advance me in knowledge."
115. We had already, beforehand, taken the covenant of Adam, but We had already, beforehand, taken the covenant of Adam, but he forgot: and We found on his part no firm resolve.
116. When We said to the angels, "Prostrate yourselves to Adam", When We said to the angels, "Prostrate yourselves to Adam", they prostrated themselves, but not Iblis: he refused.
117. Then We said: "O Adam! verily, this is an enemy to thee and thy Then We said: "O Adam! verily, this is an enemy to thee and thy wife: so let him not get you both out of the Garden, so that thou art landed in misery.
118. "There is therein (enough provision) for thee not to go hungry "There is therein (enough provision) for thee not to go hungry nor to go naked, 119. "Nor to suffer from thirst, nor from the sun"s heat." "Nor to suffer from thirst, nor from the sun"s heat."
120. But Satan whispered evil to him: he said, "O Adam! shall I lead But Satan whispered evil to him: he said, "O Adam! shall I lead thee to the Tree of Eternity and to a kingdom that never decays?"
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121. In the result, they both ate of the tree, and so their nakedness In the result, they both ate of the tree, and so their nakedness appeared to them: they began to sew together, for their covering, leaves from the Garden: thus did Adam disobey his Lord, and allow himself to be seduced.
122. But his Lord chose him (for His Grace): He turned to him, and But his Lord chose him (for His Grace): He turned to him, and gave him Guidance.
123. He said: "Get ye down, both of you,-all together, from the He said: "Get ye down, both of you,-all together, from the Garden, with enmity one to another: but if, as is sure, there comes to you Guidance from Me, whosoever follows My Guidance, will not lose his way, nor fall into misery.
124. "But whosoever turns away from My Message, verily for him is a "But whosoever turns away from My Message, verily for him is a life narrowed down, and We shall raise him up blind on the Day of Judgment."
125. He will say: "O my Lord! why hast Thou raised me up blind, He will say: "O my Lord! why hast Thou raised me up blind, while I had sight (before)?"
126. ((Allah)) will say: "Thus didst Thou, when Our Signs came unto ((Allah)) will say: "Thus didst Thou, when Our Signs came unto thee, disregard them: so wilt thou, this day, be disregarded."
127. And thus do We recompense him who transgresses beyond And thus do We recompense him who transgresses beyond bounds and believes not in the Sings of his Lord: and the Penalty of the Hereafter is far more grievous and more enduring.
128. Is it not a warning to such men (to call to mind) how many Is it not a warning to such men (to call to mind) how many generations before them We destroyed, in whose haunts they (now) move? Verily, in this are Signs for men endued with understanding.
129. Had it not been for a Word that went forth before from thy Lord, Had it not been for a Word that went forth before from thy Lord, (their punishment) must necessarily have come; but there is a Term appointed (for respite).
130. Therefore be patient with what they say, and celebrate Therefore be patient with what they say, and celebrate (constantly) the praises of thy Lord, before the rising of the sun, and before its setting; yea, celebrate them for part of the hours of the night, and at the sides of the day: that thou mayest have (spiritual) joy.
131. Nor strain thine eyes in longing for the things We have given for Nor strain thine eyes in longing for the things We have given for enjoyment to parties of them, the splendour of the life of this world, through which We test them: but the provision of thy Lord is better and more enduring.
132. Enjoin prayer on thy people, and be constant therein. We ask Enjoin prayer on thy people, and be constant therein. We ask thee not to provide sustenance: We provide it for thee. But the (fruit of) the Hereafter is for righteousness.
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133. They say: "Why does he not bring us a sign from his Lord?" Has They say: "Why does he not bring us a sign from his Lord?" Has not a Clear Sign come to them of all that was in the former Books of revelation?
134. And if We had inflicted on them a penalty before this, they And if We had inflicted on them a penalty before this, they would have said: "Our Lord! If only Thou hadst sent us an apostle, we should certainly have followed Thy Signs before we were humbled and put to shame."
