Surah 43. Az-Zukhruf

Ha-Mim

By the clear book (the Qur’an)

Surely, We surely has revealed it a Qur’an in Arabic so that you may be able to understand

And surely, it (this Qur’an) is in the mother of the book (Al-Lauh Al-Mahfooz) before US, indeed exalted, full of wisdom

Should We then take away the reminder (this Qur’an) from you in your rejection because you are a transgressing people

And how many prophets have We sent amongst the previous people

Never came to them a prophet and they did not mock at him

So We destroyed people stronger than them in power, and the example of the ancient people has passed away (before them)

Indeed if you (O Muhammad) ask them: “Who has created the heavens and the earth?” They will surely say: “The All-Mighty, the All-Knower of everything created them.”

(Allah) Who has made the earth like a bed for you and has made roads for you in it in order that you may find your way

and Who sends down water (rain) from the sky in due measure. Then We revive a dead land from it, and even so you will be brought out (from the dead again)

and Who has created all the pairs and has appointed for you from ships and cattle on which you ride

in order that you may mount firmly on their backs, and then may remember the Favor of your Lord when you mount on them, and say: “Glory to Allah who has subjected this to us, and we could never have ability for it (by our efforts)

and surely, to our Lord we all shall return.”

Yet they assign to some of His servants a share with Him (as partners). Surely, mankind is clearly ungrateful

Or has He taken daughters (pagan Arabs used to believe that angels were daughters of Allah) out of what He has created, and has He selected for you sons

Yet, if the news of one (the birth of a girl) of them is informed which it sets forth as a parable to the Beneficent (Allah), its face becomes dark, gloomy, and is filled with grief

(Do they then like for Allah) a creature who is brought up in ornaments (women) and is unable to make itself clear in dispute

And they regard the angels as females who themselves are servants of the beneficent (Allah). Did they witness their creation? Their witness will be recorded and they will be questioned

And they say: “If it had been the Will of the beneficent (Allah), we would not have worshipped them (false deities).” They don’t have any knowledge of that. They don’thing but lie

Or have We given them any book before this (the Qur’an) which they hold fast to it

Nay! They said: “We found our forefathers following on a certain way and religion, and we guide ourselves on their footsteps.”

And similarly, whenever We sent a Warner before you (O Muhammad) to any town (people), its luxurious people among them said: “We found our forefathers following on a certain way and religion, and we are indeed following their footsteps.”

(The Warner) said: “What if I bring you better guidance than that which you found your forefathers on it?” They said: “Surely, We disbelieve in it with which you have been sent.”

So We took retribution on them; and then see how the end of those who denied was

(Remember) when Abraham said to his father and his people: “Surely, I renounce (deities) that you worship

except Him (alone) who created me, and surely, He will guide me.”

And he made it a word lasting among his offspring so that they may turn back (to repent to Allah)

Nay, but I gave (good things) to these (polytheists) and their forefathers to enjoy (this life), till there came to them the truth (the Qur’an) and a Messenger (Muhammad) making things clear

And when the truth (this Qur’an) came to them, they (disbelievers) said: “This is magic, and we don’t believe in it.”

And they said: “Why is this Qur’an not sent down to some great man of the 2 towns (Makkah and Taif)?”

Is it they who would distribute the Mercy of your Lord? It is We Who distributes between them their livelihood in the life of this world, and We raise some of them above others in ranks, so that some may employ others in their work. The Mercy of your (O Muhammad) Lord is better than the (wealth of this world) which they accumulate

And were it not that all mankind would become one community (of disbelievers), We would have provided for those who disbelieve in the Beneficent (Allah), silver roofs for their houses, and elevators on which they mount

and doors (of silver) for their houses and thrones (of silver) on which they recline

and adornments of gold. Yet all these are nothing but an enjoyment of the life of this world. And the Hereafter is only for the pious which is with your Lord

And whoever turns away from the remembrance of the Beneficent (Allah), We appoint a Satan for it who becomes a companion for him

and surely, they (Satans) hinder them from the Way (of Allah) but they think that they are guided aright

Till, when such one comes to Us (on the Day of Judgment), it says (to its Satan): “I wish that between me and you were the distance of the 2 easts (or the east and west), you were an evil companion!”

(It will be said to them): “It will not profit you this Day as you already did wrong, and both of you will be sharing the punishment.”

Can you (O Muhammad) make the deaf to hear, or guide the blind or those who are in clear error

And even if We take you (O Muhammad) away, We shall indeed take retribution on them

or if We show you (the end of) what We have threatened them, then surely, We have perfect command over them

So you (O Muhammad) hold fast to that (the Qur’an) which is revealed to you. Surely, you are on a Right Way

And surely, this (the Qur’an) is indeed a reminder for you (O Muhammad), your people, and you will be questioned about it

And ask (O Muhammad) those of Our Messengers whom We sent before you: “Did We ever appoint any other one worthy of worship to be worshipped besides the Beneficent (Allah)?”

