Part 18

 

23 The Believers -Al-Mu'minun

In the Name of Allah, the Merciful, the Most Merciful

[23.1] Prosperous are the believers,

[23.2] who are humble in their prayers;

[23.3] who turn away from idle talk;

[23.4] who give charity,

[23.5] who guard their privates,

[23.6] except with their wives and what their right hand possess, and then they are not blamed.

[23.7] Those who seek beyond that are transgressors.

[23.8] (Prosperous are those) who preserve their trusts and pledges

[23.9] and those who observe their prayers.

[23.10] Those are the heirs

[23.11] who will inherit Paradise; they shall live there for ever.

[23.12] We created the human from an essence of clay:

[23.13] then We made him, a drop, in a secure receptacle (the womb).

[23.14] Then We created of the drop, a clot (of congealed blood) and We created the clot into bitesize tissue, then We created the bitesize tissue into bones, then We clothed the bones with flesh, and then produced it an other creation. Blessed is Allah, the Best of creators!

[23.15] After that you shall surely die,

[23.16] and be resurrected on the Day of Resurrection.

[23.17] We have created seven ways above you; of Our creation, We are never inattentive.

[23.18] We sent down water from the sky in due measure, and lodged it in the earth, and We are able to take it all away.

[23.19] With it, We produced for you gardens of palms and vines, yielding abundant fruit for you to eat.

[23.20] Also, a tree which grows on the Tor of Sinai and gives oil and relish for its eaters.

[23.21] In the cattle, too, is a lesson for you. We let you drink of that which is in their bellies, and there are many benefits in them for you, and you eat of them,

[23.22] and upon them and on the ships you are carried.

[23.23] We sent Noah to his nation. 'Worship Allah, my nation, ' he said, 'for you have no god except He. Will you not be cautious? '

[23.24] The unbelieving assembly of his nation said: 'This is but a human like you, who desires to gain superiority over you. Had Allah willed, He could have sent down angels. We never heard of this among our ancient forefathers.

[23.25] He is nothing else except a man who is mad, so watch him for awhile.

[23.26] He (Noah) said: 'Lord, help me, for they belie me. '

[23.27] We said to him: 'Make the Ark under Our Eye, and Our Revelation, and then when Our command comes and the oven gushes water, take onboard a pair from every kind and your family, except him against whom the decision has already been passed. Do not address Me concerning those who have done evil; they shall be drowned.

[23.28] And when you and all those with you are seated in the Ark, say: 'Praise be to Allah who has saved us from the harmdoing nation. '

[23.29] And say: 'Lord, let me land a blessed landing. You are the Best of harborers. '

[23.30] Surely, in that are signs, and surely We will put (nations) to the test.

[23.31] Then We produced after them another generation

[23.32] and We sent to them a Messenger from themselves, saying: 'Worship Allah, for you have no god except He. Will you not be cautious? '

[23.33] The unbelieving assembly of his nation, who belied the encounter of the Everlasting Life, and on whom We had bestowed ease in this life, said: 'This is but a human like yourselves; he eats of what you eat and drinks of what you drink.

[23.34] If you obey a mortal like yourselves, you shall be lost.

[23.35] What, does he promise you that when you are dead and turned to dust and bones, you will be brought forth?

[23.36] After, after with that which you are promised!

[23.37] There is nothing but our present life; we die, and we live, and we shall not be resurrected.

[23.38] He is nothing but a man who has forged against Allah a lie, we will never believe him. '

[23.39] He said: 'Help me, Lord, they belie me. '

[23.40] He replied: 'Before long, by the morning, they shall be remorseful. '

[23.41] And the Cry seized them in justice and We made them withered. So begone with the harmdoing nation.

[23.42] After them We produced other generations

[23.43] no nation outstrips its term, nor do they put it back.

[23.44] Then We sent Our Messengers in succession. Yet whenever its Messenger came to a nation they belied him, so We made them follow others, and We made them but as tales, so begone the nation who did not believe!

