Jonah (Younus)
In the name of God, The Most Gracious, The Dispenser of Grace
Alif-Lam-Ra*; these are verses of the Book of wisdom. (*alphabets of the Arabic language; Allah and to whomever He reveals, know their precise meanings.) 1 Is it a wonder for mankind that We have inspired a man among them, saying: Warn mankind and bring unto those who believe the good tidings that they have a sure footing with their Lord? The disbelievers say: Lo! this is a mere wizard. 2 VERILY, your Sustainer is God, who has created the heavens and the earth in six aeons, and is established on the throne of His almightiness, governing all that exists. There is none that could intercede with Him unless He grants leave therefor. Thus is God, your Sustainer: worship, therefore, Him [alone]: will you not, then, keep this in mind? 3 Unto Him is the return of you all - the promise of Allah is truth. Verily He beginneth the creation, then He shall repeat it, that he may recompense those who believed and did righteous works with equity. And those who disbelieved - for them shall be draught of boiling water and a torment afflictive for they were wont to disbelieve. 4 He it is who has made the sun a [source of] radiant light and the moon a light [reflected,] and has determined for it phases so that you might know how to compute the years and to measure [time]. None of this has God created without [an inner] truth. Clearly does He spell out these messages unto people of [innate] knowledge: 5 In the alternation of night and day, and what God has created in the heavens and the earth -- surely there are signs for a godfearing people. 6 As for those who do not hope to meet Us (after death), and are content with the life of this world, who are oblivious of Our signs, 7 their abode shall be the Fire in return for their misdeeds, 8 Those who believe, and work righteousness,- their Lord will guide them because of their faith: beneath them will flow rivers in gardens of bliss. 9 [and] in that [state of happiness] they will call out, "Limitless art Thou in Thy glory, O God!" - and will be answered with the greeting, "Peace!" And their call will close with [the words,] "All praise is due to God, the Sustainer of all the worlds!" 10