CHAPTER 27.  THE ANTS                                                                   SECTION 5.  PART XIX

59  SAY, PRAISE BE TO GOD
AND PEACE BE ON THE SERVANTS OF GOD 
WHO HAVE BEEN CHOSEN TO RECEIVE THE MESSAGE OF GOD
AND WHO IS BETTER TO SERVE, GOD 
OR THE FALSE GODS THEY ASSOCIATE WITH GOD?

PART  XX

60  HE IT IS WHO CREATED THE EARTH AND THE HEAVENS 
AND SENDS DOWN RAIN TO YOU FROM THE HEAVENS 

AND WE CAUSE TO GROW WITH IT ORCHARDS
FULL OF BEAUTY AND DELIGHT WELL NURTURED
TO CAUSE THE GROWTH OF TREES IS NOT IN YOUR POWER 
BESIDES GOD CAN THERE BE ANOTHER? 
NO, THEY ARE PEOPLE WHO ARE TRANSGRESSORS

61  WHO IS IT THAT HAS MADE THE EARTH FIRM AND LIVEABLE
AND MADE RIVERS IN IT AND MOUNTAINS IMMOVABLE? 

AND MADE A SEPARATING BARRIER
BETWEEN THE TWO BODIES OF FLOWING WATER 
THEN A GOD BESIDES GOD CAN THERE BE ANOTHER? 
DEFINITELY NOT BUT MOST OF THEM ARE DISBELIEVERS

62  OR WHO LISTENS TO THE SOUL DISTRESSED 
WHEN IT CALLS ON HIM AND WHO RELIEVES ITS STRESS? 

AND OF THE EARTH MAKES YOU THE INHERITORS 
BESIDES GOD CAN THERE BE ANOTHER?
LITTLE IT IS THAT YOU CONSIDER

63  WHO GUIDES YOU THROUGH THE DARKNESS ON LAND AND SEA
AND WHO SENDS THE WINDS GOING BEFORE HIS MERCY?  

CAN THERE BE ANOTHER GOD BESIDES GOD?  
HIGH IS GOD ABOVE WHAT THEY ASSOCIATE WITH GOD

64  OR WHO ORIGINATES, THEN REPEATS CREATION 
AND WHO GIVES YOU SUSTENANCE FROM EARTH AND HEAVEN 
CAN THERE BE ANOTHER LORD OF CREATION?

SAY, BRING FORTH YOUR PROOF
IF YOU ARE TELLING THE TRUTH

65  SAY, NONE IN THE EARTH OR THE HEAVENS 
EXCEPT GOD KNOWS WHAT IS HIDDEN 
NEITHER CAN THEY PERCEIVE WHEN
THAT THEY WILL BE RAISED AGAIN

NOR CAN KNOWLEDGE OF THEIRS 
COMPREHEND THE HEREAFTER 

66  NO, THEY ARE IN DOUBT ABOUT IT
AND IN UNCERTAINTY ABOUT IT 
NO, THEY ARE BLIND TO IT

366
CHAPTER 27.  THE ANTS                                                                     SECTION 6.  PART XX

67  THE DISBELIEVERS SAY, WHEN WE 
BECOME DUST, WE AND OUR FATHERS, WILL WE
THEN BE RAISED FROM THE DEAD REALLY?

68  THIS WAS PROMISED TO US
AND WAS PROMISED TO OUR FATHERS BEFORE US 
THESE ARE NOTHING BUT TALES OF THE ANCIENTS TO US

69  SAY, GO THROUGH THE EARTH AND SEE WHAT HAS BEEN 
THE END OF THOSE GUILTY OF SIN

70  BUT GRIEVE NOT OVER THEM AND DO NOT
DISTRESS YOURSELF BECAUSE OF THEIR PLOTS

71  AND THEY ALSO WILL SAY 
WHEN WILL THIS HAPPEN IF IT IS TRUE WHAT YOU SAY?

72  SAY, IT MAY BE THAT SOME OF THE EVENTS WHICH YOU 
WISH TO HASTEN ON MAY BE CLOSE UPON YOU

73  BUT SURELY YOUR LORD TO MANKIND IS GRACEFUL 
YET MOST OF THEM ARE UNGRATEFUL

74  GOD KNOWS ALL THAT THEIR HEARTS CONCEAL 
AS WELL AS ALL THAT THEIR HEARTS REVEAL

75  NOR IS THERE ANYTHING HIDDEN
IN THE EARTH OR IN HEAVEN
BUT IS IN A BOOK CLEARLY WRITTEN 

76  THIS QURAN EXPLAINS TO THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL CLEARLY 
MOST OF THE MATTERS IN WHICH THEY DISAGREE

77  AND IT CERTAINLY 
IS A GUIDE AND A MERCY 
TO ALL THOSE WHO BELIEVE

78  YOUR LORD WILL DECIDE BETWEEN THEM BY HIS DECREE 
AND EXALTED IN MIGHT AND ALL KNOWING IS HE

79  SO PUT YOUR TRUST IN GOD COMPLETELY
FOR YOU ARE ON THE PATH OF TRUTH MANIFESTLY 

80  YOU CANNOT CAUSE THE DEAD TO HEAR
AND YOU CAN NOT CAUSE THE DEAF TO HEAR  
ESPECIALLY WHEN THEY TURN BACK DECLINING TO HEAR

81  NOR CAN YOU BE A GUIDE TO THE BLIND
PREVENTING THEM FROM IGNORING OUR SIGNS 
FOR ONLY THOSE WILL LISTEN AMONG MANKIND
WHO BOW IN SUBMISSION AND BELIEVE IN OUR SIGNS

82  AND WHEN THE WORD IS FULFILLED AGAINST THEM 
WE WILL PRODUCE FROM THE EARTH A BEAST TO FACE THEM 
AND HE WILL SPEAK TO THEM 
FOR OUR SIGNS MANKIND DID NOT BELIEVE IN THEM

367
CHAPTER 27.  THE ANTS                                                                    SECTION 7.  PART XX

83  ONE DAY WE WILL GATHER FROM EVERY PEOPLE A TROOP 
THOSE WHO REJECT OUR SIGNS WILL BE IN GROUPS

84  WHEN THEY COME BEFORE US TO RECEIVE JUSTICE
GOD WILL SAY, DID YOU REJECT MY MESSAGES 
THOUGH YOU COMPREHENDED THEM NOT IN KNOWLEDGE 
OR WHAT EXACTLY WAS IT THAT YOU DID?