And indeed We sent Moses with Our Signs to Pharaoh and his chiefs (inviting them to Allah). He said: “Surely, I am a Messenger of the Lord of the worlds.”

When he came to them with Our Signs, behold! They laughed at them

Yet, We showed them sign after sign each greater than its preceding and We seized them with punishment in order that they might turn (to Right Way)

And then they said (to Moses): “O you sorcerer! Invoke your Lord for us according to what He has entrusted with you. Surely, We shall guide.”

But when We removed the punishment from them, behold! They broke their covenant

Then Pharaoh proclaimed amongst his people, saying: “O my people! Is not the dominion of Egypt mine? Are not these rivers flowing underneath me? Then don’t you see

Or am I not better than this one (Moses), who is despicable and can hardly express himself clearly

(If he is true Messenger) why then bracelets of gold are not bestowed on him, or angels sent along with him?”

Thus he (Pharaoh) befooled and misled his people, and they obeyed him. Surely, they were a people who were sinners

So when they angered Us, We punished them, and drowned them all

and We made them a precedent (a lesson for future), and an example to later generations

And when the son of Mary (Jesus) is quoted as an example (Jesus is worshipped like their idols), behold! Your people cry aloud about it

and say: “Are our deities better or is he (Jesus)?” They did not quote the above example for you except for argument. But they are a quarrelsome people

He (Jesus) was not more than a servant (of Allah). We granted Our Favor to him, and We made him an example to the children of Israel (created without a father)

And if it were Our Will, We would have (destroyed mankind and) made angels to replace you on the earth

And he (Jesus) is a known sign for the (coming of the) Hour (Day of Resurrection). Therefore, don’t have doubt concerning it (the Day of Resurrection). And follow Me! This is the Right Way

Let not Satan hinders you (from the right religion). Surely, he is your open enemy

When Jesus came with (Our) clear signs, he said: “Surely I have come to you with wisdom (Prophethood), and to clarify to you some of the points in which you differ, therefore fear Allah and obey me

Surely, it is He Who is my Lord and your Lord. So worship Him (alone). This is the Right Way.”

But the sects differed among themselves. So woe to the wrongdoers (who ascribe things to Jesus that are not true) from the punishment of the painful Day (of Resurrection)

Are they only waiting for the Hour that it will come on them suddenly, while they don’t perceive

On that Day, even friends will be enemies to one another accept the pious

(It will be said to the believers): “My worshippers! Today you have nothing to fear or to grieve

you are those who believed in Our Revelations and were Muslims

‘Enter Paradise, you and your wives in happiness.’”

Trays of gold and cups will be (used to) serve round them, there will be everything that the souls could desire, and all that their eyes can delight in, and (it will be said to them): “You will abide in it forever

This is the Paradise which you have made to inherit because of your good deeds which you used to do (in the world)

in it you will have plenty of fruits to eat.”

But the criminals will abide in the punishment of hell forever

(Their punishment) will not be lightened for them and they will be plunged into destruction with despair in it

We did not wrong them, but they were the wrongdoers

They will cry: “O Malik (keeper of hell)! Let your Lord put an end to us.” It will say: “Surely you shall abide forever.”

Indeed We have brought the truth (the Qur’an) to you, but most of you hate the truth

Or have they plotted some plan (against you O Muhammad)? Then We too are planning (to destroy them)

Or do they think that We don’t hear their secrets and their private counsel? Of course Our Messengers (angels) are recording by them

Say (O Muhammad): “If the Beneficent (Allah) (suppose) had a son, then I would be the first of worshippers.”

Glory be to the Lord of the heavens and the earth, the Lord of the Throne! (Exalted be He) above all that they ascribe (to Him)

So leave them alone to speak nonsense and play until they meet their Day, which they have been promised

It is He Who is to be worshipped in the heaven and to be worshipped on the earth. And He is the All-Wise, the All-Knower

And blessed be He to whom belongs the kingdom of the heavens and the earth and all that is between them. He (alone) has the knowledge of the Hour (of judgment), and to Whom you all will be returned

And those whom they invoke besides Him, has no power of intercession; except those who bear witness to the truth (believers), and they know (the facts about the Oneness of Allah)

And if you ask them who created them, they will surely say: “Allah.” How then are they turned away (from Allah)

(Allah has knowledge) of (Muhammad’s) saying: “O my Lord! Surely, these are a people who don’t believe!”

So turn away from them (O Muhammad), and say: Salam (peace)! They will come to know (the truth)