بِسمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحمـٰنِ الرَّحيمِ الر ۚ كِتابٌ أُحكِمَت آياتُهُ ثُمَّ فُصِّلَت مِن لَدُن حَكيمٍ خَبيرٍ

Alif. Lam. Ra. A Book whose verses were perfected, then detailed, from the One who is All-Wise, All-Knowing.

أَلّا تَعبُدوا إِلَّا اللَّهَ ۚ إِنَّني لَكُم مِنهُ نَذيرٌ وَبَشيرٌ

Worship none but God. “I am to you from Him a warner, and a bearer of good news.”

وَأَنِ استَغفِروا رَبَّكُم ثُمَّ توبوا إِلَيهِ يُمَتِّعكُم مَتاعًا حَسَنًا إِلىٰ أَجَلٍ مُسَمًّى وَيُؤتِ كُلَّ ذي فَضلٍ فَضلَهُ ۖ وَإِن تَوَلَّوا فَإِنّي أَخافُ عَلَيكُم عَذابَ يَومٍ كَبيرٍ

“Seek forgiveness from your Lord and repent to Him. He will grant you enjoyment of good for a time appointed, and bestow His grace on every possessor of grace. But if you turn away, I fear for you the punishment of a momentous Day.”

إِلَى اللَّهِ مَرجِعُكُم ۖ وَهُوَ عَلىٰ كُلِّ شَيءٍ قَديرٌ

To God is your return, and He is capable of everything.

أَلا إِنَّهُم يَثنونَ صُدورَهُم لِيَستَخفوا مِنهُ ۚ أَلا حينَ يَستَغشونَ ثِيابَهُم يَعلَمُ ما يُسِرّونَ وَما يُعلِنونَ ۚ إِنَّهُ عَليمٌ بِذاتِ الصُّدورِ

They conceal their inner selves as if to hide from Him. Even when they cover themselves with their clothes, He knows what they conceal and disclose. He is aware of what lies within the hearts.

وَما مِن دابَّةٍ فِي الأَرضِ إِلّا عَلَى اللَّهِ رِزقُها وَيَعلَمُ مُستَقَرَّها وَمُستَودَعَها ۚ كُلٌّ في كِتابٍ مُبينٍ

Every living being on earth depends on God for its sustenance. He knows its dwelling and its repository. All is in a clear record.

وَهُوَ الَّذي خَلَقَ السَّماواتِ وَالأَرضَ في سِتَّةِ أَيّامٍ وَكانَ عَرشُهُ عَلَى الماءِ لِيَبلُوَكُم أَيُّكُم أَحسَنُ عَمَلًا ۗ وَلَئِن قُلتَ إِنَّكُم مَبعوثونَ مِن بَعدِ المَوتِ لَيَقولَنَّ الَّذينَ كَفَروا إِن هـٰذا إِلّا سِحرٌ مُبينٌ

It is He who created the heavens and the earth in six periods while His throne was upon the water, to test who among you is best in conduct. If you say, “You will be resurrected after death,” those who disbelieve will say, “This is nothing but obvious sorcery.”

وَلَئِن أَخَّرنا عَنهُمُ العَذابَ إِلىٰ أُمَّةٍ مَعدودَةٍ لَيَقولُنَّ ما يَحبِسُهُ ۗ أَلا يَومَ يَأتيهِم لَيسَ مَصروفًا عَنهُم وَحاقَ بِهِم ما كانوا بِهِ يَستَهزِئونَ

If We postpone their punishment until a set time, they will question, “What holds it back?” On the day it reaches them, it won’t be averted from them, and they will be trapped by what they used to ridicule.

وَلَئِن أَذَقنَا الإِنسانَ مِنّا رَحمَةً ثُمَّ نَزَعناها مِنهُ إِنَّهُ لَيَئوسٌ كَفورٌ

If We give man a taste of mercy from Us, and then We withdraw it from him, he is despairing and ungrateful.

وَلَئِن أَذَقناهُ نَعماءَ بَعدَ ضَرّاءَ مَسَّتهُ لَيَقولَنَّ ذَهَبَ السَّيِّئَاتُ عَنّي ۚ إِنَّهُ لَفَرِحٌ فَخورٌ

But if We let him taste a favor after hardship has touched him, he will say, “Gone are afflictions from me.” He becomes joyful and proud.

إِلَّا الَّذينَ صَبَروا وَعَمِلُوا الصّالِحاتِ أُولـٰئِكَ لَهُم مَغفِرَةٌ وَأَجرٌ كَبيرٌ

Except for those who are patient and do righteous deeds—for them is forgiveness and a great reward.

فَلَعَلَّكَ تارِكٌ بَعضَ ما يوحىٰ إِلَيكَ وَضائِقٌ بِهِ صَدرُكَ أَن يَقولوا لَولا أُنزِلَ عَلَيهِ كَنزٌ أَو جاءَ مَعَهُ مَلَكٌ ۚ إِنَّما أَنتَ نَذيرٌ ۚ وَاللَّهُ عَلىٰ كُلِّ شَيءٍ وَكيلٌ

Perhaps you would leave some of what’s revealed to you, and you may be disheartened because they say, “Why has no treasure been sent down to him?” or “An angel came with him?” You are just a warner, and God is a custodian over everything.

أَم يَقولونَ افتَراهُ ۖ قُل فَأتوا بِعَشرِ سُوَرٍ مِثلِهِ مُفتَرَياتٍ وَادعوا مَنِ استَطَعتُم مِن دونِ اللَّهِ إِن كُنتُم صادِقينَ

Or do they say, “He made it up?” Say, “Then produce ten similar chapters, made up, and call upon whomsoever you can—excluding God—if you are truthful.”

فَإِلَّم يَستَجيبوا لَكُم فَاعلَموا أَنَّما أُنزِلَ بِعِلمِ اللَّهِ وَأَن لا إِلـٰهَ إِلّا هُوَ ۖ فَهَل أَنتُم مُسلِمونَ

If they don’t respond to you, then know that it was revealed with God’s knowledge, and that there is no god except Him. So, will you then not surrender?

