Sura 21: The Prophets
(Al-Anbyã’)
In the name of God, Most Gracious, Most Merciful

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اقترب للناس حسابهم وهم في غفلة معرضون

Fast approaching is the reckoning for the people, but they are oblivious, averse.

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Opposition to the New Evidence

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ما ياتيهم من ذكر من ربهم محدث الا استمعوه وهم يلعبون

When a proof comes to them from their Lord, that is new, they listen to it heedlessly.

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لاهية قلوبهم واسروا النجوى الذين ظلموا هل هذا الا بشر مثلكم افتاتون السحر وانتم تبصرون

Their minds are heedless. And the transgressors confer secretly: “Is he not just a human being like you? Would you accept the magic that is presented to you?”*

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قال ربي يعلم القول في السماء والارض وهو السميع العليم

He said, “My Lord knows every thought in the heaven and the earth. He is the Hearer, the Omniscient.”

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بل قالوا اضغاث احلام بل افتراه بل هو شاعر فلياتنا باية كما ارسل الاولون

They even said, “Hallucinations,” “He made it up,” and, “He is a poet. Let him show us a miracle like those of the previous messengers.”

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ما امنت قبلهم من قرية اهلكناها افهم يؤمنون

We never annihilated a believing community in the past. Are these people believers?

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وما ارسلنا قبلك الا رجالا نوحي اليهم فاسالوا اهل الذكر ان كنتم لا تعلمون

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

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وما جعلناهم جسدا لا ياكلون الطعام وما كانوا خالدين

We did not give them bodies that did not eat, nor were they immortal.

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ثم صدقناهم الوعد فانجيناهم ومن نشاء واهلكنا المسرفين

We fulfilled our promise to them; we saved them together with whomever we willed, and annihilated the transgressors.

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لقد انزلنا اليكم كتابا فيه ذكركم افلا تعقلون

We have sent down to you a scripture containing your message. Do you not understand?

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وكم قصمنا من قرية كانت ظالمة وانشانا بعدها قوما اخرين

Many a community we terminated because of their transgression, and we substituted other people in their place.

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فلما احسوا باسنا اذا هم منها يركضون

When our requital came to pass, they started to run.

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لا تركضوا وارجعوا الى ما اترفتم فيه ومساكنكم لعلكم تسالون

Do not run, and come back to your luxuries and your mansions, for you must be held accountable.

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قالوا يا ويلنا انا كنا ظالمين

They said, “Woe to us. We were really wicked.”

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فما زالت تلك دعواهم حتى جعلناهم حصيدا خامدين

This continued to be their proclamation, until we completely wiped them out.

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وما خلقنا السماء والارض وما بينهما لاعبين

We did not create the heavens and the earth, and everything between them just for amusement.

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لو اردنا ان نتخذ لهوا لاتخذناه من لدنا ان كنا فاعلين

If we needed amusement, we could have initiated it without any of this, if that is what we wanted to do.

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بل نقذف بالحق على الباطل فيدمغه فاذا هو زاهق ولكم الويل مما تصفون

Instead, it is our plan to support the truth against falsehood, in order to defeat it. Woe to you for the utterances you utter.

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وله من في السماوات والارض ومن عنده لا يستكبرون عن عبادته ولا يستحسرون

To Him belongs everyone in the heavens and the earth, and those at Him are never too arrogant to worship Him, nor do they ever waver.

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يسبحون الليل والنهار لا يفترون

They glorify night and day, without ever tiring.

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One God

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ام اتخذوا الهة من الارض هم ينشرون

Have they found gods on earth who can create?

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لو كان فيهما الهة الا الله لفسدتا فسبحان الله رب العرش عما يصفون

If there were in them (the heavens and the earth) other gods beside GOD, there would have been chaos. Glory be to GOD; the Lord with absolute authority. He is high above their claims.

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Never Question God’s Wisdom

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لا يسال عما يفعل وهم يسالون

He is never to be asked about anything He does, while all others are questioned.

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ام اتخذوا من دونه الهة قل هاتوا برهانكم هذا ذكر من معي وذكر من قبلي بل اكثرهم لا يعلمون الحق فهم معرضون

Have they found other gods beside Him? Say, “Show me your proof. This is the message to my generation, consummating all previous messages.” Indeed, most of them do not recognize the truth; this is why they are so hostile.

