Those who do not expect to meet Us say, “If only the angels were sent down to us, or we could see our Lord.” They have grown arrogant within themselves, and have become excessively defiant.

On the Day when they see the angels—there will be no good news for sinners on that Day; and they will say, “A protective refuge.”

We will proceed to the works they did, and will turn them into scattered dust.

The companions of Paradise on that Day will be better lodged, and more fairly accommodated.

The Day when the sky is cleft with clouds, and the angels are sent down in streams.

On that Day, true sovereignty will belong to the Merciful, and it will be a difficult Day for the disbelievers.

On that Day, the wrongdoer will bite his hands, and say, “If only I had followed the way with the Messenger.

Oh, woe to me; I wish I never took so-and-so for a friend.

He led me away from the Message after it had come to me; for Satan has always been a betrayer of man.”

And the Messenger will say, “My Lord, my people have abandoned this Quran.”

Likewise, to every prophet We assign enemies from among the wicked. But your Lord suffices as a Guide and Savior.

Those who disbelieve say, “Why was the Quran not revealed to him at once?” Thus in order to strengthen your heart thereby, and We revealed it in stages.

Whatever argument they come to you with, We provide you with the truth, and a better exposition.

Those who are herded into Hell on their faces—those are in a worse position, and further astray from the way.

We gave Moses the Scripture, and appointed his brother Aaron as his assistant.

We said, “Go to the people who rejected Our signs,” and We destroyed them completely.

And the people of Noah: when they rejected the messengers, We drowned them, and made them a lesson for mankind. We have prepared for the wrongdoers a painful retribution.

And Aad, and Thamood, and the inhabitants of Arras, and many generations in between.

To each We presented the parables; and each We devastated utterly.

And they came upon the city that was drenched by the terrible rain. Did they not see it? But they do not expect resurrection.

And when they see you, they take you for nothing but mockery: “Is this the one God sent as a messenger?”

“He nearly led us away from our gods, had we not patiently adhered to them.” But they will know, when they witness the torment, who is further away from the way.

Have you seen him who chose his desire as his god? Would you be an agent for him?

Or do you assume that most of them hear or understand? They are just like cattle, but even more errant in their way.

Do you not see how your Lord extends the shadow? Had He willed, He could have made it still. And We made the sun a pointer to it.

Then We withdraw it towards Us gradually.

And it is He who made the night a covering for you, and sleep for rest; and He made the day a revival.

And it is He who sends the winds, bringing advance news of His mercy; and We send down from the sky pure water.

To revive dead lands thereby, and to provide drink for the multitude of animals and humans We created.

We have circulated it among them, that they may reflect, but most people persist in thanklessness.

Had We willed, We could have sent to every town a warner.

So do not obey the disbelievers, but strive against them with it, a mighty struggle.

And it is He who merged the two seas; this one fresh and sweet, and that one salty and bitter; and He placed between them a barrier, and an impassable boundary.

And it is He who, from fluid, created the human being. Then He made relationships through marriage and mating. Your Lord is Omnipotent.

And yet, instead of God, they serve what neither profits them nor harms them. The disbeliever has always turned his back on his Lord.

We sent you only as a herald of good news and a warner.

Say, “I ask of you no payment for this—only that whoever wills may take a path to his Lord.”

And put your trust in the Living, the One who never dies; and celebrate His praise. He suffices as the All-Informed Knower of the faults of His creatures.

He who created the heavens and the earth and everything between them in six days, then settled on the Throne. The Most Merciful. Ask about Him a well-informed.

And when it is said to them, “Bow down to the Merciful,” they say, “And what is the Merciful? Are we to bow down to whatever you command us?” And it increases their aversion.

Blessed is He who placed constellations in the sky, and placed in it a lamp, and an illuminating moon.

And it is He who made the night and the day alternate—for whoever desires to reflect, or desires to show gratitude.

The servants of the Merciful are those who walk the earth in humility, and when the ignorant address them, they say, “Peace.”

And those who pass the night prostrating themselves to their Lord and standing up.

And those who say, ‘‘Our Lord, avert from us the suffering of Hell, for its suffering is continuous.

It is indeed a miserable residence and destination.”

And those who, when they spend, are neither wasteful nor stingy, but choose a middle course between that.

And those who do not implore besides God any other god, and do not kill the soul which God has made sacred—except in the pursuit of justice—and do not commit adultery. Whoever does that will face penalties.

