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Asad, Surah 26: The Poets (Ash-Shu'araa)

Surahs

[1] Ta. Sin, Mim.

[2] THESE ARE MESSAGES of the divine writ, clear in itself and clearly showing the truth!

[3] Wouldst thou, perhaps, torment thyself to death [with grief] because they [who live around thee] refuse to believe [in it]?

[4] Had We so willed, We could have sent down unto them a message from the skies, so that their necks would [be forced to] bow down before it in humility.

[5] [But We have not willed it:] and so, whenever there comes unto them any fresh reminder from the Most Gracious, they [who are blind of heart] always - turn their backs upon it:

[6] thus, indeed, have they given the lie (to this message as well). But [in time] they will come to understand what it was that they were wont to deride!

[7] Have they, then, never considered the earth - how much of every noble kind [of life] We have caused to grow thereon?

[8] In this, behold, there is a message [unto men], even though most of them will not believe [in it].

[9] But, verily, thy Sustainer - He alone - is almighty, a dispenser of grace!

[10] HENCE, [remember how it was] when thy Sustainer summoned Moses: “Go unto those evil doing people.

[11] the people of Pharaoh, who refuse to be conscious of Me!”

[12] He answered: “O my Sustainer! Behold, I fear that they will give me the lie,

[13] and then my breast will be straitened and my tongue will not be free: send, then, [this Thy command] to Aaron.

[14] Moreover, they keep a grave charge [pending] against me, and I fear that they will slay me.”

[15] Said He: “Not so, indeed! Go forth, then, both of you, with Our messages: verify, We shall be with you, listening [to your call]!

[16] And go, both of you, unto Pharaoh and say, ‘Behold, we bear a message from the Sustainer of all the worlds:

[17] Let the children of Israel go with us!’”

[18] [But when Moses had delivered his message, Pharaoh] said: “Did we not bring thee up among us when thou wert a child? And didst thou not spend among us years of thy [later] life?

[19] And yet thou didst commit that [heinous] deed of thine, and [hast thus shown that] thou art one of the ingrate!”

[20] Replied [Moses]: “I committed it while I was still going astray;

[21] and I fled from you because I feared you. But [since] then my Sustainer has endowed me with the ability to judge [between right and wrong], and has made me one of [His] message-bearers.

[22] And [as for] that favour of which thou so tauntingly remindest me - [was it not] due to thy having enslaved the children of Israel?”

[23] Said Pharaoh: “And what [and who] is that ‘Sustainer of all the worlds’?”

[24] [Moses] answered: “[He is] the Sustainer of the heavens and the earth and all that is between them: if you would but [allow yourselves to] be convinced!”

[25] Said [Pharaoh] unto those around him: “Did you hear [what he said]?”

[26] [And Moses] continued: “[He is] your Sustainer, [too,] as well as the Sustainer of your forefathers of old!”

[27] [Pharaoh] exclaimed: “Behold, [this] your ‘apostle’ who [claims that he] has been sent unto you is mad indeed!

[28] [But Moses] went on: “[He of whom I speak is] the Sustainer of the east and the west and of all that is between the two”- as you would know] if you would but use your reason!”

[29] Said [Pharaoh]: “Indeed, if thou choose to worship any deity other than me, I shall most certainly throw thee into prison!

[30] Said he: “Even if I should bring about before thee something that clearly shows the truth?”

[31] [Pharaoh] answered: “Produce it, then, if thou art a man of truth!”

[32] Thereupon [Moses] threw down his staff - and lo! it was a serpent, plainly visible;

[33] and he drew forth his hand - and lo! it appeared [shining] white to the beholders.

[34] Said [pharaoh] unto the great ones around him: “Verily, this is indeed a sorcerer of great knowledge

[35] who wants to drive you out of your land by his sorcery. What, then, do you advise?”

