English - Chapter 23 - Al-Muminun

The true believers are the ones really successful

Those who pray with humility

And shun vulgarity

And discharge their obligation of ´zakat´

Those who (guard their chastity and) rein in their sexual urges

Except with their wives and those their right hands possess. For that, they deserve no blame

But, whoever lusts after anything beyond that is a transgressor

(And those) who honor their pacts and the trusts (held by them)

And those who maintain their ´salat´ watchfully

Such (believers) will be the heirs

They shall inherit the paradise where they shall live for ever

Certainly, We have created man from strands of clay

Then We made him into a drop (of sperm) lodged in an environment of stability

Next, We turned that drop of semen into a clot of blood and then changed that clot into a chunk of flesh. Next, We hardened that chunk of flesh into bones, and clothed the bones with flesh. Finally, We converted it into an altogether different being. Therefore, glorify Allah, the Best of the creators

Eventually, you would certainly die

And then, you will certainly be resurrected on the Day of Judgment

And surely, We have created seven systems (of heavens) over you. We are definitely not unmindful of the creation

We sent down water from the sky in measured amounts, and stored it in the land. We certainly have the ability to make it run dry

With it, We grow orchards of dates and grapes. You get plenty of fruits from the orchard as your livelihood

(We also produce) the oil tree that grows on Mount Sinai. It yields oil and makes a delicious meal

Indeed, there are lessons for you in your cattle, too. From their bodies We fetch you a drink (milk). You gain many benefits from them. You eat them, too

You mount them, and go aboard ships (over land and sea)

We surely sent Nooh towards his nation and he said, "Oh my people! Worship Allah! You have no god besides Him. Why do you not fear Him

But the elders, the leaders of his disbelieving nation said, "He is just a human like you, and he seeks dominance over you. Had Allah wanted, He would have sent angels. Never have we heard this from our forefathers

He is merely a man possessed. So just watch him for a while

He said, "Lord, help me against them. They have accused me of lying

Thus, We inspired him, "Build an ark under My supervision and instructions. When the floodwater comes bubbling out of the oven, bring on board a pair of each animal _ male and female, and also your family. But not those about whom Our word has already gone forth. Do not talk to Me about the evil doers! They shall all drown

When you and those with you have embarked, say, "All praise is for Allah Who saved us from the evil nation

Say, "Oh Lord, bring us ashore to a blessed land. You are the Best among those who lead ashore

In it, surely, is a sign. We are the One Who puts you through tests

After them, We raised another nation

We raised, from amongst their own, a messenger who said, "Worship Allah! You have no god besides Him! Why do you not fear Him

The elders and the leaders of his disbelieving nation who denied the (scheduled) meeting of the afterlife _ and whom We had granted luxuries in this life _ said, "He is only a man like you. He eats and drinks the same as you do

And, you will of course be the losers if you follow a man like yourself

Does he assert that after you die and become dust and bones you will rise (and live) again

What you are being promised is quite far fetched! Quite remote

Nothing but our existence in this world is real. Here is where we live and die; and we are not going to be resurrected

This man has merely invented a lie about Allah! We do not believe him

(The messenger) said, "Lord, help me! They have called me a liar

(Allah) said, "In a short while, they shall cut a sorry figure

Quite appropriately, a mighty blast seized them, and We churned them into trash. Thus, the nation of evildoers was dumped away

Then, after them We raised other nations

No nation can expedite its allotted time, nor prolong it

Then, We sent many messengers in succession. Every nation rejected their messenger when he came to them. So, We let them follow one after the other along the path of destruction. We reduced them to fables and folk tales. Any nation that refused to believe was tossed aside

Then, We sent Musa and his brother Haroon with Our signs, the clear and unmistakable proofs

To the pharaoh and his chiefs! But they displayed arrogance. They were a pretentious nation

They said, "Shall We believe these two men _ humans like us? Their people are our slaves

So they refused to believe (the messengers) and were destroyed

We certainly gave Musa the book, so that they may find their way

We deemed Jesus and his mother to be a test. We sheltered them on a plateau _ a peaceful place with a flowing stream

Oh messengers! Eat the wholesome food and perform the righteous acts. Indeed, I am well Aware of what you do

Surely, this nation of yours is a single nation and I am your Lord. So fear Me

But they divided up their religion into sects _ each one well pleased with its own beliefs

So, let them stay engrossed in their pastime for a while longer

What do they think? That when We increase their wealth and family

Are We rushing to bestow favors upon them? Of course not! They just don´t realize

Indeed, those who fear their Lord with anxiety and awe

And acknowledge the signs of their Lord

And do not associate partners with Him

And those who give charity _ whatever they can; their hearts tremble at the thought of returning to their Lord

They are the ones rushing towards all deeds of excellence, and they are the ones who surpass (excellence)

We do not burden anyone over and above his ability to bear. We have the book that declares everything truthfully. They shall not be wronged

