Alif Lam Ra. A Book whose verses have been perfected, then made clear, from One who is Wise, All-Aware.
Worship none but God. I am a warner and a bearer of good news to you from Him.
Seek your Lord's forgiveness, then turn to Him in repentance. He will grant you good provision until an appointed time and will give every person of merit their due reward. But if you turn away, I fear for you the punishment of a terrible Day.
To God is your return, and He has power over all things.
They fold up their chests to hide from Him. But even when they cover themselves with their garments, He knows what they conceal and what they reveal. He knows well what lies within the chests.
There is no creature on earth whose provision is not guaranteed by God. He knows its dwelling place and its resting place. All is recorded in a clear Book.
He is the One who created the heavens and the earth in six days, and His Throne was upon the water, to test which of you is best in deed. If you say, "You will be raised after death," those who disbelieve will surely say, "This is nothing but obvious magic."
If We delay the punishment for them until a limited time, they will say, "What is holding it back?" On the Day it comes to them, nothing will turn it away from them, and they will be engulfed by what they used to mock.
If We let man taste mercy from Us, then strip it away from him, he becomes utterly despairing and ungrateful.
But if We let him taste prosperity after hardship has touched him, he will say, "The troubles have left me!" He becomes jubilant and boastful.
Except those who are patient and do righteous deeds. For them is forgiveness and a great reward.
Perhaps you are inclined to leave out some of what is revealed to you, and your chest feels tight because they say, "Why has no treasure been sent down to him, or why has no angel come with him?" You are only a warner, and God is Guardian over all things.
Or do they say, "He fabricated it"? Say, "Then produce ten fabricated chapters like it and call upon whoever you can besides God, if you are truthful."
If they do not respond to you, then know that it was sent down with God's knowledge and that there is no god but Him. Will you then submit?
Whoever desires the life of this world and its adornments, We will fully repay them for their deeds in it, and they will not be shortchanged.
These are the ones who will have nothing in the Hereafter but the Fire. What they crafted here will come to nothing, and worthless is all they used to do.
Can one who stands on clear proof from his Lord, followed by a witness from Him, and before it the Book of Moses as a guide and mercy, be like those others? Such people believe in it. But whoever among the factions rejects it, the Fire is their promised destination. So have no doubt about it. It is the truth from your Lord, but most people do not believe.
Who is more unjust than one who fabricates lies against God? They will be brought before their Lord, and the witnesses will say, "These are the ones who lied against their Lord." The curse of God is upon the wrongdoers.
Those who turn others away from God's path and seek to make it crooked, they are the ones who deny the Hereafter.
They could never escape God on earth, and they had no protectors besides God. Their punishment will be multiplied. They could not bear to hear, and they could not see.
These are the ones who have lost their own souls, and whatever they fabricated has abandoned them.
Without doubt, they will be the greatest losers in the Hereafter.
Those who believe, do righteous deeds, and humble themselves before their Lord, they are the people of Paradise, dwelling there forever.
The likeness of the two groups is that of the blind and deaf versus the seeing and hearing. Are they equal in comparison? Will you not reflect?
We sent Noah to his people: "I am a clear warner to you.
Worship none but God. I fear for you the punishment of a painful Day."
The leaders who disbelieved among his people said, "We see you as nothing but a man like us, and we see that only the lowest among us have followed you without any thought. We see no superiority in you over us. Rather, we think you are liars."
He said, "My people, consider: what if I stand on clear proof from my Lord, and He has given me mercy from Himself, but it has been made blind to you? Can we force it upon you when you are averse to it?"
My people, I ask you no wealth for this. My reward is only from God. I will not drive away those who believe. They will meet their Lord. But I see that you are an ignorant people.
My people, who would protect me from God if I drove them away? Will you not reflect?
I do not say to you that I possess the treasures of God, nor do I know the unseen, nor do I say that I am an angel, nor do I say of those whom your eyes look down upon that God will never give them any good. God knows best what is in their souls. If I did, I would be among the wrongdoers.
They said, "Noah, you have argued with us and argued at length. Bring us what you threaten us with, if you are truthful."
He said, "Only God will bring it upon you if He wills, and you cannot escape."
My advice will not benefit you, even if I want to advise you, if God intends to let you stray. He is your Lord, and to Him you will be returned.
Or do they say, "He has fabricated it"? Say, "If I have fabricated it, then my crime is upon me, and I am innocent of your crimes."
It was revealed to Noah, "None of your people will believe except those who have already believed, so do not grieve over what they have been doing."
"Build the ark under Our Eyes and Our revelation, and do not plead with Me for those who have done wrong. They will be drowned."
He began building the ark, and whenever the leaders of his people passed by him, they mocked him. He said, "If you mock us, we will mock you just as you mock."
"You will soon know who will receive a punishment that will disgrace him, and upon whom a lasting punishment will descend."