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One God<br>One Message<br>One Religion

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وما ارسلنا من قبلك من رسول الا نوحي اليه انه لا اله الا انا فاعبدون

We did not send any messenger before you except with the inspiration: “There is no god except Me; you shall worship Me alone.”

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وقالوا اتخذ الرحمن ولدا سبحانه بل عباد مكرمون

Yet, they said, “The Most Gracious has begotten a son!” Glory be to Him. All (messengers) are (His) honored servants.

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لا يسبقونه بالقول وهم بامره يعملون

They never speak on their own, and they strictly follow His commands.

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The Myth of Intercession

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يعلم ما بين ايديهم وما خلفهم ولا يشفعون الا لمن ارتضى وهم من خشيته مشفقون

He knows their future and their past. They do not intercede, except for those already accepted by Him, and they are worried about their own necks.*

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ومن يقل منهم اني اله من دونه فذلك نجزيه جهنم كذلك نجزي الظالمين

If any of them claims to be a god beside Him, we requite him with Hell; we thus requite the wicked.

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The Big Bang Theory Confirmed*

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اولم ير الذين كفروا ان السماوات والارض كانتا رتقا ففتقناهما وجعلنا من الماء كل شيء حي افلا يؤمنون

Do the unbelievers not realize that the heaven and the earth used to be one solid mass that we exploded into existence? And from water we made all living things. Would they believe?

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وجعلنا في الارض رواسي ان تميد بهم وجعلنا فيها فجاجا سبلا لعلهم يهتدون

And we placed on earth stabilizers, lest it tumbles with them, and we placed straight roads therein, that they may be guided.

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وجعلنا السماء سقفا محفوظا وهم عن اياتها معرضون

And we rendered the sky a guarded ceiling. Yet, they are totally oblivious to all the portents therein.

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وهو الذي خلق الليل والنهار والشمس والقمر كل في فلك يسبحون

And He is the One who created the night and the day, and the sun and the moon; each floating in its own orbit.

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وما جعلنا لبشر من قبلك الخلد افان مت فهم الخالدون

We never decreed immortality for anyone before you; should you die, are they immortal?

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كل نفس ذائقة الموت ونبلوكم بالشر والخير فتنة والينا ترجعون

Every soul will taste death, after we put you to the test through adversity and prosperity, then to us you ultimately return.

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All Messengers Ridiculed

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واذا راك الذين كفروا ان يتخذونك الا هزوا اهذا الذي يذكر الهتكم وهم بذكر الرحمن هم كافرون

When those who disbelieve see you, they ridicule you: “Is this the one who challenges your gods?” Meanwhile, they remain totally heedless of the message from the Most Gracious.

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خلق الانسان من عجل ساريكم اياتي فلا تستعجلون

The human being is impatient by nature. I will inevitably show you My signs; do not be in such a hurry.

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ويقولون متى هذا الوعد ان كنتم صادقين

They challenge: “Where is that (retribution), if you are truthful?”

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لو يعلم الذين كفروا حين لا يكفون عن وجوههم النار ولا عن ظهورهم ولا هم ينصرون

If only those who disbelieve could envision themselves when they try to ward off the fire; off their faces and their backs! No one will help them then.

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بل تاتيهم بغتة فتبهتهم فلا يستطيعون ردها ولا هم ينظرون

Indeed, it will come to them suddenly, and they will be utterly stunned. They can neither avoid it, nor can they receive any respite.

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ولقد استهزئ برسل من قبلك فحاق بالذين سخروا منهم ما كانوا به يستهزئون

Messengers before you have been ridiculed, and, consequently, those who ridiculed them incurred the retribution for their ridiculing.

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Priorities Confused

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قل من يكلؤكم بالليل والنهار من الرحمن بل هم عن ذكر ربهم معرضون

Say, “Who can protect you from the Most Gracious during the night or during the day?” Indeed, they are totally oblivious to the message of their Lord.

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ام لهم الهة تمنعهم من دوننا لا يستطيعون نصر انفسهم ولا هم منا يصحبون

Do they have gods who can protect them from us? They cannot even help themselves. Nor can they accompany one another when they are summoned to face us.

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بل متعنا هؤلاء واباءهم حتى طال عليهم العمر افلا يرون انا ناتي الارض ننقصها من اطرافها افهم الغالبون

We have provided for these people and their ancestors, up until an old age. Do they not see that every day on earth brings them closer to the end? Can they reverse this process?