85  THE WORD WILL BE FULFILLED AGAINST THEM COMPLETELY
BECAUSE OF THEIR CONSISTENTLY ACTING WRONGFULLY 
AND THEY WILL BE UNABLE TO MAKE A PLEA

86  SEE THEY NOT THAT WE HAVE MADE THE NIGHT 
FOR THEM TO REST IN AND THE DAY TO GIVE THEM LIGHT? 
IN THIS ARE SIGNS INDEED FOR ALL PEOPLE WHO HAVE SIGHT

87  THE DAY THE TRUMPET WILL BE SOUNDED ALL WILL BE SMITTEN 
WITH TERROR WHO ARE ON EARTH AND IN THE HEAVENS 
EXCEPT THOSE WHO GOD PLEASES TO GIVE EXEMPTION 
AND ALL WILL COME TO HIM IN SUBMISSION

88  YOU SEE THE MOUNTAINS AND THINK THAT THEY
ARE FIRMLY FIXED BUT THEY WILL PASS AWAY 
AS DO THE CLOUDS PASS AWAY

SUCH IS THE ARTISTRY OF GOD WHO DISPOSES OF ALL THINGS 
FOR HE IS WELL ACQUAINTED WITH ALL THINGS

89  IF ANY DO GOOD, GOOD WILL ACCRUE TO THEM FROM IT 
AND THE TERROR THAT DAY, THEY WILL BE SECURE FROM IT

90  AND IF ANY DO EVIL THEIR FACES WILL BE
THROWN HEADLONG INTO THE FIRE, DO YOU RECEIVE 
A REWARD OTHER THAN THAT WHICH YOU EARN BY YOUR DEEDS? 

91  FOR ME I HAVE BEEN COMMANDED 
TO SERVE THE LORD OF THIS CITY WHO HAS SANCTIFIED IT 
AND TO WHOM BELONG ALL THINGS AND I AM COMMANDED 
TO BE THE FIRST OF THOSE WHO HAVE SUBMITTED

92  AND TO RECITE THE QURAN IN THE BEST MANNER
WHOEVER ACCEPTS GUIDANCE DOES IT FOR HIS OWN ENDEAVOR 
AND TO WHOEVER GOES ASTRAY - SAY, I AM ONLY A PLAIN WARNER 

93  AND SAY, PRAISE BE TO GOD, WHOSE SIGNS HE WILL SHOW YOU 
SO THAT THEY WILL CLEARLY BE MADE KNOWN TO YOU
AND GOD IS NOT UNMINDFUL OF WHAT YOU DO

368
CHAPTER 28.  THE NARRATIVE                                                        SECTION 1.  PART XX

IN THE NAME OF GOD
THE MOST GRACIOUS AND MERCIFUL GOD

1  BENIGNANT, HEARING, KNOWING GOD

2  THESE ARE VERSES 
OF THE BOOK THAT MAKES MANIFEST
  
3   WE RECITE TO YOU IN TRUTH SOME OF THE STORY
OF MOSES AND PHARAOH FOR PEOPLE WHO BELIEVE

4  PHARAOH EXALTED HIMSELF IN THE LAND
AND DIVIDED ITS PEOPLE INTO BANDS
WEAKENING ONE OF THE BANDS

KEEPING ALIVE THEIR FEMALES
BUT SLAUGHTERING THEIR MALES 
FOR HE WAS A MISCHIEF MAKER REVEALED 

5  AND WE WISHED TO BESTOW FAVORS
TO THOSE OF WHOM HE WAS THEIR OPPRESSOR 
AND MAKE THEM HEIRS AND MAKE THEM LEADERS 

6  AND TO ESTABLISH A FIRM PLACE FOR THEM IN THE LAND 
AND SHOW PHARAOH, HAMAN AND THEIR HOSTS AT THEIR HANDS 
THE VERY THINGS WHICH THEY FEARED OF OUR PLANS

7  SO WE SENT THIS INSPIRATION TO MOSES'S MOTHER 
NURSE YOUR CHILD BUT WHEN ABOUT HIM YOU HAVE FEARS 
CAST HIM INTO THE RIVER
BUT FEAR NOT NOR GRIEVE FOR HIM EITHER
FOR WE WILL RESTORE HIM TO YOU THEREAFTER
AND MAKE HIM ONE OF THE MESSENGERS

8  THE PEOPLE OF PHARAOH PICKED HIM UP FROM THE RIVER 
IT WAS INTENDED THAT MOSES SHOULD BE AN OPPOSER 
FOR PHARAOH AND HAMAN AND THEIR HOSTS WERE WRONG DOERS

9  PHARAOH'S WIFE SAID, HERE IS A JOY OF THE EYE FOR ME AND YOU  
SLAY HIM NOT, HE MAY BE OF USE TO ME AND TO YOU
OR WE MAY ADOPT HIM AS A SON BUT THEY HAD NOT A CLUE
OF THE CONSEQUENCES OF WHAT THEY WERE GETTING READY TO DO

10  BUT THERE BECAME A VOID IN THE HEART OF THE MOTHER OF MOSES
AND SHE WAS ALMOST GOING TO DISCLOSE HIS CIRCUMSTANCES

HAD WE NOT STRENGTHENED HER HEART WITH RELIEF
SO THAT SHE MIGHT REMAIN FIRM IN BELIEF

369
CHAPTER 28.  THE NARRATIVE                                      SECTION 1 (CONT'D). PART XX

11  AND SHE SAID TO MOSES'S SISTER 
FOLLOW HIM, SO SHE THE SISTER 
WATCHED HIM IN THE CHARACTER OF A STRANGER 
AND THEY DID NOT RECOGNIZE HER

