11. Hud

Alif. Lam. Ra.(This is) a Book, with verses basic or fundamental (of establishedmeaning), further explained in detail,- from One Who is Wise andWell-acquainted (with all things):

(It teacheth) that ye should worship none butAllah. (Say): “Verily I am (sent) unto you from Him to warn and tobring glad tidings:

“(And to preach thus), ‘Seek ye theforgiveness of your Lord, and turn to Him in repentance; that He maygrant you enjoyment, good (and true), for a term appointed, andbestow His abounding grace on all who abound in merit! But if yeturn away, then I fear for you the Chastisement of a Great Day:

“To Allah is your return, and He hath powerover all things.'”

Behold! they fold up their hearts, that theymay lie hid from Him! Ah! even when they cover themselves with theirgarments, He knoweth what they conceal, and what they reveal: for Heknoweth well the (inmost secrets) of the hearts.

There is no moving creature on earth but itssustenance dependeth on Allah: He knoweth its resting place and itstemporary deposit: All is in a clear Record.

He it is Who created the heavens and theearth in six Days – and His Throne was over the Waters – that Hemight try you, which of you is best in conduct. But if thou wert tosay to them, “Ye shall indeed be raised up after death”, theUnbelievers would be sure to say, “This is nothing but obvioussorcery!”

If We delay the Chastisement for them for adefinite term, they are sure to say, “What keeps it back?” Ah! Onthe day it (actually) reaches them, nothing will turn it away fromthem, and they will be completely encircled by that which they usedto mock at!

If We give man a taste of Mercy fromOurselves, and then withdraw it from him, behold! he is in despairand (falls into) ingratitude.

But if We give him a taste of (Our) favorsafter adversity hath touched him, he is sure to say, “All evil hasdeparted from me:” Behold! he falls into exultation and pride.

Not so do those who show patience andconstancy, and work righteousness; for them is forgiveness (of sins)and a great reward.

Perchance thou mayest (feel the inclination)to give up a part of what is revealed unto thee, and thy heartfeeleth straitened lest they say, “Why is not a treasure sent downunto him, or why does not an angel come down with him?” But thou artthere only to warn! It is Allah that arrangeth all affairs!

Or they may say, “He forged it,” Say, “Bringye then ten S�rahs forged, like unto it, and call (to your aid)whomsoever ye can, other than Allah.- If ye speak the truth!

“If then they (your false gods) answer notyour (call), know ye that this Revelation is sent down (replete)with the knowledge of Allah, and that there is no god but He! willye even then submit (to Islam)?”

Those who desire the life of the present andits glitter,- to them we shall pay (the price of) their deedstherein,- without diminution.

They are those for whom there is nothing inthe Hereafter but the Fire: vain are the designs they frame therein,and of no effect are the deeds that they do!

Can they be (like) those who accept a Clear(Sign) from their Lord, and followed by a witness from Him, andbefore him us the Book of Moses,- a guide and a mercy? They believetherein; but those of the Sects that reject it,- the Fire will betheir promised meeting-place. Be not then in doubt thereon: for itis the Truth from thy Lord: yet many among men do not believe!

Who doth more wrong than those who forge alie against Allah. They will be brought before their Lord, and thewitnesses will say, “These are the ones who lied against their Lord!Behold! the Curse of Allah is on those who do wrong!-

“Those who would hinder (men) from the pathof Allah and would seek in it something crooked: these were they whodenied the Hereafter!”

They will not escape in earth, nor have theyprotectors besides Allah. Their chastisement will be doubled! Theycould not hear, nor they could see!

They are the ones who have lost their ownsouls: and the (fancies) they forged have left them in the lurch!

Without a doubt, these are the very ones whowill lose most in the Hereafter!

But those who believe and work righteousness,and humble themselves before their Lord,- They will be companions ofthe Gardens, to dwell therein for aye!

These two kinds (of men) may be compared tothe blind and deaf, and those who can see and hear well. Are theyequal when compared? Will ye not then take heed?

We sent Noah to his People (with a mission):”I have come to you with a Clear Warning:

“That ye serve none but Allah. Verily I dofear for you the punishment of a Grievous Day.”

But the Chiefs of the Unbelievers among hisPeople said: “We see (in) thee nothing but a man like ourselves: Nordo we see that any follow thee but the meanest among us, apparently:Nor do we see in you (all) any merit above us: in fact we thing yeare liars!”

He said: “O my People! See ye if (it be that)I have a Clear Sign from my Lord, and that He hath sent Mercy untome from Him, but that the Mercy hath been obscured from your sight?shall we compel you to accept it when ye are averse to it?

“And O my People! I ask you for no wealth inreturn: my reward is from none but Allah. But I will not drive away(in contempt) those who believe: for verily they are to meet theirLord, and ye I see are the ignorant ones!

