An-Naml

طسٓ ۚ تِلۡكَ ءَايَـٰتُ ٱلۡقُرۡءَانِ وَكِتَابٍۢ مُّبِينٍ

Tâ-Sîn. [These letters are one of the miracles of the Qur’ân, and none but Allâh (Alone) knows their meanings]. These are the Verses of the Qur’an, and (it is) a Book (that makes things) clear:

هُدًۭى وَبُشۡرَىٰ لِلۡمُؤۡمِنِينَ

A guide (to the Right Path) and glad tidings for the believers [who believe in the Oneness of Allâh (i.e. Islâmic Monotheism)].

ٱلَّذِينَ يُقِيمُونَ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ وَيُؤۡتُونَ ٱلزَّكَوٰةَ وَهُم بِٱلۡـَٔاخِرَةِ هُمۡ يُوقِنُونَ

Those who perform As-Salât (Iqâmat-as-Salât) and give Zakât and they believe with certainty in the Hereafter (resurrection, recompense of their good and bad deeds, Paradise and Hell).

إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ لَا يُؤۡمِنُونَ بِٱلۡـَٔاخِرَةِ زَيَّنَّا لَهُمۡ أَعۡمَـٰلَهُمۡ فَهُمۡ يَعۡمَهُونَ

Verily, those who believe not in the Hereafter, We have made their deeds fair-seeming to them, so that they wander about blindly.

أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ ٱلَّذِينَ لَهُمۡ سُوٓءُ ٱلۡعَذَابِ وَهُمۡ فِى ٱلۡـَٔاخِرَةِ هُمُ ٱلۡأَخۡسَرُونَ

They are those for whom there will be an evil torment (in this world). And in the Hereafter they will be the greatest losers.

وَإِنَّكَ لَتُلَقَّى ٱلۡقُرۡءَانَ مِن لَّدُنۡ حَكِيمٍ عَلِيمٍ

And verily, you (O Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم) are being taught the Qur’ân from One, All-Wise, All-Knowing.

إِذۡ قَالَ مُوسَىٰ لِأَهۡلِهِۦٓ إِنِّىٓ ءَانَسۡتُ نَارًۭا سَـَٔاتِيكُم مِّنۡهَا بِخَبَرٍ أَوۡ ءَاتِيكُم بِشِهَابٍۢ قَبَسٍۢ لَّعَلَّكُمۡ تَصۡطَلُونَ

(Remember) when Mûsâ (Moses) said to his household: "Verily I have seen a fire; I will bring you from there some information, or I will bring you a burning brand, that you may warm yourselves."

فَلَمَّا جَآءَهَا نُودِىَ أَنۢ بُورِكَ مَن فِى ٱلنَّارِ وَمَنۡ حَوۡلَهَا وَسُبۡحَـٰنَ ٱللَّهِ رَبِّ ٱلۡعَـٰلَمِينَ

But when he came to it, he was called: "Blessed is whosoever is in the fire, and whosoever is round about it! And glorified be Allâh, the Lord of the ‘Âlamîn (mankind, jinn and all that exists).

يَـٰمُوسَىٰٓ إِنَّهُۥٓ أَنَا ٱللَّهُ ٱلۡعَزِيزُ ٱلۡحَكِيمُ

"O Mûsâ (Moses)! Verily it is I, Allâh, the All-Mighty, the All-Wise.

وَأَلۡقِ عَصَاكَ ۚ فَلَمَّا رَءَاهَا تَهۡتَزُّ كَأَنَّهَا جَآنٌّۭ وَلَّىٰ مُدۡبِرًۭا وَلَمۡ يُعَقِّبۡ ۚ يَـٰمُوسَىٰ لَا تَخَفۡ إِنِّى لَا يَخَافُ لَدَىَّ ٱلۡمُرۡسَلُونَ

"And throw down your stick!" But when he saw it moving as if it were a snake, he turned in flight, and did not look back. (It was said:) "O Mûsâ (Moses)! Fear not: verily the Messengers fear not in front of Me.

إِلَّا مَن ظَلَمَ ثُمَّ بَدَّلَ حُسۡنًۢا بَعۡدَ سُوٓءٍۢ فَإِنِّى غَفُورٌۭ رَّحِيمٌۭ

"Except him who has done wrong and afterwards has changed evil for good; then surely, I am Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.

وَأَدۡخِلۡ يَدَكَ فِى جَيۡبِكَ تَخۡرُجۡ بَيۡضَآءَ مِنۡ غَيۡرِ سُوٓءٍۢ ۖ فِى تِسۡعِ ءَايَـٰتٍ إِلَىٰ فِرۡعَوۡنَ وَقَوۡمِهِۦٓ ۚ إِنَّهُمۡ كَانُوا۟ قَوۡمًۭا فَـٰسِقِينَ

"And put your hand into your bosom, it will come forth white without hurt. (These are) among the nine signs (you will take) to Fir‘aun (Pharaoh) and his people. Verily they are a people who are Fâsiqûn (rebellious, disobedient to Allâh).

فَلَمَّا جَآءَتۡهُمۡ ءَايَـٰتُنَا مُبۡصِرَةًۭ قَالُوا۟ هَـٰذَا سِحۡرٌۭ مُّبِينٌۭ

But when Our Ayât (proofs, evidence, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.) came to them, clear to see, they said: "This is a manifest magic."

