Part 19

 

[25.21] Those who do not hope to meet Us ask: 'Why have no angels been sent to us? Why can we not see our Lord? ' How proud they are within themselves, and have become greatly disdainful.

[25.22] On the Day when they behold the angels, there will be no glad tidings for the sinners. They will say: 'A refuge which is forbidden! '

[25.23] Then We shall advance upon the work which they have done and render it as scattered dust.

[25.24] On that Day, the companions of Paradise (will have) a better abode and a finer restingplace.

[25.25] On that Day, the heaven is split asunder with clouds and the angels are sent down in majesty,

[25.26] the true Kingdom on that Day shall belong to the Merciful a harsh day for the unbelievers.

[25.27] Upon that Day the harmdoer shall bite his hands, and say: 'Would that I had taken a Path with the Messenger!

[25.28] Would that I had never chosen soandso for my companion!

[25.29] He led me astray from the Remembrance after it had reached me, satan is ever the foresaker of humans. '

[25.30] The Messenger says: 'O my Lord, my people have taken this Koran while deserting it. '

[25.31] To every Prophet We have appointed an enemy among the harmdoers; your Lord is Sufficient for you, a Guide and a Helper.

[25.32] The unbelievers ask: 'Why was the Koran not sent down to him all at once? ' As such We strengthen your heart thereby, and We have recited it very distinctly.

[25.33] They do not bring to you any parable but that which We bring to you is the truth and better in explanation.

[25.34] Those who will be gathered into Gehenna (Hell) upon their faces shall be in the worst in place, and have gone further astray from the Path.

[25.35] We gave the Book to Moses and gave him his brother Aaron as a minister.

[25.36] (Then) We said: 'Go to the nation who have belied Our signs. ' And We utterly destroyed them.

[25.37] The nation of Noah, We drowned them when they belied their Messenger, and made of them a sign to the nation. For the harmdoers We have prepared a painful punishment

[25.38] also to Aad and Thamood and the nation of ErRass and many generations in between;

[25.39] to each of them We gave examples, and each of them We utterly ruined.

[25.40] They have surely passed by the village which was rained upon by evil rain (of stones); what, have they never seen it? No, they look for no resurrection.

[25.41] Whenever they see you, they mock you (saying): 'Is this whom Allah has sent as a Messenger?

[25.42] He would have mislead us from our gods, if we had not been steadfast to them. ' But they shall know who is further astray from the Path when they see the punishment.

[25.43] Have you seen him who has made gods of his own desires? Would you be a guardian over him?

[25. 44] Do you think that most of them can hear or understand? They are like cattle, no, they are further astray from the Path.

[25.45] Do you not see how your Lord stretches the shadow? Had it been His will, He could have made it constant. Then He appointed the sun to be a guide to it;

[25.46] thereafter We seize it to Us withdrawing it gently.

[25.47] It is He who has appointed the night a mantle for you and sleep for a rest. The day He has appointed for rising.

[25.48] It is He who loosens the winds, bearing glad tidings before the Hands of His Mercy, and We have sent down pure water from the heaven,

[25.49] so, that with it We revive dead lands and provide drink for the cattle and the human We created.

[25.50] We have indeed turned it about them, so that they remember; yet most people refuse all except disbelief.

[25.51] Had it been Our will, We could have raised a warner in every village.

[25.52] So do not obey the unbelievers, but struggle mightily with it (the Koran).

[25.53] It was He who let forth the two seas, this one is palatably sweet and this salt, a bitter taste, and He set a barrier between them, and a refuge which is forbidden.

[25.54] And it is He who created the human from water and gave him kindred of blood and of marriage. Your Lord is the Powerful.

[25.55] Yet they (the unbelievers) worship, other than Allah, that which can neither benefit nor harm them. Surely, the unbeliever is ever a partisan against his Lord.

[25.56] We did not send you but as a bearer of glad tidings and as a warner.

[25.57] Say: 'I demand of you no wage for this except for he who wishes to take the Path to his Lord. '

[25.58] Put your trust in the All Living who never dies, and exalt with His praise, He is sufficiently aware of His worshipers' sins.

