[12:0] In the name of ALLAH, Most Gracious, Most Merciful

[12:1] A.L.R. These (letters) are proofs of this profound scripture.

[12:2] We have revealed it an Arabic Quran, that you may understand.

[12:3] We narrate to you the most accurate history through the revelation of this Quran. Before this, you were totally unaware.

[12:4] Recall that Joseph said to his father, "O my father, I saw eleven planets, and the sun, and the moon; I saw them prostrating before me."

[12:5] He said, "My son, do not tell your brothers about your dream, lest they plot and scheme against you. Surely, the devil is man's worst enemy.

[12:6] "Your Lord has thus blessed you, and has given you good news through your dream. He has perfected His blessings upon you and upon the family of Jacob, as He did for your ancestors Abraham and Isaac before that. Your Lord is Omniscient, Most Wise."

[12:7] In Joseph and his brothers there are lessons for the seekers.

[12:8] They said, "Joseph and his brother are favored by our father, and we are in the majority. Indeed, our father is far astray.

[12:9] "Let us kill Joseph, or banish him, that you may get some attention from your father. Afterwards, you can be righteous people."

[12:10] One of them said, "Do not kill Joseph; let us throw him into the abyss of the well. Perhaps some caravan can pick him up, if this is what you decide to do."

[12:11] They said, "Our father, why do you not trust us with Joseph? We will take good care of him.

[12:12] "Send him with us tomorrow to run and play. We will protect him."

[12:13] He said, "I worry lest you go away with him, then the wolf may devour him while you are not watching him."

[12:14] They said, "Indeed, if the wolf devours him, with so many of us around, then we are really losers."

[12:15] When they went away with him, and unanimously decided to throw him into the abyss of the well, we inspired him: "Some day, you will tell them about all this, while they have no idea."

[12:16] They came back to their father in the evening, weeping.

[12:17] They said, "Our father, we went racing with each other, leaving Joseph with our equipment, and the wolf devoured him. You will never believe us, even if we were telling the truth."

[12:18] They produced his shirt with fake blood on it. He said, "Indeed, you have conspired with each other to commit a certain scheme. All I can do is resort to a quiet patience. May ALLAH help me in the face of your conspiracy."

[12:19] A caravan passed by, and soon sent their waterer. He let down his bucket, then said, "How lucky! There is a boy here!" They took him along as merchandise, and ALLAH was fully aware of what they did.

[12:20] They sold him for a cheap price - a few dirhams - for they did not have any need for him.

[12:21] The one who bought him in Egypt said to his wife, "Take good care of him. Maybe he can help us, or maybe we can adopt him." We thus established Joseph on earth, and we taught him the interpretation of dreams. ALLAH's command is always done, but most people do not know.

[12:22] When he reached maturity, we endowed him with wisdom and knowledge. We thus reward the righteous.

[12:23] The lady of the house where he lived tried to seduce him. She closed the doors and said, "I am all yours." He said, "May ALLAH protect me. He is my Lord, who gave me a good home. The transgressors never succeed."

[12:24] She almost succumbed to him, and he almost succumbed to her, if it were not that he saw a proof from his Lord. We thus diverted evil and sin away from him, for he was one of our devoted servants.

[12:25] The two of them raced towards the door, and, in the process, she tore his garment from the back. They found her husband at the door. She said, "What should be the punishment for one who wanted to molest your wife, except imprisonment or a painful punishment?"

[12:26] He said, "She is the one who tried to seduce me." A witness from her family suggested: "If his garment is torn from the front, then she is telling the truth and he is a liar.

[12:27] "And if his garment is torn from the back, then she lied, and he is telling the truth."

[12:28] When her husband saw that his garment was torn from the back, he said, "This is a woman's scheme. Indeed, your scheming is formidable.

[12:29] "Joseph, disregard this incident. As for you (my wife), you should seek forgiveness for your sin. You have committed an error."

[12:30] Some women in the city gossiped: "The governor's wife is trying to seduce her servant. She is deeply in love with him. We see that she has gone astray."

[12:31] When she heard of their gossip, she invited them, prepared for them a comfortable place, and gave each of them a knife. She then said to him, "Enter their room." When they saw him, they so admired him, that they cut their hands. They said, "Glory be to ALLAH, this is not a human being; this is an honorable angel."

[12:32] She said, "This is the one you blamed me for falling in love with. I did indeed try to seduce him, and he refused. Unless he does what I command him to do, he will surely go to prison, and will be debased."

[12:33] He said, "My Lord, the prison is better than giving in to them. Unless You divert their scheming from me, I may desire them and behave like the ignorant ones."

[12:34] His Lord answered his prayer and diverted their scheming from him. He is the Hearer, the Omniscient.

[12:35] Later, they saw to it, despite the clear proofs, that they should imprison him for awhile.

[12:36] Two young men were in the prison with him. One of them said, "I saw (in my dream) that I was making wine," and the other said, "I saw myself carrying bread on my head, from which the birds were eating. Inform us of the interpretation of these dreams. We see that you are righteous."

[12:37] He said, "If any food is provided to you, I can inform you about it before you receive it. This is some of the knowledge bestowed upon me by my Lord. I have forsaken the religion of people who do not believe in ALLAH, and with regard to the Hereafter, they are really disbelievers.

[12:38] "And I followed instead the religion of my ancestors, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. We never set up any idols beside ALLAH. Such is the blessing from ALLAH upon us and upon the people, but most people are unappreciative.

[12:39] "O my prison mates, are several gods better, or ALLAH alone, the One, the Supreme?

[12:40] "You do not worship beside Him except innovations that you have made up, you and your parents. ALLAH has never authorized such idols. All ruling belongs to ALLAH, and He has ruled that you shall not worship except Him. This is the perfect religion, but most people do not know.

[12:41] "O my prison mates, one of you will be the wine butler for his lord, while the other will be crucified - the birds will eat from his head. This settles the matter about which you have inquired."

[12:42] He then said to the one to be saved "Remember me at your lord." Thus, the devil caused him to forget his Lord, and, consequently, he remained in prison a few more years.

[12:43] The king said, "I saw seven fat cows being devoured by seven skinny cows, and seven green spikes (of wheat), and others shriveled. O my elders, advise me regarding my dream, if you know how to interpret the dreams."

[12:44] They said, "Nonsense dreams. When it comes to the interpretation of dreams, we are not knowledgeable."

[12:45] The one who was saved (from the prison) said, now that he finally remembered, "I can tell you its interpretation, so send me (to Joseph)."

[12:46] "Joseph my friend, inform us about seven fat cows being devoured by seven skinny cows, and seven green spikes, and others shriveled. I wish to go back with some information for the people."

[12:47] He said, "What you cultivate during the next seven years, when the time of harvest comes, leave the grains in their spikes, except for what you eat.

[12:48] "After that, seven years of drought will come, which will consume most of what you stored for them.

[12:49] "After that, a year will come that brings relief for the people, and they will, once again, press juice."

[12:50] The king said, "Bring him to me." When the messenger came to him, he said, "Go back to your lord and ask him to investigate the women who cut their hands. My Lord is fully aware of their schemes."

[12:51] (The king) said (to the women), "What do you know about the incident when you tried to seduce Joseph?" They said, "ALLAH forbid; we did not know of anything evil committed by him." The wife of the governor said, "Now the truth has prevailed. I am the one who tried to seduce him, and he was the truthful one.

[12:52] "I hope that he will realize that I never betrayed him in his absence, for ALLAH does not bless the schemes of the betrayers.

[12:53] "I do not claim innocence for myself. The self is an advocate of vice, except for those who have attained mercy from my Lord. My Lord is Forgiver, Most Merciful."

[12:54] The king said, "Bring him to me, so I can hire him to work for me." When he talked with him, he said, "Today, you have a prominent position with us."

[12:55] He said, "Make me the treasurer, for I am experienced in this area and knowledgeable."

[12:56] We thus established Joseph on Earth, ruling as he wished. We shower our mercy upon whomever we will, and we never fail to recompense the righteous.

[12:57] Additionally, the reward in the Hereafter is even better for those who believe and lead a righteous life.

[12:58] Joseph's brothers came; when they entered, he recognized them, while they did not recognize him.

[12:59] After he provided them with their provisions, he said, "Next time, bring with you your half-brother. Do you not see that I give full measure, and treat you generously?

[12:60] "If you fail to bring him to me, you will get no share from me; you will not even come close."

[12:61] They said, "We will negotiate with his father about him. We will surely do this."

[12:62] He then instructed his assistants: "Put their goods back in their bags. When they find them upon their return to their family, they may come back sooner."

[12:63] When they returned to their father, they said, "Our father, we can no longer get any provisions, unless you send our brother with us. We will take good care of him."

[12:64] He said, "Shall I trust you with him, as I trusted you with his brother before that? ALLAH is the best Protector, and, of all the merciful ones, He is the Most Merciful."

