Surah 7. Al-A'raf (The Heights)

In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.

1. Alif,
Lam, Mim, Sad.

2. A Book revealed unto
thee,- So let thy heart be oppressed no more by any difficulty on
that account,- that with it thou mightest warn (the erring) and
teach the Believers).

3. Follow (O men!) the
revelation given unto you from your Lord, and follow not, as friends
or protectors, other than Him. Little it is ye remember of admonition.


4. How many towns have
We destroyed (for their sins)? Our punishment took them on a sudden
by night or while they slept for their afternoon rest.

5. When (thus) Our punishment
took them, no cry did they utter but this: "Indeed we did wrong."


6. Then shall we question
those to whom Our message was sent and those by whom We sent it.


7. And verily, We shall
recount their whole story with knowledge, for We were never absent
(at any time or place).

8. The balance that day
will be true (to nicety): those whose scale (of good) will be heavy,
will prosper:

9. Those whose scale
will be light, will be their souls in perdition, for that they wrongfully
treated Our signs.

10. It is We Who have
placed you with authority on earth, and provided you therein with
means for the fulfilment of your life: small are the thanks that
ye give!

11. It is We Who created
you and gave you shape; then We bade the angels bow down to Adam,
and they bowed down; not so Iblis; He refused to be of those who
bow down.

12. ((Allah)) said:
"What prevented thee from bowing down when I commanded thee?" He
said: "I am better than he: Thou didst create me from fire, and
him from clay."

13. ((Allah)) said:
"Get thee down from this: it is not for thee to be arrogant here:
get out, for thou art of the meanest (of creatures)."

14. He said: "Give me
respite till the day they are raised up."

15. ((Allah)) said:
"Be thou among those who have respite."

16. He said: "Because
thou hast thrown me out of the way, lo! I will lie in wait for them
on thy straight way:

17. "Then will I assault
them from before them and behind them, from their right and their
left: Nor wilt thou find, in most of them, gratitude (for thy mercies)."


18. ((Allah)) said:
"Get out from this, disgraced and expelled. If any of them follow
thee,- Hell will I fill with you all.

19. "O Adam! dwell thou
and thy wife in the Garden, and enjoy (its good things) as ye wish:
but approach not this tree, or ye run into harm and transgression."


20. Then began Satan
to whisper suggestions to them, bringing openly before their minds
all their shame that was hidden from them (before): he said: "Your
Lord only forbade you this tree, lest ye should become angels or
such beings as live for ever."

21. And he swore to
them both, that he was their sincere adviser.

22. So by deceit he
brought about their fall: when they tasted of the tree, their shame
became manifest to them, and they began to sew together the leaves
of the garden over their bodies. And their Lord called unto them:
"Did I not forbid you that tree, and tell you that Satan was an
avowed enemy unto you?"

23. They said: "Our
Lord! We have wronged our own souls: If thou forgive us not and
bestow not upon us Thy Mercy, we shall certainly be lost."

24. ((Allah)) said:
"Get ye down. With enmity between yourselves. On earth will be your
dwelling-place and your means of livelihood,- for a time."

25. He said: "Therein
shall ye live, and therein shall ye die; but from it shall ye be
taken out (at last)."

26. O ye Children of
Adam! We have bestowed raiment upon you to cover your shame, as
well as to be an adornment to you. But the raiment of righteousness,-
that is the best. Such are among the Signs of Allah, that they may
receive admonition!

27. O ye Children of
Adam! Let not Satan seduce you, in the same manner as He got your
parents out of the Garden, stripping them of their raiment, to expose
their shame: for he and his tribe watch you from a position where
ye cannot see them: We made the evil ones friends (only) to those
without faith.

28. When they do aught
that is shameful, they say: "We found our fathers doing so"; and
"(Allah) commanded us thus": Say: "Nay, Allah never commands what
is shameful: do ye say of Allah what ye know not?"

29. Say: "My Lord hath
commanded justice; and that ye set your whole selves (to Him) at
every time and place of prayer, and call upon Him, making your devotion
sincere as in His sight: such as He created you in the beginning,
so shall ye return."

30. Some He hath guided:
Others have (by their choice) deserved the loss of their way; in
that they took the evil ones, in preference to Allah, for their
friends and protectors, and think that they receive guidance.

31. O Children of Adam!
wear your beautiful apparel at every time and place of prayer: eat
and drink: But waste not by excess, for Allah loveth not the wasters.