[25.59] (It is) He who, in six days created the heavens and the earth and all that lies between them, and then He willed to the Throne. The Merciful; ask about Him from he who knows Him.

[25.60] When it is said to them: 'Prostrate yourselves before the Merciful', they ask: 'And what is the Merciful? Shall we prostrate ourselves to whatever you bid us? ' And it increases their aversion.

[25.61] Blessed be He who has set the constellations in the heaven, and set amongst them a sun, and an illuminating moon.

[25.62] It is He who has made the night and day follow each other for those whom He desires to remember or He desires to be thankful.

[25.63] The worshipers of the Merciful are those who walk humbly on the earth, and when the ignorant address them say: 'Peace, '

[25.64] who pass the night prostrating and standing to their Lord.

[25.65] Who say: 'Our Lord, turn from us the punishment of Gehenna, for its punishment is the most terrible;

[25.66] it is an evil settling, and an evil residence, '

[25.67] who when they spend are neither wasteful nor miserly, between that is a just stand,

[25.68] who do not call upon another god with Allah, nor slay the soul which Allah has forbidden except by right; who do not fornicate, for he who does this shall face punishment

[25.69] doubled for him on the Day of Resurrection is his punishment, and therein he shall live, humbled,

[25.70] except he who repents and believes and does good works those, Allah will change their evil deeds into good deeds; Allah is ever Forgiving and Merciful.

[25.71] He who repents and does good works truly turns to Allah in repentance,

[25.72] and those who do not bear false witness, and when they pass by idle talk, pass by with honor

[25.73] and who when they are reminded of the verses of their Lord, they do not fall down deaf and blind.

[25.74] Those who say: 'Lord give us of our wives and children what pleases our eyes and make us leaders to the fearful. '

[25.75] Those shall be recompensed with the highest rank for their patience. There they shall receive a greeting, and peace!

[25.76] There they shall live for ever; a fine dwelling place, and residence.

[25.77] Say: 'My Lord cares little for you if it was not for your supplication, indeed you have belied (the Messenger and the Koran) so it (the punishment) will be fastened. '

 

26 The Poets -Ash-Shu'ara'

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

[26.1] TaSeenMeem.

[26.2] Those are the verses of the clear Book.

[26.3] Perhaps you consume yourself that they are not believers.

[26.4] If We will, We can send down on them a sign from heaven before which their necks will remain humbled.

[26.5] A fresh remembrance has never come to them from the Merciful, except they turn away from it.

[26.6] So, they belied, but surely the tidings of that they mocked will come to them.

[26.7] Have they not seen the earth, how many We caused to grow in it every generous kind?

[26.8] Surely, in this there is a sign yet most of them do not believe.

[26.9] Your Lord, He is the Almighty, the Most Merciful.

[26.10] And when your Lord called to Moses, saying: 'Go to the harmdoing nation,

[26.11] the nation of Pharaoh. Will they not fear Me? '

[26.12] 'My Lord, ' he replied, 'I fear they will belie me

[26.13] and my chest will become constricted and my tongue will not be loosed (in my speech), therefore, send to Aaron.

[26.14] They hold a sin against me, and I fear that they will kill me. '

[26.15] He said: 'Never so, go both of you with Our signs; We shall be with you, listening

[26.16] go both to Pharaoh and both of you say to him: 'We are (each) a Messenger from the Lord of all the Worlds.

[26.17] Send forth with us the Children of Israel. '

[26.18] He (Pharaoh) said (to Moses): 'Did We not bring you up when you were a child? And have you not spent years of your life amongst us?

[26.19] Yet you were ungrateful and have done the deed you did. '

[26.20] He (Moses) replied: 'Indeed, I did that when I was among those who stray.

[26.21] I fled from you because I feared you. But my Lord has given me judgment and made me one of the Messengers.

