التفسير المحرر

But the only response his people gave was to say, “Drive the family of Lot out of your town, for they are a people who keep themselves pure!"

The people of Lot had no answer or argument when he denounced their shameful act, except that they said to one another: "Expel Lot and his household from your town, for they are people who keep themselves pure from what we do of approaching men from behind, so they should not reside in your land."

So We saved him and his family, except his wife whom We destined to be among those who would remain behind.

So We saved Lot and his household from being reached by their harm or afflicted by any of Our punishment, except his disbelieving wife. We decreed that she would be among those remaining in the punishment, to perish with her people.

And We rained upon them a rain [of stones]. How terrible was the rain of those who were warned!

And We rained upon the people of Lot a rain of stones. How terrible was this rain that We rained upon the people of Lot, whom their prophet had warned of Allah's punishment, but they disobeyed and denied him!

Say, [O Prophet], “All praise is for Allah, and peace be upon His slaves whom He has chosen. Is Allah better, or those partners whom they associate with Him?"

Say, O Muhammad: "All praises are for Allah Almighty alone, for the perfection of His actions and attributes and the greatness of His blessings. And peace from Allah be upon His servants whom He has chosen, saved from the punishment, and kept safe from faults and persistence in sins." Say, O Muhammad: "Is Allah, Who is described with the attributes of perfection, majesty, and honor, better, or those idols and other deities that can neither benefit nor harm, and yet the polytheists worship them alongside Allah?!"

Is He [not better] Who created the heavens and earth, and sent down for you rain from the sky, by which We caused to grow gardens of cheerful beauty? You could never cause their trees to grow. Is there any god besides Allah? No, but they are people who ascribe equals [to Allah].

Is He not better Who alone created the heavens and the earth and sent down for you rain from the clouds, by which He caused to grow gardens of beautiful appearance that delight whoever sees them, and the trees, which you can't make grow?! Is there another deity with Allah who did these things and thus deserved to be worshipped?! The answer is no, because there is no god but Allah alone. Rather, the polytheists are people who deviate from the truth; despite their knowledge that Allah is the sole Creator, they set up an equal and a peer to Allah, even though they know the difference.

Is He [not better] Who made the earth a stable place to live, and caused rivers to flow through it, and placed therein firm mountains, and made a barrier between two flowing bodies of water[18]? Is there any god besides Allah? No, but most of them do not know.

Who is it that made the earth a stable, tranquil place that does not tremble and made rivers flow through it and placed firm mountains on it, and set a barrier by His power between the salty seas and the fresh rivers, so that the fresh water does not mix with the salt water, lest one corrupt the other, and the intended benefit from them be lost? Is there another god with Allah who did these things and thus deserves to be worshipped?! Nay, but most of them do not know what is due to Allah, nor do they know the harm of associating partners with Him or the benefit of His oneness.

Is He [not better] Who responds to the distressed when he calls out to Him, and Who relieves suffering, and Who makes you successors[19] on earth? Is there any god besides Allah? Little is it that you take heed!

Is He not better Who grants the needy what they ask for, however difficult to obtain, and Who removes hardship and distress, if He wills, and Who makes you successors on the earth?! Is there any other god with Allah who has done these things and is thus worthy of worship?! Little is it that you are mindful of Allah's majesty, His favours, and His proofs because of your aversion and heedlessness; that is why you associate others with Him in worship!

Is He [not better] Who guides you in the depths of the darkness of the land and sea[20], and Who sends the winds as harbingers ahead of His mercy[21]? Is there any god besides Allah? Exalted is Allah far above the partners they associate with Him!

Or who is it that guides you on the way when you are lost in the darkness of the land and the sea during your travels—by His grace and by the signs He has created for you—and Who sends the winds bearing good tidings of rain before it comes?! Is there another deity with Allah who has done these things and is thus deserving of worship alongside Him?! Or is it Allah Alone Who has done so, yet you worship others besides Him?! Great and Exalted is Allah above associating partners with Him, and above being equated with false, powerless, and deficient deities.

Is He [not better] Who originates creation then repeats it, and Who gives you provision from the heaven and earth? Is there any god besides Allah? Say, “Produce your evidence, if you are truthful.”

Who is it that originates every creature, bringing it into existence from nothing, then after its demise resurrects it on the Day of Resurrection and Rising, restoring it to its state before He caused it to perish? And who provides you with rain from the sky and vegetation from the earth?! Is there another deity with Allah who has the power to do these things and is thus worthy of worship alongside Him?! Say—O Muhammad—to the polytheists, "Bring forth your evidence and your proof for the soundness of your worship of others besides Allah, if you are truthful in your claim that there is another god with Allah deserving of worship!"

Say, “No one in the heavens and earth has knowledge of the unseen except Allah.” Nor do they know when they will be resurrected.

Say, O Prophet, "No one in the heavens and in the earth knows the unseen, which Allah has reserved for His knowledge, except Allah alone. Nor does anyone know when Allah will resurrect the creation from their graves on the Day of Resurrection."

In fact, their knowledge cannot comprehend the Hereafter; rather, they are in doubt about it; rather, they are blind to it.

Rather, their knowledge will become complete on the Day of Resurrection that everything they were promised in the world is a true reality. Nay, the polytheists in the world are in doubt about the existence of the Hereafter and the occurrence of the Resurrection, for they are not certain of the resurrection after death. Nay, in this world they are completely ignorant of the matter of the Hereafter and its occurrence, and of the reckoning and recompense therein.

Those who disbelieve say, “What! Is it that when we and our forefathers become dust, will we really be brought forth [alive]?

And the disbelievers say: "When we and our fathers have become dust in the graves, will we indeed be brought out alive on the Day of Resurrection after our death?! This is something that will never happen."

We and our forefathers have been promised this before; this is nothing but ancient fables!”

The polytheists said: "Before Muhammad, there came to us those who promised us and our forefathers the resurrection, just as Muhammad has promised us, but we have seen no truth in it! This promise of resurrection after death is nothing but false tales and fabricated stories written by the ancients in their books, passed down by those who came after them, and there is no truth to it."

Say, “Travel in the land and see how was the end of the wicked.”

Say—O Muhammad—to the polytheists: "Travel through the land and see the remnants of the disbelievers who denied the messengers of Allah, for Allah destroyed them in the end, so that you may take heed and be warned lest what befell them befalls you."

Do not grieve over them, nor be distressed by their plots.

And do not grieve—O Muhammad—over these polytheists, their turning away from you, and their denial of the truth you have brought them. And do not be distressed—O Muhammad—by the plotting of the disbelievers against you, for their plotting will surely rebound upon them, and Allah is your protector and your supporter against them, and will make His religion victorious.

They say, “When will this warning come to pass, if you are truthful?”

The polytheists say, "When will the punishment of Allah come to us, if you—O Muhammad—are truthful in what you promise us of the punishment?!"

Say, “Perhaps some of what you seek to hasten is quite near to you.”

Say—O Muhammad—to these polytheists: "Some of the punishment you seek to hasten has drawn near."

Indeed, your Lord is graceful to mankind[22], but most of them are ungrateful.

And indeed, your Lord—O Muhammad—is of vast bounty for the people, by granting them respite and being good to them, despite their having wronged themselves. But most of the people do not thank Allah for His blessings, and they associate others with Him in worship and seek to hasten His punishment.

Your Lord surely knows all that their hearts conceal and all that they reveal[23].

And indeed, your Lord, O Muhammad, knows what they conceal in their hearts and what they reveal of their words and deeds; nothing thereof is hidden from Him.

For there is nothing hidden in the heavens and earth except that it is [written] in a clear Record[24].

And there is nothing hidden from the servants in the heaven and the earth, but Allah knows it, and it is recorded in a clear, manifest Book, which is the Preserved Tablet.

Indeed, this Qur’an explains to the Children of Israel most of that over which they differ.

Indeed, this Qur’an explains to the Children of Israel the truth regarding most of what they disagree about, and had they followed it, they would have been guided.

