Louisa May Alcott - "Marjorie's Three Gifts"

Garrett P. Serviss - "The Moon Metal"

William Godwin - "Lives of the Necromancers"

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart - "The Letters of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, V.1."

New Philadelphia Book Publisher Highlights Local Talent
Book and Publishing News from Publishers Newswire(tm)

Looking for Child to be on Cover of a New Book, 'The Model Child'
PHILADELPHIA, Pa. -- The Philadelphia literary world will celebrate the launch of two new players today, April 10th: Kay Square Press, a new publishing company focused on Philadelphia-area artists, their stories, and their art; and Kay Square's first release, 'With the Rich and Mighty: Emlen Etting of Philadelphia' (ISBN: 978-0-9815129-0-7), a critical biography by Kenneth C. Kaleta.

FlatSigned Press Alleges Don Imus Remarks Damage Legacy of President Gerald R. Ford
NEW YORK, N.Y. -- Nathan Yungerberg, an accomplished model scout and professional child photographer is launching a nation-wide casting call to find the cover model for his highly anticipated book release, 'The Model Child: A Parents Guide to the Child Modeling Industry' (ISBN: 978-0-9817018-0-6).

Books: The Koran (without footnotes)

U >> Unknown >> The Koran (without footnotes)






________


CHAPTER X.

ENTITLED, JONAS; REVEALED AT MECCA.

IN THE NAME OF THE MOST MERCIFUL GOD.