[26.22] Is this then the blessing with which you reproach me, that you have the Children of Israel for worshipers! '

[26.23] Pharaoh said: 'And what is the Lord of the Worlds? '

[26.24] 'He' (Moses) replied: 'is the Lord of the heavens and the earth and all that is between them, if you believe! '

[26.25] 'Do you not hear? ' said he (Pharaoh) to those around him.

[26.26] He said, 'Your Lord and the Lord of your fathers, the ancients. '

[26.27] (Pharaoh) said: 'Surely, the Messenger who has been sent to you is mad! '

[26.28] 'He is the Lord of the East and the West, ' said he (Moses), 'and all that is between them, if you could understand! '

[26.29] 'If you take any other god except myself, ' he (Pharaoh) replied, 'you shall be thrown into prison. '

[26.30] 'What, even if I brought you something clear, ' said he (Moses).

[26.31] He (Pharaoh) replied: 'Show us your sign, if you are of the truthful. '

[26.32] He cast down his staff and thereupon it was a clear serpent.

[26.33] Then he drew out his hand, and it was luminous to the onlookers.

[26.34] 'This', said he (Pharaoh) to his Council, 'is a cunning sorcerer

[26.35] who seeks to expel you from your land by his sorcery. What is your counsel? '

[26.36] They replied: 'Put him and his brother off for a while, and send heralds to your cities

[26.37] to bring every knowledgeable sorcerer. '

[26.38] The sorcerers were gathered at the appointed time on a wellknown day,

[26.39] and the people were asked: 'Will you gather

[26.40] in order that we shall follow the sorcerers if they are the victors. '

[26.41] Then, when the sorcerers came to Pharaoh, they said: 'Shall we receive a wage if we win? '

[26.42] 'Yes, indeed' he answered, 'and you shall become among those who are near stationed. '

[26.43] Moses said to them: 'Cast down what you cast. '

[26.44] So they cast their ropes and staffs, saying: 'By Pharaoh's might, we shall be the victors. '

[26.45] Then Moses cast down his staff and it swallowed up their lying invention,

[26.46] so the sorcerers were cast down, prostrating themselves,

[26.47] saying: 'We believe in the Lord of the Worlds,

[26.48] the Lord of Moses and Aaron. '

[26.49] He (Pharaoh) said: 'You have believed him before I have given you permission. He is the chief of you who has taught you sorcery. But you shall know. I will surely cut off on opposite sides a hand and a foot, and crucify you all. '

[26.50] 'There is no harm, ' they replied, 'for surely to our Lord we are turning.

[26.51] We are eager that Our Lord should forgive us our offenses, for we are the first of the believers. '

[26.52] Also, We revealed to Moses, saying: 'Go with My worshipers by night, for you will be followed. '

[26.53] Then Pharaoh sent gatherers to the cities.

[26.54] 'These, ' they said, 'are a small band,

[26.55] they have enraged us,

[26.56] and we are a host on our guard. '

[26.57] As such We expelled them from their gardens and their fountains,

[26.58] their treasures and a noble station.

[26.59] As such we gave it to the Children of Israel.

[26.60] At sunrise, they followed them.

[26.61] And when the two hosts came in view of each other, Moses' companions said: 'We have been reached! '

[26.62] 'No, indeed' he replied, 'my Lord is with me and He will guide me. '

[26.63] Then We revealed to Moses: 'Strike the sea with your staff', so it divided and each part was as a mighty mount.

[26.64] And there We brought the others on,

[26.65] and We saved Moses and those who were with him together,

[26.66] then, We drowned the others.

[26.67] Surely, in that there is a sign; yet most of them do not believe.

[26.68] Surely, your Lord is the Almighty, the Most Merciful.

[26.69] And recite to them the news of Abraham.

[26.70] He said to his father and to his nation: 'What do you worship? '

[26.71] They replied: 'We worship idols and continue cleaving to them. '

[26.72] 'Do they hear you when you call on them? ' He asked.

[26.73] 'Can they benefit you or harm you? '

[26.74] They replied: 'No, but we found our fathers doing so. '

[26.75] He said: 'Have you considered what you worship,

[26.76] you, and your elderly fathers?