وَجَحَدُوا۟ بِهَا وَٱسۡتَيۡقَنَتۡهَآ أَنفُسُهُمۡ ظُلۡمًۭا وَعُلُوًّۭا ۚ فَٱنظُرۡ كَيۡفَ كَانَ عَـٰقِبَةُ ٱلۡمُفۡسِدِينَ

And they belied them (those Ayât) wrongfully and arrogantly, though their ownselves were convinced thereof [i.e. those (Ayât ) are from Allâh, and Mûsâ (Moses) is the Messenger of Allâh in truth, but they disliked to obey Mûsâ (Moses), and hated to believe in his Message of Monotheism]. So see what was the end of the Mufsidûn (disbelievers, disobedient to Allâh, evil-doers and liars.).

وَلَقَدۡ ءَاتَيۡنَا دَاوُۥدَ وَسُلَيۡمَـٰنَ عِلۡمًۭا ۖ وَقَالَا ٱلۡحَمۡدُ لِلَّهِ ٱلَّذِى فَضَّلَنَا عَلَىٰ كَثِيرٍۢ مِّنۡ عِبَادِهِ ٱلۡمُؤۡمِنِينَ

And indeed We gave knowledge to Dâwûd (David) and Sulaimân (Solomon), and they both said: "All the praises and thanks be to Allâh, Who has preferred us above many of His believing slaves!"

وَوَرِثَ سُلَيۡمَـٰنُ دَاوُۥدَ ۖ وَقَالَ يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلنَّاسُ عُلِّمۡنَا مَنطِقَ ٱلطَّيۡرِ وَأُوتِينَا مِن كُلِّ شَىۡءٍ ۖ إِنَّ هَـٰذَا لَهُوَ ٱلۡفَضۡلُ ٱلۡمُبِينُ

And Sulaimân (Solomon) inherited (the knowledge of) Dâwûd (David). He said: "O mankind! We have been taught the language of birds, and on us have been bestowed all things. This, verily, is an evident grace (from Allâh)."

وَحُشِرَ لِسُلَيۡمَـٰنَ جُنُودُهُۥ مِنَ ٱلۡجِنِّ وَٱلۡإِنسِ وَٱلطَّيۡرِ فَهُمۡ يُوزَعُونَ

And there were gathered before Sulaimân (Solomon) his hosts of jinn and men, and birds, and they all were set in battle order (marching forward).

حَتَّىٰٓ إِذَآ أَتَوۡا۟ عَلَىٰ وَادِ ٱلنَّمۡلِ قَالَتۡ نَمۡلَةٌۭ يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلنَّمۡلُ ٱدۡخُلُوا۟ مَسَـٰكِنَكُمۡ لَا يَحۡطِمَنَّكُمۡ سُلَيۡمَـٰنُ وَجُنُودُهُۥ وَهُمۡ لَا يَشۡعُرُونَ

Till, when they came to the valley of the ants, one of the ants said: "O ants! Enter your dwellings, lest Sulaimân (Solomon) and his hosts should crush you, while they perceive not."

فَتَبَسَّمَ ضَاحِكًۭا مِّن قَوۡلِهَا وَقَالَ رَبِّ أَوۡزِعۡنِىٓ أَنۡ أَشۡكُرَ نِعۡمَتَكَ ٱلَّتِىٓ أَنۡعَمۡتَ عَلَىَّ وَعَلَىٰ وَٰلِدَىَّ وَأَنۡ أَعۡمَلَ صَـٰلِحًۭا تَرۡضَىٰهُ وَأَدۡخِلۡنِى بِرَحۡمَتِكَ فِى عِبَادِكَ ٱلصَّـٰلِحِينَ

So he [Sulaimân (Solomon)] smiled, amused at her speech[1] and said: "My Lord! Grant me the power and ability that I may be grateful for Your Favours which You have bestowed on me and on my parents, and that I may do righteous good deeds that will please You, and admit me by Your Mercy among Your righteous slaves."

وَتَفَقَّدَ ٱلطَّيۡرَ فَقَالَ مَا لِىَ لَآ أَرَى ٱلۡهُدۡهُدَ أَمۡ كَانَ مِنَ ٱلۡغَآئِبِينَ

He inspected the birds, and said: "What is the matter that I see not the hoopoe? Or is he among the absentees?

لَأُعَذِّبَنَّهُۥ عَذَابًۭا شَدِيدًا أَوۡ لَأَا۟ذۡبَحَنَّهُۥٓ أَوۡ لَيَأۡتِيَنِّى بِسُلۡطَـٰنٍۢ مُّبِينٍۢ

"I will surely punish him with a severe torment, or slaughter him, unless he brings me a clear reason."

فَمَكَثَ غَيۡرَ بَعِيدٍۢ فَقَالَ أَحَطتُ بِمَا لَمۡ تُحِطۡ بِهِۦ وَجِئۡتُكَ مِن سَبَإٍۭ بِنَبَإٍۢ يَقِينٍ

But the hoopoe stayed not long: he (came up and) said: "I have grasped (the knowledge of a thing) which you have not grasped and I have come to you from Saba’ (Sheba) with true news.

