOON YOU WILL KNOW WHO IS ON THE WAY THAT IS STRAIGHT   
AND WHO IT IS THAT HAS RECEIVED GUIDANCE TO THE RIGHT WAY

299
CHAPTER 21.  THE PROPHETS                                                      SECTION 1.  PART  XVII

PART XVII

IN THE NAME OF GOD
THE MOST GRACIOUS AND MERCIFUL GOD

1  CLOSER TO MANKIND COMES THEIR RECKONING
YET THEY HEED NOT AND TURN AWAY REJECTING

2  NEVER COMES ANYTHING OF A RENEWED MESSAGE TO THEM 
BUT IT IS LISTENED TO IN JEST BY THEM

3  THEIR HEARTS TOYING AS WITH TRIFLES 
THE WRONG DOERS CONCEAL THEIR PRIVATE COUNSELS 

SAYING, IS THIS ONE MORE THAN A MAN LIKE YOU?
YOU GO TO WITCHCRAFT WITH YOUR EYES OPEN IN FRONT OF YOU

4  SAY, MY LORD KNOWS EVERY WORD SPOKEN 
BOTH ON THE EARTH AND IN THE HEAVENS
HE KNOWS ALL THINGS IN CREATION

5  THEY SAY OF THE MESSAGE WHEN THEY HEAR IT
THESE ARE MEDLEYS OF DREAMS, HE FORGED IT, HE IS BUT A POET  
SO LET HIM BRING US A SIGN LIKE THOSE SENT TO FORMER  PROPHETS

6  THOSE WHOM WE DESTROYED PREVIOUSLY 
NOT ONE OF THE POPULATIONS BELIEVED 
SO WILL THESE THEN BELIEVE?

7  BEFORE YOU ALSO THE MESSENGERS WE SENT WERE MEN 
TO WHOM WE GRANTED KNOWLEDGE, WISDOM AND INSPIRATION 
IF YOU REALIZE THIS NOT ASK THOSE WHO HAVE THE REVELATIONS 

8  NOR DID WE GIVE THEM BODIES EXEMPT FROM EATING
NOR WERE THEY EXEMPT FROM DYING

9  IN THE END WE FULFILLED OUR PROMISE TO THEM 
AND THOSE WHOM WE PLEASED WE SAVED THEM
THE TRANSGRESSORS WE DESTROYED THEM

10  WE HAVE REVEALED THE BOOK TO YOU 
IN WHICH THERE IS A MESSAGE FOR YOU 
IS THIS NOT UNDERSTOOD BY YOU? 

300
CHAPTER 21.  THE PROPHETS                                                      SECTION 2.  PART  XVII

11  HOW MANY WERE THE POPULATIONS 
WE DESTROYED FOR THEIR TRANSGRESSIONS
AND SET UP OTHER PEOPLE IN THEIR HABITATIONS?

12  YET WHEN THEY FELT OUR PUNISHMENT COMING 
THEN THEY TRIED FLEEING AND HIDING

13  FLEE NOT BUT RETURN TO THE GOOD THINGS 
WHICH WERE GIVEN YOU AND TO YOUR DWELLINGS
IN ORDER THAT YOU MAY BE CALLED FOR QUESTIONING

14  THEN THEY SAID, WOE TO US 
SURELY WE WERE UNJUST

15  AND THAT CRY OF THEIRS DID NOT CEASE 
UNTIL WE MADE THEM AS ASHES QUENCHED SILENTLY  

16  BUT THE HEAVENS AND THE EARTH AND ALL BETWEEN THEM 
NOT FOR IDLE SPORT DID WE CREATE THEM

17  HAD WE WISHED TO TAKE JUST A PASTIME OF THINGS
WE WOULD SURELY HAVE TAKEN IT FROM THE THINGS 
NEAREST TO US IF WE WOULD DO SUCH A THING

18  WE HURL THE TRUTH AGAINST FALSEHOOD 
AND IT KNOCKS OUT THE BRAINS OF FALSEHOOD

AND FALSEHOOD DOES PERISH AND WOE BE TO YOU 
FOR THE FALSE THINGS ASCRIBED TO US BY YOU

19  ALL CREATURES EARTHLY AND HEAVENLY BELONG TO HIM
AND THOSE WHO ARE IN THE PRESENCE OF HIM
EVEN THEY ARE NOT TOO PROUD TO SERVE HIM 
NOR DO THEY EVER WEARY OF SERVING HIM

20  THEY CELEBRATE HIS PRAISES NIGHT AND DAY 
NOR DO THEY SLACKEN IN ANY WAY

21  OR HAVE THEY TAKEN FOR WORSHIP INSTEAD
GODS FROM THE EARTH WHO CAN RAISE THE DEAD?

22  IF THERE WERE IN HEAVEN AND EARTH BESIDES GOD OTHER DIETIES 
THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN CONFUSION IN BOTH OF THESE
TO GOD ALONE BE THE GLORY 
HE IS THE LORD OF THE THRONE OF AUTHORITY
AND HIGH ABOVE WHAT THEY ATTRIBUTE TO HIM IS HE

23  HE CANNOT BE QUESTIONED FOR HIS ACTS 
BUT THEY WILL BE QUESTIONED FOR THEIR ACTS

24  HAVE THEY TAKEN OTHER GODS BESIDES HIM IN DIETY?  
THEN SAY, BRING YOUR CONVINCING TESTIMONY
FOR THIS IS THE MESSAGE OF THOSE WITH ME
AND THE MESSAGE OF THOSE BEFORE ME
BUT MOST OF THEM HAVE NO KNOWLEDGE INDEED
SO THEY TURN AWAY AND DO NOT TAKE HEED

301
CHAPTER 21.  THE PROPHETS                                     SECTION 2 (CONT'D). PART  XVII

25  NOT A MESSENGER DID WE SEND BEFORE YOU PREVIOUSLY
WITHOUT THIS INSPIRATION THAT THERE IS NO GOD BUT ME 
THEREFORE WORSHIP AND SERVE ONLY ME

26  GOD HAS BEGOTTEN OFFSPRING, THEY DECREE
NO, BUT TO HIM AND HIM ALONE BE THE GLORY 
THEY ARE BUT SERVANTS RAISED HONORABLY

27  THEY DO NOT SPEAK PRIOR TO HIS SPEAKING 
AND THEY ACT IN ALL THINGS BY HIS ORDERING

28  HE KNOWS WHAT IS BEFORE THEM 
AND WHAT IS BEHIND THEM 

THEY INTERCEDE NOT EXCEPT FOR THOSE WHO ARE ACCEPTABLE 
AND IN FEAR OF HIM THEY TREMBLE

29  AND IF ANY OF THEM SHOULD SAY, I AM A GOD BESIDES HIM
THEN WE WOULD WITHOUT DOUBT REWARD HELL TO HIM 
HE WHO ACTS WRONG THIS IS HOW WE REWARD HIM

302
CHAPTER 21.  THE PROPHETS                                                      SECTION 3.  PART  XVII

30  DO NOT THE DISBELIEVERS 
SEE THAT THE HEAVENS AND THE EARTH WERE JOINED TOGETHER 
AS ONE UNIT OF CREATION BEFORE WE CLOVED THEM ASUNDER   
AND THAT EVERY LIVING THING WE MADE FROM WATER
WILL THEY NOT THEN BE BELIEVERS?

31  WE SET ON THE EARTH FIRM STANDING MOUNTAINS   
LEST IT WOULD SHAKE WITH THEM AND BE IN CONVULSION 
WE HAVE MADE IN IT BROAD HIGHWAYS BETWEEN MOUNTAINS 
FOR THEM TO PASS THROUGH THAT THEY MAY RECEIVE DIRECTION

32  WE HAVE MADE THE HEAVENS AS A GUARDED CANOPY 
YET THEY TURN AWAY FROM ITS SIGNS IGNORANTLY

33  THE NIGHT AND THE DAY HE CREATED IT
AND THE SUN AND THE MOON ALSO HE CREATED IT 
AND ALL THE CELESTIAL BODIES TO SWIM ALONG EACH IN ITS 
ROUNDED COURSE AND IN ITS OWN INDIVIDUAL ORBITS

34  WE GRANTED NOT TO ANY MAN BEFORE TO LIVE PERMANENTLY 
IF THEN YOU SHOULD DIE WOULD THEY LIVE PERMANENTLY?

35  EVERY SOUL WILL HAVE A TASTE OF DEATH AND WE IN TURN
TEST YOU BY EVIL AND TO US IS YOUR RETURN 

36  THE DISBELIEVERS RIDICULE YOU ABOUT GOD  
THEY SAY, IS THIS THE ONE WHO TALKS OF YOUR GODS? 
AND THEY BLASPHEME AT THE MENTION OF THE BENEFICENT GOD 

37  MAN IS A CREATURE OF HASTE, BUT THEN
SOON WILL I SHOW YOU MY SIGNS AND THEN 
YOU WILL NOT ASK FOR THEM TO BE HASTENED 

38  THEY SAY, WHEN WILL THIS PROMISE COME TRUE
IF WHAT YOU ARE SAYING IS TRUE

39  IF IT WAS ONLY  KNOWN TO THE DISBELIEVERS 
WHEN THEY WILL NOT BE ABLE TO WARD OFF THE FIRE 
FROM THEIR FACES AND BACKS AND THEY WILL HAVE NO HELPER

40  AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THEY WILL SEE IT 
NO POWER WILL THEY HAVE TO AVERT IT 
NOR WILL THEY BE RESPITED

41  MANY MESSENGERS BEFORE YOU WERE MOCKED
THEIR SCOFFERS WERE HEMMED IN BY THE THING THEY MOCKED

303
CHAPTER 21.  THE PROPHETS                                                      SECTION 4.  PART  XVII

42  SAY, WHO CAN GUARD YOU FROM THE WRATH OF GOD? 
YET THEY TURN AWAY FROM THE MENTION OF GOD

43  OR HAVE THEY GODS THAT CAN GUARD THEM FROM US? 
THEY HAVE NO POWER TO AID THEMSELVES AGAINST US
NOR CAN THEY BE DEFENDED FROM US

44  WE GAVE THE GOOD THINGS OF THIS LIFE TO THEM
AND THEIR FATHERS UNTIL THE PERIOD GREW LONG FOR THEM 
SEE THEY NOT THAT WE REDUCE THE CONTROL OF THE LAND FROM THEM 
FROM ITS OUTLYING BORDERS?  WHO THEN WILL WIN, US OR THEM?

45  SAY, I DO BUT WARN YOU ACCORDING TO REVELATION
BUT THE DEAF WILL NOT HEAR THE CALL EVEN AFTER ADMONITION

46  IF THEY WERE TOUCHED BY A BLAST OF GOD'S PENALTY  
THEY WOULD SAY, WOE TO US, ASTRAY WERE WE

47  WE WILL SET UP SCALES OF JUSTICE FOR JUDGMENT DAY 
SO THAT NOT A SOUL WILL BE DEALT WITH IN ANY UNJUST WAY 

IF THERE BE NO MORE THAN THE WEIGHT OF A MUSTARD SEED 
WE WILL COUNT IT AND WE COUNT ACCURATELY INDEED  

48  TO MOSES AND AARON WE GAVE THE CRITERION 
FOR JUDGMENT AND A LIGHT OF DISCRETION
AND A MESSAGE FOR THOSE WHO WOULD RECEIVE ADMONITION

49  THOSE WHO FEAR THEIR LORD IN SECRET AND IN WONDERMENT
DO THEY HOLD THE HOUR OF JUDGMENT 

50  THIS WHICH WE HAVE SENT DOWN IS A BLESSED REMINDER 
WILL YOU THEN BE OF THE DENIERS?

304
CHAPTER 21.  THE PROPHETS                                                      SECTION 5.  PART  XVII

51  ON ABRAHAM WE BESTOWED HIS VIRTUE OF CONDUCT UPON HIM  
AND WELL ACQUAINTED WERE WE WITH HIM 

52  HE SAID TO HIS FATHER AND TO HIS PEOPLE
WHAT ARE THESE IMAGES TO WHICH YOU ARE SO FAITHFUL?

53  THEY SAID, WE FOUND THEM BEING SERVED BY OUR FATHERS 

54  HE SAID, YOU AND YOUR FATHERS
HAVE BEEN IN MANIFEST ERROR

55  THEY SAID, HAVE YOU BROUGHT US THE TRUTH
OR ARE YOU ONE OF THOSE WHO ARE JESTING TOO?

56  HE SAID, THE LORD OF HEAVEN AND EARTH CREATED THIS 
FROM NOTHING AND TO THIS TRUTH I AM A WITNESS 

57  AND BY GOD I HAVE A PLAN FOR YOUR IDOLS TODAY
AFTER YOU TURN YOUR BACKS AND GO AWAY

58  SO HE BROKE THEM TO PIECES ALL BUT THE BIGGEST ONE
THAT THEY MIGHT TURN AND ADDRESS THEMSELVES TO THAT ONE

59  THEY SAID, WHO HAS DONE THIS TO OUR DEITIES
HE  MUST INDEED BE SOME MAN OF IMPIETY 

60  THEY SAID, WE HEARD A YOUTH TALK OF THEM 
HE IS CALLED BY THE NAME OF ABRAHAM

61  THEY SAID, THEN BRING HIM BEFORE THE PEOPLE'S EYES 
THAT THEY MAY SEE HIM AND TESTIFY

62  THEY SAID, ARE YOU OH ABRAHAM, THE ONE 
THAT TO OUR IDOLS THIS HAS BEEN DONE? 

63  HE SAID, THIS WAS DONE BY THIS THEIR BIGGEST ONE 
ASK THEM IF THAT THEY CAN SPEAK AS INTELLIGENT ONES

64  SO THEY TURNED TO THEMSELVES AND SAID, SURELY 
YOU ARE THE ONES ACTING WRONGFULLY

65  THEN WERE THEY CONFOUNDED AND SAID SHAMEFULLY
YOU KNOW FULL WELL THAT THESE IDOLS DO NOT SPEAK

66  HE SAID, THEN ARE THINGS WORSHIPPED BY YOU
BESIDES GOD THAT DO NO GOOD NOR HARM TO YOU?

67  SHAME ON YOU AND ON WHAT YOU 
SERVE BESIDES GOD, IS THERE NO SENSE IN YOU?

68  THEY SAID, BURN HIM AND YOUR GOD'S PROTECT THEM ALL
THAT IS IF YOU WOULD DO ANYTHING AT ALL

69  WE SAID, OH FIRE BE COOL AND BE
A MEANS OF ABRAHAM'S SAFETY

305
CHAPTER 21.  THE PROPHETS                           SECTION 5 (CONT'D).           PART  XVII

70  THEN THEY SOUGHT AGAINST HIM A STRATAGEM 
BUT WE MADE TO BE THE ONES TO LOOSE TO BE THEM

71  BUT WE DELIVERED HIM AND LOT AND GAVE THEM DIRECTIONS   
TO THE LAND WHICH WE HAVE BLESSED FOR THE NATIONS

72  AND WE BESTOWED ON HIM ISAAC AND JACOB A GRANDSON
AND WE MADE RIGHTEOUS MEN OF THEM EACH ONE 

73  WE MADE THEM LEADERS GUIDING MEN BY OUR LEAD
AND WE SENT THEM INSPIRATION TO DO GOOD DEEDS 
AND TO ESTABLISH REGULAR PRAYERS AND CHARITY 
AND THEY CONSTANTLY SERVED US AND US ONLY

