Part 17
21 The Prophets -Al-'Anbiya'
In the Name of Allah, the
Merciful, the Most Merciful
[21.1] The Reckoning for mankind is drawing near, yet
they are heedless and turn away.
[21.2] No recent revival of the remembrance comes to
them from their Lord, except that they play with it as they listen
[21.3] their hearts are diverted. The harmdoers mutter
to one another: 'Is this anything else but a human like yourself? What, will
you follow sorcery with your eyes open? '
[21.4] He said: 'My Lord has knowledge of what is said
in the heavens and on earth. He is the Hearer, the Knower. '
[21.5] Some say: 'No, it is only mixed dreams. ' 'No, he
has forged it himself', or, 'no, he is a poet! Let him bring us a sign, just as
the ancient ones were sent as Messengers. '
[21.6] Of the villages We destroyed, there was not one
that believed. What, will they not believe?
[21.7] We never sent (anyone) before you except men to
whom We revealed to them. 'Ask the people of the Remembrance if you do not
know. '
[21.8] Nor did We make them bodies that ate no food, nor
were they immortal.
[21.9] Then We were true to the promise, We saved them
together with those whom We willed, and destroyed the transgressors.
[21.10] Now, We have sent down to you a Book in which is
your Remembrance. Will you not understand?
[21.11] How many harmdoing villages have We shattered
and replaced them with another nation.
[21.12] And when they felt Our Might they fled from it.
[21.13] 'Do not run away. Return to your luxury that you
rejoiced in, and your homes in order that you be questioned! '
[21.14] They said: 'Alas for us we were harmdoers! '
[21.15] And this they did not stop crying out until We
made them stubble, silent, and still.
[21.16] It was not in play that We created the heavens
and the earth and all that lies between them.
[21.17] Had We wished to take to Us an amusement We
would have taken it to Us from Ours had We done so.
[21.18] No, We hurl truth at falsehood, and it shall
conquer it, and see, falsehood vanishes. Woe to you for all you have described.
[21.19] To Him belongs whosoever is in the heavens and
the earth. Those who are with Him are not too proud to worship Him, nor are
they ever wearied.
[21.20] They never fail to exalt Him either at night or
in the day.
[21.21] Or, have they taken earthly gods who revive the
dead?
[21.22] Had there been gods in heaven or earth, other
than Allah, both would indeed have been ruined. Exalted be Allah, Lord of the
Throne, above that they describe.
[21.23] He is not to be questioned about what He does,
but they shall be questioned.
[21.24] Have they taken gods, other than Him? Say:
'Bring us your proof! Here is the Remembrance of he who is with me and the
Remembrance of those before me. ' But no, most of them do not know the truth,
therefore they turn away.
[21.25] We never sent a Messenger before you except that
We revealed to him saying: 'There is no god except Me, therefore, worship Me. '
[21.26] They say 'The Merciful has taken a son. '
Exaltations to Him! No, they are only His honored worshipers,
[21.27] who do not surpass Him in speech, and do as He
commands.
[21.28] He knows what is before them and what is behind
them. They intercede for none except for him whom He is well pleased, and they
tremble in awe of Him.
[21.29] If any one of them says: 'I am a god other than
Him, ' We will recompense him with Gehenna (Hell). As such We recompense the
harmdoers.
[21.30] Have the unbelievers not seen that the heavens
and the earth were sewn up as one (solid) mass, then We unstitched them, and
that We made every living thing of water? Will they not believe!
[21.31] We set firm mountains upon the earth lest it
should shake with them, and We placed therein ravines to be paths so that they
might be guided.
[21.32] We established the heaven as a well protected
roof, yet they still turn away from its signs.
[21.33] It is He who created the night and the day, and
the sun and the moon; each floating in an orbit.
[21.34] We have never assigned immortality to a human
before you, therefore, if you yourself die, will they live for ever?
[21.35] Every soul shall taste death. We will try you
with a trial of evil and good. Then, to Us you shall be returned.