32. Say: Who hath forbidden
the beautiful (gifts) of Allah, which He hath produced for His servants,
and the things, clean and pure, (which He hath provided) for sustenance?
Say: They are, in the life of this world, for those who believe,
(and) purely for them on the Day of Judgment. Thus do We explain
the signs in detail for those who understand.

33. Say: the things
that my Lord hath indeed forbidden are: shameful deeds, whether
open or secret; sins and trespasses against truth or reason; assigning
of partners to Allah, for which He hath given no authority; and
saying things about Allah of which ye have no knowledge.

34. To every people
is a term appointed: when their term is reached, not an hour can
they cause delay, nor (an hour) can they advance (it in anticipation).


35. O ye Children of
Adam! whenever there come to you apostles from amongst you, rehearsing
My signs unto you,- those who are righteous and mend (their lives),-
on them shall be no fear nor shall they grieve.

36. But those who reject
Our signs and treat them with arrogance,- they are companions of
the Fire, to dwell therein (for ever).

37. Who is more unjust
than one who invents a lie against Allah or rejects His Signs? For
such, their portion appointed must reach them from the Book (of
decrees): until, when our messengers (of death) arrive and take
their souls, they say: "Where are the things that ye used to invoke
besides Allah." They will reply, "They have left us in the lurch,"
And they will bear witness against themselves, that they had rejected
Allah.

38. He will say: "Enter
ye in the company of the peoples who passed away before you - men
and jinns, - into the Fire." Every time a new people enters, it
curses its sister-people (that went before), until they follow each
other, all into the Fire. Saith the last about the first: "Our Lord!
it is these that misled us: so give them a double penalty in the
Fire." He will say: "Doubled for all" : but this ye do not understand.


39. Then the first will
say to the last: "See then! No advantage have ye over us; so taste
ye of the penalty for all that ye did !"

40. To those who reject
Our signs and treat them with arrogance, no opening will there be
of the gates of heaven, nor will they enter the garden, until the
camel can pass through the eye of the needle: Such is Our reward
for those in sin.

41. For them there is
Hell, as a couch (below) and folds and folds of covering above:
such is Our requital of those who do wrong.

42. But those who believe
and work righteousness,- no burden do We place on any soul, but
that which it can bear,- they will be Companions of the Garden,
therein to dwell (for ever).

43. And We shall remove
from their hearts any lurking sense of injury;- beneath them will
be rivers flowing;- and they shall say: "Praise be to Allah, who
hath guided us to this (felicity): never could we have found guidance,
had it not been for the guidance of Allah. indeed it was the truth,
that the apostles of our Lord brought unto us." And they shall hear
the cry: "Behold! the garden before you! Ye have been made its inheritors,
for your deeds (of righteousness)."

44. The Companions of
the Garden will call out to the Companions of the Fire: "We have
indeed found the promises of our Lord to us true: Have you also
found Your Lord's promises true?" They shall say, "Yes"; but a crier
shall proclaim between them: "The curse of Allah is on the wrong-doers;-


45. "Those who would
hinder (men) from the path of Allah and would seek in it something
crooked: they were those who denied the Hereafter."

46. Between them shall
be a veil, and on the heights will be men who would know every one
by his marks: they will call out to the Companions of the Garden,
"peace on you": they will not have entered, but they will have an
assurance (thereof).

47. When their eyes
shall be turned towards the Companions of the Fire, they will say:
"Our Lord! send us not to the company of the wrong-doers."

48. The men on the heights
will call to certain men whom they will know from their marks, saying:
"Of what profit to you were your hoards and your arrogant ways?


49. "Behold! are these
not the men whom you swore that Allah with His Mercy would never
bless? Enter ye the Garden: no fear shall be on you, nor shall ye
grieve."

50. The Companions of
the Fire will call to the Companions of the Garden: "Pour down to
us water or anything that Allah doth provide for your sustenance."
They will say: "Both these things hath Allah forbidden to those
who rejected Him."

51. "Such as took their
religion to be mere amusement and play, and were deceived by the
life of the world." That day shall We forget them as they forgot
the meeting of this day of theirs, and as they were wont to reject
Our signs.

52. For We had certainly
sent unto them a Book, based on knowledge, which We explained in
detail,- a guide and a mercy to all who believe.