مَن كانَ يُريدُ الحَياةَ الدُّنيا وَزينَتَها نُوَفِّ إِلَيهِم أَعمالَهُم فيها وَهُم فيها لا يُبخَسونَ

Those who desire the worldly life and its adornments—We will pay them fully for their deeds in it, without any reduction.

أُولـٰئِكَ الَّذينَ لَيسَ لَهُم فِي الآخِرَةِ إِلَّا النّارُ ۖ وَحَبِطَ ما صَنَعوا فيها وَباطِلٌ ما كانوا يَعمَلونَ

These are the ones, who, in the Hereafter, will have nothing but the Fire. Their efforts will have been wasted, and their actions become void.

أَفَمَن كانَ عَلىٰ بَيِّنَةٍ مِن رَبِّهِ وَيَتلوهُ شاهِدٌ مِنهُ وَمِن قَبلِهِ كِتابُ موسىٰ إِمامًا وَرَحمَةً ۚ أُولـٰئِكَ يُؤمِنونَ بِهِ ۚ وَمَن يَكفُر بِهِ مِنَ الأَحزابِ فَالنّارُ مَوعِدُهُ ۚ فَلا تَكُ في مِريَةٍ مِنهُ ۚ إِنَّهُ الحَقُّ مِن رَبِّكَ وَلـٰكِنَّ أَكثَرَ النّاسِ لا يُؤمِنونَ

Is one who relies on clear evidence from his Lord, reinforced by testimony from Him? Before this, the Scripture of Moses for guidance and mercy, and they believe in it. But whoever denies it from the factions, the Fire is his promised destination. So, don’t doubt it. It’s the truth from your Lord, but most people refuse to believe.

وَمَن أَظلَمُ مِمَّنِ افتَرىٰ عَلَى اللَّهِ كَذِبًا ۚ أُولـٰئِكَ يُعرَضونَ عَلىٰ رَبِّهِم وَيَقولُ الأَشهادُ هـٰؤُلاءِ الَّذينَ كَذَبوا عَلىٰ رَبِّهِم ۚ أَلا لَعنَةُ اللَّهِ عَلَى الظّالِمينَ

Who is more unjust than one who invents a lie against God? These will be presented before their Lord, and the witnesses will proclaim, “These are the ones who lied concerning their Lord.” Behold, the curse of God is upon the wrongdoers.

الَّذينَ يَصُدّونَ عَن سَبيلِ اللَّهِ وَيَبغونَها عِوَجًا وَهُم بِالآخِرَةِ هُم كافِرونَ

Those who deter others from God’s path, seek to twist it, and they are unbelievers in the Hereafter.

أُولـٰئِكَ لَم يَكونوا مُعجِزينَ فِي الأَرضِ وَما كانَ لَهُم مِن دونِ اللَّهِ مِن أَولِياءَ ۘ يُضاعَفُ لَهُمُ العَذابُ ۚ ما كانوا يَستَطيعونَ السَّمعَ وَما كانوا يُبصِرونَ

They will find no escape on earth, nor any protectors apart from God. For them, the punishment will be multiplied, as they could not hear, and they could not see.

أُولـٰئِكَ الَّذينَ خَسِروا أَنفُسَهُم وَضَلَّ عَنهُم ما كانوا يَفتَرونَ

These are the ones who have lost their souls, and the illusions they invented have vanished from them.

لا جَرَمَ أَنَّهُم فِي الآخِرَةِ هُمُ الأَخسَرونَ

Indeed, in the Hereafter, they will be the greatest losers.

إِنَّ الَّذينَ آمَنوا وَعَمِلُوا الصّالِحاتِ وَأَخبَتوا إِلىٰ رَبِّهِم أُولـٰئِكَ أَصحابُ الجَنَّةِ ۖ هُم فيها خالِدونَ

As for those who believe, do righteous deeds, and humble themselves before their Lord, they will be the inhabitants of Paradise, residing there forever.

مَثَلُ الفَريقَينِ كَالأَعمىٰ وَالأَصَمِّ وَالبَصيرِ وَالسَّميعِ ۚ هَل يَستَوِيانِ مَثَلًا ۚ أَفَلا تَذَكَّرونَ

Consider the two groups: one is blind and deaf, while the other can see and hear. Are they equal in comparison? Will you not think?

وَلَقَد أَرسَلنا نوحًا إِلىٰ قَومِهِ إِنّي لَكُم نَذيرٌ مُبينٌ

We sent Noah to his people, saying, “I am a clear warner to you.”

أَن لا تَعبُدوا إِلَّا اللَّهَ ۖ إِنّي أَخافُ عَلَيكُم عَذابَ يَومٍ أَليمٍ

“Worship none but God. I fear for you the torment of a painful Day.”

فَقالَ المَلَأُ الَّذينَ كَفَروا مِن قَومِهِ ما نَراكَ إِلّا بَشَرًا مِثلَنا وَما نَراكَ اتَّبَعَكَ إِلَّا الَّذينَ هُم أَراذِلُنا بادِيَ الرَّأيِ وَما نَرىٰ لَكُم عَلَينا مِن فَضلٍ بَل نَظُنُّكُم كاذِبينَ

The disbelieving nobles among his people responded, “We see you as nothing more than a man like us, and only the most inferior among us, those lacking in judgment, follow you. We see no advantage in you over us; in fact, we think you are liars.”

قالَ يا قَومِ أَرَأَيتُم إِن كُنتُ عَلىٰ بَيِّنَةٍ مِن رَبّي وَآتاني رَحمَةً مِن عِندِهِ فَعُمِّيَت عَلَيكُم أَنُلزِمُكُموها وَأَنتُم لَها كارِهونَ

He replied, “O my people, what if I am backed by clear evidence from my Lord, and He bestowed His mercy upon me, yet you fail to recognize it? Can we impose it upon you against your will?”

وَيا قَومِ لا أَسأَلُكُم عَلَيهِ مالًا ۖ إِن أَجرِيَ إِلّا عَلَى اللَّهِ ۚ وَما أَنا بِطارِدِ الَّذينَ آمَنوا ۚ إِنَّهُم مُلاقو رَبِّهِم وَلـٰكِنّي أَراكُم قَومًا تَجهَلونَ

“O my people, I ask no reward from you; my reward is only from God. I will not drive away those who have believed. They are going to meet their Lord. But I see that you are a people steeped in ignorance.”