[21.36] When the unbelievers see you, they take you only
for mockery, saying: 'Is this he who talks about your gods? ' While they are
unbelievers in the Remembrance of the Merciful.
[21.37] The human was created of haste. Indeed, I will
show you My signs; so do not ask Me to hasten them.
[21.38] They say: 'If you are truthful, when will this
promise come? '
[21.39] If the unbelievers only knew when they will be
unable to shield either their faces or their backs from the Fire; when they
will not be helped!
[21.40] It will overtake them suddenly, dumbfounding
them. They shall be unable to ward it off, and they shall not be respited.
[21.41] Before you, other Messengers were mocked, but
the mockers were encompassed by the very thing they mocked.
[21.42] Say: 'Who will guard you, by night and by day
from the Merciful? ' But no, they turn away from their Lord's remembrance.
[21.43] Or have they gods to defend them, other than Us?
Indeed, they are unable to help themselves, neither shall they be guarded in
safety from Us.
[21.44] We gave days of enjoyment to them and their
fathers until their life became long. Are they unable to see how We come to
their land and reduce its borders. Or, is it they who are the victors?
[21.45] Say: 'I warn you only by the Revelation. ' But
the deaf hear nothing when they are warned.
[21.46] But if just a breath of your Lord's punishment
were to touch them, they would say: 'Woe for us, we were harmdoers! '
[21.47] On the Day of Resurrection We shall set up just
scales, so that no soul shall in the least be wronged, even though it be the
weight of a grain of mustard seed We will bring it We Suffice as reckoners.
[21.48] We gave Moses and Aaron the Criterion, and gave
them a light and a Remembrance for the cautious:
[21.49] those who fear Allah in the Unseen, tremble
because of the Hour.
[21.50] This is a blessed Remembrance which We have sent
down. Do you disbelieve it?
[21.51] Before this We gave Abraham his virtue, for We
knew him.
[21.52] He said to his father and to his nation: 'What,
are these the statues to which you cling? '
[21.53] They replied: 'We found our fathers worshipping
them. '
[21.54] He said: 'Truly, you and your fathers are in
clear error. '
[21.55] They said: 'Is it the truth you have brought us,
or are you one of those that play? '
[21.56] 'No, ' he answered, 'your Lord is the Lord of
the heavens and the earth, the Originator of them, and I am among those bearing
witness to it.
[21.57] By Allah, I will certainly outwit your idols as
soon as you have turned your backs and gone. '
[21.58] He broke them all into pieces, except their
great one so that they might return to it.
[21.59] 'Who has done this to our gods? ' they
exclaimed. 'He must surely be a harmdoer. '
[21.60] 'We have heard a young man called Abraham
mention them' they replied.
[21.61] They said: 'Then bring him here so that the
people may see, so that they may bear witness. '
[21.62] 'Abraham, ' they said, 'was it you who did this
to our gods? '
[21.63] 'No, ' he replied. 'It was their great one
amongst them that did it. Ask them, if they are able to speak. '
[21.64] So they returned one to another saying, 'Surely,
it is you who are the harmdoers! '
[21.65] But then they reversed their minds: 'You know
they do not speak. '
[21.66] He said: 'Would you then worship that, instead
of Allah, which can neither help nor harm you?
[21.67] Shame on you and on that you worship other than
Allah! Have you no understanding? '
[21.68] They said: 'Burn him and help your gods, if you
are going to do anything! '
[21.69] 'O Fire, ' We said, 'be coolness and safety for
Abraham. '
[21.70] They sought to outwit him, but We made them the
worst of losers.
[21.71] We saved him and
[21.72] We gave him, in excess, Isaac, and Jacob (for a
grandson); and We made each righteous
[21.73] and appointed them leaders to guide by Our
Command and We revealed to them to do good deeds, and to establish the prayer,
and the giving of charity, and they were for Us worshipers.
[21.74] To
[21.75] We admitted him to Our Mercy, he was among the
righteous.