53. Do they just wait
for the final fulfilment of the event? On the day the event is finally
fulfilled, those who disregarded it before will say: "The apostles
of our Lord did indeed bring true (tidings). Have we no intercessors
now to intercede on our behalf? Or could we be sent back? then should
we behave differently from our behaviour in the past." In fact they
will have lost their souls, and the things they invented will leave
them in the lurch.

54. Your Guardian-Lord
is Allah, Who created the heavens and the earth in six days, and
is firmly established on the throne (of authority): He draweth the
night as a veil o'er the day, each seeking the other in rapid succession:
He created the sun, the moon, and the stars, (all) governed by laws
under His command. Is it not His to create and to govern? Blessed
be Allah, the Cherisher and Sustainer of the worlds!

55. Call on your Lord
with humility and in private: for Allah loveth not those who trespass
beyond bounds.

56. Do no mischief on
the earth, after it hath been set in order, but call on Him with
fear and longing (in your hearts): for the Mercy of Allah is (always)
near to those who do good.

57. It is He Who sendeth
the winds like heralds of glad tidings, going before His mercy:
when they have carried the heavy-laden clouds, We drive them to
a land that is dead, make rain to descend thereon, and produce every
kind of harvest therewith: thus shall We raise up the dead: perchance
ye may remember.

58. From the land that
is clean and good, by the will of its Cherisher, springs up produce,
(rich) after its kind: but from the land that is bad, springs up
nothing but that which is niggardly: thus do we explain the signs
by various (symbols) to those who are grateful.

59. We sent Noah to
his people. He said: "O my people! worship Allah. ye have no other
god but Him. I fear for you the punishment of a dreadful day!

60. The leaders of his
people said: "Ah! we see thee evidently wandering (in mind)."

61. He said: "O my people!
No wandering is there in my (mind): on the contrary I am an apostle
from the Lord and Cherisher of the worlds!

62. "I but fulfil towards
you the duties of my Lord's mission: Sincere is my advice to you,
and I know from Allah something that ye know not.

63. "Do ye wonder that
there hath come to you a message from your Lord, through a man of
your own people, to warn you,- so that ye may fear Allah and haply
receive His Mercy?"

64. But they rejected
him, and We delivered him, and those with him, in the Ark: but We
overwhelmed in the flood those who rejected Our signs. They were
indeed a blind people!

65. To the 'Ad people,
(We sent) Hud, one of their (own) brethren: He said: O my people!
worship Allah. ye have no other god but Him will ye not fear ((Allah))?"


66. The leaders of the
Unbelievers among his people said: "Ah! we see thou art an imbecile!"
and "We think thou art a liar!"

67. He said: "O my people!
I am no imbecile, but (I am) an apostle from the Lord and Cherisher
of the worlds!

68. "I but fulfil towards
you the duties of my Lord's mission: I am to you a sincere and trustworthy
adviser.

69. "Do ye wonder that
there hath come to you a message from your Lord through a man of
your own people, to warn you? call in remembrance that He made you
inheritors after the people of Noah, and gave you a stature tall
among the nations. Call in remembrance the benefits (ye have received)
from Allah. that so ye may prosper."

70. They said: "Comest
thou to us, that we may worship Allah alone, and give up the cult
of our fathers? bring us what thou threatenest us with, if so be
that thou tellest the truth!"

71. He said: "Punishment
and wrath have already come upon you from your Lord: dispute ye
with me over names which ye have devised - ye and your fathers,-
without authority from Allah. then wait: I am amongst you, also
waiting."

72. We saved him and
those who adhered to him. By Our mercy, and We cut off the roots
of those who rejected Our signs and did not believe.

73. To the Thamud people
(We sent) Salih, one of their own brethren: He said: "O my people!
worship Allah. ye have no other god but Him. Now hath come unto
you a clear (Sign) from your Lord! This she-camel of Allah is a
Sign unto you: So leave her to graze in Allah.s earth, and let her
come to no harm, or ye shall be seized with a grievous punishment.


74. "And remember how
He made you inheritors after the 'Ad people and gave you habitations
in the land: ye build for yourselves palaces and castles in (open)
plains, and carve out homes in the mountains; so bring to remembrance
the benefits (ye have received) from Allah, and refrain from evil
and mischief on the earth."

75. The leaders of the
arrogant party among his people said to those who were reckoned
powerless - those among them who believed: "know ye indeed that
Salih is an apostle from his Lord?" They said: "We do indeed believe
in the revelation which hath been sent through him."

