Juz 23

And after him, We did not send down any army from heaven against his people, nor did We intend to send down an army.

It was just one scream, and with it they were extinguished.

And it was said, “Woe to those bondmen – whenever a Noble Messenger comes to them, they mock at him!”

Have they not seen how many generations We destroyed before them, which will not return to them?

And without exception, all of them will be brought forth before Us.

And a sign for them is the dead earth; We gave it life and We produced from it grain, so they eat from it.

And We have placed in it gardens of dates and grapes, and We have made springs of water in it.

So that they may eat from its fruits, whereas they are not manufactured by their hands! So will they not be grateful?

Purity is to Him Who created all pairs, from what the earth grows, and of themselves, and from the things they do not know.

And a sign for them is the night; We strip the day out of it, thereupon they are in darkness.

And the sun runs its course for its final destination; this is a command of the Almighty, the All Knowing.

And We have appointed positions for the moon till it returns like an old branch of the date palm.

It is not for the sun to catch up with the moon, nor does the night surpass the day; and each one of them floats in its orbit.

And a sign for them is that We lodged them in a laden ship, while they were in their forefathers backs.

And We have created for them similar ships, in which they now ride.

And if We will, We can drown them, so there would be no help in their distress, nor would they be saved.

Unless by mercy from Us, and as a comfort for a while.

And when it is said to them, “Beware of what is before you and what is behind you, in the hope of your gaining mercy”, they turn away!

And whenever a sign comes to them from the signs of their Lord, they always turn away from it!

And when it is said to them, “Spend in Allah’s cause, from what Allah has provided you”, the disbelievers say regarding the believers, “Shall we feed these, whom if Allah willed, would have fed? You are not but in open error!”

And they say, “When will this promise be fulfilled, if you are truthful?”

They await just one scream, which will overcome them while they are involved in worldly disputes.

Therefore neither able to make a will, nor returning to their homes.

And the Trumpet will be blown – so they will come forth from the graves, running towards their Lord.

Saying, “O our misfortune! Who has raised us from our sleep? This is what the Most Gracious had promised, and the Noble Messengers had spoken the truth!”

It is just one scream, and every one of them will be brought together before Us!

So this day no soul will be wronged in the least; and you will not be compensated except for your deeds.

Indeed this day the dwellers of Paradise are in comfort, with blissful hearts.

They and their wives are in shades, reclining on thrones.

In it (paradise) are fruits for them and whatever they ask for.

Upon them will be “Peace” – a Word from their Merciful Lord!

“And be separated (from others) this day, O you criminals!”

“O Descendants of Adam! Did I not take a covenant from you that you shall not worship the devil? Undoubtedly, he is your open enemy.”

“And that you shall worship Me? This is the Straight Path.”

“And he has indeed led a large number of you astray; so did you not have sense?”

“This is hell, which you were promised.”

“Enter it this day – the recompense of your disbelief.”

This day We will set a seal on their mouths, and their hands will speak out to Us and their feet will bear witness to their deeds.

And had We willed, We could have quenched their eyes so they would rush towards the path, unable to see a thing.

And had We willed, We could have disfigured their faces while they were in their homes, therefore unable to go forward or turn back.

And whomever We bring to an old age, We reverse him in creation; so do they not understand?

And We have not taught him (Prophet Mohammed- peace and blessings be upon him) to recite poetry, nor does it befit him; it is nothing but an advice and the bright Qur’an.

To warn the living*, and to prove the Word against disbelievers. (Only the believers are deemed alive in Allah’s sight.)

Did they not see that We have created animals for them from Our handiwork, so they are their owners?

And have subjected the animals for them, so they ride some animals and eat some?

And for them in the animals are numerous different benefits and drinks; so will they not be grateful?

And they have appointed Gods other than Allah, that perhaps they may be helped!

They (the appointed Gods) cannot help them; and they and their armies will come (to Us), as captives.

Therefore (O dear Prophet Mohammed – peace and blessings be upon him) do not grieve because of what they (the disbelievers) say; indeed We know what they conceal and what they disclose.

