Ha-Mim

By the Book that makes things clear,-

We have made it a Qur'an in Arabic, that ye may be able to understand (and learn wisdom).

And verily, it is in the Mother of the Book, in Our Presence, high (in dignity), full of wisdom.

Shall We then take away the Message from you and repel (you), for that ye are a people transgressing beyond bounds?

But how many were the prophets We sent amongst the peoples of old?

And never came there a prophet to them but they mocked him.

So We destroyed (them)- stronger in power than these;- and (thus) has passed on the Parable of the peoples of old.

If thou wert to question them, 'Who created the heavens and the earth?' They would be sure to reply, 'they were created by (Him), the Exalted in Power, Full of Knowledge';-

(Yea, the same that) has made for you the earth (like a carpet) spread out, and has made for you roads (and channels) therein, in order that ye may find guidance (on the way);

That sends down (from time to time) rain from the sky in due measure;- and We raise to life therewith a land that is dead; even so will ye be raised (from the dead);-

That has created pairs in all things, and has made for you ships and cattle on which ye ride,

In order that ye may sit firm and square on their backs, and when so seated, ye may celebrate the (kind) favour of your Lord, and say, "Glory to Him Who has subjected these to our (use), for we could never have accomplished this (by ourselves),

"And to our Lord, surely, must we turn back!"

Yet they attribute to some of His servants a share with Him (in his godhead)! truly is man a blasphemous ingrate avowed!

What! has He taken daughters out of what He himself creates, and granted to you sons for choice?

When news is brought to one of them of (the birth of) what he sets up as a likeness to (Allah) Most Gracious, his face darkens, and he is filled with inward grief!

Is then one brought up among trinkets, and unable to give a clear account in a dispute (to be associated with Allah)?

And they make into females angels who themselves serve Allah. Did they witness their creation? Their evidence will be recorded, and they will be called to account!

("Ah!") they say, "If it had been the will of (Allah) Most Gracious, we should not have worshipped such (deities)!" Of that they have no knowledge! they do nothing but lie!

What! have We given them a Book before this, to which they are holding fast?

Nay! they say: "We found our fathers following a certain religion, and we do guide ourselves by their footsteps."

Just in the same way, whenever We sent a Warner before thee to any people, the wealthy ones among them said: "We found our fathers following a certain religion, and we will certainly follow in their footsteps."

He said: "What! Even if I brought you better guidance than that which ye found your fathers following?" They said: "For us, we deny that ye (prophets) are sent (on a mission at all)."

So We exacted retribution from them: now see what was the end of those who rejected (Truth)!

Behold! Abraham said to his father and his people: "I do indeed clear myself of what ye worship:

"(I worship) only Him Who made me, and He will certainly guide me."

And he left it as a Word to endure among those who came after him, that they may turn back (to Allah).

Yea, I have given the good things of this life to these (men) and their fathers, until the Truth has come to them, and a messenger making things clear.

But when the Truth came to them, they said: "This is sorcery, and we do reject it."