76. The Arrogant party
said: "For our part, we reject what ye believe in."

77. Then they ham-strung
the she-camel, and insolently defied the order of their Lord, saying:
"O Salih! bring about thy threats, if thou art an apostle (of Allah.!"


78. So the earthquake
took them unawares, and they lay prostrate in their homes in the
morning!

79. So Salih left them,
saying: "O my people! I did indeed convey to you the message for
which I was sent by my Lord: I gave you good counsel, but ye love
not good counsellors!"

80. We also (sent) Lut:
He said to his people: "Do ye commit lewdness such as no people
in creation (ever) committed before you?

81. "For ye practise
your lusts on men in preference to women : ye are indeed a people
transgressing beyond bounds."

82. And his people gave
no answer but this: they said, "Drive them out of your city: these
are indeed men who want to be clean and pure!"

83. But we saved him
and his family, except his wife: she was of those who legged behind.


84. And we rained down
on them a shower (of brimstone): Then see what was the end of those
who indulged in sin and crime!

85. To the Madyan people
We sent Shu'aib, one of their own brethren: he said: "O my people!
worship Allah. Ye have no other god but Him. Now hath come unto
you a clear (Sign) from your Lord! Give just measure and weight,
nor withhold from the people the things that are their due; and
do no mischief on the earth after it has been set in order: that
will be best for you, if ye have Faith.

86. "And squat not on
every road, breathing threats, hindering from the path of Allah
those who believe in Him, and seeking in it something crooked; But
remember how ye were little, and He gave you increase. And hold
in your mind's eye what was the end of those who did mischief.

87. "And if there is
a party among you who believes in the message with which I have
been sent, and a party which does not believe, hold yourselves in
patience until Allah doth decide between us: for He is the best
to decide.

88. The leaders, the
arrogant party among his people, said: "O Shu'aib! we shall certainly
drive thee out of our city - (thee) and those who believe with thee;
or else ye (thou and they) shall have to return to our ways and
religion." He said: "What! even though we do detest (them)?

89. "We should indeed
invent a lie against Allah, if we returned to your ways after Allah
hath rescued us therefrom; nor could we by any manner of means return
thereto unless it be as in the will and plan of Allah, Our Lord.
Our Lord can reach out to the utmost recesses of things by His knowledge.
In the Allah is our trust. our Lord! decide Thou between us and
our people in truth, for Thou art the best to decide."

90. The leaders, the
unbelievers among his people, said: "If ye follow Shu'aib, be sure
then ye are ruined!"

91. But the earthquake
took them unawares, and they lay prostrate in their homes before
the morning!

92. The men who reject
Shu'aib became as if they had never been in the homes where they
had flourished: the men who rejected Shu'aib - it was they who were
ruined!

93. So Shu'aib left
them, saying: "O my people! I did indeed convey to you the messages
for which I was sent by my Lord: I gave you good counsel, but how
shall I lament over a people who refuse to believe!"

94. Whenever We sent
a prophet to a town, We took up its people in suffering and adversity,
in order that they might learn humility.

95. Then We changed
their suffering into prosperity, until they grew and multiplied,
and began to say: "Our fathers (too) were touched by suffering and
affluence" ... Behold! We called them to account of a sudden, while
they realised not (their peril).

96. If the people of
the towns had but believed and feared Allah, We should indeed have
opened out to them (All kinds of) blessings from heaven and earth;
but they rejected (the truth), and We brought them to book for their
misdeeds.

97. Did the people of
the towns feel secure against the coming of Our wrath by night while
they were asleep?

98. Or else did they
feel secure against its coming in broad daylight while they played
about (care-free)?

99. Did they then feel
secure against the plan of Allah.- but no one can feel secure from
the Plan of Allah, except those (doomed) to ruin!

100. To those who inherit
the earth in succession to its (previous) possessors, is it not
a guiding, (lesson) that, if We so willed, We could punish them
(too) for their sins, and seal up their hearts so that they could
not hear?

101. Such were the
towns whose story We (thus) relate unto thee: There came indeed
to them their apostles with clear (signs): But they would not believe
what they had rejected before. Thus doth Allah seal up the hearts
of those who reject faith.

102. Most of them We
found not men (true) to their covenant: but most of them We found
rebellious and disobedient.

103. Then after them
We sent Moses with Our signs to Pharaoh and his chiefs, but they
wrongfully rejected them: So see what was the end of those who made
mischief.