12  AND WE ORDAINED THAT AT FIRST 
THAT HE WOULD REFUSE TO BE NURSED 

UNTIL HIS SISTER SAID, SHALL I POINT OUT TO YOU 
THE PEOPLE THAT WILL BRING HIM UP FOR YOU? 
AND THEY WILL BE BONDED TO HIM IN TRUTH

13  SO WE RESTORED HIM TO HIS MOTHER
THAT HER EYE MIGHT FIND COMFORT
AND THAT SHE MIGHT NOT SUFFER 

AND THAT SHE MIGHT KNOW THE TRUTH OF GOD'S PROMISE 
BUT MOST PEOPLE DO NOT UNDERSTAND THIS

370
CHAPTER 28.  THE NARRATIVE                                                        SECTION 2.  PART XX

14  WHEN HE REACHED FULL MATURITY 
AND WAS THEN ESTABLISHED IN LIFE FIRMLY
THEN WE BESTOWED ON HIM FROM OUR MERCY
WISDOM AND KNOWLEDGE FOR THIS IS HOW WE 
REWARD THOSE WHO ACT RIGHTEOUSLY

15  HE ENTERED THE CITY WHEN ITS PEOPLE WERE NOT WATCHING 
AND HE FOUND THERE TWO MEN WHO WERE FIGHTING 

ONE OF HIS OWN PARTY, THE OTHER OF HIS ENEMIES
THE MAN OF HIS OWN PARTY APPEALED TO HIM AGAINST HIS ENEMY 
MOSES STRUCK HIM WITH HIS FIST AND KILLED HIM INSTANTLY
HE SAID, THIS IS A WORK OF SATAN FOR HE IS AN ENEMY 
THAT SURELY MISLEADS MANIFESTLY

16  THEN HE PRAYED, OH MY LORD, I HAVE INDEED 
WRONGED MY SOUL, WILL YOU FORGIVE ME? 
SO GOD FORGAVE HIM FOR HE IS SURELY
FULL OF FORGIVENESS AND MERCY

17  HE SAID, OH MY LORD, FOR THAT YOU HAVE BESTOWED GRACE ON ME
NEVER WILL I BE A HELP TO WORKERS OF INIQUITY

18  AND HE WAS IN THE CITY FEARING AND WAITING
WHEN HE WHO ASKED HIS HELP THE DAY BEFORE WAS CRYING
OUT TO HIM FOR HELP, MOSES SAID, YOU ARE ONE ERRING

19  THEN HE DECIDED TO LAY HOLD OF HIM 
HE WHO WAS AN ENEMY TO BOTH OF THEM

HE SAID, OH MOSES, IS IT YOUR INTENTION TODAY
TO KILL ME AS YOU KILLED A MAN YESTERDAY?  

YOUR INTENTION IS NONE OTHER THAN 
TO BECOME A POWERFUL VIOLENT MAN IN THE LAND 
AND NOT TO BE ONE WHO SETS THINGS PROPERLY IN HAND

20  AND THERE CAME A MAN RUNNING
FROM THE FURTHEST END OF THE CITY SAYING 
OH MOSES, THE CHIEFS ARE TAKING 

COUNSEL TOGETHER ABOUT YOU TO KILL YOU 
SO GET AWAY FOR I GIVE SINCERE ADVICE TO YOU

21  SO HE GOT AWAY LOOKING ABOUT IN A STATE OF FEAR
AND HE PRAYED, OH MY LORD, SAVE ME FROM THE WRONG DOERS 

371
CHAPTER 28.  THE NARRATIVE                                                        SECTION 3.  PART XX

22  THEN WHEN HE TURNED HIS FACE TOWARDS THE LAND OF MADYAN  
HE SAID, I HOPE THAT MY LORD WILL GUIDE ME HEREIN

23  HE ARRIVED AT A PLACE OF WATERING FLOCKS
HE FOUND A GROUP OF MEN WATERING THEIR FLOCKS 
AND HE FOUND TWO WOMEN KEEPING BACK THEIR FLOCKS
HE ASKED THE WOMEN WHY THEY WERE NOT WATERING THEIR FLOCKS 
THEY ANSWERED SAYING, WE CANNOT WATER OUR FLOCKS
UNTIL THE SHEPHERDS FINISH WATERING THEIR FLOCKS
AND OUR FATHER IS OLD AND CANNOT HELP US WITH OUR FLOCKS

24  SO HE WATERED THEIR FLOCKS FOR THEM                                                             
THEN HE TURNED BACK TO THE SHADE AWAY FROM THEM

AND SAID, OH MY LORD, I AM IN DESPERATE NEED 
OF ANY GOOD THAT YOU MAY SEND TO ME INDEED

25  ONE OF THE WOMEN CAME BACK TO HIM
WALKING BASHFULLY AND SHE SAID HIM

MY FATHER INVITES YOU TO JOIN US
THAT HE MAY REWARD YOU FOR WATERING OUR FLOCKS FOR US

SO WHEN HE CAME TO HIM AND NARRATED THE STORY 
HE SAID TO HIM, FEAR NOT FOR YOU HAVE SURELY
ESCAPED FROM THE PEOPLE WHO ACT UNJUSTLY

26  SAID ONE OF THE WOMEN, FATHER, EMPLOY HIM ON WAGES
TRULY THE BEST OF MEN FOR YOU TO EMPLOY ON WAGES
IS THE MAN WHO IS STRONG AND ACTS WITH JUSTICE

27  HE SAID, I INTEND TO WED TO YOU ONE OF MY DAUGHTERS
ON CONDITION THAT YOU SERVE ME FOR EIGHT YEARS

IF YOU COMPLETE TEN YEARS IT WILL BE GRACE FROM YOU 
BUT I INTEND NOT TO PLACE A DIFFICULTY UPON YOU
YOU WILL FIND ME IF GOD WILLS ONE WHO IS TRUE 

28  MOSES SAID, THE AGREEMENT IS SETTLED BETWEEN ME AND YOU 
AND WHICHEVER OF THE TERMS I FULFILL OF THE TWO
THERE WILL BE NO ILL WILL BETWEEN ME AND YOU
GOD IS THE WITNESS TO WHAT WE SAY AND DO

