Vanity (Al-Zukhruf)
In the name of Allah, the Compassionate, the 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 That We made it a distinctly lucid Qur'an that you 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 Messengers did We send to the ancient people? 6 And whenever any Prophet came to them, they only mocked at him. 7 Then We destroyed men mightier than these in prowess; and the example of the men of old hath gone (before them). 8 If thou wert to question them, 'Who created the heavens and the earth?' They would be sure to reply, 'they were created by (Him), the Exalted in Power, Full of Knowledge';- 9 It is He who has made the earth for you as a cradle and has made roads therein so that you will perhaps seek guidance. 10 And Who sent down water from the sky with a proper measure, so We revived a dead city with it; this is how you will be taken out. 11 And Who has created all the pairs and has appointed for you ships and cattle on which you ride, 12 so that you may sit firmly on their backs. Then once you have mounted them, remember your Lord's favour and say, "Glory be to Him who has subjected these creatures to us; we would never on our own have subdued them. 13 And surely to our Lord we must return. 14 And they appoint for Him from His bondmen a part! Verily man is an ingrate manifest. 15