Vanity (Al-Zukhruf)
In the Name of Allah, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful
Ha-Meem. (Alphabets of the Arabic language – Allah, and to whomever He reveals, know their precise meanings.) 1 By the manifest Book (that makes things clear, i.e. this Quran). 2 We have made it an Arabic Koran in order that you understand. 3 And verily, [originating as it does] in the source, with Us, of all revelation, it is indeed sublime, full of wisdom. 4 Should We have withdrawn the Reminder from you as you are a people who exceed the bounds? 5 How many Messengers did We send to the ancient people? 6 And there came not to them a prophet but they mocked at him. 7 and so, [in the end,] We destroyed them [even though they were] of greater might than these: and the [very] image of those people of old became a thing of the past. 8 And if you ask them, “Who has created the heavens and the earth?”, they will surely say, “They are created by the Most Honourable, the All Knowing.” 9 (Yea, the same that) has made for you the earth (like a carpet) spread out, and has made for you roads (and channels) therein, in order that ye may find guidance (on the way); 10 And who sends down rain from the sky in measured amounts, and We revive thereby a dead land - thus will you be brought forth - 11 And the One Who created all pairs, and made the ships and cattle as rides for you. 12 so that when you are mounted upon them you may remember the bounty of your Lord, and say: “Glory be to Him Who has subjected this to Us whereas we did not have the strength to subdue it. 13 To our Lord we shall all return". 14 Yet they assign to some of His slaves a share with Him (by pretending that He has children, and considering them as equals or co-partners in worship with Him). Verily, man is indeed a manifest ingrate! 15