135. Say: "Each one (of us) is waiting: wait ye, therefore, and soon Say: "Each one (of us) is waiting: wait ye, therefore, and soon shall ye know who it is that is on the straight and even way, and who it is that has received Guidance."
Surah 21. The Prophets
1. Closer and closer to mankind comes their Reckoning: yet they Closer and closer to mankind comes their Reckoning: yet they heed not and they turn away.
2. Never comes (aught) to them of a renewed Message from their Never comes (aught) to them of a renewed Message from their Lord, but they listen to it as in jest,-3. Their hearts toying as with trifles. The wrong-doers conceal their Their hearts toying as with trifles. The wrong-doers conceal their private counsels, (saying), "Is this (one) more than a man like yourselves? Will ye go to witchcraft with your eyes open?"
4. Say: "My Lord knoweth (every) word (spoken) in the heavens and Say: "My Lord knoweth (every) word (spoken) in the heavens and on earth: He is the One that heareth and knoweth (all things)."
5. "Nay," they say, "(these are) medleys of dream! - Nay, He forged "Nay," they say, "(these are) medleys of dream! - Nay, He forged it! - Nay, He is (but) a poet! Let him then bring us a Sign like the ones that were sent to (Prophets) of old!"
6. (As to those) before them, not one of the populations which We (As to those) before them, not one of the populations which We destroyed believed: will these believe?
7. Before thee, also, the apostles We sent were but men, to whom Before thee, also, the apostles We sent were but men, to whom We granted inspiration: If ye realise this not, ask of those who possess the Message.
8. Nor did We give them bodies that ate no food, nor were they Nor did We give them bodies that ate no food, nor were they exempt from death.
9. In the end We fulfilled to them Our Promise, and We saved them In the end We fulfilled to them Our Promise, and We saved them and those whom We pleased, but We destroyed those who transgressed beyond bounds.
10. We have revealed for you (O men!) a book in which is a Message We have revealed for you (O men!) a book in which is a Message for you: will ye not then understand?
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11. How many were the populations We utterly destroyed because of How many were the populations We utterly destroyed because of their iniquities, setting up in their places other peoples?
12. Yet, when they felt Our Punishment (coming), behold, they (tried Yet, when they felt Our Punishment (coming), behold, they (tried to) flee from it.
13. Flee not, but return to the good things of this life which were Flee not, but return to the good things of this life which were given you, and to your homes in order that ye may be called to account.
14. They said: "Ah! woe to us! We were indeed wrong-doers!" They said: "Ah! woe to us! We were indeed wrong-doers!"
15. And that cry of theirs ceased not, till We made them as a field And that cry of theirs ceased not, till We made them as a field that is mown, as ashes silent and quenched.
16. Not for (idle) sport did We create the heavens and the earth and Not for (idle) sport did We create the heavens and the earth and all that is between!
17. If it had been Our wish to take (just) a pastime, We should surely If it had been Our wish to take (just) a pastime, We should surely have taken it from the things nearest to Us, if We would do (such a thing)!
18. Nay, We hurl the Truth against falsehood, and it knocks out its Nay, We hurl the Truth against falsehood, and it knocks out its brain, and behold, falsehood doth perish! Ah! woe be to you for the (false) things ye ascribe (to Us).
19. To Him belong all (creatures) in the heavens and on earth: Even To Him belong all (creatures) in the heavens and on earth: Even those who are in His (very) Presence are not too proud to serve Him, nor are they (ever) weary (of His service): 20. They celebrate His praises night and day, nor do they ever flag or They celebrate His praises night and day, nor do they ever flag or intermit.
21. Or have they taken (for worship) G.o.ds from the earth who can Or have they taken (for worship) G.o.ds from the earth who can raise (the dead)?
22. If there were, in the heavens and the earth, other G.o.ds besides If there were, in the heavens and the earth, other G.o.ds besides Allah, there would have been confusion in both! but glory to Allah, the Lord of the Throne: (High is He) above what they attribute to Him!
