CHAPTER 12.  JOSEPH                                                                         SECTION 7.  PART XII

50  BRING HIM TO ME, SAID THE KING
BUT WHEN THE MESSENGER OF THE KING
CAME TO HIM JOSEPH SAID, GO BACK TO THE KING

AND ASK HIM ABOUT THE WOMEN WHO CUT THEIR HANDS
FOR MY LORD IS WELL AWARE OF THEIR PLANS

51  WHAT WAS YOUR AFFAIR,  THE KING SAID TO THE WOMEN
WHEN YOU TRIED TO SEDUCE JOSEPH?  THEN SAID THE WOMEN

BY GOD, HIS WIFE SAID, NOW THE TRUTH IS MANIFEST TO ALL

YES IT WAS ME WHO TRIED TO SEDUCE HIM BUT HE
HELD HIMSELF FIRMLY AND VIRTUOUSLY

52  I SAY THIS SO THAT HE 
MAY KNOW THAT IN HIS ABSENCE I HAVE NOT BEHAVED FALSELY
AND ASSUREDLY GOD DOES NOT GUIDE THOSE WHO BEHAVE FALSELY

PART XIII

53  NOR DO I HOLD MYSELF BLAMELESSLY
FOR THE HUMAN SOUL IS CERTAINLY 
PRONE TO ACT UNRIGHTEOUSLY
EXCEPT FOR THOSE UPON WHOM GOD BESTOWS MERCY
AND GOD IS FULL OF FORGIVENESS AND MERCY

54  SO THE KING SAID, BRING HIM TO ME
I WILL CHOOSE HIM TO SERVE ME PERSONALLY
THE KING SAID TO JOSEPH, TODAY YOU ARE HONORABLY
RESTORED INTO OUR PRESENCE WITH DIGNITY

55  JOSEPH SAID, THEN PLACE ME OVER THE TREASURES OF THE LAND
AND I WILL GUARD THEM AS ONE WHO UNDERSTANDS

56  THIS WAS HOW WE GAVE POWER TO JOSEPH IN THE LAND
HE HAD MASTERY OVER IT AT HIS COMMAND

WE BESTOW OUR MERCY UPON WHOMEVER WE LIKE
AND NEVER DO WE WASTE THE REWARD OF THOSE WHO DO RIGHT

57  AND THE REWARD OF HEREAFTER IS EVEN BETTER
FOR THOSE WHO DO GOOD AND ARE TRUE BELIEVERS 

214
CHAPTER 12.  JOSEPH                                                                       SECTION 8.  PART XIII

58  THEN JOSEPH'S BROTHERS CAME TO HIM
AND HE RECOGNIZED THEM BUT THEY DID NOT RECOGNIZE HIM

59  AND WHEN HE HAD FURNISHED THEM
WITH SUITABLE PROVISIONS HE SAID TO THEM

BRING TO ME THAT YOUNGER BROTHER
THAT YOU HAVE FROM YOUR FATHER
DO YOU SEE I PAY FULL MEASURE
AND THAT I AM A GOOD HOSPITALITY PROVIDER?

60  BUT NOW IF YOU DO NOT BRING HIM TO ME
YOU WILL GET NO MORE GRAIN FROM ME
NOR WILL YOU EVEN COME NEAR ME

61  THEY SAID, WE WILL TRY TO GET HIM FROM HIS FATHER	 
AND WE WILL BE ABLE TO DO IT FOR SURE 

62  JOSEPH TOLD HIS SERVANTS TO SECRETLY
HIDE BACK INTO THEIR SADDLE BAGS THEIR MONEY
SO THEY WOULD FIND IT WHEN THEY RETURNED TO THEIR FAMILY
IN ORDER THAT THEY MIGHT COME BACK ASSUREDLY

63  WHEN THEY RETURNED TO THEIR FATHER
THEY SAID, OH OUR FATHER, NO MORE MEASURE
OF GRAIN WILL WE GET UNLESS WE TAKE OUR YOUNGER BROTHER
SEND HIM WITH US SO THAT WE CAN GET OUR FULL MEASURE
AND WE WILL SURELY GUARD HIM AS A TREASURE

64  HE SAID, SHOULD I TRUST HIM WITH YOU TO ANY RESULT OTHER
THAN WHEN I TRUSTED YOU BEFORE WITH JOSEPH HIS BROTHER

GOD IS THE BEST TO TAKE CARE OF HIM SURELY
AND GOD IS THE MOST MERCIFUL OF THOSE WHO SHOW MERCY

65  WHEN THEY LOOKED INTO THEIR BAGGAGE AND FOUND THEIR MONEY
RETURNED TO THEM THEY SAID, OH FATHER, COME LOOK AND SEE
THEY HAVE GRACIOUSLY RETURNED TO US OUR MONEY
NOW WE CAN GET MORE GRAIN FOR OUR FAMILY
AND WE WILL GUARD OUR BROTHER SAFELY
AND ADD A CAMEL'S LOAD OF GRAIN TO OUR PROVISIONS EASILY
THIS IS BUT A SMALL QUANTITY

66  JACOB SAID, I WILL ONLY SEND HIM WITH YOU IF YOU GIVE TO ME
A PROMISE IN GOD'S NAME THAT YOU WILL BRING HIM BACK TO ME
UNLESS YOU ARE YOURSELVES HEMMED IN HELPLESSLY

AND AFTER THEY HAD GIVEN HIM THEIR SINCERE PROMISE
HE SAID, OVER ALL THAT WE SAY GOD IS THE WITNESS

67  MY SONS, DO NOT ENTER ALL OF YOU BY THE SAME GATE TOGETHER
YOU MUST ALL FIND DIFFERENT GATES FOR EACH OF YOU TO ENTER 
NOT THAT I CAN ADVISE YOU AGAINST THE PLAN OF THE CREATOR
FOR NONE CAN COMMAND EXCEPT OUR LORD AND CHERISHER
AND I  PUT ALL MY TRUST IN GOD, OUR LORD AND SUSTAINER
AND LET ALL WHO TRUST PUT THEIR TRUST IN THEIR MAKER

68  WHEN THEY ENTERED ACCORDING TO THEIR FATHER'S INSTRUCTION
IT DID NOT PROFIT THEM IN THE LEAST AGAINST GOD'S ORCHESTRATION
IT WAS A DESIRE OF JACOB'S IN WHICH HE OBTAINED SATISFACTION
FOR HE WAS FULL OF KNOWLEDGE BY GOD'S INSTRUCTION
BUT MOST MEN ARE UNAWARE OF THIS REALIZATION

215
CHAPTER 12.  JOSEPH                                                                       SECTION 9.  PART XIII

69  AND WHEN THEY CAME TO JOSEPH, UPON ENTERING
HE RECEIVED HIS YOUNGER BROTHER TO STAY WITH HIM SAYING
I AM YOUR OWN BROTHER JOSEPH, SO GRIEVE NOT AT THEIR DOINGS

