38. Saad

1 Sad. By the renowned Qur'an

2 Nay, but those who disbelieve are in false pride and schism

3 How many a generation We destroyed before them, and they cried out when it was no longer the time for escape

4 And they marvel that a warner from among themselves hath come unto them, and the disbelievers say: This is a wizard, a charlatan

5 Maketh he the gods One Allah? Lo! that is an astounding thing

6 The chiefs among them go about, exhorting: Go and be staunch to your gods! Lo! this is a thing designed

7 We have not heard of this in later religion. This is naught but an invention

8 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

9 Or are theirs the treasures of the mercy of thy Lord, the Mighty, the Bestower

10 Or is the kingdom of the heavens and the earth and all that is between them theirs? Then let them ascend by ropes

11 A defeated host are (all) the factions that are there

12 The folk of Noah before them denied (their messenger) and (so did the tribe of) A'ad, and Pharaoh firmly planted

13 And (the tribe of) Thamud, and the folk of Lot, and the dwellers in the wood: these were the factions

14 Not one of them but did deny the messengers, therefor My doom was justified

15 These wait for but one Shout, there will be no second thereto

16 They say: Our Lord! Hasten on for us our fate before the Day of Reckoning

17 Bear with what they say, and remember Our bondman David, lord of might, Lo! he was ever turning in repentance (toward Allah)

18 Lo! We subdued the hills to hymn the praises (of their Lord) with him at nightfall and sunrise

19 And the birds assembled; all were turning unto Him

20 We made his kingdom strong and gave him wisdom and decisive speech

21 And hath the story of the litigants come unto thee? How they climbed the wall into the royal chamber

22 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

23 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

24 (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

25 So We forgave him that; and lo! he had access to Our presence and a happy journey's end

26 (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

27 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

28 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

29 (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

30 And We bestowed on David, Solomon. How excellent a slave! Lo! he was ever turning in repentance (toward Allah)

31 When there were shown to him at eventide lightfooted coursers

32 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

33 (Then he said): Bring them back to me, and fell to slashing (with his sword their) legs and necks

34 And verily We tried Solomon, and set upon his throne a (mere) body. Then did he repent

35 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

36 So We made the wind subservient unto him, setting fair by his command whithersoever he intended

37 And the unruly, every builder and diver (made We subservient)

38 And others linked together in chains

39 (Saying): This is Our gift, so bestow thou, or withhold, without reckoning

40 And lo! he hath favour with Us, and a happy journey's end

41 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

42 (And it was said unto him): Strike the ground with thy foot. This (spring) is a cool bath and a refreshing drink

43 And We bestowed on him (again) his household and therewith the like thereof, a mercy from Us, and a memorial for men of understanding

44 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)

45 And make mention of Our bondmen, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, men of parts and vision

46 Lo! We purified them with a pure thought, remembrance of the Home (of the Hereafter)

47 Lo! in Our sight they are verily of the elect, the excellent

48 And make mention of Ishmael and Elisha and Dhu'l-Kifl. All are of the chosen

49 This is a reminder. And lo! for those who ward off (evil) is a happy journey's end

50 Gardens of Eden, whereof the gates are opened for them

51 Wherein, reclining, they call for plenteous fruit and cool drink (that is) therein

52 And with them are those of modest gaze, companions

53 This it is that ye are promised for the Day of Reckoning

54 Lo! this in truth is Our provision, which will never waste away

55 This (is for the righteous). And lo! for the transgressors there with be an evil journey's end

56 Hell, where they will burn, an evil resting-place

57 Here is a boiling and an ice-cold draught, so let them taste it

58 And other (torment) of the kind in pairs (the two extremes)

59 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

60 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

61 They say: Our Lord! Whoever did prepare this for us, oh, give him double portion of the Fire

62 And they say: What aileth us that we behold not men whom we were wont to count among the wicked

63 Did we take them (wrongly) for a laughing-stock, or have our eyes missed them

64 Lo! that is very truth: the wrangling of the dwellers in the Fire

65 Say (unto them, O Muhammad): I am only a warner, and there is no Allah save Allah, the One, the Absolute

66 Lord of the heavens and the earth and all that is between them, the Mighty, the Pardoning

67 Say: It is tremendous tidings

68 Whence ye turn away

69 I had no knowledge of the Highest Chiefs when they disputed

70 It is revealed unto me only that I may be a plain warner

71 When thy Lord said unto the angels: Lo! I am about to create a mortal out of mire

72 And when I have fashioned him and breathed into him of My Spirit, then fall down before him prostrate

73 The angels fell down prostrate, every one

74 Saving Iblis; he was scornful and became one of the disbelievers

75 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

76 He said: I am better than him. Thou createdst me of fire, whilst him Thou didst create of clay

77 He said: Go forth from hence, for lo! thou art outcast

78 And lo! My curse is on thee till the Day of Judgment

79 He said: My Lord! Reprieve me till the day when they are raised

80 He said: Lo! thou art of those reprieved

81 Until the day of the time appointed

82 He said: Then, by Thy might, I surely will beguile them every one

83 Save Thy single-minded slaves among them

84 He said: The Truth is, and the Truth I speak

85 That I shall fill hell with thee and with such of them as follow thee, together

86 Say (O Muhammad, unto mankind): I ask of you no fee for this, and I am no simulating

87 Lo! it is naught else than a reminder for all peoples

88 And ye will come in time to know the truth thereof