Vanity (Al-Zukhruf)
In the Name of Allah, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful
Ha-Meem. (Alphabets of the Arabic language – Allah, and to whomever He reveals, know their precise meanings.) 1 CONSIDER this divine writ, clear in itself and clearly showing the truth: 2 We have made it an Arabic reading text so that perhaps you may understand. 3 Truly, it is inscribed in the Original Book, in Our keeping; it is sublime and full of wisdom. 4 Shall We then take away the Message from you and repel (you), for that ye are a people transgressing beyond bounds? 5 Many a prophet had We sent to the earlier communities, 6 And never came there a Prophet to them but they used to mock at him. 7 Then We destroyed men stronger (in power) than these, and the example of the ancients has passed away (before them). 8 And if you should ask them, "Who has created the heavens and the earth?" they would surely say, "They were created by the Exalted in Might, the Knowing." 9 It is He who has made the earth for you as a cradle and has made roads therein so that you will perhaps seek guidance. 10 That sends down (from time to time) rain from the sky in due measure;- and We raise to life therewith a land that is dead; even so will ye be raised (from the dead);- 11 And, (it is He) who has created all the pairs and appointed for you ships and the cattle on which you ride, 12 so that when you are mounted upon them you may remember the bounty of your Lord, and say: “Glory be to Him Who has subjected this to Us whereas we did not have the strength to subdue it. 13 "And to our Lord, surely, must we turn back!" 14 Yet they assign to some of His slaves a share with Him (by pretending that He has children, and considering them as equals or co-partners in worship with Him). Verily, man is indeed a manifest ingrate! 15