70  WHEN HE HAD FURNISHED THEM WITH PROVISIONS SUITABLY 
HE HID THE KING'S DRINKING CUP INTO HIS BROTHER'S BAG SECRETLY

THEN SOMEONE SHOUTED OUT 
OH YOU IN THE CARAVAN, YOU ARE THIEVES WITHOUT DOUBT

71  THEY SAID, WHAT DO YOU FIND YOURSELVES WITHOUT?

72  HE SAID, WE MISS THE DRINKING CUP OF THE KING
AND I WILL GIVE A REWARD FOR ITS RETURNING

73  THE BROTHERS SAID, SURELY YOU DO NOT BELIEVE
THAT WE CAME TO MAKE MISCHIEF AND WE ARE NOT THIEVES

74  THE EGYPTIANS SAID, THEN WHAT WILL BE
IF YOU ARE PROVEN TO HAVE LIED, THE PENALTY?

75  THEY SAID, THE PENALTY FAIRLY SHOULD BE  
THAT HE IN WHOSE BAGGAGE IT IS RETRIEVED
THAT HE SHOULD BE HELD IN SLAVERY
THIS IS HOW WE PUNISH THE GUILTY

76  HE BEGAN SEARCHING THEIR BAGGAGE ONE AFTER ANOTHER
EVENTUALLY HE BROUGHT IT OUT OF THE BAGGAGE OF HIS BROTHER
THIS WE PLANNED FOR JOSEPH FOR HE COULD NOT TAKE HIS BROTHER
UNDER THE KINGS LAW EXCEPT AS GOD ORDERED
WE RAISE IN DEGREES OF WISDOM THOSE WHOM WE DESIRE
BUT OVER THOSE WHO HAVE KNOWLEDGE, GOD IS THE BEST KNOWER

77  THE BROTHERS SAID, IF HE IS A THIEF
THERE WAS A BROTHER OF HIS BEFORE WHO WAS ALSO A THIEF

BUT THESE THINGS JOSEPH KEPT LOCKED IN HIS HEART FROM THEM
AND HE DID NOT REVEAL THE SECRETS TO THEM

HE SAID TO HIMSELF, THESE MEN ARE IN AN EVIL CONDITION
AND GOD KNOWS BEST THE TRUTH OF THEIR ASSERTIONS

78  THEY SAID TO HIM, OH MIGHTY CHIEF
HE HAS A FATHER WHO IS OLD WHO WILL BE FILLED WITH GRIEF

SO TAKE ONE OF US IN HIS PLACE
FOR WE SEE YOU ARE ONE WHO IS FULL OF GRACE

79  HE SAID, IF WE TOOK OTHER THAN HE
WITH WHOM WE FOUND OUR PROPERTY
WE WOULD BE ACTING WRONGFULLY

216
CHAPTER 12.  JOSEPH                                                                     SECTION 10.  PART XIII

80  NOW WHEN THEY SAW NO HOPE OF HIS YIELDING
THEY HELD TOGETHER A PRIVATE MEETING

THE LEADER AMONG THEM SAID, DO YOU REALIZE THAT WE
MADE A PROMISE TO OUR FATHER IN GOD'S NAME SINCERELY
AND BEFORE THIS HOW WE FAILED WITH JOSEPH IN OUR DUTY?
SO I WILL NOT LEAVE THIS LAND UNTIL MY FATHER PERMITS ME
OR UNLESS GOD MAKES A WAY FOR ME
AND GOD IS THE BEST TO MAKE A WAY FOR ME

81  OH MY BROTHERS
GO AND TELL WHAT HAPPENED TO OUR FATHER
WHEN THEY RETURNED HOME THEY SAID, OH OUR FATHER
YOUR SON, OUR YOUNGER BROTHER

IS BEING HELD AS A THIEF IN SLAVERY
AND WE COULD NOT GUARD AGAINST WHAT WE COULD NOT FORESEE

82  ASK AT THE TOWN WHERE WE WERE VISITING
AND OF THE CARAVAN IN WHICH WE ARE RETURNING
AND YOU WILL FIND THAT IT IS TRUE WHAT WE ARE SAYING

83  HE SAID, YOU HAVE CONTRIVED A STORY
GOOD ENOUGH FOR YOU BUT NOT FOR ME
IT IS BETTER FOR ME TO BEAR PATIENTLY 
MAYBE IN THE END GOD WILL BRING THEM ALL BACK TO ME
FOR SURELY FULL OF KNOWLEDGE AND WISDOM IS HE

84  AND HE TURNED AWAY FROM THEM AND SAID, I MISS JOSEPH TERRIBLY
AND HIS EYES WERE FILLED WITH TEARS ON ACCOUNT OF THE GRIEF
AND HE FELL INTO A SILENT MELANCHOLY

85  THEY SAID, OH OUR FATHER, SURELY YOU
WILL NEVER CEASE TO REMEMBER JOSEPH UNTIL YOU
EITHER GET SICK OR UNTIL DEATH MAKES AN END OF YOU

86  HE SAID, TO GOD ALONE DO I COMPLAIN OF MY SORROW 
AND I KNOW FROM GOD THAT WHICH YOU DO NOT KNOW

87  OH MY SONS, GO BACK AND INQUIRE
ABOUT JOSEPH AND HIS BROTHER

AND DO NOT EVER GIVE UP HOPE OF MERCY FROM GOD
FOR NO ONE GIVES UP HOPE OF MERCY FROM GOD
EXCEPT PEOPLE WHO DO NOT BELIEVE IN GOD

88  WHEN THEY CAME TO JOSEPH THEY SAID, OH MIGHTY CHIEF
DISTRESS HAS INDEED AFFLICTED OUR FAMILY WITH GRIEF
AND SO WE HAVE NOW BROUGHT JUST A LITTLE MONEY
BUT GIVE US FULL MEASURE AND TREAT IT AS CHARITY
FOR GOD LOVES THOSE WHO DO DEEDS OF CHARITY

89  HE SAID, DO YOU REMEMBER
HOW YOU TREATED JOSEPH AND HIS BROTHER
WHEN YOU WERE IGNORANT AND WRONGDOERS?

217
CHAPTER 12.  JOSEPH                                                    SECTION 10 (CONT'D). PART XIII

90  THEY SAID, ARE YOU JOSEPH?
HE ANSWERED SAYING, YES, I AM JOSEPH 
AND THIS IS MY BROTHER AND TO US GOD HAS BEEN GRACIOUS
AND SURELY GOD NEVER WASTES THE REWARD OF THE RIGHTEOUS

91  THEY SAID, GOD HAS CHOSEN YOU OVER US SURELY
AND WE HAVE BEEN SINNERS CERTAINLY

92  JOSEPH SAID, NO REPROACH AGAINST YOU LET THERE BE 
PERHAPS GOD WILL FORGIVE YOU AND GOD IS SURELY
THE MOST MERCIFUL OF THOSE WHO SHOW MERCY

93  TAKE THIS MY COAT FROM ME
SHOW IT TO MY FATHER AND HE WILL COME TO SEE CLEARLY
THEN COME BACK HERE TO ME TOGETHER WITH ALL OF YOUR FAMILY

218
CHAPTER 12.  JOSEPH                                                                     SECTION 11.  PART XIII

94  AS THE CARAVAN WAS LEAVING EGYPT FROM A DISTANCE
JACOB SAID, I SOMEHOW SENSE JOSEPH'S PRESENCE
DO NOT THINK THAT I AM LOSING MY SENSES

95  THOSE WHO WERE AT HOME AROUND HIM SAID
YOU HAVE WANDERED OUT OF YOUR OLD HEAD

96  WHEN THE BEARER OF THE GOOD NEWS CAME LATER THAT NIGHT
HE SHOWED JACOB THE COAT AND HE REGAINED CLEAR SIGHT

HE SAID, DID I NOT TELL YOU THAT I KNOW
FROM GOD THAT WHICH YOU DO NOT KNOW?