And did not man see that We have created him from a drop of semen? Yet he is an open quarreller!

And he invents an example for Us, while forgetting his own creation, saying, “Who is such that can revive the bones when they have completely rotted away?”

Proclaim (O dear Prophet Mohammed – peace and blessings be upon him), “They will be revived by the One Who created them the first time; and He is the All Knowing of every creation.”

“The One Who has created for you fire from the green tree, so you kindle from it.”

And is it not possible for the One Who created the heavens and the earth to create the likes of them? It is surely possible, why not? And He is the Great Creator, the All Knowing of everything.

And His only task when He intends a thing is to command it, “Be” – and it thereupon happens!

Therefore Purity is to Him in Whose Hand* is the control over all things and it is towards Him that you will be returned. (Used as a metaphor to mean Power).

By oath of those who establish proper ranks.

And by oath of those who herd with a stern warning.

And by oath of the groups that read the Qur’an.

Indeed your God is surely only One.

Lord of the heavens and the earth and all that is between them – and the Lord of the sun’s rising points.

We have indeed adorned the lowest heaven with stars as ornaments.

And to protect it from every rebellious devil.

They cannot listen to the speech of those on higher elevations and they are targeted from every side.

To make them flee, and for them is a never-ending punishment.

Except one who sometimes steals a part, so a blazing flame goes after him.

Therefore ask them (O dear Prophet Mohammed – peace and blessings be upon him), “Are they a stronger creation, or are other things of our creation, (the angels, the heavens etc.)?” We have indeed created them from sticky clay.

Rather you are surprised, whereas they keep mocking.

And they do not understand, when explained to.

And whenever they see a sign, they mock at it.

And they say, “This is nothing but clear magic.”

“When we are dead and have turned into dust and bones, will we certainly be raised again?”

“And also our forefathers?”

Proclaim, “Yes, and with disgrace.”

So that is just a single jolt, thereupon they will begin staring.

And will say, “O our misfortune!” It will be said to them, “This is the Day of Justice.”

“This is the Day of Judgement, which you used to deny!”

“Gather all the unjust persons and their spouses, and all that they used to worship!” –

“Instead of Allah – and herd them to the path leading to hell.”

“And stop them – they are to be questioned.”

“What is the matter with you, that you do not help one another?”

In fact this day they have all surrendered.

And some of them inclined towards others, mutually questioning.

They said, “It is you who used to come to us from our right, in order to sway.”

They will answer, “You yourselves did not have faith!”

“And we did not have any control over you; but in fact you yourselves were rebellious.”

“So the Word of our Lord has proved true upon us; we will surely have to taste (the punishment).”

“We therefore led you astray, for we ourselves were astray!”

So this day they all are partners in the punishment.

This is how We deal with the guilty.

Indeed, when it was said to them, “There is no God except Allah”, they were haughty.

And they used to say, “Shall we forsake our Gods upon the sayings of a mad poet?”

In fact he has brought the Truth, and testified for the Noble Messengers!

“You surely have to taste the painful punishment.”

“And you will not be compensated except for your deeds.”

Except the chosen bondmen of Allah.

For them is the sustenance known to Us.

Fruits; and they will be honoured.

In Gardens of peace.

Facing one another on thrones.

Cups of wine will be presented to them in rounds, from a spring flowing in front of them.

White, delicious for the drinkers.

Neither does it intoxicate, nor give a headache.

And with them are those who do not set gaze upon men except their husbands, the maidens with gorgeous eyes.

As if they were eggs, safely hidden.

So one among them turns to the other, questioning. –

The speaker among them said, “I had a companion.” –

“Who used to tell me, ‘Do you believe it is true?’ –

‘That when we are dead and have turned into dust and bones, that we will either be rewarded or punished?’”

He said (to others on the thrones), “Will you take a glimpse (into hell) below?”

He therefore looked down and saw him amidst the blazing fire.

He said, “By Allah, you had nearly ruined me!”

“And were it not for the munificence of my Lord, I too would have been seized and brought forth (captive)!”

