14. Ibrahim

Alif. Lam. Ra. A Book which We have revealedunto thee, in order that thou mightest lead mankind out of thedepths of darkness into light – by the leave of their Lord – to theWay of (Him) the Exalted in power, worthy of all praise!-

Of Allah, to Whom do belong all things in theheavens and on earth! But alas for the Unbelievers for a terriblechastisement (their Unfaith will bring them)!-

Those who prefer the life of this world tothe Hereafter, who hinder (men) from the Path of Allah and seek tomake it something crooked: they are astray by a long distance.

We sent not a messenger except (to teach) inthe language of his (own) people, in order to make (things) clear tothem. So Allah leads astray those whom He pleases and guides whom Hepleases: and He is Exalted in power, full of Wisdom.

We sent Moses with Our Signs (and thecommand) “Bring out thy people from the depths of darkness intolight, and remind them of the Days of Allah.” Verily in this thereare Signs for such as are firmly patient and constant,- grateful andappreciative.

Remember! Moses said to his people: “Call tomind the favor of Allah to you when He delivered you from the peopleof Pharaoh: they set you hard tasks and punishments, slaughteredyour sons, and let your women-folk live: therein was a tremendoustrial from your Lord.”

And remember! your Lord caused to be declared(publicly): “If ye are grateful, I will add more (favors) unto you;but if ye show ingratitude, truly My punishment is terrible indeed.”

And Moses said: “If ye show ingratitude, yeand all on earth together, yet is Allah free of all wants, worthy ofall praise.”

Has not the story reached you, (O people!),of those who (went) before you? – of the people of Noah, and �d, andTham�d? – And of those who (came) after them? None knows them butAllah. To them came messengers with Clear (Signs); but they puttheir hands up to their mouths, and said: “We do deny (the mission)on which ye have been sent, and we are really in suspicious(disquieting) doubt as to that to which ye invite us.”

Their messengers said: “Is there a doubtabout Allah, The Creator of the heavens and the earth? It is He Whoinvites you, in order that He may forgive you your sins and give yourespite for a term appointed!” They said: “Ah! ye are no more thanhuman, like ourselves! Ye wish to turn us away from what our fathersused to worship: then bring us some clear authority.”

Their messengers said to them: “True, we arehuman like yourselves, but Allah doth grant His grace to such of Hisservants as He pleases. It is not for us to bring you an authorityexcept as Allah permits. And on Allah let all men of faith put theirtrust.

“Why we should not put our trust on Allah?Indeed He Has guided us to the Ways we (follow). We shall certainlybear with patience all the hurt you may cause us. For those who puttheir trust should put their trust on Allah.”

And the Unbelievers said to their messengers:”Be sure we shall drive you out of our land, or ye shall return toour religion.” But their Lord inspired (this Message) to them:”Verily We shall cause the wrong-doers to perish!

“And verily We shall cause you to abide inthe land, and succeed them. This for such as fear the Time when theyshall stand before My tribunal,- such as fear the punishment.”

But they sought victory and decision (thereand then), and frustration was the lot of every powerful obstinatetransgressor.

In front of such a one is Hell, and he isgiven, for drink, boiling fetid water.

In gulps will he sip it, but never will he benear swallowing it down his throat: death will come to him fromevery quarter, yet will he not die: and in front of him will be achastisement unrelenting.

The parable of those who reject their Lord isthat their works are as ashes, on which the wind blows furiously ona tempestuous day: No power have they over aught that they haveearned: that is the straying far, far (from the goal).

Seest thou not that Allah created the heavensand the earth in Truth? If He so will, He can remove you and put (inyour place) a new creation?

Nor is that for Allah any great matter.

They will all be marshaled before Allahtogether: then will the weak say to those who were arrogant, “Forus, we but followed you; can ye then avail us to all against thewrath of Allah?” They will reply, “If we had received the Guidanceof Allah, we should have given it to you: to us it makes nodifference (now) whether we rage, or bear (these torments) withpatience: for ourselves there is no way of escape.”

And Satan will say when the matter isdecided: “It was Allah Who gave you a promise of Truth: I toopromised, but I failed in my promise to you. I had no authority overyou except to call you but ye listened to me: then reproach not me,but reproach your own souls. I cannot listen to your cries, nor canye listen to mine. I reject your former act in associating me withAllah. For wrong-doers there must be a grievous chastisement.”