[23.45] Then We sent Moses and his brother Aaron with Our signs and clear authority

[23.46] to Pharaoh and his Council, but they were very proud, and they were a tyrannical nation.

[23.47] 'What! ' they said, 'are we to believe in two mortals like us, whose nation are our worshipers? '

[23.48] So they belied them, and they were among the destroyed.

[23.49] And We gave Moses the Book, in order that they might be guided.

[23.50] We made the son of Mary and his mother a sign, and gave them a refuge on a hillside where there was a hollow and a spring.

[23.51] Messengers! Eat of that which is good and do good deeds; I have knowledge of the things you do.

[23.52] Your nation is but one nation, and I am your Lord, therefore fear Me.

[23.53] Yet they have split their affairs between themselves into sects, each rejoicing in what it has.

[23.54] Leave them in their perplexity for a time.

[23.55] Do they think that in giving them wealth and children

[23.56] We hasten in good works for them? No, they are not aware.

[23.57] Those who tremble in fear of their Lord,

[23.58] who believe in the verses of their Lord;

[23.59] who associate none with their Lord,

[23.60] who give what they give, with their hearts quaking, that they will return to their Lord:

[23.61] those, hasten in good works, outracing to them.

[23.62] We charge no soul with more than it can bear. We have a Book with Us which speaks the truth, and they shall not be wronged.

[23.63] But their hearts are in ignorance of this (Koran); and they have deeds besides that which they are doing.

[23.64] But when We seize with the punishment those of them that live in ease, they groan.

[23.65] (We shall say): 'Do not groan today, surely you shall receive no help from Us. '

[23.66] My verses were recited to you, but you turned upon your heels,

[23.67] being proud against it, talking foolishness by night.

[23.68] Should they not think upon the saying? Or, did anything come upon them that had not come upon their ancient forefathers?

[23.69] Or, is it because they do not recognize their Messenger that they denied him?

[23.70] Do they say he is mad! No, he came to them with the truth, but most of them hate the truth.

[23.71] Had the truth followed their fancies, the heavens, the earth, and all who live in them would have surely been corrupted. No, We brought them their Remembrance; but from their Remembrance they turn away.

[23.72] Or, do you ask a tribute from them? Your Lord's tribute is better. He is the Best of providers.

[23.73] Indeed you are calling them to a Straight Path,

[23.74] but those who disbelieve in the Everlasting Life deviate from the Path.

[23.75] If We had mercy on them and removed their afflictions, they would still persist in their insolence, blindly wandering.

[23.76] Already We have seized them with the punishment, but they neither humbled themselves to their Lord, nor did they beseech Him,

[23.77] when We opened on them a gate of severe punishment, they utterly despaired.

[23.78] It was He who produced for you hearing, eyes, and hearts, yet little is that you thank.

[23.79] It was He who scattered you on the earth, and before Him you shall be gathered.

[23.80] It is He who revives and makes to die, and to Him belong the alternation of the night and the day. Will you not understand!

[23.81] No, but they said what the ancients said before them:

[23.82] 'When we are dead and become dust and bones shall we be resurrected?

[23.83] We and our fathers have been promised this before. It is but of the ancients' fictitious tales. '

[23.84] Say: "If you have knowledge, 'to whom belongs the earth? ' and, 'whoever is in it? '"

[23.85] They will say: 'To Allah. ' Say: 'Then will you not remember! '

[23.86] Say: 'Who is the Lord of the seven heavens, and of the Great Throne? '

[23.87] They will say: 'Allah, ' Say: 'Will you not be cautious? '

[23.88] Say: 'In whose Hands is the Kingdom of all things, He protects, and none protects against Him, if you have knowledge! '

[23.89] 'Allah, ' they will reply. Say: 'How then can you be so bewitched? '

[23.90] No, We have brought the truth to them, but they are liars.

[23.91] Allah has not taken to Himself any son, there is no other god with Him. Were this otherwise each god would have taken that which he created, and some of them would have risen above others; Exalted is Allah beyond that they describe!

[23.92] (He is) the Knower of the Unseen and the Seen, High Exalted be He above that they associate.

