Sura 27: The Ant
(Al-Naml)
In the name of God, Most Gracious, Most Merciful

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طس تلك ايات القران وكتاب مبين

T.S.* These (letters) constitute proofs of the Quran; a profound scripture.

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هدى وبشرى للمؤمنين

A beacon, and good news, for the believers.

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الذين يقيمون الصلاة ويؤتون الزكاة وهم بالاخرة هم يوقنون

Who observe the Contact Prayers (Salat), give the obligatory charity (Zakat), and they are, with regard to the Hereafter, absolutely certain.

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ان الذين لا يؤمنون بالاخرة زينا لهم اعمالهم فهم يعمهون

Those who do not believe in the Hereafter, we adorn their works in their eyes. Thus, they continue to blunder.

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اولئك الذين لهم سوء العذاب وهم في الاخرة هم الاخسرون

It is these who incur the worst retribution, and in the Hereafter, they will be the worst losers.

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وانك لتلقى القران من لدن حكيم عليم

Surely, you are receiving the Quran from a Most Wise, Omniscient.

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Moses

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اذ قال موسى لاهله اني انست نارا ساتيكم منها بخبر او اتيكم بشهاب قبس لعلكم تصطلون

Recall that Moses said to his family, “I see a fire; let me bring you news therefrom, or a torch to warm you.”

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فلما جاءها نودي ان بورك من في النار ومن حولها وسبحان الله رب العالمين

When he came to it, he was called: “Blessed is the One (who is speaking from) within the fire, and those around it.” Glory be to GOD, Lord of the universe.

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يا موسى انه انا الله العزيز الحكيم

“O Moses, this is Me, GOD, the Almighty, Most Wise.

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والق عصاك فلما راها تهتز كانها جان ولى مدبرا ولم يعقب يا موسى لا تخف اني لا يخاف لدي المرسلون

“Throw down your staff.” When he saw it moving like a demon, he turned around and fled. “O Moses, do not be afraid. My messengers shall not fear.

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الا من ظلم ثم بدل حسنا بعد سوء فاني غفور رحيم

“Except those who commit a transgression, then substitute righteousness after sinning; I am Forgiving, Most Merciful.

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وادخل يدك في جيبك تخرج بيضاء من غير سوء في تسع ايات الى فرعون وقومه انهم كانوا قوما فاسقين

“Put your hand in your pocket; it will come out white, without a blemish. These are among nine miracles to Pharaoh and his people, for they are wicked people.”

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فلما جاءتهم اياتنا مبصرة قالوا هذا سحر مبين

When our miracles were presented to them, clear and profound, they said, “This is obviously magic.”

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وجحدوا بها واستيقنتها انفسهم ظلما وعلوا فانظر كيف كان عاقبة المفسدين

They rejected them and were utterly convinced of their wrong ways, due to their arrogance. Note the consequences for the evildoers.

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David and Solomon

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ولقد اتينا داوود وسليمان علما وقالا الحمد لله الذي فضلنا على كثير من عباده المؤمنين

We endowed David and Solomon with knowledge, and they said, “Praise GOD for blessing us more than many of His believing servants.”

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وورث سليمان داوود وقال يا ايها الناس علمنا منطق الطير واوتينا من كل شيء ان هذا لهو الفضل المبين

Solomon was David’s heir. He said, “O people, we have been endowed with understanding the language of the birds, and all kinds of things have been bestowed upon us. This is indeed a real blessing.”

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وحشر لسليمان جنوده من الجن والانس والطير فهم يوزعون

Mobilized in the service of Solomon were his obedient soldiers of jinns and humans, as well as the birds; all at his disposal.

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حتى اذا اتوا على واد النمل قالت نملة يا ايها النمل ادخلوا مساكنكم لا يحطمنكم سليمان وجنوده وهم لا يشعرون

When they approached the valley of the ants, one ant said, “O you ants, go into your homes, lest you get crushed by Solomon and his soldiers, without perceiving.”*

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فتبسم ضاحكا من قولها وقال رب اوزعني ان اشكر نعمتك التي انعمت علي وعلى والدي وان اعمل صالحا ترضاه وادخلني برحمتك في عبادك الصالحين

He smiled and laughed at her statement,* and said, “My Lord, direct me to be appreciative of the blessings You have bestowed upon me and my parents, and to do the righteous works that please You. Admit me by Your mercy into the company of Your righteous servants.”