The punishment will be doubled for him on the Day of Resurrection, and he will dwell therein in humiliation forever.

Except for those who repent, and believe, and do good deeds. These—God will replace their bad deeds with good deeds. God is ever Forgiving and Merciful.

Whoever repents and acts righteously—has inclined towards God with repentance.

And those who do not bear false witness; and when they come across indecencies, they pass by with dignity.

And those who, when reminded of the revelations of their Lord, do not fall before them deaf and blind.

And those who say, “Our Lord, grant us delight in our spouses and our children, and make us a good example for the righteous.”

Those will be awarded the Chamber for their patience, and will be greeted therein with greetings and peace.

Abiding therein forever—it is an excellent residence and destination.

Say, “What are you to my Lord without your prayers? You have denied the truth, and the inevitable will happen.”

Ta, Seen, Meem.

These are the Verses of the Clarifying Book.

Perhaps you will destroy yourself with grief, because they do not become believers.

If We will, We can send down upon them a sign from heaven, at which their necks will stay bent in humility.

No fresh reminder comes to them from the Most Merciful, but they turn their backs at it.

They have denied the truth, but soon will come to them the news of what they ridiculed.

Have they not seen the earth, and how many beautiful pairs We produced therein?

Surely in this is a sign, but most of them are not believers.

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

Your Lord called to Moses, “Go to the tyrannical people.

The people of Pharaoh. Will they not fear?”

He said, “My Lord, I fear they will reject me.

And I become stressed, and my tongue is not fluent, so send Aaron too.

And they have a charge against me, so I fear they will kill me.”

He said, “No. Go, both of you, with Our proofs. We will be with you, listening.

Go to Pharaoh, and say, ‘We are the Messengers of the Lord of the Worlds.

Let the Children of Israel go with us.'“

He said, “Did we not raise you among us as a child, and you stayed among us for many of your years?

And you committed that deed you committed, and you were ungrateful.”

He said, “I did it then, when I was of those astray.

And I fled from you when I feared you; but my Lord gave me wisdom, and made me one of the messengers.

Is that the favor you taunt me with, although you have enslaved the Children of Israel?”

Pharaoh said, “And what is the Lord of the Worlds?”

He said, “The Lord of the heavens and the earth, and everything between them, if you are aware.”

He said to those around him, “Do you not hear?”

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

He said, “This messenger of yours, who is sent to you, is crazy.”

He said, “Lord of the East and the West, and everything between them, if you understand.”

He said, “If you accept any god other than me, I will make you a prisoner.”

He said, “What if I bring you something convincing?”

He said, “Bring it, if you are being truthful.”

So he cast his staff; and it was a serpent, plain to see.

And he pulled his hand; and it was white, for all to see.

He said to the dignitaries around him, “This is a skilled magician.

He intends to drive you out of your land with his magic, so what do you recommend?”

They said, “Delay him and his brother, and send recruiters to the cities.

To bring you every experienced magician.”

So the magicians were gathered for the appointment on a specified day.

And it was said to the people, “Are you all gathered?

That we may follow the magicians, if they are the winners.”

When the magicians arrived, they said to Pharaoh, “Is there a reward for us, if we are the winners?”

He said, “Yes, and you will be among those favored.”

Moses said to them, “Present what you intend to present.”

So they threw their ropes and their sticks, and said, “By the majesty of Pharaoh, we will be the winners.”

Then Moses threw his staff, and behold, it began swallowing their trickery.

And the magicians fell down prostrating.

They said, “We have believed in the Lord of the Worlds.

The Lord of Moses and Aaron.”

He said, “Did you believe in Him before I have given you permission? He must be your chief, who taught you magic. You will soon know. I will cut off your hands and feet on opposite sides, and I will crucify you all.”

They said, “No problem. To our Lord we will return.

We are eager for our Lord to forgive us our sins, since we are the first of the believers.”

And We inspired Moses: “Travel with My servants by night. You will be followed.”

Pharaoh sent heralds to the cities.

“These are a small gang.

And they are enraging us.

But we are a vigilant multitude.”

So We drove them out of gardens and springs.

And treasures and noble dwellings.

So it was. And We made the Children of Israel inherit them.

And they pursued them at sunrise.

When the two groups sighted each other, the followers of Moses said, “We are being overtaken.”