إِنِّى وَجَدتُّ ٱمۡرَأَةًۭ تَمۡلِكُهُمۡ وَأُوتِيَتۡ مِن كُلِّ شَىۡءٍۢ وَلَهَا عَرۡشٌ عَظِيمٌۭ

"I found a woman ruling over them: she has been given all things that could be possessed by any ruler of the earth, and she has a great throne.

وَجَدتُّهَا وَقَوۡمَهَا يَسۡجُدُونَ لِلشَّمۡسِ مِن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ وَزَيَّنَ لَهُمُ ٱلشَّيۡطَـٰنُ أَعۡمَـٰلَهُمۡ فَصَدَّهُمۡ عَنِ ٱلسَّبِيلِ فَهُمۡ لَا يَهۡتَدُونَ

"I found her and her people worshipping the sun instead of Allâh, and Shaitân (Satan) has made their deeds fair-seeming to them, and has barred them from (Allâh’s) Way: so they have no guidance."

أَلَّا يَسۡجُدُوا۟ لِلَّهِ ٱلَّذِى يُخۡرِجُ ٱلۡخَبۡءَ فِى ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَٱلۡأَرۡضِ وَيَعۡلَمُ مَا تُخۡفُونَ وَمَا تُعۡلِنُونَ

[As Shaitân (Satan) has barred them from Allâh’s Way] so they do not worship (prostrate themselves before) Allâh, Who brings to light what is hidden in the heavens and the earth, and knows what you conceal and what you reveal. [Tafsir At-Tabarî]

ٱللَّهُ لَآ إِلَـٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ رَبُّ ٱلۡعَرۡشِ ٱلۡعَظِيمِ ۩

Allâh, Lâ ilâha illa Huwa (none has the right to be worshipped but He), the Lord of the Supreme Throne!

۞ قَالَ سَنَنظُرُ أَصَدَقۡتَ أَمۡ كُنتَ مِنَ ٱلۡكَـٰذِبِينَ

[Sulaimân (Solomon)] said: "We shall see whether you speak the truth or you are (one) of the liars.

ٱذۡهَب بِّكِتَـٰبِى هَـٰذَا فَأَلۡقِهۡ إِلَيۡهِمۡ ثُمَّ تَوَلَّ عَنۡهُمۡ فَٱنظُرۡ مَاذَا يَرۡجِعُونَ

"Go you with this letter of mine, and deliver it to them, then draw back from them, and see what (answer) they return."

قَالَتۡ يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلۡمَلَؤُا۟ إِنِّىٓ أُلۡقِىَ إِلَىَّ كِتَـٰبٌۭ كَرِيمٌ

She said: "O chiefs! Verily! Here is delivered to me a noble letter,

إِنَّهُۥ مِن سُلَيۡمَـٰنَ وَإِنَّهُۥ بِسۡمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ

"Verily it is from Sulaimân (Solomon), and verily, it (reads): In the Name of Allâh, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful:

أَلَّا تَعۡلُوا۟ عَلَىَّ وَأۡتُونِى مُسۡلِمِينَ

"Be you not exalted against me, but come to me as Muslims (true believers who submit to Allâh with full submission).’ "

قَالَتۡ يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلۡمَلَؤُا۟ أَفۡتُونِى فِىٓ أَمۡرِى مَا كُنتُ قَاطِعَةً أَمۡرًا حَتَّىٰ تَشۡهَدُونِ

She said: "O chiefs! Advise me in (this) case of mine. I decide no case till you are present with me (and give me your opinions)."

قَالُوا۟ نَحۡنُ أُو۟لُوا۟ قُوَّةٍۢ وَأُو۟لُوا۟ بَأۡسٍۢ شَدِيدٍۢ وَٱلۡأَمۡرُ إِلَيۡكِ فَٱنظُرِى مَاذَا تَأۡمُرِينَ

They said: "We have great strength, and great ability for war, but it is for you to command: so think over what you will command."

قَالَتۡ إِنَّ ٱلۡمُلُوكَ إِذَا دَخَلُوا۟ قَرۡيَةً أَفۡسَدُوهَا وَجَعَلُوٓا۟ أَعِزَّةَ أَهۡلِهَآ أَذِلَّةًۭ ۖ وَكَذَٰلِكَ يَفۡعَلُونَ

She said: "Verily kings, when they enter a town (country), they despoil it and make the most honourable amongst its people the lowest. And thus they do.

وَإِنِّى مُرۡسِلَةٌ إِلَيۡهِم بِهَدِيَّةٍۢ فَنَاظِرَةٌۢ بِمَ يَرۡجِعُ ٱلۡمُرۡسَلُونَ

"But verily! I am going to send him a present, and see with what (answer) the messengers return."

فَلَمَّا جَآءَ سُلَيۡمَـٰنَ قَالَ أَتُمِدُّونَنِ بِمَالٍۢ فَمَآ ءَاتَىٰنِۦَ ٱللَّهُ خَيۡرٌۭ مِّمَّآ ءَاتَىٰكُم بَلۡ أَنتُم بِهَدِيَّتِكُمۡ تَفۡرَحُونَ

So when (the messengers with the present) came to Sulaimân (Solomon), he said: "Will you help me in wealth? What Allâh has given me is better than that which He has given you! Nay, you rejoice in your gift!"