And it is certainly a guidance and mercy for the believers.

Indeed, the Qur’an is guidance from every misguidance, leads to the intended goal, and is a mercy for the believers who act according to it in their religion, their worldly life, and their Hereafter.

Indeed, your Lord will judge between them by His justice, for He is the All-Mighty, the All-Knowing.

Indeed, your Lord, O Muhammad, will judge on the Day of Resurrection between His differing servants with His just judgment and recompense them for what they deserve. And Allah is the All-Mighty in His retribution, the Overpowering, the Subduer of His servants, the One free from all imperfection and defect, and the All-Knowing of everything. So nothing is hidden from Him of the deeds of the servants, their intentions, or otherwise, and He will recompense them for what they deserve.

So put your trust in Allah, for you are upon the clear truth.

So rely, O Muhammad, on Allah alone, trust in Him, and entrust all your affairs to Him. Indeed, you, O Muhammad, are upon the manifest and perfectly clear truth, in which there is no obscurity or ambiguity, regardless of who opposes you.

You cannot make the dead[25] hear, nor can you make the deaf hear the call when they turn their backs retreating.

You, O Muhammad, cannot guide the disbelievers whose hearts have died after Allah has sealed them. You cannot make them hear a hearing of guidance, benefit, and acceptance with which they would respond to the truth and submit to it, unless Allah wills to guide them. Nor can you make the disbelievers, whose ears Allah has deafened, hear the truth when they turn away from hearing and pondering it.

Nor can you guide the blind out of their error, nor can you make anyone hear except those who believe in Our verses, for they are ready to submit to Allah.

And you, O Muhammad, cannot guide the disbelievers who are blind to the truth to bring them out of disbelief into faith. You can only make the truth understood by those who believe in Our signs so they hear them, reflect upon them, and are led to act upon them with sincerity and submission.

When the decree [of the Hour] comes to pass against them, We will bring forth to them a beast[26] out of the earth that will tell them that the people had no faith in Our verses.

When the promise of punishment and wrath befalls the disbelievers, We will bring forth for them a beast from the earth, addressing the disbelievers that the people have no certain faith in the verses of Allah Almighty without any doubt or uncertainty.

And [beware of] the Day when We will gather from every nation a group of those who used to reject Our verses, and they will be driven in ranks.

And remember the Day when We will gather from every nation a large group of those who deny the verses of the Qur’an and Our proofs indicating the truth, so the first of them will be held back for the last of them, and thus they will all be gathered together.

When they finally come, He will say, “Did you reject My verses without even comprehending them, or what exactly were you doing?

So when they came to the place that Allah willed for their rebuke, He said to them reproachfully: "Did you deny the signs of My Book and My proofs while you were ignorant of them and did not know them with true knowledge?! Or what was it that you were doing?"

The decree [of punishment] will befall them because of their wrongdoing, leaving them speechless.

The punishment of Allah and His wrath became due on the Day of Resurrection upon those deniers because they wronged themselves in this world by denying the signs of Allah, the Exalted. Those deniers will not be able to utter an argument or an excuse to ward off the punishment from them.

Do they not see that We made the night for them to rest in, and made the day bright? Indeed, there are signs in this for people who believe.

Have they not seen that We made the night dark so their bodies could rest from movement and they could find relief from toil and fatigue, and We made the day bright so they could disperse in it, seeking their livelihoods and other things? Thus, We made them different and alternating for their benefit! Indeed, in the creation of the night and the day and their difference in this manner are signs for people who believe in Allah, and among these is the sign of His Oneness and His power to resurrect the dead.

And [beware of] the Day when the Trumpet will be blown, and all those who are in the heavens and on earth will be horrified except whom Allah wills[27], and all will come to Him, fully humbled.

And remember the Day the angel will blow the Trumpet by the command of Allah, and everyone in the heavens and on the earth will be terrified, except for whom Allah wills not to be terrified. And everyone in the heavens and on the earth will come to Allah in humility and submission.

You will see the mountains, thinking them firmly fixed[28], but they will be moving like clouds – such is the design of Allah, Who has perfected everything. Indeed, He is All-Aware of what you do.

And you see the mountains, thinking them to be firmly still, but in reality, they move like the clouds. That is from the design and creation of Allah, Who has perfected, secured, and mastered everything. Indeed, Allah knows what you do of good and evil, and He will recompense you for all your deeds, so beware of disobeying His command.

Whoever comes with a good deed will be rewarded with better than it, and they will be safe from the horror of that Day.

Whoever comes on the Day of Resurrection with a good deed will have a great reward with Allah, and they will be safe on the Day of Resurrection from the terror that befalls the creation.

But whoever comes with an evil deed[29] will be thrown on their faces in the Fire. Are you recompensed except for what you used to do?

But whoever comes on the Day of Resurrection with an evil deed will be cast on their faces into the Fire. It will be said to them, "You are not recompensed except according to the deeds that you used to do in the world."

Say, “I have been commanded only to worship the Lord of this city [of Makkah] Who made it sacred and to Whom belongs all things. And I am commanded to be one of those who submit to Allah [in Islam],

Say, O Muhammad, to your people of Quraysh: "Allah has only commanded me to worship the Lord of this city—Makkah—Who has made it a safe sanctuary, forbidding His creation therein from shedding unlawful blood, wronging anyone, hunting its game, or cutting its trees. And to Allah—the Lord of Makkah—belong all things: their creation, dominion, and authority. And Allah has commanded me to be among those who submit to Him with Tawhīd, yielding to Him by carrying out His commands and avoiding His prohibitions."

and to recite the Qur’an.” Then whoever chooses guidance, it is only for his own good; but whoever chooses to go astray, say [O Prophet], “I am only one of the warners.”

And Allah has commanded me to recite the Qur’an and follow what is in it. So whoever believes in the Qur’an, acts upon it, and follows the truth it contains, white-space: normal; background-color: rgb(249, 250, 251);">the reward and benefit of that is for his own good. But whoever disbelieves in the Qur’an and turns away from acting upon what is in it, say to him: “I am only one of the Messengers who warn of the punishment of Allah, His wrath, and the consequences of your going astray; it is only upon me to convey the message clearly."

And say, “All praise is for Allah. He will show you His signs, then you will acknowledge them. Your Lord is not unaware of what you do.”

And say, O Muhammad: "The one characterized with perfection is Allah Almighty, Who has bestowed His blessings upon us and guided us and has made His signs clear and established the proof against His servants. He will show you in this world the signs of His punishment and the proofs of His oneness and power, so the truth of what Allah has informed you of, and the truth of what I have called you to and warned you about, will become clear to you. And your Lord is not unaware of what you do; rather, He is a witness over all your deeds, and He will recompense you for them."

Al-Qasas

Tā Sīn Mīm.[1]

These disjointed letters demonstrate the Qur’an’s miraculous (inimitable) nature, showing the creation's inability to produce anything like it, even though it is composed of these very letters they speak with.

These are the verses of the clear Book.

These are the great and sublime verses of the clear Qur’an, which make manifest the reality of all things.

We recount to you part of the story of Moses and Pharaoh in truth for people who believe.

We recite to you, O Muhammad, in this Qur’an from the story of Moses and Pharaoh with truth for people who believe in this Qur’an so that they may take heed.

Indeed, Pharaoh arrogantly elevated himself in the land and divided its people into different factions; oppressing one group of them[2], slaughtering their sons and sparing their women alive[3]. He was truly one of those who spread corruption.

Indeed, Pharaoh transgressed and was tyrannical in the land. He made the people of his kingdom into separate groups, enslaving among them the Children of Israel and humiliating them, ordering the slaughter of their male children and leaving their females alive. Pharaoh was truly one of the corrupters in the land.

But We wanted to bestow favor upon those who were oppressed in the land[4], and make them leaders and inheritors [of the land],

But We wanted to bestow favor upon the Children of Israel, to destroy their enemies and make them leaders to be followed and inheritors of the kingdom of Pharaoh and his land.

and to establish them in the land, and to show Pharaoh, Hāmān[5] and their soldiers[6] that which they feared[7].