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

We inspired Moses: “Strike the sea with your staff.” Whereupon it parted, and each part was like a huge hill.

And there We brought the others near.

And We saved Moses and those with him, all together.

Then We drowned the others.

In that there is a sign, but most of them are not believers.

Surely, your Lord is the Almighty, the Merciful.

And relate to them the story of Abraham.

When he said to his father and his people, “What do you worship?”

They said, “We worship idols, and we remain devoted to them.”

He said, “Do they hear you when you pray?

Or do they benefit you, or harm you?”

They said, “But we found our ancestors doing so.”

He said, “Have you considered what you worship.

You and your ancient ancestors?

They are enemies to me, but not so the Lord of the Worlds.

He who created me, and guides me.

He who feeds me, and waters me.

And when I get sick, He heals me.

He who makes me die, and then revives me.

He who, I hope, will forgive my sins on the Day of the Reckoning.”

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

And give me a reputation of truth among the others.

And make me of the inheritors of the Garden of Bliss.

And forgive my father—he was one of the misguided.

And do not disgrace me on the Day they are resurrected.

The Day when neither wealth nor children will help.

Except for him who comes to God with a sound heart.”

And Paradise will be brought near for the righteous.

And the Blaze will be displayed to the deviators.

And it will be said to them, “Where are those you used to worship?”

Besides God? Can they help you, or help themselves?”

Then they will be toppled into it, together with the seducers.

And the soldiers of Satan, all of them.

They will say, as they feud in it.

“By God, We were in evident error.

For equating you with the Lord of the Worlds.

No one misled us except the sinners.

Now we have no intercessors.

And no sincere friend.

If only we could have another chance, we would be among the faithful.”

Surely in this is a sign, but most of them are not believers.

Your Lord is the Almighty, the Merciful.

The people of Noah disbelieved the messengers.

Their brother Noah said to them, “Do you not fear?

I am to you a faithful messenger.

So fear God, and obey me.

I ask of you no payment for this. My payment is only from the Lord of the Worlds.

So fear God, and obey me.”

They said, “Shall we believe in you, when it is the lowliest who follow you?”

He said, “What do I know about what they do?

Their account rests only with my Lord, if you have sense.

And I am not about to drive away the believers.

I am only a clear warner.”

They said, “If you do not refrain, O Noah, you will be stoned.”

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

So judge between me and them decisively, and deliver me and the believers who are with me.

So We delivered him and those with him in the laden Ark.

Then We drowned the rest.

In that is a sign, but most of them are not believers.

Your Lord is the Almighty, the Merciful.

Aad disbelieved the messengers.

When their brother Hud said to them, “Do you not fear?

I am to you a faithful messenger.

So fear God, and obey me.

I ask of you no payment for this. My payment is only from the Lord of the Worlds.

Do you build a monument on every height for vanity's sake?

And you set up fortresses, hoping to live forever?

And when you strike, you strike mercilessly?

So fear God, and obey me.

And reverence Him, who supplied you with everything you know.

He supplied you with livestock and children.

And gardens and springs.

I fear for you the punishment of an awesome Day.”

They said, “It is the same for us, whether you lecture us, or do not lecture.

This is nothing but morals of the ancients.

And we will not be punished.”

So they denied him, and We destroyed them. Surely in this is a sign, but most of them are not believers.

Your Lord is the Almighty, the Merciful.

Thamood disbelieved the messengers.

When their brother Saleh said to them, “Do you not fear?

I am to you a faithful messenger.

So fear God, and obey me.

I ask of you no payment for it. My payment is only from the Lord of the Worlds.

Will you be left secure in what is here?

In gardens and springs?

And fields, and palm-trees whose fruits are delicious?

And you skillfully carve houses in the mountains?

So fear God, and obey me.

And do not obey the command of the extravagant.

Who spread turmoil on earth, and do not reform.”

They said, “You are surely one of the bewitched.

You are nothing but a man like us. So bring us a sign, if you are truthful.

He said, “This is a she-camel; she has her turn of drinking, and you have your turn of drinking—on a specified day.

And do not touch her with harm, lest the punishment of a great day seizes you.”

But they slaughtered her, and became full of remorse.

So the punishment overtook them. Surely in this is a sign, but most of them are not believers.

Your Lord is the Almighty, the Merciful.

