Lo! We are about to bring down upon the folk of this township a fury from the sky because they are evil-livers.

And verily of that We have left a clear sign for people who have sense.

And unto Midian We sent Shu’eyb, their brother. He said: O my people! Serve Alláh, and look forward to the Last Day, and do not evil, making mischief, in the earth.

But they denied him, and the dreadful earthquake took them, and morning found them prostrate in their dwelling place.

And (the tribes of) ‘Ád and Thamúd! (Their fate) is manifest unto you from their (ruined and deserted) dwellings. Satan made their deeds seem fair unto them and so debarred them from the Way, though they were keen observers.

And Korah, Pharaoh and Haman! Moses came unto them with clear proofs (of Alláh’s Sovereignty), but they were boastful in the land. And they were not winners (in the race).

So We took each one in his sin; of them was he on whom We sent a hurricane, and of them was he who was overtaken by the (Awful) Cry, and of them was he whom We caused the earth to swallow, and of them was he whom We drowned. It was not for Alláh to wrong them, but they wronged themselves.

The likeness of those who choose other patrons than Alláh is as the likeness of the spider when she taketh unto herself a house, and lo! the frailest of all houses is the spider’s house, if they but knew.

Lo! Alláh knoweth what thing they invoke instead of Him. He is the Mighty, the Wise.

As for these similitudes, We coin them for mankind, but none will grasp their meaning save the wise.

Alláh created the heavens and the earth with truth. Lo! therein is indeed a portent for believers.

Recite that which hath been inspired in thee of the Scripture, and establish worship. Lo! worship preserveth from lewdness and iniquity, but verily remembrance of Alláh is more important. And Alláh knoweth what ye do.

And argue not with the People of the Scripture unless it be in (a way) that is better, save with such of them as do wrong; and say: We believe in that which hath been revealed unto us and revealed unto you; our God and your God is One, and unto Him we surrender.

In like manner We have revealed unto thee the Scripture, and those unto whom We gave the Scripture aforetime will believe therein; and of these (also) there are some who believe therein. And none deny Our revelations save the disbelievers.

And thou (O Muḥammad) wast not a reader of any scripture before it, nor didst thou write it with thy right hand, for then might those have doubted, who follow falsehood.

But it is clear revelations in the hearts of those who have been given knowledge, and none deny Our revelations save wrong-doers.

And they say: Why are not portents sent down upon him from his Lord? Say: Portents are with Alláh only, and I am but a plain warner.

Is it not enough for them that We have sent down unto thee the Scripture which is read unto them? Lo! herein verily is mercy, and a reminder for folk who believe.

Say (unto them, O Muḥammad): Alláh sufficeth for witness between me and you. He knoweth whatsoever is in the heavens and the earth. And those who believe in vanity and disbelieve in Alláh, they it is who are the losers.

They bid thee hasten on the doom (of Alláh). And if a term had not been appointed, the doom would assuredly have come unto them (ere now). And verily it will come upon them suddenly when they perceive not.

They bid thee hasten on the doom, when lo! hell verily will encompass the disbelievers

On the day when the doom will overwhelm them from above them and from underneath their feet, and He will say: Taste what ye used to do!

O my bondmen who believe! Lo! My earth is spacious. Therefor serve Me only.

Every soul will taste of death. Then unto Us ye will be returned.

Those who believe and do good works, them verily We shall house in lofty dwellings of the Garden underneath which rivers flow. There they will dwell secure. How sweet the guerdon of the toilers,

Who persevere, and put their trust in their Lord!

And how many an animal there is that beareth not its own provision! Alláh provideth for it and for you. He is the Hearer, the Knower.

And if thou wert to ask them: Who created the heavens and the earth, and constrained the sun and the moon (to their appointed work)? they would say: Alláh. How then are they turned away?

Alláh maketh the provision wide for whom He will of His bondmen, and straiteneth it for whom (He will). Lo! Alláh is Aware of all things.

And if thou wert to ask them: Who causeth water to come down from the sky, and therewith reviveth the earth after its death? they verily would say: Alláh. Say: Praise be to Alláh! But most of them have no sense.

This life of the world is but a pastime and a game. Lo! the home of the Hereafter—that is Life, if they but knew.

And when they mount upon the ships they pray to Alláh, making their faith pure for Him only, but when He bringeth them safe to land, behold! they ascribe partners (unto Him),

That they may disbelieve in that which We have given them, and that they may take their ease. But they will come to know.

Have they not seen that We have appointed a sanctuary immune (from violence), while mankind are ravaged all around them? Do they then believe in falsehood and disbelieve in the bounty of Alláh?

Who doeth greater wrong than he who inventeth a lie concerning Alláh, or denieth the truth when it cometh unto him? Is not there a home in hell for disbelievers?

As for those who strive in Us, We surely guide them to Our paths, and lo! Alláh is with the good.

30.
Ar-Rúm: The Romans

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

Alif. Lám. Mím.

