Meccan, 123 verses
In the name of God, the Beneficent, the Merciful.
A.L.R. (Alif. Lam. Ra.), a book that its verses are made firm/perfect (as what to do and what not to do) and then explained by wise and well-informed one.
(Saying) that do not serve (anyone or anything) except God. Indeed I am a warner and a giver of good news for you from Him.
And that you ask forgiveness of your Lord, then turn to Him (in repentance), He makes you enjoy a good enjoyment for a limited period, and He gives His grace to everyone who is gracious. And if you turn away, then indeed I am afraid of the punishment of a great day upon you.
Your return is to God, and He is capable of everything.
Be aware, they fold up their chests/minds to hide from Him (or him). In fact, when they cover themselves with their clothing, He knows what they hide and what they disclose. He knows what is inside the chests/minds.
There is no creature on the earth except its food (and provision) is God’s responsibility, and He knows its place of stay and its depository (where it is buried), all is in a clear book.
He is the One Who created the skies and the earth in six days (stages) and His dominion is on the water, so that He tests which one of you does better work. And if you say you will be raised after death, those who disbelieve shall say: “This is only a clear magic.”
And if We delay the punishment from them for a limited time, they shall say: “What holds it back?” In fact, on a day that it comes to them, it will not be turned away from them, and what they used to ridicule will surround them.
If We make the human being taste from Our mercy, then We take it away from him, indeed he will be hopeless and ungrateful.
And if We make him taste favor after hardship has touched him, he shall say: “Badness went away from me.” Indeed he will be happy and proud.
Except those who persevered and did good, they have forgiveness and a great reward.
So you may leave some of what is revealed to you, and your chest is tightened by it (or you are angry about it), because they say: “Why was not a treasure sent down to him or an angel came with him?” You are only a warner, and God is in charge of everything.
Or they say: “He has made it up.” Say: “Then bring ten chapters made up like that, and call on anyone you can other than God if you are truthful.”
If they did not answer you, then know that it was sent down with God’s knowledge, and that there is no god except Him, then will you be submitters?
Whoever wants this world's life and its luxury, We pay them for their works in it and they will not be shortchanged in it.
They are those who have nothing in the Hereafter except the fire, and whatever they have made in it (this world) is made useless and whatever they used to do is worthless.
Is someone who is on a clear evidence from his Lord and a witness from Him reads it, and book of Moses was a guide/leader and a mercy before it (like someone who wants this world's life)? They believe in it, and whoever disbelieves in it among the parties then the fire is his promised place. So do not be in doubt about it, indeed it is the truth from your Lord, but most people do not believe.
And who is more wrong than someone who makes up a lie (and attributes it) to God? They will be brought before their Lord, and the witnesses will say: “These are those who lied against their Lord.” No doubt, God’s curse is on the wrongdoers,
those who obstruct God’s way and look for its distortion, and they disbelieve in the Hereafter.
They do not weaken/escape (God) on the earth, and they have no protectors besides God. The punishment will be doubled for them as they were not able to hear and they did not used to see (the truth).
They are those who have lost themselves, and what they were fabricating has abandoned them.
Without a doubt, they will be the worst losers in the Hereafter.
Indeed those who believe and do good and humble themselves before their Lord, they are inhabitants of the garden, remaining in there forever.
Example of the two groups is like the blind and deaf, and the one who sees and hears. Are the two examples equal? Do you not take notice?
And We had certainly sent Noah to his people (saying:) “I am a clear warner for you,
that you should not serve (anyone or anything) except God, indeed I am afraid of the punishment of a painful day for you.”
And the leaders of those who disbelieved among his people said: “We see you are only a human being like us, and we only see that those simple minded low lives among us following you, and we do not see that you have any advantage over us, rather we think of you as liars.”
He said: “My people, what do you think, if I am on a clear evidence from my Lord and He gave me mercy from Himself that is made obscure to you, should we force it on you while you dislike it?
My people, I do not ask you for any wealth for it, my wage is only God's responsibility, and I do not drive away those who believe. Indeed they meet their Lord, but I see you as ignorant people.
