The Column (Al-Suff)
In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
ALL THAT IS in the heavens and all that is on earth extols God's limitless glory: for He alone is almighty, truly wise! 1 O People who Believe! Why do you preach what you do not practice? 2 Very hateful is it to God, that you say what you do not. 3 God loves those who fight in His way in ranks, as though they were a building well-compacted. 4 Now when Moses spoke to his people, [it was this same truth that he had in mind:] "O my people! Why do you cause me grief, the while you know that I am an apostle of God sent unto you?" And so, when they swerved from the right way, God let their hearts swerve from the truth: for God does not bestow His guidance upon iniquitous folk. 5 And when Jesus son of Mary said: O Children of Israel! Lo! I am the messenger of Allah unto you, confirming that which was (revealed) before me in the Torah, and bringing good tidings of a messenger who cometh after me, whose name is the Praised One. Yet when he hath come unto them with clear proofs, they say: This is mere magic. 6 And who does greater evil than he who forges a lie against Allah, when he is being called to Islam? Allah does not guide the harmdoing people. 7 They seek to extinguish the Light of Allah with their mouths; but Allah will complete His Light, much as the unbelievers dislike it. 8 He it is Who hath sent His messenger with the guidance and the religion of truth, that He may make it conqueror of all religion however much idolaters may be averse. 9