English - Chapter 43 - Az-Zukhruf

Ha-mim

By the Book that makes things clear

We have made it a Qur'an [reading material] in Arabic, so that you understand

And it is indeed in the Mother Book with Us, certainly [with contents] of the highest order and wisdom

Should We then keep the divine Message away from you altogether as you are a people steeped in transgression

And how many of the prophets did We send amongst the ancient peoples

And no prophet did ever come to them but they mocked at him

And We destroyed those that were stronger in power than these. And gone were the likes of the ancient peoples

And were you to question them, `Who created the heavens and the earth?' they would surely reply, `the Omnipotent, the All-knowing did surely create them

The One Who has made the earth spread out for you, and has made therein ways for you to travel by

And the One Who sends down rain from the sky in due measure. And We raise to life therewith a land that is dead. You too will be raised likewise (when you are dead)

And the One Who has created all things in pairs, and has made ships and cattle for you to ride on

So that you may mount on their backs, and then remember your Lord's favour, while so mounted, and say, "Glory to Him Who has made these subservient to us, and we could never have done this by ourselves

And to our Lord, indeed, must we turn back

And they created partners for Him from amongst His subjects! Man is certainly indeed openly ungrateful [to his Lord]

Has He taken daughters out of what He himself creates, and chosen sons for you

And when news is given to anyone of them of the birth of one [daughter] like what he allots [in a display of pernicious audacity] to the Gracious One, his face becomes darkened with suppressed anger

[The man given the news of a daughter born to him thinks, "Am I now saddled with an offspring] to be brought up in jewellery?" And he lapses into a dilemma [whether to keep the child alive or kill her. Refer Verses]

And they make angels, who themselves are subjects of the Gracious One, into females. Did they witness their creation? Their evidence will be recorded, and they will be questioned

And they say, "Had the Gracious One so willed, we should not have worshipped them (deities)!" They have no knowledge thereof. Indeed, they do nothing but lie

Had We given them a Writ before this, to which they are holding fast?h

But they say, "We did find our fathers following certain community rites, and we do indeed follow in their footsteps

And, just the same way, We did never send a Warner before you to any people, but the affluent among them said, "We did find our fathers following certain community rites, and we do indeed emulate them

He [the Warner] said, "How could you emulate them even when I brought you better guidance than that which you found your fathers following?" They said, "We do indeed deny that you are sent with any divine message at all

We then penalised them. And see what end the liars met with

And when Abraham said to his father and his people, "I do indeed have nothing to do with what you worship

(I do worship none) but Him Who made me, and He will certainly guide me

And He [Allah] made it [what Abraham said] an enduring statement among those who came after him, that they may turn back [to Allah]

Nevertheless, I did give means of livelihood to these and to their fathers, until the Truth came to them, and a Messenger manifest

And when the Truth came to them, they said, "This is deceptive magic, and we do indeed reject it

And they say, "Why is not this Qur'aan sent down to some leading man in either of the two cities

Is it they who apportion the Mercy of your Lord? It is We Who apportion among them their livelihood in the life of this world! And We raise some of them above others in rank, so that some may take service from others. And the Mercy of your Lord is better than the worldly wealth they amass

And were it not that mankind might all go the same (evil) way, We would provide, for everyone that becomes ungrateful towards the Gracious One, silver roofs — and staircases by which to go up — for their houses

And for their houses doors, and couches on which they could recline

And adornments of gold. And all these are nothing but conveniences of the present life. And the Hereafter, with your Lord, is for the Righteous

If anyone turns away from remembrance of the Gracious One, We appoint for him a devil to be a companion to him

And the devils do certainly indeed hinder them from the Path, and they think they are being guided aright

Ultimately, when (such a one that turns away from Allah) comes to Us, he says (to the devil appointed as his companion), "Would that I and you were as far apart as the two Easts are!" And a wretched companion is that devil

And the Day of Resurrection shall have nothing good for you when you have been wicked. Instead, you shall join others in getting punished

Can you then make the deaf to hear, or show the way to the blind or to one gone far astray

Even if We take you away, We shall not fail to exact retribution from them

Or We shall show you what We have promised them; for, indeed, they are completely under our control

So hold fast to the Revelation sent down to you. You are indeed on the Straight Path

