[26:2]
These (letters) constitute proofs of this clarifying scripture.
[26:3]
You may blame yourself that they are not believers.
[26:4]
If we will, we can send from the sky a sign that forces their necks to bow.
[26:5]
Whenever a reminder from the Most Gracious comes to them, that is new, they turn away in aversion.
[26:6]
Since they disbelieved, they have incurred the consequences of their heedlessness.
[26:7]
Have they not seen the earth, and how many kinds of beautiful plants we have grown thereon?
[26:8]
This should be a sufficient proof for them, but most of them are not believers.
[26:9]
Most assuredly, your Lord is the Almighty, Most Merciful.
[26:10]
Recall that your Lord called Moses: "Go to the transgressing people.
[26:11]
"Pharaoh's people; perhaps they reform."
[26:12]
He said, "My Lord, I fear lest they disbelieve me.
[26:13]
"I may lose my temper. My tongue gets tied; send for my brother Aaron.
[26:14]
"Also, they consider me a fugitive; I fear lest they kill me."
[26:15]
He said, "No, (they will not). Go with My proofs. We will be with you, listening.
[26:16]
"Go to Pharaoh and say, 'We are messengers from the Lord of the universe.
[26:17]
"'Let the Children of Israel go.'"
[26:18]
He said, "Did we not raise you from infancy, and you spent many years with us?
[26:19]
"Then you committed the crime that you committed, and you were ungrateful."
[26:20]
He said, "Indeed, I did it when I was astray.
[26:21]
"Then I fled, when I feared you, and my Lord endowed me with wisdom and made me one of the messengers.
[26:22]
"You are boasting that you did me a favor, while enslaving the Children of Israel!"
[26:23]
Pharaoh said, "What is the Lord of the universe?"
[26:24]
He said, "The Lord of the heavens and the earth, and everything between them. You should be certain about this."
[26:25]
He said to those around him, "Did you hear this?"
[26:26]
He said, "Your Lord and the Lord of your ancestors."
[26:27]
He said, "Your messenger who is sent to you is crazy."
[26:28]
He said, "The Lord of the east and the west, and everything between them, if you understand."
[26:29]
He said, "If you accept any god, other than me, I will throw you in the prison."
[26:30]
He said, "What if I show you something profound?"
[26:31]
He said, "Then produce it, if you are truthful."
[26:32]
He then threw his staff, whereupon it became a profound snake.
[26:33]
And he took out his hand, and it was white to the beholders.
[26:34]
He said to the elders around him, "This is an experienced magician.
[26:35]
"He wants to take you out of your land, with his magic. What do you suggest?"
[26:36]
They said, "Respite him and his brother, and send summoners to every town.
[26:37]
"Let them summon every experienced magician."
[26:38]
The magicians were gathered at the appointed time, on the appointed day.
[26:39]
The people were told: "Come one and all; let us gather together here.
[26:40]
"Maybe we will follow the magicians, if they are the winners."
[26:41]
When the magicians came, they said to Pharaoh, "Do we get paid, if we are the winners?"
[26:42]
He said, "Yes indeed; you will even be close to me."
[26:43]
Moses said to them, "Throw what you are going to throw."
[26:44]
They threw their ropes and sticks, and said, "By Pharaoh's majesty, we will be the victors."
[26:45]
Moses threw his staff, whereupon it swallowed what they fabricated.
[26:46]
The magicians fell prostrate.
[26:47]
They said, "We believe in the Lord of the universe.
[26:48]
"The Lord of Moses and Aaron."
[26:49]
He said, "Did you believe with him before I give you permission? He must be your teacher, who taught you magic. You will surely find out. I will cut your hands and feet on alternate sides. I will crucify you all."
[26:50]
They said, "This will not change our decision; to our Lord we will return.
[26:51]
"We hope that our Lord will forgive us our sins, especially that we are the first believers."
[26:52]
We inspired Moses: "Travel with My servants; you will be pursued."
[26:53]
Pharaoh sent to the cities callers.
[26:54]
(Proclaiming,) "This is a small gang.
[26:55]
"They are now opposing us.
[26:56]
"Let us all beware of them."
[26:57]
Consequently, we deprived them of gardens and springs.
[26:58]
And treasures and an honorable position.
[26:59]
Then we made it an inheritance for the Children of Israel.
[26:60]
They pursued them towards the east.
[26:61]
When both parties saw each other, Moses' people said, "We will be caught."
[26:62]
He said, "No way. My Lord is with me; He will guide me."
[26:63]
We then inspired Moses: "Strike the sea with your staff," whereupon it parted. Each part was like a great hill.
[26:64]
We then delivered them all.
[26:65]
We thus saved Moses and all those who were with him.
[26:66]
And we drowned the others.
[26:67]
This should be a sufficient proof, but most people are not believers.
[26:68]
Most assuredly, your Lord is the Almighty, Most Merciful.
[26:69]
Narrate to them Abraham's history.
[26:70]
He said to his father and his people, "What is this you are worshiping?"