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وتفقد الطير فقال ما لي لا ارى الهدهد ام كان من الغائبين

He inspected the birds, and noted: “Why do I not see the hoopoe? Why is he missing?

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لاعذبنه عذابا شديدا او لاذبحنه او لياتيني بسلطان مبين

“I will punish him severely or sacrifice him, unless he gives me a good excuse.”

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فمكث غير بعيد فقال احطت بما لم تحط به وجئتك من سبا بنبا يقين

He did not wait for long. (The hoopoe) said, “I have news that you do not have. I have brought to you from Sheba, some important information.

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اني وجدت امراة تملكهم واوتيت من كل شيء ولها عرش عظيم

“I found a woman ruling them, who is blessed with everything, and possesses a tremendous palace.

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وجدتها وقومها يسجدون للشمس من دون الله وزين لهم الشيطان اعمالهم فصدهم عن السبيل فهم لا يهتدون

“I found her and her people prostrating before the sun, instead of GOD. The devil has adorned their works in their eyes, and has repulsed them from the path; consequently, they are not guided.”

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الا يسجدوا لله الذي يخرج الخبء في السماوات والارض ويعلم ما تخفون وما تعلنون

They should have been prostrating before GOD, the One who manifests all the mysteries in the heavens and the earth, and the One who knows everything you conceal and everything you declare.

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الله لا اله الا هو رب العرش العظيم

GOD: there is no other god beside Him; the Lord with the great dominion.

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قال سننظر اصدقت ام كنت من الكاذبين

(Solomon) said, “We will see if you told the truth, or if you are a liar.

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اذهب بكتابي هذا فالقه اليهم ثم تول عنهم فانظر ماذا يرجعون

“Take this letter from me, give it to them, then watch for their response.”

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Back in Sheba

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قالت يا ايها الملا اني القي الي كتاب كريم

She said, “O my advisers, I have received an honorable letter.

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انه من سليمان وانه بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

“It is from Solomon, and it is, ‘In the name of GOD, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.’*

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الا تعلوا علي واتوني مسلمين

“Proclaiming: ‘Do not be arrogant; come to me as submitters.’ ”

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قالت يا ايها الملا افتوني في امري ما كنت قاطعة امرا حتى تشهدون

She said, “O my advisers, counsel me in this matter. I am not deciding anything until you advise me.”

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قالوا نحن اولو قوة واولو باس شديد والامر اليك فانظري ماذا تامرين

They said, “We possess the power, we possess the fighting skills, and the ultimate command is in your hand. You decide what to do.”

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قالت ان الملوك اذا دخلوا قرية افسدوها وجعلوا اعزة اهلها اذلة وكذلك يفعلون

She said, “The kings corrupt any land they invade, and subjugate its dignified people. This is what they usually do.

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واني مرسلة اليهم بهدية فناظرة بم يرجع المرسلون

“I am sending a gift to them; let us see what the messengers come back with.”

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فلما جاء سليمان قال اتمدونن بمال فما اتاني الله خير مما اتاكم بل انتم بهديتكم تفرحون

When the hoopoe returned to Solomon (he told him the news), and he responded (to Sheba’s people): “Are you giving me money? What GOD has given me is far better than what He has given you. You are the ones to rejoice in such gifts.”

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ارجع اليهم فلناتينهم بجنود لا قبل لهم بها ولنخرجنهم منها اذلة وهم صاغرون

(To the hoopoe, he said,) “Go back to them (and let them know that) we will come to them with forces they cannot imagine. We will evict them, humiliated and debased.”

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Faster Than the Speed of Light

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قال يا ايها الملا ايكم ياتيني بعرشها قبل ان ياتوني مسلمين

He said, “O you elders, which of you can bring me her mansion, before they arrive here as submitters?”

