26. Ash-Shu'ara

بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ

طسٓمٓ

In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful.

Ta. Sîn. Mîm.

تِلْكَ ءَايَـٰتُ ٱلْكِتَـٰبِ ٱلْمُبِينِ

These are revelations of the Scripture that maketh plain.

لَعَلَّكَ بَـٰخِعٌ نَّفْسَكَ أَلَّا يَكُونُوا۟ مُؤْمِنِينَ

It may be that thou tormentest thyself (O Muhammad) because they believe not.

إِن نَّشَأْ نُنَزِّلْ عَلَيْهِم مِّنَ ٱلسَّمَآءِ ءَايَةً فَظَلَّتْ أَعْنَـٰقُهُمْ لَهَا خَـٰضِعِينَ

If We will, We can send down on them from the sky a portent so that their necks would remain bowed before it.

وَمَا يَأْتِيهِم مِّن ذِكْرٍ مِّنَ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ مُحْدَثٍ إِلَّا كَانُوا۟ عَنْهُ مُعْرِضِينَ

Never cometh there unto them a fresh reminder from the Beneficent One, but they turn away from it.

فَقَدْ كَذَّبُوا۟ فَسَيَأْتِيهِمْ أَنۢبَـٰٓؤُا۟ مَا كَانُوا۟ بِهِۦ يَسْتَهْزِءُونَ

Now they have denied (the Truth); but there will come unto them tidings of that whereat they used to scoff.

أَوَلَمْ يَرَوْا۟ إِلَى ٱلْأَرْضِ كَمْ أَنۢبَتْنَا فِيهَا مِن كُلِّ زَوْجٍ كَرِيمٍ

Have they not seen the earth, how much of every fruitful kind We make to grow therein?

إِنَّ فِى ذَٰلِكَ لَـَٔايَةً ۖ وَمَا كَانَ أَكْثَرُهُم مُّؤْمِنِينَ

Lo! herein is indeed a portent; yet most of them are not believers.

وَإِنَّ رَبَّكَ لَهُوَ ٱلْعَزِيزُ ٱلرَّحِيمُ

And lo! thy Lord! He is indeed the Mighty, the Merciful.

وَإِذْ نَادَىٰ رَبُّكَ مُوسَىٰٓ أَنِ ٱئْتِ ٱلْقَوْمَ ٱلظَّـٰلِمِينَ

And when thy Lord called Moses, saying: Go unto the wrongdoing folk,

قَوْمَ فِرْعَوْنَ ۚ أَلَا يَتَّقُونَ

The folk of Pharaoh. Will they not ward off (evil)?

قَالَ رَبِّ إِنِّىٓ أَخَافُ أَن يُكَذِّبُونِ

He said: My Lord! Lo! I fear that they will deny me,

وَيَضِيقُ صَدْرِى وَلَا يَنطَلِقُ لِسَانِى فَأَرْسِلْ إِلَىٰ هَـٰرُونَ

And I shall be embarrassed, and my tongue will not speak plainly, therefor send for Aaron (to help me).

وَلَهُمْ عَلَىَّ ذَنۢبٌ فَأَخَافُ أَن يَقْتُلُونِ

And they have a crime against me, so I fear that they will kill me.

قَالَ كَلَّا ۖ فَٱذْهَبَا بِـَٔايَـٰتِنَآ ۖ إِنَّا مَعَكُم مُّسْتَمِعُونَ

He said: Nay, verily. So go ye twain with Our tokens. Lo! We shall be with you, Hearing.

فَأْتِيَا فِرْعَوْنَ فَقُولَآ إِنَّا رَسُولُ رَبِّ ٱلْعَـٰلَمِينَ

And come together unto Pharaoh and say: Lo! we bear a message of the Lord of the Worlds,

أَنْ أَرْسِلْ مَعَنَا بَنِىٓ إِسْرَٰٓءِيلَ

(Saying): Let the Children of Israel go with us.

قَالَ أَلَمْ نُرَبِّكَ فِينَا وَلِيدًا وَلَبِثْتَ فِينَا مِنْ عُمُرِكَ سِنِينَ

(Pharaoh) said (unto Moses): Did we not rear thee among us as a child? And thou didst dwell many years of thy life among us,

وَفَعَلْتَ فَعْلَتَكَ ٱلَّتِى فَعَلْتَ وَأَنتَ مِنَ ٱلْكَـٰفِرِينَ

And thou didst that thy deed which thou didst, and thou wast one of the ingrates.

قَالَ فَعَلْتُهَآ إِذًا وَأَنَا۠ مِنَ ٱلضَّآلِّينَ

He said: I did it then, when I was of those who are astray.

فَفَرَرْتُ مِنكُمْ لَمَّا خِفْتُكُمْ فَوَهَبَ لِى رَبِّى حُكْمًا وَجَعَلَنِى مِنَ ٱلْمُرْسَلِينَ

Then I fled from you when I feared you, and my Lord vouchsafed me a command and appointed me (of the number) of those sent (by Him).

وَتِلْكَ نِعْمَةٌ تَمُنُّهَا عَلَىَّ أَنْ عَبَّدتَّ بَنِىٓ إِسْرَٰٓءِيلَ

And this is the past favour wherewith thou reproachest me: that thou hast enslaved the Children of Israel.

