Vanity (Al-Zukhruf)
In the Name of Allah, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful
Ha-Mim. [These letters are one of the miracles of the Quran, and none but Allah (Alone) knows their meanings]. 1 By the Book that makes things clear, 2 Lo! We have appointed it a Lecture, in Arabic that haply ye may understand. 3 It (the Quran) exists in the original Book with Us which is certainly Most Exalted, full of wisdom and (beyond linguistic structures). 4 Should We have withdrawn the Reminder from you as you are a people who exceed the bounds? 5 How many a Prophet We sent among the ancients, 6 And never came there a Prophet to them but they used to mock at him. 7 so We destroyed those who were mightier in courage than they. And the example of the ancients has passed away. 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 Who made the earth a resting-place for you, and placed roads for you therein, that haply ye may find your way; 10 And Who sent down water from the sky with a proper measure, so We revived a dead city with it; this is how you will be taken out. 11 He Who created all the pairs, and appointed for you ships and cattle whereupon ye ride. 12 In order that you may mount firmly on their backs, and then may remember the Favour of your Lord when you mount thereon, and say: "Glory to Him who has subjected this to us, and we could never have it (by our efforts)." 13 And surely to our Lord we must return. 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