Sura 23: The Believers
(Al-Mu’minûn)
In the name of God, Most Gracious, Most Merciful

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قد افلح المؤمنون

Successful indeed are the believers;

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الذين هم في صلاتهم خاشعون

who are reverent during their Contact Prayers (Salat).

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والذين هم عن اللغو معرضون

And they avoid vain talk.

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والذين هم للزكاة فاعلون

And they give their obligatory charity (Zakat).

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والذين هم لفروجهم حافظون

And they maintain their chastity.

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الا على ازواجهم او ما ملكت ايمانهم فانهم غير ملومين

Only with their spouses, or those who are rightfully theirs, do they have sexual relations; they are not to be blamed.

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فمن ابتغى وراء ذلك فاولئك هم العادون

Those who transgress these limits are the transgressors.

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والذين هم لاماناتهم وعهدهم راعون

When it comes to deposits entrusted to them, as well as any agreements they make, they are trustworthy.

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والذين هم على صلواتهم يحافظون

And they observe their Contact Prayers (Salat) regularly.

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اولئك هم الوارثون

Such are the inheritors.

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الذين يرثون الفردوس هم فيها خالدون

They will inherit Paradise, wherein they abide forever.

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Accurate Embryology

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ولقد خلقنا الانسان من سلالة من طين

We created the human being from a certain kind of mud.

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ثم جعلناه نطفة في قرار مكين

Subsequently, we reproduced him from a tiny drop, that is placed into a well protected repository.

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ثم خلقنا النطفة علقة فخلقنا العلقة مضغة فخلقنا المضغة عظاما فكسونا العظام لحما ثم انشاناه خلقا اخر فتبارك الله احسن الخالقين

Then we developed the drop into a hanging (embryo), then developed the hanging (embryo) into a bitesize (fetus), then created the bitesize (fetus) into bones, then covered the bones with flesh. We thus produce a new creature. Most blessed is GOD, the best Creator.

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ثم انكم بعد ذلك لميتون

Then, later on, you die.

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ثم انكم يوم القيامة تبعثون

Then, on the Day of Resurrection, you will be resurrected.

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The Seven Universes

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ولقد خلقنا فوقكم سبع طرائق وما كنا عن الخلق غافلين

We created above you seven universes in layers, and we are never unaware of a single creature in them.

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Innumerable<br>Blessings From God

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وانزلنا من السماء ماء بقدر فاسكناه في الارض وانا على ذهاب به لقادرون

We send down from the sky water, in exact measure, then we store it in the ground. Certainly, we can let it escape.

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فانشانا لكم به جنات من نخيل واعناب لكم فيها فواكه كثيرة ومنها تاكلون

With it, we produce for you orchards of date palms, grapes, all kinds of fruits, and various foods.

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وشجرة تخرج من طور سيناء تنبت بالدهن وصبغ للاكلين

Also, a tree native to Sinai produces oil, as well as relish for the eaters.

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وان لكم في الانعام لعبرة نسقيكم مما في بطونها ولكم فيها منافع كثيرة ومنها تاكلون

And the livestock should provide you with a lesson. We let you drink (milk) from their bellies, you derive other benefits from them, and some of them you use for food.

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وعليها وعلى الفلك تحملون

On them, and on the ships, you ride.

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Noah

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ولقد ارسلنا نوحا الى قومه فقال يا قوم اعبدوا الله ما لكم من اله غيره افلا تتقون

We sent Noah to his people, saying, “O my people, worship GOD. You have no other god beside Him. Would you not be righteous?”

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فقال الملا الذين كفروا من قومه ما هذا الا بشر مثلكم يريد ان يتفضل عليكم ولو شاء الله لانزل ملائكة ما سمعنا بهذا في ابائنا الاولين

The leaders who disbelieved among his people said, “This is no more than a human like you, who wants to gain prominence among you. Had GOD willed, He could have sent down angels. We never heard of anything like this from our ancestors.

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ان هو الا رجل به جنة فتربصوا به حتى حين

“He is simply a man gone crazy. Just ignore him for awhile.”

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قال رب انصرني بما كذبون

He said, “My Lord, grant me victory, for they have disbelieved me.”

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فاوحينا اليه ان اصنع الفلك باعيننا ووحينا فاذا جاء امرنا وفار التنور فاسلك فيها من كل زوجين اثنين واهلك الا من سبق عليه القول منهم ولا تخاطبني في الذين ظلموا انهم مغرقون

We then inspired him: “Make the watercraft* under our watchful eyes, and in accordance with our inspiration. When our command comes, and the atmosphere boils up, put on it a pair of every kind (of your domesticated animals), and your family, except those condemned to be doomed. Do not speak to Me on behalf of those who transgressed; they will be drowned.