[36] They answered: “Let him and his brother wait a while, and send unto all cities heralds

[37] who shall assemble before thee all sorcerers of great knowledge”

[38] And so the sorcerers were assembled at a set time on a certain day,

[39] and the people were asked: Are you all present,

[40] so that we might follow [in the footsteps of] the sorcerers if it is they who prevail?”

[41] Now when the sorcerers came, they said unto Pharaoh: “Verily, we ought to have a great reward if it is we who prevail.

[42] Answered he: “Yea - and, verily, in that case you shall be among those who are near unto me.

[43] [And] Moses said unto them: “Throw whatever you are going to throw!”

[44] Thereupon they threw their [magic ropes and their staffs, and said: “By Pharaoh’s might, behold, it is we indeed who have prevailed!”

[45] [But] then Moses threw his staff - and lo! it swallowed up all their deceptions.

[46] And down fell the sorcerers, prostrating themselves in adoration,

[47] [and] exclaimed: “We have come to believe in the Sustainer of all the worlds,

[48] the Sustainer of Moses and Aaron!”

[49] Said [Pharaoh]: “Have you come to believe in him ere I have given you permission? Verily, he must be your master who has taught you magic! But in time you shall come to know [my revenge]: most certainly shall I cut off your hands and your feet in great numbers, because of [your] perverseness, and shall most certainly crucify you in great numbers, all together!”

[50] They answered: “No harm [canst thou do to us]: verily, unto our Sustainer do we turn!

[51] Behold, we [but] ardently desire that our Sustainer forgive us our faults in return for our having been foremost among the believers!”

[52] AND [there came a time when] We inspired Moses thus: “Go forth with My servants by night: for, behold, you will he pursued!”

[53] And Pharaoh sent heralds unto all cities,

[54] [bidding them to call out his troops and to proclaim:] “Behold, these [children of Israel] are but a contemptible band;

[55] but they are indeed filled with hatred of us

[56] seeing that we are, verily, a nation united, fully prepared against danger –

[57] and so we have [rightly] driven them out of [their] gardens and springs,

[58] and [deprived them of their erstwhile] station of honour!”

[59] Thus it was: but [in the course of time] We were to bestow all these [things] as a heritage on the children of Israel.

[60] And so [the Egyptians] caught up with them at sunrise;

[61] and as soon as the two hosts came in sight of one another, the followers of Moses exclaimed: “Behold, we shall certainly be overtaken [and defeated]!”

[62] He replied: Nay indeed! My Sustainer is with me, [and] He will guide me!”

[63] Thereupon We inspired Moses thus: Strike the sea with thy staff!”- whereupon it parted, and each part appeared like a mountain vast.

[64] And We caused the pursuers to draw near unto that place:

[65] and We saved Moses and all who were with him,

[66] and then We caused the others to drown.

[67] In this [story] behold, there is a message [unto all men], even though most of them will not believe [in it].

[68] And yet, verily, thy Sustainer - He alone - is almighty, a dispenser of grace!

[69] And convey unto them the story of Abraham –

[70] [how it was] when he asked his father and his people, “What is it that you worship?”

[71] They answered: We worship idols, and we remain ever devoted to them.”

[72] Said he: “Do [you really think that] they hear you when you invoke them,

[73] or benefit you or do you harm?”

[74] They exclaimed: But we found our forefathers doing the same!”

[75] Said [Abraham]: “Have you, then, ever considered what it is that you have been worshipping

[76] you and those ancient forebears of yours?

[77] “Now [as for me, I know that,] verily, these [false deities] are my enemies, [and that none is my helper] save the Sustainer of all the worlds,

[78] who has created me and is the One who guides me,

[79] and is the One who gives me to eat and to drink,

[80] and when I fall ill, is the One who restores me to health,

[81] and who will cause me to die and then will bring me back to life –

[82] and who, [hope, will forgive me my faults on Judgment Day!