[23.93] Say: 'Lord, if You should show me that which they are promised,

[23.94] O my Lord, do not put me among the harmdoing people. '

[23.95] Indeed, We are able to show you that which We promised them.

[23.96] Repel evil with that which is better. We know that which they describe.

[23.97] And say: 'O my Lord, I seek refuge in You from evil suggestions of the satans.

[23.98] O my Lord, I seek refuge in You lest they attend me. '

[23.99] Until, when death comes to one of them he says: 'My Lord, let me go back,

[23.100] that I should do righteousness in that I forsook. ' No! It is only a word which he will speak. Behind them there shall stand a barrier till the Day that they shall be resurrected.

[23.101] And when the Horn is blown, on that Day their ties of kindred shall be no more, nor will they ask each other.

[23.102] Those whose scales are heavy shall prosper,

[23.103] but those whose scales are light shall forfeit their souls and live in Gehenna (Hell) for ever.

[23.104] The fire lashes their faces and therein are shriveled lips.

[23.105] (We shall say): 'Were My verses not recited to you, and did you not belie them? '

[23.106] 'Lord, ' they will reply, 'adversity prevailed over us and we were erring.

[23.107] Our Lord, bring us out of it. If we return (to sin), then we shall indeed be harmdoers. '

[23.108] He will say: 'Slink there in it and do not speak to Me. '

[23.109] Among My worshipers there were a party who said: "Lord, we believed. Forgive us and have mercy on us: You are the Best of the merciful."

[23.110] But you took them for laughingstock, mocking at them, until they caused you to forget My remembrance.

[23.111] Today I shall recompense them for their patience, for it is they that have won.

[23.112] And He will ask: 'How many years did you live on earth? '

[23.113] They will reply: 'A day, or part of a day; ask those who have kept count. '

[23.114] He will say: 'You have tarried a little, did you know?

[23.115] Did you think that We had created you only for play, and that you would never be returned to Us? '

[23.116] High Exalted be Allah, the King, the Truth. There is no god except He, the Lord of the Noble Throne.

[23.117] Whosoever calls upon another god, other than Allah, having no proof his reckoning will be with his Lord. The unbelievers shall never prosper.

[23.118] And say: 'My Lord, forgive and have mercy, for You are the Best of the merciful. '

 

24 The Light -An-Noor

In the Name of Allah, the Merciful, the Most Merciful

[24.1] This is a chapter which We have sent down and appointed; and in it We have sent down clear verses in order that you will remember.

[24.2] You shall lash the fornicatress and the fornicator each with a hundred lashes. In the religion of Allah, let no tenderness for them seize you if you believe in Allah and the Last Day; and let their punishment be witnessed by a party of believers.

[24.3] The fornicator shall marry none but a fornicatress or an idolatress; and the fornicatress none shall marry her but a fornicator or an idolater; that is forbidden to the believers.

[24.4] Those who accuse chaste women, and cannot produce four witnesses, you shall lash them with eighty lashes. And never accept their testimony, for they are evildoers,

[24.5] except those among them that afterwards repent and mend their ways. Allah is Forgiving, Merciful.

[24.6] And those who accuse their wives and have no witnesses except themselves, let them testify by swearing by Allah four times that he is of the truthful,

[24.7] and the fifth time, that the curse of Allah shall be upon him, if he should be of the liars.

[24.8] But the punishment will be averted from her if she swears four times that he is of the liars,

[24.9] and on the fifth time the Wrath of Allah shall be upon her if he is of the truthful.

[24.10] If it were not for the bounty of Allah to you and His Mercy, and that Allah turns, and is the Wise,

[24.11] those who came with the slander were a number of you. Do not regard it evil for you, rather it is good for you. Every person of them shall have the sin that he has earned charged to him. As for he who took upon himself the greater part there is a mightier punishment.

[24.12] Had you heard it, and the believing men and women, thought good thoughts about one another said: 'This is a clear falsehood! '

[24.13] Why, did they not bring four witnesses against it? But since they did not bring the witnesses, before Allah they are the liars.

