46. The Sandhills

Ha-Mim.

The Revelation of the Book is from Allahthe Exalted in Power, Full of Wisdom.

We created not the heavens and the earthand all between them but for just ends, and for a Term Appointed: But thosewho reject Faith turn away from that whereof they are warned.

Say: “Do ye see what it is ye invokebesides Allah. Show me what it is they have created on earth, or have they ashare in the heavens bring me a book (revealed) before this, or any remnantof knowledge (ye may have), if ye are telling the truth!

And who is more astray than one whoinvokes besides Allah, such as will not answer him to the Day of Judgment,and who (in fact) are unconscious of their call (to them)?

And when mankind are gathered together(at the Resurrection), they will be hostile to them and reject their worship(altogether)!

When Our Clear Signs are rehearsed tothem, the Unbelievers say, of the Truth when it comes to them: “This isevident sorcery!”

Or do they say, “He has forged it”? Say:”Had I forged it, then can ye obtain no single (blessing) for me from Allah.He knows best of that whereof ye talk (so glibly)! Enough is He for awitness between me and you! And he is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.”

Say: “I am no bringer of new-fangleddoctrine among the apostles, nor do I know what will be done with me or withyou. I follow but that which is revealed to me by inspiration; I am but aWarner open and clear.”

Say: “See ye? If (this teaching) be fromAllah, and ye reject it, and a witness from among the Children of Israeltestifies to its similarity (with earlier scripture), and has believed whileye are arrogant, (how unjust ye are!) truly, Allah guides not a peopleunjust.”

The Unbelievers say of those whobelieve: “If (this Message) were a good thing, (such men) would not havegone to it first, before us!” And seeing that they guide not themselvesthereby, they will say, “this is an (old,) falsehood!”

And before this, was the Book of Mosesas a guide and a mercy: And this Book confirms (it) in the Arabic tongue; toadmonish the unjust, and as Glad Tidings to those who do right.

Verily those who say, “Our Lord isAllah,” and remain firm (on that Path),- on them shall be no fear, nor shallthey grieve.

Such shall be Companions of the Gardens,dwelling therein (for aye): a recompense for their (good) deeds.

We have enjoined on man kindness to hisparents: In pain did his mother bear him, and in pain did she give himbirth. The carrying of the (child) to his weaning is (a period of) thirtymonths. At length, when he reaches the age of full strength and attainsforty years, he says, “O my Lord! Grant me that I may be grateful for Thyfavour which Thou has bestowed upon me, and upon both my parents, and that Imay work righteousness such as Thou mayest approve; and be gracious to me inmy issue. Truly have I turned to Thee and truly do I bow (to Thee) inIslam.”

Such are they from whom We shall acceptthe best of their deeds and pass by their ill deeds: (They shall be) amongthe Companions of the Garden: a promise! of truth, which was made to them(in this life).

But (there is one) who says to hisparents, “Fie on you! Do ye hold out the promise to me that I shall beraised up, even though generations have passed before me (without risingagain)?” And they two seek Allah.s aid, (and rebuke the son): “Woe to thee!Have faith! for the promise of Allah is true.” But he says, “This is nothingbut tales of the ancients!”

Such are they against whom is proved thesentence among the previous generations of Jinns and men, that have passedaway; for they will be (utterly) lost.

And to all are (assigned) degreesaccording to the deeds which they (have done), and in order that ((Allah))may recompense their deeds, and no injustice be done to them.

And on the Day that the Unbelievers willbe placed before the Fire, (It will be said to them): “Ye received your goodthings in the life of the world, and ye took your pleasure out of them: buttoday shall ye be recompensed with a Penalty of humiliation: for that yewere arrogant on earth without just cause, and that ye (ever) transgressed.”

Mention (Hud) one of ‘Ad’s (own)brethren: Behold, he warned his people about the winding Sand-tracts: butthere have been warners before him and after him: “Worship ye none otherthan Allah. Truly I fear for you the Penalty of a Mighty Day.”

They said: “Hast thou come in order toturn us aside from our gods? Then bring upon us the (calamity) with whichthou dost threaten us, if thou art telling the truth?”

He said: “The Knowledge (of when it willcome) is only with Allah. I proclaim to you the mission on which I have beensent: But I see that ye are a people in ignorance!”..

Then, when they saw the (Penalty in theshape of) a cloud traversing the sky, coming to meet their valleys, theysaid, “This cloud will give us rain!” “Nay, it is the (Calamity) ye wereasking to be hastened!- A wind wherein is a Grievous Penalty!

“Everything will it destroy by thecommand of its Lord!” Then by the morning they – nothing was to be seen but(the ruins of) their houses! thus do We recompense those given to sin!

And We had firmly established them in a(prosperity and) power which We have not given to you (ye Quraish!) and Wehad endowed them with (faculties of) hearing, seeing, heart and intellect:but of no profit to them were their (faculties of) hearing, sight, and heartand intellect, when they went on rejecting the Signs of Allah. and they were(completely) encircled by that which they used to mock at!

We destroyed aforetime populations roundabout you; and We have shown the Signs in various ways, that they may turn(to Us).

Why then was no help forthcoming to themfrom those whom they worshipped as gods, besides Allah, as a means of access(to Allah.? Nay, they left them in the lurch: but that was their falsehoodand their invention.

Behold, We turned towards thee a companyof Jinns (quietly) listening to the Qur’an: when they stood in the presencethereof, they said, “Listen in silence!” When the (reading) was finished,they returned to their people, to warn (them of their sins).

They said, “O our people! We have hearda Book revealed after Moses, confirming what came before it: it guides (men)to the Truth and to a Straight Path.

“O our people, hearken to the one whoinvites (you) to Allah, and believe in him: He will forgive you your faults,and deliver you from a Penalty Grievous.

“If any does not hearken to the one whoinvites (us) to Allah, he cannot frustrate ((Allah)’s Plan) on earth, and noprotectors can he have besides Allah. such men (wander) in manifest error.”

See they not that Allah, Who created theheavens and the earth, and never wearied with their creation, is able togive life to the dead? Yea, verily He has power over all things.

And on the Day that the Unbelievers willbe placed before the Fire, (they will be asked,) “Is this not the Truth?”they will say, “Yea, by our Lord!” (One will say:) “Then taste ye thePenalty, for that ye were wont to deny (Truth)!”

Therefore patiently persevere, as did(all) apostles of inflexible purpose; and be in no haste about the(Unbelievers). On the Day that they see the (Punishment) promised them, (itwill be) as if they had not tarried more than an hour in a single day.(Thine but) to proclaim the Message: but shall any be destroyed except thosewho transgress?