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فاذا استويت انت ومن معك على الفلك فقل الحمد لله الذي نجانا من القوم الظالمين

“Once you are settled, together with those who are with you, on the watercraft, you shall say, Praise GOD for saving us from the evil people.’

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وقل رب انزلني منزلا مباركا وانت خير المنزلين

“And say, ‘My Lord, let me disembark onto a blessed location; You are the best deliverer.’ ”

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ان في ذلك لايات وان كنا لمبتلين

These should provide sufficient proofs for you. We will certainly put you to the test.

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ثم انشانا من بعدهم قرنا اخرين

Subsequently, we established another generation after them.

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فارسلنا فيهم رسولا منهم ان اعبدوا الله ما لكم من اله غيره افلا تتقون

We sent to them a messenger from among them, saying, “You shall worship GOD. You have no other god beside Him. Would you not be righteous?”

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وقال الملا من قومه الذين كفروا وكذبوا بلقاء الاخرة واترفناهم في الحياة الدنيا ما هذا الا بشر مثلكم ياكل مما تاكلون منه ويشرب مما تشربون

The leaders among his people who disbelieved and rejected the idea of the Hereafter—although we provided for them generously in this life—said, “This is no more than a human being like you. He eats from what you eat, and drinks as you drink.

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ولئن اطعتم بشرا مثلكم انكم اذا لخاسرون

“If you obey a human being like you, then you are really losers.

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ايعدكم انكم اذا متم وكنتم ترابا وعظاما انكم مخرجون

“Does he promise you that, after you die and turn into dust and bones, you will come out again?

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هيهات هيهات لما توعدون

“Impossible, impossible indeed is what is promised to you.

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ان هي الا حياتنا الدنيا نموت ونحيا وما نحن بمبعوثين

“We only live this life—we live and die—and we will never be resurrected.

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ان هو الا رجل افترى على الله كذبا وما نحن له بمؤمنين

“He is just a man who fabricated lies and attributed them to GOD. We will never believe him.”

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قال رب انصرني بما كذبون

He said, “My Lord, grant me victory, for they have disbelieved me.”

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قال عما قليل ليصبحن نادمين

He said, “Soon they will be sorry.”

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فاخذتهم الصيحة بالحق فجعلناهم غثاء فبعدا للقوم الظالمين

The retribution struck them, equitably, and thus, we turned them into ruins. The wicked people perished.

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ثم انشانا من بعدهم قرونا اخرين

Subsequently, we established other generations after them.

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ما تسبق من امة اجلها وما يستاخرون

No community can advance its predetermined fate, nor delay it.

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ثم ارسلنا رسلنا تترى كل ما جاء امة رسولها كذبوه فاتبعنا بعضهم بعضا وجعلناهم احاديث فبعدا لقوم لا يؤمنون

Then we sent our messengers in succession. Every time a messenger went to his community, they disbelieved him. Consequently, we annihilated them, one after the other, and made them history. The people who disbelieved have perished.

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Moses and Aaron

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ثم ارسلنا موسى واخاه هارون باياتنا وسلطان مبين

Then we sent Moses and his brother Aaron with our revelations and a profound proof.

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الى فرعون وملئه فاستكبروا وكانوا قوما عالين

To Pharaoh and his elders, but they turned arrogant. They were oppressive people.

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فقالوا انؤمن لبشرين مثلنا وقومهما لنا عابدون

They said, “Shall we believe for two men whose people are our slaves?”

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فكذبوهما فكانوا من المهلكين

They rejected the two, and consequently, they were annihilated.

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ولقد اتينا موسى الكتاب لعلهم يهتدون

We gave Moses the scripture, that they may be guided.

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وجعلنا ابن مريم وامه اية واويناهما الى ربوة ذات قرار ومعين

We made the son of Mary and his mother a sign, and we gave them refuge on a mesa with food and drink.

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One God/One Religion

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يا ايها الرسل كلوا من الطيبات واعملوا صالحا اني بما تعملون عليم

O you messengers, eat from the good provisions, and work righteousness. I am fully aware of everything you do.

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وان هذه امتكم امة واحدة وانا ربكم فاتقون

Such is your congregation—one congregation—and I am your Lord; you shall reverence Me.

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فتقطعوا امرهم بينهم زبرا كل حزب بما لديهم فرحون

But they tore themselves into disputing factions; each party happy with what they have.

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فذرهم في غمرتهم حتى حين

Therefore, just leave them in their confusion, for awhile.

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ايحسبون انما نمدهم به من مال وبنين

Do they think that, since we provided them with money and children,

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نسارع لهم في الخيرات بل لا يشعرون

we must be showering them with blessings? Indeed, they have no idea.