104. Moses said: "O
Pharaoh! I am an apostle from the Lord of the worlds,-

105. One for whom it
is right to say nothing but truth about Allah. Now have I come unto
you (people), from your Lord, with a clear (Sign): So let the Children
of Israel depart along with me."

106. (Pharaoh) said:
"If indeed thou hast come with a Sign, show it forth,- if thou tellest
the truth."

107. Then (Moses) threw
his rod, and behold! it was a serpent, plain (for all to see)!

108. And he drew out
his hand, and behold! it was white to all beholders!

109. Said the Chiefs
of the people of Pharaoh: "This is indeed a sorcerer well- versed.


110. "His plan is to
get you out of your land: then what is it ye counsel?"

111. They said: "Keep
him and his brother in suspense (for a while); and send to the cities
men to collect-

112. And bring up to
thee all (our) sorcerers well-versed."

113. So there came
the sorcerers to Pharaoh: They said, "of course we shall have a
(suitable) reward if we win!"

114. He said: "Yea,
(and more),- for ye shall in that case be (raised to posts) nearest
(to my person)."

115. They said: "O
Moses! wilt thou throw (first), or shall we have the (first) throw?"


116. Said Moses: "Throw
ye (first)." So when they threw, they bewitched the eyes of the
people, and struck terror into them: for they showed a great (feat
of) magic.

117. We put it into
Moses's mind by inspiration: "Throw (now) thy rod":and behold! it
swallows up straight away all the falsehoods which they fake!

118. Thus truth was
confirmed, and all that they did was made of no effect.

119. So the (great
ones) were vanquished there and then, and were made to look small.


120. But the sorcerers
fell down prostrate in adoration.

121. Saying: "We believe
in the Lord of the Worlds,-

122. "The Lord of Moses
and Aaron."

123. Said Pharaoh:
"Believe ye in Him before I give you permission? Surely this is
a trick which ye have planned in the city to drive out its people:
but soon shall ye know (the consequences).

124. "Be sure I will
cut off your hands and your feet on apposite sides, and I will cause
you all to die on the cross."

125. They said: "For
us, We are but sent back unto our Lord:

126. "But thou dost
wreak thy vengeance on us simply because we believed in the Signs
of our Lord when they reached us! Our Lord! pour out on us patience
and constancy, and take our souls unto thee as Muslims (who bow
to thy will)!

127. Said the chiefs
of Pharaoh's people: "Wilt thou leave Moses and his people, to spread
mischief in the land, and to abandon thee and thy gods?" He said:
"Their male children will we slay; (only) their females will we
save alive; and we have over them (power) irresistible."

128. Said Moses to
his people: "Pray for help from Allah, and (wait) in patience and
constancy: for the earth is Allah.s, to give as a heritage to such
of His servants as He pleaseth; and the end is (best) for the righteous.


129. They said: "We
have had (nothing but) trouble, both before and after thou camest
to us." He said: "It may be that your Lord will destroy your enemy
and make you inheritors in the earth; that so He may try you by
your deeds."

130. We punished the
people of Pharaoh with years (of droughts) and shortness of crops;
that they might receive admonition.

131. But when good
(times) came, they said, "This is due to us;" When gripped by calamity,
they ascribed it to evil omens connected with Moses and those with
him! Behold! in truth the omens of evil are theirs in Allah.s sight,
but most of them do not understand!

132. They said (to
Moses): "Whatever be the Signs thou bringest, to work therewith
thy sorcery on us, we shall never believe in thee.

133. So We sent (plagues)
on them: Wholesale death, Locusts, Lice, Frogs, And Blood: Signs
openly self-explained: but they were steeped in arrogance,- a people
given to sin.

134. Every time the
penalty fell on them, they said: "O Moses! on your behalf call on
thy Lord in virtue of his promise to thee: If thou wilt remove the
penalty from us, we shall truly believe in thee, and we shall send
away the Children of Israel with thee."

135. But every time
We removed the penalty from them according to a fixed term which
they had to fulfil,- Behold! they broke their word!

136. So We exacted
retribution from them: We drowned them in the sea, because they
rejected Our Signs and failed to take warning from them.

137. And We made a
people, considered weak (and of no account), inheritors of lands
in both east and west, - lands whereon We sent down Our blessings.
The fair promise of thy Lord was fulfilled for the Children of Israel,
because they had patience and constancy, and We levelled to the
ground the great works and fine buildings which Pharaoh and his
people erected (with such pride).