A.L.R. These are the signs of the wise book.
Is it a strange thing unto the men of Mecca, that we have revealed our
will unto a man from among them, saying, Denounce threats unto men if they
believe not; and bear good tidings unto those who believe, that on the merit
of their sincerity they have an interest with their LORD? The unbelievers
say, This is manifest sorcery.
Verily your LORD is GOD, who hath created the heavens and the earth in
six days; and then ascended his throne, to take on himself the government of
all things. There is no intercessor, but by his permission. This is GOD,
your LORD; therefore serve him. Will ye not consider?
Unto him shall ye all return according to the certain promise of GOD; for
he produceth a creature, and then causeth it to return again; that he may
reward those who believe and do that which is right, with equity. But as for
the unbelievers, they shall drink boiling water, and they shall suffer a
grievous punishment, for that they have disbelieved.
It is he who hath ordained the sun to shine by day, and the moon for a
light by night; and had appointed her stations, that ye might know the number
of years, and the computation of time. GOD hath not created this, but with
truth. He explaineth his signs unto people who understand.
Moreover in the vicissitudes of night and day, and whatever GOD hath
created in heaven and earth, are surely signs unto men who fear him.
Verily they who hope not to meet us at the last day, and delight in this
present life, and rest securely in the same, and who are negligent of our
signs;
their dwelling shall be hell fire, for that which they have deserved.
But as to those who believe, and work righteousness, their LORD will
direct them because of their faith; they shall have rivers flowing through
gardens of pleasure.
10 Their prayer therein shall be Praise be unto thee O GOD! and their
salutation therein shall be Peace! and the end of their prayer shall be,
Praise be unto GOD, the LORD of all creatures!
If GOD should cause evil to hasten unto men, according to their desire of
hastening good, verily their end had been decreed. Wherefore we suffer those
who hope not to meet us at the resurrection, to wander amazedly in their
error.
When evil befalleth a man, he prayeth unto us lying on his side, or
sitting, or standing: but when we deliver him from his affliction, he
continueth his former course of life, as though he had not called upon us to
defend him against the evil which had befallen him. Thus was that which the
transgressors committed prepared for them.
We have formerly destroyed the generations who were before you, O men of
Mecca, when they had acted unjustly, and our apostles had come unto them with
evident miracles and they would not believe. Thus do we reward the wicked
people.
Afterwards did we cause you to succeed them in the earth; that we might
see how ye would act.
When our evident signs are recited unto them, they who hope not to meet
us at the resurrection, say, Bring a different Koran from this; or make some
change therein. Answer, It is not fit for me, that I should change it at my
pleasure: I follow that only which is revealed unto me. Verily I fear if I
should be disobedient unto my LORD, the punishment of the great day.
Say, If GOD had so pleased, I had not read it unto you, neither had I
taught you the same. I have already dwelt among you to the age of forty
years, before I received it. Do ye not therefore understand?
And who is more unjust than he who deviseth a lie against GOD, or
accuseth his signs of falsehood? Surely the wicked shall not prosper.
They worship besides GOD, that which can neither hurt them or profit
them, and they say, These are our intercessors with GOD. Answer, Will ye
tell GOD that which he knoweth not, neither in heaven nor in earth? Praise
be unto him! and far be that from him, which they associate with him!
Men were professors of one religion only, but they dissented therefrom;
and if a decree had not previously issued from thy LORD, deferring their
punishment, verily the matter had been decided between them, concerning which
they disagreed.
20 They say, Unless a sign be sent down unto him from his LORD, we will not
believe. Answer, Verily that which is hidden is known only unto GOD: wait,
therefore, the pleasure of God; and I also will wait with you.
And when we caused the men of Mecca to taste mercy, after an affliction
which had befallen them, behold, they devised a stratagem against our signs.
Say unto them, GOD is more swift in executing a stratagem, than ye. Verily
our messengers write down that which ye deceitfully devise.
It is he who hath given you conveniences for travelling by land and by
sea; so that ye be in ships, which sail with them, with a favorable wind, and
they rejoice therein. And when a tempestuous wind overtaketh them, and waves
come upon them from every side, and they think themselves encompassed with
inevitable dangers; they call upon GOD, exhibiting the pure religion unto
him, and saying, Verily if thou deliver us from this peril, we will be of
those who give thanks.
But when he hath delivered them, behold, they behave themselves
insolently in the earth, without justice. O men, verily the violence which ye
commit against your own souls, is for the enjoyment of this present life only;
afterwards unto us shall ye return, and we will declare unto you that which ye
have done.
Verily the likeness of this present life is no other than as water, which
we send down from heaven, and wherewith the productions of the earth are
mixed, of which men eat, and cattle also, until the earth receive its vesture,
and be adorned with various plants: the inhabitants thereof imagine that they
have power over the same; but our command cometh unto it by night, or by day,
and we render it as though it had been mowen, as though it had not yesterday
abounded with fruits. Thus do we explain our signs unto people who consider.
GOD inviteth unto the dwelling of peace, and directeth whom he pleaseth
into the right way.
They who do right shall receive a most excellent reward, and a
superabundant addition; neither blackness nor shame shall cover their faces.
These shall be the inhabitants of paradise; they shall continue therein
forever.
But they who commit evil shall receive the reward of evil, equal
thereunto, and they shall be covered with shame, (for they shall have no
protector against GOD); as though their faces were covered with the profound
darkness of the night. These shall be the inhabitants of hell fire: they
shall remain therein forever.
On the day of the resurrection we will gather them altogether; then will
we say unto the idolaters, Get ye to your place, ye and your companions: and
we will separate them from one another; and their companions will say unto
them, Ye do not worship us;
and GOD is a sufficient witness between us and you; neither did we mind
your worshipping of us.
30 There shall every soul experience that which it shall have sent before