The people of Lot disbelieved the messengers.

When their brother Lot said to them, “Do you not fear?

I am to you a faithful messenger.

So fear God, and obey me.

I ask of you no payment for it. My payment is only from the Lord of the Worlds.

Do you approach the males of the world?

And forsake the wives your Lord created for you? Indeed, you are intrusive people.”

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

He said, “I certainly deplore your conduct.”

“My Lord, save me and my family from what they do.”

So We saved him and his family, altogether.

Except for an old woman among those who tarried.

Then We destroyed the others.

And We rained down on them a rain. Dreadful is the rain of those forewarned.

Surely in this is a sign, but most of them are not believers.

Your Lord is the Almighty, the Merciful.

The People of the Woods disbelieved the messengers.

When Shuaib said to them, “Do you not fear?

I am to you a trustworthy messenger.

So fear God, and obey me.

I ask of you no payment for it. My payment is only from the Lord of the Worlds.

Give full measure, and do not cheat.

And weigh with accurate scales.

And do not defraud people of their belongings, and do not work corruption in the land.

And fear Him who created you and the masses of old.”

They said, “You are one of those bewitched.

And you are nothing but a man like us; and we think that you are a liar.

So bring down on us pieces from the sky, if you are truthful.”

He said, “My Lord is Well Aware of what you do.”

But they denied him. So the punishment of the day of gloom gripped them. It was the punishment of a great day.

Surely in this is a sign, but most of them are not believers.

Your Lord is the Almighty, the Merciful.

It is a revelation from the Lord of the Worlds.

The Honest Spirit came down with it.

Upon your heart, that you may be one of the warners.

In a clear Arabic tongue.

And it is in the scriptures of the ancients.

Is it not a sign for them that the scholars of the Children of Israel recognized it?

Had We revealed it to one of the foreigners.

And he had recited it to them, they still would not have believed in it.

Thus We make it pass through the hearts of the guilty.

They will not believe in it until they witness the painful punishment.

It will come to them suddenly, while they are unaware.

Then they will say, “Are we given any respite?”

Do they seek to hasten Our punishment?

Have you considered: if We let them enjoy themselves for some years.

Then there comes to them what they were promised.

Of what avail to them will be their past enjoyments?

Never did We destroy a town, but it had warners.

As a reminder—We are never unjust.

It was not the devils that revealed it.

It is not in their interests, nor in their power.

They are barred from hearing.

So do not pray to another god with God, else you will be of those tormented.

And warn your close relatives.

And lower your wing to those of the believers who follow you.

And if they disobey you, say, “I am innocent of what you do.”

And put your trust in the Almighty, the Merciful.

He Who sees you when you rise.

And your devotions amidst the worshipers.

He is indeed the Hearer, the Aware.

Shall I inform you upon whom the devils descend?

They descend upon every sinful liar.

They give ear, and most of them are liars.

And as for the poets—the deviators follow them.

Do you not see how they ramble in every style?

And how they say what they do not do?

Except for those who believe, and do good deeds, and remember God frequently, and defend themselves after they are wronged. As for those who do wrong, they will know by what overturning they will be overturned.

Ta, Seen. These are the Signs of the Quran—a book that makes things clear.

Guidance and good news for the believers.

Those who observe the prayers, and give charity regularly, and are certain of the Hereafter.

As for those who do not believe in the Hereafter: We made their deeds appear good to them, so they wander aimlessly.

It is they who will receive the grievous punishment—and in the Hereafter they will be the greatest losers.

You are receiving the Quran from an All-Wise, All-Knowing.

When Moses said to his family, “I have glimpsed a fire. I will bring you some news from it; or bring you a firebrand, that you may warm yourselves.”

Then, when he reached it, he was called: “Blessed is He who is within the fire, and He who is around it, and glorified be God, Lord of the Worlds.

O Moses, it is I, God, the Almighty, the Wise.

Throw down your staff.” But when he saw it quivering, as though it were a demon, he turned around not looking back. “O Moses, do not fear; the messengers do not fear in My presence.

But whoever has done wrong, and then substituted goodness in place of evil. I am Forgiving and Merciful.

Put your hand inside your pocket, and it will come out white, without blemish—among nine miracles to Pharaoh and his people, for they are immoral people.”

Yet when Our enlightening signs came to them, they said, “This is obvious witchcraft.”