[26.77] They are enemies to me except the Lord of all the Worlds

[26.78] who created me; and He guides me,

[26.79] and He gives me to eat and drink,

[26.80] who, when I am sick, heals me;

[26.81] who makes me to die and then revives me,

[26.82] and whom I am eager shall forgive me my sins on the Day of Recompense. '

[26.83] My Lord, give me judgment, and join me with the righteous.

[26.84] And appoint me a tongue of truthfulness among the latter.

[26.85] and place me amongst the inheritors of the Garden of Bliss.

[26.86] and forgive my father, for he was among the astray.

[26.87] Do not degrade me on the Day when they are resurrected.

[26.88] The Day when neither wealth nor sons shall benefit

[26.89] except him who comes before Allah with a pure heart;

[26.90] and Paradise shall be brought forward to the cautious.

[26.91] And Hell is brought near to the perverse. '

[26.92] It will be said to them: 'Where is that you worshipped,

[26.93] other than Allah? Do they help you or even help themselves? '

[26.94] And they will be pitched into it, they and the perverse

[26.95] and the hosts of iblis all together.

[26.96] And they will say while they dispute with one another,

[26.97] 'By Allah, we were certainly in clear error,

[26.98] when we made you equal with the Lord of the Worlds.

[26.99] It was nothing but the evildoers who led us astray.

[26.100] We have no intercessors now,

[26.101] no caring friend.

[26.102] Would that we might return again, and be among the believers. '

[26.103] Surely, in that there is a sign, yet most of them do not believe.

[26.104] Surely, Your Lord is the Almighty, the Most Merciful.

[26.105] The nation of Noah, belied their Messengers.

[26.106] when Noah, their brother, said to them: 'Will you not be cautious?

[26.107] I am for you an honest Messenger,

[26.108] so fear Allah, and obey me.

[26.109] For this I ask of you no wage, for my wage falls only on the Lord of the Worlds.

[26.110] So fear Allah and obey me. '

[26.111] They replied: 'Are we to believe you whom the lowliest follow? '

[26.112] He said: 'I have no knowledge of what they have done.

[26.113] Their account falls only upon My Lord, if you were but aware.

[26.114] I will not drive away the believers.

[26.115] I am only a clear warner. '

[26.116] 'Noah, ' they replied, 'if you do not desist you shall be of those stoned. '

[26.117] He said: 'My Lord, my nation have belied me.

[26.118] So open between me and them an opening, and save me and the believers who are with me. '

[26.119] We saved him and those who were with him in the laden ship,

[26.120] afterwards, We drowned the rest.

[26.121] Surely, in that there is a sign; yet most of them do not believe.

[26.122] Your Lord is the Almighty, the Most Merciful.

[26.123] (The nation of) Aad belied their Messengers.

[26.124] When their brother Hood said to them: 'Will you not be cautious?

[26.125] I am for you an honest Messenger.

[26.126] Fear Allah and obey me.

[26.127] For this I ask of you no wage, for my wage falls only on the Lord of the Worlds.

[26.128] Do you build over each high place a sign to amuse yourselves!

[26.129] And do you take to yourselves underground reservoirs, in order to live for ever!

[26.130] When you assault, you assault like tyrants.

[26.131] So fear Allah, and obey me.

[26.132] Fear Him who has given you all the things you know.

[26.133] He has given you flocks and sons,

[26.134] gardens and fountains.

[26.135] Indeed, I fear for you the punishment of a dreadful Day. '

[26.136] They replied: 'It is the same to us whether you admonish or whether you are not one of the admonishers.

[26.137] That is nothing but a habit of the ancients,

[26.138] and we shall never be punished. '

[26.139] So they belied him, so We destroyed them. Surely, in that there is a sign; yet most of them do not believe.

[26.140] Surely, your Lord is the Almighty, the Most Merciful.

[26.141] Thamood, belied their Messengers.

[26.142] Their brother Salih said to them: 'Will you not be cautious?

[26.143] I am for you an honest Messenger.