97  THEY SAID, ASK FORGIVENESS FOR OUR SINS, OUR FATHER
FOR CERTAINLY WE HAVE BEEN SINNERS

98  HE SAID, I WILL ASK GOD FOR YOUR FORGIVENESS
FOR HE IS FULL OF MERCY AND KINDNESS

99  AND WHEN THEY ENTERED INTO JOSEPH'S PRESENCE
HE PROVIDED A HOME WITH HIMSELF FOR HIS PARENTS
AND HE SAID, ENTER EGYPT WITH GOD'S ASSURANCE

100  AND HE RAISED HIS PARENTS HIGH ON THE THRONE OF HONOR
AND THE ELEVEN BROTHERS AND THE FATHER AND THE MOTHER

ALL BOWED DOWN BEFORE HIM IN SUBMISSION
HE SAID, MY FATHER, THIS IS THE FULFILLMENT OF MY OLD VISION
GOD HAS BROUGHT IT INTO REALIZATION
HE WAS KIND TO ME WHEN HE BROUGHT ME OUT OF PRISON

AND BROUGHT YOU ALL HERE TOGETHER OUT OF THE DESERT SAFELY
AFTER SATAN HAD SOWN ENMITY BETWEEN MY BROTHERS AND ME
SURELY GOD UNDERSTANDS BEST THE MYSTERIES
OF ALL THAT HE PLANS TO DO, FOR SURELY
FULL OF KNOWLEDGE AND WISDOM IS HE

101  THEN JOSEPH PRAYED, OH MY LORD, TO ME YOU HAVE GIVEN  
SOME POWER AND TAUGHT ME THE INTERPRETATIONS 
OF STORIES AND DREAMS AND VISIONS

OH MIGHTY ORIGINATOR OF THE HEAVENS AND THE EARTH
YOU ARE MY PROTECTOR IN THIS WORLD AND IN THE HEREAFTER
TAKE MY SOUL AT DEATH AS ONE OF THE SUBMITTERS
AND UNITE ME WITH THE RIGHTEOUS BELIEVERS

102  THIS IS ONE OF THE ANNOUNCEMENTS
RELATING TO UNSEEN EVENTS
WHICH WE REVEAL TO YOU BY INSPIRATION
YOU WERE NOT AMONG THEM DURING THEIR CONCERTIONS
OF THEIR PLANS AND IN THE DEVISINGS OF THEIR MACHINATIONS

103  AND MOST MEN WILL NOT BE BELIEVERS
THOUGH IT MAY BE YOUR EAGER DESIRES

104  AND NO REWARD FOR IT DO YOU ASK OF THE PEOPLE
IT IS NO LESS THAN A MESSAGE FOR ALL PEOPLE

219
CHAPTER 12.  JOSEPH                                                                    SECTION 12.  PART XIII

105  AND HOW MANY LESSONS
IN THE EARTH AND IN THE HEAVENS
DO MEN PASS BY THEM IN REJECTION?

106  AND MOST PEOPLE BELIEVE NOT IN GOD
WITHOUT ASSOCIATING OTHERS WITH GOD

107  DO THEY THEN FEEL SECURE FROM THE COMING 
TO THEM OF A CHASTISEMENT FROM GOD OR THE COMING 
OF THE FINAL HOUR OF DEATH WHILE THEY ARE NOT PERCEIVING?

108  SAY, I INVITE YOU ON CLEAR EVIDENCE TO GOD
I AND THOSE WITH ME AND GLORY TO GOD
AND I AM NOT ONE WHO JOINS GOD'S WITH GOD

109  NOR DID EVER BEFORE GOD SEND WITH REVELATIONS
ANYTHING BUT MEN TO WHOM HE GAVE INSPIRATION
MEN LIVING IN HUMAN HABITATIONS
FROM THE TOWNS OF THE PEOPLE TO WHOM HE SENT REVELATION
HAVE YOU NOT TRAVELED THROUGH THE EARTH AND ITS REGIONS
AND SEEN WHAT WAS THE END OF THOSE BEFORE REJECTION?
BUT THE REWARD OF THE HEREAFTER IS BEST FOR BELIEVING ONES
WILL MAN NOT THEN GAIN COMPREHENSION?

110  MORE TIME IS GIVEN TO PEOPLE
UNTIL THE MESSENGERS GIVE UP HOPE FOR THEIR PEOPLE
AND FEEL THEY HAVE BEEN TREATED AS LIARS BY THEIR PEOPLE

THEN OUR HELP REACHES THEM AND THOSE WHOM WE PLEASE 
ARE DELIVERED INTO SAFETY, BUT NEVER WILL THE PENALTY
BE WARDED OFF FROM THOSE WHO ARE GUILTY

111  IN THE HISTORIES OF THE PROPHETS THERE ARE INSTRUCTIONS
FOR SEEKERS AFTER TRUTH AND FOR MEN OF DISCRETION
THIS REVELATION IS NOT AN INVENTION
IT IS A CONFIRMATION OF FORMER REVELATIONS
AND A DETAILED EXPLANATION OF ALL THINGS IN CREATION
AND A MERCY  FOR THOSE WHO COME TO GOD IN SUBMISSION

220
CHAPTER 13.  THUNDER                                                                    SECTION 1.  PART XIII

IN THE NAME OF GOD
THE MOST GRACIOUS AND MERCIFUL GOD

1  I, GOD, AM THE BEST KNOWER, THE SEER
THESE ARE THE VERSES OF THE BOOK THAT MAKES THINGS CLEAR
IT IS TRUTH REVEALED TO YOU FROM THE CREATOR  
BUT MOST MEN WILL NOT BE BELIEVERS 

2  GOD RAISED THE HEAVENS WITHOUT ANY PILLARS
AND IS ESTABLISHED ON THE THRONE OF POWER 
THE SUN AND MOON HE HAS SUBJECTED TO HIS ORDER
EACH ONE RUNS ITS COURSE FOR A TERM REQUIRED 
AND HE DOES REGULATE ALL AFFAIRS
EXPLAINING TO YOU THE MESSAGES CLEAR
THAT IN THE MEETING WITH YOUR CREATOR
YOU MAY BELIEVE WITHOUT BEING A DOUBTER