قَالَ فِرْعَوْنُ وَمَا رَبُّ ٱلْعَـٰلَمِينَ

Pharaoh said: And what is the Lord of the Worlds?

قَالَ رَبُّ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ وَمَا بَيْنَهُمَآ ۖ إِن كُنتُم مُّوقِنِينَ

(Moses) said: Lord of the heavens and the earth and all that is between them, if ye had but sure belief.

قَالَ لِمَنْ حَوْلَهُۥٓ أَلَا تَسْتَمِعُونَ

(Pharaoh) said unto those around him: Hear ye not?

قَالَ رَبُّكُمْ وَرَبُّ ءَابَآئِكُمُ ٱلْأَوَّلِينَ

He said: Your Lord and the Lord of your fathers.

قَالَ إِنَّ رَسُولَكُمُ ٱلَّذِىٓ أُرْسِلَ إِلَيْكُمْ لَمَجْنُونٌ

(Pharaoh) said: Lo! your messenger who hath been sent unto you is indeed a madman!

قَالَ رَبُّ ٱلْمَشْرِقِ وَٱلْمَغْرِبِ وَمَا بَيْنَهُمَآ ۖ إِن كُنتُمْ تَعْقِلُونَ

He said: Lord of the East and the West and all that is between them, if ye did but understand.

قَالَ لَئِنِ ٱتَّخَذْتَ إِلَـٰهًا غَيْرِى لَأَجْعَلَنَّكَ مِنَ ٱلْمَسْجُونِينَ

(Pharaoh) said: If thou choosest a god other than me, I assuredly shall place thee among the prisoners.

قَالَ أَوَلَوْ جِئْتُكَ بِشَىْءٍ مُّبِينٍ

He said: Even though I show thee something plain?

قَالَ فَأْتِ بِهِۦٓ إِن كُنتَ مِنَ ٱلصَّـٰدِقِينَ

(Pharaoh) said: Produce it then, if thou art of the truthful!

فَأَلْقَىٰ عَصَاهُ فَإِذَا هِىَ ثُعْبَانٌ مُّبِينٌ

Then he flung down his staff and it became a serpent manifest,

وَنَزَعَ يَدَهُۥ فَإِذَا هِىَ بَيْضَآءُ لِلنَّـٰظِرِينَ

And he drew forth his hand and lo! it was white to the beholders.

قَالَ لِلْمَلَإِ حَوْلَهُۥٓ إِنَّ هَـٰذَا لَسَـٰحِرٌ عَلِيمٌ

(Pharaoh) said unto the chiefs about him: Lo, this is verily a knowing wizard,

يُرِيدُ أَن يُخْرِجَكُم مِّنْ أَرْضِكُم بِسِحْرِهِۦ فَمَاذَا تَأْمُرُونَ

Who would drive you out of your land by his magic. Now what counsel ye?

قَالُوٓا۟ أَرْجِهْ وَأَخَاهُ وَٱبْعَثْ فِى ٱلْمَدَآئِنِ حَـٰشِرِينَ

They said: Put him off, (him) and his brother, and send into the cities summoners

يَأْتُوكَ بِكُلِّ سَحَّارٍ عَلِيمٍ

Who shall bring unto thee every knowing wizard.

فَجُمِعَ ٱلسَّحَرَةُ لِمِيقَـٰتِ يَوْمٍ مَّعْلُومٍ

So the wizards were gathered together at a set time on a day appointed.

وَقِيلَ لِلنَّاسِ هَلْ أَنتُم مُّجْتَمِعُونَ

And it was said unto the people: Are ye (also) gathering?

لَعَلَّنَا نَتَّبِعُ ٱلسَّحَرَةَ إِن كَانُوا۟ هُمُ ٱلْغَـٰلِبِينَ

(They said): Aye, so that we may follow the wizards if they are the winners.

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

And when the wizards came they said unto Pharaoh: Will there surely be a reward for us if we are the winners?

قَالَ نَعَمْ وَإِنَّكُمْ إِذًا لَّمِنَ ٱلْمُقَرَّبِينَ

He said: Aye, and ye will then surely be of those brought near (to me).

قَالَ لَهُم مُّوسَىٰٓ أَلْقُوا۟ مَآ أَنتُم مُّلْقُونَ

Moses said unto them: Throw what ye are going to throw!

فَأَلْقَوْا۟ حِبَالَهُمْ وَعِصِيَّهُمْ وَقَالُوا۟ بِعِزَّةِ فِرْعَوْنَ إِنَّا لَنَحْنُ ٱلْغَـٰلِبُونَ

Then they threw down their cords and their staves and said: By Pharaoh's might, lo! we verily are the winners.

فَأَلْقَىٰ مُوسَىٰ عَصَاهُ فَإِذَا هِىَ تَلْقَفُ مَا يَأْفِكُونَ

Then Moses threw his staff and lo! it swallowed that which they did falsely show.

فَأُلْقِىَ ٱلسَّحَرَةُ سَـٰجِدِينَ

And the wizards were flung prostrate,

قَالُوٓا۟ ءَامَنَّا بِرَبِّ ٱلْعَـٰلَمِينَ

Crying: We believe in the Lord of the Worlds,

رَبِّ مُوسَىٰ وَهَـٰرُونَ

The Lord of Moses and Aaron.