[12:65] When they opened their bags, they found their goods returned to them. They said, "Our father, what more can we ask for? Here are our goods returned to us. We can thus provide for our family, protect our brother, and receive one more camel-load. This is certainly a profitable deal."

[12:66] He said, "I will not send him with you, unless you give me a solemn pledge before ALLAH that you will bring him back, unless you are utterly overwhelmed." When they gave him their solemn pledge, he said, "ALLAH is witnessing everything we say."

[12:67] And he said, "O my sons, do not enter from one door; enter through separate doors. However, I cannot save you from anything that is predetermined by ALLAH. To ALLAH belongs all judgments. I trust in Him, and in Him shall all the trusters put their trust."

[12:68] When they went (to Joseph), they entered in accordance with their father's instructions. Although this could not change anything decreed by ALLAH, Jacob had a private reason for asking them to do this. For he possessed certain knowledge that we taught him, but most people do not know.

[12:69] When they entered Joseph's place, he brought his brother closer to him and said, "I am your brother; do not be saddened by their actions."

[12:70] When he provided them with their provisions, he placed the drinking cup in his brother's bag, then an announcer announced: "The owners of this caravan are thieves."

[12:71] They said, as they came towards them, "What did you lose?"

[12:72] They said, "We lost the king's cup. Anyone who returns it will receive an extra camel-load; I personally guarantee this."

[12:73] They said, "By ALLAH, you know full well that we did not come here to commit evil, nor are we thieves."

[12:74] They said, "What is the punishment for the thief, if you are liars?"

[12:75] They said, "The punishment, if it is found in his bag, is that the thief belongs to you. We thus punish the guilty."

[12:76] He then started by inspecting their containers, before getting to his brother's container, and he extracted it out of his brother's container. We thus perfected the scheme for Joseph; he could not have kept his brother if he applied the king's law. But that was the will of ALLAH. We exalt whomever we choose to higher ranks. Above every knowledgeable one, there is one who is even more knowledgeable.

[12:77] They said, "If he stole, so did a brother of his in the past." Joseph concealed his feelings in himself, and did not give them any clue. He said (to himself), "You are really bad. ALLAH is fully aware of your accusations."

[12:78] They said, "O you noble one, he has a father who is elderly; would you take one of us in his place? We see that you are a kind man."

[12:79] He said, "ALLAH forbid that we should take other than the one in whose possession we found our goods. Otherwise, we would be unjust."

[12:80] When they despaired of changing his mind, they conferred together. Their eldest said, "Do you realize that your father has taken a solemn pledge from you before ALLAH? In the past you lost Joseph. I am not leaving this place until my father gives me permission, or until ALLAH judges for me; He is the best Judge.

[12:81] "Go back to your father and tell him... `Our father, your son has committed a theft. We know for sure, because this is what we have witnessed. This was an unexpected occurrence.

[12:82] `You may ask the community where we were, and the caravan that came back with us. We are telling the truth.' "

[12:83] He said, "Indeed, you have conspired to carry out a certain scheme. Quiet patience is my only recourse. May ALLAH bring them all back to me. He is the Omniscient, Most Wise."

[12:84] He turned away from them, saying, "I am grieving over Joseph." His eyes turned white from grieving so much; he was truly sad.

[12:85] They said, "By ALLAH, you will keep on grieving over Joseph until you become ill, or until you die."

[12:86] He said, "I simply complain to ALLAH about my dilemma and grief, for I know from ALLAH what you do not know.

[12:87] "O my sons, go fetch Joseph and his brother, and never despair of ALLAH's grace. None despairs of ALLAH's grace except the disbelieving people."

[12:88] When they entered (Joseph's) quarters, they said, "O you noble one, we have suffered a lot of hardship, along with our family, and we have brought inferior goods. But we hope that you will give us full measure and be charitable to us. ALLAH rewards the charitable."

[12:89] He said, "Do you recall what you did to Joseph and his brother when you were ignorant?"

[12:90] They said, "You must be Joseph." He said, "I am Joseph, and here is my brother. ALLAH has blessed us. That is because if one leads a righteous life, and steadfastly perseveres, ALLAH never fails to reward the righteous."

[12:91] They said, "By ALLAH, ALLAH has truly preferred you over us. We were definitely wrong."

[12:92] He said, "There is no blame upon you today. May ALLAH forgive you. Of all the merciful ones, He is the Most Merciful.

[12:93] "Take this shirt of mine; when you throw it on my father's face, his vision will be restored. Bring your whole family and come back to me."

[12:94] Even before the caravan arrived, their father said, "I can sense the smell of Joseph. Will someone enlighten me?"

[12:95] They said, "By ALLAH, you are still in your old confusion."

[12:96] When the bearer of good news arrived, he threw (the shirt) on his face, whereupon his vision was restored. He said, "Did I not tell you that I knew from ALLAH what you did not know?"

[12:97] They said, "Our father, pray for our forgiveness; we were wrong indeed."

[12:98] He said, "I will implore my Lord to forgive you; He is the Forgiver, Most Merciful."

[12:99] When they entered Joseph's quarters, he embraced his parents, saying, "Welcome to Egypt. ALLAH willing, you will be safe here."

[12:100] He raised his parents upon the throne. They fell prostrate before him. He said, "O my father, this is the fulfillment of my old dream. My Lord has made it come true. He has blessed me, delivered me from the prison, and brought you from the desert, after the devil had driven a wedge between me and my brothers. My Lord is Most Kind towards whomever He wills. He is the Knower, the Most Wise."

[12:101] "My Lord, You have given me kingship and taught me the interpretation of dreams. Initiator of the Heavens and the Earth; You are my Lord and Master in this life and in the Hereafter. Let me die as a submitter, and count me with the righteous."

[12:102] This is news from the past that we reveal to you. You were not present when they made their unanimous decision (to throw Joseph in the well), as they conspired together.

[12:103] Most people, no matter what you do, will not believe.

[12:104] You are not asking them for any money; you simply deliver this reminder for all the people.

[12:105] So many proofs in the Heavens and the Earth are given to them, but they pass by them, heedlessly!

[12:106] The majority of those who believe in ALLAH do not do so without committing idol worship.

[12:107] Have they guaranteed that an overwhelming retribution from ALLAH will not strike them, or the Hour will not come to them suddenly, when they least expect it?

[12:108] Say, "This is my path: I invite to ALLAH, on the basis of a clear proof, and so do those who follow me. ALLAH be glorified. I am not an idol worshiper."

[12:109] We did not send before you except men whom we inspired, chosen from the people of various communities. Did they not roam the Earth and see the consequences for those before them? The abode of the Hereafter is far better for those who lead a righteous life. Would you then understand?

[12:110] Just when the messengers despair, and think that they had been rejected, our victory comes to them. We then save whomever we choose, while our retribution for the guilty people is unavoidable.

[12:111] In their history, there is a lesson for those who possess intelligence. This is not fabricated Hadith; this (Quran) confirms all previous scriptures, provides the details of everything, and is a beacon and mercy for those who believe.

[13:0] In the name of ALLAH, Most Gracious, Most Merciful

[13:1] A. L. M. R. These (letters) are proofs of this scripture. What is revealed to you from your Lord is the truth, but most people do not believe.

[13:2] ALLAH is the One who raised the Heavens without pillars that you can see, then assumed all authority. He committed the sun and the moon, each running (in its orbit) for a predetermined period. He controls all things, and explains the revelations, that you may attain certainty about meeting your Lord.

[13:3] He is the One who constructed the Earth and placed on it mountains and rivers. And from the different kinds of fruits, He made them into pairs - males and females. The night overtakes the day. These are solid proofs for people who think.

[13:4] On earth, there are adjacent lots that produce orchards of grapes, crops, palm trees - dioecious and non-dioecious. Although they are irrigated with the same water, we prefer some of them over others in eating. These are solid proofs for people who understand.

[13:5] If you ever wonder, the real wonder is their saying: "After we turn into dust, do we get recreated anew?" These are the ones who have disbelieved in their Lord. These are the ones who have incurred shackles around their necks. These are the ones who have incurred Hell, wherein they abide forever.

[13:6] They challenge you to bring doom upon them, rather than turning righteous! Sufficient precedents have been set for them in the past. Indeed, your Lord is full of forgiveness towards the people, in spite of their transgressions, and your Lord is also strict in enforcing retribution.

[13:7] Those who disbelieved say, "If only a miracle could come down to him from his Lord (we will then believe)." You are simply a warner - every community receives a guiding teacher.

[13:8] ALLAH knows what every female bears, and what every womb releases, or gains. Everything He does is perfectly measured.

[13:9] The Knower of all secrets and declarations; the Supreme, the Most High.

[13:10] It is the same whether you conceal your thoughts, or declare them, or hide in the darkness of the night, or act in the daylight.