And to establish the Children of Israel in the land, and to show Pharaoh, Hamān, and their soldiers what they feared: the vanishing of their kingdom at the hands of the Children of Israel.

We inspired the mother of Moses, “Suckle him; but when you fear for him, cast him into the river, and do not fear or grieve. We will surely return him to you, and will make him one of the messengers.”

We inspired the mother of Moses: "Suckle him so long as you feel he is safe, but when you fear for him from Pharaoh and his soldiers, cast him into the river Nile after placing him in the chest, and do not fear his perishing, nor grieve his separation. Indeed, We will return him to you and make him one of Allah's messengers."

Then the household of Pharaoh picked him up, so that he may become an enemy to them and a source of grief. Indeed, Pharaoh, Hāmān and their soldiers were wrongdoers.

Then the household of Pharaoh took Moses so that he would become an enemy to them in their faith and a source of grief through the vanishing of their kingdom and their destruction. Indeed, Pharaoh, Hāmān, and their soldiers were disobedient sinners.

Pharaoh’s wife said, “He is a source of joy for me and you. Do not kill him; he will probably benefit us, or we may adopt him as a son.” They were unaware [of the consequences].

Pharaoh's wife said: "This child is a source of joy for me and you, O Pharaoh. Do not kill him; perhaps he may benefit us or we may adopt him as a son." Pharaoh and his people were indeed unaware that their destruction would be at the hands of this child.

The heart of Moses’ mother became restless; she was about to disclose it, had We not reassured her heart so that she would maintain her faith [in Allah’s promise].

The heart of Moses' mother became empty of everything except Moses, and she was about to disclose that he was her son, had We not strengthened her heart, so that she would be of the believers in Allah's promise.

She said to his sister, “Keep track of him.” So she watched him from a distance, without them noticing.

The mother of Moses said to his sister, "Go and keep track of him to find out about him." So she went and saw him from a distance, while the people of Pharaoh did not know that she was his sister and was watching him.

We had already forbidden for him all wet nurses[8], then she said, “Shall I direct you to a household who will nurse him for you and take good care of him?”

And We had prevented Moses beforehand by a divine decree from accepting to be nursed by any wet nurse other than his mother. So his sister said to the household of Pharaoh: "Shall I direct you to a household that will take good care of him and will nurse him for you, and they will be sincere in that?

Then We returned him to his mother so that she would be comforted and not grieve, and so that she would know that Allah’s promise is true. Yet most of them do not know.

So We returned Moses to his mother so that she might be comforted and rejoice and not grieve over his separation, and so that she would know for certain that what Allah had promised her of returning Moses to her and making him a messenger is a truth that must come to pass. However, most of them do not know that the promise of Allah is true, nor do they know His great wisdom.

When he reached his full strength and maturity, We gave him wisdom and knowledge. This is how We reward those who do good.

When Moses (peace be upon him) reached his full strength and power, We gave him wisdom and knowledge before prophethood. And just as We rewarded him for his excellence, We also reward everyone who does good in the worship of Allah or does good to creation.

Once he entered the city unnoticed by its people[9], and found two men fighting: one of his own people and the other of his enemies. The one from his own people called him for help against his enemy, so Moses struck him with his fist, causing his death. Moses said, “This is of Satan’s work; he is a sworn enemy who mislead people.”

Moses entered a city in Egypt at a time when its people were unaware of his entry, and he found in it two men fighting; one of them was from the Children of Israel, and the other was from the people of Pharaoh. The Israelite asked Moses to help him, so he struck the Copt with his fist and killed him. He said: This killing was from the temptation of Satan to me. Indeed, he is an enemy, misleading from the truth and of manifest enmity.

He said, “My Lord, I have wronged myself, so forgive me,” Then He forgave him, for He is indeed the All-Forgiving, the Most Merciful.

Moses said, "My Lord, I have wronged myself with this killing, so forgive me for that. So Allah forgave him because He is All-Forgiving of the sins of His servants and Most Merciful to them."

He said, “My Lord, because of the blessings that You have bestowed upon me, I will never be a supporter of the wicked.”

Moses said, "My Lord, I promise You that I will never be a supporter of the wicked because of Your favor upon me."

Then he became fearful and vigilant in the city; suddenly the one who sought his help the day before cried out to him again for help. Moses said to him, “You are clearly a troublemaker.”

So Moses became fearful in the city where the Copt had been killed, watching and waiting for what people would say concerning his affair, when suddenly, the Israelite who had sought his help the day before cried out to him, asking for his help against another of Pharaoh’s men. Moses said to him: “Indeed, you are clearly a troublemaker and very quarrelsome."

When he was about to strike the one who was an enemy to both of them, he[10] said, “O Moses, do you want to kill me as you killed that person yesterday? You only want to be a tyrant in the land, and you do not want to be one of those who put things right!”

So when Moses wanted to violently seize the Copt, who was an enemy to him and to the Israelite, and strike him, he said: "O Moses, do you intend to kill me today as you killed the Copt yesterday? You only want to be a dominant oppressor by unjustly killing people, and you do not want to do what is good for the people."

Then there came a man rushing from the farthest end of the city, and said, “O Moses, the chiefs are conspiring to kill you, so leave. I am giving you sincere advice.”

And there came a man from the farthest and most remote part of the city, walking in haste to Moses, and said to him: "Indeed, the chiefs of Pharaoh's people are consulting to kill you and are ordering one another to do so. So leave this city. I am one of the sincere advisors to you in this."

So he left the city, fearful and vigilant. He said, “My Lord, save me from the wrongdoing people.”

So Moses left in a state of fear, looking about to see if they would catch up with him, and prayed: "My Lord, deliver me from the people of Pharaoh, who are wrongdoers to themselves through their disbelief and their desire to kill me for the accidental killing I committed."

When he headed towards Midian, he said, “My Lord will surely guide me to a straight way.”

When Moses left Egypt and headed for the town of Midian and feared that he would lose the way, he said: "Perhaps my Lord will show me the path leading easily to Midian."

When he arrived at the well of Midian, he found a crowd of people watering [their flocks] and found apart from them two women holding [their flocks] back. He said, “What is the matter with you?” They said, “We cannot water [them] until the shepherds take [their flocks] away, and our father is a very old man.”

When Moses reached the water of Midian, he found a large group of people watering their flocks, and found apart from them two women holding back their sheep. He said to them, "What is the matter with you, holding back your sheep and not watering them?" They said, "It is our custom that we do not water our sheep until the shepherds take their flocks away, and our father is an old man, too weak to water the sheep himself."

So he watered [their flocks] for them, then he turned to the shade and said, “My Lord, I am desperately in need of whatever good You may send down to me[11].”

So Moses, out of compassion, watered the flock for the two women without charge. Then he withdrew to the shade and prayed, “My Lord! I am truly in desperate need of whatever good You may send down to me.”

Then one of the two women came to him, walking modestly. She said, “My father[12] is inviting you so that he may reward you for watering [our flocks] for us.” When he came to him and told him the whole story, he said, “Have no fear. You are now safe from the wrongdoing people.”

Then one of the two women came to Moses, walking shyly and modestly. She said, "My father invites you to reward you for watering our sheep for us." When he came to her father and told him his story with Pharaoh and his people, the father said, "Have no fear. You are now safe from Pharaoh and his people, for they have no authority in our land."

One of the two daughters said, “O dear father, hire him; the best one you can hire is the strong and trustworthy.”

One of the two girls said: "O my father, hire this man to tend our sheep and water them. Indeed, the best you can hire is the one who is strong for his work, the trustworthy one who does not betray."

He said, “I would like to give you one of these two daughters of mine in marriage, provided that you serve me for eight years; if you complete ten, it will be of your own free will. I do not want to make things difficult for you. You will find me, if Allah wills, from among the righteous.”

