Sura 26: The Poets
(Al-Shu‘arã’)
In the name of God, Most Gracious, Most Merciful

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طسم

T.S.M.*

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تلك ايات الكتاب المبين

These (letters) constitute proofs of this clarifying scripture.

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لعلك باخع نفسك الا يكونوا مؤمنين

You may blame yourself that they are not believers.

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ان نشا ننزل عليهم من السماء اية فظلت اعناقهم لها خاضعين

If we will, we can send from the sky a sign that forces their necks to bow.

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The Quran’s Mathematical Code

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وما ياتيهم من ذكر من الرحمن محدث الا كانوا عنه معرضين

Whenever a reminder from the Most Gracious comes to them, that is new, they turn away in aversion.

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فقد كذبوا فسياتيهم انباء ما كانوا به يستهزئون

Since they disbelieved, they have incurred the consequences of their heedlessness.

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اولم يروا الى الارض كم انبتنا فيها من كل زوج كريم

Have they not seen the earth, and how many kinds of beautiful plants we have grown thereon?

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ان في ذلك لاية وما كان اكثرهم مؤمنين

This should be a sufficient proof for them, but most of them are not believers.

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وان ربك لهو العزيز الرحيم

Most assuredly, your Lord is the Almighty, Most Merciful.

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Moses

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واذ نادى ربك موسى ان ائت القوم الظالمين

Recall that your Lord called Moses: “Go to the transgressing people.

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قوم فرعون الا يتقون

“Pharaoh’s people; perhaps they reform.”

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قال رب اني اخاف ان يكذبون

He said, “My Lord, I fear lest they disbelieve me.

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ويضيق صدري ولا ينطلق لساني فارسل الى هارون

“I may lose my temper. My tongue gets tied; send for my brother Aaron.

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ولهم علي ذنب فاخاف ان يقتلون

“Also, they consider me a fugitive; I fear lest they kill me.”

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قال كلا فاذهبا باياتنا انا معكم مستمعون

He said, “No, (they will not). Go with My proofs. We will be with you, listening.

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فاتيا فرعون فقولا انا رسول رب العالمين

“Go to Pharaoh and say, ‘We are messengers from the Lord of the universe.

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ان ارسل معنا بني اسرائيل

“‘Let the Children of Israel go.’”

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قال الم نربك فينا وليدا ولبثت فينا من عمرك سنين

He said, “Did we not raise you from infancy, and you spent many years with us?

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وفعلت فعلتك التي فعلت وانت من الكافرين

“Then you committed the crime that you committed, and you were ungrateful.”

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قال فعلتها اذا وانا من الضالين

He said, “Indeed, I did it when I was astray.

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ففررت منكم لما خفتكم فوهب لي ربي حكما وجعلني من المرسلين

“Then I fled, when I feared you, and my Lord endowed me with wisdom and made me one of the messengers.

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وتلك نعمة تمنها علي ان عبدت بني اسرائيل

“You are boasting that you did me a favor, while enslaving the Children of Israel!”

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قال فرعون وما رب العالمين

Pharaoh said, “What is the Lord of the universe?”

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قال رب السماوات والارض وما بينهما ان كنتم موقنين

He said, “The Lord of the heavens and the earth, and everything between them. You should be certain about this.”

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قال لمن حوله الا تستمعون

He said to those around him, “Did you hear this?”

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قال ربكم ورب ابائكم الاولين

He said, “Your Lord and the Lord of your ancestors.”

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قال ان رسولكم الذي ارسل اليكم لمجنون

He said, “Your messenger who is sent to you is crazy.”

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قال رب المشرق والمغرب وما بينهما ان كنتم تعقلون

He said, “The Lord of the east and the west, and everything between them, if you understand.”

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قال لئن اتخذت الها غيري لاجعلنك من المسجونين

He said, “If you accept any god, other than me, I will throw you in the prison.”

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قال اولو جئتك بشيء مبين

He said, “What if I show you something profound?”

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قال فات به ان كنت من الصادقين

He said, “Then produce it, if you are truthful.”

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فالقى عصاه فاذا هي ثعبان مبين

He then threw his staff, whereupon it became a profound snake.