“So are we never to die?” (The people of Paradise will ask the angels, with delight, after the announcement of everlasting life.)

“Except our earlier death, and nor will we be punished?”

“This is, most certainly, the supreme success.”

For such a reward should the workers perform.

So is this welcome better, or the tree of Zaqqum?

We have indeed made that a punishment for the unjust.

Indeed it is a tree that sprouts from the base of hell.

Its fruit like the heads of demons.

So indeed they will eat from it, and fill their bellies with it.

Then after it, indeed for them is the drink of boiling hot water.

Then surely their return is towards hell.

They had indeed found their forefathers astray.

So they hastily follow their footsteps!

And indeed before them, most of the former people went astray.

And indeed We had sent Heralds of warnings among them.

Therefore see what sort of fate befell those who were warned!

Except the chosen bondmen of Allah.

And indeed Nooh prayed to Us – so what an excellent Acceptor of Prayer We are!

And We rescued him and his household from the great calamity.

And We preserved his descendants.

And We kept his praise among the latter generations.

Peace be upon Nooh, among the entire people.

This is how We reward the virtuous.

He is indeed one of Our high ranking, firmly believing bondmen.

We then drowned the others.

And indeed Ibrahim is from his (Nooh’s) group.

When he came to his Lord, with a sound heart. (Free from falsehood).

When he said to his father (paternal uncle) and his people, “What do you worship?”

“What! You desire, through fabrication, Gods other than Allah?”

“So what do you assume regarding the Lord Of The Creation?” (That He will not punish you?)

He then shot a glance at the stars.

He then said, “I feel sick (of you)!”

And they turned their backs on him and went away. (The pagans thought he would transmit the disease).

He then sneaked upon their deities and said, “Do you not eat?”

“What is the matter with you, that you do not say anything?”

He then began striking them with his right hand, unseen by the people.

So the disbelievers came running towards him.

He said, “What! You worship what you yourselves have sculpted?”

“Whereas Allah has created you and your actions?”

They said, “Construct a building (furnace) for him, and then cast him in the blazing fire!”

So they tried to execute their evil scheme upon him – We therefore degraded them. (Allah saved him, by commanding the fire to turn cool).

And he said, “Indeed I shall go to my Lord Who will guide me.”

“My Lord! Give me a meritorious child.”

We therefore gave him the glad tidings of an intelligent son.

And when he became capable of working with him, Ibrahim said, “O my son, I dreamt that I am sacrificing you – therefore now consider what is your opinion”; he said, “O my father! Do what you are commanded! Allah willing, you will soon find me patiently enduring!”

Then (remember) when they both submitted to Allah’s command, and Ibrahim lay his son facing downwards. (The knife did not hurt Ismail)

And We called out to him, “O Ibrahim!”

“You have indeed made the dream come true”; and this is how We reward the virtuous.

Indeed this was a clear test.

And We rescued him in exchange of a great sacrifice. (The sacrifice of Ibrahim and Ismail – peace be upon them – is commemorated every year on 10, 11 and 12 Zil Haj).

And We kept his praise among the latter generations.

Peace be upon Ibrahim!

This is how We reward the virtuous.

He is indeed one of Our high ranking, firmly believing bondmen.

And We gave him the glad tidings of Ishaq, a Herald of the Hidden, from among those who deserve Our proximity.

And We sent blessings upon him and Ishaq; and among their descendants – some who do good deeds, and some who clearly wrong themselves.

And We indeed did a great favour to Moosa and Haroon.

And rescued them and their people from the great calamity.

And We helped them, so they were victorious.

And We bestowed the clear Book to both of them.

And guided them to the Straight Path.

And We kept their praise among the latter generations.

Peace be upon Moosa and Haroon!

This is how We reward the virtuous.

Indeed they are two of Our high ranking, firmly believing bondmen.

And indeed Ilyas is one of the Noble Messengers.

When he said to his people, “Do you not fear?”

“What! You worship Baal (an idol) and leave the Best Creator?” –