“And O my People! Who would help me againstAllah if I drove them away? Will ye not then take heed?

“I tell you not that with me are theTreasures of Allah, nor do I know what is hidden, nor claim I to bean angel. Nor yet do I say, of those whom your eyes do despise thatAllah will not grant them (all) that is good: Allah knoweth bestwhat is in their souls: I should, if I did, indeed be a wrong-doer.”

They said: “O Noah! thou hast disputed withus, and (much) hast thou prolonged the dispute with us: now bringupon us what thou threatenest us with, if thou speakest the truth!?”

He said: “Truly, Allah will bring it on youif He wills,- and then, ye will not be able to frustrate it!

“Of no profit will be my counsel to you, muchas I desire to give you (good) counsel, if it be that Allah willethto leave you astray: He is your Lord! and to Him will ye return!”

Or do they say, “He has forged it”? Say: “IfI had forged it, on me were my sin! and I am free of the sins ofwhich ye are guilty!”

It was revealed to Noah: “None of thy Peoplewill believe except those who have believed already! So grieve nolonger over their (evil) deeds.

“But construct an Ark under Our eyes and Ourinspiration, and address Me no (further) on behalf of those who arein sin: for they are about to be overwhelmed (in the Flood).”

Forthwith he (starts) constructing the Ark:Every time that the Chiefs of his People passed by him, they threwridicule on him. He said: “If ye ridicule us now, we (in our turn)can look down on you with ridicule likewise!

“But soon will ye know who it is on whom willdescend a chastisement that will cover them with shame,- on whomwill be unloosed a chastisement lasting:”

At length, behold! there came Our command,and the fountains of the earth gushed forth! We said: “Embarktherein, of each kind two, male and female, and your family – exceptthose against whom the Word has already gone forth,- and theBelievers.” but only a few believed with him.

So he said: “Embark ye on the Ark, In thename of Allah, whether it move or be at rest! For my Lord is, besure, Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful!”

So the Ark sailed with them on the waves(towering) like mountains, and Noah called out to his son, who hadseparated himself (from the rest): “O my son! embark with us, and benot with the unbelievers!”

The son replied: “I will betake myself tosome mountain: it will save me from the water.” Noah said: “This daynothing can save, from the Command of Allah, any but those on whomHe hath mercy! “And the waves came between them, and the son wasamong those who were drowned.

Then the word went forth: “O earth! swallowup thy water, and O sky! Withhold (thy rain)!” and the water abated,and the matter was ended. The Ark rested on Mount Judi, and the wordwent forth: “Away with those who do wrong!”

And Noah called upon his Lord, and said: “Omy Lord! surely my son is of my family! and Thy promise is true, andThou art the justest of Judges!”

He said: “O Noah! He is not of thy family:for his conduct is unrighteous. So ask not of Me that of which thouhast no knowledge! I give thee counsel, lest thou become one of theignorants!”

Noah said: “O my Lord! I do seek refuge withThee, from asking Thee for that of which I have no knowledge. Andunless thou forgive me and have Mercy on me, I should indeed beamong the losers!”

The word came: “O Noah! Come down (from theArk) with Peace from Us, and Blessing on thee and on some of thePeoples (who will spring) from those with thee: but (there will beother) Peoples to whom We shall grant their pleasures (for a time),but in the end will a grievous chastisement reach them from Us.”

Such are some of the stories of the Unseen,which We have revealed unto thee: before this, neither thou nor thyPeople knew them. So persevere patiently: for the End is for thosewho are righteous.

To the ad People (We sent) Had, one of theirown brethren. He said: “O my People! Worship Allah! Ye have no othergod but Him. You are only forgers!”

“O my People! I ask of you no reward for this(Message). My reward is from none but Him Who created me: Will yenot then understand?

“And O my People! Ask forgiveness of yourLord, and turn to Him (in repentance): He will send you the skiespouring abundant rain, and add strength to your strength: so turn yenot back in sin!”

They said: “O Had! No Clear (Sign) hast thoubrought us, and we are not the ones to desert our gods on thy word!Nor shall we believe in thee!

“We say nothing but that (perhaps) some ofour gods may have seized thee with evil.” He said: “I call Allah towitness, and do ye bear witness, that I am free from the sin ofascribing, to Him,

“Other gods as partners! So scheme (yourworst) against me, all of you, and give me no respite.

“I put my trust in Allah, My Lord and yourLord! There is not a moving creature, but He hath grasp of itsfore-lock. Verily, it is my Lord that is on a straight Path.

“If ye turn away,- I (at least) have conveyedthe Message with which I was sent to you. My Lord will make anotherPeople to succeed you, and you will not harm Him in the least. Formy Lord hath care and watch over all things.”

So when Our decree issued, We saved Had andthose who believed with him, by (special) Grace from Us: We savedthem from a severe chastisement.