The father said to Moses, "I want to marry you to one of my two daughters on the condition that you tend my sheep for eight years. If you complete ten years, that is a favor from you, and I do not wish to make things difficult for you. You will find me, if Allah wills, among the righteous in good treatment, companionship, faithfulness, and so on."

Moses said, “Let that be the agreement between me and you. Whichever of the two terms I complete, there will be no further obligation on me, and Allah is Witness over what we say.”

Moses said to the father: "I am content with what you have said. It is now settled between me and you. Each of us must fulfill his obligation, and whichever term I complete—whether the ten or the eight—you have no right to demand more from me. And Allah is a Guardian and a Witness over what we have contracted."

When Moses had completed the term[13] and was traveling with his family, he spotted a fire in the direction of Mount Tūr. He said to his family[14], “Stay here; I have spotted a fire. Perhaps I will bring you from there some news or a brand of fire so that you may warm yourselves.”

When Moses had completed his years of shepherding and was travelling with his family, he spotted a fire in the direction of the mountain. He said to his family, “Stay in your place; I have spotted a fire. I will go to it, hoping to bring back from its people some news about the way, or bring you a burning brand from it so that you may warm yourselves.”

But when he came to it, he was called from the tree[15] in the sacred ground on the right side of the valley: “O Moses, I am Allah, the Lord of the worlds.

But when Moses came to the fire, Allah Almighty called him from the right side of the valley, in the land that Allah has blessed, from the direction of the tree, and said to him: "O Moses, indeed, the One Who is speaking to you is I, Allah, the Lord of all creation.

Throw down your staff.” But when he saw it slithering as if it were a snake, he turned and ran away without looking back. [Allah said], “O Moses, come back, and have no fear; you are perfectly safe.

Throw your staff." So he threw it, and when he saw it slithering as if it were a snake in its speed and the intensity of its shaking, he fled quickly and did not return or look back. So Allah said, "O Moses, return to your place and have no fear, for you are safe from any harm afflicting you.

Put your hand into your garment, it will come out shining white without blemish, and draw your arms tight to you to calm your fear. These are two proofs from your Lord to Pharaoh and his chiefs, for they are indeed a rebellious people.”

Put your hand into the opening of your garment—the upper opening where the head goes through—and when you draw it out, it will be white without any disease. And draw your arms close to your chest to calm the fear that has afflicted you. These are two signs from your Lord—the staff and the hand. I am sending you with them to Pharaoh and the chiefs of his people, for they are ingrained in disbelief, characterized by their rebellion against the obedience of Allah."

Moses said, “My Lord, I have killed one of their men, and I fear that they may kill me.

Moses said, "My Lord, I have killed a person from Pharaoh's people, so I fear that if they see me alone without a helper to explain to them what I want to say, they will kill me before I can call them to the truth."

My brother Aaron is more eloquent than me in speech, so send him with me as a helper to confirm my words, for I fear that they may reject me.”

And my brother Aaron is more eloquent in speech than I, so appoint him as a messenger with me and a minister to assist me in my call to them, clarifying what I say to them, for I fear that Pharaoh and his people will not believe me."

Allah said, “We will strengthen you through your brother and give you both power, so they cannot harm you. With Our signs, you and your followers will prevail.”

Allah said: "We will strengthen you by sending your brother with you, and We will give you both proof against Pharaoh and his people and an awe of you, so you will overcome them and be safe from them. Because of Our signs, they cannot harm you; you and your followers will be the victors over Pharaoh and his chiefs, overpowering them."

When Moses came to them with Our clear signs, they said, “This is nothing but fabricated magic; we have not heard of this from our earlier ancestors.”

When Moses came to them with miracles and clear proofs of the truth, Pharaoh and his people said: “That which Moses has brought is fabricated magic; it is an illusion with no reality, and not a divine miracle as he claims. And we have not heard of anyone calling our fathers to the like of what you are calling us.”

Moses said, “My Lord knows best who has come with guidance from Him and who will have the best abode in the end. The wrongdoers will never succeed.”

Moses responded to them: "My Lord knows best who has come with the truth from Him—we or you—and my Lord knows best who will have the praiseworthy outcome in this world and the Hereafter—we or you. Indeed, the wrongdoers will not succeed in attaining the praiseworthy outcome and everlasting bliss."

Pharaoh said, “O chiefs, I do not know for you any god other than myself. So bake for me bricks out of clay, O Hāmān, and build for me a tower so that I may have a look at the God of Moses, for I think he is a liar.”

And Pharaoh said, “O chiefs, I know of no god for you other than myself, as Moses claims. So kindle a fire for me, O Hāmān, on the clay to dry it, so it becomes bricks with which you can build me a high tower that I may look upon the God of Moses whom he calls us to worship. And indeed, I think Moses is a liar in his claim."

He and his soldiers were arrogant in the land without any right and thought that they would not be brought back to Us.

Pharaoh and his soldiers acted arrogantly and were haughty in the land, turning away from the guidance unjustly, without proof, thinking they would not be brought back for reckoning and recompense.

So We seized him and his soldiers and flung them into the sea[16]. See how was the end of the wrongdoers!

So We seized Pharaoh and his soldiers in retribution, and drowned them all. See then what was the end of those wrongdoers.

We made them leaders[17] calling to the Fire, and on the Day of Resurrection they will not be helped.

And We made Pharaoh and his people leaders in this world, followed in disbelief, calling people to the deeds of the inhabitants of the Fire; and on the Day of Resurrection, no one will help them, nor will the punishment of Allah Almighty be repelled from them.

We caused a curse to pursue them in this world, and on the Day of Resurrection they will be among those who are despised.

And We caused the curse from Allah and His servants to follow them after their destruction, and on the Day of Resurrection, they will be among the destroyed and the despised—vile in their deeds and words, and hideous in their forms.

We gave Moses the Scripture after destroying earlier nations, as an insight for mankind, and a guidance and mercy, so that they may take heed.

And We certainly gave Moses the Torah after We had destroyed the past nations as an enlightenment for the Children of Israel by which they could see what benefits them and a guidance to the truth and a mercy for them, so that they might remember and take heed.

You were not [O Prophet] on the western side [of the mountain] when We gave Moses Our commandment, nor did you witness that event[18].

And you, O Muhammad, were not on the western side of the Mount Tūr with regard to Moses when We spoke to him and gave him revelation, and you were not a witness with your own eyes to the details of what happened there.

But We brought forth many generations [after Moses], and a long time passed on them[19]. And you [O Prophet] did not dwell among the people of Midian, rehearsing with them Our verses[20], but it is We Who sent you as a messenger [and revealed to you their stories].

But We created generations after Moses, and the period of the interruption of revelation was prolonged, so the covenant of Allah was forgotten, so We sent Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him). And you, O Muhammad, were not a resident for a long time among the people of Midian to recite to the people of Makkah what happened concerning Moses in Midian, but We revealed to you in the Qur’an those past accounts.

You were not at the side of Mount Tūr when We called out [to Moses]. But [you have been sent] as a mercy from your Lord, to warn a people to whom no warner had come before you, so that they may take heed.

And you, O Muhammad, were not present on the side of the mountain when We spoke to Moses, but We revealed to you what happened as a mercy from Us to you and to the servants so that you may warn the Arabs to whom no messenger had come before you, and so that they may remember the error of their misguidance and take heed.

So they would not say – if struck by a calamity because of what their hands have sent forth, “Our Lord, if only You had sent us a messenger, so we could follow Your verses and be among the believers?”

Were it not that Allah would punish the polytheists of Quraysh for their disbelief and their sins before sending you, O Muhammad, and they would say, protesting: "Our Lord, why did You not send a messenger to us before You punished us so we could follow Your signs and be among the believers in the truth?"—We would have hastened the punishment upon them. But We established the proof against them by sending you to them.

But when the truth came to them from Us, they said, “If only he was given the like of what was given to Moses before[21].” Did they not reject what was given to Moses before? They say, “Both [revelations] are works of magic, supporting each other”, adding, “We truly reject both of them[22].”