[13:11] Shifts (of angels) take turns, staying with each one of you - they are in front of you and behind you. They stay with you, and guard you in accordance with ALLAH's commands. Thus, ALLAH does not change the condition of any people unless they themselves make the decision to change. If ALLAH wills any hardship for any people, no force can stop it. For they have none beside Him as Lord and Master.

[13:12] He is the One who shows you the lightning as a source of fear, as well as hope, and He initiates the loaded clouds.

[13:13] The thunder praises His glory, and so do the angels, out of reverence for Him. He sends the lightning bolts, which strike in accordance with His will. Yet, they argue about ALLAH, though His power is awesome.

[13:14] Imploring Him is the only legitimate supplication, while the idols they implore beside Him cannot ever respond. Thus, they are like those who stretch their hands to the water, but nothing reaches their mouths. The supplications of the disbelievers are in vain.

[13:15] To ALLAH prostrates everyone in the Heavens and the Earth, willingly or unwillingly, and so do their shadows in the mornings and the evenings.

[13:16] Say, "Who is the Lord of the Heavens and the Earth?" Say, "ALLAH." Say, "Why then do you set up besides Him masters who do not possess any power to benefit or harm even themselves?" Say, "Is the blind the same as the seer? Is darkness the same as the light?" Have they found idols besides ALLAH who created creations similar to His creations, to the point of not distinguishing the two creations? Say, "ALLAH is the Creator of all things, and He is the One, the Supreme."

[13:17] He sends down water from the sky, causing the valleys to overflow, then the rapids produce abundant foam. Similarly, when they use fire to refine metals for their jewelry or equipment, foam is produced. ALLAH thus cites analogies for the truth and falsehood. As for the foam, it goes to waste, while that which benefits the people stays close to the ground. ALLAH thus cites the analogies.

[13:18] Those who respond to their Lord deserve the good rewards. As for those who failed to respond to Him, if they possessed everything on Earth - even twice as much - they would readily give it up as ransom. They have incurred the worst reckoning, and their final abode is Hell; what a miserable destiny.

[13:19] Is one who recognizes that your Lord's revelations to you are the truth equal to one who is blind? Only those who possess intelligence will take heed.

[13:20] They are the ones who fulfill their pledge to ALLAH, and do not violate the covenant.

[13:21] They join what ALLAH has commanded to be joined, reverence their Lord, and fear the dreadful reckoning.

[13:22] They steadfastly persevere in seeking their Lord, observe the Contact Prayers (Salat), spend from our provisions to them secretly and publicly, and counter evil with good. These have deserved the best abode.

[13:23] They enter the gardens of Eden, together with the righteous among their parents, their spouses, and their children. The angels will enter in to them from every door.

[13:24] "Peace be upon you, because you steadfastly persevered. What a joyous destiny."

[13:25] As for those who violate ALLAH's covenant after pledging to keep it, and sever what ALLAH has commanded to be joined, and commit evil, they have incurred condemnation; they have incurred the worst destiny.

[13:26] ALLAH is the One who increases the provision for whomever He wills, or withholds it. They have become preoccupied with this life; and this life, compared to the Hereafter, is nil.

[13:27] Those who disbelieve would say, "If only a miracle could come down to him from his Lord (we would believe)." Say, "ALLAH sends astray whomever He wills, and guides to Him only those who obey."

[13:28] They are the ones whose hearts rejoice in remembering ALLAH. Absolutely, by remembering ALLAH, the hearts rejoice.

[13:29] Those who believe and lead a righteous life have deserved happiness and a joyous destiny.

[13:30] We have sent you to this community, just as we did for other communities in the past. You shall recite to them what we reveal to you, for they have disbelieved in the Most Gracious. Say, "He is my Lord. There is no god except He. I put my trust in Him alone; to Him is my ultimate destiny."

[13:31] Even if a Quran caused mountains to move, or the Earth to tear asunder, or the dead to speak (they will not believe). ALLAH controls all things. Is it not time for the believers to give up and realize that if ALLAH willed, He could have guided all the people? The disbelievers will continue to suffer disasters, as a consequence of their own works, or have disasters strike close to them, until ALLAH's promise is fulfilled. ALLAH will never change the predetermined destiny.

[13:32] Messengers before you have been ridiculed; I permitted the disbelievers to carry on, then I punished them. How terrible was My retribution!

[13:33] Is there any equal to the One who controls every single soul? Yet, they set up idols to rival ALLAH. Say, "Name them. Are you informing Him of something on Earth that He does not know? Or, are you fabricating empty statements?" Indeed, the schemes of those who disbelieve have been adorned in their eyes. They are thus diverted from the right path. Whomever ALLAH sends astray can never find a guiding teacher.

[13:34] They have incurred retribution in this life, and the retribution in the Hereafter is far worse. Nothing can protect them against ALLAH.

[13:35] The allegory of Heaven, which is promised for the righteous, is flowing streams, inexhaustible provisions, and cool shade. Such is the destiny for those who observe righteousness, while the destiny for the disbelievers is Hell.

[13:36] Those who received the scripture rejoice in what was revealed to you; some others may reject parts of it. Say, "I am simply enjoined to worship ALLAH, and never associate any idols with Him. I invite to Him, and to Him is my ultimate destiny."

[13:37] We revealed these laws in Arabic, and if you ever acquiesce to their wishes, after this knowledge has come to you, you will have no ally, nor a protector, against ALLAH.

[13:38] We have sent messengers before you, and we made them husbands with wives and children. No messenger can produce a miracle without ALLAH's authorization, and in accordance with a specific, predetermined time.

[13:39] ALLAH erases whatever He wills, and fixes (whatever He wills). With Him is the original Master Record.

[13:40] Whether we show you what we promise them, or terminate your life before that, your sole mission is to deliver (the message). It is us who will call them to account.

[13:41] Do they not see that every day on Earth, brings them closer to the end, and that ALLAH decides their life span, irrevocably? He is the most efficient Reckoner.

[13:42] Others before them have schemed, but to ALLAH belongs the ultimate scheming. He knows what everyone is doing. The disbelievers will find out who the ultimate winners are.

[13:43] Those who disbelieved will say, "You are not a messenger!" Say, "ALLAH suffices as a witness between me and you, and those who possess knowledge of the scripture."

[14:0] In the name of ALLAH, Most Gracious, Most Merciful

[14:1] A.L.R. A scripture that we revealed to you, in order to lead the people out of darkness into the light - in accordance with the will of their Lord - to the path of the Almighty, the Praiseworthy.

[14:2] (The path of) ALLAH; the One who possesses everything in the Heavens and everything on Earth. Woe to the disbelievers; they have incurred a terrible retribution.

[14:3] They are the ones who give priority to this life over the Hereafter, repel from the way of ALLAH, and seek to make it crooked; they have gone far astray.

[14:4] We did not send any messenger except (to preach) in the tongue of his people, in order to clarify things for them. ALLAH then sends astray whomever He wills, and guides whomever He wills. He is the Almighty, the Most Wise.

[14:5] Thus, we sent Moses with our miracles, saying, "Lead your people out of darkness into the light, and remind them of the days of ALLAH." These are lessons for every steadfast, appreciative person.

[14:6] Recall that Moses said to his people, "Remember ALLAH's blessings upon you. He saved you from Pharaoh's people who inflicted the worst persecution upon you, slaughtering your sons and sparing your daughters. That was an exacting trial from your Lord."

[14:7] Your Lord has decreed: "The more you thank Me, the more I give you." But if you turn unappreciative, then My retribution is severe.

[14:8] Moses said, "If you disbelieve, along with all the people on Earth, ALLAH is in no need, Praiseworthy."

[14:9] Have you not heard about those before you - the people of Noah, `Aad, Thamoud, and others who came after them and known only to ALLAH? Their messengers went to them with clear proofs, but they treated them with contempt and said, "We disbelieve in what you are sent with. We are skeptical about your message; full of doubt."

[14:10] Their messengers said, "Do you have doubts about ALLAH; the Initiator of the Heavens and the Earth? He invites you only to forgive your sins, and to give you another chance to redeem yourselves." They said, "You are no more than humans like us, who want to repel us from the way our parents used to worship. Show us some profound authority."

[14:11] Their messengers said to them, "We are no more than humans like you, but ALLAH blesses whomever He chooses from among His servants. We could not possibly show you any kind of authorization, except in accordance with ALLAH's will. In ALLAH the believers shall trust.

[14:12] "Why should we not trust in ALLAH, when He has guided us in our paths? We will steadfastly persevere in the face of your persecution. In ALLAH all the trusters shall trust."

[14:13] Those who disbelieved said to their messengers, "We will banish you from our land, unless you revert to our religion." Their Lord inspired them: "We will inevitably annihilate the transgressors.

[14:14] "And we will let you dwell in their land after them. This is (the reward) for those who reverence My majesty, and reverence My promise."