ٱرۡجِعۡ إِلَيۡهِمۡ فَلَنَأۡتِيَنَّهُم بِجُنُودٍۢ لَّا قِبَلَ لَهُم بِهَا وَلَنُخۡرِجَنَّهُم مِّنۡهَآ أَذِلَّةًۭ وَهُمۡ صَـٰغِرُونَ

[Then Sulaimân (Solomon) said to the chief of her messengers who brought the present]: "Go back to them. We verily shall come to them with hosts that they cannot resist, and we shall drive them out from there in disgrace, and they will be abased."

قَالَ يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلۡمَلَؤُا۟ أَيُّكُمۡ يَأۡتِينِى بِعَرۡشِهَا قَبۡلَ أَن يَأۡتُونِى مُسۡلِمِينَ

He said: "O chiefs! Which of you can bring me her throne before they come to me surrendering themselves in obedience?"

قَالَ عِفۡرِيتٌۭ مِّنَ ٱلۡجِنِّ أَنَا۠ ءَاتِيكَ بِهِۦ قَبۡلَ أَن تَقُومَ مِن مَّقَامِكَ ۖ وَإِنِّى عَلَيۡهِ لَقَوِىٌّ أَمِينٌۭ

A ‘Ifrît (strong one) from the jinn said: "I will bring it to you before you rise from your place (council). And verily, I am indeed strong, and trustworthy for such work."

قَالَ ٱلَّذِى عِندَهُۥ عِلۡمٌۭ مِّنَ ٱلۡكِتَـٰبِ أَنَا۠ ءَاتِيكَ بِهِۦ قَبۡلَ أَن يَرۡتَدَّ إِلَيۡكَ طَرۡفُكَ ۚ فَلَمَّا رَءَاهُ مُسۡتَقِرًّا عِندَهُۥ قَالَ هَـٰذَا مِن فَضۡلِ رَبِّى لِيَبۡلُوَنِىٓ ءَأَشۡكُرُ أَمۡ أَكۡفُرُ ۖ وَمَن شَكَرَ فَإِنَّمَا يَشۡكُرُ لِنَفۡسِهِۦ ۖ وَمَن كَفَرَ فَإِنَّ رَبِّى غَنِىٌّۭ كَرِيمٌۭ

One with whom was knowledge of the Scripture said: "I will bring it to you within the twinkling of an eye!" Then when he [Sulaimân (Solomon)] saw it placed before him, he said: "This is by the Grace of my Lord - to test me whether I am grateful or ungrateful! And whoever is grateful, truly, his gratitude is for (the good of) his ownself; and whoever is ungrateful, (he is ungrateful only for the loss of his ownself). Certainly my Lord is Rich (Free of all needs), Bountiful."

قَالَ نَكِّرُوا۟ لَهَا عَرۡشَهَا نَنظُرۡ أَتَهۡتَدِىٓ أَمۡ تَكُونُ مِنَ ٱلَّذِينَ لَا يَهۡتَدُونَ

He said: "Disguise her throne for her that we may see whether she will be guided (to recognise her throne), or she will be one of those not guided."

فَلَمَّا جَآءَتۡ قِيلَ أَهَـٰكَذَا عَرۡشُكِ ۖ قَالَتۡ كَأَنَّهُۥ هُوَ ۚ وَأُوتِينَا ٱلۡعِلۡمَ مِن قَبۡلِهَا وَكُنَّا مُسۡلِمِينَ

So when she came, it was said (to her): "Is your throne like this?" She said: "(It is) as though it were the very same." And [Sulaimân (Solomon) said]: "Knowledge was bestowed on us before her, and we were submitted to Allâh (in Islâm as Muslims before her)."

وَصَدَّهَا مَا كَانَت تَّعۡبُدُ مِن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ ۖ إِنَّهَا كَانَتۡ مِن قَوۡمٍۢ كَـٰفِرِينَ

And that which she used to worship besides Allâh has prevented her (from Islâm), for she was of a disbelieving people.

قِيلَ لَهَا ٱدۡخُلِى ٱلصَّرۡحَ ۖ فَلَمَّا رَأَتۡهُ حَسِبَتۡهُ لُجَّةًۭ وَكَشَفَتۡ عَن سَاقَيۡهَا ۚ قَالَ إِنَّهُۥ صَرۡحٌۭ مُّمَرَّدٌۭ مِّن قَوَارِيرَ ۗ قَالَتۡ رَبِّ إِنِّى ظَلَمۡتُ نَفۡسِى وَأَسۡلَمۡتُ مَعَ سُلَيۡمَـٰنَ لِلَّهِ رَبِّ ٱلۡعَـٰلَمِينَ

It was said to her: "Enter As-Sarh" (a glass surface with water underneath it or a palace): but when she saw it, she thought it was a pool, and she (tucked up her clothes) uncovering her legs. (Sulaimân (Solomon)) said: "Verily, it is a Sarh (a glass surface with water underneath it or a palace)." She said: "My Lord! Verily, I have wronged myself, and I submit [in Islâm, together with Sulaimân (Solomon)] to Allâh, the Lord of the ‘Âlamîn (mankind, jinn and all that exists)."

وَلَقَدۡ أَرۡسَلۡنَآ إِلَىٰ ثَمُودَ أَخَاهُمۡ صَـٰلِحًا أَنِ ٱعۡبُدُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ فَإِذَا هُمۡ فَرِيقَانِ يَخۡتَصِمُونَ

And indeed We sent to Thamûd their brother Sâlih, saying: "Worship Allâh (Alone and none else). Then look! They became two parties (believers and disbelievers) quarreling with each other."

