By those who range themselves in ranks,

And so are strong in repelling (evil),

And thus proclaim the Message (of Allah.!

Verily, verily, your Allah is one!-

Lord of the heavens and of the earth and all between them, and Lord of every point at the rising of the sun!

We have indeed decked the lower heaven with beauty (in) the stars,-

(For beauty) and for guard against all obstinate rebellious evil spirits,

(So) they should not strain their ears in the direction of the Exalted Assembly but be cast away from every side,

Repulsed, for they are under a perpetual penalty,

Except such as snatch away something by stealth, and they are pursued by a flaming fire, of piercing brightness.

Just ask their opinion: are they the more difficult to create, or the (other) beings We have created? Them have We created out of a sticky clay!

Truly dost thou marvel, while they ridicule,

And, when they are admonished, pay no heed,-

And, when they see a Sign, turn it to mockery,

And say, "This is nothing but evident sorcery!

"What! when we die, and become dust and bones, shall we (then) be raised up (again)

"And also our fathers of old?"

Say thou: "Yea, and ye shall then be humiliated (on account of your evil)."

Then it will be a single (compelling) cry; and behold, they will begin to see!

They will say, "Ah! Woe to us! This is the Day of Judgment!"

(A voice will say,) "This is the Day of Sorting Out, whose truth ye (once) denied!"

"Bring ye up", it shall be said, "The wrong-doers and their wives, and the things they worshipped-

"Besides Allah, and lead them to the Way to the (Fierce) Fire!

"But stop them, for they must be asked:

"'What is the matter with you that ye help not each other?'"

Nay, but that day they shall submit (to Judgment);

And they will turn to one another, and question one another.

They will say: "It was ye who used to come to us from the right hand (of power and authority)!"

They will reply: "Nay, ye yourselves had no Faith!

"Nor had we any authority over you. Nay, it was ye who were a people in obstinate rebellion!

"So now has been proved true, against us, the word of our Lord that we shall indeed (have to) taste (the punishment of our sins).

"We led you astray: for truly we were ourselves astray."

Truly, that Day, they will (all) share in the Penalty.

Verily that is how We shall deal with Sinners.

For they, when they were told that there is no god except Allah, would puff themselves up with Pride,

And say: "What! shall we give up our gods for the sake of a Poet possessed?"

Nay! he has come with the (very) Truth, and he confirms (the Message of) the apostles (before him).

Ye shall indeed taste of the Grievous Penalty;-

But it will be no more than the retribution of (the Evil) that ye have wrought;-

But the sincere (and devoted) Servants of Allah,-

For them is a Sustenance determined,

Fruits (Delights); and they (shall enjoy) honour and dignity,

In Gardens of Felicity,

Facing each other on Thrones (of Dignity):

Round will be passed to them a Cup from a clear-flowing fountain,

Crystal-white, of a taste delicious to those who drink (thereof),

Free from headiness; nor will they suffer intoxication therefrom.

And besides them will be chaste women, restraining their glances, with big eyes (of wonder and beauty).

As if they were (delicate) eggs closely guarded.

Then they will turn to one another and question one another.

One of them will start the talk and say: "I had an intimate companion (on the earth),

"Who used to say, 'what! art thou amongst those who bear witness to the Truth (of the Message)?

"'When we die and become dust and bones, shall we indeed receive rewards and punishments?'"

(A voice) said: "Would ye like to look down?"

He looked down and saw him in the midst of the Fire.

He said: "By Allah. thou wast little short of bringing me to perdition!

"Had it not been for the Grace of my Lord, I should certainly have been among those brought (there)!

"Is it (the case) that we shall not die,

"Except our first death, and that we shall not be punished?"

Verily this is the supreme achievement!

For the like of this let all strive, who wish to strive.

Is that the better entertainment or the Tree of Zaqqum?

For We have truly made it (as) a trial for the wrong-doers.