And my people, who helps me against God if I drive them (the believers) away? Do you not take notice?
I do not tell you that treasures of God are with me, and I do not know the unseen, and I do not say that I am an angel, and I do not say about those who are despicable in your eyes that God never gives them any good, as God knows best what is in their souls/minds, in that case I am indeed of the wrongdoers (if I drive them away).”
They said: “Noah, you have argued with us, and argued too much with us, so bring us what you promise us if you are truthful.”
He said: “Only God brings it to you if He wants and you cannot escape (or stop) it.
And if I want to advise you, my advice does not benefit you if God wants to mislead you. He is your Lord, and you are returned to Him.”
Or do they say he made it up? Say: “If I made that up, then my crime is on me, and I am free of your crime.”
And it was revealed to Noah that your people will never believe except anyone who has already believed, so do not be sad by what they are doing.
And build the Ark under Our eyes and Our revelation, and do not speak to Me about those who do wrong, indeed they will be drowned.
While he was building the Ark, every time leaders of his people passed by him, they made fun of him. He said: “If you make fun of us, then indeed we make fun of you as you make fun (of us),
and you will know to whom punishment comes, humiliating him and a lasting punishment falls on him.”
Until when Our command came and the oven erupted. We said: “Carry in it from every kind (of animals) two (a male and a female), and your family except whomever the word previously issued against him, and anyone who believes.” And only a few believed with him.
And he said: “Board in it, its sailing and its anchoring is in the name of God, indeed my Lord is forgiving and merciful.”
And it (the Ark) sailed with them in wave like mountains, and Noah called out his son while he was apart: “My son, board with us and do not be with the disbelievers.”
He said: “I am going to take shelter in a mountain which guards me from the water.” He said: “There is no guardian against God’s command today, except whomever He has mercy (on him).” And the wave came between them and he became of the drowned ones.
And it was said: “Earth, swallow your water; and sky, stop (the rain).” The water subsided and the matter was over, and it (the Ark) rested on the (mount) Judi. And it was said: “Away with the wrongdoing people.”
And Noah called out to his Lord, and said: “My Lord, indeed my son is part of my family, and indeed your promise is true, and you are the wisest of judges.”
He (God) said: “Noah, he is not of your family, for his action is not good, so do not ask Me what you don't have any knowledge of it, I advise you that do not be of the ignorant ones.”
He said: “My Lord, I seek Your protection for asking You what I do not have any knowledge of it, and if You don’t forgive me and don’t have mercy on me, I will be of the losers.”
It was said: “Noah, come down with peace (and well-being) from Us and blessings upon you and upon the groups of those who are with you. And (to other) groups We are going to make them enjoy (for a while), then a painful punishment from Us happens to them.”
This is from the news of unseen that We reveal to you, neither you nor your people used to know it before this, so be patient as the end is indeed for those who are cautious (of God).
And to Aad (We sent) their brother Hud, he said: “My people, serve God, there is no god for you other than Him, you are only making up (lies).
My people, I do not ask of you any wage for it, as My wage is only the responsibility of the One Who created me, do you not understand?
And my people, ask forgiveness of your Lord then turn to Him in repentance, He sends plenty of rain on you from the sky, and He adds power to your power, and do not turn back as guilty ones.”
They said: ‘Hud, you did not bring us any clear evidence, and we do not abandon our gods because of your word and we do not believe you,
we only say that some of our gods afflicted you with badness.” He said: “I call God to witness, and to be witness that I have nothing to do with what you associate
besides Him, so all of you plot against me and do not wait,
I put my trust in God, my Lord and your Lord. There is no living creature unless He takes by its forehead (and controls it), indeed my Lord is on a straight path.
If you turn away, I have indeed delivered the message that I was sent to you with it, and my Lord replaces you with people other than you, and you do not harm Him at all, indeed my Lord is guardian of everything.”
And when Our command came, We saved Hud and those who believed with him by a mercy from Us, and We saved them from a severe punishment.
And this was Aad, they rejected their Lord's signs and disobeyed His messenger and followed order of every stubborn tyrant.