74  AND TO LOT ALSO WE GAVE JUDGMENT AND INSTRUCTION
WE SAVED HIM FROM THE TOWN WHICH PRACTICED ABOMINATIONS 
FOR THEY WERE PEOPLE ADDICTED TO EVIL AND REBELLION  

75  AND WE ADMITTED HIM TO OUR MERCY
FOR HE WAS ONE WHO ACTED RIGHTEOUSLY

306
CHAPTER 21.  THE PROPHETS                                                       SECTION 6.  PART  XVII

76  REMEMBER NOAH WHEN HE CRIED TO US PREVIOUSLY
WE LISTENED AND DELIVERED HIM AND HIS FAMILY 
FROM A GREAT DISTRESS SAFELY

77  WE HELPED HIM AGAINST PEOPLE WHO REJECTED OUR MESSAGES 
SO WE DROWNED THEM IN THE FLOOD FOR THEIR TRESPASSES

78  OUR SERVANTS DAVID AND SOLOMON GAVE JUDGMENT CONCERNING
THE FIELD INTO WHICH THE SHEEP OF PEOPLE HAD BEEN STRAYING
AND WE DID SURELY WITNESS THEIR JUDGING

79  TO SOLOMON WE INSPIRED UNDERSTANDING OF THE MATTER 
WE GAVE THEM JUDGMENT AND KNOWLEDGE AND IT WAS OUR POWER 

THAT MADE THE MOUNTAINS CELEBRATE OUR PRAISES 
AND WE MADE THE BIRDS SUBSERVIENT TO DAVID

80  WE TAUGHT HIM THE MAKING OF COATS OF ARMOR 
TO GUARD THEM FROM THE VIOLENCE OF OTHERS 
WILL YOU NOT SHOW GRATITUDE TO YOUR MAKER?

81  IT WAS OUR POWER THAT MADE THE VIOLENT WIND 
TO FLOW TAMELY FOR SOLOMON TO HIS ORDER IN THE LAND 
WHICH WE HAD BLESSED, FOR SURELY ALL THINGS WE COMMAND

82  OF THE DEVILS WERE SOME WHO DIVED FOR HIM 
AND THEY DID DO OTHER WORK BESIDES FOR HIM
AND IT WAS WE WHO GUARDED THEM FOR HIM

83  AND REMEMBER JOB WHEN HE 
CRIED TO HIS LORD, DISTRESS HAS SEIZED ME 
BUT YOU ARE THE MOST MERCIFUL OF THOSE THAT SHOW MERCY

84  SO WE LISTENED TO HIM 
WE REMOVED THE DISTRESS THAT WAS ON HIM 
AND WE RESTORED ALL OF HIS PEOPLE BACK TO HIM 

AND DOUBLED THEIR NUMBER AS A GRACE FROM US
AND A THING FOR COMMEMORATION FOR ALL WHO SERVE US

85  AND REMEMBER IDRIS AND ZUL-KIFL AND ISHMAEL 
WERE ALL MEN WHO WERE PATIENT AND FAITHFUL

86  WE ADMITTED THEM TO OUR MERCY 
FOR THEY WERE OF THOSE WHO LIVED RIGHTEOUSLY

87  REMEMBER JONAH WHEN HE DEPARTED IN ANGER 
AND HE IMAGINED THAT WE HAD OVER HIM NO POWER 
BUT THROUGH THE DEPTHS OF DARKNESS HE UTTERED
THERE IS NO GOD BUT YOU, TO YOU IS DUE ALL HONOR

88  SO WE LISTENED TO HIM AND DELIVERED HIM FROM DISTRESS
AND SO DO WE DELIVER THOSE WHO ARE RIGHTEOUS

307
CHAPTER 21.  THE PROPHETS                                    SECTION 6 (CONT'D). PART  XVII

89  AND REMEMBER ZAKARIZA, WHEN HE CRIED TO HIS LORD
PLEASE DO NOT LEAVE ME WITHOUT OFFSPRING MY LORD
THOUGH YOU ARE THE BEST OF INHERITORS

90  SO WE LISTENED TO HIM
AND WE GRANTED JOHN TO HIM 
WE CURED HIS WIFE'S BARRENNESS FOR HIM 

AND THEY EMULATED GOOD WORKS AND THESE THREE
CALLED ON US HOPING AND FEARING AND HUMBLY 

91  REMEMBER SHE WHOSE CHASTIY SHE GUARDED 
AND WE BREATHED INTO HER OF OUR SPIRIT 

WE MADE HER AND HER SON 
A SIGN FOR THE NATIONS

92  SURELY THIS YOUR BROTHERHOOD 
IS A SINGLE BROTHERHOOD 

AND I AM YOUR LORD AND CHERISHER 
THEREFORE SERVE ME AND NO OTHER

93  BUT LATER GENERATIONS CUT OFF THEIR AFFAIR OF UNITY 
YET WILL THEY ALL RETURN TO US SURELY

308
CHAPTER 21.  THE PROPHETS                                                      SECTION 7.  PART  XVII

94  WHOEVER DOES GOOD AND IS A BELIEVER 
WE WILL NOT EVER REJECT HIS ENDEAVOR
AND WE WILL RECORD IT IN HIS FAVOR

95  BUT THERE IS A BAN ON ANY POPULATION 
THAT THEY WILL NOT RETURN AFTER THEIR DESTRUCTION

96  UNTIL GOG AND MAGOG ARE LET THROUGH THEIR BARRIER
AND THEY SWIFTLY SWARM FROM EVERYWHERE

97  AND THEN WILL THE TRUE PROMISE COME INTO REALITY 
AND THEN THE DISBELIEVERS WILL STARE FRIGHTFULLY
THEY WILL SAY, WOE TO US WE WERE WRONG INDEED 
AND UNFORTUNATELY WE DID NOT TAKE HEED

98  SURELY YOU DISBELIEVERS AND THE FALSE GODS 
THAT YOU WORSHIP AND SERVE BESIDES GOD 

ARE BUT FUEL FOR HELL 
IN IT YOU WILL SURELY DWELL

99  IF THESE HAD BEEN GODS THEY WOULD NOT HAVE GOTTEN THERE 
BUT EACH ONE OF THEM WILL ABIDE THERE

100  CRYING IS ALL THEY WILL DO THERE
NOR WILL THEY HEAR ANYTHING ELSE THERE

101  THOSE FOR WHOM THE GOOD RECORD HAS GONE ALREADY 
WILL BE REMOVED FAR FROM IT SAFELY

102  NOT THE SLIGHTEST SOUND WILL THEY HEAR OF HELL 
WHAT THEIR SOULS DESIRE IN THAT WILL THEY DWELL

103  NO GRIEF WILL THE GREAT TERROR BRING THEM
THE ANGELS WILL WITH MUTUAL GREETINGS MEET THEM 
AND WILL SAY, THIS IS THE DAY THAT WAS PROMISED TO THEM

104  THE DAY THAT THE HEAVENS ARE ROLLED UP 
LIKE A SCROLL WHEN COMPLETED BOOKS ARE ROLLED UP

AND EVEN AS WE PRODUCED THE FIRST CREATION
SO WILL WE PRODUCE A NEW CREATION
FOR THIS IS A PROMISE WHICH WE HAVE UNDERTAKEN
AND WE WILL FULFILL IT TO COMPLETION

105  WE WROTE IN THE PSALMS BEFORE THIS 
AND AFTER THAT THE MESSAGE GIVEN TO MOSES 
THAT THE LAND WILL BE INHERITED BY THE RIGHTEOUS 

106  SURELY THIS QURAN IS A MESSAGE FROM GOD
FOR PEOPLE WHO WOULD TRULY WORSHIP GOD

107  WE SENT YOU ONLY FOR THIS
AS A MERCY FOR ALL CREATURES THAT EXIST

108  SAY, WHAT HAS COME TO ME BY INSPIRATION 
IS THAT YOUR GOD IS ONE GOD, SO BOW TO HIM IN SUBMISSION 

309
CHAPTER 21.  THE PROPHETS                                     SECTION 7 (CONT'D). PART  XVII

109  BUT IF THEY TURN BACK THEN YOU
SAY TO THEM, I HAVE PROCLAIMED THE MESSAGE TO YOU 
BUT I KNOW NOT WHETHER THAT OF WHICH YOU 
ARE PROMISED IS NEAR OR FAR FROM YOU

110  IT IS HE WHO KNOWS WHAT IS OPENLY SPOKEN 
AND WHAT YOU IN YOUR HEARTS KEEP SECRETLY HIDDEN

111  I KNOW NOT BUT THAT IT MAY BE A TRIAL FOR YOU 
AND A GRANT OF WORLDLY LIVELIHOOD TO YOU 

112  SAY, OH MY LORD, JUDGE IN TRUTH, FOR SURELY
IT IS GOD WHOSE ASSISTANCE SHOULD BE 
SOUGHT AGAINST YOUR BLASPHEMIES 

310
CHAPTER 22.  THE PILGRIMAGE                                                  SECTION 1.  PART  XVII

IN THE NAME OF GOD
THE MOST GRACIOUS AND MERCIFUL GOD

1  OH MANKIND, FEAR YOUR LORD, FOR THE SHOCKING 
OF THE HOUR OF JUDGMENT WILL BE A TERRIBLE THING 

2  THE DAY YOU WILL SEE IT EVERY MOTHER NURSING 
WILL FORGET HER CHILD THAT SHE IS NURSING 

AND ALL PREGNANT WOMEN 
WILL DROP THEIR LOADS MISHAPPENED
AND YOU WILL SEE MEN 
AS IN A DRUNKEN RIOT YET NOT DRUNKEN
AND DREADFUL WILL BE GOD'S WRATH FOR MEN

3  YET THERE ARE MEN WHO DISPUTE ABOUT GOD 
WITHOUT ANY CERTAIN KNOWLEDGE OF GOD
AND FOLLOW EVERY REBEL AGAINST GOD

4  ABOUT THE DEVIL, WHOEVER TURNS TO HIM 
FAR ASTRAY HE WILL SURELY LEAD HIM 
AND TO THE FIRE HE WILL GUIDE HIM 

5  MANKIND, IF YOU HAVE A DOUBT ABOUT THE RESURRECTION
CONSIDER THAT OUT OF DUST WAS YOUR OWN CREATION
THEN OUT OF SPERM THEN OUT OF A CLOT FORMATION
THEN OUT OF FLESH OF PARTLY FORMED FORMATION
AND A PARTLY UNFORMED FORMATION
TO SHOW YOU OUR POWER IN MANIFESTATION 
AND WE CAUSE YOU TO REST IN THE WOMBS IN FIXATION

THEN WE BRING YOU OUT AS BABIES 
THEN FOSTER YOU THAT YOU MAY REACH MATURITY 
SOME OF YOU ARE CALLED TO DIE EARLY
AND SOME OF YOU REACH OLD AGE FEEBLY
SO YOU KNOW NOTHING AFTER HAVING KNOWN GREATLY 

FURTHER YOU SEE THE EARTH BARREN AND WITHOUT LIFE
WHEN WE POUR DOWN RAIN ON IT, IT IS STIRRED TO LIFE
IT SWELLS AND GROWS EVERY KIND OF BEAUTIFUL LIFE

6  AND THIS IS SO BECAUSE GOD IS THE REALITY 
AND HE GIVES LIFE TO THE DEAD AND IT IS HE 
WHO HAS POWER OVER ALL THINGS INDEED

7  THE HOUR WILL COME, THERE CAN BE NO UNCERTAINTY 
GOD WILL RAISE UP ALL WHO ARE IN THE GRAVES SURELY

8  YET THERE IS AMONG MEN THOSE WHO WITH NO INFORMATION
DISPUTE ABOUT GOD AND WITHOUT DISCRETION
AND WITHOUT A BOOK OF EDIFICATION

9  TURNING AWAY TO LEAD MEN FROM GOD'S WAY
FOR HIM IN THIS LIFE THERE IS NOTHING BUT DISGRACE 
AND ON THE DAY OF JUDGMENT THE FIRE WILL BE HIS PLACE 

10  IT WILL BE SAID, THIS IS BECAUSE OF THE DEEDS 
OF WHICH YOUR HANDS HAVE SENT FORTH PREVIOUSLY 
FOR YOUR LORD DOES NOT TREAT HIS SERVANTS UNJUSTLY 

311
CHAPTER 22.  THE PILGRIMAGE                                                   SECTION 2.  PART  XVII

11  THERE ARE AMONG MEN SOME OF THEM
WHO SERVE GOD ON THE VERGE AND IF GOOD BEFALLS THEM 
THEY ARE WELL CONTENT BUT IF THEN A TRIAL COMES TO THEM 

THEY TURN THEIR FACES AWAY SO THEY ARE LOSERS
BOTH IN THIS WORLD AND IN THE HEREAFTER 
AND THAT IS A LOSS FOR ALL TO CONSIDER

12  THEY CALL ON BESIDES GOD THAT WHICH DOES NOT PROFIT THEM 
AND NEITHER CAN THAT WHICH THEY CALL UPON HURT THEM
AND THAT IS STRAYING FAR FROM THE WAY FOR THEM

13  PERHAPS THEY CALL ON ONE WHOSE HURT IS NEARER 
THAN HIS PROFIT, EVIL INDEED IS THE PROTECTOR
AND EVIL IS THE COMPANION FOR A HELPER