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

(Pharaoh) said: Ye put your faith in him before I give you leave. Lo! he doubtless is your chief who taught you magic! But verily ye shall come to know. Verily I will cut off your hands and your feet alternately, and verily I will crucify you every one.

قَالُوا۟ لَا ضَيْرَ ۖ إِنَّآ إِلَىٰ رَبِّنَا مُنقَلِبُونَ

They said: It is no hurt, for lo! unto our Lord we shall return.

إِنَّا نَطْمَعُ أَن يَغْفِرَ لَنَا رَبُّنَا خَطَـٰيَـٰنَآ أَن كُنَّآ أَوَّلَ ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ

Lo! we ardently hope that our Lord will forgive us our sins because we are the first of the believers.

وَأَوْحَيْنَآ إِلَىٰ مُوسَىٰٓ أَنْ أَسْرِ بِعِبَادِىٓ إِنَّكُم مُّتَّبَعُونَ

And We inspired Moses, saying: Take away My slaves by night, for ye will be pursued.

فَأَرْسَلَ فِرْعَوْنُ فِى ٱلْمَدَآئِنِ حَـٰشِرِينَ

Then Pharaoh sent into the cities summoners,

إِنَّ هَـٰٓؤُلَآءِ لَشِرْذِمَةٌ قَلِيلُونَ

(Who said): Lo! these indeed are but a little troop,

وَإِنَّهُمْ لَنَا لَغَآئِظُونَ

And lo! they are offenders against us.

وَإِنَّا لَجَمِيعٌ حَـٰذِرُونَ

And lo! we are a ready host.

فَأَخْرَجْنَـٰهُم مِّن جَنَّـٰتٍ وَعُيُونٍ

Thus did We take them away from gardens and water-springs,

وَكُنُوزٍ وَمَقَامٍ كَرِيمٍ

And treasures and a fair estate.

كَذَٰلِكَ وَأَوْرَثْنَـٰهَا بَنِىٓ إِسْرَٰٓءِيلَ

Thus (were those things taken from them) and We caused the Children of Israel to inherit them.

فَأَتْبَعُوهُم مُّشْرِقِينَ

And they overtook them at sunrise.

فَلَمَّا تَرَٰٓءَا ٱلْجَمْعَانِ قَالَ أَصْحَـٰبُ مُوسَىٰٓ إِنَّا لَمُدْرَكُونَ

And when the two hosts saw each other, those with Moses said: Lo! we are indeed caught.

قَالَ كَلَّآ ۖ إِنَّ مَعِىَ رَبِّى سَيَهْدِينِ

He said: Nay, verily! for lo! my Lord is with me. He will guide me.

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

Then We inspired Moses, saying: Smite the sea with thy staff. And it parted, and each part was as a mountain vast.

وَأَزْلَفْنَا ثَمَّ ٱلْـَٔاخَرِينَ

Then brought We near the others to that place.

وَأَنجَيْنَا مُوسَىٰ وَمَن مَّعَهُۥٓ أَجْمَعِينَ

And We saved Moses and those with him, every one;

ثُمَّ أَغْرَقْنَا ٱلْـَٔاخَرِينَ

And We drowned the others.

إِنَّ فِى ذَٰلِكَ لَـَٔايَةً ۖ وَمَا كَانَ أَكْثَرُهُم مُّؤْمِنِينَ

Lo! herein is indeed a portent, yet most of them are not believers.

وَإِنَّ رَبَّكَ لَهُوَ ٱلْعَزِيزُ ٱلرَّحِيمُ

And lo, thy Lord! He is indeed the Mighty, the Merciful.

وَٱتْلُ عَلَيْهِمْ نَبَأَ إِبْرَٰهِيمَ

Recite unto them the story of Abraham:

إِذْ قَالَ لِأَبِيهِ وَقَوْمِهِۦ مَا تَعْبُدُونَ

When he said unto his father and his folk: What worship ye?

قَالُوا۟ نَعْبُدُ أَصْنَامًا فَنَظَلُّ لَهَا عَـٰكِفِينَ

They said: We worship idols, and are ever devoted unto them.

قَالَ هَلْ يَسْمَعُونَكُمْ إِذْ تَدْعُونَ

He said: Do they hear you when ye cry?

أَوْ يَنفَعُونَكُمْ أَوْ يَضُرُّونَ

Or do they benefit or harm you?

قَالُوا۟ بَلْ وَجَدْنَآ ءَابَآءَنَا كَذَٰلِكَ يَفْعَلُونَ

They said: Nay, but we found our fathers acting on this wise.

قَالَ أَفَرَءَيْتُم مَّا كُنتُمْ تَعْبُدُونَ

He said: See now that which ye worship,

أَنتُمْ وَءَابَآؤُكُمُ ٱلْأَقْدَمُونَ

Ye and your forefathers!

فَإِنَّهُمْ عَدُوٌّ لِّىٓ إِلَّا رَبَّ ٱلْعَـٰلَمِينَ

Lo! they are (all) an enemy unto me, save the Lord of the Worlds,

ٱلَّذِى خَلَقَنِى فَهُوَ يَهْدِينِ

Who created me, and He doth guide me,

وَٱلَّذِى هُوَ يُطْعِمُنِى وَيَسْقِينِ

And Who feedeth me and watereth me.

