The Dunes (Al-Ahqaaf)
In the name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
۞ HaMeem. 1 THE BESTOWAL from on high of this divine writ issues from God, the Almighty, the Wise. 2 We have created the heavens and the earth and all that is between them ONLY for a genuine purpose and an appointed time. The unbelievers ignore that of which they have been warned. 3 Say thou: bethink ye: whatsoever ye call upon beside Allah - show me whatsoever they have created of the earth? Or have they any partnership in the heavens? Bring me a Book before this, or some trace of knowledge if ye say sooth. 4 And who is more astray than one who worships those, instead of Allah, who cannot listen to their prayer until* the Day of Resurrection, and who do not even know of their worship! (Will never listen.) 5 When all human beings will be gathered together those who had been called upon will become the enemies to their votaries and will disown their worship. 6 And when Our manifest revelations are rehearsed unto them those who disbelieve say of the truth when it hath come to them: this is magic manifest. 7 Or do they say, "He has invented it?" Say, "If I have invented it, you will not possess for me [the power of protection] from Allah at all. He is most knowing of that in which you are involved. Sufficient is He as Witness between me and you, and He is the Forgiving the Merciful." 8 Say: I am not the first of the apostles, and I do not know what will be done with me or with you: I do not follow anything but that which is revealed to me, and I am nothing but a plain warner. 9 Say, "Have you thought: what if this Quran really is from God and you reject it? What if one of the Children of Israel testifies to its similarity to earlier scripture and believes in it, and yet you are too arrogant to do the same? God certainly does not guide evil-doers." 10