038.001 Sad. By the renowned Qur'an,
038.002 Nay, but those who disbelieve are in false pride and schism.
038.003 How many a generation We destroyed before them, and they cried out when it was no longer the time for escape!
038.004 And they marvel that a warner from among themselves hath come unto them, and the disbelievers say: This is a wizard, a charlatan.
038.005 Maketh he the gods One God ? Lo! that is an astounding thing.
038.006 The chiefs among them go about, exhorting: Go and be staunch to your gods! Lo! this is a thing designed.
038.007 We have not heard of this in later religion. This is naught but an invention.
038.008 Hath the reminder been unto him (alone) among us ? Nay, but they are in doubt concerning My reminder; nay but they have not yet tasted My doom.
038.009 Or are theirs the treasures of the mercy of thy Lord, the Mighty, the Bestower ?
038.010 Or is the kingdom of the heavens and the earth and all that is between them theirs ? Then let them ascend by ropes!
038.011 A defeated host are (all) the factions that are there.
038.012 The folk of Noah before them denied (their messenger) and (so did the tribe of) A'ad, and Pharaoh firmly planted,
038.013 And (the tribe of) Thamud, and the folk of Lot, and the dwellers in the wood: these were the factions.
038.014 Not one of them but did deny the messengers, therefor My doom was justified,
038.015 These wait for but one Shout, there will be no second thereto.
038.016 They say: Our Lord! Hasten on for us our fate before the Day of Reckoning.
038.017 Bear with what they say, and remember Our bondman David, lord of might, Lo! he was ever turning in repentance (toward Allah).
038.018 Lo! We subdued the hills to hymn the praises (of their Lord) with him at nightfall and sunrise,
038.019 And the birds assembled; all were turning unto Him.
038.020 We made his kingdom strong and gave him wisdom and decisive speech.
038.021 And hath the story of the litigants come unto thee ? How they climbed the wall into the royal chamber;
038.022 How they burst in upon David, and he was afraid of them. They said: Be not afraid! (We are) two litigants, one of whom hath wronged the other, therefor judge aright between us; be not unjust; and show us the fair way.
038.023 Lo! this my brother hath ninety and nine ewes while I had one ewe; and he said: Entrust it to me, and he conquered me in speech.
038.024 (David) said: He hath wronged thee in demanding thine ewe in addition to his ewes, and lo! many partners oppress one another, save such as believe and do good works, and they are few. And David guessed that We had tried him, and he sought forgiveness of his Lord, and he bowed himself and fell down prostrate and repented.
038.025 So We forgave him that; and lo! he had access to Our presence and a happy journey's end.
038.026 (And it was said unto him): O David! Lo! We have set thee as a viceroy in the earth; therefor judge aright between mankind, and follow not desire that it beguile thee from the way of Allah. Lo! those who wander from the way of Allah have an awful doom, forasmuch as they forgot the Day of Reckoning.
038.027 And We created not the heaven and the earth and all that is between them in vain. That is the opinion of those who disbelieve. And woe unto those who disbelieve, from the Fire!
038.028 Shall We treat those who believe and do good works as those who spread corruption in the earth; or shall We treat the pious as the wicked ?
038.029 (This is) a Scripture that We have revealed unto thee, full of blessing, that they may ponder its revelations, and that men of understanding may reflect.
038.030 And We bestowed on David, Solomon. How excellent a slave! Lo! he was ever turning in repentance (toward Allah).
038.031 When there were shown to him at eventide lightfooted coursers
038.032 And he said: Lo! I have preferred the good things (of the world) to the remembrance of my Lord; till they were taken out of sight behind the curtain.
038.033 (Then he said): Bring them back to me, and fell to slashing (with his sword their) legs and necks.
038.034 And verily We tried Solomon, and set upon his throne a (mere) body. Then did he repent.
038.035 He said: My Lord! Forgive me and bestow on me sovereignty such as shall not belong to any after me. Lo! Thou art the Bestower.
038.036 So We made the wind subservient unto him, setting fair by his command whithersoever he intended.
038.037 And the unruly, every builder and diver (made We subservient),
038.038 And others linked together in chains,
038.039 (Saying): This is Our gift, so bestow thou, or withhold, without reckoning.