3  IT IS HE WHO HAS SPREAD OUT THE EARTH AND SET ON IT 
MOUNTAINS STANDING FIRM AND RIVERS FLOWING IN IT
FRUITS TWO OF EVERY KIND HE MADE IN PAIRS IN IT
AND THE DAY HE DRAWS THE NIGHT AS A VEIL OVER IT
IN THESE THINGS ARE SIGNS FOR THOSE WHO TAKE HEED TO IT

4  AND IN THE EARTH ARE TRACTS DIVERSE THOUGH NEIGHBORING 
GARDENS OF VINES, FIELDS OF CORN AND PALM TREES GROWING 
OUT OF SINGLE ROOTS AND WATERED WITH THE SAME WATERING
YET SOME THINGS WE MAKE BETTER TO EAT THAN OTHER THINGS 
IN THESE THINGS ARE SIGNS FOR THOSE WITH UNDERSTANDING

5  AND IT IS STRANGE THEIR SAYING, IF YOU DO MARVEL
WILL WE RISE AFTER WE ARE DUST, IS THIS FACTUAL
AND THEN BE MADE INTO ANOTHER RENEWAL? 
AND THEY ARE THOSE WHO DENY THEIR LORD, THE MOST MERCIFUL
AND THEY ARE THOSE ROUND WHOSE NECKS WILL BE SHACKLES
AND THEIR HOME WILL BE THE FIRE, IN IT THEY WILL DWELL

6  THEY ASK YOU TO HASTEN TO THEM THE PENALTY INSTEAD OF MERCY
EXEMPLARY PENALTIES HAVE GONE TO THEM ALREADY
BUT YOUR LORD TO MANKIND IS FULL OF MERCY
AND YOUR LORD IS ALSO STRICT IN PENALTIES

7  WHY IS NOT A SIGN SENT DOWN TO HIM?  SAY THE DISBELIEVERS 
BUT YOU ARE TO EVERY PEOPLE A GUIDE AND A WARNER 

221
CHAPTER 13.  THUNDER                                                                    SECTION 2.  PART XIII

8  YOUR LORD DOES KNOW WHAT EVERY FEMALE WOMB DOES BEAR 
AND BY HOW MUCH THE WOMBS FALL SHORT OF THEIR NUMBER 
OR DO EXCEED AND EVERY SINGLE CREATURE 
IS BEFORE HIS SIGHT IN DUE MEASURE

9  HE KNOWS THE UNSEEN AND THAT WHICH IS OPEN
FOR HE IS THE LORD OF ALL CREATION

10  IT IS THE SAME TO HIM WHETHER OF YOU ANY 
EITHER CONCEALS HIS SPEECH OR DECLARES IT OPENLY 
WHETHER HE LIE HID BY NIGHT OR WALK FORTH BY DAY FREELY

11  THERE ARE ANGELS BEFORE EACH PERSON 
AND BEHIND HIM AND GUARD HIM BY GOD'S INSTRUCTION  
AND NEVER WILL GOD CHANGE PEOPLE'S CONDITION 
UNTIL THEY CHANGE THEIR OWN CONDITION
BUT WHEN ONCE HE WILLS A PEOPLE'S DESTRUCTION
THERE CAN BE NO ALLEVIATION
NOR WILL THEY FIND BESIDES HIM ANY PROTECTION

12  IT IS HE WHO SHOWS YOU THE LIGHTNING 
BY WAY OF FEAR AND HOPE AND HE CAUSES THE RAISING 
OF THE CLOUDS THAT ARE HEAVY WITH  RAIN THAT IS FERTILIZING

13  HIS PRAISES ARE REPEATED BY THE THUNDER
AND HE FLINGS THE LOUD VOICED BOLTS OF THUNDER 
AND LIGHTNING AND WITH IT HE STRIKES WHOM HE DESIRES
AND YET THERE ARE MEN WHO DARE TO BE DISPUTERS
ABOUT GOD WITH THE STRENGTH OF HIS POWER  

14  PRAYER IS ONLY FOR THE CREATOR
WHO THEY CALL UPON BESIDES HIM HEAR THEM NO BETTER 
THAN IF THEY WERE TO STRETCH FORTH THEIR HANDS FOR WATER 
BUT IT REACHES THEM NOT FOR THE PRAYERS OF DISBELIEVERS
IS NOTHING BUT THAT OF A MENTAL WANDERER 

15  IN THE HEAVENS AND THE EARTH ALL BEINGS
PROSTRATE THEMSELVES TO GOD WILLINGLY OR UNWILLING
AND SO DO THEIR SHADOWS IN THE MORNINGS AND EVENINGS

16  SAY, WHO IS HEAVEN AND EARTH'S LORD AND SUSTAINER? 
SAY, GOD, THEN DO YOU TAKE OTHERS FOR PROTECTORS 
OTHER THAN HIM THAT HAVE NO POWER 
FOR GOOD OR HARM TO THEMSELVES OR OTHERS? 

SAY, ARE THE BLIND EQUAL WITH THOSE WHO HAVE SIGHT 
OR ARE THE DEPTHS OF DARKNESS EQUAL TO LIGHT?  

OR DO THEY ASSIGN TO GOD PARTNERS 
WHO CREATED ANYTHING LIKE OF WHICH HE IS THE CREATOR 
SO THAT THE CREATION SEEMED TO THEM SIMILAR? 
SAY, OF ALL THINGS GOD IS THE CREATOR 
HE IS THE ONE, THE SUPREME AND THE BEST KNOWER

222
CHAPTER 13.  THUNDER                                                   SECTION 2 (CONT'D). PART XIII

17  HE SENDS DOWN FROM THE SKIES WATER, AND THE CHANNELS 
FLOW EACH ACCORDING TO THAT WHICH IS MEASURABLE
BUT THE TORRENT BEARS AWAY THE FOAM THAT TO THE SURFACE FILLS 
FORMING ORE WHICH THEY HEAT TO MAKE ORNAMENTS OR UTENSILS 
WITH IT THERE IS A SCUM, LIKEWISE SO DOES GOD BY PARABLES 
SHOW TRUTH AND FALSEHOOD, FOR LIKE FROTH SCUM DISASSEMBLES
WHILE THAT WHICH IS GOOD REMAINS AS GOD WILLS
SO DOES GOD SET FORTH PARABLES

18  FOR THOSE WHO RESPOND TO THEIR LORD ARE ALL GOOD THINGS 
BUT THOSE WHO RESPOND NOT IF THEY HAD ALL THINGS
THAT ARE IN THE HEAVENS AND ALL THINGS
THAT ARE ON EARTH THEY WOULD OFFER IT FOR RANSOMING
AND TERRIBLE INDEED FOR THEM WILL BE THEIR RECKONING
AND HELL WILL BE THEIR HOME, WHAT A MISERABLE THING

223
CHAPTER 13.  THUNDER                                                                    SECTION 3.  PART XIII

19  ARE THOSE WHO KNOW GOD'S REVELATIONS 
LIKE THOSE WHO ARE BLIND TO THEIR REALIZATION? 
IT IS THOSE WHO ARE ENDUED WITH COMPREHENSION
THAT WILL RECEIVE ADMONITION