When the Qur’an came to the disbelievers of Quraysh, they said: “Why was Muhammad not given it all at once, just as Moses was given the Torah?! And why was he not given miracles like those given to Moses?!” Did not the disbelievers of Quraysh reject the Torah and the miracles of Moses before the mission of Muhammad?! So how could they demand such a thing?! They said: “The Torah and the Qur’an are two works of magic supporting each other to mislead the people, and each confirms the other, and we truly reject both.”

Say, “Then bring a scripture from Allah which is better in guidance than these two so that I may follow it, if you are truthful.”

Say to them, O Muhammad: "Then bring a scripture from Allah that is a better guide to the truth than these two, so I may follow it, if you are truthful in your claim that the Torah and the Qur’an are two works of magic and that the truth lies in other than them."

But if they do not respond to you, then know that they only follow their desires. Who is more astray than one who follows his desire without any guidance from Allah? Indeed, Allah does not guide the wrongdoing people.

So if those who claim that the Torah and the Qur'an are two works of magic fail to bring a book with more guidance than them both and to follow the truth, then know, O Muhammad, that they give preference to their desires, and they have no proof for what they claim. Who is more astray from the truth than one who follows his own desire and abandons guidance without any proof from Allah? Indeed, Allah does not grant success to those who have wronged themselves and others to follow the truth.

And We have constantly conveyed the Word [of admonition] to them[23], so that they may take heed.

And We have sent down the Qur’an successively, one part after another, to the disbelievers of the Arabs and the People of the Book, or successively with promises and warnings, and stories, exhortations, and advice so that they might take heed and benefit.

As for those whom We gave the Scripture before this [Qur’an], they[24] do believe in it.

Those to whom We gave the Taurāt (Torah) and the Injeel (Gospel) before the Qur’an, and who did not corrupt them believe in the Qur’an.

When this [Qur’an] is recited to them, they say, “We believe in it, for it is the truth from our Lord. We had already submitted [as Muslims even] before this[25].”

And when they hear the Qur’an recited to them, they say: "We believe in it, for it is the truth sent down from our Lord. Indeed, even before its revelation, we were believers in the oneness of Allah, submissive to His obedience, and believers in the prophethood of Muhammad; for this reason, we believe in the Qur’an."

They will be given their reward twice for their patience, repelling evil with good[26], and for spending out of what We have provided for them.

Those who believe in their scripture and in the Qur’an, Allah will give them a double reward for their patience in acting upon both and for the harm they encounter. And among their attributes is that they repel evil with good, and they spend from the wealth We have provided for them in the ways of benevolence.

When they hear vain talk, they turn away from it and say, “We are accountable for our deeds and you for yours. Peace [is our response] to you[27]! We do not want [to be with] the ignorant.”

When they hear vain talk, they turn away from listening to it and do not respond to those who harm them with foul speech and say, "To us our faith, and to you your faith. Allah will recompense each of us for our deeds with reward or punishment. You are safe from our harm, and we do not wish to argue with the foolish who oppose the truth and transgress against people. We do not associate with them, nor do we like their ways."

You cannot guide whoever you like, but Allah guides whom He wills, and He knows best who will be guided.

You, O Muhammad, cannot guide whomever you like to follow the truth, but it is Allah alone Who does that, and Allah knows best who deserves guidance, so He guides him to the truth.

They say, “If we follow the guidance with you [O Prophet], we will be snatched away from our land[28].” Have We not established for them a safe sanctuary [in Makkah] to which fruits of all kinds are brought as provision from Us? But most of them do not know.

The disbelievers of Quraysh said: “If we worship Allah alone, O Muhammad, the polytheists of the Arabs will snatch us away from Makkah; they will expel us, capture us, or kill us.” Have We not made for the people of Makkah a safe haven to which fruits of various kinds are brought from many lands as a special provision from Us? However, most of the disbelievers of Makkah do not know that the One Who provided for them and gave them security in their state of disbelief would also provide for them if they were to submit to Islam, and would protect them from the disbelievers.

How many a town We have destroyed that were arrogant due to their affluence! Those are their dwellings which were never inhabited after them except briefly[29]. It is We Who were the Inheritors.

How many towns there were whose people became arrogant due to the blessings, which distracted them from thanking their Lord, so they disbelieved in Him, and thus He destroyed them! Those are the homes of those people; no one inhabited them after their destruction except for a little while, when some passers-by would stop at what remained of their dwellings. And We were the inheritors of their dwellings, and no one owned them after them.

Your Lord would never destroy towns without first sending to their main city a messenger, reciting to them Our verses. Nor would We destroy towns unless their people were wrongdoers.

And your Lord, O Muhammad, would not destroy the towns until He sends to their principal city, which other towns follow, a messenger reciting to their people Allah's revelations. And Allah would not destroy the towns unless their people deserved it by persisting in wrongdoing after the proof had been established against them.

Whatever you have been given is only an enjoyment and adornment of the life of this world, but what is with Allah is better and more lasting. Will you not then understand?

Whatever blessings Allah has given you are but an enjoyment and adornment for this worldly life, which then quickly perishes. What is with Allah in Paradise is better and more lasting. Will you not then reflect, O people, so that you may understand that the reward of the Hereafter is better than the bliss of this world?

Is one whom We promised a good promise – which he is going to obtain – like one whom We gave the pleasure of the life of this world, then on the Day of Resurrection he will be among those summoned [to Hellfire]?

Is one whom We promised Paradise for his obedience to Us, who then believed in Our promise and obeyed Us, and so will receive what he was promised, like one who denies the meeting with Allah, His promise, and His warning, who is made to enjoy the life of this world, and then on the Day of Resurrection is among those summoned to punishment?

And [beware of] the Day when He will call out to them and say, “Where are those whom you claimed to be My partners?”

And remember the Day when Allah will call out to the polytheists and say to them: "Where are those whom you used to claim in the world were My partners in worship, and that they would benefit you?"

Those against whom the word will be fulfilled[30] will say, “Our Lord, these are the ones whom we led astray; we led them astray as we ourselves went astray. We disassociate ourselves [from them] before You; it was not us that they used to worship[31].”

Those misleaders against whom the decree of Allah’s punishment and wrath is justified will say, “Our Lord! These are the ones we led astray; we led them astray as we ourselves went astray. We disassociate ourselves before You from them and from the falsehood they chose. It was not us that they used to worship; rather, they were following their own desires.”

Then they will be told, “Call upon your [so-called] partners [for help].” They will call upon them, but will receive no response. They will see the punishment, wishing that they had followed guidance.

And it will be said to the polytheists: “Call upon those you used to worship.” So they will call upon them, but they will not answer them, nor will they benefit them. The followers and the followed will see the punishment that will befall them. If only the polytheists had been guided to the truth, they would not have taken associate-gods besides Allah, nor would they have seen the punishment in the Hereafter.

On the Day when He will call out to them, saying, “What response did you give to the messengers?”

And remember the Day when Allah will call out to the polytheists, saying to them: "What was your response to the Messengers whom I sent to you? Did you believe in them and follow them, or did you disbelieve in them and disobey them?"

They will be dumbstruck[32] on that Day, not even able to ask one another.

On that Day of Resurrection, the polytheists will have no argument nor will be guided to a valid response, being dumbstruck in bewilderment, unable to ask anyone what response they should give Allah.

But whoever repents and believes, and does righteous deeds, he will be among the successful.

But whoever repents from polytheism, believes in the truth, and does righteous deeds will be among the successful in the Hereafter, and among those who will abide in Paradise forever.

Your Lord creates and chooses what He wills; they have no choice. Glorified is Allah and Exalted is He far above what they associate with Him.

And your Lord—O Muhammad—creates and chooses what He wills. It is not for the people to choose what they wish against Allah. Glorified, sanctified, and exalted is Allah above the polytheism of the polytheists, for He alone is unique in creating and choosing, not their gods.

Your Lord knows all that their hearts conceal and all that they reveal.