قَالَ يَـٰقَوۡمِ لِمَ تَسۡتَعۡجِلُونَ بِٱلسَّيِّئَةِ قَبۡلَ ٱلۡحَسَنَةِ ۖ لَوۡلَا تَسۡتَغۡفِرُونَ ٱللَّهَ لَعَلَّكُمۡ تُرۡحَمُونَ

He said: "O my people! Why do you seek to hasten the evil (torment) before the good (Allâh’s Mercy)? Why seek you not the Forgiveness of Allâh, that you may receive mercy?"

قَالُوا۟ ٱطَّيَّرۡنَا بِكَ وَبِمَن مَّعَكَ ۚ قَالَ طَـٰٓئِرُكُمۡ عِندَ ٱللَّهِ ۖ بَلۡ أَنتُمۡ قَوۡمٌۭ تُفۡتَنُونَ

They said: "We augur ill omen from you and those with you." He said: "Your ill omen is with Allâh; nay, but you are a people that are being tested."

وَكَانَ فِى ٱلۡمَدِينَةِ تِسۡعَةُ رَهۡطٍۢ يُفۡسِدُونَ فِى ٱلۡأَرۡضِ وَلَا يُصۡلِحُونَ

And there were in the city nine men (from the sons of their chiefs), who made mischief in the land, and would not reform.

قَالُوا۟ تَقَاسَمُوا۟ بِٱللَّهِ لَنُبَيِّتَنَّهُۥ وَأَهۡلَهُۥ ثُمَّ لَنَقُولَنَّ لِوَلِيِّهِۦ مَا شَهِدۡنَا مَهۡلِكَ أَهۡلِهِۦ وَإِنَّا لَصَـٰدِقُونَ

They said: "Swear one to another by Allâh that we shall make a secret night attack on him and his household, and thereafter we will surely say to his near relatives: ‘We witnessed not the destruction of his household, and verily we are telling the truth.’"

وَمَكَرُوا۟ مَكۡرًۭا وَمَكَرۡنَا مَكۡرًۭا وَهُمۡ لَا يَشۡعُرُونَ

So they plotted a plot, and We plotted a plot, while they perceived not.

فَٱنظُرۡ كَيۡفَ كَانَ عَـٰقِبَةُ مَكۡرِهِمۡ أَنَّا دَمَّرۡنَـٰهُمۡ وَقَوۡمَهُمۡ أَجۡمَعِينَ

Then see how was the end of their plot! Verily! We destroyed them and their nation, all together.

فَتِلۡكَ بُيُوتُهُمۡ خَاوِيَةًۢ بِمَا ظَلَمُوٓا۟ ۗ إِنَّ فِى ذَٰلِكَ لَـَٔايَةًۭ لِّقَوۡمٍۢ يَعۡلَمُونَ

These are their houses in utter ruin, for they did wrong. Verily, in this is indeed an Ayâh (a lesson or a sign) for people who know.

وَأَنجَيۡنَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَكَانُوا۟ يَتَّقُونَ

And We saved those who believed, and used to fear Allâh, and keep their duty to Him.

وَلُوطًا إِذۡ قَالَ لِقَوۡمِهِۦٓ أَتَأۡتُونَ ٱلۡفَـٰحِشَةَ وَأَنتُمۡ تُبۡصِرُونَ

And (remember) Lût (Lot)! When he said to his people.[2] Do you commit Al-Fâhishah (evil, great sin, every kind of unlawful sexual intercourse, sodomy) while you see (one another doing evil without any screen)?"

أَئِنَّكُمۡ لَتَأۡتُونَ ٱلرِّجَالَ شَهۡوَةًۭ مِّن دُونِ ٱلنِّسَآءِ ۚ بَلۡ أَنتُمۡ قَوۡمٌۭ تَجۡهَلُونَ

"Do you practise your lusts on men instead of women? Nay, but you are a people who behave senselessly."

۞ فَمَا كَانَ جَوَابَ قَوۡمِهِۦٓ إِلَّآ أَن قَالُوٓا۟ أَخۡرِجُوٓا۟ ءَالَ لُوطٍۢ مِّن قَرۡيَتِكُمۡ ۖ إِنَّهُمۡ أُنَاسٌۭ يَتَطَهَّرُونَ

There was no other answer given by his people except that they said: "Drive out the family of Lût (Lot) from your city Verily, these are men who want to be clean and pure!"

فَأَنجَيۡنَـٰهُ وَأَهۡلَهُۥٓ إِلَّا ٱمۡرَأَتَهُۥ قَدَّرۡنَـٰهَا مِنَ ٱلۡغَـٰبِرِينَ

So We saved him and his family, except his wife. We destined her to be of those who remained behind.

وَأَمۡطَرۡنَا عَلَيۡهِم مَّطَرًۭا ۖ فَسَآءَ مَطَرُ ٱلۡمُنذَرِينَ

And We rained down on them a rain (of stones). So evil was the rain of those who were warned.