138. We took the Children
of Israel (with safety) across the sea. They came upon a people
devoted entirely to some idols they had. They said: "O Moses! fashion
for us a god like unto the gods they have." He said: "Surely ye
are a people without knowledge.

139. "As to these folk,-
the cult they are in is (but) a fragment of a ruin, and vain is
the (worship) which they practise."

140. He said: "Shall
I seek for you a god other than the (true) Allah, when it is Allah
Who hath endowed you with gifts above the nations?"

141. And remember We
rescued you from Pharaoh's people, who afflicted you with the worst
of penalties, who slew your male children and saved alive your females:
in that was a momentous trial from your Lord.

142. We appointed for
Moses thirty nights, and completed (the period) with ten (more):
thus was completed the term (of communion) with his Lord, forty
nights. And Moses had charged his brother Aaron (before he went
up): "Act for me amongst my people: Do right, and follow not the
way of those who do mischief."

143. When Moses came
to the place appointed by Us, and his Lord addressed him, He said:
"O my Lord! show (Thyself) to me, that I may look upon thee." Allah
said: "By no means canst thou see Me (direct); But look upon the
mount; if it abide in its place, then shalt thou see Me." When his
Lord manifested His glory on the Mount, He made it as dust. And
Moses fell down in a swoon. When he recovered his senses he said:
"Glory be to Thee! to Thee I turn in repentance, and I am the first
to believe."

144. ((Allah)) said:
"O Moses! I have chosen thee above (other) men, by the mission I
(have given thee) and the words I (have spoken to thee): take then
the (revelation) which I give thee, and be of those who give thanks."


145. And We ordained
laws for him in the tablets in all matters, both commanding and
explaining all things, (and said): "Take and hold these with firmness,
and enjoin thy people to hold fast by the best in the precepts:
soon shall I show you the homes of the wicked,- (How they lie desolate)."


146. Those who behave
arrogantly on the earth in defiance of right - them will I turn
away from My signs: Even if they see all the signs, they will not
believe in them; and if they see the way of right conduct, they
will not adopt it as the way; but if they see the way of error,
that is the way they will adopt. For they have rejected our signs,
and failed to take warning from them.

147. Those who reject
Our signs and the meeting in the Hereafter,- vain are their deeds:
Can they expect to be rewarded except as they have wrought?

148. The people of
Moses made, in his absence, out of their ornaments, the image of
calf, (for worship): it seemed to low: did they not see that it
could neither speak to them, nor show them the way? They took it
for worship and they did wrong.

149. When they repented,
and saw that they had erred, they said: "If our Lord have not mercy
upon us and forgive us, we shall indeed be of those who perish."


150. When Moses came
back to his people, angry and grieved, he said: "Evil it is
that ye have done in my place in my absence: did ye make haste to
bring on the judgment of your Lord?" He put down the tablets,
seized his brother by (the hair of) his head, and dragged him to
him. Aaron said: "Son of my mother! the people did indeed reckon
me as naught, and went near to slaying me! Make not the enemies
rejoice over my misfortune, nor count thou me amongst the people
of sin."

151. Moses prayed: "O my Lord! forgive
me and my brother! admit us to Thy mercy! for Thou art the Most
Merciful of those who show mercy!"

152. Those who took the calf (for worship)
will indeed be overwhelmed with wrath from their Lord, and with
shame in this life: thus do We recompense those who invent (falsehoods).

153. But those who
do wrong but repent thereafter and (truly) believe,- verily thy
Lord is thereafter Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.

154. When the anger
of Moses was appeased, he took up the tablets: in the writing thereon
was guidance and Mercy for such as fear their Lord.

155. And Moses chose
seventy of his people for Our place of meeting: when they were seized
with violent quaking, he prayed: "O my Lord! if it had been Thy
will Thou couldst have destroyed, long before, both them and me:
wouldst Thou destroy us for the deeds of the foolish ones among
us? this is no more than Thy trial: by it Thou causest whom Thou
wilt to stray, and Thou leadest whom Thou wilt into the right path.
Thou art our Protector: so forgive us and give us Thy mercy; for
Thou art the best of those who forgive.