[21.76] And (remember) Noah, when he supplicated to Us,
We answered him, and We saved him and his nation from great distress,
[21.77] and helped him against the nation who had belied
Our signs. They were an evil nation; We drowned them all.
[21.78] And David and Solomon they passed judgment upon
the tilled land on which the peoples sheep had strayed. We bore witness to
their judgment, and
[21.79] We made Solomon to understand it, and to both We
gave judgment and knowledge. And with David We subjected the mountains and
birds to exalt (Allah). All this We have done.
[21.80] We taught him the craft of making garments that
fortify you against your own violence. Are you thankful?
[21.81] To Solomon the raging wind ran at his command to
the land which We had blessed. We have knowledge of all things.
[21.82] And some of the satans dived for him and others
did work as well. We were watching over them.
[21.83] And Job when he called to his Lord: 'Affliction
has befallen me, and You are the Most Merciful of the merciful. '
[21.84] We answered him and removed his affliction, and
We gave his people, and those like them that were with them, mercy from Us, as
a reminder to those who worship.
[21.85] And Ishmael, Idris, and ThulKifl (the son of
Job) each were patient.
[21.86] We admitted them to Our Mercy, for they were of
the righteous.
[21.87] And ThulNun (Prophet Jonah), he went away in
anger thinking We had no power over him. But in the darkness he cried: 'There
is no god except You. Exaltations to You! I was among the harmdoers. '
[21.88] We heard his prayer and saved him from grief. As
such We shall save the believers.
[21.89] And Zachariah when he called to his Lord saying:
'Lord, do not let me remain by myself; You are the Best of inheritors. '
[21.90] So We answered him, and gave him John, curing
his wife (of sterility). They raced with each other in good works and called on
Us out of yearning and awe, and they were humble to Us.
[21.91] And she (Mary) who guarded her virginity. We
breathed into her of Our spirit (Gabriel), and made her and her son a sign for
the worlds.
[21.92] Indeed, this nation of yours is one nation, and
I am Your Lord, therefore worship Me.
[21.93] But they (the Christians and Jews) split their
affair between them all shall return to Us.
[21.94] The endeavors of he who believes and does good
works shall not go unthanked. We write it down for him.
[21.95] (It is ordained that) no village We have
destroyed shall return
[21.96] till Gog and Magog are let loose and slide down
out of every slope;
[21.97] when the true promise draws near; the eyes of
the unbelievers will stare (and they will say): 'Alas for us! Of this we have
been heedless. We have been harmdoers. '
[21.98] You and all those who you were worshipping,
other than Allah, shall be the fuel of Gehenna; there you shall all go down to
it.
[21.99] If those had been gods, they would never have
gone down to it, but in it they shall live for ever.
[21.100] There is groaning for them therein, and they do
not hear.
[21.101] But those whom We have surpassed with the
finest (rank) from Us shall be far removed from it,
[21.102] neither shall they hear any of its whisper, but
shall live for ever in that their souls desired.
[21.103] The greatest terror shall not grieve them, and
the angels will receive them: 'This is the Day you have been promised. '
[21.104] On that Day, We shall roll up the heaven like a
written scroll is rolled. As We originated the first creation, so will We bring
it back again. This is a binding promise on Us which We shall assuredly
fulfill.
[21.105] We have written in the Psalms, after the
Remembrance: 'The righteous among My worshipers shall inherit the earth. '
[21.106] Surely, in this is a proclamation to a
worshiping nation.
[21.107] We have not sent you (Prophet Muhammad) except
as a mercy to all the worlds.
[21.108] Say: 'It is revealed to me that your God is One
God, do you then surrender? '
[21.109] If they turn back, say: 'I have warned you all
alike, though I cannot tell whether what you are promised is imminent or
distant.
[21.110] He knows your spoken words and what you hide.
[21.111] And I do not know if this is a trial for you
and an enjoyment for a time. '
[21.112] He said: 'My Lord, judge in truth. Our Lord is
the Merciful whose help is ever to be sought against what you describe. '
22 The
Pilgrimage -Al-Hajj
In the Name of Allah, the
Merciful, the Most Merciful
[22.1] O people, have fear of your Lord. The earthquake
of the Hour shall be a great thing.