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ونزع يده فاذا هي بيضاء للناظرين

And he took out his hand, and it was white to the beholders.

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قال للملا حوله ان هذا لساحر عليم

He said to the elders around him, “This is an experienced magician.

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يريد ان يخرجكم من ارضكم بسحره فماذا تامرون

“He wants to take you out of your land, with his magic. What do you suggest?”

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قالوا ارجه واخاه وابعث في المدائن حاشرين

They said, “Respite him and his brother, and send summoners to every town.

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ياتوك بكل سحار عليم

“Let them summon every experienced magician.”

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فجمع السحرة لميقات يوم معلوم

The magicians were gathered at the appointed time, on the appointed day.

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وقيل للناس هل انتم مجتمعون

The people were told: “Come one and all; let us gather together here.

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لعلنا نتبع السحرة ان كانوا هم الغالبين

“Maybe we will follow the magicians, if they are the winners.”

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فلما جاء السحرة قالوا لفرعون ائن لنا لاجرا ان كنا نحن الغالبين

When the magicians came, they said to Pharaoh, “Do we get paid, if we are the winners?”

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قال نعم وانكم اذا لمن المقربين

He said, “Yes indeed; you will even be close to me.”

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قال لهم موسى القوا ما انتم ملقون

Moses said to them “Throw what you are going to throw.”

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فالقوا حبالهم وعصيهم وقالوا بعزة فرعون انا لنحن الغالبون

They threw their ropes and sticks, and said, “By Pharaoh’s majesty, we will be the victors.”

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فالقى موسى عصاه فاذا هي تلقف ما يافكون

Moses threw his staff, whereupon it swallowed what they fabricated.

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The Experts See the Truth

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فالقي السحرة ساجدين

The magicians fell prostrate.

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قالوا امنا برب العالمين

They said, “We believe in the Lord of the universe.

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رب موسى وهارون

“The Lord of Moses and Aaron.”

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قال امنتم له قبل ان اذن لكم انه لكبيركم الذي علمكم السحر فلسوف تعلمون لاقطعن ايديكم وارجلكم من خلاف ولاصلبنكم اجمعين

He said, “Did you believe with him before I give you permission? He must be your teacher, who taught you magic. You will surely find out. I will cut your hands and feet on alternate sides. I will crucify you all.”

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قالوا لا ضير انا الى ربنا منقلبون

They said, “This will not change our decision; to our Lord we will return.

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انا نطمع ان يغفر لنا ربنا خطايانا ان كنا اول المؤمنين

“We hope that our Lord will forgive us our sins, especially that we are the first believers.”

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واوحينا الى موسى ان اسر بعبادي انكم متبعون

We inspired Moses: “Travel with My servants; you will be pursued.”

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فارسل فرعون في المدائن حاشرين

Pharaoh sent to the cities callers.

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ان هؤلاء لشرذمة قليلون

(Proclaiming,) “This is a small gang.

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وانهم لنا لغائظون

“They are now opposing us.

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وانا لجميع حاذرون

“Let us all beware of them.”

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The Inevitable Retribution

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فاخرجناهم من جنات وعيون

Consequently, we deprived them of gardens and springs.

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وكنوز ومقام كريم

And treasures and an honorable position.

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كذلك واورثناها بني اسرائيل

Then we made it an inheritance for the Children of Israel.

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فاتبعوهم مشرقين

They pursued them towards the east.

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فلما تراءى الجمعان قال اصحاب موسى انا لمدركون

When both parties saw each other, Moses’ people said, “We will be caught.”

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قال كلا ان معي ربي سيهدين

He said, “No way. My Lord is with me; He will guide me.”

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فاوحينا الى موسى ان اضرب بعصاك البحر فانفلق فكان كل فرق كالطود العظيم

We then inspired Moses: “Strike the sea with your staff,” whereupon it parted. Each part was like a great hill.

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وازلفنا ثم الاخرين

We then delivered them all.

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وانجينا موسى ومن معه اجمعين

We thus saved Moses and all those who were with him.

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ثم اغرقنا الاخرين

And we drowned the others.