14  SURELY GOD WILL ADMIT THOSE WHO ARE BELIEVERS
AND DO RIGHT TO GARDENS WHEREIN FLOW RIVERS 
FOR GOD CARRIES OUT ALL THAT HE ENDEAVORS

15  IF ANY THINK THAT GOD WILL NOT HELP HIM 
IN THIS WORLD AND THE HEREAFTER, THEN LET HIM 
STRETCH OUT A ROPE TO THE CEILING AND LET HIM
CUT HIMSELF OFF, THEN LET HIM 
SEE IF HIS PLAN REMOVES THAT WHICH ENRAGES HIM

16  SO HAVE WE SENT DOWN CLEAR MESSAGES
AND GOD DOES GUIDE WHOM HE PLEASES

17   THOSE WHO BELIEVE IN THE QURAN 
THOSE WHO FOLLOW THE JEWISH SCRIPTURES AND THE CHRISTIANS 
AND THE POLYTHEISTS AND THE MAGICIANS AND THE SABIANS
GOD WILL JUDGE THEM ON THE DAY OF RESURRECTION 
FOR GOD IS THE WITNESS OVER ALL CREATION

18  SEE YOU NOT THAT TO GOD BOW DOWN IN SUBMISSION
ALL THINGS THAT ARE ON EARTH AND IN HEAVEN? 
THE ANIMALS, THE TREES AND THE MOUNTAINS
THE  MOON, THE STARS AND THE SUN 

AND AMONG MEN A GREAT NUMBER 
BUT FIT FOR PUNISHMENT ARE A GREATER NUMBER
AND WHO GOD DISGRACES NONE CAN RAISE TO HONOR 
FOR OVER ALL THINGS GOD HAS POWER

19  THESE TWO ANTAGONISTS DISPUTE ABOUT GOD WITH EACH OTHER 
FOR THOSE WHO ARE DENIERS WILL BE CUT OUT A GARMENT OF FIRE 
AND OVER THEIR HEADS WILL BE POURED BOILING WATER

20  WITH IT WILL BE SCALDED WHAT IS WITHIN 
THEIR BODIES AS WELL AS THEIR SKINS 

21  IN ADDITION THERE WILL BE FOR THEM
MACES OF IRON TO PUNISH THEM
  
22  EVERY TIME THEY WISH TO GET AWAY FROM AGONY 
THEY WILL BE FORCED BACK INTO IT VIOLENTLY
IT WILL BE SAID TO THEM, TASTE THE BURNING PENALTY 

312
CHAPTER 22.  THE PILGRIMAGE                                                   SECTION 3.  PART  XVII

23  GOD WILL MAKE THOSE WHO ARE BELIEVERS
AND THOSE WHO DO GOOD DEEDS TO ENTER
GARDENS BENEATH WHICH FLOW RIVERS 

AND THEY WILL HAVE AS THEIR ADORNMENTS 
BRACELETS OF GOLD AND PEARLS AND SILK GARMENTS 

24  FOR THEY HAVE BEEN GUIDED TO WORDS OF PURITY
AND TO THE PATH OF HIM WHO IS PRAISEWORTHY

25  AS TO THOSE WHO HAVE REJECTED GOD ARROGANTLY
AND WOULD KEEP BACK MEN FROM GOD'S DECREE
AND FROM THE SACRED MOSQUE WHICH WE 
HAVE MADE OPEN TO ALL MEN EQUALLY 
TO THE DWELLER THERE AND THE VISITOR FROM ANOTHER COUNTRY 
AND FOR ANY WHOSE PURPOSE THEREIN IS PROFANITY
OR WRONG DOING IS A MOST GRIEVOUS PENALTY

313
CHAPTER 22.  THE PILGRIMAGE                                                  SECTION 4.  PART  XVII

26  WE GAVE THE SITE TO ABRAHAM OF THE SACRED HOUSE
SAYING, SERVE ONLY ME AND SANCTIFY MY HOUSE 

FOR ALL OF THOSE WHO COMPASS AROUND IT  
OR STAND UP OR BOW OR PROSTRATE IN IT 

27  AND PROCLAIM THE PILGRIMAGE AMONG MEN AND THEY WILL 
COME TO YOU ON FOOT AND MOUNTED ON EVERY KIND OF CAMEL 

LEAN ON ACCOUNT OF JOURNEYS 
THROUGH DEEP AND DISTANT MOUNTAIN HIGHWAYS

28  THEY WILL WITNESS THE BENEFITS THAT FOR THEM ARE PROVIDED   
AND CELEBRATE GOD'S NAME THROUGH THE DAYS APPOINTED 
OVER THE CATTLE WHICH FOR THEM HE HAS PROVIDED 
THEN EAT AND FEED THOSE WHO ARE DISTRESSED  

29  THEN LET THEM COMPLETE THE RITES PRESCRIBED FOR THEM
AND LET THEIR VOWS THEY MAKE BE FULFILLED BY THEM
AND LET THE ANCIENT HOUSE BE CIRCLED BY THEM

30  WHOEVER HONORS THE SACRED RITES OF GOD 
FOR HIM IT IS GOOD IN THE SIGHT OF GOD

LAWFUL TO YOU FOR FOOD IN PILGRIMAGE ARE CATTLE 
EXCEPT THE EXCEPTIONS BUT SHUN THE ABOMINATION OF IDOLS 
AND SHUN THE WORD THAT IS FALSE AS WELL

31  BEING TRUE IN FAITH AND NEVER ASSIGNING TO GOD PARTNERS 
FOR ANY ONE WHO ASSIGNS TO GOD PARTNERS 
IT IS AS IF HE FELL FROM HEAVEN AND BEEN SNATCHED UP BY BIRDS

OR THE WIND HAD SWOOPED LIKE A BIRD ON ITS PREY 
AND THROWN HIM INTO A PLACE FAR AWAY

32  IN THE SACRIFICE OF ANIMALS, THOSE WHO TRULY
HOLD THE SYMBOLS OF GOD SACREDLY
SUCH HONOR SHOULD COME FROM A HEART OF PIETY 

33  FOR A TERM APPOINTED YOU HAVE BENEFITS IN THEM
THEN THE ANCIENT HOUSE IS THE PLACE OF SACRIFICE FOR THEM

314
CHAPTER 22.  THE PILGRIMAGE                                                  SECTION 5.  PART  XVII

34  AND TO EVERY NATION WE APPOINTED ACTS OF DEVOTION
THAT THEY MIGHT MENTION GOD'S NAME IN CELEBRATION 
OVER THE FOOD HE HAS GIVEN THEM FOR CONSUMPTION
BUT YOUR GOD IS ONE GOD AND ONLY ONE
THEN BOW YOUR WILL TO GOD IN SUBMISSION
AND GIVE GOOD NEWS TO THE SUBMITTING ONES

35  TO THOSE WHOSE HEARTS ARE FILLED WITH FEAR
WHEN GOD IS MENTIONED AND PATIENTLY PERSEVERE
WHEN THEY ARE AFFLICTED AND KEEP UP REGULAR PRAYER 

36  SPEND IN CHARITY OUT OF WHAT WE HAVE GIVEN YOU 
THE SACRIFICIAL ANIMALS WE HAVE MADE FOR YOU 
IN THEM IS SURELY MUCH GOOD FOR YOU

SAY GOD'S NAME OVER THEM AS THEY LINE UP FOR SACRIFICE 
AFTER SLAUGHTER WHEN THEY ARE DOWN ON THEIR SIDES  
THEN EAT OF THEM AND FEED THE BEGGAR BESIDES

AND THOSE WHO BEG NOT BUT LIVE CONTENTEDLY 
AND THOSE WHO BEG WITH HUMILITY 
WE HAVE MADE ANIMALS FOR YOUR NEEDS SUBJECTIVELY
THAT YOU MAY BE GRATEFUL AND ACT RIGHTEOUSLY

37  IT IS NOT THEIR MEAT NOR THEIR BLOOD THAT REACHES GOD
IT IS YOUR PIETY THAT REACHES GOD 
HE HAS SUBJECTED THEM TO YOU THAT YOU MAY GLORIFY GOD 

FOR HIS GUIDANCE TO YOU 
AND PROCLAIM THE GOOD NEWS 
TO ALL WHO DO GOOD AND ARE TRUE

38  GOD WILL DEFEND FROM ILL THE BELIEVERS 
BUT GOD SURELY DOES NOT LOVE A TRAITOR 
NOR HE WHO ACTS UNGRATEFULLY EITHER 

315
CHAPTER 22.  THE PILGRIMAGE                                                   SECTION 6.  PART  XVII

39  FIGHTING IS ALLOWED FOR THOSE WHO AGAINST WAR IS MADE  
BECAUSE THEY ARE WRONGED AND GOD IS POWERFUL FOR THEIR AID

40  THEY ARE THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN EXPELLED FROM THEIR HOMES 
IN DEFIANCE OF RIGHT FOR NO CAUSE OF THEIR OWN
EXCEPT THAT THEY SAY, WE WORSHIP GOD ALONE

AND IF SOME PEOPLE WERE NOT CHECKED BY OTHER PEOPLE BY GOD
THERE SURELY WOULD HAVE BEEN PULLED DOWN SYNAGOGUES 
AND MONASTERIES AND CHURCHES AND MOSQUES 

IN WHICH THE NAME OF GOD IS COMMEMORATED ABUNDANTLY
BUT GOD WILL AID THOSE WHO AID HIS CAUSE SINCERELY 
FOR GOD IS FULL OF STRENGTH AND IS ALL MIGHTY 

41  THERE ARE THOSE IF ESTABLISHED IN THE LAND WILL SURELY 
ESTABLISH REGULAR PRAYER AND GIVE REGULAR CHARITY 
AND ENJOIN RIGHT AND FORBID ACTING WRONGFULLY
AND WITH GOD RESTS ALL DECISIONS ULTIMATELY

42  IF THEY TREAT YOUR MISSION AS FALSE, SO DID THE PEOPLE 
BEFORE WITH NOAH AND AD AND THE THAMUD PEOPLE

43  AND THOSE OF ABRAHAM AND LOT'S PEOPLE

44  AND THE COMPANIONS OF THE MIDIAN PEOPLE 
AND MOSES WAS REJECTED BY HIS PEOPLE

THE REJECTERS I GRANTED RESPITE TO THEM
SO THEN AFTER THAT I DID INDEED PUNISH THEM 
THEN HOW TERRIBLE WAS MY REJECTION OF THEM

45  HOW MANY POPULATIONS HAVE WE DESTROYED UTTERLY
OF WHICH THEY WERE GIVEN TO ACTING WRONGFULLY
THEIR ROOFS TUMBLED AND THEIR WELLS LAID IDLY
AND HOW MANY CASTLES WELL BUILT AND LOFTY?

46  DO THEY NOT TRAVEL THROUGH THE YEARS
SO THEIR EARS MAY LEARN TO HEAR

THAT THEY MAY LEARN WISDOM IN THEIR HEARTS AND MINDS   
IT IS NOT THEIR EYES THAT ARE IN THEIR HEADS THAT ARE BLIND 
BUT THEIR HEARTS WHICH ARE IN THEIR BREASTS THAT ARE BLIND

47  YET THEY ASK YOU TO HASTEN ON THE PUNISHMENT
BUT GOD WILL NOT FAIL IN HIS JUDGEMENT

FOR A DAY IN THE SIGHT OF GOD'S MEASURE 
IS LIKE A THOUSAND YEARS AS YOU WOULD MEASURE

48  AND TO HOW MANY POPULATIONS 
DID I GIVE RESPITE WHICH WERE GIVEN TO TRANSGRESSIONS
IN THE END I PUNISHED THEM AND TO ME IS THE FINAL DESTINATION 

316
CHAPTER 22.  THE PILGRIMAGE                                                  SECTION 7.  PART  XVII

49  SAY, OH MEN, I AM SENT TO YOU 
TO GIVE CLEAR ADMONITION TO YOU

50  THOSE WHO BELIEVE AND WORK RIGHTEOUSNESS
FOR THEM IS FORGIVENESS AND A SUSTENANCE MOST GENEROUS

51  BUT THOSE WHO STRIVE AGAINST OUR SIGNS TO FRUSTRATE THEM
THE FIRE WILL SURELY BE THE HOME FOR THEM

52  NEVER DID WE SEND BEFORE YOU A MESSENGER OR A PROPHET 
BUT WHEN HE FRAMED A DESIRE SATAN THREW VANITY INTO IT 

BUT ANYTHING THAT SATAN THROWS IN WILL BE CANCELLED BY GOD 
AND GOD'S SIGNS WILL BE CONFIRMED AND ESTABLISHED BY GOD
FOR FULL OF KNOWLEDGE AND WISDOM IS GOD

53  THAT HE MAY MAKE THE SUGGESTIONS THROWN IN BY SATAN 
BUT A TRIAL FOR THOSE IN WHOSE HEARTS IS CORRUPTION
AND FOR THOSE WHO ARE HARD HEARTED ONES
FOR THE WRONG DOERS ARE IN SEVERE OPPOSITION

54  AND ALSO THAT THOSE ON WHOM KNOWLEDGE HAS BEEN GRANTED
MAY KNOW THE QURAN IS THE TRUTH SO THEY MAY BELIEVE IN IT
AND THEIR HEARTS MAY BE MADE HUMBLY OPEN TO IT
FOR TO ALL OF THOSE WHO DO BELIEVE IN IT
GOD GUIDES TO THE STRAIGHT WAY THROUGH IT

55  THOSE WHO ARE IN REJECTION
WILL NOT CEASE TO BE IN DOUBT CONCERNING REVELATION  

UNTIL THE HOUR OF JUDGMENT COMES SUDDENLY UPON THEM 
AND THE PENALTY OF A DAY OF DISASTER COMES TO THEM

56  ON THAT DAY THE DOMINION WILL BE THAT OF THE CREATOR
HE WILL JUDGE BETWEEN THEM AND THE BELIEVERS 
WILL BE IN GARDENS WHEREIN FLOW RIVERS

