29. The Spider

  1. A.L.M.

  2. Do men think that they will be leftalone on saying, “We believe”, and that they will not be tested?

  3. We did test those before them, and Allahwill certainly know those who are true from those who are false.

  4. Do those who practise evil think thatthey will get the better of Us? Evil is their judgment!

  5. For those whose hopes are in the meetingwith Allah (in the Hereafter, let them strive); for the term (appointed) byAllah is surely coming and He hears and knows (all things).

  6. And if any strive (with might and main),they do so for their own souls: for Allah is free of all needs from allcreation.

  7. Those who believe and work righteousdeeds,- from them shall We blot out all evil (that may be) in them, and Weshall reward them according to the best of their deeds.

  8. We have enjoined on man kindness toparents: but if they (either of them) strive (to force) thee to join with Me(in worship) anything of which thou hast no knowledge, obey them not. Yehave (all) to return to me, and I will tell you (the truth) of all that yedid.

  9. And those who believe and work righteousdeeds,- them shall We admit to the company of the Righteous.

  10. Then there are among men such as say,”We believe in Allah.; but when they suffer affliction in (the cause of)Allah, they treat men’s oppression as if it were the Wrath of Allah. And ifhelp comes (to thee) from thy Lord, they are sure to say, “We have (always)been with you!” Does not Allah know best all that is in the hearts of allcreation?

  11. And Allah most certainly knows those whobelieve, and as certainly those who are Hypocrites.

  12. And the Unbelievers say to those whobelieve: “Follow our path, and we will bear (the consequences) of yourfaults.” Never in the least will they bear their faults: in fact they areliars!

  13. They will bear their own burdens, and(other) burdens along with their own, and on the Day of Judgments they willbe called to account for their falsehoods.

  14. We (once) sent Noah to his people, andhe tarried among them a thousand years less fifty: but the Delugeoverwhelmed them while they (persisted in) sin.

  15. But We saved him and the companions ofthe Ark, and We made the (Ark) a Sign for all peoples!

  16. And (We also saved) Abraham: behold, hesaid to his people, “Serve Allah and fear Him: that will be best for you- Ifye understand!

  17. “For ye do worship idols besides Allah,and ye invent falsehood. The things that ye worship besides Allah have nopower to give you sustenance: then seek ye sustenance from Allah, serve Him,and be grateful to Him: to Him will be your return.

  18. “And if ye reject (the Message), so didgenerations before you: and the duty of the apostle is only to preachpublicly (and clearly).”

  19. See they not how Allah originatescreation, then repeats it: truly that is easy for Allah.

  20. Say: “Travel through the earth and seehow Allah did originate creation; so will Allah produce a later creation:for Allah has power over all things.

  21. “He punishes whom He pleases, and Hegrants Mercy to whom He pleases, and towards Him are ye turned.

  22. “Not on earth nor in heaven will ye beable (fleeing) to frustrate (his Plan), nor have ye, besides Allah, anyprotector or helper.”

  23. Those who reject the Signs of Allah andthe Meeting with Him (in the Hereafter),- it is they who shall despair of MyMercy: it is they who will (suffer) a most grievous Penalty.

  24. So naught was the answer of (Abraham’s)people except that they said: “Slay him or burn him.” But Allah did save himfrom the Fire. Verily in this are Signs for people who believe.

  25. And he said: “For you, ye have taken(for worship) idols besides Allah, out of mutual love and regard betweenyourselves in this life; but on the Day of Judgment ye shall disown eachother and curse each other: and your abode will be the Fire, and ye shallhave none to help.”

  26. But Lut had faith in Him: He said: “Iwill leave home for the sake of my Lord: for He is Exalted in Might, andWise.”

  27. And We gave (Abraham) Isaac and Jacob,and ordained among his progeny Prophethood and Revelation, and We grantedhim his reward in this life; and he was in the Hereafter (of the company) ofthe Righteous.

  28. And (remember) Lut: behold, he said tohis people: “Ye do commit lewdness, such as no people in Creation (ever)committed before you.

  29. “Do ye indeed approach men, and cut offthe highway?- and practise wickedness (even) in your councils?” But hispeople gave no answer but this: they said: “Bring us the Wrath of Allah ifthou tellest the truth.”

  30. He said: “O my Lord! help Thou meagainst people who do mischief!”

  31. When Our Messengers came to Abraham withthe good news, they said: “We are indeed going to destroy the people of thistownship: for truly they are (addicted to) crime.”

  32. He said: “But there is Lut there.” Theysaid: “Well do we know who is there : we will certainly save him and hisfollowing,- except his wife: she is of those who lag behind!”

  33. And when Our Messengers came to Lut, hewas grieved on their account, and felt himself powerless (to protect) them:but they said: “Fear thou not, nor grieve: we are (here) to save thee andthy following, except thy wife: she is of those who lag behind.

  34. “For we are going to bring down on thepeople of this township a Punishment from heaven, because they have beenwickedly rebellious.”

  35. And We have left thereof an evidentSign, for any people who (care to) understand.

  36. To the Madyan (people) (We sent) theirbrother Shu’aib. Then he said: “O my people! serve Allah, and fear the LastDay: nor commit evil on the earth, with intent to do mischief.”