[26.144] So fear Allah, and obey me.

[26.145] For this I ask of you no wage; my wage falls only upon the Lord of the Worlds.

[26.146] Will you be left secure in this,

[26.147] amidst gardens and fountains,

[26.148] sown fields and palmtrees, with slender spathes.

[26.149] Will you still hew your dwellings in the mountains?

[26.150] So fear Allah and obey me.

[26.151] Do not obey the order of the wasteful,

[26.152] who corrupt in the earth, and do not reform. '

[26.153] They replied: 'Surely, you are one of those bewitched.

[26.154] You are but a human like ourselves. Produce for us a sign, if you are of the truthful. '

[26.155] He said: 'Here is a shecamel. She shall have her share of water as you have yours on an appointed day.

[26.156] Do not touch her with malice so that punishment of a dreadful day seizes you. '

[26.157] Yet they hamstrung her, and in the morning they were remorseful,

[26.158] and the punishment seized them. Surely, in that there is a sign. Yet most of them do not believe.

[26.159] Your Lord, He is the Almighty, the Most Merciful.

[26.160] Lot's nation, belied their Messengers.

[26.161] When their brother Lot said to them: 'Will you not be cautious?

[26.162] I am for you an honest Messenger.

[26.163] So fear Allah, and obey me.

[26.164] I ask of you no wage for this; my wage is only with the Lord of the Worlds.

[26.165] What, do you come to the males of the world,

[26.166] and leave your wives whom your Lord has created for you? No, but you are a transgressing nation. '

[26.167] 'Lot, ' they replied, 'if you do not desist, you shall be thrown out. '

[26.168] He said: 'Truly, I am a detester of what you do. '

[26.169] 'My Lord, save me and my people from that they are doing. '

[26.170] So We saved him and all his people,

[26.171] except an old woman who stayed behind,

[26.172] then We destroyed the others.

[26.173] We rained upon them a rain, and evil is the rain (of stones) on those that are warned.

[26.174] Surely, in that there is a sign. Yet most of them do not believe.

[26.175] Your Lord, He is the Almighty, the Most Merciful.

[26.176] The dwellers of the Thicket belied their Messengers.

[26.177] Shu'aib said to them: 'Will you not be cautious?

[26.178] I am for you an honest Messenger.

[26.179] So fear Allah, and obey me.

[26.180] I ask of you no wage for this; my wage is only with the Lord of the Worlds.

[26.181] Fill up the measure, do not be among the cheats, 182 and weigh with the straight scale,

[26.183] and do not diminish the goods of the people, and do not make mischief in the earth, working corruption.

[26.184] Fear He who created you, and the generations of the ancient. '

[26.185] They replied: 'You are surely one of those bewitched.

[26.186] You are but a human like ourselves, we think that you are one of the liars.

[26.187] Drop down on us lumps from heaven, if you are one of the truthful. '

[26.188] He said: 'My Lord knows what you are doing. '

[26.189] But they belied him, then the punishment of the Day of Shadow (raining fire) seized them. Truly, it was the punishment of a dreadful day.

[26.190] Surely, in that there is a sign; yet most of them do not believe.

[26.191] Your Lord, He is the Almighty, the Most Merciful.

[26.192] Truly, it is the sending of the Lord of the Worlds.

[26.193] The honest Spirit (Gabriel) brought it down

[26.194] upon your heart (Prophet Muhammad), in order to be one of the warners,

[26.195] in a clear, Arabic tongue.

[26.196] Truly, it is in the Books of the ancients.

[26.197] Was it not a sign for them known to the learned of the Children of Israel?

[26.198] If We had revealed it to a nonArab,

[26.199] and he had recited it to them, they would not have believed.

[26.200] Even so, We have caused it to enter into the hearts of harmdoers:

[26.201] they shall not believe in it until they see the painful punishment

[26.202] so that it will come upon them suddenly, while they are unaware,

[26.203] and then they will say: 'Shall we be respited? '

[26.204] Do they wish to hasten Our punishment?