And your Lord, O Muhammad, knows what the hearts of His servants conceal and what they reveal of words and deeds.

He is Allah: none has the right to be worshiped except Him. All praise belongs to Him in this life and the Hereafter. His is the Judgment, and to Him you will all be returned.

He is Allah, Who alone is worthy of worship, and He alone is worthy of all praise in this life and the Hereafter. To Allah alone belongs the judgment in both; in this world, He judges between His servants by His divine law and His decree, and in the Hereafter, He will judge between them with His justice. And to Allah alone you will all be returned after your death.

Say, “What do you think, if Allah were to make the night perpetual for you until the Day of Resurrection, which god other than Allah could bring you shining light? Do you not then listen?”

Say, O Muhammad, to the polytheists of your people: "Tell me, if Allah were to make the night perpetual over you, with no day following it, until the Day of Resurrection, which god other than Allah could bring you a day in which you could see? Will you not then listen with understanding, acceptance, and submission and reflect upon it to take heed, and use it as evidence for the truth?"

Say, “What do you think, if Allah were to make the day perpetual for you until the Day of Resurrection, which god other than Allah could bring you night to rest in? Do you not then see?”

Say, O Muhammad: "Tell me, if Allah were to make the day perpetual for you with no night to follow it until the Day of Resurrection, which god other than Allah could bring you a night in which you may find tranquility and rest? Do you not then see this with your own eyes so that you may know the truth?!"

It is out of His mercy that He made for you the night and day, so that you may rest therein and seek of His bounty, and so that you may be grateful.

It is out of His mercy for you, O people; He made the night dark so that you may rest and find tranquility in it, and He made the day bright for seeking sustenance. And He made for you the night and the day so that you may be grateful to Him.

And [beware of] the Day when He will call out to them and say, “Where are those whom you claimed to be My partners?”

And remember, O Muhammad, the Day when Allah will call upon the polytheists and say to them: Where are those whom you used to claim were My partners in worship and that they would benefit you?

We will bring forth from every nation a witness[33] and say, “Bring your proof.” They will then know that the truth is with Allah, and all [false gods] that they used to invent will be lost from them.

And We will bring forth from every nation their prophet to bear witness against them regarding the conveyance of the message and their response to his call. We will say to every nation that denied its prophet, “Produce your proof for the soundness of associating partners with Allah.” Then they will know that Allah alone is the One worthy of worship, and the partners they used to fabricate will vanish from them, and they were of no benefit to them.

Indeed, Korah[34] was one of the people of Moses, but he behaved arrogantly towards them. We had given him such treasures that their keys would weigh down a group of strong men. When his people said to him, “Do not exult, for Allah does not like the exultant.

Indeed, Qārūn (Korah) was from the clan of Moses, but he transgressed in his contempt for his people, for he was given so much wealth that its keys would weigh down a group of strong men due to their abundance. So he oppressed his people when they said to him: "Do not exult in what you have been given; indeed, Allah does not like those who exult boastfully in the adornments of the world."

Rather, seek with what Allah has given you the abode of the Hereafter, without forgetting your share of this world, and do good as Allah has done good to you, and do not seek to spread corruption in the land, for Allah does not like those who spread corruption.”

And seek, O Qārūn, the bliss of the Hereafter with what Allah has given you of this world, so use it in obedience to Allah, and do not neglect your share of this world. And do good in the worship of Allah and to His creation, just as Allah has been good to you with abundant provision. And do not seek corruption in the land through disobedience and oppression. Indeed, Allah does not like those who spread corruption.

He said, “I have been given all this because of the knowledge that I have.” Did he not know that Allah destroyed some generations before him who were superior to him in power and greater in accumulating [wealth]? There will be no need for the wicked to be asked about their sins[35].

Qārūn said: "I was only given these treasures because I am worthy of them!" Did he not know that Allah had destroyed from the past nations those who were stronger than him and had amassed more wealth? So there is nothing to prevent his destruction, and he has done what warrants it. The wicked will not be asked about their sins; rather, Allah Almighty will punish them for their sins.

He came out before his people in all his glamor. Those who desired the life of this world said, “Oh, would that we had the like of what Korah has been given! He is indeed a man of great fortune.”

Then Qārūn came out before the Children of Israel in his great adornment. Those weak in faith who desired the life of this world said, “Oh, would that we had the like of what has been given to Qārūn. Indeed, he is a man of abundant fortune from this world!”

But those who were given knowledge said, “Woe to you! Allah’s reward is better for those who believe and do righteous deeds. But none will attain this except those who are steadfast.”

But the people of knowledge, who knew the reality of this world, said: “Woe to you! The bliss of Paradise for those who believe in the truth and do righteous deeds is far better than what Qārūn was given. And none is guided to faith, righteous deeds, and asceticism in this world except the patient—those who persevere in acts of obedience, abstain from sins, and endure the painful decrees of Allah, such as poverty.”

Then We caused the earth to swallow him and his house. There was no one to help him against Allah, nor was he able to help himself.

So We caused the earth to swallow Qārūn and his house, and he had no group to help him against Allah's punishment when it befell him, nor could he help himself to prevent the punishment by his own power.

Those who had wished for his position the day before started saying, “Oh, it is surely Allah Who extends provisions to whom He wills or restricts it. If Allah had not favored us, He could have caused the earth to swallow us too. Oh, indeed the disbelievers will never succeed.”

Those who had wished for what Qārūn possessed, after they learned the necessity of being content with the provision decreed for people, came to realize that Allah expands provision for whoever He wills of His servants out of His wisdom, not because of their honor in His sight. He also restricts it for whoever He wills out of His wisdom, not because of their disgrace in His sight. They said: "Had it not been for Allah's favor upon us by turning away from us what we had wished for, we would have transgressed like him, and Allah would have caused the earth to swallow us. So the disbelievers do not succeed or prosper in this world or the Hereafter.

That is the abode of the Hereafter We will assign to those who neither seek superiority nor corruption on earth. The best outcome is for those who fear Allah.

We assign the bliss of Paradise to those who do not seek arrogance on earth, neither by rejecting the truth nor by oppressing people, and who do not seek to disobey Allah, the Glorified. The praiseworthy outcome in this world and the Hereafter is for those who are mindful of Allah's wrath and His punishment.

Whoever comes with a good deed will be rewarded with what is better, and whoever comes with an evil deed, the evildoers will only be recompensed for what they used to do.

Whoever comes on the Day of Resurrection with a good deed will have something better than it from Allah, for a good deed is rewarded tenfold and may be multiplied many times over. And whoever comes with an evil deed, its doers will only be recompensed for what they did, without any addition, and they will not be punished for what they did not do.

Indeed, the One Who has ordained for you the Qur’an will bring you back home[36]. Say, “My Lord knows best who has come with guidance and who is clearly misguided.”

Indeed, Allah, Who has sent down the Qur’an to you, O Muhammad, and has obligated you to recite it, convey it, and act upon it, will surely bring you back to Makkah after you depart from it. Say to the polytheists of Makkah: "My Lord knows best who has come with the truth from Him—I or you—and knows best who among us and you is in clear error."

You were not expecting the Book to be revealed to you, but it was a mercy from your Lord. So never be a supporter to the disbelievers[37].

You, O Muhammad, were not expecting that Allah would send down the Qur’an to you, but Allah sent it down as a mercy from Him to you and His servants, so never be a supporter of the disbelievers.

Do not let them turn you away from Allah’s verses after they have been sent down to you. Rather, call people to your Lord, and never be among those who associate partners with Allah.

And let not the disbelievers, O Muhammad, turn you away with their lies, their harm, and their plotting from the verses of the Qur’an after they have been revealed to you. Rather, call people to your Lord, and never be one of those who associate partners with Him.

Do not invoke with Allah another god; none has the right to be worshiped except Him. Everything will perish except His Face[38]. His is the Judgment and to Him you will all be brought back.