وَإِذَا مَرِضْتُ فَهُوَ يَشْفِينِ

And when I sicken, then He healeth me,

وَٱلَّذِى يُمِيتُنِى ثُمَّ يُحْيِينِ

And Who causeth me to die, then giveth me life (again),

وَٱلَّذِىٓ أَطْمَعُ أَن يَغْفِرَ لِى خَطِيٓـَٔتِى يَوْمَ ٱلدِّينِ

And Who, I ardently hope, will forgive me my sin on the Day of Judgement.

رَبِّ هَبْ لِى حُكْمًا وَأَلْحِقْنِى بِٱلصَّـٰلِحِينَ

My Lord! Vouchsafe me wisdom and unite me to the righteous.

وَٱجْعَل لِّى لِسَانَ صِدْقٍ فِى ٱلْـَٔاخِرِينَ

And give unto me a good report in later generations.

وَٱجْعَلْنِى مِن وَرَثَةِ جَنَّةِ ٱلنَّعِيمِ

And place me among the inheritors of the Garden of Delight,

وَٱغْفِرْ لِأَبِىٓ إِنَّهُۥ كَانَ مِنَ ٱلضَّآلِّينَ

And forgive my father. Lo! he is of those who err.

وَلَا تُخْزِنِى يَوْمَ يُبْعَثُونَ

And abase me not on the day when they are raised,

يَوْمَ لَا يَنفَعُ مَالٌ وَلَا بَنُونَ

The day when wealth and sons avail not (any man)

إِلَّا مَنْ أَتَى ٱللَّهَ بِقَلْبٍ سَلِيمٍ

Save him who bringeth unto Allah a whole heart.

وَأُزْلِفَتِ ٱلْجَنَّةُ لِلْمُتَّقِينَ

And the Garden will be brought nigh for those who ward off (evil).

وَبُرِّزَتِ ٱلْجَحِيمُ لِلْغَاوِينَ

And hell will appear plainly to the erring.

وَقِيلَ لَهُمْ أَيْنَ مَا كُنتُمْ تَعْبُدُونَ

And it will be said unto them: Where is (all) that ye used to worship

مِن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ هَلْ يَنصُرُونَكُمْ أَوْ يَنتَصِرُونَ

Instead of Allah? Can they help you or help themselves?

فَكُبْكِبُوا۟ فِيهَا هُمْ وَٱلْغَاوُۥنَ

Then will they be hurled therein, they and the seducers

وَجُنُودُ إِبْلِيسَ أَجْمَعُونَ

And the hosts of Iblîs, together.

قَالُوا۟ وَهُمْ فِيهَا يَخْتَصِمُونَ

And they will say, when they are quarrelling therein:

تَٱللَّهِ إِن كُنَّا لَفِى ضَلَـٰلٍ مُّبِينٍ

By Allah, of a truth we were in error manifest

إِذْ نُسَوِّيكُم بِرَبِّ ٱلْعَـٰلَمِينَ

When we made you equal with the Lord of the Worlds.

وَمَآ أَضَلَّنَآ إِلَّا ٱلْمُجْرِمُونَ

It was but the guilty who misled us.

فَمَا لَنَا مِن شَـٰفِعِينَ

Now we have no intercessors

وَلَا صَدِيقٍ حَمِيمٍ

Nor any loving friend.

فَلَوْ أَنَّ لَنَا كَرَّةً فَنَكُونَ مِنَ ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ

Oh, that we had another turn (on earth), that we might be of the believers!

إِنَّ فِى ذَٰلِكَ لَـَٔايَةً ۖ وَمَا كَانَ أَكْثَرُهُم مُّؤْمِنِينَ

Lo! herein is indeed a portent, yet most of them are not believers!

وَإِنَّ رَبَّكَ لَهُوَ ٱلْعَزِيزُ ٱلرَّحِيمُ

And lo, thy Lord! He is indeed the Mighty, the Merciful.

كَذَّبَتْ قَوْمُ نُوحٍ ٱلْمُرْسَلِينَ

Noah's folk denied the messengers (of Allah),

إِذْ قَالَ لَهُمْ أَخُوهُمْ نُوحٌ أَلَا تَتَّقُونَ

When their brother Noah said unto them: Will ye not ward off (evil)?

إِنِّى لَكُمْ رَسُولٌ أَمِينٌ

Lo! I am a faithful messenger unto you,

فَٱتَّقُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ وَأَطِيعُونِ

So keep your duty to Allah, and obey me.

وَمَآ أَسْـَٔلُكُمْ عَلَيْهِ مِنْ أَجْرٍ ۖ إِنْ أَجْرِىَ إِلَّا عَلَىٰ رَبِّ ٱلْعَـٰلَمِينَ

And I ask of you no wage therefor; my wage is the concern only of the Lord of the Worlds.

فَٱتَّقُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ وَأَطِيعُونِ

So keep your duty to Allah, and obey me.

قَالُوٓا۟ أَنُؤْمِنُ لَكَ وَٱتَّبَعَكَ ٱلْأَرْذَلُونَ

They said: Shall we put faith in thee, when the lowest (of the people) follow thee?

قَالَ وَمَا عِلْمِى بِمَا كَانُوا۟ يَعْمَلُونَ

He said: And what knowledge have I of what they may have been doing (in the past)?