it; and they shall be brought before GOD their true LORD; and the false
deities which they vainly imagined, shall disappear from before them.
Say, Who provideth you food from heaven and earth? or who hath the
absolute power over the hearing and the sight? and who bringeth forth the
living from the dead, and bringeth forth the dead from the living? and who
governeth all things? They will surely answer, GOD. Say, Will ye not
therefore fear him?
This is therefore GOD your true LORD: and what remaineth there after
truth, except error? How therefore are ye turned aside from the truth?
Thus is the word of thy LORD verified upon them who do wickedly; that
they believe not.
Say, Is there any of your companions who produceth a creature, and then
causeth it to return unto himself? Say, GOD produceth a creature, and then
causeth it to return unto himself. How therefore are ye turned aside from his
worship?
Say, Is there any of your companions who directeth unto the truth. Say,
GOD directeth unto the truth. Whether is he, therefore, who directeth unto
the truth, more worthy to be followed; or he who directeth not, unless he be
directed? What aileth you therefore, that ye judge as ye do?
And the greater part of them follow an uncertain opinion only; but a mere
opinion attaineth not unto any truth. Verily GOD knoweth that which they do.
This Koran could not have been composed by any except GOD; but it is a
confirmation of that which was revealed before it, and an explanation of the
scripture; there is no doubt thereof; sent down from the LORD of all
creatures.
Will they say, Mohammed hath forged it? Answer, Bring therefore a
chapter like unto it; and call whom you may to your assistance, besides GOD,
if ye speak truth.
But they have charged that with falsehood, the knowledge whereof they do
not comprehend, neither hath the interpretation thereof come unto them. In
the same manner did those who were before them accuse their prophets of
imposture; but behold, what was the end of the unjust!
40 There are some of them who believe therein; and there are some of them
who believe not therein: and thy LORD well knoweth the corrupt doers.
If they accuse thee of imposture, say, I have my work, and ye have your
work; ye shall be clear of that which I do, and I will be clear of that which
ye do.
There are some of them who hearken unto thee; but wilt thou make the deaf
to hear, although they do not understand?
And there are some of them who look at thee; but wilt thou direct the
blind, although they see not?
Verily GOD will not deal unjustly with men in any respect: but men deal
unjustly with their own souls.
On a certain day he will gather them together, as though they had not
tarried above an hour of a day: they shall know one another. Then shall
they perish who have denied the meeting of GOD; and were not rightly directed.
Whether we cause thee to see a part of the punishment wherewith we have
threatened them, or whether we cause thee to die before thou see it; unto us
shall they return: then shall GOD be witness of that which they do.
Unto every nation hath an apostle been sent; and when their apostle came,
the matter was decided between them with equity; and they were not treated
unjustly.
The unbelievers say, When will this threatening be made good, if ye speak
truth?
Answer, I am able neither to procure advantage unto myself, nor to avert
mischief from me, but as GOD pleaseth. Unto every nation is a fixed term
decreed; when their term therefore is expired, they shall not have respite for
an hour, neither shall their punishment be anticipated.
50 Say, Tell me, if the punishment of GOD overtake you by night, or by day,
what part thereof will the ungodly wish to be hastened?
When it falleth on you, do ye then believe it? Now do ye believe, and
wish it far from you, when as ye formerly desired it should be hastened?
Then shall it be said unto the wicked, Taste the punishment of eternity;
would ye receive other than the reward of that which ye have wrought?
They will desire to know of thee, whether this be true. Answer, Yea, by
my LORD, it is certainly true; neither shall ye weaken GOD's power so as to
escape it.
Verily, if every soul which hath acted wickedly had whatever is on the
earth, it would willingly redeem itself therewith at the last day. Yet they
will conceal their repentance, after they shall have seen the punishment; and
the matter shall be decided between them with equity, and they shall not be
unjustly treated.
Doth not whatsoever is in heaven and on earth belong unto GOD? Is not
the promise of GOD true? But the greater part of them know it not.
He giveth life, and he causeth to die: and unto him shall ye all return.
O men, now hath an admonition come unto you from your LORD, and a remedy
for the doubts which are in your breasts; and a direction, and mercy unto the
true believers.
Say, Through the grace of GOD, and his mercy; therein therefore let them
rejoice; this will be better than what they heap together of worldly riches.
Say, Tell me; of that which GOD hath sent down unto you for food, have
ye declared part to be lawful, and other part to be unlawful? Say, Hath GOD
permitted you to make this distinction? or do ye devise a lie concerning GOD?
60 But what will be the opinion of those who devise a lie concerning GOD, on
the day of the resurrection? Verily GOD is endued with beneficence towards
mankind; but the greater part of them do not give thanks.
Thou shalt be engaged in no business, neither shalt thou be employed in
meditating on any passage of the Koran; nor shall ye do any action, but we
will be witnesses over you, when ye are employed therein. Nor is so much as
the weight of an ant hidden from thy LORD, in earth or in heaven: neither is
there anything lesser than that, or greater, but it is written in the
perspicuous book.
Are not the friends of GOD the persons on whom no fear shall come, and
who shall not be grieved?
They who believe and fear God
shall receive good tidings in this life, and in that which is to come.
There is no change in the words of GOD. This shall be great felicity.
Let not their discourse grieve thee; for all might belongeth unto GOD:
he both heareth and knoweth.
Is not whoever dwelleth in heaven and on earth subject unto GOD? What
therefore do they follow, who invoke idols, besides GOD? They follow nothing
but a vain opinion; and they only utter lies.
It is he who hath ordained the night for you, that ye may take your rest
therein, and the clear day for labor: verily herein are signs unto people who
hearken.
They say, GOD hath begotten children; GOD forbid! He is self-sufficient.
Unto him belongeth whatsoever is in heaven and on earth: ye have no
demonstrative proof of this. Do ye speak of GOD that which ye know not?
Say, Verily they who imagine a lie concerning GOD shall not prosper.
70 They may enjoy a provision in this world; but afterwards unto us shall
they return, and we will then cause them to taste a grievous punishment, for