For it is a tree that springs out of the bottom of Hell-Fire:

The shoots of its fruit-stalks are like the heads of devils:

Truly they will eat thereof and fill their bellies therewith.

Then on top of that they will be given a mixture made of boiling water.

Then shall their return be to the (Blazing) Fire.

Truly they found their fathers on the wrong Path;

So they (too) were rushed down on their footsteps!

And truly before them, many of the ancients went astray;-

But We sent aforetime, among them, (apostles) to admonish them;-

Then see what was the end of those who were admonished (but heeded not),-

Except the sincere (and devoted) Servants of Allah.

(In the days of old), Noah cried to Us, and We are the best to hear prayer.

And We delivered him and his people from the Great Calamity,

And made his progeny to endure (on this earth);

And We left (this blessing) for him among generations to come in later times:

"Peace and salutation to Noah among the nations!"

Thus indeed do we reward those who do right.

For he was one of our believing Servants.

Then the rest we overwhelmed in the Flood.

Verily among those who followed his Way was Abraham.

Behold! he approached his Lord with a sound heart.

Behold! he said to his father and to his people, "What is that which ye worship?

"Is it a falsehood- gods other than Allah. that ye desire?

"Then what is your idea about the Lord of the worlds?"

Then did he cast a glance at the Stars.

And he said, "I am indeed sick (at heart)!"

So they turned away from him, and departed.

Then did he turn to their gods and said, "will ye not eat (of the offerings before you)?...

"What is the matter with you that ye speak not (intelligently)?"

Then did he turn upon them, striking (them) with the right hand.

Then came (the worshippers) with hurried steps, and faced (him).

He said: "Worship ye that which ye have (yourselves) carved?

"But Allah has created you and your handwork!"

They said, "Build him a furnace, and throw him into the blazing fire!"

(This failing), they then sought a stratagem against him, but We made them the ones most humiliated!

He said: "I will go to my Lord! He will surely guide me!

"O my Lord! Grant me a righteous (son)!"

So We gave him the good news of a boy ready to suffer and forbear.

Then, when (the son) reached (the age of) (serious) work with him, he said: "O my son! I see in vision that I offer thee in sacrifice: Now see what is thy view!" (The son) said: "O my father! Do as thou art commanded: thou will find me, if Allah so wills one practising Patience and Constancy!"

So when they had both submitted their wills (to Allah., and he had laid him prostrate on his forehead (for sacrifice),

We called out to him "O Abraham!

"Thou hast already fulfilled the vision!" - thus indeed do We reward those who do right.

For this was obviously a trial-

And We ransomed him with a momentous sacrifice:

And We left (this blessing) for him among generations (to come) in later times:

"Peace and salutation to Abraham!"

Thus indeed do We reward those who do right.

For he was one of our believing Servants.

And We gave him the good news of Isaac - a prophet,- one of the Righteous.

We blessed him and Isaac: but of their progeny are (some) that do right, and (some) that obviously do wrong, to their own souls.

Again (of old) We bestowed Our favour on Moses and Aaron,

And We delivered them and their people from (their) Great Calamity;

And We helped them, so they overcame (their troubles);

And We gave them the Book which helps to make things clear;

And We guided them to the Straight Way.

And We left (this blessing) for them among generations (to come) in later times:

"Peace and salutation to Moses and Aaron!"

Thus indeed do We reward those who do right.

For they were two of our believing Servants.

So also was Elias among those sent (by Us).

Behold, he said to his people, "Will ye not fear ((Allah))?

"Will ye call upon Baal and forsake the Best of Creators,-

"(Allah), your Lord and Cherisher and the Lord and Cherisher of your fathers of old?"

But they rejected him, and they will certainly be called up (for punishment),-

Except the sincere and devoted Servants of Allah (among them).

And We left (this blessing) for him among generations (to come) in later times:

"Peace and salutation to such as Elias!"

Thus indeed do We reward those who do right.

For he was one of our believing Servants.