Surah 43 - Al Zukhruf THE GOLD ADORNMENTS

043.001 Ha-Mim

043.002 By the Book that makes things clear--

043.003 We have made it a Qur'an in Arabic, that ye may be able to understand (and learn wisdom).

043.004 And verily, it is in the Mother of the Book, in Our Presence, high (in dignity), full of wisdom.

043.005 Shall We then take away the Message from you and repel (you), for that ye are a people transgressing beyond bounds?

043.006 But how many were the prophets We sent amongst the peoples of old?

043.007 And never came there a prophet to them but they mocked him.

043.008 So We destroyed (them)- stronger in power than these-- and (thus) has passed on the Parable of the peoples of old.

043.009 If thou wert to question them, 'Who created the heavens and the earth?' They would be sure to reply, 'They were created by (Him), the Exalted in Power, Full of Knowledge'--

043.010 (Yea, the same that) has made for you the earth (like a carpet) spread out, and has made for you roads (and channels) therein, in order that ye may find guidance (on the way);

043.011 That sends down (from time to time) rain from the sky in due measure-- and We raise to life therewith a land that is dead; even so will ye be raised (from the dead)--

043.012 That has created pairs in all things, and has made for you ships and cattle on which ye ride,

043.013 In order that ye may sit firm and square on their backs, and when so seated, ye may celebrate the (kind) favour of your Lord, and say, "Glory to Him Who has subjected these to our (use), for we could never have accomplished this (by ourselves),

043.014 "And to our Lord, surely, must we turn back!"

043.015 Yet they attribute to some of His servants a share with Him (in his godhead)! truly is man a blasphemous ingrate avowed!

043.016 What! has He taken daughters out of what He himself creates, and granted to you sons for choice?

043.017 When news is brought to one of them of (the birth of) what he sets up as a likeness to (God) Most Gracious, his face darkens, and he is filled with inward grief!

043.018 Is then one brought up among trinkets, and unable to give a clear account in a dispute (to be associated with God)?

043.019 And they make into females angels who themselves serve God. Did they witness their creation? Their evidence will be recorded, and they will be called to account!

043.020 ("Ah!") they say, "If it had been the will of (God) Most Gracious, we should not have worshipped such (deities)!" Of that they have no knowledge! they do nothing but lie!

043.021 What! have We given them a Book before this, to which they are holding fast?

043.022 Nay! they say: "We found our fathers following a certain religion, and we do guide ourselves by their footsteps."

043.023 Just in the same way, whenever We sent a Warner before thee to any people, the wealthy ones among them said: "We found our fathers following a certain religion, and we will certainly follow in their footsteps."

043.024 He said: "What! Even if I brought you better guidance than that which ye found your fathers following?" They said: "For us, we deny that ye (prophets) are sent (on a mission at all)."

043.025 So We extracted retribution from them: now see what was the end of those who rejected (Truth)!

043.026 Behold! Abraham said to his father and his people: "I do indeed clear myself of what ye worship:

043.027 "(I worship) only Him Who made me, and He will certainly guide me."

043.028 And he left it as a Word to endure among those who came after him, that they may turn back (to God).

043.029 Yea, I have given the good things of this life to these (men) and their fathers, until the Truth has come to them, and a messenger making things clear.

043.030 But when the Truth came to them, they said: "This is sorcery, and we do reject it."

043.031 Also, they say: "Why is not this Qur'an sent down to some leading man in either of the two (chief) cities?"

043.032 Is it they who would portion out the Mercy of thy Lord? It is We Who portion out between them their livelihood in the life of this world: and We raise some of them above others in ranks, so that some may command work from others. But the Mercy of thy Lord is better than the (wealth) which they amass.

043.033 And were it not that (all) men might become of one (evil) way of life, We would provide, for everyone that blasphemes against (God) Most Gracious, silver roofs for their houses and (silver) stair-ways on which to go up,

043.034 And (silver) doors to their houses, and thrones (of silver) on which they could recline,

043.035 And also adornments of gold. But all this were nothing but conveniences of the present life: The Hereafter, in the sight of thy Lord is for the Righteous.

043.036 If anyone withdraws himself from remembrance of (God) Most Gracious, We appoint for him an evil one, to be an intimate companion to him.

043.037 Such (evil ones) really hinder them from the Path, but they think that they are being guided aright!

043.038 At length, when (such a one) comes to Us, he says (to his evil companion): "Would that between me and thee were the distance of East and West!" Ah! evil is the companion (indeed)!

043.039 When ye have done wrong, it will avail you nothing, that Day, that ye shall be partners in Punishment!

043.040 Canst thou then make the deaf to hear, or give direction to the blind or to such as (wander) in manifest error?

043.041 Even if We take thee away, We shall be sure to exact retribution from them,

043.042 Or We shall show thee that (accomplished) which We have promised them: for verily We shall prevail over them.

043.043 So hold thou fast to the Revelation sent down to thee; verily thou art on a Straight Way.

043.044 The (Qur'an) is indeed the message, for thee and for thy people; and soon shall ye (all) be brought to account.

043.045 And question thou our messengers whom We sent before thee; did We appoint any deities other than (God) Most Gracious, to be worshipped?