372
CHAPTER 28.  THE NARRATIVE                                                        SECTION 4.  PART XX

29  WHEN MOSES HAD FULFILLED THE TERM COMPLETELY
AND HE WAS TRAVELING WITH HIS FAMILY 

ON THE SIDE OF A MOUNTAIN HE PERCEIVED A FIRE 
HE SAID TO HIS FAMILY, STAY HERE I PERCEIVE A FIRE

I HOPE TO BRING FROM IT SOME INFORMATION TO YOU 
OR BRING A BURNING FIREBRAND TO WARM YOU

30  WHEN HE CAME TO THE FIRE HE HEARD  
A VOICE FROM A BUSH SAYING THESE WORDS
OH MOSES, I AM GOD, THE LORD OF THE WORLDS 

31  NOW THROW YOUR ROD, AND WHEN HE SAW IT MOVING 
AS IF IT HAD BEEN A SNAKE HE TURNED BACK RETREATING

IT WAS SAID, OH MOSES, DRAW NEAR
AND DO NOT HAVE AT ALL ANY FEAR
YOU ARE OF THOSE WHO ARE SECURE

32  MOVE YOUR HAND INTO YOUR BOSOM AND IT 
WILL COME OUT WHITE AND WITHOUT STAIN ON IT 

AND REMAIN CALM AND BE NOT FEARFUL
THOSE ARE TWO OF THE CREDENTIALS 

FROM YOUR LORD TO PHARAOH AND HIS CHIEFS
FOR THEY ARE PEOPLE WHO ACT WICKEDLY

33  HE SAID, OH MY LORD ,I HAVE KILLED A MAN 
AND I FEAR THEY WILL KILL ME IF THEY CAN

34  AND MY BROTHER AARON                                                                                                        
HE IS MORE ELOQUENT IN CONVERSATION 

SO SEND HIM WITH ME 
AS A HELPER TO CONFIRM AND STRENGTHEN ME 
FOR I FEAR THAT THEY MAY ACCUSE ME OF FALSITY

35  HE SAID, WE WILL THROUGH YOUR BROTHER ADD STRENGTH TO YOU
AND GIVE AUTHORITY TO BOTH OF YOU 
SO THAT THEY WILL NOT BE ABLE TO TOUCH YOU 
AND WITH OUR SIGNS YOU WILL TRIUMPH BOTH OF YOU  
AS WELL AS ALL OF THOSE WHO FOLLOW YOU

36  WHEN MOSES CAME TO THEM WITH OUR MESSAGES CLEARLY
THEY SAID, THIS IS NOTHING BUT FAKED UP SORCERY 
NEVER DID WE HEAR THE LIKE OF IT PREVIOUSLY

37  MOSES SAID, MY LORD KNOWS WHO HE SENDS AS A  MESSENGER
AND WHO IT IS IN THE END THAT WILL BE BEST IN THE HEREAFTER
CERTAIN IT IS THAT THE WRONG DOERS WILL NOT PROSPER

373
CHAPTER 28.  THE NARRATIVE                                       SECTION 4 (CONT'D). PART XX

38  PHARAOH SAID, OH CHIEFS 
NO GOD DO I KNOW FOR YOU BUT ME 
THEREFORE OH HAMAN, LIGHT A FIRE FOR ME 
TO BAKE BRICKS OUT OF CLAY AND BUILD A PALACE FOR ME 

THAT I MAY MOUNT UP TO THE GOD OF MOSES 
BUT I THINK THAT THERE IS NO TRUTH IN MOSES  

39  AND HE WAS ARROGANT IN THE LAND BEYOND REASON 
HE AND HIS HOSTS THOUGHT THEY WOULD NOT HAVE REASON
TO RETURN TO US IN DUE SEASON

40  WE SEIZED HIM AND HIS ARMY AND FLUNG THEM INTO THE SEA 
NOW SEE WHAT WAS THE END OF THOSE WHO ACT WRONGFULLY

41  AND WE MADE THEM LEADERS INVITING TO THE FIRE 
AND ON THE DAY OF JUDGMENT THEY WILL FIND NO HELPERS 

42  IN THIS WORLD WE MADE TO FOLLOW THEM A CURSE 
AND ON JUDGMENT DAY THEY WILL BE DESPISED EVEN WORSE

374
CHAPTER 28.  THE NARRATIVE                                                        SECTION 5.  PART XX

43  WE GAVE TO MOSES THE REVELATION 
AFTER WE DESTROYED THE EARLIER GENERATIONS 
TO GIVE INSIGHT AND GUIDANCE AND MERCY TO MEN
SO THAT THEY MIGHT RECEIVE ADMONITION

44  AND WHEN WE GAVE TO MOSES THE COMMANDMENTS 
ON THE SIDE OF THE MOUNTAIN YOU WERE NOT PRESENT 
NOR WERE YOU A WITNESS OF THOSE EVENTS

45  BUT WE RAISED UP GENERATIONS AFTER THEM 
THEN LIFE BECAME PROLONGED TO THEM 
THE PEOPLE OF MIDIAN YOU WERE NOT AMONG THEM
RECITING OUR MESSAGES TO THEM 
BUT THE MESSENGERS WE ARE THE SENDERS OF THEM

46  YOU WERE NOT AT THE MOUNTAIN WHEN WE SAID TO MOSES 
YOU ARE SENT FROM YOUR LORD WITH HIS MESSAGES 
TO WARN PEOPLE  TO WHOM NO WARNER CAME PREVIOUS 
THAT THEY MAY BE MINDFUL OF MY PROMISES
 
47  OR ELSE A DISASTER SHOULD BEFALL THEM 
FOR WHAT THEIR HANDS HAVE SENT BEFORE THEM

AND THEY SAY, LORD, WHY DID YOU NOT SEND US A MESSENGER
SO THAT WE MIGHT HAVE FOLLOWED HIM AND BEEN BELIEVERS?

48  BUT NOW WHEN THE TRUTH HAS COME TO THEM FROM US 
AND THEY SAY, WHY ARE NOT SENT TO HIM MESSAGES 
LIKE THOSE OF WHICH WERE SENT TO MOSES?
DID THEY NOT REJECT THE MESSAGES
WHICH WERE SENT TO MOSES? 