156. "And ordain for
us that which is good, in this life and in the Hereafter: for we
have turned unto Thee." He said: "With My punishment I visit whom
I will; but My mercy extendeth to all things. That (mercy) I shall
ordain for those who do right, and practise regular charity, and
those who believe in Our signs;-

157. "Those who follow
the apostle, the unlettered Prophet, whom they find mentioned in
their own (scriptures),- in the law and the Gospel;- for he commands
them what is just and forbids them what is evil; he allows them
as lawful what is good (and pure) and prohibits them from what is
bad (and impure); He releases them from their heavy burdens and
from the yokes that are upon them. So it is those who believe in
him, honour him, help him, and follow the light which is sent down
with him,- it is they who will prosper."

158. day: "O men! I
am sent unto you all, as the Messenger of Allah, to Whom belongeth
the dominion of the heavens and the earth: there is no god but He:
it is He That giveth both life and death. So believe in Allah and
His Messenger, the Unlettered Prophet, who believeth in Allah and
His words: follow him that (so) ye may be guided."

159. Of the people
of Moses there is a section who guide and do justice in the light
of truth.

160. We divided them
into twelve tribes or nations. We directed Moses by inspiration,
when his (thirsty) people asked him for water: "Strike the rock
with thy staff": out of it there gushed forth twelve springs: Each
group knew its own place for water. We gave them the shade of clouds,
and sent down to them manna and quails, (saying): "Eat of the good
things We have provided for you": (but they rebelled); to Us they
did no harm, but they harmed their own souls.

161. And remember it
was said to them: "Dwell in this town and eat therein as ye wish,
but say the word of humility and enter the gate in a posture of
humility: We shall forgive you your faults; We shall increase (the
portion of) those who do good."

162. But the transgressors
among them changed the word from that which had been given them
so we sent on them a plague from heaven. For that they repeatedly
transgressed.

163. Ask them concerning
the town standing close by the sea. Behold! they transgressed in
the matter of the Sabbath. For on the day of their Sabbath their
fish did come to them, openly holding up their heads, but on the
day they had no Sabbath, they came not: thus did We make a trial
of them, for they were given to transgression.

164. When some of them
said: "Why do ye preach to a people whom Allah will destroy or visit
with a terrible punishment?"- said the preachers:" To discharge
our duty to your Lord, and perchance they may fear Him."

165. When they disregarded
the warnings that had been given them, We rescued those who forbade
Evil; but We visited the wrong-doers with a grievous punishment
because they were given to transgression.

166. When in their
insolence they transgressed (all) prohibitions, We said to them:
"Be ye apes, despised and rejected."

167. Behold! thy Lord
did declare that He would send against them, to the Day of Judgment,
those who would afflict them with grievous penalty. Thy Lord is
quick in retribution, but He is also Oft-forgiving, Most Merciful.


168. We broke them
up into sections on this earth. There are among them some that are
the righteous, and some that are the opposite. We have tried them
with both prosperity and adversity: In order that they might turn
(to us).

169. After them succeeded
an (evil) generation: They inherited the Book, but they chose (for
themselves) the vanities of this world, saying (for excuse): "(Everything)
will be forgiven us." (Even so), if similar vanities came their
way, they would (again) seize them. Was not the covenant of the
Book taken from them, that they would not ascribe to Allah anything
but the truth? and they study what is in the Book. But best for
the righteous is the home in the Hereafter. Will ye not understand?


170. As to those who
hold fast by the Book and establish regular prayer,- never shall
We suffer the reward of the righteous to perish.

171. When We shook
the Mount over them, as if it had been a canopy, and they thought
it was going to fall on them (We said): "Hold firmly to what We
have given you, and bring (ever) to remembrance what is therein;
perchance ye may fear Allah."

172. When thy Lord
drew forth from the Children of Adam - from their loins - their
descendants, and made them testify concerning themselves, (saying):
"Am I not your Lord (who cherishes and sustains you)?"- They said:
"Yea! We do testify!" (This), lest ye should say on the Day of Judgment:
"Of this we were never mindful":

173. Or lest ye should
say: "Our fathers before us may have taken false gods, but we are
(their) descendants after them: wilt Thou then destroy us because
of the deeds of men who were futile?"

174. Thus do We explain
the signs in detail; and perchance they may turn (unto Us).

175. Relate to them
the story of the man to whom We sent Our signs, but he passed them
by: so Satan followed him up, and he went astray.