[26.205] What do you see? If We gave them enjoyment for years,

[26.206] and then what they were promised comes to them,

[26.207] what avail will their past enjoyments be to them?

[26.208] We never destroyed a village that did not have warners

[26.209] for a reminder, and We never harmed.

[26.210] It was not the satans who brought it down:

[26.211] it is not for them, nor are they able.

[26.212] Truly, they are expelled from hearing.

[26.213] So do not call upon another god with Allah, lest you should be one of those who are punished.

[26.214] Warn your tribe and your near kinsmen.

[26.215] and lower your wing to the believers who follow you.

[26.216] If they disobey you, say: 'I am quit of what you do. '

[26.217] Put your trust in the Almighty, the Most Merciful,

[26.218] who sees you when you stand

[26.219] and when you turn among those who prostrate themselves.

[26.220] Surely, He is the Hearer, the Knower.

[26.221] Shall I tell you on whom the satans descend?

[26.222] They descend on every guilty impostor.

[26.223] They listen, but most of them are liars.

[26.224] Poets are followed by the perverse.

[26.225] Have you not seen how they wander in every valley,

[26.226] and they say what they do not do?

[26.227] Except those who believe, and do good works and remember Allah in abundance and became victorious after they had been wronged. The wrongdoers will surely know which turn they will be returning to (Hell).

 

27 The Ants -An-Naml

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

[27.1] TaSeen. Those are the verses of the Koran, a clear Book,

[27.2] a guidance and glad tidings to believers,

[27.3] who establish their prayers, and pay the obligatory charity, and are certain of the Everlasting Life.

[27.4] As for those who do not believe in the Everlasting Life, We have decorated for them their works, and they wander blindly.

[27.5] Such are those for whom there is an evil punishment, and in the Everlasting Life are the greatest losers.

[27.6] You have received the Koran from the Wise, the Knower.

[27.7] When Moses said to his household: 'Indeed, I can see a fire far away. I will go and bring you news of it or I will bring you a lighted flame so that you can warm yourselves. '

[27.8] And when he came near it he was called: 'Blessed be who is (Moses) in the fire and (the angels) who are around it! Exaltations to Allah, Lord of the Worlds!

[27.9] Moses, it is I, Allah, the Almighty, the Wise.

[27.10] Cast down your staff. ' And when he saw it writhing like a serpent, he turned about retreating, and did not turn back. 'Moses, do not fear, indeed the Messengers do not fear (when they are) with Me,

[27.11] except he who has done evil, then, after evil, has changed into good. I am the Forgiving, Most Merciful.

[27.12] Put your hand inside your collar and it will come out luminous without evil – among the nine signs to Pharaoh and his nation, indeed they were an impious nation. '

[27.13] But when Our signs came to them visibly, they said: 'This is plain sorcery. '

[27.14] They denied them unjustly out of pride, though their souls acknowledged them. See, how was the end of the corrupt workers!

[27.15] We gave knowledge to David and Solomon. They said: 'Praise be to Allah who has preferred us above many of His believing worshipers. '

[27.16] Solomon inherited David. He said: 'Know, my people, we have been taught the speech of birds and given everything. Surely, this is a clear bounty. '

[27.17] We gathered to Solomon his army of jinn, humans and birds; gathered and dispersed,

[27.18] and when they came to the Valley of the Ants, an ant said: 'Ants, go into your dwellings lest Solomon and his army should, unknowingly, crush you. '

[27.19] He smiled, and laughed at its words, and said: 'My Lord, inspire me that I should be thankful for Your blessing with which You have blessed me and my parents, and that I may do good works that will please You. Admit me, by Your Mercy, among Your righteous worshipers. '

[27.20] He reviewed the birds and said: 'Why is it that I do not see the hoopoe here? Or is he among the absent?

[27.21] Surely, I will punish him with a terrible punishment, or I will slaughter him or he gives me a good reason. '

[27.22] He was not long in coming, and said: 'I know what you do not know. I come to you from Sheba with certain news.

[27.23] There I found a woman ruling over them. She possess everything and has a great throne.