that they were unbelievers.
Rehearse unto them the history of Noah: when he said unto his people, O
my people, if my standing forth among you, and my warning you of the signs of
GOD, be grievous unto you; in GOD do I put my trust. Therefore lay your
design against me, and assemble your false gods; but let not your design be
carried on by you in the dark: then come forth against me, and delay not.
And if ye turn aside from my admonitions, I ask not any reward of you for
the same; I expect my reward from GOD alone, and I am commanded to be one of
those who are resigned unto him.
But they accused him of imposture, wherefore we delivered him, and those
who were with him in the ark, and we caused them to survive the flood, but we
drowned those who charged our signs with falsehood. Behold therefore, what
was the end of those who were warned by Noah.
Then did we send, after him, apostles unto their respective people, and
they came unto them with evident demonstrations: yet they were not disposed to
believe in that which they had before rejected as false. Thus do we seal up
the hearts of the transgressors.
Then did we send, after them, Moses and Aaron unto Pharaoh and his
princes with our signs: but they behaved proudly, and were a wicked people.
And when the truth from us had come unto them, they said, Verily this is
manifest sorcery.
Moses said unto them, Do ye speak this of the truth, after it hath come
unto you? Is this sorcery? but sorcerers shall not prosper.
They said, Art thou come unto us to turn us aside from that religion,
which we found our fathers practise; and that ye two may have the command in
the land? But we do not believe you.
And Pharaoh said, Bring unto me every expert magician.
80 And when the magicians were come, Moses said unto them, Cast down
that which ye are about to cast down.
And when they had cast down their rods and cords, Moses said unto them,
The enchantment which ye have performed shall GOD surely render vain; for GOD
prospereth not the work of the wicked doers,
and GOD will verify the truth of his words, although the wicked be
adverse thereto.
And there believed not any on Moses, except a generation of his people,
for fear of Pharaoh and of his princes, lest he should afflict them. And
Pharaoh was lifted up with pride in the earth, and was surely one of the
transgressors.
And Moses said, O my people, if ye believe in GOD, put your trust in him,
if ye be resigned to his will.
They answered, We put our trust in GOD: O LORD, suffer us not to be
afflicted by unjust people;
but deliver us, through thy mercy, from the unbelieving people.
And we spake by inspiration unto Moses and his brother, saying, Provide
habitations for your people in Egypt, and make your houses a place of
worship, and be constant at prayer: and bear good news unto the true
believers.
And Moses said, O LORD, verily thou hast given unto Pharaoh and his
people pompous ornaments, and riches in this present life, O LORD, that they
may be seduced from thy way: O LORD, bring their riches to nought, and harden
their hearts; that they may not believe, until they see their grievous
punishment.
God said, Your petition is hear; be ye upright therefore, and follow
not the way of those who are ignorant.
90 And we caused the children of Israel to pass through the sea; and
Pharaoh and his army followed them in a violent and hostile manner; until,
when he was drowning, he said, I believe that there is no GOD but he, on whom
the children of Israel believe; and I am one of the resigned.
Now dost thou believe; when thou hast been hitherto rebellious, and one
of the wicked doers?
This day will we raise thy body from the bottom of the sea, that thou
mayest be a sign unto those who shall be after thee; and verily a great number
of men are negligent of our signs.
And we prepared for the children of Israel an established dwelling in the
land of Canaan, and we provided good things for their sustenance; and they
differed not in point of religion, until knowledge had come unto them; verily
thy LORD will judge between them on the day of resurrection, concerning that
wherein they disagreed.
If thou art in a doubt concerning any part of that which we have sent
down unto thee, ask them who have read the book of the law before thee. Now
hath the truth come unto thee from thy LORD; be not therefore one of those who
doubt;
neither be thou one of those who charge the signs of GOD with falsehood,
lest thou become one of those who perish.
Verily those against whom the word of thy LORD is decreed, shall not
believe,
although there come unto them every kind of miracle, until they see the
grievous punishment prepared for them.
And if it were not so, some city, among the many which have been
destroyed, would have believed; and the faith of its inhabitants would have
been of advantage unto them; but none of them believed, before the execution
of their sentence, except the people of Jonas. When they believed, we
delivered them from the punishment of shame in this world, and suffered them
to enjoy their lives and possessions for a time.
But if thy LORD had pleased, verily all who are in the earth would have
believed in general. Wilt thou therefore forcibly compel men to be true
believers?
100 No soul can believe, but by the permission of GOD: and he shall pour out
his indignation on those who will not understand.
Say, Consider whatever is in heaven and on earth: but signs are of no
avail, neither preachers, unto people who will not believe.
Do they therefore expect any other than some terrible judgment, like unto
the judgments which have fallen on those who have gone before them? Say, Wait
ye the issue; and I also will wait with you;
then will we deliver our apostles and those who believe. Thus is it a
justice due from us, that we should deliver the true believers.
Say, O men of Mecca, if ye be in doubt concerning my religion, verily I
worship not the idols which ye worship, besides GOD; but I worship GOD, who
will cause you to die: and I am commanded to be one of the true believers.
And it was said unto me, Set thy face towards the true religion, and be
orthodox; and by no means be one of those who attribute companions unto God;
neither invoke, besides GOD, that which can neither profit thee nor hurt
thee: for if thou do, thou wilt then certainly become one of the unjust.
If GOD afflict thee with hurt, there is none who can relieve thee from
it, except he; and if he willeth thee any good, there is none who can keep
back his bounty: he will confer it on such of his servants as he pleaseth; and
he is gracious and merciful.
Say, O men, now hath the truth come unto you from your LORD. He
therefore who shall be directed, will be directed to the advantage of his own
soul: but he who shall err, will err only against the same. I am no guardian
over you.
Do thou, O prophet, follow that which is revealed unto thee: and
persevere with patience, until GOD shall judge; for he is the best judge.