قُلِ ٱلۡحَمۡدُ لِلَّهِ وَسَلَـٰمٌ عَلَىٰ عِبَادِهِ ٱلَّذِينَ ٱصۡطَفَىٰٓ ۗ ءَآللَّهُ خَيۡرٌ أَمَّا يُشۡرِكُونَ

Say (O Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم): "Praise and thanks be to Allâh, and peace be on His slaves whom He has chosen (for His Message)! Is Allâh better, or (all) that you ascribe as partners (to Him)?" (Of course, Allâh is Better).[3]

أَمَّنۡ خَلَقَ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَٱلۡأَرۡضَ وَأَنزَلَ لَكُم مِّنَ ٱلسَّمَآءِ مَآءًۭ فَأَنۢبَتۡنَا بِهِۦ حَدَآئِقَ ذَاتَ بَهۡجَةٍۢ مَّا كَانَ لَكُمۡ أَن تُنۢبِتُوا۟ شَجَرَهَآ ۗ أَءِلَـٰهٌۭ مَّعَ ٱللَّهِ ۚ بَلۡ هُمۡ قَوۡمٌۭ يَعۡدِلُونَ

Is not He (better than your gods) Who created the heavens and the earth, and sends down for you water (rain) from the sky, whereby We cause to grow wonderful gardens full of beauty and delight? It is not in your ability to cause the growth of their trees. Is there any ilâh (god) with Allâh? Nay, but they are a people who ascribe equals (to Him)!

أَمَّن جَعَلَ ٱلۡأَرۡضَ قَرَارًۭا وَجَعَلَ خِلَـٰلَهَآ أَنۡهَـٰرًۭا وَجَعَلَ لَهَا رَوَٰسِىَ وَجَعَلَ بَيۡنَ ٱلۡبَحۡرَيۡنِ حَاجِزًا ۗ أَءِلَـٰهٌۭ مَّعَ ٱللَّهِ ۚ بَلۡ أَكۡثَرُهُمۡ لَا يَعۡلَمُونَ

Is not He (better than your gods) Who has made the earth as a fixed abode, and has placed rivers in its midst, and has placed firm mountains therein, and has set a barrier between the two seas (of salt and sweet water)? Is there any ilâh (god) with Allâh? Nay, but most of them know not!

أَمَّن يُجِيبُ ٱلۡمُضۡطَرَّ إِذَا دَعَاهُ وَيَكۡشِفُ ٱلسُّوٓءَ وَيَجۡعَلُكُمۡ خُلَفَآءَ ٱلۡأَرۡضِ ۗ أَءِلَـٰهٌۭ مَّعَ ٱللَّهِ ۚ قَلِيلًۭا مَّا تَذَكَّرُونَ

Is not He (better than your gods) Who responds to the distressed one, when he calls on Him, and Who removes the evil, and makes you inheritors of the earth, generations after generations? Is there any ilâh (god) with Allâh? Little is that you remember!

أَمَّن يَهۡدِيكُمۡ فِى ظُلُمَـٰتِ ٱلۡبَرِّ وَٱلۡبَحۡرِ وَمَن يُرۡسِلُ ٱلرِّيَـٰحَ بُشۡرًۢا بَيۡنَ يَدَىۡ رَحۡمَتِهِۦٓ ۗ أَءِلَـٰهٌۭ مَّعَ ٱللَّهِ ۚ تَعَـٰلَى ٱللَّهُ عَمَّا يُشۡرِكُونَ

Is not He (better than your gods) Who guides you in the darkness of the land and the sea, and Who sends the winds as heralds of glad tidings, going before His Mercy (rain)? Is there any ilâh (god) with Allâh? High Exalted be Allâh above all that they associate as partners (to Him)!

أَمَّن يَبۡدَؤُا۟ ٱلۡخَلۡقَ ثُمَّ يُعِيدُهُۥ وَمَن يَرۡزُقُكُم مِّنَ ٱلسَّمَآءِ وَٱلۡأَرۡضِ ۗ أَءِلَـٰهٌۭ مَّعَ ٱللَّهِ ۚ قُلۡ هَاتُوا۟ بُرۡهَـٰنَكُمۡ إِن كُنتُمۡ صَـٰدِقِينَ

Is not He (better than your so-called gods) Who originates creation, and shall thereafter repeat it, and Who provides for you from heaven and earth? Is there any ilâh (god) with Allâh? Say: "Bring forth your proofs, if you are truthful."

قُل لَّا يَعۡلَمُ مَن فِى ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَٱلۡأَرۡضِ ٱلۡغَيۡبَ إِلَّا ٱللَّهُ ۚ وَمَا يَشۡعُرُونَ أَيَّانَ يُبۡعَثُونَ

Say: "None in the heavens and the earth knows the Ghaib (Unseen) except Allâh, nor can they perceive when they shall be resurrected."

بَلِ ٱدَّٰرَكَ عِلۡمُهُمۡ فِى ٱلۡـَٔاخِرَةِ ۚ بَلۡ هُمۡ فِى شَكٍّۢ مِّنۡهَا ۖ بَلۡ هُم مِّنۡهَا عَمُونَ

Nay, they have no knowledge of the Hereafter. Nay, they are in doubt about it. Nay, they are in complete blindness about it.

وَقَالَ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوٓا۟ أَءِذَا كُنَّا تُرَٰبًۭا وَءَابَآؤُنَآ أَئِنَّا لَمُخۡرَجُونَ

And those who disbelieve say: "When we have become dust - we and our fathers - shall we really be brought forth (again)?