وَيا قَومِ مَن يَنصُرُني مِنَ اللَّهِ إِن طَرَدتُهُم ۚ أَفَلا تَذَكَّرونَ

“O my people, who would support me against God if I drove them away? Will you not then mind?”

وَلا أَقولُ لَكُم عِندي خَزائِنُ اللَّهِ وَلا أَعلَمُ الغَيبَ وَلا أَقولُ إِنّي مَلَكٌ وَلا أَقولُ لِلَّذينَ تَزدَري أَعيُنُكُم لَن يُؤتِيَهُمُ اللَّهُ خَيرًا ۖ اللَّهُ أَعلَمُ بِما في أَنفُسِهِم ۖ إِنّي إِذًا لَمِنَ الظّالِمينَ

“I don’t pretend to hold the treasures of God, nor to know the unseen, and I don’t claim to be an angel. I don’t say that God won’t bless those you scorn. God knows what’s in their hearts. If I were to do so, I would be among the wrongdoers.”

قالوا يا نوحُ قَد جادَلتَنا فَأَكثَرتَ جِدالَنا فَأتِنا بِما تَعِدُنا إِن كُنتَ مِنَ الصّادِقينَ

They replied, “O Noah, you’ve debated with us extensively. Now bring upon us what you threaten us with, if you are truthful.”

قالَ إِنَّما يَأتيكُم بِهِ اللَّهُ إِن شاءَ وَما أَنتُم بِمُعجِزينَ

He replied, “Only God can bring it upon you, if He wills, and you won’t be able to evade it.”

وَلا يَنفَعُكُم نُصحي إِن أَرَدتُ أَن أَنصَحَ لَكُم إِن كانَ اللَّهُ يُريدُ أَن يُغوِيَكُم ۚ هُوَ رَبُّكُم وَإِلَيهِ تُرجَعونَ

“Even if I were to advise you earnestly, my advice wouldn’t benefit you should God intend to misguide you. He is your Lord, and to Him, you will be returned.”

أَم يَقولونَ افتَراهُ ۖ قُل إِنِ افتَرَيتُهُ فَعَلَيَّ إِجرامي وَأَنا بَريءٌ مِمّا تُجرِمونَ

If they accuse you of making it up, say, “If I made it up, then the sin rests upon me, and I am innocent of the sins you commit.”

وَأوحِيَ إِلىٰ نوحٍ أَنَّهُ لَن يُؤمِنَ مِن قَومِكَ إِلّا مَن قَد آمَنَ فَلا تَبتَئِس بِما كانوا يَفعَلونَ

It was communicated to Noah, “None of your people will believe, except those who have already believed; therefore, don’t be disheartened by their actions.”

وَاصنَعِ الفُلكَ بِأَعيُنِنا وَوَحيِنا وَلا تُخاطِبني فِي الَّذينَ ظَلَموا ۚ إِنَّهُم مُغرَقونَ

“And build the Ark under Our observation and Our inspiration, and don’t address Me concerning those who have wronged; they are to be drowned.”

وَيَصنَعُ الفُلكَ وَكُلَّما مَرَّ عَلَيهِ مَلَأٌ مِن قَومِهِ سَخِروا مِنهُ ۚ قالَ إِن تَسخَروا مِنّا فَإِنّا نَسخَرُ مِنكُم كَما تَسخَرونَ

While he was constructing the Ark, the leaders of his people would mock him whenever they passed by. He would respond, “If you ridicule us, we too will ridicule you, just as you ridicule us.”

فَسَوفَ تَعلَمونَ مَن يَأتيهِ عَذابٌ يُخزيهِ وَيَحِلُّ عَلَيهِ عَذابٌ مُقيمٌ

“You will certainly know who will face humiliating punishment and on whom will descend a lasting penalty.”

حَتّىٰ إِذا جاءَ أَمرُنا وَفارَ التَّنّورُ قُلنَا احمِل فيها مِن كُلٍّ زَوجَينِ اثنَينِ وَأَهلَكَ إِلّا مَن سَبَقَ عَلَيهِ القَولُ وَمَن آمَنَ ۚ وَما آمَنَ مَعَهُ إِلّا قَليلٌ

When Our decree came to pass, and the volcano erupted, We instructed, “Load onto it a pair of every kind, along with your family—except for the condemned—and the believers.” Yet, only a few believed with him.

وَقالَ اركَبوا فيها بِسمِ اللَّهِ مَجراها وَمُرساها ۚ إِنَّ رَبّي لَغَفورٌ رَحيمٌ

He declared, “Embark! In the name of God, its course and anchorage. My Lord is Forgiving and Merciful.”

وَهِيَ تَجري بِهِم في مَوجٍ كَالجِبالِ وَنادىٰ نوحٌ ابنَهُ وَكانَ في مَعزِلٍ يا بُنَيَّ اركَب مَعَنا وَلا تَكُن مَعَ الكافِرينَ

And so, it sailed with them amidst waves as mountains. Noah called out to his son, who was separate from them, “O my son, come aboard with us, and don’t be with the unbelievers.”

قالَ سَآوي إِلىٰ جَبَلٍ يَعصِمُني مِنَ الماءِ ۚ قالَ لا عاصِمَ اليَومَ مِن أَمرِ اللَّهِ إِلّا مَن رَحِمَ ۚ وَحالَ بَينَهُمَا المَوجُ فَكانَ مِنَ المُغرَقينَ

He replied, “I will seek refuge on a mountain; it will protect me from the water.” He said, “Today, there is no protection against God’s decree, except for those who receive His mercy.” And the waves surged between them, and he was among the drowned.

وَقيلَ يا أَرضُ ابلَعي ماءَكِ وَيا سَماءُ أَقلِعي وَغيضَ الماءُ وَقُضِيَ الأَمرُ وَاستَوَت عَلَى الجودِيِّ ۖ وَقيلَ بُعدًا لِلقَومِ الظّالِمينَ

Then the command was issued, “O Earth, absorb your water,” and “O Sky, clear away.” The water receded, the event was concluded, and it settled on Mount Judi. And it was declared, “Away with the wrongdoing people!”