[26:71]
They said, "We worship statues; we are totally devoted to them."
[26:72]
He said, "Can they hear you when you implore?
[26:73]
"Can they benefit you, or harm you?"
[26:74]
They said, "No; but we found our parents doing this."
[26:75]
He said, "Do you see these idols that you worship.
[26:76]
"You and your ancestors.
[26:77]
"I am against them, for I am devoted only to the Lord of the universe.
[26:78]
"The One who created me, and guided me.
[26:79]
"The One who feeds me and waters me.
[26:80]
"And when I get sick, He heals me.
[26:81]
"The One who puts me to death, then brings me back to life.
[26:82]
"The One who hopefully will forgive my sins on the Day of Judgment.
[26:83]
"My Lord, grant me wisdom, and include me with the righteous.
[26:84]
"Let the example I set for the future generations be a good one.
[26:85]
"Make me one of the inheritors of the blissful Paradise.
[26:86]
"And forgive my father, for he has gone astray.
[26:87]
"And do not forsake me on the Day of Resurrection."
[26:88]
That is the day when neither money, nor children, can help.
[26:89]
Only those who come to GOD with their whole heart (will be saved).
[26:90]
Paradise will be presented to the righteous.
[26:91]
Hell will be set up for the strayers.
[26:92]
They will be asked, "Where are the idols you had worshiped
[26:93]
"beside GOD? Can they help you now? Can they help themselves?"
[26:94]
They will be thrown therein, together with the strayers.
[26:95]
And all of Satan's soldiers.
[26:96]
They will say as they feud therein,
[26:97]
"By GOD, we were far astray.
[26:98]
"How could we set you up to rank with the Lord of the universe?
[26:99]
"Those who misled us were wicked.
[26:100]
"Now we have no intercessors.
[26:101]
"Nor a single close friend.
[26:102]
"If only we could get another chance, we would then believe."
[26:103]
This should be a good lesson. But most people are not believers.
[26:104]
Your Lord is the Almighty, Most Merciful.
[26:105]
The people of Noah disbelieved the messengers.
[26:106]
Their brother Noah said to them, "Would you not be righteous?
[26:107]
"I am an honest messenger to you.
[26:108]
"You shall reverence GOD and obey me.
[26:109]
"I do not ask you for any wage. My wage comes from the Lord of the universe.
[26:110]
"You shall reverence GOD and obey me."
[26:111]
They said, "How can we believe with you, when the worst among us have followed you?"
[26:112]
He said, "How do I know what they did?
[26:113]
"Their judgment rests only with my Lord, if you could perceive.
[26:114]
"I will never dismiss the believers.
[26:115]
"I am no more than a clarifying warner."
[26:116]
They said, "Unless you refrain, O Noah, you will be stoned."
[26:117]
He said, "My Lord, my people have disbelieved me.
[26:118]
"Grant me victory against them, and deliver me and my company of believers."
[26:119]
We delivered him and those who accompanied him in the loaded ark.
[26:120]
Then we drowned the others.
[26:121]
This should be a lesson, but most people are not believers.
[26:122]
Most assuredly, your Lord is the Almighty, Most Merciful.
[26:123]
'Ãd disbelieved the messengers.
[26:124]
Their brother Hûd said to them, "Would you not be righteous?
[26:125]
"I am an honest messenger to you.
[26:126]
"You shall reverence GOD, and obey me.
[26:127]
"I do not ask you for any wage; my wage comes from the Lord of the universe.
[26:128]
"You build on every hill a mansion for vanity's sake.
[26:129]
"You set up buildings as if you last forever.
[26:130]
"And when you strike, you strike mercilessly.
[26:131]
"You shall reverence GOD and obey me.
[26:132]
"Reverence the One who provided you with all the things you know.
[26:133]
"He provided you with livestock and children.
[26:134]
"And gardens and springs.
[26:135]
"I fear for you the retribution of an awesome day."
[26:136]
They said, "It is the same whether you preach, or not preach.
[26:137]
"That affliction was limited to our ancestors.
[26:138]
"No retribution will ever befall us."
[26:139]
They thus disbelieved and, consequently, we annihilated them. This should be a lesson, but most people are not believers.
[26:140]
Most assuredly, your Lord is the Almighty, Most Merciful.
[26:141]
Thamûd disbelieved the messengers.
[26:142]
Their brother Sãleh said to them, "Would you not be righteous?
[26:143]
"I am an honest messenger to you.
[26:144]
"You shall reverence GOD, and obey me.
[26:145]
"I do not ask you for any wage; my wage comes only from the Lord of the universe.
[26:146]
"Do you suppose you will be left forever, secure in this state?
[26:147]
"You enjoy gardens and springs.
[26:148]
"And crops and date palms with delicious fruits.
[26:149]
"You carve out of the mountains luxurious mansions.
[26:150]
"You shall reverence GOD, and obey me.
[26:151]
"Do not obey the transgressors.
[26:152]
"Who commit evil, not good works."