043.046 We did send Moses aforetime, with Our Signs, to Pharaoh and his Chiefs: He said, "I am a messenger of the Lord of the Worlds."

043.047 But when he came to them with Our Signs, behold they ridiculed them.

043.048 We showed them Sign after Sign, each greater than its fellow, and We seized them with Punishment, in order that they might turn (to Us).

043.049 And they said, "O thou sorcerer! Invoke thy Lord for us according to His covenant with thee; for we shall truly accept guidance."

043.050 But when We removed the Penalty from them, behold, they broke their word.

043.051 And Pharaoh proclaimed among his people, saying: "O my people! Does not the dominion of Egypt belong to me, (witness) these streams flowing underneath my (palace)? What! see ye not then?

043.052 "Am I not better than this (Moses), who is a contemptible wretch and can scarcely express himself clearly?

043.053 "Then why are not gold bracelets bestowed on him, or (why) come (not) with him angels accompanying him in procession?"

043.054 Thus did he make fools of his people, and they obeyed him: truly were they a people rebellious (against God).

043.055 When at length they provoked Us, We exacted retribution from them, and We drowned them all.

043.056 And We made them (a people) of the Past and an Example to later ages.

043.057 When (Jesus) the son of Mary is held up as an example, behold, thy people raise a clamour thereat (in ridicule)!

043.058 And they say, "Are our gods best, or he?" This they set forth to thee, only by way of disputation: yea, they are a contentious people.

043.059 He was no more than a servant: We granted Our favour to him, and We made him an example to the Children of Israel.

043.060 And if it were Our Will, We could make angels from amongst you, succeeding each other on the earth.

043.061 And (Jesus) shall be a Sign (for the coming of) the Hour (of Judgement): therefore have no doubt about the (Hour), but follow ye Me: this is a Straight Way.

043.062 Let not the Evil One hinder you: for he is to you an enemy avowed.

043.063 When Jesus came with Clear Signs, he said: "Now have I come to you with Wisdom, and in order to make clear to you some of the (points) on which ye dispute: therefore fear God and obey me.

043.064 "For God, He is my Lord and your Lord: so worship ye Him: this is a Straight Way."

043.065 But sects from among themselves fell into disagreement: then woe to the wrong-doers, from the Penalty of a Grievous Day!

043.066 Do they only wait for the Hour - that it should come on them all of a sudden, while they perceive not?

043.067 Friends on that day will be foes, one to another-- except the Righteous.

043.068 My devotees! no fear shall be on you that Day, nor shall ye grieve--

043.069 (Being) those who have believed in Our Signs and bowed (their wills to Ours) in Islam.

043.070 Enter ye the Garden, ye and your wives, in (beauty and) rejoicing.

043.071 To them will be passed round, dishes and goblets of gold: there will be there all that the souls could desire, all that their eyes could delight in: and ye shall abide therein (for aye).

043.072 Such will be the Garden of which ye are made heirs for your (good) deeds (in life).

043.073 Ye shall have therein abundance of fruit, from which ye shall have satisfaction.

043.074 The sinners will be in the Punishment of Hell, to dwell therein (for aye):

043.075 Nowise will the (Punishment) be lightened for them, and in despair will they be there overwhelmed.

043.076 Nowise shall We be unjust to them: but it is they who have been unjust themselves.

043.077 They will cry: "O Malik! would that thy Lord put an end to us!" He will say, "Nay, but ye shall abide!"

043.078 Verily We have brought the Truth to you: but most of you have a hatred for Truth.

043.079 What! have they settled some plan (among themselves)? But it is We Who settle things.

043.080 Or do they think that We hear not their secrets and their private counsels? Indeed (We do), and Our messengers are by them, to record.

043.081 Say: "If (God) Most Gracious had a son, I would be the first to worship."

043.082 Glory to the Lord of the heavens and the earth, the Lord of the Throne (of Authority)! (He is free) from the things they attribute (to him)!

043.083 So leave them to babble and play (with vanities) until they meet that Day of theirs, which they have been promised.

043.084 It is He Who is God in heaven and God on earth; and He is full of Wisdom and Knowledge.

043.085 And blessed is He to Whom belongs the dominion of the heavens and the earth, and all between them: with Him is the Knowledge of the Hour (of Judgement ): and to Him shall ye be brought back.

043.086 And those whom they invoke besides God have no power of intercession-- only he who bears witness to the Truth, and they know (him).

043.087 If thou ask them, who created them, they will certainly say, God: How then are they deluded away (from the Truth)?

043.088 (God has knowledge) of the (Prophet's) cry, "O my Lord! Truly these are people who will not believe!"

043.089 But turn away from them, and say "Peace!" But soon shall they know!