57  THOSE WHO REJECT FAITH AND DENY OUR ANNOUNCEMENTS 
THERE WILL BE FOR THEM A HUMILIATING PUNISHMENT

317
CHAPTER 22.  THE PILGRIMAGE                                                  SECTION 8.  PART  XVII

58  THOSE WHO LEAVE THEIR HOMES IN THE CAUSE OF GOD 
AND ARE THEN KILLED OR DIE IN THE CAUSE OF GOD

ON THEM WILL GOD BESTOW A GOOD PROVISION 
FOR GOD BESTOWS THE BEST PROVISION

59  HE WILL ADMIT THEM TO A PLACE INDEED
WITHIN WHICH THEY SHALL BE WELL PLEASED 
FOR GOD IS ALL KNOWING AND MERCIFUL IS HE

60  THAT IS SO AND IF ONE RETALIATES WITH AN INJURY
TO NO GREATER EXTENT THAN THE ONE HE RECEIVED
AND IS AGAIN SET UPON INORDINATELY 
GOD WILL HELP HIM FOR GOD BLOTS OUT INIQUITIES
AND THE FORGIVER OF SINS IS HE 

61  THAT IS BECAUSE GOD MERGES NIGHT 
INTO DAY AND HE MERGES DAY INTO NIGHT 

AND GOD IS ALL HEARING
AND ALL SEEING OF ALL THINGS

62  THAT IS BECAUSE GOD IS THE REALITY 
AND THEY WHOM THEY WORSHIP BESIDES HIM IN DEITY
ARE BUT VAIN FALSEHOOD, FOR HE IS MOST HIGH AND ALMIGHTY

63  SEE YOU NOT HOW RAIN IS SENT DOWN FROM THE SKY 
AND THE EARTH BECOMES CLOTHED WITH GREEN THEREBY? 

AND GOD UNDERSTANDS THE FINEST MYSTERIES 
AND WELL ACQUAINTED WITH THEM IS HE

64  TO HIM BELONGS EVERYTHING EARTHLY AND HEAVENLY 
AND GOD IS FREE OF ALL WANTS AND IS PRAISEWORTHY

318
CHAPTER 22.  THE PILGRIMAGE                                                  SECTION 9.  PART  XVII

65  SEE YOU NOT THAT GOD HAS MADE FOR YOUR FACILITY
ALL THAT IS ON THE EARTH AND THE SHIPS THAT SAIL THE SEA 
 
HE WITHHOLDS THE SKY RAIN FROM FALLING BY HIS COMMAND 
FOR GOD IS MOST KIND AND MOST MERCIFUL TO MAN

66  IT IS HE WHO GAVE YOU LIFE 
AND WILL CAUSE YOU TO DIE AND WILL AGAIN GIVE YOU LIFE 

AND MAN IS FOR SURE
AN UNGRATEFUL CREATURE 

67  WE APPOINTED ACTS OF DEVOTION FOR EVERY NATION
IN WHICH FOR THEM TO GLORIFY GOD IN CELEBRATION
LET THEM NOT WITH YOU FALL INTO DISPUTATION 
BUT INVITE THEM TO THE LORD OF CREATION
FOR YOU ARE IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION

68  AND IF THEY DO WRANGLE WITH YOU 
SAY, GOD KNOWS BEST WHAT YOU DO

69  GOD WILL JUDGE BETWEEN YOU CONCERNING THE MATTERS
ON THE DAY OF JUDGMENT IN WHICH YOU DIFFER

70  ALL IN HEAVEN AND EARTH IS KNOWN TO GOD
IT IS ALL IN A RECORD AND THAT IS EASY FOR GOD

71  YET THEY SERVE GODS FOR WHICH THEY HAVE NO AUTHORITY 
AND OF WHICH THEY HAVE NO REAL KNOWLEDGE IN REALITY 
THERE IS NO HELPER FOR THOSE WHO ACT WRONGFULLY

72  WHEN ARE RECITED TO THEM OUR MESSAGES   
THE DISBELIEVERS WILL HAVE DENIAL ON THEIR FACES
THEY NEARLY ATTACK THOSE WHO RECITE OUR MESSAGES
SAY, SHALL I TELL YOU WHAT IS WORSE THAN THESE MESSAGES? 
IT IS THE FIRE OF HELL THAT TO THE DISBELIEVERS GOD PROMISES 

319
CHAPTER 22.  THE PILGRIMAGE                                                SECTION 10.  PART  XVII

73  HERE IS A PARABLE, SO LISTEN ALL
THOSE ON WHOM BESIDES GOD YOU CALL 
CANNOT CREATE A FLY EVEN IF THEY ALL 
MET TOGETHER FOR THE PURPOSE OF IT ALL

AND IF THE FLY SNATCHED AWAY ANYTHING FROM THEM
THEY WOULD HAVE NO POWER TO RELEASE IT FROM HIM

AND FEEBLE ARE THOSE WHO PETITION 
AND FEEBLE ARE THOSE WHOM THEY PETITION

74  NO JUST ESTIMATE HAVE THEY MADE OF GOD 
FOR STRONG AND ABLE TO CARRY OUT HIS WILL IS GOD

75  FROM ANGELS AND MEN GOD CHOOSES MESSENGERS
FOR GOD IS THE HEARER AND THE SEER

76  HE KNOWS WHAT IS BEFORE THEM 
AND WHAT IS BEHIND THEM

AND TO GOD DO ALL QUESTIONS
GO BACK FOR DECISION

77  BOW DOWN, PROSTRATE YOURSELVES, YOU WHO ARE BELIEVERS 
AND ADORE YOUR LORD AND DO GOOD THAT YOU MAY PROSPER

78  AND STRIVE IN HIS CAUSE AND BE SINCERE
AND WITH DISCIPLINE FOR HE HAS MADE YOU HEIRS 
AND IN RELIGION HAS IMPOSED ON YOU NO FEARS
IT IS THE CULTURE OF ABRAHAM YOUR FATHER 
IT IS HE WHO HAS NAMED YOU SUBMITTERS 
BOTH BEFORE AND IN THIS SCRIPTURE
THAT THE MESSENGER MAY FOR YOU BE A WITNESS BEARER
AND YOU FOR MANKIND TO BE A WITNESSES BEARER
SO GIVE REGULAR CHARITY AND ESTABLISH REGULAR PRAYER
AND HOLD FAST TO GOD FOR HE IS YOUR PROTECTOR 
THE BEST PROTECTOR AND THE BEST HELPER

320
CHAPTER 23.  THE BELIEVERS                                                    SECTION 1.  PART  XVIII      

PART XVIII

IN THE NAME OF GOD
THE MOST GRACIOUS AND MERCIFUL GOD

1  THOSE WHO BELIEVE MUST WIN THROUGH EVENTUALLY

2  THOSE WHO HUMBLE THEMSELVES IN THEIR PRAYERS REGULARLY

3  WHO AVOID TALKING VAINLY

4  WHO ARE ACTIVE IN DEEDS OF CHARITY

5  WHO ABSTAIN FROM SEXUAL ACTIVITY

6  EXCEPT FOR WITH THOSE WHOM THEY MARRY

OR THE CAPTIVES WHOM THEIR RIGHT HANDS POSSESS 
FOR IN THEIR CASE THEY ARE  BLAMELESS

7  BUT THOSE WHOSE DESIRES 
EXCEED THOSE LIMITS ARE TRANSGRESSORS

8  THOSE FAITHFUL SERVANTS
WHO OBSERVE THEIR COVENANTS

9  AND WHO STRICTLY GUARD THEIR PRAYERS

10  THESE WILL BE THE HEIRS

11  WHO WILL INHERIT THE GARDEN
FOREVER THEY WILL DWELL THEREIN 

12  MAN WE DID CREATE 
FROM A QUINTESSENCE OF CLAY 

13  THEN HIM WE PLACED 
AS A DROP OF SPERM IN A RESTFUL PLACE
FIRMLY FIXED IN PLACE

14  THEN WE MADE THE SPERM INTO A BLOOD CLOT 
 THEN WE MADE A FETUS LUMP OUT OF THE CLOT 

THEN OUT OF THE LUMP WE MADE BONES 
AND WITH FLESH WE CLOTHED THE BONES 

THEN WE DEVELOPED OUT OF IT ANOTHER CREATURE 
SO BLESSED BE GOD, THE BEST CREATOR

15  AFTER THAT AT LENGTH YOU WILL DIE

16  THEN YOU WILL BE RAISED UP TO LIFE

17  AND WE HAVE MADE ABOVE YOU SEVEN HEAVENS
AND NEVER ARE WE UNMINDFUL OF OUR CREATION 

321
CHAPTER 23.  THE BELIEVERS                                 SECTION 1 (CONT'D).  PART  XVIII  

18  FROM THE SKY WE SEND DOWN WATER 
ACCORDING TO DUE MEASURE 
WE CAUSE IT TO SOAK IN THE SOIL OF THE EARTH
AND WE ARE ABLE TO DRAIN IT OFF WITH EASE IN MANNER

19  WITH IT WE GROW DATE PALMS AND VINES IN GARDENS 
AND IN THEM YOU HAVE  FRUITS ABUNDANT 
AND OF THEM YOU EAT AND HAVE ENJOYMENT

20  ALSO A TREE SPRINGING OUT OF MOUNT SINAI WHICH PRODUCES 
FOR THOSE WHO USE IT FOR FOOD, OIL AND RELISHES 

21  AND IN CATTLE THERE IS AN INSTRUCTIVE EXAMPLE FOR YOU
FOR FROM WITHIN THEIR BODIES WE PRODUCE MILK FOR YOU 
THERE ARE IN THEM NUMEROUS OTHER BENEFITS FOR YOU 
AND OF THEIR MEAT IS FOOD FOR YOU

22  AND ON THEM 
AS ON SHIPS YOU RIDE THEM

322
CHAPTER 23.  THE BELIEVERS                                                    SECTION 2.  PART  XVIII    

23  FURTHER WE SENT A LONG LINE OF MESSENGERS
TO GIVE YOU INSTRUCTIONS AND GUIDANCE CLEAR

NOAH SAID TO HIS PEOPLE CLEARLY
SERVE GOD, BESIDES HIM THERE IS NO OTHER DIETY
WILL YOU NOT THEN TO YOUR LORD KEEP YOUR DUTY?

24  SAID THE CHIEFS OF THOSE WHO WERE DISBELIEVERS  
HE IS NO MORE THAN A MAN LIKE YOU WITH DESIRES
TO EXULT OVER YOU AND TO BE SUPERIOR 
IF GOD WISHED HE COULD HAVE SENT ANGELS AS MESSENGERS 
AND NEVER DID WE HEAR SUCH A THING FROM OUR ANCESTORS 

25  SOME SAID, HE IS A MAN POSSESSED WITH MADNESS IN HIM
SO WAIT AND HAVE PATIENCE WITH HIM 

26  NOAH SAID, OH MY LORD, HELP ME 
FOR THAT THEY ACCUSE ME OF FALSITY

27  WE INSPIRED HIM WITH THIS INSPIRATION
CONSTRUCT THE ARK UNDER OUR INSTRUCTION
THEN WHEN COMES OUR COMMAND AND THE FOUNTAINS 

GUSH FORTH FROM THE EARTH TAKE ON BOARD PAIRS OF ALL SPECIES 
MALE AND FEMALE AND YOUR FAMILY
EXCEPT THOSE AGAINST WHOM THE WORD HAS GONE FORTH ALREADY 

AND ADDRESS ME NOT IN FAVOR OF THE WRONG DOERS 
FOR THEY WILL BE DROWNED IN THE FLOOD ALL TOGETHER

28  AND WHEN YOU HAVE EMBARKED ON THE ARK SAFELY
YOU AND THOSE WHO ARE WITH YOU SAY, TO GOD PRAISES BE
WHO HAS SAVED US FROM THE PEOPLE WHO ACT UNRIGHTEOUSLY

29  SAY, MY LORD, WITH YOUR BLESSING ENABLE ME TO DISEMBARK 
FOR YOU ARE THE BEST TO ENABLE US TO DISEMBARK

30  SURELY IN THIS THERE ARE SIGNS FOR MEN 
AND SURELY WE ARE EVER TRYING MEN

31  THEN WE RAISED ANOTHER GENERATION AFTER THEM

32  AND WE SENT TO THEM A MESSENGER FROM AMONG THEM 
SAYING, WORSHIP GOD YOU HAVE NO OTHER GOD BUT HIM 
WILL YOU NOT THEN KEEP YOUR DUTY TO HIM?

323
CHAPTER 23.  THE BELIEVERS                                                    SECTION 3.  PART  XVIII    

33  AND THE CHIEFS WHO WERE DISBELIEVERS 
AND DENIED THE MEETING IN THE HEREAFTER 
AND ON WHOM WE HAD BESTOWED FAVORS
TO ENJOY IN THIS WORLD'S LIFE UTTERED

THIS IS ONLY A MAN LIKE YOU
AND HE EATS LIKE YOU AND DRINKS LIKE YOU 

34  AND IF YOU OBEY A MAN LIKE YOU 
YOU WILL BE OF THOSE WHO LOSE

35  DOES HE PROMISE THAT WHEN YOU DIE
AND BECOME DUST AND BONES THAT AGAIN YOU WILL RISE?

36  THAT WHICH YOU ARE PROMISED ARE LIES

37  THERE IS NOTHING BUT OUR LIFE IN THIS WORLD OF THE PRESENT 
WE LIVE AND DIE AND WE WILL NOT BE RAISED UP AGAIN 

38  HE IS ONLY A MAN WHO LIES ABOUT THE CREATOR  
AND WE ARE NOT THE ONES TO IN HIM BE BELIEVERS

39  THE MESSENGER SAID, OH MY LORD, HELP ME 
FOR THAT THEY ACCUSE ME OF FALSITY

40  IN A LITTLE WHILE THEY ARE SURE TO BE SORRY

41  THEN THE BLAST OVERTOOK THEM IN A JUST WAY
AND WE MADE THEM AS RUBBISH FLOATING AWAY
ON THE STREAM OF TIME, SO SWEPT AWAY
WERE THE PEOPLE WHO WENT ASTRAY

42  THEN WE RAISED AFTER THEM 
OTHER GENERATIONS IN PLACE OF THEM

43  WHEN THEIR TERM BECOMES DUE NO PEOPLE CAN HASTEN IT 
NOR CAN THEY FOR ONE HOUR DELAY IT

44  THEN WE SENT OUR MESSENGERS ONE AFTER ANOTHER
WHENEVER THERE CAME TO PEOPLE A MESSENGER
THEY REJECTED HIM AND CALLED HIM A LIAR
SO WE MADE THEM FOLLOW ONE ANOTHER
AND WE MADE THEM AS STORIES TOLD TO ONE ANOTHER
SO AWAY WITH THE DISBELIEVERS

