Jonah (Younus)
In the name of God, The Most Gracious, The Dispenser of Grace
Alif Lam. Ra. THESE ARE MESSAGES of the divine writ, full of wisdom. 1 Does it seem strange to people that We have sent revelation to a man from among themselves, saying, "Warn mankind and give glad tidings to the believers that they have a true rank [of honour] with their Lord?" Those who deny the truth say, "This man is clearly a sorcerer." 2 Verily your Lord is Allah who hath created the heavens and the earth in six days, then established Himself on the Throne disposing the affair; no intercessor is there, except after His leave. That is Allah, your Lord; so worship Him. Would ye then not be admonished! 3 Unto Him you all must return: this is, in truth, God's promise - for, behold, He creates [man] in the first instance, and then brings him forth anew to the end that He may reward with equity all who attain to faith and do righteous deeds; whereas for those who are bent on denying the truth there is in store a draught of burning despair and grievous suffering because of their persistent refusal to acknowledge the truth. 4 He it is Who gave the sun radiance and the moon light, and determined the stages (for the waxing and waning of the moon) that you may learn the calculation of years and the reckoning of time. Allah has created all this with a rightful purpose (rather than out of play). He expounds His signs for the people who know. 5 Indeed in the alternation of the day and night, and all that Allah has created in the heavens and the earth, are signs for people who are pious. 6 Surely those who look not to encounter Us and are well-pleased with the present life and are at rest in it, and those who are heedless of Our signs, 7 Their destination is hell – the recompense of their deeds. 8 The righteously striving believers receive, through their faith, guidance from their Lord to the bountiful gardens wherein streams flow. 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