[83] “O my Sustainer! Endow me with the ability to judge [between right and wrong], and make me one with the righteous,

[84] and grant me the power to convey the truth unto those who will come after me,

[85] and place me among those who shall inherit the garden of bliss!

[86] “And forgive my father - for, verily, he is among those who have gone astray –

[87] and do not put me to shame on the Day when all shall be raised from the dead:

[88] the Day on which neither wealth will be of any use, nor children,

[89] [and when] only he [will be happy] who comes before God with a heart free of evil!”

[90] For, [on that Day,] paradise will be brought within sight of the God-conscious,

[91] whereas the blazing fire will be laid open before those who had been lost in grievous error;

[92] and they will be asked: “Where now is all that you were wont to worship

[93] instead of God? Can these [things and beings] be of any help to you or to themselves?”

[94] Thereupon they will be hurled into hell – they, as well as all [others] who had been lost in grievous error,

[95] and the hosts of Iblis - all together.

[96] And there and then, blaming one another, they [who had grievously sinned in life] will exclaim:

[97] “By God, we were most obviously astray

[98] when we deemed you [false deities] equal to the Sustainer of all the worlds –

[99] yet they who have seduced us [into believing in you] are the truly guilty ones!

[100] And now we have none to intercede for us,

[101] nor any loving friend.

[102] Would that we had a second chance [in life], so that we could be among the believers!”

[103] In all this, behold, there is a message [unto men], even though most of them will not believe [in it].

[104] But, verily, thy Sustainer - He alone - is almighty, a dispenser of grace!

[105] The people of Noah [too] gave the lie to [one of God’s] message-bearers

[106] when their brother Noah said unto them: “Will you not be conscious of God?

[107] Behold, I am an apostle [sent by Him] to you, [and therefore] worthy of your trust:

[108] be, then, conscious of God, and pay heed unto me!

[109] “And no reward whatever do I ask of you for it: my reward rests with none but the Sustainer of all the worlds.

[110] Hence, remain conscious of God, and pay heed unto me!”

[111] They answered: “Shall we place our faith in thee, even though [only] the most abject [of people] follow thee?”

[112] Said he: “And what knowledge could I have as to what they were doing [before they came to me]?

[113] Their reckoning rests with none but my Sustainer: if you could but understand [this]!

[114] Hence, I shall not drive away [any of] those [who profess to be] believers;

[115] I am nothing but a plain warner.”

[116] Said they: “Indeed, if thou desist not, O Noah, thou wilt surely be stoned to death!”

[117] [Whereupon] he prayed: “O my Sustainer! Behold, my people have given me the lie:

[118] hence, lay Thou wide open the truth between me and them, and save me and those of the believers who are with me!”

[119] And so We saved him and those [who were] with him in the fully-laden ark,

[120] and then We caused those who stayed behind to drown.

[121] In this [story], behold, there is a message [unto men], even though most of them will not believe [in it].

[122] But, verily, thy Sustainer - He alone - is almighty, a dispenser of grace

[123] [AND the tribe of] Ad gave the lie to [one of God’s] message-bearers

[124] when their brother Hud said unto them: “Will you not be conscious of God?

[125] Behold, I am an apostle [sent by Him] to you, [and therefore] worthy of your trust:

[126] be, then, conscious of God, and pay heed unto me!

[127] “And no reward whatever do I ask of you for it: my reward rests with none but the Sustainer of all the worlds.

[128] “Will you, in your wanton folly, build [idolatrous] altars on every height,

[129] and make for yourselves mighty castles, [hoping] that you might become immortal?

[130] And will you [always], whenever you lay hand [on others], lay hand [on them] cruelly, without any restraint?

[131] “Be, then, conscious of God and pay heed unto me:

[132] and [thus] be conscious of Him who has [so] amply provided you with all [the good] that you might think of

[133] amply provided you with flocks, and children,

[134] and gardens, and springs -:

[135] for, verily, I fear lest suffering befall you on an awesome day!”