________


CHAPTER XI.

ENTITLED, HUD; REVEALED AT MECCA.

IN THE NAME OF THE MOST MERCIFUL GOD.

A.L.R. THIS book, the verses whereof are guarded against corruption,
and are also distinctly explained, is a revelation from the wise, the knowing
God:
that ye serve not any other GOD: (verily I am a denouncer of threats, and
a bearer of good tidings unto you from him;)
and that ye ask pardon of your LORD, and then be turned unto him. He
will cause you to enjoy a plentiful provision, until a prefixed time: and unto
every one that hath merit by good works will he give his abundant reward.
But if ye turn back, verily I fear for you the punishment of the great day:
unto GOD shall ye return; and he is almighty.
Do they not double the folds of their breasts, that they may conceal
their designs from him? When they cover themselves with their garments,
doth not he know that which they conceal, and that which they discover?
For he knoweth the innermost parts of the breasts of men.
There is no creature which creepeth on the earth, but GOD provideth its
food; and he knoweth the place of its retreat, and where it is laid up. The
whole is written in the perspicuous book of his decrees.
It is he who hath created the heavens and the earth in six days, (but his
throne was above the waters before the creation thereof), that he might prove
you, and see which of you would excel in works. If thou say, Ye shall surely be
raised again, after death; the unbelievers will say, This is nothing but manifest
sorcery.
And verily if we defer their punishment unto a determined season, they
will say, What hindereth it from falling on us? Will it not come upon them on
a day, wherein there shall be none to avert it from them; and that which they
scoffed at shall encompass them?
Verily, if we cause man to taste mercy from us, and afterwards take it
away from him; he will surely become desperate, and ungrateful.
10 And if we cause him to taste favor, after an affliction hath befallen
him, he will surely say, The evils which I suffered are passed from me, and he
will become joyful and insolent:
except those who persevere with patience, and do that which is right;
they shall receive pardon, and a great reward.
Peradventure thou wilt omit to publish part of that which hath been
revealed unto thee, and thy breast will become straitened, lest they say,
Unless a treasure be sent down unto him, or an angel come with him, to bear
witness unto him, we will not believe. Verily thou art a preacher only; and
GOD is the governor of all things.
Will they say, He hath forged the Koran? Answer, Bring therefore ten
chapters like unto it, forged by yourselves: and call on whomsoever ye may to
assist you, except GOD, if ye speak truth.
But if they whom ye call to your assistance hear you not; know that this
book hath been revealed by the knowledge of GOD only, and that there is no
GOD but he. Will ye therefore become Moslems?
Whoso chooseth the present life, and the pomp thereof, unto them will we
give the recompense of their works therein, and the same shall not be
diminished unto them.
These are they for whom no other reward is prepared in the next life,
except the fire of hell: that which they have done in this life shall perish;
and that which they have wrought shall be vain.
Shall he therefore be compared with them, who followeth the evident
declaration of his LORD, and whom a witness from him attendeth, preceded by
the book of Moses, which was revealed for a guide, and out of mercy to
mankind? These believe in the Koran: but whosoever of the confederate
infidels believeth not therein, is threatened the fire of hell, which threat
shall certainly be executed: be not therefore in a doubt concerning it; for it
is the truth from thy LORD: but the greater part of men will not believe.
Who is more unjust than he who imagineth a lie concerning GOD? They
shall be set before the LORD, at the day of judgment, and the witnesses shall
say, These are they who devised lies against their LORD. Shall not the curse
of GOD fall on the unjust;
who turn men aside from the way of GOD, and seek to render it crooked,
and who believe not in the life to come?
20 These were not able to prevail against God on earth, so as to escape
punishment; neither had they any protectors besides GOD: their punishment
shall be doubled unto them. They could not hear, neither did they see.
These are they who have lost their souls; and the idols which they
falsely imagined have abandoned them.
There is no doubt but they shall be most miserable in the world to come.
But as for those who believe and do good works, and humble themselves
before their LORD, they shall be the inhabitants of paradise; they shall
remain therein forever.
The similitude of the two parties is as the blind and the deaf, and as
he who seeth and heareth: shall they be compared as equal? Will ye not
therefore consider?
We formerly sent Noah unto his people; and he said, Verily I am a public
preacher unto you;
that ye worship GOD alone; verily I fear for you the punishment of the
terrible day.
But the chiefs of the people, who believed not, answered, We see thee to
be no other than a man, like unto us; and we do not see that any follow thee,
except those who are the most abject among us, who have believed on thee by a
rash judgment; neither do we perceive any excellence in you above us: but we
esteem you to be liars.
Noah said, O my people, tell me; if I have received an evident
declaration from my LORD, and he hath bestowed on me mercy from himself, which
is hidden from you, do we compel you to receive the same, in case ye be averse
thereto?
O my people, I ask not of you riches, for my preaching unto you: my
reward is with GOD alone. I will not drive away those who have believed:
verily they shall meet their LORD, at the resurrection; but I perceive that ye