45  WE SENT MOSES AND HIS BROTHER AARON CLEARLY
WITH OUR MESSAGES AND MANIFEST AUTHORITY 

46  TO PHARAOH AND HIS CHIEFS BUT THEY BEHAVED INSOLENTLY 
AND THEY WERE PEOPLE WHO ACTED ARROGANTLY

47  THEY SAID, SHALL WE BELIEVE IN TWO MEN LIKE US
AND THEIR PEOPLE ARE SUBJECT TO US?

48  SO THEY ACCUSED THEM OF FALSITY 
AND BECAME OF THOSE WHO WERE DESTROYED UTTERLY

49  WE GAVE MOSES THE BOOK IN ORDER THAT THEY MIGHT 
BELIEVE IN IT AND BE GUIDED ARIGHT

50  AND WE MADE THE SON OF MARY AND HIS MOTHER 
AS A SIGN AND WE GAVE TO THEM BOTH SHELTER 
ON HIGH GROUND FURNISHED WITH WATERS

324
CHAPTER 23.  THE BELIEVERS                                                    SECTION 4.  PART  XVIII    

51  OH YOU MESSENGERS
ENJOY ALL THINGS GOOD AND PURE 
AND CONDUCT YOURSELVES IN A RIGHTEOUS MANNER
FOR I AM WELL ACQUAINTED WITH ALL YOUR ENDEAVORS

52  THIS BROTHERHOOD OF YOURS 
IS A SINGLE BROTHERHOOD FOR SURE
AND I AM YOUR LORD AND SUSTAINER 
THEREFORE FEAR ME AND FEAR NO OTHER

53  BUT PEOPLE HAVE CUT OFF THEIR UNITY BETWEEN THEMSELVES  
AND DIVIDED THEMSELVES INTO SECTIONS AMONG THEMSELVES
EACH SECTION REJOICING IN THAT WHICH IS WITH THEMSELVES

54  BUT LEAVE THEM FOR A TIME
IN THEIR CONFUSED STATE OF MIND

55  DO THEY THINK THAT BECAUSE WE HAVE GIVEN
TO THEM AN ABUNDANCE OF WEALTH AND CHILDREN

56  THAT WE WOULD HASTEN THEM ON IN EVERY GOOD? 
NO, THIS TO THEM IS NOT UNDERSTOOD 

57  THOSE WHO LIVE IN AWE FOR FEAR OF THEIR LORD 

58  AND WHO BELIEVE IN THE MESSAGES OF THEIR LORD

59  THOSE WHO JOIN NOT IN WORSHIP PARTNERS WITH THEIR LORD

60  THOSE WHO DISPENSE THEIR CHARITY 
WITH THEIR HEARTS HAPPILY AND CHEERFULLY 
BECAUSE THEY WILL RETURN TO GOD WITH CERTAINTY

61  IT IS THESE WHO HASTEN IN EVERY GOOD WORK
AND THESE WHO ARE FOREMOST IN THEIR GOOD WORK

62  ON NO SOUL DO WE PLACE A BURDEN GREATER THAN IT CAN BEAR 
BEFORE US IS A RECORD WHICH SHOWS THE TRUTH CLEAR
AND NEVER WILL THEY BE WRONGED EVER

63  BUT THEIR HEARTS ARE IN IGNORANCE AND CONFUSED  
AND THERE ARE  DEEDS WHICH THEY CONTINUE 

64  UNTIL WHEN WE SEIZE IN PUNISHMENT 
THOSE WHO RECEIVED THE GOOD THINGS FOR ENJOYMENT
AND THEN THEY WILL SOON GROAN IN SUPPLICATION AND TORMENT

65  IT WILL BE SAID, GROAN NOT IN SUPPLICATION THIS DAY TO US
FOR YOU WILL CERTAINLY NOT BE HELPED BY US

66  MY MESSAGES TO YOU USE TO BE REVEALED
BUT YOU TURNED BACK IN ARROGANCE ON YOUR HEELS

67  TALKING NONSENSE ABOUT IT LIKE 
ONE TELLING FABLES BY NIGHT

325
CHAPTER 23.  THE BELIEVERS                                   SECTION 4 (CONT'D). PART  XVIII    

68  OVER THE WORD OF GOD DO THEY NOT PONDER
OR HAS ANYTHING COME TO THEM OTHER
THAN WHAT CAME TO THEIR FATHERS?  

69  OR THEIR MESSENGER DO THEY NOT RECOGNIZE HIM
AND SO FOR THIS REASON THEY DENY HIM?

70  DO THEY SAY HE IS POSSESSED?  NO, HE BRINGS THE TRUTH
BUT MOST OF THEM ARE HATERS OF TRUTH

71  IF THE TRUTH HAD BEEN IN ACCORD WITH THEIR DESIRES
THE HEAVENS AND THE EARTH AND ALL OF ITS CREATURES 

WOULD HAVE BEEN IN CONFUSION AND CORRUPTION
BUT WE HAVE SENT TO THEM THEIR ADMONITION 
AND THEY TURN AWAY FROM IT IN REJECTION

72  OR IS IT THAT YOU ASK THEM FOR SOME RECOMPENSE? 
BUT BEST FOR YOU IS YOUR LORD'S RECOMPENSE 
AND HE IS THE BEST TO GIVE SUSTENANCE 

73  AND YOU CALL THEM TO THE RIGHT WAY 

74  AND THOSE WHO BELIEVE NOT IN THE LAST DAY
THEY ARE DEVIATORS FROM THE RIGHT WAY

75  IF WE HAD MERCY ON THEM AND REMOVED THEIR DEPRESSION  
THEY WOULD  PERSIST IN THEIR TRANSGRESSION 
WANDERING TO AND FRO IN DISTRACTION

76  WE INFLICTED PUNISHMENT ON THEM
BUT EVEN THAT DID NOT HUMBLE THEM 
NOR IS THEIR LORD HONORED BY THEM

77  WHEN WE OPEN ON THEM A GATE TO A SEVERE PENALTY 
THEN THEY WILL BE PLUNGED INTO DISPARITY

326
CHAPTER 23.  THE BELIEVERS                                                    SECTION 5.  PART  XVIII    

78  HE HAS CREATED FOR YOU THE FACULTIES OF HEARING 
AND OF SIGHT AND FEELING AND UNDERSTANDING 
LITTLE ARE THE THANKS THAT YOU ARE GIVING

79  HE HAS MULTIPLIED YOU THROUGH THE EARTH 
AND TO HIM ALL OF YOU WILL BE GATHERED

80  HE GIVES LIFE AND DEATH AND CAUSES THE ALTERNATION 
OF NIGHT AND DAY, WILL YOU NOT GAIN COMPREHENSION?

81  ON THE CONTRARY THEY SAY THINGS SIMILAR 
TO WHAT THE ANCIENTS SAID PRIOR

82  THEY SAY, WHEN WE DIE 
AND BECOME DUST AND BONES ALL DRIED 
COULD WE THEN REALLY BE RAISED UP AGAIN TO LIFE?

83  SUCH THINGS HAVE BEEN PROMISED TO US 
AND WERE PROMISED TO OUR FATHERS BEFORE US 
THEY ARE NOTHING BUT TALES OF THE ANCIENTS TO US

84  SAY, TO WHOM BELONGS THE EARTH AND ALL BEINGS IN IT? 
SAY IF YOU TRUTHFULLY KNOW IT

85   THEY WILL SAY, THEY BELONG TO GOD 
SAY, WILL YOU NOT RECEIVE ADMONITION FROM GOD?

86  SAY, WHO IS THE LORD OF THE SEVEN HEAVENS EXCLUSIVELY
AND THE LORD OF THE THRONE OF SUPREME GLORY? 
 
87  THEY WILL SAY, THEY BELONG TO THE CREATOR
SAY, WILL YOU NOT THEN BE FILLED WITH FEAR?

88  SAY, TO WHOM BELONGS THE GOVERNING OF ALL THINGS
AND WHO IS NOT PROTECTED BUT PROTECTS ALL THINGS? 
SAY, IF YOU KNOW OF ANYONE OR ANYTHING

89  IT BELONGS TO GOD, THEY WILL SAY 
HOW THEN ARE YOU DELUDED AWAY?

90  WE HAVE SENT THEM THE TRUTH BUT THEY 
INDEED PRACTICE FALSEHOOD ANYWAY

91 NO SON DID GOD BEGET NOR IS THERE ANOTHER
GOD BESIDES HIM IF THERE WERE ANY OTHERS   
EACH WOULD HAVE REMOVED THAT OF WHICH HE WAS THE CREATOR
AND SOME OF THEM WOULD HAVE RULED OVER OTHERS 
BUT PRAISE BE TO GOD THE LORD AND SUSTAINER
HE IS FREE FROM THE THINGS THEY ATTRIBUTE TO HIM AS PARTNERS

92  HE KNOWS WHAT IS HIDDEN 
AND HE KNOWS WHAT IS OPEN 

TOO HIGH IS HE AND NOT FIT FOR HIM
ARE THE PARTNERS THEY ATTRIBUTE TO HIM 

327
CHAPTER 23.  THE BELIEVERS                                                        SECTION 6.  PART  XVIII    

93  SAY, OH MY LORD, IF YOU WILL SHOW ME IN MY LIFETIME FROM YOU
THAT WHICH THEY ARE WARNED AGAINST FROM YOU

94  THEN OH MY LORD, PUT ME NOT 
AMONG THE PEOPLE WHO BELIEVE NOT

95  WE ARE ABLE TO SHOW YOU IN FULFILLMENT 
THAT WHICH THEY ARE WARNED AGAINST

96  REPEL EVIL WITH THAT WHICH IS BETTER 
WE ARE WELL ACQUAINTED WITH THE THINGS THEY UTTER

97  AND SAY, OH LORD OF ALL CREATION
I SEEK REFUGE WITH YOU FROM THE SUGGESTIONS 
OF THE REJECTED EVIL ONES

98  AND I SEEK REFUGE WITH YOU SINCERELY
UNLESS THEY SHOULD COME NEAR ME

99  IN FALSEHOOD WILL THEY BE UNTIL WHEN
DEATH COMES TO ONE OF THEM AND THEN
HE WILL SAY, MY LORD SEND ME BACK TO LIFE AGAIN

100  IN ORDER THAT I MAY WORK RIGHTEOUSNESS 
IN THE THINGS THAT BEFORE I WAS HEEDLESS

BY NO MEANS IT IS BUT A WORD HE WILL SAY
BEFORE THEM IS A PARTITION UNTIL THE DAY THEY ARE RAISED 

101  THEN WHEN THE TRUMPET IS BLOWN THERE WILL BE NO FURTHER 
RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN THEM NOR WILL ONE OR THE OTHER
ASK AFTER ONE OR THE OTHER

102  THEN THOSE WHOSE BALANCE OF GOOD DEEDS ARE HEAVY ONES
THEY WILL ATTAIN THE SUPREME SALVATION

103  BUT THOSE WHOSE BALANCE IS LIGHT IN GOOD DEEDS
WILL BE THOSE WHO HAVE LOST THEIR SOULS INDEED
AND IN HELL THEY WILL DWELL ETERNALLY

104  EACH ONE THE FIRE WILL BURN HIS FACE 
AND THEY WILL GRIN WITH THEIR LIPS DISPLACED

105  WERE NOT MY MESSAGES RECITED TO YOU 
AND YOU TREATED THEM AS FALSEHOODS DID NOT YOU?

106  THEY WILL SAY, WE WERE OVERWHELMED WITH ADVERSITY
AND WE WENT ASTRAY MANIFESTLY 

107  OUR LORD BRING US OUT OF THIS AND IF WE EVER 
RETURN TO EVIL WE WILL INDEED BE WRONG DOERS 

108  HE WILL SAY, BE YOU DRIVEN INTO IT WITH IGNOMINY 
AND DO NOT SPEAK A WORD TO ME

109  SOME OF MY SERVANTS PRAYED, OUR LORD WE BELIEVE
SO THEREFORE FORGIVE US AND UPON US HAVE MERCY 
FOR YOU ARE THE BEST OF THOSE WHO SHOW MERCY

328
CHAPTER 23.  THE BELIEVERS                                   SECTION 6 (CONT'D). PART  XVIII    

110  BUT YOU TREATED THEM
WITH RIDICULE SO MUCH THAT YOUR RIDICULE OF THEM 
MADE YOU FORGET MY MESSAGE WHILE LAUGHING AT THEM

111  I HAVE REWARDED THEM FOR THEIR CONSTANCY 
AND THEY ARE THE ONES THAT SUCCEED

112  HE WILL SAY, WHAT NUMBER OF YEARS ON EARTH DID YOU STAY?

113  THEY WILL SAY, WE STAYED A DAY OR PART OF A DAY 
BUT ASK THOSE WHO KEEP ACCOUNT OF THE DAYS

114  HE WILL SAY, ONLY A LITTLE WHILE DID YOU STAY
 BUT IT WAS NOT KNOWN TO YOU UNTIL TODAY

115  DID YOU THEN THINK THAT WE HAD CREATED YOU IN JEST                      
AND THAT YOU WOULD NOT BE BROUGHT BACK TO US TO ATTEST?