And they rejected them, although their souls were certain of them, out of wickedness and pride. So see how the outcome was for the mischief-makers.

And We gave David and Solomon knowledge. They said, “Praise God, who has favored us over many of His believing servants.”

And Solomon succeeded David. He said, “O people, we were taught the language of birds, and we were given from everything. This is indeed a real blessing.”

To the service of Solomon were mobilized his troops of sprites, and men, and birds—all held in strict order.

Until, when they came upon the Valley of Ants, an ant said, “O ants! Go into your nests, lest Solomon and his troops crush you without noticing.”

He smiled and laughed at her words, and said, “My Lord, direct me to be thankful for the blessings you have bestowed upon me and upon my parents, and to do good works that please You. And admit me, by Your grace, into the company of Your virtuous servants.”

Then he inspected the birds, and said, “Why do I not see the hoopoe? Or is he among the absentees?

I will punish him most severely, or slay him, unless he gives me a valid excuse.”

But he did not stay for long. He said, “I have learnt something you did not know. I have come to you from Sheba, with reliable information.

I found a woman ruling over them, and she was given of everything, and she has a magnificent throne.

I found her and her people worshiping the sun, instead of God. Satan made their conduct appear good to them, and diverted them from the path, so they are not guided.

If only they would worship God, who brings to light the mysteries of the heavens and the earth, and knows what you conceal and what you reveal.

God—There is no god but He, the Lord of the Sublime Throne.”

He said, “We will see, whether you have spoken the truth, or whether you are a liar.

Go with this letter of mine, and deliver it to them; then withdraw from them, and see how they respond.”

She said, “O Counselors, a gracious letter was delivered to me.

It is from Solomon, and it is, ‘In the Name of God, the Gracious, the Merciful.

Do not defy me, and come to me submissively.’”

She said, “O counselors, advise me in this matter of mine. I never make a decision unless you are present.”

They said, “We are a people of might and great courage, but the decision is yours, so consider what you wish to command.”

She said, “When kings enter a city, they devastate it, and subjugate its dignified people. Thus they always do.

I am sending them a gift, and will see what the envoys bring back.”

When he came to Solomon, he said, “Are you supplying me with money? What God has given me is better than what He has given you. It is you who delight in your gift.

Go back to them. We will come upon them with troops they cannot resist; and we will expel them from there, disgraced and humiliated.”

He said, “O notables, which one of you will bring me her throne before they come to me in submission?”

An imp of the sprites said, “I will bring it to you before you rise from your seat. I am strong and reliable enough to do it.”

He who had knowledge from the Book said, “I will bring it to you before your glance returns to you.” And when he saw it settled before him, he said, “This is from the grace of my Lord, to test me, whether I am grateful or ungrateful. He who is grateful, his gratitude is to his own credit; but he who is ungrateful—my Lord is Independent and Generous.”

He said, “Disguise her throne for her, and we shall see whether she will be guided, or remains one of the misguided.”

When she arrived, it was said, “Is your throne like this?” She said, “As if this is it.” “We were given knowledge before her, and we were submissive.”

But she was prevented by what she worshiped besides God; she belonged to a disbelieving people.

It was said to her, “Go inside the palace.” And when she saw it, she thought it was a deep pond, and she bared her legs. He said, “It is a palace paved with glass.” She said, “My Lord, I have done wrong to myself, and I have submitted with Solomon, to God, Lord of the Worlds.”

And We sent to Thamood their brother Saleh: “Worship God.” But they became two disputing factions.

He said, “O my people, why are you quick to do evil rather than good? If only you would seek God’s forgiveness, so that you may be shown mercy.”

They said, “We consider you an ill omen, and those with you.” He said, “Your omen is with God. In fact, you are a people being tested.”

In the city was a gang of nine who made mischief in the land and did no good.

They said, “Swear by God to one another that we will attack him and his family by night, and then tell his guardian, 'We did not witness the murder of his family, and we are being truthful.'“

They planned a plan, and We planned a plan, but they did not notice.

So note the outcome of their planning; We destroyed them and their people, altogether.

Here are their homes, in ruins, on account of their iniquities. Surely in this is a sign for people who know.

And We saved those who believed and were pious.

And Lot, when he said to his people, “Do you commit lewdness with open eyes?

Do you lust after men instead of women? You are truly ignorant people.”