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قل انما انذركم بالوحي ولا يسمع الصم الدعاء اذا ما ينذرون

Say, “I am warning you in accordance with divine inspiration.” However, the deaf cannot hear the call, when they are warned.

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ولئن مستهم نفحة من عذاب ربك ليقولن يا ويلنا انا كنا ظالمين

When a sample of your Lord's retribution afflicts them, they readily say, “We were indeed wicked.”

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ونضع الموازين القسط ليوم القيامة فلا تظلم نفس شيئا وان كان مثقال حبة من خردل اتينا بها وكفى بنا حاسبين

We will establish the scales of justice on the Day of Resurrection. No soul will suffer the least injustice. Even the equivalent of a mustard seed will be accounted for. We are the most efficient reckoners.

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Prophets Moses and Aaron

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ولقد اتينا موسى وهارون الفرقان وضياء وذكرا للمتقين

We gave Moses and Aaron the Statute Book, a beacon, and a reminder for the righteous.

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الذين يخشون ربهم بالغيب وهم من الساعة مشفقون

The ones who reverence their Lord, even when alone in their privacy, and they worry about the Hour.

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وهذا ذكر مبارك انزلناه افانتم له منكرون

This too is a blessed reminder that we sent down. Are you denying it?

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Abraham

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ولقد اتينا ابراهيم رشده من قبل وكنا به عالمين

Before that, we granted Abraham his guidance and understanding, for we were fully aware of him.*

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اذ قال لابيه وقومه ما هذه التماثيل التي انتم لها عاكفون

He said to his father and his people, “What are these statues to which you are devoting yourselves?”

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قالوا وجدنا اباءنا لها عابدين

They said, “We found our parents worshiping them.”

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قال لقد كنتم انتم واباؤكم في ضلال مبين

He said, “Indeed, you and your parents have gone totally astray.”

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قالوا اجئتنا بالحق ام انت من اللاعبين

They said, “Are you telling us the truth, or are you playing?”

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قال بل ربكم رب السماوات والارض الذي فطرهن وانا على ذلكم من الشاهدين

He said, “Your only Lord is the Lord of the heavens and the earth, who created them. This is the testimony to which I bear witness.

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وتالله لاكيدن اصنامكم بعد ان تولوا مدبرين

“I swear by GOD, I have a plan to deal with your statues, as soon as you leave.”

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فجعلهم جذاذا الا كبيرا لهم لعلهم اليه يرجعون

He broke them into pieces, except for a big one, that they may refer to it.

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قالوا من فعل هذا بالهتنا انه لمن الظالمين

They said, “Whoever did this to our gods is really a transgressor.”

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قالوا سمعنا فتى يذكرهم يقال له ابراهيم

They said, “We heard a youth threaten them; he is called Abraham.”

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قالوا فاتوا به على اعين الناس لعلهم يشهدون

They said, “Bring him before the eyes of all the people, that they may bear witness.”

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قالوا اانت فعلت هذا بالهتنا يا ابراهيم

They said, “Did you do this to our gods, O Abraham?”

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Abraham Proves His Point

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قال بل فعله كبيرهم هذا فاسالوهم ان كانوا ينطقون

He said, “It is that big one who did it. Go ask them, if they can speak.”

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فرجعوا الى انفسهم فقالوا انكم انتم الظالمون

They were taken aback, and said to themselves, “Indeed, you are the ones who have been transgressing.”

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ثم نكسوا على رءوسهم لقد علمت ما هؤلاء ينطقون

Yet, they reverted to their old ideas: “You know full well that these can not speak.”

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قال افتعبدون من دون الله ما لا ينفعكم شيئا ولا يضركم

He said, “Do you then worship beside GOD what possesses no power to benefit you or harm you?

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اف لكم ولما تعبدون من دون الله افلا تعقلون

“You have incurred shame by worshiping idols beside GOD. Do you not understand?”

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Profound Miracle

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قالوا حرقوه وانصروا الهتكم ان كنتم فاعلين

They said, “Burn him and support your gods, if this is what you decide to do.”

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قلنا يا نار كوني بردا وسلاما على ابراهيم

We said, “O fire, be cool and safe for Abraham.”*

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وارادوا به كيدا فجعلناهم الاخسرين

Thus, they schemed against him, but we made them the losers.