23. He cannot be questioned for His acts, but they will be questioned He cannot be questioned for His acts, but they will be questioned (for theirs).
24. Or have they taken for worship (other) G.o.ds besides him? Say, Or have they taken for worship (other) G.o.ds besides him? Say, "Bring your convincing proof: this is the Message of those with me and the Message of those before me." But most of them know not the Truth, and so turn away.
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25. Not an apostle did We send before thee without this inspiration Not an apostle did We send before thee without this inspiration sent by Us to him: that there is no G.o.d but I; therefore worship and serve Me.
26. And they say: "((Allah)) Most Gracious has begotten offspring." And they say: "((Allah)) Most Gracious has begotten offspring."
Glory to Him! they are (but) servants raised to honour.
27. They speak not before He speaks, and they act (in all things) by They speak not before He speaks, and they act (in all things) by His Command.
28. He knows what is before them, and what is behind them, and He knows what is before them, and what is behind them, and they offer no intercession except for those who are acceptable, and they stand in awe and reverence of His (Glory).
29. If any of them should say, "I am a G.o.d besides Him", such a one If any of them should say, "I am a G.o.d besides Him", such a one We should reward with h.e.l.l: thus do We reward those who do wrong.
30. Do not the Unbelievers see that the heavens and the earth were Do not the Unbelievers see that the heavens and the earth were joined together (as one unit of creation), before we clove them asunder?
We made from water every living thing. Will they not then believe?
31. And We have set on the earth mountains standing firm, lest it And We have set on the earth mountains standing firm, lest it should shake with them, and We have made therein broad highways (between mountains) for them to pa.s.s through: that they may receive Guidance.
32. And We have made the heavens as a canopy well guarded: yet do And We have made the heavens as a canopy well guarded: yet do they turn away from the Signs which these things (point to)!
33. It is He Who created the Night and the Day, and the sun and the It is He Who created the Night and the Day, and the sun and the moon: all (the celestial bodies) swim along, each in its rounded course.
34. We granted not to any man before thee permanent life (here): if We granted not to any man before thee permanent life (here): if then thou shouldst die, would they live permanently?
35. Every soul shall have a taste of death: and We test you by evil Every soul shall have a taste of death: and We test you by evil and by good by way of trial. to Us must ye return.
36. When the Unbelievers see thee, they treat thee not except with When the Unbelievers see thee, they treat thee not except with ridicule. "Is this," (they say), "the one who talks of your G.o.ds?" and they blaspheme at the mention of ((Allah)) Most Gracious!
37. Man is a creature of haste: soon (enough) will I show you My Man is a creature of haste: soon (enough) will I show you My Signs; then ye will not ask Me to hasten them!
38. They say: "When will this promise come to pa.s.s, if ye are telling They say: "When will this promise come to pa.s.s, if ye are telling the truth?"
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39. If only the Unbelievers knew (the time) when they will not be If only the Unbelievers knew (the time) when they will not be able to ward off the fire from their faces, nor yet from their backs, and (when) no help can reach them!
40. Nay, it may come to them all of a sudden and confound them: no Nay, it may come to them all of a sudden and confound them: no power will they have then to avert it, nor will they (then) get respite.
41. Mocked were (many) apostle before thee; But their scoffers were Mocked were (many) apostle before thee; But their scoffers were hemmed in by the thing that they mocked.
42. Say: "Who can keep you safe by night and by day from (the Say: "Who can keep you safe by night and by day from (the Wrath of) ((Allah)) Most Gracious?" Yet they turn away from the mention of their Lord.
43. Or have they G.o.ds that can guard them from Us? They have no Or have they G.o.ds that can guard them from Us? They have no power to aid themselves, nor can they be defended from Us.