[14:15] They issued a challenge, and consequently, every stubborn tyrant ended up doomed.

[14:16] Awaiting him is Hell, wherein he will drink putrid water.

[14:17] He will gulp it down, though he cannot stand it, as death comes to him from every direction, but he will never die. Awaiting him is a terrible retribution.

[14:18] The allegory of those who disbelieve in their Lord: their works are like ashes in a violent wind, on a stormy day. They gain nothing from whatever they earn; such is the farthest straying.

[14:19] Do you not realize that ALLAH has created the Heavens and the Earth for a specific purpose? If He wills, He can remove you, and substitute a new creation in your place.

[14:20] This is not too difficult for ALLAH.

[14:21] When they all stand before ALLAH, the followers will say to the leaders, "We used to follow you. Can you spare us even a little bit of ALLAH's retribution?" They will say, "Had ALLAH guided us, we would have guided you. Now it is too late, whether we grieve or resort to patience, there is no exit for us."

[14:22] And the devil will say, after the judgment had been issued, "ALLAH has promised you the truthful promise, and I promised you, but I broke my promise. I had no power over you; I simply invited you, and you accepted my invitation. Therefore, do not blame me, and blame only yourselves. My complaining cannot help you, nor can your complaining help me. I have disbelieved in your idolizing me. The transgressors have incurred a painful retribution."

[14:23] As for those who believe and lead a righteous life, they will be admitted into gardens with flowing streams. They abide therein forever, in accordance with the will of their Lord. Their greeting therein is: "Peace."

[14:24] Do you not see that ALLAH has cited the example of the good word as a good tree whose root is firmly fixed, and its branches are high in the sky?

[14:25] It produces its crop every season, as designed by its Lord. ALLAH thus cites the examples for the people, that they may take heed.

[14:26] And the example of the bad word is that of a bad tree chopped at the soil level; it has no roots to keep it standing.

[14:27] ALLAH strengthens those who believe with the proven word, in this life and in the Hereafter. And ALLAH sends the transgressors astray. Everything is in accordance with ALLAH's will.

[14:28] Have you noted those who responded to ALLAH's blessings by disbelieving, and thus brought disaster upon their own families?

[14:29] Hell is their destiny, wherein they burn; what a miserable end!

[14:30] They set up rivals to rank with ALLAH and to divert others from His path. Say, "Enjoy for awhile; your final destiny is Hell."

[14:31] Exhort My servants who believed to observe the Contact Prayers (Salat), and to give (to charity) from our provisions to them, secretly and publicly, before a day comes where there is neither trade, nor nepotism.

[14:32] ALLAH is the One who created the Heavens and the Earth, and He sends down from the sky water to produce all kinds of fruit for your sustenance. He has committed the ships to serve you on the sea in accordance with His command. He has committed the rivers as well to serve you.

[14:33] He has committed the sun and the moon in your service, continuously. He has committed the night and the day to serve you.

[14:34] And He gives you all kinds of things that you implore Him for. If you count ALLAH's blessings, you can never encompass them. Indeed, the human being is transgressing, unappreciative.

[14:35] Recall that Abraham said, "My Lord, make this a peaceful land, and protect me and my children from worshipping idols.

[14:36] "My Lord, they have misled so many people. As for those who follow me, they belong with me. As for those who disobey me, You are Forgiver, Most Merciful.

[14:37] "Our Lord, I have settled part of my family in this plantless valley, at Your Sacred House. Our Lord, they are to observe the Contact Prayers (Salat), so let throngs of people converge upon them, and provide for them all kinds of fruits, that they may be appreciative.

[14:38] "Our Lord, You know whatever we conceal and whatever we declare - nothing is hidden from ALLAH on Earth, nor in the Heavens.

[14:39] "Praise be to ALLAH for granting me, despite my old age, Ismail and Isaac. My Lord answers the prayers.

[14:40] "My Lord, make me one who consistently observes the Contact Prayers (Salat), and also my children. Our Lord, please answer my prayers.

[14:41] "My Lord, forgive me and my parents, and the believers, on the day when the reckoning takes place."

[14:42] Do not ever think that ALLAH is unaware of what the transgressors are doing. He only respites them until a day where the eyes stare in horror.

[14:43] As they rush (out of the graves), their faces will be looking upward, their eyes will not even blink, and their minds will be horrified.

[14:44] You shall warn the people of the day when the retribution comes to them. Those who transgressed will say, "Our Lord, give us one more respite. We will then respond to Your call and follow the messengers." Did you not swear in the past that you will last forever?

[14:45] You dwelled in the homes of those before you, who wronged their souls, and you have seen clearly what we did to them. We have set many precedents for you.

[14:46] They schemed their schemes, and ALLAH is fully aware of their schemes. Indeed, their schemes were sufficient to erase mountains.

[14:47] Do not think that ALLAH will ever break His promise to His messengers. ALLAH is Almighty, Avenger.

[14:48] The day will come when this earth will be substituted with a new earth, and also the Heavens, and everyone will be brought before ALLAH, the One, the Supreme.

[14:49] And you will see the guilty on that day chained in shackles.

[14:50] Their garments will be made of tar, and fire will overwhelm their faces.

[14:51] For ALLAH will pay each soul for whatever it earned; ALLAH is the most efficient reckoner.

[14:52] This is a proclamation for the people, to be warned herewith, and to let them know that He is only one god, and for those who possess intelligence to take heed.

[15:0] In the name of ALLAH, Most Gracious, Most Merciful

[15:1] A.L.R. These (letters) are proofs of this scripture; a profound Quran.

[15:2] Certainly, those who disbelieved will wish they were submitters.

[15:3] Let them eat, enjoy, and remain blinded by wishful thinking; they will find out.

[15:4] We never annihilated any community, except in accordance with a specific, predetermined time.

[15:5] The end of any community can never be advanced, nor delayed.

[15:6] They said, "O you who received this reminder, you are crazy.

[15:7] "Why do you not bring down the angels, if you are truthful?"

[15:8] We do not send down the angels except for specific functions. Otherwise, no one will be respited.

[15:9] Absolutely, we have revealed the reminder, and, absolutely, we will preserve it.

[15:10] We have sent (messengers) before you to the communities in the past.

[15:11] Every time a messenger went to them, they ridiculed him.

[15:12] We thus control the minds of the guilty.

[15:13] Consequently, they cannot believe in him. This has been the system since the past generations.

[15:14] Even if we opened for them a gate into the sky, through which they climb;

[15:15] they will say, "Our eyes have been deceived. We have been bewitched."

[15:16] We placed galaxies in the sky, and adorned it for the beholders.

[15:17] And we guarded it against every rejected devil.

[15:18] If any of them sneaks around to listen, a mighty projectile will chase him back.

[15:19] As for the Earth, we constructed it, and placed on it stabilizers (mountains), and we grew on it a perfect balance of everything.

[15:20] We made it habitable for you, and for creatures you do not provide for.

[15:21] There is nothing that we do not own infinite amounts thereof. But we send it down in precise measure.

[15:22] And we send the winds as pollinators, and cause water to come down from the sky for you to drink. Otherwise, you could not keep it palatable.

[15:23] It is we who control life and death, and we are the ultimate inheritors.

[15:24] And we fully know those among you who advance, and we fully know those who regress.

[15:25] Your Lord will surely summon them. He is Most Wise, Omniscient.

[15:26] We created the human being from aged mud, like the potter's clay.

[15:27] As for the jinns, we created them, before that, from blazing fire.

[15:28] Your Lord said to the angels, "I am creating a human being from aged mud, like the potter's clay.

[15:29] "Once I perfect him, and blow into him from My spirit, you shall fall prostrate before him."

[15:30] The angels fell prostrate; all of them,

[15:31] except Iblis (Satan). He refused to be with the prostrators.

[15:32] He said, "O Iblis (Satan), why are you not with the prostrators?"

[15:33] He said, "I am not to prostrate before a human being, whom You created from aged mud, like the potter's clay."

[15:34] He said, "Therefore, you must get out; you are banished.

[15:35] "You have incurred My condemnation until the Day of Judgment."

[15:36] He said, "My Lord, respite me until the day they are resurrected."

[15:37] He said, "You are respited.

[15:38] "Until the specified day and time."

[15:39] He said, "My Lord, since You have willed that I go astray, I will surely entice them on Earth; I will send them all astray.

[15:40] "Except those among Your worshipers who are devoted absolutely to You alone."

[15:41] He said, "This is a law that is inviolable.

[15:42] "You have no power over My servants. You only have power over the strayers who follow you.

[15:43] "And Hell awaits them all.

[15:44] "It will have seven gates. Each gate will get a specific share of them."

[15:45] As for the righteous, they will enjoy gardens and springs.

[15:46] Enter therein, peaceful and secure.

[15:47] We remove all jealousy from their hearts. Like one family, they will be on adjacent furnishings.