إِنْ حِسَابُهُمْ إِلَّا عَلَىٰ رَبِّى ۖ لَوْ تَشْعُرُونَ

Lo! their reckoning is my Lord's concern, if ye but knew;

وَمَآ أَنَا۠ بِطَارِدِ ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ

And I am not (here) to repulse believers.

إِنْ أَنَا۠ إِلَّا نَذِيرٌ مُّبِينٌ

I am only a plain warner.

قَالُوا۟ لَئِن لَّمْ تَنتَهِ يَـٰنُوحُ لَتَكُونَنَّ مِنَ ٱلْمَرْجُومِينَ

They said: If thou cease not, O Noah, thou wilt surely be among those stoned (to death).

قَالَ رَبِّ إِنَّ قَوْمِى كَذَّبُونِ

He said: My Lord! Lo! my own folk deny me.

فَٱفْتَحْ بَيْنِى وَبَيْنَهُمْ فَتْحًا وَنَجِّنِى وَمَن مَّعِىَ مِنَ ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ

Therefor judge Thou between us, a (conclusive) judgement, and save me and those believers who are with me.

فَأَنجَيْنَـٰهُ وَمَن مَّعَهُۥ فِى ٱلْفُلْكِ ٱلْمَشْحُونِ

And We saved him and those with him in the laden ship.

ثُمَّ أَغْرَقْنَا بَعْدُ ٱلْبَاقِينَ

Then afterward We drowned the others.

إِنَّ فِى ذَٰلِكَ لَـَٔايَةً ۖ وَمَا كَانَ أَكْثَرُهُم مُّؤْمِنِينَ

Lo! herein is indeed a portent, yet most of them are not believers.

وَإِنَّ رَبَّكَ لَهُوَ ٱلْعَزِيزُ ٱلرَّحِيمُ

And lo, thy Lord, He is indeed the Mighty, the Merciful.

كَذَّبَتْ عَادٌ ٱلْمُرْسَلِينَ

(The tribe of) A'âd denied the messengers (of Allah),

إِذْ قَالَ لَهُمْ أَخُوهُمْ هُودٌ أَلَا تَتَّقُونَ

When their brother Hûd said unto them: Will ye not ward off (evil)?

إِنِّى لَكُمْ رَسُولٌ أَمِينٌ

Lo! I am a faithful messenger unto you,

فَٱتَّقُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ وَأَطِيعُونِ

So keep your duty to Allah and obey me.

وَمَآ أَسْـَٔلُكُمْ عَلَيْهِ مِنْ أَجْرٍ ۖ إِنْ أَجْرِىَ إِلَّا عَلَىٰ رَبِّ ٱلْعَـٰلَمِينَ

And I ask of you no wage therefor; my wage is the concern only of the Lord of the Worlds.

أَتَبْنُونَ بِكُلِّ رِيعٍ ءَايَةً تَعْبَثُونَ

Build ye on every high place a monument for vain delight?

وَتَتَّخِذُونَ مَصَانِعَ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَخْلُدُونَ

And seek ye out strongholds, that haply ye may last for ever?

وَإِذَا بَطَشْتُم بَطَشْتُمْ جَبَّارِينَ

And if ye seize by force, seize ye as tyrants?

فَٱتَّقُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ وَأَطِيعُونِ

Rather keep your duty to Allah, and obey me.

وَٱتَّقُوا۟ ٱلَّذِىٓ أَمَدَّكُم بِمَا تَعْلَمُونَ

Keep your duty toward Him who hath aided you with (the good things) that ye know,

أَمَدَّكُم بِأَنْعَـٰمٍ وَبَنِينَ

Hath aided you with cattle and sons

وَجَنَّـٰتٍ وَعُيُونٍ

And gardens and watersprings.

إِنِّىٓ أَخَافُ عَلَيْكُمْ عَذَابَ يَوْمٍ عَظِيمٍ

Lo! I fear for you the retribution of an awful day.

قَالُوا۟ سَوَآءٌ عَلَيْنَآ أَوَعَظْتَ أَمْ لَمْ تَكُن مِّنَ ٱلْوَٰعِظِينَ

They said: It is all one to us whether thou preachest or art not of those who preach;

إِنْ هَـٰذَآ إِلَّا خُلُقُ ٱلْأَوَّلِينَ

This is but a fable of the men of old,

وَمَا نَحْنُ بِمُعَذَّبِينَ

And we shall not be doomed.

فَكَذَّبُوهُ فَأَهْلَكْنَـٰهُمْ ۗ إِنَّ فِى ذَٰلِكَ لَـَٔايَةً ۖ وَمَا كَانَ أَكْثَرُهُم مُّؤْمِنِينَ

And they denied him; therefor We destroyed them. Lo! herein is indeed a portent, yet most of them are not believers.

وَإِنَّ رَبَّكَ لَهُوَ ٱلْعَزِيزُ ٱلرَّحِيمُ

And lo! thy Lord, He is indeed the Mighty, the Merciful.

كَذَّبَتْ ثَمُودُ ٱلْمُرْسَلِينَ

(The tribe of) Thamûd denied the messengers (of Allah)

إِذْ قَالَ لَهُمْ أَخُوهُمْ صَـٰلِحٌ أَلَا تَتَّقُونَ

When their brother Salih said unto them: Will ye not ward off (evil)?