لَقَدۡ وُعِدۡنَا هَـٰذَا نَحۡنُ وَءَابَآؤُنَا مِن قَبۡلُ إِنۡ هَـٰذَآ إِلَّآ أَسَـٰطِيرُ ٱلۡأَوَّلِينَ

"Indeed we were promised this - we and our forefathers before (us), verily, these are nothing but tales of ancients."

قُلۡ سِيرُوا۟ فِى ٱلۡأَرۡضِ فَٱنظُرُوا۟ كَيۡفَ كَانَ عَـٰقِبَةُ ٱلۡمُجۡرِمِينَ

Say to them (O Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم) "Travel in the land and see how has been the end of the Mujrimûn (criminals, those who denied Allâh’s Messengers and disobeyed Allâh)."

وَلَا تَحۡزَنۡ عَلَيۡهِمۡ وَلَا تَكُن فِى ضَيۡقٍۢ مِّمَّا يَمۡكُرُونَ

And grieve you not over them, nor be straitened (in distress) because of what they plot.

وَيَقُولُونَ مَتَىٰ هَـٰذَا ٱلۡوَعۡدُ إِن كُنتُمۡ صَـٰدِقِينَ

And they (the disbelievers in the Oneness of Allâh) say: "When (will) this promise (be fulfilled), if you are truthful?"

قُلۡ عَسَىٰٓ أَن يَكُونَ رَدِفَ لَكُم بَعۡضُ ٱلَّذِى تَسۡتَعۡجِلُونَ

Say: "Perhaps that which you wish to hasten on, may be close behind you.

وَإِنَّ رَبَّكَ لَذُو فَضۡلٍ عَلَى ٱلنَّاسِ وَلَـٰكِنَّ أَكۡثَرَهُمۡ لَا يَشۡكُرُونَ

"Verily, your Lord is full of Grace for mankind, yet most of them do not give thanks."

وَإِنَّ رَبَّكَ لَيَعۡلَمُ مَا تُكِنُّ صُدُورُهُمۡ وَمَا يُعۡلِنُونَ

And verily, your Lord knows what their breasts conceal and what they reveal.

وَمَا مِنۡ غَآئِبَةٍۢ فِى ٱلسَّمَآءِ وَٱلۡأَرۡضِ إِلَّا فِى كِتَـٰبٍۢ مُّبِينٍ

And there is nothing hidden in the heaven and the earth but it is in a Clear Book (i.e. Al-Lauh Al-Mahfûz).

إِنَّ هَـٰذَا ٱلۡقُرۡءَانَ يَقُصُّ عَلَىٰ بَنِىٓ إِسۡرَٰٓءِيلَ أَكۡثَرَ ٱلَّذِى هُمۡ فِيهِ يَخۡتَلِفُونَ

Verily, this Qur’ân narrates to the Children of Israel most of that in which they differ.

وَإِنَّهُۥ لَهُدًۭى وَرَحۡمَةٌۭ لِّلۡمُؤۡمِنِينَ

And truly, it (this Qur’ân) is a guide and a mercy for the believers.

إِنَّ رَبَّكَ يَقۡضِى بَيۡنَهُم بِحُكۡمِهِۦ ۚ وَهُوَ ٱلۡعَزِيزُ ٱلۡعَلِيمُ

Verily, your Lord will decide between them (various sects) by His Judgement. And He is the All-Mighty, the All-Knowing.

فَتَوَكَّلۡ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ ۖ إِنَّكَ عَلَى ٱلۡحَقِّ ٱلۡمُبِينِ

So put your trust in Allâh; surely, you (O Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم) are on manifest truth.

إِنَّكَ لَا تُسۡمِعُ ٱلۡمَوۡتَىٰ وَلَا تُسۡمِعُ ٱلصُّمَّ ٱلدُّعَآءَ إِذَا وَلَّوۡا۟ مُدۡبِرِينَ

Verily, you cannot make the dead to hear nor can you make the deaf to hear the call (i.e. benefit them and similarly the disbelievers), when they flee, turning their backs.

وَمَآ أَنتَ بِهَـٰدِى ٱلۡعُمۡىِ عَن ضَلَـٰلَتِهِمۡ ۖ إِن تُسۡمِعُ إِلَّا مَن يُؤۡمِنُ بِـَٔايَـٰتِنَا فَهُم مُّسۡلِمُونَ

Nor can you lead the blind out of their error. You can only make to hear those who believe in Our Ayât (proofs, evidence, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.), and who have submitted (themselves to Allâh in Islâm as Muslims).

۞ وَإِذَا وَقَعَ ٱلۡقَوۡلُ عَلَيۡهِمۡ أَخۡرَجۡنَا لَهُمۡ دَآبَّةًۭ مِّنَ ٱلۡأَرۡضِ تُكَلِّمُهُمۡ أَنَّ ٱلنَّاسَ كَانُوا۟ بِـَٔايَـٰتِنَا لَا يُوقِنُونَ

And when the Word (of torment) is fulfilled against them, We shall bring out from the earth a beast[4] for them, to speak to them because mankind believed not with certainty in Our Ayât (Verses of the Qur’ân and Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم).