176. If it had been
Our will, We should have elevated him with Our signs; but he inclined
to the earth, and followed his own vain desires. His similitude
is that of a dog: if you attack him, he lolls out his tongue, or
if you leave him alone, he (still) lolls out his tongue. That is
the similitude of those who reject Our signs; So relate the story;
perchance they may reflect.

177. Evil as an example
are people who reject Our signs and wrong their own souls.

178. Whom Allah doth
guide,- he is on the right path: whom He rejects from His guidance,-
such are the persons who perish.

179. Many are the Jinns
and men we have made for Hell: They have hearts wherewith they understand
not, eyes wherewith they see not, and ears wherewith they hear not.
They are like cattle,- nay more misguided: for they are heedless
(of warning).

180. The most beautiful
names belong to Allah. so call on him by them; but shun such men
as use profanity in his names: for what they do, they will soon
be requited.

181. Of those We have
created are people who direct (others) with truth. And dispense
justice therewith.

182. Those who reject
Our signs, We shall gradually visit with punishment, in ways they
perceive not;

183. Respite will I
grant unto them: for My scheme is strong (and unfailing).

184. Do they not reflect?
Their companion is not seized with madness: he is but a perspicuous
warner.

185. Do they see nothing
in the government of the heavens and the earth and all that Allah
hath created? (Do they not see) that it may well be that their terms
is nigh drawing to an end? In what message after this will they
then believe?

186. To such as Allah
rejects from His guidance, there can be no guide: He will leave
them in their trespasses, wandering in distraction.

187. They ask thee
about the (final) Hour - when will be its appointed time? Say: "The
knowledge thereof is with my Lord (alone): None but He can reveal
as to when it will occur. Heavy were its burden through the heavens
and the earth. Only, all of a sudden will it come to you." They
ask thee as if thou Wert eager in search thereof: Say: "The knowledge
thereof is with Allah (alone), but most men know not."

188. Say: "I have no
power over any good or harm to myself except as Allah willeth. If
I had knowledge of the unseen, I should have multiplied all good,
and no evil should have touched me: I am but a warner, and a bringer
of glad tidings to those who have faith."

189. It is He Who created
you from a single person, and made his mate of like nature, in order
that he might dwell with her (in love). When they are united, she
bears a light burden and carries it about (unnoticed). When she
grows heavy, they both pray to Allah their Lord, (saying): "If Thou
givest us a goodly child, we vow we shall (ever) be grateful."

190. But when He giveth
them a goodly child, they ascribe to others a share in the gift
they have received: but Allah is exalted high above the partners
they ascribe to Him.

191. Do they indeed
ascribe to Him as partners things that can create nothing, but are
themselves created?

192. No aid can they
give them, nor can they aid themselves!

193. If ye call them
to guidance, they will not obey: For you it is the same whether
ye call them or ye hold your peace!

194. Verily those whom
ye call upon besides Allah are servants like unto you: Call upon
them, and let them listen to your prayer, if ye are (indeed) truthful!


195. Have they feet
to walk with? Or hands to lay hold with? Or eyes to see with? Or
ears to hear with? Say: "Call your 'god-partners', scheme (your
worst) against me, and give me no respite!

196. "For my Protector
is Allah, Who revealed the Book (from time to time), and He will
choose and befriend the righteous.

197. "But those ye
call upon besides Him, are unable to help you, and indeed to help
themselves."

198. If thou callest
them to guidance, they hear not. Thou wilt see them looking at thee,
but they see not.

199. Hold to forgiveness;
command what is right; But turn away from the ignorant.

200. If a suggestion
from Satan assail thy (mind), seek refuge with Allah. for He heareth
and knoweth (all things).

201. Those who fear
Allah, when a thought of evil from Satan assaults them, bring Allah
to remembrance, when lo! they see (aright)!

202. But their brethren
(the evil ones) plunge them deeper into error, and never relax (their
efforts).

203. If thou bring
them not a revelation, they say: "Why hast thou not got it together?"
Say: "I but follow what is revealed to me from my Lord: this is
(nothing but) lights from your Lord, and Guidance, and mercy, for
any who have faith."

204. When the Qur'an
is read, listen to it with attention, and hold your peace: that
ye may receive Mercy.

205. And do thou (O
reader!) Bring thy Lord to remembrance in thy (very) soul, with
humility and in reverence, without loudness in words, in the mornings
and evenings; and be not thou of those who are unheedful.

206. Those who are
near to thy Lord, disdain not to do Him worship: They celebrate
His praises, and bow down before Him.