[24.14] But for the bounty of Allah and His Mercy towards you in this life and in the Everlasting Life you would have been sternly punished for that which you were involved.

[24.15] You carried with your tongues and uttered with your mouths what you did not know. You have thought it a trifle, but before Allah it was a mighty thing.

[24.16] When you heard it, why did you not say: 'It is not right for us to speak of this. Exaltations to You! This is a mighty slander! '

[24.17] Allah exhorts you never again to repeat the like, if you are believers.

[24.18] Allah makes plain to you His verses, and Allah is the Knower, the Wise.

[24.19] Those who love that indecency should be broadcast about those who believe theirs is a painful punishment in this world and in the Everlasting Life. Allah knows, and you do not know.

[24.20] If it was not for the bounty of Allah to you and His Mercy, and Allah is the Gentle, the Most Merciful.

[24.21] Believers, do not follow in the steps of satan, for those who follow the steps of satan, he bids to indecency and dishonor. But for the bounty of Allah to you, and His Mercy no one of you would ever have been purified; but Allah purifies whom He will; Allah is the Hearer, the Knower.

[24.22] Do not let those of you who possess bounty and plenty swear not to give kinsmen, and the poor, and those who emigrate in the way of Allah. Let them pardon and forgive. Do you not yearn that Allah forgives you? And Allah is the Forgiver, the Most Merciful.

[24.23] Surely, those who defame chaste, unsuspecting, believing women, shall be cursed in this world and in the Everlasting Life, and for them there is a mighty punishment.

[24.24] On the Day when their tongues, hands and feet shall testify against them concerning what they were doing.

[24.25] Upon that Day Allah will pay them their due in full, and they will know that Allah is the clear truth.

[24.26] Evil women for evil men, and evil men for evil women; good women for good men, and good men for good women these are clear of what has been said; for them is forgiveness, and a generous provision.

[24.27] Believers, do not enter houses other than your houses until you first ask permission and greet with peace the people thereof; that is better for you in order that you remember.

[24.28] And if you do not find anyone there, do not enter it until permission is given to you. And if you are told 'Return', so return, that is purer for you; and Allah knows the things you do.

[24.29] There is no fault in you that you enter uninhabited houses wherein there is benefit for you. Allah knows what you reveal and what you hide.

[24.30] Say to the believers they should lower their gaze and guard their private parts that is purer for them. Allah is Aware of the things they do.

[24.31] And say to the believing women, that they lower their gaze cast down their eyes and guard their chastity, and do not reveal their adornment except that which is outward (face and hands); and let them draw their veils over their neck, and not reveal their adornment except to their husbands, or their fathers, or their husbands' fathers, or their sons, or their husbands' sons, or their brothers, or their brothers' sons, or their sisters' sons, or their women, or what their right hands own, or such male attendants having no sexual desire, or children who have not yet attained knowledge of women's private parts; nor let them stamp their feet, so that their hidden ornament is known. And, O believers turn to Allah all together, in order that you prosper.

[24.32] Marry those among you who are spouseless and the virtuous among your male and female slaves (thereby freeing them), if they are poor, Allah will enrich them of His bounty; Allah is Embracing, Knowing.

[24.33] Let those who do not find the means to marry be abstinent until Allah enriches them of His bounty. Those your right hand owns who seek their freedom, make a contract with them accordingly if you know some good in them, and give them from the wealth of Allah that He has given you. Do not force your slavegirls into prostitution in order to seek worldly gain for they wish to preserve their chastity. Whosoever compels them, surely Allah, after their being compelled, is the Forgiver (to the girls), the Most Merciful.

[24.34] Now We have sent down to you clarifying verses, and an example of those who passed away before you and admonition to the cautious.

[24.35] Allah is the Lighter of the heavens and the earth. The example of His Light is like a tube, in which there is a wick. The wick is in a lamp and the lamp is as a glittering planet kindled from a Blessed Tree, an olive that is neither of the East nor of the West. Its oil would almost shine forth though no fire touched it. Light upon light; Allah guides to His Light whom He will. Allah strikes parables for people. Allah has knowledge of all things.