And it (the Qur'an) is certainly indeed the divine Message for you and for your people. And soon shall you (all) be brought to account

And ask our Messengers whom We sent before you, "Did We appoint any deities, other than the Gracious One, to be worshipped

And We did send Moses, with Our Signs, to Pharaoh and his Chiefs: He [Moses] said, "I am a Messenger of the Lord of the Worlds

Then when he came to them with Our Signs, they ridiculed those Signs

And We showed them not any Sign but that which was better than the one preceding. And We seized them with Punishment, so that they turn to Us

And they said, "O you magician! Invoke thy Lord for us since He has a covenant with you. We shall certainly be of those guided

Then as We relieved them of the punishing calamity, they broke their word

And Pharaoh issued a proclamation among his people, saying, "O my people! Are not the dominion of Egypt mine and these streams flowing underneath? Do you not then see all this

Am I not better than this man (Moses), who is so contemptible and cannot express himself clearly

Then why are not gold bracelets bestowed upon him, or the angels accompanying him

Thus did he [Pharaoh] trick his people into obeying him! They were indeed a people depraved

Then as they incurred our displeasure, We exacted retribution from them, and drowned them all

And We made them part of past history and example for later peoples

When (Jesus) the son of Mary is mentioned by way of an example, your people protest

And they say, "Are our gods better, or he [Jesus]?" They mention him to you not but by way of argument. Yes, they are a contentious people

He [Jesus] was no more than a worshipper of Allah. We granted Our favour to him, and We made him an example for the Children of Israel

And had We so willed, We could certainly have made angels, instead of you, to be our representatives on the earth

And this [divine revelation] indeed is definite knowledge of the Hour (the time when the present world will end and the Hereafter begin). Have no doubt then about it, and follow Me. This is the Straight Path

And let the Satan hinder you not [from the Straight Path]. Indeed, he is an open enemy to you

And when Jesus came with clear Signs, he said, "Verily, I have come to you with divine revelation spelling out Wisdom, and in order to make clear to you some of the (points) on which you differ. So fear Allah, and obey me

Allah is indeed my Lord as also yours! So worship Him. This is the Straight Path

Then the sects had differences among themselves. Woe then to the wicked ones from the punishment of a painful Day

Are they waiting for the Hour to come upon them unawares, all of a sudden

Friends on that day will be foes, one to another, the Righteous excepted

O those who worship me! You shall have no fear that Day, nor shall you grieve

Those that have believed in Our Verses/Signs and submitted to Allah's Will

Dishes and goblets of gold will be passed round to them. And they will have there all that they desire, all that looked pleasing to their eyes. And you shall abide therein for ever

And this will be the Garden you shall be heirs to for your deeds (in worldly life)

You shall have fruits therein in abundance, to eat from

The sinners will indeed dwell under punishment in Hell

The severity of punishment will not be lightened from them, and they will be overwhelmed with despair there

And We did them no wrong; but they wronged themselves

They will cry, "O Malik [guarding angel of Hell]! Would that your Lord put an end to us!" He [the guard] will say, "But indeed, you are here to stay

Verily, We have brought the Truth to you; but most of you have a hatred for Truth

Do they decide what to do? Then We decide what to do

Or do they think that We hear not their secrecies and their secret talks? Yes, We do! And Our messengers [angels] are with them, recording

Say, "If the Gracious One had a son, I would be the first to worship him

The Lord of the heavens and the earth, the Lord of the Throne — He is free from things they attribute to him

So let them continue to be engaged in their vain talks and games until they meet the Day promised to them

And He is the One worthy of worship in the heaven and worthy of worship on the earth! And He is full of Wisdom and Knowledge

And blessed is He to Whom belongs the absolute sovereignty over the heavens and the earth, and of all in between them. And with Him is the Knowledge of the Hour (the time when the present world will end and the Hereafter begin). And to Him shall you be brought back

And those whom they invoke besides Allah have no power of intercession, except for one who bears witness to the Truth. And they know (they have no power)

And if you ask them who created them, they will surely say, `Allah!' How then are they deluded (from His Guidance)

And (their delusion induces the Prophet to) exclaim, "O my Lord! These people will never believe

Leave them alone then, and say "Peace!" Soon shall they know