THEY SAY, TWO KINDS OF SORCERY EACH ASSISTING THE OTHER  
AND THEY SAY, FOR US WE REJECT ALL SUCH THINGS ALL TOGETHER

49  SAY, THEN BRING FROM GOD A BETTER SCRIPTURE
THAT OF IT I MAY BE A FOLLOWER
IF WHAT YOU ARE SAYING IS BETTER

50  BUT IF THEY LISTEN NOT TO YOUR MESSAGE FROM US
KNOW THAT THEY ONLY FOLLOW THEIR OWN LUSTS
AND WHO IS MORE ASTRAY THAN ONE WHO FOLLOWS HIS OWN LUSTS 
VAINLY NOT BEING GUIDED BY US
FOR GOD GUIDES NOT THOSE WHO ARE UNJUST

375
CHAPTER 28.  THE NARRATIVE                                                        SECTION 6.  PART XX

51  NOW HAVE WE CAUSED THE WORD TO REACH THEM 
IN ORDER THAT ADMONITION MAY BE RECEIVED BY THEM

52  THOSE TO WHOM BEFORE THIS WE SENT REVELATION
THEY BELIEVE TOO IN THIS REVELATION

53  AND WHEN IT IS RECITED TO THEM THEY SAY SINCERELY
IT IS THE TRUTH FROM GOD AND IN IT WE BELIEVE TRULY
AND WE HAVE BEEN SUBMITTERS BEFORE PREVIOUSLY

54  TWICE WILL THEY BE GIVEN THEIR REWARD FOR THAT THEY 
ARE STEADFAST AND REVERT EVIL WITH RIGHTEOUS WAYS
AND THEY SPEND IN CHARITY IN A GENEROUS WAY

55  AND WHEN THEY HEAR MEN TALKING VAINLY 
THEY TURN AWAY AND SAY, TO US ARE OUR DEEDS
AND TO YOU ARE YOURS AND TO YOU BE PEACE
AND WE SEEK NOT THOSE WHO ACT IGNORANTLY

56  TO ALL WHOM YOU PLEASE YOU CANNOT GIVE THEM GUIDANCE 
BUT THOSE WHOM GOD PLEASES HE GIVES TO THEM GUIDANCE 
AND HE KNOWS BEST THOSE WHO RECEIVE HIS GUIDANCE 

57  THEY SAY, IF WE WERE TO FOLLOW YOUR INSTRUCTIONS
WE SHOULD BE SNATCHED AWAY FROM OUR HABITATIONS
BUT HAVE WE NOT ESTABLISHED FOR THEM SECURE ENVIRONS 
TO WHICH ARE GIVEN TO THEM OF ALL KINDS OF PROVISIONS?  
BUT MOST OF THEM HAVE NO COMPREHENSION

58  AND HOW MANY POPULATIONS
HAVE WE BROUGHT TO DESTRUCTION 
WHICH LIVED THEIR LIVES IN EXALTATION  
OF WHICH ARE NOW DESERTED HABITATIONS
AND OF WHICH ARE NOW IN OUR POSSESSIONS?

59  NOR DID YOUR LORD EVER DESTROY A POPULATION 
UNTIL HE SENT A MESSENGER TO GIVE ADMONITION
RECITING TO THEM OUR CLEAR INSTRUCTIONS
NOR ARE WE GOING TO DESTROY A POPULATION 
EXCEPT WHEN ITS MEMBERS PRACTICE REBELLION

60  THE MATERIAL THINGS YOU ARE GIVEN ARE AN ENJOYMENT
OF THIS LIFE AND ITS ADORNMENT
BUT THAT WHICH IS WITH GOD IS BETTER AND MORE PERMANENT 
WILL YOU NOT THEN BE OBEDIENT?

376
CHAPTER 28.  THE NARRATIVE                                                        SECTION 7.  PART XX

61  ARE THESE ALIKE, ONE WITH WHOM WE HAVE MADE A COVENANT
AND WITH WHOM IT IS GOING TO REACH ITS FULFILLMENT?  
AND ONE TO WHOM GOOD THINGS HAVE BEEN SENT
BUT WHO ON THE DAY OF JUDGMENT 
IS TO BE AMONG THOSE BROUGHT UP FOR PUNISHMENT?

62  THAT DAY GOD WILL CALL TO THEM 
AND ASK WHERE ARE THE PARTNERS THEY ASCRIBED TO HIM 

63  THOSE AGAINST WHOM THE CHARGE WILL BE PROVED WILL SAY 
OUR LORD, THESE ARE THE ONES WHOM WE LED ASTRAY 
WE LED THEM ASTRAY BECAUSE WE WERE ASTRAY 

IN YOUR PRESENCE WE FREE OURSELVES FROM THEM 
IT WAS NOT US THAT WAS WORSHIPPED BY THEM

64  AND IT WILL BE SAID TO THEM
CALL YOUR PARTNERS FOR HELP, AND THEY WILL CALL THEM 
BUT THEY WILL NOT BE ABLE TO LISTEN TO THEM 
THEY WILL SEE THE PENALTY BEFORE THEM 
AND THEN WILL IT BE WISHED BY THEM
THAT THEY WOULD HAVE FOLLOWED THE GUIDANCE GIVEN TO THEM

65  GOD WILL SAY, WHAT WAS THE ANSWER 
THAT YOU GAVE TO THE MESSENGERS?

66  THE WHOLE STORY THAT DAY WILL SEEM TO THEM OBSCURE 
LIKE LIGHT TO THE BLIND AND THEY WILL NOT  QUESTION EACH OTHER

67  BUT IN THIS LIFE IF THEY HAD REPENTED AND BELIEVED 
AND WORKED RIGHTEOUSNESS THEY WOULD HAVE RECEIVED 
THE SALVATION WHICH THEY WOULD HAVE HOPED TO ACHIEVE

68  YOUR LORD DOES CREATE AND CHOOSES AS PLEASES HIM
NO CHOICE HAVE THEY IN THE MATTER, GLORY BE TO HIM
FAR IS HE ABOVE THE PARTNERS THEY ASCRIBE TO HIM

69  AND GOD KNOWS ALL THAT THEIR HEARTS CONCEAL 
AND HE KNOWS ALL THAT THEIR HEARTS REVEAL

70  AND HE IS GOD, THERE IS NO GOD BUT HE
AND TO HIM BE PRAISED FIRST AND LASTLY
AND YOU WILL RETURN TO HIM FINALLY

71  SAY, IF GOD WERE TO MAKE THE NIGHT PERPETUAL OVER YOU 
WHO OTHER THAN GOD CAN GIVE ENLIGHTENMENT TO YOU?
WILL YOU NOT THEN SHOW GRATITUDE ?

