Vanity (Al-Zukhruf)
In the name of God, The Most Gracious, The Dispenser of Grace
Ha-Meem. (Alphabets of the Arabic language – Allah, and to whomever He reveals, know their precise meanings.) 1 I swear by the Book that makes things clear: 2 We have made it an Arabic reading text so that perhaps you may understand. 3 It is in the Origin of the Book with Us, sublime and wise. 4 What! shall We then turn away the reminder from you altogether because you are an extravagant people? 5 And how many a prophet did We send to people of olden times! 6 but not a Prophet came to them, without they mocked at him; 7 And We destroyed greater than them in [striking] power, and the example of the former peoples has preceded. 8 Yet if you were to ask them: “Who created the heavens and the earth?” they will certainly say: “The All-Mighty, the All-Knowing has created them.” 9 He who appointed the earth to be a cradle for you, and appointed ways for you therein, that haply you may be guided; 10 Who sent down water in due measure from the sky, then quickened a region that was dead -- So shall We bring you forth -- 11 He Who created all the pairs, and appointed for you ships and cattle whereupon ye ride. 12 That you may firmly sit on their backs, then remember the favor of your Lord when you are firmly seated thereon, and say: Glory be to Him Who made this subservient to us and we were not able to do it 13 And to our Lord we shall surely return." 14 AND YET, they attribute to Him offspring from among some of the beings created by Him! Verily, most obviously bereft of all gratitude is man! 15