Vanity (Al-Zukhruf)
In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the 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 That We made it a distinctly lucid Qur'an that you may understand. 3 and behold, it is in the Essence of the Book, with Us; sublime indeed, wise. 4 What! shall We then turn away the reminder from you altogether because you are an extravagant people? 5 Many a prophet had We sent to the earlier communities, 6 And there came not to them a prophet but they mocked 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 It is He who has sent down water from the sky in a known measure by which He has given life to the dead earth. In the same way will you also be resurrected. 11 He Who created all the pairs, and appointed for you ships and cattle whereupon ye ride. 12 So that when you sit astride of them and think of the bounties of your Lord, you may say: "All glory to Him who subjugated these for us. We were incapable of doing so. 13 It is to our Lord that we shall eventually return.” 14 And they assign to Him a part of His servants; man, to be sure, is clearly ungrateful. 15