Vanity (Al-Zukhruf)
In the name of Allah, the Compassionate, the Merciful
Ha, Meem. 1 By the Clear Book, 2 We have made it an Arabic reading text so that perhaps you may understand. 3 and behold, it is in the Essence of the Book, with Us; sublime indeed, wise. 4 So shall We divert the advice away from you, because you are a nation that exceeds the limits? 5 How many a Prophet did We send to the ancients, 6 And not a prophet came unto them but him they were wont to mock. 7 We destroyed the strongest among them in power. The stories of the ancient people have already been mentioned. 8 Yet thus it is [with most people]: if thou ask them, "Who is it that has created the heavens and the earth?" - they will surely answer, "The Almighty, the All-Knowing has created them." 9 He it is Who made this earth for you a cradle and made in it pathways for you that you may find the way to your destination; 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 It is He who has created everything in pairs and the ships and cattle for you to ride, 12 In order that ye may sit firm and square on their backs, and when so seated, ye may celebrate the (kind) favour of your Lord, and say, "Glory to Him Who has subjected these to our (use), for we could never have accomplished this (by ourselves), 13 Surely we have to go back to our Lord." 14 And they appoint for Him from His bondmen a part! Verily man is an ingrate manifest. 15