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ان في ذلك لاية وما كان اكثرهم مؤمنين

This should be a sufficient proof, but most people are not believers.

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وان ربك لهو العزيز الرحيم

Most assuredly, your Lord is the Almighty, Most Merciful.

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Abraham

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واتل عليهم نبا ابراهيم

Narrate to them Abraham’s history.

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اذ قال لابيه وقومه ما تعبدون

He said to his father and his people, “What is this you are worshiping?”

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قالوا نعبد اصناما فنظل لها عاكفين

They said, “We worship statues; we are totally devoted to them.”

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قال هل يسمعونكم اذ تدعون

He said, “Can they hear you when you implore?

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او ينفعونكم او يضرون

“Can they benefit you, or harm you?”

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قالوا بل وجدنا اباءنا كذلك يفعلون

They said, “No; but we found our parents doing this.”

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قال افرايتم ما كنتم تعبدون

He said, “Do you see these idols that you worship.

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انتم واباؤكم الاقدمون

“You and your ancestors.

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فانهم عدو لي الا رب العالمين

“I am against them, for I am devoted only to the Lord of the universe.

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الذي خلقني فهو يهدين

“The One who created me, and guided me.

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والذي هو يطعمني ويسقين

“The One who feeds me and waters me.

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واذا مرضت فهو يشفين

“And when I get sick, He heals me.

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والذي يميتني ثم يحيين

“The One who puts me to death, then brings me back to life.

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والذي اطمع ان يغفر لي خطيئتي يوم الدين

“The One who hopefully will forgive my sins on the Day of Judgment.

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رب هب لي حكما والحقني بالصالحين

“My Lord, grant me wisdom, and include me with the righteous.

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واجعل لي لسان صدق في الاخرين

“Let the example I set for the future generations be a good one.

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واجعلني من ورثة جنة النعيم

“Make me one of the inheritors of the blissful Paradise.

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واغفر لابي انه كان من الضالين

“And forgive my father, for he has gone astray.

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ولا تخزني يوم يبعثون

“And do not forsake me on the Day of Resurrection.”

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يوم لا ينفع مال ولا بنون

That is the day when neither money, nor children, can help.

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الا من اتى الله بقلب سليم

Only those who come to GOD with their whole heart (will be saved).

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وازلفت الجنة للمتقين

Paradise will be presented to the righteous.

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وبرزت الجحيم للغاوين

Hell will be set up for the strayers.

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They Will Disown Their Idols

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وقيل لهم اين ما كنتم تعبدون

They will be asked, “Where are the idols you had worshiped

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من دون الله هل ينصرونكم او ينتصرون

“beside GOD? Can they help you now? Can they help themselves?”

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فكبكبوا فيها هم والغاوون

They will be thrown therein, together with the strayers.

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وجنود ابليس اجمعون

And all of Satan’s soldiers.

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قالوا وهم فيها يختصمون

They will say as they feud therein,

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تالله ان كنا لفي ضلال مبين

“By GOD, we were far astray.

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اذ نسويكم برب العالمين

“How could we set you up to rank with the Lord of the universe?

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وما اضلنا الا المجرمون

“Those who misled us were wicked.

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فما لنا من شافعين

“Now we have no intercessors.

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ولا صديق حميم

“Nor a single close friend.

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فلو ان لنا كرة فنكون من المؤمنين

“If only we could get another chance, we would then believe.”

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ان في ذلك لاية وما كان اكثرهم مؤمنين

This should be a good lesson. But most people are not believers.

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وان ربك لهو العزيز الرحيم

Your Lord is the Almighty, Most Merciful.

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Noah

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كذبت قوم نوح المرسلين

The people of Noah disbelieved the messengers.

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اذ قال لهم اخوهم نوح الا تتقون

Their brother Noah said to them, “Would you not be righteous?

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اني لكم رسول امين

“I am an honest messenger to you.

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فاتقوا الله واطيعون

“You shall reverence GOD and obey me.

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وما اسالكم عليه من اجر ان اجري الا على رب العالمين

“I do not ask you for any wage. My wage comes from the Lord of the universe.

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فاتقوا الله واطيعون

“You shall reverence GOD and obey me.”

