Al Ahkaf

[LXXXVIII.]

MECCA.—35 Verses

In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful

HA. MIM.¹ The Revelation (sending down) of this Book is from the Mighty, the Wise!

We have not created the Heavens and the Earth and all that is between them otherwise than in truth and for a settled term. But they who believe not, turn away from their warning.

SAY: What think ye? As for those whom ye invoke beside God, shew me what part of the earth it is which they have created? Had they a share in the Heavens? Bring me a Book sent down by them before this Koran, or traces of their knowledge;²—if ye are men of truth.

And who erreth more than he who, beside God, calleth upon that which shall not answer him until the day of Resurrection? Yes, they regard not their invocations;

And when mankind shall be assembled together, they will become their enemies, and ungratefully disown their worship.

And when our clear signs are recited to them, they who believe not say of the truth when it cometh to them, “This is plain sorcery.”

Will they say, “He hath devised It?” SAY: If I have devised the Koran, then not one single thing shall ye ever obtain for me from God! He best knoweth what ye utter in its regard! Witness enough is He between me and you! And He is the Gracious, the Merciful.

SAY: I am no apostle of new doctrines: neither know I what will be done with me or you. Only what is revealed to me do I follow, and I am only charged to warn openly.

SAY: What think ye? If this Book be from God, and ye believe it not, and a witness of the children of Israel³ witness to its conformity with the Law, and believe, while ye proudly disdain it…? Ah! God guideth not the people guilty of such a wrong!

But the infidels say of the believers, “If it were a good Book they would not have been before us in believing it:”⁴ And not having submitted to guidance, they proceed to say, “It is an old lying legend!”

But before the Koran was the Book of Moses, a rule and a mercy; and this Book confirmeth it (the Pentateuch)—in the Arabic tongue—that those who are guilty of that wrong may be warned, and as glad tidings to the doers of good.

Assuredly they who say, “Our Lord is God,” and take the straight way to Him—no fear shall come on them, neither shall they be put to grief:

These shall be the inmates of Paradise to remain therein for ever,—the recompense of their deeds!

Moreover, we have enjoined on man to shew kindness to his parents. With pain his mother beareth him; with pain she bringeth him forth: and his bearing and his weaning is thirty months; until when he attaineth his strength, and attaineth to forty years,⁵ he saith, “O my Lord! stir me up to be grateful for thy favours wherewith thou hast favoured me and my parents, and to do good works which shall please thee: and prosper me in my offspring: for to thee am I turned, and am resigned to thy will” (am a Muslim).

These are they from whom we will accept their best works, and whose evil works we will pass by; among the inmates shall they be of Paradise:—a true promise which they are promised.