وَنادىٰ نوحٌ رَبَّهُ فَقالَ رَبِّ إِنَّ ابني مِن أَهلي وَإِنَّ وَعدَكَ الحَقُّ وَأَنتَ أَحكَمُ الحاكِمينَ

Noah called out to his Lord, and said, “My Lord, my son is of my family. Your promise is true, and You are the most fair of all judges.”

قالَ يا نوحُ إِنَّهُ لَيسَ مِن أَهلِكَ ۖ إِنَّهُ عَمَلٌ غَيرُ صالِحٍ ۖ فَلا تَسأَلنِ ما لَيسَ لَكَ بِهِ عِلمٌ ۖ إِنّي أَعِظُكَ أَن تَكونَ مِنَ الجاهِلينَ

He responded, “O Noah, he is not of your family; he is of unrighteous conduct. Don’t ask Me about what you don’t know. I admonish you so that you don’t be among the ignorant.”

قالَ رَبِّ إِنّي أَعوذُ بِكَ أَن أَسأَلَكَ ما لَيسَ لي بِهِ عِلمٌ ۖ وَإِلّا تَغفِر لي وَتَرحَمني أَكُن مِنَ الخاسِرينَ

He pleaded, “O my Lord, I seek refuge in You from asking You about what I don’t understand. If you don’t forgive me and show me mercy, I will be among the losers.”

قيلَ يا نوحُ اهبِط بِسَلامٍ مِنّا وَبَرَكاتٍ عَلَيكَ وَعَلىٰ أُمَمٍ مِمَّن مَعَكَ ۚ وَأُمَمٌ سَنُمَتِّعُهُم ثُمَّ يَمَسُّهُم مِنّا عَذابٌ أَليمٌ

It was said, “O Noah, disembark in peace from Us, and blessings upon you, and upon nations who are with you. But to other nations, we will give enjoyment for a time, then from us will come a severe punishment.”

تِلكَ مِن أَنباءِ الغَيبِ نوحيها إِلَيكَ ۖ ما كُنتَ تَعلَمُها أَنتَ وَلا قَومُكَ مِن قَبلِ هـٰذا ۖ فَاصبِر ۖ إِنَّ العاقِبَةَ لِلمُتَّقينَ

These are some of the accounts of the unseen, which We reveal to you. Neither you nor your people knew them before this. So, be patient. The ultimate outcome is for the righteous.

وَإِلىٰ عادٍ أَخاهُم هودًا ۚ قالَ يا قَومِ اعبُدُوا اللَّهَ ما لَكُم مِن إِلـٰهٍ غَيرُهُ ۖ إِن أَنتُم إِلّا مُفتَرونَ

To Aad, their brother Hud. He said, “O my people, worship God; you have no god other than Him. You but invent lies.”

يا قَومِ لا أَسأَلُكُم عَلَيهِ أَجرًا ۖ إِن أَجرِيَ إِلّا عَلَى الَّذي فَطَرَني ۚ أَفَلا تَعقِلونَ

“O my people, I ask for no compensation from you. My reward is only from the One who originated me. Don’t you understand?”

وَيا قَومِ استَغفِروا رَبَّكُم ثُمَّ توبوا إِلَيهِ يُرسِلِ السَّماءَ عَلَيكُم مِدرارًا وَيَزِدكُم قُوَّةً إِلىٰ قُوَّتِكُم وَلا تَتَوَلَّوا مُجرِمينَ

“O my people, seek forgiveness from your Lord, and turn to Him in repentance. He will send abundant rain from the sky and will increase your strength, and you should not return to your wrongdoing.”

قالوا يا هودُ ما جِئتَنا بِبَيِّنَةٍ وَما نَحنُ بِتارِكي آلِهَتِنا عَن قَولِكَ وَما نَحنُ لَكَ بِمُؤمِنينَ

They replied, “O Hud, you didn’t provide us clear evidence, and we won’t forsake our gods on your say-so. We don’t believe you.”

إِن نَقولُ إِلَّا اعتَراكَ بَعضُ آلِهَتِنا بِسوءٍ ۗ قالَ إِنّي أُشهِدُ اللَّهَ وَاشهَدوا أَنّي بَريءٌ مِمّا تُشرِكونَ

“We can only conclude that some of our gods afflicted you with evil.” He replied, “I call upon God to witness, and you to witness, that I’m innocent of what you associate.

مِن دونِهِ ۖ فَكيدوني جَميعًا ثُمَّ لا تُنظِرونِ

Besides Him. Therefore, all of you plot against me without any delay.

إِنّي تَوَكَّلتُ عَلَى اللَّهِ رَبّي وَرَبِّكُم ۚ ما مِن دابَّةٍ إِلّا هُوَ آخِذٌ بِناصِيَتِها ۚ إِنَّ رَبّي عَلىٰ صِراطٍ مُستَقيمٍ

I place my trust in God, my Lord, and your Lord. There is no living being that He doesn’t hold by its forelock. Certainly, my Lord is on a straight path.

فَإِن تَوَلَّوا فَقَد أَبلَغتُكُم ما أُرسِلتُ بِهِ إِلَيكُم ۚ وَيَستَخلِفُ رَبّي قَومًا غَيرَكُم وَلا تَضُرّونَهُ شَيئًا ۚ إِنَّ رَبّي عَلىٰ كُلِّ شَيءٍ حَفيظٌ

If you turn away, I have conveyed to you the message I was sent with. My Lord will replace you with other people, and you won’t harm Him at all. My Lord is the Guardian over all things.”

وَلَمّا جاءَ أَمرُنا نَجَّينا هودًا وَالَّذينَ آمَنوا مَعَهُ بِرَحمَةٍ مِنّا وَنَجَّيناهُم مِن عَذابٍ غَليظٍ

And when Our decree was issued, We delivered Hud and those who had faith with him, by Our mercy, and We saved them from a harsh punishment.