And they were followed by a curse in this world and the Resurrection Day. No doubt, indeed Aad disbelieved in their Lord, so away with Aad, people of Hud.
And to Thamud (We sent) their brother Salih. He said: “My people, serve God, there is no god for you other than Him, He produced you from the earth and made you (develop and) inhabit in it, so ask for His forgiveness then turn to Him in repentance, indeed my Lord is near and answers (your prayers).”
They said: “Salih, indeed you were our hope among us before this, do you forbid us from serving what our fathers serve, and we are certainly in serious doubt about what you invite us to it.”
He said: “My people, what do you think, if I am on a clear evidence from my Lord and He has given me a mercy from Himself, then who helps me against God if I disobey Him? You do not add anything to me except loss,
and my people, this is God’s female camel as a sign for you, so leave her to eat on God’s earth and do not harm her, otherwise a punishment soon takes you.”
But they killed her. Then he said: “Enjoy in your houses for three days, this is a promise that is not a lie.”
So when Our command came, We saved Salih and those who believed with him by a mercy from Us and from the humiliation of that day. Indeed your Lord is strong and powerful.
And the awful blast took those who did wrong, then they became motionless (bodies) in their houses,
as if they had not lived in there/them. No doubt, indeed Thamud disbelieved in their Lord, so away with Thamud.
And Our messengers had certainly come to Abraham with good news, they said: “Peace (and well-being).” He said: “Peace (and well-being).” It did not take long before he brought a roasted calf.
But when he saw that their hands do not reach for it, (he realized that) he did not know them, and he felt afraid of them. They said: “Do not fear, we are sent to Lot's people.”
And his wife was standing and she laughed, then We gave her the good news of Isaac, and after Isaac, of Jacob.
She said: “Woe to me, would I give birth while I am an old woman and my husband is an old man? Indeed this is a surprising thing.”
They said: “Are you surprised about God’s order? God’s mercy and His blessings are on you, the household (of Abraham), He is indeed praiseworthy and glorious.”
So when Abraham’s fear subsided and the good news came to him, he (began to) argue with Us about Lot’s people.
Indeed Abraham was patient, kind, and returning (in repentance).
(They said:) “Abraham, stay away from this, indeed your Lord's command has come and indeed an unavoidable punishment comes to them.”
And when Our messengers came to Lot, he was anxious about them and felt uneasy about them and he said: “This is a terrible day.”
And his people came rushing toward him, and they used to do the bad deeds in the past. He said: “My people, these are my daughters, they are purer (and more proper) for you, so be cautious of God and do not humiliate me regarding my guests, is there not any sensible man among you?”
They said: “You certainly know we have no claim to your daughters, and indeed you know what we want.”
He said: “I wish I had power over you, or I had taken shelter in a strong corner.”
They (the messengers) said: “Lot, indeed we are messengers of your Lord, they will never reach you, so travel with your family during part of the night and none of you should look back except your wife, as she suffers what they suffer, their promised time is the morning, is not the morning near?”
So when Our command came, We made it (Lot’s city) upside down and We rained upon them layers of stones of hard clay,
(stones) marked by your Lord. And it (the punishment) is not far from wrongdoers.
And to Midian (We sent) their brother Shu'aib (Jethro). He said: “My people, serve God, there is no god for you other than Him, and do not reduce the measure and the scale, indeed I see you are well off, and indeed I am afraid of the punishment of a surrounding day (that includes everyone) for you,
and my people, give the full measure and weight with justice and do not shortchange people their stuff, and do not commit mischief on the earth as corruptors,
God's remainder (lawful profit) is better for you if you are believers, and I am not your guardian.”
They said: “Shu'aib, does your mandatory prayer instruct you that we should give up what our fathers served or (to give up) what we want to do with our wealth, you are certainly patient and sensible.”