إِنِّى لَكُمْ رَسُولٌ أَمِينٌ

Lo! I am a faithful messenger unto you,

فَٱتَّقُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ وَأَطِيعُونِ

So keep your duty to Allah and obey me.

وَمَآ أَسْـَٔلُكُمْ عَلَيْهِ مِنْ أَجْرٍ ۖ إِنْ أَجْرِىَ إِلَّا عَلَىٰ رَبِّ ٱلْعَـٰلَمِينَ

And I ask of you no wage therefor; my wage is the concern only of the Lord of the Worlds.

أَتُتْرَكُونَ فِى مَا هَـٰهُنَآ ءَامِنِينَ

Will ye be left secure in that which is here before us,

فِى جَنَّـٰتٍ وَعُيُونٍ

In gardens and watersprings

وَزُرُوعٍ وَنَخْلٍ طَلْعُهَا هَضِيمٌ

And tilled fields and heavy-sheathed palm-trees,

وَتَنْحِتُونَ مِنَ ٱلْجِبَالِ بُيُوتًا فَـٰرِهِينَ

Though ye hew out dwellings in the mountain, being skilful?

فَٱتَّقُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ وَأَطِيعُونِ

Therefor keep your duty to Allah and obey me,

وَلَا تُطِيعُوٓا۟ أَمْرَ ٱلْمُسْرِفِينَ

And obey not the command of the prodigal,

ٱلَّذِينَ يُفْسِدُونَ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ وَلَا يُصْلِحُونَ

Who spread corruption in the earth, and reform not.

قَالُوٓا۟ إِنَّمَآ أَنتَ مِنَ ٱلْمُسَحَّرِينَ

They said: Thou art but one of the bewitched;

مَآ أَنتَ إِلَّا بَشَرٌ مِّثْلُنَا فَأْتِ بِـَٔايَةٍ إِن كُنتَ مِنَ ٱلصَّـٰدِقِينَ

Thou art but a mortal like us. So bring some token if thou art of the truthful.

قَالَ هَـٰذِهِۦ نَاقَةٌ لَّهَا شِرْبٌ وَلَكُمْ شِرْبُ يَوْمٍ مَّعْلُومٍ

He said: (Behold) this she-camel. She hath the right to drink (at the well), and ye have the right to drink, (each) on an appointed day.

وَلَا تَمَسُّوهَا بِسُوٓءٍ فَيَأْخُذَكُمْ عَذَابُ يَوْمٍ عَظِيمٍ

And touch her not with ill lest there come on you the retribution of an awful day.

فَعَقَرُوهَا فَأَصْبَحُوا۟ نَـٰدِمِينَ

But they hamstrung her, and then were penitent.

فَأَخَذَهُمُ ٱلْعَذَابُ ۗ إِنَّ فِى ذَٰلِكَ لَـَٔايَةً ۖ وَمَا كَانَ أَكْثَرُهُم مُّؤْمِنِينَ

So the retribution came on them. Lo! herein is indeed a portent, yet most of them are not believers.

وَإِنَّ رَبَّكَ لَهُوَ ٱلْعَزِيزُ ٱلرَّحِيمُ

And lo! thy Lord! He is indeed the Mighty, the Merciful.

كَذَّبَتْ قَوْمُ لُوطٍ ٱلْمُرْسَلِينَ

The folk of Lot denied the messengers (of Allah),

إِذْ قَالَ لَهُمْ أَخُوهُمْ لُوطٌ أَلَا تَتَّقُونَ

When their brother Lot said unto them: Will ye not ward off (evil)?

إِنِّى لَكُمْ رَسُولٌ أَمِينٌ

Lo! I am a faithful messenger unto you,

فَٱتَّقُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ وَأَطِيعُونِ

So keep your duty to Allah and obey me.

وَمَآ أَسْـَٔلُكُمْ عَلَيْهِ مِنْ أَجْرٍ ۖ إِنْ أَجْرِىَ إِلَّا عَلَىٰ رَبِّ ٱلْعَـٰلَمِينَ

And I ask of you no wage therefor; my wage is the concern only of the Lord of the Worlds.

أَتَأْتُونَ ٱلذُّكْرَانَ مِنَ ٱلْعَـٰلَمِينَ

What! Of all creatures do ye come unto the males,

وَتَذَرُونَ مَا خَلَقَ لَكُمْ رَبُّكُم مِّنْ أَزْوَٰجِكُم ۚ بَلْ أَنتُمْ قَوْمٌ عَادُونَ

And leave the wives your Lord created for you? Nay, but ye are froward folk.

قَالُوا۟ لَئِن لَّمْ تَنتَهِ يَـٰلُوطُ لَتَكُونَنَّ مِنَ ٱلْمُخْرَجِينَ

They said: If thou cease not, O Lot, thou wilt soon be of the outcast.

قَالَ إِنِّى لِعَمَلِكُم مِّنَ ٱلْقَالِينَ

He said: I am in truth of those who hate your conduct.

رَبِّ نَجِّنِى وَأَهْلِى مِمَّا يَعْمَلُونَ

My Lord! Save me and my household from what they do.