The Romans have been defeated

In the nearer land, and they, after their defeat will be victorious

Within ten years—Alláh’s is the command in the former case and in the latter—and in that day believers will rejoice

In Alláh’s help to victory. He helpeth to victory whom He will. He is the Mighty, the Merciful.

It is a promise of Alláh. Alláh faileth not His promise, but most of mankind know not.

They know only some appearance of the life of the world, and are heedless of the Hereafter.

Have they not pondered upon themselves? Alláh created not the heavens and the earth, and that which is between them, save with truth and for a destined end. But truly many of mankind are disbelievers in the meeting with their Lord.

Have they not travelled in the land and seen the nature of the consequence for those who were before them? They were stronger than these in power, and they dug the earth and built upon it more than these have built. Messengers of their own came unto them with clear proofs (of Alláh’s Sovereignty). Surely Alláh wronged them not, but they did wrong themselves.

Then evil was the consequence to those who dealt in evil, because they denied the revelations of Alláh and made a mock of them.

Alláh produceth creation, then He reproduceth it, then unto Him ye will be returned.

And in the day when the Hour riseth the unrighteous will despair.

There will be none to intercede for them of those whom they made equal with Alláh. And they will reject their partners (whom they ascribed unto Him).

In the day when the Hour cometh, in that day they will be sundered.

As for those who believed and did good works, they will be made happy in a Garden.

But as for those who disbelieved and denied Our revelations, and denied the meeting of the Hereafter, such will be brought to doom.

So glory be to Alláh when ye enter the night and when ye enter the morning—

Unto Him be praise in the heavens and the earth!—and at the sun’s decline and in the noonday.

He bringeth forth the living from the dead, and He bringeth forth the dead from the living, and He reviveth the earth after her death. And even so will ye be brought forth.

And of His signs is this: He created you of dust, and behold you human beings, ranging widely!

And of His signs is this: He created for you helpmeets from yourselves that ye might find rest in them, and He ordained between you love and mercy. Lo! herein indeed are portents for folk who reflect.

And of His signs is the creation of the heavens and the earth, and the difference of your languages and colours. Lo! herein indeed are portents for men of knowledge.

And of His signs is your slumber by night and by day, and your seeking of His bounty. Lo! herein indeed are portents for folk who heed.

And of His signs is this: He showeth you the lightning for a fear and for a hope, and sendeth down water from the sky, and thereby quickeneth the earth after her death. Lo! herein indeed are portents for folk who understand.

And of His signs is this: The heavens and the earth stand fast by His command, and afterward, when He calleth you, lo! from the earth ye will emerge.

Unto Him belongeth whosoever is in the heavens and the earth. All are obedient unto Him.

He it is Who produceth creation, then reproduceth it, and it is easier for Him. His is the Sublime Similitude in the heavens and the earth. He is the Mighty, the Wise.

He coineth for you a similitude of yourselves. Have ye, from among those whom your right hands possess, partners in the wealth We have bestowed upon you, equal with you in respect thereof, so that ye fear them as ye fear each other (that ye ascribe unto Us partners out of that which We created)? Thus We display the revelations for people who have sense.

Nay, but those who do wrong follow their own lusts without knowledge. Who is able to guide him whom Alláh hath sent astray? For such there are no helpers.

So set thy purpose (O Muḥammad) for religion as a man by nature upright—the nature (framed) of Alláh, in which He hath created man. There is no altering (the laws of) Alláh’s creation. That is the right religion, but most men know not—

Turning unto Him (only); and be careful of your duty unto Him and establish worship, and be not of those who ascribe partners (unto Him);

Of those who split up their religion and became schismatics, each sect exulting in its tenets.

And when harm toucheth men they cry unto their Lord, turning to Him in repentance; then, when they have tasted of His mercy, behold! some of them attribute partners to their Lord

So as to disbelieve in that which We have given them. (Unto such it is said): Enjoy yourselves awhile, but ye will come to know.

Or have We revealed unto them any warrant which speaketh of that which they associate with Him?

And when We cause mankind to taste of mercy they rejoice therein; but if an evil thing befall them as the consequence of their own deeds, lo! they are in despair!

See they not that Alláh enlargeth the provision for whom He will, and straiteneth (it for whom He will). Lo! herein indeed are portents for folk who believe.

So give to the kinsman his due, and to the needy, and to the wayfarer. That is best for those who seek Alláh’s Countenance. And such are they who are successful.

That which ye give in usury in order that it may increase on (other) people’s property hath no increase with Alláh; but that which ye give in charity, seeking Alláh’s Countenance, hath increase manifold.

Alláh is He Who created you and then sustained you, then causeth you to die, then giveth life to you again. Is there any of your (so-called) partners (of Alláh) that doeth aught of that? Praised and Exalted be He above what they associate (with Him)!

Corruption doth appear on land and sea because of (the evil) which men’s hands have done, that He may make them taste a part of that which they have done, in order that they may return.