[22.2] On that Day you will see every one that suckles
shall forsake her suckling, and every carrier shall miscarry, and you shall see
mankind drunk although they are not drunk; dreadful will be the punishment of
Allah.
[22.3] Among people there are those, who without
knowledge, dispute about Allah and follow every rebel satan,
[22.4] against whom it is written down that whosoever
takes him for a guide, he guides astray, and leads him to the punishment of the
Blaze.
[22.5] O people, if you are in doubt about the
Resurrection, remember that We first created you from dust, then, from a sperm
drop, then from a clot, and then from a bitesize tissue formed and unformed, so
that We might clarify for you. We establish in the wombs whatever We will for
an appointed term, and then We bring you forth as infants, then you come of
age. Some of you die, and some of you are kept back to the vilest state of
life, after knowing somewhat, they know nothing. And you see the earth dry; but
no sooner do We send down rain upon it than it begins to quiver and swell,
putting forth every fine variety (of herbage).
[22.6] That is because Allah is the Truth; He revives
the dead and has power over all things.
[22.7] And the Hour is sure to come there is no doubt.
And Allah will raise up those in the graves.
[22.8] Some dispute about Allah, though they have
neither knowledge nor guidance, nor an illuminating Book.
[22.9] There is for him who turns his side to lead
(others) astray from the Path of Allah, degradation in this life and We shall
let him taste the punishment of the burning on the Day of Resurrection.
[22.10] 'This, is the reward for what your hands have
forwarded. Allah is not unjust to the worshipers. '
[22.11] There are among the people such who worship
Allah and (yet stand) on the very edge. When goodness comes to him, he is
content, but if a trial befalls him he falls upon his face, he loses this world
and the Everlasting Life; that is indeed a clear loss.
[22.12] He calls to other than Allah, to that which
neither hurts him, nor benefits him; that is indeed far error.
[22.13] He calls upon him whose harm is nearer than his
benefit, an evil guide and an evil friend.
[22.14] As for those who believe and do good works Allah
will admit them to gardens underneath which rivers flow. Allah indeed does what
He will.
[22.15] If any one thinks that Allah will not give him
(Prophet Muhammad) victory in this present world and in the Everlasting Life,
let him stretch a rope to heaven, and let him sever it. Then, let him see if
his guile does away with that which has enraged him.
[22.16] As such We have sent it in clear verses. Indeed,
Allah gives guidance to whom He will.
[22.17] Surely, they that believe, and those of Jewry,
the Sabaeans, the Nazarenes, the Magians, and the unbelievers, Allah will judge
them on the Day of Resurrection. Surely, Allah is witness over everything.
[22.18] Have you not seen that to Allah prostrate all
who are in the heavens and all who are in the earth, the sun and the moon, the
stars and the mountains, the trees and the beasts, and many people? And many
deserve the punishment. He who is abased by Allah has none to honor him. Allah
does what He will.
[22.19] Those are two who disputed concerning their
Lord. Garments of fire have been prepared for the unbelievers. Boiling water
shall be poured over their heads,
[22.20] and that which is in their bellies and their
skins shall be melted;
[22.21] for them are hooked rods of iron.
[22.22] Whenever in their anguish they try to get out of
it, they are restored to it. (It will be said): 'Taste the punishment of
burning. '
[22.23] Allah will admit those who believe and do good
works to gardens underneath which rivers flow. They shall be adorned therein
with bracelets of gold and with pearls, and their garments shall be of silk.
[22.24] For they shall be guided to good speech and
guided to the praised path.
[22.25] The unbelievers who bar from the Way of Allah
and from the Holy Mosque which We made equal for all peoples, he who cleaves to
it and the tentdweller alike, and whosoever seeks to violate it wrongfully, We
shall let him taste a painful punishment.
