Vanity (Al-Zukhruf)
In the name of Allah, most benevolent, ever-merciful
Ha-Meem. (Alphabets of the Arabic language – Allah, and to whomever He reveals, know their precise meanings.) 1 By this luminous Book. 2 Lo! We have appointed it a Lecture, in Arabic that haply ye may understand. 3 Indeed it is transcribed in the Original Book with Us; sublime and full of wisdom. 4 Shall We turn away the Remembrance from you, for that you are a prodigal people? 5 How many a prophet did We send among the men of old! 6 And whenever any Prophet came to them, they only mocked at him. 7 Wherefore We destroyed peoples mightier than these in prowess; and there hath gone forth the example of the ancients. 8 If thou askest them, 'Who created the heavens and earth?' they will say, 'The All-mighty, the All-knowing created them.' 9 (It is) He who made the earth to be a cradle for you and made in it ways for you, in order that you are 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 And who created the species, all of them, and has made for you of ships and animals those which you mount. 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 indeed, to our Lord we are turning' 14 Yet they make some of His creatures His offspring! Man is surely most ungrateful. 15