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ونجيناه ولوطا الى الارض التي باركنا فيها للعالمين

We saved him, and we saved Lot, to the land that we blessed for all the people.

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ووهبنا له اسحاق ويعقوب نافلة وكلا جعلنا صالحين

And we granted him Isaac and Jacob as a gift, and we made them both righteous.

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Abraham:<br>Delivered All<br>Religious Duties of Islam

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وجعلناهم ائمة يهدون بامرنا واوحينا اليهم فعل الخيرات واقام الصلاة وايتاء الزكاة وكانوا لنا عابدين

We made them imams who guided in accordance with our commandments, and we taught them how to work righteousness, and how to observe the Contact Prayers (Salat) and the obligatory charity (Zakat).* To us, they were devoted worshipers.

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Lot

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ولوطا اتيناه حكما وعلما ونجيناه من القرية التي كانت تعمل الخبائث انهم كانوا قوم سوء فاسقين

As for Lot, we granted him wisdom and knowledge, and we saved him from the community that practiced abominations; they were wicked and evil people.

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وادخلناه في رحمتنا انه من الصالحين

We admitted him into our mercy, for he was righteous.

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Noah

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ونوحا اذ نادى من قبل فاستجبنا له فنجيناه واهله من الكرب العظيم

And, before that, Noah called and we responded to him. We saved him and his family from the great disaster.

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ونصرناه من القوم الذين كذبوا باياتنا انهم كانوا قوم سوء فاغرقناهم اجمعين

We supported him against the people who rejected our revelations. They were evil people, so we drowned them all.

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David and Solomon

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وداوود وسليمان اذ يحكمان في الحرث اذ نفشت فيه غنم القوم وكنا لحكمهم شاهدين

And David and Solomon, when they once ruled with regard to someone’s crop that was destroyed by another’s sheep, we witnessed their judgment.

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ففهمناها سليمان وكلا اتينا حكما وعلما وسخرنا مع داوود الجبال يسبحن والطير وكنا فاعلين

We granted Solomon the correct understanding, though we endowed both of them with wisdom and knowledge. We committed the mountains to serve David in glorifying (God), as well as the birds. This is what we did.

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وعلمناه صنعة لبوس لكم لتحصنكم من باسكم فهل انتم شاكرون

And we taught him the skill of making shields to protect you in war. Are you then thankful?

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ولسليمان الريح عاصفة تجري بامره الى الارض التي باركنا فيها وكنا بكل شيء عالمين

For Solomon, we committed the wind gusting and blowing at his disposal. He could direct it as he wished, to whatever land he chose, and we blessed such land for him. We are fully aware of all things.

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ومن الشياطين من يغوصون له ويعملون عملا دون ذلك وكنا لهم حافظين

And of the devils there were those who would dive for him (to harvest the sea), or do whatever else he commanded them to do. We committed them in his service.

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Job

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وايوب اذ نادى ربه اني مسني الضر وانت ارحم الراحمين

And Job implored his Lord: “Adversity has befallen me, and, of all the merciful ones, You are the Most Merciful.”

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فاستجبنا له فكشفنا ما به من ضر واتيناه اهله ومثلهم معهم رحمة من عندنا وذكرى للعابدين

We responded to him, relieved his adversity, and restored his family for him, even twice as much. That was a mercy from us, and a reminder for the worshipers.

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واسماعيل وادريس وذا الكفل كل من الصابرين

Also, Ismail, Idrîs, Zal-Kifl; all were steadfast, patient.

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وادخلناهم في رحمتنا انهم من الصالحين

We admitted them into our mercy, for they were righteous.

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Jonah

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وذا النون اذ ذهب مغاضبا فظن ان لن نقدر عليه فنادى في الظلمات ان لا اله الا انت سبحانك اني كنت من الظالمين

And Zan-Noon (Jonah, “the one with an ‘N’ in his name”), abandoned his mission in protest, thinking that we could not control him. He ended up imploring from the darkness (of the big fish’s belly): “There is no god other than You. Be You glorified. I have committed a gross sin.”

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فاستجبنا له ونجيناه من الغم وكذلك ننجي المؤمنين

We responded to him, and saved him from the crisis; we thus save the believers.

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Zachariah and John

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وزكريا اذ نادى ربه رب لا تذرني فردا وانت خير الوارثين

And Zachariah implored his Lord: “My Lord, do not keep me without an heir, though You are the best inheritor.”