فَنَجَّيْنَـٰهُ وَأَهْلَهُۥٓ أَجْمَعِينَ

So We saved him and his household, every one,

إِلَّا عَجُوزًا فِى ٱلْغَـٰبِرِينَ

Save an old woman among those who stayed behind.

ثُمَّ دَمَّرْنَا ٱلْـَٔاخَرِينَ

Then afterward We destroyed the others.

وَأَمْطَرْنَا عَلَيْهِم مَّطَرًا ۖ فَسَآءَ مَطَرُ ٱلْمُنذَرِينَ

And We rained on them a rain. And dreadful is the rain of those who have been warned.

إِنَّ فِى ذَٰلِكَ لَـَٔايَةً ۖ وَمَا كَانَ أَكْثَرُهُم مُّؤْمِنِينَ

Lo! herein is indeed a portent, yet most of them are not believers.

وَإِنَّ رَبَّكَ لَهُوَ ٱلْعَزِيزُ ٱلرَّحِيمُ

And lo! thy Lord, He is indeed the Mighty, the Merciful.

كَذَّبَ أَصْحَـٰبُ لْـَٔيْكَةِ ٱلْمُرْسَلِينَ

The dwellers in the wood (of Midian) denied the messengers (of Allah),

إِذْ قَالَ لَهُمْ شُعَيْبٌ أَلَا تَتَّقُونَ

When Shu'eyb said unto them: Will ye not ward off (evil)?

إِنِّى لَكُمْ رَسُولٌ أَمِينٌ

Lo! I am a faithful messenger unto you,

فَٱتَّقُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ وَأَطِيعُونِ

So keep your duty to Allah and obey me.

وَمَآ أَسْـَٔلُكُمْ عَلَيْهِ مِنْ أَجْرٍ ۖ إِنْ أَجْرِىَ إِلَّا عَلَىٰ رَبِّ ٱلْعَـٰلَمِينَ

And I ask of you no wage for it; my wage is the concern only of the Lord of the Worlds.

أَوْفُوا۟ ٱلْكَيْلَ وَلَا تَكُونُوا۟ مِنَ ٱلْمُخْسِرِينَ

Give full measure, and be not of those who give less (than the due).

وَزِنُوا۟ بِٱلْقِسْطَاسِ ٱلْمُسْتَقِيمِ

And weigh with the true balance.

وَلَا تَبْخَسُوا۟ ٱلنَّاسَ أَشْيَآءَهُمْ وَلَا تَعْثَوْا۟ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ مُفْسِدِينَ

Wrong not mankind in their goods, and do not evil, making mischief, in the earth.

وَٱتَّقُوا۟ ٱلَّذِى خَلَقَكُمْ وَٱلْجِبِلَّةَ ٱلْأَوَّلِينَ

And keep your duty unto Him Who created you and the generations of the men of old.

قَالُوٓا۟ إِنَّمَآ أَنتَ مِنَ ٱلْمُسَحَّرِينَ

They said: Thou art but one of the bewitched;

وَمَآ أَنتَ إِلَّا بَشَرٌ مِّثْلُنَا وَإِن نَّظُنُّكَ لَمِنَ ٱلْكَـٰذِبِينَ

Thou art but a mortal like us, and lo! we deem thee of the liars.

فَأَسْقِطْ عَلَيْنَا كِسَفًا مِّنَ ٱلسَّمَآءِ إِن كُنتَ مِنَ ٱلصَّـٰدِقِينَ

Then make fragments of the heaven fall upon us, if thou art of the truthful.

قَالَ رَبِّىٓ أَعْلَمُ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ

He said: My Lord is best aware of what ye do.

فَكَذَّبُوهُ فَأَخَذَهُمْ عَذَابُ يَوْمِ ٱلظُّلَّةِ ۚ إِنَّهُۥ كَانَ عَذَابَ يَوْمٍ عَظِيمٍ

But they denied him, so there came on them the retribution of the day of gloom. Lo! it was the retribution of an awful day.

إِنَّ فِى ذَٰلِكَ لَـَٔايَةً ۖ وَمَا كَانَ أَكْثَرُهُم مُّؤْمِنِينَ

Lo! herein is indeed a portent; yet most of them are not believers.

وَإِنَّ رَبَّكَ لَهُوَ ٱلْعَزِيزُ ٱلرَّحِيمُ

And lo! thy Lord! He is indeed the Mighty, the Merciful.

وَإِنَّهُۥ لَتَنزِيلُ رَبِّ ٱلْعَـٰلَمِينَ

And lo! it is a revelation of the Lord of the Worlds,

نَزَلَ بِهِ ٱلرُّوحُ ٱلْأَمِينُ

Which the True Spirit hath brought down

عَلَىٰ قَلْبِكَ لِتَكُونَ مِنَ ٱلْمُنذِرِينَ

Upon thy heart, that thou mayest be (one) of the warners,

بِلِسَانٍ عَرَبِىٍّ مُّبِينٍ

In plain Arabic speech.

وَإِنَّهُۥ لَفِى زُبُرِ ٱلْأَوَّلِينَ

And lo, it is in the Scriptures of the men of old.

أَوَلَمْ يَكُن لَّهُمْ ءَايَةً أَن يَعْلَمَهُۥ عُلَمَـٰٓؤُا۟ بَنِىٓ إِسْرَٰٓءِيلَ

Is it not a token for them that the doctors of the Children of Israel know it?