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قال عفريت من الجن انا اتيك به قبل ان تقوم من مقامك واني عليه لقوي امين

One afrit from the jinns said, “I can bring it to you before you stand up. I am powerful enough to do this.”

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قال الذي عنده علم من الكتاب انا اتيك به قبل ان يرتد اليك طرفك فلما راه مستقرا عنده قال هذا من فضل ربي ليبلوني ااشكر ام اكفر ومن شكر فانما يشكر لنفسه ومن كفر فان ربي غني كريم

The one who possessed knowledge from the book said, “I can bring it to you in the blink of your eye.” When he saw it settled in front of him, he said, “This is a blessing from my Lord, whereby He tests me, to show whether I am appreciative or unappreciative. Whoever is appreciative is appreciative for his own good, and if one turns unappreciative, then my Lord is in no need for him, Most Honorable.”

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قال نكروا لها عرشها ننظر اتهتدي ام تكون من الذين لا يهتدون

He said, “Remodel her mansion for her. Let us see if she will be guided, or continue with the misguided.”

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فلما جاءت قيل اهكذا عرشك قالت كانه هو واوتينا العلم من قبلها وكنا مسلمين

When she arrived, she was asked, “Does your mansion look like this?” She said, “It seems that this is it.” (Solomon said,) “We knew beforehand what she was going to do, and we were already submitters.”

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وصدها ما كانت تعبد من دون الله انها كانت من قوم كافرين

She had been diverted by worshiping idols instead of GOD; she belonged to disbelieving people.

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قيل لها ادخلي الصرح فلما راته حسبته لجة وكشفت عن ساقيها قال انه صرح ممرد من قوارير قالت رب اني ظلمت نفسي واسلمت مع سليمان لله رب العالمين

She was told, “Go inside the palace.” When she saw its interior, she thought it was a pool of water, and she (pulled up her dress,) exposing her legs. He said, “This interior is now paved with crystal.” She said, “My Lord, I have wronged my soul. I now submit with Solomon to GOD, Lord of the universe.”

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Sãleh

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ولقد ارسلنا الى ثمود اخاهم صالحا ان اعبدوا الله فاذا هم فريقان يختصمون

We have sent to Thamoud their brother Sãleh, saying, “You shall worship GOD.” But they turned into two feuding factions.

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قال يا قوم لم تستعجلون بالسيئة قبل الحسنة لولا تستغفرون الله لعلكم ترحمون

He said, “O my people, why do you hasten to commit evil instead of good works? If only you implore GOD for forgiveness, you may attain mercy.”

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قالوا اطيرنا بك وبمن معك قال طائركم عند الله بل انتم قوم تفتنون

They said, “We consider you a bad omen for us, you and those who joined you.” He said, “Your omen is fully controlled by GOD. Indeed, you are deviant people.”

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وكان في المدينة تسعة رهط يفسدون في الارض ولا يصلحون

There were nine gangsters in the city who were wicked, and never did anything good.

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قالوا تقاسموا بالله لنبيتنه واهله ثم لنقولن لوليه ما شهدنا مهلك اهله وانا لصادقون

They said, “Let us swear by GOD that we kill him and his people, then tell his tribe, ‘We know nothing about their death. We are truthful.’ ”

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God Protects The Believers

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ومكروا مكرا ومكرنا مكرا وهم لا يشعرون

They plotted and schemed, but we also plotted and schemed, while they did not perceive.

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فانظر كيف كان عاقبة مكرهم انا دمرناهم وقومهم اجمعين

Note the consequences of their plotting; we annihilated them and all their people.

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فتلك بيوتهم خاوية بما ظلموا ان في ذلك لاية لقوم يعلمون

Here are their homes utterly ruined, because of their transgression. This should be a lesson for people who know.

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وانجينا الذين امنوا وكانوا يتقون

We save those who believe and lead a righteous life.

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Lot

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ولوطا اذ قال لقومه اتاتون الفاحشة وانتم تبصرون

Lot said to his people, “How could you commit such an abomination, publicly, while you see?

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ائنكم لتاتون الرجال شهوة من دون النساء بل انتم قوم تجهلون

“You practice sex with the men, lustfully, instead of the women. Indeed, you are ignorant people.”

