Part 18 (2/2)

101. ”O my Lord! Thou hast indeed bestowed on me some power, ”O my Lord! Thou hast indeed bestowed on me some power, and taught me something of the interpretation of dreams and events,-O Thou Creator of the heavens and the earth! Thou art my Protector in this world and in the Hereafter. Take Thou my soul (at death) as one submitting to Thy will (as a Muslim), and unite me with the righteous.”

102. Such is one of the stories of what happened unseen, which We Such is one of the stories of what happened unseen, which We reveal by inspiration unto thee; nor wast thou (present) with them then when they concerted their plans together in the process of weaving their plots.

103. Yet no faith will the greater part of mankind have, however Yet no faith will the greater part of mankind have, however ardently thou dost desire it.

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104. And no reward dost thou ask of them for this: it is no less than And no reward dost thou ask of them for this: it is no less than a message for all creatures.

105. And how many Signs in the heavens and the earth do they pa.s.s And how many Signs in the heavens and the earth do they pa.s.s by? Yet they turn (their faces) away from them!

106. And most of them believe not in Allah without a.s.sociating (other And most of them believe not in Allah without a.s.sociating (other as partners) with Him!

107. Do they then feel secure from the coming against them of the Do they then feel secure from the coming against them of the covering veil of the wrath of Allah,-or of the coming against them of the (final) Hour all of a sudden while they perceive not?

108. Say thou: ”This is my way: I do invite unto Allah,-on evidence Say thou: ”This is my way: I do invite unto Allah,-on evidence clear as the seeing with one's eyes,-I and whoever follows me. Glory to Allah. and never will I join G.o.ds with Allah.”

109. Nor did We send before thee (as apostles) any but men, whom Nor did We send before thee (as apostles) any but men, whom we did inspire,-(men) living in human habitations. Do they not travel through the earth, and see what was the end of those before them? But the home of the hereafter is best, for those who do right. Will ye not then understand?

110. (Respite will be granted) until, when the apostles give up hope (Respite will be granted) until, when the apostles give up hope (of their people) and (come to) think that they were treated as liars, there reaches them Our help, and those whom We will are delivered into safety.

But never will be warded off our punishment from those who are in sin.

111. There is, in their stories, instruction for men endued with There is, in their stories, instruction for men endued with understanding. It is not a tale invented, but a confirmation of what went before it,-a detailed exposition of all things, and a guide and a mercy to any such as believe.

Surah 13. The Thunder

1. A.L.M.R. These are the signs (or verses) of the Book: that which A.L.M.R. These are the signs (or verses) of the Book: that which hath been revealed unto thee from thy Lord is the Truth; but most men believe not.

2. Allah is He Who raised the heavens without any pillars that ye can Allah is He Who raised the heavens without any pillars that ye can see; is firmly established on the throne (of authority); He has subjected the sun and the moon (to his Law)! Each one runs (its course) for a term appointed. He doth regulate all affairs, explaining the signs in detail, that ye may believe with certainty in the meeting with your Lord.

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3. And it is He who spread out the earth, and set thereon mountains And it is He who spread out the earth, and set thereon mountains standing firm and (flowing) rivers: and fruit of every kind He made in pairs, two and two: He draweth the night as a veil o'er the Day. Behold, verily in these things there are signs for those who consider!

4. And in the earth are tracts (diverse though) neighbouring, and And in the earth are tracts (diverse though) neighbouring, and gardens of vines and fields sown with corn, and palm trees - growing out of single roots or otherwise: watered with the same water, yet some of them We make more excellent than others to eat. Behold, verily in these things there are signs for those who understand!

5. If thou dost marvel (at their want of faith), strange is their saying: If thou dost marvel (at their want of faith), strange is their saying: ”When we are (actually) dust, shall we indeed then be in a creation renewed?” They are those who deny their Lord! They are those round whose necks will be yokes (of servitude): they will be Companions of the Fire, to dwell therein (for aye)!

6. They ask thee to hasten on the evil in preference to the good: Yet They ask thee to hasten on the evil in preference to the good: Yet have come to pa.s.s, before them, (many) exemplary punishments! But verily thy Lord is full of forgiveness for mankind for their wrong-doing, and verily thy Lord is (also) strict in punishment.

7. And the Unbelievers say: ”Why is not a sign sent down to him from And the Unbelievers say: ”Why is not a sign sent down to him from his Lord?” But thou art truly a warner, and to every people a guide.

8. Allah doth know what every female (womb) doth bear, by how Allah doth know what every female (womb) doth bear, by how much the wombs fall short (of their time or number) or do exceed. Every single thing is before His sight, in (due) proportion.

9. He knoweth the unseen and that which is open: He is the Great, He knoweth the unseen and that which is open: He is the Great, the Most High.

10. It is the same (to Him) whether any of you conceal his speech or It is the same (to Him) whether any of you conceal his speech or declare it openly; whether he lie hid by night or walk forth freely by day.

11. For each (such person) there are (angels) in succession, before For each (such person) there are (angels) in succession, before and behind him: They guard him by command of Allah. Verily never will Allah change the condition of a people until they change it themselves (with their own souls). But when (once) Allah willeth a people's punishment, there can be no turning it back, nor will they find, besides Him, any to protect.

12. It is He Who doth show you the lightning, by way both of fear and It is He Who doth show you the lightning, by way both of fear and of hope: It is He Who doth raise up the clouds, heavy with (fertilising) rain!

13. Nay, thunder repeateth His praises, and so do the angels, with Nay, thunder repeateth His praises, and so do the angels, with awe: He flingeth the loud-voiced thunder-bolts, and therewith He striketh [image]

whomsoever He will..yet these (are the men) who (dare to) dispute about Allah, with the strength of His power (supreme)!