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فاستجبنا له ووهبنا له يحيى واصلحنا له زوجه انهم كانوا يسارعون في الخيرات ويدعوننا رغبا ورهبا وكانوا لنا خاشعين

We* responded to him and granted him John; we fixed his wife for him. That is because they used to hasten to work righteousness, and implored us in situations of joy, as well as fear. To us, they were reverent.

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Mary and Jesus

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والتي احصنت فرجها فنفخنا فيها من روحنا وجعلناها وابنها اية للعالمين

As for the one who maintained her virginity, we blew into her from our spirit, and thus, we made her and her son a portent for the whole world.

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One God / One Religion

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ان هذه امتكم امة واحدة وانا ربكم فاعبدون

Your congregation is but one congregation, and I alone am your Lord; you shall worship Me alone.

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وتقطعوا امرهم بينهم كل الينا راجعون

However, they divided themselves into disputing religions. All of them will come back to us (for judgment).

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فمن يعمل من الصالحات وهو مؤمن فلا كفران لسعيه وانا له كاتبون

As for those who work righteousness, while believing, their work will not go to waste; we are recording it.

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وحرام على قرية اهلكناها انهم لا يرجعون

It is forbidden for any community we had annihilated to return.

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The End of the World*

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حتى اذا فتحت ياجوج وماجوج وهم من كل حدب ينسلون

Not until Gog and Magog reappear,* will they then return—they will come from every direction.

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واقترب الوعد الحق فاذا هي شاخصة ابصار الذين كفروا يا ويلنا قد كنا في غفلة من هذا بل كنا ظالمين

That is when the inevitable prophecy will come to pass, and the disbelievers will stare in horror: “Woe to us; we have been oblivious. Indeed, we have been wicked.”

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The Hereafter

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انكم وما تعبدون من دون الله حصب جهنم انتم لها واردون

You and the idols you worship besides GOD will be fuel for Hell; this is your inevitable destiny.

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لو كان هؤلاء الهة ما وردوها وكل فيها خالدون

If those were gods, they would not have ended up in Hell. All its inhabitants abide in it forever.

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لهم فيها زفير وهم فيها لا يسمعون

They will sigh and groan therein, and they will have no access to any news.

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ان الذين سبقت لهم منا الحسنى اولئك عنها مبعدون

As for those who deserved our magnificent rewards, they will be protected from it.

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The Righteous

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لا يسمعون حسيسها وهم في ما اشتهت انفسهم خالدون

They will not hear its hissing. They will enjoy an abode where they can get everything they desire, forever.

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لا يحزنهم الفزع الاكبر وتتلقاهم الملائكة هذا يومكم الذي كنتم توعدون

The great horror will not worry them, and the angels will receive them joyfully: “This is your day, that has been promised to you.”

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The Day of Resurrection

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يوم نطوي السماء كطي السجل للكتب كما بدانا اول خلق نعيده وعدا علينا انا كنا فاعلين

On that day, we will fold the heaven, like the folding of a book. Just as we initiated the first creation, we will repeat it. This is our promise; we will certainly carry it out.

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ولقد كتبنا في الزبور من بعد الذكر ان الارض يرثها عبادي الصالحون

We have decreed in the Psalms, as well as in other scriptures, that the earth shall be inherited by My righteous worshipers.

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ان في هذا لبلاغا لقوم عابدين

This is a proclamation for people who are worshipers.

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وما ارسلناك الا رحمة للعالمين

We have sent you out of mercy from us towards the whole world.

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قل انما يوحى الي انما الهكم اله واحد فهل انتم مسلمون

Proclaim, “I have been given divine inspiration that your god is one god. Will you then submit?”

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فان تولوا فقل اذنتكم على سواء وان ادري اقريب ام بعيد ما توعدون

If they turn away, then say, “I have warned you sufficiently, and I have no idea how soon or late (the retribution) will come to you.

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انه يعلم الجهر من القول ويعلم ما تكتمون

“He is fully aware of your public utterances, and He is fully aware of everything you conceal.

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وان ادري لعله فتنة لكم ومتاع الى حين

“For all that I know, this world is a test for you, and a temporary enjoyment.”

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قال رب احكم بالحق وربنا الرحمن المستعان على ما تصفون

Say, “My Lord, Your judgment is the absolute justice. Our Lord is the Most Gracious; only His help is sought in the face of your claims.”

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