وَتِلكَ عادٌ ۖ جَحَدوا بِآياتِ رَبِّهِم وَعَصَوا رُسُلَهُ وَاتَّبَعوا أَمرَ كُلِّ جَبّارٍ عَنيدٍ

And that was Aad, who denied their Lord’s signs, disobeyed His messengers, and followed the command of every stubborn tyrant.

وَأُتبِعوا في هـٰذِهِ الدُّنيا لَعنَةً وَيَومَ القِيامَةِ ۗ أَلا إِنَّ عادًا كَفَروا رَبَّهُم ۗ أَلا بُعدًا لِعادٍ قَومِ هودٍ

They were followed by a curse in this world and on Resurrection Day. Unquestionably, Aad rejected their Lord. So, away with Aad, the people of Hud.

وَإِلىٰ ثَمودَ أَخاهُم صالِحًا ۚ قالَ يا قَومِ اعبُدُوا اللَّهَ ما لَكُم مِن إِلـٰهٍ غَيرُهُ ۖ هُوَ أَنشَأَكُم مِنَ الأَرضِ وَاستَعمَرَكُم فيها فَاستَغفِروهُ ثُمَّ توبوا إِلَيهِ ۚ إِنَّ رَبّي قَريبٌ مُجيبٌ

To Thamud, their brother Saleh implored, “O my people, worship God; you have no deity other than Him. He initiated you from the earth and established you upon it. Seek His forgiveness, and repent to Him. My Lord is Near and Responsive.”

قالوا يا صالِحُ قَد كُنتَ فينا مَرجُوًّا قَبلَ هـٰذا ۖ أَتَنهانا أَن نَعبُدَ ما يَعبُدُ آباؤُنا وَإِنَّنا لَفي شَكٍّ مِمّا تَدعونا إِلَيهِ مُريبٍ

They responded, “O Saleh, we had high hopes in you before this. Are you prohibiting us from worshiping what our ancestors worshiped? We are deeply uncertain about what you are inviting us to.”

قالَ يا قَومِ أَرَأَيتُم إِن كُنتُ عَلىٰ بَيِّنَةٍ مِن رَبّي وَآتاني مِنهُ رَحمَةً فَمَن يَنصُرُني مِنَ اللَّهِ إِن عَصَيتُهُ ۖ فَما تَزيدونَني غَيرَ تَخسيرٍ

He replied, “O my people, do you see that I have clear evidence from my Lord, and that He bestowed His mercy upon me? Who could help me against God if I were to disobey Him? You would only cause me greater loss.”

وَيا قَومِ هـٰذِهِ ناقَةُ اللَّهِ لَكُم آيَةً فَذَروها تَأكُل في أَرضِ اللَّهِ وَلا تَمَسّوها بِسوءٍ فَيَأخُذَكُم عَذابٌ قَريبٌ

“O my people, this is God’s she-camel for you as a symbol. Let her graze on God’s earth and don’t harm her, lest a swift punishment overtakes you.”

فَعَقَروها فَقالَ تَمَتَّعوا في دارِكُم ثَلاثَةَ أَيّامٍ ۖ ذٰلِكَ وَعدٌ غَيرُ مَكذوبٍ

Yet, they hamstrung her. He then declared, “Enjoy yourselves in your homes for three days. This is an irrevocable prophecy.”

فَلَمّا جاءَ أَمرُنا نَجَّينا صالِحًا وَالَّذينَ آمَنوا مَعَهُ بِرَحمَةٍ مِنّا وَمِن خِزيِ يَومِئِذٍ ۗ إِنَّ رَبَّكَ هُوَ القَوِيُّ العَزيزُ

When Our decree came to pass, We saved Saleh and those who believed with him, by Our mercy, from the disgrace of that day. Your Lord is the All-Powerful, the Almighty.

وَأَخَذَ الَّذينَ ظَلَمُوا الصَّيحَةُ فَأَصبَحوا في دِيارِهِم جاثِمينَ

And a loud scream seized the wrongdoers; and they became corpses in their homes.

كَأَن لَم يَغنَوا فيها ۗ أَلا إِنَّ ثَمودَ كَفَروا رَبَّهُم ۗ أَلا بُعدًا لِثَمودَ

As if they had never flourished there. Thamud denied their Lord, so away with Thamud!

وَلَقَد جاءَت رُسُلُنا إِبراهيمَ بِالبُشرىٰ قالوا سَلامًا ۖ قالَ سَلامٌ ۖ فَما لَبِثَ أَن جاءَ بِعِجلٍ حَنيذٍ

Our messengers came to Abraham with good news. They said, “Peace,” and he answered, “Peace,” and promptly brought a roasted calf.

فَلَمّا رَأىٰ أَيدِيَهُم لا تَصِلُ إِلَيهِ نَكِرَهُم وَأَوجَسَ مِنهُم خيفَةً ۚ قالوا لا تَخَف إِنّا أُرسِلنا إِلىٰ قَومِ لوطٍ

But when he saw their hands not reaching for it, he grew suspicious and felt a sense of apprehension. They said, “Fear not; we’ve been sent to the people of Lot.”

وَامرَأَتُهُ قائِمَةٌ فَضَحِكَت فَبَشَّرناها بِإِسحاقَ وَمِن وَراءِ إِسحاقَ يَعقوبَ

And his wife was standing, and she laughed. Then We gave her the joyful news of Isaac and, following Isaac, Jacob.

قالَت يا وَيلَتىٰ أَأَلِدُ وَأَنا عَجوزٌ وَهـٰذا بَعلي شَيخًا ۖ إِنَّ هـٰذا لَشَيءٌ عَجيبٌ

She exclaimed, “Wondrous indeed! Will I give birth while I am an old woman, and this husband of mine is an old man? This is truly a strange thing!”

قالوا أَتَعجَبينَ مِن أَمرِ اللَّهِ ۖ رَحمَتُ اللَّهِ وَبَرَكاتُهُ عَلَيكُم أَهلَ البَيتِ ۚ إِنَّهُ حَميدٌ مَجيدٌ

They replied, “Are you amazed at God’s decree? May God’s mercy and blessings be upon you, O family of the house. He is Praiseworthy, Most Glorious.”