[22.26] And when We settled for Abraham (and Ishmael)
the place of the Holy Mosque, (We said): 'You shall not associate with Me
anything. Purify My House for those who circumambulate it and those who stand,
for those who bow and prostrate.
[22.27] Proclaim the pilgrimage to the people. They will
come to you on foot and on every lean camel, they shall come from every deep
ravine;
[22.28] that they witness profitable things for them and
mention the Name of Allah on well known days over the flocks which He has
provided them. Eat thereof, and feed the wretched poor.
[22.29] Then, let the pilgrims accomplish their acts of
cleansing, and let them fulfill their vows, and circumambulate the Ancient
House.
[22.30] All that; and whosoever venerates the sacred
rites of Allah it shall be better for him with his Lord. The flocks are lawful
to you, except that which is recited to you. Therefore, avoid the filth of
idols and avoid speaking falsely,
[22.31] being of pure faith to Allah, not associating
anything with Him. He who associates others with Allah is like he who falls
from heaven and is snatched away by the birds or carried by the wind to some
faroff place.
[22.32] All that; and, he who venerates the waymarks of
Allah, surely it is from the piety of the hearts.
[22.33] In them, you have benefits until an appointed
time. After their place of sacrifice is at the Ancient House.
[22.34] For every nation We have appointed a holy
ritual, that they pronounce the Name of Allah over the beast of flocks which He
has provided them. Your God is One God; to Him surrender yourselves. Give glad
tidings to the humble,
[22.35] whose hearts, when Allah is mentioned, quake,
who endure their misfortunes with patience, and establish their prayers, and
spend of that which We have provided them.
[22.36] And the camels We have made a part of the
waymarks of Allah. In them is good for you. Pronounce over them the Name of
Allah, when they are hobbled; and when they have fallen down on their sides,
eat of them and feed the impoverished nonrequestor and the requestor. As such
We have subjected them to you, in order that you give thanks.
[22.37] Their flesh and blood does not reach Allah
rather it is piety from you that reaches Him. As such He has subjected them to
you, in order that you exalt Allah for guiding you. And give glad tidings to
the generous.
[22.38] Allah will defend those who believe. Verily,
Allah does not love the ungrateful cheat.
[22.39] Permission is given to those who fight because
they were wronged. Allah has power to grant them victory:
[22.40] those who have been unjustly driven from their
homes, just because they said: 'Our Lord is Allah. ' Had Allah not repelled
some people by the means of others, the monasteries and churches, the
synagogues and mosques in which the Name of Allah is remembered would have been
destroyed. But whoever helps Allah shall be helped by Him. Allah is the Strong,
the Almighty,
[22.41] those who, if We established them in the land,
will establish the prayers and pay the obligatory charity, order with honor and
forbid dishonor, and to Allah is the end of all affairs.
[22.42] If they belie you, so too before them, the
nation of Noah belied, and Aad and Thamood
[22.43] and the nation of Abraham and the nation of
[22.44] and the inhabitants of Midian, to Moses they
also belied. I respited the unbelievers, then I seized them, and how was My
disapproval!
[22.45] How many a village We have destroyed in its
harmdoing, so that it lies fallen upon its turrets, and how many an abandoned
well, and empty palace!
[22.46] Have they never journeyed through the land so
that they have hearts to understand, or ears to hear with? It is not the eyes,
but the hearts in the chests that are blind.
[22.47] They ask you to hasten the punishment. Allah
will not break His promise. Each day with your Lord is like a thousand years in
your reckoning.
[22.48] And how many a village have I respited in its
evil doing! Then I seized it. To Me is the return.
[22.49] Say (Prophet Muhammad): 'O people, I have been
sent to warn you plainly.
[22.50] Those who believe and do good works, theirs
shall be forgiveness and a generous provision;
[22.51] but those who strive to void Our verses,
thinking they have escaped, shall be the people of Hell. '
[22.52] Never have We sent a Messenger or a Prophet
before you, but when he hoped, satan tampered with his hope. But Allah
supersedes the tampering of satan and confirms His verses. And Allah is the
Knower, the Wise.