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فما كان جواب قومه الا ان قالوا اخرجوا ال لوط من قريتكم انهم اناس يتطهرون

The only response from his people was their saying, “Banish Lot’s family from your town; they are people who wish to be pure.”

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فانجيناه واهله الا امراته قدرناها من الغابرين

Consequently, we saved him and his family, except his wife; we counted her among the doomed.

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وامطرنا عليهم مطرا فساء مطر المنذرين

We showered them with a certain shower. It was a miserable shower upon people who had been warned.

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Make No Distinction Among<br>God’s Messengers

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قل الحمد لله وسلام على عباده الذين اصطفى الله خير اما يشركون

Say, “Praise be to GOD and peace be upon His servants whom He chose. Is GOD better, or the idols some people set up?”

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God ALONE Worthy of Worship

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امن خلق السماوات والارض وانزل لكم من السماء ماء فانبتنا به حدائق ذات بهجة ما كان لكم ان تنبتوا شجرها االه مع الله بل هم قوم يعدلون

Who is the One who created the heavens and the earth? Who is the One who sends down to you from the sky water, whereby we produce gardens full of beauty—you could not possibly manufacture its trees? Is it another god with GOD? Indeed, they are people who have deviated.

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Jesus, Mary, Muhammad,<br>the Saints, etc. Never Participated

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امن جعل الارض قرارا وجعل خلالها انهارا وجعل لها رواسي وجعل بين البحرين حاجزا االه مع الله بل اكثرهم لا يعلمون

Who is the One who made the earth habitable, caused rivers to run through it, placed on it mountains, and created a barrier between the two waters? Is it another god with GOD? Indeed, most of them do not know.

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امن يجيب المضطر اذا دعاه ويكشف السوء ويجعلكم خلفاء الارض االه مع الله قليلا ما تذكرون

Who is the One who rescues those who become desperate and call upon Him, relieves adversity, and makes you inheritors of the earth? Is it another god with GOD? Rarely do you take heed.

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امن يهديكم في ظلمات البر والبحر ومن يرسل الرياح بشرا بين يدي رحمته االه مع الله تعالى الله عما يشركون

Who is the One who guides you in the darkness of land and sea? Who is the One who sends the winds with good news, signaling His mercy? Is it another god with GOD? Most exalted is GOD, above having any partner.

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امن يبدا الخلق ثم يعيده ومن يرزقكم من السماء والارض االه مع الله قل هاتوا برهانكم ان كنتم صادقين

Who is the One who initiates the creation, then repeats it? Who is the One who provides for you from the heaven and the earth? Is it another god with GOD? Say, “Show me your proof, if you are truthful.”

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قل لا يعلم من في السماوات والارض الغيب الا الله وما يشعرون ايان يبعثون

Say, “No one in the heavens and the earth knows the future except GOD. They do not even perceive how or when they will be resurrected.”

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Believing in the Hereafter:<br>Great Obstacle for Most People

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بل ادارك علمهم في الاخرة بل هم في شك منها بل هم منها عمون

In fact, their knowledge concerning the Hereafter is confused. In fact, they harbor doubts about it. In fact, they are totally heedless thereof.

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وقال الذين كفروا ااذا كنا ترابا واباؤنا ائنا لمخرجون

Those who disbelieved said, “After we turn into dust, and also our parents, do we get brought out?

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

“We have been given the same promise in the past. These are nothing but tales from the past.”

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قل سيروا في الارض فانظروا كيف كان عاقبة المجرمين

Say, “Roam the earth and note the consequences for the guilty.”

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ولا تحزن عليهم ولا تكن في ضيق مما يمكرون

Do not grieve over them, and do not be annoyed by their scheming.

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ويقولون متى هذا الوعد ان كنتم صادقين

They say, “When will that promise come to pass, if you are truthful?”

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قل عسى ان يكون ردف لكم بعض الذي تستعجلون

Say, “You are already suffering some of the retribution you challenge.”

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وان ربك لذو فضل على الناس ولكن اكثرهم لا يشكرون

Your Lord is full of grace towards the people, but most of them are unappreciative.

