Lokman

[LXXXII.]

MECCA.—34 Verses

In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful

ELIF. LAM. MIM.² These are the verses (signs) of the wise Book,

A guidance and a mercy to the righteous,

Who observe prayer, and pay the impost,³ and believe firmly in the life to come:—

These rest on guidance from their Lord, and with these it shall be well.

But a man there is⁴ who buyeth an idle tale, that in his lack of knowledge he may mislead others from the way of God, and turn it to scorn. For such is prepared a shameful punishment!

And when our signs are rehearsed to him, he turneth away disdainfully, as though he heard them not,—as though his ears were heavy with deafness. Announce to him therefore tidings of an afflictive punishment!

But they who shall have believed and wrought good works, shall enjoy the gardens of delight:

For ever shall they dwell therein: it is God’s true promise! and He is the Mighty, the Wise.

Without pillars that can be seen hath He created the heavens, and on the earth hath thrown mountains lest it should move with you;⁵ and He hath scattered over it animals of every sort: and from the Heaven we send down rain and cause every kind of noble plant to grow up therein.

This is the creation of God: Shew me now what others than He have created. Ah! the ungodly are in a manifest delusion.

Of old we bestowed wisdom upon LOKMAN, and taught him thus—“Be thankful to God: for whoever is thankful, is thankful to his own behoof; and if any shall be thankless … God truly is self-sufficient, worthy of all praise!”

And bear in mind when Lokman said to his son by way of warning, “O my son! join not other gods with God, for the joining gods with God is the great impiety.”

(We have commanded⁶ man concerning his parents. His mother carrieth him with weakness upon weakness; nor until after two years is he weaned.⁷ Be grateful to me, and to thy parents. Unto me shall all come.

But if they importune thee to join that with Me of which thou hast no knowledge, obey them not: comport thyself towards them in this world as is meet and right; but follow the way of him who turneth unto me. Unto me shall ye return at last, and then will I tell you of your doings;)

“O my son! verily God will bring everything to light, though it were but the weight of a grain of mustard- seed, and hidden in a rock or in the heavens or in the earth; for, God is subtile, informed of all.

O my son! observe prayer, and enjoin the right and forbid the wrong, and be patient under whatever shall betide thee: for this is a bounden duty.

And distort not thy face at men; nor walk thou loftily on the earth; for God loveth no arrogant vain-glorious one.

But let thy pace be middling; and lower thy voice: for the least pleasing of voices is surely the voice of asses.”