are ignorant men.
30 O my people, who shall assist me against GOD, if I drive them away? Will
ye not therefore consider?
I say not unto you, The treasures of GOD are in my power; neither do I
say, I know the secrets of God: neither do I say, Verily I am an angel;
neither do I say of those whom your eyes do contemn, GOD will by no means
bestow good on them: (GOD best knoweth that which is in their souls;) for then
should I certainly be one of the unjust.
They answered, O Noah, thou hast already disputed with us, and hast
multiplied disputes with us; now therefore do thou bring that punishment upon
us wherewith thou hast threatened us, if thou speakest truth.
Noah said, Verily GOD alone shall bring it upon you, if he pleaseth; and
ye shall not prevail against him, so as to escape the same.
Neither shall my counsel profit you, although I endeavour to counsel you
aright, if GOD shall please to lead you into error. He is your LORD, and unto
him shall ye return.
Will the Meccans say, Mohammed hath forged the Koran? Answer, If I have
forged it, on me be my guilt: and let me be clear of that which ye are guilty
of.
And it was revealed unto Noah, saying, Verily none of thy people shall
believe, except he who hath already believed: be not therefore grieved, for
that which they are doing.
But make an ark in our presence, according to the form and dimensions
which we have revealed unto thee: and speak not unto me in behalf of those who
have acted unjustly; for they are doomed to be drowned.
And he built the ark; and so often as a company of his people passed by
him, they derided him: but he said, Though ye scoff at us now, we will scoff
at you hereafter, as ye scoff at us; and ye shall surely know
on whom a punishment shall be inflicted, which shall cover him with
shame, and on whom a lasting punishment shall fall.
40 Thus were they employed until our sentence was put in execution, and the
oven poured forth water. And we said unto Noah, Carry into the ark of every
species of animals one pair; and thy family, (except him on whom a previous
sentence of destruction hath passed), and those who believe. But there
believed not with him except a few.
And Noah said, Embark thereon, in the name of GOD; while it moveth
forward, and while it standeth still; for my LORD is gracious and merciful.
And the ark swam with them between waves like mountains: and Noah called
unto his son, who was separated from him, saying, Embark with us, my son, and
stay not with the unbelievers.
He answered, I will get on a mountain, which will secure me from the
water. Noah replied, There is no security this day from the decree of GOD,
except for him on whom he shall have mercy. And a wave passed between them,
and he became one of those who were drowned.
And it was said, O earth, swallow up thy waters, and thou, O heaven,
withhold thy rain. And immediately the water abated, and the decree was
fulfilled, and the ark rested on the mountain Al Judi; and it was said, Away
with the ungodly people!
And Noah called upon his LORD, and said, O LORD, verily my son is of my
family, and thy promise is true; for thou art the most just of those who
exercise judgment.
God answered, O Noah, verily he is not of thy family; this intercession
of thine for him is not a righteous work. Ask not of me therefore that
wherein thou hast no knowledge: I admonish thee that thou become not one of
the ignorant.
Noah said, O LORD, I have recourse unto thee for the assistance of thy
grace, that I ask not of thee that wherein I have no knowledge; and unless
thou forgive me, and be merciful unto me, I shall be one of those who perish.
It was said unto him, O Noah, come down from the ark, with peace from
us, and blessings upon thee, and upon part of those who are with thee: but as
for a part of them, we will suffer them to enjoy the provision of this world;
and afterwards shall a grievous punishment from us be inflicted on them, in
the life to come.
This is a secret history, which we reveal unto thee: thou didst not know
it, neither did thy people, before this. Wherefore persevere with patience:
for the prosperous issue shall attend the pious.
50 And unto the tribe of Ad we sent their brother Hud. He said, O my
people, worship GOD; ye have no GOD besides him: ye only imagine falsehood,
in setting up idols and intercessors of your own making.
O my people, I ask not of you for this my preaching, any recompense: my
recompense do I expect from him only who hath created me. Will ye not
therefore understand?
O my people, ask pardon of your LORD; and be turned unto him: he will
send the heaven to pour forth rain plentifully upon you, and he will increase
your strength by giving unto you farther strength: therefore turn not aside,
to commit evil.
They answered, O Hud, thou hast brought us no proof of what thou sayest;
therefore we will not leave our gods for thy saying, neither do we believe
thee
We say no other than that some of our gods have afflicted thee with
evil. He replied, Verily I call GOD to witness, and do ye also bear witness
that I am clear of that which ye associate
with God, besides him. Do ye all therefore join to devise a plot against
me, and tarry not;
for I put my confidence in GOD, my LORD and your LORD. There is no
beast, but he holdeth it by its forelock: verily my LORD proceedeth in the
right way.
But if ye turn back, I have already declared unto you that with which I
was sent unto you: and my LORD shall substitute another nation in your stead;
and ye shall not hurt him at all: for my LORD is guardian over all things.
And when our sentence came to be put in execution, we delivered Hud, and
those who had believed with him, through our mercy; and we delivered them
from a grievous punishment.