And do not invoke, O Muhammad, another deity with Allah. There is no deity worthy of worship except Allah alone, and every deity besides Him is false. Everything is bound to perish except He Himself Almighty, and every deed is void except what is done seeking His Face. To Allah alone belongs the judgement between His servants, and to Him alone you will be returned after your death.

Al-‘Ankabūt

Alif Lām Mīm[1].

These disconnected letters demonstrate the miraculous (inimitable) nature of the Qur’an, as they show the inability of creation to challenge it with something similar, even though it is composed of these very letters with which they speak.

Do people think once they say, “We believe,” that they will be left without being put to the test?

Do people think that they will be safe from trials once they believe and are left without being put to the test?

We certainly tested those who came before them. For Allah will surely make known those who are truthful and those who are liars.

And indeed, those before this nation were tested so that Allah may make known by the test those who are truthful in their faith and make known the liars in their claim of faith—a knowledge of observation that entails recompense.

Do the evildoers think that they can escape Us? How evil is their judgment!

Do those who commit evil deeds think that they can escape Us and that We will not punish them?! How wrong is their assumption!

Whoever hopes to meet Allah, the time appointed by Allah is sure to come, and He is the All-Hearing, the All-Knowing.

Whoever hopes to meet Allah on the Day of Resurrection, then the Resurrection is inevitably coming soon, and Allah alone is the All-Hearing of all sounds and the All-Knowing of all beings.

Whoever strives, he only strives for his own good. Indeed, Allah is in no need of the worlds.

Whoever strives to do what Allah has commanded and to abandon what He has forbidden only does so for their own good in this world and the Hereafter. Indeed, Allah is in no need of all His creation; their obedience does not benefit Him, nor does their disobedience harm Him.

As for those who believe and do righteous deeds, We will surely expiate their sins, and reward them according to the best of what they used to do.

And those who believe in the truth, remain firm upon it during affliction, and do righteous deeds—We will surely absolve them of their misdeeds and not hold them accountable for them, and We will surely reward them according to the best of what they used to do of the acts of obedience.

We have enjoined upon man kindness to his parents. But if they strive to make you associate with Me what you have no knowledge of[2], then do not obey them. To Me is your return; then I will inform you of what you used to do.

And We have commanded man to be good to his parents in word and deed. But if your parents strive, O Muslim, to make you associate with Me a partner for which you have no proof of its divinity, then do not obey them. To Me is your return on the Day of Resurrection, and I will inform you of your deeds and recompense you for them.

Those who believe and do righteous deeds, We will surely admit them among the righteous.

Those who believe in the truth and do righteous deeds, We will surely admit them among the righteous.

There are some among people who say, “We believe in Allah”, but when they suffer for the sake of Allah, they deem the persecution of men as equal to the punishment of Allah. But when victory comes from your Lord, they will surely say, “We were with you.” Does Allah not know best what is in the hearts of all people?

And among the people are those who say with their tongues, "We believe in Allah," but when they are harmed by people to make them turn back from the truth, they consider their harm as the punishment of Allah, so they forsake the truth. And if a victory comes from your Lord—O Muhammad—for the party of Allah, those firm in faith, with conquest and spoils of war, those who turned back from their faith will surely say to them, "Indeed, we were with you as believers," in order to take from the spoils. Is not Allah most knowing of what is in the hearts of His creation, whether it is sincerity or hypocrisy? How, then, can they deceive Him?!

Allah will certainly make known those who truly believe and those who are hypocrites.

And Allah will surely make known the truthful and steadfast believers, and He will surely make known the hypocrites who are false in their claim to faith—knowledge of observation, which entails recompense.

Those who disbelieve say to those who believe, “Follow our way, and we will bear the burden of your sins.” But they will never bear any of their sins. They are indeed liars.

And the disbelievers of Quraysh said to the believers, "Follow our way in religion, and we will bear your sins so the punishment will be upon us and not you!" But they will not bear anything of that. Indeed, they are liars in their claim.

They will certainly bear their own burdens, as well as other burdens along with their own burdens[3], and on the Day of Resurrection they will certainly be questioned concerning what they used to fabricate.

Those callers to misguidance will surely bear their own sins and the sins of their followers, without diminishing anything from the sins of the followers. And they will surely be questioned on the Day of Resurrection about the misguidance they used to fabricate and make seem appealing to the people.

We sent Noah to his people, and he lived among them for a thousand years, less fifty. Then the Flood overtook them, while they persisted in wrongdoing.

We sent Noah to his polytheistic people, and he remained among them for nine hundred and fifty years, calling them to worship Allah alone. Then the flood drowned them while they were wronging themselves with polytheism and denial.

But We saved him and those who were in the Ark, and We made it[4] a sign for all people.

But We saved Noah and those he carried in the Ark from drowning, and We made that Ark a proof and a lesson for all the worlds and a sign of Allah's power and His knowledge, and of His saving the obedient and destroying the disobedient.

And [remember] Abraham, when he said to his people, “Worship Allah and fear Him; that is better for you, if only you knew.

And remember Abraham when he said to his people: “Worship Allah alone, and fear His wrath and His punishment. That is better for you in this world and the Hereafter, if you only knew, for none can comprehend the goodness of this except a person of knowledge.”

You worship nothing besides Allah but idols and fabricate lies. Those whom you worship besides Allah have no power to give you provision. So seek provision from Allah, worship Him, and be grateful to Him. To Him you will all be returned.

Abraham said to his people, “You worship besides Allah nothing but idols that deserve nothing of divinity—you make them with your own hands, call them gods, and fabricate lies by commanding their worship. They certainly cannot give you any provision. So seek provision from Allah, worship Him alone, and be grateful to Him for His provision and all His blessings. To Allah you will be returned on the Day of Judgment, and He will hold you accountable and recompense you.”

If you reject [the message], so did many nations reject before you. The duty of the Messenger is only to deliver the message clearly[5].”

If you deny the truth, so did those before you deny it; the duty of the Messenger is only to convey the message of Allah to his people plainly, clarifying the truth.

Do they not see how Allah originates the creation then resurrects it? That is certainly easy for Allah.

Have the deniers of the Resurrection not seen how Allah originates creation from nothing, then brings it back after it perishes? Certainly, that is easy for Allah Almighty.

Say, “Travel through the land and see how He originated the creation, and then Allah will repeat it a second time. Indeed, Allah is Most Capable of all things.”

Say, O Muhammad, to the deniers of the Resurrection: "Travel through the land to see how Allah originated the creation from nothing, and then He will bring it forth a second time after it perishes. Indeed, Allah is not incapable of doing anything."

He punishes whom He wills and shows mercy to whom He wills, and to Him you will all be returned.

Allah punishes whom He wills for their sins with His justice, and has mercy upon whom He wills of the believers with His grace. And to Allah you will all be returned on the Day of Judgment, and He will resurrect you after you die for reckoning and recompense.

You cannot escape [His punishment] on earth or in heaven, and you have no protector or helper besides Allah.”

You cannot escape from the punishment of Allah, whether you are on earth or in the sky. And you have no one besides Allah to protect you, help you, and ward off the punishment of Allah from you.

Those who disbelieve in Allah’s signs and the meeting with Him, it is they who will have no hope in My mercy, and for them there will be a painful punishment.

Those who disbelieve in the signs of Allah and deny the resurrection after death: it is they who have despaired of Allah's mercy, and He will never admit them into His Paradise, and for them there will be a painful punishment.

His people’s only response was to say, “Kill him or burn him!” But Allah saved him from the fire[6]. Indeed, there are signs in this for people who believe.

But the only response Abraham’s people gave when he called them to the worship of Allah alone was to say: “Kill Abraham or burn him in the fire!” So they threw him into the fire, but Allah saved him from its harm. Indeed, in the saving of Abraham are signs of the power of Allah and more for people who believe.

He said, “You have taken idols other than Allah as a means of love among yourselves in the life of this world, but on the Day of Resurrection you will disown and curse one another. Your abode will be the Fire, and you will have no helpers.”