[24.36] In houses which Allah has allowed to be raised up, and His Name to be remembered therein. In the morning and evening

[24.37] are men who exalt Him there, whom neither trade nor sale can divert from the remembrance of Allah, and establish the prayers, and pay the obligatory charity; fearing a Day when hearts and eyes shall be turned about,

[24.38] that Allah will recompense them for the finest deeds they did and increase them from His bounty. Allah provides without measure to whom He will.

[24.39] As for the unbelievers, their works are like a mirage in the wilderness. The thirsty person thinks it is water, but when he comes near he finds that it is nothing. He finds Allah there, who pays him his account in full. Allah is Swift in reckoning.

[24.40] Or, they are like darkness upon a deep sea covered with a wave above which is another wave, above which are clouds, darkness piled one upon the other; when he stretches out his hand he can scarcely see it. Indeed, to whomsoever Allah assigns no light, he shall have no light.

[24.41] Have you not seen how Allah is exalted by those in the heavens and earth, and the birds with outspread wings? He knows its prayers and its exaltations and Allah has knowledge of the things they do.

[24.42] To Allah belongs the Kingdom of the heavens and the earth. To Him is the arrival.

[24.43] Have you not seen how Allah drives the clouds, then gathers them and converts them into a mass, then you see rain coming from the midst of them? And He sends down out of heaven mountains in which there is hail, pelting with it whom He will, and turning it away from whom He will. The flash of its lightning almost snatches away the sight.

[24.44] Allah turns about the night and the day (to succeed one another); surely, in this there is a lesson for those who have eyes.

[24.45] Allah created everything that walks from water. Some creep upon their bellies, others walk on two feet, and others walk on four. Allah creates whatever He will. Allah is Powerful over everything.

[24.46] We have sent down clarifying verses. Allah guides whom He will to a Straight Path.

[24.47] They say: 'We believe in Allah and the Messenger and obey. ' But a party of them turn away after this. Those are not believers.

[24.48] And when they are called to Allah and His Messenger so that he judges between them, a party of them swerve away.

[24.49] If the right is theirs, they would have hastened to him obediently.

[24.50] Is there a sickness in their hearts, or, are they in doubt? Do they fear that Allah and His Messenger will be unjust? No, but those they are the harmdoers.

[24.51] But when the believers are called to Allah and His Messenger, in order that he judges between them, their reply is: 'We hear and obey. ' Such are the prosperous.

[24.52] Those who obey Allah and His Messenger, and fear Allah, and have awe of Him, shall be the winners.

[24.53] They swear by Allah in the most earnest oaths, that if you order them, they would go forth. Say: 'Do not swear, known obedience (is better). Allah is Aware of the things you do. '

[24.54] Say: 'Obey Allah and obey the Messenger. If you turn away, upon him only rests what is laid upon him, and upon you rests what is laid on you. If you obey him, you shall be guided. It is only for the Messenger to deliver a clear message. '

[24.55] Allah has promised those of you who believe and do good works that He will indeed make them successors in the land as He made those who were before them successors, and that He will indeed establish their religion for them; that which He has approved for them, and will exchange safety for them after their fear. They worship Me and associate nothing with Me. After that, those who disbelieve are the impious.

[24.56] Establish the prayers, pay the charity, and obey the Messenger, in order to have mercy.

[24.57] Never think that the unbelievers will be able to frustrate (Us) in the earth. Their refuge is the Fire, an evil arrival.

[24.58] Believers, let those your right hand owns and those who have not come of age ask permission of you three times before the dawn prayer, when you put aside your garments, in the heat of noon, and after the night prayer. These are the three occasions of privacy. There is no fault in you or them, apart from these, that they go about you, you are of each other. As such Allah makes plain to you His verses, Allah is the Knower, the Wise.

[24.59] And when children reach the age of puberty, let them ask permission as those before them asked permission. As such Allah makes clear to you His verses. Allah is the Knower, the Wise.