Such were the ad People: they rejected theSigns of their Lord and Cherisher; disobeyed His messengers; andfollowed the command of every powerful, obstinate transgressor.

And they were pursued by a Curse in thislife,- and on the Day of Judgment. Ah! Behold! for the ad rejectedtheir Lord and Cherisher! Away with ad, the People of Had!

To the Thamad People (We sent) Salih, one oftheir own brethren. He said: “O my People! Worship Allah: ye have noother god but Him. It is He Who hath produced you from the earth andsettled you therein: then ask forgiveness of Him, and turn to Him(in repentance): for my Lord is (always) near, ready to answer.”

They said: “O Salih! thou hast been of us! acenter of our hopes hitherto! dost thou (now) forbid us the worshipof what our fathers worshipped? But we are really in suspicious(disquieting) doubt as to that to which thou invitest us.”

He said: “O my People! do ye see? if I have aClear (Sign) from my Lord and He hath sent Mercy unto me fromHimself,- who then can help me against Allah if I were to disobeyHim? What then would ye add to my (portion) but perdition?

“And O my People! This she-camel of Allah isa Sign to you: leave her to feed on Allah’s (free) earth, andinflict no harm on her, or a swift punishment will seize you!”

But they did ham-string her. So he said:”Enjoy yourselves in your homes for three days: (then will be yourruin): (Behold) there a promise not to be belied!”

When Our Decree issued, We saved Salih andthose who believed with him, by (special) Grace from Us – and fromthe Ignominy of that day. For thy Lord – He is the Strong One, andthe Mighty.

The (mighty) Blast overtook the wrong-doers,and they lay prostrate in their homes before the morning,-

As if they had never dwelt and flourishedthere. Ah! Behold! for the Thamad rejected their Lord and Cherisher!So away with the Thamad!

There came Our Messengers to Abraham withglad tidings. They said, “Peace!” He answered, “Peace!” and hastenedto entertain them with a roasted calf.

But when he saw their hands not reachingtowards the (meal), he felt some mistrust of them, and conceived afear of them. They said: “Fear not: We have been sent against thepeople of Lat.”

And his wife was standing (there), and shelaughed: But We gave her glad tidings of Isaac, and after him, ofJacob.

She said: “Alas for me! shall I bear a child,seeing I am an old woman, and my husband here is an old man? Thatwould indeed be a wonderful thing!”

They said: “Dost thou wonder at Allah’sdecree? The grace of Allah and His blessings on you, o ye people ofthe house! for He is indeed worthy of all praise, full of allglory!”

When fear had passed from (the mind of)Abraham and the glad tidings had reached him, he began to plead withUs for Lat’s people.

For Abraham was, without doubt, forbearing(of faults), compassionate, and given to penitence.

O Abraham! Seek not this. The decree of thyLord hath gone forth: for them there cometh a chastisement thatcannot be turned back!

When Our Messengers came to Lat, he wasgrieved on their account and felt himself powerless (to protect)them. He said: “This is a distressful day.”

And his people came rushing towards him, andthey had been long in the habit of practicing abominations. He said:”O my People! Here are my daughters: they are purer for you (if yemarry)! Now fear Allah, and cover me not with disgrace about myguests! Is there not among you a single right-minded man?”

They said: “Well dost thou know we have noneed of thy daughters: indeed thou knowest quite well what we want!”

He said: “Would that I had power to suppressyou or that I could betake myself to some powerful support.”

(The Messengers) said: “O Lat! We areMessengers from thy Lord! By no means shall they reach thee! nowtravel with thy family while yet a part of the night remains, andlet not any of you look back: but thy wife (will remain behind): Toher will happen what happens to the people. Morning is their timeappointed: Is not the morning nigh?”

When Our Decree issued, We turned (thecities) upside down, and rained down on them brimstones hard asbaked clay, spread, layer on layer,-

Marked as from thy Lord: Nor are they everfar from those who do wrong!

To the Madyan People (We sent) Shuaib, one oftheir own brethren: he said: “O my People! Worship Allah. Ye have noother god but Him. And give not short measure or weight: I see youin prosperity, but I fear for you the Chastisement of a Day thatwill compass (you) all round.

“And O my People! give just measure andweight, nor withhold from the people the things that are their due:commit not evil in the land with intent to do mischief.

“That which is left you by Allah is best foryou, if ye (but) believed! but I am not set over you to keep watch!”

They said: “O Shuaib! Does thy prayer commandthee that we leave off the worship which our fathers practiced, orthat we leave off doing what we like with our property? truly, thouart the one that forbeareth with faults and is right- minded!”

He said: “O my People! see ye whether I havea Clear (Sign) from my Lord, and He hath given me sustenance (pureand) good as from Himself? I wish not, in opposition to you, to dothat which I forbid you to do. I only desire (your) betterment tothe best of my power; and my success (in my task) can only come fromAllah. In Him I trust, and unto Him I look.