Say (O Muḥammad, to the disbelievers): Travel in the land, and see the nature of the consequence for those who were before you! Most of them were idolaters.

So set thy purpose resolutely for the right religion, before the inevitable day cometh from Alláh. On that day mankind will be sundered—

Whoso disbelieveth must (then) bear the consequences of his disbelief, while those who do right make provision for themselves—

That He may reward out of His bounty those who believe and do good works. Lo! He loveth not the disbelievers (in His guidance).

And of His signs is this: He sendeth herald winds to make you taste His mercy, and that the ships may sail at His command, and that ye may seek his favour, and that haply ye may be thankful.

Verily We sent before thee (Muḥammad) messengers to their own folk. Then we took vengeance upon those who were guilty (in regard to them). To help believers is ever incumbent upon Us.

Alláh is He Who sendeth the winds so that they raise clouds, and spreadeth them along the sky as pleaseth Him, and causeth them to break and thou seest the rain downpouring from within them. And when He maketh it to fall on whom He will of His bondmen, lo! they rejoice;

Though before that, even before it was sent down upon them, they were in despair.

Look, therefore, at the prints of Alláh’s mercy (in creation): how He quickeneth the earth after her death. Lo! He verily is the Quickener of the Dead, and He is Able to do all things.

And if We sent a wind and they beheld it yellow, they verily would still continue in their disbelief.

For verily thou (Muḥammad) canst not make the dead to hear, nor canst thou make the deaf to hear the call when they have turned to flee.

Nor canst thou guide the blind out of their error. Thou canst make none to hear save those who believe in Our revelations so that they surrender (unto Him).

Alláh is He Who shaped you out of weakness, then appointed after weakness strength, then, after strength, appointed weakness and grey hair. He createth what He will. He is the Knower, the Mighty.

And on the day when the Hour riseth the guilty will vow that they did tarry but an hour—thus were they ever deceived.

But those to whom knowledge and faith are given will say: The truth is, ye have tarried, by Alláh’s decree, until the Day of Resurrection. This is the Day of Resurrection, but ye used not to know.

In that day their excuses will not profit those who did injustice, nor will they be allowed to make amends.

Verily We have coined for mankind in this Qur’án all kinds of similitudes; and indeed if thou camest unto them with a miracle, those who disbelieve would verily exclaim: Ye are but tricksters!

Thus doth Alláh seal the hearts of those who know not.

So have patience (O Muḥammad)! Alláh’s promise is the very truth, and let not those who have no certainty make thee impatient.

31.
Luqmán

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

Alif. Lám. Mím.

These are revelations of the wise Scripture,

A guidance and a mercy for the good,

Those who establish worship and pay the poor-due and have sure faith in the Hereafter.

Such have guidance from their Lord. Such are the successful.

And of mankind is he who payeth for mere pastime of discourse, that he may mislead from Alláh’s way without knowledge, and maketh it the butt of mockery. For such there is a shameful doom.

And when Our revelations are recited unto him he turneth away in pride as if he heard them not, as if there were a deafness in his ears. So give him tidings of a painful doom.

Lo! those who believe and do good works, for them are the gardens of delight,

Wherein they will abide. It is a promise of Alláh in truth. He is the Mighty, the Wise.

He hath created the heavens without supports that ye can see, and hath cast into the earth firm hills, so that it quake not with you; and He hath dispersed therein all kinds of beasts. And We send down water from the sky and We cause (plants) of every goodly kind to grow therein.

This is the Creation of Alláh. Now show me that which those (ye worship) beside Him have created. Nay, but the wrong-doers are in error manifest!

And verily We gave Luqman wisdom, saying: Give thanks unto Alláh; and whosoever giveth thanks, he giveth thanks for (the good of) his soul. And whosoever refuseth—Lo! Alláh is Absolute, Owner of Praise.

And (remember) when Luqman said unto his son, when he was exhorting him: O my dear son! Ascribe no partners unto Alláh. Lo! to ascribe partners (unto Him) is a tremendous wrong—

And We have enjoined upon man concerning his partners—His mother beareth him in weakness upon weakness, and his weaning is in two years—Give thanks unto Me and unto thy parents. Unto Me is the journeying.

But if they strive with thee to make thee ascribe unto Me as partner that of which thou hast no knowledge, then obey them not. Consort with them in the world kindly, and follow the path of him who repenteth unto Me. Then unto Me will be your return, and I shall tell you what ye used to do—

O my dear son! Lo! though it be but the weight of a grain of mustard-seed, and though it be in a rock, or in the heavens, or in the earth, Alláh will bring it forth. Lo! Alláh is Subtile, Aware.

O my dear son! Establish worship and enjoin kindness and forbid iniquity, and persevere whatever may befall thee. Lo! that is of the steadfast heart of things.

Turn not thy cheek in scorn toward folk, nor walk with pertness in the land. Lo! Alláh loveth not each braggart boaster.