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ان الذين هم من خشية ربهم مشفقون

Surely, those who are reverently conscious of their Lord,

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والذين هم بايات ربهم يؤمنون

And who believe in the revelations of their Lord,

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والذين هم بربهم لا يشركون

And who never set up any idols beside their Lord,

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والذين يؤتون ما اتوا وقلوبهم وجلة انهم الى ربهم راجعون

As they give their charities, their hearts are fully reverent. For they recognize that they will be summoned before their Lord,

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اولئك يسارعون في الخيرات وهم لها سابقون

They are eager to do righteous works; they compete in doing them.

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The Disbelievers Unappreciative

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ولا نكلف نفسا الا وسعها ولدينا كتاب ينطق بالحق وهم لا يظلمون

We never burden any soul beyond its means, and we keep a record that utters the truth. No one will suffer injustice.

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بل قلوبهم في غمرة من هذا ولهم اعمال من دون ذلك هم لها عاملون

Because their minds are oblivious to this, they commit works that do not conform with this; their works are evil.

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حتى اذا اخذنا مترفيهم بالعذاب اذا هم يجارون

Then, when we requite their leaders with retribution, they complain.

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لا تجاروا اليوم انكم منا لا تنصرون

Do not complain now; you have given up all help from us.

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قد كانت اياتي تتلى عليكم فكنتم على اعقابكم تنكصون

My proofs have been presented to you, but you turned back on your heels.

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مستكبرين به سامرا تهجرون

You were too arrogant to accept them, and you defiantly disregarded them.

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افلم يدبروا القول ام جاءهم ما لم يات اباءهم الاولين

Why do they not reflect upon this scripture? Do they not realize that they have received something never attained by their ancestors?

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ام لم يعرفوا رسولهم فهم له منكرون

Have they failed to recognize their messenger? Is this why they are disregarding him?

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ام يقولون به جنة بل جاءهم بالحق واكثرهم للحق كارهون

Have they decided that he is crazy? Indeed, he has brought the truth to them, but most of them hate the truth.

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ولو اتبع الحق اهواءهم لفسدت السماوات والارض ومن فيهن بل اتيناهم بذكرهم فهم عن ذكرهم معرضون

Indeed, if the truth conformed to their wishes, there would be chaos in the heavens and the earth; everything in them would be corrupted. We have given them their proof, but they are disregarding their proof.

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ام تسالهم خرجا فخراج ربك خير وهو خير الرازقين

Are you asking them for a wage? Your Lord’s wage is far better. He is the best Provider.

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وانك لتدعوهم الى صراط مستقيم

Most assuredly, you are inviting them to a straight path.

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وان الذين لا يؤمنون بالاخرة عن الصراط لناكبون

Those who disbelieve in the Hereafter will surely deviate from the right path.

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ولو رحمناهم وكشفنا ما بهم من ضر للجوا في طغيانهم يعمهون

Even when we showered them with mercy, and relieved their problems, they plunged deeper into transgression, and continued to blunder.

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ولقد اخذناهم بالعذاب فما استكانوا لربهم وما يتضرعون

Even when we afflicted them with retribution, they never turned to their Lord imploring.

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حتى اذا فتحنا عليهم بابا ذا عذاب شديد اذا هم فيه مبلسون

Subsequently, when we requited them with the severe retribution they had incurred, they were shocked.

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وهو الذي انشا لكم السمع والابصار والافئدة قليلا ما تشكرون

He is the One who granted you the hearing, the eyesight, and the brains. Rarely are you appreciative.

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وهو الذي ذراكم في الارض واليه تحشرون

He is the One who established you on earth, and before Him you will be summoned.

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وهو الذي يحيي ويميت وله اختلاف الليل والنهار افلا تعقلون

He is the One who controls life and death, and He is the One who alternates the night and day. Do you not understand?

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بل قالوا مثل ما قال الاولون

They said what their ancestors said.

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قالوا ااذا متنا وكنا ترابا وعظاما اانا لمبعوثون

They said, “After we die and become dust and bones, we get resurrected?

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لقد وعدنا نحن واباؤنا هذا من قبل ان هذا الا اساطير الاولين

“Such promises were given to us and to our parents in the past. These are no more than tales from the past.”

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Most Believers are Destined for Hell*

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قل لمن الارض ومن فيها ان كنتم تعلمون

Say, “To whom belongs the earth and everyone on it, if you know?”

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سيقولون لله قل افلا تذكرون

They will say, “To GOD.” Say, “Why then do you not take heed?”

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قل من رب السماوات السبع ورب العرش العظيم

Say, “Who is the Lord of the seven universes; the Lord of the great dominion?”

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سيقولون لله قل افلا تتقون

They will say, “GOD.” Say, “Why then do you not turn righteous?”

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قل من بيده ملكوت كل شيء وهو يجير ولا يجار عليه ان كنتم تعلمون

Say, “In whose hand is all sovereignty over all things, and He is the only one who can provide help, but needs no help, if you know?”

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سيقولون لله قل فانى تسحرون

They will say, “GOD.” Say, “Where did you go wrong?”

