A 'araaf (Al-A 'araaf)
In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful
۞ Alif Lam Mim Suad. 1 A Book sent down to thee -- so let there be no impediment in thy breast because of it -- to warn thereby, and as a reminder to believers: 2 [Say (O Muhammad SAW) to these idolaters (pagan Arabs) of your folk:] Follow what has been sent down unto you from your Lord (the Quran and Prophet Muhammad's Sunnah), and follow not any Auliya' (protectors and helpers, etc. who order you to associate partners in worship with Allah), besides Him (Allah). Little do you remember! 3 And a great number of towns (their population) We destroyed (for their crimes). Our torment came upon them (suddenly) by night or while they were sleeping for their afternoon rest. 4 And when Our punishment overtook them they had nothing to say except crying out: "We have indeed been sinners." 5 (On the Day of Reckoning) We shall question the people to whom We had sent Our apostles, (if they followed their teachings), and will question the apostles. 6 So indeed We shall inform them with Our knowledge and We were not absent. 7 And true will be the weighing on that Day; and those whose weight [of good deeds] is heavy in the balance - it is they, they who shall attain to a happy state; 8 but he whose scales are light those have lost their souls because they were harmful towards Our verses. 9 It is We Who have placed you with authority on earth, and provided you therein with means for the fulfilment of your life: small are the thanks that ye give! 10