[136] [But] they answered. “It is all one to us whether thou preachest [something new] or art not of those who [like to] preach.

[137] This [religion of ours] is none other than that to which our forebears clung,

[138] and we are not going to be chastised [for adhering to it]!”

[139] And so they gave him the lie: and thereupon We destroyed them. In this [story], behold, there is a message [unto men], even though most of them will not believe [in it].

[140] But, verily, thy Sustainer - He alone - is almighty, a dispenser of grace!

[141] [AND the tribe of] Thamud gave the lie to [one of God’s] message-hearers

[142] when their brother Salih said unto them: “Will you not be conscious of God?

[143] Behold, I am an apostle [sent by Him] to you, [and therefore] worthy of your trust:

[144] be, then, conscious of God, and pay heed unto me!

[145] “And no reward whatever do I ask of you for it: my reward rests with none but the Sustainer of all the worlds.

[146] “Do you think that you will be left secure [forever] in the midst of what you have here and now?

[147] amidst [these] gardens and springs

[148] and fields, and [these] palm-trees with slender spathes? –

[149] and that you will [always be able to] hew dwellings out of the mountains with [the same] great skill?”

[150] “Be, then, conscious of God, and pay heed unto me,

[151] and pay no heed to the counsel of those who are given to excesses –

[152] those who spread corruption on earth instead of setting things to rights!”

[153] Said they: “Thou art but one of the bewitched!

[154] Thou art nothing but a mortal like ourselves! Come, then, forward with a token [of thy mission] if thou art a man of truth!”

[155] Replied he: “This she-camel shall have a share of water, and you shall have a share of water, on the days appointed [therefor];

[156] and do her no harm, lest suffering befall you on an awesome day!”

[157] But they cruelly slaughtered her - and then they had cause to regret it:

[158] for the suffering [predicted by Salih,] befell them [then and there]. In this [story], behold, there is a message [unto men], even though most of them will not believe [in it].

[159] But, verily, thy Sustainer - He alone – is almighty, a dispenser of grace!

[160] [AND] the people of Lot gave the lie to [one of God’s] message-bearers

[161] when their brother Lot said unto them: “Will you not be conscious of God?

[162] Behold, I am an apostle [sent by Him] to you, [and therefore] worthy of your trust:

[163] be, then, conscious of God, and pay heed unto me!

[164] “And no reward whatever do I ask of you for it: my reward rests with none but the Sustainer of all the worlds.

[165] “Must you, of all people, [lustfully] approach men,

[166] keeping yourselves aloof from all the [lawful] spouses whom your Sustainer has created for you? Nay, but you are people who transgress all bounds of what is right!”

[167] Said they: “Indeed, If thou desist not, O Lot, thou wilt most certainly be expelled [from this township]!”

[168] [Lot] exclaimed: “Behold, I am one of those who utterly abhor your doings!”

[169] [And then he prayed:] “O my Sustainer! Save me and my household from all that they are doing!”

[170] Thereupon We saved him and all his household –

[171] all but an old woman, who was among those that stayed behind;

[172] and then We utterly destroyed the others,

[173] and rained down upon them a rain [of destruction]: and dire is such rain upon all who let themselves be warned [to no avail]!

[174] In this [story], behold, there is a message [unto men], even though most of them will not believe [in it].

[175] But, verily, thy Sustainer - He alone - is almighty, a dispenser of grace!

[176] [AND] the dwellers of the wooded dales [of Madyan] gave the lie to [one of God’s] message-bearers

[177] when their brother Shu’ayb said unto them: “Will you not be conscious of God?

[178] Behold, I am an apostle [sent by Him] to you, [and therefore] worthy of your trust:

[179] be, then, conscious of God, and pay heed unto me!

[180] “And no reward whatever do I ask of you for it: my reward rests with none but the Sustainer of all the worlds.