وَيَوۡمَ نَحۡشُرُ مِن كُلِّ أُمَّةٍۢ فَوۡجًۭا مِّمَّن يُكَذِّبُ بِـَٔايَـٰتِنَا فَهُمۡ يُوزَعُونَ

And (remember) the Day when We shall gather out of every nation a troop of those who denied Our Ayât (proofs, evidence, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.), and (then) they (all) shall be driven (to the place of reckoning),

حَتَّىٰٓ إِذَا جَآءُو قَالَ أَكَذَّبۡتُم بِـَٔايَـٰتِى وَلَمۡ تُحِيطُوا۟ بِهَا عِلۡمًا أَمَّاذَا كُنتُمۡ تَعۡمَلُونَ

Till, when they come (before their Lord at the place of reckoning), He will say: "Did you deny My Ayât (proofs, evidence, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.) whereas you comprehended them not by knowledge (of their truth or falsehood), or what (else) was it that you used to do?"

وَوَقَعَ ٱلۡقَوۡلُ عَلَيۡهِم بِمَا ظَلَمُوا۟ فَهُمۡ لَا يَنطِقُونَ

And the Word (of torment) will be fulfilled against them, because they have done wrong, and they will be unable to speak (in order to defend themselves).

أَلَمۡ يَرَوۡا۟ أَنَّا جَعَلۡنَا ٱلَّيۡلَ لِيَسۡكُنُوا۟ فِيهِ وَٱلنَّهَارَ مُبۡصِرًا ۚ إِنَّ فِى ذَٰلِكَ لَـَٔايَـٰتٍۢ لِّقَوۡمٍۢ يُؤۡمِنُونَ

See they not that We have made the night for them to rest therein, and the day sight-giving? Verily, in this are Ayât (proofs, evidence, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.) for the people who believe.

وَيَوۡمَ يُنفَخُ فِى ٱلصُّورِ فَفَزِعَ مَن فِى ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَمَن فِى ٱلۡأَرۡضِ إِلَّا مَن شَآءَ ٱللَّهُ ۚ وَكُلٌّ أَتَوۡهُ دَٰخِرِينَ

And (remember) the Day on which the Trumpet will be blown - and all who are in the heavens and all who are on the earth, will be terrified except him whom Allâh will (exempt). And all shall come to Him, humbled.

وَتَرَى ٱلۡجِبَالَ تَحۡسَبُهَا جَامِدَةًۭ وَهِىَ تَمُرُّ مَرَّ ٱلسَّحَابِ ۚ صُنۡعَ ٱللَّهِ ٱلَّذِىٓ أَتۡقَنَ كُلَّ شَىۡءٍ ۚ إِنَّهُۥ خَبِيرٌۢ بِمَا تَفۡعَلُونَ

And you will see the mountains and think them solid, but they shall pass away as the passing away of the clouds. The Work of Allâh, Who perfected all things, verily He is Well-Acquainted with what you do.

مَن جَآءَ بِٱلۡحَسَنَةِ فَلَهُۥ خَيۡرٌۭ مِّنۡهَا وَهُم مِّن فَزَعٍۢ يَوۡمَئِذٍ ءَامِنُونَ

Whoever brings a good deed (i.e. Belief in the Oneness of Allâh along with every deed of righteousness), will have better than its worth; and they will be safe from the terror on that Day.

وَمَن جَآءَ بِٱلسَّيِّئَةِ فَكُبَّتۡ وُجُوهُهُمۡ فِى ٱلنَّارِ هَلۡ تُجۡزَوۡنَ إِلَّا مَا كُنتُمۡ تَعۡمَلُونَ

And whoever brings an evil deed (i.e. Shirk - polytheism, disbelief in the Oneness of Allâh and every evil sinful deed), they will be cast down (prone) on their faces in the Fire. (And it will be said to them) "Are you being recompensed anything except what you used to do?"

إِنَّمَآ أُمِرۡتُ أَنۡ أَعۡبُدَ رَبَّ هَـٰذِهِ ٱلۡبَلۡدَةِ ٱلَّذِى حَرَّمَهَا وَلَهُۥ كُلُّ شَىۡءٍۢ ۖ وَأُمِرۡتُ أَنۡ أَكُونَ مِنَ ٱلۡمُسۡلِمِينَ

I (Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم) have been commanded only to worship the Lord of this city (Makkah), Who has sanctified it and to Whom belongs everything. And I am commanded to be from among the Muslims (those who submit to Allâh in Islâm).[5]

وَأَنۡ أَتۡلُوَا۟ ٱلۡقُرۡءَانَ ۖ فَمَنِ ٱهۡتَدَىٰ فَإِنَّمَا يَهۡتَدِى لِنَفۡسِهِۦ ۖ وَمَن ضَلَّ فَقُلۡ إِنَّمَآ أَنَا۠ مِنَ ٱلۡمُنذِرِينَ

And that I should recite the Qur’ân, then whosoever receives guidance, receives it for the good of his ownself; and whosoever goes astray, say (to him): "I am only one of the warners."

وَقُلِ ٱلۡحَمۡدُ لِلَّهِ سَيُرِيكُمۡ ءَايَـٰتِهِۦ فَتَعۡرِفُونَهَا ۚ وَمَا رَبُّكَ بِغَـٰفِلٍ عَمَّا تَعۡمَلُونَ

And say [(O Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم) to these polytheists and pagans.]: "All the praises and thanks be to Allâh. He will show you His Ayât (signs, in yourselves, and in the universe or punishments), and you shall recognise them. And your Lord is not unaware of what you do."