فَلَمّا ذَهَبَ عَن إِبراهيمَ الرَّوعُ وَجاءَتهُ البُشرىٰ يُجادِلُنا في قَومِ لوطٍ

Once Abraham’s fear subsided and the good news reached him, he began to argue with Us for Lot’s people.

إِنَّ إِبراهيمَ لَحَليمٌ أَوّاهٌ مُنيبٌ

Abraham was compassionate, tender-hearted, and oft-returning.

يا إِبراهيمُ أَعرِض عَن هـٰذا ۖ إِنَّهُ قَد جاءَ أَمرُ رَبِّكَ ۖ وَإِنَّهُم آتيهِم عَذابٌ غَيرُ مَردودٍ

“O Abraham, desist from this. Your Lord’s decree has come, and their punishment is irreversible.”

وَلَمّا جاءَت رُسُلُنا لوطًا سيءَ بِهِم وَضاقَ بِهِم ذَرعًا وَقالَ هـٰذا يَومٌ عَصيبٌ

When Our messengers arrived at Lot’s, he was distressed and felt powerless, unable to protect them. He exclaimed, “This is a difficult day.”

وَجاءَهُ قَومُهُ يُهرَعونَ إِلَيهِ وَمِن قَبلُ كانوا يَعمَلونَ السَّيِّئَاتِ ۚ قالَ يا قَومِ هـٰؤُلاءِ بَناتي هُنَّ أَطهَرُ لَكُم ۖ فَاتَّقُوا اللَّهَ وَلا تُخزونِ في ضَيفي ۖ أَلَيسَ مِنكُم رَجُلٌ رَشيدٌ

His people, accustomed to sinful acts, came rushing towards him. He pleaded, “O my people, these are my daughters; they are purer for you. So fear God, and don’t disgrace me before my guests. Isn’t there a rational man among you?”

قالوا لَقَد عَلِمتَ ما لَنا في بَناتِكَ مِن حَقٍّ وَإِنَّكَ لَتَعلَمُ ما نُريدُ

They responded, “You know well we have no right to your daughters, and you know what we want.”

قالَ لَو أَنَّ لي بِكُم قُوَّةً أَو آوي إِلىٰ رُكنٍ شَديدٍ

He said, “If only I had the strength or could rely on a strong support.”

قالوا يا لوطُ إِنّا رُسُلُ رَبِّكَ لَن يَصِلوا إِلَيكَ ۖ فَأَسرِ بِأَهلِكَ بِقِطعٍ مِنَ اللَّيلِ وَلا يَلتَفِت مِنكُم أَحَدٌ إِلَّا امرَأَتَكَ ۖ إِنَّهُ مُصيبُها ما أَصابَهُم ۚ إِنَّ مَوعِدَهُمُ الصُّبحُ ۚ أَلَيسَ الصُّبحُ بِقَريبٍ

They said, “O Lot, we are the messengers of your Lord. They won’t reach you. So travel with your family during the cover of the night, and let none of you look back, except your wife. She will be struck by what strikes them. Their appointed time is the morning—isn’t the morning near?”

فَلَمّا جاءَ أَمرُنا جَعَلنا عالِيَها سافِلَها وَأَمطَرنا عَلَيها حِجارَةً مِن سِجّيلٍ مَنضودٍ

When Our command came, we overturned it completely, and We rained down upon it stones of baked clay.

مُسَوَّمَةً عِندَ رَبِّكَ ۖ وَما هِيَ مِنَ الظّالِمينَ بِبَعيدٍ

Designated by your Lord, and they are never far from the wrongdoers.

وَإِلىٰ مَديَنَ أَخاهُم شُعَيبًا ۚ قالَ يا قَومِ اعبُدُوا اللَّهَ ما لَكُم مِن إِلـٰهٍ غَيرُهُ ۖ وَلا تَنقُصُوا المِكيالَ وَالميزانَ ۚ إِنّي أَراكُم بِخَيرٍ وَإِنّي أَخافُ عَلَيكُم عَذابَ يَومٍ مُحيطٍ

To Midian, their brother Shuaib. He warned, “O my people, worship God; you have no deity other than Him. Don’t short-change in measurement and weight. I see you in good condition, but I fear the punishment of a besieging day for you.”

وَيا قَومِ أَوفُوا المِكيالَ وَالميزانَ بِالقِسطِ ۖ وَلا تَبخَسُوا النّاسَ أَشياءَهُم وَلا تَعثَوا فِي الأَرضِ مُفسِدينَ

“O my people, give full measure and weight with justice, don’t cheat people out of their rights, and don’t commit corruption in the land.

بَقِيَّتُ اللَّهِ خَيرٌ لَكُم إِن كُنتُم مُؤمِنينَ ۚ وَما أَنا عَلَيكُم بِحَفيظٍ

The remainder from God is better for you, if you are believers. And I’m not a keeper over you.”

قالوا يا شُعَيبُ أَصَلاتُكَ تَأمُرُكَ أَن نَترُكَ ما يَعبُدُ آباؤُنا أَو أَن نَفعَلَ في أَموالِنا ما نَشاءُ ۖ إِنَّكَ لَأَنتَ الحَليمُ الرَّشيدُ

They responded, “O Shuaib, does your prayer command us to abandon what our ancestors worshiped, or to refrain from doing with our wealth what we please? Indeed, you are the forbearing, the right-guided!”

قالَ يا قَومِ أَرَأَيتُم إِن كُنتُ عَلىٰ بَيِّنَةٍ مِن رَبّي وَرَزَقَني مِنهُ رِزقًا حَسَنًا ۚ وَما أُريدُ أَن أُخالِفَكُم إِلىٰ ما أَنهاكُم عَنهُ ۚ إِن أُريدُ إِلَّا الإِصلاحَ مَا استَطَعتُ ۚ وَما تَوفيقي إِلّا بِاللَّهِ ۚ عَلَيهِ تَوَكَّلتُ وَإِلَيهِ أُنيبُ

He responded, “O my people, did you consider: if I am on clear evidence from my Lord and He provided me with a good provision from Him? I don’t want to be in conflict with you about what I prohibit for you. I only desire reform to the best of my ability. My success is only through God. I have placed my trust upon Him, and to Him, I turn.”

