The Column (Al-Suff)
In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
All that is in the heavens and the earth glorify God. He is the Majestic and All-wise. 1 O People who Believe! Why do you preach what you do not practice? 2 It is most hateful to God that you do not practise what you preach; 3 Verily, Allah loves those who fight in His Cause in rows (ranks) as if they were a solid structure. 4 When Moses said to his people: "O my people, why do you afflict me though you know that I have been sent to you by God?" But when they turned aside God made their hearts turn farther away; for God does not show the transgressors the way. 5 And [this happened, too,] when Jesus, the son of Mary, said: "O children of Israel! Behold, I am an apostle of God unto you, [sent] to confirm the truth of whatever there still remains of the Torah, and to give [you] the glad tiding of an apostle who shall come after me, whose name shall be Ahmad." But when he [whose coming Jesus had foretold] came unto them with all evidence of the truth, they said: "This [alleged message of his] is [nothing but] spellbinding eloquence!" 6 And who is more unjust than one who fabricates a lie against Allah whereas he is being called towards Islam? And Allah does not guide the unjust people. 7 They want to extinguish the light of Allah with their mouths, but Allah will perfect His light, although the disbelievers 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