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بل اتيناهم بالحق وانهم لكاذبون

We have given them the truth, while they are liars.

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ما اتخذ الله من ولد وما كان معه من اله اذا لذهب كل اله بما خلق ولعلا بعضهم على بعض سبحان الله عما يصفون

GOD has never begotten a son. Nor was there ever any other god beside Him. Otherwise, each god would have declared independence with his creations, and they would have competed with each other for dominance. GOD be glorified; far above their claims.

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عالم الغيب والشهادة فتعالى عما يشركون

The Knower of all secrets and declarations; be He exalted, far above having a partner.

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قل رب اما تريني ما يوعدون

Say, “My Lord, whether You show me (the retribution) they have incurred [or not],

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رب فلا تجعلني في القوم الظالمين

“My Lord, let me not be one of the transgressing people.”

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وانا على ان نريك ما نعدهم لقادرون

To show you (the retribution) we have reserved for them is something we can easily do.

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ادفع بالتي هي احسن السيئة نحن اعلم بما يصفون

Therefore, counter their evil works with goodness; we are fully aware of their claims.

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To Be Protected From Satan

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وقل رب اعوذ بك من همزات الشياطين

Say, “My Lord, I seek refuge in You from the whispers of the devils.

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واعوذ بك رب ان يحضرون

“And I seek refuge in You, my Lord, lest they come near me.”

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The Dead Never Come Back<br>Until the Day of Resurrection

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حتى اذا جاء احدهم الموت قال رب ارجعون

When death comes to one of them, he says, “My Lord, send me back.

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لعلي اعمل صالحا فيما تركت كلا انها كلمة هو قائلها ومن ورائهم برزخ الى يوم يبعثون

“I will then work righteousness in everything I left.” Not true. This is a false claim that he makes. A barrier will separate his soul from this world until resurrection.

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فاذا نفخ في الصور فلا انساب بينهم يومئذ ولا يتساءلون

When the horn is blown, no relations among them will exist on that day, nor will they care about one another.

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فمن ثقلت موازينه فاولئك هم المفلحون

As for those whose weights are heavy, they will be the winners.

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ومن خفت موازينه فاولئك الذين خسروا انفسهم في جهنم خالدون

Those whose weights are light are the ones who lost their souls; they abide in Hell forever.

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تلفح وجوههم النار وهم فيها كالحون

Fire will overwhelm their faces, and they last miserably therein.

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الم تكن اياتي تتلى عليكم فكنتم بها تكذبون

Were not My revelations recited to you, and you kept on rejecting them?

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قالوا ربنا غلبت علينا شقوتنا وكنا قوما ضالين

They will say, “Our Lord, our wickedness overwhelmed us, and we were people gone astray.

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ربنا اخرجنا منها فان عدنا فانا ظالمون

“Our Lord, take us out of this; if we return (to our old behavior), then we are really wicked.”

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قال اخسئوا فيها ولا تكلمون

He will say, “Abide therein, humiliated, and do not speak to Me.

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They Ridiculed the Believers

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انه كان فريق من عبادي يقولون ربنا امنا فاغفر لنا وارحمنا وانت خير الراحمين

“A group of My servants used to say, ‘Our Lord, we have believed, so forgive us and shower us with mercy. Of all the merciful ones, You are the Most Merciful.’

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فاتخذتموهم سخريا حتى انسوكم ذكري وكنتم منهم تضحكون

“But you mocked and ridiculed them, to the extent that you forgot Me. You used to laugh at them.

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اني جزيتهم اليوم بما صبروا انهم هم الفائزون

“I have rewarded them today, in return for their steadfastness, by making them the winners.”

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قال كم لبثتم في الارض عدد سنين

He said, “How long have you lasted on earth? How many years?”

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قالوا لبثنا يوما او بعض يوم فاسال العادين

They said, “We lasted a day or part of a day. Ask those who counted.”

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قال ان لبثتم الا قليلا لو انكم كنتم تعلمون

He said, “In fact, you stayed but a brief interim, if you only knew.

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افحسبتم انما خلقناكم عبثا وانكم الينا لا ترجعون

“Did you think that we created you in vain; that you were not to be returned to us?”

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فتعالى الله الملك الحق لا اله الا هو رب العرش الكريم

Most exalted is GOD, the true Sovereign. There is no other god beside Him; the Most Honorable Lord, possessor of all authority.

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ومن يدع مع الله الها اخر لا برهان له به فانما حسابه عند ربه انه لا يفلح الكافرون

Anyone who idolizes beside GOD any other god, and without any kind of proof, his reckoning rests with his Lord. The disbelievers never succeed.

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وقل رب اغفر وارحم وانت خير الراحمين

Say, “My Lord, shower us with forgiveness and mercy. Of all the merciful ones, You are the Most Merciful.”

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