14. For Him (alone) is prayer in Truth: any others that they call upon For Him (alone) is prayer in Truth: any others that they call upon besides Him hear them no more than if they were to stretch forth their hands for water to reach their mouths but it reaches them not: for the prayer of those without Faith is nothing but (futile) wandering (in the mind).

15. Whatever beings there are in the heavens and the earth do Whatever beings there are in the heavens and the earth do prostrate themselves to Allah (Acknowledging subjection),-with good-will or in spite of themselves: so do their shadows in the morning and evenings.

16. Say: ”Who is the Lord and Sustainer of the heavens and the Say: ”Who is the Lord and Sustainer of the heavens and the earth?” Say: ”(It is) Allah.” Say: ”Do ye then take (for wors.h.i.+p) protectors other than Him, such as have no power either for good or for harm to themselves?” Say: ”Are the blind equal with those who see? Or the depths of darkness equal with light?” Or do they a.s.sign to Allah partners who have created (anything) as He has created, so that the creation seemed to them similar? Say: ”(Allah) is the Creator of all things: He is the One, the Supreme and Irresistible.”

17. He sends down water from the skies, and the channels flow, each He sends down water from the skies, and the channels flow, each according to its measure: But the torrent bears away to foam that mounts up to the surface. Even so, from that (ore) which they heat in the fire, to make ornaments or utensils therewith, there is a sc.u.m likewise. Thus doth Allah (by parables) show forth Truth and Vanity. For the sc.u.m disappears like froth cast out; while that which is for the good of mankind remains on the earth. Thus doth Allah set forth parables.

18. For those who respond to their Lord, are (all) good things. But For those who respond to their Lord, are (all) good things. But those who respond not to Him,-Even if they had all that is in the heavens and on earth, and as much more, (in vain) would they offer it for ransom.

For them will the reckoning be terrible: their abode will be h.e.l.l,-what a bed of misery!

19. Is then one who doth know that that which hath been revealed Is then one who doth know that that which hath been revealed unto thee from thy Lord is the Truth, like one who is blind? It is those who are endued with understanding that receive admonition;-20. Those who fulfil the covenant of Allah and fail not in their plighted Those who fulfil the covenant of Allah and fail not in their plighted word; 21. Those who join together those things which Allah hath Those who join together those things which Allah hath commanded to be joined, hold their Lord in awe, and fear the terrible reckoning; [image]

22. Those who patiently persevere, seeking the countenance of their Those who patiently persevere, seeking the countenance of their Lord; Establish regular prayers; spend, out of (the gifts) We have bestowed for their sustenance, secretly and openly; and turn off Evil with good: for such there is the final attainment of the (eternal) home,-23. Gardens of perpetual bliss: they shall enter there, as well as the Gardens of perpetual bliss: they shall enter there, as well as the righteous among their fathers, their spouses, and their offspring: and angels shall enter unto them from every gate (with the salutation): 24. ”Peace unto you for that ye persevered in patience! Now how ”Peace unto you for that ye persevered in patience! Now how excellent is the final home!”

25. But those who break the Covenant of Allah, after having plighted But those who break the Covenant of Allah, after having plighted their word thereto, and cut asunder those things which Allah has commanded to be joined, and work mischief in the land;-on them is the curse; for them is the terrible home!

26. Allah doth enlarge, or grant by (strict) measure, the sustenance Allah doth enlarge, or grant by (strict) measure, the sustenance (which He giveth) to whomso He pleaseth. (The wordly) rejoice in the life of this world: But the life of this world is but little comfort in the Hereafter.

27. The Unbelievers say: ”Why is not a sign sent down to him from The Unbelievers say: ”Why is not a sign sent down to him from his Lord?” Say: ”Truly Allah leaveth, to stray, whom He will; But He guideth to Himself those who turn to Him in penitence,-28. ”Those who believe, and whose hearts find satisfaction in the ”Those who believe, and whose hearts find satisfaction in the remembrance of Allah. for without doubt in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find satisfaction.

29. ”For those who believe and work righteousness, is (every) ”For those who believe and work righteousness, is (every) blessedness, and a beautiful place of (final) return.”

30. Thus have we sent thee amongst a People before whom (long Thus have we sent thee amongst a People before whom (long since) have (other) Peoples (gone and) pa.s.sed away; in order that thou mightest rehea.r.s.e unto them what We send down unto thee by inspiration; yet do they reject (Him), the Most Gracious! Say: ”He is my Lord! There is no G.o.d but He! On Him is my trust, and to Him do I turn!”

31. If there were a Qur'an with which mountains were moved, or the If there were a Qur'an with which mountains were moved, or the earth were cloven asunder, or the dead were made to speak, (this would be the one!) But, truly, the command is with Allah in all things! Do not the Believers know, that, had Allah (so) willed, He could have guided all mankind (to the right)? But the Unbelievers,-never will disaster cease to seize them for their (ill) deeds, or to settle close to their homes, until the promise of Allah come to pa.s.s, for, verily, Allah will not fail in His promise.

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32. Mocked were (many) apostles before thee: but I granted respite Mocked were (many) apostles before thee: but I granted respite to the unbelievers, and finally I punished them: Then how (terrible) was my requital!

33. Is then He who standeth over every soul (and knoweth) all that it Is then He who standeth over every soul (and knoweth) all that it doth, (like any others)? And yet they ascribe partners to Allah. Say: ”But name them! is it that ye will inform Him of something he knoweth not on earth, or is it (just) a show of words?” Nay! to those who believe not, their pretence seems pleasing, but they are kept back (thereby) from the path.

And those whom Allah leaves to stray, no one can guide.

34. For them is a penalty in the life of this world, but harder, truly, is For them is a penalty in the life of this world, but harder, truly, is the penalty of the Hereafter: and defender have they none against Allah.

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