“And O my People! let not my dissent (fromyou) cause you to sin, lest ye suffer a fate similar to that of thepeople of Noah or of Had or of Salih, nor are the people of Lat faroff from you!

“But ask forgiveness of your Lord, and turnunto Him (in repentance): For my Lord is indeed full of mercy andloving-kindness.”

They said: “O Shuaib! much of what thousayest we do not understand! In fact among us we see that thou hastno strength! Were it not for thy family, we should certainly havestoned thee! for thou hast among us no great position!”

He said: “O my People! is then my family ofmore consideration with you than Allah? For ye cast Him away behindyour backs (with contempt). But verily my Lord encompasseth on allthat ye do!

“And O my People! Do whatever ye can: I willdo (my part): Soon will ye know who it is on whom descends theChastisement of Ignominy; and who is a liar! and watch ye! for I tooam watching with you!”

When Our decree issued, We saved Shuaib andthose who believed with him, by (special) Mercy from Us: But the(mighty) blast did seize the wrong- doers, and they lay prostrate intheir homes by the morning,-

As if they had never dwelt and flourishedthere! So away with Madyan as were Thamad!

And we sent Moses, with Our Clear (Signs) andan authority manifest,

Unto Pharaoh and his Chiefs: but theyfollowed the command of Pharaoh and the command of Pharaoh was notrightly guided.

He will go before his people on the Day ofJudgment, and lead them into the Fire, but woeful indeed will be theplace to which they are led!

And they are followed by a curse in this(life) and on the Day of Judgment: and woeful is the gift whichshall be given (unto them)!

These are some of the stories of communitieswhich We relate unto thee: of them some are standing, and some havebeen mown down (by the sickle of time).

It was not We that wronged them: they wrongedtheir own souls: the deities, other than Allah, whom they invoked,profited them no whit when there issued the decree of thy Lord: Nordid they add aught (to their lot) but perdition!

Such is the Chastisement of thy Lord when Hechastises communities in the midst of their wrong: grievous, indeed,and severe is His chastisement.

In that is a Sign for those who fear theChastisement of the Hereafter: that is a Day for which mankind willbe gathered together: that will be a Day of Testimony.

Nor shall We delay it but for a termappointed.

The day it arrives, no soul shall speakexcept by His leave: of those (gathered) some will be wretched andsome will be blessed.

Those who are wretched shall be in the Fire:There will be for them therein (nothing but) the heaving of sighsand sobs:

They will dwell therein so long as theheavens and the earth endure, except as thy Lord willeth: for thyLord is the (sure) accomplisher of what He planneth.

And those who are blessed shall be in theGarden: They will dwell therein so long as the heavens and the earthendure, except as thy Lord willeth: a gift without break.

Be not then in doubt as to what these menworship. They worship nothing but what their fathers worshippedbefore (them): but verily We shall pay them back (in full) theirportion without (the least) abatement.

We certainly gave the Book to Moses, butdifferences arose therein: had it not been that a Word had goneforth before from thy Lord, the matter would have been decidedbetween them, but they are in suspicious doubt concerning it.

And, of a surety, to all will your Lord payback (in full the recompense) of their deeds: for He knoweth wellall that they do.

Therefore stand firm (in the straight Path)as thou art commanded,- thou and those who with thee turn (untoAllah.; and transgress not (from the Path): for He seeth well allthat ye do.

And incline not to those who do wrong, or theFire will touch you; and ye have no protectors other than Allah, norshall ye be helped.

And establish regular prayers at the two endsof the day and at the approaches of the night: for those things,that are good remove those that are evil: that is a reminder for themindful:

And be steadfast in patience; for verilyAllah will not suffer the reward of the righteous to perish.

If only they had been of the generationsbefore you, men of righteousness, who prohibited men from mischiefin the earth – (but there were non) except a few among them whom Wesaved (from harm)? But the wrong-doers pursued the enjoyment of thegood things of life which were given them, and persisted in sin.

Nor would thy Lord be the One to destroy thetowns unjustly while their people are righteous.

If thy Lord had so willed, He could have mademankind one People: but they will not cease to differ.

Except those on whom thy Lord hath bestowedHis Mercy: and for this did He create them: and the Word of thy Lordshall be fulfilled: “I will fill Hell with Jinns and men alltogether.”

All that we relate to thee of the stories ofthe messengers,- with it We make firm thy heart: in them therecometh to thee the Truth, as well as an exhortation and a message ofremembrance to those who believe.

Say to those who do not believe: “Do whatever ye can: We shall do our part;

“And wait ye! We too shall wait.”

To Allah do belong the unseen (secrets) ofthe heavens and the earth, and to Him goeth back every affair (fordecision): then worship Him, and put thy trust in Him: and thy Lordis not unmindful of aught that ye do.