116  EXALTED BE GOD, THE KING, THE REALITY 
AND THERE IS NO OTHER GOD BUT HE
HE IS THE LORD OF THE THRONE OF GLORY

117  IF ANYONE INVOKES BESIDES GOD ANY OTHER DIETY 
HE HAS FOR IT NO AUTHORITY 
AND HIS RECKONING WILL BE WITH GOD ONLY
AND THE DISBELIEVERS WILL SURELY FAIL UTTERLY 

118  AND SAY, OH MY LORD, GRANT ME FORGIVENESS AND MERCY 
FOR YOU ARE THE BEST OF THOSE WHO SHOW MERCY

329
CHAPTER 24.  THE LIGHT                                                              SECTION 1.  PART  XVIII    

IN THE NAME OF GOD
THE MOST GRACIOUS AND MERCIFUL GOD

1  THIS IS A CHAPTER WHICH WE HAVE SENT DOWN BY INSPIRATION                                                                                                     
 WHICH WE HAVE MADE OBLIGATORY OF OUR REVELATIONS
AND IN IT WE HAVE SENT DOWN TO YOU CLEAR LESSONS
IN ORDER THAT YOU MAY RECEIVE ADMONITION

2  THE WOMAN OR MAN WHO IS GUILTY OF ADULTERY OR FORNICATION 
FLOG THEM WITH A HUNDRED STRIPES AND LET NOT COMPASSION 
DETAIN YOU FROM OBEDIENCE TO GOD'S INSTRUCTIONS
IF YOU BELIEVE IN GOD AND THE RESURRECTION
AND LET THE BELIEVERS WITNESS THEIR PENALIZATION
  
3  THE ADULTERER CAN ONLY MARRY AN ADULTERESS 
OR AN IDOLATRESS, AND THE ADULTERESS 

NONE CAN MARRY HER
BUT AN ADULTERER OR AN IDOLATER 
AND IT IS FORBIDDEN TO THE BELIEVERS

4  AND FOR THOSE OF YOU LAUNCH A CHARGE AGAINST CHASTE WOMEN 
AND PRODUCE NOT FOUR WITNESSES TO SUPPORT THEIR ALLEGATIONS 
FLOG THEM WITH EIGHTY STRIPES AND THE EVIDENCE OF SUCH ONES 
REJECT IT EVEN AFTER, FOR THEY ARE IN TRANSGRESSION

5  UNLESS THEY REPENT AND MEND THEIR ACTIVITY
FOR GOD IS FULL OF FORGIVENESS AND MERCY

6  FOR THOSE WHO LAUNCH A CHARGE AGAINST THEIR SPOUSES 
AND WHO HAVE ONLY THEIR EVIDENCE TO SUPPORT THEIR CHARGES  

IT CAN BE RECEIVED IF THEY BEAR WITNESS FOUR TIMES CONSECUTIVELY 
WITH AN OATH BY GOD THAT THEY ARE ACTING TRUTHFULLY

7  AND THE FIFTH OATH SHOULD BE THAT THEY SOLEMNLY 
INVOKE GOD'S CURSE ON THEMSELVES IF THEY ACT FALSELY

8  IT WILL AVERT THE PENALTY FROM HER IF SHE TESTIFIES 
FOUR TIMES THAT HER HUSBAND IS TELLING A LIE

9  AND THE FIFTH OATH SHOULD BE THAT SHE SOLEMNLY SWEARS
TO INVOKE THE WRATH OF GOD ON HERSELF IF HER ACCUSER 
IS INDEED TELLING THE TRUTH ABOUT HER

10  IF IT WERE NOT FOR GOD'S GRACE AND MERCY ON YOU
AND THAT GOD IS FULL OF WISDOM, HE WOULD DESTROY YOU 

330
CHAPTER 24.  THE LIGHT                                                              SECTION 2.  PART  XVIII 

11  THOSE WHO CONCOCTED THE LIE ARE A BODY AMONG YOU 
THINK NOT THAT IT SHOULD BE AN EVIL TO YOU 
ON THE CONTRARY IT IS GOOD FOR YOU 

TO EVERY MAN AMONG THEM WILL COME TO HIM THE PENALTY 
OF THE SIN THAT HE EARNED AND HE WHO TOOK ON THE LEAD 
FOR HIM WILL BE A GRIEVOUS PENALTY INDEED

12  WHY DID NOT THE BELIEVERS
MEN AND WOMEN WHEN YOU HEARD OF THE AFFAIR 
THINK GOOD OF THEIR OWN PEOPLE AND DECLARE
THAT THIS CHARGE IS AN OBVIOUS LIE FOR SURE? 

13  TO PROVE IT WHY DID THEY NOT BRING FOUR WITNESSES? 
AND WHEN THEY HAVE NOT BROUGHT THE WITNESSES 
SUCH MEN STAND BEFORE GOD AS FALSE WITNESSES

14  AND WERE IT NOT FOR YOUR LORD'S GRACE AND MERCY ON YOU 
IN THIS WORLD AND THE HEREAFTER A PENALTY WOULD SEIZE YOU
ON ACCOUNT OF THE TALK THAT WAS INDULGED IN BY YOU

15  FOR YOU RECEIVED IT ON YOUR TONGUES AND YOU UTTERED 
THINGS OF WHICH YOU HAD NO KNOWLEDGE WHATSOEVER
AND YOU THOUGHT OF IT TO BE JUST A LIGHT MATTER 
WHILE IN GOD'S SIGHT IT WAS A SERIOUS MATTER

16  AND WHY DID YOU NOT WHEN YOU HEARD THIS
SAY,  IT IS NOT RIGHT FOR US TO SPEAK OF THIS 
GLORY TO GOD A GREAT CALUMNY IS THIS

17  GOD DOES ADMONISH YOU THAT YOU MAY NEVER
REPEAT SUCH CONDUCT IF YOU ARE BELIEVERS

18  AND GOD GIVES THE MESSAGES TO YOU PLAINLY 
FOR FULL OF KNOWLEDGE AND WISDOM IS HE

19  THOSE WHO LOVE TO SEE SCANDAL PUBLISHED PUBLICLY
AMONG THE BELIEVERS WILL HAVE A GRIEVOUS PENALTY 

IN THIS LIFE AND IN THE HEREAFTER TOO
FOR GOD KNOWS WHAT IS NOT KNOWN TO YOU 

20  AND WERE IT NOT FOR GOD'S GRACE AND MERCY 
AND THAT GOD IS FULL OF KINDNESS AND MERCY 
YOU WOULD BE RUINED MOST ASSUREDLY

331
CHAPTER 24.  THE LIGHT                                                               SECTION 3.  PART  XVIII 

21  FOLLOW NOT THE FOOTSTEPS OF SATAN  
IF ANY WILL FOLLOW THE FOOTSTEPS OF SATAN
HE WILL COMMAND YOU TO ACT WITH CORRUPTION
AND WERE IT NOT FOR GOD'S GRACE AND COMPASSION 
NOT ONE OF YOU WOULD HAVE RECEIVE SANCTIFICATION 
BUT TO WHOM HE PLEASES GOD GIVES SANCTIFICATION
GOD IS THE ALL HEARING AND ALL KNOWING ONE

22  LET NOT THOSE AMONG YOU WHO ARE ENDUED 
WITH GRACE AND MEANS OF AMPLITUDE 
RESOLVE AGAINST HELPING THOSE OF YOU WHO 
ARE THE KINSMEN OR ARE INDIGENT AND THOSE WHO 
HAVE LEFT THEIR HOMES IN THE CAUSE OF TRUTH 
THEREFORE FORGIVE THEM, FOR DO NOT YOU 
WISH THAT GOD SHOULD FORGIVE YOU?  
FOR MOST FORGIVING IS GOD TO YOU

23  THOSE WHO SLANDER CHASTE WOMEN UNAWARE
ARE CURSED IN THIS LIFE AND IN THE HEREAFTER 

24  ON THE DAY WHEN THEIR HANDS, FEET AND TONGUES 
WILL BEAR WITNESS AGAINST THEM AS TO THEIR ACTIONS 

25  ON THAT DAY GOD WILL PAY THEM THEIR DUES JUSTLY
AND THEY WILL REALIZE THAT GOD IS THE REALITY
THAT MAKES ALL THINGS MANIFEST CLEARLY

26  WOMEN IMPURE ARE FOR MEN IMPURE 
AND MEN IMPURE ARE FOR WOMEN IMPURE 

AND WOMEN OF PURITY ARE FOR MEN OF PURITY 
AND MEN OF PURITY ARE FOR WOMEN OF PURITY 

THESE ARE NOT AFFECTED BY WHAT PEOPLE SAY OF THEM 
THERE IS FORGIVENESS AND HONOR FOR THEM

332
CHAPTER 24.  THE LIGHT                                                              SECTION 4.  PART  XVIII 

27  AND THOSE WHO ARE BELIEVERS AMONG YOU
ENTER NOT HOUSES THAT BELONG NOT TO YOU 
UNTIL PERMISSION IS GIVEN TO YOU
AND UNTIL THOSE IN THEM HAVE BEEN SALUTED BY YOU   
SO IN ORDER THAT WHAT IS SEEMLY MAY BE HEEDED BY YOU 

28  IF YOU FIND NO ONE IN THE HOUSE ENTER NOT UNTIL YOU 
HAVE BEEN GIVEN PERMISSION AND IF YOU
ARE TOLD TO GO BACK TO GO BACK IS BETTER FOR YOU
AND GOD KNOWS WELL ALL THAT YOU DO

29  IT IS NO FAULT ON YOUR PART IF HOUSES YOU ENTER
ARE NOT USED FOR LIVING WHICH SERVE USES OTHER   
AND GOD KNOWS WHAT YOU COVER AND UNCOVER

30  SAY TO THE BELIEVING MEN THAT THEY SHOULD HUMBLY 
LOWER THEIR GAZE AND SHOULD GUARD THEIR MODESTY 
FOR THEM THAT WILL MAKE FOR GREATER PURITY 
AND GOD IS AWARE OF ALL THEY DO SURELY

31  SAY TO THE BELIEVING WOMEN THAT THEY SHOULD HUMBLY 
LOWER THEIR GAZE AND GUARD THEIR MODESTY 
AND THAT THEY SHOULD NOT DISPLAY THEIR BEAUTY 
AND ORNAMENTS EXCEPT WHAT MUST APPEAR ORDINARILY 
AND THAT THEY SHOULD DRAW THEIR VEILS DISCREETLY
OVER THEIR BOSOMS AND NOT DISPLAY THEIR BEAUTY 

EXCEPT TO THEIR HUSBANDS OR THEIR FATHERS 
OR TO THEIR SONS OR THEIR HUSBAND'S FATHERS 
OR TO THEIR HUSBAND'S SONS OR THEIR BROTHERS
OR THEIR BROTHER'S SONS OR THEIR SONS OR THEIR SISTERS

OR THEIR WOMEN OR THEIR SLAVES  
OR MALE SERVANTS FREE OF PHYSICAL CRAVES

OR SMALL CHILDREN WHO HAVE NOT 
THE SENSE OF SEX AND THAT THEY SHOULD NOT 

STRIKE THEIR FEET IN ORDER TO DRAW ATTENTION 
TO THEIR ORNAMENTS THAT ARE HIDDEN

AND OH YOU BELIEVERS 
TURN TOWARDS GOD ALL TOGETHER 
THAT YOU MAY ATTAIN BLISS AND PROSPER

32  MARRY THOSE WHO ARE SINGLE AMONG YOU  
OF THE VIRTUOUS SLAVES MALE OR FEMALE AMONG YOU

IF THEY ARE IN POVERTY 
GOD WILL GIVE THEM MEANS OUT OF HIS BOUNTY
FOR GOD ENCOMPASSES ALL ASSUREDLY

333
CHAPTER 24.  THE LIGHT                                             SECTION 4 (CONT'D). PART  XVIII 

33  LET THOSE WHO HAVE NOT MEANS FOR MARRIAGE KEEP CHASTE 
UNTIL GOD BLESSES THEM OUT OF HIS GRACE

AND IF ANY OF YOUR SLAVES ASK FOR A DEED 
TO ENABLE THEM TO EARN THE RIGHT TO BE FREED
THEN FOR A CERTAIN SUM GIVE TO THEM SUCH A DEED 

IF YOU KNOW ANY GOOD IN THEM AND GIVE THEM TOO
SOMETHING OUT OF THE MEANS WHICH GOD HAS GIVEN YOU 

BUT FORCE NOT YOUR MAIDS INTO PROSTITUTION 
WHEN THEY DESIRE CHASTITY FOR YOUR OWN AGGREGATION

BUT IF ANYONE YET AFTER COMPELS THEM 
GOD IS FORGIVING AND MERCIFUL TO THEM

34  WE HAVE ALREADY SENT DOWN TO YOU 
VERSES THAT ARE CLEARLY ILLUSTRATING TO YOU 
FROM THE STORIES OF PEOPLE WHO PASSED AWAY BEFORE YOU 
AND AN ADMONITION FOR THOSE WHO FEAR THEIR LORD AMONG YOU

334
CHAPTER 24.  THE LIGHT                                                              SECTION 5.  PART  XVIII 

35 OF HEAVEN AND EARTH, GOD IS THE LIGHT 
AND THE PARABLE OF HIS LIGHT 

IS AS IF THERE WERE A NICHE AND A LAMP WITHIN IT 
THE LAMP ENCLOSED IN GLASS, THE GLASS AS IF IT 
WERE A BRILLIANT STAR THAT IS LIT 

FROM A BLESSED OLIVE TREE
NEITHER OF THE WEST NOR THE EAST 

WHOSE OIL GIVES LIGHT
THOUGH SCARCELY TOUCHED BY FIRE, LIGHT UPON LIGHT 
GOD DOES GUIDE WHOM HE WILLS TO HIS LIGHT 

GOD DOES SET FORTH FOR MEN AN ALLEGORY
AND ALL KNOWING OF ALL THINGS IS HE

36  LIT IS SUCH A LIGHT IN HOUSES WHICH GOD HAS PERMITTED  
TO BE RAISED TO HONOR FOR HIS NAME TO BE CELEBRATED 
AND IN MORNINGS AND EVENINGS HE IS COMMEMORATED  

37  BY MEN WHOM NEITHER SELLING NOR INDUSTRY
DIVERTS FROM PRAYER OR CHARITY 
AND THEIR ONE FEAR IS ONLY 
FOR THE DAY WHEN HEARTS AND EYES WILL BE
TRANSFORMED INTO A NEW WORLD COMPLETELY

38  THAT GOD MAY REWARD THEM ACCORDING TO THEIR DEEDS 
AND ADD EVEN MORE FOR THEM OUT OF HIS BOUNTY
FOR GOD IS SURELY THE PROVIDER AMPLY
FOR THOSE WHOM HE WILLS WITHOUT BOUNDARIES

39  BUT THE DISBELIEVERS 
THEIR DEEDS ARE LIKE A MIRAGE IN A SANDY DESERT 
WHICH THE MAN PARCHED WITH THIRST MISTAKES FOR WATER 

UNTIL WHEN HE COMES UP TO IT HE FINDS IT TO BE NOTHING 
BUT HE FINDS GOD WITH HIM AND GOD WILL PAY HIS ACCOUNTING 
AND GOD IS INDEED SWIFT IN ACCOUNTING