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قالوا انؤمن لك واتبعك الارذلون

They said, “How can we believe with you, when the worst among us have followed you?”

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قال وما علمي بما كانوا يعملون

He said, “How do I know what they did?

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ان حسابهم الا على ربي لو تشعرون

“Their judgment rests only with my Lord, if you could perceive.

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وما انا بطارد المؤمنين

“I will never dismiss the believers.

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ان انا الا نذير مبين

“I am no more than a clarifying warner.”

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قالوا لئن لم تنته يا نوح لتكونن من المرجومين

They said, “Unless you refrain, O Noah, you will be stoned.”

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قال رب ان قومي كذبون

He said, “My Lord, my people have disbelieved me.

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فافتح بيني وبينهم فتحا ونجني ومن معي من المؤمنين

“Grant me victory against them, and deliver me and my company of believers.”

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فانجيناه ومن معه في الفلك المشحون

We delivered him and those who accompanied him in the loaded ark.

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ثم اغرقنا بعد الباقين

Then we drowned the others.

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ان في ذلك لاية وما كان اكثرهم مؤمنين

This should be a lesson, but most people are not believers.

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وان ربك لهو العزيز الرحيم

Most assuredly, your Lord is the Almighty, Most Merciful.

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Hûd

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كذبت عاد المرسلين

‘Ãd disbelieved the messengers.

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اذ قال لهم اخوهم هود الا تتقون

Their brother Hûd said to them, “Would you not be righteous?

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اني لكم رسول امين

“I am an honest messenger to you.

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فاتقوا الله واطيعون

“You shall reverence GOD, and obey me.

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وما اسالكم عليه من اجر ان اجري الا على رب العالمين

“I do not ask you for any wage; my wage comes from the Lord of the universe.

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اتبنون بكل ريع اية تعبثون

“You build on every hill a mansion for vanity’s sake.

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وتتخذون مصانع لعلكم تخلدون

“You set up buildings as if you last forever.

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واذا بطشتم بطشتم جبارين

“And when you strike, you strike mercilessly.

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فاتقوا الله واطيعون

“You shall reverence GOD and obey me.

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واتقوا الذي امدكم بما تعلمون

“Reverence the One who provided you with all the things you know.

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امدكم بانعام وبنين

“He provided you with livestock and children.

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وجنات وعيون

“And gardens and springs.

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اني اخاف عليكم عذاب يوم عظيم

“I fear for you the retribution of an awesome day.”

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قالوا سواء علينا اوعظت ام لم تكن من الواعظين

They said, “It is the same whether you preach, or not preach.

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ان هذا الا خلق الاولين

“That affliction was limited to our ancestors.

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وما نحن بمعذبين

“No retribution will ever befall us.”

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فكذبوه فاهلكناهم ان في ذلك لاية وما كان اكثرهم مؤمنين

They thus disbelieved and, consequently, we annihilated them. This should be a lesson, but most people are not believers.

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وان ربك لهو العزيز الرحيم

Most assuredly, your Lord is the Almighty, Most Merciful.

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Sãleh

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كذبت ثمود المرسلين

Thamoud disbelieved the messengers.

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اذ قال لهم اخوهم صالح الا تتقون

Their brother Sãleh said to them, “Would you not be righteous?

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اني لكم رسول امين

“I am an honest messenger to you.

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فاتقوا الله واطيعون

“You shall reverence GOD, and obey me.

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وما اسالكم عليه من اجر ان اجري الا على رب العالمين

“I do not ask you for any wage; my wage comes only from the Lord of the universe.

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اتتركون في ما هاهنا امنين

“Do you suppose you will be left forever, secure in this state?

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في جنات وعيون

“You enjoy gardens and springs.

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وزروع ونخل طلعها هضيم

“And crops and date palms with delicious fruits.

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وتنحتون من الجبال بيوتا فارهين

“You carve out of the mountains luxurious mansions.

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فاتقوا الله واطيعون

“You shall reverence GOD, and obey me.

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ولا تطيعوا امر المسرفين

“Do not obey the transgressors.

