Vanity (Al-Zukhruf)
Allah - beginning with the name of - the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
Ha, Meem. 1 By the manifest Book (that makes things clear, i.e. this Quran). 2 We have made it a Qur'an in Arabic, that ye may be able to understand (and learn wisdom). 3 And verily, it is in the Mother of the Book, in Our Presence, high (in dignity), full of wisdom. 4 Should We divert this Good Counsel from you because you are a people immersed in extravagance? 5 Many a prophet had We sent to the earlier communities, 6 but whenever a prophet came to them, they mocked him, 7 And We destroyed greater than them in [striking] power, and the example of the former peoples has preceded. 8 (Muhammad), if you ask them, "Who has created the heavens and the earth?" They will certainly say, "The Majestic and All-knowing God has created them". 9 He it is Who made this earth for you a cradle and made in it pathways for you that you may find the way to your destination; 10 And He it is who sends down, again and again, waters from the sky in due measure: and [as] We raise therewith dead land to life, even thus will you be brought forth [from the dead]. 11 He Who created all the pairs, and appointed for you ships and cattle whereupon ye ride. 12 in order that you might gain mastery over them, and that, whenever you have mastered them, you might remember your Sustainer's blessings and say: "Limitless in His glory is He who has made [all] this subservient to our use - since [but for Him,] we would not have been able to attain to it. 13 And to our Lord we shall surely return." 14 And from* His bondmen, they appointed a portion for Him; man is indeed an open ingrate. (* Appointed some of His creation as His sons and daughters). 15