20  THOSE WHO FULFILL GOD'S PROMISE
AND FAIL NOT IN THEIR PROMISE

21  THOSE WHO JOIN THOSE THINGS TOGETHER 
WHICH GOD HAS COMMANDED TO BE JOINED TOGETHER
AND THEY HOLD THEIR LORD IN AWE AND TERROR
AND FEAR THE TERRIBLE RECKONING HOUR

22  THOSE WHO PATIENTLY PERSEVERE
SEEKING GOD'S GOOD PLEASURE  
AND WHO ESTABLISH REGULAR PRAYERS
AND SPEND OF THE GIFTS THAT THE CREATOR 
HAS BESTOWED FOR THEIR SUSTENANCE IN MEASURE 
AND TURN AWAY ALL EVIL WITH THAT WHICH IS BETTER
FOR THEM IS THE ATTAINMENT OF THE GOOD HOME FOREVER 

23  GARDENS OF PERPETUAL BLISS THEY WILL ENTER 
AS WELL AS THE RIGHTEOUS AMONG THEIR FATHERS 

AND THEIR SPOUSES AND THE ANGELS AND THEIR OFFSPRING 
WILL ENTER TO THEM FROM EVERY PLACE OF ENTERING

24  PEACE UNTO YOU FOR THAT YOU PERSEVERED IN PATIENCE 
NOW HOW EXCELLENT IS THE FINAL RESIDENCE

25  BUT THOSE WHO BREAK THE COVENANT OF THE CREATOR 
AFTER THEY HAVE PLIGHTED THEIR WORD TO THEIR MAKER
AND CUT ASUNDER THAT WHICH GOD HAS ORDERED
FOR THEM TO BE JOINED TOGETHER 
AND WORK THROUGH THE LAND AS MISCHIEF MAKERS
ON THEM IS THE CURSE AND THE TERRIBLE HOME IN THE HEREAFTER

26  YOUR LORD GRANTS OR INCREASES BY STRICT MEASURE
THE SUSTENANCE WHICH HE GIVES OF HIS PLEASURE 
THE WORLDLY REJOICE IN THIS LIFE OF THEIRS
WHICH WHEN COMPARED TO THE HEREAFTER
 IN COMFORT IT IS MUCH SMALLER

224
CHAPTER 13.  THUNDER                                                                    SECTION 4.  PART XIII

27  THE DISBELIEVERS SAY, WHY IS NOT A SIGN SENT DOWN TO HIM? 
SAY, GOD LEAVES TO STRAY WHOM HE WILLS BUT TURNS TO HIM 
THOSE WHO TURN IN REPENTANCE TO HIM 

28  THOSE WHO BELIEVE AND WHOSE HEARTS FIND SATISFACTION 
IN THE REMEMBRANCE OF GOD AND DO IT WITHOUT HESITATION 
IN THE REMEMBRANCE OF GOD DO HEARTS FIND SATISFACTION

29  FOR THOSE WHO BELIEVE AND WORK RIGHTEOUSNESS
IS A BEAUTIFUL PLACE OF FINAL RETURN AND EVERY BLESSEDNESS

30  WE HAVE SENT YOU AMONG A PEOPLE WHOM OTHERS
HAVE GONE BEFORE AND PASSED AWAY PRIOR
IN ORDER THAT YOU MIGHT RECITE TO THEM THESE ORDERS
WE SEND DOWN WITH YOU YET THEY ARE REJECTORS
OF GOD, THE CREATOR, THEIR LORD AND CHERISHER
SAY, HE IS GOD BESIDES HIM THERE IS NO OTHER 
TO HIM I TURN AND I AM A SUBMITTER

31  IF THERE WERE A QURAN THAT WOULD MOVE MOUNTAINS 
OR THE EARTH WERE SPLIT OPEN INTO PIECES AND BROKEN 
OR THE DEAD MADE TO SPEAK THIS WOULD BE THE ONE
IN ALL THINGS WITH GOD IS THE DOMINION
DO NOT THE BELIEVERS KNOW THAT WERE IT GOD'S INTENTION
HE COULD HAVE GUIDED ALL MEN IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION?
BUT THE DISBELIEVERS NEVER WILL DESTRUCTION
CEASE TO SEIZE THEM FOR THE ILL DEEDS THEY HAVE DONE
OR TO SETTLE CLOSE TO THEM UNTIL COMES GOD'S DECISION 
FOR GOD WILL NOT FAIL IN HIS CONCLUSION

225
CHAPTER 13.  THUNDER                                                                    SECTION 5.  PART XIII

32  BEFORE YOU WERE MOCKED MANY MESSENGERS 
BUT I GRANTED RESPITE TO THE DISBELIEVERS 
AND FINALLY I PUNISHED THE REJECTORS
MY REQUITAL TO THEM WAS STERN AND SEVERE

33  IS THEN HE WHO STANDS OVER EVERY CREATURE 
AND KNOWS ALL THAT IT DOES LIKE ANY OTHERS? 
AND YET THEY ASCRIBE TO GOD PARTNERS 
SAY, IS IT THAT YOU WILL INFORM THE CREATOR 
OF SOMETHING ON EARTH OF WHICH HE IS UNAWARE
OR IS IT A VERBAL DISPLAY FOR DISBELIEVERS?
THEY ARE KEPT FROM THE RIGHT MANNER
THOSE WHOM GOD LEAVES IN ERROR 
NO ONE CAN GUIDE TO RIGHT THEREAFTER

34  FOR THEM IS A PENALTY IN THE LIFE OF THIS WORLD
THE PENALTY OF THE HEREAFTER IS EVEN HARDER
AND THEY HAVE AGAINST GOD NO DEFENDER

35  THE PROMISE TO THOSE WHO KEEP THEIR DUTY
ARE GARDENS WHEREIN FLOW RIVERS AND ITS FRUITS ARE PLENTY
THIS IS THE END FOR THOSE WHO KEEP THEIR DUTY 
THE END OF THE DISBELIEVERS THE FIRE IS THEIR PENALTY

36  THOSE TO WHOM THE BOOK HAS BEEN GIVEN
REJOICE AT THE REVELATION THAT TO YOU HAS BEEN GIVEN
BUT THERE ARE THOSE WHO REJECT GOD'S REVELATION  
SAY, I WORSHIP THE LORD OF ALL CREATION
AND I WILL NOT JOIN PARTNERS WITH GOD IN ASSOCIATION
TO HIM I CALL AND TO HIM IS MY DESTINATION

37  WE REVEALED IT IN ARABIC TO BE A JUDGMENT OF ORDER 
AND WERE YOU TO FOLLOW THEIR VAIN DESIRES
AFTER KNOWLEDGE HAS REACHED YOU, YOU WOULD FIND NEITHER 
A PROTECTOR AGAINST GOD NOR A DEFENDER