And this tribe of Ad wittingly rejected the signs of their LORD, and were
disobedient unto his messengers, and they followed the command of every
rebellious perverse person.
60 Wherefore they were followed in this world by a curse, and they shall be
followed by the same on the day of resurrection. Did not Ad disbelieve in
their LORD? Was it not said, Away with Ad, the people of Hud?
And unto the tribe of Thamud we sent their brother Saleh. He said unto
them, O my people, worship GOD; ye have no GOD besides him. It is he who hath
produced you out of the earth, and hath given you an habitation therein. Ask
pardon of him therefore, and be turned unto him; for my LORD is near, and
ready to answer.
They answered, O Saleh, thou wast a person on whom we placed our hopes
before this. Dost thou forbid us to worship that which our fathers
worshipped? But we are certainly in doubt concerning the religion to which
thou dost invite us, as justly to be suspected.
Saleh said, O my people, tell me; if I have received an evident
declaration from my LORD, and he hath bestowed on me mercy from himself; who
will protect me from the vengeance of GOD, if I be disobedient unto him? For
ye shall not add unto me, other than loss.
And he said, O my people, this she-camel of GOD is a sign unto you;
therefore dismiss her freely, that she may feed in GOD'S earth, and do her no
harm, lest a swift punishment seize you.
Yet they killed her; and Saleh said, Enjoy yourselves in your dwellings
for three days: after which ye shall be destroyed. This is an infallible
prediction.
And when our decree came to be executed, we delivered Saleh and those who
believed with him, through our mercy, from the disgrace of that day; for thy
LORD is the strong, the mighty God.
But a terrible noise from heaven assailed those who had acted unjustly;
and in the morning they were found in their houses, lying dead and prostrate:
as though they had never dwelt therein. Did not Thamud disbelieve in
their LORD? Was not Thamud cast far away?
Our messengers also came formerly unto Abraham, with good tidings: they
said, Peace be upon thee. And he answered, and on you be Peace! And he
tarried not, but brought a roasted calf.
70 And when he saw that their hands did not touch the meat, he misliked
them, and entertained a fear of them. But they said, Fear not: for we are
sent unto the people of Lot.
And his wife Sarah was standing by, and she laughed; and we promised
her Isaac, and after Isaac, Jacob.
She said, Alas! shall I bear a son, who am old; this my husband also
being advanced in years? Verily this would be a wonderful thing.
The angels answered, Dost thou wonder at the effect of the command of
GOD? The mercy of God and his blessings be upon you, the family of the
house: for he is praiseworthy, and to be glorified.
And when his apprehension had departed from Abraham, and the good tidings
of Isaac's birth had come unto him, he disputed with us concerning the people
of Lot;
for Abraham was a pitiful, compassionate, and devout person.
The angels said unto him, O Abraham, abstain from this; for now is the
command of thy LORD come, to put their sentence in execution, and an
inevitable punishment is ready to fall upon them.
And when our messengers came unto Lot, he was troubled for them, and his
arm was straightened concerning them; and he said, This is a grievous day.
And his people came unto him, rushing upon him, and they had formerly
been guilty of wickedness. Lot said unto them, O my people, these my
daughters are more lawful for you: therefore fear GOD, and put me not to shame
by wronging my guests. Is there not a man of prudence among you?
They answered, Thou knowest that we have no need of thy daughters; and
thou well knowest what we would have.
80 He said, If I had strength sufficient to oppose you, or I could have
recourse unto a powerful support, I would certainly do it.
The angels said, O Lot, verily we are the messengers of thy LORD; they
shall by no means come in unto thee. Go forth, therefore, with thy family,
in some part of the night, and let not any of you turn back: but as for thy
wife, that shall happen unto her, which shall happen unto them. Verily the
prediction of their punishment shall be fulfilled in the morning: is not the
morning near?
And when our command came, we turned those cities upside down, and we
rained upon them stones of baked clay, one following another,
and being marked from thy LORD; and they are not far distant from those
who act unjustly.
And unto Madian we sent their brother Shoaib: he said, O people, worship
GOD: ye have no GOD but him: and diminish not measure and weight. Verily I
see you to be in a happy condition: but I fear for you the punishment of the
day which will encompass the ungodly.
O my people, give full measure and just weight; and diminish not unto men
aught of their matters; neither commit injustice in the earth, acting
corruptly.
The residue which shall remain unto you as the gift of GOD, after ye
shall have done justice to others, will be better for you, than wealth gotten
by fraud, if ye be true believers. I am no guardian over you.
They answered, O Shoaib, do thy prayers enjoin thee, that we should leave
the gods which our fathers worshipped; or that we should not do what we please
with our substance? Thou only, it seems, art the wise person, and fit to
direct.
He said, O my people, tell me: if I have received an evident declaration
from my LORD, and he hath bestowed on me an excellent provision, and I will
not consent unto you in that which I forbid you; do I seek any other than your
reformation, to the utmost of my power? My support is from GOD alone: on him
do I trust, and unto him do I turn me.
O my people, let not your opposing of me draw on you a vengeance like
unto that which fell on the people of Noah, or the people of Hud, or the