[15:48] Never will they suffer any fatigue therein; never will they be evicted therefrom.

[15:49] Inform My servants that I am the Forgiver, Most Merciful.

[15:50] And that My retribution is the most painful retribution.

[15:51] Inform them about Abraham's guests.

[15:52] When they entered his quarters, they said, "Peace." He said, "We are apprehensive about you."

[15:53] They said, "Do not be apprehensive. We have good news for you: an enlightened son."

[15:54] He said, "How can you give me such good news, when I am so old? Do you still give me this good news?"

[15:55] They said, "The good news we give you is true; do not despair."

[15:56] He said, "None despairs of his Lord's mercy, except the strayers."

[15:57] He said, "What is your mission, O messengers?"

[15:58] They said, "We are being dispatched to guilty people.

[15:59] "As for Lot's family, we will save them all.

[15:60] "But not his wife; she is destined to be with the doomed."

[15:61] The messengers went to Lot's town.

[15:62] He said, "You are unknown people."

[15:63] They said, "We bring to you what they have been doubting.

[15:64] "We bring to you the truth; we are truthful.

[15:65] "You shall take your family during the night. Stay behind them, and make sure that none of you looks back. Go straight as commanded."

[15:66] We delivered to him this command: those people are to be annihilated in the morning.

[15:67] The people of the city came joyfully.

[15:68] He said, "These are my guests; do not embarrass me.

[15:69] "Fear ALLAH, and do not shame me."

[15:70] They said, "Did we not enjoin you from contacting anyone?"

[15:71] He said, "Here are my daughters, if you must."

[15:72] But, alas, they were totally blinded by their lust.

[15:73] Consequently, the disaster struck them in the morning.

[15:74] We turned it upside down, and showered them with devastating rocks.

[15:75] This is a lesson for those who possess intelligence.

[15:76] This will always be the system.

[15:77] This is a sign for the believers.

[15:78] The people of the woods also were transgressors.

[15:79] Consequently, we avenged from them, and both communities are fully documented.

[15:80] The people of Al-Hijr disbelieved the messengers.

[15:81] We gave them our revelations, but they disregarded them.

[15:82] They used to carve secure homes out of the mountains.

[15:83] The disaster hit them in the morning.

[15:84] What they hoarded did not help them.

[15:85] We did not create the Heavens and the Earth, and everything between them, except for a specific purpose. The end of the world will come, so treat them with benign neglect.

[15:86] Your Lord is the Creator, the Omniscient.

[15:87] We have given you the seven pairs, and the great Quran.

[15:88] Do not be jealous of what we bestowed upon the other (messengers), and do not be saddened (by the disbelievers), and lower your wing for the believers.

[15:89] And proclaim: "I am the manifest warner."

[15:90] We will deal with the dividers.

[15:91] They accept the Quran only partially.

[15:92] By your Lord, we will question them all,

[15:93] about everything they have done.

[15:94] Therefore, carry out the orders given to you, and disregard the idol worshipers.

[15:95] We will spare you the mockers,

[15:96] who set up another god beside ALLAH. They will surely find out.

[15:97] We know full well that you may be annoyed by their utterances.

[15:98] You shall sing the praises of your Lord, and be with the prostrators.

[15:99] And worship your Lord, in order to attain certainty.

[16:0] In the name of ALLAH, Most Gracious, Most Merciful

[16:1] ALLAH's command has already been issued (and everything has already been written), so do not rush it. Be He glorified; the Most High, far above any idols they set up.

[16:2] He sends down the angels with the revelations, carrying His commands, to whomever He chooses from among His servants: "You shall preach that there is no other god beside Me; You shall reverence Me."

[16:3] He created the Heavens and the Earth for a specific purpose. He is much too High, far above any idols they set up.

[16:4] He created the human from a tiny drop, then he turns into an ardent opponent.

[16:5] And He created the livestock for you, to provide you with warmth, and many other benefits, as well as food.

[16:6] They also provide you with luxury during your leisure, and when you travel.

[16:7] And they carry your loads to lands that you could not reach without a great hardship. Surely, your Lord is Compassionate, Most Merciful.

[16:8] And (He created) the horses, the mules, and the donkeys for you to ride, and for luxury. Additionally, He creates what you do not know.

[16:9] ALLAH points out the paths, including the wrong ones. If He willed, He could have guided all of you.

[16:10] He sends down from the sky water for your drink, and to grow trees for your benefit.

[16:11] With it, He grows for you crops, olives, date palms, grapes, and all kinds of fruits. This is (sufficient) proof for people who think.

[16:12] And He commits, in your service, the night and the day, as well as the sun and the moon. Also, the stars are committed by His command. These are (sufficient) proofs for people who understand.

[16:13] And (He created) for you on Earth things of various colors. This is a (sufficient) proof for people who take heed.

[16:14] And He committed the sea to serve you; you eat from it tender meat, and extract jewelry which you wear. And you see the ships roaming it for your commercial benefits, as you seek His bounties, that you may be appreciative.

[16:15] And He placed stabilizers (mountains) on Earth, lest it tumbles with you, as well as rivers and roads, that you may be guided.

[16:16] And landmarks, as well as the stars; to be used for navigation.

[16:17] Is One who creates like one who does not create? Would you now take heed?

[16:18] If you count ALLAH's blessings, you cannot possibly encompass them. ALLAH is Forgiver, Most Merciful.

[16:19] And ALLAH knows whatever you conceal and whatever you declare.

[16:20] As for the idols they set up beside ALLAH, they do not create anything; they themselves were created.

[16:21] They are dead, not alive, and they have no idea how or when they will be resurrected.

[16:22] Your god is one god. As for those who do not believe in the Hereafter, their hearts are denying, and they are arrogant.

[16:23] Absolutely, ALLAH knows everything they conceal and everything they declare. He does not love those who are arrogant.

[16:24] When they are asked, "What do you think of these revelations from your Lord," they say, "Tales from the past."

[16:25] They will be held responsible for their sins on the Day of Resurrection, all of them, in addition to sins of all those whom they misled by their ignorance. What a miserable load!

[16:26] Others like them have schemed in the past, and consequently, ALLAH destroyed their building at the foundation, causing the roof to fall on them. The retribution struck them when they least expected.

[16:27] Then, on the Day of Resurrection, He will disgrace them and ask, "Where are My partners that you had set up beside Me, and had opposed Me for their sake?" Those blessed with knowledge will say, "Today, the shame and misery have befallen the disbelievers."

[16:28] The angels put them to death in a state of wronging their souls. That is when they finally submit, and say, "We did not do anything wrong!" Yes indeed. ALLAH is fully aware of everything you have done.

[16:29] Therefore, enter the gates of Hell, wherein you abide forever. What a miserable destiny for the arrogant ones.

[16:30] As for the righteous, when they are asked, "What do you think of these revelations from your Lord," they say, "Good." For those who lead a righteous life, happiness; and the abode of the Hereafter is even better. What a blissful abode for the righteous.

[16:31] The gardens of Eden are reserved for them, wherein rivers flow. They have anything they wish therein. ALLAH thus rewards the righteous.

[16:32] The angels terminate their lives in a state of righteousness, saying, "Peace be upon you. Enter Paradise (now) as a reward for your works."

[16:33] Are they waiting for the angels to come to them, or until your Lord's judgment comes to pass? Those before them did the same thing. ALLAH is not the One who wronged them; they are the ones who wronged their own souls.

[16:34] They have incurred the consequences of their evil works, and the very things they ridiculed came back to haunt them.

[16:35] The idol worshipers say, "Had ALLAH willed, we would not worship any idols besides Him, nor would our parents. Nor would we prohibit anything besides His prohibitions." Those before them have done the same. Can the messengers do anything but deliver the complete message?

[16:36] We have sent a messenger to every community, saying, "You shall worship ALLAH, and avoid idolatry." Subsequently, some were guided by ALLAH, while others were committed to straying. Roam the Earth and note the consequences for the rejectors.

[16:37] No matter how hard you try to guide them, ALLAH does not guide the ones He had committed to straying. Thus, no one can help them.

[16:38] They swore solemnly by ALLAH: "ALLAH will not resurrect the dead." Absolutely, such is His inviolable promise, but most people do not know.

[16:39] He will then point out to everyone all the things they had disputed, and will let those who disbelieved know that they were liars.

[16:40] To have anything done, we simply say to it, "Be," and it is.

[16:41] Those who emigrated for the sake of ALLAH, because they were persecuted, we will surely make it up to them generously in this life, and the recompense of the Hereafter is even greater, if they only knew.

[16:42] This is because they steadfastly persevere, and in their Lord they trust.

[16:43] We did not send before you except men whom we inspired. Ask those who know the scripture, if you do not know.

[16:44] We provided them with the proofs and the scriptures. And we sent down to you this message, to proclaim for the people everything that is sent down to them, perhaps they will reflect.

