Chapter 38

In the name of God, the Almighty, the Most Merciful

1. S', and the Quran that contains the reminder.

2. Indeed, those who disbelieve have plunged into arrogance and defiance.

3. How many a generation before them We destroyed. They called for help, in vain.

4. And they wondered that a warner should come to them, from among them. The disbelievers said: "A magician, a liar"

5. "Did he make the gods into one god? This is a strange thing indeed!"

6. The leaders among them said: "Go on, and remain steadfast to your gods. This is what is desired"

7. "We never heard of this from the people before us. This is a lie"

8. "Has the reminder come down to him, instead of us?" Indeed, they are doubtful of My proof. Indeed, they have not yet tasted My retribution.

9. Or do they own the treasures of mercy of your Lord, the Noble, the Grantor.

10. Or do they possess the sovereignty of the heavens and the earth, and everything between them? Let them help themselves.

11. They will be a defeated host, even if all their parties banded together.

12. Disbelieving before them were the people of Noah, 'Aad, and the mighty Pharaoh.

13. And Thamud, and the people of Lot, the dwellers of the Woods; those were the opponents.

14. Each of them disbelieved the messengers and thus, My retribution was inevitable.

15. And these people can expect a single scream, from which they never recover.

16. And they said: "Our Lord, hasten for us our judgment, before the Day of Reckoning"

17. Be patient in the face of their utterances, and remember Our servant David, the resourceful. He was obedient.

18. We committed the mountains in his service, glorifying with him at sunset and sunrise.

19. And the birds were assembled; all were obedient to him.

20. And We strengthened his kingship, and endowed him with wisdom and decision making.

21. Have you received news of the feuding men who climbed into the temple enclosure?

22. When they entered upon him, he was startled. They said: "Have no fear. We are feuding with one another, so judge between us with truth, and do not wrong us, and guide us in the right path"

23. "This is my brother and he owns ninety nine sheep, while I own one sheep. So he said to me: 'Let me take care of it' and he pressured me"

24. He said: "He has wronged you by asking to combine your sheep with his. And most who combine their properties take advantage of one another, except those who believe and do good works, and these are so few" And David guessed that We had tested him, so he implored his Lord for forgiveness, and fell down yielding, and repented.

25. So We forgave him in this matter. We have granted him a position of honour with us, and a beautiful abode.

26. O David, We have made you a successor on earth. Therefore, you shall judge among the people with truth, and do not follow desire, lest it diverts you from the way of God. Surely, those who stray off the way of God incur severe retribution for forgetting the Day of Reckoning.

27. And We did not create the heaven and the earth, and everything between them, in vain. Such is the thinking of those who rejected. Therefore, woe to those who have rejected from the Fire.

28. Or shall We treat those who believe and do good works as We treat those who commit evil on earth? Or shall We treat the righteous as We treat the wicked?

29. A scripture that We have sent down to you, that is blessed, so that they may reflect upon its verses, and so that the people of intelligence will take heed.

30. To David we granted Solomon, a good and obedient servant.

31. When, during sunset, well trained horses were displayed before him.

32. He then said: "I enjoyed the good of materialism more than I enjoyed remembering my Lord, until the sun was totally gone"

33. "Send them back" He then rubbed their legs and necks.

34. And We tested Solomon by placing a dead body on his throne, but he then repented.

35. He said: "My Lord, forgive me, and grant me a kingship never attained by anyone else. You are the Grantor"

36. So, We committed the wind to run by his command, raining gently where he directed it.

37. And the devils, building and diving.

38. Others were placed at his disposal.

39. "This is Our provision to you. You may give generously, or withhold, without limits"

40. And he has deserved an honourable position with Us, and a wonderful abode.

41. And recall Our servant Job, when he called upon his Lord: "The devil has afflicted me with an illness and pain"

42. "Strike the ground with your foot, here is a cold spring to wash with and to drink"

43. And We restored his family for him along with a group like them, as a mercy from Us; and a reminder for those who possess intelligence.

44. "And take in your hand a bundle and strike with it, and do not break your oath" We found him steadfast. What a good servant! He was repentant.

45. And recall Our servants Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. They were resourceful, and with vision.

46. We bestowed upon them the awareness of the Hereafter.

47. And they are with Us of the chosen, the best.

48. And recall Ismail, Elisha, and Ezekiel; all are among the best.

49. This is a reminder, and the righteous will have a wonderful abode.

50. The gardens of Eden will open up their gates for them.

51. Relaxing therein, they will be given many kinds of fruits and drinks.

52. They will have wonderful spouses.

53. This is what you have been promised on the Day of Reckoning.

54. Such is Our provisions, it does not run out.

55. This is so, and for the transgressors is a miserable destiny.

56. Hell is where they burn. What a miserable abode!

57. This is so, and let them taste a boiling drink and bitter food.

58. And much more of the same kind.

59. And here is another group to be thrown into Hell with you. There is no welcome for them? They shall burn in the Fire.

60. They said: "No, they are not welcomed. You are the ones who preceded us and misled us. Therefore, suffer this miserable end"

61. They will say: "Our Lord, whoever brought this upon us, then double their retribution in the Fire!"

62. And they will say: "Why do we not see people we used to count among the wicked?"

63. "Have we mocked them wrongly, or have our eyes failed to find them?"

64. Surely, this is in truth the feuding of the people of Hell.

65. Say: "I am but a warner; and there is no other god beside God, the One, the Supreme"

66. "The Lord of the heavens and the earth, and everything between them; the Noble, the Forgiving"

67. Say: "This is the awesome news"

68. "From which you turn away"

69. "I had no knowledge about the High Leadership when they feuded"

70. "I am inspired that I am a clear warner"

71. When your Lord said to the Angels: "I am creating a human being from clay"

72. "So when I have designed him, and breathed from My spirit into him, then you shall submit to him"

73. The Angels submitted, all of them,

74. Except Satan; he refused, and was one of the rejecters.

75. He said: "O Satan, what prevented you from submitting to what I have created with My hands? Are you too arrogant? Or are you on of those exalted?"

76. He said: "I am better than he; You created me from fire, and created him from clay"

77. He said: "Therefore exit from it, you are outcast"

78. "And My curse will be upon you until the Day of Judgment"

79. He said: "My Lord, grant me leave till the day they are resurrected"

80. He said: "You are granted"

81. "Until the appointed day"

82. He said: "By Your majesty, I will send them all astray"

83. "Except for Your servants who are devoted"

84. He said: "This is the truth, and the truth is what I say"

85. "That I will fill Hell with you and all those who follow you"

86. Say: "I do not ask you for any wage, nor am I an impostor"

87. "It is but a reminder for the worlds"

88. "And you will come to know its news after awhile"