44. Nay, We gave the good things of this life to these men and their Nay, We gave the good things of this life to these men and their fathers until the period grew long for them; See they not that We gradually reduce the land (in their control) from its outlying borders? Is it then they who will win?
45. Say, "I do but warn you according to revelation": But the deaf will Say, "I do but warn you according to revelation": But the deaf will not hear the call, (even) when they are warned!
46. If but a breath of the Wrath of thy Lord do touch them, they will If but a breath of the Wrath of thy Lord do touch them, they will then say, "Woe to us! we did wrong indeed!"
47. We shall set up scales of justice for the Day of Judgment, so that We shall set up scales of justice for the Day of Judgment, so that not a soul will be dealt with unjustly in the least, and if there be (no more than) the weight of a mustard seed, We will bring it (to account): and enough are We to take account.
48. In the past We granted to Moses and Aaron the criterion (for In the past We granted to Moses and Aaron the criterion (for judgment), and a Light and a Message for those who would do right,-49. Those who fear their Lord in their most secret thoughts, and who Those who fear their Lord in their most secret thoughts, and who hold the Hour (of Judgment) in awe.
50. And this is a blessed Message which We have sent down: will ye And this is a blessed Message which We have sent down: will ye then reject it?
51. We bestowed aforetime on Abraham his rect.i.tude of conduct, and We bestowed aforetime on Abraham his rect.i.tude of conduct, and well were We acquainted with him.
52. Behold! he said to his father and his people, "What are these Behold! he said to his father and his people, "What are these images, to which ye are (so a.s.siduously) devoted?"
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53. They said, "We found our fathers worshipping them." They said, "We found our fathers worshipping them."
54. He said, "Indeed ye have been in manifest error - ye and your He said, "Indeed ye have been in manifest error - ye and your fathers."
55. They said, "Have you brought us the Truth, or are you one of They said, "Have you brought us the Truth, or are you one of those who jest?"
56. He said, "Nay, your Lord is the Lord of the heavens and the earth, He said, "Nay, your Lord is the Lord of the heavens and the earth, He Who created them (from nothing): and I am a witness to this (Truth).
57. "And by Allah, I have a plan for your idols - after ye go away and "And by Allah, I have a plan for your idols - after ye go away and turn your backs"..
58. So he broke them to pieces, (all) but the biggest of them, that So he broke them to pieces, (all) but the biggest of them, that they might turn (and address themselves) to it.
59. They said, "Who has done this to our G.o.ds? He must indeed be They said, "Who has done this to our G.o.ds? He must indeed be some man of impiety!"
60. They said, "We heard a youth talk of them: He is called They said, "We heard a youth talk of them: He is called Abraham."
61. They said, "Then bring him before the eyes of the people, that They said, "Then bring him before the eyes of the people, that they may bear witness."
62. They said, "Art thou the one that did this with our G.o.ds, O They said, "Art thou the one that did this with our G.o.ds, O Abraham?"
63. He said: "Nay, this was done by - this is their biggest one! ask He said: "Nay, this was done by - this is their biggest one! ask them, if they can speak intelligently!"
64. So they turned to themselves and said, "Surely ye are the ones in So they turned to themselves and said, "Surely ye are the ones in the wrong!"
65. Then were they confounded with shame: (they said), "Thou Then were they confounded with shame: (they said), "Thou knowest full well that these (idols) do not speak!"
66. (Abraham) said, "Do ye then worship, besides Allah, things that (Abraham) said, "Do ye then worship, besides Allah, things that can neither be of any good to you nor do you harm?
67. "Fie upon you, and upon the things that ye worship besides Allah. "Fie upon you, and upon the things that ye worship besides Allah.
Have ye no sense?"..
68. They said, "Burn him and protect your G.o.ds, If ye do (anything at They said, "Burn him and protect your G.o.ds, If ye do (anything at all)!"
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69. We said, "O Fire! be thou cool, and (a means of) safety for We said, "O Fire! be thou cool, and (a means of) safety for Abraham!"