[16:45] Did those who scheme evil schemes guarantee that ALLAH will not cause the Earth to swallow them, or that the retribution will not come to them when they least expect it?

[16:46] It may strike them while they are asleep; they can never escape.

[16:47] Or it may strike them while they are fearfully expecting it. Your Lord is Compassionate, Most Merciful.

[16:48] Have they not seen all the things created by ALLAH? Their shadows surround them right and left, in total submission to ALLAH, and willingly.

[16:49] To ALLAH prostrates everything in the Heavens and everything on Earth - every creature - and so do the angels; without the least arrogance.

[16:50] They reverence their Lord, high above them, and they do what they are commanded to do.

[16:51] ALLAH has proclaimed: "Do not worship two gods; there is only one god. You shall reverence Me alone."

[16:52] To Him belongs everything in the Heavens and the Earth and therefore, the religion shall be devoted absolutely to Him alone. Would you worship other than ALLAH?

[16:53] Any blessing you enjoy is from ALLAH. Yet, whenever you incur any adversity you immediately complain to Him.

[16:54] Yet, as soon as He relieves your affliction, some of you revert to idol worship.

[16:55] Let them disbelieve in what we have given them. Go ahead and enjoy temporarily; you will surely find out.

[16:56] They designate for the idols they set up out of ignorance, a share of the provisions we bestow upon them. By ALLAH, you will be held accountable for your innovations.

[16:57] They even assign daughters to ALLAH, be He glorified, while they prefer for themselves what they like.

[16:58] When one of them gets a baby girl, his face becomes darkened with overwhelming grief.

[16:59] Ashamed, he hides from the people, because of the bad news given to him. He even ponders: should he keep the baby grudgingly, or bury her in the dust. Miserable indeed is their judgment.

[16:60] Those who do not believe in the Hereafter set the worst examples, while to ALLAH belongs the most sublime examples. He is the Almighty, the Most Wise.

[16:61] If ALLAH punished the people for their transgressions, He would have annihilated every creature on Earth. But He respites them for a specific, predetermined time. Once their interim ends, they cannot delay it by one hour, nor advance it.

[16:62] They ascribe to ALLAH what they dislike for themselves, then utter the lie with their own tongues that they are righteous! Without any doubt, they have incurred Hell, for they have rebelled.

[16:63] By ALLAH, we have sent (messengers) to communities before you, but the devil adorned their works in their eyes. Consequently, he is now their lord, and they have incurred a painful retribution.

[16:64] We have revealed this scripture to you, to point out for them what they dispute, and to provide guidance and mercy for people who believe.

[16:65] ALLAH sends down from the sky water to revive the land after it had died. This should be (sufficient) proof for people who hear.

[16:66] And in the livestock there is a lesson for you: we provide you with a drink from their bellies. From the midst of digested food and blood, you get pure milk, delicious for the drinkers.

[16:67] And from the fruits of date palms and grapes you produce intoxicants, as well as good provisions. This should be (sufficient) proof for people who understand.

[16:68] And your Lord inspired the bee: build homes in mountains and trees, and in (the hives) they build for you.

[16:69] Then eat from all the fruits, following the design of your Lord, precisely. From their bellies comes a drink of different colors, wherein there is healing for the people. This should be (sufficient) proof for people who reflect.

[16:70] ALLAH created you, then He terminates your lives. He lets some of you live to the oldest age, only to find out that there is a limit to the knowledge they can acquire. ALLAH is Omniscient, Omnipotent.

[16:71] ALLAH has provided for some of you more than others. Those who are given plenty would never give their properties to their subordinates to the extent of making them partners. Would they give up ALLAH's blessings?

[16:72] And ALLAH made for you spouses from among yourselves, and produced for you from your spouses children and grandchildren, and provided you with good provisions. Should they believe in falsehood, and turn unappreciative of ALLAH's blessings?

[16:73] Yet, they worship beside ALLAH what possesses no provisions for them in the Heavens, nor on Earth, nor can provide them with anything.

[16:74] Therefore, do not cite the examples for ALLAH; ALLAH knows while you do not know.

[16:75] ALLAH cites the example of a slave who is owned, and is totally powerless, compared to one whom we blessed with good provisions, from which he gives to charity secretly and publicly. Are they equal? Praise be to ALLAH, most of them do not know.

[16:76] And ALLAH cites the example of two men: one is dumb, lacks the ability to do anything, is totally dependent on his master - whichever way he directs him, he cannot produce anything good. Is he equal to one who rules with justice, and is guided in the right path?

[16:77] To ALLAH belongs the future of the Heavens and the Earth. As far as He is concerned, the end of the world (the Hour) is a blink of an eye away, or even closer. ALLAH is Omnipotent.

[16:78] ALLAH brought you out of your mothers' bellies knowing nothing, and He gave you the hearing, the eyesight, and the brains, that you may be appreciative.

[16:79] Do they not see the birds committed to fly in the atmosphere of the sky? None holds them up in the air except ALLAH. This should be (sufficient) proof for people who believe.

[16:80] And ALLAH provided for you stationary homes where you can live. And He provided for you portable homes made of the hides of livestock, so you can use them when you travel, and when you settle down. And from their wool, furs, and hair, you make furnishings and luxuries for awhile.

[16:81] And ALLAH provided for you shade through things which He created, and provided for you shelters in the mountains, and provided for you garments that protect you from heat, and garments that protect when you fight in wars. He thus perfects His blessings upon you, that you may submit.

[16:82] If they still turn away, then your sole mission is the clear delivery (of the message).

[16:83] They fully recognize ALLAH's blessings, then deny them; the majority of them are disbelievers.

[16:84] The day will come when we raise from every community a witness, then those who disbelieved will not be permitted (to speak), nor will they be excused.

[16:85] Once those who transgressed see the retribution, it will be too late; it will not be commuted for them, nor will they be respited.

[16:86] And when those who committed idol worship see their idols, they will say, "Our Lord, these are the idols we had set up beside You." The idols will then confront them and say, "You are liars."

[16:87] They will totally submit to ALLAH on that day, and the idols they had invented will disown them.

[16:88] Those who disbelieve and repel from the path of ALLAH, we augment their retribution by adding more retribution, due to their transgressions.

[16:89] The day will come when we will raise from every community a witness from among them, and bring you as the witness of these people. We have revealed to you this book to provide explanations for everything, and guidance, and mercy, and good news for the submitters.

[16:90] ALLAH advocates justice, charity, and regarding the relatives. And He forbids evil, vice, and transgression. He enlightens you, that you may take heed.

[16:91] You shall fulfill your covenant with ALLAH when you make such a covenant. You shall not violate the oaths after swearing (by ALLAH) to carry them out, for you have made ALLAH a guarantor for you. ALLAH knows everything you do.

[16:92] Do not be like the knitter who unravels her strong knitting into piles of flimsy yarn. This is your example if you abuse the oaths to take advantage of one another. Whether one group is larger than the other, ALLAH thus puts you to the test. He will surely show you on the Day of Resurrection everything you had disputed.

[16:93] Had ALLAH willed, He could have made you one congregation. But He sends astray whoever chooses to go astray, and He guides whoever wishes to be guided. You will surely be asked about everything you have done.

[16:94] Do not abuse the oaths among you, lest you slide back after having a strong foothold, then you incur misery. Such is the consequence of repelling from the path of ALLAH (by setting a bad example); you incur a terrible retribution.

[16:95] Do not sell your oaths short before ALLAH. What ALLAH possesses is far better for you, if you only knew.

[16:96] What you possess runs out, but what ALLAH possesses lasts forever. We will surely reward those who steadfastly persevere; we will recompense them for their righteous works.

[16:97] Anyone who works righteousness, male or female, while believing, we will surely grant them a happy life in this world, and we will surely pay them their full recompense (on the Day of Judgment) for their righteous works.

[16:98] When you read the Quran, you shall seek refuge in ALLAH from Satan the rejected.

[16:99] He has no power over those who believe and trust in their Lord.

[16:100] His power is limited to those who choose him as their master, those who choose him as their god.

[16:101] When we substitute one revelation in place of another, and ALLAH is fully aware of what He reveals, they say, "You made this up!" Indeed, most of them do not know.

[16:102] Say, "The Holy Spirit has brought it down from your Lord, truthfully, to assure those who believe, and to provide a beacon and good news for the submitters."

[16:103] We are fully aware that they say, "A human being is teaching him!" The tongue of the source they hint at is non-Arabic, and this is a perfect Arabic tongue.

[16:104] Surely, those who do not believe in ALLAH's revelations, ALLAH does not guide them. They have incurred a painful retribution.

[16:105] The only ones who fabricate false doctrines are those who do not believe in ALLAH's revelations; they are the real liars.