72  SAY, IF GOD WERE TO MAKE THE DAY PERPETUAL OVER YOU
WHO ELSE COULD BRING THE NIGHT TO GIVE REST TO YOU?
IS THIS NOT UNDERSTOOD BY YOU?

73  OUT OF HIS MERCY HE HAS MADE FOR YOU 
THE NIGHT TO GIVE REST TO YOU 
AND THE DAY THAT HIS GRACE MY BE SOUGHT BY 
IN ORDER THAT YOU MAY SHOW TO HIM YOUR GRATITUDE

74  THE DAY THAT HE WILL CALL ON THEM  
AND ASK WHERE ARE PARTNERS THEY ASCRIBED TO HIM

75  FROM EACH PEOPLE WILL WE  DRAW WITNESSES
AND WE WILL SAY, PRODUCE YOUR EVIDENCES
THEN WILL THEY KNOW THAT TRUTHFULNESS
IS IN GOD ALONE AND THEIR FALSE MESSAGES 
WILL HAVE LEFT THEM IN THE LURCHES

377
CHAPTER 28.  THE NARRATIVE                                                        SECTION 8.  PART XX

76  KORAH WAS ONE OF  MOSES'S PEOPLE 
BUT HE ACTED INSOLENTLY TOWARDS THE APOSTLE

AND THE TREASURES TO HIM WHICH WE HAD GIVEN
THAT THEIR VERY KEYS WOULD HAVE BEEN 
A BURDEN TO A BODY OF STRONG MEN 

HIS PEOPLE SAID TO HIM, DO NOT EXULT
FOR GOD LOVES NOT THOSE WHO EXULT

77  BUT SEEK WITH THE WEALTH GOD HAS GIVEN TO YOU
THE HOME OF THE HEREAFTER, NOR FORGET TO DO 
GOOD IN THIS WORLD AS GOD HAS BEEN GOOD TO YOU 
AND MISCHIEF DO NOT SEEK TO DO
FOR GOD LOVES NOT THOSE WHO DO MISCHIEF AMONG YOU

78  HE SAID, THIS HAS BEEN GIVEN TO ME 
BECAUSE OF KNOWLEDGE THAT HAS BEEN GIVEN TO ME

DID HE NOT KNOW THAT GOD HAD DESTROYED BEFORE HIM 
WHOLE GENERATIONS WHICH WERE SUPERIOR TO HIM 
AND MUCH GREATER IN RICHES THAN HIM? 

BUT THE WICKED ARE NOT IMMEDIATELY 
CALLED TO ACCOUNT FOR THEIR INIQUITY 

79  SO HE WENT AMONG HIS PEOPLE WITH HIS WORLDLY GLITTER 
AND IT WAS SAID BY THOSE WHOSE AIM IS WORLDLY GLITTER

IF ONLY WE HAD THE LIKE KORAH'S POSSESSIONS
FOR HE IS A LORD OF MIGHTY GOOD FORTUNE 

80  BUT THOSE WHO WERE GIVEN GUIDANCE CLEAR 
SAID, THE REWARD OF GOD IN THE HEREAFTER 
IS BEST FOR THOSE WHO ARE BELIEVERS
AND WHO ARE RIGHTEOUS DOERS 
BUT THE ATTAINERS OF THIS ARE THE PERSEVERERS 

81  SO WE CAUSED THE EARTH TO SWALLOW HIM 
AND HIS WHOLE HOUSEHOLD WITH HIM 
AND AGAINST GOD HE HAD NO ONE TO HELP HIM
NOR WAS THERE ANY DEFENSE FOR HIM

82  AND ALL THOSE WHO HAD THE DAY BEFORE ENVIED HIS POSITION
THE DAY AFTER SAID, IT IS GOD WHO ENLARGES THE PROVISION
OR RESTRICTS IT TO ANY HE PLEASES OF HIS SERVANTS 

AND HAD IT NOT BEEN THAT GOD WAS GRACIOUS TO US 
HE COULD HAVE CAUSED THE EARTH TO SWALLOW US 
THOSE WHO REJECT GOD WILL NOT BE PROSPEROUS

378
CHAPTER 28.  THE NARRATIVE                                                        SECTION 9.  PART XX

83  THE HOME OF THE HEREAFTER WE WILL GIVE TO THE RIGHTEOUS 
WHO INTEND NOT MISCHIEF ON EARTH OR HIGH HANDEDNESS 
AND THE END IS BEST FOR THOSE WHO ARE RIGHTEOUS

84  IF ANY DOES GOOD HIS REWARD IS BETTER THAN HIS DEED 
BUT IF ANY DOES EVIL THEY ARE INDEED
PUNISHED TO THE EXTENT OF THEIR DEEDS

85  HE WHO ORDAINED THE QURAN FOR YOU
BACK TO THE PLACE OF RETURN HE WILL BRING YOU
SAY, MY LORD KNOWS BEST WHO BRINGS GUIDANCE TRUE 
AND WHO IS IN MANIFEST ERROR AMONG YOU

86  YOU HAD NOT EXPECTED THAT THE BOOK WOULD BE 
SENT TO YOU FROM GOD AS A MERCY 
SO DO NOT SUPPORT THOSE WHO DISBELIEVE

87  LET NOTHING KEEP YOU BACK FROM THE MESSAGES OF GOD 
AFTER THEY HAVE BEEN REVEALED AND INVITE MEN TO GOD 
AND BE NOT AMONG THOSE WHO JOIN GODS WITH GOD