وَيا قَومِ لا يَجرِمَنَّكُم شِقاقي أَن يُصيبَكُم مِثلُ ما أَصابَ قَومَ نوحٍ أَو قَومَ هودٍ أَو قَومَ صالِحٍ ۚ وَما قَومُ لوطٍ مِنكُم بِبَعيدٍ

“O my people, let not your opposition to me cause you to suffer the same fate as the people of Noah or Salih. And the people of Lot aren’t far from you.”

وَاستَغفِروا رَبَّكُم ثُمَّ توبوا إِلَيهِ ۚ إِنَّ رَبّي رَحيمٌ وَدودٌ

“And seek forgiveness from your Lord, then repent to Him. My Lord is Merciful and Affectionate.”

قالوا يا شُعَيبُ ما نَفقَهُ كَثيرًا مِمّا تَقولُ وَإِنّا لَنَراكَ فينا ضَعيفًا ۖ وَلَولا رَهطُكَ لَرَجَمناكَ ۖ وَما أَنتَ عَلَينا بِعَزيزٍ

They said, “O Shuaib, we don’t grasp much of what you say, and we see you as weak among us. Were it not for your family, we would’ve stoned you, for you have no influence over us.”

قالَ يا قَومِ أَرَهطي أَعَزُّ عَلَيكُم مِنَ اللَّهِ وَاتَّخَذتُموهُ وَراءَكُم ظِهرِيًّا ۖ إِنَّ رَبّي بِما تَعمَلونَ مُحيطٌ

He replied, “Is my family more esteemed to you than God, and you’ve pushed Him behind your backs? My Lord is fully aware of what you do.”

وَيا قَومِ اعمَلوا عَلىٰ مَكانَتِكُم إِنّي عامِلٌ ۖ سَوفَ تَعلَمونَ مَن يَأتيهِ عَذابٌ يُخزيهِ وَمَن هُوَ كاذِبٌ ۖ وَارتَقِبوا إِنّي مَعَكُم رَقيبٌ

“O my people, do as you will, and I will act. You will then know who will face a humiliating punishment and who is a liar. Wait; I am waiting with you.”

وَلَمّا جاءَ أَمرُنا نَجَّينا شُعَيبًا وَالَّذينَ آمَنوا مَعَهُ بِرَحمَةٍ مِنّا وَأَخَذَتِ الَّذينَ ظَلَمُوا الصَّيحَةُ فَأَصبَحوا في دِيارِهِم جاثِمينَ

When Our decree came, We saved Shuaib and those who believed with him, by mercy from Us. And the shriek overtook the wrongdoers, and they became corpses in their homes.

كَأَن لَم يَغنَوا فيها ۗ أَلا بُعدًا لِمَديَنَ كَما بَعِدَت ثَمودُ

As if they had never flourished there. So, away with Midian, just as Thamud was done away with.

وَلَقَد أَرسَلنا موسىٰ بِآياتِنا وَسُلطانٍ مُبينٍ

We sent Moses with Our signs and a clear mandate.

إِلىٰ فِرعَونَ وَمَلَئِهِ فَاتَّبَعوا أَمرَ فِرعَونَ ۖ وَما أَمرُ فِرعَونَ بِرَشيدٍ

To Pharaoh and his nobility, but they followed Pharaoh’s dictates, although Pharoah’s dictates weren’t rational.

يَقدُمُ قَومَهُ يَومَ القِيامَةِ فَأَورَدَهُمُ النّارَ ۖ وَبِئسَ الوِردُ المَورودُ

On the Day of Resurrection, he will lead his people into the Fire—a horrendous place to be led to.

وَأُتبِعوا في هـٰذِهِ لَعنَةً وَيَومَ القِيامَةِ ۚ بِئسَ الرِّفدُ المَرفودُ

They were pursued by a curse in this life—and on Resurrection Day. What a horrid gift they chose!

ذٰلِكَ مِن أَنباءِ القُرىٰ نَقُصُّهُ عَلَيكَ ۖ مِنها قائِمٌ وَحَصيدٌ

These are some of the stories of the communities that We narrate to you. Some of them are still standing, others are stubble.

وَما ظَلَمناهُم وَلـٰكِن ظَلَموا أَنفُسَهُم ۖ فَما أَغنَت عَنهُم آلِهَتُهُمُ الَّتي يَدعونَ مِن دونِ اللَّهِ مِن شَيءٍ لَمّا جاءَ أَمرُ رَبِّكَ ۖ وَما زادوهُم غَيرَ تَتبيبٍ

We didn’t wrong them, but they wronged themselves. Their gods, which they invoked besides God, availed them nothing when your Lord’s command arrived; they only added to their ruin.

وَكَذٰلِكَ أَخذُ رَبِّكَ إِذا أَخَذَ القُرىٰ وَهِيَ ظالِمَةٌ ۚ إِنَّ أَخذَهُ أَليمٌ شَديدٌ

Such is your Lord’s grip when He seizes the communities while they are immersed in wrongdoing. Indeed, His grip is painful and severe.

إِنَّ في ذٰلِكَ لَآيَةً لِمَن خافَ عَذابَ الآخِرَةِ ۚ ذٰلِكَ يَومٌ مَجموعٌ لَهُ النّاسُ وَذٰلِكَ يَومٌ مَشهودٌ

This is a warning for those who fear the punishment of the Hereafter. That’s a Day for which the people will be gathered, and that’s a Day witnessed.

وَما نُؤَخِّرُهُ إِلّا لِأَجَلٍ مَعدودٍ

We only delay it for a determined period.

يَومَ يَأتِ لا تَكَلَّمُ نَفسٌ إِلّا بِإِذنِهِ ۚ فَمِنهُم شَقِيٌّ وَسَعيدٌ

When that day arrives, no soul will speak except by His leave. Some will be miserable, while others will be happy.

فَأَمَّا الَّذينَ شَقوا فَفِي النّارِ لَهُم فيها زَفيرٌ وَشَهيقٌ

As for those who are miserable, they will be in the Fire, where they will sigh and wail.