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الذين يفسدون في الارض ولا يصلحون

“Who commit evil, not good works.”

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قالوا انما انت من المسحرين

They said, “You are bewitched.

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ما انت الا بشر مثلنا فات باية ان كنت من الصادقين

“You are no more than a human like us. Produce a miracle, if you are truthful.”

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قال هذه ناقة لها شرب ولكم شرب يوم معلوم

He said, “Here is a camel that will drink only on a day that is assigned to her; a day that is different from your specified days of drinking.

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ولا تمسوها بسوء فياخذكم عذاب يوم عظيم

“Do not touch her with any harm, lest you incur retribution on an awesome day.”

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فعقروها فاصبحوا نادمين

They slaughtered her, and thus incurred sorrow.

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فاخذهم العذاب ان في ذلك لاية وما كان اكثرهم مؤمنين

The retribution overwhelmed them. This should be a lesson, but most people are not believers.

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وان ربك لهو العزيز الرحيم

Most assuredly, your Lord is the Almighty, Most Merciful.

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Lot

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كذبت قوم لوط المرسلين

The people of Lot disbelieved the messengers.

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اذ قال لهم اخوهم لوط الا تتقون

Their brother Lot said to them, “Would you not be righteous?

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اني لكم رسول امين

“I am an honest messenger to you.

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فاتقوا الله واطيعون

“You shall reverence GOD, and obey me.

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وما اسالكم عليه من اجر ان اجري الا على رب العالمين

“I do not ask you for any wage; my wage comes only from the Lord of the universe.

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اتاتون الذكران من العالمين

“Do you have sex with the males, of all the people?

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وتذرون ما خلق لكم ربكم من ازواجكم بل انتم قوم عادون

“You forsake the wives that your Lord has created for you! Indeed, you are transgressing people.”

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قالوا لئن لم تنته يا لوط لتكونن من المخرجين

They said, “Unless you refrain, O Lot, you will be banished.”

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قال اني لعملكم من القالين

He said, “I deplore your actions.”

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رب نجني واهلي مما يعملون

“My Lord, save me and my family from their works.”

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فنجيناه واهله اجمعين

We saved him and all his family.

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الا عجوزا في الغابرين

But not the old woman; she was doomed.

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ثم دمرنا الاخرين

We then destroyed the others.

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وامطرنا عليهم مطرا فساء مطر المنذرين

We showered them with a miserable shower; what a terrible shower for those who had been warned!

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ان في ذلك لاية وما كان اكثرهم مؤمنين

This should be a lesson, but most people are not believers.

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وان ربك لهو العزيز الرحيم

Most assuredly, your Lord is the Almighty, Most Merciful.

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Shu‘aib

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كذب اصحاب الايكة المرسلين

The People of the Woods disbelieved the messengers.

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اذ قال لهم شعيب الا تتقون

Shu‘aib said to them, “Would you not be righteous?

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اني لكم رسول امين

“I am an honest messenger to you.

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فاتقوا الله واطيعون

“You shall reverence GOD, and obey me.

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وما اسالكم عليه من اجر ان اجري الا على رب العالمين

“I do not ask you for any wage; my wage comes only from the Lord of the universe.

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اوفوا الكيل ولا تكونوا من المخسرين

“You shall give full measure when you trade; do not cheat.

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وزنوا بالقسطاس المستقيم

“You shall weigh with an equitable scale.

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ولا تبخسوا الناس اشياءهم ولا تعثوا في الارض مفسدين

“Do not cheat the people out of their rights, and do not roam the earth corruptingly.

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واتقوا الذي خلقكم والجبلة الاولين

“Reverence the One who created you and the previous generations.”

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قالوا انما انت من المسحرين

They said, “You are bewitched.

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وما انت الا بشر مثلنا وان نظنك لمن الكاذبين

“You are no more than a human being like us. In fact, we think you are a liar.

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فاسقط علينا كسفا من السماء ان كنت من الصادقين

“Let masses from the sky fall on us, if you are truthful.”

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قال ربي اعلم بما تعملون

He said, “My Lord is the One who knows everything you do.”