40  OR LIKE THE DEPTHS OF VAST DARKNESS 
IN A VAST DEEP OCEAN WITH WAVES OF DARKNESS
TOPPED BY DARK CLOUDS, DEPTHS OF DARKNESS 
SO IF HIS HAND OUT BEFORE HIM A MAN STRETCHES 

HE CAN HARDLY COMPASS IT IN HIS SIGHT
AND WHOM GOD GIVES NO LIGHT HAS NO LIGHT

335
CHAPTER 24.  THE LIGHT                                                              SECTION 6.  PART  XVIII 

41  SEE YOU NOT THAT IT IS GOD WHOSE PRAISES ALL BEINGS 
IN THE HEAVENS AND ON EARTH ARE CELEBRATING?
THE BIRDS OF THE AIR WITH OUTSPREAD WINGS
AND EACH ONE KNOWS ITS MODE OF PRAYING 
AND GOD IS ALL KNOWING OF ALL THINGS

42  TO GOD BELONGS THE DOMINION 
OF ALL OF THE EARTH AND ALL OF THE HEAVENS 
AND TO GOD IS THE FINAL GOAL OF ALL IN THE END

43  SEE THE CLOUDS, HOW GENTLY GOD MOVES THEM 
AND INTO A HEAP TOGETHER HE JOINS THEM 
AND YOU SEE RAIN ISSUE FORTH FROM WITHIN THEM 
AND HE SENDS DOWN MASSES OF CLOUDS WITH HAIL IN THEM 

AND HE STRIKES WITH IT WHOM HE PLEASES 
AND HE TURNS IT AWAY FROM WHOM HE PLEASES 

THE VIVID FLASH OF HIS LIGHT 
ALMOST BLINDS THE SIGHT

44  IT IS GOD WHO ALTERNATES THE DAY AND THE NIGHT

IN THESE THINGS IS AN INSTRUCTION
FOR ALL THOSE WHO HAVE VISION

45  GOD HAS CREATED EVERY ANIMAL FROM WATER
SOME WALK ON TWO LEGS AND OTHERS 
WALK ON FOUR LEGS, FOR GOD IS THE CREATOR 
OF ALL THINGS AND OVER ALL THINGS HAS POWER 

46  WE HAVE SENT DOWN SIGNS THAT MAKE THINGS MANIFEST 
AND GOD GUIDES WHOM HE WILLS TO A WAY THAT IS BEST

47  THEY SAY, WE BELIEVE IN GOD AND THE MESSENGER AND WE OBEY 
BUT EVEN AFTER THAT SOME OF THEM TURN AWAY 
FOR NOT REAL BELIEVERS ARE THEY

48  WHEN THEY ARE SUMMONED TO GOD AND HIS MESSENGER 
SO THAT HE MAY JUDGE BETWEEN THEM IN MATTERS
SOME OF THEM TURN AWAY AS REJECTORS

49  BUT IF THE RIGHT IS ON THEIR SIDE THEY HASTEN AS SUBMITTERS

50  IS THERE IS A DISEASE IN THEIR HEARTS OR DO THEY FEAR 
THAT THEY WILL BE DEALT WITH IN AN UNJUST MANNER
BY THEIR LORD AND BY THE MESSENGER?
IT IS THEY WHO ARE WRONG DOERS 

336
CHAPTER 24.  THE LIGHT                                                              SECTION 7.  PART  XVIII 

51  THE ANSWER OF THE BELIEVERS 
WHEN SUMMONED TO GOD AND HIS MESSENGER
IN ORDER THAT HE MAY JUDGE BETWEEN THEM IS NO OTHER 
THAN THAT THEY SAY, WE HEAR AND WE OBEY YOUR ORDERS 
IT IS SUCH AS THESE THAT WILL SURELY PROSPER

52  IT IS THOSE THAT OBEY GOD AND HIS MESSENGER 
AND FEAR GOD AND ARE RIGHTEOUS DOERS
THAT IN THE END WILL BE THE WINNERS

53  THEY SWEAR THEIR OATHS BY GOD THAT IF YOU WOULD  
ONLY COMMAND THEM TO LEAVE THEIR HOMES THAT THEY WOULD 

SAY, SWEAR NOT, OBEDIENCE IS MORE  REASONABLE FOR YOU
GOD IS WELL ACQUAINTED WITH ALL THAT YOU DO

54  SAY, OBEY GOD AND OBEY THE APOSTLE                                                        
BUT IF YOU TURN AWAY HE IS ONLY RESPONSIBLE 

FOR THE DUTY PLACED ON HIM AND YOU 
ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THAT WHICH IS PLACED ON YOU 

AND IF YOU OBEY HIM YOU WILL BE 
ON RIGHT GUIDANCE AND THE MESSENGERS DUTY 
IS ONLY TO PREACH THE MESSAGE OF GOD CLEARLY

55  TO THOSE WHO BELIEVE GOD HAS PROMISED THEM 
THAT HE WILL SURELY GRANT TO THEM 
INHERITANCE OF POWER IN THE LAND TO THEM
AS HE GRANTED IT TO THOSE WHO WERE BEFORE THEM

AND HE WILL ESTABLISH IN AUTHORITY THEIR RELIGION
THE ONE WHICH FOR THEM HE HAS CHOSEN 
AND THAT HE WILL CHANGE THEIR CONDITION

AFTER THE FEAR IN WHICH THEY LIVED TO ONE OF SECURITY 
AND THEY WILL WORSHIP ME AND ME ONLY 
AND NOT ASSOCIATE ANYTHING IN THEIR WORSHIP OF ME 
IF ANY DO REJECT FAITH AFTER THIS THEY WILL BE
AMONG THOSE WHO ACT REBELLIOUSLY 

56  SO ESTABLISH REGULAR PRAYER AND GIVE REGULAR CHARITY 
AND OBEY THE MESSENGER THAT YOU MAY RECEIVE MERCY

57  DO NOT THINK THAT THE DISBELIEVERS ARE GOING TO EVER 
FRUSTRATE GOD'S PLAN ON EARTH, THEIR ABODE IS THE FIRE 
AND IT IS AN EVIL REFUGE FOR THE DWELLERS

337
CHAPTER 24.  THE LIGHT                                                              SECTION 8.  PART  XVIII 

58  OH YOU WHO BELIEVE, LET THOSE AMONG YOU 
WHOM YOUR RIGHT HANDS POSSESS AND THE CHILDREN AMONG YOU 

WHO HAVE NOT COME OF AGE, ASK YOU FOR PERMISSION 
BEFORE THEY COME TO YOU ON THREE OCCASIONS

BEFORE MORNING PRAYER 
AND AFTER THE LATE NIGHT PRAYER 

AND AT MIDDAY WHEN YOU UNDRESS
THESE ARE YOUR THREE TIMES OF UNDRESS

OUTSIDE THOSE TIMES IT IS NOT AN ERROR
FOR YOU OR FOR THEM TO ATTEND TO EACH OTHER 
THEREFORE DOES YOUR LORD MAKE THE MESSAGES CLEAR 
FOR YOUR LORD IS FULL OF KNOWLEDGE AND EXALTED IN POWER

59  BUT WHEN THE CHILDREN AMONG YOU COME OF AGE
LET THEM ASK PERMISSION LIKE THOSE SENIOR TO THEM IN AGE 

SO TO YOU DOES GOD MAKE HIS MESSAGES CLEAR 
FOR HE IS FULL OF KNOWLEDGE AND EXALTED IN POWER

60  AND THOSE WOMEN WHO ARE ELDERLY 
AND ARE PAST THE PROSPECT OF MATRIMONY

THERE IS NO BLAME ON THEM IF THEY LAY
ASIDE THEIR OUTER GARMENTS PROVIDED THAT THEY 
OF THEIR BEAUTY MAKE NOT A DISPLAY 
BUT IT IS BEST FOR THEM TO ACT IN A MODEST WAY

AND GOD IS ALL SEEING 
AND KNOWING OF ALL THINGS

61  ON THE BLIND THERE IS NO BLAME
NOR IS THERE BLAME ON ONE BORN LAME

NOR ON ONE AFFLICTED WITH ILLNESS
NOR ON YOURSELVES THAT YOU SHOULD EAT IN YOUR OWN HOUSES

OR THOSE OF YOUR FATHERS OR YOUR MOTHERS 
OR YOUR BROTHERS OR YOUR SISTERS
OR YOUR FATHER'S BROTHERS OR YOUR FATHER'S SISTERS
OR YOUR MOTHER'S BROTHERS OR YOUR MOTHER'S SISTERS

OR IN HOUSES OF WHICH THE KEYS ARE IN YOUR POSSESSION
OR IN THE HOUSES OF A SINCERE COMPANION

THERE IS NO BLAME ON YOU IF YOU EAT IN COMPANY OR SEPARATELY 
BUT THE HOUSES YOU ENTER, SALUTE EACH OTHER PEACEFULLY
WITH A GREETING OF BLESSING AND PURITY  

SO DOES GOD MAKE CLEAR TO YOU THE COMMANDS 
IN ORDER THAT YOU MAY UNDERSTAND

338
CHAPTER 24.  THE LIGHT                                                              SECTION 9.  PART  XVIII 

62  ONLY THOSE ARE BELIEVERS 
WHO BELIEVE IN GOD AND HIS MESSENGER
AND WHEN THEY ARE WITH HIM ON A MATTER 

THEY DO NOT DEPART UNTIL THEY HAVE ASKED FOR HIS LEAVE 
AND THOSE WHO ASK FOR YOUR LEAVE ARE THOSE WHO BELIEVE 
IN GOD AND HIS MESSENGER SO WHEN THEY ASK FOR YOUR LEAVE 
FOR SOME BUSINESS OF THEIRS, GIVE THEM LEAVE 

TO THOSE WHOM YOU WILL OF THEM 
AND ASK GOD FOR FORGIVENESS FOR THEM
FOR GOD IS FORGIVING AND MERCIFUL TO THEM

63  DEEM NOT THE SUMMONS OF THE MESSENGER
TO BE LIKE THE SUMMONS OF ONE OF YOU TO ANOTHER 
AND GOD KNOWS THOSE OF YOU WHO SLIP AWAY UNDER 
SHELTER OF SOME EXCUSE, THEN LET THOSE BEWARE 
WHO WITHSTAND THE ORDER OF THE MESSENGER
OR ELSE THERE BEFALL THEM SOME DISASTER
OR BE INFLICTED ON THEM A PENALTY THAT IS SEVERE

64  TO GOD BELONGS WHATEVER IS IN EARTH AND IN HEAVEN
AND HE KNOWS WHATEVER ARE YOUR INTENTIONS

AND ONE DAY THEY WILL BE BROUGHT BACK TO HIM
AND HE WILL TELL THEM WHAT WAS DONE BY THEM
FOR GOD IS FULL OF KNOWLEDGE AND WISDOM

339
CHAPTER 25.  THE CRITERION                                                    SECTION 1.  PART  XVIII 

IN THE NAME OF GOD
THE MOST GRACIOUS AND MERCIFUL GOD

1  BLESSED IS HE WHO SENT DOWN TO HIS SERVANT THE CRITERION 
THAT IT MAY BE TO ALL CREATURES AN ADMONITION 

2  HE TO WHOM BELONGS THE DOMINION 
OF THE EARTH AND THE HEAVENS 
NO SON HAS HE BEGOTTEN 
NOR HAS HE A PARTNER IN HIS DOMINION 
HE CREATED ALL THINGS IN DUE PROPORTIONS

3  HAVE THEY TAKEN GODS THAT HAVE CREATED NOTHING THEMSELVES 
BUT IN FACT THEY ARE CREATED THEMSELVES 
AND HAVE NO CONTROL OF HURT OR GOOD TO THEMSELVES
NOR CAN THEY CONTROL LIFE OR DEATH FOR THEMSELVES
NOR RESURRECTION AFTER DEATH FOR THEMSELVES?

4  BUT SAY THE DISBELIEVERS 
THIS IS A LIE OF WHICH HE IS A FORGER
AND AT IT OTHERS HAVE BEEN HIS HELPERS 

BUT TRUTHFULLY IT IS THEY WHO HAVE SURELY
PUT FORWARD AN INIQUITY AND A FALSITY

5  THEY SAY, TALES OF THE ANCIENTS  
WHICH HE HAS CAUSED TO BE WRITTEN
THEY ARE DICTATED NIGHT AND DAY BEFORE HIM 

6  SAY, THE QURAN WAS SENT BY HE WHO KNOWS THE MYSTERY 
THAT IS IN THE HEAVENS AND IN THE EARTH ADDITIONALLY
AND MOST FORGIVING AND MOST MERCIFUL IS HE

7  AND THEY SAY WHAT SORT OF AN APOSTLE IS THIS WHO EATS 
PLAIN FOOD AND WALKS THROUGH THE STREETS?

WHY HAS NOT AN ANGEL BEEN SENT DOWN TO HIM 
IN ORDER TO GIVE ADMONITION WITH HIM?

8  OR WHY HAS NOT A TREASURE BEEN BESTOWED ON HIM 
OR WHY IS NOT A GARDEN FOR ENJOYMENT GIVEN TO HIM? 

THE WICKED SAY, YOU FOLLOW NONE 
OTHER THAN A BEWITCHED ONE 

9  SEE WHAT KINDS OF COMPARISONS THEY MAKE
BUT IT IS THEY WHO HAVE GONE ASTRAY
AND NEVER WILL THEY FIND THE WAY

10  BLESSED IS HE WHO COULD GIVE YOU THINGS BETTER 
GARDENS BENEATH WHICH FLOW PLEASANT RIVERS 
AND HE COULD GIVE YOU PALACES SECURE 

340
CHAPTER 25.  THE CRITERION                                  SECTION 1 (CONT'D). PART  XVIII 

11  THEY DENY THE JUDGEMENT HOUR 
BUT WE HAVE PREPARED A BLAZING FIRE 
FOR THOSE WHO DENY THE JUDGMENT HOUR

12  WHEN IT SEES THEM 
FROM A PLACE FAR OFF FROM THEM
ITS FURY AND ITS RAGING WILL BE HEARD BY THEM

13  WHEN THEY ARE CAST BOUND TOGETHER WITHIN
A CONSTRICTED PLACE THEREIN
THEY WILL PLEAD FOR DESTRUCTION THERE AND THEN     

14  PRAY NOT THIS DAY FOR A SINGLE DESTRUCTION
BUT PRAY AGAIN AND AGAIN FOR DESTRUCTION

15  SAY, IS THIS BETTER OR THE GARDEN OF PERPETUITY 
WHICH IS PROMISED TO THOSE WHO KEEP THEIR DUTY?
THAT IS A REWARD AND A RESORT FOR THEM INDEED

16  FOR THEM THEREIN WILL BE ALL THAT THEY WISH FOR
THEY WILL DWELL THERE FOREVER MORE
A PROMISE FROM YOUR LORD TO BE PRAYED FOR

17  ON THE DAY WHEN HE WILL GATHER THEM TOGETHER
AND THAT WHICH THEY SERVE BESIDES GOD ALL TOGETHER

HE WILL SAY, WAS IT YOU WHO LED MY SERVANTS ASTRAY? 
OR DID THEY LEAD THEIR OWN SELVES ASTRAY? 