people of Saleh: neither was the people of Lot far distant from you.
90 Ask pardon, therefore, of your LORD; and be turned unto him: for my LORD
is merciful and loving.
They answered, O Shoaib, we understand not much of what thou sayest; and
we see thee to be a man of no power among us: if it had not been for the sake
of thy family, we had surely stoned thee, neither couldst thou have prevailed
against us.
Shoaib said, O my people, is my family more worthy in your opinion than
GOD? and do ye cast him behind you with neglect? Verily my LORD comprehendeth
that which ye do.
O my people, do ye work according to your condition; I will surely work
according to my duty. And ye shall certainly know on whom will be inflicted a
punishment which shall cover him with shame, and who is a liar. Wait, therefore,
the event; for I also will wait it with you.
Wherefore, when our decree came to be executed, we delivered Shoaib and
those who believed with him, through our mercy: and a terrible noise from
Heaven assailed those who had acted unjustly; and in the morning they were
found in their houses lying dead and prostrate,
as though they had never dwelt therein. Was not Madian removed from off
the earth, as Thamud had been removed?
And we formerly sent Moses with our signs, and manifest power
unto Pharaoh and his princes; but they followed the command of Pharaoh;
although the command of Pharaoh did not direct them aright.
Pharaoh shall precede his on the day of resurrection, and he shall lead
them into hell fire; an unhappy way shall it be which they shall be led.
They were followed in this life by a curse, and on the day of
resurrection miserable shall be the gift which shall be given them.
100 This is a part of the histories of the cities, which we rehearse unto
thee. Of them there are some standing; and others which are utterly
demolished.
And we treated them not unjustly, but they dealt unjustly with their own
souls: and their gods which they invoked, besides GOD, were of no advantage
unto them at all, when the decree of thy LORD came to be executed on them,
neither were they any other than a detriment unto them.
And thus was the punishment of thy LORD inflicted, when he punished the
cities which were unjust; for his punishment is grievous and severe.
Verily herein is a sign unto him who feareth the punishment of the last
day: that shall be a day, whereon all men shall be assembled, and that shall
be a day whereon witness shall be borne;
we defer it not, but to a determined time.
When that day shall come, no soul shall speak to excuse itself, or to
intercede for another, but by the permission of God. Of them, one shall be
miserable, and another shall be happy.
And they who shall be miserable, shall be thrown into hell fire; there
shall they wail and bemoan themselves:
they shall remain therein so long as the heavens and the earth shall
endure; except what thy LORD shall please to remit of their sentence; for
thy LORD effecteth that which he pleaseth.
But they who shall be happy, shall be admitted into paradise; they shall
remain therein so long as the heavens and the earth endure: besides what thy
LORD shall please to add unto their bliss; a bounty which shall not be
interrupted.
Be not therefore in doubt concerning that which these men worship: they
worship no other than what their fathers worshipped before them; and we will
surely give them their full portion, not in the least diminished.
110 We formerly gave unto Moses the book of the law; and disputes arose
among his people concerning it: and unless a previous decree had proceeded
from thy LORD, to bear with them during this life, the matter had been surely
decided between them. And thy people are also jealous and in doubt concerning
the Koran.
But unto every one of them will thy LORD render the reward of their
works; for he well knoweth that which they do.
Be thou steadfast, therefore, as thou hast been commanded; and let him
also be steadfast who shall be converted with thee; and transgress not; for he
seeth that which ye do.
And incline not unto those who act unjustly, lest the fire of hell touch
you: for ye have no protectors, except GOD; neither shall ye be assisted
against him.
Pray regularly morning and evening; and in the former part of the
night, for good works drive away evils. This is an admonition unto those who
consider:
wherefore persevere with patience; for GOD suffereth not the reward of
the righteous to perish.
Were such of the generations before you, endued with understanding and
virtue, who forbade the acting corruptly in the earth, any more than a few
only of those whom we delivered; but they who were unjust followed the
delights which they enjoyed in this world, and were wicked doers:
and thy LORD was not of such a disposition as to destroy the cities
unjustly, while their inhabitants behaved themselves uprightly.
And if thy LORD pleased, he would have made all men of one religion: but
they shall not cease to differ among themselves,
unless those on whom thy LORD shall have mercy: and unto this hath he
created them; for the word of thy LORD shall be fulfilled, when he said, Verily
I will fill hell altogether with genii and men.
120 The whole which we have related of the histories of our apostles do we
relate unto thee, that we may confirm thy heart thereby; and herein is the
truth come unto thee, and an admonition, and a warning unto the true
believers.
Say unto those who believe not, Act ye according to your condition; we
surely will act according to our duty:
and wait the issue; for we certainly wait it also.
Unto GOD is known that which is secret in heaven and earth; and unto him
shall the whole matter be referred. Therefore worship him, and put thy trust
in him; for thy LORD is not regardless of that which ye do.