When Our command came and the oven burst, We said, "Load onto it two of every kind, a pair, and your family, except those against whom the word has already been spoken, and whoever has believed." But none believed with him except a few.
He said, "Board it. In the name of God is its sailing and its anchoring. My Lord is truly Forgiving, Merciful."
It sailed with them through waves like mountains, and Noah called out to his son who stood apart, "My son, board with us and do not be with the disbelievers!"
He said, "I will take refuge on a mountain that will protect me from the water." He said, "There is no protector today from God's command except for those He has shown mercy." The waves came between them, and he was among the drowned.
It was said, "O earth, swallow your water! O sky, cease!" The water subsided, the matter was settled, and it came to rest on Mount Judi. It was said, "Away with the wrongdoing people!"
Noah called out to his Lord and said, "My Lord, my son is of my family, and Your promise is true, and You are the most just of judges."
He said, "O Noah, he is not of your family. His conduct was unrighteous. So do not ask Me about that of which you have no knowledge. I warn you not to be among the ignorant."
He said, "My Lord, I seek refuge in You from asking You about that of which I have no knowledge. Unless You forgive me and have mercy on me, I will be among the losers."
It was said, "O Noah, disembark with peace from Us and blessings upon you and upon nations descending from those with you. But there will be nations whom We will grant enjoyment, then a painful punishment from Us will touch them."
These are accounts from the unseen that We reveal to you. Neither you nor your people knew them before this. So be patient. The final outcome belongs to those who are mindful of God.
To Aad We sent their brother Hud. He said, "My people, worship God. You have no god other than Him. You are nothing but fabricators."
"My people, I ask you no reward for this. My reward is only from the One who created me. Will you not reason?"
"My people, seek your Lord's forgiveness, then turn to Him in repentance. He will send the sky pouring down upon you and add strength to your strength. Do not turn away as criminals."
They said, "Hud, you have not brought us any clear proof. We will not abandon our gods because of your word, and we will not believe in you."
"We can only say that one of our gods has struck you with madness." He said, "I call God as my witness, and you bear witness, that I am free of what you associate."
"besides Him. So plot against me, all of you, then give me no respite."
"I have placed my trust in God, my Lord and your Lord. There is no creature but He holds it by its forelock. My Lord is on a straight path."
"If you turn away, I have already delivered to you what I was sent with. My Lord will replace you with another people, and you will not harm Him at all. My Lord is Guardian over all things."
When Our command came, We saved Hud and those who believed with him by a mercy from Us, and We saved them from a harsh punishment.
Such was Aad. They rejected the signs of their Lord, disobeyed His messengers, and followed the command of every stubborn tyrant.
They were pursued by a curse in this world and on the Day of Resurrection. Aad denied their Lord. Away with Aad, the people of Hud!
To Thamud We sent their brother Salih. He said, "My people, worship God. You have no god other than Him. He produced you from the earth and settled you in it, so seek His forgiveness, then turn to Him in repentance. My Lord is near and responsive."
They said, "Salih, you were a source of hope among us before this. Are you forbidding us from worshiping what our fathers worshiped? We are in deep doubt about what you are calling us to."
He said, "My people, consider: if I stand on clear proof from my Lord and He has given me mercy from Himself, who would protect me from God if I disobeyed Him? You would only increase my loss."
"My people, this is the she-camel of God, a sign for you. Let her graze freely on God's earth and do not touch her with harm, or a swift punishment will seize you."
But they hamstrung her. So he said, "Enjoy yourselves in your homes for three days. This is a promise that will not prove false."
When Our command came, We saved Salih and those who believed with him by mercy from Us, and from the disgrace of that day. Your Lord is the Strong, the Mighty.
The blast seized those who had done wrong, and by morning they lay lifeless in their homes.
As if they had never lived there. Thamud rejected their Lord. Away with Thamud!
Our messengers came to Abraham with good news. They said, "Peace." He said, "Peace," and soon brought them a roasted calf.
But when he saw their hands not reaching toward it, he found them strange and felt fear of them. They said, "Do not be afraid. We have been sent to the people of Lot."
His wife was standing nearby, and she laughed. So We gave her good news of Isaac, and after Isaac, Jacob.
She said, "Woe to me! Shall I give birth when I am an old woman and this husband of mine is an old man? This is truly something astonishing!"
They said, "Are you astonished at the decree of God? The mercy of God and His blessings be upon you, people of this house. He is Praiseworthy, Glorious."
When the fear had left Abraham and the good news had reached him, he began to argue with Us concerning the people of Lot.
Abraham was forbearing, tender-hearted, and ever turning to God.
"O Abraham, turn away from this. Your Lord's command has come, and a punishment that cannot be turned back is coming upon them."
When Our messengers came to Lot, he was distressed by them and felt powerless to protect them. He said, "This is a dreadful day."
His people came rushing toward him, for they had long been committing evil deeds. He said, "O my people, here are my daughters; they are purer for you. So be mindful of God and do not disgrace me before my guests. Is there not a single right-minded man among you?"