وَلَوْ نَزَّلْنَـٰهُ عَلَىٰ بَعْضِ ٱلْأَعْجَمِينَ

And if We had revealed it unto one of any other nation than the Arabs,

فَقَرَأَهُۥ عَلَيْهِم مَّا كَانُوا۟ بِهِۦ مُؤْمِنِينَ

And he had read it unto them, they would not have believed in it.

كَذَٰلِكَ سَلَكْنَـٰهُ فِى قُلُوبِ ٱلْمُجْرِمِينَ

Thus do We make it traverse the hearts of the guilty.

لَا يُؤْمِنُونَ بِهِۦ حَتَّىٰ يَرَوُا۟ ٱلْعَذَابَ ٱلْأَلِيمَ

They will not believe in it till they behold the painful doom,

فَيَأْتِيَهُم بَغْتَةً وَهُمْ لَا يَشْعُرُونَ

So that it will come upon them suddenly, when they perceive not.

فَيَقُولُوا۟ هَلْ نَحْنُ مُنظَرُونَ

Then they will say: Are we to be reprieved?

أَفَبِعَذَابِنَا يَسْتَعْجِلُونَ

Would they (now) hasten on Our doom?

أَفَرَءَيْتَ إِن مَّتَّعْنَـٰهُمْ سِنِينَ

Hast thou then seen, if We content them for (long) years,

ثُمَّ جَآءَهُم مَّا كَانُوا۟ يُوعَدُونَ

And then cometh that which they were promised,

مَآ أَغْنَىٰ عَنْهُم مَّا كَانُوا۟ يُمَتَّعُونَ

(How) that wherewith they were contented naught availeth them?

وَمَآ أَهْلَكْنَا مِن قَرْيَةٍ إِلَّا لَهَا مُنذِرُونَ

And We destroyed no township but it had its warners

ذِكْرَىٰ وَمَا كُنَّا ظَـٰلِمِينَ

For reminder, for We never were oppressors.

وَمَا تَنَزَّلَتْ بِهِ ٱلشَّيَـٰطِينُ

The devils did not bring it down.

وَمَا يَنۢبَغِى لَهُمْ وَمَا يَسْتَطِيعُونَ

It is not meet for them, nor is it in their power,

إِنَّهُمْ عَنِ ٱلسَّمْعِ لَمَعْزُولُونَ

Lo! verily they are banished from the hearing.

فَلَا تَدْعُ مَعَ ٱللَّهِ إِلَـٰهًا ءَاخَرَ فَتَكُونَ مِنَ ٱلْمُعَذَّبِينَ

Therefor invoke not with Allah another god, lest thou be one of the doomed.

وَأَنذِرْ عَشِيرَتَكَ ٱلْأَقْرَبِينَ

And warn thy tribe of near kindred,

وَٱخْفِضْ جَنَاحَكَ لِمَنِ ٱتَّبَعَكَ مِنَ ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ

And lower thy wing (in kindness) unto those believers who follow thee.

فَإِنْ عَصَوْكَ فَقُلْ إِنِّى بَرِىٓءٌ مِّمَّا تَعْمَلُونَ

And if they (thy kinsfolk) disobey thee, say: Lo! I am innocent of what they do.

وَتَوَكَّلْ عَلَى ٱلْعَزِيزِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ

And put thy trust in the Mighty, the Merciful.

ٱلَّذِى يَرَىٰكَ حِينَ تَقُومُ

Who seeth thee when thou standest up (to pray)

وَتَقَلُّبَكَ فِى ٱلسَّـٰجِدِينَ

And (seeth) thine abasement among those who fall prostrate (in worship).

إِنَّهُۥ هُوَ ٱلسَّمِيعُ ٱلْعَلِيمُ

Lo! He, only He, is the Hearer, the Knower.

هَلْ أُنَبِّئُكُمْ عَلَىٰ مَن تَنَزَّلُ ٱلشَّيَـٰطِينُ

Shall I inform you upon whom the devils descend?

تَنَزَّلُ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ أَفَّاكٍ أَثِيمٍ

They descend on every sinful, false one.

يُلْقُونَ ٱلسَّمْعَ وَأَكْثَرُهُمْ كَـٰذِبُونَ

They listen eagerly, but most of them are liars.

وَٱلشُّعَرَآءُ يَتَّبِعُهُمُ ٱلْغَاوُۥنَ

As for poets, the erring follow them.

أَلَمْ تَرَ أَنَّهُمْ فِى كُلِّ وَادٍ يَهِيمُونَ

Hast thou not seen how they stray in every valley,

وَأَنَّهُمْ يَقُولُونَ مَا لَا يَفْعَلُونَ

And how they say that which they do not?

إِلَّا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَعَمِلُوا۟ ٱلصَّـٰلِحَـٰتِ وَذَكَرُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ كَثِيرًا وَٱنتَصَرُوا۟ مِنۢ بَعْدِ مَا ظُلِمُوا۟ ۗ وَسَيَعْلَمُ ٱلَّذِينَ ظَلَمُوٓا۟ أَىَّ مُنقَلَبٍ يَنقَلِبُونَ

Save those who believe and do good works, and remember Allah much, and vindicate themselves after they have been wronged. Those who do wrong will come to know by what a (great) reverse they will be overturned!