88  AND CALL NOT BESIDES GOD ON ANOTHER GOD 
BESIDES HIM THERE IS NO OTHER GOD 

EVERYTHING THAT EXISTS WILL PERISH EXCEPT HIM  
THE COMMAND BELONGS ONLY TO HIM 
AND YOU WILL ALL BE BROUGHT BACK TO HIM

379
CHAPTER 29.  THE SPIDER                                                                SECTION 1.  PART XX

IN THE NAME OF GOD 
THE MOST GRACIOUS AND MERCIFUL GOD

1  I, GOD, THE CREATOR
AM THE BEST KNOWER

2  DO MEN THINK THAT THEY WILL BE 
LEFT ALONE JUST SAYING, WE BELIEVE
AND WILL NOT BE TRIED BY THEIR DEEDS?

3  WE TESTED THOSE BEFORE THEM TOO
AND GOD WILL KNOW THOSE AMONG YOU
WHO ARE FALSE FROM THOSE WHO ARE TRUE

4  DO THOSE WHO PRACTICE EVIL THINK THAT THEY WILL 
GET THE BETTER OF US?  THEIR JUDGMENT IS ILL

5  FOR THOSE WHOSE HOPES ARE IN THE MEETING 
WITH GOD IN THE HEREAFTER, LET THEM ENGAGE IN STRIVING 
FOR THE TERM WITH GOD IS MOST SURELY COMING 
AND GOD IS ALL HEARING AND ALL KNOWING

6  IF ANY STRIVE THEY DO SO FOR THEIR OWN SALVATION
FOR GOD IS FREE OF ALL NEEDS FROM ALL CREATION

7  THOSE WHO BELIEVE AND WORK RIGHTEOUS DEEDS 
WE WILL BLOT OUT ALL EVIL IN THEM AND WILL INDEED
REWARD THEM ACCORDING TO THE BEST OF THEIR DEEDS

8  WE HAVE ENJOINED ON MAN KINDNESS TO HIS PARENTS
BUT IF THEY STRIVE TO FORCE YOU TO BE A SERVANT

OF OR WORSHIP ANYTHING BESIDES ME
OBEY THEM NOT FOR YOU WILL ALL RETURN TO ME
AND I WILL TELL YOU ALL THAT YOU DID TRUTHFULLY

9  AND THOSE WHO BELIEVE AND DO DEEDS THAT ARE RIGHTEOUS 
THEM WILL WE ADMIT TO THE COMPANY OF THE RIGHTEOUS

10  AND THEN THERE ARE MEN WHO SAY, WE BELIEVE IN GOD 
BUT WHEN THEY SUFFER AFFLICTION IN THE CAUSE OF GOD 
THEY TREAT MEN'S OPPRESSION LIKE THE WRATH OF GOD 
AND IF HELP COMES TO YOU FROM GOD
THEY SAY, WE WERE WITH YOU, BUT ALL  IS KNOWN BY GOD

11  AND GOD KNOWS THOSE WHO BELIEVE 
AND THOSE WHO ARE HYPOCRITES INDEED

12  THE DISBELIEVERS SAY TO THE BELIEVERS 
FOLLOW OUR PATH AND YOUR FAULTS WE WILL BEAR
NEVER WILL THEY BEAR THEIR FAULTS, IN FACT THEY ARE LIARS

13  THEY WILL BEAR THEIR OWN BURDENS 
AND OTHER BURDENS ALONG WITH THEIR BURDENS
AND ON THE DAY OF RESURRECTION
THEY WILL BE CALLED TO ACCOUNT FOR THEIR FABRICATIONS

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CHAPTER 29.  THE SPIDER                                                                SECTION 2.  PART XX

14  WE SENT NOAH TO HIS PEOPLE WHO BEHAVED INSOLENTLY
HE STAYED AMONG THEM A THOUSAND YEARS LESS FIFTY 
BUT THE FLOOD OVERWHELMED THEM COMPLETELY
WHILE THEY PERSISTED IN INIQUITY

15  BUT WE SAVED HIM IN THE ARK AND HIS PEOPLE 
AND WE MADE THE ARK A SIGN FOR ALL PEOPLE

16  WE ALSO SAVED ABRAHAM AND HE SAID TO HIS PEOPLE
SERVE GOD, THAT WILL BE BEST FOR YOU PEOPLE

17  FOR YOU WORSHIP IDOLS BESIDES GOD 
AND THE THINGS THAT YOU WORSHIP BESIDES GOD 
HAVE NO POWER TO GIVE SUSTENANCE TO YOU BESIDES GOD
SO SERVE GOD THEN SEEK YOUR SUSTENANCE FROM GOD 
AND BE GRATEFUL TO HIM, YOU WILL RETURN TO GOD

18  IF YOU REJECT THE MESSAGE SO DID GENERATIONS PRIOR
AND THE ONLY DUTY OF THE MESSENGER
IS TO PREACH THE MESSAGE CLEAR

19  SEE HOW GOD ORIGINATES AND REPEATS CREATION  
AND FOR GOD THAT IS NO COMPLICATION? 

20  SAY, TRAVEL THE EARTH WITH OBSERVATION
AND SEE HOW GOD DID ORIGINATE CREATION
AND GOD WILL PRODUCE A LATER CREATION 
FOR GOD HAS POWER OVER ALL CREATION

21  HE PUNISHES WHOM HE PLEASES 
AND HE GRANTS MERCY TO WHOM HE PLEASES 
AND TO HIM YOU WILL BE RETURNED AS HE PLEASES

22  NOT ON EARTH NOR IN HEAVEN WILL YOU 
BE ABLE TO FRUSTRATE HIS PLAN NOR HAVE YOU 
BESIDES YOUR LORD ANYONE AS A PATRON FOR YOU

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CHAPTER 29.  THE SPIDER                                                                SECTION 3.  PART XX