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وان ربك ليعلم ما تكن صدورهم وما يعلنون

Your Lord fully knows what their chests hide, and what they declare.

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وما من غائبة في السماء والارض الا في كتاب مبين

There is nothing in the heavens and the earth that is hidden (from God); everything is in a profound record.

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ان هذا القران يقص على بني اسرائيل اكثر الذي هم فيه يختلفون

This Quran settles many issues for the Children of Israel; issues that they are still disputing.

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وانه لهدى ورحمة للمؤمنين

And most assuredly, it is a guide and mercy for the believers.

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ان ربك يقضي بينهم بحكمه وهو العزيز العليم

Your Lord is the One who judges among them in accordance with His rules. He is the Almighty, the Omniscient.

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فتوكل على الله انك على الحق المبين

Therefore, put your trust in GOD; you are following the manifest truth.

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انك لا تسمع الموتى ولا تسمع الصم الدعاء اذا ولوا مدبرين

You cannot make the dead, nor the deaf, hear the call, if they turn away.

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وما انت بهادي العمي عن ضلالتهم ان تسمع الا من يؤمن باياتنا فهم مسلمون

Nor can you guide the blind out of their straying. The only ones who will hear you are those who believe in our revelations, and decide to be submitters.

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The Computer<br>Is The Creature*

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واذا وقع القول عليهم اخرجنا لهم دابة من الارض تكلمهم ان الناس كانوا باياتنا لا يوقنون

At the right time, we will produce for them a creature, made of earthly materials, declaring that the people are not certain about our revelations.

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ويوم نحشر من كل امة فوجا ممن يكذب باياتنا فهم يوزعون

The day will come when we summon from every community some of those who did not believe in our proofs, forcibly.

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Study the<br>Quran’s Mathematical Code

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حتى اذا جاءوا قال اكذبتم باياتي ولم تحيطوا بها علما اماذا كنتم تعملون

When they arrive, He will say, “You have rejected My revelations, before acquiring knowledge about them. Is this not what you did?”

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ووقع القول عليهم بما ظلموا فهم لا ينطقون

They will incur the requital for their wickedness; they will say nothing.

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الم يروا انا جعلنا الليل ليسكنوا فيه والنهار مبصرا ان في ذلك لايات لقوم يؤمنون

Have they not seen that we made the night for their rest, and the day lighted? These should be sufficient proofs for people who believe.

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ويوم ينفخ في الصور ففزع من في السماوات ومن في الارض الا من شاء الله وكل اتوه داخرين

On the day when the horn is blown, everyone in the heavens and the earth will be horrified, except those chosen by GOD. All will come before Him, forcibly.

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Earth’s Movement:<br>A Scientific Miracle

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وترى الجبال تحسبها جامدة وهي تمر مر السحاب صنع الله الذي اتقن كل شيء انه خبير بما تفعلون

When you look at the mountains, you think that they are standing still. But they are moving, like the clouds. Such is the manufacture of GOD, who perfected everything. He is fully Cognizant of everything you do.

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The Day of Judgment

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من جاء بالحسنة فله خير منها وهم من فزع يومئذ امنون

Those who bring good works (in their records) will receive far better rewards, and they will be perfectly secure from the horrors of that day.

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ومن جاء بالسيئة فكبت وجوههم في النار هل تجزون الا ما كنتم تعملون

As for those who bring evil works, they will be forced into Hell. Do you not get requited for what you did?

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انما امرت ان اعبد رب هذه البلدة الذي حرمها وله كل شيء وامرت ان اكون من المسلمين

I am simply commanded to worship the Lord of this town—He has made it a safe sanctuary—and He possesses all things. I am commanded to be a submitter.

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وان اتلو القران فمن اهتدى فانما يهتدي لنفسه ومن ضل فقل انما انا من المنذرين

And to recite the Quran. Whoever is guided is guided for his own good, and if they go astray, then say, “I am simply a warner.”

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وقل الحمد لله سيريكم اياته فتعرفونها وما ربك بغافل عما تعملون

And say, “Praise be to GOD; He will show you His proofs, until you recognize them. Your Lord is never unaware of anything you do.”

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