[26:153]
They said, "You are bewitched.
[26:154]
"You are no more than a human like us. Produce a miracle, if you are truthful."
[26:155]
He said, "Here is a camel that will drink only on a day that is assigned to her; a day that is different from your specified days of drinking.
[26:156]
"Do not touch her with any harm, lest you incur retribution on an awesome day."
[26:157]
They slaughtered her, and thus incurred sorrow.
[26:158]
The retribution overwhelmed them. This should be a lesson, but most people are not believers.
[26:159]
Most assuredly, your Lord is the Almighty, Most Merciful.
[26:160]
The people of Lot disbelieved the messengers.
[26:161]
Their brother Lot said to them, "Would you not be righteous?
[26:162]
"I am an honest messenger to you.
[26:163]
"You shall reverence GOD, and obey me.
[26:164]
"I do not ask you for any wage; my wage comes only from the Lord of the universe.
[26:165]
"Do you have sex with the males, of all the people?
[26:166]
"You forsake the wives that your Lord has created for you! Indeed, you are transgressing people."
[26:167]
They said, "Unless you refrain, O Lot, you will be banished."
[26:168]
He said, "I deplore your actions."
[26:169]
"My Lord, save me and my family from their works."
[26:170]
We saved him and all his family.
[26:171]
But not the old woman; she was doomed.
[26:172]
We then destroyed the others.
[26:173]
We showered them with a miserable shower; what a terrible shower for those who had been warned!
[26:174]
This should be a lesson, but most people are not believers.
[26:175]
Most assuredly, your Lord is the Almighty, Most Merciful.
[26:176]
The People of the Woods disbelieved the messengers.
[26:177]
Shu'aib said to them, "Would you not be righteous?
[26:178]
"I am an honest messenger to you.
[26:179]
"You shall reverence GOD, and obey me.
[26:180]
"I do not ask you for any wage; my wage comes only from the Lord of the universe.
[26:181]
"You shall give full measure when you trade; do not cheat.
[26:182]
"You shall weigh with an equitable scale.
[26:183]
"Do not cheat the people out of their rights, and do not roam the earth corruptingly.
[26:184]
"Reverence the One who created you and the previous generations."
[26:185]
They said, "You are bewitched.
[26:186]
"You are no more than a human being like us. In fact, we think you are a liar.
[26:187]
"Let masses from the sky fall on us, if you are truthful."
[26:188]
He said, "My Lord is the One who knows everything you do."
[26:189]
They disbelieved him and, consequently, they incurred the retribution of the Day of the Canopy. It was the retribution of an awesome day.
[26:190]
This should be a lesson, but most people are not believers.
[26:191]
Most assuredly, your Lord is the Almighty, Most Merciful.
[26:192]
This is a revelation from the Lord of the universe.
[26:193]
The Honest Spirit (Gabriel) came down with it.
[26:194]
To reveal it into your heart, that you may be one of the warners.
[26:195]
In a perfect Arabic tongue.
[26:196]
It has been prophesied in the books of previous generations.
[26:197]
Is it not a sufficient sign for them that it was known to the scholars among the Children of Israel?
[26:198]
If we revealed this to people who do not know Arabic.
[26:199]
And had him recite it (in Arabic), they could not possibly believe in it.
[26:200]
We thus render it (like a foreign language) in the hearts of the guilty.
[26:201]
Thus, they cannot believe in it; not until they see the painful retribution.
[26:202]
It will come to them suddenly, when they least expect it.
[26:203]
They will then say, "Can we have a respite?"
[26:204]
Did they not challenge our retribution?
[26:205]
As you see, we allowed them to enjoy for years.
[26:206]
Then the retribution came to them, just as promised.
[26:207]
Their vast resources did not help them in the least.
[26:208]
We never annihilate any community without sending warners.
[26:209]
Therefore, this is a reminder, for we are never unjust.
[26:210]
The devils can never reveal this.
[26:211]
They neither would, nor could.
[26:212]
For they are prevented from hearing.
[26:213]
Therefore, do not idolize beside GOD any other god, lest you incur the retribution.
[26:214]
You shall preach to the people who are closest to you.
[26:215]
And lower your wing for the believers who follow you.
[26:216]
If they disobey you, then say, "I disown what you do."
[26:217]
And put your trust in the Almighty, Most Merciful.
[26:218]
Who sees you when you meditate during the night.
[26:219]
And your frequent prostrations.
[26:220]
He is the Hearer, the Omniscient.
[26:221]
Shall I inform you upon whom the devils descend?
[26:222]
They descend upon every guilty fabricator.
[26:223]
They pretend to listen, but most of them are liars.
[26:224]
As for the poets, they are followed only by the strayers.
[26:225]
Do you not see that their loyalty shifts according to the situation?
[26:226]
And that they say what they do not do?
[26:227]
Exempted are those who believe, lead a righteous life, commemorate GOD frequently, and stand up for their rights. Surely, the transgressors will find out what their ultimate destiny is.