038.040 And lo! he hath favour with Us, and a happy journey's end.
038.041 And make mention (O Muhammad) of Our bondman Job, when he cried unto his Lord (saying): Lo! the devil doth afflict me with distress and torment.
038.042 (And it was said unto him): Strike the ground with thy foot. This (spring) is a cool bath and a refreshing drink.
038.043 And We bestowed on him (again) his household and therewith the like thereof, a mercy from Us, and a memorial for men of understanding.
038.044 And (it was said unto him): Take in thine hand a branch and smite therewith, and break not thine oath. Lo! We found him steadfast, how excellent a slave! Lo! he was ever turning in repentance (to his Lord).
038.045 And make mention of Our bondmen, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, men of parts and vision.
038.046 Lo! We purified them with a pure thought, remembrance of the Home (of the Hereafter).
038.047 Lo! in Our sight they are verily of the elect, the excellent.
038.048 And make mention of Ishmael and Elisha and Dhu'l-Kifl. All are of the chosen.
038.049 This is a reminder. And lo! for those who ward off (evil) is a happy journey's end,
038.050 Gardens of Eden, whereof the gates are opened for them,
038.051 Wherein, reclining, they call for plenteous fruit and cool drink (that is) therein.
038.052 And with them are those of modest gaze, companions.
038.053 This it is that ye are promised for the Day of Reckoning.
038.054 Lo! this in truth is Our provision, which will never waste away.
038.055 This (is for the righteous). And lo! for the transgressors there with be an evil journey's end,
038.056 Hell, where they will burn, an evil resting-place.
038.057 Here is a boiling and an ice-cold draught, so let them taste it,
038.058 And other (torment) of the kind in pairs (the two extremes)!
038.059 Here is an army rushing blindly with you. (Those who are already in the Fire say): No word of welcome for them. Lo! they will roast at the Fire.
038.060 They say: Nay, but you (misleaders), for you there is no word of welcome. Ye prepared this for us (by your misleading). Now hapless is the plight.
038.061 They say: Our Lord! Whoever did prepare this for us, oh, give him double portion of the Fire!
038.062 And they say: What aileth us that we behold not men whom we were wont to count among the wicked ?
038.063 Did we take them (wrongly) for a laughing-stock, or have our eyes missed them ?
038.064 Lo! that is very truth: the wrangling of the dwellers in the Fire.
038.065 Say (unto them, O Muhammad): I am only a warner, and there is no God save Allah, the One, the Absolute,
038.066 Lord of the heavens and the earth and all that is between them, the Mighty, the Pardoning.
038.067 Say: It is tremendous tidings
038.068 Whence ye turn away!
038.069 I had no knowledge of the Highest Chiefs when they disputed;
038.070 It is revealed unto me only that I may be a plain warner.
038.071 When thy Lord said unto the angels: Lo! I am about to create a mortal out of mire,
038.072 And when I have fashioned him and breathed into him of My Spirit, then fall down before him prostrate,
038.073 The angels fell down prostrate, every one,
038.074 Saving Iblis; he was scornful and became one of the disbelievers.
038.075 He said: O Iblis! What hindereth thee from falling prostrate before that which I have created with both My hands ? Art thou too proud or art thou of the high exalted ?
038.076 He said: I am better than him. Thou createdst me of fire, whilst him Thou didst create of clay.
038.077 He said: Go forth from hence, for lo! thou art outcast,
038.078 And lo! My curse is on thee till the Day of Judgment.
038.079 He said: My Lord! Reprieve me till the day when they are raised.
038.080 He said: Lo! thou art of those reprieved
038.081 Until the day of the time appointed.
038.082 He said: Then, by Thy might, I surely will beguile them every one,
038.083 Save Thy single-minded slaves among them.
038.084 He said: The Truth is, and the Truth I speak,
038.085 That I shall fill hell with thee and with such of them as follow thee, together.
038.086 Say (O Muhammad, unto mankind): I ask of you no fee for this, and I am no simulating.
038.087 Lo! it is naught else than a reminder for all peoples
038.088 And ye will come in time to know the truth thereof.