They said, "You know well we have no desire for your daughters, and you know exactly what we want."
He said, "If only I had the strength to stop you, or could take refuge in some powerful support!"
They said, "O Lot, we are messengers of your Lord. They will never reach you. So travel with your family in a portion of the night, and let none of you look back, except your wife. What strikes them will strike her. Their appointed time is the morning. Is the morning not near?"
When Our command came, We turned that city upside down and rained upon it stones of baked clay, layer upon layer.
Marked from your Lord. And it is never far from the wrongdoers.
To Madyan We sent their brother Shuayb. He said, "My people, worship God. You have no god other than Him. Do not short-change in measure and weight. I see you prospering now, but I fear for you the punishment of an overwhelming Day."
My people, give full measure and weight with justice. Do not cheat people of their goods, and do not spread corruption in the land.
What remains with God is better for you, if you are believers. I am not a guardian over you.
They said, "Shuayb, does your prayer command you that we abandon what our fathers worshiped, or that we stop doing whatever we want with our wealth? You must be the wise and sensible one!"
He said, "My people, consider: what if I stand on clear proof from my Lord, and He has provided me with good provision from Himself? I do not want to do what I forbid you from doing. I only want to set things right as much as I can. My success comes only through God. In Him I trust, and to Him I turn."
My people, do not let your opposition to me bring upon you what struck the people of Noah, or the people of Hud, or the people of Salih. The people of Lot are not far from you.
Seek your Lord's forgiveness, then turn to Him in repentance. My Lord is Merciful, Loving.
They said, "Shuayb, we do not understand much of what you say. We see you as weak among us. Were it not for your clan, we would have stoned you. You hold no power over us."
He said, "My people, is my clan more respected by you than God? You have cast Him behind your backs. My Lord encompasses everything you do."
My people, do what you can, and so will I. You will come to know who will receive a humiliating punishment and who is a liar. Watch and wait. I am watching with you.
When Our command came, We saved Shuayb and those who believed with him by mercy from Us. The blast seized those who wronged, and they lay dead in their homes.
As if they had never lived there. Away with Madyan, just as Thamud was done away with.
We sent Moses with Our signs and clear authority.
To Pharaoh and his chiefs, but they followed Pharaoh's command, and Pharaoh's command was not right.
He will lead his people on the Day of Resurrection and bring them down to the Fire. What a wretched place to arrive at.
They were pursued by a curse in this life and on the Day of Resurrection. What a wretched gift to receive.
This is from the news of the towns We relate to you. Some still stand, and some are mowed down.
We did not wrong them, but they wronged themselves. Their gods they called upon besides God availed them nothing when your Lord's command came. They only added to their ruin.
Such is the grip of your Lord when He seizes the towns while they are wrongdoing. His grip is painful, severe.
In that is a sign for whoever fears the punishment of the Hereafter. That is a Day for which all people will be gathered, and that is a Day to be witnessed.
We only delay it for a limited term.
The Day it comes, no soul will speak except by His permission. Among them will be the wretched and the blessed.
Those who are wretched will be in the Fire, where they will have wailing and gasping.
They will remain there as long as the heavens and the earth endure, except as your Lord wills. Your Lord does whatever He intends.
Those who are blessed will be in Paradise, remaining there as long as the heavens and the earth endure, except as your Lord wills, a gift unending.
So do not be in doubt about what these people worship. They only worship as their fathers worshiped before. We will pay them their share in full, undiminished.
We gave Moses the Scripture, but disputes arose over it. Were it not for a word that had already gone forth from your Lord, judgment would have been passed between them. They remain in troubling doubt about it.
Your Lord will repay each of them in full for their deeds. He is fully aware of everything they do.
So stand firm as you have been commanded, along with those who have turned back with you, and do not transgress. He sees everything you do.
Do not lean toward those who do wrong, or the Fire will touch you. You have no protectors besides God, and then you will not be helped.
Establish prayer at both ends of the day and during the early hours of the night. Good deeds wipe away bad deeds. This is a reminder for those who remember.
Be patient, for God never wastes the reward of those who do good.
If only there had been among the generations before you people of lasting virtue who forbade corruption on earth, except for the few We saved from among them. Those who did wrong pursued the luxuries they were given, and they were criminals.
Your Lord would never destroy towns unjustly while their people were doing good.
Had your Lord willed, He would have made humanity one community, but they continue to differ.
Except those on whom your Lord has mercy, and for that He created them. The word of your Lord has been fulfilled: "I will fill Hell with jinn and humans altogether."
All that We relate to you of the stories of the messengers is to strengthen your heart. In this has come to you the truth, an admonition, and a reminder for the believers.
Say to those who do not believe, "Do what you can in your position; we are doing ours."
Wait; we too are waiting.
To God belongs the unseen of the heavens and the earth, and to Him all matters return. So worship Him and put your trust in Him. Your Lord is never unaware of what you do.