S (Saad)
In the Name of Allah, the Merciful, the Most Merciful
Sad, and by the Qur'an full of exhortation! 1 Nay! those who disbelieve are in self-exaltation and opposition. 2 How many ancient generations did We destroy? (On facing Our torment) they cried out for help, but it was too late for them to escape. 3 They marvel now that, from among themselves, a warner has come to them. The unbelievers say: 'This is a lying sorcerer. 4 What, has he made the gods One God? This is indeed a marvellous thing.' 5 And their leaders went about, “Leave him and cling steadfastly to your Gods! Indeed he has a hidden objective in this!” 6 We have not heard of this in later religion. This is naught but an invention. 7 Has this Exhortation been sent down among us only to him, to the exclusion of all others?” Nay, they are in doubt regarding My Exhortation, and are saying all this because they have not yet had any taste of My chastisement. 8 Or do they [think that they] own the treasures of thy Sustainer's grace - [the grace] of the Almighty, the Giver of Gifts? 9 Is the kingdom of the heavens and the earth and all that is between them, for them? So would they not just ascend using ropes? 10 This is just one of the disgraced armies, that will be routed there and then. 11 Before them (were many who) belied Messengers, the people of Nuh (Noah); and 'Ad; and Fir'aun (Pharaoh) the man of stakes (with which he used to punish the people), 12 and [the tribe of] Thamud, and the people of Lot, and the dwellers of the wooded dales [of Madyan]: they all were leagued together, [as it were, in their unbelief:] 13 There was not one of those that did not belie the Messengers. Therefore, My retribution was realized. 14