[27.24] But she and her people prostrate to the sun instead of Allah. And satan has made their deeds seem pleasing to them and barred them from the Path, and therefore they are not guided.

[27.25] Do they not prostrate themselves to Allah who brings forth all that is concealed in the heavens and earth and He knows what they hide and what they reveal?

[27.26] Allah, there is no god except He, the Lord of the Mighty Throne. '

[27.27] He replied: 'We shall see if what you have said is true or whether you are among those who lie.

[27.28] Take my letter, and drop it to them. Then turn aside and see what they shall return. '

[27.29] She (the Queen of Sheba) said: 'O Council, look, an honorable letter has been dropped to me.

[27.30] It is from Solomon and it is "In the Name of Allah, the Merciful, the Most Merciful.

[27.31] Do not rise up against me, but come to me in surrender (Muslims)."

[27.32] She said: 'O Council, let me hear your counsel, concerning my affairs, for I am not used to deciding an affair until you bear me witness. '

[27.33] They replied: 'We are possessors of force and great might. It is for you to command, so consider what you will. '

[27.34] She said: 'When kings enter a village, they ruin it and humiliate its nobles. And this they will do.

[27.35] But I shall send them a gift and see what the messengers bring back. '

[27.36] But when he came to Solomon, he said: 'Is it wealth that you would give me, when Allah has given me that which is better than He has given to you? No, but instead you rejoice in your gift!

[27.37] Go back then, we shall surely come against them with soldiers of which they have no power to oppose, and we shall drive them from there abased and humiliated. '

[27.38] And he said: 'O Council, which of you will bring me her throne, before they come to me, Muslims (submissive to Allah)? '

[27.39] An efreet (an extremely strong jinn) among the jinn replied: 'I will bring it to you before you rise from your place; I have the strength and am trustworthy. '

[27.40] But he who had knowledge of the Book, said: 'I will bring it to you before your glance comes back to you. ' And when he saw it set before him, he (Solomon) said: 'This is a favor from my Lord that He might test me whether I am thankful or ungrateful. Whosoever gives thanks gives thanks only for his (own soul's) good, but he who is ungrateful, truly my Lord is Rich and Generous. '

[27.41] (Then) he said: 'Let her throne be disguised, so that we can see whether she is guided or if she is among those who are not guided. '

[27.42] And when she came she was asked: 'Is your throne like this? ' And she replied: 'It looks like it. ' And we were given the knowledge before her, and were Muslims.

[27.43] That which she worshipped, other than Allah, had prevented her, for she came from an unbelieving nation.

[27.44] It was said to her: 'Enter the pavilion. ' And when she saw it, she thought it was a pool of water, and bared her legs. But he said: 'It is a pavilion smoothed with crystal. ' She said: 'My Lord, I have wronged myself, and I become a Muslim (submissive) with Solomon to Allah, Lord of the Worlds. '

[27.45] To Thamood We sent their brother Salih saying: 'Worship Allah. ' But they were two parties in dispute with one another.

[27.46] 'My nation, ' he said, 'why do you wish to hasten evil rather than good? Why do you not ask the forgiveness of Allah, in order that you find mercy? '

[27.47] They said: 'We predict an evil omen from you and those who are with you. ' He replied: 'Your prediction is with Allah, you are a nation being tested. '

[27.48] In the city there were nine people who were corrupting the land and did not reform.

[27.49] They said: 'Let us swear by Allah to attack him and his family at night, then we will tell his guardian we were not witnesses of the destruction of his family; and surely we are truthful. '

[27.50] And they devised a scheme and, without their knowledge, We devised a scheme.

[27.51] And behold the consequences of their devising! We destroyed them, and their nation altogether.

[27.52] Those are their houses, all are in ruins because of the evil they committed; surely in this there is a sign for nation who know.

[27.53] And We saved those who believed and were cautious.

[27. 54] And Lot, he said to his nation: 'Do you commit indecencies with your eyes open!

[27.55] Do you approach men lustfully instead of women! No, you are an ignorant nation. '