226
CHAPTER 13.  THUNDER                                                                    SECTION 6.  PART XIII

38  BEFORE YOU WE DID SEND MESSENGERS
AND APPOINTED FOR THEM CHILDREN AND MARITAL PARTNERS 
AND IT WAS NEVER IN THE POWER OF ANY MESSENGER
TO BRING A SIGN TO MEN EXCEPT AS GOD ORDERED
AND FOR EACH PERIOD IS A TERM REQUIRED

39  GOD DOES BLOT OUT OR CONFIRMS WHAT PLEASES HIM
AND THE MOTHER OF THE BOOK IS WITH HIM

40  WHETHER WE SHOW YOU PART OF WHAT IS PROMISED TO THEM 
OR TAKE YOUR SOUL BEFORE, YOUR DUTY TO THEM 
IS TO MAKE THE MESSAGE TO REACH THEM 
TO CALL THEM TO ACCOUNT IS OUR DUTY TO THEM

41  SEE HOW WE REDUCE THE LAND FROM ITS OUTLYING BORDERS?  
AND WHERE GOD COMMANDS NONE CAN PUT BACK HIS ORDERS 
HE SWIFTLY CALLS TO ACCOUNT, AND HE IS THE RECOUNTER

42  THOSE BEFORE THEM DID ALSO DEVISE PLOTTINGS
BUT GOD IS THE MASTER PLANNER OF ALL THINGS
AND OF EVERY SOUL HE KNOWS THEIR DOINGS
AND SOON THOSE WHO ARE UNBELIEVING
WILL KNOW FOR WHOM IS THE GOOD ENDING

43  THE DISBELIEVERS SAY, NO MESSENGER ARE YOU 
SAY, GOD IS ENOUGH FOR A WITNESS BETWEEN ME AND YOU 
AND ALSO THOSE WHO HAVE KNOWLEDGE OF THE BOOK TOO

227
CHAPTER 14.  ABRAHAM                                                                  SECTION 1.  PART XIII

IN THE NAME OF GOD 
THE MOST GRACIOUS AND MERCIFUL GOD

1  I, GOD, AM THE SEER 
THIS BOOK WE HAVE REVEALED TO YOU IN ORDER
SO BY THE PERMISSION OF YOUR LORD AND SUSTAINER
YOU MIGHT LEAD MANKIND OUT OF DARKNESS AND OVER
INTO THE LIGHT OF HIM, THE EXALTED IN POWER 
WORTHY OF ALL PRAISE FOREVER

2  GOD TO WHOM BELONG ALL THINGS IN HEAVEN AND EARTH
BUT FOR THE DISBELIEVERS IS A PENALTY THAT IS SEVERE

3  THOSE WHO LOVE THIS WORLD MORE THAN THE HEREAFTER 
AND WHO FROM THE PATH OF GOD WOULD HINDER OTHERS 
AND THEY SEEK IN IT SOMETHING IN ERROR 
THEY ARE ASTRAY BY A LONG MEASURE

4  WE SENT NOT AN APOSTLE
EXCEPT TO TEACH IN THE LANGUAGE OF HIS OWN PEOPLE
IN ORDER TO MAKE THINGS CLEAR TO THE PEOPLE
HOW GOD LEAVES STRAYING WHOM HE WILLS  
AND HE GUIDES THOSE WHOM HE WILLS 
GOD IS WISE AND KNOWLEDGEABLE

5  WE SENT MOSES WITH THE COMMAND AND OUR MESSAGES
BRING YOUR PEOPLE INTO THE LIGHT OUT OF THE DARKNESS 
AND REMIND THEM OF GOD'S DAYS, THESE ARE MESSAGES
FOR THOSE WHO ARE PATIENT AND SHOW GRATEFULNESS 

6  MOSES SAID TO HIS PEOPLE
REMEMBER GOD'S FAVOR TO YOU PEOPLE
WHEN HE DELIVERED YOU FROM PHARAOH'S PEOPLE
FOR THEY SET ON YOU HARD TASKS AND TRIALS
AND THEY SLAUGHTERED YOUR MALES 
AND KEPT ALIVE YOUR FEMALES
THIS WAS FROM YOUR LORD A TREMENDOUS TRIAL 

228
CHAPTER 14.  ABRAHAM                                                                  SECTION 2.  PART XIII

7  YOUR LORD DECLARED, IF YOU SHOW GRATITUDE 
THAT I WILL ADD MORE FAVORS TO YOU 
BUT IF YOU SHOW INGRATITUDE 
MY PUNISHMENT WILL BE TERRIBLE TO YOU

8  MOSES SAID, IF YOU ACT UNGRATEFULLY
YOU AND ALL ON EARTH TOGETHER ADDITIONALLY
SURELY GOD IS FREE OF ALL WANTS AND IS PRAISEWORTHY 

9  HAS NOT THE STORY REACHED YOU, OH MY PEOPLE 
OF THOSE WHO WENT BEFORE YOU OF THE PEOPLE 
OF NOAH AND AD AND THE THAMUD PEOPLE
AND OF THOSE WHO CAME AFTER THOSE PEOPLE?
NONE BUT GOD KNOWS THEM, BUT APOSTLES
CAME TO THEM WITH CLEAR EXAMPLES
BUT THEY PUT THEIR HANDS UP TO THEIR TEMPLES
AND SAID, WE DENY THE MISSION ON WHICH YOU TRAVEL
AND AS TO THAT TO WHICH YOU INVITE US TO WE ARE DOUBTFUL

10  THEIR APOSTLES SAID, IS THERE DOUBT ABOUT YOUR LORD TO YOU
THE CREATOR OF HEAVEN AND EARTH WHO INVITES YOU 
IN ORDER THAT HE MAY FORGIVE YOU 
AND GIVE FROM HIM AN APPOINTED TERM TO YOU?
THEY SAID, NO MORE THAN A HUMAN LIKE US ARE YOU  
YOU WISH TO TURN US FROM WHAT OUR FATHERS WERE USED TO 
THEN BRING US A CLEAR AUTHORITY WITH YOU

11  THEIR MESSENGERS SAID TO THEM, TRUE
WE ARE ONLY HUMAN LIKE YOU
BUT GOD DOES GRANT HIS GRACES TO 
THOSE OF HIS SERVANTS AS HE PLEASES TO
AND IT IS NOT FOR US TO BRING AN AUTHORITY TO YOU  
EXCEPT AS OUR LORD AND CHERISHER PERMITS US TO  
AND LET ALL MEN PUT THEIR TRUST IN HIM TOO

12  NO REASON HAVE WE WHY WE SHOULD NOT TRUST GOD COMPLETELY
WHEN HE HAS GUIDED US TO THE WAY WE FOLLOW CLEARLY 
AND WE WILL CERTAINLY BEAR PATIENTLY
ALL THE HURT YOU MAY CAUSE US DILIGENTLY
FOR ON GOD SHOULD THE RELIANT RELY TOTALLY