But those who believe and work righteousnesswill be admitted to Gardens beneath which rivers flow,- to dwelltherein for aye with the leave of their Lord. Their greeting thereinwill be: “Peace!”

Seest thou not how Allah sets forth aparable? – A goodly Word like a goodly tree, whose root is firmlyfixed, and its branches (reach) to the heavens,-

It brings forth its fruit at all times, bythe leave of its Lord. So Allah sets forth parables for men, inorder that they may receive admonition.

And the parable of an evil Word is that of anevil tree: It is torn up by the root from the surface of the earth:it has no stability.

Allah will establish in strength those whobelieve, with the Word that stands firm, in this world and in theHereafter; but Allah will leave, to stray, those who do wrong: Allahdoeth what He willeth.

Hast thou not turned thy thought to those whohave changed the favor of Allah, with ingratitude, and caused theirpeople to descend to the House of Perdition?-

Into Hell? They will burn therein,- an evilplace to stay in!

And they set up (idols) as equal to Allah, tomislead (men) from His Path! Say: “Enjoy (your brief power)! Butverily ye are making straightway for Hell!”

Speak to my servants who have believed, thatthey may establish regular prayers, and spend (in charity) out ofthe sustenance We have given them, secretly and openly, before thecoming of a Day in which there will be neither mutual bargaining norbefriending.

It is Allah Who hath created the heavens andthe earth and sendeth down rain from the skies, and with it bringethout fruits wherewith to feed you; it is He Who hath made the shipssubject to you, that they may sail through the sea by His command;and the river f65 s (also) hath He made subject to you.

And He hath made subject to you the sun andthe moon, both diligently pursuing their courses; and the night andthe day hath He (also) made subject to you.

And He giveth you of all that ye ask for. Butif ye count the favors of Allah, never will ye be able to numberthem. Verily, man is given up to injustice and ingratitude.

Remember Abraham said: “O my Lord! make thiscity one of peace and security: and preserve me and my sons fromworshipping idols.

“O my Lord! they have indeed led astray manyamong mankind; He then who follows my (ways) is of me, and he thatdisobeys me,- but Thou art indeed Oft- forgiving, Most Merciful.

“O our Lord! I have made some of my offspringto dwell in a valley without cultivation, by Thy Sacred House; inorder, O our Lord, that they may establish regular Prayer: so fillthe hearts of some among men with love towards them, and feed themwith fruits: so that they may give thanks.

“O our Lord! truly Thou dost know what weconceal and what we reveal: for nothing whatever is hidden fromAllah, whether on earth or in heaven.

“Praise be to Allah, Who hath granted unto mein old age Ismail and Isaac: for truly my Lord is He, the Hearer ofPrayer!

“O my Lord! make me one who establishesregular Prayer, and also (raise such) among my offspring, O ourLord!, and accept Thou my Prayer.

“O our Lord! cover (us) with Thy Forgiveness- me, my parents, and (all) Believers, on the Day that the Reckoningwill be established!”

Think not that Allah doth not heed the deedsof those who do wrong. He but giveth them respite against a Day whenthe eyes will fixedly stare in horror,-

They running forward with necks outstretched,their heads uplifted, their gaze returning not towards them, andtheir hearts a (gaping) void!

So warn mankind of the Day when the Wrathwill reach them: then will the wrong-doers say: “Our Lord! respiteus (if only) for a short term: we will answer Thy call, and followthe messenger!” “What! were ye not wont to swear aforetime that yeshould suffer no decline?

“And ye dwelt in the dwellings of men whowronged themselves. Ye were clearly shown how We dealt with them;and We put forth (many) parables in your behoof!”

Mighty indeed were the plots which they made,but their plots were (well) within the sight of Allah, even thoughthey were such as to shake the hills!

Never think that Allah would fail Hismessengers in His promise: for Allah is Exalted in power, – the Lordof Retribution.

One day the earth will be changed to adifferent earth, and so will be the heavens, and (men) will bemarshaled forth, before Allah, the One, the Irresistible;

And thou wilt see the sinners that day boundtogether in fetters;-

Their garments of liquid pitch, and theirfaces covered with Fire;

That Allah may requite each soul according toits deserts; and verily Allah is swift in calling to account.

Here is a Message for mankind: that they maytake warning therefrom, and let them know that He is (no other than)One Allah. let men of understanding take heed.