The Believers 23

Or know they not their messenger, and so reject him?

Or say they: There is a madness in him? Nay, but he bringeth them the Truth; and most of them are haters of the Truth.

And if the Truth had followed their desires, verily the heavens and the earth and whosoever is therein had been corrupted. Nay, We have brought them their Reminder, but from their Reminder they now turn away.

Or dost thou ask of them (O Muhammad) any tribute? But the bounty of thy Lord is better, for He is Best of all who make provision.

And lo! thou summonest them indeed unto a straight path.

And lo! those who believe not in the Hereafter are indeed astray from the path.

Though We had mercy on them and relieved them of the harm afflicting them, they still would wander blindly on in their contumacy.

Already have We grasped them with punishment, but they humble not themselves unto their Lord, nor do they pray,

Until, when We open for them the gate of extreme punishment, behold! they are aghast thereat.

He it is Who hath created for you ears and eyes and hearts. Small thanks give ye!

And He it is Who hath sown you broadcast in the earth, and unto Him ye will be gathered.

And He it is Who giveth life and causeth death, and His is the difference of night and day. Have ye then no sense?

Nay, but they say the like of that which said the men of old;

They say: When we are dead and have become (mere) dust and bones, shall we then, forsooth, be raised again?

We were already promised this, we and our forefathers. Lo! this is naught but fables of the men of old.

Say: Unto Whom (belongeth) the earth and whosoever is therein, if ye have knowledge?

They will say: Unto Allah. Say: Will ye not then remember?

Say: Who is Lord of the seven heavens, and Lord of the Tremendous Throne?

They will say: Unto Allah (all that belongeth). Say: Will ye not then keep duty (unto Him)?

Say: In Whose hand is the dominion over all things and He protecteth, while against Him there is no protection, if ye have knowledge?

They will say: Unto Allah (all that belongeth). Say: How then are ye bewitched?

Nay, but We have brought them the Truth, and lo! they are liars.

Allah hath not chosen any son, nor is there any god along with Him; else would each god have assuredly championed that which he created, and some of them would assuredly have overcome others. Glorified be Allah above all that they allege.

Knower of the Invisible and the Visible! and Exalted be He over all that they ascribe as partners (unto Him)!

Say: My Lord! If Thou shouldst show me that which they are promised.

My Lord! then set me not among the wrongdoing folk.

And verily We are Able to show thee that which We have promised them.

Repel evil with that which is better. We are Best Aware of that which they allege.

And say: My Lord! I seek refuge in Thee from suggestions of the evil ones,

And I seek refuge in Thee, my Lord, lest they be present with me,

Until, when death cometh unto one of them, he saith: My Lord! Send me back,

That I may do right in that which I have left behind! But nay! It is but a word that he speaketh; and behind them is a barrier until the day when they are raised.

And when the trumpet is blown there will be no kinship among them that day, nor will they ask of one another.

Then those whose scales are heavy, they are the successful.

And those whose scales are light are those who lose their souls, in hell abiding.

The fire burneth their faces, and they are glum therein.

(It will be said): Were not My revelations recited unto you, and then ye used to deny them?

They will say: Our Lord! Our evil fortune conquered us, and we were erring folk.

Our Lord! Oh, bring us forth from hence! If we return (to evil) then indeed we shall be wrong-doers.

He saith: Begone therein, and speak not unto Me.

Lo! there was a party of My slaves who said: Our Lord! We believe, therefor forgive us and have mercy on us for Thou art Best of all who show mercy;

But ye chose them for a laughing-stock until they caused you to forget remembrance of Me, while ye laughed at them.

Lo! I have rewarded them this day forasmuch as they were steadfast in that they, even they, are the triumphant.

He will say: How long tarried ye in the earth, counting by years?

They will say: We tarried by a day or part of a day. Ask of those who keep count!

He will say: Ye tarried but a little if ye only knew.

Deemed ye then that We had created you for naught, and that ye would not be returned unto Us?

Now Allah be Exalted, the True King! There is no God save Him, the Lord of the Throne of Grace.

He who crieth unto any other god along with Allah hath no proof thereof. His reckoning is only with his Lord. Lo! disbelievers will not be successful.

And (O Muhammad) say: My Lord! Forgive and have mercy, for Thou art Best of all who show mercy.