229
CHAPTER 14.  ABRAHAM                                                                  SECTION 3.  PART XIII

13  AND THE DISBELIEVERS SAID TO THEIR MESSENGERS
WE WILL DRIVE YOU OUT OF OUR LAND FOR SURE
OR YOU WILL HAVE TO RETURN TO OUR CULTURE
BUT THIS MESSAGE TO THEM GOD INSPIRED 
WE WILL DESTROY THE WRONG DOERS 

14  YOU WILL SUCCEED THEM AND IN THE LAND THEY WILL DWELL
FOR THOSE WHO FEAR THE TIME WHEN THEY SHALL
STAND BEFORE MY TRIBUNAL 
THOSE WHO FEAR THE PUNISHMENT OF REQUITAL

15  BUT THEY SOUGHT VICTORY AND DECISION 
THERE AND THEN, AND THEREFORE FRUSTRATION 
WAS THE LOT OF THOSE GUILTY OF TRANSGRESSION

16  IN FRONT OF SUCH A ONE IS HELL SURELY
HE IS GIVEN FOR DRINK BOILING WATER WHEN THIRSTY

17  IN GULPS IT WILL BE SIPPED BY HIM
BUT NEVER WILL IT BE SWALLOWED BY HIM 
FROM EVERY QUARTER DEATH WILL COME TO HIM 
YET HE WILL NOT DIE AND IN FRONT OF HIM 
WILL BE A CHASTISEMENT UNRELENTING FOR HIM

18  THE PARABLE OF THOSE WHO REJECT GOD AND HIS MERCY 
IS THEIR WORKS ARE AS ASHES ON WHICH WIND BLOWS FURIOUSLY 
ON A DAY THAT IS STORMY AND WINDY
OVER NOTHING DO THEY HAVE ANY AUTHORITY
AND THEY HAVE STRAYED FAR AWAY FROM REALITY

19  GOD CREATED HEAVEN AND EARTH IN TRUTH
AND IF GOD SO WILLED HE CAN REMOVE YOU 
AND PUT A NEW CREATION IN PLACE OF YOU

20  AND FOR GOD THAT IS EASY TO DO

21  THEY WILL ALL BE MARSHALLED BEFORE GOD TOGETHER
AND THE WEAK WILL SAY TO THOSE WHO BEHAVED IN ERROR
WE FOLLOWED YOU, CAN YOU AVAIL US AGAINST GOD'S ANGER? 
THEY WILL SAY, IF WE HAD RECEIVED THE GUIDANCE OF THE CREATOR 

WE WOULD HAVE GIVEN IT TO YOU BUT IT MAKES NO DIFFERENCE 
WHETHER WE BEAR THESE PAINS WITH RAGE OR PATIENCE 
THERE IS NO WAY OF ESCAPE FROM THE SENTENCE

230
CHAPTER 14.  ABRAHAM                                                                 SECTION 4.  PART XIII

22  WHEN THE MATTER IS DECIDED SATAN WILL SAY THIS
IT WAS GOD WHO GAVE YOU A TRUTHFUL PROMISE 
AND I TOO GAVE TO YOU A PROMISE
BUT I FAILED YOU IN MY PROMISE  

AND OVER YOU I HAD NO AUTHORITY 
EXCEPT TO CALL YOU AND YOU LISTENED TO ME 
SO THE BLAME IS ON YOU, YOU CANNOT NOT BLAME ME
I CANNOT LISTEN TO YOUR CRIES NOR CAN YOU LISTEN TO ME 
AND I REJECT YOUR ACT IN ASSOCIATING GOD WITH ME 
FOR WRONG DOERS THERE IS A GRIEVOUS PENALTY 

23  BUT THOSE WHO DO GOOD AND ARE BELIEVERS 
WILL BE ADMITTED TO GARDENS WHEREIN FLOW RIVERS 
WITH THE LEAVE OF GOD TO DWELL IN THEM FOREVER 
AND PEACE WILL BE THEIR GREETING THERE 

24  SEE YOU NOT HOW GOD SETS FORTH A PARABLE?
A GOOD WORK IS LIKE A GOOD TREE WHOSE ROOT IS STABLE 

AND ITS BRANCHES REACH HIGH
UP TOWARDS THE SKY

25  IT BRINGS FORTH FRUIT AT ALL TIMES BY GOD'S PERMISSION
GOD SETS FORTH PARABLES SO MEN MAY RECEIVE ADMONITION

26  THE PARABLE OF A WORD THAT IS EVIL 
IS SIMILAR TO THAT OF A TREE THAT IS EVIL
IT IS TORN UP BY THE ROOT AND IS UNSTABLE

27  GOD WILL ESTABLISH IN STRENGTH THOSE WHO ARE BELIEVERS 
WITH THE WORD THAT IS FIRM IN THIS LIFE AND THE HEREAFTER 
THOSE WHO DO WRONG ARE LEFT TO STRAY BY GOD'S ORDER 
FOR THE CREATOR DOES WHATEVER HE DESIRES

231
CHAPTER 14.  ABRAHAM                                                                   SECTION 5.  PART XIII

28  HAVE YOU NOT TURNED YOUR VISION 
TO THOSE WHO HAVE CHANGED THE GOOD CONDITION
GIVEN THEM BY GOD TO A BLASPHEMOUS CONDITION 
AND HAS CAUSED THEIR PEOPLE'S DESCENSION
DOWN INTO THE HOUSE OF PERDITION?

29  THEY WILL BURN IN HELL
AN EVIL PLACE TO DWELL

30  THEY SET UP IDOLS TO GOD AS EQUALS TO LEAD MEN ASTRAY
SAY TO THEM, GO AHEAD AND ENJOY YOUR BRIEF STAY
BUT YOU ARE GOING TO HELL STRAIGHT WAY

31  SPEAK TO MY SERVANTS WHO ARE BELIEVERS
THAT THEY MAY ESTABLISH REGULAR PRAYERS 
AND SPEND IN CHARITY OUT OF THE FAVORS 
WE HAVE GIVEN TO THEM OPEN AND IN RESERVE
BEFORE THE COMING OF A DAY IN WHICH NEITHER 
WILL THERE BE BARGAINING NOR BEFRIENDING EITHER

32   GOD CREATED HEAVEN AND EARTH AND SENDS DOWN TO YOU
RAIN FROM THE SKIES AND BRINGS OUT FRUITS TO FEED YOU 
AND IT IS HE WHO MADE THE SHIPS SUBJECT TO YOU 

THAT THEY MAY SAIL BY HIS COMMAND THROUGH THE SEA
AND THE RIVERS HAS HE MADE SUBJECT TO YOUR NEEDS

33  HE HAS MADE THE SUN AND THE MOON SUBJECT TO YOU 
AND THEIR COURSES THEY DO BOTH DILIGENTLY PURSUE
THE NIGHT AND THE DAY HE MADE SUBJECT TO YOU

34  AND ALL THAT YOU ASK FOR HE GIVES TO YOU
IF YOU TRIED TO COUNT GOD'S FAVORS TO YOU 
NEVER COULD THEY BE NUMBERED BY YOU
BUT UNJUST AND UNGRATEFUL ARE YOU