[24.60] (As for) women that are past childbearing who have no hope of marriage there is no fault in them that they discard their cloaks provided they do not reveal their adornments, but it is better if they abstain. Allah is the Hearer, the Knower.

[24.61] It shall be no fault for the blind, the lame, the sick and yourselves to eat from your houses. Nor the houses of your fathers', your mothers', your brothers', your sisters', your paternal uncles, your paternal aunts, your maternal uncles, your maternal aunts or in houses the keys of which you own, or in those of your friend, there is no fault in you that you all eat together, or separately. When you enter houses, greet (with peace) one another with a salutation from Allah, blessed and good. As such Allah makes clear to you His verses so that you understand.

[24.62] The believers are only those who believe in Allah and His Messenger, and who, when gathered with him upon a common matter do not depart till they have asked his permission. Surely, those who ask your permission are those who believe in Allah and His Messenger. When they ask your permission for some of their affairs, grant it to whomever you please and ask Allah for forgiveness for them; Allah is the Forgiver, the Merciful.

[24.63] Do not make the calling of the Messenger among yourselves like your calling to one another. Allah knows those of you who slip away surreptitiously, so let those who disobey His command beware, lest they are struck by sedition, or, they are stricken with a painful punishment.

[24.64] To Allah belongs all that is in the heavens and the earth. He has Knowledge of what state you are upon. On the Day when they shall be returned to Him, He will tell them all what they have done. And Allah has knowledge of everything.

 

25 The Criterion -Al-Furqan

In the Name of Allah, the Merciful, the Most Merciful

[25.1] Blessed is He who has sent down the Criterion to His worshiper (Prophet Muhammad), that he is a warner to all mankind;

[25.2] to whom the Kingdom of the heavens and the earth belongs, who has not taken a son, nor does He have an associate in the Kingdom, and He created everything, then He ordained it very precisely.

[25.3] Yet they worship, other than Him, gods which cannot create anything and were themselves created. They own neither harm nor benefit for themselves, neither do they own death nor life, nor a resurrection.

[25.4] The unbelievers say: 'This is but a falsehood he has forged – another nation has helped him. ' So they have come with wrong and falsehood.

[25.5] They say: 'He has written tales of the ancients, they are recited to him at dawn and at the evening. '

[25.6] Say: 'It was sent down by Him who knows the secrets of heavens and earth. He is Forgiving, the Most Merciful.

[25.7] They also say: 'How is it that this Messenger eats food and walks about the markets? Why has no angel been sent down with him to warn us?

[25.8] Or, why has no treasure been thrown to him, or a garden for him to eat from? ' And the harmdoers say: 'The man you follow is surely bewitched. '

[25.9] See how they strike examples for you, surely they have gone astray and are unable to find a way.

[25.10] Blessed be He who, if He wills, can assign you better things than these; gardens underneath which rivers flow, and He shall assign for you palaces.

[25.11] No, they belied the Hour. We have prepared for him who belied the Hour a Blaze.

[25.12] When it sees them from a far off place, they shall hear it raging and sighing.

[25.13] And when, chained in (iron) fetters, they are cast into some narrow space of the Fire, they will call out for destruction.

[25.14] 'Do not call out today for one destruction; call out for many destructions. '

[25.15] Say: 'Is that better, or the Garden of Eternity which the cautious have been promised? It is their recompense and their arrival! '

[25.16] Living there for ever, they shall find in it all that they desire. That is a promise binding upon your Lord, and to be asked of Him.

[25.17] On the Day when He gathers them with all that they worship, other than Allah, He will say: 'Was it you who misled My worshipers, or did they themselves go astray? '

[25.18] They will answer: 'Exaltations to You. We should not have taken others for a guardian, but You gave them and their fathers enjoyment until they forgot Your Remembrance and they were a destroyed nation. '

[25.19] So they belie what you say, and you can neither turn it aside, nor find any help. Those of you who have done evil, We let them taste a great punishment.

[25.20] We did not send Messengers before you but that they ate food and walked about in the markets, We have appointed some of you to be a trial for others. Will you endure? Your Lord is the Seer.