But their hearts reeked of indifference (for the truth) and their deeds were different (from those of the believers). They carried on with their deeds

Until We grabbed their well-to-do (those living in luxury) with punishment. Then suddenly, they began to plead and entreat earnestly

Today, do not beg! Indeed, you shall receive no help from Me

My verses used to be read to you, but you used to turn your backs on them in disdain

You were arrogant! And during your night time escapades, you used to talk ill (of Our verses)

Did they not ponder upon the words (of Allah) at all? Did the messenger bring any thing that hadn´t ever come to their forefathers

Or is it that they do not know the messenger and therefore they reject

Or do they think he is mentally ill? Of course not! He has brought to them the absolute truth, but most of them have an aversion to the truth

Had the truth been made to follow their whims, the heavens and the earth and everything thereon would be ravaged and ruined. No, We have really brought them a reminder about their own selves. But, they are turning away from the narration about themselves

Or do you charge them a fee? The reward of your Lord is far better! He is the Best of the providers

Certainly! You are definitely calling them towards the straight path

And of course those who do not believe in the afterlife desire to drift away from that path

We may have mercy upon them and remove the distress afflicting them, but obstinately they continue to rove about in defiance

Indeed, We did grab them with distress, but they failed to surrender and adopt humility

Until We let loose upon them the severe torment! Then suddenly, they will lose all hope and wail in despair

It is He Who granted you the hearing, the sight and the heart (to feel and understand)! But seldom do you offer thanks

It is He Who scattered you on the earth; and you will be gathered together in His presence (again)

It is He Who gives life and death, and the changing of the night and the day is his (handiwork). Do you then, not understand

But in fact, their remarks are identical to those of their forerunners _ (the unbelievers of earlier times)

(They say) "Really? Will we really come back to life after we die and have become dust and bones

Of course in the past, too, the exact same promise was made to our parents and us. These are nothing but tales of people gone by

Say, "(Answer me this) if you know at all! To whom belongs this earth and everyone on it

They will respond, "Allah!" Say, "Then, do you not bear that in mind

Ask them, "Who is the Lord of the seven heavens, and who is the Lord of the Mighty Throne

They will say, "Allah!" Say, "Then, do you not fear Him

Say, "(Answer this), if you know at all! In whose hands is the destiny of all things? Who offers protection? And from whom there exists no escape

They will reply, "Allah!" Say, "Why then, are you being deceived

We did disclose the truth to them! But of course, they are the liars

Allah did not adopt a son. Nor is there another god along with Him. Else, each god would draw his creation apart and withdraw. Each would attempt to overwhelm the other. Exalted is Allah, far above what they say about Him

He knows the unseen and the manifest. And He is a lot loftier than those they associate with Him (as partners)

Say, "My Lord, in case You let me be the witness to the torment they have been promised

My Lord, do not let me be a part of the evil nation

We are indeed perfectly capable of letting you witness the punishment with which We have threatened them

(Oh messenger), rid the evil with that which is better! We are very well aware of what they utter

And say, "My Lord, I seek refuge with You against the evil promptings of the Shaitans

And I seek refuge with You, my Lord, so that they may not even come close (to me)

And when death comes to anyone of them, he will say, "My Lord, send me back

To the place I left behind! Perhaps, I will do good deeds (this time around)." Definitely not! These are mere words he utters. A barrier behind the dead (preventing their return to this life) shall exist till the day of their resurrection

Then, all links of kinship between them shall cease on that day. The day the trumpet sounds, they will not inquire about one another

Those whose scales (of good deeds) weigh heavier shall be successful

While the ones whose scales (of good deeds) weigh lighter have incurred for themselves a severe loss. In hell, they shall stay forever

Fire will scorch their faces. There, they will be gloomy and grave

Isn´t it true that My verses were recited to you, but you used to reject them

They will say, "Our Lord, our woes got the better of us. We are indeed, a blundering people

Our Lord! Take us out of here, if we ever commit (the same) again, we would really be evil

Allah will say, "Enough of that! Stay in it, and do not talk to Me anymore

Indeed, a group of Our servants used to pray, "Our Lord, We believe! Forgive us and have mercy upon us. You are the very Best of those who shower mercy

But you made them targets of ridicule. You mocked and scoffed at them with such intensity that it even made you forget Me (and My message)

Today I have rewarded them for their patience and perseverance! Indeed, they are the successful ones

Allah will ask, "How many years did you stay on earth

They shall reply, "We stayed only a day or part of a day. Ask those who are (given the task of) maintaining accounts

Allah will say, "You stayed for just a short while! If you had only realized

Did you think that We created you in vain? And that you will never be brought back to Us (for reckoning)

Exalted is Allah, the real Emperor! There is no god but He, the Lord of the Supreme Throne

Anyone who calls any other god besides Allah _ and for such an act he has no explanation _ will have to reckon with Allah. Surely, such unbelievers never succeed

And say, "My Lord, grant forgiveness and have mercy! Indeed, You are the very Best of those who shower mercy