232
CHAPTER 14.  ABRAHAM                                                                  SECTION 6.  PART XIII

35  ABRAHAM SAID, OH MY LORD, MAKE THIS CITY 
A CITY OF PEACE AND SECURITY
AND PRESERVE ME AND MY SONS FROM IDOLATRY

36  OH MY LORD, THEY HAVE LED ASTRAY MANY 
THEN HE WHO FOLLOWS MY WAY IS OF ME 
HE THAT DISOBEYS ME, STILL SURELY
YOU ARE FULL OF FORGIVENESS AND MERCY

37  OH OUR LORD, I HAVE MADE SOME OF MY OFFSPRING INHABITORS
IN A VALLEY WITH NO CULTIVATING BY YOUR SACRED MANOR
IN ORDER THAT THEY MAY ESTABLISH REGULAR PRAYER
WITH LOVE TOWARDS THE PEOPLE WITH FRUITS TO FEED THEM PROPER 
IN ORDER THAT THEY MAY BE GRATEFUL FOR YOUR FAVORS

38  OH OUR LORD, YOU DO KNOW WHAT WE KEEP HIDDEN 
AND OUR LORD, YOU DO KNOW WHAT WE LAY OPEN 
FOR FROM GOD NOTHING WHATEVER IS HIDDEN
WHETHER ON EARTH OR IN HEAVEN

39  PRAISE BE TO GOD WHO HAS GRANTED TO ME 
IN OLD AGE ISHMAEL AND ISAAC, FOR SURELY
MY LORD IS THE HEARER OF PRAYERS INDEED

40  OH MY LORD, MAKE ME ESTABLISH REGULAR PRAYER 
AND MAKE MY OFFSPRING TO KEEP UP PRAYER
OH OUR LORD, AND ACCEPT MY PRAYER 

41  AND WITH YOUR FORGIVENESS COVER
ME AND MY PARENTS AND ALL OF THE BELIEVERS 
ON THE DAY THAT THE RECKONING COMES TO ORDER

233
CHAPTER 14.  ABRAHAM                                                                  SECTION 7.  PART XIII

42  THINK NOT THAT GOD DOES NOT HEED 
THOSE AMONG YOU WHO DO WRONGFUL DEEDS
HE GIVES THEM RESPITE TO A DAY WHEN SURELY
THEIR EYES WILL STARE IN HORROR FIXEDLY

43  RUNNING FORWARD WITH NECKS STRETCHED AND HEADS RAISED 
AND NOT RETURNING TO THEM THEIR GAZE 
AND THEIR HEARTS IN A DAZE

44  THEREFORE WARN MANKIND OF THE DAY WHEN THE ANGER
WILL REACH THEM AND THEN WILL SAY THE WRONG DOERS 
OUR LORD, RESPITE US JUST FOR AN HOUR
WE WILL ANSWER YOUR CALL AND FOLLOW THE MESSENGERS
DID YOU NOT SWEAR BEFORE THAT NO DECLINE WOULD YOU SUFFER?

45  YOU DWELL IN THE DWELLINGS OF MEN                                                                                         
WHO WRONGED THEIR OWN SOULS AND THEN                                                          
YOU WERE SHOWN HOW WE DEALT WITH THEM THEN
AND WE PUT FORTH PARABLES FOR YOUR INSTRUCTION

46  AND THE PLOTS THEY MADE WERE MIGHTY
BUT THEIR PLOTS WERE WITHIN GOD'S SIGHT CLEARLY
THOUGH THEY WERE SUCH AS TO SHAKE THE HILLS VIOLENTLY

47  NEVER WOULD GOD FAIL IN HIS PROMISE TO HIS MESSENGERS 
FOR GOD IS LORD OF RETRIBUTION AND EXALTED IN POWER

48  ONE DAY THE EARTH 
WILL BE CHANGED INTO A DIFFERENT EARTH 

AND SO WILL BE THE HEAVENS AND MEN WILL BE MARSHALED 
INTO THE PRESENCE OF GOD, THE ONE, THE IRRESISTIBLE

49  AND THAT DAY YOU WILL SEE THE SINNERS 
BOUND ALL TOGETHER IN FETTERS

50  LIQUID PITCH WILL BE THEIR ATTIRE
THEIR FACES WILL BE COVERED WITH FIRE

51  THAT GOD MAY REPAY EACH SOUL ACCORDING TO ITS EARNINGS 
AND SURELY GOD IS SWIFT IN RECKONING

52  HERE IS A MESSAGE FOR MANKIND, LET THEM HEED
LET THEM KNOW THAT HE IS ONLY ONE GOD INDEED
LET MEN OF UNDERSTANDING TAKE HEED

234
CHAPTER 15.  THE ROCK                                                                   SECTION 1.  PART XIII

IN THE NAME OF GOD
THE MOST GRACIOUS AND MERCIFUL GOD

1  I, GOD, AM  THE SEER
THESE ARE THE VERSES OF A QURAN THAT MAKES THINGS CLEAR

PART  XIV

2  AGAIN AND AGAIN THOSE WHO DISBELIEVE 
WILL WISH THAT THEY HAD BELIEVED

3  BUT LEAVE THEM 
TO LET THE GOOD THINGS OF THIS LIFE PLEASE THEM 
AND LET FALSE HOPE BE AMUSING TO THEM 
SOON WILL REALITY UNDECEIVE THEM

4  NEVER DID WE DESTROY A POPULATION 
THAT HAD NOT A DECREED TERMINATION

5  PEOPLE CANNOT ANTICIPATE THEIR TERM
NOR CAN THEY DELAY THEIR TERM

6  THEY SAY, OH YOU TO WHOM THE MESSAGE IS BEING RECEIVED
YOU ARE TRULY MAD INDEED

7  WHY DO YOU NOT BRING ANGELS TO US 
IF YOU HAVE BROUGHT THE TRUTH TO US?

8  WE ONLY SEND ANGELS FOR CAUSES THAT ARE JUSTLY                                           
AND IF HAD ANGELS COME TO THE UNGODLY
NO DELAY WOULD THEY HAVE RECEIVED

9  WE HAVE SENT DOWN THE MESSAGE UNDOUBTEDLY
AND WE WILL GUARD IT FROM CORRUPTION ASSUREDLY

10  WE SENT MESSENGERS BEFORE YOU 
AMONG THE RELIGIOUS SECTS OF OLD TOO

11  BUT NEVER CAME TO THEM A MESSENGER
BUT OF HIM THEY BECAME MOCKERS

12  EVEN SO DO WE LET IT ENTER
INTO THE HEARTS OF THE SINNERS

13  AND DISBELIEVERS IN THE MESSAGE ARE THEY
BUT THE WAYS OF THE ANCIENTS HAVE PASSED AWAY

14  EVEN IF WE OPENED OUT TO THEM A GATE FROM HEAVEN 
AND THEY WERE TO CONTINUE ALL DAY ASCENDING THEREIN

15  THEY WOULD SAY, OUR EYES HAVE BEEN INTOXICATED SURELY
OR WE HAVE BY BEEN BEWITCHED BY SORCERY

235