[16:106] Those who disbelieve in ALLAH, after having acquired faith, and become fully content with disbelief, have incurred wrath from ALLAH. The only ones to be excused are those who are forced to profess disbelief, while their hearts are full of faith.

[16:107] This is because they have given priority to this life over the Hereafter, and ALLAH does not guide such disbelieving people.

[16:108] Those are the ones whom ALLAH has sealed their hearts, and their hearing, and their eyesight. Consequently, they remain unaware.

[16:109] Without a doubt, they will be the losers in the Hereafter.

[16:110] As for those who emigrate because of persecution, then continue to strive and steadfastly persevere, your Lord, because of all this, is Forgiver, Most Merciful.

[16:111] The day will come when every soul will serve as its own advocate, and every soul will be paid fully for whatever it had done, without the least injustice.

[16:112] ALLAH cites the example of a community that used to be secure and prosperous, with provisions coming to it from everywhere. But then, it turned unappreciative of ALLAH's blessings. Consequently, ALLAH caused them to taste the hardships of starvation and insecurity. Such is the requital for what they did.

[16:113] A messenger had gone to them from among them, but they rejected him. Consequently, the retribution struck them for their transgression.

[16:114] Therefore, you shall eat from ALLAH's provisions everything that is lawful and good, and be appreciative of ALLAH's blessings, if you do worship Him alone.

[16:115] He only prohibits for you dead animals, blood, the meat of pigs, and food which is dedicated to other than ALLAH. If one is forced (to eat these), without being deliberate or malicious, then ALLAH is Forgiver, Most Merciful.

[16:116] You shall not utter lies with your own tongues stating: "This is lawful, and this is unlawful," to fabricate lies and attribute them to ALLAH. Surely, those who fabricate lies and attribute them to ALLAH will never succeed.

[16:117] They enjoy briefly, then suffer painful retribution.

[16:118] For the Jews, we prohibited what we narrated to you previously. It was not us who wronged them; they are the ones who wronged their own souls.

[16:119] Yet, as regards those who fall in sin out of ignorance then repent thereafter and reform, your Lord, after this is done, is Forgiver, Most Merciful.

[16:120] Abraham was indeed an exemplary vanguard in his submission to ALLAH, a monotheist who never worshipped idols.

[16:121] Because he was appreciative of His Lord's blessings, He chose him and guided him in a straight path.

[16:122] We granted him happiness in this life, and in the Hereafter he will be with the righteous.

[16:123] Then we inspired you (Muhammad) to follow the religion of Abraham, the monotheist; he never was an idol worshiper.

[16:124] The Sabbath was decreed only for those who ended up disputing it (Jews & Christians). Your Lord is the One who will judge them on the Day of Resurrection regarding their disputes.

[16:125] You shall invite to the path of your Lord with wisdom and kind enlightenment, and debate with them in the best possible manner. Your Lord knows best who has strayed from His path, and He knows best who are the guided ones.

[16:126] And if you punish, you shall inflict an equivalent punishment. But if you resort to patience (instead of revenge), it would be better for the patient ones.

[16:127] You shall resort to patience - and your patience is attainable only with ALLAH's help. Do not grieve over them, and do not be annoyed by their schemes.

[16:128] ALLAH is with those who lead a righteous life, and those who are charitable.

[17:0] In the name of ALLAH, Most Gracious, Most Merciful

[17:1] Most glorified is the One who summoned His servant (Muhammad) during the night, from the Sacred Masjid (of Mecca) to the farthest place of prostration, whose surroundings we have blessed, in order to show him some of our signs. He is the Hearer, the Seer.

[17:2] Similarly, we gave Moses the scripture, and rendered it a beacon for the Children of Israel that: "You shall not set up any idol as a Lord and Master beside Me."

[17:3] They are descendants of those whom we carried with Noah; he was an appreciative servant.

[17:4] We addressed the Children of Israel in the scripture: "You will commit gross evil on Earth, twice. You are destined to fall into great heights of arrogance.

[17:5] "When the first time comes to pass, we will send against you servants of ours who possess great might, and they will invade your homes. This is a prophecy that must come to pass.

[17:6] "Afterwards, we will give you a turn over them, and will supply you with a lot of wealth and children; we will give you the upper hand.

[17:7] "If you work righteousness, you work righteousness for your own good, but if you commit evil you do so to your own detriment. Thus, when the second time comes to pass, they will defeat you and enter the masjid, just as they did the first time. They will wipe out all the gains you had accomplished."

[17:8] Your Lord showers you with His mercy. But if you revert to transgression, we will counter with retribution. We have designated Gehenna as a final abode for the disbelievers.

[17:9] This Quran guides to the best path, and brings good news to the believers who lead a righteous life, that they have deserved a great recompense.

[17:10] As for those who disbelieve in the Hereafter, we have prepared for them a painful retribution.

[17:11] The human being often prays for something that may hurt him, thinking that he is praying for something good. The human being is impatient.

[17:12] We rendered the night and the day two signs. We made the night dark, and the day lighted, that you may seek provisions from your Lord therein. This also establishes for you a timing system, and the means of calculation. We thus explain everything in detail.

[17:13] We have recorded the fate of every human being; it is tied to his neck. On the Day of Resurrection we will hand him a record that is accessible.

[17:14] Read your own record. Today, you suffice as your own reckoner.

[17:15] Whoever is guided, is guided for his own good, and whoever goes astray does so to his own detriment. No sinner will bear the sins of anyone else. We never punish without first sending a messenger.

[17:16] If we are to annihilate any community, we let the leaders commit vast corruption therein. Once they deserve retribution, we annihilate it completely.

[17:17] Many a generation have we annihilated after Noah. Your Lord is most efficient in dealing with the sins of His servants; He is fully Cognizant, Seer.

[17:18] Anyone who chooses this fleeting life as his priority, we will rush to him what we decide to give him, then we commit him to Gehenna, where he suffers forever, despised and defeated.

[17:19] As for those who choose the Hereafter as their priority, and work righteousness, while believing, their efforts will be appreciated.

[17:20] For each one of them we provide; we provide for those and these from your Lord's bounties. Your Lord's bounties are inexhaustible.

[17:21] Note how we preferred some people above others (in this life). The differences in the Hereafter are far greater and far more significant.

[17:22] You shall not set up any other god beside ALLAH, lest you end up despised and disgraced.

[17:23] Your Lord has decreed that you shall not worship except Him, and your parents shall be honored. As long as one or both of them live, you shall never say to them, "Uff" (the slightest gesture of annoyance), nor shall you shout at them; you shall treat them amicably.

[17:24] And lower for them the wings of humility, and kindness, and say, "My Lord, have mercy on them, for they have raised me from infancy."

[17:25] Your Lord is fully aware of your innermost thoughts. If you maintain righteousness, He is Forgiver of those who repent.

[17:26] You shall give the due alms to the relatives, the needy, the poor, and the traveling alien, but do not be excessive, extravagant.

[17:27] The extravagant are brethren of the devils, and the devil is unappreciative of his Lord.

[17:28] Even if you have to turn away from them, as you pursue the mercy of your Lord, you shall treat them in the nicest manner.

[17:29] You shall not keep your hand stingily tied to your neck, nor shall you foolishly open it up, lest you end up blamed and sorry.

[17:30] For your Lord increases the provision for anyone He chooses, and reduces it. He is fully Cognizant of His creatures, Seer.

[17:31] You shall not kill your children due to fear of poverty. We provide for them, as well as for you. Killing them is a gross offense.

[17:32] You shall not commit adultery; it is a gross sin, and an evil behavior.

[17:33] You shall not kill any person - for ALLAH has made life sacred - except in the course of justice. If one is killed unjustly, then we give his heir authority to enforce justice. Thus, he shall not exceed the limits in avenging the murder; he will be helped.

[17:34] You shall not touch the orphans' money except for their own good, until they reach maturity. You shall fulfill your covenants, for a covenant is a great responsibility.

[17:35] You shall give full measure when you trade, and weigh equitably. This is better and more righteous.

[17:36] You shall not accept any information, unless you verify it for yourself. I have given you the hearing, the eyesight, and the brain, and you are responsible for using them.

[17:37] You shall not walk proudly on Earth - you cannot bore through the Earth, nor can you be as tall as the mountains.

[17:38] All bad behavior is condemned by your Lord.

[17:39] This is some of the wisdom inspired to you by your Lord. You shall not set up another god beside ALLAH, lest you end up in Gehenna, blamed and defeated.

[17:40] Has your Lord given you boys, while giving Himself the angels as daughters?! How could you utter such a blasphemy?

[17:41] We have cited in this Quran (all kinds of examples), that they may take heed. But it only augments their aversion.

[17:42] Say, "If there were any other gods beside Him, as they claim, they would have tried to overthrow the Possessor of the throne."

[17:43] Be He glorified, He is much too exalted, far above their utterances.

[17:44] Glorifying Him are the seven universes, the Earth, and everyone in them. There is nothing that does not glorify Him, but you do not understand their glorification. He is Clement, Forgiver.