23  THOSE WHO REJECT THE MESSAGES OF GOD 
AND THE MEETING IN THE HEREAFTER WITH GOD
 
IT IS THEY WHO WILL DESPAIR OF MY MERCY
AND IT IS THEY WHO WILL SUFFER A GRIEVOUS PENALTY 

24  OF ABRAHAM'S PEOPLE THEIR ANSWER WAS, KILL HIM                                           
OR BURN HIM, BUT FROM THE FIRE GOD SAVED HIM 
FOR ANY BELIEVER THIS IS A SIGN FOR HIM 

25  HE SAID, YOU HAVE BESIDES GOD TAKEN FOR WORSHIP 
IDOLS OUT OF MUTUAL LOVE AND FRIENDSHIP

BUT IN THE HEREAFTER YOU WILL DISOWN EACH OTHER  
AND CURSE EACH OTHER AND YOU WILL ABIDE IN THE FIRE
AND YOU WILL HAVE NO FRIEND OR HELPER

26  SO LOT BELIEVED IN HIS LORD
AND SAID, I AM FLEEING TO MY LORD 
FOR SURELY WISE AND MIGHTY IS MY LORD

27  AND WE GAVE TO ABRAHAM, ISAAC AND JACOB AS SONS
AND WE GAVE HIS DESCENDANTS PROPHETHOOD AND REVELATION

AND WE GRANTED HIM HIS REWARD IN THIS LIFE GREATLY
AND HE WAS IN THE HEREAFTER OF THE COMPANY 
OF THOSE WHO ACTED RIGHTEOUSLY

28  LOT SAID TO HIS PEOPLE, YOU COMMIT ABOMINATION 
SUCH AS NO PEOPLE EVER DID BEFORE YOU IN CREATION 

29  DO YOU APPROACH MEN LUSTFULLY
AND CUT OFF THE HIGHWAYS RUTHLESSLY
AND IN YOUR COUNCILS YOU ACT WICKEDLY?  
BUT HIS PEOPLE GAVE NO ANSWERS PROPERLY
BUT THAT THEY SAID, BRING US GOD'S PENALTY
IF YOU ARE INDEED ACTING TRUTHFULLY 

30  HE SAID, MY LORD, BE MY HELPER
AGAINST THE MISCHIEF MAKERS

382
CHAPTER 29.  THE SPIDER                                                                  SECTION 4.  PART XX

31  WHEN OUR MESSENGERS CAME TO ABRAHAM OUR APOSTLE
THEY SAID, WE ARE GOING TO DESTROY THIS TOWN'S PEOPLE 
FOR THEY ARE SURELY ADDICTED CRIMINALS 

32  HE SAID, BUT LOT IS THERE 
THEY SAID, WELL DO WE KNOW WHO IS THERE 

WE WILL CERTAINLY SAVE HIM AND HIS FAMILY
EXCEPT HIS WIFE, SHE WILL LAG BELATEDLY

33  WHEN OUR MESSENGERS CAME TO LOT HE WAS GRIEVED 
AND HE FELT POWERLESS TO PROTECT THEM SAFELY
BUT THEY SAID, FEAR NOT AND DO NOT GRIEVE 
FOR WE ARE HERE TO SAVE YOU AND YOUR FAMILY
EXCEPT FOR YOUR WIFE FOR SHE WILL LAG BELATEDLY

34  FOR WE ARE GOING TO BRING DOWN 
ON THE PEOPLE OF THIS TOWN

A PUNISHMENT FROM HEAVEN 
BECAUSE THEY HAVE BEEN IN TRANSGRESSION

35  WE HAVE LEFT THERE AN EVIDENT WARNING
FOR ANY PEOPLE WITH UNDERSTANDING

36  TO THE MADYAN PEOPLE 
WE SENT SHUAIB WHO SAID TO HIS PEOPLE 
SERVE GOD AND FEAR GOD AND COMMIT NO EVIL

37  BUT HE WAS REJECTED BY THEM
AND THE EARTHQUAKE SEIZED THEM

AND THEY LAID IN THEIR DWELLINGS
MOTIONLESS BY THE MORNING

38  REMEMBER ALSO THE AD AND THE THAMUD PEOPLE 
CLEARLY WILL THE FATE OF THEIR PEOPLE

APPEAR TO YOU FROM THE TRACES OF THEIR BUILDINGS 
TO THEM THE DEVIL MADE THEIR DEEDS SEEM ALLURING 

AND KEPT THEM BACK FROM THE RIGHT WAY
THOUGH GIFTED WITH INTELLIGENCE AND SKILL WERE THEY

39  REMEMBER ALSO 
KORAH, HAMAN AND PHARAOH

MOSES CAME WITH CLEAR SIGNS BUT THEY WERE INSOLENT
YET THEY COULD NOT ESCAPE OUR PUNISHMENT

383
CHAPTER 28.  THE NARRATIVE                                     SECTION 4 (CONT'D).  PART XX

40  WE SEIZED FOR THEIR CRIMES EACH OF THEM 
AND WE SENT TORNADOES AGAINST SOME OF THEM
WITH VIOLENT SHOWERS OF STONES AND SOME OF THEM
WERE CAUGHT UP BY A MIGHTY BLAST AND SOME OF THEM
WE CAUSED THE EARTH TO SWALLOW THEM
AND WE DROWNED IN THE WATERS SOME OF THEM
IT WAS NOT GOD WHO INJURED OR OPPRESSED THEM
IT WAS THEIR OWN SELVES THAT INJURED AND OPPRESSED THEM

41  THE PARABLE OF THOSE WHO TAKE PROTECTORS 
OTHER THAN GOD IS THAT OF THE SPIDER 

WHO BUILDS FOR ITSELF A HOUSE 
AND THE FLIMSIEST HOUSE IS THE SPIDER'S HOUSE 

42  GOD KNOWS WHAT THEY CALL ON OTHER THAN HE
FOR HE IS ALL WISE AND ALL MIGHTY

43  AND THESE ARE THE PARABLES 
WE SET FORTH FOR PEOPLE 

BUT ONLY THOSE WILL GRASP THEIR MEANING
WHO HAVE KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING

44  GOD CREATED THE HEAVENS 
AND THE EARTH IN TRUE PROPORTIONS
AND IN THAT IS A SIGN FOR BELIEVING ONES

384