  37. But they rejected him: Then the mightyBlast seized them, and they lay prostrate in their homes by the morning.

  38. (Remember also) the ‘Ad and the Thamud(people): clearly will appear to you from (the traces) of their buildings(their fate): the Evil One made their deeds alluring to them, and kept themback from the Path, though they were gifted with intelligence and skill.

  39. (Remember also) Qarun, Pharaoh, andHaman: there came to them Moses with Clear Signs, but they behaved withinsolence on the earth; yet they could not overreach (Us).

  40. Each one of them We seized for hiscrime: of them, against some We sent a violent tornado (with showers ofstones); some were caught by a (mighty) Blast; some We caused the earth toswallow up; and some We drowned (in the waters): It was not Allah Whoinjured (or oppressed) them:” They injured (and oppressed) their own souls.

  41. The parable of those who take protectorsother than Allah is that of the spider, who builds (to itself) a house; buttruly the flimsiest of houses is the spider’s house;- if they but knew.

  42. Verily Allah doth know of (every thing)whatever that they call upon besides Him: and He is Exalted (in power),Wise.

  43. And such are the Parables We set forthfor mankind, but only those understand them who have knowledge.

  44. Allah created the heavens and the earthin true (proportions): verily in that is a Sign for those who believe.

  45. Recite what is sent of the Book byinspiration to thee, and establish regular Prayer: for Prayer restrains fromshameful and unjust deeds; and remembrance of Allah is the greatest (thingin life) without doubt. And Allah knows the (deeds) that ye do.

  46. And dispute ye not with the People ofthe Book, except with means better (than mere disputation), unless it bewith those of them who inflict wrong (and injury): but say, “We believe inthe revelation which has come down to us and in that which came down to you;Our Allah and your Allah is one; and it is to Him we bow (in Islam).”

  47. And thus (it is) that We have sent downthe Book to thee. So the People of the Book believe therein, as also do someof these (pagan Arabs): and none but Unbelievers reject our signs.

  48. And thou wast not (able) to recite aBook before this (Book came), nor art thou (able) to transcribe it with thyright hand: In that case, indeed, would the talkers of vanities havedoubted.

  49. Nay, here are Signs self-evident in thehearts of those endowed with knowledge: and none but the unjust reject OurSigns.

  50. Ye they say: “Why are not Signs sentdown to him from his Lord?” Say: “The signs are indeed with Allah. and I amindeed a clear Warner.”

  51. And is it not enough for them that wehave sent down to thee the Book which is rehearsed to them? Verily, in it isMercy and a Reminder to those who believe.

  52. Say: “Enough is Allah for a witnessbetween me and you: He knows what is in the heavens and on earth. And it isthose who believe in vanities and reject Allah, that will perish (in theend).

  53. They ask thee to hasten on thePunishment (for them): had it not been for a term (of respite) appointed,the Punishment would certainly have come to them: and it will certainlyreach them,- of a sudden, while they perceive not!

  54. They ask thee to hasten on thePunishment: but, of a surety, Hell will encompass the Rejecters of Faith!-

  55. On the Day that the Punishment shallcover them from above them and from below them, and (a Voice) shall say:”Taste ye (the fruits) of your deeds!”

  56. O My servants who believe! truly,spacious is My Earth: therefore serve ye Me – (and Me alone)!

  57. Every soul shall have a taste of deathin the end to Us shall ye be brought back.

  58. But those who believe and work deeds ofrighteousness – to them shall We give a Home in Heaven,- lofty mansionsbeneath which flow rivers,- to dwell therein for aye;- an excellent rewardfor those who do (good)!-

  59. Those who persevere in patience, and puttheir trust, in their Lord and Cherisher.

  60. How many are the creatures that carrynot their own sustenance? It is Allah who feeds (both) them and you: for Hehears and knows (all things).

  61. If indeed thou ask them who has createdthe heavens and the earth and subjected the sun and the moon (to his Law),they will certainly reply, “(Allah)”. How are they then deluded away (fromthe truth)?

  62. Allah enlarges the sustenance (which Hegives) to whichever of His servants He pleases; and He (similarly) grants by(strict) measure, (as He pleases): for Allah has full knowledge of allthings.

  63. And if indeed thou ask them who it isthat sends down rain from the sky, and gives life therewith to the earthafter its death, they will certainly reply, “(Allah)!” Say, “Praise be toAllah.” But most of them understand not.

  64. What is the life of this world butamusement and play? but verily the Home in the Hereafter,- that is lifeindeed, if they but knew.

  65. Now, if they embark on a boat, they callon Allah, making their devotion sincerely (and exclusively) to Him; but whenHe has delivered them safely to (dry) land, behold, they give a share (oftheir worship to others)!-

  66. Disdaining ungratefully Our gifts, andgiving themselves up to (worldly) enjoyment! But soon will they know.

  67. Do they not then see that We have made asanctuary secure, and that men are being snatched away from all around them?Then, do they believe in that which is vain, and reject the Grace of Allah.

  68. And who does more wrong than he whoinvents a lie against Allah or rejects the Truth when it reaches him? Isthere not a home in Hell for those who reject Faith?

  69. And those who strive in Our (cause),- Wewill certainly guide them to our Paths: For verily Allah is with those whodo right.