خالِدينَ فيها ما دامَتِ السَّماواتُ وَالأَرضُ إِلّا ما شاءَ رَبُّكَ ۚ إِنَّ رَبَّكَ فَعّالٌ لِما يُريدُ

They will dwell there for as long as the heavens and the earth last, unless your Lord wills differently. Your Lord accomplishes what He intends.

وَأَمَّا الَّذينَ سُعِدوا فَفِي الجَنَّةِ خالِدينَ فيها ما دامَتِ السَّماواتُ وَالأَرضُ إِلّا ما شاءَ رَبُّكَ ۖ عَطاءً غَيرَ مَجذوذٍ

As for the happy, they will be in Paradise, residing for as long as the heavens and the earth last, unless your Lord wills differently—a gift without end.

فَلا تَكُ في مِريَةٍ مِمّا يَعبُدُ هـٰؤُلاءِ ۚ ما يَعبُدونَ إِلّا كَما يَعبُدُ آباؤُهُم مِن قَبلُ ۚ وَإِنّا لَمُوَفّوهُم نَصيبَهُم غَيرَ مَنقوصٍ

So don’t be in doubt about what these people worship. They only worship as their ancestors did before. We will give them their full recompense, without any reduction.

وَلَقَد آتَينا موسَى الكِتابَ فَاختُلِفَ فيهِ ۚ وَلَولا كَلِمَةٌ سَبَقَت مِن رَبِّكَ لَقُضِيَ بَينَهُم ۚ وَإِنَّهُم لَفي شَكٍّ مِنهُ مُريبٍ

We gave Moses the Scripture, but disputes arose concerning it. If not for a prior decree from your Lord, their disputes would’ve been resolved. Yet they remain deeply uncertain about it.

وَإِنَّ كُلًّا لَمّا لَيُوَفِّيَنَّهُم رَبُّكَ أَعمالَهُم ۚ إِنَّهُ بِما يَعمَلونَ خَبيرٌ

Your Lord will fully pay them for their deeds. Surely He is well aware of everything they do.

فَاستَقِم كَما أُمِرتَ وَمَن تابَ مَعَكَ وَلا تَطغَوا ۚ إِنَّهُ بِما تَعمَلونَ بَصيرٌ

So be upright, as you’ve been commanded, and whoever repents with you. And don’t transgress. He sees all that you do.

وَلا تَركَنوا إِلَى الَّذينَ ظَلَموا فَتَمَسَّكُمُ النّارُ وَما لَكُم مِن دونِ اللَّهِ مِن أَولِياءَ ثُمَّ لا تُنصَرونَ

And don’t incline towards those who do wrong, lest the Fire should touch you. You would then have no protectors other than God, and you wouldn’t be helped.

وَأَقِمِ الصَّلاةَ طَرَفَيِ النَّهارِ وَزُلَفًا مِنَ اللَّيلِ ۚ إِنَّ الحَسَناتِ يُذهِبنَ السَّيِّئَاتِ ۚ ذٰلِكَ ذِكرىٰ لِلذّاكِرينَ

Establish the prayer at the two ends of the day, and during parts of the night. Good deeds take away bad deeds. This is a reminder for the mindful.

وَاصبِر فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ لا يُضيعُ أَجرَ المُحسِنينَ

And be patient, for surely God won’t waste the reward of those who do good.

فَلَولا كانَ مِنَ القُرونِ مِن قَبلِكُم أُولو بَقِيَّةٍ يَنهَونَ عَنِ الفَسادِ فِي الأَرضِ إِلّا قَليلًا مِمَّن أَنجَينا مِنهُم ۗ وَاتَّبَعَ الَّذينَ ظَلَموا ما أُترِفوا فيهِ وَكانوا مُجرِمينَ

If there had been, among the generations before you, people with discernment to ward off corruption on earth—except for the few whom We saved. But the wrongdoers pursued the luxuries they were granted and became transgressors.

وَما كانَ رَبُّكَ لِيُهلِكَ القُرىٰ بِظُلمٍ وَأَهلُها مُصلِحونَ

Your Lord would never unjustly destroy communities while their inhabitants work towards reform.

وَلَو شاءَ رَبُّكَ لَجَعَلَ النّاسَ أُمَّةً واحِدَةً ۖ وَلا يَزالونَ مُختَلِفينَ

Had your Lord willed, He could’ve made humanity a single community, but people will continue to differ.

إِلّا مَن رَحِمَ رَبُّكَ ۚ وَلِذٰلِكَ خَلَقَهُم ۗ وَتَمَّت كَلِمَةُ رَبِّكَ لَأَملَأَنَّ جَهَنَّمَ مِنَ الجِنَّةِ وَالنّاسِ أَجمَعينَ

Except those on whom your Lord has mercy—and for that reason He created them—and the word of your Lord has been fulfilled: “I will fill hell with jinn and humans together.”

وَكُلًّا نَقُصُّ عَلَيكَ مِن أَنباءِ الرُّسُلِ ما نُثَبِّتُ بِهِ فُؤادَكَ ۚ وَجاءَكَ في هـٰذِهِ الحَقُّ وَمَوعِظَةٌ وَذِكرىٰ لِلمُؤمِنينَ

We narrate to you the stories of the messengers to strengthen your heart. In these, the truth has come to you, along with guidance and reminders for the believers.

وَقُل لِلَّذينَ لا يُؤمِنونَ اعمَلوا عَلىٰ مَكانَتِكُم إِنّا عامِلونَ

Say to those who don’t believe, “Work according to your ability; and we are working.”

وَانتَظِروا إِنّا مُنتَظِرونَ

“And wait; we, too, are waiting.”

وَلِلَّهِ غَيبُ السَّماواتِ وَالأَرضِ وَإِلَيهِ يُرجَعُ الأَمرُ كُلُّهُ فَاعبُدهُ وَتَوَكَّل عَلَيهِ ۚ وَما رَبُّكَ بِغافِلٍ عَمّا تَعمَلونَ

To God belongs the unseen of the heavens and the earth. All matters are returned to Him. Worship Him and put your trust in Him. Your Lord is not unaware of what you do.