[22.53] (This He permits) in order that He makes satan's
interjections a temptation for those in whose hearts is a sickness and those
whose hearts are hardened and the harmdoers are in a wide schism,
[22.54] and so that those to whom knowledge has been
given will know that this is the truth from your Lord and so believe in it and
that their hearts will be humble to Him. Indeed, Allah will surely guide those
who believe to a Straight Path.
[22.55] The unbelievers will never cease to doubt it
until the Hour overtakes them suddenly or the punishment of the Barren Day
comes upon them.
[22.56] The Kingdom upon that Day shall belong to Allah.
He will judge between them. Those who believe and do good works shall be in
Gardens of Bliss,
[22.57] but for those who disbelieved Our verses and
belied there awaits a humbling punishment.
[22.58] As for those who emigrated in the way of Allah
and were slain, or died, Allah will provide them with fine provisions. Allah is
the Best of providers.
[22.59] He will admit them by a gate that is pleasing to
them, and surely, Allah is the Knower, the Clement.
[22.60] So shall it be. He who punishes after the manner
that he was punished and then again is oppressed, shall be helped by Allah.
Allah is Pardoning, Forgiving.
[22.61] That is because Allah causes the night to enter
into the day, and the day enter into the night. Allah is the Hearer and the
Seer.
[22.62] That is because Allah is the Truth, and
falsehood is all that they call upon, other than Him. Allah is the Most High,
the Most Great.
[22.63] Do you not see that Allah sends down water from
the sky and in the morning the earth becomes green? Allah is Subtle, the Aware.
[22.64] To Him belong all that is in the heavens and
earth, surely, Allah is the Rich, the Praised.
[22.65] Do you not see that Allah has subjected to you
all that is on the earth, and the ships which run upon the sea by His command?
He holds the sky back lest it should fall upon the earth except by His
permission. Allah is Gentle to people, the Most Merciful.
[22.66] It is He who revives you, then He will cause you
to die and then He revives you. Indeed, the human is ungrateful.
[22.67] For every nation We have appointed a Holy Rite
which they shall perform. Do not let them dispute with you concerning the
matter. Call to your Lord; surely, you are upon a Straight Path.
[22.68] If they argue with you, say: 'Allah knows best
all that you do.
[22.69] On the Day of Resurrection, Allah will judge
between you concerning that in which you vary.
[22.70] Are you not aware that Allah has knowledge of
what is in the heaven and earth? This is (recorded) in a Book. That is easy for
Allah.
[22.71] Yet they worship that for which He did not send
down authority, and that of which they have no knowledge. Indeed, the harmdoers
shall have no helpers.
[22.72] When Our clear verses are recited to them, you
will recognize denial upon the faces of the unbelievers. They nearly rush upon
those who recite Our verses to them. Say: 'Shall I tell you what is worse than
that? ' The Fire which Allah has promised those who disbelieve an evil arrival.
'
[22.73] People, this is a parable, listen to it. Those
whom you call upon, other than Allah, could never create a fly, though they
banded together to do this. And if a fly robs them of anything, they could
never rescue it from it. The seeker and the sought are alike in their weakness.
[22.74] They do not value Allah as He should be valued.
For Allah is Powerful and Mighty.
[22.75] Allah chooses Messengers from angels and from
people. Allah is the Hearer, the Seer.
[22.76] He knows what is before them and behind them. To
Allah all things are returned.
[22.77] O you who believe, bow down and prostrate
yourselves. Worship your Lord and do good, in order that you prosper.
[22.78] Struggle for Allah as is due to Him. He has
chosen you and has not laden a burden upon you in your religion, being the
Creed of Abraham your father. He has named you Muslims before and in this so
that the Messenger (Muhammad) can be a witness for you, and in order that you
be witnesses against mankind. Therefore, establish the prayer and pay the
obligatory charity and hold fast to Allah. He is your Guardian, the Excellent
Guardian, the Excellent Helper!