18  THEY WILL SAY, GLORY TO YOU 
IT WAS NOT FOR US THAT WE SHOULD TAKE BESIDES YOU
OTHERS AS PROTECTORS OTHER THAN YOU 

BUT GOD DID BESTOW ON THEM AND THEIR FATHERS 
GOOD THINGS IN LIFE UNTIL THEY FORGOT THE REMINDER
FOR THEY WERE PEOPLE LOST AND COMPLETELY IN ERROR

19  GOD WILL SAY, NOW THEY PROVED YOU TO BE LIARS TRULY
SO YOU CANNOT GET HELP OR AVERT YOUR PENALTY 
AND WHOEVER AMONG YOU ACTS WRONGFULLY
HIM WILL WE CAUSE TO TASTE A GRIEVOUS PENALTY

20  THE APOSTLES WERE ALL MEN WHOM WE SENT BEFORE YOU 
WHO ATE FOOD AND WALKED THROUGH THE STREETS TOO
SOME OF YOU WE MADE AS A TRIAL FOR OTHERS OF YOU
SO BEAR PATIENTLY FOR GOD SEES ALL THAT YOU DO

341
CHAPTER 25.  THE CRITERION                                                       SECTION 2.  PART XIX

PART  XIX

21  THOSE WHO FEAR NOT THEIR MEETING WITH US 
SAY, WHY ARE NOT ANGELS SENT DOWN TO US ?

OR WHY DO WE NOT SEE GOD CLEARLY?
THEY ARE CONCEITED ARROGANTLY 
AND MIGHTY IS THEIR INSOLENCY

22  WHEN THEY SEE THE ANGELS THAT DAY
NO JOY WILL THERE BE TO THE SINNERS THAT DAY 
AND TO THEM THE ANGELS WILL SAY 
ALL GOOD THINGS ARE FORBIDDEN TO YOU THIS DAY

23  WE WILL TURN TO WHATEVER DEEDS 
THEY DID IN THIS LIFE AND MAKE SUCH DEEDS 
AS FLOATING DUST SCATTERED ABOUT WASTEFULLY

24  THE COMPANIONS OF THE GARDEN 
WILL BE WELL THAT DAY IN THEIR PLACE TO DWELL IN
AND THEY WILL HAVE THE FAIREST OF PLACES TO DWELL IN

25 THE DAY THE HEAVEN WILL BE RENT 
ASUNDER WITH CLOUDS AND ANGELS WILL BE SENT 

26  THE DOMINION OF RIGHT WILL BE FOR GOD ONLY 
AND IT WILL BE FOR THE DISBELIEVERS A DAY OF DIFFICULTY 

27  THE DAY THAT THE WRONG DOER 
WILL BITE AT HIS HANDS AND SAY, WOULD THAT I RATHER 
WOULD HAVE TAKEN A STRAIGHT PATH WITH THE MESSENGER

28  WOE IS ME I WISH I HAD NEVER 
TAKEN SUCH A ONE FOR A PROTECTOR

29  HE LEAD ME ASTRAY FROM THE MESSAGE OF THE CREATOR
AFTER IT HAD COME TO ME, THE DEVIL IS BUT A TRAITOR 

30  THEN WILL SAY THE MESSENGER, OH MY LORD, TRULY 
MY PEOPLE TREATED THIS QURAN FOOLISHLY

31  WE MADE FOR EVERY PROPHET AN ENEMY AMONG THE SINNERS 
BUT ENOUGH IS YOUR LORD AS A GUIDE AND A HELPER

32  THE REJECTERS SAY, WHY IS NOT THE QURAN REVEALED 
TO HIM ALL AT ONCE?  BUT IT IS REVEALED 

THAT WE MAY STRENGTHEN YOUR HEART AND WE SURELY 
HAVE REVEALED IT IN WELL ARRANGED STAGES GRADUALLY

33  AND THEY CANNOT BRING TO YOU A QUESTION 
BUT WE HAVE GIVEN YOU THE TRUTH AND THE BEST EXPLANATION

34  THOSE WHO WILL BE GATHERED TO HELL PRONE ON THEIR FACES 
WILL BE IN AN EVIL PLIGHT AND FURTHEST FROM RIGHTEOUSNESS

342
CHAPTER 25.  THE CRITERION                                                          SECTION 3.  PART XIX

35  WE SENT MOSES THE BOOK AND APPOINTED HIS BROTHER
AARON WITH HIM AS A MINISTER

36  AND WE COMMANDED, GO BOTH OF YOU TO THE PEOPLE 
WHO HAVE REJECTED OUR SIGNS AND THOSE PEOPLE 
WE DESTROYED IN FULL FOR THEIR EVIL

37  AND NOAH'S PEOPLE 
WHEN THEY REJECTED THE APOSTLE 
WE DROWNED THEM AND WE MADE THEM A SIGN FOR PEOPLE
AND WE HAVE A GRIEVOUS PENALTY FOR ALL WRONG DOING PEOPLE 

38  AS ALSO AD AND THAMUD AND THE COMPANIONS 
OF THE RASS AND BETWEEN THEM MANY GENERATIONS 

39  WE SET FORTH PARABLES AND EXAMPLES TO EACH ONE
AND FOR THEIR SINS WE DESTROYED EACH ONE 
WITH A SEVERE AND UTTER ANNIHILATION 

40  THE DISBELIEVERS MUST HAVE PASSED BY THE TOWN 
ON WHICH A SHOWER OF EVIL WAS RAINED DOWN
THEY SAW IT CLEARLY WITH THEIR OWN VISION
BUT THEY FEAR NOT THE RESURRECTION 

41  WHEN THEY SEE YOU THEY TREAT YOU WITH MOCKERY 
THEY SAY, IS THIS THE ONE GOD HAS SENT AS A MESSENGER REALLY?

42  HE WOULD WELL NEAR HAVE INDEED
MISLEAD US FROM OUR GODS HAD IT NOT BEEN THAT WE 
WERE CONSTANT TO THEM BUT SOON THEY WILL CERTAINLY
KNOW WHEN THEY LOOK UP AND SEE THE PENALTY 
WHO IS MOST MISLED IN REALITY

43  SEE YOU SUCH A ONE WHO TAKES FOR HIS GOD HIS OWN DESIRES
COULD YOU BE A DISPOSER OF HIS AFFAIRS? 

44  OR DO YOU THINK THAT THEY LISTEN OR UNDERSTAND WHAT WE SAY?  
NO, BUT THEY ARE ONLY LIKE CATTLE ONLY FURTHER ASTRAY

343
CHAPTER 25.  THE CRITERION                                                       SECTION 4.  PART XIX

45  HAVE YOU NOT TURNED YOUR VISION AS TO HOW
YOUR LORD DOES PROLONG THE SHADOW?

AND IF HE SO WILLED HE COULD MAKE IT STATIONARY
THEN DO WE MAKE THE SUN TO GUIDE IT CLEARLY

46  THEN WE WITHDRAW IT TO US CONCEALED GRADUALLY

47  HE IT IS WHO MAKES THE NIGHT AS A ROBE FOR YOU 
AND SLEEP AS REST AND THE DAY TO RESURRECT YOU

48  HE IT IS WHO SENDS THE WINDS AS HERALDS OF GOOD NEWS 
AND SENDS DOWN PURE WATER FROM THE SKY FOR YOU

49  THAT WITH IT WE MAY GIVE LIFE TO A LAND THAT IS DEAD 
AND QUENCH THE THIRST OF MEN AND CATTLE WE HAVE CREATED 

50  AND WE HAVE DISTRIBUTED THE WATER AMONG THE PEOPLE 
THAT THEY MAY CELEBRATE OUR PRAISES BUT MOST PEOPLE
ARE AVERSE TO ANYTHING BUT BEING UNGRATEFUL 

51  HAD IT BEEN OUR WILL WE COULD HAVE SENT A WARNER 
TO EVERY POPULATED CENTER 

52  SO LISTEN NOT BUT STRIVE AGAINST THE DISBELIEVERS 
BY PREACHING THE QURAN WITH THE UTMOST ENDEAVOR

53  AND HE HAS LET FREE BOTH THE TWO BODIES OF FLOWING WATER 
ONE PALATABLE AND SWEET AND THE OTHER SALTY AND BITTER 
YET HAS HE MADE BETWEEN THEM A SEPARATING BARRIER
AS A PARTITION THAT THEY CANNOT PASS OVER

54  IT IS HE WHO HAS CREATED 
MAN FROM WATER AND HAS ESTABLISHED 
THE RELATIONSHIPS OF LINEAGE AND MARRIAGE 
AND OVER ALL THINGS GOD HAS POWER AND KNOWLEDGE

55  YET THEY WORSHIP BESIDE GOD THINGS THAT CAN NEITHER 
PROFIT THEM NOR HARM THEM AND THE DISBELIEVER 
IS EVER AGAINST HIS OWN LORD AS A HELPER

56  BUT WE ONLY SENT YOU TO GIVE WARNINGS
AND ALSO TO GIVE TO PEOPLE GLAD TIDINGS 

57  SAY, I ASK OF YOU FOR IT, ONLY THIS AS A REWARD
THAT EACH ONE WHO WILL TAKE A STRAIGHT PATH TO HIS LORD

58  AND PUT YOUR TRUST IN HIM 
WHO LIVES AND DIES NOT AND PRAISE HIM 

AND ENOUGH IS HE TO BE OBSERVANT 
WITH THE FAULTS OF HIS SERVANTS 

59  HE WHO CREATED EVERYTHING HEAVENLY AND EARTHLY
AND ALL THAT IS BETWEEN IN SIX DAYS AND IS FIRMLY 
ESTABLISHED ON THE THRONE OF AUTHORITY 

GOD MOST GRACIOUS, THEN ASK HIM ABOUT ANYTHING
FOR HE IS WELL ACQUAINTED WITH ALL THINGS

60  WHEN IT IS SAID TO THEM, ADORE GOD MOST GRACIOUS 
THEY SAY, AND WHAT IS GOD MOST GRACIOUS?
SHALL WE ADORE THAT WHICH YOU COMMAND US? 
AND THEIR FLIGHT FROM THE TRUTH ONLY INCREASES

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CHAPTER 25.  THE CRITERION                                                       SECTION 5.  PART XIX

61  BLESSED IS HE WHO MADE THE CONSTELLATIONS IN THE SKY 
AND PLACED IN IT A LAMP AND A MOON GIVING LIGHT

62  AND IT IS HE WHO MADE THE DAY AND THE NIGHT
TO FOLLOW EACH OTHER FOR THOSE WHO MIGHT

HAVE THE WILL TO CELEBRATE HIS PRAISES 
OR TO SHOW GRATITUDE FOR HIS GRACES

63  THE SERVANTS OF GOD, FULL OF MERCY
ARE THOSE WHO WALK ON THE EARTH IN HUMILITY 
WHEN THE IGNORANT ADDRESS THEM THEY ANSWER PEACEFULLY

64  AND THEY WHO PASS THE NIGHT STANDING
BEFORE THEIR LORD AND PROSTRATING

65  THOSE WHO SAY, OUR LORD, AVERT FROM US HELL'S TORMENT 
FOR ITS TORMENT IS A GRIEVOUS PUNISHMENT

66  EVIL INDEED IS HELL
AS A PLACE TO DWELL

67  THOSE WHO WHEN THEY SPEND ARE NOT EXTRAVAGANT OR MISERLY
BUT HOLD A JUST BALANCE BETWEEN THESE

68  THOSE WHO INVOKE NOT WITH GOD ANY OTHER DIETY 
NOR TAKE LIFE GOD HAS CREATED SACREDLY
EXCEPT JUSTLY NOR COMMIT ADULTERY
ANY THAT DOES THIS WILL RECEIVE THE PENALTY 

69  THE PUNISHMENT ON THE DAY OF JUDGMENT WILL BE 
DOUBLED TO HIM AND HE WILL DWELL IN IGNOMINY

70  UNLESS HE REPENTS, BELIEVES AND DOES GOOD DEEDS  
GOD WILL CHANGE THEIR EVIL DEEDS TO GOOD DEEDS
AND GOD IS FULL OF FORGIVENESS AND MERCY

71  AND WHOEVER REPENTS AND DOES GOOD DEEDS
HE TURNS TO GOD A TURNING THAT IS GOODLY

72  THOSE WHO WITNESS NO FALSITY
AND IF THEY PASS BY FUTILITY 
THEY PASS BY IT AVOIDING IT HONORABLY

73  THOSE WHO WHEN THEY ARE ADMONISHED WITH GOD'S SIGNS 
DROOP NOT DOWN AT THEM AS IF THEY WERE DEAF OR BLIND

74  AND THOSE WHO PRAY, OUR LORD, GRANT TO US WIVES 
AND OFFSPRING WHO WILL BE THE COMFORT OF OUR EYES 

AND GIVE US THE GRACE TO BE LEADERS
OF THOSE WHO ARE RIGHTEOUS DOERS

75  THOSE ARE THE ONES WHO WILL BE REWARDED HIGHLY
A PLACE IN HEAVEN BECAUSE OF THEIR PATIENT CONSTANCY 
AND THEREIN WILL THEY BE MET WITH SALUTATIONS AND PEACE

76  HOW BEAUTIFUL THE DWELLING
AS AN ABODE AND PLACE OF RESTING

77  SAY TO THE REJECTERS, GOD IS NOT UNEASY BECAUSE OF YOU
IF YOU CALL NOT ON HIM BUT HE HAS BEEN REJECTED BY YOU
AND SOON WILL THE INEVITABLE PENALTY COME UPON YOU

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