[17:45] When you read the Quran, we place between you and those who do not believe in the Hereafter an invisible barrier.

[17:46] We place shields around their minds, to prevent them from understanding it, and deafness in their ears. And when you preach your Lord, using the Quran alone, they run away in aversion.

[17:47] We are fully aware of what they hear, when they listen to you, and when they conspire secretly - the disbelievers say, "You are following a crazy man."

[17:48] Note how they describe you, and how this causes them to stray off the path.

[17:49] They said, "After we turn into bones and fragments, we get resurrected anew?!"

[17:50] Say, "Even if you turn into rocks or iron.

[17:51] "Even if you turn into any kind of creation that you deem impossible." They will then say, "Who will bring us back?" Say, "The One who created you in the first place." They will then shake their heads and say, "When will that be?" Say, "It may be closer than you think."

[17:52] The day He summons you, you will respond by praising Him, and you will then realize that you had lasted in this life but a short while.

[17:53] Tell My servants to treat each other in the best possible manner, for the devil will always try to drive a wedge among them. Surely, the devil is man's most ardent enemy.

[17:54] Your Lord knows you best. According to His knowledge, He may shower you with mercy, or He may requite you. We did not send you to be their advocate.

[17:55] Your Lord is the best knower of everyone in the Heavens and the Earth. In accordance with this knowledge, we preferred some prophets over others. For example, we gave David the Psalms.

[17:56] Say, "Implore whatever idols you have set up beside Him." They have no power to relieve your afflictions, nor can they prevent them.

[17:57] Even the idols that they implore are seeking the ways and means towards their Lord. They pray for His mercy, and fear His retribution. Surely, the retribution of your Lord is dreadful.

[17:58] There is not a community that we will not annihilate before the Day of Resurrection, or inflict severe retribution upon them. This is already written down in the book.

[17:59] What stopped us from sending the miracles is that the previous generations have rejected them. For example, we showed Thamoud the camel, a profound (miracle), but they transgressed against it. We sent the miracles only to instill reverence.

[17:60] We informed you that your Lord fully controls the people, and we rendered the vision that we showed you a test for the people, and the tree that is accursed in the Quran. We showed them solid proofs to instill reverence in them, but this only augmented their defiance.

[17:61] When we said to the angels, "Fall prostrate before Adam," they fell prostrate, except Satan. He said, "Shall I prostrate to one You created from mud?"

[17:62] He said, "Since You have honored him over me, if You respite me till the Day of Resurrection, I will possess all his descendants, except a few."

[17:63] He said, "Then go; you and those who follow you will end up in Hell as your requital; an equitable requital.

[17:64] "You may entice them with your voice, and mobilize all your forces and all your men against them, and share in their money and children, and promise them. Anything the devil promises is no more than an illusion.

[17:65] "As for My servants, you have no power over them." Your Lord suffices as an advocate.

[17:66] Your Lord is the One who causes the ships to float on the ocean, that you may seek His bounties. He is Most Merciful towards you.

[17:67] If you are afflicted in the middle of the sea, you forget your idols and sincerely implore Him alone. But as soon as He saves you to the shore, you revert. Indeed, the human being is unappreciative.

[17:68] Have you guaranteed that He will not cause the land, on shore, to swallow you? Or, that He will not send upon you a tempest, then you find no protector?

[17:69] Have you guaranteed that He will not return you to the sea another time, then send upon you a storm that drowns you because of your disbelief? Once this happens, we will not give you another chance.

[17:70] We have honored the children of Adam, and provided them with rides on land and in the sea. We provided for them good provisions, and we gave them greater advantages than many of our creatures.

[17:71] The day will come when we summon every people, together with their record. As for those who are given a record of righteousness, they will read their record and will not suffer the least injustice.

[17:72] As for those who are blind in this life, they will be blind in the Hereafter; even a lot worse.

[17:73] They almost diverted you from the revelations we have given you. They wanted you to fabricate something else, in order to consider you a friend.

[17:74] If it were not that we strengthened you, you almost leaned towards them just a little bit.

[17:75] Had you done that, we would have doubled the retribution for you in this life, and after death, and you would have found no one to help you against us.

[17:76] They almost banished you from the land to get rid of you, so they could revert as soon as you left.

[17:77] This has been consistently the case with all the messengers that we sent before you, and you will find that our system never changes.

[17:78] You shall observe the Contact Prayer (Salat) when the sun declines from its highest point at noon, as it moves towards sunset. You shall also observe (the recitation of) the Quran at dawn. (Reciting) the Quran at dawn is witnessed.

[17:79] During the night, you shall meditate for extra credit, that your Lord may raise you to an honorable rank.

[17:80] And say, "My Lord, admit me an honorable admittance, and let me depart an honorable departure, and grant me from You a powerful support."

[17:81] Proclaim, "The truth has prevailed, and falsehood has vanished; falsehood will inevitably vanish."

[17:82] We send down in the Quran healing and mercy for the believers. At the same time, it only increases the wickedness of the transgressors.

[17:83] When we bless the human being, he becomes preoccupied and heedless. But when adversity strikes him, he turns despondent.

[17:84] Say, "Everyone works in accordance with his belief, and your Lord knows best which ones are guided in the right path."

[17:85] They ask you about the revelation. Say, "The revelation comes from my Lord. The knowledge given to you is minute."

[17:86] If we will, we can take back what we revealed to you, then you will find no protector against us.

[17:87] This is but mercy from your Lord. His blessings upon you have been great.

[17:88] Say, "If all the humans and all the jinns banded together in order to produce a Quran like this, they could never produce anything like it, no matter how much assistance they lent one another."

[17:89] We have cited for the people in this Quran all kinds of examples, but most people insist upon disbelieving.

[17:90] They said, "We will not believe you unless you cause a spring to gush out of the ground.

[17:91] "Or unless you own a garden of date palms and grapes, with rivers running through it.

[17:92] "Or unless you cause masses from the sky, as you claimed, to fall on us. Or unless you bring ALLAH and the angels before our eyes.

[17:93] "Or unless you own a luxurious mansion, or unless you climb into the sky. Even if you do climb, we will not believe unless you bring a book that we can read." Say, "Glory be to my Lord. Am I any more than a human messenger?"

[17:94] What prevented the people from believing when the guidance came to them is their saying, "Did ALLAH send a human being as a messenger?"

[17:95] Say, "If the Earth were inhabited by angels, we would have sent down to them from the sky an angel messenger."

[17:96] Say, "ALLAH suffices as a witness between me and you. He is fully Cognizant of His worshipers, Seer."

[17:97] Whomever ALLAH guides is the truly guided one. And whomever He sends astray, you will never find for them any lords and masters beside Him. We will summon them on the Day of Resurrection forcibly; blind, dumb, and deaf. Their destination is Hell; whenever it cools down, we will increase their fire.

[17:98] Such is their just retribution, since they rejected our revelations. They said, "After we turn into bones and fragments, do we get resurrected into a new creation?"

[17:99] Could they not see that the ALLAH who created the Heavens and the Earth is able to create the same creations? (That) He has predetermined for them an irrevocable life span? Yet, the disbelievers insist upon disbelieving.

[17:100] Proclaim, "If you possessed my Lord's treasures of mercy, you would have withheld them, fearing that you might exhaust them. The human being is stingy."

[17:101] We supported Moses with nine profound miracles - ask the Children of Israel. When he went to them, Pharaoh said to him, "I think that you, Moses, are bewitched."

[17:102] He said, "You know full well that no one can manifest these except, obviously, the Lord of the Heavens and the Earth. I think that you, Pharaoh, are doomed."

[17:103] When he pursued them, as he chased them out of the land, we drowned him, together with those who sided with him, all of them.

[17:104] And we said to the Children of Israel afterwards, "Go live into this land. When the final prophecy comes to pass, we will summon you all in one group."

[17:105] Truthfully, we sent it down, and with the truth it came down. We did not send you except as a bearer of good news, as well as a warner.

[17:106] A Quran that we have released slowly, in order for you to read it to the people over a long period, although we sent it down all at once.

[17:107] Proclaim, "Believe in it, or do not believe in it." Those who possess knowledge from the previous scriptures, when it is recited to them, they fall down to their chins, prostrating.

[17:108] They say, "Glory be to our Lord. This fulfills our Lord's prophecy."

[17:109] They fall down on their chins, prostrating and weeping, for it augments their reverence.

[17:110] Say, "Call Him ALLAH, or call Him the Most Gracious; whichever name you use, to Him belongs the best names." You shall not utter your Contact Prayers (Salat) too loudly, nor secretly; use a moderate tone.

[17:111] And proclaim: "Praise be to ALLAH, who has never begotten a son, nor does He have a partner in His kingship, nor does He need any ally out of weakness," and magnify Him constantly.