S (Saad)
In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
Sad, and by the Qur'an full of exhortation! 1 Nay, but the unbelievers are steeped in arrogance and stubborn defiance. 2 How many a nation did We destroy before them! (When they approached their doom) they cried out (for deliverance), but the time for deliverance was already past. 3 They marvel now that, from among themselves, a warner has come to them. The unbelievers say: 'This is a lying sorcerer. 4 Has he turned so many gods into one deity? This is indeed a strange thing!" 5 And their leaders launch forth [thus]: "Go ahead, and hold steadfastly onto your deities: this, behold, is the only thing to do! 6 We never heard of this in the former faith; this is nothing but a forgery: 7 "What! has the Message been sent to him - (Of all persons) among us?"... but they are in doubt concerning My (Own) Message! Nay, they have not yet tasted My Punishment! 8 Or have they the treasuries of thy Lord's mercy, the All-mighty, the All-giving? 9 Do they own the heavens and the earth and all that is between them? Let them try on their own to block (the ways of heavens so that Our revelations cannot come to you). 10 A defeated host are (all) the factions that are there. 11 The folk of Noah before them denied (their messenger) and (so did the tribe of) A'ad, and Pharaoh firmly planted, 12 And [the tribe of] Thamud and the people of Lot and the companions of the thicket. Those are the companies. 13 There was none of them but called the apostles liars, so just was My retribution. 14