[181] “[Always] give full measure, and be not among those who [unjustly] cause loss [to others];

[182] and [in all your dealings] weigh with a true balance,

[183] and do not deprive people of what is rightfully theirs; and do not act wickedly on earth by spreading corruption,

[184] but be conscious of Him who has created you, just as [He created] those countless generations of old!”

[185] Said they: “Thou art but one of the bewitched,

[186] for thou art nothing but a mortal like ourselves! And, behold, we think that thou art a consummate liar!

[187] Cause, then, fragments of the sky to fall down upon us, if thou art a man of truth!”

[188] Answered [Shu’ayb]: “My Sustainer knows fully well what you are doing.”

[189] But they gave him the lie. And thereupon suffering overtook them on a day dark with shadows: and, verily, it was the suffering of an awesome day!

[190] In this [story], behold, there is a message [unto men], even though most of them will not believe [in it].

[191] But, verily, thy Sustainer - He alone - is almighty, a dispenser of grace!

[192] Now, behold, this [divine writ] has indeed been bestowed from on high by the Sustainer of all the worlds:

[193] trustworthy divine inspiration has alighted with it from on high

[194] upon thy heart, [O Muhammad] so that thou mayest be among those who preach

[195] in the clear Arabic tongue.

[196] And, verily, [the essence of] this [revelation] is indeed found in the ancient books of divine wisdom [as well].

[197] Is it not evidence enough for them that [so many] learned men from among the children of Israel have recognized this [as true]?

[198] But [even] had We bestowed it from on high upon any of the non-Arabs,

[199] and had he recited it unto them [in his own tongue], they would not have believed in it.

[200] Thus have We caused this [message] to pass [unheeded] through the hearts of those who are lost in sin:

[201] they will not believe in it till they behold the grievous suffering

[202] that will come upon them [on resurrection,] all of a sudden, without their being aware [of its approach];

[203] and then they will exclaim, “Could we have a respite?”

[204] Do they, then, [really] wish that Our chastisement be hastened on?

[205] But hast thou ever considered [this]: If We do allow them to enjoy [this life] for some years,

[206] and thereupon that [chastisement] which they were promised befalls them –

[207] of what avail to them will be all their past enjoyments?

[208] And withal, never have We destroyed any community unless it had been warned

[209] and reminded: for, never do We wrong [anyone].

[210] And [this divine writ is such a reminder:] no evil spirits have brought it down:

[211] for, neither does it suit their ends, nor is it in their power [to impart it to man]:

[212] verily, [even] from hearing it are they utterly debarred!

[213] Hence, [O man,] do not invoke any other deity side by side with God, lest thou find thyself among those who are made to suffer [on Judgment Day].

[214] And warn [whomever thou canst reach, beginning with] thy kinsfolk,

[215] and spread the wings of thy tenderness over all of the believers who may follow thee;

[216] but if they disobey thee, say, “I am free of responsibility for aught that you may do!” –

[217] and place thy trust in the Almighty, the Dispenser of Grace,

[218] who sees thee when thou standest [alone],

[219] and [sees] thy behaviour among those who prostrate themselves [before Him]:

[220] for, verily, He alone is all-hearing, all-knowing!

[221] [And] shall I tell you upon whom it is that those evil spirits descend?

[222] They descend upon all sinful self-deceivers

[223] who readily lend ear [to every falsehood], and most of whom lie to others as well.

[224] And as for the poets [they, too, are prone to deceive themselves: and so, only] those who are lost in grievous error would follow them.

[225] Art thou not aware that they roam confusedly through all the valleys [of words and thoughts],

[226] and that they [so often] say what they do not do [or feel]?

[227] [Most of them are of this kind] save those who have attained to faith, and do righteous deeds, and remember God unceasingly, and defend themselves [only] after having been wronged, and [trust in God’s promise that] those who are bent on wrongdoing will in time come to know how evil a turn their destinies are bound to take!