He said: “My people, what do you think, if I am on a clear evidence from my Lord and He provided me a good provision from Himself? I do not want to oppose you in what I prohibit you from it, I do not want anything but reform (and improvement) as much as I can, and my success is only by God, I trust in Him and I turn to Him,
and my people, do not let opposition to me cause you to suffer like what people of Noah or people of Hud or people of Salih suffered, and people of Lot are not far from you,
and ask forgiveness of your Lord, then turn to Him in repentance, my Lord is indeed merciful and loving.”
They said: “Shu'aib, we do not understand most of what you say and we certainly see that you are weak among us, and if it was not for your family, we would certainly stone you, and you have no power over us.”
He said: “My people, is my family more powerful against you than God? Yet you throw Him behind your backs (and ignore Him)! Indeed my Lord surrounds what you do,
and my people, do what you are capable of, indeed I do (what I can), you will know on whom a punishment comes humiliating him, and who is a liar, and watch and I am watching with you.”
And when Our command came, We saved Shu'aib (Jethro) and those who believed with him by a mercy from Us, and the awful blast took those who did wrong, then they became motionless in their houses,
as if they had not lived in there/them. No doubt, away with Midian as was done away with Thamud.
And We certainly sent Moses with Our signs (miracles) and clear power
to Pharaoh and his assembly. But they followed Pharaoh’s order while Pharaoh's order was not right.
He goes ahead of his people on the Resurrection Day, and he leads them into the fire, and it is a miserable arrival place.
And they were followed by a curse in this (life) and on the Resurrection Day, they are offered a miserable offering.
That is among the news of the towns that we tell you, some of them are standing and some are wiped out.
And We did not wrong them, but they did wrong to themselves. Their gods that they called on besides God were of no use to them at all when your Lord's order came, and they only added destruction to them.
And such is your Lord's taking (into punishment) when He takes the towns while they are wrongdoers. His taking is indeed severely painful.
Indeed there is a sign in that for anyone who fears punishment of the Hereafter. It is a day that people are gathered in it and it is a witnessed day (witnessed by everyone).
And We only put it off for a limited time.
A day (when) it comes, no one speaks except with His permission, then some of them are unfortunate and some are fortunate.
As for those who are unfortunate, then they have moaning and screaming in the fire.
They remain in it as long as the skies and the earth last, unless what your Lord wants. Indeed your Lord does what He wants.
As for those who are fortunate, they will be in the garden, remaining in it as long as the skies and the earth last, unless what your Lord wants, a gift that is irreversible.
So do not be in any doubt as to what these serve. They only serve as their fathers served in the past, and We certainly pay them back their portion without any reduction.
And We had certainly given Moses the book, then they disagreed about it, and if it was not for a word that previously came from your Lord, it would have been judged between them, and they are indeed in serious doubt about it.
And your Lord shall pay all of them back for their actions. Indeed He is well informed of what they do.
So, you and those who repented with you persevere as you are ordered and do not rebel, indeed He sees what you do.
And do not lean toward those who do wrong, otherwise the fire touches you, and you have no protectors besides God, then you will not be helped.
And perform mandatory prayer at the two ends of the day and early part of the night. Indeed good deeds eliminate bad deeds. This is a reminder to the mindful.
And persevere (and be patient), for God does not waste the reward of good doers.
Why were there not men of insight among the generations before you to prohibit from the corruption on the earth, except a few of those whom We saved among them? And those who did wrong followed whatever luxuries they were given, and they were guilty.
And it is not for your Lord to destroy any town unjustly while its people are doing what is right.
And if your Lord wanted, He would have made people a single community (of faith), but they will not stop to disagree,
except whomever your Lord has mercy on (him), and for that (being different or for His Mercy) He has created them. And the word of your Lord will be fulfilled: “I shall fill hell with Jinn and people altogether.”
And all that we tell you from stories of the messengers is what We strengthen your heart with it, and the truth and an advice and a reminder came to you for the believers in this.
And tell those who do not believe: “Do what you are capable of, and indeed we are doers
and wait, indeed we are also waiting.”
The unseen of the skies and the earth belongs to God, and all affairs are returned to Him, so (Muhammad,) serve Him and put your trust in Him. And your Lord is not negligent of what you (all) do.