Abraham said to his people: "You have only taken idols to worship besides Allah, following one another and preserving your worldly affection. Then, on the Day of Resurrection, each of you will disown and curse the other, and your home will all be the Fire, and you will have no one to save you from it."

Lot believed in him, and Abraham said, “I am emigrating to my Lord. He is indeed the All-Mighty, the All-Wise.”

So Lot believed in the truth Abraham had brought. And Abraham said, “I am leaving the land of my people to worship Allah in another land. Indeed, my Lord is the All-Prevailing, the One whom He supports is never humiliated; rather, He protects him from whoever intends him harm, the All-Wise in His words and actions, His law, and His governance of His creation.”

We gave him Isaac and Jacob, and assigned prophethood and scripture to his offspring, and gave him his reward in this life[7], and in the Hereafter he will surely be among the righteous.

We granted Abraham, after his migration, his son Isaac; and his grandson Jacob, son of Isaac. And We placed prophethood and revealed divine scriptures among his descendants. We rewarded him for his deeds in this world, and in the Hereafter, he will surely be among the righteous and will have his reward therein.

And [remember] Lot, when he said to his people, “You surely commit a shameful act that no one in the world has ever done before you.

And remember, O Muhammad, Lot when he said to his people: "You certainly commit such a shameful act that has surpassed all limits in its repulsiveness and heinousness, an act no nation has ever done before you."

Do you approach men with lust, engage in highway robbery[8], and practice immoral acts in your gatherings?” But the only response his people gave was to say, “Bring us Allah’s punishment, if you are truthful.”

Do you really have intercourse with men in their backsides, cut off the road for passersby and travelers, and do in your gatherings what is abominable in words and deeds? The only answer of Lot's people to his words was that they said: Bring us the punishment of Allah if you are of the truthful in your claim that you are a messenger from Allah and in what you threaten us with of punishment.

He said, “My Lord, help me against people who spread corruption.”

Lot said: "My Lord, grant me victory by destroying these people who corrupt themselves and others among the people."

When Our angel-messengers came to Abraham with glad tidings[9], they said, “We are going to destroy the people of this town, for its people have been persisting in wickedness.”

When Our messengers from the angels came to Abraham with the glad tidings of Isaac and Jacob, they said to him: "Allah has sent us to destroy the people of the town of Lot because its people have been wrongdoers through disbelief and sins."

He said, “But Lot is there!” They said, “We know well who is there. We will surely save him and his family, except his wife; she is one of those who will remain behind.”

Abraham said to the angels: "Indeed, in that town is Lot, and he is not of the wrongdoers." They said: "We know best who is in that town of the believers and the wrongdoers. We will surely save Lot and his family, except his wife; she is one of those who will remain in the punishment."

When Our angel-messengers came to Lot, he was distressed by their coming and felt troubled on their account[10], but they said, “Do not fear nor grieve; we will surely save you and your family, except your wife; she is one of those who will remain behind.”

When the angels came to Lot, he was distressed by it and grieved, for his fear concerning them of his people and his inability to protect them. The angels said, "Do not fear and do not grieve. Indeed, we will save you and your family from the punishment descending upon your people, except your wife; she is one of those who will remain behind in the punishment."

We will surely send down on the people of this town a scourge from heaven because of their evildoing.”

The angels said to Lot: "We are bringing down upon the people of this town a punishment—a rain of stones from the sky—because of their disbelief and their practice of immorality and wicked deeds."

We surely left some of its ruins as a clear sign for people of understanding.

We have certainly left the ruins of the town of Lot's people with clear signs for people who understand Allah's proofs and benefit from them.

To the people of Midian we sent their brother Shu‘ayb. He said, “O my people, worship Allah and expect the Last Day, and do not go about spreading corruption in the land.”

And We sent to Midian their kinsman Shu‘ayb, and he said to them: "O my people, worship Allah alone, hope for the reward of the Last Day, and do not give short measure and weight nor commit highway robbery, along with your disbelief in Allah."

But they rejected him, so an earthquake seized them and they fell lifeless in their homes.

So the people of Shu'ayb rejected their prophet, so the tremor of torment destroyed them, and they were left in their land, fallen dead, clinging to the ground.

And [We destroyed] ‘Ād and Thamūd, which is clear to you from their ruined dwellings. Satan made their deeds appealing to them and averted them from the right way, although they were people of perception.

And We destroyed ‘Ād and Thamūd, and their destruction is clear to you from the ruins of their dwellings. Satan made their deeds of disbelief, denial, and sin seem appealing to them and turned them away from the truth, even though they were insightful, capable of observation and thought, and had known the truth from falsehood; therefore, they had no excuse.

And [We also destroyed] Korah, Pharaoh and Hāmān. Moses came to them with clear signs, but they showed arrogance in the land, yet they could not escape [Us].

And We destroyed Qārūn, Pharaoh, and Hāmān. Indeed, Moses had come to them with clear signs, but they were arrogant towards the truth, and they could not escape Allah or His punishment.

Each of them We seized for their sin: against some of them We sent a storm of stones[11]; some were seized by a blast[12]; some We caused the earth to swallow[13]; and some We drowned[14]. It was not Allah Who wronged them, but it was they who wronged themselves.

So We destroyed ‘Ād, Thamūd, Qārūn, Pharaoh, and Hāmān—each for their sin, with due measure, and with a punishment befitting it. Among them were those upon whom We sent a violent wind that pelted them with pebbles until they perished—they were ‘Ād. And among them were those whom Allah destroyed with the mighty blast—they were Thamūd. And among them were those whom Allah caused the earth to swallow—he was Qārūn. And among them were those whom Allah destroyed by drowning—they were Pharaoh and Hāmān. And it was not for Allah, Glorified is He, to destroy them unjustly without any sin on their part, or for the sins of others, or without warning them, granting them respite, and establishing proof against them. But they used to wrong themselves, as they brought about their own punishment by falling into its causes.

The likeness of those who take protectors other than Allah is that of a spider spinning a house. Indeed, the flimsiest of houses is the house of a spider[15], if only they knew.

The likeness of those who have taken allies other than Allah from among objects of worship and otherwise, seeking their benefit and hoping for their support, is like the spider that has taken a house for itself, which neither protects it from heat nor cold, nor rain nor harm. Likewise, that which they have taken as a protector besides Allah possesses for them no benefit or harm. And indeed, the weakest of houses is the house of the spider. If they only knew that such is their likeness, they would not have taken allies other than Allah. But they are ignorant, so they think that they benefit them and bring them closer to Allah.

Allah knows whatever they call upon besides Him. He is the All-Mighty, the All-Wise.

Indeed, Allah knows whatever object of worship they call upon besides Him, and He knows its falsehood and its lack of benefit. And Allah is the All-Mighty; nothing He wills can be prevented, and the All-Wise in His law, His decree, and the management of His creation.

Such are the comparisons We set forth for people, but none will understand them except the people of knowledge.

We set forth such parables mentioned in the Qur’an for mankind to make the meanings clear to them and bring them closer to their understanding so that they may benefit thereby. But none understands the parables of the Qur’an except the people of knowledge.

Allah created the heavens and earth for a true purpose. Indeed, there is a sign in this for the believers.

Allah created the heavens and the earth in truth, not for play or in vain, but He created them for a real purpose, as signs of the truth, and so that His command and His law would be established, and His favor upon His servants would be completed, and so on. Indeed, in Allah's creation of them is a sign of the truth for the believers.

Recite [O Prophet] what is revealed to you of the Book, and establish prayer, for indeed prayer restrains one from immoral acts and wickedness[16]. Indeed, the remembrance of Allah is of greater merit. And Allah knows all what you do.

Recite, O Muhammad, what has been revealed to you of this Qur'an, follow it, and convey it to the people. And perform the prayers as they should be, for it calls its performer to avoid immorality and evil deeds. And the remembrance of Allah within the prayer is greater than its being a deterrent from immorality and evil deeds. And Allah knows what you do, O people, and He will recompense you for it.