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فكذبوه فاخذهم عذاب يوم الظلة انه كان عذاب يوم عظيم

They disbelieved him and, consequently, they incurred the retribution of the Day of the Canopy. It was the retribution of an awesome day.

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ان في ذلك لاية وما كان اكثرهم مؤمنين

This should be a lesson, but most people are not believers.

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وان ربك لهو العزيز الرحيم

Most assuredly, your Lord is the Almighty, Most Merciful.

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The Quran

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وانه لتنزيل رب العالمين

This is a revelation from the Lord of the universe.

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نزل به الروح الامين

The Honest Spirit (Gabriel) came down with it.

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على قلبك لتكون من المنذرين

To reveal it into your heart, that you may be one of the warners.

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بلسان عربي مبين

In a perfect Arabic tongue.

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وانه لفي زبر الاولين

It has been prophesied in the books of previous generations.

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اولم يكن لهم اية ان يعلمه علماء بني اسرائيل

Is it not a sufficient sign for them that it was known to the scholars among the Children of Israel?

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The Quran Must Be Translated

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ولو نزلناه على بعض الاعجمين

If we revealed this to people who do not know Arabic.

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فقراه عليهم ما كانوا به مؤمنين

And had him recite it (in Arabic), they could not possibly believe in it.

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كذلك سلكناه في قلوب المجرمين

We thus render it (like a foreign language) in the hearts of the guilty.

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لا يؤمنون به حتى يروا العذاب الاليم

Thus, they cannot believe in it; not until they see the painful retribution.

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فياتيهم بغتة وهم لا يشعرون

It will come to them suddenly, when they least expect it.

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فيقولوا هل نحن منظرون

They will then say, “Can we have a respite?”

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افبعذابنا يستعجلون

Did they not challenge our retribution?

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افرايت ان متعناهم سنين

As you see, we allowed them to enjoy for years.

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ثم جاءهم ما كانوا يوعدون

Then the retribution came to them, just as promised.

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ما اغنى عنهم ما كانوا يمتعون

Their vast resources did not help them in the least.

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وما اهلكنا من قرية الا لها منذرون

We never annihilate any community without sending warners.

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ذكرى وما كنا ظالمين

Therefore, this is a reminder, for we are never unjust.

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False Messengers<br>Incapable of Preaching<br>the Worship of God ALONE*

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وما تنزلت به الشياطين

The devils can never reveal this.

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وما ينبغي لهم وما يستطيعون

They neither would, nor could.

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انهم عن السمع لمعزولون

For they are prevented from hearing.

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فلا تدع مع الله الها اخر فتكون من المعذبين

Therefore, do not idolize beside GOD any other god, lest you incur the retribution.

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God’s Messenger of the Covenant*

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وانذر عشيرتك الاقربين

You shall preach to the people who are closest to you.

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واخفض جناحك لمن اتبعك من المؤمنين

And lower your wing for the believers who follow you.

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فان عصوك فقل اني بريء مما تعملون

If they disobey you, then say, “I disown what you do.”

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وتوكل على العزيز الرحيم

And put your trust in the Almighty, Most Merciful.

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الذي يراك حين تقوم

Who sees you when you meditate during the night.

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وتقلبك في الساجدين

And your frequent prostrations.

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انه هو السميع العليم

He is the Hearer, the Omniscient.

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هل انبئكم على من تنزل الشياطين

Shall I inform you upon whom the devils descend?

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تنزل على كل افاك اثيم

They descend upon every guilty fabricator.

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يلقون السمع واكثرهم كاذبون

They pretend to listen, but most of them are liars.

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والشعراء يتبعهم الغاوون

As for the poets, they are followed only by the strayers.

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الم تر انهم في كل واد يهيمون

Do you not see that their loyalty shifts according to the situation?

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وانهم يقولون ما لا يفعلون

And that they say what they do not do?

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الا الذين امنوا وعملوا الصالحات وذكروا الله كثيرا وانتصروا من بعد ما ظلموا وسيعلم الذين ظلموا اي منقلب ينقلبون

Exempted are those who believe, lead a righteous life, commemorate GOD frequently, and stand up for their rights. Surely, the transgressors will find out what their ultimate destiny is.

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